Coles and Sketches.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1043, 8 April 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

Coles and Sketches.

A TRYING ALTERNATIVE, , B. H. Btrrrotf. • -

Beryl is just twenty-one., She is tall and graceful; fair as a lily, andas:beautiful, She is tho only child of the lato Sir Gerard Blythe, of Boscobel Towers, Torquay; an orphan and an heiress,! : Last year she laid her woll-worn mourning aside; this year she is enjoying the London season con amore. ■ Sho is living in Grovesnor Bquaro with her grandmother, the DowagerCountess of Dangcrfield,' Her constant companion and quasi, chaperon is beautiful Mrs. Glynn Loigh, an attractive young widow, , and Miss Blythe'afirjtcousin, Beryl has her own horse, to ride, and she %ivc3 a paii' of "swoet goers" in herpark- . phaeton. I Miss Blytho was presented at tho commencement of the season, into the delights of which, Bhe enters with the natural buoyancy of her y'onth, arid with a subtle appreciation of the humorous sido of the trouble and turmoil of "society," which adds considerably to her enjoyment, Though of the; fashionable crowd herself, Beryl has fow sympathies with its avowed opinions, and its covert aims. Sho had been her dear father's favorite and constant companion in the old happy days at Torquay, where they had lived so content- 1 cdly together, : This: close companionship with a master mind may account for Beryl's very decided opinions on certain 'points, and thosurprisingly unfeminineconsistency of her words and actions." Logical sequence of conduct is startling in any woman; in an acknowledged beauty, whose role is caprice, itis fairly amazing.; But Beryl has many points of divergence from the standard girl of the period. Conspicuous among these is her inveterate dislike to tobacco smoke; [The late Sir'Gerard abhorred it,] Would-bo husbands are, of courso, numerous, and so are the offers, formal or confideqtial, of oligiblo or non-eligible wooers, Monaro deoidedly .not wanting in appreciation of Miss Blythe's merits, not bashful on tho scoroof,their own. Beryl enjoys her independence far too much to risk it. lightly; and the notion of being "chained for life "(these aro her own contemptuous expressions) "to one of fchoso uninterosting, empty-headed perambulating chimnoypots," whom she meets in daily intercourse, presents no temptation to her. As Beryl somewhat ostentatiously sets tho opinions of society at defiance, society revenues itself by saving many harsh and unjustifiable, thiug3 of one who holds so lofty a position in the throng, and yot chooses to isolate herself from it. Mrs, Glynn Leigh deplores her fair cousin's eccentricities, She soon perceives, however, that they serve as a foil to her own more gentle characteristics, and so contents herself with mild depreciations in Beryl's ahsenco. • . ■ On the whole, matters go smoothly enough for Beryl, until the young Earl of St. Aubyn proposes to her and is rejected. Then a stonn of protests and indignation arises among tho friends of both' parties. Why should thin young lady give herself such airs ? Sho was said to object to St.< Aubyn's habits, and yet thoso were harmless enough. He smoked a' great deal, and drank moro than was good for him; but who would mind such venial errors on the part of one of the .wealthiest peers in the kingdom?- • : ... But Beryl refused to "listen to reason," and was consequently voted a wilful capricious coquette. "Ah, my poor darling, pride is bound to liavo a fall I" says Mrs. Loigh, kissing Beryl's soft cheek, and feeling inclined to bite her, The widow had set her pretty cap at tho Earl, and hated her cousin for interfcring, , The Dowager-Countess herself is appealed to on this accasiou, but absolutely declines to use her influence, " If you c,\n do nothing with your cousin, my dear Ada," says her ladyship, "lain quite as powerless, believe me, Beryl has her father's spirit; if she were mora like Iter poor mother, I might be-able to persuade her; as it is, she must go her own way," _ Thp young Earl, who is balked for tho first time in his lifo, makes a terrible grievance of Boryl's cruel rojeotion, and beseeches gracious Mrs. Leigh to intercedo for him, She is anxious to retain some hold on the wealthy peor, and she constitutes herself a mediatrix; but appeal and argument aro thrown away on resolute Miss Blythe. "I do not like tho Earl," says this peculiar young lady, "He is but a boy, aud I hate boys; ho is vain and foolish, and-he is always smoking. Eachoncof these objections justifies my refusal; tho number of them strengthens my case, If you'pity him so much, Ada, why not console him by marryinghim yourself." "Oli, you are cruel, cruel!" cries Ada, with a sob j and then she glides down to the drawing room,.where the disconsolate Earl awaits the verdict and—the handsome widow. It is at this time that Beryl and her cousin receive an, invitation to spend three days at tho house of Lady Majoribanks, who, as all the world knows, owns a romantic villa on tho banks of the Thames, To invite Lady Dangerfield is, of course, a mere matter of form; but the form is duly observed, and the dowager deputes her "young ladies" to go in her stead. Tho Saturday and Snndaypass quietly and uneventfully. Tho hostess is charming, tho house delightful, and the town-weary guests find tho rest and peace of the country restorative and pleasant. Tho gala-day of their visit is to be tho third and last. For Monday a river picnic has been organised, and a large lumber of guests are coming down from town.

