THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 66, 7 March 1908, Page 3

THE STORYTELLER.

A COPBAGEOPS COWARD (By Janet Cicely Kay.) "faudid friend,," , a jj y olanJ d "g her hand, round her knee, -J,. *er bright eye, on her companion ~mv barest tnend, who, of eouAe consider* the ,« sl ~r ivil ||er n^ltr. EnL th, t T' aua prev * m < -->•-.. H« I cut 0Ul t < i n V hi, : k > ma >»** •" •«» dau« «• u liat - ■" ,sßen!d J ''"-

«*ted, impressively. "Fancy Vuur rv . membenng. Well, anyhow, when I do Olid the burden getting too much f.,r ..n-

f JTS.T ""y. ,"•""■ from London there is « little seaside »|K>t where the cliffs arc dazzlmglv white, where the grass i, wonderfully gre e n , an ,| whw «a J » I Withy growth of bungalows ~i™ !»1 even three-storied " d «Wimg haw is ' ' } ""W*"inevitable lalmraonv hi i,„ turf at loUnJe.Vi', 'f '"• ° U ,te »Und out a ga in=t tnt . ( - .nTT/ ■?' SOn ari ' «»"»■•% to acW .«* the blue *moke from .£• .armful' Im wrry ,f s ail over-nearlv ' ,h. "Saturday." "So soon—by Jove!" —My tenancy ,t the bungalow j, U|> _. tt w£*" J ?,' ' Ve W~ in wt». J,."" "*» me *"°B you here, wasnt

I wish Id come before," he answw . "LVouve been here all the summer ***, ™ m <*«* '» all hit three week!" *oh, but took; wk,,. goo<l , ime £ u k ,; been h. Ing before. What a body, been making with you. V OIJ wouM not have missed that, wouM

DOt ; > said ' with ««our. J" *** rTed it- Vou were so aw *«% danng-an those dreadful niggers with .pear* and wareries and w!mpunwaad knob-sticks-that's right, isn't tie prestige of the British " Look here, Mrs. Glenister, 1 really do»'t w.„t ,o be rude, but shut up" lolande laughed gaily. bnt ,. b ™ ver 3 ! " "he began, and Mddenly cheeked herself. Therf was a tense moment of silence, during which Yolande prayed for the fissure in the chalk cliff close by to widen and swallow hj« up. Caley stared stonily at the .nudge m the haze which betokened "» wlwreabouts of the "Husband-, *«" In the intense stillness the & p " Ue , of the «>&<>* ««W be tetljr heard. At length Caley

I< I remember right you were alW«y» rather great on braverv.The utter tonelessness of' his voice B«ve Yolande no clue as to where «he "tood. In desperation she hurled a shaft at random. . r!.r***.. TCT ' T foolish little fH w 'th »JitUe girl s silly notions, and-and I think it would have been kinder of vou to have forgotten." He eat up suddenly and pushed his hat up. "Well, my dear lit Mrs. Glenister yon don't think I'm serious, do your It was all very funny. Sow, let me see; were we engaged or were we not*' "Certainly not!" "No? I rather had an idea that there was something—wasn't there a ring! 1 feel sure there was, rather bent. with a turquoise that had gone somewhat green. How did I come by that ring, now? Anyhow, you wouldn't let me exchange it when i wanted to give you a diamond hoop; you said it was unlucky, and " "Oh, please " »be entreated. " And then," he continued mercilessly, ••not very long after, came the storm—>Oe storm—and I was horribly frightened. And how vou looked at me! I •hall never forget your look. I tried not to ahow I was afraid. I was horribly ashamed to be afraid of thunder Itornu, you know, Mrs. (Jlenister. Then I think you said 'Coward.' I remember exactly how you said. 'Coward,' but whether it was at the beginning of the row—l beg your pardon—disagree Bient, or the end I can't say. Anyhow, you said it superbly, and a more miserable, dejected, shrivelled up, shivering, seirdespising creature than I at that moment never dwelt on God's earth."

"It was—" the began again, but he raised hi* hand and stopped her. " Y'ou wouldn't listen to explanations; don't you remember? I tried to explain how, when I was a little chap, I had been ■hot np In an outhouse for punishment, ' and how a thunderstorm came on, and the barn had been struck while I was in it, and how ever since I could not overtome the horrible fear of lightning. All yon could say was that you could not marry a man who was afraid of anything—anything. Good lord! If such a nun exists, may he keep out of my path. And then came back my letters and a few little presents, and so on—but not, Mrs. Glenister—not the little turquoise ring." . Yolande got up with a flounce. "If this is aU you're goinj; to talk about. I'm going home." she said. " I don't see why you've raked it all up. You've been so nice all these three week-, ani you're spoiling it all—there!"

