Tales and Sketches.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 27, 29 July 1871, Page 16

Tales and Sketches.

THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS. A Yachting Story. [From Aid the Year Round.] CHAPTER XII. —IN THE DRAWING ROOM. The gentlemen now came up, advancing on the ladies in the usual disorderly open skirmishing, as it were, creepingfrom bush to bush and chair to chair. Mr Conway went over to Jessica. f You set me down finely at dinner, and before all the public too. Was it not cruel, heartless ?’ A look of pain came into her face. ‘You always appear to like taking this bantering tone with me. It seems a little unkind. It is certainly contemptuous. You either dislike or dispise me.’ There was something, he thought, strangely attractive in this girl —something he had not met before, and was new to him ‘ man of the world’ as he was. He became natural and genuiue at once. ‘ One has to put on a speech and manner for company like a dress suit. Shall I own it? You saw what were my real thoughts. They were with you in all you said; and I cannot tell you how I admire your spirit. I am, indeed, with you ; and if you impose, as penance, that I should make public retraction ’ Her face lit up, and filled with a sort of glowing enthusiasm. She had half put out her hand ; then drew it back, blushing. This bit of nature gave that experienced judge, the Hon. George Conway, more delight than anything of human nature he had met in the whole course of his travels. ‘ I knew you would be on the side of what was generous—the side of honor and charity. I know of course what would be said of my taking up this little cause, that it is from jealousy of Miss Panton. You may think so ; but I trust not.’ This she said wistfully. He answered eagerly : ‘ I believe no such thing. I seem to have known Miss Jessica Bailey for years, and have seen enough of her to admire nearly everything she does.’ Jessica’s cheek flushed with pleasure. * What, you say this to me—not as a compliment, a formula?’ ‘ I scorn such things, or keep them for such as are worth nothing. I tell you this frankly, Miss Bailey ; I have met none like you, and never dreamed of meeting any like you. You have changed a view I held about women. Indeed, I almost blush to think why I came here. You would think very low of me were I to tell you. I thought of “ amusing myself,” as it is called, of enjoying a “ flirtation,” to use that odious word. There was something in you that attracted me at first, but you will never forgive me after this unless ’

Forgive ! There seemed to be nothing unforgiving in those eyes of delight and enjoyment. ‘ Only tell me that you think higher and more worthily of me, now that you know me better. It would delight me to hear that from you.’ ‘ I could not tell you here what I think,’ said Conway, in a low voice. This was one of those moments when even the most trained and watchful ‘man of the world is thrown off his guard. He hardly knew what he was going to say, when a voice sounded beside them and made both almost start. She spoke pettishly and bitterly. ‘I suppose attacking me. You must not mind her, Mr Conway. Every one in this place knows what she thinks of me. She is the radical of this place. But you sided with me to-day, and I knew you would.’ And she looked triumphantly at Jessica. The latter smiled, and turned to Conway with a curious look that seemed to say, ‘How is the time to give a proof of repentance.’ He felt he must get on his sackcloth, even to save his credit ‘ I behaved deceitfully,’ he said. *lt was only a sham fight. I wished to hear how Miss Bailey would argue her case.’ ‘ Oh, you side with her, then. You throw me over.’ He laughed. * Really this is such a strange atmosphere of St Arthur s I can t understand it. The visitor finds himself called on to choose his side. Two charming young ladies head each a different party, and not about dresses or politics but about an iron bridge.’ * Only about principle, the principle that divides rich and poor, strong and weak, and which is being fought out all over the world. William Tell would not bo?v to a cap on a pole. Yet the cap, pole, and bow tegether stood for subjection or feedom.’ , Jessica is wonderful at history and Mangnall’s Questions. She got the prizes at shool,’ said the young hostess spitefully. * I never like to think of my school days, said Jessica looking at her steadily. * But you will mind Mr Conway, more than me, and he will tell you that this is inconsiderate and an imprudent step, possible a cruel one.’ ‘Yes,’ said Conway, gravely, ‘I««a little hasty. I would let the poor souls bring their sandwiches and beer a little longer. It is very inconvenient to become unpopular.’

