FOR WOMEN FOLK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 11 February 1915, Page 6

FOR WOMEN FOLK.

" BY EILEEN."

" Eileen " will be glad to receive items of interest and / value to women for publication or reference in this column.

DIANAS DESTINY. (By Hollo K. .famieson in The Young CIIAI'TKIt I. When tile littln typist entered the A.B.C. shop at luncheon lime ihat. particular day, she was r niliiifr so re'iantly that a casual observer might ha ve surmised tlmt an unusual pii-cc »f iroofl fcrtui;o ha<l overtaken Iht She llii' r.icini can[ more critically ilii';} u •.!>]. Jiuallv, in addition to !nr i;nat ]i \ and a cu-j of tea, ordered •\ cf nhr"?, F?r. tlru'/h tJir . t_. , I;.. .~l into a fortune*, i xiJ'i.'Mili'tl ixlr.ivaif/n'sV in the i.- r i.c right at first have . .-(ill. '-el ;..it mi hour r.g.; bvil |-n)in!::;'il a rise i u lier salary, au<f that, to, a |,fnr. little scantily pa!d* t.iilcr in (he fity mear..; just about as much. "I'il be able to buy Oannie a pair of i|iii!ted slippers. and V/.n that doll she lias 1; < a erecting so long," she muse.l. still sriiiing. "'l'll,-a a Christmas cake we n.r. -.t h.iie a real Christinas cake this year in ho:irr of 'he day. Oil! hc\r liaj;py I an,! 1 don't b'.'Vrve anyon • "•.(!' fell so utterly ridiculously happy. What a pence! !y lovely time this particsi'iir year i; going to be/'

quite normal proportions when regard ed from such an elevated standpoint as this. "Why, it's good of your care," he said gratefully. And tl'ieii, Diana, realising the flight of time, the restrictions of the luncheon hour, rose and said that she must 1> going. After their mutual confidence-, tlicy parted almost regretfully, an.l >',uite as old friends. And neither guess ed that that first meeting was by no manner of means to be their last. Lik< "ships in the night." they had passed-. liut even a parting do' i not always spell eternal separation, and cniiimj nu:rnin? ever ho'ds the hope of fu'.nra re union.

CHAPTER 11. For they met again, and, strangely enough, or perhaps naturally enough, it was at, the same little marble-topped table in the friendly A.B.C. shop Duma went there hi cause, when it was unoccupied, she was always in the habit of going there, and as lor Harry Yeslerton—'will, Harry Ycstcrlai's motive:; v. ere not far to e-e!:. Diana had lew there yesterday, tha'.f'Vo, Dim- ir.ighi be there to-day, argued .yr.iu, logixlly this particular young man. lie woti'fl r.ct wiWngly forego the ehar.ej of jncst-

She (njoyed her plums in Icisr.rely fashion,>.,> engros? ■! .in hj: r own thoughts that sli- hardly as much a< noticed her vis-a-vis at the little inari)'-. toppid tab'e: for the hour was a busy one. and every available seat was taken uii. When the fruit was finished. »!i? counted her stones, as she and her schooigirl companions had been wont to do in their earlier days, in order to discover th" probable time of their individual marriage settlement. "This year—next year—some timenever. This year— year. How nie; of them to have given me just six plums 'Xext year' is so very much more satis, tery and definite than the 'some tine /lii'.oii just another stone would havi meant."

•;.g Diar.r. r.gain. "Why! how s'.range that we should erci.anter a second time." Diana said, innocently, and llarr.y agreed that il was strange, too. After which they fell, quite naturally, into talk of their own individual concerns. Diana told him all about Grann'., and Km, and r.f the Christmas presents she was going to buy for Orannie and Kin. Harry had an old nurse down in the country, whom he always renumbered at this particular time, and he wanted Diana to advise him. Then, at his suggestion, they both 11 ilt red plums, and both counted the stones quite gravely, only to discover that the number was six again, just as it had been upon the preceding dav. "Everyone who frequents this A.B.C. shop must be going to be married next year." said Diana, half petulantly, at which they both laughed; Diana because she really could not help it, Harry because he had discovered that though "everyone else" might, be going to be married then too, that i" ' not prevent the dates of his own a:;,: probable wedding coinciding. That was the very satisfactory way in which this coinciding young man'looked at it anyway.

Diana Benson did not say all this, but she thought it; and when, looking up, she met the glance of another pai: of interested and amused eyes, she wai not at all offended, but smiled too. But. she did not speak; would not. indeed- have spoken; fcr even in A.H.C. shops les convenances must be observed. and the, young man opposite was quite a stranger to. her. had not her muff just then fallen to the ground, arid he stooped to pick it up. Then thank you," said Diana, and "Not at all," rejoined he, and so the ice was broken The,, the young man, who had nallv no right at all prolong the conversation, observed that it would have been a pity if she had lost it, because the dav was very cold; and Dhina agreed that it was. Encouraged so far, he nodded a trille difhdentlv in the direction of the plum stones.

