The Young Visiters or, Mr. Salteena's Plan
bed she added to hide her embarassment.
Yes I expect you will said Bernard and now what about a little table
d'ote followed by a theater.
Oh yes cried Ethel and downstairs they went.
[Pg 79]
CHAPTER 8
A GAY CALL
I tell you what Ethel said Bernard Clark about a week later we might
go and pay a call on my pal the Earl of Clincham.
Oh do lets cried Ethel who was game for any new adventure I would
dearly love to meet his lordship.
Bernard gave a frown of jellousy at her rarther mere words.
Well dress in your best he muttered.
Ethel skipped into her bedroom and arrayd herself in a grass green
muslin of decent cut a lace scarf long faun colored kid gloves and a
muslin hat to correspond. She carried a parasole in one hand also a
green silk bag containing a few stray hair pins a clean handkerchief
five shillings and a pot of ruge in case. She looked a dainty vishen
[Pg 80] with her fair hair waving in the breeze and Bernard bit his lips
rarther hard for he could hardly contain himself and felt he must
marry Ethel soon. He looked a handsome sight himself in some exquisite
white trousers with a silk shirt and a pale blue blazer belt and cap.
He wore this in honour of the earl who had been to Cambridge in his
youth and so had Bernard Clark.
At last they found themselves in the entrance hall of the Crystale
palace and speedily made their way to the privite compartments. Edward
Procurio was walking up and down the passage looking dark and
mystearious as usual.
Is His Lordship at home cried Bernard Clark cheerily.
Which one asked Procurio many lords live here he said scornfully.
Well I mean the Earl of Clincham said Bernard.
Oh yes he is in responded Procurio and to the best of my belief giving
a party.
[Pg 81]
Indeed ejaculated Bernard we have come in the nick of time Ethel he
added. Yes said Ethel in an excited tone.
Then they pealed on the bell and the door flew open. Sounds of
laughter and comic songs issued from the abode and in a second they
were in the crowded drawing room. It was packed with all the Elite and
a stout duchess with a good natured face was singing a lively song and
causing much merriment. The earl strode forward at sight of two new
comers. Hullo Bernard old boy he cried this is a pleasure and who have
you got with you he added glancing at Ethel.
Oh this is Miss Monticue said Bernard shall I introduce you----
If you will be so good said the Earl in an affable tone and Bernard
hastily performed the right. Ethel began a bright conversatiun while
Bernard stroled off to see if he could find any friends amid the
throng.
[Pg 82]
What pleasant compartments you have cried Ethel in rarther a socierty
tone.
Fairly so so responded the Earl do you lire in London he added in a
loud tone as someone was playing a very difficult peice on the piano.
Well no I dont said Ethel my home is really in Northumberland but I am
at present stopping with Mr Clark at the Gaierty Hotel she continud in
a somewhat showing off tone.
Oh I see said the earl well shall I introduce you to a few of my
friends.
Of please do said Ethel with a dainty blow at her nose.
The earl disserppeard into the madding crowd and presently came back
with a middle aged gentleman. This is Lord Hyssops he said my friend
Miss Monticue he added genially.
Ethel turned a dull yellaw. Lord Hyssops she said in a faint voice why
it is Mr Salteena I know him well.
[Pg 83]
Hush cried the Earl it is a title bestowd recently by my friend the
Prince of Wales.
Yes indeed murmered Mr Salteena deeply flabbergasted by the ready wit
of the earl.
Oh indeed said Ethel in a peevish tone well how do you come to be
here.
I am stopping with his Lordship said Mr Salteena and have a set of
compartments in the basement so there.
I dont care said huffy Ethel I am in handsome rooms at the Gaierty.
Nothing could be nicer I am sure struck in the earl what do you say
Hyssops eh.
Doubtless it is charming said Mr Salteena who was wanting peace tell
me Ethel how did you leave Bernard.
I have not left him said Ethel in an annoying voice I am stopping with
him at the gaierty and we have been to lots of theaters and dances.
Well I am glad you are enjoying yourself said Mr Salteena kindly you
had been looking pale of late.
[Pg 84]
No wonder in your stuffy domain cried Ethel well have you got any more
friends she added turning to the earl.
Well I will see said the obliging earl and he once more disapeared.
I dont know why you should turn against me Ethel said Mr Salteena in a
low tone.
Ethel patted her hair and looked very sneery. Well I call it very
mystearious you going off and getting a title said Ethel and I think
our friendship had better stop as no doubt you will soon be marrying a
duchess or something.
Not at all said Mr Salteena you must know Ethel he said blushing a
deep red I always wished to marry you some fine day.
This is news to me cried Ethel still peevish.
But not to me murmered Mr Salteena and his voice trembled in his
chest. I may add that I have always loved you and now I seem to do so
madly he added passionately.
[Pg 85]
But I dont love you responded Ethel.
But if you married me you might get to said Mr Salteena.
I think not replied Ethel and all the same it is very kind of you to
ask me and she smiled more nicely at him.
This is agony cried Mr Salteena clutching hold of a table my life will
be sour grapes and ashes without you.
Be a man said Ethel in a gentle whisper and I shall always think of
you in a warm manner.
Well half a loaf is better than no bread responded Mr Salteena in a
gloomy voice and just then the earl reappeard with a very brisk lady
in a tight silk dress whose name was called Lady Gay Finchling and her
husband was a General but had been dead a few years. So this is Miss
Monticue she began in a rarther high voice. Oh yes said Ethel and Mr
Salteena wiped the foaming dew from his forehead. Little did Lady [Pg 86]
Gay Finchling guess she had just disturbed a proposal of marrage.
