The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, 10 July 1913, Page 5

The Storyteller

YESTERDAY'S ROSEBUD It began to dawn on Lady Flora Treherne that she was getting older, and that the youngest daughter cannot forever remain young. Her elder sisters were already married and had children growing up about them, while she remained unwed, for she was the most beautiful of all the Earl's daughters and was well aware of the fact. Now on the eve of her twenty-seventh birthday she became aware that there was something wanting in her life, which one or two of those whom she had spurned in the days of her wanton youth might have supplied. She looked in her mirror somewhat anxiously, for her father was a poor man and in a sense her face was still her principal fortune. She saw a change, but no lessening of beauty. The delicate bloom and the willowy form of her childhood had been succeeded by a fuller and more matured loveliness. But Lady Flora did not seem altogether satisfied with her scrutiny. In a few years I shall be fat, actually fat and horrid, and she made a grimace at her reflection. When she came down to the morning-room, she found her father sitting at the fire after his breakfast, and reading the Times. 'What news is there this morning, papa V his daughter asked, touching his brow lightly with her lips. ■ -^ ' Nothing particular, I think,' Lord Mountbay answered. ' Oh, yes —I see that young Ronald Gower has been appointed Clerk of the Council. You remember him, Flora, don't you?'

The girl’s face flushed. ‘Yes, I remember him,’ she answered softly. ‘I always thought that boy was sure to get on,’ Lord Mountbay continued, -‘ and his father would have been a great man if those accursed savages hadn’t killed him. Don’t you remember, Flora! The boy used to come to Mountbay sometimes, but I suppose you have forgotten. It’s a long time ago and you were only a girl then. I wonder how it is we have lost sight of him.’ The girl winced at his words. A long time ago, —nearly ten years- Lady Flora remembered more than her father about this boy. A very earnest boy he had seemed that summer day in the rose-garden at Mountbay, when he besought her to marry him and she had answered with laughter. - - ‘ Marry !’ she had exclaimed. * Why, it’s too early to think of marriage and I but eighteen and all the world before me. If ever I marry it won’t be for ten years at least.’ ■ She remembered his grief-stricken face now better than she had remembered it earlier, and it was nearly ten years ago. > ' Let us be friends,’ she had answered him. ‘lt’s too soon to think of marriage and that sort of thing. When one is engaged there is nothing to look forward to.’ ’

He was only six years older than she, but he took his trouble bravely and with as much dignity as if . he were forty. ', ■'..";-.. '"- ' I shall always be your friend/Flora/ he answered. 'That is, of course, when you want me, which isn't likely now.' '■ l And you will come again to Mountbay ?' she asked. 'lt wouldn't be the same without you.' ' Thank you/ he said, ' but I don't think I can do that. It will be too— different.' He caught her hand and kissed it. • There's no harm in that, is there,' he asked, 'when I'm going away?' 'Not a bit; and as I can't kiss you, I will kiss a rose and give it to you/ she said, laughing. She broke a bud from the tree beside her, pressed it to her lips, and gave it to him. His hand shook as ho took it. ' Yes, of our friendship/ he repeated. That was the scene which she remembered now, and he—of course he had forgotten, since it was nearly ten years ago as her father said. During those years she had remembered him sometimes as a thing inseparably connected with her youth, but as she grew older she realised him as an impossibility, since he was poor and she was poor, and in her world the poor must not mate with the poor. And yet she had refused many offers from wealthy men. But now it was different; women said she would never marry and men believed it. She had acquired a reputation and must live up to it. -■- ' She will never marry; she is too much devoted to her father,' said Lady Carroll, who had six marriageable daughters; and the other dowagers echoed her words. All of them expressed admiration of Lady Flora and congratulations on her self-sacrifice as they kissed her cheek. .

