Frank Melton's Luck; OR, OFF TO NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 20 June 1891, Page 74

Frank Melton's Luck; OR, OFF TO NEW ZEALAND.

AN ORIGINAL STORY. BY THOMAS COTTLE, REMUERA, AUCKLAND, N.Z.

CHAPTER XXX. HARRY’S EXPERIENCE—AN UNEXPECTED LEGACY

opening the note I had snatched from (.(Cfpjj I J I] Miss Rosa’s fat little fists, I found a i 1/1 (I 'M z/ ‘fiver’ carefully wrapped up in apiece lliuffli of paper, on which were written the words : ‘ A loan from a loving sister, ) Lwhich please use to extricate yourself from a situation in which it grieves her 1 '/’Ti <xfey i w/'-/ to Bee you, ami must grieve you to / V,ffiSwrj' occupy. I showed Rosa the words (\Vt 1 ‘loving sister,’ and she was satisfied I ■ wasn’t cramming her, and laid herself out or a g ran( l time with me, for the ——s*-- people had nearly all cleared that day and we had nothing to do. However, to her intense disgust I wasn’t on. I left her abruptly and went up to my room, and cried like a great baby over those few words, and made up my mind to leave next day. Use that note ! not much ! I’ll keep it as long as I live. By the next morning’s post I received the lawyer’s letter of which I told you, but I did not tell you it contained besides the news of my good luck, a welcome advance ; but if it had not, and I hadn’t another cent in the world, I would have swagged it before 1 would have spent a copper of that note. Of course I sent her back the amount of her kind loan, but not that identical note. I informed her of my good fortune, but I tell you, Frank, I would give up every ‘ stiver ’ of it if I could only by that means persuade that noble girl that she has all my love. To be her adopted brother is something, certainly, but it isn’t good enough. To be her husband would be, I must confess, a greater happiness than I deserve. ‘ Well, Harry, I daresay you are right, but, thank God, neither happiness nor punishment are meted out in this world exactly according to our deserts, so there is hope for you yet, my boy. But you say you want to make Miss Grave believe she has all your love. How about the spoon with the little chamber-maid !’ ‘ Oh, that was only to pass the time, you know. Besides, I’ll own I mean to give those little affairs best now. A fellow thinks they are grand till he once feels the right thing, then he sees what awful rot they are. My word, the little demon did give me beans, though, when she found I was clearing out.’ I doubted much whether Master Harry would stick to his new resolutions. He promised to pay us a visit at Wanganui when I returned. In the meantime he was amusin" himself by a little speculation in mining scrip, though he appeared to be very much more cautious than I should have anticipated. The business that I had come up about took a peculiar turn, and, acting on my best judgment, I deemed it necessary to run down and consult uncle on some matter that had cropped up. 1 regretted the necessity, as I had just received another letter from Cecilia, stating that, shortly after sending her last, her husband had accepted a living near Auckland, and expected to be in that town in about three weeks or a month, when they hoped I would meet them there, so that, had I not been obliged to take this journey down the coast, I could have remained in town till they arrived. However, I should most likely be compelled to return to Auckland, so it did not really matter much. My Bright Smiles had certainly risen in price the evening of the purchase as Harry had informed me, butonlyona false report of a good reef being struck. When the truth of the matter was discovered next day, prices fell considerably below the figure at which I had bought. ‘ Like many of their namesakes," I thought, ‘ they are deceiving,’ and I wished I had not touched them. My hundred pounds’worth would now only fetch fifty or sixty pounds. I felt a sadder, but a wiser man. We spent, as usual, the last evening before mv departure together. On this occasion we visited the theatre, and were much entertained with the company performing there. Sometimes we used to take a pull round the harbour, or a walk round the town. 1 noticed particularly that Harry’s thirst was not nearly so insatiable as I remembered it of old. An occasional call at the Occidental to inspect Perkin’s latest curiosities, for in those days the hotel was quite a museum, and imbibe a glass of colonial ale would satisfy him ; whereas formerly he never liked to pass a bar without calling, and ardent spirits would be his ‘ particular vanity ’ instead of beer. The presiding Hebes at these places of resort had lost their influence. Formerly, to be in their good graces would seem to have been the one aim of his existence. I ventured to remaik on this improvement, and asked the cause of it. ‘ A sister’s prayers, dear boy. God for ever bless her,’ replied he, with a warmth of emotion very uncommon in him. * I know a change for the better has come over me since that girl took an interest in me, or rather, perhaps, since I discovered, which I have only very lately, the disinterestedness of her great kindness to me in the hospital by the light of her last act at the hotel. I have ieally tried to become more worthy of her. When once a fellow manages to get clear of the drink and folly in which he has become entangled, he wonders where the fun conies in, and gets disgusted with the thing altogether.’ The next morning saw me on board, bound for Wanganui. I had not advised them of my intention to return, for, as my

