CORPORAL DICK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue I, 26 June 1897, Page 24

CORPORAL DICK.

ANYONE who haa been in the very heart of Devonshire, knows Shadynook ; or, at least, villages which answer ite description. A picturesque winding street; small, bright, tidy, redbrick cottages, each with a wealth of flowers in its garden, for which London floriculturists pine in vain. The village surrounded by orchards, valleys, running brooks, and hills. The country road through which the coach, during the season, rolled tootling twice a day, entered it from the east, and went wandering on down valley and uphill, lost in greenery, to the west. Down this road one sunny afternoon came the pretty dainty figure of Vina Trescott. in neat, becoming light costume of nun’s veiling, and plain straw hat shading a lovely, piquante, brunette face, with dark eyes, and small, deep rose-tinted lips.

Vina Trescott was just over twenty-one, her own mistress, owner of Deepvale, a tiny estate within half a mile of Shadynook, and one of the Lady Bountifuls of the place. With a heart full of charity and affection she had never as yet come across one of the opposite sex upon whom she had cared to bestow a portion. Buried in this charming, out-of-the-way fragment of the world, she passed a happy, contented existence, craving for no other. Di Nesbitt declared she had been crossed in love, for twice during their long acquaintance she had heard her really and most seriously sigh. If so, it must have been very long ago, when she was yet in her teens. Di was Vina’s bosom friend, to whom she confided nearly all, if not the all of her secrets. They were always together. It was fate, they laughed, or some subtle magnetic attraction that was for ever bringing them across each other's paths. Even on the present afternoon, as Vina passed the top of Brook Lane, Di came out of it—a fair, blue-eyed, sprightly girl of twenty. * Fate again,’ she laughed. * I was going to Deep vale.’ * Never spoil a good mind,* rejoined Vina. * I am only carrying this basket of comforts to that dear old body, Alice Dwyne. Come with me, then we can go back together.’ ‘ Certainly,’ said Di, who paid annual visits bo the metropolis. Alice Dwyne’s cottage was the first of the row, and might also be said to be the cleanest, brightest, even as she, herself aged seventy-six, was the healthiest, clearest-eyed, pleasantest of old Devonshire women, and that’s saying a very great deal. She was sitting knitting the interminable stockings when the girls entered, the door being hospitably on the latch. * Do not rise, Mrs Dwyne !’ exclaimed

Vina, as the old woman, with * bright smile of welcome, prepared to do so. *We cannot stop a moment. I merely have brought you these, which I promised.* Here Vina stopped, with a start, then exclaimed, * Who’s that ?’ From the room above had issued the sound of a man's voice, singing * The Bay of Biscay.* * Oh, if you please, miss, that’s just what I wanted to tell you. I’ve got a lodger. That’s Corporal Dick.* * A lodger! A soldier I* said Vina. * Are you wise, Mrs Dwyne ? Soldiers always drink.* ‘And swear—the privates, of course,’ put in Di; * and knock each other about, and other people, too, with their belts.’ * Not, miss, if they be like Corporal Dick,’ smiled the old woman, shaking her head. * No one in the land could be steadier and better conducted than he is. I’ll just tell you how it was, miss. He’s my sister’s husband's brother’s stepson, and he has been sent home on sick leave ; so as he needed fresh air and setting up, my sister thought if I’d take him, it would be good for both of us.’ * Possibly. That’s different. But, Mrs Dwyne, our grateful country does not overburthen those who fight for her with much money.’ * That’s the truest word you ever said, miss; but Corporal Dick intends to find work here, if he can. I was thinking, Miss Treseott, that p’raps you might give him some odd employment in your grounds. He says be can nail, and dig, too, capital.* * Let him come up about six. I’ll speak to Thorpe. If he can find him anything to do, he shall.’ When the two girls were retracing their steps towards Deepvale, Vina exclaimed, sharply decisive: ‘ I hate soldiers.’ * Hate soldiers!’ ejaculated Di, openeyed. Then, * Ah, the private, the noncommissioned. But oh-h-h, the officers, they are darlings, and dance like angels.’ * I should not fancy angels dance much after their fashion,’ contemptuously, on Vina's part. * No, my hate takes in the officers also. Lazy in peace, destructive in war. If anything, 1 prefer the noncommissioned.' * When you say “ hate,*’ yon mean collectively, not individually ?’ * I mean both,’ decisively. * Was it because he was a soldier you refused Tom Strickland, nearly four years ago !’ * I believe that had the strongest influence

