A FRIEND INDEED.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 19, 23 July 1920, Page 2

A FRIEND INDEED.

"The fact is," said Clarence Hathaway, taking off his large, circular, horn-rimmed spectacles and carefully wiping them with his pocket-handkerchief — "the fact is, my dear Henry, hitherto I have not paid any special regard towards young women. But Miss Webling is — is "- j "Different," suggested his companion a plump, well-fed man of twenty-nine whose name was Henry Fox. "Exactly," said Clarence. "There' s something abont Miss Webling that raises her far, far above all other young women. Scmething— poetical, ethereal, transcend-'. ental." "Oh, cut it out!" growled Henry. "Talk English. " | "Kh?" I ' I know perfectly well what you mean without all those fireworks. This girl yov're talking about — of course, she's different from all other girls in the world. They always are. Of course, she pos- j sesses wonderful powers of sympathy, marvellotrs tact, extraordinary and rare beauty of face and figure — they always do." j "Yes, but "Clarence," continued Henry, interrupting, "the plain truth is you're in love with the girl. Isn't that so?" Clarence flushed. "Well- " he began. "Quite so," said Henry, "I understand, Say no more. " "But I waiit to ask your advice," said Clarence. "Ah, so that's it. Well, carry on, my, lad." I Henry Fox settled himself comfortably in his armchair, and prepared to dispense good advice. He was an easy-mannered voung man of a cheerful and confident disposition. He liked Clarence, but secretly derpised him. At times, he was almost j inclined to pity him. He thought Clar- j ence was soft. ■ There he was wrong. It is true that Clarence Hathaway did not possess the demeanour of a bold and desperate buccaneer. llis big spectacles gave him a very mild and benevoleot appearance, and he was, moreover, quiet of voice and manner. Bnt, physically, Clarence wasn't at all soft. Like many shy and retiring people, he had a punch which upon the very rare occasions when he exerted it considerably surprised the unfortunate man who stopped it. Again, his name told against him. A man of twenty-six who wears glasses and is inflicted with the name of Clarence is handicapped at the outset. The two were in the sitting-room at Clarence's "digs." It- was a small and unattractive room, the only decently comfortable chair being the oue at the momont occupied by Henry Fox. Clarence coughed nervously before unburdening himself. "The trouble is, Henry," he began slowly, "that though I— er— admire Miss Webling so very much, I fear that she scarcely reciprocates my sentiments." That was Clarance all over. He invariably talked in the language of a membar of Parliament addressing an audience composed of schoolm asters. It was a starding joke amongst his friends. Henry wondered if he , talked to Miss Webling in that manner. He tried to picture the effect upon any average modern girl. Tt was funny, and yet almost pathetic. He began to feel quite sorry fur Clarence. "In other words, Clarence," remarked Henry, in his coarse, direct fashion, "she's been giving you the bird." Clarence sighed. ' I try to please her," he said sadly, "t)ut my efforts are singularly unsuccessful The other day whilst I was describing a recent visit of mine to the Geological Museum, she yawned and said she wasn't interested in fossils— not even human ones. i lent her a hook on 'The Evolution of Tadpoles,' and she never even read it." "You astonish me," observed Henry drily.> "So I thought, Henry, that with your wi'de knowledge of women you could adviss me. Tell me what to do to catch Miss Webling's interest, put me right as to my correct procedure." "My dear Clarence," said Henry, in pafcronising tones. "I shall be delighted. I think I can say without boasting that you couldn't have come to anyone for advice bettcr qnalified than myself. What I

