NEW ZEALAND STORIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 24, 11 June 1913, Page 55

NEW ZEALAND STORIES.

The Rossiter Twins.

V. —A Question of Finance,

By

V. AUGUSTA ROCHE.

T HE twins were worried; their coffers were empty and Mrs. Rossiter'n birthday was approaching. Usually they began saving their .poeket money some weeks before this important day, so as to be able to buy for their mother, a present worthy of their love. This year however, the Rotorua trip had absorbed all their eash. Although Mrs. Rossiter’s brother had stood all their expenses, both travelling and hotel, and had supplied the twins with poeket money, they had spent their own allowance besides, which is not to wondered at in a place like Rotorua, where money flies as quickly as the moments of pleasure spent there. After Duncan Grey's generous treatment, the twins felt that they could not possibly apply to him for a loan. They puzzled their brains and furrowed their youthful brows in anxious thought —money must be raised somehow. Mrs. Rossiter had, [happened to admire a beautiful, grey suede handbag in one of the shop windows, and her children decided that she must have it for her birthday. The price of the bag however, was a pound, and in their low financial condition, it seemed almost unattainable. “I’ll be frightfully disappointed if we can’t give her the bag,” Poppy said dolefully. “In other years it was not difficult for us to save a decent sum between us, if we commenced early enough, but this time, we’ye hardly a bean to bless ourselves with.” Teddy- was equally gloomy. “The mater’s birthday is only ten days off,” he said, “and it looks as if we can only scrape up a paltry four or five shillings between us by that time.” The more they thought over the matter, the more hopeless it seemed to become. “Well,” said Poppy at last, “we can only hope for something to turn up. Det’s go for a spin to shake off the dumps.” Teddy readily acquiesced and they went to get their bicycles. “Where shall we go?” he asked. “Along the 'Lake Road,” answered Poppy promptly, “and I’ll race you up the hill,” which by the way was so steep, that only people with light heads and strong hearts ever attempted to cycle up it. Pedalling along the smooth, sand-cov-ered roads soon revived their drooping spirits. Just as they entered the Lake Road, they overtook Mr. Everett, Jho parish eurate, who was also cycling. Now Teddy and Poppy were not particularly drawn to Mr. Everett—they had not quite decided whether they liked him or not. 'With his polished manners, cultured voice, and Oxford accent, he was quite different to the average colonial, and the twins, unaccustomed to meeting Englishmen of his type, were not quite sure whether the young curate was putting on “side” or not. On the other hand, Mr Everett had taken a great fancy to the twins. He called very frequently on the Rossiters, and Teddy and Poppy had to admit that he was jolly enough and not at all “goodygoody.” Mrs. Rossiter liked him immensely and always gave him the warmest of welcomes.

As the twins came up, Mr. Everett increased hie pace to Keep up with them. “We’re going to race up the hill Mr. Everett,” said Poppy. “Would you like to join us?” ;she added sweetly, with a sly wink at Teddy as much as to say "I bet you ho won’t.” “Don't you think it rather unwise to race up such a hill?” asked the curate. “Oh, we’re not afraid,” said Poppy with a contemptuous toss of her head.

"Very well, then,’’ returned their companion with a laugh, “we will all try it, and I’ll give you twenty yards start. “You needn’t bother to give us a start,” said Poppy with a superior smile. She and Terry had often raced up the hill in question, and she had, noticed besides, that the gear of the curate’s bicycle was considerably’ higher than that of their machines, which would make it much harder for him to negotiate the steep incline, so she felt she could afford to waive the offer of a start. Presently they came to a level stretch, just before the road ascended the hill. The three cyclists were travelling side by side. "Now then,” eaid the eurate, “get ready—one, two, three, off.” The twins pedalled forward; Mr. Everett slackened hie pace slightly, so as to give hie companions the start he mentioned, and then bounded forward. The run along the level piece of road gave the cyclists a good impetus up the steep incline, but