resolve was a hasty one, I should have arrived at the same time as the letter. On reaching home, I found the house in a state of discomfort, which clearly foretold that a dance was intended. As it happened to be Fanny’s birthday, I was not surprised. Everyone seemed busy at the back of the house, although evidences of previous efforts in the front were everywhere visible. The drawingroom furniture was collected in the hall, and the room tastefully decorated with flowers and ferns. As no one had yet noticed my arrival, I sat down in the only remaining chair in the room. It was standing in a corner, evidently for the purpose of being used to elevate the fair decorator, whom from former experience, I rightly judged would be Fanny, to enable her to put some finishing touches on the mass of verdant drapery in that particular locality. I remember vividly the delicious sensations which I experienced as I sat in the corner of that empty room, the fresh, cool breeze from the open window’ stirring and waving about the filmy fern leaves over my head. Already I could see in anticipation Fanny’s look of pleased surprise at my unexpected return ; already I had prepared the few effective and graceful sentences with which I intended to show her I had not forgotten her birthday, and beg her acceptance of a handsome locket I had brought with me ; already I could feel,in anticipation,the thrillof deliriousdelightwhich would possess me at the pressure of her ruby lips, as she gave me her warm kiss of cousinly welcome. Though I had been glad to get away from the object of my unrequited devotion, yet with the ever-changing restless humour of a young man under the influence of the tender passion, I was in an ecstacy of happiness at the idea of meeting her again. How long to remain so I neither knew nor cared. It was sufficient for the time to feel that perfection of blissful expectancy ; let the future take care of itself. It did, but how? I heard her tuneful voice singing a favourite song in the direction of a bit of native bush left untouched by the woodman’s axe. Should I rush forth and meet her ? No, I would remain where I was to prolong the pleasurable anticipation, and make her surprise more complete. The longed-for moment came. I heard her approaching footsteps. She bounded into the room, a fit representation of the goddess Flora, her cheeks glowing with health and pleasant exercise, her hat off, a wreath of the lovely native convolvus wound round her wealth of brilliant black hair, stray locks of which floated in the breeze, having been disarranged by rude contact with a mass of the same material which she carried in her arms, and which, in its turn, made the resemblance more complete as its pure white blossoms and green leaves trailed over her pretty pink dress. But there were other footsteps, and almost at the same moment Grosvenor followed her in. Alas ! for mv anticipations. They were not to be realized. She started" suddenly, then came slowly forward, offering me—not her lovely lips, as usual—but only her hand, which she would have offered the merest acquaintance. ‘ Oh, Frank, is that you ? We didn’t expect you for another month at least. How are you ?’ No pleasant surprise in her tone. Not much ! It sounded vastly more like badly-concealed annoyance. My feelings may be very much easier imagined than described. I answered her question, however, and also returned Grosvenor’s cold, clammy handshake with a very bad grace, I admit. The locket, which I had in my hand ready for presentation, was returned surreptitiously to my pocket, and remained there. . Grosvenor appeared to be almost as annoyed at seeing me as I was at his presence. I went round to the stables on the pretence of finding Charlie, but, in reality, to try and calm my troubled feelings. I tried questioning myself to endeavour to reason away my misery. I might as well have tried to fly. Why should I be so dis concerted at meeting my rival? Was not I aware that he would soon be here ? Why should I have been so elated at meeting Fanny again ? Why have expected so much pleasure from the meeting? Why not take things easy that are bound to happen ? Ah, yes, why ? why ? For the simple reason that I was in love. Vain questions ! 'vainly answered —at least as far as their attempts at reason and comfort were concerned. Poor old Rowdy came bounding up to me, having recognised his master, and in the exuberance of his joy almost knocked me over. I fear he was repulsed with a cruel kick in the irritation and disquiet of mind consequent on the manner in which my own anticipations had been crushed. When I saw the look of mute reproach on his simple, honest face, I felt what a brute I was to trample on the affections of a dumb animal just because mine bad been cast into the dust. A pat or two on his stupid old head put matters right in a twinkling, and he was again bounding about me as if nothing had happened. Happy dog ! Would that my memory for trouble was as short. Uncle at this moment came in from his usual ride round the place. lat once explained to him the reason of my return, and also informed him of my wish to meet my sister and her husband on their arrival in Auckland. He was very vexed at my considering it necessary to see him, ami said that the matter could have been easily delayed until my return after meeting my relatives. * But, uncle, I acted for the best. I really thought it most important to consult you myself on this point, and the lawyer said the same.’ • Oh, bosh I what did it matter for a few weeks? Only too glad of an excuse I expect. Sneaking after Fanny again. That's about the truth of it, you young idiot. First you say you want to get away, then back you come before you can say “knife.” A nice boy to send on business, truly I

