THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 7 May 1907, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER.

THE ICE-MAN.

Illy Winifred (jraham.)

• She hat/ been born wlien die lilac was ill biuom, and her mother named iter after lh.it swecu-st of spring llowers The year justified the nam", for Lilac grew up with all the elusive charms of euiuuivr", early dawn ,n her bright but emotional nature. It was perhaps Uiis mixture of April and May in her which first attracted the " Ice-Man."' Lilac christened him the "Ice-Man" at lirst sight, as she trembled inwardly as bis terrible English reserve, and determined, with the sudden fire of coming June, to thaw him .a; her will. His steel gicy eyes wer« as uncompromising as a December sky, li» held himself proudly," and she thought involuntarily, as she criticised his sombre personality, of a snowclad fir tree, beautiful in the pale cold setting of wincr.

Such a man naturally felt the vague fascination of a personality so utterly opposed to his own. He found himself watching her quick graceful movements, an.l listening to the soft but inmy voice, which could charm iiim at the most unexpected moments into saying and doing the most unexpected things. Long summer days and moonlight nights ripened a breezy friendship into ;he tenderer tones and rosy tints of love. The thaw came even sooner than Lilac anticipated, and a midsummer wooing ended in a September wedding.

"And uow it is New Year."' said Lilac. talking over recent events to her friend Mrs (^iimton-I'hipps. "Yes," replied the older woman, ''now it is New Year ! *TViiy are not you and Arnold together !'* Lilac Englefield hesitated before replying. She moved uneasily about her Mayfair boudoir, arranging a flower or cushion nervously.

"You mustn't say we are separated ; you won't let that idea get about, will you, Fanny ? Mrs Quinton-Phipps shook her lieavl reassuringly. "The truth is the last thing one wants known," she answered—"wiser to speak it within closed doors." "You remember," said Lilac quickly, "I used to call Amold'the Ice-Man '!"'

"Yes." '""Well, you see, when the frosts set in he froze again—that's all." "And you did not take the trouble to thaw him. You were rather busy with society—there were so many calls on your time, such numerous obligations. In the rush of your Liondon world, you just galloped away from romance." "You have such a funny way of putting things. I suppose wo are unsuited to each other. He would have liked to be quite alone with me for ages and ages. All my girl irienda wanted to come and stay ; you know how it r* in town, one must be perpetually putting people up. Arnold has crowds of relations in the country, and loves visiting them. He wanted me to go and stay with a stuffy old a nut of his, whom 1 have never seen. I flatly declined. He went, I remained. It was all very ordinary." "You think he will return ?"

"I suppose so. but I try not to think about it at all." The other woman noticed a slight trembling of Lilac's lips. Her attitude was defiant, with the graceful defiance of youth, nnembittered by the jars of a long and wasted life. 'lf lie goes off and pays visits alone, why don't you follow his example ? Come and stay with me at Lake Hall. We have a house party next week, all young people ; I warn you we shall be terribly giddy."' " Mrs Quinton-Phipps' suggestion fell alluringly upon Lilac's ears. She had not realised till that moment how insupportable the house in Mayfair was daily liecoming, as she waited in vain for a letter from Arnold.

"I fhall he the giddiest there," Lilac •leofared, as she gladly accepted. "A grass widow and a bride combined. How funny it seems !"

Mrs Quinton laughed, but as she drove away from Curzon Street she was not quite sure where the humour came in. "That silly child," she said, "is on the brink of a tragedy, and as to the Ice-Man, it would serve him right to be shut up in a refrigerator for the rest of his life. He has no right to leave her, only that kind of man is generally fully convinced his own actions can have no wrong."

Lilac, possessed of an almo-t unnatural gniety, was the life and soul of the party at. Lake Hall.- Her vitality and apparent lightness of heart appealed especially to Monsieur Aniet, whose open admiration was a source of innocent .inurement to Mrs EnglcGeld. "I ca.ll him my tame monkey," she told her hostess ; "he is quite a dear, njid absolutely harmless. He puts me in a good temper with myself." 'To-morrow," said Fanny, "we are all going for a long motor excursion, and I have racked my brains over sorting people. I think my plan for you will be quite a success. As you hate the cold. I am sending you in the landaulette with Monsieur Aniet, wliu has a horror of fresh air. You will pick up a third on the way, a man who is coming to stay here, but he will sit outside by the chauffeur, so I have told him to wrap up. He is a bit of a woman-hater, I believe, and will be happier by himself. Monsieur Aniet, unfortunately, will have to be dropped at Petford Station, about thirty miles from here, so cannot join our lunch at the Red Hon.se Hotel. I am sure you will be sorry he is going."

Lilac declared the drive would ccrtainSly be entertaining in Monsieur Aniet's society, and much regretted he was obliged to leave so soon.

Dressed in the shade of her nanie sake flower, her face flushed and sparkling in a setting of white fur, and carrying a large Granny muff, Lilac looked singularly lovable and attractive as she stepped into the cosy landaulette, followed by the smiling Monsieur Aniet.

