CHAPTER XII.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 270, 6 June 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER XII.

\T TIM', V-l'llNAlin's. 'Tlicrc lioiivf struck Grief miidit Ilcav'nward Mveteh l»'v m"u\ And in fiu o<l Worth forget and pardon intin.' Hokll'V Stvtion i* situated some lhc miles from the city of W , i\m\ \s about as pretty a epot a 1 - one oan Had in New Zealand, where landscape scenes are so truly beautiful. In the distance are the snow clad mountains over-topping the blue hills, which, when lit- up by the sun's rays, present a pictuie fascinating- in the extreme, having wondrous charms for tho artist's eye and the lover of Nature's beauties. The residence of My Bernard, the owner of the beautiful station, is a pretty building, oj wood only, but still pleasing to tho eye, and, as a dwelling, commodious and comfortable, reminding one of the pretty villa residences to be found in the neighbourhood of Sydenham and elsewhere in dear old England. The internal as well as the external arrangements of this delightful residence are perfect. Nothing is wanting that money can purphaso or goad taste suggest. The room \n which we aro now admitted \°, a ppvto* Uy well - appointed boudoir, ha\ing boon JHtod up expressly for Mrs Bernard by her husband, who had spared no expense in making his house suitable for the loccption of his bride, who Avas coming to him from England, being determined that she should miss nothing to which shehad been accustomed in her English homo. Seated in a low ensy-chaU' is Mrs Bernard , a lady who, though nob beautiful, i<? possessed of a'wondvous oharm, having abcauty whiph exceeds all o'hers — a beautiful mind. On an ottoman at her side is a girl of some twenty years, fresh, fair and blooming. This is Miss Turner, the daughter of My Turner, the merchant of W who had treated Astloy with such inputting coolness. At tho bow-window *tt*o two ladies, evidently mother- and daughter. They are Mrs Langloy £\nd her daughter. Mr Langloy is a, merchant in W —^ — ; and Mrs Bernard, in hey kindnoss of heart, has invited them ovov to spond a few days while ' tho dreaded new chum ' and his friend are here. ' And Mr Escombe assures mo thore is no truth in it ; that ho knows it from most reliable sources, W§ a,H know Mr Escombe

so well that I think we must give Mr Berwick the benefit of tho doubt, if doubt there still be, don't you, Mrs Langley V 1 My dear Mrs Bernard, if you will excuse mo I would rather give no opinion until I hare see him, as I place great faith in first impressions, especially in the case of- so young a man, who, we may fairly suppose, has not acquired the act of controlling his countenance to meet every emergency, so to speak ; besides, if I like tho appoaranceof tfao young follow, I moan to have a talk with him about it.' 'Oh ! pray don't, Mrs Langley ; ho is very sensitive and touchy about it, I belicvo, and no wonder,' said good-natured Mrs Bernard. ' You need not be afraid, dear ; I shall not hurt his feelings. If I can do no good, I shall let it alone. You know me.' * Well, well, do as you like, but ha\o mercy.', At this moment a servant announced, ' Mr Escombc and another gentleman.' Knowing Escombe so well, she had not waited to get the name of his friend. There were the usual greetings and introductions, Mrs Bernard welcoming Berwick to her house, and expressing a hope that he would become a frequent visitor. Poor Astley was almost overcome by her kindness, after so much trouble and anxiety, but ho managed to express his thanks in suitablo terms. ' I am conferring a great honour on you, Mr Berwick,' said Mrs Bernard, playfully, ' in admitting you to my sanctum sanctorum. Mr Escombe does as ho likes ; he is a privileged individual, and I could not well sepai'ate you ; so you must do as he does, and I trust you will be happy with us and be at home.' ' I thank you, Mrs Bernard. I already feel at home with you, you arc so kind, and I have mot with so little kindness lately that I can appreciate it,' said Astley. ' You have no idea what a trial it is to a man to find himself out adrift from everybody.' * Indeed, Mr Berwick, I can quite understand it/ she replied, ' but we will try to make it up to you, though we must not spoil you.' The time passed away until late in the afternoon, when it became necessary to make some little alterations for dinner. 