CHAPTER XII.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 39, 1 March 1884, Page 4

CHAPTER XII.

A FIERY TRIAL, Unluckily for Helena Yerrington, Mrs Inchbnld left a valuable trinket upon her berth shelf, and the search for it took Hartman, the courier, back to the steamer ; and there he learned from the purser the story of the singular adventure which befell their titled visitors on the day Mrs Inchbald and her companion left the boat. He had not needed this story to rouse his interest in the fair companion who was to share Mrs Inchbald's travels. But the knowledge piqued his cui'iosity and impelled him to watch her movements far more closely than he might otherwise have done. That there was a secret reason for the beautiful girl's apathy and coldness, he had not doubted at the outset ; but now he resolved that he would know the secret and wrest away its spell. At first the wearied girl found his careful guardianship grateful and welcome in its studied shielding away of annoyance and trial. She told him so artlessly, and gave him a cool, moonlight smile which inspired the ardent foreigner with hopes which would have astonished and shocked her. But when she perceived that he brought the fairest flowers, the coolest drinks, the easiest seat for her rather than for their mutual patroness —when ahe became at last aware how his face lighted up at her coming and saddened at her departure — that it was her carelessly expressed preference that decided routes and secured happiest results, she turned a startled frightened scrutiny upon Franz Hartmann and was aghast before a new trouble, from which it would not be easy to fly. From that moment a fresh, distress and annoyance poisoned what little content she had found. She did her best to avoid the man, but how fruitless were her efforts, .when he was the deputised companion, and guide of all their movements, and when Mrs Inchbald herself encouraged his attentions. In sheer despair, she finally permitted him to speak, tremblingly trusting that there would be honour enough in the man to spare her any further annoyance after a decided refusal even from the humble companion he supposed her to be. They had been visiting a ruined castle, and Mrs Inchbald, wearied out by the long carriage ride, had retired to rest, when the courier sent a spray of flowers and a pencilled line by the maid to Helena's door. "Will mademoiselle come out upon the balcony? The grand fireworks in honour of the royal babe will be worth seeing, and the music is fine, I pray Ma'm'selle Helene not to deny me the pleasure of her company." "It is time the man was checked !" cried Helena fiercely. " What new mortification lies before me 1 Oh, Conway, Conway ! if you could save and shield !" She threw on her shawl, and wrapped also an icy mantle of haughtiness about her, and went down to the balcony. Franz Hartmann, his dark face glowing brightly, hurried to meet her, and offered her his arm. Helene made a gesture haughty enough for a princess, and waved him back. " You may bring me a seat, Hartmann," she said ; "that is all I require of you." He started is if she had struck him ; a sullen red swept into his cheek, and his eyes flashed. But the next instant he was bowing low, with his hand on his heart. " Ah, Mademoiselle Helene, how unfortunate lam ! I have offended you in some way. Pardon— pardon, I beg ! You have but to show me how, and the lamentable error is repaired. " " Spare yourself these theatrical speeches, Hartmann. You are not now romancing to please Mrs Inchbald's fancy." " Ma'm'selle Helene," he groaned, "tell me what I have done. Oh, how have I lost your favour ?" " Can one lose what he has never possessed ?" she returned, freezingly. " Hartmann, don't forget yourself ." " Forget myself ? How ?" "If you forget yourself, at least remember me," she stammered. " Mam selle Helene, I do remember you, everywhere — always. In this short time you have taught me to remember only Helene in the wide world. Ma'm'selle, I love you. I adore you — I " "Hush!" cried out Helena, with something of the old haughty fire flashing from her eyes. " Forbear ! I tell you such talk isan insult tome." '* An insult — when I offer you my love, my hand, an honest name ?" he hissed, rather than spoke. "Yes," answered she, steadily, though Bhe turned cold and white, "still it is an insult, for I have given you no encouragement to presume so far, and besides — our stations in life are widely different." "But I overlook that," he returned, eagerly. " Beautiful Helene, any one can see that you are above this position you have assumed. You are a true lady." " And therefore above — you !" said Helena, sharply. " Let us hear no more of this folly. If I seem arrogant and cruel, it is because you force me to it. Enough, Monsieur Hartmann, do not forget in future that you are simply Mrs Inchbald's courier, and that I am, for the present acting as her companion, but as far from your reach as— as the daughter of the sovereign ady of this fair land." "Truly, no, I will not forget," vociferated Hartmann, shrilly, as soon as the paroxysm of rage allowed him speech. "Ma'm'selle Helene, I will keep a good memory for all these agreeable speeches I have received. I think you also will remember — Mrs Inchbald's courier." He bowed low, his dark face livid with the angry blood that had rushed into it, and whirling around, fairly ran away from the balcony. And Helena, with a patient sigh, remained looking forth upon the splendid show with eyes that saw nothing beyond a blinding glare and a dizzying crowd. But she was made aware that Hartmann was no longer her shield and defence before another evening came, and in a numb fashion she was astonished to find that from so ignoble a source she could receive flights and thrusts that made themselves felt keenly. The man was talented in his way, and his strategy told. Mrs Inchbald's caprice was no longer warded aside from the companion, but by a dozen dexterous little manoeuvres was now directed full upon her devoted

