"ALMA."

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2061, 29 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

"ALMA."

Ax O:;-'.' :a;v HAr.nf.i* ■ r.- : --tv. . M.i’. ck m: v re " aiv.-.

(’ ' v lT' A . IK'; \i. ;0 “We have ni rr :r.n ■r I knowing. Fitly things may 1-»| : -i. I think that not a tr.uitiiii; --- ;i!d c. I. -t in rescuing Mr from his clu’c . “ I don’t lc!,i-he v, Id listen to me eithir," cor tinned Dart. • She would not believe me bJo.-e. and whr.t new ar omenta have I cr. t > ad-. • ;! 1 may sweat that Stephen Tit-hgr i-i th > greatest villain unhung, but she w.;l i.ier Jy sa.il-,and attribute it to my pnqu c l . ’ “Surely ti>; fivt nf his association wilh such a ecoundiu that J ihnson would i have some wti-ht wish hr?” said Bertie, lor the first lima takic; part in the discession. Nt a bit of it.” r-plied Dart. He will joss tell her 'ha; 1.0 hag be n made a victim of, and -I- - v. I,! i,-iiy him, and cling to him the c’ostr." “V;ui •! • -t.” said Harry, “ [hat I have had later n- p mumt; s of conversing wilh ycur filler jut:, you In-,.-. My impression is that she is by no rvans so favorably disposed to var> eur ui.elc as voa imsplne.” I *’ Why 0.-u’t y-.u ( - arsed Dirt, with I etid n; irritation. " You areengaerd to her, anf cu hi to ba-a I n ti .irs as much in- | finance over her as I have—certainly it is more your iff lir 'ban min' 1 , anyway.” it is not imp s-ih!c that ibid proposal was exactly whs: Hr. Harry Lasceiles desired, but be did tot ,-gr e tea hs-tily. “ I would wfi.iLg g°.” £ -id he ; and, in any event, if my fit! r .-jn-ents, I will go- but I still think i; wy:M be better that you should meet her fir-;. Tn;- Profc-sor canno; refuse to admit you hit'm, hj jus-;, hut wish mo it is different: he ‘-it q iietiy proven: me having a moment s -p-exh .< i:li your sister except in his presses--, or ho lauht even close hie door to me alt.vai.fr.” " Yon can w-.iio. I sopp'isc.” " And what w-.u;.J bj la.-irr than for him to intercept n;,- i ;;.rs? Moreover, what eculd I ssy I; jcu, as h-.r brother, could off.-r her a ho-no— ’ “And vou. a- hr.- lover, could offer her a hatband,' ir-rrt-d Dart. “Get her to tun away witn you," •'She mi,;!.; nr; consent to that," said Bertie, “ tat I think I have e plan that will suit all parti.-* Gr-.c ? .-ird I are to be married in - f .-itr.L-ht, aud im had proposed to take a lr ,i un c - ir.tiy for our honey, moon, be'cri proceed.ng to England. Now, instead tf that, I vi;l _■ ■: I- r to consent to start for home by the follo wing mail, which, unless th- E iza Jane is a wonderfully fast vessel, and makes an txccqhoral passage, will arrive in England about the same time aa (hay do. Both of you fellows can accompany «, hmlUmb Grace and I will take a house, Hi Dart ean ask his sister to stay with os. Skawaa very fond of Grace, and will rtsdlyHM, whilst the Professor will find it diflpi la find reasons for refusing his course Kfcaoe she is within our doors yon you Demon will have the game in yoor owiStado, and she need never leave us until she {(Mrs. Harry Ls-cdka.” This proposal met wish general approval, and arrangements were made accordingly. Aftea v l:ng pfcierc;, during which nothing has been heard of him, Burrows, the private dttcc'.ivnude his appearance one day. Ilia r.po-t wa- a mere catalogue of failures, and he in obliged to admit that he could not --re his way to conduct the inquiry wilh any hope of success. Dart therefore despatched hi n to England by the mail steamer, not thinking it worth while to retain bis service sny longer. The day a: Dc ;.n arrived on which Grace and Beilie w t r.. to be ni-.tri.--d. At earliest dawn the brifi-;- -r.-j n was afoot, and at once proofed.-1, according to the usual cnsio; i if gcr.ilo ;n-n in tills predicament, to make hi;.. — If a thorough nuisance tn the whole hoo-; ho!q. K iW t ho awakened S - :i, ~’,o t ip; in the same room, and bore patiently with him for up verds of an boat, during which Mr. Borne shaved, and dressed bi n-. If for the day, in the fail splendour of i.ii wr-jjing -ui:. Then he though: it time to arouse the domestic. and,making hi* way to her quarters, ha thundered 1 --n-ily as the door. Aft rho bad been knocking and caring for about ten minutes,the door wai snddooly ihrowu open, and the dam-el in q-ic ;.on appearr \ on the tblMbold, attired in a c i t irnc which may be bnefiy described as cjr,=ir:ing t.[ fiaimel petticoat,' stays, dirty blue nan-ikerchief worn about hex neck and b.--oiu, and curlpapers. “Where is the fire?" she aske-1, with her month fall of pins, whilst sue fastened off the tag-end of her stay laces. “Fire 7” said Bertie, somewhat abashed •t this unexpected vision. “ There is no fire taut 1 know of.” “What is it then? Is it burglars 7 Or ■tadatT ’ “Then is nothing the matter, only it is Manta pst up.” "Still Time to git up indeed 1 Who - Pfijfiywa a jedge of the time to git np inyrjtfeillt To earns a-ehioying people at this H'takM’ night, aa if they were c-unwicts or H4ktaMimM I I cbonltl be ashamed of rayHMRHmM I" Hera she slammed tho door PWiitfßHMnMtakcd away discomfited.

