The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 12, 12 November 1908, Page 3

The Storyteller

OUTWITTED The young mart in the car jieat was not as -sleepy^ as. lie looked. His attitude suggested slumber, but his ears— unlike his eyes — were wide open. He was not a"' young man who jndde a practice of listening to conversations that were not intended for his hearing, but he had caught a few words quite by accident, and this impelled him — from what he considered a sense of duty — to hear all he could. * * — - The conversation to which he was listening came from two girls who sat in front of him. One of these, girls was rather inclined to stoutness, and her garments, more especially herflaring hat, which was black and of the cartwheel type, sug- - gested a somewhat loud and aggressive nature. Her companion was several years younger, a pale young girl, neatly and quietly garbed. And the reasoa the yot.ng man in the rear seat was particularly interested in the conversation of* these girls was due to the fact that the younger girl was running away from home. He had found this out from the older girl. Her voice was loud and aggressive, like her hat, and as soon as she had assured herself by a glance over her shoulder at the young man's closed eyes^and negligent attitude that the nearest listener was asleep, she had talked along in a careless way — a way that was quite audible to the pretended sleeper. v ' Now, don't you worry, Elvie,' she chattered; i you're goin' to have tn elegant time. We've got some awf'ly nice people In our comp'ny, an' soon's you get acquainted with 'em', you UP think they're th' best ever. Some folks turn up their noses at burlesque troupes, but I guess there's just as good people in 'em as thers is anywheres. Of course, iheie's one-niglit^stands, but then you see so much more of the country. What you cryin' about?' ' The pale girl murmured something which the young man could not catch. ' Of course you feel scared at first,' the other girl rattled on. ' That's natural. I did, too. Guess may be you didn't like th' looks of our treasurer. Well, he ain't any good', tfiat's right. But of course, you can keep away from him. Oh, say, cheer up, can't you? I wouldn't have coaxed you on to>£the stage if I hadn't thought you'd have a good" time. You've got the face an' you've got the shape an' you o^ght to rise. Besides, I should think you'd be glad to get a change from • that everlastin* ftypewritin' — an' I guess your home wasn't none too pleasant. Why, you're going to see life, Elvie ! You don't know what life is. Our comp'ny is just one big happy family. Of course, I ain't sayin' they're all perfect. Maud Hollisi she' 3 the manager's wife, an' gets all th' best parts — an' she's fortyfive if a day f is a human meat axe, an' there's Tom Rollins — oh, well, you'll find 'em out for yourself. Only I'll just say" this, if Jack Graney — he's our leadin' comedian — could get a backer, he'd pull away 'from th' old man mighty quick, an' take a dozen of us girls with him. What's that ! You re sorry you come? It's too late to put up your lip now. OOkh k don't be a bab-y. There ain't nothin' goin' to hurt you. -Guess you ain't used to th' motion of the cars. Make you feel kind o' sick, don't they? Well, we're goin' to get off at Yorkville.. We show there to-night. ' Her voice dropped. The young man in the^ rear seat had roused up, and was fumbling with the "window blind. The girl in the big hat threw a glance at him over.Jher shoulder.. It • was a-friendly glance, and he caught it. The-girl-had big black feyes, and a short upper lip that kept her white teeth constantly exjposed— a peculiarity that was considered very desirable behind the burlesque footlights. . ; The young man picked \up his hat and passed down the • aisle. He was- gone some little time." The girl*in the big hat Hooked at the other girl. The other girl was . intent on the flying landscape. The older girl shrugged her shoulders. Then the young man returned. He paused with his hat in his 'hand. - ' I beg your pardon,' he said, ' but am I addressing Miss Myrtle De Vere?' . M ' - ' The girl shook her head, and her fluttering ribbons met the young man's inquiring glance. ' • "' No,' she replied, '.I'm not Miss De Vere. I "think there is a De Vere girl in th' Dewey Blossom troupe on the Omaha circuit, but I never met her. I s'pose the young lady you refer to is on th' stage?'