head. But she bore it bravely, and met his malicious smile with a cola glance of contempt. Her thoughts were, moreover, turning feverishly now toward the longed-for and yet dreaded goal of her hopes and fears. They were to proceed to London for a prolonged visit. How many fierce and then beseeching glances Helena's eyes gave to the dainty bit of pasteboard left so abruptly in her hand. What would Lady Hortense Mildmay have to tell her? Should she meet Chester Harris ? And above all, whom should she find in this Konrade Earle ? Weighty questions these. And day and night they sang themselves in her ears to dreary, discordant notes. No wonder she had a dazed, bewildered look on her pale face, so that Mrs Inchbald pettishly complained that her spirit seemed to have left itself behind. No wonder that Franz Hartman's petty spite was as powerless to move her as his proferred love had been. The interview with Lady Hortense Mildmay absorbed all thought, all feeling. And but one day in London passed ere she took prompt measures to accomplish it. Franz Hartmann heard her making ar rangements for the next afternoon exempt from duty that she might make a call in answer to an appointment, and took good care to secure the same time to himself. He heard her inquiries of the waiter concerning a certain locality, and the best method of reaching it, and made another note. " Is the girl plucky enough to run about London alone?" he asked in amazement; "then, perhaps, she may meet with unpleasant enough experience to be glad to call for the courier's assistance. I will take care to follow her, and let whatever dilemma come that may, she shall sue ior my help before she obtains it." It was not until she was in the street looking for the public carriage-stand of which the waiter had spoken that Helena Yerrington remembered that she had neglected to provide herself with English money for her modest expenses. The American bank-notes in her pocket-book were entirely useless, and the few insignificant coins with the eagle stamp were scarcely available. She stood an instant in perplexed deliberation, and then remembering that she had been assured that the address given was in their own quarter of the city, she resolved to inquire her way and walk thither rather than return for Mrs Inchbald's help or risk the curiosity and rudeness which might result from an attempt to induce a Lonaon cabman to accept the American notes. Drawing her vail more closely over her face, and grasping with nervous fingers the bit of pasteboard which was to be her guide, the girl set forth, walking as swiftly as the crowded pavement allowed. She did not notice the figure on the other side wrapped close in an old army cloak, with cap pulled low over the face, and if she had done so would never have dreamed of its identity with the trim, daintilydressed courier. It was thus, however, that Franz H artmann accompanied her, and never once lost sight of the slender, hurrying form which threaded its way fearlessly through the motley throng, though once he was stopped by two flashly-dressed young men, who stared a moment at him, and then with loud laughter laid detaining hands upon his shoulder. "Franz Hartmann, by all the powers!" said one, with a low whistle. " What a guy." " Keep off !" returned Hartmann, fiercely, though he also laughed. " I'm a hound on a track, and you mustn't throw me off the scent.'' "What's the game?" questioned the other. " Do you sco the woman on the other side in the brown suit, with the veil over her face ? Get a look under that veil, and you'll see the handsomest girl in London — a pretty American girl, and spirited." "Sly dog! I say, Jim, it's worth our while to get the look !" laughed one, coarsely, as Hartmann shook himself free and hurried on. The latter cast a glance behind, and smiled sardonically to see the two cross the street, and go hurrying after the unconscious girl. " A pair of audacious scoundrels !" he muttered, "but if they help to humble Qaeen Helene they'll serve my turn." Helena was presently compelled to make inquiries. She stopped a respectable-look-ing woman, and made known her wants ; but the latter was one of those well-mean-ing but vexatious guides who bewilder and perplex far more than they enlighten. She poured forth a voluminous description of the building, and that, and such a turn that musn't be made, and' another that should, and then hurried away, leaving the inquirer standing in bewilderment, uncertain if she should turn about or go on to the next square. While she was looking anxiously around, hoping to see a policeman, or some trustlooking old man to whom she might address her second inquiry, the two young men came up, and, bowing with mock gallantry, each offered an arm. Hartmann saw her start of alarm, the terrified turn of her head, and