Comes back with paltry excuse before it’s half done. You’ll just go back by next boat. That’s all about it ! I had great difficulty in keeping my temper, yet 1 knew that nothing was to be gained hy losing it, so, again reiterating that I had acted on my best judgment, and also on advice, I left him muttering and grumbling to himself in about as bad a temper as I had ever seen him. Aunt, who was engaged nursing Melton Minimus, and superintending the preparations for the evening, welcomed me more warmly, although I could see also in her manner something of disappointment at my return, mingled with pity for me. ‘ Mr Grosvenor came up last evening, Frank,’ she said. * He is just back from England. He wanted to have the wedding at once, but we have persuaded him to wait for three weeks to give time for proper preparations. We had hoped you would have remained away till the ceremony was over, as we think it would be so much better for you, and save you much pain.’ * I think, otherwise, aunt. I have already suffered as much as it is possible to suffer in the way you mean, and I think I can stand the rest. It would not look well if I was absent from my cousin’s wedding, so I will be there, for I fear now nothing can prevent it. Who are coming to your party to-night ?’ J ' I think the only people besides the usual lot will be the Robinsons, who have just returned. We called on them the other day, and Fanny took rather a fancy to Julia. She was once a great friend of yours, wasn’t she ?’ * Ch, yes, I know them all,’ I replied wearily. ‘ Fanny appears to have exchanged confidences with her, and it appears she is also engaged to be married, and is waiting for her adored one to return from England, just as Fanny was at the time we called. A curious coincidence, wasn’t it? I don’t think she told Fanny his name. It is quite probable he came in the same ship with Augustus.’ ‘ Why, aunt, surely you remember? oh, no, I don’t think I told you ; but didn’t Fanny tell you what I had heard in Auckland — that Grosvenor was also engaged to Julia Robinson ; that the sneak was playing a double game, engaged to both to make sure of getting the one with the most money, when he could find out which that was ? I don’t suppose, bad as he is, that he would commit bigamy.’ * Told me ; no ! I never heard a word about it till now, nor do I believe it. People are always saying young men of property are engaged to every young lady to whom they speak. I would not spread the report if I were you ; it would not be kind to Miss Robinson.’ The same old story ; I was not believed. All put down to my spite against Grosvenor. I would say no more, but await the course of events. The complication, which the cute old doctor had advised me to try and bring about, appeared to be approaching without any assistance on my part. It gave me another gleam of hope. Our guests on this occasion were not to arrive till after tea, so we had that meal to ourselves. It was the quietest I had ever sat down to in that house. Even Charlie’s usual exuberance of spirits was absent. Uncle, who had not recovered from his annoyance, gave very brief replies to Grosvenor’s remarks. Aunt endeavoured to get up a lively conversation with me, but she might almost as well have addressed the tea urn, for I felt as dull as ditch water, and could only reply ‘ yes or no ’ to her questions, and often gave one of these minute answers when the other should have been given. After tea I overheard Grosvenor warning Fanny against dancing too much with that gloomy cousin others. ‘Helooks as if he would like to eat me,’-he added. ‘Oh, does he,’ I exclaimed aloud, in a tone and with a look which made him regard me with terror for the rest of the evening. CHAPTER XXXI. AN EXCESSIVELY AWKWARD MEETING. Our guests had mostly arrived, and Fanny’s birthday dance commenced. Grosvenor made a great poin t of having moved heaven and earth to be present on this auspicious day. I do not myself believe he ever thought of it being her birthday It is true he brought her a handsome present, but this he would have done in any case. I was glad, when I saw how it threw the one I had purchased for her in the shade, that I had not presented mine. The Robinsons entered after the dancing had commenced. Fanny was enjoying a galop with Grosvenor. As they came to a pause in a corner of the room, I was standing unobserved about a yard behind them, by chance half hidden amid the leafy decorations, jealously watching their movements and awaiting results. ‘ Why, there are the Robinson’s,’ Fanny exclaimed, ‘come at last. I must go and speak to Julia. Take me across to her, please.’ ‘ Damnation !’ muttered her partner between his clenched teeth, turning sharply round to prevent the remark, which he had failed to suppress, from being heard by my cousin by which means he most unexpectedly found himself confronted by me, to whom, it was distinctly audible. His face was white as death with dismay, combined witli rage at my being a witness of his discomposure, and at the mocking smile with which I acknowledged it. There was no time for him to resent it, so he quickly regained his composure and turned to obey his partner’s wishes. ‘ Why did you not let me know they were coming ?’ he asked. ‘ How on earth did they get over here ?’ ‘ I forgot that you knew them. Mr Robinson has bought the farm you were looking at.’ ‘ I am sorry for that, for Miss Julia is a bad lot. She swore I had made love to her on board, and also when I met her casually in Hawke’s Bay. She is always imagining something of the sort. I shouldn’t be surprised if she makes a scene here, but remember, dearest, whatever she says about me in that respect is false, so don’t take any notice of it.’ J After these few words he took her, with as much coolness as he could hurriedly assume, across the room to where Julia was chatting withaunt and her mother. They had not as yet seen him. I had myself quickly walked over to speak to the Robinsons, and to watch my rival's meeting with the girl he meant to treat so falsely. Miss Julia had commenced a playful conversation with me, which she cut very short as her wandering eye caught sight of Grosvenor and Fanny approaching. Now, although my opinion of Miss Julia’s good looks had decidedly suffered much since I had been acquainted with Fanny, yet I had never seen her to greater advantage than when her face already animated and excited at the idea of a dance, became suddenly lit up with an expression comprised of fond love

pride in the one she loved, and the intense pleasure and meeting him here, when she imagined he would be far away. If her appearance was improved by this unexpected meeting, Grosvenor’s most certainly was not. Although, to a superficial observer, I must allow he was not a bad-looking fellow, and could perhaps disguise his real feelings better than any man I had ever met; yet at this moment I saw one short, transient gleam of bathed rage and enmity pass over his features, which rendered it, to my mind, that of a demon. One moment, and it was gone—l do not think anyone else observed it—and the usual bland, smiling look had taken its place ; but having seen the other, I could not help observing how forced and unnatural this was. Deeper and more bitter curses are often expressed by a momentary movement of the features of men of evil natures than ever emanate from their lips—deeper and more bitter from the fact that time and circumstance will not allow them utterance. And if such an immense amount of annoyance can be suffered in a few short moments, so also can an equal amount of wild joy be experienced. In the same brief space of time I saw Grosvenor’s pretensions shattered, and my chance of persuading Fanny to become my wife almost a certainty. I saw this, and was almost overcome, but not quite, for joy is a sensation of which most of us could endure a considerable amount, and I among the number. But in this instance my endurance was not strained after all. However, I must return to the others. Fanny all unconscious of these contrary sensations, which had such different effects on her two lovers, for she had not noticed Grosvenor’s wild look, came up with conscious blushes, and the natural pride of a girl on first introducing her intended husband to her friends—pride in that he belongs to her, and to her alone ; that no other living soul has a right to him. She looked so radiantly beautiful, and —I must write it, though it still causes me a

twinge—so supremely happy, that Helt, even amid mydelight at my rival's impending downfall, asensation of great pity for the suffering which I knew iny cousin must undergo at the humiliation of finding that one who professed to give her all his love had made the same profession to another. Yet, as she came up with the look of a queen, I knew, however bitter the disappointment might be, she would bear it as she ought, as she had already borne much from the hands of this villain. • Why, Gus,’Miss Julia exclaimed, ‘is that really you? Come back without letting me know to give me a pleasant surprise, eh ? In your last letter you said you would not be able to return for nearly six months ; but 1 am delighted to see you, you naughty boy. How did you hear we had moved here? I don’t think I mentioned it in any of my letters.’ Without waiting for an answer she turned to aunt. ‘ And fancy you being in the secret, too, dear Mrs Melton ! how excessively kind of you to ask Gus here to meet me. I did not know that you were aware to whom I was engaged. Isn’t he a dear fellow ? Ah, Fanny, I have beaten you. I said I should have the pleasure of introducing my lover to you before you introduced yours tp me. I now formally introduce to you my future husband, although he appears well known to you in his bachelor charactei. Where did you meet him ? Fanny’s look of astonished indignation was superb, and the rest of the guests who had gathered round appeared to be struck dumb. You might have heard a pin drop. Fanny soon found words. •Miss Robinson, I do not understand you. We have scarcely been long enough acquainted for you to indulge in this sort of fun at my expense, for I presume that is what you intend it for.’ • Fun I There’s no fun about it, except ycur delighful indignation. I’ll soon prove my words. VVeare engaged, are we not, Gus?’ ‘ Yes, yes, Julia, we are engaged ; it’s all right,’ replied Grosvenor, with a face, to outwaid appearance, imperturbably calm but I could read by the help of the knowledge I had, the passion of doubt, fear, and even hatred of Julia, which was raging within. Bending over Fanny, he took advantage of Miss Julia’s having turned aside to answer her mother’s inquiry what it all meant to whisper to her.