•Yes.' ' " ~ " ' Won't you sit down? Are you acquainted much in th 1 profession?' „ ■ • " The young man, a very presentable, young man with- an '. ' easy manner, took the seat indicated. ' Pretty fairly so,' he answered. ' I'm better acquainted in the east, however. Let me see — your's is the Field Daisy troupe, isn't it?' 'Yes. Know any of our people? Guess you don't, though. We're in Wolfe an' Sulzer's circuit. Ours is a Western outfit. . We got ttotine good talent, though. ' - ' §j§!}!fih Flernming told me.' .„•>' ' Ybii know Jim Flemming?' . 'Yes. I know "him quite well. Sharp fellow, Jim.' * He's th' king of th' business,' said the gicl. ' He~ <*an make or break you with a snap of his fingers. I wish I linew him. ' I want to get east.' The young man nodded. ' Jim knows the business. He told me that when I had any money to spare I couldn't do better than get together a fairsized burlesque company and play it over one of the Western circuits. Jim said if I'd put up the money he'd look after the bookings. ' The girl stared. Her black eyes snapped, her teeth shone. 1 Do you really think of backin' somethin'?' she' demanded. * I'm looking- round,' the young man replied. ' I can get the money all tight. But I want something good to show for it.' The girl suddenly arose. • ' You'll excuse me for a moment,' she hastily remarked. ' I've got a friend somewhere on the train that 1 want you to meet. Guess he's in the smoking car. Just wait here, please I'll find him.' And she hurried down the aisle with her hat ribbons in a wild flutter. The young man slipped to the end of the seat facing the other girl. The other girl had been sitting with her back half turned to her companion, staring through the car window. See here,' said the young man in a sharp, quick way, ' I want to help you.' The girl half turned and stared at him as if she did not understand. He saw that she had been crying. ' Help me?' she faintly replied. ' Yes,' he answered. * Listen to me. You don't want to go in this company. It isn't a life that would suit you. You would much rather go home.' 4 I—lI — I can't go home,' stammered the girl, her eyes filling with tears. ' I—l'mI — I'm ashamed to go. I've run away — -'and 1 haven't any money.' There was something in the stranger's face that impelled her to say this. ' I tell you frankly, '^he said, ' that this company is no place for a young girl like you. I have talked with one of the players. The life is hard, the rewards uncertain, the standard a low one. Will you trust me?' The tears rushed to her eyes again, 4 I don't know whom to trust,' she half sobbed. 4 D 9 you believe what I say?* 4 I'm afraid it's too true. Oh, why have I been so foolish?' 4 There, there,' said the young man soothingly. 4 There is no harm done yet. Qf course, you don't know me. You'll have to trust me without knowing me. Wait.' He slipped into the aisle and nodded to the conductor, who was standing I at the rear door. The conductor came forward. ' Mr. Robbins,' the young man said, '"you understand something about this I affair. Tell the young lady what you think of the company I she is asked to join.' I The grey-bearded conductor leaned forward. I ' It's not the life for a young girl, my dear,' he said. .. ' I've I a daughter of my own — about your age, I think. I should be I quite heart-broken, if I knew sjie had taken up with this I work. Be advised by the -young gentleman, my dear^ He I is trying to do you a great favor.' I 4 Am I to be trusted, Mr. Robbins?' the young man sudI denly asked. I 4 You may trust him, my dear. I know him and know I his father. They are men of their word — men who "couldn't B -stoop to a, meanness. Trust him, my dear. - Do what he I* tells you.' I 4 Thank you,' replied the young man with a quick smilo. I' I don't see how-the young lady can resist that. The train i« I stopping. This must be Flamborough. Come, 'Miss Elvte, I you and I will 'go forward into the parlor car. Mr. Robbins

will tell your friend when she comes back that he hasn't seen us since the train left Flamborough. The next station •is the .one where the troupe gets off* Let -your friend think what she wills. She'll make up her mind, no ,doubt, that" you" repented of your - decision to go with her. - Are these your bag and jadtel? Come.' - "{ He had a quick way of speaking that was both? sincere and convincing. The girl arose and followed him into the aisle.. As she passed the conductor he gave her an approving nod. ' ' ' ' You can trust him,' he murmured. '„ There are few young men who would take all this trouble. Don't forget that. 1 " The girl followed her into the second car ahead. It was the parlor car, and the young man secured two chairs and placed the girl in one and put her bag in the rack. The girl looked up timidly. 'You— you don't think they will come here searching for me?' she asked. * * Conductor Robbins will look out for that,'' he said. ' You are quite safe here.' <» The girl looked about the handsomely-furnished car, and breathed a sigh of relief. ' How strange it seems,' she said. ' A moment ago, I didn't think I Tiad a true friend in all the world, and— and then you came. Are you going to send me home?' He smiled at her eager question. C I want to do the right thing,' he said. He paused and looked at his watch. '.And the right thing to do first is to get luncheon.' ' Oh, I can't eat,' said the girl quickly. * Oh, yes", you can,' contradicted the young man. ' Come, let us go in now. Remember that you are to do what I advise. Isn't that what Conductor Robbins told you? Come.' She arose obediently and followed him into the dining car. They had a table to themselves, and the young man ordered an appetising luncheon. "They were eating when the train stopped at York vi He. The girl shuddered as the young man pronounced- the name of the station. ' Look out of the window, cautiously,' said the young man, ' This will be your last chance to see the Field Daisies. Ah, there they are, and . your friend is among them. You don't retain any hidden desire to gp on the road with the troupe, do you T ' No, no,' exclaimed the girl, and she sank in her chair. It terrifies me 10 think of it. ' ' Then don't think ofit,' said the young man in his soothing way. ' There, the train is moving. The Field Daisies will soon be miles away. And now, back to your luncheon. Don't shame my taste by neglecting it. I'm Hungry myself. And I have no doubt you are hungry, too. Had an early breakfast, I suppose?' - • ' I didn't have any breakfast,' said the girl in a low tone. ' Then you must eat now,' declared the young man. ' What's that?' The train had been moving stowly. Now it stopped with -a. clatter of couplings. %Che young man looked out of the window. ' Something wrong with the running gear," I fancy. The train men are staring under the diner. That needn't interrupt our luncheon. '- But the girl ate sparingly. The strangeness of her position destroyed her appetite. She was glad when the young man led the way back to the parlor "car. Their seats were at one end of the car, which contained but few passengers. ■ The nearest seat was occupied by an elderly lady attired in black, who was absorbed in a book. The lady looked, up as the two passed her.,, and then the inquiring glance was followed by a frown. Almost instantly her eyes returned to the page of her book. ' ' ' There was much clanging of .hammers "on iron as the two took their seats. ' We seem to be giving those noise-makers considerable diversi^,' remarked the young man in his easy way.- v ' If you will excuse a moment I'll try to discover the cause "of .-he' delay;' *• _ " — Thtiaigirl blushed and trembled. ' I—lI — I wish you wouldn't leave me,' she murmured. The eyes of the elderly woman in the chair near by suddenly left # the printed page, and her frown deepened. 'Of course I won't,' said the young man quickly. ' There is no doubt that the train will pull out just as soon if I leave my curiosity ungratified. ' ' Thank you,' said the girl a little brokenly. The eyes of the elderly woman turned back to the" page, but the frown still *■ wrinkled her white forehead. /