They mot at tile A.8.0. shop more than once after that i n the ensuing week, for. after all, all Diana told herself ouilo sensibly, she was not going to absent herself from her favor,to ten- shop merely because an uninvited voung 111.111 chose to frequent it too. One luncheon time when they encountered, she was in an even payer mood than ever. She was to have the afternoon oft', and meant to devote it to Christinas shopping. Only, first of all she had a message to undertake on the firm's behalf. Sim was a little timorous about the errand, for General Hadleigh, whom she had seen at the office sometimes, was rather an irascible old gentleman. Diana wished that they had commissioned anyone else but herself to go. "Some papers he is in a hurry for, and he wished thein to be. sent by sp..?ial messenger. I am to deliver them into his bands myself; so I can't avoid seeing him. He is so lonely, too, poor old man. that perhaps he can't help being a little irritable at times, all alone by himself in that great, dreary house." Harry Yesterton had laid down his knife and fork, and was looking at b "r a little strangely. Diana thought. His voice had an unmistakable tremor in it as he spoke. "Poor old chap—and yet that isn't a very respectful way to speak of my grandfather, is it?—l often think of him. For lie is my grandfather: didn't I ever mention his name'; Queer that you of all people should be sent to him, and vet I'm glad of it, too. I'd like just to hear how the old man looks. Not that I expect him to feel my absence very keenly, when it. was by his own will he sent me from his door." Diana dimpled with sudden pleasure. "Oil! how glad I am that I shull be able to tell you. And doesn't it show how small the world is tlmt I should chance to wake the acquaintance of both

"I'm glad they turned out just like that. When we were . youngsters, mv sisters used to think it such beasll: luck if tliev got four or eight. They're both married now, so the prophecies don't much signify; though they did pretty badly at the time " Diana tilted her small chin in rather a superior fashion.

"T was only putting oft time, and hardlv thought what T was doi-r;: though of course we used to often play it as children. 'Tt would certainly he rather a silly game for anyone grown int. anil T don't wonder that vou felt a litt!.' inclined to laugh at. me " "But indeed T .didn't." he protested easrrlv. "Tt was only that it seemed to bring hack the thought of home, don't you know; and when one hns lieen lonelv so long. even that helps. That, and your face: though I hope you don't mind me sayinc so. T couldn't help wondering whv you looked so happy- It was like a little hit of Christmas: no, I think instead. it was of summer sunshine, just to watch you." What a vi-rv strange young man hj" was! 'Net, there was something hencst 'n the dark eves which met hers so fearlessly. "If I looked happv, it was because T really was happy, T suppose. Perhaps you don't know what it means to get a rise in your salary especially wkh Christmas time coming on, and so much you want to buv."

He smiled in his turn: though a trifle ruefully. "I ean't say I do know much about the salary-rising business yet; though T wish I did. I could do with a bit of that sort of thing myself; though my employers do not seem to see it in that light. If I only dared. I'd quit it all, and take to scribbling in good earnest. I was never cut out for office work, worse luck; and I can't help jibbing against it. when T m excited enough to fancy that, allowed the time. T might accomplish something so much better." Diana s eves suddenly shone.

grandson and grandfather in one short week? But. I'll* not half so afraid now. Knowing that he is vour grandfather will make? all the difference." In what precise way it was to makr all the difference this soinowlmt incautious young woman did not distinctly state; but I think that perhaps Ilarrv Yestcrton knew, and that Harry Yesterton. lieing merely a human young man. was rather flattered than otherwise at so candid a„ admission. He walked by Diana's side to the Tube station, at which she was to entrain for (leneral Hadleigh's house at B.ivswater. and his glance was a little wistful as he bade her farewell.

( "Then you write':"'she said, eagerly. "Oli.i T know just how it feels, cooped up like a bird in a cage, and no chance of escape, ever—ever. All the beautv of tile world cufside. and one's youth passing. .that beautiful. bcairii'fii] vmith which can never come back a.'iain. ' Ever since I've been quite little. T have bad a dream of ;i eotta:*.. in the cnunfrv that I d have, if ever T grew rich enough. I'd go i„ f„ r f rll ; t ail(] flmvi , r growing girls sometimes do. vou know and firannie and mv little 'sister Km would be there to keep me company, lint here am T chatting awav about mv o\v n concerns when, instead. T want to hear about yours. TYe alwavs wanted to meet, a writer more than anvone else 'Mi earth."

