CHAPTER XXIII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XXIII.

Fading dream of love, Fatal dream of gold, jVlookinsr shades that bring Grief and pain untold ; Gilded baubles bright, Sun-touched mists deceiving, Vanishing in air, Disappointment leaving !

Sprung like a vision of night, Out of "the swamp near the river, . Prosperous, Bunny, and bright, Growing for ever and ever ! Two years have gone since Heotpr' Macinnls v started back at, the, town hall of Grit, whence the < vision of the resuscitated, when his dreanu of grandeurand peace-fwere^ thrust ;aeide, 'arid the' reality of ! another"\sfcruggle with' the shadow, of his life photographed upon his' Kfain. \^h'-- -i'- '''; •, W <* - ~'/'* , ,r-»,Thq 1 8oene",,is not in, Grit .» r The~, roar' ,6V the steam engittes,>and the clatter >uf ;^ef and 1 wef^ire;

in the street of Bourke, in the city of Melbourne. Night has fallen, and myriads of lights hare sprung up on every side until an artificial day is created, unhealthy and glaring. Streams of people pass up and down the glittering thoroughfare as restlessly as the spectres in the Hall of Eblis. Three gay young men, faultlessly dressed, were passing up the Btreat towards the great unfinished building which claims to be the seat of Government. Among these was the hero of our story, Jack. He was very different in appearance, however, to the young shepherd and miner of our acquaintance, Dressed in a well-fitting suit, he looked a fine, tall gentleman. His well-turned limbs, graceful carriage, and handsome face would have earned him the approbation of even the most fastidious. Ho had filled out and rounded so well that he was a most unexceptionable person now, one made to love and to be loved. His face was full and fairly bearded, and his eyes sparkled with their old happy light. No one would have dreamcci that ho had been a shepherd and a miner, except, indeed, if they looked at his hands, which showed that he had worked. But in a democratic country that was nothing. The party had just arrived in the city from Grit. Jack had never seen Melbourne, or any great city. However, he tried to look as if he had lived in town all his life. This, though, was very difficult, for every step he took a new wonder appeared. He thought Grit a great place, but it was nothing to this city. And so ho sauntered on amidst the bewildering crowd, sticking pictty closely, however, to hia companions, who hud been to town befoi c. And yet he had a steady purpose in view. He had been successful, and now thought that he could finally aspire to Bertha's hand. Bertha lived with her father in the city, and ho had nob seen her since that eventful day when he bade farewell to her in the park at Grit. But there was another object that caused him to visit Melbourne. " Where are the Parliament Houses ?" he asked, as they passed the Theatre Royal, and his companions made a stand. " Oh, a long way up the street, "replied Bill Flynn, a gay broker. " Who's going to bother themselves about that humdrum place to-night. Why, here's Flyko the ?libertin going on afc the Royal ; lots of legs, sparse attire, and any quantity of danciug and music." "Who's going up there," said JooJolliboy withalaugh, to listen to prosyold buffers, when there's &o much life to be seen. Why, we haven't visited siny place yet there's the Megatherium, the Gay Mabille, and lots of others." " I'm going to the Houses of Parliament," saul Jack, quietly. "Don't you know that the great event of the year takes place to night. There is the discussion on the vote <rf confidence in the M'Calvin ministry." "Ah ? yes," said Joe, " so there is. There'll be some fun, no doubt. Hector Macinnis speaks for the opposition tonight, and he'll make it hot for old M'Calvin." " Anyhow, I don't see much difference," said Bill; "it seems to me that the country's bound to be governed by the Macs or the O's. However, I'll go with you, and to-morrow night we'll do the town." ** " What if they telegraph for us ?" said Joe. "I don't know," wa& the reply of Jack. "" I don't feel inclined to return to Grit for a fortnight." " What'll Maggie say ?" A dark shade passed over Jack's face. " You'll better leave that alone," said Bill ; "Jack doesn't care about it." Without speaking any more, the three young men moved up Bourkc-street until they reached the trout of the Parliament buildings. Jack gazed with curiosity on the strange black pile, from the narrow windows of which gleamed the gaslight, contrasting with the deep gloom of the surrounding gardens. Out of the rota ami iush of Bourke-street they passed into the comparative quietude of the Parliament reserve. A knot of ratherseedy-looking persons were gathered around the unfinished front of the dismal, gaol-like buildings. Two or three policemen kept guard over these patriots. " There's no show of getting in," said Bill, "moneys refused at the doors." "I tlon't know about that," said Joe. '• If I can get hold of old Mumbles, I'll bet five to one we get in. He daren't lefuse such, influential elcctois. Old Mumbles was Hector's colleague, and he was kept in his place out of pity for the old man, who in his time hail been useful. He lived now only to please his constituents, doing exactly what they bid him, talking as they thought, and receiving from them .sufficient money in a number of ways. Joe judged rightly that lie would not dare to refuse them admittance. "Can't get in, gentleman," said the doorkeeper, a stalwart son of the Green Isle. " We want to see Mr Mumbles," said Jack, cooly. " I don't know if he's in the house," was the reply, although the doorkeeper had just caught a glimpse of Mr. Mumbles' unkempt hair when he was ■u&hering in an influential elector. " Give him these cards if he is," said Joe. The dooi keeper looked daggers at the party but took the cards, and put them into a sort of lift, shouting through a tube to the the messenger above. In a few minutes a stentorian voice was heard. " Gentlemen who sent to Mr. Mumbles come up." The doorkeeper's demeanor at once changed, and, with assiduous politeness, lie showed the chagrin of the assembled crowd of less influential individuals, who would have almost perilled their souls to have heard the debate. A place for the party was found by one of the attendants with great difficulty, at the solicitation of Mr. Mumbles, who had himself come forth to do the honors. When Jack , had squeezed himself between two apoplectic patriots, he had time to look around and take in the scene. There is a strange, inexplicable feeling when a man first enters into a place which he has read of- and looked upon as being too great and grand for 'him ever to see. <It was, therefore, with awe that Jack glanced at Tthe > assembled wisdom'" of the' - colony. There > they sat — row upon row — intently' listening to the utterance of, a r distinguished lawyer, who wasilayin'g down the points in , con-^ troveray.*- Biit'the) assemblage 1 disappointed' Jack! They.'hajl'their'Hliatß on, just 'as if/they; w'ere-at a'restaursft? fc ;» a portion >were stretched'at^f all length on the, seats, i some' had ith s eittlegs-Vcoekei»? ud * bvqr the •-ou^bio^r^£\t^ tKe^hole , hj^^Misenolian^, "^Etf

