CHAPTER XXVIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 282, 18 July 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XX VIII.

CAN SIIE BE GUILTY ? 'It is so nice to have you here, dear Bertie,' said Flora Ashford, the day after Escombe's arrival! I*1 '* • * Theyrwere sitting together in her boudoir, which had jbeen fitted tip superbly for her by her : - devoted lover, who had exercised his own refined taste in the arrangements. ' Yes, it is rather jolly, Mo', to be in clear old England again, with a prospect of an old-fashioned, snowy Christmas, instead of baking hbt weather,' replied her brother. ' To say nothing of your being with your loving sister,' said Flora, pouting. * And a new brother, eh, Flo'? By-the-by, dear — now, mind, I am going to exercise a brother's privilege,' said Escombe. *So you may, Bertie. What is it ?' * I was going to ask you what all this is that I hear about Ashford. Was he not divorced, or something ?' ' Tom divorced !' exclaimed Flora. 4 Good gracious, no. You have got wrong altogether.' ' What was it then ? I certainly heard something of a divorce, 1 said Escombe, who wanted to hear all about it from his sister, that he might the better judge from her manner how much foundation there was for the suspicions entertained of her by the rector aud others. 'It was the other way about, Bertie. Tom petitioned for a divorce from his wife on account of — of the usual thing, you know,' said Flora in explanation. c And was the charge proved against her, Flo' ?' asked Escombe, looking steadily at his sister. ' Of course it was, you foolish boy, or I should not now be Mrs Ashford,' said Flora, smiling. ' What was the evidence, Flo', or rather who were the witnesses V asked Escombe. ' Oh, the two principal witnesses were servants in the family, one being Tom's own personal attendant, and the other the wretched woman's maid.' ' Were they old servants ?' ' Oh, I believe the man had been some time with Tom, but the girl had not been long with her mistress, and, curiously enough, "she was with me previous to going to live with her,' said Flora, who, if she were guilty, acted her part \rell, for Escombe could detect nothing that looked like guilt. * With you ?' said he ; ' what a strange coincidence ! What has become of her now ?' ' Of whom, Bertie V 1 This servant, whatever her name uas ?' * Goodness only knows.. She married Tom's servant after the affair, and, I suppose, settled down somewhere, ' 1 eplied Flora. * But why do you ask ?' she inquiied, innocently. Now Escombe was at a loss for a moment for a reply. If Flora were really innocent, to tell her that there were reasons for suspecting the servants had given false evidence would be cruel in the extreme. On the other hand, if she were guilty he must be very careful. He evaded the question by saying : ' And did Mrs Ashford run off with the co-respondent, or what became of her ?' ' I really do not know where she is and do not feel sufficient interest in her to inquire,' said Flora, indignanty. ' Nay, Flora,' said her brother deprecatingly, seeing her eye 3 flash and her bosom heave, 'do not be offended. It is only natural that I should like to know all about it, isn't it, dear ?' 1 Well, I suppose it is, my dear brother ; but it is a detestable subject / think. I hate it. So if you have any more questions to isk about it, be so Kind as to ask them now and let there be an end oi it.' ' I am fcure I don't wont to worry you Flo. It is but natural that I should take some interest in your affairs.' ' How considerate you aie all at once, Bertie You have not written to me for I don't know how many years, and now you pretend to be deeply interested in me and my affairs.' ' You wrong me, Flora. I have written home frequently and have always sent you a message and, sometimes, a letter, and have wondered at your silence. It is only since I have been home that I learnt the unhappy truth, my poor Flora,' said Herbert gently. 'And I suppose they gave me a nice haracter at home V said Flora, hotly. Parents indeed ! Nice parents.' ' Oh ! Flora, my sister, do net speak so. ur dear parents were nearly brokenearted. Oh ! why did you leave them ?' ' Bertie ! Do you come to reproach me ? Do you come to taunt me with my weakness ? Did you never love ? Wo, you are a man ! Your sex never loves as ours does. How can you know how I was tempted? How can you know what a woman suffei3 in her struggles between love and duty ': Bertie ! I never thought you would reproach me.' 'Oh ! Flora, darling sister, I do not reproach you. I did not mean to speak harshly to you, my poor girl. I love you too well. , Had I stayed afe home this would not have happened,' eaidEscombe, loTingly. * Dear Bertie ! Now you are my own kind brother again. Believe me, I have Buffered for my sin. I did my best, as I believed it, Bertie, and he did me justice.' ' Ye 3, the villain ! he — ' 'Hush ! Bertie ; you forget that be was my husband.' ' True, Flora, he was your husband ; but not till he -had destroyed the j)eace of a happy, contented family, disgracing these who had'faeen kind to liim. But lam not here to make you unhappy, Flora ; I would give much to see you reconciled to our poor old parents.' ' But, Bertie, they forbade me to return to them. What can Ido ?' said Fl6ra, the tears starting to her eyes. ' And do you care for them still, Flo' ?' ' Indeed Ido ; at least I should if they were kind to me. You do not know how pained, I have been. Banishment from their hearts has been my greatest punishment.'-,, • ! ' AncUwould you be reconciled to them ? Would you like to be, Flo' ?' ' Would I like to be ? oh ! Bertie, .you cannot know me, to ask such a question. What 'did they say ? Did they speak kindly of me?' '' " •Indeed they did, Flo', and our deal mother said that they have ever repented their harshness to you, and longed to hear from you. , O,ur father is a proud man, Flo', and though he longs to press you to his heart, he waits, hoping you will write to him. 'Only do that, Flo', write and ask ' his forgiveness, and he will receive you with open arms. Will you, darling ?' 'That is whafc I did at first, when he Bpumed me.' * Never mind, dearest, he is our father. He has been harsh to you through his utter hqrror f ,o£ sin. If you value his love, you will surely humble yourself before him.

ITor his sake and our mother's you will do this, Avill you nob?' For a few moments Mrs A?hford stood before her brother, the tears streaming from her eyes. Then sho looked up through the glistening drops and said : cOh I Bertie, my own brother, Ido love you. All the horrid pride that has been eating up my heart seems to have left me siuco you havo spokon to me. My dear brother, it shall be as you say.' And she threw her arms round his neck and, bowing her head, wept. Weeping, sho found comfort, for the springs of filial love — long since f i oxen — Avoro thawed: the tepid ! drops that trickled down her beauteous cheeks wero the melted icicles of puro, tender love. Could this woman be guilty — this gontle, loving woman ? Could this fond sister, this child, who longed for the love of her paronts, bo guilty of tho crimo which Dr. Berwick had imputed to her? Escombo unhesitatingly flung tho thought from him. It could not lie. ' Thank God !' he thought, cmy Mend has nob been injured by my sister.'