CHAPTER XXVII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXVII.

j Visitors at tile kectorv. JMRand Mi a Bernard had received a very cordial inviLation to pay a a isit to the iectory, which they resolved to accept pievioub to their departure for the North — i where Mrs Bernard's friends resided, to whom they were due ab Christmas. They had now been about a week Avith the hospitable Dr. Berwick anrl his good wife, and Mrs Bernard had quite won the heart of the latter by the interest she look in Mrs Ashford in her unfortunate position. On the day after their ai rival at the rectory, Florence Whitcombe had called, and Mis Bernard had at once ' taken ' to her, the more readily, perhaps, on account of the knowledge phe had of Astley's attachment and the wish she felt to promote his happiness by any means in her power. She found in Florence a beautiful, accomplished and lovable girl, and before she departed they had become very friendly. At this time Eva was very unwell, and upon Mrs Bernard expressing a wish to be introduced to her, Florrie had told her that she was far too unwell to call, when she asked permission to visit her at her aunt's. She told Jtforrie that she knew all her sad story, and thoroughly sympathised ■with her in her trouble. Florrie said she would speak to her sister about it and hear what she said, thut Eva had a strong aversion to seeing anyone ; still ohe hoped

she would consent to see Mrs Bernard, as she was simply moping herself to death. The following day Mrs Bernard received a note from Morrie telling her that she had spoken to Eva, who had seemed delighted with the prospect of the visit. Mrs Bernard called with Mrs Berwick, and Eva seemed to brighten up wonderfully with her. Though nomention was made of her trouble, she knew intuitively how true a woman Mrs Bernard was, whose sympathy, though unexpressed orally, she could not doubt. When her visitors ro=e to go, Eva expressed a desire that she might see Mrs Bernard ; often during her visit, and, upon taking leave of her, she could not repress the tears that would come to her eyes. Seeing this, Mrs Bernard, who felt that she already loved her, had taken her in her arms and kissed her, promising soon to see her again. Next day the Scotover carriage was see n approaching the rectory, and, to the surprise of everybody, Miss Whitcombe — Aunt Maria— descended therefrom and assisted Eva, who was very weak, to alight. For Miss Whitcombe to pay a visit anywhere was something quite unusual, but she boon explained that Eva had been so anxious to call upon Mrs Bernard that, seeing how delicate the poor child was, she had determined to come with her, for fear the exertion should prove too much. ' And then, the old lady had said, ' you are different from other people, Dr. Berwick. ' Poor Eva looked so pale and feeble that the rectoreasily persuaded Miss Whitcombe to leave her at the rectory for a few days until she had jested thoroughly. They both thought it a very good thing for hei for she seemed to have literally fallen in love with Mrs Bernard. It was arranged that Florrie should be sent over to look after her sister. Thus Mrs Bernard saw much of both girls, which "was what she desired. A friendship sprang up between the three which, though rapid in its early growth, was none the less deep and lasting. Eva seemed happy in the society of her new triend. Poor Eva ! Hers was a hard lot, to be cut off from the world, she do young, so joyous, so full of innocent tun, and so thoroughly unselfish. It seemed almost a miracle — the change that was wrought in her by this newlyformed friendship. Even before she had seen her, when Florrie wa-s speaking of her, she had felt an irresistible desire to see and to know Mi& Bernard. To this friend had Eva opened her heart and poured out all her troubles, and she had found sympathy. Not to her sister would she so speak ; nob to Mrs Berwick ; not even to her aunt would Eva unburden her heart as she had done to Mrs Bernard, and this, in ifc.-clf, had done her much good ; for instead of brooding over her grief alone, she had found a sympathetic listener, one to whom she could tell her every toeling, sure of kindness and love. Would Florrie have comforted her as Mrs Bernard had done? Would her aunt have been so forbearing ? Would Mrs Berwick have afforded her the consolation which she derived from confiding in Mrs Bernard ? Possibly not. The two former would have lost patience with her when she spoke of Ashford ; the latter would have treated her with all consideration and kindness, but to her she could not tell all as she had done to Mis Bernard. 