"Juit one moment, dear Mr-, (ilenister, and I've done. Tell me. now—give me yonr present definition of bravery.' She stooped to pick up her bat. - Why," she said, " doing brave thinfts, of coarse."

-Ob, I think that is not quite all. A man to be really brave must be a coward first." -How do you mean!" - The quality of the bravery of a man unconscious of danger must be very poor. That of a man who does a daring action, and is aware of the existence of danger, but is not afraid, is a good deal better—excellent, in fact; but the man ;who, recognising the existence of peril. 'is mortallv afraid and yet doe- the da' ing deed.'i- iH-yond all critiri-m. At that moment he ha- reached the pin nacle of heroism. Vet in the abstract tiich a man i- not infrequently called a

toward."' Yolande dug a hat-pin into her ha:. •• I didn't know you were clever.'" she said, slowly, fixing her big eyes on him. He laughed good-liumouredly. "Xor am I. Mrs. (Jlenister. And''—as he rose—'" I am still mortally afraid ef thunderstorms."

There are worse place, to -pen J. ha, if .in hour in than Victoria Station. Letlice Carlton thought -o a, -he sat on a nice, clean, new seat, in the nhv. clean, new extension, in a nice, dean new muslin frock, awl waited tor tin train that was to bring Yolande luck t" town. Although it was frankly autumn Vttiie —till wore muslin-. Slie hated winter clothe-, and took no intere-t in them whatever. Blue muslin with pink rose- was her pet fabric, and very pretty -he looked in it. for. with many flounce-, row- of insertion, myriaJ tucks, a fluffy boa. and a large lacy hat. her extreme thinness ami delicate pall-tr were le-s noticeable. You wanted to jc« up and examine Letticc very closely, jn-t a- von would a Dresden clii:i.i -hepberde'-s. Tli«s infinitc-im.il det.iileallitl for minute in-pection to bo full-. appreciated. Often -he would -av to Volamle. "How t|o vou like mv no blouse? I made it my-df." And V..lande. conscience-stricken at inl h.n ing noticed, would give tin- little arti.-lc undivided attention to find it a nia-s of the mo-t wnndrrful stjtchery in the world, and exinc-,- her admiration "I the patience that could evolve -nch • wonderful ennfecMon. Then Let (ice's ratl»-r large mouth would widen, an 1 her huge china Mue <-vi-s would dilate »>th pleasure. ' Little tb : nL'- pi <d tftlfce.

On the way up Yolande bail been thinking much of her friend. Letticos life was not an exceptionally enviable ••nc, and Yolaude's busy lirain had been making all -ort, of plans concerning tiegiri', future. An odd but fascinating idea had struck her ju,L a, thu trai., moved uut <>f ihe nation, when she said •'Adieu- to Caley. la niind ,h-j -aw tI H . brou/.e.1, llaniicl-ii.id man as she had ju-t >e, n hi,,, -landing smiling and rai-iug in- 1,,,t, in i„. iniumcd bv tile Vl-ion ~t a Ule-dcn -hepherde-'-looking eagerly to -net her at the. journey', end. Her vivid imagination -aw the -evenly miles and all they contained i including hrr-elf) swept awav, and tho-e two. by ,„„„. mysterious' force, brought lace to face, and the -mile, that were meant for her In-iii-. given to each other instead. It wis a laneiiul picture, but wonderfully a'llur"■g, and then the wild day-dream boa,, to a-ume a falsely praet.cal view, with he re-„ that by tl,„ , iul , ~,, , party where they two , ou |,, 1 „ 1( , et they were all in „il to'euh <".-r and ere Chatham wa, left hel.'in.l -be was wondering if U lti , 0 wolll|l , fc >*-st m white satin, taffeta-, or uinou U«?\ . ,' ' he laUor station - Kh " e there had ,„ e ,„„,, , (j «-nt off a penciled k-tter-card to Calcv o a,k 1„„, ,„ ~i n, wi „, ,„,,. iin [hc foj lowing W .sine-day. Y\i t |, ,i„. uslull "- to herself ~f AII -, llir in 1()Vt ;„ e v., -he had niendaeiou-ly said that in the hurry of leaving (they had had Wnty „„„„,«., t0 ~„„. at lbt t M '"V? '° *" k llh "' »"'"»Wh hat she hoped her friend, lattice Carlton of whom he would recollect she had spoken, would be present. And when she saw the porter, who, for a eharming smile and sixpence, had undertaken to post the letter, drop it in the station bo.x, sh e settled down to

