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CAMELLA;

Olt, AN IGNORANT WIIANGLEi;. By Mrs Ij. Frost Rattray (Author of " Bristondcll.")

CHAPTER Vlll.—Stanmcy Sun

mitsHisFatk to Uamhlla. The ninth of November was as glorious a spring day as even the most anxious picnicker could desire. Caniella was in high spirits at the thoughtof the pleasant excursion down the harbour in her lovers company ; little dreaming how much lie dreaded the issue of the day.

By ten o'clock, most of the party were 011 board the steamer, and at half-past ten, they steamed away from the wharf.

Katel'owys and her relations had of course, jeun invited ;and willingly accepted. It was no part of the girl'sprogramnic to attract sympathy from any one, but most of those present, knew the bitter disappointment that had marked her arrival, and were prepared to be—as they expressed it—very kind to her. But Kate shrank from the "kindness," surmising, only too well what prompted it, and took refuge behind Mr Kenritige's good-natured cliall on all possible subjects. Ho teazed a member of the Harbour Board on the fuss made over tho wonderful Calliope Dock ; and avowed his intention of presenting a photograph of the originators thereof to tho British Museum, or setting up models of them at Madauie Tutsiud's as benefactors in-cxtraordiuary to the human race, and therefore affording a much needed contrast to the usual occupants of her chambers.

The Auckland Boards are very dignified bodies, and this particular member greatly resented the impertinence displayed by this very flippant young man. It had the cfFect lie intended, namely that of rousing .Kate to a real, instead of simulated, interest in what was going on around her.

"Which is the Quarantine Station ?" she asknd, as they passed an island on the right.

" That is it. Do you think you would like to live there 3"

" No, indeed, though the view must be very pretty." " Well," said Henry, " you would find ever that pall on you in time. If I had to go there, I should insist on my dearest friend at once taking the same illness, and joining me in my trouble."

" Under such circumstances, you would get tired of even you dearest friend," laughed Mr Stronghow, who was standing near them. Kate suppressed a little sigh. A few days ago, she would have thought such a spot Paradise, with her dear llobert by her side. Now, she doubted whether any place would ever make her happy, no nutter who the friend might be, whose presence was supposed to be sufficient to change bare rocks into tree-clothec! a I opes,

Henry read her thought with wonderful quickncss. Perhaps his own disappointment made him ready to perceive the signs of regretful longing in her. He at once pointed out the peculiar ancient volcano of llangitoto, and invented a marvellous legend concerning its appearance, whichevoked a cutting remark from the Harbour 13oard member, on the lying-propensities of small boys, which afterwards developed into the senseless misrepresentations of grown-up persons. Mr Strongbow endeavoured to throw oil on the troubled waters by asking the member where the celebrated Thames goldfields were. He understood they were somewhere in this direction. The gentlemen thus appealed to, at onco became pleasant and chatty, explaining the position of the Thames, and the route followed by steamers to reach that locality. " Anything to be had there, now?" inquired Mr Strongbow. " Any quantity, I believe. But 1 am also convinced that there is a grand reef running right from Te Aroha to Coromandel." " Where is that " It is the promontory lying away there to your left, or I should say, a little in front of you." But Mr Strongbow was not particularly interested in mines, and it was left to Colonel Slangston to pursue the subject of the mineral wealth of the colony with the Auckland gentleman—Mr Smith byname

"There is the inland of Motutapu," said Stanley, indicating what looked like hills and trees rising out of the sea. "How very pretty," eried Camella, " Does any one live their ?" " Yes, it belongs to one family, though there are separate dwelling houses," he answered. " How delightfully romantic! Fancy living on an island all by oneself ! I wonder if they find it lonely. "I should think so in winter. In summer, as they are very hospitable, I expect they sec as many people a3 there care about." " Why, there is no wharf, do we land in boats ?" " Yes, as the tide is rather low. I am going to carry you from the boat to dry land in my arms." In etleet, as the small boat could not come high up the shingle, soveral of the ladies were glad to escape wet feet by a good swing in some one's stalwart arms. One small gentlemen, having divested himself of his boots and socks, oll'ered to carry any lady ashore, provided of course, that she was a light, weight.

"Take Mis Slangston,"suggested Mr Strongbow, "she would be just about as much as you could manage."

But the lady emphatically declined the proposal, preferring to risk a jump during the retreat of a wave.

Lunch was spread under the welcome shade of some willow trees, mid a very merry meal indeed it was, After all had finished, some of the party returned to the steamer, and went further down the harbour, in search of a good fishing ground. Then they got out their lines, lit

their pipes, and waiti il for nibbles. Some were very successful, and were able to exhibit a nice string of sixty good sized schuapper, secured together by the always handy flax.

