GRAINS OF GOLD. THE RISING OF THE STAR.

New Zealand Tablet, 1 November 1906, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD. THE RISING OF THE STAR.

The wonder of it all—prefigured through The world's perspective by a thousand signs, In oracles, in myths, in poets' lines— Gem-tangled tissues,—men but darkly knew ; Find secrets in great Homer, portents true In Virgil : earth-stained tales' that, glimmering shine In the deep gloom with meanings half divine And virginal, like Danae's golden dew ! Dim was the light in the sad olden ways ■ Weary the swallows flying toward the light, Weary the eagles, as on broken wing ;— The Star arose: the'secret of long days And nights and years and ages shone out bright For, jirgin-born, a little .Child is King. ■ —' Aye Maria.'

Who, watching our lives and following us as we go about our daily avocations would dre a m that we are laying the foundation for an eternal mansion ? Who, viewing our conduct, would ever imagine that we are conscious our actions and thoughts are all stamping with ,an indelible mark our life beyond the-grave t Is yours a tepid, careless,! listless life ? If each one worked upon the maxim day Ay day W? Ve wi £ + TTT T - ke ??% heart hap Py J^lousy, revenge, leave S^JSh* ndled . T 1 associates, would for ever leave the earth Our minds would be so .occupied in {hat thiTSnlT^ 1 * adding t0 the Pl«««res of othexs discord be nC " room f - or the u & y fien<is of - Where selfishness exists in any form/ we cannot but *S5 rVe -- cVII J 6^" 8 -- The dividual is- -taught by Ms' ♦ Redeemer and Master that the only real good that ' S^v^.ifn^^h «or himself and his contemporary X eJinvSf' B^ 1^ 6 ' The or optimismVlife. ivL Joyed when we ar6 not selfishly interested in pulse S , Ca iT-' -, but - When we feel c deep pulse of the Holy. Spirit animating us. '

She looked up swiftly. - ' You must not call me- that, Ogden. I have not said that I would marry .you.' 1 But you will, won't you, dear ?' he pleaded. •No !' ' f I „ , 4 Why nof; ?' he asked quietly.., ' Because 111 1 don't i love you. Nor do I think,' she pursued relentlessly, j'that you love me.' ' Then you don't know anything about it ' he replied calmly, {■' because I do.' ' Words are so easy,' she observed coldly. ' I don't believe that I quite understand you, Giadys, he answered rather formally. She turned to him in sudden anger. * ' Can you blame me, Ogden ?' she asked swiftly. Last week I wanted you -especially for a sailing party which Jack Reddington was getting up, but no you had an engagement '• J J ' But that was one of my clinic days 'he interrupted, a- slight change in his voice." 1 es, and you , were uirwilling to give it up for just- one afternoon for me ' v Again he interrupted her, coldly. 'Do you realise, Gladys, that there (are about fifty sick and destitute people dependent upo^i me ?' " ' You could have ' got some one else to take your - place for that one /day ' 'But you see, I understand their cases, and they want me. - - 4u 1 An ? 8 £ course you can sympathise with them ' in ,-777 she be San >( a trifle sarcastically, then paused, a little conscious-smitten. - v ' n../ *Yfr ° gd K n> yy T OU w ? re , xi & U in tha V of course. But then, when 1 wanted you the next day for a bridge party at the Bentleys ' rnniH 1 !.^ 6116 <° + see 4i. oue ,? f . my dis Pensary patients who could not get to the clinic, a poor little actress who got ptomaine poisoned at a table d'hote ' of dolors were " P l^ ' . ' Gl adys,' he said, sternly, 'one would think to near you talk that a you were as cold-blooded as a s»s »a tu^rri... 7ou arc -k^ \j. ' Thanhs, ', she interjected dryly 'I?** 1S + all v ? lv , interesting,' she interposed, 'but ?£ \lr h r remmd yOU that you are interrupting the thread of my argument. Yesterday I too* adLotu^n? 7T insistenllv "Peated requests to use She - Now you tSI mm GUPIh G UP lhn a , Party , fOt to-morrow afternoon.- " Sunday—' " * yy ° U Ye made other plans ? or '. But> m I de »r girl,' he cried desperately, 'why she £& X'U° U tCU WW ' Cm lhat ' thC7 mUS ' Wait '•" abru|Sfy aUSe ""' H<! hc^ ilaled -' l ci9ft .' "c- finished _ They are patients of mine. See here Gladys von & /oft** ts, r c ,2? -MS: i- ,- c «f Oh ' Very wcll)> she answered lightly. «It really %A^^ S STJ o^^ said iiat « a -not reckoMd on the ingenuitj -bori i ot povertl' aid iSp M. Lajous was the first to arrive The little TTri^M, sure of being entertained aboard a vacnt wt p r lea " brightened, ' Hola ! Here coiie the others !' ?

