A FAIR FACE IN A YELLOW CHARIOT.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 13, 29 December 1877, Page 4

A FAIR FACE IN A YELLOW CHARIOT.

A ■aCHELOB, still young and well-to-do, is for obvious reasons -an abject of the deepest Interest to his Mora* of the Opposite SOX Lxl.-il KcatlnTNtolie WON US popular with ladies as if he had been a. ■pint-wrapper, or a Hindoo potentate with diamonds to scatter broadcast and a suppressed begum in the background at home. They were always telling him that it was B sin and a shame the blinds in the town house should be constantly down; the hall tilled only with shooting parties ; the jewels buried in the strong loom at the hank.

And his heart! What a priceless jewel was that for some sweet maiden to win and wear ! .Sacred affections I Ridiculous prudery! He had been a desperate-flirt, no doubt; what matter i All men were flirts; many with less excuse than Lord Feathcrstone, who, as an excellent " parti," like the sovereign, could do no wrong, lie hud been wild, perhaps; but a man might be wild and yet not wicked ; while f.r those who are their own fathers, enjoying their own titles and their own estates, the world makes ample concessions. When the time came for settling down, there would not bo a happier or more fortunate girl in the three kingdoms than she whom the Marquis of Feathcrstone elected to be his wife.

Only he would not settle down, lie meant to have his fling first, and probably it was his habit of throwing himself about that made him so difficult to catch. He was as wary pa an old cockatoo—prompt to cut himself free from the most serious entanglements. After making hot love for a week during wet weather in the country house, papa and mamma heard that he had broken his leg in two places, or that typhoid fever had laid him low. His last affair was with a gay widow, who thought him safely hooked, bat nt the last moment he sent a postcard, conveying brief regrets, and sailed in his yacht for the South Seas. He was absent after this for two or three yeai'S ; but presently, wearying of the constant wandering to and fro, he returned, and took up the threads of his old life. Tin.' season was at its height,if that lugubrious season of 1876 can be said to have ever risen above a dead level of lugubrious dullness. His friends said he was a fool to come back. Never had there been a season so 'slow;" nothing going on —not a creatine in town.

" Looks like it," thought I,ml Featherstone, as he tried to make his way through the serried ranks upon the stall's of a certain mansion in Grosvenor Square. The Duchess of Welshpool was "at home," and many of her guests wished they could say the same. In the entrance hall men and women stood a ■ dozen deep, pressing slowly towards the grand staircase, where two streams clashed together, flushed dancers coming down -for cooling drinks, and the new arrivals eager to bow their bow; and in their turn come away. A crush of this kind is especially favorable for the minute observation of one's fellow creature. Half a minute was enough to solve the mystery of Mrs. ( 'hromer's yellow hair, and of the complexion people saiil it was like milk. Little IVnteagle's wig, again, could not be disguised, nor the high color which old General Bawcock resolutely denied was rouge. But these sights, although curious, were not enthralling to a man who bad just seen Fusiania and the Taj Mahal; and Lord Fcathcrstonc was on the point of turning tail and leaving the house when a bright face in the crowd arrested his attention and he resolved to stay—at least until he could ascertain to whom it belonged. It was quite a new face to' him ; the face of a girl still fresh, and seemingly unaccustomed to the town. A merry, piquante face, with small but perfect features, violet eyes and a laughing mouth, showing often the whitest teeth. A face strikingly beautiful, but innocent and childish, just as the ways of its owner were unconvential and unconstrained. A most bewitching, captivating young person, and Feathenstone was determined to find out who she was. .Surely some one could introduce him. Quito half an hour elapsed before he caught Tommy Cutler, who knew all the world, and then, going to where he had last seen the girl, they found she had disappeared. " Most provoking ! " he said, " Can't vou tell me who she is ?"

