The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2419, 6 February 1909, Page 10 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

THE SPIRIT OF LOOT

The story of a girl -who, for two hours turned .pirate, is told in an American magazine, and, after reading it, one is glad to say: '‘Well, alter all, if one girl could .really do that in fiction, we must remember that all the real pirates wo read about were mcu,” and so feel that no asporsion is cast on the sex. 'The girl Peggy ! is regretting one day that the days j of piracy and 100t ’' are over. She | would, love, she says, “to bren-k loose in some great store and help lierselt to all she wanted.” ■■'Would you like to go on a pirate cruise with me this evening?’-’ asks the man to whom she is talking, nnd, as she joyfully assents, he arranges to call for ihor at eleven that night, —bringing his big motor-c.tr for the loot. It is a ■mysterious expedition. The man. Arthur Hamraoml, has fixed up everything with wonderful ingenuity* •and, before midnight, they find themselves in Barnes and Holder s, one ot the largest of New York department stores, the watchman chloroformed, and the car waiting for the spoil. “You can have iust two hours, Cinderella,” said Hammond throwing .open the door; “then we must vanish. Where will your piracy commence?” Peggy stopped for a moment, petrifieri, and then with a little hysterical laugh, “Is this true,” she said, “and are we safe?” y They were standing in the twilight of the rotunda, with the white-cover-ed counters stretching away in ghost ly perspective. The empty uisles overcame her with their loneliness. “I never should dare,” she said, turning toward Hammond, “il you weren't here!” As she spoke slit•lifted a cover, revealing an array of long gloves. “The very latest,” she exclaimed, and half-unconsciously her fingers wandered among the boxes, selecting shades and sizes, till her blinds were full. ... “Wait a second,” said her companion, “and I'll get Masters and some baskets.” “Won’t he tell? It would be frightful to get into the Vapors.” • “Oh! he’s safe,” reassured Hammond, “once away we can never be traced.” When H immond returned, Peggy had progressed through a maze of cried, plunging them into a cash hoy’s basket, held by the sire,. Masters. “There’s enough to last years! Why, oh why, do they put everything away, tight instead of leaving then spread out nice and easy?” Hammond smiled r.i+lier gravely. “Pirates have •to hack their way. you know, Cinder eh a.” With his help she soon had roils of silk spread on the counter. “Just look at that exquisite shade of mauve, wo cay't wait to cut off dress patterns; i'll bundle in the whole piece.” She stood flushed, almost dishevelled, with the silks in a riot of color billowy about her. Misters had made three trips to the automobile before she could be coaxed farther. “There's lots else,” urged Hammond, “and forty minutes are gone already. Those tables are bargain counters, I believe.” “Bargain counters!” she exclaimed “This is the biggest bargain I’ll ever strike. Where are the laces?” With a curiously accurate knowledge of the shop, Hammond led her to more boxed and shrouded treasures. She seemed to have forgotten his presence in the delight of examining, comparing, and selecting, with the discernment of a connoisseur. “You are sure you like being a pirate? You don't want to go back to the fireside, Cinderella-?” he asked. “Go buck to the cinders, Aladdin — cinders and ashes and bids!” she shuddered, half-closing her eyes as she studied some collars of rose-point. “I have only two fears —one that I’ll wake and find it a dream, the other that some one will come and I’ll find it isn’t. How did you ever think of it, Aladdin, and how did you dare to bring me- here? It whs dear of von.” He Hushed with pleasure, but his • brow clouded. “We’ll never be found out, but it’s loot, little Cindere»!la, plain hard loot-, you know.”“Of course it’s loot—lovely, lovely loot,” she breathed, tying some filmy Oh ant illy across her arm. “"If only there were more time,” 'she wailed. “Lace needs contemplation,” and with t a sigh she pushed back the half-emp-tied boxes and turned to Hammond to lead her to fresh fields. “How much more time hlivc we?” “Scarcely on hour.” Her face grew sharp and shrewd as she st-ood contemplating. “Lingerie,” she exclaimed, with decision. “Lingerie and imported gowns. It’s tragic to give u-p so much.” She fairly flew down the length of the building, glancing ruefully at the dainty displays in glass eases.. 'Hammond helped her -up the A stairs, land pulled out boxes-and drawers. -Scon she was lost in. clouds oi whiteness. “French embroidery and leal lace at least a hundred a set

and I can have tall I want. I never did have enough.”