‘ Then I’ll never speak to you again, the heiress said ; * and before a week is over, papa’s workmen will have taken it away. She—Jessica—Miss Bailey, has been telling her philosophy to you. But wait until you hear my story.’ Then she turned and walked away abruptly. Jessica looked after her with triumph. ‘ That was noble on your part,’ she said, ‘ and indeed I appreciate it! Other men would not have had the courage. I admire you. Now we are friends indeed ! There are creatures in this place who abase themselves before wealth, and meanly put the foot that walks upon vast landed estates, upon their beads. There’s a fine flourish,’ she added, laughing. He was more and more attracted by hei curious character. J:le drew closer to her ‘ I disdain praise which is not deserved What would you say if I was as bad as the local character you have so graphically described ? What would you say if I was one of those who had come here to lif that foot upon my head ? What woulc you say to a man who came here like somi careless speculator, too lazy to be eager but willing, if something turned up, t< pick it up p Some would call it fortum hunter ’

‘Never,’ said Jessica, warmly. *As well convince me that a crimson curtain is yellow ! No ; but I will tell you something out of my wisdom. You find some attraction in that rich girl besides her riches.’

Conway started : * Miss Jessica Bailey is not turning fortune teller. Here is my unworthy palm.’ ‘ I know that light way of putting serious things aside is thought fashionable ; yet I would be a fortune teller so far, and say she cannot understand you. She has lived all for herself.’

‘ I seem to have known you long; I know not why. It seems to me as though had been seeking some one, and I know not how, but in this room I seem to have found at last what I seek. It may be but a tone of mind—a humor. You will let me ask you, consult you. You will answer me ?’

Now the color flushed into her face, now it ebbed away. Then it came again. All this was the garden of a new and exquisite Paradise thrown open to her. Now she looked around, then at him quickly,, smiling, and scarcely knowing what she did. * Oh, you mean this,’ she murmured. ‘ Oh, unjust I was ! How unkind of me, and how good of you.’ ‘ But that answer to my question,’ he said, reflectively. e Ah, I wonder what that will be ?’

Eagerly she answered : ‘ Ah, you can not doubt it.’

There was no shyness, no restraint. The delight and enthusiasm of her hitherto restrained nature broke through all barriers.

‘ Yes,’ he went on, * I may at last find at St. Arthur’s what I have so long sought. You know what that is; and, yet, how can I tell ? Who knows what issue there may be to all this ? And I may have to raise the anchor and sail away sullenly and listlessly as I came. I have met so many checks, so many chills.’ ‘ It shall not come from me—no, never !’ she said, almost aloud, then stopped in the utmost confusion.

The company were rising to go away. Doctor Bailey came up to ‘ drag away’ his daughter, and in a very ill humor indeed. With the rumor of Lord Eormanton coming, it was necessary that he should, as it were, ‘ prime’ Mr Conway, prepare the ground, &c ; and here was the witless girl, interfering with her childish talk, * taking lip’ the time and wasting a golden opportunity. ‘ Come away, come away, child ; don’t keep me all night,’ was the rude challenge that wakened up the pair. As the guests dropped slowly away, the two girls said ‘good night.’ There was a mingled air of nervous distrust, uncertainty, and dislike in Miss Panton’s look, as it were putting the question, ‘ What have ycu done or arranged this night ?’ a question that was answered by the other’s air of elation and perfect happiness.

When all had departed, there were left the hostess and her cousin Dudley, she lying back on the sofa, with a worn and dissatisfied look. Her spaniel—for such he was approached her deferentially. ‘You are worried/ he said, ‘ about something. Tell me what you wish done/ ‘Nothing that you can do. You saw that low girl’s air of triumph as she went off, all because she took possession of Conway, my admirer—she and her scheming father.’

. ‘He is not worthy a thought,’he said, in a low voice. * A mere roving Philanderer/

‘ Who ?’ she said, starting up : ‘ ConWay ? What can you know of him ? Oh, you know well that is false. 5

‘ He is not worthy of a single thought of yours, at all events.' ‘ Why ?’ ‘Because he has let himself be regularly taken in, as they call it. That parson’s daughter, so simple as she affects to be- ’

