CAMELLA; OR, AN IGNORANT WRANGLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2905, 26 February 1891, Page 4

CAMELLA; OR, AN IGNORANT WRANGLER.

By Mus L. I'iiost Rattiiay (AuUIHI- l.f " I'.n ") CI I A ITER IX.- (CONTINTKI.). JI miEUTO Mrs Gallon enjoyed a monopoly of tho custom of the Skelton country people, when they found themselves short of anything, and could not wait to send to Wlungarei for it. Mat an enterprising man had opened an opposition store, and bade fairto ruiupoor Mrs Gallon by tho splendour and diversity of his stock, lie was willing to be paid in kind for his goods a method of procedure which had always been extremely distasteful to Mrs Gallon, who found it very difficult to manage her business in Skelton, and dispose of tho produce in which she was paid in Whangarei as she was completely alone. It was rumoured that she had a son, somewhere, but that ho was more hindrance than help to his widowed mother. As ll'etty rode down the street, so called by eourtcsy, she noticed that tho Maoris seemed to have taken a great fancy to tho newstore. Sitting on tho footpath, lost in admiration of the new bonnets was a group of women, and ono or two men were offering various articles for exchange in tho shop itself. Mrs Gallon's was completely deserted and Hetty had no difficulty in getting her wants supplied, even to the extent of three letters. "They say Mr Tafferson is coming homo directly, Miss Hetty," remarked Mrs Callen, "I think one of those letters is from him. I know his handwriting so well," she added as a sort of apology for having noticed it. , "Yes, we expect him immediately," said Hetty, hiding her disappointment that Stanley's letter was not addressed to her, but to her father, and sho would consequently, havo to wait until sho returned homo to hear the news. How much it would affect, her, and how very disagreeable it would bo, she, of course, did not dream. " Mamma has sent you some eggs, Mrs Callen. How are they selling now ?"

" I scarcely know Miss Hetty, about cightpence a dozen I suppose: I always give your Mamma aa much as I can for them 1 "

" Well you can always trust to ours being frcsl), you know, so wc ought to get the highest price.'' Hetty turned as she spoke to look down the road as the sound of approaching horses' hoofs caught her car.

" How do you do, Mr Tallot!" she said as she stretched out her hand very cordially. He was not Mr Tafl'crson, but he lived with him, and had sho not liked him for himself, that fact alone would have made her civil to him.

" Glorious day, Miss Hetty, isn't it ? Come for your letters, eh 1 What docs Tiifferson say to your 2' and he looked curiously at her. The girl noted the glance, but completely mistook its meaning. "He thinks Stanley has proposed," she thought, " but wants to be sure of hisground before he congratulates me." Aloud, she answered, gaily, " I have not opened his letter ; it's addressed to father, and he dors not care about our meddling with his correspondence."' " I should think not," said Mr Tallot, wondering whether ho should tell her the startling piece of news conveyed to him in the letter ho had just received from Stanley. "You might conic across all sorts of dreadful secrets," ho added lightly.

" I do not like secrets," said Hetty. "Are you coming back with me to tea ?"'

Mr Tiillot hesitated. JJo would have accopted the invitation with pleasure—indeed, he did not usually wait to ho asked-—but he reflected that when it became known at the llamlcys that their dear nephew was actually on the poin', of being married at the very moment ■when they might reasonably have concluded that all danger was over— from outsiders at least—they would probably be much annoyed, there might even bo a scene if Hetty imagined that her feelings had been trilled with, so, that, to his masculine mind, discretion was ou this occasion at least, the better part of valour. "I am afraid I cannot "he said. " You see I am so awfully busy just now." " Ah, you have to make up for lost time for fear the boss complains of your laziness." " That is not very kind of you, .Miss Hetty, when you know that it was my misfortune, not my fault, that 1 was laid up so long." " I forgot, how is you arm 1 I see you still have it in a sling." "It is almost well thank you. T will ride over to-morrow morning to sec your father. lie may have some commands for me from the bo.ss." And before Hetty could ask liini if ho had not heard from her cousin, lie had ridden ofl'with a hasty but courteous word of far well.

Mrs Callen, who had discreetly retired during (his colloquy, here appeared to tell Miss Hetty in a deprecating manner, that one of the eggs was broken.

" Well, it was ;ill right when I started," said the girl, "you must have chippcd it when you were taking it out of the basket," .But Mrs Gallon was quite sure, and could prove it by the mark on the basket that Miss Hotly must have done it herself, in carrying the delicate and fragile articles. Tint .Hefty never did a careless thing, niul told Mrs (Jail en so several time;; in a very detcnuind tone, until that Jady, who was not at all equal to holding her own, else would she have done better in Skelton, meekly owned tlmfc there must be some mistake, and suffered the loss of the egg sooner than continue the unpleasant argument. Having finished all she

