LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2668, 25 October 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

HILDA'S VICTORY; OH TDK MYSTERY of sorjaaJttNE odukt. CContinued.) She was very frightened of the climax tint must occur—of the hue and ory that will bi raised. Norman, spoilt from his infancy, bad been only too glad to meet wUh any novelty in a career long beoalmed by tnnul and luxury, and ignored the pain and suspense he had caused. He detested Mrs Ktretton, her husband was unknown to him, but he believed they were vulgar minded people, who only believed in money's po-vor. ' Oar little home will soon be reiohed, my darling,' he whispered, as ihey drove down i. narrow lam ; 'humble it ia, but love shio.l give it every trace and feeanty it may laok.' fo the horses were reined up before b veritable bower of Eden. Simple and primitive, it suggested an elementary attempt at medlseval architecture. The qnaint gables, the rough porch, the wild wiiderr.eas of roses and honeysuckles about tho tiny windows, were all in ohnracter with its picturesque oharm. A neat maid servant appeared, and, taking sundry wraps and Hilda's light summer dolman, led the way to the little passage, whither Hilda and Norman followed.

•Your horre, darling—toll me bow you Hke it/ said Norman, imprisonirg her little trembling hand* and eyeing her intently. Thank heaven she is not disappointed. ' Come into the drawing-room, and look at my sketches,' he added, still watching her gravely. Sho saw enrious oaken timbers, fantastic arabesques and frescoes, grotesque carvings, and a perfect wealth of flowers On the marttol-pieces, the tables, the cheffonler, exquisite gioups of rarest blossoms ; gardenias, euobari* lillies, stephanotis, perfumed the air; even orohids and ferns were placed about in luxuriant profusion. ' It is like a wonderful dream,' said Hilda, with parted lips and breathless snrprlse. She aud Norman might have been two lovers living ii the reign of Cromwell. • ' And the cottage home ? Does it content you, child ?' 'Oh Norman, as if you were not more to me than any home !' cried Hilda, throwing herself into his arms.

' Little get, my queen,' he whiepjred with drowsy warmth ; ' and now for our breakfast. Do you regret the array of guests — the costly presents—the retinue of servants ? Here we have only one.' 1 Dinner is served, sir, ' announced a voice.

'l'm sure I couldn't oat to-day,'whis-pered Hil3s, turning aside with a pretty girlish gesture. ' It's hours sirce you hed your supper at The Lindens,' laughed Norman ; ' let us see what sort of cooking and fare Mary has provided * ' So »imple a feast,' said Norman slyly, as they sat down at the tasle, a large epergne dividing them (Joyce outside the door trying to catch a view of the bride); • where are the speeches—the spite—the w.nes—the presents —the rioe? Well, we won't do without wine, at any rate; I can manage that at leant at this festival.'

Was it a dream ? The shadowy trees outside, the stained glass windows with a curious coat of arms, the cloudless sky, the ripple of the river at the end of the lawn, gave a certain sense of welrdness and unreality to the scene. The windows were opened, for it was August, and the air was heavy with the soent of flowers ; the deep shadows on the grass were unbroken, for the golden light of summer was hardly yet on the wane. As Hilda sipped Ler Moselle, dissected a ' merry thought,' after having eaten a few lnouthfuls of salmoa, a sound caught her ear that b'anobed her cheek as she started to her feet with a cry of terror. ' Ihey have come,' she cried, clinging to Norman in helpless fear ; 'save me, Korman. Will they take me from you ? . . . You don't know how terrible mother is in he; rages I' * They will not do that, HiHa,' he murmured, opening the door and receiving his mother-in-law almost in his arms at tho porch. Joyce was too Interested In this junotuie to be invisible.

'Ten to one on master,'he kept B»ying, rejoicing in a fine bottle of Beaune ; 'he didn't wound a Frenoh count and drive a prim'* donna mad to be beat by fifteen stone of living flesh on his wedding day.' Mrs Stretton was, in truth, very terrible ; she was ao large, the cottage seemed to shrink into the size of a doll's house before her presence. She was followed by her husband, a little meek man in low shoes, apparently lost in he; voluminous drapery, and pale and anxious »s a prisoner.expecting a reprieve.

