The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7968, 3 November 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

A MATINKK K'MSUDF. "It's all right, Uopk'iis, 1 know tny way," sai«l the Hon. Wili..iin Danvers—alias l!iliy—running hrisily up the shallow steps. "Very good, sir." said the ;uai, and u his left eye dropped at one corner il might perhaps have kvu accounted f«r. Mr l)anvers opened the diawingroom door and advanced towards the (ar end. "Hallow, Herta," he remarked, "aren't you ready ?" "Ready !" said tile girl in surprise. "Oh, gracious, it's you, Billy She lose Irom the writing-table anil held out her hand. "Ready for what, I wonder "ffhy !" he cried, "aren't you coming with me "It's real nice of you." she answered smilingly, "but won't yon kit down ; it would ease you to explain thi-; dark mystery." Mr I> a iivers wore a pu/Hcd o\'| r. -- tion on li.s usuullv ptuei.l fealjirts. "My dear girl," he said, "I'd k-ever so much happier if you'd tell m t Whether you intend coming to the matinee or not. I'd ike to know, for we haven't much time lo spare you know." ' Miss Hulilcn looked graciously surprised. "Well, t his is just the very first news of a matmee Tie heard." she said slowly.

"Did you mot get a ir„m mc last night ' increduously. "Guess 1 hid to do without ;liat pleasure." "Then—then, but—ei, ,iiv y.>u certain you.did not receive it queried Hilly amazed, ' tor I posted it myself anong with some nth. is. which I know arrival all right ?" Ijerta shrugged hir ti nr should,-rs, ami diawlcd likely yon ve ad<lres.sut ii wroni:—or to some other girl." "That is, of course, nio.-t ~i,, a '_ e eonsidcrin B that 1 only procured these tickets because I'd heard you *ay Vou were ketri to si* this plav. ami this is the only prtr. .rm<iic-. Hilly appeared slightly itritalid " J fs a pity, but I couldn t anyway. .Mi Hoprii>t'hniidt met *hen I was riding this iiiotnlnr and ties coming to take me to H:c imond in his motor." "Never mind llopenschm:dt. tome with me ; there is plenty of time." said Bill}', who loatlud the financier fccliugly. "I'm sorry," returned Miss TluMcn. "It can't be done, and, ''glancing at lb.-, watch on Iter wrist, "if you have plenty ol tiuw, I—have not " She rose slowly and Walkul towards tindoor, a fair type of th.. ( '!,-g..nt. straight-hacked, golden-haired American. "Daresay the letter has arrived safely, and I'm pretty surj vou will both enjoy the play all right. Oo</d-bye." It would In; impossible to describe the cutting softnest o! her words.

"Thank you," said 13illv as free/inßlv, while lit- held the il„„r lit her to pass <.u(. „ she had disappeared lie remarked som<thing, ami tlun found his wav downstairs, Willi Irardly so a Mn, as lie had ascended, exactly iU:11 mi utiles -before. Miss Hulden walked niajesixally t,> her room, and* w<ih natural iVsniinri*' instinct went straight lo jiser glass, for she rather ult.riJi- .| in her good looks without conceit. 'Tuppii calk mc a Tartar, and 1 believe I am. I wondu now if ISilly did send mc a letter ' He's a dear liny, but why does lie throw away bis time on that stupid little owl Mav Webster ? 1 p;ues.s 1 don't like Mr 11,.gcnschniidt any I:-tier for gossiping about Ibem. That reminds i.ie I d better he setting ready now.' "Billy Danvcrs," slir murium cd again, "I reckon you ale feeling a Ut depressed just at this moment, but you've no t-usini-.s lo fool me. I wish you hadn't made me make this engagement, all the same, for I don't dote on Hopcnschmidt myself." She leant forwaij to pat the upward curve oi her hair, and her

eyes lit upon tin' corner oi an envelope, hying ! U'liiiul siime silverslopped bottle*. "Goodness !" she exclaimed, poi:ncins upon it ami tearing the letter out, which ran : ' Dear Berra,—l have procured two lirtri* inr rhi- matinee al the Nov 1 lira! IV to-ni'now. Ii is the plaV you weie anxious to see, ami the onty performance of it. 1 hope you will be able lo tome, and shall call in good time for you.—Yours as ever, Hilly Danvcrs." Ucrta laid the note dawn anil went to the hell. When her maid appeared she said :

