“LITTLE BOO"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19511, 13 February 1926, Page 10 (Supplement)

“LITTLE BOO"

CHAPTER 21. GHOSTS AGAIN. I’m unhappy an’ I'm weepin’, Can roam de cotton-woods no more; Tas* night w’en Nelly was a-sleepin Death came a-knockin’ at de door.” A week later, when Maud entered ihe patient’s room early in the morning, she found her lying very, very Still —and pale, the smile of a child, who dreams happily, on her lips. Mrs Forsythe had passed away peacefully during the night. A* sheet of paper was found on a small table by the bed, whereon five words were faintly pencilled “Ask him to forgive Fay.” But no one knew for whom the message was intended. The firm of solicitors in Auckland, who attended to the dead woman s affairs, were communicated with, and it was decided that the burial should take place from the hospital. That evening Maud crept into the quiet room of death. It was the first time since early morning that she had a few minutes to herself. As she knelt beside the bed, and looked upon the serene face of the patient she had nursed, it suddenly dawned upon her mind that the mysterious written message might be intended for Mr Maddock. She recalled again the dead woman’s strange remarks (following her question as to whether Mr Maddock was married) about the “world being a small place” and that “ghosts were never laid.’* Maud had thought over these words many times since they had been uttered —but it was not until that moment had it oceured to her to con nect their meaning with anyone she knew. The wishes of the dead are sacred, and the girl determined to seek Roy Maddock, in strict confidence, and ask him if he were the one for whom the message was intended. It he were not. no harm would be done. Aunt Roberta. Little 800 and Joan arrived with flowers the next morning —the day of the burial. Their eyes were red-rimmed as if they had been weeping. Maud burst into tears as she ushered the forlorn little band into the silent room. “I am so glad you came—and brought her flowers.’’ she whispered, controlling her violent sobbing with an effort. “She would have appreciated the thought! She has nobody to c-c-care but me—her nurse. I-I had g-g g-g--rown to almost 1-1 1-1-ove her — Aunt Roberta’s ready arms went round the girl’s shaking form. and Maud finished sobbing out her sorrow on that sympathetic breast. Joan and Little 800 gently laid the white wreaths and the cross of violets on the quiet figure in the handsome ebony coffin. Hand in hand the two sisters lifted their eyes to the face of the dead woman. They gazed apprehensively, for they had never seen a dead person before; but she was like a big doll gone to sleep.” and their Lars gave place to a feeling of reverence—as if they were in church and saw a holv vision. “Oh. Auntie —just look!” cried John in a little gasp. “She is so lovely and white —and sweet ’’ Little 800 held on to Aunt Roberta s arm tightly: “It is so strange—her face —iik e that, more than ever—haunts me. She is so like —someone —and I can’t remember who. It was a long time ago, I think.’’ she whispered in jerks. ‘‘She is happy now.” Aunt Roberta murmured, wiping her eyes. “Yes.” Maud whispered chokingly. “And she was most unhappy here —I— know it! ”

When Maud opened the gate of “The Bungalow’* the next afternoon, she espied Mr Maddock standing on the gravelled path in front of the house. He was haranguing Miko, whose funny little face appeared over the edge of the verandah roofing. “If you don’t come down from there immediately I'll ” she heard him say, as he shook his fist at the wicked monkey. “What will you do, Roy? I am curious to hear.” Maud enquired, coining up behind him. Mr Maddock wheeled round: “I didn’t know anyone was there. Maud, he said, holding out his hand. “My intentions toward Miko are diabolical —if he doesn’t remove his carcase from the roof at once,” he went on. raising his voice threateningly for the benefit of the monkey. Alike’* mind was almost human, and he knew the English language quite well, although he could not speak a word of it. Maud beckoned to the monkey: “Come down. Air Miko de Monk, and be good.” she wheedled. “I might be able to find a nut for you in my bag.” and she held it up for his inspection. i Perhaps he was tired of chimneys for j once, or Maud’s bribe had a greater) appeal, for. the next instant, he was nimbly down a vernadah post. and ; made a bee-line for the girl. Standing in front of her. a paw held out. he grimaced, and jabbered away, keeping a watchful eye on the movements of his master. Maud produced a nut. which she handed to the monkey, inviting him to sit on her should* r. He accepted the invitation with alacrity; and in this wise she followed Mr Maildock into the house. He took Miko from her. and, calling to Mrs Morrison, i asked her to deposit him safely in his ' cage. “I’ll have to get rid of my Baby Zoo > one of these day>.” he remarked, leaning back in the chair, -el running his long fingers through white hair. You ■on ■ ~ ' i " ' hors •. and ilonkey. and .■'••nd Muriel and Miko to the Zoo.” “Y-e-e-s —but T should have to be quite certain in my own mind that my pets would be kindly treated. Anyhow. there is no immediate hurry for a decision to bo made. I confess that Mr Miko de Monk is rather a responsibility these days.” “I suppose you are wondering why’ I am here,” said Maud. “I was flattering myself that you had come to see me. he replied banteringly. Then he sighed and looked glum, pretending to be east down at the hint that such was not the case. He continued: “When i came to examine your face, 1 find that you

