CHAPTER IV.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 4

CHAPTER IV.

TIIK LOCKI'.T. " A w ki:k to-day, Charles," said Mrs Marchmonfc, in the most dreamy and lachrymose tone. " I think it seems a month, and all I wonder is if Helena--'' She svas stopped abruptly by her brother's warning gesture and ready " hush '" Itolena Yerrington a\ as just closing the door of the cosy breakfast-parlour. Had she heard the words ? If so, only that soft, low sigh gave intimation of it. She came forward with a calm "Good morning,'" and slipped quietly into her seat at the table. : From o\ er the silver cotlee sen ice the 'hostess gave a shaip, scrutinising- glance. She was pale, and veiy quiet and still, but with every added day at suspense a now strength and courage seemed to , grow within her. On this very morning, hen, according (o Mrs Marchmoni's romantic idea-!, she should ha\e been utterly prostiated, despairing, and wretched, or forget ful, ieooneiled, and uay again, .she looked over to her guardian, as soon a.s she had pushed a \ ay her "plate, with wide, earnest eyes, which shone with a new biightne.^ ot hope and determination, and said, soberly : " Mr Stone promised to give us the result of his investigations positively in a week's time. Do you think we may expect him or be summoned to his ottice to-day, guardy ? I hope that he will not fail to fuliil his promise.'' "I have received a brief message from him. He thinks it bettei for them to come here than for you to be away there in his public office, and I quite agree with him," answered the colonel, balancing his eogspoon on the delicate crystal cup. "He wonders what expectations you have concerning the matter; and so do 1, my child. Ido not quite understand you. 1 think, almost, that you are more hopeful than you were." " So I am, sir," was her prompt response, and her clear, truthful eyes sought his, fearlessly. "And indeed ought I not to bo? At first I was all the time trembling, expecting, fearing that every moment his mangled body would be brought before us. Every day that failed to bring that, strengthened my hope and trust that he is still alive."' " And the certainty of that— will it give you unalloyed pleasure?" asked Colonel Rivers, hastily. "I believe, with you, that there has been no murder ; and if we establish that fact, do you fail to see what it proves ? I wish to prepare you a little, dear Helena, to save you a shock." "It proves some base plot against his liberty — that he has been kidnapped into a den of thieves, or been mistaken for another person, or . There are a dozen things it might mean, guardian," responded she, quickly. And she rose from her chair and followed him, when he sprang up and walked to the window hastily. "Colonel Kivers— guardy !" she said, touching his sleeve lightly. He turned, took her hand, and led her into the next apartment, where there was security from the interruption of curious and gossiping servants. Still holding her hand in his, he looked down into her face with wistful eyes that, veiled their fiery passion beneath, the guardian's affectionate smile. "Helena, my dear child, since your father, ray dear old friend, left his lovely daughter to my protecting care, do you think I have ever refused to act in what I deemed the most truly wise way to ensure her happiness?" "No, guardian, no," answered the girl tremulously. " Do you believe me when I say I would rather cut off this right hand of mine than allow it to make any movement to tend to your injury or discredit ?" "Yes, guardy," in still lower tones. " Then trust me now, Helena !" he cried out, sharply. " Leave this matter to die as it will. Send off these men to-day, when you have heard their story, and leave to Aspinwall all further orders for investiga-

turn. For you— do you drop this mans name from your lips, drive his imago from your heart, scourge his memory from your thoughts, even, if ib be possible." Sho grew vovy pnlo, almost like marble, undor ill is passionate appeal ; the pupils of those 1 irgo, Folomn-looking eyes widened and deeponod as under somo black cloud which swept between them and the warm sunlight. {Slowly she drew her cold hands away from his fierce grasp, and spoko hoarsely : "I will say nothing until I have heard their story. Don't ask me to commit myself until I have heard their story." She turned swiftly and ran away to her own chamber, and, after fastening the door behind her, flung herself upon her knees by the bedside and buried her face in the pillow. A great fear and trembling had fallen upon her — the wild terror of a nameless foreboding, and for a little time its storm of tears and sighs shook her pitilessly. It was the servant's call outside the door which roused and calmed her. "If you please, Miss Yerrington, the colonel asked mo to tell you that the gentlemen are waiting in the Horary." Helena sprang up, dashed cold water across her toar-swollen eyes and aching forehead, smoothed out her tumbled waves of silky hair, and obeyed the summons promptly. It was more of an ox-deal than she had anticipated to enter the library, from which came the low murmur of eager voices, and as "he pushed open the door desperately and perceived that tho expected group was augmented by Aspinwall's presence and another stranger's, she caught a nervous fluttering breath and Avavered slightly in her walk. Colonel llivers hurried forward to set her a chair, and to look anxiously in her face, and whisper : " You may spare yourself if you choose, Helena. 