The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, 13 April 1911, Page 651

The Storyteller

THE ONE THING NECESSARY

‘The fourth!’ said General Wyndon with a sigh, as he folded the letter and slipped it under his plate. ‘My dear Mary,' Roland Martin has asked his firm to give him the Pacific Coast territory for a while.’ ‘Oh, myl’ said Mrs. Wyndom She was a slender, white-haired woman, with a delicate face. ‘ Isn’t that too bad? Isn’t that too bad?’ she repeated, almost pathetically. ‘ I really thought Theo cared for him.’ The General waved his hand and began his breakfast. ‘Cared for him!’ he growled. ‘I don’t believe she’ll ever care for anyone ’ ‘Good morning, father! Good morning, mother!’ ‘ Miss Theo Wyndon, what do you mean by this Late for breakfast, as usual!’ The girl came into the room hurriedly and kissed her . father and mother before settling into her place. General Wyndon looked at her with a glance he tried to make disapproving. ‘ You don’t seem very sorry, Theo,’ he began. She waved her spoon at him. ‘ You know you’ve not had more than one bite, either of you,’ she said airily. *So I don’t feel really sorry. Besides, lateness is its own worst punishment. I miss,' raising a laughing face, ‘ just so much of your society.’ Her brown eyes danced. He tried to grumble, but could not. ‘ Well, perhaps you won’t fret much at losing Roland Martin’s society, he said. When did you refuse him, Theo?’ \ ‘ I didn’t refuse him, father.’ ‘ Didn’t refuse Roland Martin. Why, he asked me he said he was going to speak to you ’ ‘ I rather thought no was going to speak to me, father.’ Why didn’t he?’ ‘ He’s < rather an oddity,’ with a little grimace. ‘We were talking the other day on personal matters, sentiments, tastes, etc., and I told him I could never marry any man but a Church member. I did, really. And I think he imagined I wanted him to become a ranting, raving, out-and-out revivalist at once ; .for he said no more. He left me, my youthf.ul hopes blighted, my young heart filled ■with sorrow ’ ‘ Theo, Theo, don’t get on that string 1 Why did you tell him anything of the sort? Or was it a polite way of refusing him? You know you don’t give a ten-cent. piece about a man’s religion.’ * Perhaps if I had a little more of my own ’ began the girl. ‘ I don’t see you’ve ever felt the need of it,’ said the General coldly. ‘And how could a man, an up-to-date, busy man like Roland Martin, bo bothered with religion ? Theo, I’ll try to believe you said it to him, but I don’t want you to pretend to me that you would want him to get religion.’ Theo Wyndon laughed softly. ‘ Oh, father, you should have seen his face ! It was funny. He sat and stared and stared. He thought I was out of my senses. Then he said: -‘Well, I’m not a Church member and have no inclination towards any Church. I’ve been brought up to follow my own convictions, do as my conscience dictates, and hate the Church of Rome.” With which lack of profession of faith the fentleman signed his doom if he cared anything about me. will never marry a man who hates the Church of Rome.’ ‘ Why not?’ cried her exasperated father. ‘How could it affect you?’ Theo put her bright head on one side, with a long sigh. ‘ Oh, father, one gets so tired trying to find new excuses. And that as a very good one.’ General Wyndon laughed— could not help himself. ‘ You have the most "wonderful talent for wriggling out of a situation,’ he said. He was a fine chap ’ ‘A really worthy fellow,’ put in Mrs. Wyndon now, disapprovingly, ‘ and of a most excellent family. I liked him.’ ‘Oh, mother! How could you? Picture living a? long with him as you’ve done with father!’ She shivered. ‘ If he were only like father,’ she added hastily, realising that her remark could bo misconstrued. ‘ Why, I don’-' believe Mr. Martin could say a cross word if he tried It was an awful experience— almost— clammy.’ _ • ‘There is only one _ thing helps me to endure your singular choice, of - English,’ - said Mrs. Wyndon, but the smile on her lips belied the severity of her words. *As your father’s daughter you cannot help it.’ ‘ I’m afraid I’m getting very nicely between two fires,’ remarked the General to his cup of coffee. ‘ You’ve been setting a bad example,’ said Theo severely. ‘Mother is trying to talk to me the way you do. But, after all, my dear parents, if I can’t like a man, must I take him whether 1 will or not ‘You don’t even try to like anyone of them, Theo,’ said her mother. ‘Now, mammal Did you have to try to like father ?’

