CHAPTER III.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1944, 20 December 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 111.

One bright morning, when the breezes, full of Hie, vrete blowing from the mountains in the south, Addie tripped to the schoolroom, singing gaily. She was considerably surprised, just as she had opened the door, and was watching a battle royal between two of her boy pupils over the possession of a marble, which one alleged had been won by unfair means, to see a horsewoman, mounted on a gaunt roan animal, ride up and dismount. When she stepped on the ground Addie saw she was tremendously tall, though evidently not sixteen. She coolly took the saddle and bridle off the mare and bade her go and feed, a command the sagacious animal instantly obeyed, to the consternation of a large flock of poultry, who indignantly resented the intrusion of a stranger, and an ugly one, on their domain. Marching up to the door, this Amazon.who was very good-looking and well-made, though rough-looking and sunburnt, and wearing the fashions of five years ago, made a hoydenish curtsey. " You are the schoolmissis, aim you ? " she queried. " Yes, Miss, " replied Addie. "Then I'm come to school," said the girl, looking down from her altitude upon the poor little teacher whom she could have swallowed at a bite. " I'm only over fifteen, though I'm so big. But all our peopls'e big. Father six feet, and Jack, our Jack, is six feet five. You ought to see Jack — he's the biggest fellow in the disrict, the handsomest, the strongest, the best rider, and the dearest fellowthat ever lived, though they do speak against him." It did Addie good to see the glow of sisterly love that passed over the honest, kindly face of the girl. There is something very sweet in sisterly affection. Addie had a brother she loved dearly, the playfellow of her youth, and there was a bond of union between them at once. "I'd never have come only for Jack," said the artless girl. " You know there is a bit of a school near to us, but it's kept by a crossgrained old fellow, who drinks hard and knows nothing, so Jack says. Jack said it would never do for the only girl of the family to grow up a, heathen, and he made it a point I should come here and learn to be a lady" — here the girl laughed so sweetly and honestly that she forged another link binding the schoolmistress to her— and Jack pays for me out of his shearing money — father wouldn't ; he said he couldn't see the good of falderals for a farmer's daughter. I didn't care much for it myself ; I'd sooner be milking the cows and ridjng round, but J'd do anything to please Jack. And now I've seen you I'm glad I've come. I'm sure if anyone can teach me you can." So Lizzie Miles was registered, and had all that day to sustain a fire of witticisms and contemptuous looks directed at her by all the town scholars, from the budding miss to the imitating toddler. The boys were afraid of the new pupil; for they felt if they " chiacked " her she could inflict punishment at a second's notice. But Lizzie plodded on and did not appear to care. But she did for all that, and she was resolved to show the Cockietown misses she could learn as well as they. And she did, She had not only ability, but what was better, perseverenoe, and more than that, a fund of good.nature and lively spirits that soon made her a favorite. To Addie she became quite a sister. There was a chance for Big Jack now. Of course this waa all a plot of Jack's. Its fruition was soon shown when Jack came to bring his sister home. He was introduced to the teacher. At first he could hardly speak to her. He felt his heart in his throat when he attempted to say anything. He, the moßt rattling fellow in the district, who courted all the girls and fought all the boys, was like a mute fish before this tiny little woman. His very size was against him. As for Addie, she strove to keep him at a distance, convinced any love between them would lead to a wreck of both their lives. It was a hard struggle for the poor little girl ; for she did love this great handsome fellow. But she fought it down. Miss Mackay, whose scent was keen as that of a ferret where love matters were concerned, found out that Jack was "looking after" the 'schoolmistress, and she almost went into hysterics. She implored Addie not to encourage him, the wildest boy in the district. But she never spoke again to Addie on the subject. The little lady swelled flp to double her -size ans sa}d: u l^iss' Maok'ay, J Jtnpyr hbyr to take pate of myself and. what to 4p," »nd stalked— if that oouid'be said of' her •r-out of the room. "••,-,