1 will hear the whole, and report it accurately." " Ko, no." answered she, firmly. "I am equal to it. lam already better." And she bowed gravely to the salutation so respectfully offered by all. Kespectful and full of compassion — she read that on every face. "My dear young lady, ''said Mr Aspinwall, in a low voice, while he took the seat beside her, "are you really determined to pursue this case further '! lam afraid you will be deeply wounded. Could not your guardian — " "I wish to hear all. I could not bear to have any ti nth withheld, *ir. Is there anything so dreadful to tell V Colonel Rivers a=suieil mo that you nil believed him alive,'* wa^ answered with tolerably .steadiness. " 1 don't know what to believe," answered he; "all my previous convictions seem to be so shaken up and disturbed." Christopher Stone coughed diyly before he asked : — " Do I understand, Miss Yerrington, that you wish a full .statement of our discoveries and theory to day ." " Yes, Mr, that 1 insist upon it." And as she said it, Helena's eyes turned wistfully toward Chester Harris. Ho who had shared her faith and hope before, surely ho would still sustain her. But his eyes fell before her mute inquiry, and a deep flush mounted to his forehead. Still more heavily &ank that sorely -tried young heart, but she only locked her hands together fiercely, and steeled herself to command her composure. Christopher Stone took out his memoran-dum-book, and, opening it at the letter S, read aloud : "Facts in favour of the absence of Couicay Scarlet hrouyh some aaency beyond his own control. " Ist. His natural wish to return with the flowers to the lady, since, had he any sudden objection to the engagement, he would not ha\ c gone to the gardens at all. "•2nd. The leaving of a valuable animal, his own, in the hands of a street boy. lie might have gone on foot or by other conveyance quite as well. The natural thing would ha\c been disposing of tho animal or le;i\ing him undisturbed at his quarters. " 3rd. Investigation at his rooms shows no sign of premeditated exit, unless the miniature might be constructed so. On the contrary, lie ran back to charge his landlady to see that certain evening-dress garments were in rculinc.^*, looking as if he expected to attend the paity where Mis.s Y. was to i meet him. Valuable trinkets were also left behind. "4th. His arrangements with Mr Aspinwall. A man meditating such an escapade would hardly set his hours so closely, but would seek to gain more time to cover his movements. "oth. The purchase of the pansies. If he did not intend to bring them to the lady, why delay to purchase ? "Generally. The fine character of the gentleman, as all who knew him cheerfully testify. Most of all, the absence of any decided motive." As he finished this column he lifted his eyes, and met those of Helena Yerrington fixed upon him with a rapt, intense gaze. He figeted a moment in his chair, and cleared his throat twice before he turned to the other column. But once commenced, ho read on in his usual dry, matter of-fact, tone : " Facts which suggest a voluntary disappearance,. "Ist. The withdrawal on the day previous of all funds in the city banks. A. fact beyond contesting. "2nd. Close inquiries which he made d few days before concerning' the changed intention of that relative of Miss Yerrington 's who was supposed to be sure of making the lady her heiress. His evident emotion when informed that the relative had announced a different way of disposing of her property. "3d. The testimony of the company's clerk, that a young gentleman answering perfectly to Searle's description, and sworn to be the same as the miniature exhibited to him, bought a ticket two weeks ago for the next English steamer's passage nnder the name of Konrade Earle ; that lie probably sailed in her that very morning, having just time, by our best calculations, to leave the garden and rush thither." The last words fell slowly and solemnly from his lips. Every eye there was turned upon Helena Yerrington's face. Marble could scarcely look colder or whiter ; but those steady, beautiful eyes lit up with a grand indignation. She rose slowly to her feet, forgetting everything else — all maidenly reserve, and timidity, and humiliation — only conscious that a dastardly charge had been brought against her lover, and that these men were willing to accept it. "I see now what you all believe," spoke she, in a clear, high voice. "You believe that Conway Searle was a designing, mercenary villain, who has ignominiously fled to s escape fulfilling his engagement with me." No one answered. Aspinwall groaned aloud. Colonel River's flushed scarlet, and the others tried to hide the thrill that proud, clear voice brought to them. "Well," she went on, steadily, "now it becomes me to tell you my opinion ; and it can be given in a few words. I care not how black your circumstantial evidence