n he an tvat ■■ t up, ii’i —it i a’i say care bis for it bnt and make him go ready, ■■’ I: was a rlorioas mOte^^HHKMtdnye the Rtmoiphero of not p dluteJ by the smokaflHHiNl tesiot the air o( the great «MEIW»» fragrant perfume of the bash KtßaHMWdll around the ncU.boiirhood whara owmaad* maided. S ,-mo ignorant slanderar, vtitins o t Anstralia many years ago, aUrtad tha fiction that its woods are ecentleasa and its birds eonyh-H. Tne libel bm oatlimd its author,

and finds frequent repetition in t|ie works fa careless and ignorant writers—yet never was there more utterly nnwarrantable Fist intent. A morning walk in the bash in the “primj time would suffice at once and forever to dispel the illusion. The air will then be found to be loaded with perfume, whilst the magpies alone will sing a song the joyous melody of which will satisfy even the lover of the lark and thrush. Bertie and Seth, strolling along the banks of the Varra Yarra. felt the same bright gladness which all living things display at the coming of the sun, and they wandered on in silence, too (all of happiness to speak. “It is a glorious morning I” exclaimed B.’rtie, at last. '• That is so,” replied Seth. “ Just the sort of weather to git married in." • May it prove an augury to our future life,'' said Bertie, reverently. “ I wish Grace were here." “Wa-al, it ain't no distance np to theil place—run up «nd ask her to oome out fur a stroll.’' Bertie smiled. “ That would be a terrible breach of etiquette,” he said. “I am not supposed to see her till we meet at the church door.” “Gracious!" exclaimed Seth. “What’s that for?”

“ I don’t know when or why the custom originated, but it is so. 1 rather think girls are expected to cry a good deal on their wrdding morning, and are not considered presentable until they are fnlly rigged-ont for the ceremony,” “ Tnet reminds me,” said Seth, “ you never told me what I’ve got to do.” S:th was to olliciate as best man, both Part and Harry willingly yielding place to Bertie’s oldest friend. • Yvi have just got to see me through it,” rtplie 1 ll;rtie. “ I don’t know that you have any-pt;i .1 duties to perform—l never was h.'-t man myself and can’t say I ever took stock of their line of business. By the by, though, I do teoierabet one thing, you ought to start the kissing, and you will have to return thanks for the health of the bridesmaids.” Hvth looked anxious, and thoughtfully asked what he ought to say in such a ca-c. “ Oh, pitch them the usual yarn,” said Bertie. “ I really can’t tell you—l don’t remember at all what fellows do say—l know I would not like to have to do it myself.” “ That's consolin',” said Seth. “ I gnesa I shall make the awfu'.lest mess—l’d rutber give ’em Fourth o’ duly oration." Nobody evt heard of an American, boy or man, who oould not make a speech at any time and on any subject,” said Bertie—and he spoke the truth. “ You will get on all right much better than I shall, I’ll swear.” On their return to the cottage they wera greeted by a shout of laughter from Dart and Harry, who, with Mr. Lascclles, were awaitthem in the verandah.