Lady Flora smiled at these felicitations, but she was not over pleased at their assumption that she was no longer a rival of their daughters in the marriage market. Still the stubborn fact remained that she was on the eve of her twenty-seventh birthday and had no lover except Jack Cavendish, a handsome, intractable boy of twenty-three, whom she had alternately petted and chaffed since he had worn Eton collars. The thing of course was absurd, for Jack hadn’t a cent and had just succeeded in being ploughed for the army. But women of twenty-seven are often less prudent than girls of eighteen. If Jack could only be made to do something then perhaps—• It was at Lady Windle’s ball that she met Jack, three days after her twenty-seventh birthday. She was feeling rather bored listening to Major Courtenay, a distinguished officer and an authority on Jack. His handsome face was gloomy and discontented, and she

felt more than ever sympathetic with him. When he saw "her his face brightened and he came to her quickly. ■ I say/ he exclaimed, this is no end of good luck. I had no idea you would be here. They told me the Earl was laid up with gout or something, and that you were nursing him. Have you any dances left for me ■ A few, I think,' she answered, giving him her programme, and letting him scrawl his initials where he would. ' Thanks awfully,' he said, returning the card. 'I wanted so much to see you. The governor has been ragging me something awful. Good-bye for the present. I've got to hop with the Dalzell girl—the one with the freckles, you know. Her father owns the what-d'ye-call-'em mines in South Africa.' '

Major Courtenay had looked on with a curious smile. When Jack was gone he said to Lady Flora: ‘ Have you known that young man long ?’ ‘ Yes; since he was a schoolboy. I’ve been a sort of elder sister to him. They’ve refused him for the armyisn’t it a shame ? I’m sure he’d fight until— ’ He was killed,’ suggested Major Courtenay, quietly. ‘ Yes, of course,’ she rejoined, hotly. ‘He couldn’t expect to fight after. And he can ride, too. He won a steeplechase last year at Mountbay. It isn’t every soldier can do that.’ ‘ I quite agree with you, it is not,’ was the quiet reply. Lady Flora looked at him indignantly and then drew herself up with her most dignified air. These middle-aged military men were too aggravating for words, they talked as if the universe belonged to them, and everybody in it. The irresponsible ignorance of Jack Cavendish came as a welcome relief to her. . ‘ I’ve had enough of dancing for the present,’ he said, confidentially. Let’s find a quiet corner and talk. lin in no end of a fix, and you’re the only one who understands. I don’t think there’s anyone in the little conservatory in fact, I went there to see. You don’t mind missing a waltz?’ ■ Not in the least,’ she answered with a smile. Didn’t the Dalzell girl dance well ?’ Don t talk about her,’ he broke out. ‘ I want to talk about myself.’ 4 ‘ You always find yourself the most interesting topic of conversation,’ she retorted. ‘What have you been doing now?’ ‘ Nothing,’ he answered sullenly, ‘ and the governor has turned nasty—says I must do something or emigrate or .buy a broom and sweep a crossing, I can’t tell you all the nasty things he has said to me. That’s the worst of being a poor man’s son.’ ‘But why shouldn’t you do something, Jack?’ asked Lady Flora. ‘ Surely there are some things which you could do here.’ •j d° n, t want me to go away, do you?’ he said suddenly looking into her face. We’ve been such good friends; I don’t know what I should do without you. When I saw you amongst all those beastly people it was like a sunny day on the racecourse.’ Her heart beat more quickly. It was a doubtful compliment, but there was more sincerity and feeling in her voice than she had known before. Besides, he was a handsome boy and well groomed, and—well, she was a woman.

, JL was g lad see you, too,’ she said softly. . Were you really?’ he exclaimed, looking at her as she lay back behind the shelter of the palms, ‘ That was of you. I always thought you regarded me <is & bay. But you are a man now,’ she returned, ‘and so you must think of doing something.’ If I do something, will you too promise to do something for me?’ he asked eagerly. ‘ Yes, if it is reasonable and possible. What do you want me to do?’

‘To marry me. that’s what I want,’ he exclaimed. ‘ Hush, she said. ‘ Some one may hear you.* He caught her in his arms and kissed her, and she made no resistance.

. Your love is all I want to make me a success,’ he whispered. ‘ Only give me that, and I will do anything that you wish.’ ■ ' ‘ Does it mean so much to you as that ?’ she asked, pushing him from her. - . ‘ Yes. Everything.’ . ‘lf it does I will marry you; but you must first find some position— ’ , ■^: es ’ d will do that, darling,’ he exclaimed, and would have kissed her again, but she rose from her seat.