'We don't dress for dinner here, Mr Berwick, ; the custom has not reached our out-of-the-way station yet. Ours is a * do-as-you-please' house,' said the worthy hostess. In the drawing - room, before dinner, Astley was introduced to Mr Bernard, who received him verycorduJlyandsaid he hoped they would sechimoften. Takinghim aside, he added : * I have heard of your trouble, Mr Berwick, and have, of course, read the papers, but 1 don't believe it. My hand on it, sir.' Astley grasped the hand extended to him, which pressed his own lingeringly. lie siid nothing — his heart was too full. ' Wo will say no more about it, Mr Berwick ; if I can be of any use to you at any time or anywhere you may command me.' Thus spoke Mr Bernard, a gentleman of New Zealand, and a specimen of the New Zealand station-owners — a good specimen of a good class. 'I thank you, Mr Bernard, from my heart,' said Astley. Dinner was announced, eaten, and over. The ladies, observing the good old custom, ictited, and our friends and the host were left together over their wine, which at Mr Bernard's was always good. We will*leave the gentlemen to discuss their wine, politics, etc., and follow the ladies to the drawing-room. ' Well,' said the hostess, ' what do you think of him?' 1 Oh '. he is so nice,' returned Mrs LangIcy ; ' I am charmed with him ; but I must ha\e a talk with him befoie I can decide a3 to the course I ?hall take. Ido not doubt him. Who could doubt his honest eyes ?' ' Who indeed ?' said Mrs Bernai'd ; 'and he is so gentlemanly and altogether delightful. I wonder if he is musical ;I am almost sure he is.' ' Yes, I think he has a musical face.' Lucy Turner and Mis>s Langley are talking 1 together in the recess of the window ; the subject is the same. 1 Well, he is a darling,' said Mips Langley, v howasratherimpulsivc generally, but none the worse at heart. ' 1 hope he is all right ; such a nice fellow to have among us. How do you. like him ?' ' I don't know if 1, as an engaged girl, should express my thoughts, especially as I have been forew ai'netl. I am afraid if Mr D.ikin knew he would not like it, but I can't help it ; I think with you, dear, that he >>. nice— so gentlemanly. I wish Mr Hakin would not take such absurd dislikes to people. Why, if he had known I was to meet him hero, he -v\ould have persuaded papa not to let mo come. lam sure I shall catch it when I go home.' ' ]Ta-ha-ha 1' laughed Mips Langley ; poor Lucy ! Never mind, dear, make the most ot piesent opportunitcs. Will he flirt, I wonder?' The evening passed off pleasantly enough, as evenings must pass with agreeable society and surroundings to promote enjoyment and comfort. In the morning, after breakfast, as Astley and Escombe were smoking their cigars in the garden, Mrs Bernard joined them, and in course of conversa tion told Astley that Mrs Langley would like to speak with him for a few moments at his leisure. Astley replied he was at Mrs Langloy'h service from that moment throughout the day, and would ha\o gone at once, but Mrs Bernard said, she would pel mit him to finish his cigai*, aftov which he would find Mrs Langley in her boudoir. Our youngfiiend, accordingly, wended his way to that luxurious apartment, where he found not only Mrs Langley, but also Miss Langley and Miss Turner. ' Ah ! Mr Berwick, 1 said Mrs Langley, ' have you como to hear what I have to say to you ?' ' That is my object in daring to intrude on snoh private preserves,' said Astley. * Will you leave us, dear* ? I wish to be alone with Mr Berwick a little while, Don't bo alarmed, Mr Berwick, I shall not hurt you,' said Mrs Langley as she motioned Astley to a scat. 1 You must wonder what I can possibly have to say to you, Mr Berwick,' she continued, 'on such a short acquaintance, and I fear that I am venturing on delicate ground, but you will give me credit for something beyond mere curiosity, I am suve. ' 4 Indeed, Mrs Langley,' said Astley, ' I shall certainly bo most happy to afford you any information that it may be in my power to give : and as for the latter part of your speech I should never have thought of such a thing as connecting you in any way with curiosity,' i Thank you for your politeness, Mr Berwick. Whore did you learn to make such pretty speeches ?' said Mrs Langley, jocularly. ' But,' added she, •to begin, if I should tnako any remark that should hurt you in any way, believe me it shall be unintentional, as my only object in soliciting this intorview is to cement the friendship which I feel already exists between us. Will you tell mo something — indeed all you can — about the wretchod affair with which you wore connected at home ?' To say Astley was surprised at the turn tho conversation had taken would be scarcely an appropriate term, as he had in some.

