CAMELLA; OR, AN IGNORANT WRANGLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2892, 27 January 1891, Page 4

CAMELLA; OR, AN IGNORANT WRANGLER.

T>V Mils L. I'ltOSl IvA'i I RAY. (JILYI'TKR 111. - • la Six.ii.K_ «•« MaiiKIKH Ijll-T, I'h i;i KItAIU.K ? Tho uliai-itilos tinned out ft grout micocss, iiiul tho pnssongors testified their appreciation of tho secrotary's olloi'ta by a loud demand for his porßotml iippearaneo on tlio stage, whon tiioy bestowed a hearty round ol' applause on tho bashful man, who boat such a prompt retreat that liis departure evoked evoii louder dapping than his appearance had dono. " I had no idea you played so woll," said Henry Kenridge, as he wrappod a warm cloak round (.'luiiolla, and invited hor to enjoy a little fresh air after the hoat of tho crowded Social Hall. " I have nlways been passionately fond of music," tne girl answored, her eyes wearing the dreamy far-away look habitual to them whenever she was deeply interested in anythiug. "I am afraid that tho piano and violin were t'ae greatest enemies my other studios had." " Music is a study far more suitable to young ladies than Greek and Latin, the higher branches of mathematics, and tiie different branches of science," observed Henry, more to tease iiis companion than because he had any teal objection to ladies lighting men on thenown ground, in the matter of degrees and scholarly standing. " I don't at all agree with you," retorted Cainella. Of course we know perfectly well that it must be exceedingly trying to a rather stupid young man, t,o hear his coach say, ' I only wish I had your sister to teach ; she would turn out a credit to me; And then, when the lists came out, to read his sister's name as senior classic, perhaps, and his not in it at all. Oh, yes,'' said the junior wrangler, pityingly, "I do not truly sympathise with yon men. But why you ever admitted women to share in your masculine prerogatives, I do not know." " I suppose the ir.an who first broached the idea had an awfuliy stupid lot of sisters, and they were clamorous for admission to the (for them) impossible honours; so lie thought he would convince womankind in general, and his crowd in particular that it was utterly hopeless to imagine they could ever attain anything like the educational position which was so easy for a clever man." Oamella laughed. " He must have been fearfully disappointed. But that is not at all the view to take of the. manner in which we women were allowed to have an opportunity of convincing the world of our perfect equality, in the mattin - of brains, with men. A clever Professor, one of the right sort, large-hearted, liberal-minded, pervaded to his finger-ends by a strict sense of justice—persuaded his brethern to extend to the weaker sex the privilege of studying undqr somewhat the same conditions as men enjoyed. Behold the result ! That man must feel that he has become a public benefactor.' " That's your view ; mine is very dill'oreut. Now, do you suppose that the homes of England, and the colonies, are any the happier, any tho better managed, that husbands for I am afraid, some of you frightfully learned girls are foolish enough to marry—find their fireside more; attractive because, after a hard day's work (for you cannot all wed rich men). They come back to a badlycooked dinner ; and a very clever wifo says, 'Oh, John, hero's a now problem ; I have been all day over it, and can't solvo it. Get your boots off, and come and help me.' Docs that make a man find liis chief pleasuro in his home, and his wife's society!" ''You are nre.scu.'ing a purely lictitious, and I am sure, most oxcop!ional ease. Ts r o nice woman would worry her husband iikothat, and no woman in her senses, would £i man with anything until lie had had a good dinner, and a pipe." ".Flow on earth did you lind that out ? My respect for you increases every momoul. Why, it takes most ladies half a life-time to learn that aimpio but most necessary fact; never bother a man whon lie's hungry or wants to smoke. Indeed some wives never discover it until they have positively worried their husbands into untimely graves, by their absolute want of tact. They imagine that their lords love them so dearly, that their presence, tho sound of their sweot voices can novel' be de trop, or anything but most welcome and delightful. Whereas, if the darlings could only know when to mako thomsolves .scarce, and whon to hold their tongues, wo should road of far fewer matrimonial fracas in tho liowspaperi." "Really, Mr Kenridge, you seem to havo devoted a great deal of iimo to this interesting subject. " Woll, yes I have." "May I ask," said (Jamella, J low you havo acquired your iul'or.miation? 1 don't fancy it is gained personally: 1 imagine it's dreadfully second-hand." ■' Don't be sarcastic ! It does not suit your classical chin to curl up your lips in that way, it causes a contraction of the chin which quite destroys the graceful curve over your throat which I generally admire under that monstrosity of a kuge hat you wear. No other part of your face can be seen, vTunella. Iftow that little cap you have got on to-night, suits you all to pieces." Most girls would have turned their hoads away, as a sort of challenge to Mr Kenridge to look again if he dared, but Camella merely gazed straight into her companion's face, and said severely: •• L gave you no permission to address me by my christian name, Mr K r uridgo. Besides you have

