Time, The Avenger

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 430, 13 January 1912, Page 2

Time, The Avenger

(All Right# Reserved.)

THE UNRAVELLING OF A STRANGE WILL MYSTERY.

By HEDLEY RICHARDS, Author of "The Haigbs of HilJcrest," "From Mill to Mansion," "Diana's Inheritance," Etc., Etc.

FORTIETH INSTALMENT. That , night Miss Holmes and Jane sat up with the invalid as the doctor had warned the latter that madame's hours were numbered. Once or twice during the night her mind wandered, and she talked of the brief honeymoon she had spent with Lionel at a little seaside place on the south coast. It had been a holiday time and thej had taken advantage of it to get married in London, then go to this out-of-the-way little village. It had been the happiest fortnight in madame's life, but she had willingly gone back to her duties at Housesteads, to wait till her young husband found a fitting opportunity to tell his father of his marriage. Very soon, however, the blow came that ruined his life. Now, when time for her was almost over, her mind wandered to those happy days she had spent with her loved husband, and in imagination she once again wandered along the shore and listened to his loving words. Towards morning she fell into a slumber, but as the early sun shone partially into the room through the drawn blind, she opened her eyes and looked from one watcher to the other; then fixing her eyes on Miss Holmes, she said : " Draw up the blind, please. Let me see God's sunshine once more." Very quietly Miss Holmes drew up the blind, and madame lay with her eyes fixed on the window, a beautiful smile on her face. " Sunshine in the world, and sun-' shine in my heart," she murmured ; then again she was silent, but those watching thought they saw a change in her face. Suddenly she raised herself to a sitting position, saying in a clear, distinct voice : " And the city had no need of th€ sun, for the glory of God did lighten it ! " As she spoke some of the radiance of that sacred city seemed to illuminate her face, and with a faint sigh she sank back on to her pillow; a second more and those who watched her knew that a sad but noble life had ended in the sunshine of the eternal world.

Miss Holmes was at Gelder Hall within an hour, and to her fell the sad duty of telling Lord Gelder that the woman whom he had loved with all the strength of his youth had passed away. He said little, but the good woman knew that he grieved bitterly. A few days later there was a quiet funeral from the little house in Mar-ket-street, and, much to the edification of the Wittonbury people, Lord Gelder and Lord Hatton followed, in the former's private carriage, just behind the hearse. " For all the world as if he was a relation ; but, then, the viscount wasn't the man to forget what she had done for him in his illness," wag the universal comment.

Lord Hatton drove back to Geldei Hall with Lord Gelder and stayed to luncheon. Just before he left he said : " You knew, I suppose, that she told me who she was when Mrs. Hayes confessed ? " Lord Gelder bowed. " Then you will understand me when I say that to-day the eartb closed over one of Heaven's best gifts—a good woman. Yet while I mourn her, I think it is better so. God gave her the desire of her heart —to see you proved innocent —then He took her, and I think it was what she wished. I fancy she had never been a strong woman, but the intense desire to prove you innocent buoyed her up and when the work was done she collapsed. " Your words only confirm my belief that she gave her life for me," said the viscount, as they shook hands and parted. The next wext week Lady Gelder and Lady Mona returned home, and during the evening when Mona and Gar had gone for a stroll on the lawn, Lord Gelder told his wife who madame really was. Her death had been a real griel to Lady Gelder, but for one moment she felt a pane of jealousy as she remembered that the dead woman had been her bus band's first love ; but an instant it had gone, and, turning to him, she said :

" Richard, she would have made you a better wife than I ever can. She was a noble woman, but I wil try to be as unselfish and good. ! don't suppose you could have provee your innocence if she had not sent that paper, and Mrs. Hayes woul< not have had the chance, of tellin: the truth but for the detective bein; at the inn." .

" You are right, Mildred. It if through Julie I stand before th world an. innocent man. She was ; noble woman, and jou are like br in goodness, my dear wife;" and a; he spoke Lord Gelder drew his wif into his arms ana fcissed her. CHAPTER XLI. CONCLUSION. It was a lovely spring day. Th trees were just bursting into lea? and Nature looked her very best, a though she wished to honour th nuptials of the heiress of the Gel'.ler: the Hudspiths. and the Dalrymplee -Ladv Mfina occupying that positior

The little town ol Wittonbury was very gay ; arches adorned the streets through which the bride had to pass, and all the shops and nearly all the tiouses were gay with bunting. The inhabitants were in gala attire and the church in the town (not Wittonbury old church) was packed with those eager to witness the wedding. The churchyard and the street leading to it were also filled with people, and a cheer arose as Gar Hatton drove up and entered the church accompanied by a friend. A minute later and old Lord Hatton entered accompanied by his sister, and they had scarcely taken their seats when Lord Ovingham and his wife came in. Nina had been married three months, and had only just returned to the castle to be in time for Mona's wedding, and this was the first time the Wittonbury people had seen her since her father's death.