* She’s a shingle short. Always imagining she is engaged to some one. I agreed with her merely to keep her quiet and save a scene. She becomes almost frantic if contradicted. I’ll explain more by-and-bye.’ Fanny did not appear to be entirely reassured by this false speech, but I noted with alarm that though her blind faith in her lover had been sorely tried, it did not quite give way. At the moment of his acknowledgment to Miss Julia that he was engaged to her, I could see the expression of almost savage hatred which reminded me so forcibly of her mother’s race, Hash across my cousin’s face. I prayed that that look might never be directed at me, whatever might happen. It was, to do her justice, of very rare occurence, and when directed at another 1 could see a wild beauty in its majestic wrath. On this occasion both Miss Julia and Grosvenor got the benefit of it. After the explanation that the poor girl was not quite in her right mind, compassion for her calmed the feeling of bitter hatred which jealousy had at first caused. Fanny immediately explained to her stepmother what Grosvenor had said, and whispered to her what a horrid girl she must be. Aunt at once went up to her husband who had only just entered the room, and had not, of course, heard the conversation recorded above, and related the incident to him, asking his advice as to the best course to pursue, as she did in most of her difficulties. ‘ Don’t bother about their nonsensical quarrels, that’s my advice. I dare say he’s been spooning with ’em both. Most boys do, eh ! and girls, too. But Fanny’s got him. Sure to be jealousy and all that. They’ll get over it. Let ’em rip.’ This latter sentence, more brief than polite, was his favourite solution of a difficulty which proved to be a little out of his province. The word rip, as doubtless most of my readers are aware, is formed of the initial

letters of the words, requiesmt in pace— rest in peace. Now, although uncle advised aunt to allow the young ladies to do this, yet they by no means did it. Firm friends as they, had promised to be before this evening’s episode, they now regarded one another with feelings of dislike and distrust. Aunt appeared far from satisfied with either Grosvenor’s explanation or uncle’s careless disposal of the difficulty, but as she always depended on his opinion, and disliked acting in opposition to it, she took no steps to clear up the peculiar turn that affairs had taken. The dance meanwhile went on, and with Fanny’s consent Grosvenor divided his time between the two ladies. On his again referring to the poor girl’s mental misfortune—which this inveterate perverter of the truth actually put down to my scandalously trilling with her affections on the voyage —my kind hearted cousin positively requested him not to neglect her on any consideration He obeyed this request to the letter, much to the satisfaction of the poor aftlicted creature. Mr Robinson was not at the dance, but his good lady made some remarks to my aunt, which were by no means agreeable, referring to Miss Melton’s bold-faced attempts to steal her daughter’s lover away from her. After a tirade of abuse she finished up by remarking * that considering her birth, she could not be expected to know better.’ After quietly endeavouiing to calm the irate old lady, my aunt judged it wisest to leave afield where her adversary used ammunition of so coarse a nature. This added to the irritation and indignation of her guest in a far greater degree than if she had remained and aigued with her. She was, however, reduced to the necessity of expending it on the company in general, though with very little effect, as I believe Grosvenor’s version of the story was more generally believed. I had by this time come to the conclusion that he would yet manage matters so as to blind my cousin and her relatives as to his real character, and the true state of affairs. I had a dance with her, and attempted once more to convince her that I was right, and that he was engaged to Miss Julia, but in vain. Nothing that I could do was of any avail. Fanny even hinted that I was as cranky as Miss Julia on thie-particular subject, and it was a judgment on me for driving her out of her mind. 1 said nothing in reply to this cruel accusation. Where was the good ?

