The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 308, 2 November 1910, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All Rights. Reserved.)

liy the Author of "Stella," "Two Keys," Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER I. A TEMPTATION, AND ITS RESULT.

"Florence, say that \ou will—pronise me." '■Walter, you frighten me. I dare not." "You must, dearest. There is noth'iig else for me to do. Your guar3iaii"' will take \ on. abroad to-mor-row. It will be a long lime before ivc meet again, and T. cannot bear ill's porting- without making sure Lliat you are mine before you sail and the sea separates us. Tell me, iarling. that you will be my wife, and tlvn I can hope. a nd wait, Kind .York for you, while you are gone. "Tut. Walter, why not hope and wait, believing and trusting me to De true, without taking such an underhand step" •-liecause, Florence, you know that .our guardian does not like me—(hat he lias done, and will do. everything- possible to prevent our union, notwithstanding he knows that your part nts ami niine planned years ago ■.hat we should marry."

"ISut L shall be of age in a little more than a year, Walter, when I ran act my own pleasure—when I can marry whom I choose" "J 'cannot wait. A year is an age, Florence. 1 cannot run the risk of losing you. you love me, do vou not, dearest ?" "Ye's, you know that 1 do, Walter." "You have expected to marry me, aver since you were a child ? '' Yes— I —I; no w'' "And you know- that, if your father had not died, leaving you to the care of Hubert Se a ver, he would havo redeemed his pledge to niy fathcr. and given you to me when wo arrived "at, years of discretion and become fond of each other. So, really, Florence, in spile of your ruardian's grudge against me, and I am only carrying out our parents' wishes in urging you to settle the matter for all time before you go away."

The ynims girl dirt not immediately respond to those last argument s. Sin.' sat with downcast eyes and flushed cheeks, Imt with an anxious expression on her fair face which betrayed that her heart was ill at

ease. She, with her companion, was seated in a pretty rustic arbour that had been erected in a cosy nook of some spacious grounds that surrounded ;, handsome mansion, whose stalely tower and massive chin)ne,\"s could b'- discerned rising aboye the fine old trees—maple, elm. and oak—which had been planted more than a century ago by ihe wealthy Englishman. tVancis Seayer. the great-grandfather of Koberl Scaver, the present owner of the valuable estate. 'J"he arbour was covered with climbing vines, roses, honeysuckle, and woodbine, thus making it a romantic '.-r'at. in ideal trysting-'plare for the '-".-uii'-.'stine meeting - of a pair of lovers on the l>right summer morning on which our story opens. The eager wooer is a handsome fellow, of medium height, well formed, straight, as an "arrow, his rather massive head crowned with closelycurling, dark brown hair. J lis forehead is broad and full, his brows straight and a irille heavy, his eyes a deep, (lark blue, ami gleaming with intelligence. His nose is perfectly formed, his mouth delicately chisselled, the upper lip wearing a becom-inglv-t rimmed moustache that exactIy°i'natches the dark hue 01 his gloss v hair. At the first glance one would call him a handsome fellow, peculiarly attractive, indeed, in every way. His attitude is very lover-like : his manner earnest and full of magnetic appeal, and his eyes are bent upon his beautiful companion with a wistful yearning which betrays his fondness for her ; and they have at the same time a gleam of determination in their depths which shows that he is bound to win his way. if possible. And yet. as ,\ on study it, there is a suggestive pallor in the clear-cut face which makes one suspicious of night reveis. an d 100 much wine, and a certain tremulousness of the hands which are toying nervously with a spray of honeysuckle, broken from the lattice near him, confirms this .suspicion. ■There is also an ugly line between the shapeiy brows, and a sullen compression of the mobile mouth, which betrays a feeling of impatience, at the 'indecision of the girl beside him, and a spirit of intolerance of an-- opposition to his wishes. His companion is very young—a slight, graceful creature, with an exquisitely fair complexion, a lovely face, upon which innocence and purity are written, and verified in every varying expression. Her hair, of purest "gold, is coiled in a massive knot at the top of her small head, ai;d fastened with a curious pin of amber tl ml silver, while a few dainty 'ocks cur! lovingly about the milkwhite forehead and neck. Her eyes also are blue ; but as she lifts them to her lover, after the long pause following his last arguments, there is an expression of trouble in them that makes them seem for the moment almost black. "Well ?" said the young man. quesLioningly, as ho met her glance, while his upper lip curled slightly, revealing the strong white perfect teeth beneath, the expression being singularly suggestive of an element of "cruelty and selfishness in his nature. "Yes, Walter, I know that Mr. Seavor does not approve of you," the maidui gravely remarked ; "but I know, too, that he is honest in his objections to your attentions to me —he has always been kindness itself to me, and would not willingly pain me."

