ALL OR NOTHING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 603, 17 September 1913, Page 6

ALL OR NOTHING.

MramMffiW—Hfcat.)

Jf THRILLING ROMANCE, ■ ■*&* —.

—By the Author of "A Biltcr Bondage." "Two Keys," "Stella." '".'..'he L'uknowu Bridegroom," &c..

PART 34. The girl's eyes opened widely. "Do you not know, miss? -Ml Carsbrook is there, and the •rcmry from all round. That is wr.at ".he bells are -ringing for ; it's Dr. Ainsleigh's wedding day." If a sword had suddenly ent« red he:' heart it could not have stabbnl J , -- r more crueily ; the pain forced a Jittlr* cry from her lips as they turned white. "I did not know," she traul : and in her own voice there was something that frightened her. " Good morning. Phoebe." hiln hastened from the gate:; lest the jv.irl should ii.it; the pallor of her face. Bear Heaven, how hard it was t.o bear ! Leonard'* wedding hellsLeonard, who had kissed her —here, where she stood ; who had kissed her and called her his darling. There was no more music in the bells ; they s-cemed all out of tune.

Leonard was married. Alice was everything to him now ; Alice had v.*on him from her. Oh, if those Leiwould but stop ! The sound seemed to beat in upon her brain and ;r,her. "Was lu_re ever such a fate as mine ?" she said. '"Lid any one ever stand before and listen to such wedding bells ?" She put her hands to her ears,' as though she- would fain shut out the sound ; it followed her ; it seemed to crush her She walked with quick footsteps to v-here her mother sat dreaming over the falling chestnut leaves.

'''Mamma," she said, "do you hear those bells ? They are ringing for Leonard Ainsleigh's wedding."

Mrs. Morton started up in uncontrollable fright at the sight of that white face. A joyous clash of bells fell 011 her ears. •"Mabel," she cried, "you must not look so, or you will die."

" Leonard's wedding bells ! And, must take me where I cannot hear mother, if I am not to go mad you the sound of them ; you must take

Mrs. Morton took her hand and led her gently into the house. She saw me away." the girl was literally blind. She groped her way like one whose eyes wese closed.

"Lie down on my couch, darling," said her mother, gently ; and Mabel ilung herself wildly down. "Shut them out. mother," she said ; "they are killing me." Tears filled Evelyn's eyes as she closed the window, but she could not : shut out the sound ol those hells. Joyously, clearly, triumphantly, they filled the whole sky with their clear music. "Do not be angry with me, mother," cried Mabel ; '"this is my last folly. When the bells have done ringing I shall have tramped the ' dead love out of my heart. Have patience with me." "I have all patience, my darling." said h?r mother. To the longest hour of her life Mrs Morton will never forget the hour followed—how she knelt bv Mabel's side, holding her hands, trying to soothe her, murmuring loving words to her,; and Mabel laughed wlten the bells ceased —a strange, wild laugh, that alarmed her mother more than the wildest cries would have done.

"It is dead now, mother," she said ; "I told you the bells would kill it—the old love is dead —we have nothing to do but cover it decently with Sowers."

She stood upright, her face flushed, her eyes all bright. "That is over," she said ; " a sln-rj i;low and a sudden one : now i'or a rrw life. We will not, talk about him any more, mother, yon aVal I. He will be gone ;it will be easy tn forget him. I am dov.n to the library at Ciuvlnvok r. no one t-lip.U say that I stayed t home on his wedding day. Kiss me. I will not give yon any more irouble." Mrs. ?;lcrton kissed her. say!,d;t had ghetter not go ; but Mabel c-d. "The ?r;sh ai" will do ;•,;<• she said, "and we «uat h-icic in mamma.'' Sh? dressed herself and V.'hc:: i she was gone, Evelyn did what a!! good motliers do in tinu- of distres.—sh'; kneit down and ■.-rayed tla-r "!c:d would soften th»» blow. r.la'it-1 returned with lit« ,;:..r.u bright flush on her face. "1 have brought plenty -..f bo »hc said. "Here is Mrs. Cji "Ruth." Evelyn believed ih-v. or- i was over, and that the sound i,; < ; a we;!din."; hells had indeed k'Jlr-1 i'a last remnants of love in Msbei': heart. She wished Mabel's face w.u less iiushed and her eyes less bright. She kissed her and bade her night. It was alter midnight wbci she was aroused by a terrible ery. "That is Mabel's voice," said Mrs Morton. She rose hastily. ,\:id went to he daughter's room. There was Mabel crying out, wit* shuddering gasp; and bitter sighs, that they were kill ing her —the bells were killing her ' "Shut them out, mother !" shs cried ; but though she appealed tc her mother, she did not know her Mrs. Morton saw at once she was it the first stage of a terrible brail fever. Soothing words were useless now In the dead silence of tiie night there was somet.hinj* t&rrible id those wail

