The Father Intervened.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 138, 21 February 1903, Page 12

The Father Intervened.

MONNINGTON'S old custoraeis said syhe was the best barmaid that had ever been at the Bay Horse, and Toon Monnington cheerfully agreed. She was a little over medium height, her figure was fine, perhaps a tniie on the heavy side, and, although there was just the faintest trace of Hibernian biogue in her pleasant, hearty voice her profile was distinctly Pagan. It only needed a couple of vine leaves in her thick, rich, red-copper hair to convert her into a laughing figure out of one of the Dionysaan festivals, a Bacohante for choice. It is quite 1 consistent for a barmaid to look like, a Bacchante, but, naturally, she must not act like one, and Nora Hogan was a Rechabite to this extent — although she touched and handled, she never tasted, and Tom Monnmgton's stock suffered nothing at her hands. Sometimes she consented to drink with favoured customers as a high compliment, but her nip w r as always drawn from the barmaids' bottle, which contained an innocent compound of water and peppermint, so that the sixpences that w ent into the till w ere entirely for "the good of the house," and a conscientious barmaid should always 1 work for the good of the house. Nora was a local product, the daughter of handsome Jim Hogan, a selector living about ten miles out. Monnington had discovered her when on a shooting expedition, and, having an eye to a good thing, had persuaded her parents to allow her to officiate as Hebe at his respectable house in the township beyant. "Sure me missus will be the mother to her," he said, "an' it's a pity the foine gurrl like her should be wastin' the youth an' beauty ay her on the 'possums, so 'tis." "But, thim hotels is wild places, I'm thinkin'," said Mrs. Hogan, dubiously. "The Bay Horse is as dacent a house as your own home, ma'am," said Tom, proudly, "an' well respected. An' maybe the gur-rl 'ill be pickim' up the good husband there," he added, cunningly. "It has happened before, wid Kate Sheehan and Thomson's Ida." "An' me Nora's a finer girl than the pair of 'em." "She is, Mrs. Hogan, an' a foiner husband she'll have, mark me." So wily Tom Monnington had his way, and secured the best barmaid that had ever "figured at the Bay Horse within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Nora packed her box with the simple clothes of a bush girl, and duly appeared in Mrs. Monnangton's bedroom. " 'Twon't do at all," said Mrs. Monnington, critically surveying the girl. "I'll have the dressm' of you, my dear, an' manewhoile yell keep quiet here as a, friend o' mine from the country." Mrs. Monnington was not long in devising a dress for the bar, and the Nora Hogan who dashed upon Tom's 1 customers on a memorable afternoon was a new creature, a splendid girl, healthylooking as 1 a sound apple, and, being entirely lacking in self-consciousnessi was instantly at her ease with the customers. "It's as good as a holiday by the sea to come into your bar," said Pintle, the bank manager from the little weiatherboard and corrugated iron bank down the main street of Pinchbit township. Nora's beauty and Nora's smile are more refreshing than Monnington's liquor." "An' yet it's the good liquor," said Monnington. Tom was proud of his barmaid, and took all the compliments paid to her as reflecting credit upon his own excellent taste as the discoverer of the treasure. Mrs. Tom loved the girl as she would have loved the daughter she never had, and the arrangement was a complete success. Already there was danger of Tom Monnington losing his treasure. Honest admirers there were in plenty and a few dishonest ones. Tom had his own method of dealing with the latter and, as Thomas in his youth was the champion heavy-weight of his country 1119 method was generally final. ' I don't sit and in the way of any dacent mahn that's willin' to make the pur-rl his wife," said Monnington, "but I'm groin' to lay the next wan out cold'" And he laid Costello out cold for "mixing his compliments," as he described that gentleman's cerulean innuendoes. There were others who strove to entice Nora away to Melbourne. "Don't waste your time here " said Billiams, the commercial : "Melbourne wants you, my dear. Why. they'd ffive three times the money for you 111 a city bar." , . „ "Spake to Mr. Monnine^on about it laughed Nora. "I'm doin' very well where T am, but if he advises me to so I'll go " But Bilhams did not speak to Monnine±on • it did not seem to him a healthy thing to do. Moiuiinecton stood in greatest danerpr of losing his popular barmaid through