complotoly wandered from the point at issue, and havo not answered my question; whore did you gain your information?" "Ah, vos, eortainly," answered Homy, returning her gaze with such ardour, that perforce the dark groy eyes foil, and the unwilling colour rose in the pale cheek of tho junior wrangler. "I forget what wo woro talking about; wasn't it what a doar little wifo you would make for some lucky man ono of those days'?" For a man who did not profess to bo in love with tho girl to whom ho was speaking, Henry's tone was perilously tonder. and perhaps Oamella felt that it was getting to be rather too warm, for she abandoned tho discussion in haste, declaring she was tired and sleepy, and she saw Mrs Slangston was uioving off in tho direction of the companion-ladder. Perhaps too, Henry folt he was going too far, at any rate he accepted her suggestion with alacrity, and led her towards her chaperone. " Well,'' said that lady, graciously, for she preferred to see her charge with anyone sooner than with Stanley Tnfl'erson, " have you had a pleasant walk ?" "You really do not expect Miss Pittersley to answer that question truthfully whilst I am so near," said Henry, to cover Camella's embarassment: a piece of thought/ fullness, for which she thanked him with a smile, and a cordial ,! goodnight.'' But Henry held out his hand, and though she laughed, she put tears into it, receiving in return a pressure that absolutely hurt and startled her. " Has Miss Powys gone to the cabin !" she inquired of Mrs Slangston by way of making an unconcerned remark, hoping that the elder lady had not noticed Henry ridiculous behaviour. " Yes, my dear, long ago. I should have called you sooner, only the night was so pleasant, and you and Mr Kenridge—what a nice gentlemanly fellow he is—spemed to be having such an interesting conversation, I did not like to disturb you." " I am very sorry if I kept you up at all," said Oamella, penitently, " and there was nothing particularly important in what we were chattering about, it could just as well have been left until the morning ; we were only wondering if women are really any better for all their grand educational advantages." Mrs Slangston raised herself on tip-toe—she was only a little lady, and Camella was rather tall—and kissed her pale facc. "My dear child," she said, "we must wait and see what you turn out; only, Ella dear, don't throw yourself away on any man who is not your equal in mental calibre and in external culture ; you would be miserable if you did." " But my destiny is not marriage, so please do not talk about it to me," said Camella, smiling. " Why, what are you going to do? Surely you are not seriously going to give up your life to finding out abstruse references to entirely useless subjects in your uncle's fusty old library 1" " No, I have higher ambitious than that, even. Tam going to be famous ; I mean to make my mark in the world.'' " Indeed, and may I ask in what j way? Porl can imagine no nobler j or higher destiny for a good woman than that of an honoured wife ; full filling her social aud domestic duties to the best of her power, an ornament, if you like, to the circle in which she move?, and finding her grandest ambition realized in the successes of her husband and her sons, whom she has brought up well and virtuously." " May her daughters have any sort of education V inquired Camella. " I am not going to have all I say turned into ridicule. Of course, all girls should have a throughly practical education." Then, seeing Camella was still smiling, she said, abruptly. "Pray wlmfc are you going to be ?'' " A professor, dear Mrs .Slangston, but of what 1 am no'" quite certain. Music I think, but the way is not yet open. It will be by the time I am ready, though!" "All Mrs Slangston said, was," I ioodnight," and she disappeared. Camella made her way to the cabin she shared with Kate Powys, was and glad to find that young lady sound asleep. One hand—the left—hung over the side of the berth, the third finger seeming to stand out from the others, as though the girl had fallen asleep looking at tlm outward sign of her betrothal. She stirred as Camella turned on the electric light, aad the movement dislodged a photograph, which fell on the floor. Camella picked it up, and naturally glanced at the face. It was that of good-looking young man, but his whole expression conveyed tho idea of selfishness and indolence. Miss Pittersley instantly recognised it as tin; ono Kate had blushingly shown her, some evenings before, saying softly, " This is the gentleman to whom I am engaged." " I low very fond she is of him," thought the Newnham girl, reflectively. " [ wonder how it would feel to care for any one like that." She again studied the photograph. " But this is not the sort of man J could ever love," she murmured. "I could never give up all my ambitions hopes and devote my life to a manlike this. How silly I am to think of such nonsense ! What pleasure could equal that of singing or playing before a vast audience, holding them spell-bound, fascinated by one's own efforts, which would yet be no effort at all, but just one's natural talent? Then the burst of applause! how that would thrill through one's veins ! I should feel as if I wanted to go over it all again, just to show them how easily I could do ; .t even better,

