Kawartha Lakes Public Library Digital Archive

Fenelon Falls Gazette, 8 Jan 1904, p. 6

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â€">.-m. ' Medhurst ,‘900000000 ocoooooooo on no - . 'o , . . 9.00.90.00.00;0.09.00.00.00...“0.99.00.00.00.” co 0‘. o : 0:. ‘o‘ , 0.0 o - ° “'20 0°. 0‘ O o O 0:. I * ,g. ;:: Wang. :3; i 0’. 0.0 _ g, .000000400000000000000 00. 3. . c.-n3...0.00.90.09.00’0’030.‘500.0509;e’o.o%». I'- was nothing at all uncomâ€" , i 'l‘h ere _ men about the room. It was just an ordinmy lodgingâ€"house parlor, furâ€" nished in the usual style,‘with the reâ€" gulation assortment of glass-cased ornaments on the mantelpicce and black-framed mourning cards on the wails, but it suited Stanley Medhurst remarkably well, being not or 1y quiet and secluded, but within ten minutes’ walk of his office. When first he‘had taken up his abode there, a clerk in his own office had occupied the rooms overhead, but he had marâ€" ried recently, and for several weeks the tiny bedroom and barely furnish- ed second parlor had been vacanter missed the young man’s companionship more than he cared to‘ own, even to himself. It had been pleasant to sit smoking together as they had been wont: to do in the long winter evenings, and he watch- ‘ed for the advent of the new lodger with almost boyish eagerness, hoping to be able to strike up some sort of a friendship, and now, to his un- speakable chargin, he discovered that the rooms had been let to a woman. "What sort of a woman 7” he askâ€" ed his landlady, as, breathless after her climb from the regions below. she began piling up the teaâ€"things. "Oh, a very nice young creature, sinâ€"a doctor’s daughter as 'as to get l‘er own livin’, and Wanted some- where -’omeâ€"like and cheap. She’s comin’ ingnow, sir, if you care to look at ’e:‘, sir. She’s a pie young ladyâ€"so tall and dignified-like, and ’er ’air's as black as your ’at, sir.” “She isn’t very'beautiful, then,” he said. "I have a fancy for little, fair wocmen myself. What is her name, Mrs. Jinks?” ‘ ' Chumleigh, sirâ€"Miss Chumleigh ! ’ ’ “Do you mean Georgina Chum- lcigh‘?” ' “Yes, sir; that is ’01- name, sir. Pardon my being so bold, but do you . know "er, sir ‘2” “Very slightly. We haven’t met for over twelve months. She isn’t my style. I don’t like these big, muscular, cnfcminine creatures, with hands almost large enough for a man. That is all, thank you. Goodâ€" nig! t, Mrs. Jinks.” “Good-night, sir. I ’ope, sir, as ow you don’t object to ’er being ’e;e, sir '2" “Certaiin not. Miss Chumleigh and I are never likely to meet.” -'Miss Chuunleigh was not a stran- ger to him by any means. Years beâ€" foreâ€"in fact, before little Lilian de V0 0 hail taken his heart by storm-â€" he had served for rather badly, having won her love and then left her without a word and perhaps that accounted in some measure for the antipathy with which he regarded her. Whether lis animosity was return- ed or not he could not say. When by any chance they met, she was al- ways formal, always polite, and if she noticed any rudoress on his part she made ro outward sign, though oftentimes in the privacy of her own room she would (lench l-er hands together in an agony of pain. "He shall not drive-me away!” she would cry, passionately. "Had I known that l‘e was here I would have died .rather than come, ,but having come I will stay. I have much right to be leze as he has.” {An/d then she would turn ,to her I _’cello-â€"the soother of all her woesâ€"3 and passing l.er fingers lovingly over the strings would lose all thought of self in the sweet, entrancing music she loved so well. But even l.er playing annoyed the' insan in the room below, _and as the sounds were waited down to him he would throw open the piano and, and, seating himself at ti o instruâ€" ment, begin playing the liveliest airs he knew, changing from one tune to another with almost lightning rari'l- fityâ€"heedless of time and discord, This went on for several weeks, unâ€" til at length even Miss Chumleigh’s patience was exhausted, and, forcing the tears back with an unusual efâ€" fort, she went down to face the'lion in his den. “I knocked twice,’ she said, with quiet dignity, ;'but you did not hear. I have come to ask if you will kind- ly tell me at what hour you like