—but he was the first one ever fell in love with me.’ ‘ She means, father, that if she had waited a while longer she might have made a different choice.’ ‘I don’t mean anything of the kind.’ ‘ But it isn’t fair, mother, to ask me to make some man happy for the nest thirty or forty years if I can t care for him.’ ‘ There’s truth in that,’ acquiesced General Wyndon. ‘ After all, Mary, that is the one thing in which we have no right to interfere.’ ‘ I can’t help it. I was very much interested in Roland . Martin. As for making a man happy’ —Mrs. Wyndon raised her fine eyebrows— ‘when you are not tormenting him with your whims you’ll be worrying him sick. It’s either blow hot or blow cold with you, Theo, and people of that sort are not always the most agreeable to live with.’ ‘ Oh, mother,’ said Theo, rising and going over to her, ‘don’t scold me, please. How can I help it? Are you really angry?’ Mrs. "Wyndon smiled. ‘Would it make any difference?’ very next man that came along. " ‘Until he got there. I understand.’ ‘ This is what one must endure who is an only child,’ said Theo, her dimples showing, and the subject was closed. ‘ I do wonder why Theo is so different,’ mused the General as he went for his usual morning walk up the avenue and along into the park. ‘ Mary was so quiet, so unassumingl fell in love with her for her extreme reserve. Yet Theo—there is something beneath all this. She‘s as fond of fun as any girl, but she draws the line so closely. The others pair off, but not Theo. Yet she isn’t a man-haterin fact, she thoroughly enjoys the society of men. There is no reason why she shouldn’t marry if she cares to — yes, I’d really like to know Theo’s true sentiments. But, indeed, as Mary says, I have a very slim chance of finding them out. Well,’ a little defiantly. ‘ why should we know them ? It’s her life, her future, her choice, not ours.’ A smile curved the corners of his mouth as he remembered his wife’s oft-repeated assertion that Theo was his second self. In his secret heart General Wyr.don knew he spoiled her.

‘You look as if some one had left von a million dollars, General,’ said a genial voice beside him suddenly. ‘ What is the good word?’ The General looked up. Why, hello, Forbes! Where did you come from?’ ‘Oh, I’m on leave,’ said Angus Forbes. ‘Two months’ leave of absence, so I’m here to see all my old friends. How is Mrs. Wyndon?’ ‘Mrs. Wyndon keeps well, thank you. What’s the matter? You don’t seem quite fit.’ ‘Had a bad spell of typhoid last spring; takes a while to get back after a thing like that. How is little Miss Theo? Still the sauciest girl in the Wyndon barracks?’ ‘The sauciest in any barracks.’ - ‘ She must be almost a young lady now,’ said Angus Forbes. ‘ Almost,’ said the General. ‘ But where are you going? Won’t you come home with me ’ ‘ I’d be shamelessly delighted, General, if you’ll invite me. I should like - to see Mrs. Wyndon and Theo again. I wonder if she remembers me? She was my true-blue sweetheart once, you know.’ The General’s eyes twinkled under their shaggy brows. ‘How long ago is that, Forbes? Eight years, isn’t it ? ’ ‘ Yes,’ said Forbes. ‘ Doesn’t seem that long.’ ‘And you haven’t met Mrs. Forbes yet?’ ‘Not yet, . General,’ with a laugh. ‘l’m beginning to think that it’s a life of single blessedness for me unless Theo takes pity on me wlien she grows up. Think she will?’ • , ‘ Don’t know,’ laughed the General. You might ask her. But it doesn’t seem as if Theo ever will grow up. Let’s jump into this car and we’ll get home a bit before luncheon. Mrs; Wyndon will like to have a chat with you.’ ‘ All right,’ said Forbes. Mrs. Wyndon was delighted to see the young officer again. He had been a great favorite with her in the old days before the General's retirement, and both she and her husband united in begging him to make their homo his during his leave. They had totally forgotten their charming daughter, until Forbes, suddenly pausing in the midst of a sentence, made them turn toward the door at which he was staring. -■ Theo Wyndon came forward with a look of Inquiry on her face. ‘Good gracious, this isn’t Theo!’ cried Forbes. ‘General, you said she’d never grow up.’ ‘And she never will, Forbes. You wait until yon know her. This is Captain Forbes, my dear girl—Angus Forbes, of ,the th Cavalry. Do you remember him?’ ‘Why, of course!’ cried Theo, extending her hand, her lovely face breaking into the sweetest of smiles. ‘Better than he remembers me.’ .‘I can scarcely , believe my eyes,’ said Angus Forbes. ‘I expected to see a very small young lady, with possibly on© braid instead of two.’ His glance swept her