may become, I have a more powerful, rebutting testimony with me always— my [knowledge of Conway Searle's character, my unswerving faith in his honour and truth, and in his love for me. He never deserted me voluntarily — never !" "My clear, clear young lady !" cried Aspinwall tremulously. " I will nover believe it until his own lips tell me so," she interposed fiercely. "Where is he? Find him. Prove him skulking away from his promised wife, by means of his discovered presence, before you dare assail his good name. And how weak and flimsy this testimony is ! I, a weak, ignorant girl, can see it ; and are you, shrewd, keen detectives, so ready to accept it ? I tell you Conway Searle is kept away from me by other agency than his own. He is true and faithful to me. Nothing shall make me untrue to him." " Helena, my dear child !" exclaimed Colonel Rivers, coming swiftly to her side and taking her hand tenderely in his. She snatched it away, with a shudder. "You are all against me, every one of you. I alone uphold Conway Searle's honoura!»le name. I will go forth alone to search for him. Oh, Mr Harris, I believed better things of you than that you would desert the cause so speedily. " "I have not deserted it," answered Harris, earnestly. "Believe me, if it is still to be prosecuted, I shall give my best efforts to this search." "It is to be followed up, certainly,'* declared Aspinwall. "The reward still stands, and whoever brings us Conway Searle, aliyo or dead, shall be its rightful owner. Ifj he is the villain we feai*, I think I woulri give half my fortune to bring him here this moment.' 1 11 If," repeated Helena, scornfully. "Have you known him true, and good, and honourable always,and yet doubt him at the j first evil accusation where he cannot answer for himself ? Does friendship mean so little in this treacherous world ?" "Ah, Miss Yerrington, you are fresh and innocent, and we have seen such sad falls of more shining lights even than he. But I honour you for your faithfulness. lam almost ashamed of my own lack of it. But I have considered the circumstances—" " They are delusive," returned she, hotly. "To show you how little weight they have with me, I tell you that there in the garden I alluded playfully to my lost fortune, and that I saw an inexplicable look cross his face, as if he had some thought or knowledge about it which was hidden from me ; but I know, at the proper time, he would have explained it. I know he had no treacherous plan in his mind, for he looked fearlessly into my eyes, and told me that my lovo w as the richest fortune he could desire. " A glance was exchanged between the others. " Well," broke in Christopher Stone, " if the thing is to be followed up, we may as well gather together all the particulars. The locket and picture belong to Miss Ye Ting-ton, but there have been copies taken of the latter. We can each take one if we please." "The locket-picture?" repeated Helena, questioningly. " Ah, I forgot that you did not know it. In his chamber we found a fine likeness of himself put into a very quaint and evidently costly locket, but one hardly likely to have been purchased in this country, or at a late date. 1 found where and when the picture was taken, and the artist's attention was drawn to the peculiarity of the rare workmanship of the locket, and he spoke to Mr Searle about it when he brought it for the picture, who said that it had been left to him, and was almost the only object of value he possessed that had belonged to his mother. We found the locket in his privato drawer, with the slip of paper around it, just as you 3ee it now." And Christopher Stone handed, her a dull red gold trinket, intricately filigreed and chased, around which was wrapped a slip of paper, on which wps wrtten : " For Helena— if she will accept it." Her tremulous fingers could scarcely find the clasp, but at length the lid flew open, and Conway Searle's fine, manly face smiled up at her from the tinted ivory. For a single moment the beautiful head dropped low into her clasping hands, and the warm tears rained through them. The gentlemen all turned away. Even unpolished Si Green, whose light, watchful eyes had followed every look and gesture, set his broad back toward her, and began twirling his big red 'lingers by way of occupation. Presently the low, convulsive sobbing ceased. The pale face was lifted proudly. Strangely enough those wonderful eyes shone resplendent with renewed hope—almost, they believed, with solemn joy — as she turned toward them. " I am glad that you will all see, gentlemen, how nroudly and gratefully I do accept the gift from that absent hand. You all must perceive, too, that it delegates to me, beyond any questioning, my right to uphold hi* honourable name— my duty to urge every means for his relief. And you would teach me to believe that he has fled away to escape me." " The clerk of the line is willing to swear to the likeness, Helena," said Col. Rivers. "We all believe he has gone in that steamer." "It matters not how many, if all the world believes it," returned the girl, fiercely, "I maintain that, if it is true, he was carried away by force, or — he has left on explanation which is somehow withheld from me." The colonel turned ghastly pale; he thrust his hand hastily into his breast — whether to hold back some sharp pain there, or to touch some hidden object, one could not say. But Chester Harris noted it. " Perhaps I ought to tell you all," spoke Harris, quietly— "that the other night a ragged urchin came to my office — " Another quick start from Col. Rivers, which was not lost on him, though Harris went on, composedly : "A little street gamin who haunts the wharves principally, and picks up there a precarious living of some sort, found upon the steps leading to the water, where small boats usually take their passengers, that next day, a withered bunch of what had been once evidently a fine selection of pansies." "Give them to me— let me have them also," cried Helena Yerrington. " Oh, my beloved, are your giftscoming to me one by one ? Surely— surely they shall be crowned by the supreme joy at last, if I only keep my faith strong and pure." Col. Rivers strode to the window again, with ill-concealed irritation and impatience. " I don't see that we need to detain you any longer, then," said Christopher Stone. "There are two detectives ready to follow 1 up such a track as they can find, both of [ whom will report to me promptly when any satisfactory clue is gained. I shall keep Aspinwall and Miss Yerrington informed of any new development, and hold a general supervision' of the case on my own account. You announce yourself ready to proceed to England in the first steamer that sails. Harris, Mr Aspinwall will see that you are in funds. You will report as speedily as possible concerning the matter, and about this passenger, Conrad Earle. Does it strike any of you that the two names have a sort of connection? Conway Searle— Conrad Earle— there is something significant to my mind,