"(Hi. yes, of course, lie has been kind to you," was the irritable re-il-oiise. "But cannot you see through that ? His ward, Miss Florence

Richardson, is a person of great importance, since she is heiress to a large, fortune, which he hopes one of these days to sweep into his own family rollers by wheedling you into a marriage with that tan-coloured hopeful of his whom .ho is planning to'have you meet in (Germany a. few months hence."

••Walter, how can you be so unjust '?" exelainu." 1 Florence, reproachfully. ■•Why," she added, with a little laugh. "I could never marry Stanley Seaver ; he is years and years older than I. it is too bad though. to call him tan-coloured, even'if he is dark : and then, besides, haven't 1 promised to —to"

"To marry me ?" the young man eagerly supplemented, as she hesitafed.' and flushed to her brows a lovely pink. "Yes, I know you have said thai you will marry me. when von return : but ' There's many a slip, von k.now, and I shall be wretched all the time you are away, tearing some one else will win \ on." ■•Surely, then, you have not much faith in me." replied Florence, with a little proud uplifting of her bright head, "and you pay my honour a o>rv poor compliment by your doubts of my fidelity."

"Forgive me. Florence." said het lover, with assumed humility. " l>u' why will you not grant me ibis one wish of my heart? Surely it /an do von no harm to give yourself to lie a. iow months earlier I han we had planned '.' We shall be sure of each other then—we can i';edv keep the matter secret ; and when vou return, if his nibs is si ili opposed, and withholds his consent. be-

"ause he does not deem me an eligible parly, all we will have lo !ln will be lo present our papers and .v-sert. ourselves. Florence. Flor n-e. don't deny me in this ! " tlc \o ng man pleaded, reaching oui his nrins and clasping her to him. "1 mav be foolishly superstitious, but something seems to till me that it ' !, '> . vou P.'° wil '""" hi, "~ ing you irrevocably to me 1 shall lose \on en I irel.v. Marling. .-■ oil will marrv me to-nig'ht '•' '•Walter, f darn not !" whispered the girl, lifting a beseeching look to him. "Leave it t ( > me ; 1 shall dare all for you. 1 win take all the responsibility, and I have my plans already laid."

"Foii'l pray do nol urge me i,n . v lurthor," she faltered. "Such a secret, would spoil my whole trip il would oppress me by day and haunt me by night : 1 should not know one moment of peace—l could not enjoy a single tiling'—to me it would be am thing' but a •pleasure trip.' '■ The man's tipper lip again curled upwards, reveali ng his white teeth in a disagreeable smile. "Anil what, about, me '?'' lie began, in an iniured t one. -'How about me |.,M!j; left, hero, behind for a whole year" while yon are travelling about from place to place, seeing the wonderful sights of the world? How about my days being oppressed and my nights haunted by the t'ear of losing \mi '.'"

"Hiil vmi will not lose me. I. can be just as true to you when 1 am aboard as here." said the fair gb'F loyally.