" She looks very sweet in that pale ?rey satin. It's not exactly mourning yet it's not one of those flaunting colours," remarked Miss Penman bo her companion, Mrs. Hayes.

They had become very friendly since madame's death. Neither Miss Holmes, Miss Penman, mor Lord Gelder himself could forget what she had done for her. Moreover, Jane Hayes was a better woman, and sincerely regretted the past, so that it was not by chance Miss Penman and she happened to be sitting together. " I could never have believed Miss Hudspith would have made such a good-looking woman. She's not handsome but there's something interesting in her face," said Jane Has es. " Happiness has improved her. But, look, here's Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hudspith ! " said Miss Penman. Mrs. Hayes fixed her eyes on the man who had ruined her grandchild's life, and she saw that he looked even more carelessly happy than usual. A fine man who had not troubled much about the disgrace that had attached to his dead father's name, he was svidently very much in love with his wife, and admired her immensely. He was not aionc in his admiration as Louise swept up the aisle, a state-ly-looking figure in white satin trimmed with deepest purple, and a hat of white chiffon and purple clematis. Her complexion was dazzling and her whole air expressed triumphant satisfaction as she glanced around.

" She thinks she's done well foi herself, but I guess her thoughts do not often travel to Wittonbury churchyard where her mother lies," said Mrs. Hayes. Before Miss Penman could reply the organ peeled forth the " Wedding March," and Lord Gelder entered, with his daughter on his arm. Mona was a dream of loveliness in her trailing white robes and the exquisite lace veil, fastened with sprays of orange blossom. Very shy and very sweet she looked as, with downcast eyes she passed up the aisle. Gar Hatton stepped forth to meet her and the two stood side by side. Then the vicar began reading the service and in a short time the words were said that made Gar and Mona man and wife.

Then the register was signed, and the newly-married pair left the church followed by the guests. " Doesn't Lady Gelder look well?'' said Miss Penman, as that lady passed leaning on her husband's arm. " Yes, and his lordship is a splendid man. Thank Heaven, I told the truth," said Mrs. Hajes. " Good gracious how well Miss Holmes looks ! " she continued as the ole lady walked in her usual stately fashion down the aisle.

" Yes ; his lordship made her promise to be present at the wedding. He said his father had shown by leaving that paper in her care that he trusted her above any one and he wanted to show how much he, too, 2steemed her. She's invited to the 'At Home ' among all the grand people. Lord Hatton told her he would look after her," said Miss Penman. " I wonder if madame can see what is going on in this world ? If she can she must feel satisfied with liei work here. But for her it's not likely this wedding would have taken place, as the viscount would never have allowed his daughter to marry a Hatton unless his innocence had been proved," said Mrs. Hayes.

It was a week after the wedding, when, on a beautiful afternoon, Viscount Gelder and his wife stopped out of the carriage and passed into iVittonburv churchyard. The church had been built on a hill and from the churchyard there was a beautiful view of the country around. At one side the river flowed —the river in which Gertie Hayes had attempted to end her sad life —and far away could be seen Housestcads, which was to be the home of Gar Hatton and his bride. For a moment the husband and wife paused to look, then they went slowly down a path which led to the new part of the churchyard, and there, in a spot which was sheltered [rom the wintry blasts and where the sun shone the longest and brightest, stood a pure white marble cross on which were the words : " In loving memory of JULIE. " ' Her price is above rubies.' " At the foot of the cross the grave was almost covered with heartsease, and as he looked the man who had loved her long ago remembered how it had been her favourite flower. " Miss Holmes told me she was very fond of heartsease ; that's why I had it planted," said Lady Gelder, noticing her husband's glance at the flowers. For a moment there was silence, then her husband said :

" Poor Julie, hers was a sad life, but she rose above her trials, and.

forgetting herselt. riTiiemnerert to bless others;" and as he spoke, Lionsi Hudspith, Viscount Gelder, l.itci his hat reverently. " ' Her price is above rubies,' " said Lady Gelder ; and the tears fell from her eyes. Another moment and the husband and wife turned away from the grave and walked slowly back to their carriage, feeling tha*" the memory of Julie and her unselfish devotion had drawn them nearer. THE END.