to practise. I have changed 4 my own time over and over again, but we always semn to clash.” Mr. Medhurst had risen, and now stood lingering the keys of the piano somewhat awkwardly. "I always piactise when the fancy seizes me," he answered, with studied politeness. "I thought we were free to (‘0 rooms." She bowed. “Legally I suppose we are, and I am quite sure that if my' [laying annoys you, I am sorry. I am al- Ways most carefpl to close both door and window. -l)id you trouble to do likewise it would be pleasanter for us bnth.” _. . “Why did you come here at all ?” he demanded. “We only aggmvate each other everyl'time we meet." ‘ "You need not flatter yourself that you aggravate me 1” she said. “Only people _I like and esteem'have. the power to do that. ‘ 'A‘s tb'niy ‘nreascu for coming. l;(.‘l‘é,f_l.ll0v~.ghf I. do not all- low your right to'questioifm-e, I mu perfectly \villirg to inform you that I came because the rooms \vere cheap and to my llkirg. If my praying anâ€" r as we liked in our own noys you, I repeat, I am sorryâ€"but practise I must l” “Are. you a professional musician, then ?” he asked "I understood that you were a doctor’s dispenser, 01“â€" something of that sort.” “I amâ€"‘something of that sort, ."’ she returned, "and I do but play, as the birds sing, because I must. It is the only recreation I have. However, I Cid not come here to discuss my private affairs with you, but to try and arrange so that our hours of playing may not clash.” "They will not clash in future,” he returned,. “for I will not touch the piano again.” "Oh, pray do not take it like that 1” she cried. “I would rather you played all day long than feel that I was the means of preventing you'll He looked up, some scathing reply on his lips, but something in her manner caused the words to die away unspoken. “Very well, Miss Chumleigh,” he answered, "it shall be as you wish.” And then, as she made a movement towards the door, he. sprang forward to open it for her. “The lock is rather awkward,” he said. . “lie careful, or you will hurt your hands. ’ ’ “I wouldn’t like to do that,” she answered, looking straight into his face, "for I am rather proud of my hands. They are a little bit large perhaps, almost large enough‘for a man, but then they very often have to do a man’s work!” And with this parting shot, she passed quietly up the stairs to her own room, leavâ€" ing him gazing after her in mingled consternation and dismay. II. It was a glorious Saturday afterâ€" noon, and, having obtained a grudg- ing consent to her request for a. halfâ€" day’s holiday, Georgina Chumleigh hurried down to the sea, where she intended Spending her few hours of freedom. She had a magazine in her handâ€"one her fellowâ€"lodger had sent up to her the day beforeâ€"for since the episode cf the piano his animos- ity towards her seemed to have died a natural death; but despite the fact that they had been staying in the house .for over six months they had seen very little of each other. Whatâ€" ever his feelings may have been, she undoubtedly avoided him. The words he had uttered the first even- ing of l.er arri‘val (which had been borne up all too plainly to the room above) rankled in her mind, andâ€"â€" had she but acknowledged itâ€"lmrt. She was a sensitive, highlyâ€"strung woman despite l.er unusual stature, and the ridicule to which her size so often subjected her cut her to the quick. It was so much nicer for a woman to be pretty and petite like Mr. Medhurst’s Lilian, and even as the thought flashed through her mind she saw the couple pass along the beach almost within a stone’s throw of where she sat, but so engrossed in each other as to be entirely oblivious of all else. Georgina turned away her eyes, and then, fascinated, lookâ€" ed again. They were such an odd- looking couple. Heâ€"so big, so strong, so manly; sheâ€"little more than a fairâ€"sized child. How long sire sat there musing she never knew, but the sun was already sinking in the western sky when she awoke with a start, as a wild scream of terror broke upon her car. For one second for woman's heart almost ceased to beat, but Georgiana Chumâ€" leigh was no coward, and in art-other minute she was (lumbering over the rocks towards the spot from whence the sound came. She