CHAPTER XVI. A BETROTHAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 236, 7 January 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XVI. A BETROTHAL.

Among decorouei jMo^e\ it is considered that an unmarriepL young iacjy should nob; I drive alone in a hansom ; bat Sabina vrajs a very busy > fcfaiiibij; >l Ag& beside'si tne ' ! t| <%(? op ifhia jbr'ill^nt Jttljrmora f- ! ing she drove along to Charing CrosiPien 1

Almost at the same ■'moment Mrs Tremen- , Ijeere arrived in her carriage ; < ancf the two ladies went down to, the special, steamer that was awaiting theparty. As* they stepped on board, the first person to come forward and greet Sabina was Mr Fred Foster. • Now Mr Foster, though his sympathies in certain directions were distinctly limited, Had a good deal of natural sagacity ; and instantly he saw— from the look of surprise, or more than surprise— in Sabina's face— that in planning this artful little stratagem he had made a mistake. And as quickly as he could he made his apology. 11 1 did not know until last night," he said, " that I had secured an invitation ; for I have been down in Buckinghamshire — my first trip there sinee — since the little accident. And you have told me so much about those training ships, Miss Zembra— l thought it would be a good opportunity — I was very glad when I found I was to have the chance of seeing them." Sabina somewhat formally introduced him to Mrs Tremenhero ; and he was very humble and civil in getting them seats where the awning would shelter them from the sun ; and there was no suggestion in hie manner that he had come hither with any dark design. Moreover, Sabina was not one quick to tako oftence ; porhaps it was really his interest in the Aretnusa and the Chicester that had prompted his coming ; and if so, did not he deserve a littlo encouragement and friendliness ? He did not in any way whatever seek to thrust his society on the two ladies, but he was within call. And as Mrs Tremenheere was devotine her whole and rapt attention to the Bishop of Sudbury, who was discoursing to her of the iniquity of spending money on orchids -Fred Foster came gradually to be Sabina's attendant and companion, when no one else claimed her. ' • It was a very pleasant sail down the river ; flags flying ; a ( juvenile brass band playing from time to time in the forward part ofthe steamer j the lads on the training ships that they passed giving them a hearty oheer as they went by. " If helping in a good work were always as enjoyable as this, there would be lots at ib. I feel very virtuous indeed," he remarked cheerfully. *' I feel very serious," was her rejoinder, " for they have fixed on me to give away the prizes ; and though I get on very well among the boya when they are by themselves, I don't like having a lot of spectators looking on." •'I wish I could be of any assistance to you," he said (and Mrs Tremenheere was entirely given over to her dear Bishop : he could address himself directly, if modestly ' and respectfully, to Sabina'e eyes). *' I feel myself such a useless creature in the world whenever I meet you. Ah, I wish you heard my mother speak of you, Mies Zembra. It was Miss Zembra this and Miss Zembra that, all the time I was down. I think she would consent to be ill, if she thought you would come and tend her a little. She was talking about a poor woman — an imaginary woman — lying sick, and hopeless, and friendless ; and she said that to such a poor creature, when you went into the room, your face must appear to be the face of an angel. And she hasn't forgotten your promise to go and see her " Sabina looked up in- surprise. " Perhaps there wasn't quite a promise," he said. quickly ; " but I fancy that in her case the wish was father to the thought. Oh', yes; and she has settled upon the room that you are to have when you go down— it is a curious little box, all hy itself ; bnt it overlooks the garden, and it is very quiet, and she says yon will be so much the better for absolute rest and quiet after your hard work in London." " I am sure she is very kind," Sabina was bound to say. *' 1 hadn't quite such a good time with the Pater," her companion continued, with a rueful smile. " l\o, he was rather rough on me. He did not think truch of my invention as likely to increase the sum of human happiness." A glance of inquiry asked him to explain. " Oh, didn'k I tell you ? .Did you not hear of my invention ?" he said- " Well, it was in this way. You see, after you left Brighton, it was pretty slow down there for me, and I had to do a good deal of steady thinking all by myself. And then it was that an idea occurred to me which will enable me to go down to the latest ages as a benefactor of mankind. You know how awkward it is for a lady, when she is riding alone in the country, to mount her horse by herself— supposing she has to get down to tighten the girths — and there is no stile or gate handy. Well, now, my invention is a small ladder of rope that can easily be folded up and fastened to the saddle, and there she is independent ! Sho has neither to trust herself to the clumsiness of some country lout nor walk along to the nearest cottage for the loan of a chair ; she can get down or up for herself as she pleases. And would you believe it— the Pater saw nothing in that" idea to .add to the. gaiety of nations, and when I talked to him about Galileo, and Sir Walter Raleigh, and George Stephenson, he used the most