dcn't know about girls, you can take from me isn't worth knowing. I know them from A to Z." Clarence^ gazed at his friend with modest admiring eyes. "It's quite clear," continued Henry, "you're on the wrong track altogether. Y cu 're too timid. What attracts women is boldness, resolution, and all that sort of thing. Tlien again, you're not sufficiently careful about your personal appearance, You're not dressy enough." Henry fingere.l his neat, coloured tie as he spoke. "Now, tell me, Clarence," Henry went on, "is this lady friend of yours really .pretty? I mean does everyone think so?" "She's beautiful," murmured Clarence reverently. "Um; Well, the best thing you can do is to take me along next time you call, ar!d introduce me." "Certainly." "Then I'll just keep my eye open for any special characteristics she may possess, so that you can watch me and study my methods." Clarence coughed. "Is that absolutely necessary?" he asked dcubtfully. "JTust as you like," replied Henry, with a haughty note in his voice. "All right," said Clarance. "Do what you think best, Henry." It was then arranged that Henry Fox sliculd put in an appearance on the following evening, and accompany Clarence when the latter called on the Weblings. Shortly afterwards Henry took his departure. As he traced his footsteps homewards, something must have amused him, for he smiled to himself several times, and once broke into a little, contemptuous laugh. II. Nella Webling was a tall, pretty girl with curly black liair that was cut short aii.l "bobbed" in the prevailing fashion. The next evening she was sitting alone in the drawing-room of her home, and it may be safely assumed that her thoughts were far away, because the hook she was supposed to have been reading for the last half'-hour was upside down. But in the novel was a well-built, handsomt young man with a square jaw and straight legs. He was the hero. A regular goer, too, he was. He was always "spotlessly clad" (usually in "immaculate evening dress), and whenever he spoke his voice vibrated with passion even if he only said "It's a nice day, to-day but — his voice still went on vibrating with passion. Nella sighed. She was wondering why it was that young men like. the hero in the novel never came her way. All the men she met seemed so ordinary, so human. About the only time their voices vibrated with passion was when they were arguing about football, or describing why it was the horse they had backed was just beaten by a short head. In the midst of her meditation, the maid camc in and announced Clarence and "a friend." Clarence and Henry entered the room. "This is a friend of mine, Mr Fox," ex- * plained Clarence timidly, "whom I've taken the liberty of brin.ging with me." "How do you do," said Henry, looking deep into Nella's eyes with a gaze of undsiguised admiration in his own. 1 Nella smiled sweetly, and eHnry smiled sweetly. They shook hands like quite old friends. Indeed, it seemed to Clarence that they took far too long shaking hands. The three composed themselves in armchairs. The conversation which ensued was carried oh almost exclusively by Nella and Henrju Clarence's share was very small. As time went on the other two seemed to forget him altogether, it was as much as he could do to get a word in at all. It. went on like this : Henry : "Are you fond of theatres, Miss Webling?" Nella: "I adore them. If I could I'd go every night, wouldn't you? I'm specially fond of musical pieces." Henry : "I expect you've seen 'The Maid of the Mountains?' That's a good show, isn't it?" Nella: "Oh, I think it's topping! I've seen it three times. I could see it again."

Henry : "They say 'Monsieur Beaucaire' is good, too. I haven't seen it myseli yet, but lots of my friends have said they liked it. They tell me the music is good." Nella: "No, I haven't seen it yet, either. I'd love to. I've got the music of it." Henry: "Have you really? I'd like to hear you play it, awfully." Nella (smiling) : "I can't play very well." Henry : "I refuse to believe that. Absolutely. As a matter of fact — I believe you would succeed at anything you took up." Nella (still smiling) : "Oh, you're much too kind. Besides — how do you know? Why, you've only just met me." Henry (looking into her eyes) : ' 'I feel as though I had known you for years!" Clarence: "Talking music, I was at a concert at the Queen's Hall the other day, when -" Nella (to Henry) : "Are you fond of reading, Mr Fox?" Henry: "I dote on it. You've got a hook there, I see." Nella : "Yes. It's one of 'Childs Garbage's. It's called 'My Heart's Desire.' Have you read it?" Henry : "Oh, yes. I think it's very good, dcn't you?" Nella: "Topping! I've read lots by him. He's frightfully clever, don't you think?" Henry : "I think he's one of the leading novelists of the day. I read every hook he wxites as soon as it is published." Clarence : "I noticed this morning in an article in 'Science Sifting'— — " Nella (to Henry) : "Do you play tennis, Mr Fox?" Henry : "Yes, do you ?" Nella (modestly) : Oh, a little you know. I expect you're awfully good. Henry (letting himself go rather) : "Not at all. Not all. Just avera-ge. I belong to a good mixed club, though." Clarence : "There was some very good tennis at Wimbledon las " Henry (to Nella): "I wonder if one day ycu'd care to " Nella : "To what?" Henry: "To come down to my club and play a 'set' or two with me. 'Singles,' you know? What?" ~ Nella: "I'd love to. But do you think I should be good enough?" Henry: "Of course. What a foollsh question. Perhaps you'll come along on Saturday afternoon, will you?" Nella (after a slight pause) : "Yes, i'd like to very much." Clarence (desperately) : "Talking aboa: tennis — Henry: "we shall be able to get some tea at the Club House. Topping ices they have there. There are some jolly nice people that belong to the club, too. Suppose I call for you about three. Will that suit you?" Nella: "Yes, that will suit me very well." After this sort of thing had been going on for about an hour, Clarence felt his spirits sinking lower and lower. He relapsed into silence, saying not a word, but just listening sadly to the animated duologue carried on by Nella and Henry. At length he rose to his feet in despera. tion. "I'm afraid we must- be going now, Miss Webling," he said, with a slight emphasis on the word "we." "Must you go, old man?" said Henry. "Oh, well, Good -night." Before Clarence realised what was happening, Henry had arisen, shaken him by the hand, and dropped comfortably baek again into liis chair. "Good -night, Mr Hathaway," said Nella coldly. Clarence stumbied dazedly out of the room. A mhiute later he had rammed on his hat and quitted the house, deep in a fit of black despair. III. Several days elapsed before Clarence saw Henry again. He chanced to run against the latter in the street. Henry was rather off-hand. "Sorry I can't stop now old man," he said, "but I've got an appointment. I'm in a hurry." "I wantcd to talk to you about Miss Webling— — " began Clarence. "Nella? Oh, yes. Well, I can't stop now, But if I were you, I'd try to forget all aboutr her. The truth is — I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I don't — well, - don't think she likes you very much, old chap. I'd give her a miss for a bit. So long. See you in a day or two." Henry walked quickly away and soon hau disappeared out of sight. Twice Clarence had called at Nella's home, but each time she had been out. 'She's playing tennis with Mr Fox," Nella's mother had told himr "What a charming man he is, don't you think?" 0° — yes," Clarence murmured, striving to hrde his discomfiture, and took his departur^ at the first opportunity.