"Take care of her," said Mrs Quin-ton-Phipps. •' T gnar.l her with my life '." replied the gallant foreigner, bowing and smiling as they drove away. The country, while with hoar-frost, had an air of romantic desolation as the car glided down the avenue and pissed silenWy through the little lake-bound village to vast stretches of downy land beyond.

"May 1 hope." whispered Monsieur Aniet, "that when 1 leave to-day, you will permit me to carry in my heart the thought that I am rememberer! by my Lady of Snow 1"

He touched the white furs, and her mind flew quickly to the Ice-Man, a fitting mate for a Lady of Snow.

"Of course I shall not forget our pleasant visit here," she answered, with more reserve than usual in her manner.

"I understand," he whispered, treading for the first time on delicate ground, "that Madame's life is not all happiness, as it should be for one so fair. Your husband's absence from your side shows even the rose-strewn path of beauty may hold hidden thorns. 1 am aware that Monsieur Englefield is a cold, hard man of the .world, while you—you are tho soul of poetry, the scent of flowers,, the delicate, fabric of a dream."

'He spoke so low that, lmt for the ilim knowledge he was trying to disparage Arnold. TJlae anight have listened with pleasure to the fluttering words.

"I think," she said, "we will not disi cu?s my husband ; he is a law unto himself, and quite above criticism." "Certainly," replied her companion with a little laugh, "we will put him right awnv—far from our minds. I 'would like always In forget him. He is the bogey whieh disturbs my |>",\ec, the black spot on the sun, when T remember, chero niiidame. that you'are married." Monsieur Aniet twi-ted her words; she flushed with sudden annoyance. "I can't hear my husband ridiculed," sin- said.

"Pardon. I liiivo nothing to say lint good. I would sing his praises by the hour."

"Wliy ?" she asltpd. smiling approval and forgiveness

"Because lio is so good to inc. llnvi-1 not to lie ffrsftcftil tliat lip spares yon to cheer liy yoin- smiles a poor-beggar like nivsolf V I Pan appreciate and enjoy ; it'may not lie his f.iult Hint lip lets flu' sunbeam slip by. Imt thank Heaven, niadamp, T am not l.liwd ! Then why should I grudge him his blindness, when it lias given nip sight ? He is a fool—that T should lip wise. He stands apart, and your friends rejolpe. They train, be loses. We praise Hip sods for hpupfils received."'

One of Lilac's April moods brought: a swift cloud to her lace. Monsieur Aniet had never before dared to tall; in this strain. He was taking advantage of her loneliness and their enforced tete-a-tete.

"You .ire very rudp," she said indignantly j "you have no right to call Ar

noUI a fool." ■'Madame, I apologise, but 1 ha. I preferred io believe join' husband a fool than a knave. If ho ...is sense, ilien his desertion ol you is criminal." Lilac stared—such word* from Monsieur Aniet's lips were u revelation. She had never he ml him speak unkindly, and now, despite her indignation. Ii • continued his open a;bu o of Arnold. All that was loyal and wucly in her nature rose to protest against this in-ull to the man whose name she hove.

Eagerly she sough 1. aboui for virtues in her husband,, surpiied to lln.l she could remember so many. 1 Ho at least had all Hie best and noblest attributes of an Englishman. He had fought for his country, he had shared in the glory of victory. He was true ito his friends, kind to his relative-, be never forgot to be generous 10 anyone. I ••Except bis wife," added Monsieur I Auict, with a touch 01 sarcasm foreign to his usual manner.

J Lilac shrank away, placing Hie gigiiir tic proportions of he. monster niulT be twceit them.

I cannot uniler-taiiil." she faltered

"why'you should wisa to hurt my feelings, or what, plea-.ure you con liud in abusing someone you nave never seen. 1 would almos rather you sat o.ii-d.le, and invited the woman-hater to take your place." To her surprise. Monsieur Anie!, (he enemy of fresh air. let down the window, anil breathed a chill Must with evident satisfaction..

'•I will give you up to him if it would be for your pleasure," he murmured, with a gallantry which was truly delightful. "I only wish for Madame the joy her sweetness deserves." Seeing he was drifting back to the old charming manner which had often made her feel she was living in another age, Lilac retracted her words.

"No," she said, "yon mustn't leave me to lie bored by a bear. lam not in ine mood to make conversation ; it would almost be better to quarrel with you than undergo the effort of trying to talkcivilly to a man who loathes womankind." Monsieur Arniet shook his head. "Ah ! that poor fellow—ho does not really so dislike your sex. lie has been treated badly by'a woman, that's all." "How do you know V

! "Mrs Quinton-Phipps told mc." ' Lilac was glad the subject hail drifted from Arnold, and gradually softened towards lier companion. By the time the car drew up at the door of a strange house she sat far hack, burying her face in the mulf to avoid feeing the stranger. He took the vacant seat ouside, and thev sped in the direction of Petford Station. As the moment of parting drew near, Monsieur Aniet grew ful"To say even an rcvoir holds pain,' he whispered, "ami Madame will forgive me if 1 add that I must only see her in the future of fond memories. 1 shall lie a better man for the smils:.- 1 have won from her lip?, since they have brought me a little nearer to the angels. Xight and day my prayer will lie that her husband will some day come to appreciate her, as I have done, seeing in his wife an example of all that is perfect."