‘Tell me what you mean,’ she said now •tauding up, * and don’t excite me/

* There is nothing to be excited about, indeed,’ he said, hurriedly. ‘ More to laugh at. Who would care what became i of a man that would choose in that way !’ < * And ho has. What, that girl entrap him, too, and in this house! Oh, insolent! How intolerable, and how cruel. But one i can laugh at it, as you say.’ ’ ‘lt is true. I heard it myself; and he ! only waits to see his father. But be ■ would not hear of such a thing.’ 3 *lt was hatred and malignancy,’ went 3 on the young girl, walking up and down. 1 ‘ She came to this house on purpose. It t was to insult me. I, that could buy and 3 sell her a thousand times. Butwait —wait a little, Dudley. She has not stolen her r booty yet.’ ’• ‘ No,’ said Dudley, excitedly. ‘lean manage him for you at any moment.’ 8 * That is you all over,’ she said, scorn--7 fully. ‘You think everything is to be s done by violence, blows, and thrashings, t Oh, but to deal with her. How am Ito d hinder her? With all my money, too, e and estates, a wretched parson’s girl can h do as she pleases, and scoff at me.’ o ‘Well, only wait,’ repeated Dudley—e * wait a little, then wo shall see.’

CHAPTER XIII. —EOOD FOR THE GOSSIPS

He left her sitting there, looking into the fire, beating her hands impatiently. ‘ Only wait.' How easily that speech is made. Yet, it is the lever that moves everything—the earth itself. Time, in short, says, ‘ I will help you. Give me your arm.’ But we turn impatient from that hobbling old dotard : with our hearts in a whirl, boiling and yeasting, we must rush on, or sink down and die—at least, we think so. Waiting has the air of indifference—indifference suggests power and other store of resources—which air piques the bystander and makes him impatient. As they were getting their hats and coats in the hall, a hoarse voice said to Conway: ‘I want to go back with you, Conway—something to say to you.’ ‘ With all my heart,’ said the other; ‘ I’ll give you a seat.’ Conway had his own ‘ trap,’ and drove himself. Dudley, who had made the offer, sat beside him and did not speak for some time. Between the two men there had been some coldness, more instinctive than grounded on any I’eal offence ; for Conway was ‘ bored’ with his glowering looks and his growling manners, and general discontent. ‘ Look here, Conway,’ he said, at last; ‘I was watching you to-night, and I’ve made up my mind to speak plainly to you.' ‘But I have made up my mind not to listen to plain speaking. It is always disagreeable.’ ‘ Oh, you are ready and free enough with a speech any day, I admit that. But I tell you what, I see your double game, and one at least you sha’n’t play, and I won’t have it.’

‘ This is really plain speaking. Well !’

‘ I won’t, I can’t, have it. Don’t I see. don’t we all see, how you ai’e hanging between those two girls ? You are so tickled because you think you have made an impression on both ; you can’t make up your mind to come forward and say what you mean, or leave this place like an honest man.’

‘ This is a very strange way of speaking to me, Dudley,’ said haughtily. ‘What should my affairs be to you, whether I ought to go or stay ? I should be the last person in the world to think of directing your movements.’ ‘No man has done that yet. But sec here. You know lam rough, but whaf I say roughly is only what other men mean, but can say more smoothly. Leave that girl, do. It is an unfair advantage. She has been brought up here, in these backwoods, like a child, like a girl in the fairy tales ; and if she have her whim, even for a time, it must be gratified ; you know that, as well as I do, and it is not fair to take advantage of it.’

‘ We had better stop this,’ said Conway, ‘ our acquaintance is slight ’ ‘ But not mine with her. lam as much to her as her brother, or her father. I tell you again it is not fair, it’s shabby. They all know here what your design is, and what you and your people would be glad to carry out. I know it, and hear more things at a distance than you suspect. I say it is shabby, as I saw you doing tonight, playing off those two girls against each other, so as to get both profit and amusement out of the business.

Conway almost drew up bis horse, and stopped his trap. * This is a very strange tone, Mr Dudley/ he said, ‘ and I must beg you will not trouble me with any advice or concern in my affairs, Ido not allow it even from members of my own family.’

‘ I am glad you take this tone, because now I can speak plainly as to what I will not allow—as to her. Oh, don’t think that I don’t know a great deal of these dandy tricks, carrying on with that Bailey’s daughter, affecting to be on her side, and her superior wisdom—l suppose laughing at that poor girl’s little fancies—and then passing over to her. Her fortune would come in very usefully to repair the walls of Formanton. Wait you must listen. Here is the town, so you may as well. I don’t want to be offensive, but to speak out

plainly, and warn you in time, I will not have her sacrificed, and I tell you, in time, you shall not do it.’