could not help smiling at the "old woman" who sat in the chair, a most amiable looking person. Jack thought he would have to be amiable, considering the vapid talk he had to listen to throughout the nession. Jack, too, glanced at the gallery where the reporters were busy taking down the words that flowed from the lips of the great Hicklebother. That gentleman eat down amidst plause. " Now it's to come." said the fat gentleman on Jack's right. " Macionis is going to close up the debate, and then, after M'Calvin has replied, the vote will be taken." The blood rushed to Jack's face, his frame trembled, and his clenched hands grasped the back of the form in front, hi* gaze concentrated upon the man he hated so intensely. "With a haughty and confident air, Hector Macinnis rose, and after going to the table and taking a drink of water, be glanced over his notes. He had greatly changed. Not only was his dress superior to what it used to be, but he had improved in every way ; indeed he could almost be called a handsome man. His face had become interesting and intellec- [ tual, and as he did not toil at night, the wearied owl-like expression of countenance so peculiar to him in the old times, was no more. He was a new man. Jack looked at him, and shut his mouth, as if he Avere restraining himself. Even in voice, the man had improved. His speech was tolerably free from that harshness which had militated in the past so much against his success as a public speaker. Practice in debate had enabled him to condense his matter, and it was a pleasure to listen to the cool, quiet manner in which he met every argument brought forward by the M'Calvin side, the more solid matter being enlivened by graceful, cutting sarcasm. As he spoke, the faces of the opposite party became very elongated, while those of his own men shone with delight. Argument after argument was disposed of by him with telling sarcasm, and after lie had refuted everything that had been brought forward in favor of the expiring Ministry, the began to heap up charge after charge against them, until old M Calvin fairly felt himself sinking into his boots. "Sir," said Hector as he prepared to conclude his speech, "if, after what I have advanced against these gentlemen, who have held power in this country under false pretences, this house continues them in their offices to trifle with the rights and liberties of the people — " He had first glanced at the Speaker, then at the Ministerial benches, and now he directed his gaze to the corner, where his eye met full that of Jack who was staring at him in a sort of wild stupor. Instantly Hector Macinnis stammered, his face became suffused, his head swam, and he staggered. After a few seconds of hesitation, he turned to the table and took up a glass of water. His hand trembled, his frame shivered, and the glass fell from his hand, and was broken into a thousand pieces. There was a stern joy in Jack's face, as he noted the effect his presence had upon his enemy. He was glad that he had been able to be present, to dash a drop of bitterness into the cup of gladness. This, too, was confirmation strong of the thoughts that had been in his mind over since that day when he had conversed with the dying woman in the hospital of Grit. His face grew darker and darker as he gazed upon the statesman of the future. The House wondered at Hector's conduct. The old gentleman in the chair gave a feeble sort of start — lie had been sleeping with his eyes open for some time. M'Calvin stared. Hector's party looked astounded, and one or two started up as if to assist him. The reporters were glad of the few minutes' cessation, as it enabled them to pitta finishing touch to their notes.

( To be continued.)