‘ I have several engagements to fill,’ she said with a smile, and so we must return.’ She hesitated a moment and then added: ‘ But remember, my promise is only conditional, and you must not regard me as being engaged.’ ' y . They went back to the ballroom together. A curious little smile passed over Major Courtenay’s face as he saw them. Surely she won’t be such a fool as to marry that boy, he muttered to himself. Then he sighed, for the boy, after all, had what he himself never could win back despite his many distinctionsthe priceless possession of youth. What where military distinctions to a young and beautiful woman, when handicapped by fifty years* He watched them jealously. The boy was radiant and bar raised womans manner was gentle and a little em- . u ‘ITI talk with the governor to-morrow about a job, and then I’ll come and tell you,’ Jack whispered pressing Lady Flora’s finger. ■ - Lady Flora did not. mention to her father the arrangement she had made with Jack Cavendish; She knew in her heart that the Earl would not approve of such a marriage for his youngest daughter. But after all he himself was responsible, since he had reminded .n ° yh 6 big gap which lay between her and her girlhood. If she waited longer she must inevitably tall back upon such a husband as Major Courtenay, whose best years had been given to his profession and to whom a wife would be but the consolation of his old age. If she had been as wise at eighteen as she now was at twenty-seven things would be different. , n S- 110 , £ ternoon > a few days after Lady Windle’s ball, Jack Cavendish presented himself at Lord Mountbay s town house. He was obviously excited. when he took Lady Flora’s hand, and would have kissed her if she had not drawn back. ‘ I say,’ he said, with an aggrieved air, * I thought we were 6

‘ But we are not,’ she interrupted quietly. ‘ Have you got any news?’ Yes. I’ve talked the whole thing over with the governor. Never mentioned you, of course,’ he explained. ‘He was quite pleased about my anxiety to find a job. So we put our heads together.’ ‘ With what result ?’ asked Lady Flora, for it was Jack’s way to think he had done a thing when he talked of doing it, and she was under no illusions respecting him. There’s an awfully good job vacant now,’ he answered, ‘the Secretaryship of the new Fishery Board, worth thirteen hundred a year, and very little to do except in the way of administrative work. Just the thing to suit me. The clerks and fellows like that will do all the real work.’ ■ I see, responded Lady Flora. ‘ But how are you to get it?’ J ‘Well, that’s the question,’ said Jack, his ardor a little damped. ‘ You see, it’s in the gift of the Duke of Billborough, the President of the Council, you know. Now, how can we wirepull him? Do you know anyone to work the Duke?’ Lady Flora’s face flushed, remembering how her father, a few days before, had told her of Ronald Gower’s appointment, as Clerk of the Council. He was the only one whom she knew who was likely to influence the Duke, but how could she ask a favor of the lover whom she had rejected for the lover whom she was prepared to accept ? It was a painful dilemma. ‘Do what you can yourself,’ she answered, ‘and meanwhile I will think what I can do.'

- : At first she made up her mind that the thing was impossible, but when Jack returned with a gloomy face, to tell her that all his efforts to influence the Duke had been failures, she wavered, and finally conquered her pride so far as to write to Ronald Gower asking, as an old friend, his influence on Jack’s behalf.

By return came a reply in the curiously familiar handwriting. ' ' Dear Lady Flora,' it ran, ' I am glad you remembered me and our old friendship. I will do what I can to interest the Duke on your friend's behalf, and perhaps if I am successful you will allow me to make the announcement in person. ' Always your friend, ' Ronald Go wee.' After she had read the letter, Lady Flora wept so much that she was unable to appear at breakfast. She sent word by her maid that she was suffering from headache, and Lord Mountbay was obliged to read his papers undisturbed. She sent a graceful little note of thanks to Ronald Gower, and then, with a sad kind of feeling as to the topsy-turvydom of human things, she sat down to await events.

Events did not seem to move rapidly, for days passed and she heard no news of Jack or of his projects. She was grieved at first at Jack’s neglect, then indignant. For his sake she had humbled herself to ask a favor from Ronald Gower, and he had not shown himself decently grateful. If he came now, she said to herself, she would not receive him. But he did not come, but in his place came a hastily scrawled letter, to the effect that there was no use trying to get anything in England, and so he was going out to South Africa as an inspector of mines to Mr. Dalzell. He was grateful for all that she had done for him, but he hadn’t the courage to come and tell her so, and he was leaving next day. Lady Flora read the letter through, with a very white face. Then she walked to the fireplace, put it in the fire, and watched it slowly burn and become ashes.