upon me,* remarked Vina; * I don’t like soldiers.’ * Not even of the Church,’ laughed Di. * Here comes our curate.’ At the hour appointed, sharp to it. it was announced to Vina Trescott that Corporal Dick was in the ball. * Tchut,’ said Vina, a little impatiently, being at that instant at an interesting chapter of her novel. ‘Shall I see him, my dear?* queried Mrs Farrar, her friend and chaperone. * Would you ? Thanks, so much. Merely tell him to come to-morrow and see Thorpe, who says he can give him plenty of work, if he can do it, as two of his men are ill.’ * Yea, dear,' and. as Vina, relieved, sank back in her chair, Mrs Farrar proceeded to the hall, where, on her approach, Corporal Dick immediately stood at attention. Hearing the message, answering one or two questions, thanking the lady for her kindness, he wheeled half right and walked away, promising to be there on the morrow. * Weil ?’ asked Vina, the chapter ended. * My dear, he is one of the handsomest men of his class I have ever seen, tall and broad shouldered. The very “ moral ”of a man, as Mrs Beetles would say. He belongs to the th.' •The th I’ repeated Vina. ‘Tom Strickland was in that regiment.’ * Indeed ? All I ean say in reference to Corporal Dick is, that I should think Mrs Dwyne’s statement of him is quite correct.’ * I'm glad Thorpe ean employ him,’ said Vina, starting on a new chapter, and forgetting Corporal Dick, thinking now and again, though, of Tom Strickland, she new-fledged lieutenant, who had laid his heart at her feet and been bidden to pick it up again and take it elsewhere. On the third day Vina, strolling through the grounds, came within sound of a knocking of nails, and a voice singing, mezzo voce, * The Bay of Biscay.’ Corporal Dick ! She had forgotten all about him. So he was at work. Just a trifle curious to see this ‘moral’ of a man, Vina moved on, soon sighting Corporal Dick, in regulation trousers and linen jacket, nailing up a westaria. Becoming aware of Vina Trescott’s presence, half wheeling, Corporal Dick stood at attention, saluting. Mrs Farrar was right, most decidedly a very handsome man ; perhaps a little too dark. Vina did not care for darkness, but what a lovely moustache. As to the complexion, it was that rich manly bronze, acquired under Indian suns. ‘ You are Corporal Dick V said Vina. * At yonr service, miss ; and glad, miss, to have the opportunity of thanking you for yonr kindness.' * Don’t say a word about that,’ remarked Vina, sitting on a rustic garden chair standing near. * Thorpe was glad to have your help. Don’t let me hinder you.’ Corporal Dick, saluting, resumed his hammer and nails. * I hear,’ proceeded Vina, * that yon are of the th, which is quartered in Calcutta.' * Yes, miss.’ * Did you, I should say do you, know anything of Lieutenant Strickland ?’ * Know anything of Lieutenant Shriekland, miss!’ exclaimed Corporal Dick, pausing to look over his shoulder, a sparkle in his eyes. * Don’t I, miss ’ When I was once down with jungle fever, miss, he took as much interest in me as if—as if—you’ll not think me presuming, I hope, miss, Lieutenant Strickland would not — he’d been my own brother.’

•Indeed? Of course we mean the same f ‘There are not two in India, miss a tall young gentleman, fair complexion, straw-coloured hair, and can ride across country with any man.’ ‘That is he. Very good-looking. I knew him about four yean ago. No doubt he is much altered.* • If you’ll allow me to contradiet, miss,*