“ Fawn colored pants I” cried Harry. “ Ditto ditto vest!” exclaimed Dart. “ Black cloth coat I” “ J. ivender necktie!” “ White kid boots 1 Oh, you unfortunate areature!” Here they began laughing again, and even Mr. Lascclles and Seth joined in, whilst Bertie began to feel very uncomfortable. “Is there anything ridiculous in a man dressing himself decently on his wed-ding-day 7” be asked, half-angrily. ■■ Kig out as Bplendscious as yon please fer the ceremony,” replied Harry. But it is 00 a'nsuid to see a fellow stalking about in such gforgeous raiment before breakfast.” , Bertie began to feel conscious that he bad own somewhat premature in adorninghirasclf an 1 ha iwki-d, hastily, whether breakfast was rea-iy. “ As if you could cat any breakfast 1” exclainud Dart, contemptuously. “Going to bo torr,td iff at twelve o’clock, and asks for breakfast at eight! Brandy and soda is ; more in your line, my boy—all tho break- ; fast you’ll cat wouldn’t fatten a mos- ! quito.” I Nevertheless, Mr. Bertie Leracorte did | manage to make a respectable meal, although 1 am bound to admit that it was preceded by a brandy and soda. Of the interval that passed before it w: B time to go to church, it is well to bo silent — young men do not appear to advantage on such occasion, and I am inclined to wonder | that the majority succeed in keeping them- ! selves sober undrr euch trying eitcum- ! stances. In the Harvey household, matters pro- ! gresecd even more prosaically. Grace also awoke at daybreak, but she had too much to do to be able to waste time in thought, or boring other people. There was the break- ; fast to bo eotm tn anal many other household rna’ti-rs requiting her attention, besides the ; all-important business of dressing, so time 1 pa-sod as rapidly with her as it did slowly with her lover. Hue had but one bridesmaid, Aimoo Drantome,having no other young le.dy fritn is in M-lbautne, but she was a happy and contented as if a dozen fairies in tiiDs and tarfan had followed in her train. And she and her attendant were 1 such a pair as are rarely to be seen before any ‘ altar. Grr,.;--, tall, fair, and statuesque, wore the wreath of orange-blossoms, and the long lace vril, vs if she had been accustomed to such attire from h-r b-rth, whilst little Aimee, | still adhering to her favorite colors, black, poll, and scarlet, looked like a dazzling firei liy, and contrasted admirably with her principal. I The ceremony was performed without a ! hitch occurring,and without a tear; although - two or three snuffy o!d ladies indulged in ' gome expressive sobbing, as became ex--1 periecced matrons on witnessing the sacrities of another of their sex to the ogre, Man. Grace felt nervous, but concealed her trepidation—but Bertie shook visibly, and looked ! os miserable as most gentlemen do on each occasions.

to do fall (or their amall, bnt tothoae of ont reader, some most ophistory. lay was made by Metb. feebly, as also did Mr. Brsntome was voluble the honors were carrie i oil by in returning thanks for the immense astonishment of all him,the young gentleman delivered HnpMah in absolutely pure grammatical ■Bplh—too grammatical, almost, to be IDieqaial—and with only the faintest “ enspaionl of an American accent. The Thnkeiism, the prairie talk, with which he had been wont to gild his discourse, vanished; and ho- spoke as if he had never been accustomed to anything but the cream of Amet ican society. “Where, in the name of all that is wonderful did you learn to talk English?” asked Harry when a move had taken place into the drawing room. “Way out west among the greasers,” drawled Seth. “ Them Mexikins speak the most elegant English you ever heerd.” “ Don’t ba ridiculous. You really area most astonishing boy—bow you doit 1 don’t know.” “ E( you was a sitterzen of the United States of America, mebbe you’d be able to do it too,” retorted Seth. “It don’t take us no time to larn anythin’ we sets our minds on,

