IN BUSINESS TOGETHER.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2098, 29 July 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

IN BUSINESS TOGETHER.

To nil but the broad-souled moral reformers —a hopeless minority—it is a matter of supreme indifference how mean a man is, as long as his meanness operates without our sphere. But when it comes to being in business with positively the meanest man in the world, sitting in the same office with him, occupying different sides of the same desk, as poor Mr. Peabody did with disreputable Mr. Browne, and as poor Mr. Browne did with disreputable Mr., Peabody, human depravity assumes quite another phase, and the subject becomes one of vital interest. Also, in the important business of marrying your daughter, when you are by necessity associated with a little the most unprincipled woman living, as was virtuous Mrs. Peabody with vicious Mrs. Browne, and virtuous Mrs. Browne with vicious Mrs. Peabody, you are forced to the belief that “ in speeding to the devil’s house women take the lead."

With the plain language permitted a man in addressing his wife, and with the full and free confidence of the conjugal relation, Mr, Peabody was wont to declare to his spouse that John (Mr. Browne) treated him “ like a dogwhile Mr. Brownequite as often, witli equal strength of expression and freedom of confidence, would inform Mrs. Browne that Peabody was an ass. But though Mr. Peabody (who was a member of the church) occasionally swore at Mr. Browne (who was not), receiving the admonition from his reprobate partner— ‘‘ Tut, tut, man—you're swearing,” and spiritedly replying, “ you're enough to make an angel from heaven swear;’’ and though Mr. Browne openly found fault and quarreled with Mr. Peabody over bis way of doing business, their wives, exercising the superior tactics of woman, generally maintained a friendly oxterioi. They realised that you have a great advantage over an enemy when you address her as “my dear Maria,” or *• my dear Louise.” By having the enemy on visiting and speaking terms, you are much better able to comprehend and thwart tlie plan of bis campaign than it there were openly declared war and no intercommunication. 534

Of course, with the impartial view of a mother, Mrs. Browne felt that Gertrude was not only more beautiful, but just as intellectual as that conceited Belle Peabody, and Mrs. Peabody was persuaded that her Belle was not only infinitely superior in mind, but equal in body to that boydenish Gertie Browne. It must be confessed, however, that when any of Miss Peabody’s verses appeared in print, Mrs, Browne at once urged Gertrude to don her riding habit and canter up and down in front of the Peabody house, and when Miss Browne took the first prize for graceful skating, Mrs. Peabody immediately set Gertrude about publishing a volume of verses.

When Mr. Fred White took up his abode in Fairfield, and gave evidence that he was able to purchase any goods, however expensive, it was remarked by their friends that Belle Peabody and Gertie Browne were “ thicker ” than ever ; that the speeches they made behind each other’s back were several degrees more cutting than usual; that Miss Browne lived on horseback or in her boat, and that Miss Peabody was never seen without a book under her arm, or heard talking on any subject more common place than realism in action, or Swinburne’s poetry. Mr. White wrote to his frend, Sam Lewis, in the language of a sportsman, that game was plenty and shooting fine, and if you didn’t like the meat of one kind, the only thing you had to do was to cat the other—all of which was probably perfectly intelligible to Mr. Lewis, if somewhat ambiguous to us. Misses Browne and Peabody met Mr. White immediately on his arrival in town, at a party given him by a popular club. With that distrust in one’s powers which a great desire to win induces, Miss Browne allowed Miss Peabody to appear first at the party, and sent her brother to get an exact description of her dear’s Belle’s costume, so that she might array herself with a certainty of outshining her.

From the start, Mr. White displayed a rare faculty for adjusting himself in circumstances. If he gave Miss Brown to feel that it was heaven to waltz with her, he immediately sought Miss Peabody, wearing a thirsty expression of countenance, and succeeded in convincing her that the one pure delight of his soul was to drink from the fountain of knowledge as represented in her. If he accepted Mrs. Browne’s invitation to dinner and rowed with Gertie in the afternoon, he accepted Mrs, Peabody’s invitation to supper the same day, and strolled with Belle by the light of the moon, reciting amorous passages from the poets with happy effect.