because of the enthusiasm they had kindled in me. Then the showers of bouquet's, the request for introductions ! If all this really lies within my grasp, could I possibly ever care enough for one man to give it all up for hint ! Could I ever find uiy highest happiness in sitting at a homely fireside, with always the the same face opposite, or perhaps playing a few simple melodies, or singing some modest ballad in a tiny drawing-room, or country schoolroom 1" Then Camella ag.iin looked at the photograph which she still retained in her hand, and laughed softly. "No sir," she said " not for any one like you at all'events, could I sacrifice my present dreams of honour and glory. And yet, it must be very nice to beloved, and to love." Then she gently placed the photograph which had been a sort of text for her musings, in Kate's outstretched hand, smiling a little, as the girl's fingers closed over it for a minute, then as suddenly opened again, and allowed their treasure to slip from them. " My dear Kate, " said Camella, " you do not hold your lover firmly enough." She had no intention of waking the sleeper, and was a little disconcerted to see Mis? Powys open her eyes, and hear a drowsy, " Is anything the matter." " Nothing at all," answered Camella, quickly, " only you havo recklessly thrown away this gentleman !" and she handed the photograph to Kate, who received it with blushing thanks. She looked as if she would have liked to be asked her lover's name, at least, but did not venture on any remark, which might lead up to that exceedingly interesting subject. Somehow, she fancied that Miss Pittersley possessed a mind which soared fatabove such ordinary matters as love and matrimon}*. She would have been greatly surprised if she had known that she herself had raised a question in Camella's mind regarding the wisdom of marrying or remaining single. Hitherto, such trifles had not much occupied her attention, and as, she remarked to Kate, "I have thought more about weddings, and all that sort of thing, since I came on board the " Roinola," that in all my past life; I feel quite ashamed of myself." "Perhaps," Kate ventured to suggest, " you have had more occasion to think about them." "No no," said Camella, "it is not tiiat at all. I believe it has merely been the sight of your satisfaction in your furture life which has a little unsettled my determination regardingmy career. Afterall,! do notthink I have any choice. Duty calls me to my uncle's study, lie has been so kind to me, giving me a good education, and providing me with a home in vacation, th at I ought torepay him in the only way in my power." "He would disapprove of your marrying, then T' inquired Kate, timidly, not quite sure how far it was safe to question this learned young lady, and very anxious to keep on good terms with her. For if you have to occupy the same cabin for some weeks, it is very desirable that you should be on a friendly footing at least, with you room mate. Too great familiarity, they say, breeds contempt, but there is a happy medium, which on board I ship, should be carefully cultivated. | " Oh, do not let us talk of it any more," cried Camella, "I have just made up my mind. I shall never marry." " You could not find any one clever enough, I suppose," said Kate who found a difficulty in keeping away from the—to her—fascinating topic. "I do not think clever men ever make good husbands," rashly asserted the student of human nature. "At all events I should not like to risk one,"' laughed Kate. Camella remembered the photograph, and was on the point of saying, "Well, I think you are quite safe," but checked herself in time. Miss Powys might own that she did not think much of the mental qualities of her fiance but it was pretty certain that she would not care to hear her opinion warmly echoed by another. "I thing clever men generally chose stupid wives," was the extremely original remark she made in her fear of saying something disparaging of Kate's future lord and master. " For a sort of background to show off their own wisdom and learning, or as a relief from their studies ?" asked Kate, rather sleepily. " I really do not know what tho reason is, but the fact remains. Of course there are many exceptions in which the wife proves a great assistance to her husband. I could quote I a number of cases in which exceptionally clever men have derived positive beuetit from an interchange of thought and opinion with their wives. But then," continued Camella, much as if she were delivering a lecture in college, " the women must know when to efface themselves, and retire into the background, leaving tho men to reap the reward, won frequently by their research and patient investigation of facts and theories. Of course," said Camella, fixing her eyes on her companion's face, who endeavoured to look exceedingly interested, " some few men there arc who unhesitatingly allow that to their wives, much of their success is undoubtedly owing, but—" A tremendous yawn from her single auditor, half stifled by a large mouthful of sheet, here interrupted the flow of eloquence from Camella's red lips ; and when Kate tried to apologise, something in the absurdity of her attitude, struck "Miss Pittersley, and she broke down in a hearty laugh. " What utter rubbish have I been talking V she asked. " I used to practice like that when it was my turn to nd-lress the Debating

Society, but I did not mean to inflict it on you. lam sorry I have kept you awake so long." "It was interesting, I am sure," said Kate, " but I am so dreadfully sleepy. 1 could not understand quite what you meant to say. r Was ifc part of a lecture on Women's Rights T " Please do not be so cutting," entreated Camella. "Do go to sleep, and, above all, promise me that you will not tell anyone." "May I not tell MrTafferson? Heis always interested in anything I say about you." Camella's reply was so vehement a negative, thai Kate could not refrain from asking if his opinion was of special importance, but Camella told her to go quietly to sleep, as she wanted to read her Bible. fTo be continued.)