ere they were half way up, the twins were pantjaig pretty hard. At that point, Mr. ‘ Everett, who was not panting at all, at least not audibly, passed them with a cheery word of encouragement, which made the twins grit their teeth. On he went, increasing the distance between himself and his toiling competitors. When the latter reached the top, the curate, a line specimen of glowing manhood, stood beside his machine waiting for them. Their respect for him had increased considerably. “'Well, you ean take hills,” said Teddy admiringly. “You must have had a lot of practice,” remarked Poppv, a trifle ly"Oh a little,’ was the modest reply of the man who had been one ot the crack athletes of his collegia. “You two did awfully well,” he went on. "It’s quite evident you have had some practice too.” /

A little further on he left them to visit a sick parishoner, anil the twins turned round for home. “I think Everett is rather a decent chap,” remarked Teddy. “He didn’t skite about what he did, and he gave us a start too—did you notice thatt” "Yes,” answered Poppy shortly. She felt angry with herself and with the curate also, and she was not inclined to discuss him favourably. The next day Teddy came to his sister with an air of mysterious importance. “I’ve got an idea about raising some •libs,” he said. “Let’s have it then,“ demanded Poppy. "There’s a race meeting at Takapuna next week. What do you say to trying our luek there?” Poppy looked dubious. “It would be awful if mother found out; you know how she hates races ever since Unele Harry lost all his money on the turf, as they call it, and died co tragically.” “Yes, I know,” answered Teddy, “but if -we are smart, she needn’t know. I was talking to one of the trainers oh the beach this morning you remember a lot of them exercise their horses there between five and six, when the tide’s low. Simpson, the fellow I was talking to, is really a decent sort, and he said if I wanted to back a horse at the Takapuna meeting on Wednesday next, that Cordite was a pretty safe win. You see in a thing like this, by spending a few shillings we might get pounds in return.” The idea appealed strongly to Poppy’s commercial sense, and eho waived her scruples. “IAII right,” she said,” we’ll try our luek; we want the money for a good purpose any way. Find out what we have got to do and we’ll sneak along on Wednesday next. What a good thing it is that we are having our term holidays.”

Teddy had further interview* with Simpson which were duly retailed to Poppy. On Tuesday night, the twins had a long confab and compared finances. •'Now we’ve got three and sixpence each,” said Teddy; 'it costs a shilling to go on to the course and that leaves iia with two and sixpence each to bet with. Simpson tells me. that since the abolition of bookmakers, you can only t>et by putting money on the totalisafor. There are two totalizators, one tjiat gives pound tickets and one that gives ten shilling tickets; we’ll have to join someone in a ten shilling ticket, Someone who is backing Cordite also.” *’l see,” said Poppy thought fully. ‘‘Of course if Cordite doesn’t win we Jose our money don’t we?” /'Of course,” answered Teddy; “you always have to take that risk in racing.” I ‘‘Wo’ll have to dodge seeing people fhere who know mother, and who might go and tell her.” “Oh, there won’t be much fear ot that,’ replied Jetlily. "All the best people go on the grandstand and inside a place called the Enclosure. We sha’n’t ■ there- it costs five or ten ehil f forget which. We will be outside and no one will notice us in the jfrowd.” The next day, about eleven o’clock, the twins set out for the race course, was only half an hour’s walk away. Mrs. Rossiter had gone to town by the ten-thirty boat, to do some, shopso their departure was made easy. The day was brilliantly fine and the scene on the course was full of animation. Ihe grandstand and lawns Veio crowded -with men and prettily massed women, and above the babel of sounded of the latest comic pfeni from a bra«s band. Outside the Enclosure, 1 eddy and Poppy found themselves in a very cosmopolitan 'Crowd; iuter.sper-.pd with people of the Commoner class, were Chinamen, Maoris, Assyrian Jews, and an occasional negro. (However, this was of small moment to the twins, who were getting feverishly excited. leddy, unable to afford a programme, Amud out that the five furlong race Jrt Winch Cordite was competing, was to l>e run at one o'clock. Jle had discovered R boy ho knew who was backing Cordite, find who was agreeable to go halves ■with him in a ten shilling -ticket. .‘Poppy watched the first two races With intense interest. She loved horses ami the beautiful thoroughbreds, with ieir satin coats and long graceful Zincs, and their gaily dressed riders, presented to her. a glowing and fascinatpicture. One home in particular, a .handsome black, attracted her attention. "Oh, Teddy,” she cried, “look at that "? rs '\ . I '’"’ c llfl a beauty? I wonder What his name is?” ‘That’s Escamillo, Miss,” volunteered a bystander; -he’s running in the five furlong race that conies next.” Poppy bestowed a sweet smile of tlianks on the informer, and turning to Teddy, she whispered: “I’m going to back him instead of n *''? ' 011 On Sil 'd Teddy sharply; .you've got to join me iii Cordite; w6. know nothing of Escamillo, while V’e vo had it on good authority that Cordite stands a big chance.” j “I don't like the look of Cordite MearJy as much as Escamillo," she protested. . '■/‘Well you’ve to back Cordite with me anyhow. ij/'Bul Escamillo is such a beauty, ? Teddy persisted Poppy, “and just ook how beautifully his jockey’s colours go with his coat." ! "Just like a girl,” sneered the boy, f't alien by appearances. What the dickens have the jockey’s colours got to do with the horse's chance of winhlng.” Ills tone nettled Poppy. “Very well then,” •she said levolly, “back your old Cordite yourself. I’m going to back Escamillo.” “You silly ass!” exclaimed Teddy in wrathful illhlertoiies; ’’you’ll lose your money. \ <>u can’t do much with half-a-Orown any way. You’ll have to look tound for someone who is 'willing to stump up seven and six on Escamillo.”