Her eyes were wild now, and she was oblivious of her waiting companion as she stuffed masses of lace and ruffles into the waiting baskci©, The lines on Hammond’s face deepened. His was the type that-postulates New England grandparents. This then, was to be the end of the little frolic so happily planned. He had imagined her -pleasure at the rays>eiy of the g imc, 'fore-seeing a charming opportunity to lay lie-art and worcll> goods.-at her feet. Downstairs, when she first playfully turned over chiffons and silks, he had thought her like a merry kitten. Now he was re minded of a beautiful cat with narrowing eyes pouncing on a brood o.

young birds

“How much time have we now? she was repeating? nervously. < Hammond looked at bus - .watch “Barely twenty minutes,” lie answer ed, mechanically.

“Oh, the dresses, the lovely dresses and so little time.” Glass doors sin back and forth, ami Peggy jorkc< dress after dress from the ’hooks “What a mess they will find in t-ln morning,” she muttered. “I.wondc; what they’ll do. But I’ll bo safe?” She- appealed anxiously to Hammond “Quite safe. Captain Kidd, only you must hurry.” “Captain Kidd always beat, didn t he? Oh, piracy is delightful w you only win. What’s that?” “It- was only Wilkins,” said Ham mond, “come in to look after tin watchmen. The chloroform is wdiking off, and we must get out. Come. he°added, sharply, “surely you haw enough.” > “Just a minute,” begged Peggy “just a little minute; there’s std another row. Oh,” she darted to wards a glass case, “look at tha dream white broadcloth nnd gold cm broidery. I must have it,” and sin fumbled nervously at the door of Incase. “It is locked,” said ' Hanmlond sternly; ■‘you can’t have that.

“But I must,” exclaimed Peggy with a little stamp; “I can’t leav that. Rave Musters break the case, she demanded, imperiously, but Han mond pulled her away.

“No, no,” he said. “Gome, then is a limit,” -and then, more gently lion Thuny,'~Cmllei-ellatub hcaVixini clothes will turn into rags, and whal will happen to you?” Then they hurried down the stairs Before the last counter Peggy hesitated. It was covered with notions She gathered a handful of trifles, am a wave of disgust swept- over Hammond. Outside, in the broad vaulted passage, stood tlm ear, packed to overflowing with their plunder. They pushed in with difficulty, and glided away.

“Oh, wimt an adventure; what treasure trove," she exclaimed, and. leaning hack, she closed her eyes, exhausted bv the pressure of excitement. 'Hammond,, too. was silent as they retraced their course up the quiet street. Suddenly she sat up. “Do you know you never got anything, for yourself. What a pig I was. I forgot all 'about your handkerchiefs, hut I will embroider von some with my own fingers —if you cure for them, she added, softly.

“Thank you,” said Hammond, politely.

The lights were low in the small drawing room as they came in. She looked very simple and girlish as she threw off her hat, revealing the tumbled hair with its red tints, and Hammond was conscious of a keen sense of disappointment. The game had not developed as lie had expected. “How adorable you have been,” she said, impulsively, putting both her hands in his. “I never could have had so many 'beautiful;things myself. It was such a perfect adventure, and everything came out right.” “Are you sure that everything is right?” ho 'asked, holding her and reading 'her eyes seriously. “Why, of course,” she replio. quickly; “your men. won’t and as for Barnes and Holder, they are the richest firm in the city. They will miss the things, of course, hutneve r feel it.”

Next evening the.girl is surprised that no account of the raid appears in the papers, and she waits for Hammond to civil and (admire her in her new linery. Instead of the man, comes a letter with the name of Barnes and Holder on the envelope.

- “Dear (Miss Brooke,” it ran, “business takes me out of town for a few weeks, so I must forego the pleasure of seeing you. I am glad you. enjoyed our little adventure fast night; the evening proved a profitnb’le one for us both. As a silent partner in the firm of Barnes and Holder, permit me to present you -with the articles you honored us .in selecting.

Youvs - truly, Arthur Hammond

CUPID AS A.CALCULATOR. “First class in arithmetic.” The. call, clear and ini.perative-~e.une frou one end of n large., handsomely appointed 'office';' the answer to it vat a nervous helpless sort of laugh—uttered by a- pretty girl, seated before a typewriter quite- at.the other end.

