Novelist. "HARRIETTE HURST'S CHRISTMAS." By JANET CARROL. CHAPTER I.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1794, 5 January 1884, Page 5

Novelist. "HARRIETTE HURST'S CHRISTMAS." By JANET CARROL. CHAPTER I.

The sun like a ball of mellow gold in the palo steely morning sky had just brought his lower disc on a level with the bare top of the loftiest spur of those ranges which form the eastern boundary of the bolt called Dallibinu Plains, 80 famous for good grazing, fac cattle, and hospitable, though few laml-holderd. The soft morning wind rose, up from the green pastures, and came towards the hills soughing through the leaves of the trees and bowing the tall gras<s which rolled and swayed buoyantly under it like great brown and gray billows, bringing with it to the one sense the sweet smell of newly-lighted wood fires, and to the other the bellowing of cattle, barking of dogs, and at intervals, the loud sharp crack of the stockwhip ; for this is mustering time at the homestead nearest the hills — Stanbridge's These sounds were pleasant but distant. Nearer the shrill curlew sang his matins Bweetly, and the laughing jackasses chorused loudly' while every little bush songster lent his aid and paid hh homage to the bright yellow sun. The wind and the birds how they loved him, and delighted to honor him, but how cruel he was to them 1 The tiny creatures that now held their heads erect, and stared full at him as they poured put thoeir piping music, would soon stand with drooping wings and thirsty throats, bilent and panting in every scrap of shade, and the soft morning vind would with its noon heat scorch up their feathers, thus returning them but burning pain and scorching discomfort for balmy sweetness and songs of welcome. Perhaps the old man standing in the path on the hill side was thinking of this ; lie had stood there since the red rim first appeared, or perhaps he was tired, for the swag acrosss his shoulders was no li^ht weight, and he leaned heavily on his stick. He had walked from a little gully far behind among the hills where the thin column of cinling smoke showed the place where he had passed the night and eaten his scanty breakfast this morning. His swag tells in that he is a tramp, not a übiial looking tramp, for his thin hands, though browned by the hot sun, are clean and shapely, while his ragged coat, coarse trousera, and old heelless boots are not worn by him as a tramp would wear them. Besides, Ms walk though halt and weary is free from the peculiar slouch which marks a regular going *.ramp. If the man s walk and figure thus impress one with this idea o" his superiority his face still further confirms it ; for though it has a bloated dissipated and even sottish appearance, it is still the face of one who has seen better dayrf. A crrtain curve of the nostiils and droop of the eyelids casts on it a shad- 1 of refinement. The 0y33 aie ba-l not in colour ior they aie an ouliuary light blue but there is a sardonic expression in them, as ho loims on his stick, looking down o-*er the valley. "So this i 3 Madgic'a place. I'm in luck. • The first homestead at the foot of the hills in front, and its the ploco where I had my dinner to day.' That's what that fellow said jesterday evening. What a wiefcehed object lie looked 1 A duly old tramp I Good God 1 what more am I? I hope Madgie will be go>d to me. I wonder if hlie remembers— it must be twenty-seven or twent eight years ago since I saw her, and now she is a woman, with grown children.' " What did the old man say — ' Theie's Mr. George, a wild one he is, two girl 3, and a nice little chap, l&ther sickly looking.' " Madgie's children 1 When she was a little wench she was always fond of me. Poor ifadgie ! Well, I am prepared to deal by her as she deals by me. I know I don't deserve much consideration! anyhow." He laughed as he jerked his pack into an easier position, and gave another look at the sun-topped hill, theu titling his old soft hat, over his eyes, he moved on in the direction of the busy sounds. As the house was crowded with visitors, and, neighbouring squatters, who weie there to watch their inteiests in the cattle muster, Mrs. Stanbridge, being a good manager, had had a long marquee with flapping canvass ends erected for the convenience of the stockmen, who, their usual loquacity and vitality dormant under the combined influence of great heat, and the hard riding, shouting, and noisy bustle of the morning mustering, were sitting or lolling