Mrs. Browne declared,, and Gertie agreed, that it was simply scandalous the way the Peabodies were fishing for Mr. White, and they thanked goodness that they were better bred ; while Mrs. Peabody and Belle repeatedly and sincerely assured their dear five hundred friends that they were so sorry to think that Airs. Browne and Gertie should stoop to conquer Mr. White as they did. They were sure that they would blush to degrade themselves in such a manner, but—charitably and apologetically—what could one expect from a woman of no more principle than Mrs. Browne, and from a girl born and brought up as Gertie had been ? It was the autumn. The air was hazy, soft, and languorous. The Strabm river cut its curved passage through the brilliant-hued woods, and over its glassy, vari-colored surface drifted Miss Browne’s shell-likc boat, containing its fair owner and Air. White. Circumstances were such that Air. White felt the necessity of making desperate love, and he realised that of all awkward places to make love in, an easily-tipped boat is a little the most tfwkward. In his extremity, it occurred to him to tip over the boat, and do genuine theatre. But ho dismissed the thought, considering the general uncomfortableness of getting wet, and the amount of exertion necessary to be expended in securing his companion from a watery grave. “ The deuce !" he groaned. “ There is no other way—l may as well begin. Miss Browne—Gertie— ’’ impressively, “I am going away.’’ Gertie breathed a sigh, and by an almost superhuman effort succeeded in bringing a suspicion of tears to her eyes as she looked up and asked—- “ When .”’

*■ (Dash this boat, anyhow I It I were in a buggy now I could finish this up in about half the time I) To-morrow; do you care, dearie ? ’

Gertie hung her head prettily, an am swured—- “ You know I do.”

“ (Confound it I 1 can’t even reach her hand!) Do you suppose you will give me a single thought after I am gone ?” “ Are you going for good ?” 11 Unless my little girl bids me stay. Oh, hang a boat I") “ Do you mean Miss Peabody?" " (The hypogßite I) You know whom 1 mean, dear," reproachfully. Silence. “ Don’t you ?” coaxingly. Silence still. 11 Come, tell me—don't you think her name is Gertie, don’t you, ma hdlr '! (1 wonder if this thing would tip?)’’ Continued silence, more lowly drooped head.

“ Sweet perversity 1 Will you tell me, then, do you love me a little—just a little ?” Faintly, “ You know it."

11 Gertie, I have a serious notion of tipping this wretched boat over, so that I can somehow or other take possession of my property. What do you say ?” Gertie laughed, and said wickedly,— “ I had rather you wouldn’t—l don’t want to be anybody’s damp property.” “ Gertie, Gertie I lam shocked at your levity—to pun at this solemn moment, when you have given your heart to me, and it is a matter of life and death how I am to seal the bargain with a kiss I"

“ \V might row home," naively suggested Gertie, and Mr. White acted upon the suggestion, inwardly commenting, 11 Enterprising girl I If she cannot go through a difficulty, she lias patience to go around it. ” As she stood in the bow of the boat, with hand extended to be assisted in getting out, Gertie looked so thoroughly charming that he waived ceremony, and exercising his lately acquired prerogative, took her up in his arms, and fell quite repaid for all his previous exertion by the sweetness of the kisses that were unhesitatingly given him. Declining her invitation to " come in and see mamma,” he left Gertieat the door,and went to his hotel somewhat depressed by the knowledge thatjonly half had been told.

Gertie ran at once to her motherwith a recital of the afternoon’s experience. Before supper it was decided that cream satin would be more becoming to Gertie than pure white, that she should wear a veil and no ornaments, that the whole town should bo invited to the wedding, and that the principal sufferer must appear in chains at the triumph —in other words, that Belle Peabody must be bridesmaid.

‘‘Can you read my thoughts, Miss Peabody i" asked Mr. White of the young lady, as they strolled down Elm Avenue, a full moon sharply marking the shadows. “ How could I ?" in turn asked Miss Peabody.

“ The sympathy between us is so perfect, I fancied you must be able to do so. lam going away tomorrow.” ‘‘Going awayflattering dismay expressed in the tone.

“Yes"—solemnly—‘‘and Belle, my peerless darling, I was wondering if you have one word of comfort for mo to carry away with me. Will you have any room in t!ic fullness of your busy, intellectual life for occasional thought of a poor dug like we 1 ”

“ Don’t I ” Belle tenderly objected. “ Don’t speak of yourself like that.” Then, throwing back her head and gazing up into his face withall'the intensity of emotion a poetess should command, she replied :

“‘Go from me. Yet 1 know that I shall stand Henceforward in the shadow. Nevermore Alone upon the threshold of my door Of individual life, shall I command The uses of ray soul, nor lift my band Serenely in the sunshine as before

Without a sense of that which I forebore— They touch upon my palm. The widest land Doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart in

mine With pulses that beat double. What I do And wbat I dream include tbec ns the wine Must taste of its own grapes. And when I

sue God for myself, He bears that name of

thine, And sees within my eyes the tears of two.’ ’’ He listened patiently to the end, and when she bad finished be kissed her, thinking bow much simpler the process of love making is on land than on water.

