A MILL GIRL’S CHOICE

Evening Star, Issue 20059, 27 December 1928, Page 12

A MILL GIRL’S CHOICE

A SHORT STORY, [All Rights Reserved.] By John Rankine. A deputation of Keith’s mill workers entered the office. Young Harold Keith received them courteously, but with inquiry in his eyes. “ We have been asked to see you, sir,” said the spokesman, “ with reference to a meeting we are arranging. The girls have taken up the idea' of a social night, concert and dance affair, and, of course, they have netted us into it; if successful it would bo made annual. The unanimous feeling is that your presence on the first occasion Wotild give it a good send off, and we were deputed to see if you would favour us by presiding.” A smile lit up Harold Keith’s handsome features. But he shook his head. “ I am delighted to hear all this, but, without any pretence of 'modesty, I am not your man. I have neglected public duties; I never presided over anything in my life. But why not have my father for your chairman? ” “We thought of him first of all. But, of course, your father isn’t robust. We know he would have given us a gracious answer, but we did not wish to confront him with a responsibility he might have been inclined to accept, and that we had no right to impose.” “ Well, I shall try to persuade him. What is your programme composed of? ” “Local talent, sir, drawn entirely from the mill; some of the girls are splendid singers. One girl, indeed, _ is a sliperb violinist; her name is Nell Robinson- —’1 “ Nell Rob ! ah, Robinson. Oh, yes; I think I know the girl yOu mean. Hoes she play the violin? ” “ She is passionately fond of it, and has been trained from childhood by her grandfather.” “ 1 see. Well, perhaps you are quite right about my father. It would probably be harmful for him to attend a mffvded social gathering, and it would worry him if he had to refuse; So just put mo down as chairman. You will have to take me for what I am worth,- but I dare say my duties will be light. Wo are employer and employee during work hours, but good frieiids, I hope, at all times,” The deputation Withdrew satisfied. Then their young master smiled thdiightfully. “ And Nell is a violinist! ” he muttered. .“ I never suspected it. But I dare say she is as clever as she is pretty.”

Keith’s social promised to be a great event. The girls had set it going, the girls kept it going. There were committee lUeetings innumerable. Never had there been so much fuss and fun Within Keith’s mill since its old grey walls were raised. The only point on which/the committe did not divide Was on the proposal that Nell Robinson should be asked to contribute to the programme, A strange girl was Nell. Beautiful, inodest, winsome; none challenged her title as first favourite in Keith's mill. Yet there was a pathos about her life; she Mood absolutely alone. She coUld hot remember her parehts. She had been reared by her grandfather, an old mill veteran with the love of ritusic in his soul. Nell had inherited Ids passion. When but a child her grandfather. had placed his treasured violin in her tiny hands, and the pretty little pupil had proved as apt as she .waseager*

Now that grandfather was dead Nell soothed her sorrow and filled the solitary hours by playing his favourite melodies. For the passing joy that filled the minds of most girls she cared nothing. She loved music for its own sake, and was least conscious of her own exquisite skill.

Bel ter ton Town Hall was resplendent on the night of Keith’s social, and nowhere in England that nightwas there a more charming scene. Hundreds of happy mill girls, blest with looks and dressed ■ with taste, were a sight any man would have relished. _ Harold Keith came and a friend with him. “ I did not bring my friend to strengthen iny courage,” laughed the young master in his speech. “ But, by chance, my father’s oldest friend, Professor Hauffipan, visited us to-day. The. professor is a famous musical critic; his authority is respected alike in England and in Europe. When I told him that mill talent alone,was to provide to-night’s entertainment' he begged permission to attend, and, in your name, I invited him.” Whether it was the honour of the mill or the presence of the Professor that did it. none could tell; but Keith’s mill workers excelled themselves. But it was when Nell Robinson came shyly on that the enthusiasm overflowed. In a simple white gown and with a flower in ner hair Nell stood, the prettiest among hundreds of pretty girls. Perfect silence and soft ijielodious strains. Never had music a disciple more devoted, more devout. The woman’s soul passed into the melody, and her companions listened spellbound. Professor Haufi'mau was an unobtrusive person. He sat throughout with the modesty, befitting a guest and a great man. But, at the end of the long programme he whispered to Harold Keith: “ I should like to speak to Miss Robinson.” Nell approached with wonder in her sweet blue eyes. “ I wish to thank you for a great pleasure and a great surprise, Miss Robinson; I wish to tell you that yon have genius. Do not imagine I am simply saying pretty things. I have met thousands of young ladies to whom it would have paid mo to say pretty things, and not one of them had your gift. Mr Keith tells mo you are a mill lass. It is a shame. You must be so no longer. You could, if you choose, have the world at your feet. I have a reputation that I would no,t risk lightly, but I am prepared ■to stake it on the statement that you have a genius for the violin greater than any woman 1 have known. ' Ponder these things ‘deeply; tlien act bravely. It is a tragedy that fingers with such a divine power should he spinning cotton in a Betterton mill.”

