CAMELLA; OR, an IGNORANT WRANGLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2900, 14 February 1891, Page 4

CAMELLA; OR, an IGNORANT WRANGLER.

llv M l;S IJ. FllOSI' l,'\TTuiV (Anthill" "f " 1 l:'l ■l' '!l' If il I. ) <'I I AI'TKII VII. Kw> N I:\VS KI;O\I .111 AltOA.

Stam.iiv T.m i'i;i:s«n whs not. in a very enviable frame of mind. lie had gone out to the I 'est OHice on the (lav <>t' his arrival in Auckland, as soon as he had seen his party eDiiit'di';'lily established at their hotel, expecting to find a letter from his malinger a young man named <'heswiek Tallnt, who had been left in charge of his farm whilst lie paid a visit to England.

Stanley found two letters wiiting for him—one from Mr Ta.'lot, the other from his uucle, Henry Ramlev.

lie opened that from his manager lirst, and uttered an exclamation of dismay as lie saw how very badly it was Written. Its contents were quito as unsatisfactory ns its caligraphy. It told him that tho writer had unfortunately broken his arm, six months, ago, and had tried to uso it too soon, resulting in a renewod course of medical attondanco, and wearisome inaction for the patient. Tho worst of it all was—in Mr Tallot's opinion—that tho farm work had been much noglocted, and he was sorry to any, that things wero not prospering before tho accident happened, and wero decidedly worse now. lie was most thankful to see Stanley's name in the list of passengers bv the s. " linniola", and trusted ho would lose no timo in coming home. He was glad to say that it was only the left arm, that was broken, but somehow, that seemed to have spoilt his usually splendid writing ! The lottor was written with a attompt at gaiety, which much distressed Stanley, who feared that his manager must bo suffering greatly, as ho was usually in the highest spirits, up to any amount of fun, and extracting a good deal of amusement out of tho ordinary events of this work-all-day world, as he callod it.

But if Stanloy frowned oror Mr Ohiswick Tallot's letter, he found no occasion to relax his worried expression, when ho perused Mr Ramloy's epiatlo. His uncle told liini that he had always disapproved of liis leaving his estate, and running about the world in search of chango of scene and such nonsense, and his opinion that his nephew should have struck to his work, was now, ho declared, fully justified.

Mr Tallot was too inexperienced, too young, to be left in charge of .such a largo plaeo arc his nepnew's property - " Kuamoa." Of course, bo diil not deny that young Tallot had done his best, but everything ]i.id been against him. Land had depreciated in value, and some of the labourers had thrown up their work and the cottages they rented, —another fad of yours, Stanley—the uncle interpolated and hail loft the district. Stanley held two mortgages in the neighboured, and, though Mr ]lamely said he had made several concessions, both places, small, farms, had been thrown on his hands. As for the orange trees, which Stanley seemed to think .so much of—well, ho thought they were a clear waste of money, land, and labour.

It was a fearfully discouraging letter for a young man to rcecive on his retura front a long pleasure trip certainly, liut. what to Stanley made it infinitely worse, was the knowledge that it would probably mean tho postponement of his marriage—if indeed, it would not entail tho breaking off of tho engagement. How could he ask a girl to keep her promise of becoming his wife, when ho did not knowhow long he would have a home to oiler her.

Thcso were his first bitter reflection?, and for a time, lie could realise notliingelse. Me ehanically, almost, lie had made his way to the Auckland Club, of whieli he was a member, and w!i ie lie intended to put up, whilst glancing at his manager's letter. Now, he sought the solitude of his own room, whilst he tried lo think it all over.

Uut between him and every calculation of ways and means, came tho witching face of his betrothed, looking as when he had last seen her, tho perfection ol' youth and beauty. Tho voyage had wrought wonders, and though the face was always a triflo pale, the cheeks were well rounded, or as much so as was in keeping with her classical style.

Could ho ask hor to share his uncertain future? Suppose matters gut worse. Suppose he had to give up his homestead, orraiseinoney on it, to koop i" going ? What would then be the result of a bad soason, a failure in the crops ? Stanley, go up, and unable to rest indoors, .strolled down Shortlaiul Street. At tho corner, ho mot I lenry Kcnridgo. •' Why, old fellow, what's the matter ? You look at glum as it is possible for a man to look, unless lie has just found that lie has lost all lie values in (lie world, and by all reports, that can't lie yourcase."

Stanley roused himself with a great elTort. lie had no wish to talk of his troubles to his unsuccessful rival, who was but human, and might, possibly exult iumisTortunes which would bring him or so he might imagine—nearer to the realisation of his love dreaui.