“I’ll find someone,” retorted Poppy confidently, and before ho had realised Jt, she had gone off. Luck favoured her. f>he met an old gardener who was once tn Mrs. Rossiter’s employ. Poppy had Always been on good terms with O’Leary. "On Mike, who sre you backing in the next race?” she asked eagerly.

‘‘Why Miss, fancy seeing roti here,” said the old man, scratching his head in surprise. “Never mind about being surprised,” said Poppy impatiently, "we sneaked here. Tell us who’re backing." “Escamillv,” replied O’Leary. “You dear old thing,” Poppy burst forth excitedly; “put two and sixpence on for me will youi” “Shure an’ I will Miss,” was the ready reply, and the girl handed over her halfcrown. She went back to where she left Teddy, after having instructed O’Leary where to find her if Escamillo won. Teddy was too angry to speak to her. ■but Poppy was so pleased with herself that her brother's sharp “Shut-up” when she commenced to talk to him. had no effect on her. She watched the horses being led out for the five furlong ra<?e. The noise of the crowd subsided as the moment approached for the start. Poppy felt the throbbing of the tense interest that surrounded her. Presently came a cry, "They’re off” and there was a craning of necks as the horses got away. Round the course they went, a chestnut leading, with t'ordite running second; Escamillo was about fourth. Gradually the black horse crept up. Cordite was now leading, the chestnut second, and Escamillo third. By the time they rounded the bend leading to the straight ■Escamillo and Cordite were running almost neck and neck. Poppy gulped. From the crowd came a low murmur like the sound of rising wind, which developed into a mighty roar as the horses came thundering along the straight, t ries of "Cordite” and “Escamillo” filled the air; the excitement was.intense, and when with a final brave effort Escamillo bounded forward and won the race by a head, everything turned dizzy to Poppy. “Oh!” she cried, trembling with joy and putting out her arm to slip through Teddy’s, “Wasn’t that a splendid race’” “Welly good lace Missy,” came the reply and Poppy turned with a start to find that she had been hugging the arm of a beaming Celestial, while behind, Teddy, who well knew her antipathy to Chinamen, was grinning wickedly. Horror and anger struggled for expression on her face; for the moment her joy was forgotten, and the look she bestowed on her brother was almost malevolent. “Beast!” she muttered, “wait till I get you home.” “Never mind Pops old girl,” he said soothingly, mindful of the threat which called up visions of sand in his bed,