" »»hy, 10, oiu girl, you do look well " v-as the china shepneruess s greeting it ";" d "»ivu, 'act tint instead o!'Unit". i.p..-v H-uaily assoi/ateu with real '* ■"'•|'''erde Mes , the living one was c 1"-" i" much excitement oi maun.-r «nd a general incoherence of utterance. Have , ou had a good time? isn't it horrid Mi-eves are going to be smaller. I V a ,UU,l >' blouse . tucks • lidownthe sertion on the cutTs-duny-got it at DuckV, & Drlke's--1-v - g > how ' ] the >mall, and it looks horrid. Oh' • am a selfish thing, always talkinV. »hou, mysi-.f. XoB , l„ di J J^»B ourself: Here', , enu^s jour luggage;' S|„. paused for •Uu dear little girl. 1 had a , ove , "«<•, hut 1 think you look very paethough you need a holiday. 1 nish ou had come down wh en 1 wrote 0 J

"It was sweet „f y ou . V„. but j anj tinug to wear.

"Wear! Kag, are too good for that St n7 ] V- * pot - *»"". «'-t abon "st'lonous creation?" She finthe blue muslin with the soft pink

Ihe last length they had left, I wore a av'i 0 , ,*" d ■ othe, ° Ut " ,len 1*« She looked up with ,neh an innocent air «« pnde and desire for ap P r~ Uwis n \ t Kf T T" aski "=

doe^hiL' i ? n 'p knott " ~o,v tte •" «■' uoca shake! I've -ecn hmu ..c - i in white serge." ' ° f peo ' ,lc "Serge versus muslin! Oh, Lettice"' Yolande always felt motherly when she Io preach. .\ o w, look here, can you »-.v you will you-eome Md ~a v(. °; »er w U h me on Wednesday? I „-.nt \\7J''y S3ia Mote > ol '™™> »mt w;zUv*' ,0 make ° ,, re ° f >•"- <<"■ When Lettice w a , a ,ked to -o anvwhereor,.o anything. it was'be '; ,- arable custom to agree with enthusi- ",„ not infrequently to In> ollowed by frantic notes ,„ apo^'* ..rer inability ,o keep her p'romil; On this rK-rasion, however, Volande was astonished to not e her c fln , pa „i on . s prc . occur., ion. and tin., it wis evidently ufter due consideration that she accepted the invitation. '

"Yes. I should love to come." she said, and then, after a pause, 'You'll oe alone, of course?'"'

Well, answered Yolande, "I'm no , quit,. Ml re. \ou remember, don't vou. that year- ago-K,h. long before I "ever knew Frnest (truest was Volande's late h»*band,-I used to know a man namJd Calev-Mordaunt Caley. Well, wasn't it odd .-I met him quite by accident down at Witehington. And i, is u'to possible that he may come. I hadn't seen him for—oh. quite six years " ••Yolande how curious. '\v| ult di( , you talk about? Do t,.|| lne! „„, r ni.v. if he's coming, I can't-I've nothing to wear."

" Rubbish! It's always the same oil cry with you. What on earth does it matter? You alway, look pretty, and 1 am sure you have heaps of thin-'s " "Well, I did make a blouse, but "tie. sleeves-oh, I told you. didn't 1' f might alter it," she added reflectively "Never mind about that. You'll com ■ anyhow won't yon? I want vou to meet Mr. Caley. He is really rather a dear. Quite a lion in his way. you know, lou beard aljout that fuss at Coomausie and the wonderful way lie behaved, didn't you? So brave! H c j 5 rather handsome, too. in a sombre wa ,• and rather well off. Well, good-t.vc' dear; run in again and we'll'go and look at the shops."