reprehensible language. Great discoveries are always treated like that. It isn't until atter we are dead that the public find out ' how much they owe to us." " I'm afraid you try the old gentleman's patience a little ?" she said, venturing to look up at him. " But what am Itodo?' he said. "Be gin and'work some of those farms ? I could not make as much out of them as the present tenants, and they're all skating on the edge of bankruptcy: He thinks I ought to do something j and I want to know what I am to do." "Are there no beggars at your gate? Sabina said, gently. "There are," he answered, with cheerful propij titude, " and what's moie there will be beggars all over the place, if farming doesn't become more profitable. But don't aay anything against me this time, Misa Zembrft. Surely I'm engaged in a good and charitable work at the present moment ? I'm actually going down to have luncheon on board the Arethusa ?" ! And this sardonic self -depreciation of his pleased Sabina a good deal more than an affected interest or other hypocrisy; he seemed to be constantly saying to her: " Well, I'm not much of a fellow, but you are! very good-natured, you won't be too hard." Aright brave sight was that that met their eyes -when they reached their destination ; for the yards of the great vessel were manned by near a thousand lad? and boys ; and loud and long was th© cheering that .greeted, the visitors. And then, wh,en they had! got on board and began to look around theiship, it was but natural that Mr Foster should remain with the sm^ll party whom he had aooompanied on T the way dowjn i; arid, :tlheref6>e, wh«ri' the, oro^tl weijt below* foßuhch.Ke assumed' the ri&hVof attending upontKe twVlatfiwJ, fcnd'vei^ assiduously and cheerfully did he execute, the task: Mrs Trehiehheera pleased with; the young man, - 'And she w;as interested in Him 1 ; for she had heard of the accident, and of Sabina's icare of him subsequently. i She thought he was rather; gpbd-lo&kihg, and; distinctly; well-drVssea, and if he carriH histftantn^iiiifw^Mer to fctie verge 6v Woerfeainebol^aUdabifcy, aha fofleM&lHihftfc hod'b^eh thrown so much

ihlo each other's society that now he probably regarded her in the light of an old friend. t After l.unch the visitors went on deck again, and the business of the day began, very jfroud indeed was Sabinu, over the smart and seamen -like way in which the lads went through their drill ; and she spied 6ut here and there amongst them a particular favourite of her own ; and what officer could check the return glances of recognition ? Of course she wore the silver anchor at her neck. And she was as pleased at the proficiency of these young sailors as if she had trained them all herself; and she was glad that the people clapped their hands when something particularly prompt was done ; and she made bold to ask Mr Foster if the country should not be grateful to an institution that took the neglected boys of London and turned them into fine, smart, healthy-looking, bright-eyed fellows, of whom Eng'and might one day be in urgent need. Then came her own share in the programme—the distribution of tho prizes and medals ; and as each blushing recipient came forward — the best swimmer, the most popular boy, the »martest lad aloft, and so forth — Sabina managed to say a kindly word or two to him as she put the prize into his hand or pinned the medal on bis breast. And of course Mr Foster was at her side all this time, and perhaps his little underhand jokes rather tended to givo her confidence ; anyhow her fingers did not tremble much as she pinned on the medals ; and her eyes — which could express approval very well indeed — said as much as her words. "Bravo, Johnny ; you've done it again," she said to one of the prize-winners ; and she turned bo Fred Foster : " That is one of my own boys." Indeed, Sabina was so highly pleased with the performance that, when they had seen the last of the boat-racing, and were returning to town again on board the steamer, she was in a far more animated mood than Mr Foster had ever seen before ; and she was particularly gracious to himself. He had been her companion, in a way; he had stood by her, tmough that public ceremony ; and now that was all over, it was comfortable to sit here in idleness, and listen to his half-facetious comments about men and things. And what should hinder him from taking up that same subject he had been harping on so much of late, and giving it a more immediate and personal application? An early opportunity arrived." Mrs Tremenheere went below to have some tea, her Bishop accompanying her. Sabina did not <saj?e for any ; she preferred to remain on deck. And then it was that Fred Foster renewed his prayer that Sabina should not give herself so wholly up to these charitable labours of hers— that she should introduce a little amusement into hey life. It was a roundabout way of placing an offer of marriage befoi c a young lady ; but it was not an unskilful one. There was no startling suddenness about it. Sabina found herself listening to an argument that seemed to be pervaded by sound common sense. All work and no play, he eaid, was just as bad as all play and no work ; the first was her case, the second his ; wouldn't it be a better and wholesomer arrangement if he could share her work, and she take some part in his amusement ? It was quite gradually that she came to tp understand what he meant— that they should join