Morton scat dcrstood the before Mrs. Morton knew whether the child she loved was to live or die. She recovered at last, but there were weary months of convalescence to go through before her health and strength were restored.

It was reported that Miss Morton was ill, but rumour was kind enough to say of scarlet f»'-- e r, and Dr. Stanley was kind enough not to contradict the rumour. Mrs. Morton did thank God on the day when Mabel turned to her with a smile, saying : "That (ever -has done me good, mamma. The old love is quite dead, and nothing can ever make it live aaain." CHAPTER LYL "1 will show you a face. Lord that, you shall own is beautiful. Von are so fastidious. so difficult to plea.se ; one would thin!-: beautiful women rare as good pictures, to hear you speak of them !" "So they are," replied Lord Gothwic. '''l have known two. and two only, whose faces si and out clear and distinct from all others. Gne is Miss Ralston ; I think- her perfect. The other -ah, well ; it was a face I used Lu admire when I was young." "You shall see my young visitor, if t can persuade her to come down to dinner, and you will say that yon have seen nothing so youthful and fair. She was as bright as siie is beautiful until she had a severe illness last year. I expect all the men in London to rave about her." "What is your fair guest's name?" asked the earl. "Miss Morton. You will not know it ; her mother lives a quiet, retired life at Carsbrook, the little town near Creedmoor. I shall be impatient for you to pronounce a verdict on my lovely young guest. They say, Lord Gothwic —mind, I think it a shocking character, but people do say you are the best judge of beauty in London." "Because I judge it so calmly," he replied. "Beauty does not fascinate me as it does some people." "Your heart lias grown hard and 2old as you have grown older," said Lady Maekin. "If Miss Morton does aot touch it, I shall pronounce your :ase hopeless." The two speakers, Lady Maekin and Clive, Earl of Gothwic, were seated in the drawing-room of a superb Belgravian mansion. The sunblinds were half-drawn, and the sun light came in with a subdued, mellow light that was inexpressibly sweet and soothing. Little fountains of perfumed water rippled melodiously, and their scented spray tilled the room ; stands of rare exotics gave out a rich fragrance. Lady .Maekin had exhausted her invention, which was by no means small, in the tutdishing and decoration of that magnificent room ; nothing was overdone ; there was no excess ; a wellregulated, harmonious taste prevailed over all. It was May,, and London was rejoicing in the prosperity of the season ; nothing was wanting to make it a good one. The weather was .ine, the sunshine bright. tra.de <ood : every one seemed prosperous. Royal festivities were announced : all :he celebrities of both rani; and :ashion were gathered together in London. The Maebins came up early,; [Jirstall House, the family mansion, ivas in readiness for them. Vw.i'n them they brought Mabel Morion. She had been very iil, and Lady Maekin, cadUng one day m April, was surprised and pained to see the earl's white face. Perhaps she auess--5 :, d how the story stood, but she did .lot. allude to it. Perhaps her conscience reproached her for the active part she had taken in promoting Leonard's marriage. She would not leave Beechgrove until siie iiad wrung from Mrs. Morto:; permission to take Mabel to London for the season. Ail remonstrance, ail protests were in vain. "'You have a right to tin what you will with yoiir own life-." said Lady Mackm, with a kindly smile, " but you have no ri-iit to deprive .Miss Morton of ihe worm or the world of Miss Morton. Let her go with mo, and see what it is like. L it does not piease her, she can come back to you." To all mention of trouble or kindness Lady Maekin had her repH. "The kindness and favour will lie all on your side. I never wa.s a beauty myself, and my little girls sire far too young for society. Think what a triumph tor me to introduce a beauty to the world ! It will give me an interest in tae t.ondon season 1 have never had before, bay she shall go." And against her will, against her better judgment, Mrs. Morton said '"Yes." and Lady Maekin departed in high triumph. "You like the prospect. iMabe! ?" asked her mother, wistfully. " 1 do," she replied. "if yor would only come, too, mamma, I should be happy." '' I have a presentiment," said Mrs Morton, "that our quiet life is coming to an end —the air seems thick and heavy with trouble. Mabel, you are. all in all to me now—you will never be the same after this London journey, never the same." 1 ady Maekin wrote to Mrs. Morton, saying what in MahePs presence slu could not say, "that it was the best possible thing to give her change o.' scene, change of air. anil plenty o: society. With her charming face a.nc charming manner," added her ladyship, "Miss Morton is sure not on!v to make a great sensation, but to marry well." After that Mrs. Morton made m more objection. It was but fan and right that Mabel should see tin world, after ail. Perhaps Sir Kdward Peckham had had something ti do in the matter,, for he uad urgec this very step on Lady Macsiji. Ht