He had been riding on at a sharp •canter, which increased, as he left the more frequented parts of the How, to a band-gallop. But an unexpected vision suddenly .-arrested his course. " By Jove ! That face again I " Yes, the givl he had seen but a few nights since ; the fair, fresh young face which had taken ids fancy by s onn. .She was alone, seated in « quaint, oldfashioned yellow chariot, a ramshackle, medieval conveyance, probably us old as the hills But where had she come from ; who •could slve be ? He Was determined to find out this time. The carriage would doubtless travel by the conventional route, across the Merpentine bridge, and back to the crowded drive. Hut, to his surprise, the chariot passed OBt at the marble arch and left the park, There was no time to lose. He pursued promptly, along Oxford-street to the

[Circus, up 1-angham-pt.v-e into Portland- ;,!.,.■.-, sharp '-■'!.■• right by Weymouth street into Albany-street, and sotoiVtrfcstreet What could have brought this young lady so far out of town ! Business, pleasure, or mere desire for change of air and scene ! While Feathcrstone was still donating, the carriage stopped short in front of a modest cottage. Presently an old gentleman issued forth and assisted the girl to alight. There was BO footman, ana as she"went into the house she said loud enough for Feathcrstone to hear, '■ln an hour's time, (hvgory ; " then she disappeared. Under her arm was a portfolio, in the other hand an unmistakable color box. Of course she had come out for a drawing lesson ; equally of course, when it was over alio would return to town.

Riding slowly to and from, Featherstone waited till the time slipped by. The chariot, which had gone no further than a neighboring "public," returned, and drew up in front of the cottage, Presently the young lady, accompanied by her drawingmaster, came out, shook hands, jumped into the carriage, and was driven'off. Now, for the first time, Feathcrstone became aware that the coachman had been drinking, and was almost too unsteady to sit upon his box.

The coachman's erratic course .soon proved that there was some ground for these foreboding*.

Very soon, too, the coachman attracted attention ami much derisive chaff.

" Where's that garden rake ?' " Who put you on the box, Mr. Bottlewashor '."

" Why don't you buy a mangle or turn chimney sweep ?" ruinarks calculated to raise the ire of the bibulous, and which our Jehu resented by glaring around in speechless semi-comical indignation, to the utter and more perilous neglect of his driving. It was really time to interfere. Featherstone rode up rapidly.

" You're not tit to drive ! You're endangering this lady's life. Here," he turned to the übiquitous " Bobby," "I'll give this fellow into custody. Take him, carriage and all. My name is Lord Feathers tone."

" And pray what is to become oi me V said a small voice, a little tremulous in its tone, hut not without asperitv. "Am 1 to be given into custody too '." Featlieratone took off his hat.

" A thousand apologies. Mv interference would have been unpardonable but for the gravity of the situation. If yuU will but tell me what vou wish—"

" To go home, of course, as soon as possible. My aunt will be in terror."

"This rascal cannot drive you; he won't be fit for hours." " 1 certainly shall not wait hours. I must walk—or find another coachman. 0 Gregory," she looked reproachfully at the old reprobate, " the last time you promised to take the pledge ; and vet

now—■ '■ 0 Miss Kiss," he spluttered out, as if quite alive to the enormity of his sins ; " the brew was good and I'd so lung to wait—" "If I might make so bold," said S 1002, " there's good livery .stables at the Chequers. You might put the carriage up or get another driver there,"

A very sensible suggestion, adopted forthwith.

The chariot was conveyed thither in safety. Featherston..- dismounted, then helped the young lady to descend.

"J trust yon will have no more contretemps." He spoke gravely. " This new coachman is sober, but he is, of course, an utter stranger." There was a shade of misgiving in his voice, which had the desired effect. " Dear, dear, suppose he too should play some trick. I ought not to have come alone. Aunty said so. What shall I do now f" " If you would accept mc as an oscort How deep he wa<:' " Only too thankfully. But it would be trespassing too much upon your good nature. You have been so kind already." " lly horse has gone lame in two legs." It was a wonder he hadn't developed navicular laminitis and farcy. " Then I shall be doing you a service really !" she cried with animation. " Distinctly." Then they got in together and drovo off.

For a time neither spoke. Featherstone felt upon his truoil behaviour ; he was disposed to be as deferential as to a royal princess. "Do you think lie knows where to take us I" she asked. " Not unless you've told him." " Don't yon know !" " How should I ? To London, I suppose." " That's a wide address," and she laughed aloud. " No. Kensington square; Unit's where we live, Lord Feotherttooo." He started. " You know my name, then ?" Artful young person, why did not she confess U> this sooner < " Of course, I heard you tell the policeman." That's well, now may I know yours ?" ■• Kiss."