had not pro- ceeded far when a li-ghtâ€"robed figure came flying past her, in whom Georgina lecognised Stanley Medâ€" hurst‘s childâ€"like fiancee. She paused to speak to her, but the girl was too' distraught to listen, and Would have passed on had not Georgina seized her unceremoniously by the aim and held her fast. “What is the matter?” she de- manded. “What has become of Mr. Meydllr‘mrst ?” Amd for answer the other could only point to the beach below with trembling finger and sink down on the rocks where she stood, sobbing aloud. ‘ “Oh, don’t leave me '2” she cried. “Don’t leave me ! Stay with me, or I shall die of fright l” But Georgina heeded her not. "If Mr. Medhurst is in danger our first thought must be for him,” she said, her lip curling, and springing forward towards the spot indicated s’. e disappeared behind the rocks. The sight that met her eyes was somewhat reassuring, for, whatever his injuries might be, Stanley Medâ€" hurst still lived; and as she ap- proached him from the rocks above he called out to herâ€"bidding lzer go for help, as he had dislodged a frag- ment of rock which had fallen upon him and prevented his escape. But her quick eye saw that t’ e tide was already upon him, and, setting her teeth firmly, she began the perilous descent. Watching ler with bated breath, I and expecting every moment/to see her fall, he forgot his own danger in the thought' of hers, and, shouting to l.er to go back, turned his head aside with a. groan as he felt' the water lapping at his feet. “Go back l” she answered; “what do you take me for ‘2 I have come to save you t” and he opened his eyes to find her already at his side. "I am afraid my arm is broken,” he said, rousing himself with an ef- fort. "Do you think you are. strong enough to move that thing off it ‘2” "Iain sure I am,” she answered, brightly; butgher; heart failed her as she saw what a size it was, and her spirits fell to zero ;when, with all her strength, she found herself unable to release him. stifled sob of pity, “and there is no time to go for help. ‘ I shall have to hurt you terribly, I am afraid, but I must push it off.” ~ And then, without another. word, she sat down on the wet sand at his sideâ€"a great boulder at her backâ€" and planting her feet firmly against the rock, pushed at it with her efforts were rewarded, and the prisâ€" oner was free. Springing to her feet with an ex- clamation of relief she turned to give him her hand, but he neither moved nor spoke, for strong man though he was, the pain had been so excruciat- ing that he had fainted for the first time in his life. It was only the work of a few minutes to drag him into safety farther up the beach; but despite all her efforts to restore consciousness he lay inert, and to all appearance life less. She was kneeling there beside the prostrate formâ€"her breath coming in quiék, short gaspsâ€"when Lilian looked at them from the rocks above, her eyes swollen and red with weep- mg. “H‘as itÂ¥â€"killed him ?'3 she asked, with a sob. Georgina looked up, contempt writ- ten in every line 0 her face. “No,” she answer ed, shortly. “Go for help at once! Send three or four men and a stretcherâ€"a. doctor, too, if there is one to be found.” And Lillian turned away at once to do her bidding, it seemed hours to the lonely watcher before assistance came. Indeed, it was almost dark when at length two men and a boy appeared on the scene, bearing a stretcher. On this they carried the unconscious man up the rocks, Georâ€" gina taking one corner, in spite of her torn and bleeding hands; and thus they bore him home, to the lodgings he had left only a few short hours before in the full strength and vigor of his manhood. Here amputation was found to be necessary, and for the three weeks during which he hovered between life and death his fellow-ledger tended him with untix-ing devotion. Only once .after he had recovered conâ€" sciousness did he ask for his little fiancee, and when he received her answer he turned his fate to the wall with a smothered groan. "I’m awf-.lly sorry, my boy,” the doctor said, sympathetically, "but I can’t persuade ltcr to come. She says s“e‘s sure it wouldn’t be 'proâ€" refâ€"that she’s iever been in a man’s rooms in her life,” And afâ€" ter that the subject