you bet yet life I” And Harry began to believe that he had spoken the truth. Meanwhile, Dart had succeeded in inducing Aimcc B.antome to remain behind in the breakfast room. Now that very morning, Grace had warned the little thing what she might expect would happen, and she was fully prepared. “ They always do it, dear,” Grace said. Half the proposals are made at weddingpirtico, and I don’t mind betting you half-a-dozen pairs of gloves that Mr. Dart Tredegar domes to the point to-day," " Nonsense 1” replied Aimea. “Le zni s’aminr, and that is all. There is nothing in him of the serious at all.” “ Will you accept the wager 7” “ Pat si belt /” exclaimed Aimee, with a merry laugh. “I do not marry myself with a millionaire, and my purse is emp y.” " Which means that you know yon would lose, ’ said Grace. “Well you are warned, and cannot, therefore, be taken by surprise.” So, when Mr. Dart Tredegar politely suggested that it would be much cooler in the breakfaet-room, as the drawing-room would be overcrowded, Aimee took her scat in the arm-chair, with a little sigh of contentment, and resigned herself to hear something pleasant. “ "’e have had a jolly day,” began Dart, when be bad installed himself by her side. “Yer?" replied Aimee, interrogatively. “ There has been what you call a pretty good laid—though I dare to say you would have preferred sour-krout, and boiled mutton with prunes.” Dart bit Ms lip. “ lam not a German,” he said. “ No, only half German. Well, do not be angry, the Germans ate not a bad people.” This, it must be remembered, was said long before the Franco-Pruseian war, whilst the average Frenchmen still regarded la France as invincible —whether Aimee would make the same assertion to-day is another matter. “It is a strange thing, maddmoiselle, that you always adopt with me this strange system of persifilage. Do you imagine that I can never be serious ?” “No, monsieur Grave-airs,” replied the girl, with a roguish smile. “It is because that you are always of the most serious—ca m'ennuie, moi.” Aimee, ’ exclaimed Dart, seizing her hand,” I must be serious just for one minute —I want to ask you to consent to become my little wife 1” “ M ell,” said the young lady, with admirable coolness. “ Well! Ido not understand,” stammered Dart, completely disconcerted,and relinquishing her hand. “ You want to ask—why don’t you ask, then?” with a little move and an impatient stamp of her foot. " What 1” exc’aimed Dart. “ You would—you will—” here, finding speech difficult, he sought to repossess himself of her hand, but she withdrew it sharply. “ Well, sir ? I will—what 7” she said,impatiently. “ You will be my wife 1” “ Eh,” said the young lady, throwing herself back in her chair, and thoroughly enjoying the situation. “I do not know. It might be that I might do worse. Your English girls, they always ask for time, is it not 7” Dart smothered a curse, and turned his head away. Could he have been mistaken 7 Was this girl a mere coquette 7 A low, gentle laugh broke upon his ear, and he turned around—Aimee was holding her face, bat her sparkling black eyes were not bidden, and he read in them the truth. “ You little witch I” he exclaimed. “ You" were playing with me all the time I” as he said phis, he managed to insinuate an arm around her waist, and drew her towards him, till her pouting lips met his in a warm kiss. For a minute, she resigned herself to his embrace, then she broke away with a sigh. “ Ah !” she said, “ how hard it is to make a man understand 1 Yes, I was playing with you 1 Yes, lam a oat, and when I catch my mouse I like to play with it before I eat it there!” she was as variable in her mood as the winds, and the speech, which was begun almost plaintively, ended with a vicious little snap of the teeth, as it she had really been the animal to which she had likened herself. Yet Dirt felt more in love with her than ever. “Toll me, darling—one little word—you love mo 7” “ Eh .”’ exclaimed Aimee, with pretended astonishment. “ Behold something new! That is the first word of love I have heard today." “ Did I not say that I loved you dearly—to distraction 7” “ No, monsieur, nothing of the sort. You did me the honor of asking me to become your vfite—but of love not one word.” “ Than I aa y it now,” said Harry, seating himself on a footstool at her feet, and looking imploringly up into her faoe. “ I love you dearly—to distraction 1” " Ft pint ?’’ asked Aimee, still playing with her mouse. “And then—you love me a little in return 7” “ Perhaps—in time—plenty of time I might,” replied Aimee. The answer was sufficient for Dart, who began, by this time, to understand the humor of bis mistress. He took her hand, and was suffered to kiss and retain it. " What will your papa say 7” he asked. “ He will be enrage, of course, because that you are not a Frenchman; but he always does what I tell him.” “ And mama?” “She never does anything at all. To her it is all the same, so long as she is warm —that is all that is the trouble with her.” “ Then there are the priests," continued Dart. " Chut I Is it that that would make a difference with as 7 You are yourself religious 7” “Not particularly so. You see I was brought up in Omnny, and I did not go