"I'd give a good deal to be coining with you. l'oor old ("Iran, he'll never know how T felt the parting. He'd always In en so gooil (o me, and now to think of him so lonely—" It was of the lonely old man Diana too was thinking, as. a little later, she stood at the head of the broad flight of steps, and rung the General's bell. The master was at home, the elderly servant informed her. and would see her at. once. Would she please ste[i into the library? Tile (leuer-il himself was in the library. and rose to meet, her as she entered. He was a still handsome old man, with keen blip- t yes, and a soldierly appearance. He motioned Diana to a chair, and ran his eve over (lie papers she handed him. Presently he turned to her. "T am obliged to you for your courtesy in bringing those yourself. And now, may 1 ofl'er you a cup of tea. Though 1 am an old soldier. 1 must plead guilty to a weakness for that feminine beverage. amV mv servant has just brought mine in. 1 shall he .glad if you will join me." Diana was about to refuse, for the thought of a solitary tete-a-tete with this grizzled warrior -..as somewhat alarming, when, like a Hash, the thought occurred to her that, perhaps bv so 'remaining she might in some war help

Her unconscious flatten' pli-as.nl hinv ill",mil lie flushed a lid!,, as he "iihjwt nearest I,is 1,,-art. A play scribbler. rather than a Writer, is what. must would term "I'', An.l it pla v scribbler who has '" v. ," In"! am- of bis piavs a( . C( , pto(l is . tlK'.v wonl.l tell V,,„. beneath their contempt-, and almost their nit v. Tt's 1 '!, !" v , if <"><■ mifrht'eall it so. tins hanker,,,;; writ,. Mv fa 11.,.)' "as an actor, and after ,nv 'mother's marriair,. l".r father never foraave W. riil I- both , |,.,1 early. ami niv I : r lir.mfrlil me up ami me. lie was a strict, puritanical «,1,1 man I'll.] when lie (lisoovciv.l in what direction my < (inii'difs were tending l,e t lii'eat ene.l to disinherit me unless T fell in with Ins wishes. |i„t. j„ () f ~]] I silicic i„ me wiit'im. with this refill.' Ml . v grandfather's ~ame has von f„ r _th.. sit,niti,,n which T now hold, and }ilVtll)|f C'(l!lS(<|«T tortuiiate eno.i.J, („ J.avc obtained." Oil! r,n sorrv." said little Diana: all. tji.Te wa> not much to be sorrv about either. (Inlv tlint, this limn had been valorous en 0,,,.], t „ turn his back on all the of fi„. worlds and the ylorv thereof, for !'l,"]|.--e of those and distant ,:n u,i;aiiis." !,«,!.,« which „"i,e may ever foi-ct. To Diana at (h it moment ' Veil lx-r lonjr cherished dream "I t ie little counter cottnire with its overflowing fniil orchard. seemed a vcrv poor and paltry one: oven Ili,- rise of -:»hirv which so shorlly ai!o had „f ti'f greatest possible niomvnt, assuiwl

Tlarry. llow this was to be aecomplishcil she rould hardly have explained: Imt at least tlif attempt was worth the making. So she thanked the old man in her pretty wav. and. at his siurirestion, undertook the charge of the'tuns and little teapot. V I C \

I ' I . CHAPTER )}lt "Not hut what T'm poor enoir.d) corii;;any tor a chainiiim' /ouni; hidv," said (lie (,'eaeral. who would llcvcrlhclc<s have hee n ewedinsly chagrined had anyone else accepted his at, his own valuation; "and nothinjr to ollVr you in the way of younff soeietw Not so Ion" :l ."o things were dill'erent; hut there,''' a half moody shadow fell across his face. ' "I don't wish to speak of that. Some J

mistakes are best forgotten; though, mind you, I haven't yet admitted that it was a mistake." Then Diana took her courage i n both hands. She looked up vigorously above the little silver teapot. "But this is the best of mistakesthat we have always a chance to right them again, haven't woV It's so diiii u.t to judge at the moment, and somer.ies one does things in a hurry, aiei ;e;; repents. I have done it myself, often. Hut then it's lovely to set tilings rirrht again, that it almost makes up for all," Tlie (ieneral move d a trifle irritably in his chair. "Yes, young lady; I daresay say that'" all very well in the abstract; but it's impossible for von to judge for me, or vice versa. I'm a hot-headed old fool, no doubt—isn't that what you have been trying to tell me?—but in this instance I had a provocaton. undoubted provocation. And it takes two to make a quarrel; though T won't altogether allow that this was a quarrel. So when the, second party has gone oil' like a knotless 1 bread. leaving no address, things become a bit involved; don't you see'!" "Oil! hut T'm sure he never meant —l'm sure he never thought," said Diana. and then felt that she was getting into exceedingly deep water. But it i' vain to close the stable door when the steed has been stolen. The General v,l)e.'hd abruptly round. "Who didn't mean? Who never thought." he demanded almost fiercely. "What's this you've got up your sleeve, eh, girl. If ycu know that young scapegrace of a grandson of mine, Harry YcsUri,on. r.rd he has sent you here to ;;>ad his catttf, <.lit with it. do you I .' I'll have no underhand shuffling behind backs whore he is concerned." Diana nearly upset the little silver teapot iu her fright. It is certain anyway illr.L !,l;e poured the greater part :<f i'.s contents into the sugar basin. Cut this girl was r.o coward, and was ready to do battle on her friend's be- ' her cwn.