"There's nothing much the matter," Stanley returned, trying to speak lightly '' My manager has stupidly broken his arm. ■■ Indeed, hew did he do that?''

" lie says he v.ms trying to break in a voting horse, and the brute reared, and they suddenly tried buckjumping: and T;iHot, taken oil'his guard, was thrown heavily, and

fractured his arm

" Awkward for him. I. should say. Have you a doctor near your place.' " Yes," answered Stanley, shortly, rather resenting his tone, which seemed to say, 1" that out of the way corner to which you propose to I ransplant .Miss Pittersley, of course, vou have none of the requirements yf modern civilisation.

" Well, F conclude the accident will demand vour immediate presence on the spot," pitrsued 11 enry. " Not at nil." responded Stanley prompt Iv. Ile had almost made up his niMid that before lie said a. word to Cuiielh, he would run up to Ituainoa, and see lot* himself how matters s'oed, whieli would tindonbtedly hi\'e been the better plan to adopt, but, Henry's tone irritated his already ruffled feelings, and lie fleterimllleil not to leave Auckland whilst Mr Kenridge remained in the city.

'• Whereabouts is your place, bv-the-bye,"continued his tormentor, who did not really mean to annoy Stanley, but who had nothing to rlo, and felt stranded and lonely in a new place where he lud no friends except his steamer acquaintances. "Up in the Whangarei district, Auckland Province," replied Stanley.

" And where may that be ? inquired Henry. Stanley looked at him as though doubting the good faith ot these questions, and Henry, answering his glance said, "You seem to forget that I know nothing, absolutely nothing, of the, geography of this fair land.'

" And 1 do not keep a school, returned Stanley.

Henry stared at him in amazement. Such behaviour was quite unlike the genial hm/liniinii.i': of the ill* Ta(Verson he had known on the " Roniola," and he was fain to conclude that something serious had happened, (,'ould ( amella have given him the mitten on landing, and told him that board-ship lovemaking did not count for anything on shore? J>ut that would be so utterly unlike the idea he had formed of Miss Pittersley, and so completely at variance with all lie had known of her former life, that he dismissed the idea as absurd. Other girls might nuke playthings of men's hearts, but not OiuneHa : the mere thought wronged her. But if it was not that, perhaps it had something to do with Stanley's former life. Perhaps some young lady, who had been driven from his heart by Oamella's superior charms, was now desirous of asserting her rights. If so, perchance Miss Pittersley might once more be free. Mr Kenridge was so wrapped up in these speculations that he did not notice that, in the crowd in Queen Street just at the dinner hour, Stanley had slipped away, and he did not perceive his absence from his side, until, he turned to ask him another question. "Hullo," cried Henry "where on earth has he gone ?"

But Stanley h;id a good deal of business to transact, which he found he could manage to get through a good deal better alone, than with his talkative and somewhat inquisitive companion. So, taking advantage of the sudden cessation of questions, he crossed the street, and a few rapid steps brought him to his solicitor's office.

"Mr John's disengaged?" he asked of the clerk.

"Don't know, sir ; I'll see though," and he vanished, returning immediately with a request "to step this way." "Well, Tafferson, is that you?" said the solicitor, a tsill thin man, rising a trifle from his chair, and extending his hand cordially. " Clad to see you back. W hen did you arrive 1 " Only this morning. I have not lost much time in paying you a visit, have I !"

"No, indeed, but people generally come to see me when they are in trouble. Sometimes they have either too much money, and want me to help them to dispose of it, or, more usually, other folk have taken possession of it, and they want me to get it back for them. I am like the doctors, I never sec the best side of anyone."

" I expect you know all my troubles pretty well, Johns, have seen my uncle lately V

"Yes, I saw him last week. [ suppose you have heard from him?'

" I had a most unsatisfactory letter from him this morning. Did he tell you anything ?"

'•( >h. he growled at you for staying away so long, but 1 did not gather much from what lie said. lie would tell you about those mortgages then ?'

" lie said the farms were now thrown on my hands. What shall L do F

Mr Johns laughed. "Do? why let them of course," for as high a rent as anyone can be persuaded to give." " Are things likely to get worse ?" asked Stanley.