Ogden glanced up and discovered the old prospector^ who was stalking down the ill-paved sidewalk, one of the little shopgirls on either arm. • Morning, i) O c I' called the miner, cheerfully; 'Here we are— me an' the, gals. .I . met up with 'em on the fcirst avenoo - horse car and tuk 'em-r ight in tow.' 1 Good,' replied Ggden cheerfully, noting, with fresh surprise that the hardened old- = ' rustler ' was, when carefully groomed, a* really distinguished-looking map, tall, and with a stern, deep-lined face,' grizzled ; and; that, although bearing the marks, of dissipation, he not without a certain dignity of presence The two girls were prettily and tastefully dressed in fresh muslm frocks, and their, pale faces .were flushed with pleasure as they gazed in breathless admiration at the yachting costume of their host. ' Say, Doc, observed the miner, who was neatly clad in a well-fitting frock-coat, fresh linen, flowing! black scarf and polished boots of the ' congress ' type ♦I tuk advantage of your liberal invite" to fetch an old friend o' mine— old Major Harris. 1 ran into him the other day down at the Mills Hotel.' .' Glad of it,' said, Ogden heartily. He glanced up to see a- daintiiy-go wiled woman carefully picking her way between the piles of fire-proofing with which the wharf -was strewn. Not for several seconds did he recognise in the flushed and pretty face that was upturned to him the unfortunate victim of the illuminating gas. . - * - - -. ' I'm very glad that you „ could come, Mrs. Mojrell ' he said cordially, then turned to the others. ' Those of us here might as well be getting aboard, v JJo? oa * Wlll have to wake another trip. We'll leave mv ° ° as cnainn an of the reception committee.' Ihe sun was about two hours from the clear western horizon as the fleet Lotus ripped her way through the calm waters of the Sound. . The day had been one .of \ unalloyed- delights. Thanks to the candid hospitality of their host the guests were " entirely at ease with their novel surroundings before Hell Gate was reached. . Prom the first their delight in the swift/ motion" claimed all of their attention. They overhauled waddling excursion steamers, skimming past them with aristocratic ease, the target for scores- of admiring eyes They had seen the big cup defenders out for practice sails, and listened with deepest interest to the skilled but comprehensible comments of their Jiost on these marvels. Later they had landed at Lobster Bay where a most delicious ' shore din-ncr » had been'served them at the Casino. Ogden, from the bridge where he had gone to speak to -the captain, contemplated his quests thoughtfully His eyes rested upon them successively. The Armel man student, a handsome feliow naturally and 1 becomingly dressed in, a suit of clothes given him by one ot the clubmen for whom he rendered valet duty might easily have passed for an aristocrat. The' same was true of M. Lajoux, with his little ribbon of the Legion d Honneur. Martin, the grizzled miner, and his loquacious old friend, Major Harris, were the typical statesmen of the South-west. As 'for the women Ogden thought that he had been often presented to t-aose of far less charm of manner , and than several among .his gues.ts. Yet all these people represented a class as far removed from his set as if they had be onged to a different race. They were the other half,' the herd; indigents ; objects of charity. He felt that he was drawing closer thkn ever- in his {o|e^ei he wi d t?i cP a "new" d^ISST^ 7 ' "^ HpS Came '-Every Sunday hereafter,' he said to himself. These or others like them. Hereafter the clinic gets a seventh share in this packet, Gladys or no Gladys!' He went aft and a moment later was pointing out various places of interest on either shore to Mrs. Morell and the httle shopgirls. While so occupied the captain Dr. Moore,' he said, ' the Aurora is becalmed on our port bow and is signalling that she would like to speak you, sir.' Ogden glanced up in vexation. The Aurora recalled an episode of the evening before which he had been trying all day to put from his mind. Had he sighted her in time he would have instructed the captain to give her a wide berth. As it was, .there seemed n°» « *>o -way of avoiding her, especially a s she was the flagship of his home. club and owned by his uncle Very well,' he replied ; • ruiTover and see what she wants. The fleet Lotus was soon abreast of the stately schooner, which lay motionless, a silent tower of tall canvas, creamy pink against the late sun. In the shadow of the mainsail was a bright little croup of people, and as they slowed down alongside a handsome middleraged man in. -ducks and serge walked to the rail and hailed them through a megaphone, n, u S^m, 7o^.** 1 ? A us aboard, and drop us at the Yacht Club? The tide's turned ahead and this calm is likely to last until midnight.' • , r> - v