The professor, turned atvay to join Harold Keith. Nell turned to receive fresh congratulations from her friends. But that night Nell Robinson neither slept nor desired to sleep. The professor’s words had touched the deepest emotions of her heart, had fired the strongest ambition of her mind. Two nights later Nell walked homo in the twilight. ■ In .Dirlton lane she was surprised to see a man loitering,

Her surprise increased as she recognised Harold Keith.

“ I confess at once, Miss Robinson, that I am waiting to intercept you,’ said the young mill master. “ I know I have opportunity enough in the mill, but my reason for meeting you here is because I wish you to forget our respective positions in the mill. Here we meet as equals; I hope, as friends. The fact is, I did not know what Professor Hauft'man wished to see you about on the social night, but all he said to you ho repeated more emphatically to my father when 'lvo got home. The professor is no rhapsodist. Experience has made him sparing of praise save where • praise is merited, and he has nothing but high praise and bright prophecies for you. My father was delighted. He instantly decided that the lack of money should be no obstacle to your success. Tomorrow, I know, my father intends to interview you. You will bo urged to accept the professor’s advice and my father’s assistance. You will be offered a career worthy of your talents.”

Nell listened incredulously. Tearfully, prayerfully, she had longed for the chance of a musical career. How improbable it had ever seemed! Yet now it was thrust upon her. Glad tears glistened in her eyes, Harold Keith saw them and drew nearer.

“ Forget what I have said,” ho whispered earnestly. • “My purpose in meeting you hero is to warn you of my father’s offer—and to implore you to refuse it. For 1, also, have an offer to make to you. Can you guess it? , Have you never guessed that for years I have secretly admired you and have passionately loved you? Noll, will you be mine? You can make yourself famous, or me happy. Which will you? I know you could have your gifts acknowledged by a wider world than that of Beltorton. I know I am selfish to ask,- but, for Love’s sake, could you do it, Nell? Think not that this is a sudden, wild impulse; it is not. Long have I loved the most beautiful mill lass in Belterton. My constant day-dream has been to picture her as my bride. Nell, shall the dream come true? ” She shook her head.

“ This is good neither for you nor for me,” she said. ■ “ Remember the gulf that divides us; I am but a mill mss. To refuse you is to save you from an act of folly for which the young mill master would never be forgiven. Besides, love and marriage mean nothing to mo. Not for such cheap joys would I barter a future of fame. I would face countless years at my loom alone rather than be false to (the deepest instinct of ray heart; t no vulgar pride of empty vanity inspires me. 1 simply wish to know if the world would count me worthy to be reckoned among those to whom the goddess of music has been kind.” The excitement heightened her beauty. To the man silently regarding her she seemed divine, oomething wistful, sorrowful in his eyes struck at the woman’s heart. She remembered what he had so eagerly offered, what she had so lightly refused. “ Forgive me,” sue said, “ if I seem ungrateful; I am not, 1 can believe the sacred words you have spoken; I