" I really do not venture to say. But you know you are not badly off by any means. A freehold property, health and strength, and no encumbrances. I am right in the latter surmise, am I not 1 There was no mention of a Mrs Tafferson in the papers." '■ 1 am not married," said Stanley, abruptly. " That is all right, then.'' observed his friend. " Your words seem to imply that f should be foolish to get married." ••So you are engaged," said the solicitor, quickly. " I fancied something of the sort was in your mind from tilts way you let these little Iril'es about property worry you. ' " Yes ; I am engaged to a most charming young lady. The question with me is—as a man ot honour—■ ought I, under present circumstances, to marry her '• 1 fas she any money That has nothing to do with tho case. Hut I fancy she lias expectations. "Too risky. Look here, Stanley, speaking to you as a very old friend, [ should say, if the girl is what I should imagine you would choose—a good sensible, domestic creature, one who will look well to the ways of her house, and not be above doing what she can just at present, to help you. marry by all means ; you won t "find her much more expensive than that antiquated house-keeper of

vours, and a vast deal pleasanter in the house." Stanley moved uneasily in his chair. " Tt's the same all over," he said, "you are all so prejudiced against clover women." '•You had belter make a clean breast of it, old fellow. (Jomc now, what's the trouble ?"

" Tliat young lady to whom I am engaged," said Stanley, with great dignity, as befitted the announcement of so much learning, "is a Cambridge Wrangier. " (Ireat Hcott," cried his friend, •' how on earth had you the cheek to propose to her ?" "I really don't know.''answered Stanley, with unusual humility. " She was very kind to me, and all that : and when one is talking to her, one forgets what she really is." " Does she know the sort of life she will have to lead out there in the bush ?" " Oh, ves, everyone on board has been most kind in impressing upon her that we, in New Zealand, are but one remove from the natives themselves. I cxpect she is quite overcome with astonishment, at the size and beauty ot' Auckland, and the manners and customs of its inhabitants, which are wonderfully like the land from which she hails." "Tell me about her relations; are they likely to object?" "Yes, most strongly. She has no parents, and the uncle who has brought her up destines her to a life in his study." " And she For the first time the hard lines on Stanley's face relaxed as he answered, " She, ? Bless her, she is good enough to say she loves tne." " I would very much like to see her," said Mr Johns. "So as to judge of her suitability as a wife for tno:''asked Stanley, the hard lines again forming round his mouth as far as the thick moustache, permitted. " Most certainly not. I never interfere beforehand in any matrimonial arrangements ; so that when the parties come to mo afterwards to get separated (if possible), they cannot say it was by my advice tbey got married." " But knowing - my prospects, do you think I atn selfish in wishing Miss Pittersley to keep her promise to me ?" " Stanley, you must judge entirely for yourself. If I were you, I would also ask the young lady what she thinks." " Yes," said Stanley, eagerly, "I'll tell her all, and she shall decide." " I would tell her a little, but I would never lay all my business affairs before a woman. She never views matters from the same stand-

point as a man does, and is apt to worry you about them when you most desire to let them alone. There is a piece of very good advice, and all for nothing !'' "It sounds a little cynical." "To a man in love, probably it does. But when you have told her everything, and she has been your wife, say four years, you will wish you had held your tongue." " That may apply to some wives." " But not of course to your young lady. Bid I not say you were in love I Had you been married only a year the advice would have been unnecessary, you would have found it out for yourself."

" Well, there is a little more about which I want to consult you, but as it is pure business you may look out for your six-and-eight-pence." So for half-an-hour the two men dropped their tone of bantering familiarity and went into Stanley's private affairs, which do not now concern us, But when he at length emerged from the solicitor's office, Stanley looked even graver than when lie had entered. Ho again devoted the afternoon to business, and in the evening - , resolved he would go and see Camella, and take her to the theatre with Mrs Slangston. l>ut on the way, ho met Mr Strongbow. " I was just coming up to see you, Tafferson. Do you leuow that to-morrow is the ninth of November, and, I understand, is to bo observed as a public holiday," " I had forgotten all about it,'' said Stanley. " Yes, it is always a holiday, and is generally, the first picnic day of the season." "So I have been told. Will you come along to the hotel with me, we want your advice and assistance." Stanley was not altogether sorry to delay his visit to Camella. After all, if she should elect to cancel the engagement, would it not be better that they two should not have been seen much together after leaving the steamer 1 In a private sitting-room, several of the gentlemen who had been passengers on the s.s. Romola," were assembled, amongst them Colonel Slangston, who had been fetched from the sinoking-room. It was soon explained to Stanley that the gentlemen proposed to give the ladies a picnic, and, they asked him where they had better go. Stanley proposed chartering a steamer, and going down to the island of Motutapu. At tirst they feared they were too late to secure one, but fortunately another picnic party had fallen through, and they were able to obtain their steamer. '• I will tell Camella, then, and learn my fate," resolved Stanley, as the gentlemen separated ; and he did not go to see her that night. (T; h, (unl'invnl.)