knock—knock—knock, * 1 don’t think no. It’s a style of face that don’t change'— hammer—hammer—hammer. Vina paused, dreamily watching and listening to the hammering, then : * I heard a year back that he was going to be married.’ Corporal Dick shook his head. *1 never heard it, miss. Not that he mightn’t if heliked, you know. Lieutenant Strickland isn’t one many ladies would say •* no” to. But he’s like myself—not a marrying man.’ Vina laughed, and rose from the seat. * By the way, you are home on sick leave,’ she said. * Yes, miss, partly the climate—partly the trouble of an old wound.’ ■ Have you ever been in battle ?’ * Ay. indeed, miss. I was in the thick of the Zulu war.’ ■ You were I Will vou one day tell me about it. Corporal Dick ?’ * I shall only be too honoured, miss, if you’ll care to listen. Soldiers, you see, are never weary of fighting their battles o’er again.* * I suppose so. By the way, you can always take your dinner at Deepvale if you like—l will tell the housekeeper.' * Thank you, miss, saluting. Standing, he admiringly watched her as she walked away, then he resumed his hammering, saying, sotto voce: * She is a rare, thoroughbred beauty, that she is.’ * It was foolish, of course, and very vexatious too, but all that day Vina was haunted by the remembrance of Corporal Dick. Not only was he handsome, and had a fine figure, but his voice proved him to be educated. That short way of speaking, too—always respectful—was rather taking than otherwise. And she had said she hated soldiers. Well, they were the officers. Besides, there were exceptions. Corporal Dick was scarcely the kind of man anyone could hate without right down cause. Shortly after this, Corporal Dick, coming within call from the drawing-room glass doors, as Vina and Mrs Farrar sat at afternoon tea, the former beckoning, reminded him of hie promise to give an account of the Zulu war. * No time could be better than the pre-

•ent,’ she remarked, pleasantly, *ll yon willf* Corporal Dick would with pleasure, and as Vina hesitated about telling him where to sit, he solved the difficulty by sitting on the step of the glsss doors, with an ease and self-possession * acquired,’ whispered Mrs Farrar, * no doubt from his military training.* Adding, *My dear, you are never going to give him tea in those tiny eups. He’ll laugh. The basin at least.* Vina paused, but finally went her own way. And though the eggshell china did look out of place in those bronzed hands, Corporal Dick drank the tea from it as if to the manner born, to Vina's surprise, who began to watch him curiously. After, with leaves picked from the climbers at the window, Corporal Dick arranged the position of the enemy, and the land, and the soldiers on the carpet, recounting the fight, and becoming quite excited over it. That was rather contagious, for Vina drew nearer and nearer, until she sat on a stool at the other side of the plan of the battle-field, deeply interested, and often, when she looked up, Corporal Dick chanced to look up also, and their eyes met. After that afternoon Vina never encountered Corporal Dick, but she bad questions to ask of the battles he had been in. * And do you like killing your fellow men ’* she asked. * No,* replied Corporal Dick, promptly. * I hope never to kill another. I hope the time will come soon, for come it will, when people will be too wise, too Christian, to fight; it’s barbarous and brutal.* ‘That’s my opinion,* cried Vina, with sparkling eyes. * That is just my opinion.’ So the summer drifted on. and the best known, almost the most liked, certainly the most popular person in Shadynook, was Corporal Dick. He was always busy, always cheerful, and always ready to lend a helping hand. The children brought him their toys to mend, he made quite grand flower boxes for old Mrs Dwyne, and got the water from the spring for many a young lass. He might have indulged in no end of flirtations, if he had liked, but, apparently, he didn't.

The prettiest girl in the village was Janet Thorne, and if any of the pain of bright eyes had an effect upon him, hen had. He dng her mother’s garden, and tied up the pinks and the roses for her. He even took tea with them on occasions, and onee walked home with them from church. Vina and Mrs Farrar had at that very moment come upon them unexpectedly, and the former had scarcely acknowledged Corporal Dick's salute. Somehow, her previously happy mood abruptly grew rather irritable ana straitlaced, ana she wondered how girls like Janet, who was said to be engaged to her sailor cousin, could flirt with other men so. For two days after that Vina rode and drove bnt did not go into the grounds, where, by any possibility, she could encounter Corporal Dick. Then a trouble came, which caused her almost to forget him. A pet dog she had had for years was taken suddenly ill with a disease common to all—old age. It was a kind of fit. The servants were despatched in every direction for aid. Vina was in bitter distress. The poor animal was suffering, and she could give it no relief. Suddenly there stood by her Corporal Dick. * Why did you not send for me ?’ he asked gently. * I understand about dogs.’ Then he was examining the little thing, and in a brief space had eased it, so that it slept. After that he nursed it like a child, one night sitting np with it. But all to no purpose. Death had set its seal on the faithful canine heart; only Corporal Dick had made the passing one of ease not pain. One evening it went to sleep, and never woke again. As Vina looked upon her little companion from her childhood, the tears would flow. * Don’t cry, murmured Corporal Dick, a little hoarsely. * I wish I could have died instead of that small, faithful heart, so that you might have retained it, and had no cause for sorrow.* Vina, turning, looked him in the face. * That is very foolish,’ she said. * But yon spoke it, meaning it. Thank yon.* Then, * Corporal Dick, I have your secret.* The bronze flushed deeper; he started. * May I ask what you mean ?’ he asked, gravely.