tofSSmthetan church, I belong to the oburdKli England.” ■■And we are Catholic—that is, mama.is Catholis— «apa and 1 arc not so very particular we p* anywhere.” ’ “Why, Aimee/’exclaimed Dart, with'an alarmed look, “I believe you are nothing more nor less than a freethinker 1” “ I do not know. For myself, I see no good in all the religions. Papa says his creed is Tke what one of your iree-thinkers said ‘I believe in God, and my religion is to do good.’ Bnt I like to go to church when the music is good, and the preacher is clever, and I suppose I believe just what everybody else does.” The conversation soon assumed a more lover like tone, and it was finally arranged that Dart should address himself to Monsieur Brantome that very evening after dinner, at which period of the day elderly gentlemen are popularly supposed to be more amenable to persuasion than at other times. The result was satisfactory. Monsieur Brantoma resisted at first, but Dart pleaded with ability, and actually undertook to live in Martinique, and join Monsieur Brantome in his business 1 so, on these terms, the negotiation was concluded; with also the final stipulation that the marriage should not take place until Dart had been to England, and the Brantomea had returned to their home in Martinique, where he was to meet them in sis months’ time. The next out going mail steamer numbered ! amongst its paseengers Mr. and Mrs. Leracorte, Messrs. Lascdles, fs.ther and son, Dart : Tredegar, and Satb Perkins.

CHAPTER XLVI. BOUGHT FOR A TRICE. Tha course taken by Johnson had not altogether met with the approval of the Professor. To proffer a new love to the girl, whilst her heart was still longing for the old one was, be considered, scarcely judicious. It was not possible that she could forget the past in a few week?, and no overt effort should been made until time had cicatrised the wounds caused by the (supposed) cruel conduct of Harry Lascelles. It was all very well to talk of hearts being caught at the rebound —of outraged affection gladly welcoming a new love—for his part, he thought taat no woman worth winning, could change so suddenly, respectful attention, quietly expressed sympathy, were the weapons to work with—establish first a liking, and then there would be some hope of that liking blossoming into love. As it was, Alma would be on her guard, and view with suspicion every dTort to gain her favor. Johnson askod whether the Professor thought a man stock or stone ? Whether he was aware that he (Johnson) loved the girl; and how, seeing her so miserable, he oould refrain from attempting to console her ? “ And a pretty way you set about it,” replied the Professor. “ You seek to lessen her trouble by giving her a new one. She will now avoid you, and find your presence irksome—it is most internally annoying 1” 11 Manage the thing yourself then,” retorted Johnson, sulkily, ”if I have made such a mesa of it, you had better try your hand. I can assure yon that, if some arrangement is not come to pretty quickly, we shall have to part—l couldn’t stand life much longei; and I don’t mean to.” "It was your own suggestion that we should come here —I wanted to start for England at once.” }' Very likely, but 1 know plenty of places where 1 could have been as safe as in this beastly hole, and enjoyed myself to boot. I only suggested this place because we should have the girl alone, and be able to manage her without interference.”

11 Well, I will try what I can do,” said the Professor, who could not afford to quarrel with his companion, more especially as he was now deeply in his debt, and entirely dependent upon him for money. " I will speak to my nieoa, and urge her to accept your addresses. It she refuses, I will try to work upon her feelings, say that I am in your power, and appeal to her to save me.” “ Can’t say I have much hope of your succeeding,” said Johnson. “My belief is that she’H have to be forced after all.” “ You must have a poor opinion of yourself,” replied the other, with an ill-concealed sneer. “Perhaps I have, and perhaps I havn’t; but I certainly have a very poor opinion of your chances of working upon her feelings. She must know you pretty well by this time.”