admiringly. ‘ I shall not dare to recall old days now, Miss Theo, nor allude to the promises you made, or the tokens I keep in my treasure-chest.’ ‘ ‘Oh, please,’ she said, with a little laugh, ‘ don’t treat me formally. Father’s friends are so dignified always. There isn’t one of them could stand a good old game of “ give-and-take.” ’ Ah, you do remember!’ said Angus Forbes, quite gravely, ‘ But if you imagine you can classify me at the outset as one of ‘‘father’s friends,” when I have your written promise to marry me in my trunk in the hotel, you are very much mistaken.’ The General laughed loudly, - Good, good!’ he said, '* ’ ‘ Promises of eight years’ standing have little value, I’m afraid,’ said Theo demurely. ‘ But 1 rather recollect that promise— it was the day Jacky King and I sold the dozen new eggs for a packet of salt-water taffy. You saved both of us from a good whipping.’ The General glanced up with a merry twinkle in his eye. ‘By the way, Angus said he, ‘you don’t hate the Church of Rome, do you ?’ Angus Forbes looked his blank astonishment. ‘What is this? A joke?’ he asked. ‘Why should I hate the Church of Rome?’ , A flash of color swept across Theo Wyndon’s face, ‘ That’s one of father’s pleasantries,’ she said. ‘ Perhaps ’ ‘Come, come,’ interrupted Mrs. W 7 yndon, a little hurriedly. ‘Luncheon is waiting. Angus, where are, you stopping?’ We’ll have your trunks sent for at once.’ ( ‘ I must go myself. I have some packing to do,’ said Angus Forbes. There was an odd look on his face. Mrs. Wyndon glanced at him curiously several times, wondering if she imagined that he had grown graver, more reserved. Angus had been such a rollicking, boyish chap ! ‘ But are you sure,’ he added, that you are quite prepared to take mo in this_ way? Perhaps,’ he looked thoughtfully at the General without seeing him, ‘it would be better ’ ‘ Nonsense I You don’t mean to say that vou are hesitating!’ exclaimed the General. ‘I half promised Shirley,’ said Forbes. ‘Make it a week, Mrs. Wyndon ?’ ‘ A week if you like, Angusbut we don’t want to lose you. A few' hours later Angus Forbes was safely domiciled in the Wyndon household. He adopted a rather odd manner with Theo Wyndona coldly courteous , standoffish manner that puzzled her. But she was herself—friendly, merry, perverse, sarcastic, frigid as an iceberg, bubbling over with sentiment. The General looked on, wondering. • C Doesn’t seem much , danger of Angus falling in love wxth Theo,’ he said to his wife a few days later. ‘ and I’m o/i ‘ Marti ll I didn’t mind so much, but I’d hate to see "heo lead one of ours around by the nose!’ ‘There is something wrong with Angus,’ said Mrs. vvyndon, ‘or else he is greatly changed. Why, it seems at times as if he is almost melancholy.’ That night the two men, sat smoking in the library. Angus Forbes had very little to say. The General talked on many subjects, but could not interest his guest. Finally the young man laid aside his cigar and folded his arms. The General squirmed in his chair— had been placed in a similar position on several other occasions. This time, however, the unexpected happened. ‘I don’t think I’d better stay any longer. General,’ said the young man gravely. ‘ You and Mrs. Wyndon are kindness itself, but Of course, 1 want to meet Major launders wouldn’t like to miss a chat with dear old Sandy but I’m going to break camp Friday morning.' ‘What is the matter, Angus asked the General. ‘Mrs. Uyndon was remarking that you hardly seem—well, happy. Are you in any kind of trouble?’ ‘No, General, thank you.’ ‘ But there is something wrong?’ Nothing—nothing at all, I assure you.’ They were quiet for some moments. The General frowned and puffed hard at his cigar, which had gone out. He tossed it into the receiver at his elbow. ‘I suppose when I see you again,’ said Forbes in a low tone, some lucky chap will have captured Miss Theo’s heart. ‘ If she has one,’ said the General. ‘ She is all that is attractive and lovable.’ i * Oh! , You think so? Unfortunately, two or three nave found out that her coldness matches her other qualities. Theo is not of the marrying kind, I’m afraid. Angus, she doesn’t care enough.’ The General hesitated an instant, then he went on, somewhat cautiously. ‘I was rather glad _ than otherwise to notice that you-—--’ he paused, not liking to complete the sentence. . ‘ That’s why I’m off Friday morning, General. I’m going to get away from temptations.’ ‘ Why, Angus ’ .‘I can’t say any more.’ # He rose hurriedly from the chair. ‘I shouldn’t have said that much.’ The General was bewildered. t ‘Are you sure, Angus? Don’t you think that Theo could grow to care ’ Angus Forbes became suddenly much interested in one of the ornaments on the mantel.