can picture the future you would provide for mo. It would lack nothing that your love could supply. Give it to some other woman; 1 shall envy her. For your sake J stud 1 try not to hate her, for I know I eomd love you. My heart would soon learn to love you; but for nothing on earth will I sacrifice my ambition. I shall remember this hour, even though it will surely make me falter in my resolution; for, whatever the future may bring, I know it will bring nothing worthier of any woman’s acceptance than the pure love, the kindly heart, and the honoured name, which you liave offered this night to a poor Belterton mill lass. God bless you for it, and good night.” Next day the news flashed through the town of Belterton. Mr Janies Keith was sending one of his mill girls abroad for a two years’ musical training. Nell Robinson had accepted the offer with the promise that, immediately she was able to do so, she should be allowed to repay Mr Keith every penny expended on her behalf. Should she falsify Professor Unuffman’s predictions, and never be able to repay—well, that was Mr Keith’s risk. Mr Keith said ho would take it cheerfully. The night Nell Robinson departed Keith’s mill hands turned out to bid her “ God'-speed.” Noll shook hands with an army of smiling friends. Amid a salvo of cheers her train moved off. But at the edge of the large crowd a man, who neither cheered nor smiled stock watching intently. The much-honoured mill lass saw him; their eyes met. A look of burning intensity and the moment was gone. But the one vivid impression Nell Robinson carried with her out of the old life into the new was of Harold Keith standing afar ofl\ silent and solitary. The sea of happy faces soon become a confused picture, the lusty cheers of her mill friends ceased to sound.

But ever before Nell Robinson s eves rose the vision of Harold Keith’s loving farewell glance. Her ear seemed haunted by the sweet and solemn words he hud spoken in Dirlton lane. Nell Robinson passed from triumph to triumph. Matched against the best pupils of the Leipzig Conservatoire, she won the highest honours, the most substantial scholarships. At the end of a year she had proudly repaid James Keith, and was maintaining herself. But in spite of her success, she could not blur the memoiy of the days that had been. Ofttimes the dainty boudoir vanished from her sight; again she saw the much-loved mill, while above the ravishing music of the Conservatoire there seemed to sound the familiar music of the looms and the mill girls’ merry laughter with it blended.

The black year in the cotton trade had set in. Disaster swept over Belterton. The small linns went down, the strong ones reeled. The cotton crop failed. Financial panic followed. The stability of every house was suspect. 1 Many wondered about the Keith firm. The father’s limited health had prevented him keeping pace with rivals. Young Harold had not had time to achieve much. The firm’s name was old and honoured; but that alone, everyone said, would avail in the hour of trouble. The Keiths, however, father and son, said nothing. They shared their secrets with no one. Meantime their old employee was perfecting herself for appearing before the critics. The Saturday afternoon of “ Miss Helena Robinson’s ” first recital was advertised. All Belterton talked of it. But two of Keith’s mill girls did more than talk. Nan Dickson and Kate Morran had been special friends of Nell’s. Secretly they now resolved to see their old companion formally launched upon her great, career. ’ On the eventful Saturday they reached London. With a sense of awe they penetrated the great hall; they sat abashed amid a host of fashionable women and foreign-looking men. The new virtuoso had been loudly heralded, the critics were expectant, and the hour of testing had come. Miss Helena Robinson appeared. The two mill girls momentarily wondered if they had made a mistake. There was no trace of their old millmate in that beautiful girl arrayed with all the cunning yet costly simplicity of art. They almost regretted they had come. ’Miss Helena Robinson would ashamed of them. The critics were intent on the girl standing pale before them. Their verdict meant much to her, and in a few minutes it would be given. It was. a severe ordeal. Everyone noticed the victim falter as she cast a swift,glance towards a remote corner of the room. For a moment she stood motionless.

The audience interpreted it as stage fright. But suddenly a. new light sprang into Miss Helena Robinson’s eyes; a smile rippled at her lips as,’ with a courage evidently born of the moment, she drew her bow across the strings and challenged the opinion of 'musical London. There was a period of suspense. The critics were hard of head and heart. Not lightly did they yield the honours for which each new claimant contested. But to-day they were taken by surprise; their critical faculties were stifled by their enthusiasm. L.ong ere Nell Robinson bad finished her victory Was won. The unemotional experts were enraptured. ' ■ The delighted audience filed out, the mill girls stealthily, with them..