On the other side of- the half-glass door that shut the two in from their neighbors, came, with 'increasing frequency, the sound of hurrying fleet tapping the tiled corridor floors with boot- -heels all going in oue direction. D00r.%-. slammed, the cry oi “down” baited the crowded elevators, snatches of talk uuid laughter, the odor--of cigars or cigarettes, -all bespoke the cheerful activity of the. closing workhouse. The big office building was emptying itself rapidly. It was also Saturday-afternoon and payday.

Inside, the slighter sound of a watch closed -with a snap made itsoll heard. A chair was pushed hack from a. handsome roll-top desk, whose polished newness was in keeping with the rest of the office furnishings. The painful orderliness of the sparse, array of papers in its -pigeon holes, the immaculate condition of its pens 'and ink-wells did not suggest a plethora of business lor the young lawyei whose full name —-Casey C. Buston was engraved in the most -approved style in the ground glass of the door. It was he who swung -about in his swivel cliaar after con-suiting his watch, to -face -his typewriter. “First class in mental arithmetic,” he repeated in a clear, cool voico of command.

The girl laughed again helplessly, then with a gravity that did not- belong to the laugh, said tremulously : “It is only 5.30, Mr Huston, _und I have just about half an hours more work on this manuscript. Can you not trust- me to lock up to-night?” Buston walked over to where the girl was at work. He shoved aside the loose papers that -littered the deep window sill by the side of her machine and perched himself in their stead. Ho glanced contemptously at the displaced sheets.

“How much do you get for copying that rot?” Shho was nervously gathering the scattered leaves., into a. sheaf. They fluttered in her grasp. “Twenty dollars,” she said, curtly. “Exactly odols. a. week more than 1 pay you for attending to my heavy correspondence, he laughed mirthlessly.

“Oh, yes—but—-vours is regular. It is very good of you to let me take in outside work. .Every lawyer would not.” wd u\( f"i;v-u r wd irj iibt'irjjr' , i'/'- I >rfjd ,01], letters were all the occupation you could find.” ' She folded her hands about the sheaf of papers on her machine. in:l looked at him with troubled oyes. “You sound discouraged,” .sins said, and there was a womanly sympathy in her voice. Buston -got to Ids feet with sonic-

tiling very like a stamp, .lie cm braced his handsome office with a gesture of disgust. “Discouraged? 1

would be less than half a man if 1 were not only discouraged but disgusted. Look at it. Look at Iris fine, big’ room, with its polished floors and its Smyrna, rugs and -its big desk and inviting chairs, all waiting k ,r clients who never come. A-L! complete —even to a brand now Remington —and you ! everything first-class. Have.l earned a dollar that.went into it all? Not one. Up in the country is a doting little woman who believes in giving her son a lirst-rato chance. Shell lias done her part. I have bad my chance. I have everything I

could ask for except—clients.” “But they will come, later.”

“That’s what the blessed little mother keeps ou saying. But I seem to be just the one too many in this crowded hive. I positively decline playing the sponge any longer.” “What aro you going to do, Mr Huston?”

There was that in the girl’s eyes that sent the man in a swinl 'away from her neighborhood to pace the length of his offieo several times before ho returned to say for the third time:

“First class in mental arithmetic.’

' “All, well.” She sighed this time and, converting her machine into a table by closing its lid, she leaned her elbows on it with a resigned upward glance at the tall, graceful figure above, her. The day’s work was done. Slie smiled faintly at his command : “Glass, 'attention! If two souls that beat as one with no other assets than two hearts that beat in unison were to combine for the filling of a larder, what would, the .result be?”

She laughed -hysterically—“ Emptiness. ’ ’

“Correct. If a man with nothing asked a woman with less to share his fortunes, wlh'at -would each one’s position be ?” “One.-half of nothing.” •

“Correct again. Apt pupil. Example third : Given the centripetal force of poverty, plus weariness of sou! and body, what centrifugal speed would love acquire in reaching «a window?”

She raised brave eyes to his, “That depends.”

“On. what?-’’

The bravo eyes fell. »owers of endurance.”

“On mutual

“Perhaps, clear, you sue right again. But with God’s help I will

uever sink so low as to -ask -a woman !o endure 1 iic with me. flo have and to hold and to —crush —ought to be the reading of the marriage .service in more cases than a few.”

He laid -an envelops; down on the table before her. Without opening it she ..knew that inside »lie would find three clean sdol. bills. >Sho -glanced at the familiar object without interest, then started and -laid a slim finger tip on an unfamiliar word written bn it. Tho word -was “finis.” “What docs that mean, Mr Buston?”

