COLOR-TAINTED.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1797, 12 January 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

COLOR-TAINTED.

By JANET CARROL.

. . . " Unjust thou say'st, Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the frc3 And equal over equals to let reign. •** * ♦ * Shalt thou give,law to God ? Shalt thou dispute With him the points of liberty who made Thee what thou art ? " . . .

(Concluded.) , • Going back to Bpoiarjery, through the silvery haze of moonlight, Mrs. Kelston only was talkative. Daisy looked pale and cold, though the rug was round her, ani her little', hands twisted together in her 'muff. A& they passed -thel'river ;curve that 'almost enclosed' the homestead, a plazejof jßre '6&pne. through the shadows of the tree 1 ti'an'ksr iand the mur-. mur of hoarse talking, came^aoiro ' to them. Mx». Kelston, 'all impulse/cried "out :

,"Koi'e't; tri'jc! ThoyV down the ii\vi again. Let us go over to them, Aichie, and see old Billy the Cripple. I wondGr if ho is alive yet. "Miss Oanven must be bewildered. Billy the Cripple is, or, rather, was my protector and guardian, adviser, teacher, nurse and godfather altogether. Eosie was ray mother, and these, as Mrs. Kelston cays, are her trbe. ft has been their custom for years to pay periodical visits to thin part of the river." No one spoke, but Daisy looked paler and colder in the chilly moonlight, and Mrs. Kelston watched the dark, cloar outline of his face that was turned in profile to her, his eyea looking straight before him, flashing sternly. When the horses came to the road separation he drew the left rein. "No, Archie, please. It is so late. J want to get home." His hand still drew back the rein, and the cantering hoofs were directed towards the fire. But before they were near enough to distinguish the moving forms the horses were brought to a standstill. "What is ifc, my boy ? " There were tears in her voice — tears of remorse and pain for him ; she alwayp suffered in his suffering. "Can you hold Iho reins? I must see what is the matter ! " " Archie, don't go f They are quarrelling, T can see that now. Don't go, my darling. You know " Yes, I know they hate me ; but that was Billy'y voice I heard just now. If it were only thnt he is old and ciipple, I must go." "Archie, my son," and her hands crept out to his coat- sleeve. He lifted it to his moustached lips, gently and tcndeily, and then put it back to the warmth of the thick rug. They could see his tall figure between the fires and among the little Inots of gahboiing, gesticulating forma. Soon the commotion cea°ed, and a white-bearded, bent, old thing dragged itself beside him through the file glare to the darkness beyond, wheie stood the huts. A3 he passed back, through them, erect and silent, there was a hush ; but when tho tiec phadows hid him, there followed >>fter, distinct to the waiters in the buggy, fierce muttering** and epithets full of loathing. Lie looked into their faces a moment before he sprang in ; Daisy's grey eyes, full of tears, and moonlit white face, held his eyes longest Mrs. E>lston cried quietly at his side all the way home, and her face bore tear-traces next morning, when rfhe drove Daisy to the railway platform. Three months later Mrs. Kelston met her at the same little platform, wearing a black dress and paler-lined face. " Mrs. Kelston, what is the matter? You did not tell me " " No, Daisy, I did not tell you in my letters ; I waited to get your sympathy now." " Who —who is it ? " " He te not dead, really dead, I feel sure of that ; but he is to me. I know his frightful strength of purpose — he will never come back. We saw him last together, Daisy, you and I." "Is it Archie?" " Yes. How could he, Daisy — how could ho leave me ? " and the bent, weeping eyes could not, see the pain on the girl's gentle face. At Boolarjery their lives were very dull. Daisy's sometimes merry humors were not appreciated or encouraged by Mrs. Kelston ; she carried her mourning for her lost one in her sad face, quiet ways, and want of interest in her household and business. A clever experienced manager new did Archie's work, and often spent an evening with the two women, one old and placid, the other young and girlish, yet both so sympathetically quiet and indifferent to all except each other. The manager never felt quite comfortable among them, and unless specially invited, kept away from the house. Summer came again : Not once in all the months did the fretting women fail to advertise for him, to ask for him at every colonial office, to watch the shipping lists— all to no purpose. Jessie Carwen came to Boolarjery and her school-girl spirits and romping propensities were good, at least for Daisy. One bright morning the two girls sat on either side of Mrs. Kelston, chattering and laughing and bringing smile-gleams to her blue eyes now and again. They were on their way to the little race meeting at Lingarred, bringing Jessie " out " to the Lingarredites, Daisy said. Mrs. Kelston turned once to her and hushed her laughter by the look on her face. " Plush Daisy Carwen, this clay is the 28th. Ifc is just twelve months to-day. Twelve months since they had stood on the river- bank. - " Daisy, I love you, I love you." The words were in her ears all day, and the pale young face drew many a comment on its pathetic expression, the yearning in the sweet gray-eyes, and wistfulnesa of the tender mouth, added fresh pain to the tender heart of the woman heside her. "Daisy you haven't looked at a race today ! Watch this one : I've drawn the little black horse wish the tall rider in crimson jacket. Watch him for me 1 There they go ! See, see, Daisy." They all cleared the first hurdle and passed the little course divided crowd with the slender little bhek racer leading with wide shining eyes and steaming nostrils. Mrs. Kelston felt Daisy move, and now when they passed dho looked at her. Leaning forward, her eyes following the racing horses and their blue, scarlet, gieen, and crimson-clad riders, with trembling lips saying, " Archie! Archie 1 " and her hancb locked tightly together. Again they passed, one horse had fallen, but the black now patched on it 3 sides with blood and foam still led with its rider sitting erect. Shevtoo called to 'him, — " Archie I " It was the last hurdle, he could not have, heaid her, but at that instant his head half turned toward them, and the second horse jostled the black flank just as they rose. " Crimson's down. Oh, Daisy, I've lost my gloves ! " Money or medical skill cannot save him. They kneel beside the bod where he lies frightfully maimed and dying. When he knows them she asks — " Why did you leave ua Archie ? We both loved you and you threw our love away for this I " " Why did you lift me across the boundary my cursed color makes ? Among fchei blacks I might have been brutally happy, because I have the brute's appreciation of strength and freedom, while among the refinements of culture and wealth the dark taint always felt ill at ease. It was a sad mistake, the very dogs I kicked knew that I was of a race little their superior. A sad mistake little mother, but I am glad it was, so. For having known the love of yq», I was content to die like this. Isought this end. But, little mother, you said both— Not Daisy's love I My God 1 Had I that?" " Archie my loye 1 ' Her white face went down beside his on the pillow. A glad look came, and they watched till it went out in darkness. THE END.