LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1854, 31 January 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MIX CHALLOVER’S FORTUNE, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. [From “Time.”J By Edmc'D Yatbs. ( Concluded .) Could she have seen the expression in the eyes bent upon her ? But he did hia best to keep all sentiment out of his tone, as he replied with a few courteous words, feeling as though she were like soma rare beautiful bird, who would spread its wings at the first unaccustomed sound. And, when she presently rose, thinking that she had * chatted’ as much as he could expect for one day, he he did not make any attempt to prolong the interview, trying to content himself with the thought of the morrow His grave—it might almost be said reverential—bearing had its fffet. . She came in the next morning a ittle more bravely, and they more easily found topics of conversation, for now he knew that she read and tbonght. Simple as she appeared, hers was not the simplicity of weakness. As with a quaint reticent grace she partly unveiled her thoughts to him, he saw that she was as well armed against Mrs Orayson’s wicked world as was that lady hers-lf, though with very different weapons. Little by little he led her to feel that she was talking to a friend, and then the rest was e«sy. He made aoqnaintance with Mr Aylan—so far as any one not in terested in his pursuits could do so—not in the least objecting to be occasion illy addressed as a beetle or a moth, and soon contrived to win the hearts of the children. Lina and Ira were already looking the plumper and better for the numberless good things which Mr Max ordered, and found afterwards he did not want; and were radiant at the prospect before them, fie fonnd too that he had a taste for exploring the country about Mudraxrsh ; and all sorts of delightful expeditions were planned in which they were to aoc mpany him, for instead of rest and quiet he seemed now to require fan, frolic, and society. It came to be understood that, whether at home or abroad, they were to spend the long summer days together, and the old house echoed with the merry voic s of the children, who declared it was like living in fniryland. Even old Hannah’s face was beginning to wear a contented expression. She was quite blind to all the dangers pointed out by Mrs Grayson, only replying that it was doing them all a world of good, and there wasn’t any harm, that she could see, in people enjoying themselves.

Mrs Grayson was not likely to approve of pioni s and excursions to whioh she was not invited, and Mr Max would never allow that there was room for more in the carriage, and only laughed when the children repeated to him Mrs Grayson's little speeches about their ingratitude. But, a* the summer days went by, Mrs Grayson found amusement for herself. £ome mysterious business obliged her to take frequent j mrneys to town, and she was soon independent of the Aylans’ society, while she had the best reasons for believing that their base ingratitude to her would meet with its reward. Mr Max had been a month at Mudmarah, when one morning Winifred Aylan tapped at the door, and entered the room, look inv as he had never seen her look b fore, flushed and trembling, her eyes brilliant with excitement. ‘ Oh, Mr Max, something so wonderful. Do please help me t • think ? ’ ‘ News—good news 1 he asked, glanciog at the open letter in her hand with a half smile. ‘So good that I cannot realise it. Please tell me if you think this is true? Papa has discovered a moth with a new hind of spot on its wings, and cannot think of anything else.’ He glanced through the letter she gave him. ‘ Dear sir—Mr Challoner, to whom yonr lata wi'e’s biother. Mr Seymour, bequeathed hia p operty, declines to administer, entirely g ving up his claim in favor of your children as next of kin.

* Awaiting your instructions, * We are, &c , * Langley, Son, and Langley.’

‘ Yea ; it is true enough, no doubt; the firm is a respectable one, as I happen to know. Need I say how heartily I congratulate you?’ ‘But what oonld have induced Mr f 'ha’loner to give up the money in f ivor of people he knows nothing about? I cannot understand it I’ she ejaculated, still afraid to believe, ‘ Has as much as he wants, probably; and found out that there was another will made a short time previously, leaving the whole to yonr family, in fact, that a great wr ng had been done.’ ‘There is nothing about another will, or anything of that kind hero ’ turning over the letter. He laughed. ‘ That was Only my supposition, you know.’ ‘ All our good f irtune seems to have come with yon,’ she softly murmured, with ashy upward glance into his face. He strove with himse f. He had fancied that he would be strong ; hut he had not calculated upon S"eing her like this. ‘ Perhaps some day yon wll let me tell you what the coming here has done f 'r me—Miss Ay lan —Winifred ’ The vivid flush, drooping eyes, and sensitive month,were answering f >r her, telling what she fain would have o metaled. His eyes dwelt eagerly upon the sweet face ; but he overcame Not now, he told himself; but hia v- ice shook a little as he said :— ‘ I daresay I shall bo able to help yon a Jit le in the way of seeing the lawyer-* for yon, and so forth, in town, for my holidays are over, and T must go back to work ’ ‘ W tU ? I jbhonaht yen were rich! Do yon leally work ?'—in great a-tenishment. 1 My work is very real indeed.’ * And yon have been so gecerons to ns all this tira-*! How much we owe you !’‘Oh, as for that, there may be some t'nth in Mrs Crayton's assertion about having an end in view, yon know.’ ‘ as though we do not know you.’ ‘You must not speck to me in‘hat wav.’ ‘ Why ? ’ she whispered, half conscious that her thoughts were showing themselves in her face and voice. ‘ B cause—Winnie ? ! on’t yon knowhow hard it is for me to keep silent ? I wanted to wait nntd I had made my way a little, and proved myself more worthy— ’ ‘More worthy?’ with a wondering look and smile, which caused his last scruple to give way His arm was about her waist, and her cheek lying upfn his breast, the letter containing ths wonderful news lying unh-eded at her feat; when a slight cough, expressive in its tone, told them they were not alone; and turning hasti y round, they met the eyes of Mrs Grayson fixed coldly upon them., ‘ (’ongratnlate me, Mrs Grayson.’ ‘ I do not feel that I onght to do that, Mr Max. At any r»te. I am sorry that it is out of my power to congratulate Winifred. a f t*r what has come to my knowledge. But ‘he wiil do me the justice to remember I warn'd her that people are not always what they seem. Will y u answer one question f ’ turning towards him, ‘Why are you living here under a

false name?’ He bit his lip, looking at Winifred, who slipped one hand under his arm, and clapped the other upon It, as she met Mrs Grayson’s eyes with a triumphant smile. What did it matter about bis name? ‘ I should be obliged by your not entering upon that subject now, Mrs Grayson. Another time—when ws are alone.’ But Mrs Grayson had a duty to perform. * I decline any private confidences, and I pre f er to speak now, for Miss Aylan’s sake.’ ‘ But I don’t want to hear, ’ began Winifred. ‘Because you do n<t suspect what there is to hear. It may not be pleasant to he»r it, but it is right you sh-u’d be told that Mr Max, as he calls himself, nsed all sorts of arts to gain an influence over your uncle, Mr Seymour, and succeeded in getting the property which had been previously willed to you, and that his name is Challoner.’ ‘Challoner! ’ ej aou’ated Winifred, a sudden light springing to her eyes, as she looked no into his face. He smiled, smoothing hack the hair from her brow, and imprinting a kiss upon it, before Mrs Grayson’s eyes, ‘ Let him deny it if he can ’ With tears of joy shining in her eyes, and a smile upon her lips, Winifred picked up the letter and put it into Mrs Grayson’s hand. Mrs Grayson slowly read it through, looked from one to the other, and passed out of the room and out of their lives.