"Do you know when this letter came, Marie ; it was lying bch.nd these bottles Hie maul looked nervous. "v)h." she sain, "it was brought up last alter you had s> n 1 " to the'ball, and 1 placed it 011 vour toilet table, Miss." "Are \ou sure. Marie?" "Ne>, ii.d.,d, .Viss ; perhaps it fell down, ami so was hidden." "It was, most (keidi'dly. A iter tins, kindly do not put ;uy letters on smh an iiisecuie place, s,iid liei 'mistress severely. "And Maiie, tell Hopkins that when Mr iiopensciiiniilt call*, 1 am unable to see h 111 this afternoon." "Yes. Miss,'' i.nsWcrul the maid, glad to get off so easily. When sin- had gone, Miss iTiilden reread the note and cogitated l.ow best to answer it. Should she write.' No- Far beltes to explain to L'ill} IK,or Hilly, at the dance to-night , lie would l>e at the Sarlon's, she | fell sure. Still, it was a long time to wait, and sl.e had missed the matinee. "1 gut-ss I'll take Momma out for a turn in the park," she eoacludtd al hnglh ; "il will help make the time Hit." '

This tune she did 1101 ring the bell sc» vehemently. Billy's cnjoymtiii of the niatine" was sadly marred. His ptcasuse wa# spoilt, and visions of beautiful Hen a in iloiKiisehniiilt's twastl.v ear danced across the st.'ge, totally obliterating the play from his gaze. lie walked home the park, although he knew that the chief attraction Was most probahlv drinking tea at Richmond. Suddenly a man beside him remarked—"By jove, there's the handsome Huldtii girl! Deuced lucky beggar ,vh,i win-i her golden locks and golden. loin " Hilly turned and beheld charming Itusive Bella sitting beside stout i-iatiil Momma. It was roally unaccountable, the relief Ik> fell"Vn, he wouNI go to tlie Sariui's dance, af ,r all. He wait.d until the carliage bail passul nut of sight, and ■•milcd hopefully. It Miss Uulden looked beautiful In unflattering- daylight tlw was radi'ant beiieatb the soltly -lradi .1 iighis which adorneii Mr.i Sarton's drawing-riKim. Hilly ft It as he .edged his way towards her that she was a peerless girl, but l.e did not intend to communicate ins fe.-lnij-s—till lat er.

"tiot >i iUukc to lie as,d c'.ie, fiUliy. as if they la I parted Ihe best of fi lends, having ,'t l.;s attained bis goal, to find i;ev 'aid almost entirely serawled over. "I don't know, ' s" e aTHWeifd. li : cbainiing drawl scarcely so Ca'm as isua.l. She submitttd her card—.vliieli wv.s also unusual. "Thank you," said Hilly, carcfully ■rasing a. couple of names towari's be did and transit rring his own. "( hj," said Del ta, but she let In I lashes hide her eyes, and lie eoultl:i'■ see lh;ir exj ressic.n. "An vevoir," lie said, ami t'elive:i to gi\e place lo a ilo/t n lale dialers. fit- (Liiivd assi.liioiislv all evening in spite of t!ie heal, <n.d rather obvious attention lo'a pert darn-yul lieauty, who le'.uineil hi» Slae.ees with interest. He emerged, howiver. cool an.l determined, and ma le !i:s now i nee mr,re before Mis; .liil lon's turone. "Ours, I ilijik,," lie said. "Ye--." she answtivd aiieily and coldly, hating tl.e darvi-yid gir

>i tthoiii II .[>( .i el,mi.it );a i spoken. "lis to> li.it to ire." said Hilly Will, was in a mo-.:.! ,o t lIIoV himself ' Miss HuM.ii allowed h.-r.selt' to lie 'id into tile coiisenatory. win re l. 'i luirtn, l evidently tell at for be took her siraijOn lo a dim', seelinlid coriier. "This is a little lit of all li-hi isli t it he remarked e.isily, ail miring ibe i;irl against h r dark U>ckf;l"ouj:d. • v he was silt in. wondering whai i■, ■say. awl how to say it. K !l.\ Hall. ,I lor ;i ininulr ll ■i s'lanr- iii fiad her spei I'll s~. Tlieii he lean! over to her. I'on I won y about it, lierta "1* -li- crie l, started out of her -eli'-i ontri.l. "I\c been mail, leal mud all the af't'lnoi n, becaiisi—because itist alter you win I oil i found your letter.'' ili.l, ' said Hilly, without Un ci surprise. "An | you sent ]|opeiiscbinidt awa\ ai:d Weill out with Momma instead. Why, I wonder.'" '■>»' i area wizard," teti i e.l IVrij. lejMining her spirits, "s,, [ ,yoii don't mill lo he told aiiy'thim;

else.' 1 "Yes 1 do," lie relumed quickly, earnestly, talking mawtelhil possession oi her gloved hands. "You are going to tell me that l'lato was an old humibiig, and thai Mrs Hilly Danvcrs is Die name you prefer above all others. lierta'.s dear eyes sparkled i|nto his. "Must I," she asked meekly. "Yes, my sweet," he murmured, slipping two strong arms round her. "Then 1 guess I'd better," she sighed softly, drooping her golden head.