the flying steps with which she sped en before them, but he made no movement toward her relief, and was not sorry that they persisted in following her, though her nervous movements betrayed the annoyance it caused her. Helena indeed was in great alarm, keenly regretting the rash decision she had made. The glance she cast over her shoulder showed her the same men still close beside her, with evil, odious smiles upon their lips. There was then a set purpose in following her. She felt her heart throb tumultuously, and a wick, icy chill crept over her limbs, but still she kept her presence of mind. Surely she must find a policeman presently, or she should meet some trusty gentleman who would set her right. Believing that she saw one of the former in a retired side street, she turned abruptly into it, and, scarcely trusting herself to breathe, hurried down the sidewalk. Before she reached it, however, the man ran up the flight of massive steps, and disappeared in the arched door- way, and as she paused in sudden consternation, the echoing steps behind her showed the odious pursuers at her very side. They advanced with hateful smiles of triumph, and would have again addressed her, but that, in sudden desperation, she rushed up the steps, and laid her hand npon the door-bell of the nearest house. Before she could ring, however, the door was flung open, and a gentleman appeared on the threshold. His cad was bent downward while he drew on his glove, and he was therefore for a moment unaware of the waiting figure on the step below him. But she had time for taking in the new comer's full appearance, the slender, graceful, gentlemanly figure, the handsome, pensive, slightly pallid face. Helena Yerrington remembered no more the great fright, the strange, unknown city, the insolent followers, her own helplessness. With both hands she flung aside her shrouding veil, and springing forward cried out in a voice strangely thrilled by joy and grief, by hope and fear : "Conway I oh, Con way Searle, speak to me."

At this sudden address, tKese words articulated with such unconsoious passion, the gentleman started, and, turning deadly pale, stared into' her face like one confronted by a ghost. " Con way r implored she, but this time in a feeble, uncertain voice. A sullen rush of angry red swept off the pallor of his face. "I beg your pardon, madam. No such person lives here. My name is Earle ; allow me to pass, please," he said, haughtily. He was descending the steps, while she, faint, sick, and giddy, feeling as if she were tossing in some swirl of angry water, leaned against the doorway, mute and helpless. Was it a twinge of remorse, or involuntary compassion, that made him pause and turn to say in a gentler tone : "Is there anything I can do for you ? Are you in distress or need ?" Her grave, deep eyes were on his face. She half stretched out her hand whose fingers still clenched their hold of Lady Hor tense Mildmay's card. "lama stranger in London, and I have been looking for the square of this address." He flushed again as he read the cai'd, and stood a moment, gnawing his lip* fiercely. Then he came back, and called at the still opened doorway : ' ' Pierre," adding the moment a respectful voice responded From within, "ring the rear bell for Jim to come around to the front door with the carriage. Wait a moment, Miss Yerrington, and my carriage shall take you to your destination." " You know my name," she said wonderingly, " and yet " "And yet I am not Conway Searle," he answered gravely. She drew one long, quivering sigh. "Ho," she said, slowly, wearily, and yet solemnly, "you are not Conway Searle, I know it now." A flash of relief brightened his face. "Thank you, it is something to have one person admit that. Shall you tell — the lady you will visit there as much ? Did she send for you ?'' " She asked me to come." "Tell her that I helped you obey her summons. And here is the carriage. Jim, di'ive carefully, and take this lady to Mildmay House, and wait her movements and orders afterward. I shall not need you today myself." He put her into the carriage with tender and respectful attention. She watched him with eyes misting over, her lips all aquiver. " So like, so very like," she murmured. " But not Conway Searle — you are sure of that ?" he asked again, leaning forward into the carriage, a grave smile lighting up his handsome face. Helena Yerrington passed her hand across her forehead with a slow, bewildered movement. " Can Ibe sure ? Yes, oh, yes, my heart is a truer guide than these dazzled eyes. You are not my Conway !" His smile was triumphant and fairly dazzling now, and he watched the carriage move away until it turned the corner. The two young loiterers on the other side of the way and .the cloaked soldier figure behind them turned away after the carriage, with faces betraying their chagrin and humiliation. Konrade Earle gave them a careless fiance, unconscious that they had any signicance in the scene. To himself he said eagerly : " This Helena Yerrington will do more for my cause than a hundred lawyers. Hortense is no true woman if she does not abide her judgment in the face of all their crafty insinuations. I would never have believed that her coming would give me cause for thanksgiving, but I do rejoice that she is here. And yet, true, faithful, noble heart, how cruel is all this for her ! Poor Helena, Poor Helena! it is a fiery trial indeed."