Among these is Captain Horace Coolspnr, who has just returned from India, where lie has served foi- many years. He is a bachelor, and was but an impecunious soldier when tho eccentric old lady died who left him solo heir to a property worth twenty thousand a year. The lady was his cousin, aud a very old maid; but Horace, when still a boy, had diverted the attention of an angry bull from the lady's scarlet shawl-had, as she put it "saved her life." She loved her youthful relative. She was very grateful to hiin, and her will clearly proved tho value alio set upon her life and his service. Horace is a fine fellow, tall, well set up and active, He is not in the first flush of youth, but he must still bo far from the debatable ground of middle age,, though his hair is actually white; but there is plenty of it, and no amount of brushing will repress its natural wave. His. heavy moustache is also white, but tho brilliance of his dark eyes suggests vivacity of 'temperament, and the suppleness of his litho figure is decidedly youthful still. He is somewhat of a cynic, and has soant faith in women; few men have any who have lived long in India, He is by no moans impressionable, and yet-mimbile dictu-ho falls head over ears, irretrievably, in lovo with Beryl on the oocasion of their first meeting, on which, it seems, even the fates smile benevolently. Perhaps it is the combination of love and war, which makes all fair, that propitiates the grim sisterhood, Beryl, for Jier part, is also deeply inforested in tho cool, handsome, distinguishedRooking soldier. Here, indeed, is a man after her own heart, no mere boy this—no silly, titled, empty-headed noodle, He has served his country; he has travelled;,lie has no potty vices surely; she has not seen hiin smoke. As she has never followed him.into tho billia'rd or firookiugrooni; this result is Jbut natural, Ada Leigh, who is ever on tho watch, and ; who, for the time being, is deprived of the |

pleasure ; if consoling ail carl, thinks she: might now console herself instead by attract-ing-Captain Coolspur, . who, without tho slightest attempt' to do so, fascinates tho women that como in contact with him, Ho is a most desirableof courso; and, as soon asliii advent'is known in society, : maids and their mothers, enterprising widows, and still moro deaperato spinsters, with'oho accord combine to worship him, They make little secret' of their professions; but lieryl, ; who probably feels far more deeply than the rest, beoauso her heart'is touched; .contrives to appear discreetly indifferent to tho very evident homago of the stranger, ■ .Thanks to his military disoiplino : and long-sighted tactics, ho compasses his great:desire, and manages to meet tho beauty at least twice in every four-and-twenty hours. Tho fact is speedily noted and universally commented on, •