Grosvenor got through the evening far better than he could possibly have expected or deserved. He managed with his wonderful powers of intrigue and deceit, to conciliate both ladies, and impressed each of them with the firm conviction that he would marry her. There was now little doubt in my mind, owing to a statement Miss Julia made to the effect that her marriage would take place in a few months, that his original plans were to mairv Fanny, get hold of all the property he could, then abandon her, slip across to Hawke’s Bay, marry Julia, and quit the country with her. He had not reckoned on the Robinsons moving to Wanganui anil the two families becoming intimate. Thus he proved a blacker- hearted villain even than I had given him credit for lieing. Now the young ladies to whom he aspired had met, he must renounce one part of his plot, and concentrate his whole energies in obtaining the hand of one of them, lest between two stools he should fall to'the ground. He might think himself wonderfully lucky if he succeeded. Still with his consummate impudence and utter disregard for truth and honour, I felt he would in all probability succeed, the more especially when I noticed that Mrs Robinson’s vindictive remarks bad, aided by her daughter’s reputed peculiarity (which, by-the-bye, soon got magnified into insanity), created a complete breach of the friendliness just commenced between the two families. Grosvenor visited the Robinsons frequently, it is true. He gave himself great credit for this self-sacrifice, as he termed it, leaving dear Fanny to spend a few hours with a girl like Miss Julia. Self-interest, I called it. He led the Robinsons to believe that he was staying about Wanganui to look for land, not with any idea of marrying something little better than a Maori icahine, as he scornfully termed my adorable cousin Fanny, to Miss Julia’s intense delight. This little fact, unfortunately, did not come to our ears till long after. He was afraid of breaking altogether with Miss

Julia for fear anything should yet prevent his marriage with Fanny. At all events he succeeded admirably in keeping either family in entire ignorance of the terms on which he stood with the other. This would have been impossible but for the aforesaid breach. Even Mr Robinson was so biassed by his wife’s exaggerated, or rather fabricated, account of the treatment they received at the Melton's, that he refused to speak to uncle when he met him. The old lady had laid much stress on the rude manner in which Mrs Melton had walked off, and refused to listen to her,oblivious, doubtless, of the fact that no one unaccustomed to her vituperations could possibly be expected to stand calmly by and receive them, much less (if a lady) to return them in kind. Thus, in his whole courtship, everything seemed to favour Grosvenor. He wound himself with his insidious manner into the good graces of almost everyone, including our clergyman, an elderly gentleman in weak health, whom he went so far as to assist in the capacity of lay reader. The doctor, the only man who I believe would have been capable of coping with him, had, unfortunately, left the district. CHAPTER XXXII. AUCKLAND ONCE MORE—THE LUCK OF THE DEVIL—HARRY AND THE STUBBS’S VISIT WANGANUI. 1 was longing for the steamer to start that I might return to Auckland, for though I had unaccountably made up my mind that nothing should prevent my being present at the wedding, which 1 was convinced must now occur, yet the sight of my favoured rival's happiness was too much for ni ». His supercilious air of condescending superiority when addressing me was too maddening to be borne with equanimity. I always felt an intense desire to kick him unmercifu'ly, and it was only the thought that it would pain Fanny more than him which enabled me to suppress my violent inclinations in this direction. Charlie hated him as intensely as I did, ami it was all Fanny and her father conld do to prevent the young scamp from playing tricks on him. He improved a little in his riding under Fanny's tuition, but it was her greatest trouble that she feared she would never make a horseman of him. Almost living in the saddle herself, ami being passionately fond of hoises, it must have tried her

considerably to witness her lover bullying his horse (poor old Bob, the quietest we had) because, as he asserted, he was so full of tricks (said tricks being caused by his rider’s pernicious habit of holding on by his spurs). In a few days I was again in Auckland, and striding down Queen street \\ harf to meet my sister and her husband. The steamer from Dunedin just hauled up alongside as I approached, and I was in plenty of time to see them land. Cecilia was little altered since I had last seen her, except that she had grown more matronly. She still had the will to command, which I so well remembered. The possession of a willing subject and slave had doubtless increased rather than diminished it. The greatest alteration I noticed in Stubbs was but a temporary one, caused by sea sickness, to M liich he had been a martyr. He was, if possible, several shades whiter than usual. His wife had not suffered in the least, but had entertained great sympathy for him, and been most kind on the voyage, he affirmed. Now they had arrived in port, she evidently thought he ought to be well, and ordered him here, there, ami everywhere to get her multitude of small parcels, as well as larger luggage. The poor fellow obeyed, although I could see it was pain and grief to him. They both expressed themselves highly delighted at seeing me. I tn asking them where they intended to stay, Cecilia said they must