Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-07-02
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
BE[[AR'S BANK HOLIDAY


Isabel Atwood, my age being just %,
and serves on the draper side at
IS; while Jim-or James Hop.
croft, as his full name isis in the
upholstery OF the same establishment.
We'd then been engaged for about o
year, and we love each other more
than words can tell.
We'd arrange to go to Hastings, and
IT was left as Jim should meet me at
Charing Cross Station on the morning
OF that eventrul Bank Holiday, at s
O'Clock; which he did, and we went
down by the early excursion. As we
travel his manner towards me was
very tender and fondling, as it always
was. But somehow he seem rather
down in the mouth, and not quite like
his usual light-heartcd self.
At last, couldn't help remarking
on It.
Whats up, Jim, dear" says.
Nothing" he answer rather quick
like, as If he wish to avoid the SUD.
jock
oh But it must be somethink," /
says. 1--WE got a pair of eyes" ! says.
Tell me, boy-is it the teethache, or
a touch of the flu, or WHAT"
! Really it amt nothink," he answer,
not looking at me, however, but star.
ing down hard and fixed at the new
Z brown boots as encased his Trilbys.
II was just on II as we run into the
Hastings Terminus. Following our
usual program on such occasions, VIC
go straight down to the sea front and
toff 1t for a bit on the Esplanade.
BY the time as we'd done the Espla.
made, It was getting on for l o'clock
And neither Of us having had nothink
since our early breakfast, except 4
Banbury cake and an orange in the
train-them not being things as stands
by you much-we was both tol.loI
peckish. So Jim suggest making
tracts for an eating house, which VIC
did, and indulge in blowout of roast
beef, followed by gooseDerry pudding
rather sour and heavy, and best Eng
fish Cheddar, as they call t.; though
If it wasn't Canadian, ] never put my
teeth into none. And for drink We
+, split a large Guinness. Then Jim lii
one of the cigars I'd bought for him
fifteenpence the hali.dozen and card
board case thrown in; me not gener
ally paying such eXtravagant prices;
but Whit Monday is Whit Monday
and leanln' back in his chair he re
mark, very thoughtful and serious
like:
1T won't he long now before we're
tie up, Bella"
NO, JIM" ] murmur coloring at the
mention of 1t, as well.brought.up girl
should, mot long now, dear"
b, Il hope as you'll always love me
Bella, as much as you do now" he pro
coed, quite nervous and anxious, as II
were.
! "Of course shall, jim" / cry, feel
ing downright hurt at his even limiting
at the possibility of anythink differ
ent. you surely don't doubt a CURL
do you?"
y No, no." he says, quickly, mot
that. But from what I've heard, mar
riage is always a bit of an eye.opener
Bella
What do You mean, JIM" ] cry
you amt a keeping nothink bach
from memo secret in your past life
what ought to be told, are you?"
"No, indeed. Nothink of that sort,
he answer growing rather red. But
they say as a gurl never really know
a chap till she's married TO him, and
well p'raps I'm fool-but you sets
such value on me that I'm half afraid
of not coming up to sample, Bella"
Then | see how it was. 1t was al
his sweet modesty. And answer
smiling:
Don't be afraid, dear old boy. You're
the right sort of goods, you are-satir
on both sides. No cotton back about
you, Jim. And hopes as you'll find
me equally sound stuff"
By and by We stroll out again. And
as we come opposite the Queens Ho
tel, they was just loadin up the AL
berthe for a trip. And Jim, he says
to me:
What price a sail, Bella?"
I'D love 1t, JIM" says, being al
ways passionate fond of the sea.
Right o, old CURL" he says.
So he pays his money to a brown
skinned sailor. who was shouting
Amy more for the Albertine," in a way
as would have taken the shine out al
the loudest-voiced coster in Battersea
and we trots up the sloping gangway
and goes on board.
Now the sea, must tell you, was
what the sailors call "choppy;" deal
little white waves a popping up ant
then a vanishing in every direction.
Jim" says, II wish now hadnr
had that gooseberry puddin'. feel i
don't sort Of agree with me-"
Jim look at me with sickly smile
and his face was Of a greenish.white
color, terrible to see. 'If my symp
toms is any guide" he says, Its more
likely the roast beef and new perta
ters."
! Jim! Jim" Are you took so bad
as that? Can't you speak TO gurl
dear?"
Then, at last. he sit up, and looking
at me In a way as I'd never see him