"Itis a case!" say the indifferent 01103, . '' The shamlcss creature, sotting her cap at a millionaire in that barefaced way! Why can't she' leave him for others ? Sho surely has as much money as she wants for herself I" Such isjtho exaggerated outcry .of those who consider themselves personally aggrieved, Mrs, Glynn Leigh says nothing,. She probably thinks the more, : "Congratulate you, Horace,"says Major Darrell, an intimate friend of the captain's, "She is a beauty, and as good as she looks, I hear; jbut she has her' peculiarities, . I suppose yOu know that sheabhors smoko, and 1 refused! St, Aubyn because ho would not knock jtho tobacco off. Bad look-out for you, isn't it? What,about the ten cheroots per diem,'eh, old man?" ; "We'll see about all that," says Horace, with a tlubious smile on the lipsso discreetly, hiddenjby that wonderful moustache. " The prize has to be won first; the rest will follow in duo ioursej no doubt;" •-r " That night Horace meets Beryl at a great ball, gijven by a distinguished ambassador at his official residence. All the world, in its high aild exclusive sense, is there present. "I jvill tako this,"says Horace, quietly possessing himself of Miss Blytho's programme, and without the slightest hesitation plaoingunmistakable initialsin neatly-printed characters opposite the six waltzes allotted to the dancers in the course of the evening. Beryl smiles, shakes her head, tries to remonsti'ate, fails, and feels her heart throb in a tnmvllt of unparalleled delight, "Hi loves me, and he means the world to know jit," is the happy conviction; which flushed her soft cheek, and makes her loving eyes t4 shino with a new and tender light. "You are so charming a partner, Beryl," says they are resting in a cool, dimlyJlighted .'conservatory,after, the third waltz,; "so charming a partner, that I want you tp consent to danco through life with me, you will, won't you ? We shall get on splendidly together. We are born for one another. You have taught me what real love means, that I will swear to you upon my honor. You are the first woman I have ever met for whom I would willingly, gladly, givo ;up the glorious independence of a bachelor." The Captain for once loses his sangfroid, and waxes emotional, almost pathetic. " Can and will you do as much for inc?"!ho asks, and then ho laughs aloud at the absurdity of his question. But the laugh is.forced, and he really feels too deeply to affect, further carelessness. "Beryl, I lovo you with all my heart! Will you love me a little and bo my wife, darling ?" Only the belated flowers that havo kept their [inquisitive eyes open behold tho seal; with which the bond betweon the lovers is ratified,' Next morning Captain Coolspur presents himself in Grosvonor square, where the Dowager-Countess receives him and his proposal with much cordiality. Beryl's waywardness has begun to trouble the kind, hearted old lady, and she blesses the man who is ready to relieve her of all further responsibility in the matter of her unworldly resolute grandchild. Captain Coolspur's family is of the best, and their poverty is atoned for by his great inheritance, Formal preliminaries thus satisfactorily arranged, the betrothed couple retire to the library for their acknowledged tete-a-tete. But while Captain Coolspur was closeted with the Countess, Mrs. Glynn Leigh had spoken her mind to her infatuated cousin. "This engagement is preposterous,"said tho irate widow, "Coolspur is old enough to be your father, and is a confirmed bachelor in his habits. He smokes from morning until night, and he confided to me only yesterday that he cannot get on without his snuff box. When a man arrives at his time of life, he requires a wife who understands the selfish sex, and can mako allowances for their weakness, This you will never do." " Wo shall sec," says Beryl, laughing, and she hastens away in response to her grandmother's summons, Mrs. Leigh's startling remarks have made but little impression on the happy girl, '' Ada is cross and jealous," is her hasty .conclusion; and five minutes later she is seated by her lover's side, and has forgotten all but tlio fact of their love for one another. But presently her cousin's words reeur to her, for Horace, in a low constrained voice says, "Beryl, I ought to havo told you before, certainly I must confess to you now, that I have two very bad habits, I will promise to give tip ono for your dear sake; but life would not seem worth living if you deprived me of tobacco altogether."

"Tobacco?" cries Beryl, aghast, "Yes, darling," says Horace gloomily. " I am bound to acknowledge my weakness] but I have resolved to make a sacrifice for

your dear sake, It will.go hard with me

but I have determined on this concession, You shall decide whether I am to give up this'' (he produces his cigar-case) "or snuff. Remember, dear, that in yielding cither I pay you the greatest complimont, for it will be a sacrifice,'

He speaks humbly, deferentially. He looks into lw eyes with such loving pleading in his that her horror is merged in a kind of compassion. " You smoke—and you take snuff?" she says, with a pretty mono of disgust and incredulity. . "It seems impossible." "I hate myself for my weakness," says hqj "butlong habit has mado tobacco as necessary to me as the air I breathe. Still I promise to give up half my delight for you, Which shall it bo? He is about to produce the cigar-case again. "0, don't!" says Beryl, hastily, "Of course you must novcr take snuff again. You need scarcely have asked me," She is muoh troubled. This beau ideal, this hero of hers, that lie should so far demean himself 1 He folds her in his arms, he kisses her cheeks, her eyes, her lips, and murmurs the sweetest words the whilo.