“ Pardon me,” said an attendant as they neared the door, ” are you young Judies from Belterton? ” “ Yes.” « “ Then I have instructions to conduct you to'Miss Robinson’s room.” He led tho way to a daintilyappointed retiring room. There was an eternity of waiting, but at last the door flew open. Miss Helena Robinson seemed to embrace both at once. For some moments there was never a word. Then Nell stood back to look at them through glistening .eyes--1 am so glad vou did it, girls, uhat good angels put it into your hearts to do it? ” ' Wo simply wished to sec your triumph, Nell.” “ You have not only seen it, you have shared it. I have succeeded. My manager is in transports; the critics are magnanimous. Certainly I never played better in my life. Do you know why P There wasn’t, a more terrified person in London than J when 1 walked on to tho platform. Fear had toredoomed me to failure. Suddenly 1 caught a glimpse of two faces, and instantly 1 was inspired. Oh, you connot imagine what a glad emotion surged through my heart at the sight of you. So 1 said to myself, the friendship that is so faithful 1 shall not, dare not, disgrace. And I didn t girls. I have done credit to my teachers; my future is absolutely assured—and to you, girls, be all the glory. I fear I was almost rude to my grand and congratulating friends in my anxiety to reach you. Please tell me about Betterton, both of you together; give me all the mill news.” Nan Dicksoi and Kato Morran were satisfied. Nell Rolf n still lived. She kept them both answering- a long time ere her curiosity was satislied. And what they had to tell her was’not all bright—the black year, the many failures, the short time, the vicissitudes of old friends. “ Indeed, Nell, luck left Relterton along with you,” said Nan Dickson. “ There is a rumour that our own firm is shaking. There is another rumour that Harold Keith is marrying Miss Leyburn, of the Towers—and everyone knows why. She is twice as old and twenty times as wealthy as ho is. Harold Keith’s heart isn’t in it—he looks the most wretched man in Belterton; every mill girl is sorry for him. But his father is very ill and business is very batl. To save his father and the firm from collapsing together, Harold Keith is going to marry a woman ho doesn’t love, and who But what is wrong, Nell? Arc you ill?” “111? No!” “ You have turned quite pale, lam afraid wo are just fatiguing yon.” “ You aren’t. Please go on.” But there was justification for the solicitude as to Nell’s condition. She was ghastly white- her attempt to be gay was pitiful. Nan and Kate continued answering her questions as they rode home with her and dined sumptuously. Not till the last train lor Belterton did Nell let them go; and as tho train moved oft' her grateful smile, her cheery “ Good-bye,” hud a benediction on a memorable day. It was three months later, and Harold Keith was walking home by Dirlton lane. He was thinking of the shadows that loomed up before him. He hardly noticed the soft footsteps behind him. “ Pardon me, Mr Keith, could you give me a start in the mill? •” Ho looked' up in surprise. “ I’m afraid business is too Merciful heavens, Nell! is it you? What are you doing here, dressed in your old mill garb and seeking a start? I thought you would have been above playing jokes of that sort.” “ 1 am in perfect earnest. I want hack my place at th 6 loom.” “ Well, you won’t get it. I thought —we all thought—you were on the high road for fame. Why are you turning hack?” , , “ Because I was unhappy. Doubtless there are kindred souls everywhere, but 1 did not find them. Nan Dickson and Kate Morran were at my first recital. The sight of them made me realise how empty my life was. I tried to resist the feeling, but 1 could not. 1 know it would be difficult to defend, but I cared not, for I was sick and weary of heart. I feel an ungrateful girl after all your father has done for me. But I have redeemed mv obligations; 1 stand in no one’s debt. Now I only want to return to my companions and friends. lam descended, from generations of mill workers. Their voices seem to sound in my ears, calling me back to the old life, to the old loom. And I have come. 1 could go away and make money and mix with grand folk; hut 1 have no desire to; I wish to live heart to heart witli those among whom J was born. T have my violin still. All 1 seek besides is seclusion and tho scones and friends among whom 1 was always happy.” Harold Keith regarded her silently. Ho was looking again into the eyes ho loved. The old spell was upon him. “ Noll,” he whispered passionately, “ you have told me your story. You shall hear mine. Do you remember what happened at this very spot two years ago? Well, the love I spoke of then has grown stronger with everv hour. Yet you have returned to find me sinning against my own heart and a woman’s, I have been secretly making terms with dishonour. Noll, I love you, you only, and you ever; yet I am going to marry Amelia Leyburn—for her *"money’s r ko. To save my father I must have money or tune —either would do; 1 cannot go without both. We are heavily mortgaged. In a short time they will close on us and everything will go. I tell you these things because you aro the only woman on earth to whom I would ever expose' the secrets of my life. We are both unhappy, Nell, but I know how one of. us could win happiness unspeakable. I will abandon all my contemptible schemes, and will face the future bravely, if you will share that future with me. Greater than my devotion to my father is my love to you. I - will he the poorest man in Belterton, and will face the hardest and humblest of toil if only you will think' again, _ Nell. You have failed to find satisfaction in the great world beyond. You have returned to Belterton seeking happiness for yourself. Will you not also make happiness for me? ” He got no answer in words, but in Nell Robinson’s eyes there shone that light which woman cannot conceal, and which man cannot misread. Silently he opened his arms—silently she entered in. All else was forgotten. 'Their fortune, good or ill, they left to the future. Their love they made, secure.