wuiiKl not. abandon hope. The firs I to call upon inem ai Hirstall House was Sir Howard, and lie was del ighied to see Mabel. Her Mines: l;aii ehanged her. bat ii had ■inly rari'ied and spiritualised n<-r i ; ■. alli"y. Lady Mack in V friend : •>...•» gai liered around her. and :.•) cm..si umongst them was the l-',arl of Lothwic, who had been abroad, and had no! visited London for some iinaa Lady Mark in '•va.s an oid ir:end of his. although of late years t hey had not often met. (hi this particular evening (here was to be a grand dinner party at Hirstall House; nmonust the quests were Lord Gothwic and Sir Kdward i 'eck iuuvi. Lady Maekin had promised to introduce the ea.r! in her young visitor if she were aide in take her place at the dinner-table. Lord Gothwic did nor think much of ihe promise. "I have- seen so many swans turn out geese," he thought to himself, "that 1 have eea.sed to believe in -wans." Vet iie wa.s puneiuai \ o ihe lime, and looked r<.und the dm wiuij-rooin with some little interest. There was an one present except Lady Maekin. La(iy Garstaiul. and Sir Edward. He bad iinisln-d his greeting 1;i■ fi> re ihe door opened. aud a radian: vision ;.f youth arai loveliness entered. A tall, sit'iiaer. graco-ini gir?. with a itcaiv perfect in its symmetry, a iace woadcrfai in its pure, young loveliness ; a. queenly h-eati. carried with j wondrous grate. nan goha*n hair ; ! hat wa.s like a. diadem on the white i i'O w. Not eomtuon bean t y--nor mere pretbut refined. hi.gh-hred loveliness that wnuid have dune honour to a Court. Lady Mae km smiled a* she saw the fastidious lord look long, and look a.uaii). then grow troubled and look again. " The eynic is ;. as hed." she thought ; then she went np to .Mabel, ami faking her hand kindly, ted her forward. "Miss Moivon." she said. *'lei me introduce yoa to .ord Goihwie." Make], all uiHonfcieiisiirss, looked ap '.vilii a smile, and Hie earl swore to himself that he had never seek '■my thine: so beautiful before. Once again he grew quite pair ;iiui troubled, lie was .speaking to Mabel und she raised h'*r eyes to his. Those dark, pa-sionate eyes ! Ah. Lou. where had he seen sued before (-lis whole sou! for one niomenv a = ecnv-d to quiver with pain. IV. rs -yes and golden fiair. Surely long ;go lie had dreamed of such a. face as this. He talked to her. and was pcru-cHy .•harmed. Mabel wan not. stately, fashionable W oman ; she w«s a. lovely. bright. intelligent trirl. with a vivid fancy and a well-euUured mind. Lord Gothwic hail never met a.ny one iiiite like her. Mabvl was just. as ieliaht.ed with him. He wa.s so gay ami graceful. wuh such an easy deaonair manner —such a errand Saxon 'ace und head. Sbe liked him better buan a.ny one she had ever seen. Lady Maekin smiled at the