"Von think so. perhaps: hut >on t\o no; know to what temptations you may be subjected." "A girl who could not withstand anv temptation and be true to the man .-ho lowd would not be worthy ot him." Florence retorted, with more of spirit than she had yet betrayed. " r I hat all sounds very line as a theory." said her lover, sullenly : "but I want you to prove your love for mi: now. ' Florence. I can't Jet you go so —I won't let you go !' As he gave utterance to this, with almost savage vehemence, lie again drew her into his arms, and bending OUT her looked down into her eyes with an expression that made her involuntarily catch her mealh. and regard him with a look, in which something of fear "'tis mingled with its wistful appeal. "Florrii. you will —you must !" In whispered, passionately, while with one hand lie smoothed her golden hair from her forehead, caressin; it softly. and fondly with his magnetic lingers, his eyes fastened with singular inteni ness upon hers. She shivered slightly, stirred restlessly in. his embrace for a moment, and then all at once became .-trail "Ho you really love me so much. Walter '.'"• she quest ioned. the look of fear and anxiety vanishing, and a sweet, dreamy smile wreathing hei beaut ii'ui lips.

"I —1 worship ,\ou !" lie muttei'ed. hoarsely. "Vim are my promised wife, are ion not. ? And \on I elotiv to tne, and me oniy 7" ••Ve-s."

" Vou told your fatlier when he was dying that you would marry the son of his old friend 7" '•Yes. I told him thai. 1 would 1 e your wife, if —if we could learn to 'iOM.' each other." the girl dreamily responded. '•And \ou do love me. Florence .' There is no one else in the world whom von could love better Mian > on iovc me '.'" queried he'' companion, his mesmeric eyes still holding h'T uaze. •'.No. Waiter : J—-I am quite sure 1 love no one else." "Then yon are betrothed to me: you ca\e yourself to me more Hum six months ago."

'•Yes ; I promised to marry you when I am of age." "That betrothal makes you mine as sacredly as any marriage vows could do—at least, as far as you and I are concerned. '.Morally speaking, if makes you my wife : it means that lo vou. does it not. 'Florence ?"

••Yes—l—-think—so."' "Then why will you not grant me what 1 ask. darling •> You will. Florenei —you will !" said her lover, bending his face close to hers. and speaking with an intensity which so thrilled her that she shivered again. "Tell me—tell me!" he pleaded, still making passes over her brow with his shapely hand. "I have had the licence in my pocket for several days, and have all my plans arranged for the marriage. 'Tis but a simple thing I ask you you. sweet, and Ihe moment you are mine you shall go where you will, and I will not. murmur.''

"Yon have had the licence for several da.\s !" Florence exclaimed, in astonishment. "Yes ; I grew desperate. 1 have been almost wild ever since this trip first began to be talked of. I could noj, rest until.italaaci pjamaed our

marriage, even (hough you have put me off every time I have suggested it. All is arranged for to-nia-ht, however. Yon. will; \ our maid, Anna—who will do anything for you —can slip out of ihe house about nine ; a carriage will lie. waiting b\ the gale which leads out upon the back road ; we will go to Kosedale Chapel, where we will be quietly married : then you can come directly home, let yourselves in with your latchkey, a iid no one, save ourselves and our witnesses, need ever learn our secret until we see tit to divulge it." "Walter. I tell you 1 dare not do it. t)h. why will you urge me to it '?" Florence moaned, as she suddenly released herself from her lover's embrace and sat up, shiverng with repulsion in view oi his proposals.

He regarded her a momeni in silence, his face deathly white and rigid as marble. Then leaning forward, h■■ again laid his hand upon lvr forehead, and holding her head back looked sternly into her eyes, while he whispered fonielhing almost fiercely j n her ear. She started back, and sprang to her feel with a IoNV ''>'>' o! " horror. •'Oh, Walter, you will not ' " sh. gasped, her own fare blanching suddenly. ••I w ill '. I have said it . and ,\ oti will be my" "Mercy. Walter ' No —no' that ! " panted the agitated girl. Then she added, wildly : "Yes. ! will go. 1 will be ready at nine'. If cannot matter —a year earlier cannot make much difference, only it will be such a dreadful burden to have to carry all thai. time. Still, 1 can bear t hat liel ier than—t lie ot her." The man's face lighted with selfish joy. He did not give ; , thought to the pain and repugnance which she had expressed l,is bride a nd—her fortune. He had gained his point—he had won his bride' and —her "round halfmillion." lie laughed aloud. a low. glad laugh of triumph : then snat died her to his breast, again atel kissed her passionately upon ehe. In. brow, and lips.

