“WILD GRAPES”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20275, 18 August 1937, Page 4

“WILD GRAPES”

SERIAL STORY.

CHAPTER XLVI. The Hound Trail. As Paula confessed that she had never seen a hound trail, Stephen proposed that they should go some distance up the Far Fell, escaping from the sportsfleld crowd, where they would get a view of the hounds from the time they left the 'field at the signal, until they disappeared over the summit, and then watch as they chased back to the winning post. "We should only miss some of the wrestling,’* he urged. “Well,” and she smiled, “I hope you won't scorn me, when I admit that this wrestling gets a little monotonous, when one does not understand the points.” “Then come on I” he said eagerly. Earlier in the day experts had been over the proposed course, trailing the scent, which the hounds were to follow, and as Paula climbed the fell, she felt that it was good to get away from the crowds shouting below. Stephen, having learnt the route from a dalesman he had known from childhood, made a ready guide, and presently he suggested that they had readied an advantageous spot. “If we squat by this boulder," he said, “we shall almost see the whole 1 adventure." Paula sank down on a cushion of heather with a sigh of healthy exhaustion. "What queer things we mortals invent to amuse ourselves withl" she remarked, as Stephen offered her a I cigarette. | "I know. Always the chase in some aspect," he admitted. "It’s lovely here," she' said. “We have all the world to ourselves, and yet there It is—'below us—within bight and j hearing 1” "I suppose that is what love means," lie said boldly. “Isolation, spiritual companionship, in tlie midst of the' crowd." i Paula knew that she had asked for j it by consenting to this walk, and she was not foolish enough to protend, it had to came. It might as well come under the dale sky and amidst the heather and the gorse. ! “Of course, there’s something I want to say, Paula, pretty badly." “So this was just a trick?" She I turned towards him and shook her | head. I “Yes, Just a worth-while trick." j They were silent, and the dull noise's from the field rose up as a chorus to life. “I want to know whether you will come in with me, in the' match ahead? The fact that I have no kind of right to ask you such a question, forces me to ask it!" Then there was the sound of a shot, and noises of men and women, children and hounds. “They are off, surely!" she aswered. ' She sprang up, and laid a hand on his arm. Certainly the trail had started, and the hounds, all in a seething bunch, dashed forward over every obstacle. Gradually the bunch thinned, as leaders got ahead, and they were chasing up the fell straight in Stephen and Paula’s direction. Away they passed, over the summit of the fell, and as the two turned to.„ watch, the leaders re'-appeared, making a steady course for the field. “Shall we run " asked Stephen. And they ran like schoolchildren. “Now, we can se'o the finish from here," he said, putting an arm about her. Cheers rang out from the field, as the winners came home, and the tall ran faithfully In when all the’ excitement was over. “I've enjoyed that," she said simuly. “So have I,” he answered, as he folded her in his arms. “Paula, you and I—on the trail for life'!" For some reason they did not return to the sportsfleld, but wandered on rather aimlessly, until they reached the head of Paula’s favourite ghyll, which Jed directly down to Beck ColIt had been arranged that Doris and Stephen should some to one of Miss Graham’s marvellous high teas, and as this couple-in-mischief entered the garden, they were greeted rather riotously by Robert. “Well, of all the shirkers, you two . . . ." “Bub!" and Paula rushed at him. “We’ve done' it. Stephen and I haven’t made a bargain that Isn’t a bargain, like you and Olive—we are throughly and properly engaged!" “Oh, all right, don't nub it In!" and ha laughed. Then ho kissed Paula affectionately, and gripped hold of Stephen's hand. “You’re both lucky I” lie said rather gravely. And then Doris emerged from the cottage, followed bv Miss Graham, and the principals were left far behind when Miss Graham got going, explaining what she had always thought and always said, and knew how it was “But now, we must go and change." said Paula. "We must leave plonlv of Pme for the eoneerl. We don't, seem •mile eon,piele, somehow, without | "No." said Robert gloomily. "1 was cm \pti:ii m.yii. The Concert. I.\ I’pjlmdy who was nnvbody alwavs ißl'-ud.-d llie Festival Cuno-rl and the *"als were resplendent with j shirt IP.llls and evening gowns. Miss II unnmtid and (Hive had taken '•"""is in Pie qqeer old-fashioned I.nvn | hotel, an.l were both bubbling over I \Nili! exeUemenl over Hio surprise they j | R 'i! in' c.i.si lime, mol d got n.imd j 'e n.-|. d sin::-:\ Miss Claudia | s!| e < \.• ] iiined. “Robert will be off I his head !" "You didn’t really Ihink. Paula, that i himself mid his aunt ?" demanded Miss j . I ''Tnd n, !dive'" I ' "h. I had to pul up with Olive." j I

By THEODORA WILSON-WILSON.