' That is the' end of my last folly,' she murmured, ' and there shall never be another. God help me, to think of my marrying such a thing as that.' When she kissed her father's forehead in the morning she showed no sign of heart trouble, unless it was that her manner was more affectionate than usual. ' By the way, Flora,' remarked the Earl, ' I see that young protege of yours has been doing rather well for himself. Listen to this: "A marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place between Mr. John Cavendish, only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Cavendish, and Lilian, eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Dalzell, the well-known millionaire of South Africa. The bridegroom will shortly take up an important post on the Rand mines of his prospective father-in-law." What a strange girl you are not to have told be anything about it.' ' I did not think it would interest you, father,' Lady Flora answered in a low voice. ' Well, it does. Everything does, more or less. And that reminds me that I have to lunch with General Buxton to-day at the United Services, and so I shan't be able to go with you to Lady Burcliff's "At home." You will make my apologies.' 1 Yes, father.' But as the afternoon worked on Flora felt that she could not, at the moment, endure the mild frivolity of a fashionable 'At home.' For one thing, she had to write to Ronald Gower begging him not to take any further trouble in the matter of Mr. Cavendish, since he had already accepted another appointment. The sooner that was done the better, and then she would start afresh. She sent away the carriage, which had waited for her, and went to the library to write her letter. She sat down at her desk and took a sheet of paper, but for a long time she did not know how to phrase it. What was she to say and hdW to apologise for trouble given unnecessarily ?'

A footman opened the door.' " ' Mr. Gower, your ladyship,' he said, ' is in the drawing-room.': • The color suddenly left her face, and she trembled. ' Show Mr. Gower in here,' she said. \ .-;-. Yes, your ladyship.' In a moment her composure came back to her. She stood up, leaning on the desk, then she went forward to welcome her guest. ' It is so good of you to come after all these years,' she said, giving him her hand and looking into his face. ':'■'' '' .;"}.; ..■;" :.' . ' : . "' ' He . had not changed much, although the hair about his temples was becoming gray but his face and eyes were steadfast as of old. ' I was rejoiced to think that I could be of service to you,' he answered in a voice which betrayed some emotion, and if I had failed I should not have dared to come. As it is, I have been more successful than I anticipated. The Duke has almost promised me to give the appointment to your friend Mr. Cavendish, and I really think I may say, that the thing . is practically assured.' ■

I am sorry, Mr. Gower, for having given you so much trouble in the matter but the fact is that Mr, Cavendish has shaken the dust off his feet in this country and has accepted a post in South Africa. I was just about to write to you to that effect.’ ‘ Oh, indeed,’ replied Mr. Gower. ‘ Then my news comes too late.’

* I’m afraid it does/ answered Lady Flora, ‘ but I am not the less grateful for your kindness. And, after all, Mr. Cavendish will probably find his father-in-law a more considerate employer than any other.’ ‘His father-in-law!’. \ ;

‘ Yes, Mr. Dalzell of South Africa. Mr. Cavendish is to be married to his eldest daughter.’ The news seemed to affect Ronald - Gower deeply. He rose to his feet and paced several times up and down the library, whilst she watched him with a beating heart. What a fool she had been ! In. every line and feature of his face were power and distinction, and she had been satisfied to give herself to a mere brainless boy. ‘ Shall I ring for tea?’ she asked at length. ‘ Yes, thank you— not yet, if you please,’ he answered. ‘ I have brought you something which perhaps I ought to have returned long ago.’ He took a case from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a withered rosebud.

This and my dreams I have kept,' he went on, ' but when I gat your letter I thought it was time to surrender both. You see, I was never good at forgetting and so I always remembered the garden .-of roses at Mountbay and all the dreams that—that—that—' ' Don't, don't,' she cried, stretching out her hands appealingly. ' I can't bear to think of those days.' ' This is the rose that you gave me,' he said. 'Will you take it back, —' ' . .•> What if I do not?' she whispered. 'ltis a pledge of our friendship,' he went on, but I always kept it in hope that some day, when you had seen the world and laughed at life and love till you were weary, you would remember me and perhaps come to love me.' ' You—you — me still V she broke out. ' Yes, now as always,' he answered, ' else I had not kept this rose to torture me with its perfume.' ' Oh, I am unworthy,' she cried, covering her face with her hands. ■'■■'■• He drew her hands away and kissed her. ' Let us go back to the garden and gather the roses together,' he said.— Exchange.