Ho assumed 'an -air of swaggering ease that deceived nobody. “It means that I am about to dismiss my typewriter. 1 am quite -withiui my privileges there, I believe, Miss Marlow.” “Quite.”

■She formed the -word 'with while, dry lips, and stood up, moviug uncertainly toward tho peg where her cloak and hat hung. Buston caught -her by both hands and drew her toward him.

“Have you no -pity to spare me? Can you not see how it is, clidd? I am a- beggar—worse than a -beggar. 1 am a cad, living oil the generosity of a. mother who won’t see. what ui failure I am. fit can’t go on this way. It must not. I’ve got just man enough left in me to pull out Of the muddle and get down to sometiling I can do—something where Bomingtons and sweet, good -gir-Is are not part of the outfit. If it were different, dear, I would soon put you where you should lie cared -for liko a queen. But- as it is— ’ “Well —as it is—’’ she repeated, wearying of the silence. He still held, her hands. -He looked deep -into her eyes with a g: < 't tenderness in liis own. “Cailici im his voice- was ve-rv grave —*‘i rut you to repeat so- m.filing i ter me. Then you must go your own way, my | dear, and I will go none.” . •He beat- her co-id. Line bands softly together as he dictated: “We love- each other —therefore, we must part. Because we !■' vo each other, we must go our separate, ways. It is better s<T.” Chokingly .she repeated the we <’. after him. He drew her closer, pressed an almost reverential kiss on her pure white, forehead and dropped her hands. “Thank you, Miss Mai'i'ow,” he said simply, and they went their separate ways. The millionaire owner of the Paxton mills was taking his daily airing. It was one of the pleasantest features of his day, especially since there sat beside him always as his companion in his drives tho beautiful young Mrs

gaze at. What witli his spirited team, glittering harness, pompoms coachman and low-swung open landau his progress was a. shining one. Perhaps it was bravado that made him order his coachman to drive past the mills on that day, when ho knew the mill hands were full of anger and threats. Perhaps he thought to overawe sullen operative’s by the .sight of his imposing splendor. He blundered. The mills were only a block away allien the stately coachman turned stiffly in his seal. ‘‘l doubt if .it's best to go on, sir. Seems to be some sort of disturbance at the mills. 'Lockout, maybe. Big crowd outside.” The millman (leaned sideways to get a look at the crowd. The sight of the operatives swaming outside the mills stirred him to hot wrath. “A lookout, curse them. 1 knew they had the devil in them. Drive ] on. Urivo into them —over them —I will show them who is master.” The coachman lashed Ibis horses. They sprang forward maddened by such unmerited cruelty. They dashed straight into tho mob. The woman cowered hack in her soft nest with a. flow cry of fright. The mill man leaned boldly forward. A howl of exc ration went up in the. moment of .recognition. A hundred rough hands went out to seize the glittering harness. The horses reared, swerved, then stood motionless in the grasp of ■men more infuriated than themselves. Progressives impossible. Threats were hurled into the mill man’s face. Glowering faces pressed close up to the landau, where the beautiful woman trembled in her silks and velvets. Course jibes voiced the universal cry of poverty against richer. A brawny 'arm was uplifted. In its huge, hairy hand a paving stone was poised. With a sweep of his arms and a cry of command a slender figure' forced its way through the mob. He sprang upon the low steps of the landau. He faced towards the operatives and lifted his hoarse roar came from a hundred throats. Close at has feet a warning voice range out. . “Out of tho way, hoy. We’ve got no quarrel with you.” He opened his lips to harangue with them. Ho could not make himself heard. A brute’s voice drowned his. “You won’t he advised. Then if you’ve, a mind to take the odd man’s >, medicine —Take it.” The fragment of .paving stone hurried through tho air. It smote tho intruder upon his brave (breast. Hb fell backwards dn tho carriage.. His head was pillowed on a silken flap. A woman’s , arms wore clasped instinctively about liis neck. He lifted last glazing eyes to hers.

(; It —is —all—right Cath. I—am —glad—the. —chance came to me.” H Blood appeased, the mob fell back. ' The homes liberated sprang forward. A sound from the mill man made her glance in his direction. .She spoke to him in a dull, far-away voice. •‘Pie saved vour life. He knew what lie was doing.” “C* The mill man looked uncomprehending. “Did you know the fellow ? He was a foreman of my mills.” “Yes,” she said, with a, catch in her '4'' voice. “I knew him. We were once < in the same arithmetic class.”'