CHAPTER XXIII.—(Continued.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 283, 21 July 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XXlll.— (Continued.)

Meanwhile, Judith, faithful and devoted toher unfortunatelady, had her own .sorrows. The five thousand pounds, which was to have been her marriage dowry, lay snugly in bank, awaiting her order, and she had in addition a nice little sum saved from her monthly wages. Enough, as she told herself, to put Hendrick and herself far beyond the reach of want. But Hendrick did not come. For months the Victoria, the ship on which he sailed, had been due, yet she did not come. And now, every number of the * T^irnes ' that the anxious girl took up contained some item in reference to the expected steamer. One week she was seen off this place, and the next week off the other, but at last the true intelligence came. Judith read it one morning, sitting in the pretty breakfast-room at Aukland Oaks. 4 Lost at Sea,' in ominous capitals headed the column of marine intelligence ; and the simple account followed. The truth had been gob at in regard to the missing steamer Victoria. She was hurried in the Chinese waters, and uofc one of her crew escaped. Not one ! Hope died in Judith Ford's heart as she read these last words, and a hope that was very dear to her. She was a quiet, selfpossessed girl, but her affections were very deep, and she loved this sailor lo\ er as few women love. Yet she uttered no cry ; only the ruddy crimson left her brown cheeks, and she looked out at the window, against •which the wintry stoim was beating, with blank desolation in her eyes. She was an orphan, without kith or kin in the wide world, and just at this moment her marriage dowry and her little hoard of earnings seemed worthless. She uttered a dry sob. The countess, musing before the fire, heard it, and looked up. The girl's blank, hopeless face startled her. ' What is it, Judith ?' she asked. Judith ciossed to where she sat, -with the ' Times ' in her hand, and her finger on the paragraph. ' The Victoria's lost, for sure,' she said, * and Hendrick's gone !' There was an indescribable pathos in her quiet voice. Lady Strathspey's eyes filled with tears as she glanced over the item. She put out her arm, and drew the girl to her side. Overcome by her lady's kindness Judith dropped on her knees, and rested her head on her shoulder, weeping quiet but bitter teais. The countess stroked her brown hair caressingly. ' Poor Judith — good faithful Judith,' she said, *if it is true, we shall be nearer and dearer friends than ever, friends in the sacred bonds of sorrow.' And it was true ! The Victoria never returned, and Hendrick wan, gone !