‘Don’t,’ he said. ‘Don’t make me ask myself that. You know what I told —when we met last —that I was doomed to a life of single blessedness unless Theo took pity on me. Heavens! I was joking, then, but it’s dead reality now. _ Why, I can’t remember when I didn't love —over since the day she came flying up the parade ground— I curls streaming out behind hep and her eyes like stars. It was the first day I came to the barracks— you remember it? I can’t forgetl don't want to.’ ‘Then she has refused you?’ said the General. , Forbes shook his head. 4 No.’ The General gave a disgusted exclamation. Why, what nonsense! You’re going away because you’re in love with —that’s pretty good. I never thought there was any yellow in your make-up, Angus.’ ‘ Sometimes the fellow that runs away is braver than the fellow who stands his ground, General.’ Not 'in our profession, Angus,’ said the General, stiffly. To him this sounded like rank heresy. The night following a number of guests were gathered in the Wyndon home. In spite of his usual good nature the General had not been able to shake off the disagreeable impression that Angus Forbes had left upon him the evening before. He was too frank himself to understand reticence, or even to tolerate it, and no stretch- of the imagination could give him a clue to the young officer’s behaviour. He tried to dismiss the subject from his mind, but could not. Forbes treated Theo deferentially, courteously, but it was easily seen that not a word she said escaped him. If Theo crossed the room, a few moments later the young man was stationed near her. It was rather singular conduct for a man who was ‘running away.’ ** Times have changed,’ said the father to himself. ‘There was no such shilly-shallying in my day.’ * He gave himself up to the entertainment of ‘Old Sandy’ thena task demanding his entire attention. They were talking as usual of army life and the barracks, when the General remembered something. • ‘ "Where is that book of views Captain Forbes gave you the other day, Theo?’ he asked. ‘I want to show Major Saunders old Bunny’s picture.’ ‘lt’s on my desk in the ‘den,’ Father,’ said Theo. The ‘ den ’ opened from the library, and the old-fashioned desk in one corner of the room was Theo’s especial property. ‘ I’ll go and get it,’ she said, half rising from the piano stool. ‘ No, no,’ said Angus Forbes, ‘ let me get it. On your desk?’ He was gone but an instant, and when he returned he carried the book of photos with him. The General stared. The young man’s eyes were radiant, his face alight with some great joy. He looked like one who had found a treasure. ‘ It’s all right, General,’ he said in an undertone, as he handed him the book. It’s all right.’ ‘What’s all right?’ demanded the General. Oh, everything, everything.’ Then the General banished the whole thing from his mind as a bad job. The informal little party broke up rather early and Theo went to the door with her departing guests. Major Saunders and her father carried off the book of army views to the library for a parting smoke. : ‘Are you coming, Angus?’ called the General. ‘ Not yet,’ said Angus Forbes. ‘ I have something to say to Miss Theo.’ Theo stood with her foot on the first step of the stairs and looked around inquiringly. The General said no more, but followed his guest. ‘Something to say to me?’ began Theo. ‘Can’t you defer it until to-morrow?’ f ‘ Why, no. I’d rather you listened to-night. You see, Miss Theo, I’ve discovered the one thing necessary. And I’ve got it.’ Theo laughed merrily and turned away from the stairs. He held the draperies aside and she preceded him into the room. ‘Now, I’m curious.’ she said. ‘ I thought you would be. But first I must tell you that I am positive that your father approves of me as a suitor for your hand, and that he is quite willing to see us married.’ * Theo’s eyes danced, her lips curved —but she repressed these signs of merriment. ‘ I’m so glad, Captain Forbes ! I congratulate you ! Now, I’m going to bed.’ ‘Not yet. Will you marry me to-morrow?’ ‘ I will not.’ Then I’ll tell the General you’re a Catholic!’ Theo paused, biting her underlip reflectively. Angus Forbes took a little worn prayer-book out of liis pocket and shook it at her. ‘Where did you get that?’ she demanded. ‘lt was lying on the book of views ca your desk,’ he said, and his voice was jubilant,