Stanley Tall'erson was not one of flu-fishing party. All (he morning the question he was going to ask Caniella had come between him, and his enjoyment of the pure air, glorious sunshine, and lovely Italianblue sea and sky. What would she say? Oh, what would she say ?

liver and anon, lie turned to look, with a lover's rapture, into the clear grey eyes, and as he gazed, he kept wondering whether this was the last

expedition, he would ever take with her. The looked of wondering longing in his face, did not escape Uamellu, nor the curious absorption of his manner. That something was troubling him, she could not fail to perceive, but what it could possibly be puzzled hergreatly. She, too became rather silent, and was very glad when in the general (lis pension after lunch, Stanley said to her, " I want to speak to you ; let us go round that headland, I do not fancy any one will disturb us there. The island is large enough for all to wander as they like without coming into contact." " 1 will go where you like," she answered brightly " It is such a perfect day, that one cannot choose but be happy. ' She flashed a loving glance into his grave face, but ho did not look at her in return. " Then you arc happy with me?"' ho asked, but the words were spoken with repressed feeling. "Do I not look as if I found life very delightful V and she paused in front of him, one foot resting on the boulder she was just getting over, the other on the sand, whilst her right hand lay in his, accepting the assistance he had, almost unconsciously, offered her.

Instead of an immediate answer, he looked round, and perceiving that they were beyond the tco inquisitive, albeit friendly gaze, of the others, took her in his arms, and holding her close, said, "My darling, tell me that you love me." Them as she opened her lips to reply, he exclaimed," No, 110, don't say it. That's not at all the way I meant to begin. How can I ask vou anything, when I have vou like this F

Suddenly, he kissed her passionately, and something almost like a sob broke from him,

'•Who could possibly expect a a man to give up a woman like you, when he has his arms round you, and your sweet lips so close to his, so irresistibly ready for kissing F

Again, he met the ripe red lips in a long kiss. But Camella pushed him from her with a white face, and exclaimed, " Stanley, what is the matter, What ever do you meanF

" Come and sit down where I cannot be tempted by the sight of your pure beauty to go against my better judgment, and make you my wife in ignorance of what it is my duty to tell you," said Stanley. " You are frightening me," cried Camella, a vague horror of what she was to hear, stealing over her. " What a brute I am," exclaimed Stanley, " and I would not, willingly, cause you one moment's suffering. Now, sit up there and I will sit at your feet—my proper place—and please listen, dear, to what I have to say." Stanley Tailerson gently placed Camella on a comfortable ledge of rock, and seated himself where she could not see his face, a little below her. Kor a full minute, the two were silent, and only the splash of the incoming tide and the occasional shout of a child at play —one of the usual accompaniments of a picnic— broke the oppressive silence. Stanley was loth to part with his new-found treasure—if part they must—and Camella, though longing to know the reason of her lover's extraordinary conduct, was reluctant to disturb him until he should choose to speak. At length he took off his hat as though its weight was too great a pressure 011 his brain, and after restlessly fidgeting with it for a few seconds, began to speak in a low, nervous voice. "Camella.'' But it seemed that the very mention of her loved name over-came him, for he could say 110 more. " Well, Stanley, do tell me what is worrying you F

"i cannot beat about the bush, Ella. It is just this. lam a much poorer man than I had any idea of when I asked you to be my wife. Now, I know you are not in the least accustomed to roughing it in any way ; therefore, of course, I am not going toholdyou to your promise. So you see, you are perfectly free to go back to England with the Slangstons."

Stanley had regained the mastery over himself, and his tone was very

quiet. " Thank you, Mr Tallerson," said Camella, " you are very kind and considerate."

Her cold words stung him, and a bitter feeling, of disappointment stole over him. lie had expected at least a few words of protest, but to treat what was to him a matter of such vital importance, in that calm, unemotional mauner was irritating to a degree.

" I am only trying to act for your happiness," he said, and this time his tone was even colder than hers had been.

"That's what uieu always say when they want to get out of a tight corner," she retorted.

Stanley was still more vexed, and said, "Very well, you can take it that way if you like"

" What do you call being a poor man T Camella asked after a pause.

" Oh, not being free to live comfortably and spend a little on pleasure," he answered, vaguely enough.

"But what some people would consider poverty, others would think riches," pursued the girl.

"It is no use arguing about it

You, at least, do not know what economy means." "J have not been laugh! to be extravagant," " Possibly not, but have you ever wanted anything, and had to go without it?'' " How absurd you are! I have coveted thing" innumerable, and cheerfully resigned myself to existence without them.' " All, but what sort of things were they ?

" They were very diverse. A copy, handsomely bound of the last new opera : a really first class grand pj arlo —uncle was always a little jealous of my music, he said I spent too much time on it—a photographic apparatus, and various other knicknacks.

"No poor man's wife could even dream of such costly trifles," said Stanley, clasping his hands tightly round his knees.

".Dreams are a very cheap form of amusement, my friend," she said lightly. " Hut no sensible woman would fret over the non-possession of any one of these articles."

Both Caniella and Stanley were indulging in fencing with the question at issue, the one because she did not quite understand wluit her companion really wished, and the other because he was unwilling to hear what lie now felt sure, would be an adverse decision on the part of iris lady-love. Jle was, he fancied happier in the uncertain present, than he would be when the possible lonely future was made a certainty by Cavuella's refusal to share his altered circumstances.