'I don't know what I shall do without you, Mr& Bernard,' she said ; ' you seem to have crown iuto my heart.' ' \V ell, dear, you had better como with us when we return to New Zealand,' said Mrs Bernard. ' Oh ! you are not serious, I am sure.' ' Indeed I am, dear — nevei more so in my life. A few months in that de'ighbfnl country would set you up entirely — it would make a new creature of you People think a great deal too much of the distance, bub what is it after all ? If you were to come with us you would not feel the distance ; we should be just as happy on board bhip as we are here. You had better think it over, dear, and let me know.' ' Are you really serious, clear friend ?' asked Eva, who seemed incredulous. 'Of course I am, dear. Why should I not be ' Oh, 1 don't know, but it seems so funny to be asked to go I don't know how many thousand miles to pay a visit. 5 ' That is just what I say ; people make such a fuss about travelling a few thousand miles. So abst.rd too ' The passage over is delightful. If some of your English invalids would only make up their minds to take tho journey, they would be amply rewarded by a visit to the hot springs, which perform miraculous cures.' ' Yes.' said Eva, ' I have hoard of those wonderful springs ; is it really true that they are so beneficial ?' •It is indeed,' said Mrs Bernard, 'most true. I have often wondered that our Government doc« not make them a source of revenue. I feel sure they only require well advertising in different parts of the world to make them popular, but perhaps the Maoris do not see it in the same light as I do.' ' Why,' said Eva, ' what have the Maoris to do with it?' 'I don't know, doar, but I think ib highly probable that the country round about the springs is owned by them ; in that case I can understand how it is they arc so little known. Then there may be other reasons, which, woman-like, I know nothing about, and perhaps should not understand, but all this has nothing to do with what we were talking about. lam sure you don't require dipping in hot water. What do you say to my proposal ?' 'Oh, Mrs Bernard, I don't know what to say ro it. It is most kind of you, and T should like ifc above all things But — ' here Eva hesitated and coloured slightly. ' But what, dear ? Why do you hesitate?' ' I was going to say, do you mean Florrie to go too '!' fOf course, you surely do not think 1 dreamt of separating you ?' 1 In that case it will be easier.' ' Easier !' exclaimed Mm Bernard. ' Nothing can be easier ; all you ha\o to do is> to place yourselves in our hand* fron; the time you leave to the time you return, and you will find no difficulties in you)' way. We will put more life in you when we get you in New Zealand.' * You have made up your mind then that we are really going ?' said Eva, smiling. 'Of course you will go, Eva ; won't you now?' And as Mrs Bernard said this &he put her arm round her young friend's shoulders and kissed her. ' How kind you arc, dear friend ! I cannot resist you. If Florrie will go, and auntie has no objection, I think you may depend upon my accepting your kind invitation. I don't know how to thank you enough.' ' It is I who should be thankful, dearest, for it will give me infinite pleasure to have you with me,' eaid Mrs Bernard, meaning all she said. ' When do you think of returning ?' • Oh, it will be six months, at least, before we start, so you have plenty of time bo persuade Florrie. I fancy it will be no difficult task. I shall see Miss Whitcombe myself.' ' Will you ? How good of you. Auntie might be frightened at the prospect of my taking so long a journey, but if you talk to her, I am sure she will not mind ' 'Don't be too sure of that,' said Mr*

Bernard ; ' your aunt is not so susceptible as you are, you know.' * ' Oh, I am sure I am nob susceptible, Mrs Bernard; you do me an injustice. You are my only friend. I mean my only real, true, pet friend,' said Eva. ' My darling !' said Mrs Bernard, fondly, drawing Eva to her and stopping further speech with a lingering kiss. ( To be Continued. )