had to do, including the buttons, sin; returned home, Lawrence moot in;; her at the stable, " Wlii'iv is Tim Will you (tun my horse out '• Yriv well. Havo you any lett'T-; r "Yes, but they are all for l'apa.' " Ain't there one from Stanley T " Yes-, you will hear it when you come in.' 1 Hetty ran oil' to her own room, and in a marvellously short time reappeared in her ordinary indoor dre-i. Sho went into tho largo diningroom which was indeed, the general family sitting room, and laid tho letters by her lather s plate, Stanley's on the top. "Humph, what's all this? Givo mo my specs, thoy aro on the mantel-piece unless your mother lias dustod thoni oil'." This was a favourite joke of Mr Ramloy's, who was fully persuaded that his wife was ncvor happy except with a broom or duster in hor hand. " Did you hear from Stanlo}' ? whispered Mrs Ramley in tho low sibilant tono which as often as not conveys Mho words to tho wrong porson. " Why should Stanley writo to Hatty?" inquired Boyd, tho youngost boy but one. "Silence,'"' said Mrs Ramley, "no ono spoko to you." " Eh, What's all this ? Bless my soul, what on earth is tho lad thinking of?" exclaimed Mr Ramely, who was staring in some astonishment at his nephew's lotter. "Is Stanley ill?" anxiously inquired liis wife, while tho others breathlessly awaited the answer. " 111 ? no, but I do think ho is out of his mind." "Good gracious, whatever do you mean ?" '•Tho stupid ass is going to got married." Blank astouishomont prevailed around tho table, until Mrs Ramley recovered sufficiently to ask who the lady was. " That's tho idiotic part of it," cricd tho angry uncle. "If ho had only boon content to marry a good plain country girl, it would not havo been half so bad, but to solcct a learned young Cambridge it is soino incomprehensible." "Do givo mo tho letter," said Mrs Ramley, pottishly, "you must bo making somo mistake." " What's all tho fuss about ?'' asked Lawronco ontoring tho room, and noting tho evident confusion that prevailed. " Fuss, thero's nothing for us to mako a fuss about now ! It's too lato ! The young scamp lias chosen to tako his own way in tho matter, and wo must just bo civil to Mrs Tafferson."

"Mrs Tafferson, who on earth is sho '. J

" Stanley is not married yet," said liia mother, "ho wants U3 to go down for tho wedding." "What!" cried Lawronce, " is tho old follow going to bo married? What fun, and who is the young lady ?" "Sho is a Mi3s Camella Pittersley, tho nieco of a Cambridge professor," read Mrs Eamley, but she was iD torrupted by a chorus of exclamations, none of them at all complimentary to Stanley's choice. " Sho is exceedingly elevc-v, being a wrangler though not very high up." Again there was a aorics of very disapproving remarks, and Mrs Eamley continued, "I do trust you will all like Ella ; sho is lovoly in mind and poison, and most anxious to mako acquaintance with you. Sho lias novor known a mother's core, and will bo vorj' thankful, I am suro, for any loving attention my dear aunt can show hor." Tho grunts of disapproval wore heard so loud, that Mrs Eamley told thom sharply to ' stop that noise,' and listen to the rest of tho letter. Stanley wont on to say that ho was suro his uncle would bo delighted with Ella's music, which was quito uncommon, she having a very good ear, and had, of course, been taught by tho first masters, who all spoko woll of her. "Much, good may lier music do her"lip here," said Susan. " That would bo a very small trouble," said Mrs Eamley, "I am afraid sho knows nothing whatever of household managomont, Low should she ?" " I wonder what Stanley's idea of beauty is ?" This remark from Hetty, who felt keenly disappointed, though* in her heart she knew that she had nothing to complain of, as Stanley had never paid hor more attention than ho had bestowed on her mother or sisters.

" Are we to go to the wedding ?" Mrs "Ramloy asked her husband. "You can please yourself. I cannot possibly sparo tho time, but I think someone should represent tho family." " I have not a single dress that I could wear," said Mrs Kamloy. " Then that sottlos you," retorted hor husband.

"Well I could get tho girls to help me, and do up my dark blue silk ; it wants turning-." Thou I suppose you will go ?"

" It would bo a very good opportunity to buy a few summer drosses ; tlioy cost much less in Auckland than they do here.'' " If you mean to go, say so at once, and do not beat about, tho bush like this. You women novor can mako up your minds without such an amount of arguing." "'lf you aro go:n_\ mother, said Lawrence, quietly, I will go too." Mr Kamloy mutti.rod something about a waste ot' money, but Lawrenco said he .'dmuM pny his own expense o . "One of yiiu girls had bettor ride up in tho morning to Kuamon, T must see what tho place looks like outside, and you can tell Mrs l'ritt she must get the house ready for the new mistress. I do not imagine she will 'feel very kindly disposed towards her," Mr Kamloy said. " It is not likely she should, after ruling there for so long. I

should think Stanley will got quit, of her. and mako his wifo tako up tin' housekeeping." Nil';,-ill's (ono was not a ploasanl niic, iwr was hor mother's as she said, '• I oNjiei-t Miss—what was tlirj name will ho far too much of a lino lady to go near tho kitchon. L'oor Stanley { I hope ho may not liittorly regret his absurd choice of a wife." But in hor heart, his aunt sincerely hoped he would, and the throe girls wero inwardly hoping tho same, indeod, they woro quite suro of it, (T'l I" luiiltiilini.)