about on the benches, collars and neckbands thrown back; some mopping their faces, othei'3 smoking short pipes, all waiting the advent of the dinner. " Here comes another — that makes the third to-day," said a tall sunburned young -gtffellow looking out as the bent old figure witli heavy swag came up. " Good day gentleman. Warm is'nt it ?la Mr. Stanbridge here? " His bleared light eyes swept the circle of brown faces inquiringly. There was a general laugh. "No old fellow, he's not here— not likely to be. There's the cook's place up there with the door open. That's wheie you'd better go — not that you'll find Stanbridge there either." The laugh followed him as he dragged himself out again into the hot sun. " Hallo," was the cook's salutation as with bare brawny aims he deftly ladled the . stockmen's soup from a great boiling pot. 11 Have you come back? " There came no reply and he looked up. "Oh it's another — three to-day. Well what do you want? Not work I'll be bound." "No my friend, Ido not want work. I've had enough of that. I want rest just now, and I want to see the gentleman — boss you call him— or Mrs. Stanbridge later." " You're a cool card you are," ejaculated the cook, as the new comer, throwing down his swag, seated himself near the door and fanried himself complacently with his old bat. In the*evening the old man walked through '_ .the grounds deliberately up to the front of the ' house. His appearance was much improved i , since the morning by careful brushing of his t shabby clothes, and diligent application of 7". co&p and water. The cook attended to all his p'Cteqnixementß, and answered his questions,

from sheer inability to check his effrontery, or resist his advances. " Tell Mrs. Stanbridge that James Pawson once of Lawdale, Surrey, England, wishes to sec her," he said when the door opened, lie followed the servant through the hall and passage with confident steps, and crossed his legs indolently as he seated himself to await Mrs. Stanbridge's coming. James D-uvson evidently felt the atmosphere and rich surroundings congenial to him, for the curved nostrils dilated and the lines and wrinkles of his white bloated faca softened into an expression of ease and contentment as he looked critically at the pictures on the walls, the furniture, or the many dainty articles scattered round the room. In a few minutes a pale slim girl came and asked for his message or business as Mrs. Stanbridge was engaged, and could not come to him. " T bog your pairlon, but are you Mrs. Stanbridge's daughter? " " No, I am only governess to Mrs. Stanbrideje's youngest daughter." " So she sends her governess to me, does she? Look here, young lady, Mrs. Stanbridgo must sec me. Does she know who I am ? Was my name given to her ? " He came close to her and spoke loudly. She was a timid girl, and the fear and repugnance she felt in the piesence of this old evillooking man were visible in her large, gray ej es, and nervously entwined fingers. " Yes ; I was picoent when the girl brought your message, and Mrs. Stanbridge being busy, requested me to come. My time, too, is limited, so please toll me your business at once." A baleful glow shot into his bright-colored eyes, and his face reddened with anger. " I shall make my name and identity more recognisable, then. Tell Mrs.. Stanbridge that Jamed Dawson Seaforth, her b> ot her, is here, and will not go till he has seen her. She can't mistake that." The governess shrinkingly crossed the room, opened the door, and hurried away. Again lie waited, leaning back on the chair - enshion, till he heard swift, advancing steps. He sprang to his feet, eagerly watching, as the door turned slowly on its hinges. '• Maggie, my girl, I knew you'd come." Mrs. Stanbridge did not answer, but quietly turned and closed the door. Then faced round to the man, who, all his old assurance gone, stood awkwardly twisting his hat, and covertly watching her. "It it you, then. I could not believe it at first. Remember, before you begin, that I have a husband, and that I have but to speak one word to him, and jou would be driven from here with whips. I do not say this to intimidate you, for I do not know your purpose yet ; but to show you that you cannot trade on my fears as in the time of my miserable childhood. I have childien, too, and they must not know that they are related to such as you. You have already made your relationship known to Miss Hurst, and humbled me in her eyes." He -was about to speak, but she held up