It wits long* ere their lips were satisfied, but Nell broke loose at last. • “Moments of bliss are infinitely sweeter than moments of triumph,” she whispered. “ Yoq will accept my love? ” he added •anxiously. “ It was what I was seeking,” she smiled. “On the same spot you once gave me n. choice of love or fame. I chose —and I chose wrongly. Pride in my success sustained mo at first, but the memory of the precious words you uttered here were what I fell back Upon at last. My heart went cold when they told me of Amelia Ley burn. Then did I fully realise that nothing in life mattered to me but the love of Harold Keith. I longed to creep back to-my old place at the loom. All i wished was to be near you.” “Your wish shall be fulfilled, but remember, it means beggary lor us both,”

Oh,no, it doesn’t. What did you mean by saying that time could save yon as well as money? ” “ We are mortgaged to the last .stone. The interest is overdue. The bank has intimated a definite day ol grace, and we are unable to pay.” “ Will you let mo help? ” “ You? ” “ Yes; 1 aspire to a more heroic part than to make you a beggar in making me a wife. Since my recital, engagemeats have poured in at huge fees. Could not T fiddle the fortunes of the house of Keith back once more? So long as you pay the interest the ban it will not foreclose? ” “ No. And this period of depression is nearly ended. If we can hold out a little longer we are saved.” “ Then 1 shall slip back quietly to London, and will undertake to save the honour of the name that is going to bo mine.” No one ever knew that Nell Robinson had been in Betterton. But the musical world still remembers the series of brilliant performances given by the distinguished young violinist. Miss Helena Robinson. London raved .about her. Her tour through the provinces was a triumphal march. Everyone knew she was making money; everyone believed she would make a brilliant marriage, but only one person—a young man in Belterton --knew anything about Nell Robinson’s money or Nell Robinson’s marriage. And Belterton Bank, which had been preparing to sweep down on the firm of Keith, was surprised to find that young Keith met bis payments regularly, and was even liquidating _ the mortgages. Business improved rapidly. Full years followed lean years. Keith’s mill flourished once more—a smart business man was the -junior partner. And no one would ever have known the reason why, but Harold Keith insisted on telling. It was the only point which he would not defer to his young wife’s wishes. At the first annual social after their marriage he Told the whole tale to his own mill Workers. But ad Belterton heard of it with joy and pride. And to this day the oldest inhabitant or tlie youngest intelligent child will proudly tell you, if you ask, the story of how Mr Harold Keith’s pretty and charming wife was once only a mill lay;, and yet once saved the credit of Keith’s mill.