" I am glad to make some sacrifice for your precious sake,"ho says; "ami who knows but you will euro me of all my bad habits, once you are my constant companion ?" "Indeed I will try," she says earnestly, Her cousin told her that men were all selfish, Horace is certainly au exception to the rule. .He has volunteered to make a sacrifice for her sake already; and who knows how far she will persuade him in future ? To yield is womanly, " Perhaps cigars arc not quite so dreadful," she says, after a little pause; '' but snuff! 0,1 could not bear you to take snuff! How camo you to contract such an odious habit, Horace?" He produces a jewelled snuff box of great ago and value, "Partly through this, my great grandfather's gift," ho says, " and partly as a cure for hay-fever, from which I suffered martyrdom iu tho East." "Please put that thing away," she says pointing disdainfully to the relic of former generations,

" I swear never to use it again" says he, and buries it in his breaßfc pocket. " And you will try to break yourself off smoking, too," won't ybu,'my dearest?" "she pleads, ■ 't : i ! ; "Of course and of course I" ho declares, 1 with much fervor;. "Who knowsbut lahall succeed when you are always besido me to give me encouragement?" :: . ' Beryl Blytho has consented to marry a man old enough to be her father, and who smokes all day long. • " ■ i : " * Wonders will never oease 1. ; • : . . So mucli for the steadfastness of girls and their valuable opinions. ■ " Souvent fimnie varie, But why did she rofiiso St, Aubyn, whose age was certainly far moro suitablo ? - , ,■. : "Ah, she will-make Coolspur give up his 1 tobacco, ouce they aro married," say the men who have wives of their own, " I doubt it," says Major Darrell, who has no wife, and who knows his old friend better than the rest, And yet it seems as if he were mistaken in this instance; for, once the knot matrimonial is securely tied, Horace certainly smokes less and less, r ■ ■■

It is a terrible deprivation to him; but itpleases sweot Beryl so much, And every cigar ho does not smoke is accounted as so glorious a sacrifice to the heroic martyr, • " You were quite mistaken about Horace," says the young wife, triumphantly, as'.she confides his unselfishness to her inoredulous cousin, ' ■

"You have not been married six months, my dear;' and I was a'wife for six years," says Mrs. Leigh, arching her fino eyebrows, "I know men better than you do, as tiiuo will prove," : Having failed to secure Captain Coolspur for herself, who certainly in all respects won!d : have been a more suitable wife for him, the handsome widow is' determined to make Beryl repent of her bargain, and loses no opportunity of reviling husbands in general, and hinting that Horace is as bad, and certainly quite as deceitful, as are the roat of men.

, One evening-it is the anniversary of their wedding-day—the happy pair (and they certainly are. very happy still) are sitting at the dinner table. They have just dined /elc-a-Mey It is chilly in doors and out j autumn winds are beginning to moan,' dying leaves flutter uncomfortably against the windowpano,

"The fire is cheering to-night," says Horace, placing his wife's armchair close to the fender, and refilling hor tumbler with claret

" Would you mind my lighting up before I leave you ?" he adds, as ho selects a cigar from his case. " Well, I would rather you did not," she replies. " But thero is a fire in the smoking room!" "I gave no orders," says lie, "I had 110 idea the day would turn so chilly. "Then stay and smoke here, my poor dear," saya Beryl graciously; and she really finds the aroma of the weed far less noxious than she had imagined it to be, In fact, she is not quite sure that she objects to it at

And how happy Horace looks, and how cosy they are, side by side, the blazing fire in front of them, tlio cloudlots of dainty amoke curling about his handsome head 1 Suddenly he kneels at her feet, : " My darling," he says, " I have a terrible confession to make; I wonder if you will everforgivome?" "Nonsense I"; says she, laughing; "of course I shall forgive you anything," She adores him, and she speaks sincerely, "0 Beryl," says he. "I perpetrated a great swindle on you. I feel like Claude Melnotte in the play; for I married you untler false pretences." " What! you are not a prince after all ?" "No; and what is more, I never took anuff. You might have insisted on my giving up smoking, had you not thought I was sacrificing something for you!" "You are a fraud," says she, trying to frown, but laughing instead. " Accept tliia peace-offering, oh queen of my heart!" says ho, and he hands Iter the jowelled snuff-box, which is filled with bonbons now. Within the gold lid -is this legend : "To her I love bettor than smoke, and who loves me beat of all." It is three years .now since Beryl became Mrs. Coolspur, and, in spite of her cousin's ovil prophecy, sho has not. found reason to repent.' Mrs, Glynn Leigh is the only one of his wife's friends for whom Horace has never a good word or a; sijiilo of welcome. Is this the reason she repeatedly taunts Beryl with tlio fact that her Captain married hor under falso pretences, and that as lie haa once deceived her he is bound to deccivo her again 1 —Time.