do not look as bright as usual. Is anything the matter?” Maud’s eyes were sad. She nodded; “The patient. Mrs Forsythe, I have been nursing for the last eight weeks, is dead —and buried —yesterday,” she said softly. “I am very sorry to hear it, Maud,” he murmured with sincerity. '*l came to see you, Roy, because I wondered if it could be possible you — you ever know her.” She hesitated, and then took the plunge: “She left a message, written in pencil —her dying message.” She stole a glance at him. Ho was loaning forward, listening with sympathetic interest. “They are”— she articulated slowly—“ ‘Ask him to forgive Fay.’ ” She saw him start and clench his hands. His eyes fastened on her face with a stricken look of dumb enquiry'. She was sure that she had come to the right person. “Something she said —one night, when your name came up, made me wonder —afterwards, when she was dead —if her message were intended for you. ” He moved his Ups. making an effort to speak, and swallowed hard —as if his mouth and throat were dry. “Fay!’’ he cried, poignantly. “I knew a Fay' ’’ he broke off. “But it couldn’t be the same person,” he said eagerly, in a pitiful attempt to try and convince himself. “She has never been here—ami her name wasn’t Forsythe ” his voice died away. Main! was deeply’ sorry for him. It was evident that he had received a great shock. He gazed at her silently. The old tragic expression had been awakened in his eyes. ’•What —what was this Fay like?” He breathed the question rather than spoke it. Maud described the dead woman, and she could sec that he recognised the description. He sat with arms folded, and his head sunk forward. They' did not speak. At length he said huskily—“l—--would like to be alone. You understand. Maud—and don’t mind? This — has shocked me very much.” “Of course not. Roy. I fully understand—and 1 am so sorry!” She went across the room to him. “Poor old Roy!” she exclaimed in deep compassion. “Perhaps I should not have told you —but let your ghosts sleep. I shall not mention—this to anyone, and we will never speak of it again. ” His hands held hers so tightly that her wrists felt numb. “You did quite right! Thank you. Maud?’ ’ As Maud went down the hill to her home, her heart was sad for her friend’s pain. She did not want to pry into his secrets or discover who the mysterious Mrs Forsythe had been, or what connection her life had had with his. She felt sensitive about knowing as much as she did.

The Matron had given Aland three •lays off duty. The girl had been upset by the death of her patient, and she knew that a little change in the atmosphere of love and sympathy' would do her a world of good. Of course, those at home were overjoyed when they heard she did not have to return to the hospital as usual. Rod--11, v graciously explained that be had an engagement for that evening, which it was impossible to break; but he issured her that he would devote the other two evenings to her —bother study! Little 800 made eyes behind her back, and remarked demurely that it was rather a chilly’ night for “love making,” to which he did not deign to reply. On liis way out later on. he stopped and kissed Maud a rather samefaced goodnight, and then pecked the prof erred cheek of his aunt. Joan called after him—“ Don’t forget to take a nice, soft ‘ cushy’ for her to sit on, Rodney!” His reply was inaudible. Aunt Roberta gently chided her when he was out of hearing—“ You should not tease your brother.” “But Auntie, he’s such a fool about girls.” Joan retorted, with an exceeding contempt for her-brothers weakness. Little 800 laughed, and volunteered —“He has a ‘new-ey,- Maudie! You • night to see her —flaxen hair and round, moony, ‘calfy’ eyes —like this ’ She stretched her eyes open to their utmost limit, corking her eyebrows, and looking as if the “gray matter” were lacking. “She’s altogether a silly affair! Rod should choose a dark, flashing damsel! He’s so sandy' himself. He won’t get through his exam, if he doesn’t devote more time to study—and less to the girls.” “Rodney will come out all right. I have great faith in him. He knows what he is doing, even if he does dillydally with the young ladies,” spoke up Aunt Roberta in the absent one’s de fence.

The girls had just switched off the electric light, and were snuggling down ■ in b<-4—Maud in with Joan—when they : heard Rodney at their window. ' }!<■ raised the sash another few I in. hes. and peered into the darkness within. “Are you asleep!” he enquired in a “grave yard ’’ whisper. “N.I, we aren’t! What do you want, poking’ round here at this time of the night! - ’ spoke Little 800 promptly. • thought vou would be interested to hear that the Ghost is walking again ” “What!” ejaculated Little 800, sitting up in bed. ; “I happened to be'round on the ' rocks to-night ’’ | -W.- happened to be round on the frocks.” Joan muttered under her ■ breath. “And suddenly the old Ghost—the >Ghost of our youth”—and Rodney i flapped a hand dramatically—“started I to cut its old capers ” : “But we found out what the Ghost was,” interrupted Little 800 in a • high voice of protest. | “Roy Mad.lock’s light in his cave- • room.” Joan supplemented. | “Well, anyhow, whatever It is—it’s walking again—in fact, dancing all sorts of tickle-toe stunts on the water! Quite romantically ‘ hair-raising” Cheerio, girls,’’ and Rodney vanished. Little 800 hunched her petite form still higher up on the pillow. “That’s verv strange!” she cried shrilly. “Yess —isn’t it?” agreed Joan, wonalcringly. , I’ut Maud did not say a word. (To be Continued).