Stephen Tredegar turned away, feeling that another minute or two might oause_ a breach between them whioh would not easily be repaired. How thoroughly he hated the man 1 It he oould have afforded the luxury, nothing would have pleased him better than to have beaten him like a cur—yet he was obliged to put up with his sneers and insnlts and even fawn upon him I —Nothing but the consciousness of the magnitude ol the stake for whioh he was playing enabled him to avoid open expression of the disgust and contempt with which Johnson inspired him. Yet, to such a creature he was about to sacrifice his niece I Linked for life to a low brute, a criminal, what but misery oould be her portion? — He asked himself this, and then solaced himself by the reflect ion that it was fitting punishment for the treachery of her parents. He had never been able to love Alma. When she was a little child, her innocent prattle filled his heart with rage, as he thought that but for the deceit ol hie brother, and the fickleness of his betrothed, he might have called such a little one is own, and hj; swore never to forget the injury done him, never to forgive the children the sins of their parents. It had cost him much of late to keep up the tone of tenderness which he had suddenly assumed at Grabenthal, and he longed for the hour when he oould throw off tha mask, and curse her for her mother's sake. Ha had been dissolute, reckless, and criminal—but ho had never known the love of a good woman, end the only chance he had had ol a better life was lost when his brother arrived at the little Welsh village, and stole away the heart he thought was his. A better man than him might be pardoned for cherishing bitter feelings against those who had wronged him; but very few, even amongst worse men, would have coldly prepared a revenge upon their children. It is true that, at rare intervals, as he gazed upon the girl, he felt a momentary twinge of compunction; hat, now, self-interest had been thrown into the scale, and he oould not even afford to be merciful. He fought A ma at once, for time was precious, and he know not bow long the seige might last. She was sitting in a small room, engaged, with Su-'io, in mending houselinen. “Leave us for a while, it you please, Susan,” he said, upon entering. "I have some business to talk about with your mistress.” Susie gathered up her work and departed, and than he turned to Alma, who had heard the announcement with complete indifference. “My dear,” he said; “Mr. Johnson ft very much in love with you." “So ho told me whilst you were away,” replied Alma, coldly. “ I had almost forgotten it.” “ Ha asked you to marry him ?” “ Something of tha sort, I believe.” “ And you refused him ?” “ Of course. What else did you think I would do ?” asked Alma. “ I think, considering how deeply we are indebted to him, you might, at least,

have refrained from absolutely rejecting him.” “Would it have been more hind to leave him to indulge in a hope which could never be realised ?” “ But, in time—” “ Time will make no difference in my sentiments towards Mr. Johnson, uncle," interrupted the girl. “ Nonsense 1' exclaimed the Professor, with irritation. “ How do you know how yon will (eel twelve months hence ?'' “ I know (hat twelve months henee, if I live eo long, I shall (eel just as mueh disinclined to marry Mr. Johnson as 1 do at the present moment.” “Do you dislike the man?” " I cannot say I like him. Ido not know much of the world, but I think I am right in Baying that he is not a gentleman.” ‘ Bobbish!” exclaimed the Professor. “Hs is rough-mannered, but then be has led a rough life. Anyhow, he is rich, and that is the principal thing.” " You would have me marry the man for his money?” “Why not?" You have no prospects. You could not earn your own living if you 1 tried, and I am poor and deeply in his debt." I “ And yon would pay your debts bv selling me to him I” said Alma, indignantly. “ I thank yon, uncle, I must decline the bargain. Yon eay that 1 could not get my own living, and yon may bo right, but I am willing to try sooner than marry that man. At the worst it would be only for a little time, as a letter to Dart would eoon bring me relief.” This was worse than the Professor had expected. The girl not only declined Johnson's offer, but threatened to appeal to her brother I He must play his lost oard. “ Look here, Alma," be said; “ I acknowledge that there is a great deal of truth in what you say—Johnson is not what is usually termed a gentleman, but he is fairly goodlooking, and good-tempered—two valuable qualifications in a husband. You ate right in saying that I would pay my debt to him by selling yon to him, although yon put the matter rather coarsely. But you do not know what that debt is. It is not merely a money obligation—Johnson has it in his power not only to rnin me—that is not of much consequence, (or I am mined already —but to deprive me of my liberty. Yon woaldnot wish to eeeme thrown into prison, publicly tried for a criminal offence, and, perhaps, condemned to herd for years with felons ?" ( ! n hr routimini.)