Bright and early next morning Mr. White left town, and immediately after their breakfast Mrs. Browne and Gertie ran over to see Mrs. Peabody and Belle, who greeted them- effusively, and declared their coming most opportune. The two girls seated themselves side by side upon the sofa. Gertie looked so happy that Belle could not help feeling sorry to think what an awful change would take place in her as soon as she had heard the news; while Gertie viewed Belle's sparkling countenance, and calculated with intense satisfaction the effect which the revelation she intended to make would produce. Mrs. Browne led up to the subject gently by saying—- “ What a pity that Mr. White was obliged to leave so suddenly! She had noticed'— she could afford to be generous—“ that he was very much taken with dear Belle’s brilliant mind."

Mrs. Peabody was not to be outdone in generosity, and replied, if she knew anything about it, Mr. White’s heart had been pretty badly affected by some other girl's black eyes.

Mrs. Browne felt that here was her opportunity to allow that she supposed that was so, and to casually remark that he and Gertie were engaged ; while Mrs, Peabody thought there was no better time for introducing tbe intelligence that she expected she was going to have Mr. White for a son-in-law. The consequence over, they both began talking at once, and in the break which the confusion caused, Harry Peabody rushed into the room with the announcement that Mr. White was a married man, proving his statement by reading a personal" from the Great Lake society report, which said that 44 Mrs. Fred White, who has been visiting friends in the East, arrived at Great Lake on Wednesday morning, where she jvill speedily be joined by her husband, who has been spending the summer in Fairfield.”

Each of the women offered up a devout prayer of thanksgiving that she had not committed herself in confidence; Belle and Gertie exclaimed compassionately in the same breath, 44 So sorry for you, dear I" while Mrs. Browne said to Mrs. Peabody that she had wondered at her allowing a stranger to pay such marked attention to Belle, whereupon Mrs. Peabody tartly retorted that if she was in her place she wouldn't say anything, for she had heard more than once that Mr. White was engaged to Gertie Brown.

CHAPTER IV

From that time a change came over Oscar Bent. He did not cease his visits to Hawksnest, or show any different feelings to Myra, save that he was less attentive than of yore, but more courteous in his demeanour when they met. The change lay in his general mode of action. Hitherto he had been the prince of idlers, now he became vigorously active. Swimming, boating, and fishing became his sole study. An old fisherman, who lived alone amongst the crags of Mount Tangahiti and who knew every shoal and rock along the coast, was the young fellow's coach and tutor, and he found in Oscar a willing and apt student.

Myra was glad to note the change in him. His present mode of living conveyed the impression to her womanly soul, a deep and lasting regret for his misconduct, and not that alone, but this very distraction from his previous pursuits appeared only as a means whereby he sought to forget his love. If such was the case, Oscar had succeeded to perfection, for the girl readily forgave him and returned to her old ways in his company. The change had its effect also upon Myra’s father and his friend. By degrees the prejndice felt by those twain against him melted away. He was so hearty and genial to both, that, thinking they had hastily misjudged the man, they were all the more ready to extend the hand of friendship. Meanwhile, Myra and|Harry were drawn together, with the inevitable result. Their hearts had long beat in sympathy, and their lips could not withold the secret. He proposed in his honest, straightforward fashion, and was accepted. She loved him, and why should she bo prudish and assume a doubt when no doubt existed ? So she saM, “Yes,” and there was great rejoicing at Hawksnest. Oscar Bent was very warm in his congratulation. He told Myra that he was pleased at her choice in spite of what had happened, and to Harry he said that of all men in New Zealand, he would have chosen him to marry his “sister Myra.” Harry thanked him and replied that he would endeavor to make her happy. Ho purchased a block of land near the villa, and gave orders for the erection of ajsubstantial dwelling thereon. As Oscar showed some architectural taste, he was often consulted about the work going on. He gave his advice cheerfully and seemed anxious about the house as if it had been his own.

While all these preparations were going forward, Oscar and Harry spent much of the time together in the former’s sailing boat, cruising about the rocky coast. Harry was very fond of the water, and Oscar’s cutter was a wonder in the way of boatbuilding. It wanted just a week to the all important day, that was to see Myra and Harry man and wife, when Oscar and Maydalo went out for a day’s sail. It was a late autumn day, rather cold, with a chopping wind knocking about the sea. Tom Wildelove helped them io get the boat ready, and advised them to keep well in shore.

There is no knowing what such a morning may bring forth in the way of a gale ere night,’ he said. “We are not going far. sir, 1 ' answered Oscar; then turning to Harry he added, “Ifyou think there’s anything to fear, pray don't go," Harry laughed. “ I've been used to a rough life, and therefore don't mind rough weather. Besides you can manage j our boat to perfection.”

“No man better, I’ll go bail,” ejaculated .Tack Cod. the old fisherman, who stood by, smoking a short black cutty. They ran the boat down and leaped in as she shot into the sea. The square mainsail and foresail were set, with a reef in the former, and Oscar took the helm.

“ I think wo will run out by the Tanga Beef, wo get less wind there,” he said. “ I understood the Tanga rocks were dangerous,” replied Harry.