go to some quiet hoardinghouse for a few days until her husband should meet his predecessor in the charge he was about to take, and inquired from him when the parsonage would be vacant. I according'y took them to a suitable place, and the next day Stubbs called on the gentleman in question, whereupon it transpired that for some reason best known to himself that gentleman would not or could not give up the parsonage for three weeks. He had written to Stubbs to that effect, and posted the letter himself. Stubbs replied that be had never received it. After wondering for some time and blaming the excessive carelessness of the post office officials, he put his hand in his pocket ami found the letter. Not having worn the coat since, he had not previously discovered his negligence. ‘ But, sir,’ suggested Stubbs, m his mildest manner, ‘ could you not manage to let us have one room—a very small one would do—till you leave.’ ‘ No, no. With all my family the place is full. Not room for a mouse. We will be ready for you on this day three weeks, my dear sir.’ When Cecilia heaid of this delay she was grertly vexed. ‘ hy did you not insist on his giving you accommodation in his house or paying your bill here, as it was on account of his stupid carelessness. If you had received his letter you would have remained down there earning something. You know very well we cannot afford to pay for lodgings and everything now there is nothing coming in.’ Then her tone waxed sarcastic, as she continued: ‘ If that great friend of yours had not borrowed so much of your money, it would not have mattered, but as it is, you knowhow pressed we are.’ ‘ Yes, yes, my dear, but what could I do ’ We must try and borrow a tew pounds somewhere,’ with an appealing look in my direction. * But who would lend us money ? We are strangers here,’ retuined my sister, not noticing his reference to me. ‘ Well, under certain conditions, I will, my dear Cissy. These conditions are that you will spend it in a trip to XVanganui to see our relatives there. They particularly wish you to do so, as this note from aunt will testify. A short visit will pleasantly fill up your spare time. If you are a little longer than the specified period I don’t doubt the old gentleman will not object to take another Sunday or two.’ ‘ It would certainly be very nice, Frank, and I think we will accept your kind offer. I do enjoy the sea so much. My poor husband will be very sick again though, I'm afraid.’ * Yes, I fear I shall,’ put in poor Stubbs, ruefully, ‘ but as long as you enjoy it I don’t mind what I suffer—at least not very much.’ The last few words were evidently added to counteract the apparent disregard of truth in his assertion. 1 hey were delivered after a pause, and a sad cadence seemed to cling to them. ‘ Well, it’s settled,’ replied the practical Cissy. ‘I suppose they don’t give chaplains a free passage on these coastal steamers, Frank. They would not when we came, up from Dunedin, though 1 tried them hard. I am afraid they would not have got much good out of you though, dear, for you were so awfully sick.’ ‘ No, they do not require the assistance of the church, as the voyage rarely includes Sunday. By-the-bye, how did you leave your young convert at the gaol, Stubbs ’ I suppose he was deeply grieved at your departure. A pity you couldn’t have brought him up, and turned him into a Sunday school teacher, or something.’ * He deeply grieved at my departure ! No, it was the other way about,’replied my brother-in-law, in moreexcited tones than I had yet heard him use.’ 1 was deeply grieved at his departure, for he managed to escape a short time before I left.’ * Yes,’ interposed Cissy, ‘and took a sum of money with him, which my husband was foolish enough to lend him. That was the worst of it.’ * Hallo, Stubbs ! you surely were not green enough to lend money to a prisoner, were you ?’ ‘Yes, Frank, unfortunately, I was. The young man seemed so sincere. He used to teach in my Bible-class, and eyen took the service for me on two occasions in the gaol. Then he told me, with tears in his eyes, that if he could only get twenty pounds to pay a lawyer he could obtain his freedom, for he was falsely accused. He promised to pay me back as soon as ever he got out, and although Cissy is sure he will not, yet I have still hopes that my teachings may come home to him some day, and he may return it. It may be long first, though,’ he added musingly. ‘ I do not, however, agree with Cissy that the money loss is the worst. I think that the loss of the soul of one, who you believe has been gathered into the fold is far worse.’ ‘That is very well, my dear.’ Cissy replied, ‘but the loss of the soul is his, while the loss of the money is ours.’ ‘ I am sure you must lie right, my dear,’Stubbs answered, meekly. Harry walked in at this moment, and I introduced him to my sister and her husband. ‘ I heard you were in town, Frank, so I felt sure you would be heie. I have made a few lucky hits in the sharemarket since I last saw you, which have considerably increased the little legacy my uncle left me. I shall now stop speculating, for I often see fellows who have made a rise, wiie in heavy till they drop the lot. It is not good