was not menâ€" tioned again, but when at length he was strong enough to travel, Mr. iMedhun'st went away to a South Coast watering-place without even paying a farewell visit to the girl whose love had proved so frail. He was away six months, and on the evening of his return he went up to Miss Chumleizgh’s room for the first time. He owed her a debt of gratitude l'e world rover be able to repay, and, as he stood at the doc:- tho‘ughts turned back to the old days when his heart had beat for her alone. She was sitting disconsolately by the window when, in answer to her summons, he puShed open the door -â€"an open .newspaper in her hand, which sheiwas endeavoring to read in the gathering gloom. There was no fire in the grate, and he noticed that she was shivering, in spite of the thick woollen shawl she had wrapped around her s'701.l:lel‘s. “.llI-iss Chumleigh,” he’ said, “I have just come home, and I want someone to talk to. Won’t you take pity on my lonely state, and come down and have some dinner with me ‘2" V "1 don’t know,” she answered, doubtfully. ,"We always ’aggravate each other so much,’ you see." "Don’t l” he cried, quickly. “I was mad when I said that! Miss Chumlelgh,” he continued, humbly, "won’t you consent to let bygones be bygones‘? I know that I have treateo. you shamef..lly, and you have heaped coals of fire upon my head. I can iie‘ver thank you suffiiently for what you have done for meâ€"â€"I owe you my very life ! Won’t you add to your kindness by trying to forget the past and remember only that ‘I repent me of all I haxe done’ ?" And as she looked across at him, standing there so meelaly, with‘ the empty coatâ€"sleeve tucked pathetically in his coat-pocket, the girl found it impossible to say him r-ay. Besides she was cold and hungry, and the roaring fire she had seen in his room, as she passed the/door, was an inâ€" ducement in itself. & i' 'X- * * *- “I have a letter l'ere I want to show you.” he said, as, dinner over, they (New their chairs up to the fire, and his eyes watched her fur- t‘ivcly as she read. It was a. heartless letter, coming as it did from the girl who was to have been his wife, begging for her freeâ€" dom, as she could not bear the thought of being bound to a oneâ€" armed man, and Georgina’s eyes flashed with indignation as she pass- ed it back without comment. “Well, what do you think of it '2” he asked. “I received that little love-letter before I was well enough to leave my. room. Don’tpyou think it Wasfortunate for me that my acâ€" cident occurred ~before my marriage?" “I think it is a,very good: thing you are ableto look at it in . that light,” she said, unsteadily. " They' saw. a' great deal of each other inf-ten. that, and then one day he discovered, What she had tried so hard to hide, that she had lost llzer situation at. the dispensary owâ€" ‘frenzy of despair, until at last her ~ waiting her permission to enter, his: "I can’t lift it,” she said, with a ing to her repeated absences during his illness. "Your one cry was for Miss Chum- leigh,” the old doctor told him, "onâ€" ly yoru called her ‘Georgina’; and, angel that she is, she made you her chief care, knowing full well that it meant losing her place. She is the truestywoman who ever lived, and if I were a few years younger»-â€"” But Stanley Medhurst heard no more. This, then, was- the reason for the. girl’s unusual pallorâ€"slc lacked the wherewithal to purchase the common necessities of life, and for Want of proper food was fading away before his very eyes. And thenâ€"he never remembered ex- actly how it happened, but in anoth- er minute he found himself at her side, pouring out his love and his airworthiness in one breath; and her tears were falling, as Lilian’s might have done, on his big brown hand. “You are quite 'sure it isn’t grati- tude you feel?” she asked. "I thought you didn’t like big, muscu- lar womenâ€"” “Georgina. l” he gasped, "youâ€"you didn’t l.ear me say that l” "I couldn't help it,” she returned. “I had just gone out on to the balâ€" cony to watch the sun set, and the words floated up to me from - the room below. I know I’m a big, clumsy creature, but 1 have a Wom- an’s heart.” “I know it,” he answered, passionâ€" ately; "the tenderest, truest heart that ever beat. I was a. fool to think you could ever be otherwise. I ought to have known you better. Georgina, 'five years ago I intended asking you to be my wife, but when mischief-makers told me you’ were already appropriated I left you; and then, when I discovered my mistake, I was too proud to come back. Don’t tell me that I have come too late 2” “No, you are not too late,” she answered.