When Y'olande married Ernest Glenister she had been taken to a tall, gaunt Georgian hoo**, the rooms of which appeared tn exceed each other in their depth of gloom, culminating in the din-ing-room, which more resembled a family-vault than anything else, with the sideboard for the mau-oleiiui Consequently, when widowhood brou»ht freedom, she. in a reactionary spin* ridding herself of the place and"its contents and took a -.cry delightful flat in J bright red block overlooking Kensington Garden-. One large room did duty a- dining room, drawing-room, and den and the extreme co-ine-s and charm of it- decoration wa, a proverb anion" Yoniii'le'- irien.i-. c

Ulne. soft. -.!,i,,iv ( ., ini-tv was the pr.-.iii,in« ton,.. but copper. , M)l ., t wi , (l _ '<>-<■ |niik. gave warmth to the colour hliitiip. Pjnk tlowcr-. moreover, were iolande- pa-.-ion, and in their turn pink specimens oi anemone,, roses I these often), gladioli, tarnations, and chrysanthemums all appeared in her domain. For the little dinner-party upon which Yofande spent such store she had chosen the palest pink .Maimaisons, and when all was complete for the reception of her guest- the room looked the most inviting place in the world. In happv con-ra-l in th'j chill autumnal ha/e that I hiin- damply r.um.i tl„, ~,,1,!,.,, troo , ■■in-id.-. .1 dickering lire burnt checrilv in the -,,., t ,.. al „t ~,.. ln . iny ~ , lilllt .i, lr , light on poli-hcd tile- and'copper litfings. Clu-ter- of HuiTv pink shade-, that really looked as good to eat as the dainty lmubon* beside them, subdued the caudles' light, and r-jwrkliDjr silver and ,nmvv napery added no small share to the brightnc-s of the scene. Volande. f.iultle..|y eoifTured. trailed about in •. lil.o-k tea-fO»n of the simple hut cx-pen-ive order, endeavouring to look matronly, and intent oil playing the benign fairy godmother. .She 'had alreadv

«(<<|iiir<-il .< 'Hie- you, my children" -mile when f'alcy Km ii-heivd in. to !«• altno-t immediately followed liv little l<e(ti. e Carlton. The latter looked partietilarly rliiMlike in a simple. ,oft white silk frock fl.y no Wretch of im:i- | ginalinn ■■••■■ M it lie' called a "own). Her wealth ~f niou-e colmired hair was done rather carele~.lv on her neck. She wore 'oral- round her throat. "My two oldest friend-." -aid Yolande. Tome and In- properly intro'lncd. and then lef. feed." It wa. a i»-rrv little dinner. Yolande ;ni fiiley did mo-t of the talking for .hatl.-rbov a- -lie wa-. lattice wn« nn e»nver-ati..na!i-t. and frequently found her-.lf floundering or 1.c»„n.l the pale entirely. (':,!,-. ~. r ..ye,l hi:n-elf. in-lead "f 11 -Illtor.y Hiker of Witching!,,,,, I■• mi. f keen int. lie. i. ainii-in». opiI '.■r.iiiuic.'ie and njttv. j " levity." -aid Yolande. nowaday-,, ilie -onl ..I' u it -and it i- .piite refre-.li- ■ in-j t ■••• -..inobodv ul„, adhere- I ' :1,.- ..Id ~..!.,• of thin..,."

Tib-, alter a paitirularlv happy hit ..n Cal-v'- part. 'I hey -he felt L'uiltv toi having "it" him inonopoli-ed the. eonver-ation a; her little gu.-t'- ex-i.en-e. and tacttullv turned the -nbiect t.. tic !.lte-t lllli-ie.,l e e,!v. l.ejtio bri-hteiied at 0n..-. Had Yolande noti.e.l Hie die- Mi-- To..- Tiekllir.is

ha» worn ill the third act. She, Lettice, 1 was going to iuukc one exactly like it. 1 It was characteristic of Lettice that she | alway» copied ami never created. \o- ■ lande stilled a sigh. \\ lu-u would Lettiee strike out on her own? Sue was getting just a ;ii lk . tired 0 1 this cleniai j imitating. It was rather exasperating, too. when it came near home, lor nuuiv a time had she seen round blue eyes fixed intently on hat, blouse, or gown, ! with the result that a replica would appear shortly on her friend's diminutive lorm. Ihe arrangement of her room her furniture even, had been faithfullv louied, and she felt that even if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery a ittle wholesome disapproval would not lie unwelcome. Anxious that Lettice should not mar the good impression which Yolande was Mire her wmsomeness and daintiness wore bound to make on Calev, by a display of inanity, she again racked her brains for a subject palatable to both to hnd, alter a promsiing opening, herself and Mordaimt again engaged in .1 spirited tete-a-tete. How stupid she was not to have asked another man! And then, curiously enough, she imagined the other man—something fair and monoeled, perhaps—the partner of lattice, and she herself free to enjoy the undivided attention of Calev.