"My own darling:" he joyously cried. "I knew- urn would not break my heart, and once iu.\ wife, you shall haw your own way in everything. Now just rest until evening, and 1 "ill arrange for yotti flitting. A carriage will be at the back gate at. nine o'clock. a nd 1 will join vou at the chapel" '•Oh. Walter, surely you will come for me yourself ! I you Id not think of going alone to Ko-edule." Florence exclaimed, in an ahriglued tone. "I cannot conic for urn. sweetheart, much as I wish. I have ;1 n important engagement which will prevent, but. I will meet you at the church. A n intimate friend, whom I can safely trust, will come in my place. a nd \on may feel pei'fei I confidence in iiim." the young man explained, and so absorbed in his own thoughts that he did not ohscrvi how '"sensitively his betrothed shrank from tlii. 1 arrangement lie proposed. "Who is this" ti'iend. Walter '.'" she gravely quest ioned.

"Xever mind, dearie, who lie is." her lover responded, smiling intohei serious, upturned eyes. "lie is no one whom you have e\er met. and it is holler you should not know him. for ii you should ever chance 1' meet him hereafter, you will not In hampered by any s Hf-eoiv-ciousness on account of his knowledge of out secret. Hill '! assure you he is perfectly trustworthy. Surely \on cannot', think that I would trust my dearest treasure with any one why Ii as otherwise ■.>''

••N-o." rrluetantiv retmie'd tli.. fair girl, hut still shrinking froii commit! iug herself to an mi in stranger at night. "You will not fail ni<\ darling 7" said her companion, studying hei troubled fare a' i ent i vely. " No. 1 will not fail \ mi," she responded, «'iili 1 remhling lips. "I have promised."' He kissed her again rapturously, calling her all manner of tendi'i nanii s. Then telling her that In would have much to occupy liim during the remainder of the day. he hade her a l( "id farewell and went away, hurrying by a densely-shade<i path out upon the highway.

t'IIAI'TFR 11. A SF.CKF.T Florence Kichardson iiad been left an orphan a 1 ; he age of iti'teer years. Her father. Applet on Iliehardson. tiad been a pros])erous wool merchant forming. during his early life, a pan nership with Sherwood I.eight on. the son of a good Knglish family, who had settled in America. The two had been close friends from boyhood, and after their marriag' and the birth oi the son of the ore and the daughter 0 f the other. lhe\ had planned to perpetuate this friendship hv the union of the' two children. provided thc\ could rear them to look upon the arrangement wiih fa\our.

When this partnership had iir.sl hntl niirivi! info. Mr. I.eight .ni line <barge of the purchasing and ship ping of Uie wool from A usl ralia. goin.jj there and hack twice a year I'oi iliin purpose. Hul as the bushiest increased he found il necessary to take up his residence' in Sydney. t<avail himself oi oppoi't unities which he eouid not have as n traveller, and brine. unwilling to lie separatee from them, he removed liis famih thiihei- aiiout right years previous lo the opening oi our story. Mr Kiihardson remaining in Now York lo conduct the .business at home. Thus the lifelong friends wore parted, although their affection for each other was still as si rone; as ever, and they looked forward to amassing' ai no late day a large fortune, which would enable them lo retire from active business, set! le as neighbours to each other, and consummate their plans to marry their children, hut Ihe sudden death of -Mr. Iliehardson about two \ears previous to the opening- of our story blasted these hopes in a measure, leaving Mr. I.eighion mourning- a sincere friend, and with the heavy responsibility of settling up their large business in accordance with Mr. Richardson's dying request, because lie wished his daughter's fortune to ho secured to her against all risks. This Mr. J.eightoii did with unswerving' fidelity, and the. youthful mahlen was found to he heiress tu a good sum of money. (To bo Continued),