-<;.>.hJ heaven! FeatherMouo wa neat ssj in-. " Kim ? Kiss whom | Kfi. hoi '" " Kl>s Legh, that's my name. It's -linU- ." " And sweet." Featherstota could not clink himself. ". " Short," -lie went on, seemingly unconscious, " for Keziah. We come of old Quaker stock on the borders, between Shropshire and Montgomeryshire, My father and mot her are dead", all my people mi! dead. I went to school in France, and now I've come to London to be finished." She prattled on now frank, fluent, and Unaffected. " And how do you like it I" " What ? London ?" " No ; being finished." " I haven't got to the end yet. That'll be when I'm married. But there is not much chance of that yet awhile." " Why not ?" asked Feathcrstono highly amused. " 1 don't like anybody well enough." " Perhaps nobody's asked you i" " You are quite a stranger, Lord Featherstone, mid you have no right to ask me such questions." " Well, I won't; we'll talk about something different. We're getting into the streets. Do you know this part of London 'i. It's called Kentish Town, because it's in Middlesex."

" I'm not well up in London, geography'. It's my first visit to town. " He's taking us through the park f cried Featherstone in sonie consternation.

" Yes ; why not ! lam glad of it. It's pleasantor than the streets.'' " Oh, if you prefer it. Only—" He was thinking that it was now well on in the afternoon, and the park would be crammed. For the girl's saxe it would be better they should not be seen thus publicly together, and alone. For his own, also; tew men like to be carted round the drive in a carriage, least of all in such an antiquated conveyance as this old yellow chariot with its nigh springs. " We'll go out at Hvde Park corner, then."

'■ No, no ; I love the drive best. Perhaps the Princess will lie out; and I like to see the other people, and you can tell me who they all are.' Like a martyr he succumbed. It was best to ])Ut a good tace on the matter. Before night it would be all over London that Lean Featherstone had turned into a chaperon for country cousins, or tiiat he hail been taken captive by a fair face in a yellow "shay." As he walked homewards, full of these thoughts, he ran up against lummy Cutler near the Albeit had. " Halloa ! been to Kensington square ?" Featherstone visibly .shuddered. Tommy Cutler knew all about it, then, already. " Saw 3-011 in the park, my lord. Understand now why you wore so keen the other night about Maxell hair and bright blue eyes and only seventeen." "Don't be an ass !" cried Featherstone angrily. " Here, hansom !" and las lordship drove on to Brooks'. "Here is Featherstone himself," said a man, in the bay window ; " we'llask him. I say they're betting live to four you've started a yellow chariot, and were seen in it in the park." " Did you pick it up in Japan?" " Is it the coach Noah drove home in when he landed from the ark ?"

Featherstone abruptly left tie room The absurd story was evidently on tin wing. More serious was tiie next oil' slaught.

" You ought not to have dore it Featherstone," said old Mr. PrimrWe, who had been his father's friend, and presumed therefore to give the soi advice. " You have compromised thegirlgeriously and she is such an absolute chill." " Excuse me ; I am not callei upon to give account to you of all my actions." " You ought not, I repeat, tohave appeared with her thus publicly. It was bad enough to take her down to Richmond, but to put your arm Dund her waist openly in the park—" " Really, Mr. Primrose!" Featicrstone's face Hushed, but he restrained iimself. He knew gossip grew lily a rank weed, and he wished to root,up that scandal at once and kill it outrght. " I may as well tell you at oicc ; that young lady is about to become ny wife." Featherstone, I beg your pajdon, and I give you joy. I knew sonething of thjßO Leghs; not overwealhy, but charming people. I am hearfly glad to think tliis girl has done so wll and so soon. Is it to bo announced a once ?" " Well, not exactly at once, said Featherstone, thinking perhaps i' would be as well to consult theyotniL; lily herself. Of course she would say " Vi ;" but as a matter of form ho ought t./isk her. It was quite with the air f the grand seigneur that lie presented 1 rwolf next day in Kensington square. To his surprise he was not well reeeiv I. There had been a scene I tween Keziah and her aunt directly tj" former reentered the house on the piviotts evening. The girl, without afcnjpting to withhold one iota of iufojiatlOD, nad given her aunt a full accopt of what hail occurred—the eoachinn'fl misconduct, the danger only nvJttil by the I timely Intervention ot a stjnzc gentleman, who hud kindly cscorn her home.