Ogden's face hardened, a trifle. Just for the instant -it struck him- as a shame that these rich plea-sure-seekers could 1 not leave his poor little party of patients to enjoy thar day in peace. 'Still, it was impossible to refuse the ; request, especially as the Sachem Harbor Yacht Club was only. ten miles to the westward and directly in his course,. ' ' Very well,' he replied, a bit stiffly. ' Shall I send- a boat ?>'-•* __ ■ •No, we'll taKe one *of ours.' He wheeled about -• ' Call away the cutteri' ' ' A-w-a-y, cutter ! ' sang the mate, and the smart sailors sprang to the boatfalls. A few moments later the deep-laden cutter shot alongside the Lotus, and a gaily chattering" party -jfiled up: the little accommodation ladder. ' 1 ' " The newcomers proceeded to distribute themselves about the decks, of 'the little yacht, some glancing curiously at the rallied odd-looking group of people under the_ after awning. For Ogden himself there existed absolutely no doubt as to the ethics of the situation. The patients were his invited .guests, "and as such were the peers of any- who chose of" their own • accord to make use of his vessel. While "the numbers made a general introduction uncalled-for, he would not hesitate to present anf- individual of either set who happened to become adjacen-t. He saw at once ,-Lthat .-the party which had just boarded his yacht .was the one arranged •by Gladys Harte; and for the entertainment of which she had asked him for the Lq'lus. He could easily guess that the girl herself had jehemently opposed' the transhipping, but had doubtless been overruled by the others. She flushed angrily as her eyes fell upon Ogden, who was standing byl the head of the ladder to receive .his self-invifced guests. 1 I am sorry thatf we were obliged to inconvenience you,' she said coldly, i at the same time unable' to avoid a curious glance toward the people aft. ' I am sorry that[ you should feel so about it, ' he replied evenly, stepping aside to let her pass. 'Great luck, Ogden— catching you" just as'wedid ! ' exclaimed a hearty voice, and he turned to face- the Commodore. « Might have drifted around here all night.'' He glanced aft. ' Who are your friends ? Anybody I know '! ' - > "...«.■ "I fancy not, . uncle,' replied Ogden, dryly. 'They are patients of mine -whom I have asked for a day's* sail.' . IBy George, that's clever of you, eh, commodore ? commented a rather adipose man standing by the rail. 'Nothing like a steam yacht, to drum up practice ! I wonder that more struggling youne prac- - titioners don't use them, ' Why, you see, Benttey, replied Ogden, ' pills don't bring as big a profit as soap. Besides,' he pursued thoughtfully, « drumming isn't included in the early stages of a medical education.' Mr. Bentley laughed, with a slight effort and walked forward* The commodore whistled softly under his breath. • > 'By the— l say, you got him with both barrels that time, Ogden. Don't you think you hove it in a little solid ? ' .• 'Oh, no, he's fairly, thick in the pelt! Besides, why can't he mind >his .own business? Hello/ Van ; Beuren ! ' he called genially to a pleasant-faced young fellow who was walking, past. " - • Hello,, doctor ! I say, doctor, who's that prettywoman talkjng to the little Frenchman ? Introduce me will you ? ' •';■ 'Certainly.' Ogden led " him aft. ' Mrs. More'll, let me present Mr. Van Beuren,' he^said quietly, adding, 'M. Lajoux, Mr. Bentley.' i Ogden saw the color stealing into the woman's' lace, as did also Van 'Beuren, who, a trifle puzzledopened the conversation i casually. Ogden paused to - speak to the little shopgirls, who were stealing admiring glances at the women from the schooner. As he strolled forward aesaiii he observed that the genial commodore had entered into conversation with the miner and Major Harris. \ ' 'Dr Moore !'. called a pretty woman with kind eyes and a wide, generous mouth. Ogden 'recognised «iT r -f/ 5 A 7S un S wid <> vv w«ow «o was rather celebrated about < Y r acht . Club f or her harmless jraities. -' ~ - " ?i OO i IS *!*!■* stl! "nin&|looking young man with the ' eyes ? she whispered. - , -. 'He is an Armenian, Mrs. Townsend'. He is studying law in New York.' ' - •Oh, do bring him- here. I want to talk to him.' U£den walked over to the Armenian and told him nis mission. The young man was delighted. Leaving them, Ogden walked forward and lit a cigaieite. Before he had been there long Gladys sweptpast him, her face crimson. He caught the angry fash from her eyes and at the same time noticed that her youthful escort wore an expression of horror" and amazement.