‘ What do you know about prayer-books ‘A good deal about Catholic prayer-books,’ he said, seeing that I am a Catholic myself.’ Theo smiled again. She did not seem at all surprised. Angus Forbes reached over and took her hand in his. couldn’t marry out of the faith, no matter how I cared— I’ve seen too much of the harm done. The warning note was sounded when your father asked me the joking question: “Do you hate the Church of Rome?” I didn’t dare risk staying any longer. I was going away to-morrow. And you are a Catholic! I can’t believe it.’ ‘ No?’ she laughed at him. ‘ But I knew you were one, Angus. And that prayer-book is an old one of your own —one you gave to Jacky King when somebody sent you another. I never went to bed at night without saying my prayers from that book— and as soon as I had sense, why, I went further. I haven’t been a real Catholic very long —not much over a year, but 1 guess I was one at heart years and years ago.’ ‘And the General knows nothing?’ Not yet. I wanted to win mother over first. She knows I used to go to church pretty regularly, but I didn’t even tell her.’ General 'Wyndon came into the parlor quite suddenly twenty minutes later. He looked at the two incredulously. ‘ Theo and I are to be married to-morrow,’ said Angus serenely. ‘Why, what is this?’ demanded the General. ‘ Well, father,’ said Theo gently, ‘ I’m a Catholic—have been one for over a year. Of course, I can’t marry anyone but a Catholic, so I think I’d better take Angus—don’t you ?’ ‘ To-morrow,’ supplemented Angus. To-morrow a year- —and then, perhaps,’ amended Theo Wyndon. ‘ Now, good-night.’

It did not take the father and mother long to get accustomed to Theo’s religion, and while she did not marry Angus Forbes as speedily as he. declared she would, they were married two weeks before his leave of absence expired. Later, on their return from the honeymoon, the General and his wife went to see them safely aboard the train that was to take them to the distant army post. At least,’ said the General, wistfully, as they turned away, ‘ they are starting out with the one thing necessary —similar religious belief. Do you think there’s anything in it, Alary?’ ‘ I used not to, Philip,’ she confessed. ‘ But I shall never forget Theo’s face when she received the Sacrament on her marriage day. I can’t forget either of their faces. They made me lonely—l felt as if they were a thousand times happier than Ave could ever be.’ .‘Ohl’ said the General, ‘I felt that way, too. I said so to Father Manley afterward. He laughed and said: Why don’t you try to find out why they are so happy?” He hesitated. ‘ I think I will, Mary.’ ‘So will I,’ agreed Mrs. Wyndon. ‘There’s no harm in trying.’— Extension.