‘ I suppose being in a man’s carriage is like being under one’s roof, and there is a certain duty of hospitallity involved. Still I am very glad you have taken up this tone, as it will clear the ground considerably. I may speak as plainly as you have done to me.’ J ‘ Precisely what I should like.’

‘ Well, then, I must tell you that the very fact of you giving such warnings, orders, or whatever you may call them, would be enough, actually enough, to make me continue as I was, persevere in exactly the same course. As a man of the world you surely must see this.’ ‘ You refuse then ? Take care !’

‘ Give me some reason, then ! What is your office of protector to this young lady ? Why should you interfere where she and her father do not ? You surely give me credit for more sense than to suppose I could pay any attention to such threats ? Explain it to me.

‘ I can explain nothing, except that she is too innocent and holy a creature to be made either a mere player in a game, whether another woman is to be the winner, or to flung away, a sacrifice on the altar of a mercenary marriage. Yes, Conway, out of the world as I am, I have friends who are well informed, who let me know the rumors and the stories.’ ‘Humors—stories ! This is intolerable ! Mr Dudley I request you will not interfere with me more. That answer is final. I have noticed your manner all through —-your looks and interference, both to-night and on other occasions. I have spoken reasonably with you, and asked for some justification. You decline to give it. Well, then, I decline to take any notice of your demand.’ They were now down by the club house door, all lit up, und Conway pulled up sharply. * I suppose you will get down here,’ he said ; ‘ and I think it will be for the best that we should not come back to this subject. I give and take always. I shall not venture to interfere with you, but you must not with me.’ The door of the club house was open, and two or three gentlemen were standing in the blaze of light smoking. Conway jumped down, and walked round by the side of the club to the little pier where the boats landed. Dudley had got down more quickly, and standing at the top of the steps barred the way. 4 This will not do, Conway. You must not go to-night before you promise me. Or, better still, go on board now, weigh anchor, sail away, and help your family in some other fashion.’ ~

Conway laughed loudly. ‘ I am not mad yet,’ he said. ‘ This amuses me.’ ‘ How dare you laugh at me !’ said the other, furiously, and advancing on him : ‘ What do you mean ? Don’t think you shall insult me, though you can girls. What if I don’t let you pass this night ?’

Conway began to think he was mad, but his behaviour was logical enough. ‘This all passes the limits of forbearance. I have my men below at the boat, and in one second I shall call them. I warn you, change your behavior—for the last time. Stand out of my way, please. Here, Benson, got this gentleman to leave the way clear.

A large hand grasped Dudley's arm and thrust him back from the steps. In an instant he had shaken himself clear. ‘ You dare set your fellows on me ! Take that!’ And in a second he was flinging himself on Conway. But the latter was prepared. Always active he sprang back, and catching Dudley by the collar, deliberately flung him back. The stones were slippery, there was no railing, and the unlucky Dudley went over into the shallow water.

The club gentlemen came running up at the splash, windows were thrown open the boat was only a yard off, and he was had out in a twinkling. ‘ My God!’ cried Doctor Bailey, always judicious, * keeping them apart, or there will bo bloodshed. Fetch him out, bring a rope some one—the man will be drowned !’ All this while ‘ the man’ was out of the water, standing up, shaking himself, and trying to clear the spray from his eyes. ‘ Where is lie ?’ be said, rather wildly : ‘ let me see him !’ But Benson, the mate, had him by the arm. ‘ That w'ont do master/ ‘ I did not mean that,’ said Conway, in aloud voice. ‘And I wish all who have seen the matter to understand that it was quite an accident.’ With that he walked down the steps into the boat, and was pulled away to this yacht. CHAPTER XIV.—WAVERING. On the next morning the town had really something to talk about. The encounter between the two gentlemen seemed to go round to every house like the post and, before twelve o’clock was known to every one in the place. Wildest speculation was afloat as to what was to —what must in decency—happen next. Conway was not at all displeased at an adventure which had turned out so fortunately, and made him into a temporary hero, though he was uncertain as to what would be the next step,

Above all his eyes wandered back to that delightful night—to those two unique girls —each of whom had her charm, and each of whom seemed to draw him away with a special attraction of her own. He would have liked this present dreamy indecision to endure for weeks, and even months.