â€"London Titâ€"Bits. W GANADIANSlN ENGLAND A GREAT HAVE WON LAURELS. They Are Famous in Political, Military and Commercial Affairs. service commanded the Egyptian Cavalry, 1892â€"94. Sir Percy Glrouard was born in Montreal, May 26, 1867, and grade} uated in 1886 from the Royal Miliâ€"‘ tary College, Kingston; two years on engineering staff of the C.P.R.; sec- ond lieutneant Royal Engineers, 1888; trafic manager Royal Arsenal Railways, Woolwich, 1900; joined Dongola expedition under General Kitchener, and was in charge of the railway battalion during the cam- paign, holding the rank of bimbashi, or major in the Egyptian army; men- tioned in despatches, and decorated with the distinguished service order. WRITES OF CANADA . Joseph Grose Colmer, private soc- retary to the late Sir John .Abbott, secretary to Sir "Alexander Galt, and in 1881 was appointed secretary to the office of Canadian High Commis- sioner in London. Author of num- erous articles on Canada. He was born in London, Eng, 1856. 'K. N. MacFee, legal and financial agent, born at St. Clrrysostome, Que, April 22, 1851; practised law in Montreal, Winnipeg and Minnea- polis, removing to England in 1889 delegate to the third Commercial Congress at London, 1896, and to the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire at Montreal, 1903. ' Robert Barr, novelist, was born in Glasgow, Sept. 16, 1850, but was educated in Canada; school teacher in Canada till 1876; joined the edi~- torlal staff of The Detroit Free Press and went to England in 1881. ’ Hamar Green wood, Liberal candi- date for the Imperial parliament in York City, Eng, born in Whitby 32 years ago; he is an honor grad< date of Toronto University in politiâ€" cal science and law; he has the rev putation in the Old Land of being one of the clevet'est platform orators in the ranks of the Liberal-s. Ian Zachary Malcolm, M. 13., for Stowmarket Division of Suffolk since 1805. was born in Quebec Sept. 8. 18168; the eldest son of Col. Ed- MANY OF THEM ward Donald Malcolm. of the Royal Engineers. GEORGE BROWN’S SON. George Mackenzie Brown, M.1’.for Midlothiun, is the son of the late Hon. George Brown; he defeated Co- nan Doyle, the novelist, in the last Canada is claiming more attention general elections. to-day in England than She had ever E. Duff Miller, Agentâ€"General of before commanded, even during the the Province of New Brunswick in South African war, when the valor of her troops in the field excited the admiration of the world. This is no doubt due to the large number of Canadians who are in public life in England, or who hold commanding positions in the military or financial world. Theie are several . native- born Canadians in the British parâ€" liament, and others have won dis- tinction in the service of the King in the army. Some of these who have achieved success in the Mother Country are: NOVELIST AND STATESMAN. Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P., born at Camden East, Addington County, 1859; school teacher at Frankford and Seaforth; ordained deacon in 1882; attended lectures in divinity at Trinity University; curate to the late Rev. Canon Bleasdell at Trenâ€" ton; professor in deaf and dumb inâ€" stitute, Belleville, went to Australia in 1886 and wrote for the press; wrote poems, short stories and plays removed to_ England and wrote more plays and novels. Resides permanâ€" ently in London, but f;equently visits Canada. I-Ion. Edward Blake, M. P., for South Longfo'rd, Ireland; born at Cairngorm, Ont., Oct. 13, 1833; Preâ€" mier of Ontario, 1871; member of Dominion cabinet under Hon. Alexâ€" ander Mackenzie; leader of Liberal party of Canada, 1878 to 1887; elâ€" ected member for South Longford, 1892. Hon. George E. Foster, born in Carlton County, N._B., Sept. 13, 1847; taught school in his native province and entered politics in 1882 appointed a member of Sir John Macdonald's cabinet in 1885 