"His bum ni Lord Peaiberatooe. •That wretch f instantly cried Mi-* Parker, an old maid, prim and precise in her MtpeUaOM tad in all hw ways. \.t not disinclined to listen to at least ball tin- kmndalons gossip in circulation through the world. " l»o vou know him Aunt Parker '" " Who dot's not I He is a notoriously wicked man —" " I thought him very nice" Keziah spoke defiantly ami very firmly in dofence of her new friend. "Of course you did. Ho can In l most agreeable. I have heard that of him over anil over again. That's the danger of him." "Ho was so kind and obliging. He told mo who everybody waste the park." " Can it 1)0 possible that you were so mad as to go into the park with him in the afternoon, when it was crowded, when hundreds must have seen you together ■" "Of course wo came through the park together; it was the shortest way borne, I cannot see any great harm in that." " It's not likely ; you are so young and inexperienced ; you can see no harm in anything. But ho knew the mischief ho was doing, only too well. The wretch, the wretch !" Mild Hiss Parker would have been glad to see wild horses tear him limb from limb. " However," after a pause, " you must promise me faithfully that you will never speak to him again." " Ho said he would call just to inquire how I was," Keziah said in a low voice, which might easily have meant that she hoped that he would not be told peremptorily to go away.

" I will see him if he comes," Aunt Parker finally replied. "It is not fitting he should pursue his acquaintance with you, begun as it was under such questionable auspices." And in this decision Keziah was forced to acquiesce. When, therefore, after some delay and demur, Lord Featherstone was admitted to Aunt Parker, her manner was perfectly arctic. She sat bolt upright, with a stony look in her eyes and only frigid monosyllables on her lips. " I called," said his lordship, with much aplomb, " to see Miss Lugh." " Yes ?" Aunt Parker asked, much as though Lord Featherstone was the bootmaker's man, or had come to take orders for a sewing machine. '• Mv name is Lord Featherstone." ■ls'it '" He might have been in the habit of assuming a dosen aliases every twentyfour hours, so utterly indifferent and incredulous was Aunt Parker's tone. " It was my good fortune to be able to do Miss Legh a slight service yesterday," he went on, still unabashed. "A service!" Miss Parker waxed indignant at once. " 1 call it an injury—a shameful, mischievous, unkind act; for which Lord Featherstone, although I apprehend it is not much in his line, should blush for very shame. . " Really, madam " —he hardly knew whether to be annoyed or amused —" I think you have been misinformed, Probably but for me Miss Legh's neck would have been broken." " I know that, I know that, and I almost wish it had, sooner than that she should have so far forgotten herself." Miss Parker looked up suddenly and sharply, saying with much emphasis: " 0 Lord Featherstone, ask yourself—you arc, or ought to be, a gentleman ; at least, you know the world by heart—was it right of you to take such an advantage ! Did you think what incalculable harm this foolish, thoughtless mistake, which is certain to be magnified by malicious tongues, may work against an innocent, guileless child."

" I know I was greatly to blame. I ought to have known better. But it was Miss Legh's own wish to go through the park, and I gave way." " How noble of you to shift the burden on to her shoulders I But we will not, if you please, try to apportion the blame. The mischief is done, and there is no more to be said, except to ask you to mrJ;e us the only reparation in your power." " And that is— ?" he looked at her in surprise. She did not surely mean to forestall him, and demand that which he came to offer of his own accord ? " To leave the house, and to spare us henceforth the high honour of your acquaintance." "That I promise if you still insist after you have heard what I am going to say. I camo to make reparation full and complete, but not in the way you suppose. I came to make Miss Legh—and if she and you, as her guardian, will deign to accept of it—an offer of my hand." Little Miss Parker's faco was an amusing study. Her lower lip dropped, her eyes opened till they looked like the round marbles on a solitaire board. " Lord Featherstone, "you I" "I trust von will not consider mo ineligible ; that you have no objection to me personally, beyond a natural annoyance at this silly escapade." (TO HE CONTINUED.)