Once more the tender flattery reached her ears tainted by disparagement of Arnold. She longed to force once more upon Monsieur Aniet the assurance that the Ice-Man had only right on his side, but Petford Station was already in sight, and her companion prepared to alight. As he pressed her hand in farewell, he bent close to her ear, murmuring— "When next you sec Monsieur Englcfield tell him frbm me that if I were in his place I would be jealous even of a woman-hater on the box-seat of a car !" With these words he flittered away, waving his hat, and the landaulette moved swiftly on, the stranger outside making no attempt to change his position for one of shelter and companionship. Monsieur Aniet's words left a sting. Throughout the journey it was evident lie heartily despised the missing husband, making uo allowance for the many unexplained circumstances which always makes up the sum of a matrimonial misunderstanding. If this foreigner knew that she and her husband Were no long.-r on good terms, then everybody knew! Mrs Qnintmi-l'liipp-must have betrayal confidence. LiP-ne felt her cheeks burning and the tears scalding to l her eyes. What a comfort to lie quite alom, and indulge the luxury of a few hri-f tears! She opened the window, that the swift rush of air might help to banish the traces of her feminine weakness. As she did .-o, (lie car cam 1 ' to a sudden standstill at the foot of a steep incline. She litd hoard of parts of the things anatomy freezing in very seveiV weather, and the thought of a break-down in this bleak country, wilh only a woman-hater \.n console her, appeared 'truly appalling.

Quickly she dried her eyes, and pep ed out at him. lie sprang from his seat and came to the window.

'■Something wrong with the works," said a familiar voice; then an exclamation of dismay escaped the speaker as Arnold Englcfield fatal his wife. He was ice with a vengeance now, cold, reserved, though utterly astonished at the trick played upon liiui by Mrs Quin-ton-Phipps. The little face in the fur looked wonderingly at the man who had heroine a woman-hater, because someone had treated him hml'iy. H almo-t seemed natural in this weird white world that the Tee-Man should suddenly appear, like a phalitoui in a waste. frozen country. Lilac opened Hie door.

"Come in," she said; "if the car has broken down—all tin. better—come in and let me touch you."

She felt his hands, as if she could hardly believe he were really near. She didn't care that he failed 10 kiss her, and seemed paralysed by his unexpected presence; she tho.ight only of the strange romance of the moment, the feeling he was there—on the bleak hillside.

"I must see if I can help the chauffeur," lie said.

Lilac kept fast hold of the fingers she had clasped. "I wouldn't be surprised.'' -he wliis pored, "if he had ..rokeu down hj»( Order; it would be jusi like Fanny to think out a situation of this kind." The driver announced thai he would soon put the matter ugh), and closed the door at Lilac's request. "Arnold," she said, sharing the rug with him. and nestling close to his heavy coat, "couldn't you open that bear-like garment to see if it is big enough for two?" Mechanically the Tee-Man made room for a warm sunbeam e-y throwing back a great lapel of fur. ' She laid her head upon his shoulder: husband and wife were heart to heart.

APPALLING MOTOR ACCIDENT.

i NcwA'urk, March 3. I Before the eyes „( her husband, Mrs Jacob Tollbridge was thrown from an automobile on Jirooklui Bridge this 'afternoon and cut .0 pieces by the wheels of an electric tramwaycar. The appalling accident was due 10 an error of judgment on the part of the chauffeur, who tried .0 overt ike a tramway!ear while running down the incline on the Manhattan side of the bridge. I The tramway-ear si ruck the hind .wheel of the automobile with such force as to jerk Mrs Tun,hridgo from he, .-cat betide'her husband on to the track. 'ltcfore she ha time to uler aery she Avas cru>lU\l to death before the huri'lied gaze of her husband and her bro.lier-'in-law, .Major Tiuibnuge. Both swiion'ed when the mangled remains were at !length recovered. I Mrs Tunbridge was the -daughter ol' ;Mr William Jtidd. a millionaire, of jWnterbury. Connecticut. She was a hanihomo woman, thirty yea is of age, 'and very popular in i.rouklyu society.

BAROi'. 7 AMBUSHED AKD KILLED,

S.. I'eieiotiurg, March 3.

A member 01 the Council of the Empire. Baron li'idbctg. was driving from His estate to licval with the intention of placing oIiHIO in abank by briga-mis. A .-ervaut was kilhu and the sleigh driver wound-ed. The iirlgand.s drove oil' in the baron's sleigh with the money. At the station at lgren, near Ekaterinoslay, six brigands took possession of the telegraph. When a train arrived they tired volleys <.uJ exploded a bomb, creating a panic among the passengers, who dared not to- tuave. The robbers killed two policemen and-woun-ded theree others, a guard, one lirstclass passenger, and it bank messenger. From the tatter they stole .CtiiOO. They then uncoupled Ulc engine, drove along the line for some distance, and disappeared in a forest.