and from 1888 to 1896 was Minister of Finance. WEARS MANY WAR MEDALS. Lieutenantâ€"General John Wimburn Lawrie, M.P., for Havel-ford West, England, sat as a Conservative in the Canadian House of Commons from 1887 to 1891.. Born in Lonâ€" don, Oct. 1, 183-5; went in for a mil- itary career, and wears many medals for distinguished service abroad; came to Canada at the time of tie Trent affair, 1861; was a field ofli~ cer of militia in Nova Scotia for five years, during which time 50,000 men were regularly trained in that province, and served during the Fen- ian invasion of 1866. He was Do- puty Adjutant General of Militia in, Nova Scotia. Charles Devlin, M.P., for Galway, succeeding Col. Lynch, the beer commander, who was convicted of " treason, sat in the Canadian palliaâ€" ment as representative of Ottawa County till five years ago, when he was appointed immigration agent in Ireland, resigning to contest (lalway for the Imperial parliament. OFFICERS IN THE~ ARMY. 001. F. W. Benson, assistant adjuâ€" tant general, chief staff officer southâ€" eastern district since June, 1898, was born at. St. Catharines, Ont., Aug.'2, 1849; the third son of the late Senator J. R. Benson; educated at Upper Canada College'nnd’ [the Royal Military College,_,Sandhurst; veteranof Fenian raid, 1866; joined 2lst Hussars, 1869, and subsequent- ly served in 12th Royal -. Lancers; 15th Dragoon Guards and 17’tlr'lmnl‘ cors; A.D.C.’ to Governorâ€"General of Northwest Province-r, India, 1877, and, in England, born and educated in New Brunswick. . George L. Johnston, journalist, of London, England. Major-General C. W. Robinson, C. 13., brother cf C. C. Robinson, K.C., of Toronto. Colonel Wallace, commander King’s Royal Colonials, a native of Halifax, N. S. The Earl of Elgin and Sir Thomas Eerie also claim the distinction of having been born in Canada. lâ€"â€"â€"â€"-+â€"_â€"-'_~ USELESS PHRASE. Bobby had returned from his first teaâ€"party, his round face wreathed in smiles. “I hope you were polite, Bobby,” said his mother, "and re- membered your 'Yes, please,’ and ‘No, thank you,’ when things were passed to you.” “I remembered ‘Yes, please, said Bobby, cheerfully, “but. I didn't have to say ‘No, thank you,’ mother, be- cause I took everything every time it Was passed." 1!! --$-â€"-â€"-â€" IN NATURE’S KITCHEN. A woman who teaches in a college for girls vouchcs for the truth of this story. She presides over one of the college diningâ€"tables at which sit a dozen students. One day some curly lettuce was brought on. A freshman looked at it and exclaimed, “flow clever of the cook to crimp it that way! How does she do it?” ' - EPIC URE RATS. The pupils .of the Newton Gramâ€" mar School, in Chicago, were terror. ised by ctormous rats, which ran about. the school in broad daylight. The janitor set traps, but found he could catch 1:0 rats 111103253 he used Limburger (-ltcere. With this bait lo ' caught flirty-seven a day until none we e left. .._._.~_.+____._ MARRIED ON SIGHT. John T. Kruger, of Wabash, Nelr, bet a friend $500 that he Would ask the first girl he met, after leav- ing his hotel, to lnul‘l'y him. This happened to be Mamie Grant, who promptly acccptml his offer. They wore married within an hour. __-_._._+.. _.... l .A lltl E T CH VASE. An ounce of onion seed was sown in the garden of Miss Carwithen, at Springfield. vatou Abbot, lCng- land, last March. Recently the gar- dener gathered 4th lbs. of onions. a... ._.__+__ “Yes.” he said, “1 am up. to my . neck in debt: but it's my misfortune. not my fault." “Your misfortune?" “Yes. You see, I. have a faculty for making such an excellent impression upon people that they still persist in trdsting inc.” ' The office-hunting season is ope: for twelve months each year.‘ Secrets are. like moneyâ€"good for nothing unless placed‘ in circulation Some nunr make. cumulus instead 0 friends because it. is less trouble. Sanguinary conflicts * over gcustom, icollocti’oxs between I‘eisiaz-s an 'llllirt‘on'rmss ale reporter! to have or curred on Us Russoâ€"Persian fro: addition to other military ,tler. l l l ; L-mavma... A ‘ w; ' ' - ‘ " auteurâ€"4:» I.» ~. ~ . .. .. , . . . , . . K I n v snug-1:53;,“ { 2:72am- . / sore; :umnx..,’w;..“>"‘

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