* Yea,’ she smiled, regarding him straight in the eyes. * You are in the ranks. Corporal Diek, but you were not born ojf the ranks. You are a gentleman.’ His head drooped, he responded in a low tone : •I will confess. It to true. They wanted to make me a banker, a stockbroker, or something of that sort. So, not liking it, one day I went off to Canterbury and enlisted. If lam only Corporal Dick, I have but myself to blame.’ * Who are you then?* ahe queationed. * Corporal Dick,’ was the response. •When a man degrades himself to the ranks ' •It to not degradation,’ broke in Vina. *lf a nation be proud of its officers, still more so should it be of its rank and file.’ * Thank you. I'll never forget those words, never,’ remarked Corporal Dick, and, her hand being near, took and touched to it his lipa, then wheeling half right, left her. She looked after him, musingly ; a smile flitted over her features, ana finally she bunt into a merry silvery peal of quiet laughter. She had, indeed, discovered his secret and her own. She was no longer troubled respecting Janet Thorne. Corporal Dick loved her, and she loved Corporal Dick. The following morning, however, a shadow came over this sun of happiness. Corporal Dick, appearing before her, as she sat alone in the morcing-room, reported that he had received marching orders. Indeed, bad to march back to India and duty at once. For a space Vina said nothing, only looked at him. Then replied : *No ? So soon! I understood your furlough extended longer? Well, we must all do our duty, or ought to. Will you be the bearer of a message for me ?’ * Truly; and be honoured,* replied Corporal Diek, yer, if it must be confessed looking a little confused, as one taken back. * It is," proceeded Vina, *to yonr Lieutenant Thomae Strickland.’ * Captain now, Miss Trescott.* * Really 1 lam glad. I congratulate him,’ she smiled. * Well, it is a strange message I have to send, Corporal Diek, but one he will understand. Tell him that I claim the privilege of my sex to change my

mind.' She paused, lughlng, binthing, then added, * Tell him that a ** No,” sometimes becomes a** Yea” School-girls do not always know their own hearts, bat learn it later. It most rest with him whether I have done so too late.* Corporal Dick seemed ill at ease, trembling, and hesitating. Then he strode quickly forward, saying : • Vina.*

And she, laughing, holding out her band, said : •Tom.’ * Yon know me ?’ * I did not at first. But I did when nay poor dog died and you made that foolish remark. I knew then you were Tom Strickland—not Corporal Diek. What madness made you take to thia disguise T * A madness most of the world suffers at

some time of their lives,* he laughed— * love. I have always loved yon, Vina, and wanted to try my luek again-* * Why aa Corporal Diek t* * From vanity,* he answered. * I was a poor Lieutenant when yon refused me; now I am my uncle's heir, with wealth and lands. I said to myself, she may change towards me for'that; so, feeling a something,* he smiled, * that told me, ** schoolgirls did not always know their own hearts,** I degraded myself to the ranks. I stooped to win—Vina, with what result T* * Have you not my message to Captain Tom ?* * Surely ; and thus Corporal Diek responds.* That day Corporal Diek left Shadynook, universally regretted. A week later, Vina moved Londonward. Three months after the news reached Deepvale, of her marriage with Captain Thomas Strickland, of Enniecroft. It was a year before the newly-wedded paid a visit to Deepvale, by which time Shadynook had forgotten Corporal Diek sufficiently not to recognise him in the fair, handsome young bridegroom with straw, sunny hair, and heavy moustache and beard. Old Allee Dywne might have known, but long, long ago she had quitted the place for * London,* she hed said, but in the pretty lodge at Enniseroft there is a lodge keeper, living with her grand-daughter, wondronsly like the dame. * I thought,’ remarked Di, sipping afternoon tea in Vina’s boudoir, * that you hated soldiers?* * So I do, my dear,' responded the young bride, gaily. *Do you not know that * ‘That what?* aa her friend abruptly paused. ‘Captain Strickland has retired?’ eoneluded Vina, the faint blush of confusion fading, for had she not been about to say, ‘not Captain Strickland, but Corporal Dick?* E.W.P.