The Earl chimed into the conversation now and again and Lady Gay
Finchling told several rarther witty stories to enliven the party.
Then Bernard Clark came up and said they had better be going.
Well goodbye Clincham he said I must say I have enjoyed this party
most rechauffie I call it dont you Ethel.
Most cried Ethel I suppose you often come she added in a tone of envy
to Lady Gay Finchling.
Pretty often said Lady G. F. well goodbye as I see you are in a hurry
to be off and she dashed off towards the refreshment place.
Goodbye Ethel said poor Mr Salteena in a spasam and he seized hold of
her hand you will one day rue your wicked words farewell he repeated
emphatically.
Oh well goodbye said Ethel in a vage tone and then turning to the earl
she said [Pg 87] I have enjoyed myself very much thankyou.
Please dont mention it cried the earl well goodbye Bernard he added I
shall look you up some day at your hotel.
Yes do muttered Bernard always welcome Clincham old boy he added
placing his blue crickit cap on his head and so saying he and Ethel
left the gay scene and once more oozed fourth into the streets of
London.
[Pg 88]
CHAPTER 9
A PROPOSALE
Next morning while imbibing his morning tea beneath his pink silken
quilt Bernard decided he must marry Ethel with no more delay. I love
the girl he said to himself and she must be mine but I somehow feel I
can not propose in London it would not be seemly in the city of
London. We must go for a day in the country and when surrounded by the
gay twittering of the birds and the smell of the cows I will lay my
suit at her feet and he waved his arm wildly at the gay thought. Then
he sprang from bed and gave a rat tat at Ethels door.
Are you up my dear he called.
Well not quite said Ethel hastilly jumping from her downy nest.
Be quick cried Bernard I have a plan to [Pg 89] spend a day near Windsor
Castle and we will take our lunch and spend a happy day.
Oh Hurrah shouted Ethel I shall soon be ready as I had my bath last
night so wont wash very much now.
No dont said Bernard and added in a rarther fervent tone through the
chink of the door you are fresher than the rose my dear no soap could
make you fairer.
Then he dashed off very embarrased to dress. Ethel blushed and felt a
bit excited as she heard the words and she put on a new white muslin
dress in a fit of high spirits. She looked very beautifull with some
red roses in her hat and the dainty red ruge in her cheeks looked
quite the thing. Bernard heaved a sigh and his eyes flashed as he
beheld her and Ethel thorght to herself what a fine type of manhood he
reprisented with his nice thin legs in pale broun trousers and well
fitting spats and a red rose in his button hole and rarther a sporting
cap which gave him a great air [Pg 90] with its quaint check and little
flaps to pull down if necesarry. Off they started the envy of all the
waiters.
They arrived at Windsor very hot from the jorney and Bernard at once
hired a boat to row his beloved up the river. Ethel could not row but
she much enjoyed seeing the tough sunburnt arms of Bernard tugging at
the oars as she lay among the rich cushons of the dainty boat. She had
a rarther lazy nature but Bernard did not know of this. However he
soon got dog tired and sugested lunch by the mossy bank.
Oh yes said Ethel quickly opening the sparkling champaigne.
Dont spill any cried Bernard as he carved some chicken.
They eat and drank deeply of the charming viands ending up with
merangs and choclates.
Let us now bask under the spreading trees said Bernard in a passiunate
tone.
Oh yes lets said Ethel and she opened her [Pg 91] dainty parasole and
sank down upon the long green grass. She closed her eyes but she was far
from asleep. Bernard sat beside her in profound silence gazing at her
pink face and long wavy eye lashes. He puffed at his pipe for some
moments while the larks gaily caroled in the blue sky. Then he edged a
trifle closer to Ethels form.
Ethel he murmured in a trembly voice.
Oh what is it said Ethel hastily sitting up.
Words fail me ejaculated Bernard horsly my passion for you is intense
he added fervently. It has grown day and night since I first beheld
you.
Oh said Ethel in supprise I am not prepared for this and she lent back
against the trunk of the tree.
Bernard placed one arm tightly round her. When will you marry me Ethel
he uttered you must be my wife it has come to that I love you so
intensly that if you say no I shall perforce dash my body to the
[Pg 92] brink of yon muddy river he panted wildly.
Oh dont do that implored Ethel breathing rarther hard.
Then say you love me he cried.
Oh Bernard she sighed fervently I certinly love you madly you are to
me like a Heathen god she cried looking at his manly form and handsome
flashing face I will indeed marry you.
How soon gasped Bernard gazing at her intensly.
As soon as possible said Ethel gently closing her eyes.
My Darling whispered Bernard and he seiezed her in his arms we will be
marrid next week.
Oh Bernard muttered Ethel this is so sudden.
No no cried Bernard and taking the bull by both horns he kissed her
violently on her dainty face. My bride to be he murmered several
times.
[Pg 93]
Ethel trembled with joy as she heard the mistick words.
Oh Bernard she said little did I ever dream of such as this and she
suddenly fainted into his out stretched arms.
Oh I say gasped Bernard and laying the dainty burden on the grass he
dashed to the waters edge and got a cup full of the fragrant river to
pour on his true loves pallid brow.
She soon came to and looked up with a sickly smile Take me back to the
Gaierty hotel she whispered faintly.