The Storyteller.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 15 February 1900, Page 23

The Storyteller.

CEL lA S FRIENDS.

' Well, dear,' said Mrs. Dalmayne to her husband as he entered the breakfast room, 'as you were late, I took the opportunity of wading through my pile of letters, and I have found one from Celia which I scarcely know how to answer.'

( Another appeal for a starving iamiiy, I suppose," buid Colonel Dalmayne, ' but ring the bell for breakfast, my dear, for at presc nt I am almost in a starving condition iuynell , and w« will ui^< u-i the oontents of Celia's letter whilst we minister to our own uvuture comforts.'

Mrs. Dalmayne, who was one of the beßt wives in the world, waited until she saw him doing full justice to the devilled kidneys before she again alluded to her sister's letter, which she then read as follows

' Dearest Sister, — You are always po kind and ready to help me, that I am now going to ask your co-operation in a little plan I have formed to benefit some exceedingly nice people — a widow and her Bon. The former is elderly, but in every sense of the word she is a most worthy person.'

1 Oh, Lulu dear,' interrupted the Colonel, ' I can quite picture her. If nothing else can be said of people they are called " worthy." or perhaps " amiable.' However, I'm sure Celia means " worthy " as the very highest recommendation. But go on with letter, perhaps she has something more brilliant to say of tbe son.'

Mrs. Dalmayne resumed • 'The son, a young man about 2S, is not in good health and has been recommended a change to sea air, which his mother is too poor to give him. In my wish to help them I first thought of offering to elefray their expenses at some watering-place, but I feared to hurt Mrs. Bridgman's feelings, as I believe she is most sensitive. People who have seen better days are usually the proudest of the proud. I understand that Mr. Bridgman was a member of the Bar, and this son was to have been brought up to the same profession, only his delicacy prevented his having the necessary education Another son is in the army to rnewhere abroad, and a third is an engineer ; but I fear that neither of them is of much help to the poor widow. Now, Lulu dearest, I have thought this : Could you ask them to your place 1 '

' The maddest idea in the world,' exclaimed Colonel Daymayne. rising from the breakfast table ; ' Celia is always so Quixotic'

The wife said nothing, but a troubled look passed over her face and she went on with the letter.

' They would not be much in your way, as mother and son would probably Epend most of their time on the beach, and you have told me that you are not expecting visitors just now. Sydney might object perhaps, but you could coax him rounel I am buie.'

'Indeed,' exclaimed the Colonel sarcastically

' Think what a good action you would he doing ; p^rhapß saving a valuable life. Let me hear, dear, ay Boon a.s possible that you consent.'

The writer then went on to other topics, and Mrs. Dalmayne, putting the letter down with a sigh, said

' Now, Sydney, hew am I to answer this / '

lOh ! ' he replied, 'it is all out of the question, of course ; you know how wrapt up Celia in in her chantable mispion, and how in her goodness she entirely le>ses sight e>f common heiw 1 . Far better' to send her a substantial cheque for them ; they coulel go where they liked, which probably tluy would prefer to \ihitiiiier strangers.

'Cut you know, dear," objected Mrs. Dalmayne, ' C( ha shrinks from offering them nione^ , and ,she l.s so good I .scarcely like to refute to do what she has asked.'

' Alley comes home to-morrow,' said the Colonel, 'and guests will, I think, be rather in the way ' ' Not if they are agreeable one-,' replied his wife ; ' as the wido-?. of a barrister Mrs Bridguiun must be a gentlewoman, and she ruav be a highly ct lrmed out. 1 shoul 1 imagine the young man to be veryq'ii'.t and unobtru-ive ; probably devoted to reading, as invalids generally are . so if you give him the Use of your library I dare say he will jiniUM' himself very quietly then indoors-. However, ot course, uiy dear, we will not have them it you elishke the idea.

This List sentence was a very masterly stroke on the part of Mr.-. Dalmayne', and, a.- she knew, it would have a better eff ct on her husband than the " coaxing him over' as suggested by her sister ; so that after a tew more pres and cons had been weighed on both s-ides she quietly laid down her oars, etidirg the argument with

' 1 11 leave it entirely to you, dear.'

Tae, Colonel at once agreed to have the birrister's relict and invalid son, and a letter went off that night to Colin inviting them down ft.r a wetk or ten days, which visit, i*s Colonel and Mr-. Dalmajne agreed, could ea-ily be lengthened if the newcomers proved to be all that 'fancy,' or rather Ceha. ' had painted them,' and a week fiotu that day was fixed for their arrival.