the machinations of Ficd. Belton, the handsome, devil-rne-cai c son of Frederick Belton Esq., of Cheirytiee Cheirytiee was the biggest and richest sheep run within touch of the township of Pinchbit, and Fred, had developed a remarkable liking for the township, and a w onderful interest in The Bay Horse, since the appearance of Nora Hogan in her new capacity. Fred. Belton no longer fretted to rush off to Melbourne at every opportunity, and astonished his father by developing some concern about the business of the station. Fred, w ould have been the city barmaid's ideal the good-looking son of a rich father, a youngster who drank a good deal w ithout losing his cheerful temper and picturesque bonhomie, and one who spent liberally. What more could a girl of light-hearted Pagan instincts desire? But, underneath Nora's unconventional goad-fellowship and her untutored simplicity of manner there ran a strone if unsuspected, vein of shrewd common -sense, and Fred, was held off, if not repelled. The girl's attitude towards him was unstudied tlhere was no design vi it but had she employed all the guile of the world to enmesh the young man she could not have succeeded better. The feeling that the native self-respect underlying Nora's- cheerful acceptance and as cheerful return of the friendship of the men offered a strong barrier to his advances, and made Fred, appreciate the chase the more. He had not been accustomed to any convincing show of apposition and the pursuit of Nora had a sporting interest , and Fred was an ingrained sportsman. The youivz man came often to The Bay Horse his visits became moie frequent, and gradually extended until most, of his time was spent in the vicinity of Monnington's bar. Nora had seen him the worse for drink more than once , she had marked his gay recklessness, and she had heard stories. Mrs. Monnington was responsible for the stories, but they were true, and it was fangame to tell the girl. Nora was sorry. She often told herself that the man who looked like Fred. Belton, and had Fred's cheerfulness without two or three of his vices, would be just, the finest man in. the world, and already he had talked of making her his wife, but only when in drink, and Nora was obstinately deaf to such avow - als. In point of fact, Fred, had abandoned aggressiveness, and was now on the de>fensive. He had ended by falling completely in love with Nora Hogan, and was fighting for his happiness. One fine afternoon, when Nora was sitting in the bar reading, thei place w as for the time free of drinkers, and the blowflies droned sleepily on the windows, adding to the natural drowsiness of a warm Australian afternoon in a silent bush township a tall, neatly-dressed slim man of perhaps forty-two entered the bar. He was a stranger to Nora, although she seemed to find something familiar in his appearance as he stood examining her critically. "Miss Hogan p " he said, ly"Yes," answered Ncra. ' I am Mr. Fred. Belton." "Oh. no," laughed Nora, "I know Mi Fred. Belton." "You know Belton, iumor, lam Belton senior." (Continued on page 17.)

The Misses M. and Lydia Blundell, avlio leave for a visit to England early next month, were, on Tuesday afternoon, entertained by the Misses Shannon, at an enjoyable^ farewell tea. The rooms weie prettily decorated with floweis, and the tea-table decoiations were tall vases of dwarf sunflowers. » • * A pietty wedding was \ cry quietly celebrated" the other day at St. Thomas's Church, Abel Smith-street, when Mr H J. Harris was married to JVliss Francis Mabel Halhdav. The bride was, given away by Mr. Thomas Asher, of Tauranga, and looked charming mi ai white gown trimmed with lace insertions, a blue chiffon toque w ith sequins and ostrich tips, and «he carried a shower bouquet of creim roses and maidenhair. * * * Her bridesmaids weie the Misses Ivy and Lilian Chapman, who were attired in pale blue frocks, with lace insertions, "black chiffon toques with cream rases, and tihev also carried bououets of loses. Mr. D. Reedy acted as best man, and the groomsman was Mr. Somerville (Woodville). The honeymoon, is being spent at Ro-torua. * * The engagement is announced of Miss Flossie Hanilin, daughter of Mrs Hamlin, Brewster Lane, Napier, and Mr. Bert. Glen dunning, of Wairoa. Mr. Glendinnme has lately returned from America, where he has been studying his profession of dentistry. The marriage of Miss Rutherford, -eldest daughter of Mr. A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R., of Mendip Hills Station, and Mr. Robinson, of Cheviot, is to take place early next month. * * Miss Ivy Barraud, eldest daughter of Mr. S. C. Barraud, manager of the Bank of New- Zetaland at. the Hutt, was marned on Wednesday afternoon to Mr. Walter J. Blundell, eldest son of Mr. John Blundell, senior partner in tlhe firm of Messrs. Blundell Bros., proprietors of the ' Evening Post." The ceremony was performed by the. Rev. T. H. Sprott, Vicar of St. Paul's, assisted by the Rev. Stealey and Rev. Jones, of the Hutt, in the presence of a large congregation of friends and relatives. The bride, who was given away by her father looked very charming in a handsome gown of ivory merveilleux, draped