salt in hie tea, or sewn-up pyjamas; ‘•you’ve won your race and I’m glad of it. It was a close finish all right.” Poppy’s good humour was soon restored; she was too delighted to remain cross for long, and when O’Leary came up to pay her share of the dividend, amounting to two pounds, Eseamillo having paid eight pounds, she almost hugged the old man for joy. .She generously forebore to taunt Teddy of her success, who did not even get his halfcrown back, as Cordite, besides being a favourite, paid a very small dividend, only coming second. They decided not to remain any longer, although they would have liked to have seen the rest of the races especially the steeplechase. So a little after half past one, they took their departure. Hardly had they left the racecourse gates when they were overtaken by Mr. Everett on his bicycle. He dismounted and walked beside them. The twins, feeling decidedly guilty, were in fear and trembling as to whether he would ask them where they had been. He did not question them at all however: he had been visiting the same siek parishoner on the Lake Road and was full of the news of the woman’s convalescence. At the vicarage gate he left them, remarking that he would probably run down during the afternoon to see them. The twins hastened homewards. Mrs. Rossiter had not returned, and after an onslaught on the pantry,the two settled down to discuss their good fortune. “After buying the bag, we shall have a pound'left,” said Poppy, with a sigh of deep contentment. “I’d love to get Mumsey something else, but if we spent so much money, she might wonder where we got it from.” So the other pound, safely stowed away in Poppy’s glove box, was left in abeyance for the time being. The bag was bought and duly presented to Mrs. Rossiter by her devoted children. About a week later, Poppy received something in the nature of a fright. It was her mother’s “At Home”zday—there were several visitors in the room, amongst them being Mr. Everett, and a Mrs. Carncross, a voluble gossip. Poppy entered the room with the tea, the maid being away on a holiday. “My dear,” said Mrs. Carncross, wagging a head covered with an edifice of rooster’s feathers and cotton geraniums, “did I see you at the races the other day?”

Poppy stared in apparent surprise. For a moment her heart stood still. “Now dolt, don’t blush,” she thought to herself, and in obedience to the command of her inner self, Poppy managed not to blush. “I don’t think you could have,” Mr. Everett put in, “because on the day of the races I met Miss Rossiter and her brother . . .” he was just about to say on the Lake Road when he suddenly remembered that the race-course was just off it —the thought seized him, supposing they had been to the races —he paused, and then went on calmly: “when I was out. visiting, and I came down afterwards, to spend the afternoon with them.” “Oh, it must have been someone like Poppy,” said Mrs. Carncross retreating gracefully. Until that moment she was certain that it was Poppy, but Mr Everett’s statement quite upset her belief; she adored curates, Mr. Everett in particular, and she accepted his explanation without questioning. Poppy, thus saved the necessity of answering, breathed freely once more, and went on calmly dispensing the tea, with the assistance of the curate, who had risen to help her. Afterwards she related the incident to Teddy. “Wasn’t Everett a brick?” she exclaimed. “I don’t suppose he knew we had been to the races, though he might have guessed it after that creature spoke about seeing me there.' Anyway he only spoke the truth, but the way he put it was so awfully decent, and it quite satisfied that silly juggins of an interfering Carncross woman, with her fowl-yard and flower-garden bonnet.” “Everett’s an all right chap, as I KtTve always said of late,” remarked Teddy; “I think he is every bit as decent as Winkerton,” to which Poppy cordially agreed. Two days later, Mr. Everett received an anonymous gift of half a dozen linen handkerchiefs. The curate has a good idea as ■to who sent them, and is very much afraid that they were purchased with the proceeds of a gambling enterprise. He has never had these surmises verified, however, and tries to think that he might be wrong. Anyway, he likes the twins just as much as ever.