SHORT STORY.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 447, 10 November 1904, Page 7

SHORT STORY.

A COMEDY Or COUETSHIP.

OT? course, I lore you, Jack, yon know that. But 1 think it is only right——that you should announce our engagement to—to those two dear old gentlemen, your guardians. Hero wc have been secretly betrothed for nearly three months, and—and even Aunt Arabella doesn't know ii yet. * You see, Bella dr a?, my position is so different from that of most fellows. I've been brought up by my uncles those two dear gentlemen yon speak of. I'm entirely dependent upon them. I daren't offend them for the world. They'ro as eccentric as—as—anything. They would never let me work—always insisted that their means wero sufficient for me. They look for me to make an additional fortune by my marriage. Now, as a matter of fact, I've sworn to marry you, and—and ' ' And I haven't a fortune. Umph! That's true,' said Bella with a pout. 'lt doesn't make any difference to me,' said Jack, drawing the dear girl closer to him. * But,* and he sighed deeply, * the uncles wouldn't stand it. There'd bo a rumpus, the riot act would be read, and no quarter given. I should be cut off at once, and told to quit. Then what could Ido ?' 'Not—not much, certainly,' sighed Bella. 1 Now, we must exercise patience a little longer, dearest. Everything comes to those who know how to wait. It'll come to us presently—everything will be arranged, and then wo shall live happily ever afterwards. In the meantime be your best to Uncle Jacob and Uncle Benjamin. Make them form a good opinion of you, and then —they'll p'raps waive their stipulations about my future wife's means. They might even command me to marry you, who jfP* ■ Or want to marry me themselves.' ' Nonsense, Bella, they're confirmed old bachelors—to old and staid to think of such things. They've as little notion of marrying as—as your Aunt Arabella.' 'Umph! I don't think she'd object much, if ishe had a chance.' 'Of course there's no accounting for women. But men are different. Anyway, get tho dear old gentlemen to like you, Bella, and some of these times when they're sounding your praises, I'll—l'll tell them all about it.' Bella Simpson was a sensible girl. At least, she saw things in the same light as Jack Atherstone. She saw that it was policy to defer the announcement of their engagement a little longer; also, that nothing would be lost by adopting her lover's advice. She assailed Jack's uncles Benjamin and Jacob with an energy worthy of her cause. She was very pretty, and naturally very winsome—qualities capable of much influence with mature age. She showed herself very thoughtful; flitted from Benjamin to Jacob, and from Jacob to Benjamin, with a delightful grace. Whenever either required any little attention, Bella's hands did the business with winning dexterity. She anticipated their every want, agreed with them in all their ideas, and even went through a course of study in order to be able to talk with them on their pet theories. Even when the two bachelors disagreed upon any point, and appealed to her, Bella's shrewdness and ability enabled her to take the side of iattg without offending either. Wncle Benjamin, instead of going long walks with his brother, shortly began to have leanings towards solitude. He would wk in his own room for hours, puffing silently at his pipe, and evidently in deep contemplation. Uncle Jacob didn't seem at all put out about it. Somehow, it ap- ' peared to him that in walking alone, more opportunities existed for thought. One day Benjamin expressed his intention of taking a long ramble by the river ; Jacob didn't care for the river, but he was going for a long, bracing walk over the moor. They parted with much ceremony, shaking hands at the door, and again when they reached the road. 1 Hope you will enjoy the river, dear Benjamin,' said Jacob. * And you, dear Jacob, I trust will enjoy the moorland breezes,' said Benjamin. Jacob turned his steps down the street, while Benjamin took the opposite direction. But the latter had not gone far before he began looking skywards. 4 Ah, extremely like rain,' he murmured. ' Shouldn't wonder if we have a storm. Certainly not the sort of weather for the river-side,' and he turned round and walked towards home again. As for Jacob, he surely must be growing deceitful. He had never intended going on the moor. His soul yearned for poetry and music, he said, and in consequence, he took a circuitous route to Rose Villa, where Bella and her aunt lived. Just as he reached the garden-gate, his brother Benjamin came round the corner and they met on the gravelled path. 'What, Benjamin I' exclaimed Jacob, • I—l thought you were by the—the river.' ' Good gracious, Jacob 1' said Benjamin, * I—l thought you were on—on the moor.' ' Ah, the weather, my dear Benjamin. it not——' *lt is indeed, dear Jacob.' And the two men walked up to the door glancing curiously out of the sides of their eyes, and with very suspicious thoughts of each other.