enough. I have learnt a lot of experience from them, and mean to profit by it. When are you off for Wanganui ? I’m re out f° r a g°°d farm there as soon as you like.’ ‘We are off by the next steamer. By Jove ! old boy, I wish I had your luck.’ * Luck, man ! It isn’t luck ! there’s no such thing. If a man studies every chance, and carries on with caution, he Pretty sure to come out right. It’s those fools that rush blindly into, a thing without troubling or knowing anything about it that cry out about not being lucky.’ Mr and, Mrs Stubbs had by this time left the room. ‘ I don’t agree with you, there, Harry. Now, take my case in my love affairs. I have studied every chance, and taken every opportunity of letting Fanny know what an out-and-out villain Grosvenor is, yet he is winning and I am losing. I believe it is all luck, and that he has the luck of the devil, as they say.’ * ‘ Not a bit of it, old man. You’ve been going in for a game you don’t understand, while he’s up to all the ropes. I do not believe you understand women an atom, Frank ; excuse me saying so. If you did you wouldn’t have been such a mutt as to always run down Gosvenor to this girl of yours. It did him far more good than you. Begin that game with a girl, abusing a fellow she cares for, and the fat’s in the fire, directly.’ ‘ W ell, Harry, I didn't think you could teach me anything on the subject. How do you come to be so wise about the dear girls, eh ?’ ‘Bjr studying the subject. You remember how cranky I used to be, shifting about from one to the other, and suffergreatly from the mistakes I made, and also from my hasty way of taking offence at trifling things they said and did. After a lot too much of this sort of thing, I saw there must be something wrong, so I began to consider. First, I thought there were none of them worth bothering about, but when Miss Grave was kind enough to trouble to carry on a sisterly correspondence with me, her letters full of womanly sympathy and advice for one so tossed about by his own temper and waywardness as I was, I then began to think there is something in them after all, and not only something, but a lot more than I ever dreamt of. But for her kind interest in me I should have gone to the dogs altogether, as so many of the young fellows have done I knew when I first came out—men without friends, for the fellows they call their friends are the worst enemies they have. But here I am preaching away, when I am all ears to hear how your friends are getting on. I heaid the Robinsons were at your “ hop ” the other day. Was Miss Grave with them ?’ J ‘No, she was not. The old lady said she had a headache,’ replied I. ‘ That old beast always prevents her going if she can, for Julia complains that she never gets so many dances when she is there. The old cat made up that headache yam.’ I related the scene between Julia and Fanny, and informed Harry that we should be down in time for the wedding, and that Miss Grave would be there, as she had not been in the row.’ ‘ That will be grand for me, but it’s rough on you. Can’t we manage to expose the detestable villain somehow ?’ ‘ No, the game’s up. They won’t believe us. He’s got a way of making them all believe him. How he does it I don’t know’. 1 wish to heaven I did.’ The day previoi s to the departure of our steamer for Wanganui we hired a buggy, and took Cissy and her husband for a drive to give them some idea of the varied beauty of the scenery in the neighbourhood of Auckland. From the road which winds along the hills in the Remuera districts, even at that time a favourite locality for suburban residencies, we saw beneath us the blue waters of the harbour, that vast sheet of water so snugly sheltered on the seaward side by the North Shore and the sloping sides of Rangitoto, beyond which gleamed in the sunlight the mighty ocean, its monotony relieved in the distance by the lowlying Tiri Tiri Island, while further away again in the blue haze loomed the misty outline of the Great Barrier, forming altogether a scene of which the eye never wearied. My brother-in-law was most enthusiastic in his admiration of the sea, providing always he was not too near it, and could gaze on it from the land. In this case the scene suited him admirably, as long rolling spurs divided by deep gullies clothed in verdure, and in some parts planted with ornamental treesand built on, formed a most pleasing foreground to the view, and gave him a sense of security, to be, alas ! too speedily lost, for the next day found us being tossed and rolled about on the Manukau Bar. Cissy, Harry, and I enjoyed it immensely, but poor Stubbs had no soonerstepped on board at Onehunga than he remarked that, if we would excuse him, he thought he would go and lie down. He did not sufficiently recover to leave his cabin till we steamed up the Wanganui river, w’hich, ow’ing to nearly six hours’ delay occasioned by some breakages in our machinery, was not until shortly after one o’clock on the day fixed for the wedding. This delay had been most irksome to me, as I reflected that in all probability we should not arrive inftime to attend it. Cissy, to whom I had not confided my love for Fanny, remarked that had it been my own wedding I could not have exhibited more impatience. I wondered in an inane way why I was so determined to put myself to the torture of witnessing my hated rival’s union with my beloved cousin, for torture I knew it must be. Why I had not rather have gone anywhere to be out of the way ? I could not answer these questions satisfactorily. A sort of mysterious, uncontrollable influence appeared to draw me on to my own manifest discomfiture. I was powerless to resist it. I was a fatalist for the time being, and felt assured that no human might could deliver me from the minutest atom of the punishment I was doomed to receive. Why I knew not. It was my destiny, and I must go through with it. But how ? My sufferings may appear exaggerated to some of my readers, who may be less sensitive than I was, or at all events, deem themselves so. (TO BE CONTINUED.)