'Do your duty, John,' cried bis spouse, pushing him forward,' speak out as a man and a father. Call to your all the majesty of the law.' •

John was Indeed too overcome to say anything. Bis wife swept majestic »lly forward like a tidal wave, entered the dining-room, and surveyed tbe greengage tart, castards, and cream., ' A pretty h?me you've brought Hilda to,' she orled, hardly noticing her daughter, who was by her father's side, sobbing on bis breast and begging forgiveness, while he fondled ber, and she whispered the secret cf her love and happiness in his ear. 'Ah I I might have known your tricks when you refused the clothes Drawingmister, indeed!'

'Oh, Sabina! gently—gently—' said Mr Stretton, sinking into the luxurious armchair, and spreading his hands on the leather. It was all so much better than be expected, even including tbe bridegroom with his elegant high-bred air. ' Your child has eloped with a drawing-master—-a p or, miaerab e; pushing professional. Professionals always go for your money; it's next door to marrying a footman.'

* Master's been and gone and done It this time, aud no mistake,' Bald Joyce, hovering about in case he was wanted.

' We knew you would oppose our marriage,'said Norman coolly, 'you matfe Hilda suffer cruelly when the oonfessed her love for me in the spring." ' Don't think you'll have a penny of her money! Yon traded on your good looks and her softness to run away with our heiress. iNo drawing master shall enjoy our thousands. I'd rather throw 'em into the river,' as Norman shrugged his shoulders, waiting for tho storm to pass. 'Suppose I don't want them,' he said, after a pause, while Mr Stretton, appraising the oh sir that must have coat twelve guineas at the least, thought Sabina too hasty; drawing masters sometimes made a very pretty thing out of a good connection. ' Hilda, come to me' said Mrs Stretton severely; * leave off wheedling your silly father.'

Hilda approaohed, suspense was over, the crisis faced.

* You are a foolish, wioked, ungrateful girl,' said Mrs Stretton, nearly breaking down.

«I love my husband,' said Hilda, bravely. * Mother dear, forgive mo ' 'ls it any use orying over npllt milk, Sabina 1' asked Mr Stretton mildly, • suppee we forgive thorn, and help them all we can in future ? '

' You are a poor, mean. w;ak creature. Forgive them, and be the laughing stock of the place ?' ' Take a glass of wine, Mr Stretton r" said Norma*), inwardly blessing his father-in-law.

' I think I will,' said the little man, who saw by the label the wine was one of the finest brands.* Such ohairs, wine, and china; what did it all mean ? ' Hilda, pet, don't cry,' he went on kin ily; ' you have taken a step that will aflfcot all your life. May you be happy i' 'lf I could only be reoonolled to yen and mother!' sobbed Hilda, going round to Norman's side.

' You are an unduliful child,' said Mrs Stretton, rising to leave : ' I can do nothing without your father's sanction to remove you from your husband's protection. See how he treats you when we tie up our pursestiings.' ' I think it as well to inform you that we shall not remain very long at the cottage,' said Norman, bis face flushiog ; 'I am forced to visit Sotherne Court next week on business. Any oommunioatlon will reach us there.'

' Engaged to revarnlsh the pictures,' muttered Mrs Stretton, In the passsge; 'dear ! dear ! and they've several old matters.'

' Sotherne Court. Ah ! a fine .estate in Surrey,' said Mr Stretton, from the poroh

' owned by a man oalled Sinclair —a fast luaa-nn a horse one year at the Derby. .Jny relation of your* ?' •There are jo many Sinolairs,' answered Noruinn Indifferently. b'-e Jtrottoa turned and held oat his hand In fan; well. ' You're not used us well, sir ; I (1 id C excuse your conduct, but my little gir! ii my dearest treasure. Never mind xrh vt i he mthar says ; a good heart, sir, bat iu.-l. Hilda happy. Bless her, I sea she 1 j you.' His eye* filled as Norman v? a ig his hand. ' •'x'raßS me. I price her above all tha world,' he said ; 'some day you will understar d me better.'

K> more was said as tha couple entered tho carriage, Mrs Stretton banging the door Eavag&ly to, and soolding 'John' till she was horse all the return journey. ' it will all como right, my darling,' said Norman soothingly, his arm testing on - ilda's shoulder, and the shadows of the August sunshine falling on them like a blessing as they re-entered the cottage together. (2V» be continued)