A Charming Story with Delightful Ap peal.

said Miss Hammond, “because the car happens to be hers. We’ve had a very pleasant two days’ trip!" “Aunt Claudia," whispered Paula, “wo can make thrills too. Stephen and I are engaged—properly engaged!" “I thought you were a wise young man," said Miss Hammond, as sh© j gripped Stephen’s hand, i The choirs were massed on the plat- • form in tiers behind, and the' amateur orchestra was in front, and some excellent ensemble work was produced from the massed choirs. Robert Hammond did not oome on until the second part of the programme. and when he appeared, as he looked towards the stalls to catch Paula’s eye, he had a shock. It was certainly good that a certain strength of will kept him steady. He sang Schubert’s Erl Konlg, and Ave Maria, and in response to the encore, the Bandelero. But tin's Festival audience never knew when It had had its fair share, and .stamped and whistled for yet another song. So after the ever-popular ■song “The Yeoman’s Wedding," "Robert was at last allowed to escape. And then a dominating voice from the balcony gave a call: “ Claudia Hammond!’’ The cry was taken up enthusiastically by the audience, and supported by the choir conductor, who turned towards the stalls, and beckoned. “You have to go, darling!” said Paula. “ They’ll never let you off now I" So Miss Hammond was dragged out from her seat, and every one clapped, and when she reached the platform, handed forward by the conductor, she received an ovation. Nothing would induce her to speak, but she bowed over and over again. “ You looked perfectly charming, darling 1" said Paula afterwards. Miss Hammond and Olivei invited the whole party to the hotel for supper I—Paula and Robert, Doris and Stephen. But as they entered the quaint old coffee room, Miss Hammond and Robert received a shock. 1 Seated in a corner was a man they knew very well indeed, no less a personage than Mr Gardner, Robert’s singing master and boss. lie rose at their entrance, looked fierce enough, and then laughed out. “ You may well look ashamed of yourself, Robert," he exclaimed. “You have gone right beyond your bargain. I allowed two Schubert -songs and no encores, and, of course, you were carried away by a wave of self-conceit to disobey me! I knew you would, so I liavo travelled all this way to watch you do It and prove myself right.” “I’ll never do it again!" said Robert, with a mock humility. “ But one has a duty to an audience, sir." “Your duty is to me—l shall remember that l'or Hie next two years." “ Then, meanwhile, allow me to introduce my fiancee, Miss Olive Maitland !" said Robert boldly. “ What —engaged to be married? That is the limit I You’ll never take anything seriously now!” “ That’s why I had to get myself engaged," and Robert smiled, as he drew Olive forward. “ I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Maitland," said the great man ceremoniously. “ You aren’t quite, Mr Gardner," she answered. “ But I did not know myself that I was Robert Hammond’s fiancee until half a minute ago I” There was a general laugh, and Miss Hammond struck in to ask Mr Gardner to Join her supper party. “ I do wish,” she said, “ I knew who that ridiculous interloper was who shouted out my name." “It was 1, madam, who shouted it out I" said Mr Gardner. “It was my revenge on you all —on Robert —for singing 1 The Yeoman’s Wedding.’ " “Robert isn’t my fault!” protested Miss Hammond, with a laugh. The supper was a gay one, and the waiters were ail agog (o show what they could do, and when at last they rose, it was decided that Miss Hammond and Olive should come out to Gowthwaite on the morrow. “Now, whats all that?" struck ,'n Mr Gardner. “ I return to London tomorrow, and if Robert does not turn up as usual in my music-room at ten o’clock precisely on Hie day after tomorrow, I swear I will cast him off —as rubbish —disappointing rubbish." “ I’ll keep him up to his duty, Mr Gardner," said Olive with a laugh. CHAPTER XLVIII. Afterwards. Miss Hammond and Doris were sitling in the Beck Cottage garden, enjoying Hie sunshine, the scent of lavender, and roses, and talk. The two pairs of lovers had wandered oIT, no matter where, after making great promises to lie back in lime for tea. " I cannot explain, Miss Hammond," said Doris, “what it means lo mo that my brother should have been made so happy. Stephen has always been so deadly in earnest over things, and I have often been seared in ease he made, , some mislake about his marriage. Rut " Your hroihcr seems lo have chosen Hie rigid profession," said Miss Hammond. "and cerlainly I'm n..l afraid that I’aiila. will in him down, hut four “Why. wlmre is everyhodv ?" exclaimed Dr. Benson, as Miss Graham open.'.l Hie door |,> him. " llusli, sir! Two of them in the TheV'xe' promised' md'l.l'miss'my'lea !' ; “Two couples?" “ Yes." and she dropped her voice. There’s Mr Sleidien and our own Miss Hammond, ami Mr Rob-rl with "Miss Hammond.'’ said Dr. Benson j seriously. "Ilien you will know a ! pal ion I of mine—almost. 1 hope, not a Pali.‘id.’’ “Yes." she replied, “and I- can never he too grateful to you." “Nonsense, nonsense, my dear madam." lie inlrmipled. “My job, hist, my job. Why. here they come.— "W.’re like Hie hounds!" said Paula. "We've . based in on Hie scent

of Miss Graham’s toast." Miss Graham’s tea-party was, of course, the usual success, and afterwards Olive arranged to spin Robert along to the station. “She is taking me in hand already," he said. Joyously. And lie kissed her before them all. “I have a whole ten days left," said Stephen, and there was triumph in his “In four years, lad," said the doctor, “I’ll lake you on as my partner! How’s that for an offer?’’ And Robert and Paula went off together, for a last few words before they separated. “I feel Just a little lonely about all this happiness without Daddy," she said. “f know." and fin put his arm about her. "Rut his life lives on for us all Tt is a great heritage for us to have had father ns father. -Yes." She said, softly. THE END.