After meeting Henrv his luck. This time chancet Nella was in and alone V°Uled V She greeted Clarence coldlv , curred to her how badlv ' 1 *• with Henry Fox. His clothes were not of the same faskio^^ His manner was nervons and 2^ whereas Henry was self-confident S sured. She thought how much ^ * a man was Henry. t6ol Clarence did not stay long Xh too much Henry in their comer.,!'''' tns liking. After Nella had ^ H loi of questions concerning his frie d 1 treated him to a little lecture on R astonishing excellence. What a good?' player he was . How graceful. H0^ and cairn and coUected. What an int ' ing talker he was. How well-read ? gotd-looking. Such eyes. And J tinguished. Clarence was both good-natured I polite. He stuck it as long as he Co2 But there is an end to all things. £v tiie camel's back is not built on the 1 tilcver principle. The longest worml a turning. - So, after forty-five minutes, retired. "Good-bye, Miss Webling," he «ii with a trace of bitterness in his voice an] added, "I'm sorry I bore you so much.'' Nella stared pensively before her wliej he had gone. She did not dislike Clarence, There was somethirg genuine about hii^ and he was as straight as a die ; her oeJ tohi her that. But, beside Henry— waa like a candle beside an electrj cm-lm, She left sorry for Clarence. IY. It was Henry's idea. A prietp®j in the woods, he said, would he delidj ful. Nella and Mrs Webling agreejl tliusiastically. Then it was that liigj suggested that Clarence should come; complete the party. It was a Ml| schcme. He would leave Clar® look after Mrs Wehlinfg, thus kl Nella to himself. Tbey hired a molor cax to ran tin down to Popping Forest. Or, rather, Glai ence did. At any rate, Clarence paid. J When they got there, they liftedl their little hamper of provisions, affldii patched the car to a village a mile hue along the road, where it was to mu untk they picked it up later on. 11 They left the road and plunged ml the forest. It was a charming aiternofi of early autumn. Even Clarence (whom carrying the hamper) felt gay and cheet ful, despite the fact that Henry and Neill displayed a tendency to become a littf separated from Mrs Webling and Himself Ao length, they came across a deligbl glade wh.ere they opened their hamper a settled themselves . down to enjoy tha alfresco meal. They were a jolly party. Kella wasij h%h spirits, whilst as for Henry, he «j positively surpassing himself in the art of sparkling conversation. He made j number of extremely witty remarks at tie expense of Clarence, who laughed goot | naturedly. So intent, indeed, were they tkt H j did not observe the approach npon the 1 scen,e of two strangers. The strangers were men. And they were not at all nice men. They were large, dij'ty, unshaven, and vicious-lookmg- T were dressed in gTeasy clothes; « around each of their necks was knotj a filthy scarf. Incidentally, % W carried short, heavy sticks. j They slouched up to the little pafl Henry was in the midst °f a 'w funny story. He was just arriving at B crcam of the joke. Then he happou J look up. Abruptly he broke off. • "Good afternoon, gu/nor," said o j the men in insolent, familiar tones. "Er — good afternoon," sal | turning rather pale. , . I) Whilst his companion was spe ^ second man leered unpleasant y » ^ Clarence, without haste, rose qu j his feet. . "Guv'nor," continued the ^ j ry, "me and my mate is s ar " j been out of work fer— fer-— "Years," said the other. Jj "And we're walking to L°n „ I v;here are we walking ^ro®' v-itb 1 "Glasgow,"^ ^id the other, laugh. [d git | "So we'd like a bit er nionf | night 's lodging wiv, guv u°r "Er— how much dn you wamHenry, trembling. n m t),f "AU you've got, mate, with a snarl. "And qu Nella uttsred a little gasp y,, her mother. Henry be6» '» j llc.^h-«ep.o3Pj "Henry," he surely not gomg to D»» 1 these hooligajrs money. t i" \ The two men stared at toi.'ishmenL