I am very niuch afraid v o shall find tho two names mean one person." "By hokey, but /don't !" burst forth Si Green. " I never knowed a woman o' that kind " — nodding toward Miss Yerrington — " but when she got a right down settled conviction, turned out right, and straight. Women are queer creatures, silly and*senseless as hens in snow-time about common, every-day matters ; that 'ere's the truth ; and they take wild notions ; but I'm dumfounded allers to see the way the right kind of 'em have of diving right down straight at the trutli without any other soul's seeing a streak of sense to guide 'em. I'm going to do my hunting right here in Ameriky, and I'll let the lady show me when I get off trail. I swow to man that'rf what I'm going to do!" Helena, for the first time, gave him a scrutinising glance. She came in a moment and laid hor small, soft hand on his broad, rough palm, and said, simply : "Thank you, friend. I shall pray for Heavon's blessing upon your efforts." Chester Harris felt it when she passed his chair without a glance, and was conscious of a strong impulse to ask her pardon, as if he had really been guilty of serious offence. However, in a very brief time all the gentlemen followed Christopher Stone's lend, and took their departure, leaving Col. Rivers alone with his ward. For a little time she seemed unconscious of this fact, and lie sat silently watching her grave, absorbed face, not daring to disturb her thoughts by an irreverent speech. At last she started up impulsively, and looked around the room inquiringly. " Ah," said she, "you are here still. '* " Yes, Helena. And this has been a trying scene for me. If you would only listen to*reason, my child, instead of yielding to I youthful sentimentalism, you would see how much more likely are we who have seen so much more of this wicked world than you, to judge soberly and impartially in this case. It has pained me deeply, dear Helena— this new wilfulness of yours. Can you doubt my desire to do everything to secure your happiness, your best welfare 1 Oh, if you would follow my advice in this a Hair.'' He wondered if she had comprehended the meaning of anything he had said the next instant ; for when he paused she asked, abruptly : " How much money have I, guardian ? I never cared to know before. But in a few month? now I shall be of acre, and it is, time I took a woman's care upon me. I have had my gay, giddy girl's life— how far away it seems now ! But I shall never go back to it. I know I am not to have Miss Sophia's money, as every one thought I should, but what have I of my very own ?" "Nothing very alarming truly," he answered, trying to smile naturally. "It cos>ts something to keep a butterfly nowadays. I was wondering when I paid up the last quarter if you ever stopped to add up the bills sent in to me for feathers and flounces and furbelows. I know you are a little economist beside this extravagant sister of mine, but I suspect we shall see astonished eyes when the settlement comes." " I have so little then !" was spoken, m a tone of keen disappointment. "What matter, Helena? Have not I enough ? You need not curtail your pretty i accompaniments of dress and ornament because your own income fails." But his careless laugh jarred on her mood. "Please let me have an account tomorrow. I have been such a thoughtless child ; forgive me, guardy, and do not be angry with me." "Angry with you! Helena, Helena, will you never see how dear you are to me ? answered he, stretching out his arms to her, his whole face aflame. She gave one swift, shrinking glance and slipped through before his arms touched her, vanishing through the door before he could h'nd a word to say. He remained an hour walking to and fro, with bent head and knit brows. Mrs Marchmont put her head into the room presently. " What are you doing here alone, Charles 'i Helena has locked herpelf in her chamber, and you remain immured. I should like to know if I am of no consequence, and I am dying to know what has been said and done 1 Well° well, one can see by your looks that you have had no very enviable time here." " I have had a taste of purgatory, Clara. Don't finish my torment with your woman's way of tantalising needle pricks. They have proved clearly enough that the fellow left her like a villain, but nothing will convince her. She only reiterates her confidence in him— her devotion to him. That is all there is to tell. Now leave me to tight out my angry passions alone." "To be sure. I'm going to the opera presently with Hal Dermont. Thank Heaven I'm not depending on either of you for my entertainment, and there are people who value my society and sympathy. But let me me tell you that this is not the sort of fighting that wins." "I'm going to try another sort presently, I swear !" declared the colonel, between his teeth. At which the lady laughed, shrugged her shoulders, and closing the door, left him to his dark mood.