In the meantime, Aunt Arabella, first curious as to what could be the meaning of these frequent calls and attentions, came to the conclusion that the two brothers were not without intentions. Of course it never entered her mind that Bella was the subject of them. In spite of her years, she believed herself still capable of inspiring attachment, particularly in the hearts of sensible men. By every means in her power she encouraged their visits, leaving the future to decide which of the two she would eventually favour. Jack himself was surprised at the pace things were going. He could not close his eyes to the fact that his uncles were greatly enamoured of Bella. At the same time he was scarcely prepared for what happened a week or two later. He was sitting smoking in his own den, when a muffled, nervous rap came at the door. ' Come-in,' said John. The door opened. Uncle Benjamin, first inserting his head and looking around the room to see if his nephew were alone, entered. Under his arm was a box. He crocsed over to Jack's chair. * Are—are you busy, John?' he asked heaitaingly. ' I—l thought perhaps you WMlffla these cigars. I a box of 'em.' 1 Ah, this is very good of you, Uncle Benjamin. Will you—er —take a seat ?' •Well, I I'm not very busy myself, John, and yocknow—l—l—what is it ?' * Did you wish to speak to me, sir V • My dear John, what insight! That—that is it precisely,' said the elder man, taking a chair. ' The fact is, I—l—have something to say to you that is perhaps—a —a little delicate. A—a family affair, you know.' •I shall be pleased to give you my attention, uncle,' • Well —er —hem—the fact is, John, I've been thinking—er—it is possible—indeed t is highly probable, that—that there will

shortly be a change in—in our domestic affairs.'

•Indeed, sir, you surprise ine. Is my Uncle Jacob then going to ' • Not that I know of. You see, Uncle Jacob is—is getting on in years.' ■ Jost so,' assented Jack, smiling to himself as he remembered that there was only a year difference in their ages. ' You see, John, to come to the point, I - I have been seriously thinking of —of getting married.' And he stopped and stared at his nephew to sec the effect of this news. ' Married 1' exclaimed Jack.

' Yes. But don't be alarmed, John. I think it only fair that—that you should not suffer in consequence. Of course, when I bring Mrs Benjamin hero, it would scarcely be the thing to have a—a nephew in the house, siy. You will see that, John, of course.'

Jack's pipe dropped from his mouth, and he affected a groan. 'Well, it—it pains mo to distress you, dear boy. I have, however, a little scheme which I think you will find not altogether unworthy of your acceptance, in exchange for—for being turned out from—from expectations, as it were.' John covered his eyes with his hand, as though no suitable exchange could possibly be found, and Benjamin went on to say that he had the offer of a partnership in a neighbouring brewery, and he had it in his mind to purchase it on John's behalf. ' It—it's a very paying concern, John, and you'll be well provided for,' he concluded.

'The very thing,' said Jack to himself, Then, aloud—

• I—l need scarcely say how—how pained I shall be to separate from you, dear Uncle Benjamin. You have been extremely kind to me, and I should be very selfish were I to urge a single word against your contemplations. At your time of life, after all, it is but natural that one should desire tho cheering influences of female society; and —and at mine—if I may be allowed to say so—the equally beneficient attraction of a partnership in a brewery. Think no more of my feelings, dear uncle. Time will enable me to get over the blow. But—but when will the partnership be available ?' ' You shall go with me to-morrow, dear boy, and everything shall bo pushed forward. But—but—John, you need not say anything to Uncle Jacob at present about this —this little affair. I—l'll break it gently to him shortly. And—a—John, if you can do anything in the way of—ot persuasion, you might put in a word for me with—with Miss Simpson.' Jack, with difficulty restraining himself, readily promised, and the old man, heaving a sigh of relief that he had got such a delicate interview over, withdrew.