"Oh, yus'e is, goggle-eyes," said the first speaker, with a sneering laugh, "I think not," he snid slowly. "And what is more, I give you two blackguards two minutes to -get out of my sight, or else — " The men both gazed at Clarence and breathed heavily. There was a cold meuacing note in his voice that surprised them. It surprised Nella, too. Slie looked at him with a new light in her eyes. Meanwhile, Henry, finding attention taken from him, scrambled to his i'eet and gently eased away backwards, When he had got a few yards off, he threw appearances to the winds and took to his heels. The sight of this heartened the two men. "Or else what?" jeered the first "Or else I'll give you both the biggest hiding you've ever had," said Clarence calmly. The man s answer was to rush forward at Clarence, his stick upraised in his right hand. Nella gave a little cry and covered her eyes with her hands. But the blow never fell. Clarence side-stepped neatly and landed a perfect right-hook in the fellow's face. He followed up with a straight left, then his right swung home agaih and the man crashed heavily to the ground, feeling as though he had been trodden on the face by an elephant. The second man stood an amazed onlooker, as though rooted to the spot. But now Clarence'® blood was up. He dashed at the man and snatched the stick from

his hand. The man closed and sought to grip Clarence by the throat. For a few-seconds the two swayed to and fro. Then Clarence broke free. With lightning left and right he performed what is known in boxing circles as the "Postman's knock." The man gasped in pain and fright. A left-arm jab nearly threw Eim over backwards. To recover his balance, he lurched forward. This is what Clarence wanted. The man saw a. fist flicker up and then down. A fraction of an instant Jater something hit him benea.th the point of the jaw. He waggled his head and crumpled up jupon the ground. , Clarence adjusted his spectacles firmly on his nose. They had become somewhat displaced during the fight. . He then turned to Mrs Webling and Nella, who were regarding him with wide-open, wondering eyes. "I think I'd better take you back to the car," he said quietly. On their way back "to .the- viiiago they came across Henry. He seemed surprised to see them. "I came to find a policeman," he explained to Nella. She did not reply. Neither on -their way home did she speak another word. Henry felt h'urt. H.e adopted an air of injured innocence. He ehdeavoured to maintain an attitude" of quiet dignity. When they arrived at Nella' s home, Henry held out his hand to her, "Good-byo," said Henry haughtily. "Good-b.ye," said Nella, and t-urned, ignoring the outstretched liand. Clarence looked on. He felt awkward He felt sorry for Henry, too. It seemed to him that Nella was being rather hard on Henry. He couldn't understand it. Henry nodded curtly and staiked away. Mrs Webling, still overcome by the after - noon's excitement, made her way into the house. The hired motor-car departed. Nella watched it gradually recede from sight. Then suddenly she turned to Clar. ence. "I've been a silly, short-sighted little fool," she exclaimed impulsively. "I'm soriy. Forgive me, and — I'll try and make up for it!" "Eh?" said Clarence, amazed. Nella slippqd her arm through his and led him . gently towards the house. The end.