with flounces of Maltese lace, and ac-cordeon-pleated chifton. She al&o ware a lovely veil, over a wreath of orange flowers', and a turquoise and pearl bracelet, the gift of the bridegroom. Her shower bouquet wa& of choice, white floweis. Piettv and original were the maids' gow ns, each one being a different shade of soft silk. The chief bridesmaid (Miss Marion Barraud — sister of the bride) w ore a gow n of pale yellow , and her sister. Hazed, was in a delicate shade of green Miss Kathleen. Blunder's gow n was of a deener shade of yellow , and Miss Ida Blundell wore pink. Both of these pretty gowns had transparent lace yokes and fichu frills of silk. The fifth ma.id was- Miss Eileen Didsbury, cousin of the bride, who was attired in a Dale blue frock, softened with lace. Each maid wore a black picture hat, and carried ai bouquet of shaded si\ eet-peas. Their gifts from the brideerooim w ere turquoise and pearl brooches, in tihe form of ivy leaves, in pretty compliment to the bride's name. Mr. H. W. Blundell acted as best man, and the groomsmen were Messrs. F. Blundell and F. Barraud. * • • The wed dine party left the church to the strain*, of Mendelssohn's "Wedding: March," and drove to the residence 1 of Mrs. Barraud, the Terrace, where a reception w as held. Much sympathy is felt and expressed with Mr. and Mrs. G. Hogbem,, in the affliction that has befallen them. Their little twelve-year son, Collet, passed a,wa,y on Tuesday last, after an illness extending over some tw o months. He w as an bright little fellow, and bore his suffering with quitei manly fortitude. Some weeks ago he underwent an operation for appendicitis, w hich was apparently successful, but other complications set in, to w hich he succumbed.

The date of the Garrison Bazaar inadvertently fixed for Ash Wednesday, has been altered to Saturday, 25th February a.t tlhe Dnllshed. It is exoected that the Right Hon. the Premier (Minister for Defence) will formally open the Bazaar, at 3 p.m., on the amended date. As the capataf ion allowance* is too small for the proper up-keep of the corps composing the garrison, the volunteers haive

taken this method of augmenting the funds. Nine corps are supplying stalls, and the bazaar will be made attractive by concerts, military displays, variety entertainments, and side shows. A number of young ladies have been trained in the "lance exercise," by Sergeant Simeon, of the Kelburne Rifles, and the novelty of seeing ladies engaged in "pursuing practice" should induce the public to turn up in large numbers The object is a good one, and well deserving of handsome patronage. The Norddeutcher Lloyd Express and Mail Steamers Company, who are the ou ners of the celebrated fleet of fourfunnel leviathans, is interesting itself \ erv fully in the Australasian passenger traffio by running some of its best one and tv, o funnel boafe to the chief port® of the Commonwealth. A very fine map of the world, showing clearly the routes taken by the company, and the type of vessel employed, is to hand. As a re^ference map, it is a valuable production.

Messrs. Macdonald, Witeon, and Co. hold an important auctiom sale on Thursday 26th February. The lots include the fertile farm oooupi d by Mr. Jillett, at Ohau, a property admitted to be one of the most productive' in the North Island. Besides the above freehold estate the auctioneers will sell tihe leasehold of three other farms at Ohau comprising areas of 81£ acres, 50 acres, and 100 acres, respectively, all of which are first-class land, and are eminently suitable for small agriculturalists, settlers, and poultry farmers.