" I almost wish I had never gone to England, "he said at length, after a long pause, during which Camella played nervously with her gloves. "That is not very polite to me," she observed. "It is only for your sake that I regret the voyage out," he said, for both knew that it was only this part of the journey that he really meant. " For my sake F "Yes. For my own—ah! well, I shall always have some blessed memories to keep me alive when you are safe in England again "

"If you are sorry to send me away why do you insist on my going F " Camella," he exclained," don't you understand, or what do you suppose I have been trying to explain to you all this time ? "I cannot congratulate you on your powers of putting tilings clearly," she said. "You are wilfully shutting your eyes, " he replied. " Stanley," she said, softly, "do you know these rocks are painfully hard F

" How thoughtless of me ! What shall I got you 1 A rug? There are plenty on board, and I can fetch one in a moment/'

"I do not think you can. The steamer is nowhere in sight. '

" I torgot they had gone fishing. Will you have my coat, and excuse my shirt sleeves F "No thank you. Shall we walk on, and leave these stones ? It is too hot to keep climbing over them." By this little manoeuvre, Camella obtained what she wanted, a look at Stanley's face. It was paler than she had ever seen it even after his involuntaay bath when they were 011 the "Romola." All her womanly instincts of pity rose to the surface and swept away the little feeling of pride which had stood in the way of a vehement protest on her part against his assumption that she would give him up. If he thought so, then he deserved to be teased. She hardly gave him credit for the self-denial he had been exercising. They were side by side now, and she suddenly flung her arms round his neck. "You foolish fellow; did you suppose that I loved you for your wealth Stanley nearly strangled her in the sudden revulsion of feeling caused by her words, and smothered her with kisses, which the little wavelets duly echoed, as they presed their wet lips in spasmodic osculatory movements against the rock hard b y- ,

" Camella, my darling, are you sure you will be happy T " Perfectly sure, Stanley. I am not by any means afraid of work, and though I fear I shall run the risk of ruining your digestion by my experiments in the culinary department, yet if you are willing to try, I am." For a little while the conversation was frivolous in the extreme, and one or two beautiful deer which had wandered to the brow of the hill behind them, gazed in wonder at the ridiculous behaviour of human beings. They forgot it was spring-time, when young hearts turn to thoughts of love and they did not know that the specimens they were so curiously watching had suddenly discovered some adorable traits in each other's character, hitherto unknown. " How noble of you to try and pretend you did not love me for foar it would exercise an undue influence on my decision," from the lady. "And, oh my sweet-heart, liow very bravo of you to break down the barrier between us, and how can I, ever make up to you for all the luxuries you will have to forego." Presently, they began to discuss their plans. "You will not let me go back to Ruamoa alone,'' he pleaded. " "When must you be there ?" " I ought to be at work now." he said. "I am losing most valuablo timo when every day is precious," "Then," with a roguish smile, " if you can overlook a magnificent wedding-dress, " I am ready whenever you like." " To-morrow ?" " Hardly. Resides chat would not be legal, would it ?" " Oh, yes, for a special license, three days' residence is sufficient." " But that would surely mean a good doal of oxpense ?"

" Oh, not very much. Bosulos, if, costs both of us something, remaining at expensive hotels or clubs." " I should liko to bo married in Church." " Very well, shall wo say next Wednosdayor Thursday ?" " Whichever you liko." "Wednesday, then. Meantime, I shall lie very busy.

" I am afraid Mrs Slangston will not bo pleased - " " Shall I lay the exact state of my affairs before tho colonel, and allow him to decide our fate?"

"I very much fear ho would consult his wife—ho is a model husband you know—and her decision would not be in your favour."

" I do hope I am not being very selfish, Ella, in marrying you now. But 110 ono who had tho opportunity would bo maguaninious onough to refuse to avail himself of your goodness in saying you will risk life with mo. I can assure you that I shall do my utmost to provo how I appreciate it." Caniella laughed. "I warn you frankly that you will have a groat deal to put up with. I 0111 used to having iny own way to a largo extent (undo had not quite broken mo in), and I am afraid I shall try hard 'o got it, even after we are married." The last word with a sort of shy daring that enchanted Stanley. The loud whistle of the steamer disturbed the lovers, and they had to be content with a very hasty tea, Mrs Slangslon telling them they really did net deserve anything, as they had stayed away such an unconscionable time.

The voyage home was very pleasant, and, as Stanley walked up with Caniella to the hotel, lie said " It's wonderful how much happier I feel than I did this morning."

But as he went back to his club, he said to himself, " I wonder what my uncle and aunt and cousins will say ! I must write to them to-

uight." And Camella was also troubled concerning' the view her uncle was likely to take of her matrimonial prospects. (To be coiiliiiuchj

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18910219.2.39

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2902, 19 February 1891, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,138

CAMELLA; Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2902, 19 February 1891, Page 4

CAMELLA; Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2902, 19 February 1891, Page 4

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