measure been prepared by her introductory , remarks. But though glad of an oppoi tunity fovinclicatimr himself to this good lady, lie felt a sort of constraint in commencing the story ; so ho said. ' If you will ask me conic direct question about the affair, I shall bo pleased to answer you, Mrs Langley.' I * Well, thon, in the first place, how did you gob mixed up in it ?' 'To explain fully, I must go a long ua> back and may tire jour patience. How- j over, since you seem to wi-h it, I will begin j ftt the beginning.' 'If you please, Mr Berwick: and, once' more, pray pardon me, w ill oti ?' 'Freely, Mrs Lane-ley," said .Wlew and he then related events as they had oeciu red : his intimacy with the sistei-= and the tacit understanding between him and Floienee Whitcombe ; the evidence of thet»\o.-ei-vants which was oiven in the papei^, at. least quite as much as could be decently printed, 1 And you really moan to say I hat upon the evidence of those two .-,ci\ants un>upported, the result was ai lived at?" 1 That was all : and the fact of m> being »o much at the house, though 1 w a-, moio frequently with Fioienec than with her sister.' ' And do you love Mi^ "W hitcombe ' Again pardon me, .Mr Be« nick.' 4Ah ! Mrs Lan^ley," sighed A*tle\, 'do I not love her! How deeply 1 cannot --a\ . but this 1 will tell you, that >ou ma\ know and respect my feelings— m\ lo\o toi hci is of so sacred a nature that it. williumlh suffer me to bieatho her name to anothci. I do love hoi ! and when my deal t.ither bold me what 1 had long hoped ami belie\ed — that she lo\cd me as deeph , a-. tenderly as 1 do her—] \tii? almost h)u\ for her sweet sake." 'Dear, dear me, thi* iscmel for \ou both. One more question and 1 have done. Do you know the contents of the letter Mi 'Broadley wiote to Mr Tmnei :' ' No, 1 do not knoH the actual content-, but Mr Broadley told me. when he handed it to mo, that it would put me straight w ith everybody. You raaj guess how cut up 1 was when Mr Tumei tieatcd me as he did.' 'I should think >ou were : and now, MiBerwick, 'said Mis Lan^ley, lisinu and holding out her hand, 'let me thank jou sincerely for the confidence \ou have placed in me, and as-mo >ou of im sinecie and lasting friendship. Though I cannot, after what you ha\ c told me, v. i^h to -co you the husband of any one of our ghlsand we ha\e many nice one in the distiict —I shall do my utmost to promote \oiu happiness, and shall look foiwaid to the time when you maj be low aided as \ou deserve.' ' Indeed, Mrs Langley, 1 do not know how to thank you, your kindness is so gieat. 1 am sure yon will bolic\e me when 1 -ay 1 am truly sensible of your kind friendship, and I shall always hope to meiit yom esteem : ' and the tears glistened in A*tle\ V honest blue eyes, which, if word* had failed him, would alone ha\ c ahow n that his heai t wos full to o\ ertlowintr. 'Henceforth, my dear Mr Beiwick, ie member we aie triends tuic tiiend-,' said Mrs Langley, as she picssed Astle\ - hand. ' And, now, let me -tndjou a\\a>. You will be better alone foi a little while. ' Astley had scarcely gone when MiLangley rang the bell. It wa- an-weiod by a maid-servant, to whom -he -aid. ''Will you tell Mi-a Tumor and MiLangley to come heie please, t?aioh.' The two girls soon came in. then aim> entwined each reundthc wai^t of the othei. ' It i=; all over, dear gills ; he i^ one of the noblest fellows I ever met— quite abo\e -us picion." •Oh! mamma, I am -o glad," 'Oh' Mrs Langley, I am so glad." exclaimed the girls simultaneously. 'But ' and Mrs Lan^le} paused. ' But what, mamma ".' a-ked MiLangley, eagerly; 'nothing honki, ibhere ?' ' No, dear ; iar fiom it, only I don t know if I ought to tell \ou— but I think 1 had better. 1 Mrs Langley then told them how it \>nbetween Floi once Whitcombe and A--tk\, and what he had said. 1 Oh, what a darling |! exclaimed the impulsive Mios Langley ; ' how truly good he must be.' 'Oh ! Mrs Langley, lam -o glad, paid Lucy Turner. ' How 1 -hall li.ue Mi Dakin for all tho dreadful stoiit^ lie hatold. 1 'Nay dear, don't say that; wait till I have seen your papa. I want to <i«k him to show me the letter that intioduuud Mr Berwick to him; don't say am thing to him.' 1 Well, dear," said -he, ' what u-ult ' Mrs Lanrjley told her ill, and the-e two women determined to place- A-tl^y on a firm tooting with -ocietv r-o far v*> the> could, w liich meant apfieat deal. The time pa-^cd away quickly ami pleasantly. Afctlcy m i-hod their \ i-it w ould last longer, so tiuly kind wa-> e\eiybofl\. Hiding and diiving, mu-ic, pictuiu-, ac;ieeable society, true friendship-™ 1m « <m]<l moital wish for more ? The e\enin-_; follow ing the confidence Abtley thoioii'_hl) uijoyed, singing duet- with Mis- L mirlc 1 . . listening to tho brilliant pla\ uig oi 'he elder ladies (a rich ticat to lnni'i. and latji on taking a hand in a quiet 'mbbei,' at which neither his paituor nor his O[iponcnt>j were novices. Escombo was delighted to .-cc hi- iiieiKl 60 jolly, and was in .splendid form himself. A merrier party could not be. A\u\ the time clipped away, seeming to A^tlc> hko ;> happy dieam. Nevertheless it was a teaht} , and one to be repeated if no unforeseen obstacle pie\entcd. How truly thankful MasA-lley to Tiod. who in His mercy had lif terl tho hea\\ weight from his heat fc. Nor did lioloigct, those at home who sufleied. He tuaved fervently that they might bo liappy, ami that God would b) in£ to li^ht the tiuth Would liis prayers be heaid ? Wcie they heard? Who doubts it?

(To be Continual. )