"Yes, I kv.;,\7 touv grandson Harry Yesfirion; I.;;£ it was not h:> who sent me h- re. Don't imagine that for a moment. It was on'y because I was so serry for him —yes, for you both," added Diana, getting out the words with lather a nervous little rush—"that T •euldn't help speaking of him just now. He'd lie terriblv angry if he knew what I was doing; though ho said he wished lie was coming with me when I came away—that you'd never know either how much he felt the parting; you, who had c.lvays been so good to him." The anger died slowly out of the old man's eyes. He gripped the arms of his chair.

"80 he said that, the lad—well, I might lisive guessed it. of Harry; he ivas his mother's so u all over. I never forgave her, and yet they told me that she died with my name on her lips: my litth' Alice, who. until one great act of disobedience,, ha 4 never known a liars'i word from me. And the bov's like her: it was that that drew me to Harry first of all when lie came to me an orphan lad. But he's got a brave little champion," he held out his hand to her. "T admire pluck when I see it; though I mayn't always approve." "Then you aren't angry with iw? !)h! I've been so afraid that you would he pngry." little Diana said. "For Harry—Mr Yesterton, I mean —doesn't know and I couldn't bear to harm his cause. It's only that it's Christmas time, and it seems so hard for anyone to be alone then. I know I shouldn't have interfered. and that you have every right to lie just as cross with me as you like." "Yes, he's lonely—Alice's boy," the old man said slowly, and his voice trembled i„ spite of himself, for strangely enough, to-day had been Alice's birthday—lii;> (Jarliiife- little Alice. It had always been his wish to plan some surprise in the way of a gift for that particular day. Ah! how long ago is seemed now. And now Alice was gone; but wherever she was. however she was. there was one last birthday gift lie could still give her. Could lie bend his stubbor n pride, and "rant that which her gentle spirit would have craved above all, forgiveness for her only son this coining Christmas Day?" "Fetch me pen and paper child," lie said, brokenly. And then for the next few moment there was silence in the great book-lined room, unbroken save by the faint scratching of the old mail's pen. Hie soft purr of the ashes as they fell from the glowing fire. When at last ii'. glanced up at her, there was a softened look in the usually keen blue eyes. .'lt is Christmas time, as yon sav, little one: and I am sending Harry his mother's birthday gift. If I know the lad's heart aright, if. Ts the old man's forgiveness which will please him best. Will you carry my message for ine, as you. who have interceded for him, have the best right to do? If things turn out as I hope, child, you will have won an old man's blessing, may be a young man's too." The girl's eyes shone with grateful tears.

t; - "You have given me the best of gifts, ■ . too. 1 think,'' she Avhispercd very low. r i "Von have made me so liappv, so very, very happy." ' 1 So Harry "\ esterton got his grand- - father's letter bearing his forgiveness, and that from no less a hand than that " of Miss Diana Benson, when next he - met her at the A.B.C. shop. Harry, as ? it so chanced, was brimful of news] too "Such a slice of good luck. You'll 1 never guess. My play has been acceptt ed, and now this letter from firan. I Tt seems as though all the good things of the world are tumbling together oil r the top of me. Why, I shouldn't wonder," he smiled joyously across to her. -' "if we mightn't run to the luxury of r the country cottage and the fruit or- ■ chard yet." » "lint the country collage and the fruit orchard were my special dream; ' you forget, that." Diana reminded him. ' And then she hlnshcd. For had not Hatr ry said "we," that dear, delightful pro- ' noun which embraces so much; and if - Harry's dream had grown to be sudr denly synonymous with her own. . . 1 Diana blushed again, but verv happily this time. ■ ii . lint later—not so verv much later ' either in the course of events, for Christ- ' mas Day had only come and gone— Harry explained matters more fully to 1 her. And it, was then that, Diana'discovered that in future she wanted nothing quite so much that TTarrv's dream should be hers, just as hers should be ' his. The cottage seh.-mc was to have ' its fulfilment, too. Harry felt that he • could write his plays nowhere so well :is i :l the country, anil if Diana chose to have a plum orchard. . . "For, after all, the stones spoke truly, and 'next year' is not f»o very far iiwiiv. That particular plum prophecy is to hav» its I'ul 111 men t, sweetheart; just as is your dream, and mine as well." Diana smiled radiantly up at him. '•T shall always just love plums," whispered she.