Mundane Musings

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 4

Mundane Musings

The Lover’s Test “It’s absurd, simply absurd, thr.t I should fall iu love (Mid-Victorian expression!) at first sight, like a callow boj r ! Anyway, it’s a fact which I can’t alter even if I wished, which I certainly do not.” Rex Gerrard gave his shoulders a shake, half scornful, half' impatient, as he lounged in his easy-chair, puffing a cigar. During the long railway journey from Rotorua, Gerrard’s eyes had wandered constantly to a girl whose bright and happy, though not strictly beautiful, face seemed to diffuse sunshine through the dusty carriage. On arrivaj in Auckland he endeavoured to keep her in sight but an acquaintance button-holed him and he was only freed in time to see her entering a taxi accompanied by an elderly lady. “Surely in a town of this size I am bound to come across her again,” he consoled himself by thinking; but weeks slipped by without result until suddenly fortune smiled upon him, for, glancing from his office window, he saw 'the two ladies in conversation with her cousin, Eliza Shaw. “I must contrive an' introduction somehow, though it will entail a call upon my detested cousin. I’ll go tonight and not risk losing sight of her again.” Thanks to tact and sufficient flattery for his purpose, Rex succeeded in obtaining an invitation from Miss Shaw to meet Mrs. Grosbie and her guest. Miss Doris Bre.qt. First impressions of Miss Brent being more than confirmed, Gerrard. having ingratiated himself with Mrs. Crosbie, became a ferquent visitor at the latter’s home. At last the kind, understanding soul gave him the chance for which he longed, and with almost the Impetuosity of the despised youth he told Doris he had loved her from the first and asked her to be his wife. Surprise kept her silent till Rex said earnestly; “Is it impossible for you to care for me? Have I been too sudden?” “I am certainly surprised, but it isn’t altogether that. I believe I do care for you, but ” “But what. Miss Brent? Tell me the difficulty, but don’t say it is insurmountable.” “I have a confession to make before I can answer you.” “A confession!” he echoed, in great surprise. Walking over to the window and standing with her back to him she murmured, “I have a past.” “Good God!” he cried, “a past! You so young and lovely, I can’t believe it!” “It isn’t always safe,” she replied, “to judge by appearances.” He looked absolutely stricken. | Glancing at his set, white face Doris : Brent muttered a hasty “Good-night.” and slipped from the room, Gerrard, torn in two between his love and the terrible doubt engendered by her confession, had little sleep that night, but finally love conquered and almost without his own volition he found himself next evening upon Mrs. Crosbie’s doorstep. Doris, sitting alone, started up in evident embarrassment, her face flushing hotly, when Rex entered the room. You see,” he said firmly, “I i couldn’t keep away. I love you and i true love is the strongest force in the i world it breaks down every barrier. j Forgive me if I ask one question, then the subject shall be closed for ever. Was there any—any result ; from your past, as you call it?” A es,” replied Doris, with averted ! face, “there certainly was.” Then springing to her feet and j biaxely facing him she cried: “I've: been rejuvenated!” OONA E. BURTON. j

POTTED MEAT SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS RECIPtBuy beef that is lean and juicy. it, and carefully remove all skiß ' * cut the meat into very small P 1 Weigh it; and to each pound from two-and-a-half to three ounc« pure butter. Put both into a J salt, pepper and cayenne. Co^ eictl . jar, put it into a pan with wate. ing half-way up, and simmer S for three hours. into a Turn the contents of the J bc „ e d basin and pound well, with nntn jeß anchovies. Add a pinch Rt!) and more seasoning if nee s " 5B1 al! through a wire sieve. Put with jars, press it in well, and oiled butter. Never wash pudding s rd soap. Boil them in strong op 4, water, dry them quick!} y air and keep in a draper dust.