Dinner was protracted beyond the usual length, and later Lettice played delightfully snatches of waltzes and popular airs. She had a quick and accurate ear, and played well from memory, faley was obviously pleased. Yo hi tide told herself feverishly that she was so glad that at last he seemed really interested in the girl, and urged her again and again to continue. At last lattice stood up and looked at the clock. "I must go and put on my hat at once " she said breathlessly. •• I'd no idea it was so late. Don't you come, Yo I can easily go by myself." "My dear girl, what is the hurry? Harris will g0 home with you as usual, and your mother won't expect you yet It is bai-ely ten o'clock."

I must go," repeated Let tiee, and hy many facial contortions endeavoured to convey to Yolande that there were definite if crytic reasons. Yolande mystified, followed he r out. '-Why on earth this sudden excitement to be oir»" she said. U-ttice grasjied her arm and dragged her into the bedroom. Her luminous eye, were sparkling: "Come in quickly. Now at last I can tell you. that stupid man came here before'me, and I wanted to see you alone. I nm engaged." The great announcement was made with a -Now, what do vou sav," look. Yolande's mouth dropped. She. could only say "Oh!"

"It only happened on Sunady." rattled on the newlv-made fiancee "I'd [ have told you before-I've known him for ages—and lie's coming for ine at a quarter past ten—you don't mind do you, dearest? He is such a dear (have I got too much powder on my nose'') hut we aren't going to be married for years. He is frightfully poor." She paused for breath. "It is Frank Flcombe, you know."

When Volande had crushed her surprise, she behaved as all women do in such circumstances— sandwiched congratulations, hopes, wishes, and endearments lietween thick layers of kisses. The impression left on Volande's mind after seeing her friend off at the flat door was that of a white, elated, fluffy figure being carried off by a hi»hlynervous and rather criminal-lookine young man, perfectly groomed and obviously in love. As their footsteps died away she caught a faint echo of the word "House." She smiled and closed the door.

When ,hc returned to the sittingroom Caley was standing by the fireplace lighting a fresh cigar.' She won dered vaguely if he were going, and flung herself down into a luxurious chair. He broke the silence.

"Well, i s the weight of years bc.rj„. ning to tell?" he said. She shook her head. He puffed, quietly, and resumed meditatively: "It is a curious fact that a woman does not like to lie thought ahead of her age, and yet there is nothing she dislikes more than to lie behind the times."

Yolande kicked the hearthrug. ''Don't be epigrammatic." she said. "How stupid everything is," she added, inconsequently. He did not answer, but walked over to the door and satislied himself that it was securely closed; then he returned and drew a low chair close to her side. She watched him with interest, but did not feci great suspense. She knew she ought to tell him that h:' must not stay, but she felt a delicious thrill of delight in the fact that she certainly did not want him to go. He looked very handsome in dress clothes, and she decided that it would be criminal for a man with such a mouth and chin to be anvthin- but clean-shaven. He sat down, stretched out his feet towards the fire comfortably, put one hand in his trousers pocket and puffed at !,is cigar contemplatively. '

"I've seen it," he said, gazing up at the mantelpiece. Yolande drew a breath. "Seen what?" she said. " It," he repeated. "I haven't the-fanitest* notion what you mean."

There was a further silence. " I don't think it is so very discoloured after all, but it seems rather bent." Then Yolande laughed. She lifted up her right hand. A little shabby, oldfashioned turquoise ring was its only adornment.

"Yes. she said. "I kept it—poor little ring. I thought I'd like vou to know that there is no ill-feelin"" leisurely he shifted his position. " 1 should like to see it closer—may I? He took her hand. Then he took possession of the other, on which there still gleamed the plain gold circle. "Yolande." he queried, and his eyes twinkled. "Do you call me a brii.-e man or a coward?" " I—l don't know."'

"Xor do I, but 1 am going to do a thing now that will tax all my courage. It's a sporting chance." Slowly lie drew off the wedding ring and reverently laid it down. The shabby little turquoise reigned in its stead." "Well?" he said. But Y'olande only smiled and tried to hide her face. "I'm still afraid of thunderstorms,' 1 he said, addiii". '-and just a little bit afraid of yon. too." Volande's head drooped.

" F think I rather like cowards." sh; •said. Mniling. Then they Loth laughed.