CHAPTER LXXIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER LXXIII.

" I HAVE COME TO CLAIM YOUR PROMISE " From a timid, tearful child, Violet, under the tutelage of sorrow, and of maternal love, had grown to the earnest, resolute, thoughtful woman. The position in which sho was now placed was terrible Lord Leigh, instead of rising to defend himself, , seemed to yield to his fate, in a dull apathy, and instead of bestirring himself like a man, was finding oblivion in opium, possibly with the hope of thereby ending hia life. Violet saw that her child, if undefended by others than his father, must lo a o his name f estates, aad title. True, there were the lawyers to defend him ; but Violet felt that they should be reinforced by other help and interest. When the words of Adam had revealed the sad state of her husband, Violet looked at her boy, who seemed no better than fatherless, and remembered how Kennotn Keith had t»ko<i him in his arms, and said : "I will bo hia friend always, for ever " That promiso she meant now to claim. She vmp m her way to London to throw herself tor htlp upon Keith's friendship and hia rnaniy stiength. She hid learned, by a ■casual remuk in one of bady .Burton's letters, that Lord Keith was at his London hou-e, detained there by certain bu^inoa* To that house Violet directed her way taking a cab at the station. At thi~> timtf, engravings of the famous picture, exhibirud at the academy, as "The Countess of L-igh and her Son "—a pioture that h'li filled Lidy Clare with envy and anger wore very popular in London. They were sold in all ibo print shop*, and highly prized fey all lovers of art. Not as a lover of art, bat as one who loved and lamented this young counteesmother, Kenneth Keith had puiohased one of tLe engraving, aud had it u.tii.td for his own room. The picture had ju*t been sent to him, and he ha-i placed it in hi* library, in a good light, and \vt»B standing, his arms folded over his heavily beatiog heart, bit* eyes steadfast, but, full of piin, looking upon it, when the footman flui.g open tbo door, saying : " My lord, the Countess of Lei^h !" Kenneth turned ; th^ie stood the beautiful yiurg counters, hpr h abo in her arms, Idugfjing and reaching for the white plume wreathed about his mother's hat. Behind the mother oud child the tall, strong figure of Margery R gerp. Koith sprang forward " Violet i Counter of Leigh ! It is impossible !" Violet met him, and with the beautiful look deepened m bwr aweet, brown eyas, pur her son in Keith's arms. "I have rorae to eUiin your promi** for my boy. You said you would be his fiieud for evor. He need*? help; they are trjing to ! rob him ot all he has, even of hia name, and he has no helpor t»ut you." Koith received the child loyally, and hu'ding the mother's hand in hie, said gravely : " Violet, all that .» dt-athle a 3 friendship, all that brotherly 'ovo all that youth, and health, and confidence, and aome knowledge of cha world can do -all that an Englishman and an Eigl ?h Peer can do -is at your pervioe. Speak, and I devote myself entirely to you, to your child, to your husband, until all your wishes are accom pliebed." •' God grant it," said the deep voice of Dame Magery, " for we are in a sore strait at L*igh " "Violet," a'jid K«-ith, "how is it lhat Lc-i^h is doing nothing?" '• He ie Kick," said Viobt "Ho seemed overtvheliiiod, and in an apathy, and he 'hu- taken hirye quantities of opium. I have sent Sir K.iger to him He rou«eß to do •nothing. 1 ' " You v ish me to see the lawyers and ace 3nd i^>l a- I would if 1 were in Leigh's pl ioe _ aq tf my title wore impugned, as hb " Yes, Kenneth, that is what I want." *' It ie exactly what I will do for you, freely heartily." Oh ho* trustfully the brown eyes of Violet tinned to the Suxop blue eyes of Kenntith How his heart quivered with a mighty p'*in, that this was not his wife's face turne i to him with such intense confidence. "Oh, Y. >kt," *aivi Keith, with a doep sigh, "you know That all my heart and service aso yours, only yours, forever." "Kenneth. vplicm J feel desolate and alone, I ttiink ot you — that Rupert and I will still have a friend and helper in you, and I get uopo an'l cunfort again." At>d tney wero both tilent for a little space. "I mast go," sad Violet. "I have done all that I can do here. I leave my case in youv hand*. My husband is sick and wretched My place is by him ;my home is threatened, my place is there. You will go to the lawyers' at once." " Ye°. Give me a letter explaining Lord Leigh.* state, and my friendship and position to him and you. Here, sit by this desk and write it. Are you returning to the Towers to-night? You will be very weary." "It is as well. I could not rest," said Violet, sadly. "Keep up heart I think you will come triumphantly out of these snares I have faith in your cause." She finished the note. Then took her sleeping babe from old Mar gery's lap, and held him up for Kenneth to kiss. " Ho vdil owe all to you," she said, wist. fully Kenneth kiseed the child's soft face, and then the satin smooth little hands that held hi*. He rang for his carriage, and took Violet and her nurse to the station, and made every arrangement for their comfort. Then calling up an encouraging smilo, he stood on the platform waving his hat as the train swept them away.