r The,re was a little silence, "broken only by the sullen reveiberatiqna beneath the train. And then a man suddenly appeared' \h the aisle. He was a stout, red-faced man, with a black moustache. His eyes were small and keen, and his chm square and aggressive * So you're in here, are you ?' he demanded as he looked down the young man and the girl. His voice was low, but wrathful. The young man looked up in the angry face. % ' What do you mean by that?' he asked. He spoke quistly. but a fed/ spot suddenly burned in his cneeks. ' Ypu. know well enough what" I mean,' the stout man growled. ' You've coaxed this girl away from us. You're hiding her. She's bound to us by a contract. We mean to hold her to it. What are you butting in for?' The young man had risen and was facing the stranger. ' I can explain that very easily,' he said. ' The girl needed a friend.' The stout man chuckled hoarsely. ' A friend,' he sneered. 'What does she want of a friend? Hasn't she got a friend in -the company? She'll make all the friends she wants without picking up the first pretty boy th n winks at her.' ' Steady,' said the young man, and drew a quick breath. The stout man looked across at the girl. 'Come, young lady,' he said; 'your friends are on the outside waiting for you. Your agreement to go with us is here in my pocket. You can't get away from it.' ' Wait,' said the young man, sharply. ' That agreement is worthless. - The girl is not of age, and she has been coaxed away from home. That looks to me like abduction or kidnapping. ' The, stout man showed his teeth. ' She's an honest girl. She'll come with me.' The girl's face was pressed against the window pane. She did not look around. The young man had thrust his hands in his side coat pockets, and his face was close to the stout man's. —*r% ' Now, listen to me,' he said. ' The young woman will do just what she pleases to do in this affair, and she's not to be bullied or cajoled. Understand that. Understand, too, that you can't bully me. If this girl wants my protection she will get it.' The stout man laughed scornfully. 'Your protection,' he sneered; 'it's a fine brand of protection she'd get from you, Mr. Wolf ! Your little game is very gauzy, my young friend. If there was some wamen here (o look after the girl it would be different, but I don't intend to leave her in your hands, trust me for that.' The young man's face turned white, and his lip quivered. And then came a sudden interruption. The elderly lady arose and leaned forward. She had a card jin her fingers. ' I will take charge of the girl,' she said in a quiet tone. I* This is my name.' I The stout man stared at the card, and then he stared at Ithe lady. • He seemed to recognise her name. Then he gave Ithe girl a hasty glance, scowled at the young man, and drew I ' That's different,' he growled, and stalked from the car. I The elderly lady looked at the young man, and he bowed and kook a chair some distance away. Then she turned to the girl I It might have been twenty minutes later and the train was ■speeding away from Yorkville, when the lady came to him and look the chair opposite. •' ■ I You are young Mr. Greer, I believe.' I 'I am Dunham Greer.' ■ ' I thought I recognised your face. I know your father ■cry well. Mara Mrs. Hamerton, Mrs. Gilbert Hamerton.' ■ The young man bowed. He had often heard of Mrs.-Hamer- ■ ' I have been talking with* th-e young girl,' she said, i and I ■nd she is ,a, nice little thing. I'm quite sure this adventure ■ill not harm her. In fact, I am so well .pleased with her ■tat I am going to take her home -with m*^ She can make Krself useful in several ways. I want some typewriting done, ■ d l am going to let her work on my scrapbooks— perhaps ■uphave heard of .them? To-night I will write to her father.' ■b smiled a little as she looked at the young man. 'No Hubt this will relieve you of a rather serious responsibility.' ■ • Yes,' said the young man with a laugh. 'It seemed to ■ getting mofe serious the longer I had it. You are very kind ■d good,' he quickly added.

The lady's face grew grave. , . ■ • - ' For a moment,' she said, ' I was tempted to think unkindly of .you, but .now I am sure, dear boy, that if your father had twice as many millions they couldn't spoil you!' And she laughed and put out her hand. — Cleveland Plain Dealer.