I say, Dr. Moore,' exclaimed the young man, 'can I speak to you a moment ? Do you -know what that Armenian chap talking to Mrs. -Townsend " really is ? ' - , . .- ■ ' * ' I think so,' said Ogden. . ' Well, I'll bet you don't ! He's a valet in. the Pow~ llatan Club ! ' . • ■ ' • ■ •- "" Ogden's straight eyebrows came together and his cold gray eyes-, grew stony.- ... , ' Do you know what else he is ? ' he asked. ' What ? ' ■ -. ' He's a guest aboard my .yacht, and as such is not open to criticism.' The young man- drew back a trifle, and ' Gladys came to his rescue. .* - ' That appears' to cover a multitude of delinquencies,' she. retorted. 'One of the' young " ladies in pinlc sold me several yards of silk the other day at Terne's.- ' Indeed ? I fail to see that that is "anything against her. 1 ' If you must invite valets and shop-girls and people like the woman with the dyed hair, I should think that at least you might refrain from introducing them promiscuously to your friends,' said the girl in a low voice. .' Pardon me, but I have not introduced any of your party to my _ guests without being requested to do so. Also permit v me to point out the fact- that I had invited - these people whom you find" aboard', whereas, if- I must say it, the rest of you have invited yourselves ! ' __• -"•/,- Gladys' face paled with anger:- ' - • • -f ' Will" you be so good as to put us- ashore ? ' she asKed in a voice that choked a trifle. ' Immediately. There is the Yacht Club right -ahead. Ogden bowed s and" walked away. Before he had taken a dozen steps he felt a hand laid on his shoulder, and, turning sharply, saw Van Beuren. -' Before I go ashore, doctor,' "he said, "' I want to tell you that I think you are a brick. !' Lajoux has . - given you dead away. 1 am going to find something for that little chap. We can always use an alert French-^ man in our exporting business. X- He held out his hand -which Ogden took. Mrs". Townsend paused for an "instant -as she was about" to descend aud'Jield out "her 'hand-- to" 1 Og-den,- who was standing by the rail. ■ '^ ' Mr. Yarosran has told me all about himself '—she paused, and at the softening of her voice and eyes Gladys, whom she was delaying, gazed at. her in surprise — ' and about you,' she 'added. ' I am- going to do something for him this winter. He "is too bright- to press clothes— and I think that you are a dear !"' she added impulsively and hurried down the 1 -steps/ a suspicious, moisture in her sweet eyes. Gladys' face looked mystified as she followed her. into the waiting launch. _ * Dr. Ggden Moore, from his seat upon, thg ./broad ~ rail of the verandah, had watched the upward course of the mid-summer -moon, ignoring the "potent summons of a pair of- big_blue ejes which -many times that evening had sent their- " pleading message. " "~ . ' Ogden, ' said a soft --voice at his shoulder, a voice that held the faintest suspicion of a quaver. He arose qifickly to his feet. ' . . ' . ' Yes, Gladys.' ' Ogden,* l wish to have a talk with you.. A certain pleading accent of , the voice belied its dignity. . ' Come down to the summer house, where we " will not be disturbed. - Side by side, yet separated" by an j infinite distance, they passed across the dewy lawn. "At the entrance to Ihe bower" the girl turned to him suddenly and raised her wistful face. 1 Ogden.'can you forgive me? ' Her. voice .contained a passionate appeal. He looked at her thoughtfully. -. " ' I'm afraid not, Gladys,' he answered in a tone of deep "regret. .* - ' Why not ?-' she demanded, almost fiercely. ' Because— you see,_you insulted my guests ; not openly, to be sure, but through me.' * ■I But I did mot know that, Ogden. I did not understand. I thought that your clinic ; people' -were very poor, destitute.' ' . . wJS'' They are. I- doubt if the dozen people that you saw would be able to raise fifty dollars altogether.' ._ 'Then you won't— forgive^-me— Ogden ?'" It was ; Vthe" faintest - whisper. ' I am very sorry——' he began coldly, then paused, finding the words difficult. Gladys turned slowly from him and started to walk back towards the club. . . ' ' "- ' Gladys ! ' He reached her side in one swift stride. 'Oh, Offden '• she sobbed. 1 Hush, darling ! Of course I'll forgive you.'