Not ten minutes afterwards Uncle Jacob entered. He was evidently labouring under internal oxcitement, and scarcely knew how to present his nephew with the handsome pipe he had brought him. ' Pray sit down, dear uncle,' said Jack. ' You seem a trifle indisposed.' ' The—the fact is, my dear John, I—l have some news of a—delicate nature to tell yen. Of course, I daresay you have noticed that—that our domestic arrangements are—are —not exactly what they might be. In a word—ahem—l—l am thinking of—of effecting a great change—of taking to myself a wife, in short.' ' Dear me I You surprise me, uncle.' *Of course, you see, dear John, that in such an event, you—you would be—a great loser. But it has struck me that—that I could make ample provision for you, when you left this house. I have a matter of five thousand pounds in the funds, and I have been thinking that if I made a transfer of this to you, you might manage to jog along until—until you meet some eligible young lady who -' ' Uncle, dear Uncle Jacob, this is indeed a blow to me. To part from your companionship after all these years is hard. But—but for your sake I will not shrink. It would be selfish on my part to put any hindrance in the way of your happiness. Therefore But when could the proposed transfer be made ?' 'At once, my dear boy. Say to-morrow, or the next day.' ' I'll go with you to the broker's the day after to-morrow.'

* And—and, John, I—l would not say anything to Uncle Benjamin just yet. The dear old man is sure to take it to heart. I'll break it gently to him shortly. But—er—you—er—know Miss Simpson, John? Well—if —if you have any—er—influence, you perhaps won't mind ' ' I will do all in my power, sir,' said John. And Jacob retired smilingly. When Jack Atherstone did strike, it was always when the iron was hot. The very next day he hurried Uncle Benjamin off to town, and the partnership was negotiated without any more to do. The day following he accompanied Uncle Jacob to the broker's, and the money in the funds was duly transferred. 1 And now, uncle,' said Jack on their way home, * I've a great deal of influence with Miss Simpson, and—and I'll use it.' Two days afterwards Benjamin received a dainty note, which he hurried to his own room to read. The same post brought Jacob a letter also, and, with a face full of smiles, he also sought the privacy 'of hi 3 chamber. Half an hour afterwards they again met in the library. Benjamin was acting hf a very boisterous fashion, whilst Jacob in a corner, looking very dejected and glum. ' She—she accepts,' cried Benjamin with great glee. ." ' Who—who does ?' gasped Jacob. •Who? Why, Bella, of course—Miss Simpson. Li-ra-ta-re-laldal!' And Benjamin hummed and whistled like a schoolboy, while poor Jacob groaned in anguish. At that moment John entered, looking very gay and festive. ' Ah, my dear uncles, I am fortunate in finding you together. May I take a seat ? Thanks. I—l—l have something of a very delicate nature to tell you, and—and—well, the fact is, you have both no doubt observed that—er—to a young fellow like myself, the—the—domestic arrangements here, although in a measure comfortable, have not—er—been exactly suitable. In consequence I—er—l have decided to—to—get married, in short.' 'John!' exclaimed Benjamin.

«Wh—what is this?' gasped Jacob. •I—l have taken the opportunity of bringing my future wife to—to be introduced to her generous uncles.' And Jack arose and opened the door. Bella at once entered. Both gentlemen at once staggered to their feet. ' Wh—what, Bella? Nonsense. She has accepted me,' said Benjamin, producing his letter and waving it aloft. A glimmer of the truth dawned upon Jacob, and a smile began to play around his lips. Bella took the letter and read it. ' Oh,' she said, innocently, ' why—why this is dear auntie's writing. She —she told me she had a proposal, and ' * Whose ?' asked Benjamin, turning a shade pale, while Jacob's smile broadened. * My aunt's—Miss Arabella Simpson.' Benjamin fell back into his chair with a groan. Jacob approached him, and, with a maliciously unkind grin, said 'She accepts! Li-ra-ta-re-Ialdal! Let me congratulate you, dear Benjamin.' But dear Benjamin vanished. Six weeks afterwards John and Bella were married. In view of the escape he had had, Uncle Jacob was very forgiving, and gave Bella away. Uncle Benjamin, however, removed to the Continent. It was the only way of escaping Aunt Arabella,