Continued JJ > om page 12 ) •Mi. Belton's father?" Noia's face expressed her amazement. ' Yes, it is not so miraculous as it ma,y appear.' Fred is youngei than he looks and I am oldei tlian I look." It seemed impossible to Noia that tins clean-shaven, brown-faced, tnm-looking youthful stranger could be Fied's father, but she was not prepared to dispute the point further. ' Miss Hogan," said Belton, m a businesslike tone , "I understand my son is paying yon a good deal of attention. I am led to believe he has asked \ou to mam him. I mean to tell you plainly that I wish to stop all tins." Nora looked at him demuielv, and a smile slowly stirred about her fine losehke mouth, and wanned her face to its greatest beauty and Belton found himself forgetting his mission in the admiration the laughing Hebe provoked. He recovered himself with some little indignation,. , 'Mv son is not an excellent match. Miss Hotra.ii," he continued, curtly 'he is something of a w aster, is incapable of application, and cannot take care ol himself let alone a wife, and I assure you that in the event of his marrying— ci "X barmaid I" said Nora, cheerfully "Certainly to be explicit, a barmaid —I shall leave him entirely to has own resources. Having seen you I dont wonder at his infatuation, but I may tell you other arrangements have been made for him , an engagement into w hich he entered freely a year ago, and m permitting him to break that I would be dome ai greater injustice to the other Lady than I think I am doing you in sebting mv face aieamst this — I say it with all respect— this engagement " '•What am Ito do, then?" asked Nora, appealingly. „ "You can drive the young cub away. "He'll not be driven , I've tried it. '"Do you mean that ?" "Ivery word. Mr. Fred, is a nice boy and I like him a, great, dale, but he swears he'll have me, an' nothin I can say will drive him off." Fred. Belton, senior, looked at her admiringly. T , c "By Jove," he saad, "I take you for a sensible, good-hearted girl. Will you help me to pull the boy together a bit, and get him married to the woman who will take precious good care of him ■> "I will, but how is it to be done"You must fall in love with somebody else. Isn't there somebody about here you could pretend to be fond of?" " "Maybefbut 'twould be rather a serious gaane pretendm' to be in love with thim that insist they're in love with me." „ i "I don't wonder at it. Upon my soul, I can understand it. Well, how will 1 do?" • Do for pretendm' ? "Yes, make me Fred's favoured rival. I'll waste a month in the township it need be, and be your devoted slave the w hole time, and simply crowd the boy out. He has plenty of vanity, and it you aot your part well, as I shall act mine, we'll soon disgust, him." It was all agreed between the conspirators, and presents Pmchbit and district were amazed to find Belton, senior enrolled amongst Nora Hogans most enthusiastic admirers. And a .most attentive lover the father proved. He did not give the son a single chance, and the sight of Fred, junior, lowering in one corner of the bar, whiie * red, senior, monopolised the attentions oi the beautiful and amiable barmaid in the other, was the local theme of conversation for two weeks. Fred, junior, protested fiercely once or twice, but lus protestations were not heeded, and at length the ruse was entirely successful. Fred, applied to his father tor money to go away for a time to pull himself up, he said. The money was forthcoming, and he went, and then Fred, senior's, visits to Monnmeton s bar ceased. A beautiful present of jewellery was sent to Nora, and promptly returned to Fred, senior, with a little note expressing fine feeling in simple language. That note made Fred, senior, very thoughtful. And 'now an extraordinary change came over the barmaid at The Bay Horse. She completely lost her spirits —she even lost her rude health, and it ended in her return to her parents home to rest and recuperate. Gossip said it was love of Fred, junior, had worked all the mischief, and what gossip said reached the ears of Fred, senior, with the result that one afternoon the elder Belton reined up his horse at Hogans slip-panels. He saw Nora in the garden. She was pale and he found her very subdued "My dear girl," he said, after the conventional greeting. "I believe I have, made a mistake, and I come to you w ltn an offer If you like my boy lam wiUmo- to send for him back, willing to have you for mv daughter-in-law. Belton, senior, was very grave. "Oh no no," cried Nora, with sudden feeling ' you must not ' I— l don't care for Fred.' I wouldn't marry him. "Then they have all been mistaken. 1 did not think you loved him. but the gossips were sure of it. I was vain

enough to think \ou caied for another Nora I came to jou to-day because I thought it was not a fair tiling foi a, tathoi to lefuse to his son what he would gladly win himself it he on.lv could." He took her hand, and chew her tow aids him 'There wasn't much pietence about that business in the bar so ra,i as I am concerned, dear. In three days I was ever head and eais m ]o\e myself. Nora, Noaa, is theie a ciliance foi Fied, senior ? " Tlien Nora did what was a strange tiling for a girl of her temperament to do. She began to cry, and Fred, senior, taking it for a, good symptom, caught her in his arms, and held her hard and fast. Nora is Mrs. Fred. Belton senior, and is on excellent terms with Mrs. Fred. Belton lunior, who manages Fred lunior, with wonderful tact. — -By Ward Edsooi, in Melbourne "Punch."