their two lives so as to arrivo at this fair compromise between pleasure and duty; and she listened with her eyes cast down, and with many rapid fancies running through her head. There was not much sentiment expressed in this proposal ; but then she did not consider herself a sentimental person. Was there not, on the other hand, instead of sentiment, a certain reasonableness and fitness ? More than once she had found herself in need of a man's support and guidance, while (for there was no austerity in her nature) a little holiday -making now and again might gladden life up somewhat. She listened in silence— perhaps afraid to understand his meaning too clearly; bus presently his speech became plain enough. " You know my mother went to see you at Brighton, Miss Zembra," ho said, and his eyes were fixed on the deck, and h& spoke in an undertone, for there were many ■ people about. ** That was foolish on my part. An ambassador is no good. And even here— when I have the chance — I can i only say bits of things. But I have been i thinking it over a good deal, and a partner ship between us seems reasonable ; and of course that partnership could only mean ! marriage. I ought to tell you what I think of you ; but I can't praise you to your face ; besides, Mrs Tremenheere may be up again I any minute. But 1 think we might have * a real good time,' as the Yankees say ; and I should be tremendously interested in all you are doing, and lend you a hand when there was a chance ; and then, when you are over-fagged and deserve a day's holidaymaking, you might leave me to engineer that with a fair amount of confidence. I would live anywhere you liked ; I haven^b many friends in London ; and you don't seem to go out much ; when we went pleasuring it would be in the country. There's Goodwood, now, wouldn't it be fine to get you away from those slums and run down to Brighton for a week, and gefe hold of a dog-cart and a stout little cob ? There's tie Mater, too — wouldn't she welcome you? And if you want quiet, that's the place ; and shouldn't I be willing to play good boy then ? Sabina— is it to be She looked up for a second, timid and hesitating. "No," he said, quickly, "it you aro afraid to say ' yes ' on so short a notice, say nothing. Think over it. Will you ?" She nodded slightly, with her eyes still cast down. And then he said, eagerly :— • "But this you must promise— to take no one into your confidence. Will you promise to make your decision yourself ?— Oh, I know what will happen if you take advice. Your people at Lancaster Gate hate the sight of me. I don't wonder at it, and I don't resent it. Perhaps I shouldn't myself like having anybody planked in my house like that. If you ask them, they will say no ; I am certain of it ; and I don't see that they take such care of you that you should be particular about asking their permission or advice. And as for the Wygrams, they would say the same thing, for they are very fond of you, and they are jealous, and would be angry at anyone taking you away from them. But never mind that. When it waa all over I should soon be able to pacify them. Now, will you promise me so much — that you will form your judgment entirely by yourself?" She was understood to assent ; he could hardly hear her speak. ' **, And that you will make it * yes if you can?" he pleaded. "Sabina, that ia not t too much to ask TKT K > t Whether it was or not was of little consequence, for at this moment Mrs Treraenheere made lier appearance on deck, 'art^ , the Bishop, coming along, would insist on carrying Sabina away to have some tea or something of the kind 1 , i*: ', Nor did Mr Foster have anpther,oppo* tunity of speaking privately .' with „ her during fche; rest' of the. way ,up the river; butasHhtty were] going, ashore at fMntfft Cross— where Sabina .was to embark'Jn Jjlrs [ Tremenheere'a tiah&ene; and'J&e. driypp. hom£ %hk r fc r t wayV^foe manag-ed to wfy'fo; heri:-—

11 Will you send me a message to-mor-row ?" ' ' ' And as they shook hands at bhedoorof ihe carriage, Blie said to him— bub ,\fith averted eyes : — k "Yes; to-morrow." , ' - t Ib'was not a long time in which to form ft decision which would afiecb the whole of her life ; and yet it cannot be said that she spent, an agonising night of doubt and dread. - For one thing, she was no timid young creature of seventeen, driven out of her wits by the discovery that Charlie had stolen unawares into her heart, confronted by the awfulnessof having to break her promise to poor Tommy, and conscious at the same time of certain secret and pronounced flirtations with Frank, that*had no doubt awakened certain hopes in his mind and that it would be remarkably duacult to explain away. Nor was there any wild passion in the matter ; Sabina was twentylive; she had seen too much of the real trouble of the world to care about indulging in romantic imaginary woes ; _ life had been serious with her. Perhaps, indeed, a trifle too serious. For it was a cheerful prospect, on the whole, that Fred Foster had opened out before her. She was to have his advice and aid in time of difficulty ; she was to have his blithe companionship when they thought fit to snatch a holiday. There was a kind of happy-go-lucky selfreliance about him which was in itself as suring ; he Feemed very certain that the projected partnership would work well; she did not think it would be so much amiss if on occasion they left overcrowded lanes and alleys