‘ To those who have not studied them, no doubt they are,” responded his companion, “ but there is no real pleasure without a trifle of danger to give it zest. I know every foot of this coast, and can sail within pistol shot of the reef. You shall see.” As the boat got out into the trough of the short waves ho was in high spirits, and his manner was more like that of a school boy let loose for a holiday than a man out for an hour’s enjoyment. ‘‘You are gay this morning, Oscar.” “ Very gay, my friend You shall witness some fine sailing this day, if the wind only holds.” “ It will hold, I think.” ‘‘ I hope so. Beside I have a surprise in store for you, May dale.” “What is it V"

“You shall see presently.”

The Tanga rocks lay about two miles and a half to the east of the clitf at Eldonbury, and they were worthy of being termed dangerous. Black in appearance, and fatal to any vessel, large or small, that chance might cast in their vicinity. At

high tide they peeped no more than a few feet above the waves on a calm day, and when the wind was high, foam alone marked their whereabouts.

At low tide they were still surrounded by water, for they were ugly, razor-backed masses of stone, that had their foundation in the sand full fifty fathoms down. On this day, and at the hour the boat started, the tide was almost at its highest point, and nothing but foam about them could be seen.

As they drew nearer, Harry, who had some little knowledge of seamanship, saw that the place presented one huge bar of while curling breakers in front, and to right and left of them, with not so much as the ghost of a passage for the boat, which was now madly plunging right in amongst them. “It is madness to attempt a passage there, he shouted. “ Put up the helm !” “ You coward, be quiet,” cried his companion, laughing hoarsely. “ I told you I was going to surprise you, so I am.” “ Put up your helm, or by the ” “Do you threaten me, and here /” interrupted Oscar, with an oath, his face suddenly assuming the ferocity of a tigercat.

Harry saw the change, and knew what it meant. He had seen many dangerous men during his wanderings, and he saw that he had one to deal with now.

“ H—ll seize you,” yelled the now infuriated Oscar. “ Keep back from me. The sight of you is poison to my soul. For months I’ve played my game and fooled you all. I’ve brought you to your fate, and yonder white-faced cat at home may mew for your coming until the trump of doom.”

Before he could utter another word, Harry threw himself upon him, and a furious struggle took place for the possession of the tiller. They were both strong men, one with a latent devil in him fighting for revenge, the other battling for his life. Do all he could, Harry Maydale could not move his antagonist from his grip of the helm, until the frail vessel crashed upon the rocks. “ Hurrah ! This shall be your weddingday,” shrieked Oscar, and the next moment the sea and rocks rent the craft to pieces, and both men went down. They were locked together as the waves cast them up again to the surface, and Oscar, being nearest to the sharp-cutting reefs, received a cruel blow, which instantly caused him to release his hold upon his rival.

Harry was a strong swimmer, but he was half stunned, and blinded by the spray. He felt that the chances of escape were small, but the thought of Myra nerved him to make the effort.

How long he fought with the whirling eddies, and the seething cauldron into which he had been cast, he never could estimate. A man will fight hard for his life, and especially a man on the eve of being married. After much buffeting, and when his strength was well-nigh gone, Harry Maydale found himself in smoother water. Even here he was tossed and tumbled about like a worthless cork, until suddenly a far-off voice reached his ears—- “ Ahoy, mate! This way;” and the exhausted swimmer knew it was the voice of Jack Cod, the fisherman. By-and-by a boat approached, and a rope was cast close to him, which he seized and held. “ I saw j T our danger, my lad, and put out after ye,” cried the old salt, as he hauled Harry into the smack. “ But, 1 say what has become of Mr. Oscar?” “ Where is he?” gasped Harry. There was a pause for a moment, and then Jack cried out —

“Ah, there he is, in the whirlpool of the Tanga !” “ Steer for him. Fifty pounds if you save him!”

The lisherraan steered, hut it was too late. Oscar Bent, like his antagonist, was completely exhausted. Just at the moment when he saw his hated rival safe in the boat, a huge wave lifted him bodily up, and dashed him a mangled corpse on the reef.

“A dangerous man, Harry. You had a narrow squeak for it, boy,” said Tom Wildelovc.

“I had indeed, sir,” said the young fellow, dotting his hat, with a feeling of reverence and gratitude. The two were walking the little gardenpath before the villa, a week after the tragic affair, at the Tanga rocks. “It was wise of you to keep the affair to yourself, Harry.” “Aye, sir. Better .bear it than let Myra know what was hidden' in her old playmate.” “To be sure, lad. Your wedding will have to be postponed for three months ; that will be a trial.” “ Perhaps, sir.” And so it was settled. Only two men in Eldonbury knew the secret of that catastrophe at the Tanga Reef.