her hand and went on more excitedly : " Stop, I know what you want to say ; but it isn't your position, your old clothes, and wretched appearance that degrades you so in my eyes ; it is your devilish life and unrepentant old age, and that deed of long ago. Why, you bring pollution to my home, coming to it as you do, fresh from the shade of a prison. More than all, how dare you face me with the memory of a disgraced father and murdered brother between us ? " " Muulered 1 " " Yes. murdered ; for George got his deathblow the night you went out the door handculled. He died of consumption, but the shock hurried his death. I do not fear you now, and I will not own you. I will not humiliate my proud, good children by doing so." " You will give me assistance ? " His voice was hoarse, and a very fury was gathering in his face. " I <vill not give you one penny, though I never refused money nor help beforo to any living creature that needed either. " You will not ?" " No. For I have wrttched your life for many yeais in Australia, and it has been only a disgraceful repetition of your life in England." " Very well ; now listen to me." " Don't threaten, it is quilo useless. If .you aie on the station after nine o'clock to morrow morning my husband shall know of you. Now go at once, for here he is." Steps came towards the room. " Madgie, are you here <"' As Mr. Stanbridge, a stalwart elderly gentleman opened the door, the abject old figure passed through the long window, which Mrs. Stanbridge held open, and slunk away in the dhection of the baclc premises. Miss Hurst, paler than usual, avoided Mrs. Stanbridge all the evening. She was keenly sensitive, and she hated ha"ing been surprised into the knowledge of anything connected with her kind benefactress, which she herself wished unknow n, and when George Stanbridge said jokingly : " Mother, make Harnette sing The Old Folks at Home. She won't for me, so you must enforce your authority," the governess's delicate face reddened, and she looked depreciatingly at Mrs. Stanbridge, who came to them, and laying her hand on the girl's shoulder, said, as she placed the music before her : " Hariiette, be your own dear obedient self, and do not be so foolish as to question George's authority, or quarrel with him ; for quarrels are bad beginnings you know." George's mouatached lips biushed the hand on Haniette's shoulder, and Mrs. Stanbridge received one flash of grateful love from the soft grey eyes. She went away among her guests, leaving two heaits throbbing joyfully, for her words meant so much to them, and thinking to herself — " How dared I question Harriette's position or fitness to be the wife of my son ? My eye 3 were opened to-day, I was forgetting." And the girl singing The Old Folks at Home thought, as she looked into her lover's eyes, that after all it was a happy thing for them that the old tramp came, for his coming softened the pride which would else have separated them. In the morning Mrs. Stanbridge seemed unusually nervous and restless, moving from room to room and staring through the windows. Now she was in her daughter's morn-ing-room, at the north side of the house, at a window overlooking the stables. " Mamma, what is the matter ? You are so pale, and your hands are trembling." Linda Stanbridge came beside her mother vand looked down. Mr. Stanbridge and his numerous guests, all well-mounted, were riding out of the yard, coiling their stock-whips, and talking and joking noisily. George Stanbridge, at the far end of the enclosure, was endeavoring to mount an intractable horse, which reared and phinged viciously whenever he laid his hand on it neck. An old man, with a swag on his back, came from the cook's quarters, and crossed the yard near the young man. George called out to him : "I Bay, put your hand on this brute's bridle a minute, will you? " " Are you speaking to me, young man? " " Am I speaking to you ? " The stubborn animal has put George out of temper, and in his excitement and anger he is scarcely accountable for his next speech. "If you're too fine to dcr what you're bid, .take yourself off frem here, you loathsome old scoundrel. Be off," and he strikes a blow at the swag with his whip-handle. The man's face blazes, and he shakes bis

clenched hand at him, and curses him with foaming 'lips ; but George does not see nor heed him, he is calling out to a stableman to como to his assistance, or he will be late for work ; the others must be already at the mustering yards.