success ai' her scheme. ' "He woiiid lie rather old for | .Mabel." she said, '''but certainly to { ,e Countess Gothwic, of (iothwie ! Tov.'ers would be n magnj'-iveni yosi- • ii o; i for her.'' They seemed i,, fail n.: =.u! aiij info I .ha greatest inti:n.;cy. This bright, j .'air young air! had a woinieHo! a.t. ■ | o'action for Lord Gothwk'. tie w;is i tis 'r.ettrr >ejf when talking io her, i vYorldliness and falsehood soar-sl to i .'a I! from him. He liked Mattel io -mile approval upon what he said. When t hey parted chav. eveninit seemed as ihoU.vij ti"a:y laad r--ovvi.) .'ach otiie!' for years. "Lady Maekin. I siiali a: y your ;>uvtiencia" said Lord Goth v. jr. I:.W Morton and 1 are area.i fi'iciat-; : we .lope to sec a ereat deal of each aher—ilo we 'w ; ., >Siss '&lovto« 7 So that if I call ;oo ofv-aJ! you musi teHi me so." He was ci.araied wni; hei'--noi in love wirl; her. TTare wa.s no sent i mem of t hat kmd in the tiu'e and. warm Hi;in;: ii- had taken ai the iirst si-rht for her. He did not liiite niiiii-i'si.a.ad li'iusi'li. She seemed io renew ai'i ihe menv>rf.es of bis yoiiti!. I.i'ie,'!i" ai her. He felt thatbe was a wise: ; ,nd belter man. "! think." said Lady Maehio. with a smile, "ilia' yo.; ha.%"e- b-.a yo';r heart ,al las;." "No." be eried. .{Uttr eaaei'ly—"not i:i thai way. I assure yon. I have navei' iwi any yonn:;- lady like .Miss Mono:;. i neve;' had ;he same feeline for any one. 1 sieaei'M like to take care of her. Io adopi iiei'. to leave her ad! ( have. ! hate not lost, my heart. as yoa iui.a; r mc. " Lady Maekin 'anaheti alone, "iJaaia'ei'ous syiupCoars," she said I and Lord iJothwie too& his leavt'. Sir lOdward had waitched tliis sadden and pleas.-iiit intimacy. nor. with jealous eyes ; lav saw that, although Lord ('."orhwiv was woiaecrfii!ly atrraeteil by Mabel, ! here e'.aas no love in t.'ne matter. When i h.c earl had gone he went io Main!. "You have been so engross, a .a! the evening." he said. "1 have a a been ;>b'te to speak to yon. !>». y>•» remember how you v. ere w..i. Lord Gothwie's >)orfi.rait in wiy sum ? It seems t<> me ihe origi ' pteases you still nieuna" "I do like Loixl Hothwie." sin ;i plied, "and. Sir Ksivaard. thai curioia. sensation of having seen ana knrwn him before, scill haunts me. I know his smile by heart. and ' ic play c>f his features is a- : aan-aa to me as possible. Vet he aa.s never been near Hni-shrook. I hearn I.ady lMaekin complain thai all 'd* years she had .known him he never once been, to tToe-dmoor. som. day I shall tell "him. and see what .. L-ays." It seemed (hougk -.die wosiai ki.r>e every opport: nnify. Lonl (rofhwu cnHed the nest day. He had ticr.eit for a Sower show, antd L.'oiy Mackn: conseMSk«l tot, .go with him aud tafef ■iV-mbel. iTe* , jso CttnXSss&Sl)'