It was now about one o’clock. He saw a boat coming out towards his yacht, and his mate came to tell him that it was ‘ the chap has had attacked his honor last night.’ Seeming to wait instructions as to how they were to deal with the aggressor, Conway restrained them pettishly, for he foresaw that there was to be an attempt ‘ to get up the burlesque of a duel, Ac. Dudley came on board, asked him to go down to the cabin, and there closing the door, put out his hand with a sort of gloomy, enforced air, which did not escape the other. ‘I am sorry for last night,’ he said, ‘ I should not have interfered with you, It was wrong to you and to her.’ Conway received the amende cordially. ‘I am glad you have done this,’ he said. ‘ It would not do either to have her name mixed up in a quarrel.’ ‘ That is just the reason,’ said the other. ‘I tell you so frankly. They had heard of it by this morning, and sent for me. You will guess the rest. You may congratulate yourself on such interest. Not a hair of your head is to be touched. I shall interfere no more.’ A thrill was at Conway’s heart. ‘ Whatever be the motive exciting you, Dudley, we shall say no more about the matter.’ ‘ She is not well, and must have her way. There! Have I have done or said enough ?’ He then went down into bis boat and was rowed away. But there was another surprise for Conway during that day. As be was preparing bis ‘ shore toilette,’ a little troubled about that illness out at Panton, a letter was brought to him, which, as be read, literally made bis ears tingle.

We have beard of the fracas of last night and all the gossips are busy with tbo cause" I wish to be the first to offer congratulations to you in your new character of champion. What you will think of me for writing to you in this fashon I know not, nor, indeed, care not. A poor clergyman’s daughter, I have no right to reprove or admonish one who is a mere stranger, but who has had the glorious amusement of talcing me in. I own to you you sueceded in that. Shame on you ! for 1 cannot write any longer with the conventional formalities. You may well be proud of what you have done. You have had your amusement, which is a most honorable one. But I write now to tell you, without formal quarrel, but not withoutindignation, that I decline to be the favored object of what is sport to you, and what, you would not care, if it proved death to me. I mistook you, and never dreamed you would play so double a game. Ido not blame your change of conduct or of views ; but I must tell you plainly—and my character is disfigured by something like bluntness —that an interval of an hour to make such a change seemed needlessly cruel and unfeeling. As lam speaking candidly, and have some regard for your true interest, I may tell you that that partiality and attention which you flatter yourself is owing to your own attraction, is in a great measure owing to me ; that is to a special dislike and jealously with which I have been visited for several years now. It was enough that you were seen to show some regard for me, to excite what you might reasonably take for a partiality for yourself. It is because I have this interest in you that I would not have you deceived—though I know to whatungenerous motives I risk having this interference set down. In my short life I have never cared for appearances, as, indeed, they will all tell you in this place. That you may succeed, too in the venture you have undertaken in pursuit of the tempting bait of fortune and estate is quite possible. For I believe her to be capable of indulging her humor to this extent. However, T feel that I have done my duty in giving this warning, and ask no thanks ; only that we may continue on the footing of an agreeable acquaintance, without tempting me to reveal, for your entertainment, what you might call the sacred metaphysics of the heart. Jessica. .

Conway was confounded by this epistle. He seemed, as the expression runs, struck of a heap. Afterwards came mortification, then something like anger. ‘ This is free and easy indeed, and most engaging candour ! Then he thought how strangely blinded she could be by this mad dislike and jealousy. It was appalling. ‘But I disdain to set her right. Not a single word shall I speak. It is always the way. I am to be disappointed always; and judge people better than they are.’ Mr Conway had a favorite metaphor about people ‘showing the cloven foot,’ applying the phrase even to slight misapprehension, some shape of this malformation always presenting itself. He was deeply hurt. It was something of a shock too, as there was a boldness, and, it seemed to him, even a want of delicacy, in the tone of that letter, so startlingly brusque and forward, The Honorable Mr Conway was not accustomed to such plain speaking.

In this frame of mind he went ashore, and . there heard a piece of news which was still more unfortunate in driving him from Jessica. (To be continued )