" What a temper she's got," said Miss Mackay ; " well, if Jack gets her she will tyrannise over the great big animal." One morning Lizzie came early to school. Jessie, the old roan mare, her constant companion, was reeking. " Oh, Addie," she cried, clasping the schoolmistress' hand, " there isn't a happier girl in the district than me — than I — to-day. What do you think, what do you think ? " " What do you think ? " replied Addie. "Why, Jack's turned over a new leaf, and he's going to be ever so good, the dear, dear chap. He's been saving money, and he's gone and taken up a fine selection at Wattle Gully — the best land in the district,— and going to work ever so hard. There isn't a cleverer man in the district, or a harder worker than Jack when he likes — and he's going to like. Dear me, I'm ready to jump out of my skin for joy— exouse the bush phrase. He's the best judge of cattle and horses anywhere, and can tell the quality of wool by the touch. He'll be worth thousands in a few years. All he wants now is a wife >i Here Lizzie blushed and cast her eyes down. She was dreadfully afraid she had touched on dangerous ground. " Yes," replied Addie, dryly ; " a man wants a good wife on a farm. It's time we opened sohool." But her dutiea were very perfunctorily performed that morning. The idea that Jack should have a wife was very distasteful to her. She pictured him walking up the church aisle with a strapping bride, and she felt angered and ill at ease. But what was it to her ? Had she not reasoned out the whole thing and seen that the thought of Jack as a lover was impossible. And yet why this industry? She could not keep the thought down that this change in the young man had been effected by love for her; and conscience asked was it right that she destroy what Bhe had made : that she should cast back this fine fellow to become a wreck. Addie Blept very little that night. There were others who remarked the change in Jack beside Addie and his sister. His family was delighted. His mother, whose darling he was, shed tears of joy, and in her ignorant way, gave thanks to the God in whom she trusted. She had known Jack would come right, she said. His father shrugged his shoulders and said they would [ see. Jack's reckless companions were as-

tounded, and accused him of becoming a milksop. He would no more play cards, drink, court or take part in larks. He was hard,ly ever seen in town except when he ca,me fa to accompany his sister hpm.e, aid on Sundays. His reply to their jeers was that it was high time he made a home for himself, and then came the chorus, M Who is she ? " and poor Jack fled to hia selection. It would be difficult to analyse Jack's feelings towards Addie all this time, and to sketoh out his hopes. His mind was a ohaoa. He was sure of one thing, he must have Addie or else go to destruction. And he knew she would not have him unless he reformed, and made a home for her. So he went to work like a tiger. Under his willing and strong hands the selection at Wattle Gully was metamorphosed as if by magic. Fences grew as if he had a talisman ; a pretty cottage appeared ; ploughed fields were seen ; and the land was stocked. So he had a talisman— love. Not but that he suffered deeply. Whenever he gave the matter serious thought it seemed impossible to him that this beautiful refined little creature could become his wife. And then he would confide in Lizzie, and implore her to try and plead his cause with Addie. Lizzie dared not, but she sounded his praises ceaselessly. Jack, too, had made a priceless friend in the new manager of one of the banks, a young fellow who had taken a great fancy to him, and who helped him financially. Mr. Norman, the young banker, declared Jack was one of the best fellows alive, and would yet be a leading man. There was one gleam of hope that Jack made the most of. He knew that physically he had no fear in the district, and he strove, without foppery, to make the most of his splendid person. And if Addie did not sigh for him, there was hardly a damsel in the district who did not, now he had changed and was likely to be a prosperous man. Jack's great trial was to see Addie squired by Hughie, whom he detested as a fop. He had not yet dared to asked her to let him accompany her ; he was afraid. How to reveal his love to Addie he knew not. He dreaded to heat the awful "No " from her lips ; he almost felt certain \t would be. ' i l ut $?• 5|W«» wfco, m.* my fond of J,aefc, djyin,ed;^B s,eqr§t, tnd renofted the opporfunity Bfifisd he given, In spite of himself, be had been 'captivated by the graces and beautiful qualities of Lizzie, who,' under Addie'B tuition, h»d become & r«ally fine girl. r .% 'vV «<•'..,-. ,- c~ -^~ ,»* ,>£,. ';^'"v

A lady she was by nature, and Addie had added the polish. Indeed, Lizzie had attracted considerable attention in town, and so refined a gentleman as Hughie had sought her hand more than once at " society balls," — even Cockietown has its " society " — and had shown a disposition to squire her, which was at once resented, for she looked upon him as the obstacle to her brother's marriage with Lizzie.