for a pleasant drive to Goodwood. Nor had she any fear about forming a decision for herself ; for she had for long been accustomed to manage her own affairs. And well she knew that he had spoken truth in warning herns to the consequences of her seeking counsel either from her own people or from the W.ygrams. Neither the one nor the other knew Fred Foster as she did ; they were governed by a violent prejudice against him ; it would nob be honest advice she would get, but an expression of ill-will. And was it not a pity to see this young fellow, who had many good qualities about him, left to drift uselessly about the ■world ? His income she knew was not very large ; indeed, he was almost entirely dependent upon his mother ; still ib might be betterem ployed than in backing horses. Her income and Mb together would enable them to live very comfortably in a moderate way, and also permit her to continue her works of charity as well as to have a s little amusemen; now and again, according to his projected plan. His mother would be kind to her, she knew. Altogether, looking at the matter from £very possible point of view, it not only looked reasonable and practical, but also attractive in many ways ; and as for Fred. Foster himself, surely ib was affection that had prompted his offer (for she had no forbune);then she liked his frankness, and his sardonic self-criticism, and also the quiet audacity with which he sought to get the best of everything within his reach ; and she made no doubt that a man like this, who was rather given to belittling himself, .would in the end turn out more trustworthy that a man who was «ager to show himself off to the best advantage. And yet ib is no lighb mabter for a young woman to sign away the days of her freedom and maidenhood ; and next morning the letter bhab was co deliver Sabina into slavery— into partnership, he called it — was written many times over before she could consider ib even passable. And when she came downstairs to breakfast, she was somewhat self - conscious ; and rather avoided meeting Janie's eye. " Are you tired, Sabie, dear, after your trip to Greenhithe ?" said Mrs- Wygram, noticing that she was rather silent. "No, no, nob at all,"' the girl said, and some slight colour came unwittingly into the pale, calm, beautiful 1 face. " Why, it was a holiday— l think we all enjoyed it very much." By and bye Sabina had to set forth on the business oi the day ; and this time she was going alone. Bub before leaving the house, she sought out Janie, and book her into the drawing-room, where there was no one but themselves. She had her hand on Janie's arm. "Janie, dear, I have a secret to tell you." Her eyes were smiling ; her cheeks rosetinted ; she was hesitating and timid — and then she suddenly made a step forward, and kissed Janie, and pub her head close bo her head. . " Janid, be kind to me — don't be vexed — I—lI — I am engaged bo be married." Janie wibhdrew herself from that embrace, her surprise was so great. " You, Sabie '?" she managed to say. " But— but— to whom ?" " To Mr Foster," was the answer, given in a kind of doubtful tone. "0; Sabie, what have you done?" the girl cried, and there was anguish in the cry, and her face had grown suddenly pale. *' Oh, what have you done, Sabie— when— when there was one man in all the world who really loved you " Janie had stepped back, white-faced and frighbened. "Yea, and you knew it— you knew it— and now you have broken his heart !" " You musb nob balk such nonsense,'.' said Sabina, somewhab proudly. " And we will nob mention the subject again until you have come back bo your sense."." And bherewibh she burned and went from the room, leaving poor Janie entirely overcome ; for not only was she aware that an awful calamity had occurred — and to her beloved Sabie — but also she had quarrelled with her nearest and dearest friend. (To be Continued.)

American Garden Tools.— The Wellington New Zealand correspondent of Australian Ironmonger writes — "At this season of the year garden tools of various descriptions are coming to the front in all the ironmonger's shops, and ifc is very noticeable to what an extent this trade is monopolised by our American cousins. Tlie English took made on the models that were in voprue in the days of our grandfathers are quite out of the running, and no one can be surprised when comparing the old English tool'toith the light, shapely, well-blanched, attractive implement turned out by the Americans'. In lawn-mowers, hand-rakes, and hoes this is particularly the case, arid it is, I must confess, a little aggravating to a patriotic Englishman that his countrymen in that line of manufacture so calmly allow a profitable toich^U<rgp>, .tP-P4»ss out of their bands, without, apparently, any attempt to,ge£it back again. ,, I was shown to-day a hand-plbugh, which 'was a', marvel' of lightness and adaptability. The whole thing, all. ready for use, would not weigh ■ more tbaii 121bs to 14lbs. Of course it whs ! Amefricdn'.u J&ikek atift Shoes* on* the" feanaepripcinl^er^jßQqfetaiQ^blej/'^b • it:;i .-v tliart'are* adnlfej %ct Sf aWth§r jvilj go^qbV wiritfly 'elad } f&>m r hea/l' Jo iooty'tthd lefc 1 her 1 chil&.patter'nilo&^ bes'iasher, *ith lesi than half of htordtWqri. 1 Wdthfer pVecautioh; Bhoald^e -td ''Woi&WtfflfitoMl tT\e Wb^^to!, dr^ti'of?6bl r d aMr6m'Avlh'4oV(s. "'Matijr'k tuiMdris &*free¥ .pl^bmj^in^MfW) ■will have less use of'aoetdt%P^' !iJ^**" -vi«'&*