CHAPTER XXXIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XXXIII.

A STARTLING COMMUNICATION. 'Will you sing a duet with me, Astley —the one you used to be &o fond of ? Do you remember ?' •Is it « See fche Night Comes,' darling ?' *Ah ! I knew you would not forget. I have it here.' So saying Florence proceeded to search amongst her music for the said duet— Astley, of course, helping her. It was some time before they found what they sought, as in looking over the music either one or the other would come upon a song that brought to mind some scene in , the past, bringing to their hearts tender feelings, to their lips tender words. At last the duet was found, and their beautiful voices were blending in rare harmony, when a shadow fell across the page. Neither Astley nor Florence Look any notice other than to mentally remark it, but upon turning round at the con-

elusion of the duet, Astley was surprised afc beholding a closely- veiled female figure. Who can she be? How did she come here? What does she want? were all questions that arose in Astley's mind. The reader need only be told hoio she came there. She had been taken thither by the servant, who, finding Astley engaged at the piano with Florence, did nob like to interrupt him. Upon her hesitating, the visitor had said — 'You needn't wait, I am well-known to Mr Berwick.' Whereupon the servant had retired, leaving the unknown visitor in the room. Astley very naturally asked, 'Do you wish bo see Mrs Bernard; madam f Then Florence looked round and saw the stranger. ' It is you, Mr Berwick. I have come to see,' said the latter. ' ' Pray be seated. May I ask in what way I can be useful to you ? If I mistake not, we are strangers.' ' Can I see < you alone, i\lr Berwick ? I have a very important communication to make to you. ' \ Certainly. V.lll you excuse me, Florence ?' said Astley. \ 'Of course, Asbley. Shall I v g 0 away?' asked Florence, rather amused it Astley's evident disapproval of these proceedings. • Really, darling, it is too bad, 'but what am I to do ?' he said his Voice to a wh'&per. \ ' You silly boy !' said Florence, pVessing the hand which had sought hers amo\)g the folds of her dress. ' Open the door io\ me.' Then, as Astley opened the door,\ she added, 'Now, no flirting, mind.' \ The door closed. What took place outside does not matter. When Astley Veen tered the drawing-room the visitor ros\s, lifting her veil as she did so. \' ' Carrie !' exclaimed Astley. v ' It is Carrie, Mr Berwick, and, I trust, a betler Carrie than when you first met me when you helped me aC the risk of your good name. You good man !" 1 Hush ! That is all over lone; ago ; besides, it was nothing,' said Astley. ' Nothing ' Oh ! Mr Berwick, it was everything to me, lost as I was. That one kind act of yours saved me, sir.' ' 1 am very glad to hear it, lam sure, heartily glad ; but how can I serve you V 'It is my turn to serve you, sir,' said Carrie, her large bright eyes soarkling. 'You may l-emember I told you' when I saw you at my house that 1 thought I could do so. Now I know I can. 1 have been to England since that time, and I have brought back with me proof of your innocence—' ' What !' cried Astley, using excitedly from his chair.' 'What i» this you say? Arc you in earnest? Have you really done this ? No, it cannot be.' ' It can be and it is,' said Carrie, calmly ; ' but first - ' * lOh ! tell me, Carrie. The proof is not complete. There is something ' ' Hear me, Mr Berwick. Rest assured that what I have said is true. There is no mistake, but I want you, before 'I say another word, to promise me faithfully that in return for what I have to tell, you will grant me a favour, should I ask it of you.' ' My good girl, whatever I can do foryou, you know I will,' said Astley. 'But, Mr Berwick — understand, sir, I do not doubt you — promise me that you will 'If it is in my power, Carrie — 1 know you by no other name — I will grant your request. But why not tell me what it is ?' Your business first, sir, then mine,' said Carrie, and as she spoke she drew from her pocket a document which she handed to Aotley, saying, ' That will clear you, sir ; read.' Astley took the paper and read for some time what seemed to be a confession of crimes, without discovering anything concerning him in any way, until he came to a part that was underlined which ran as follows : — 'On the day of 18-and followingclajs I committed wilful and corrupt perjury during the trial of Ashford versus Ashford and Berwick. The evidence I then save was all false. I never saw anything of an improper nature between Mrs Ashford and Mr Astley Berwick. Mr Berwick had always treated Mrs Ashford with respect hi my presence. ' The reason I acted as I did— and I only tell it now because I know I am dying— was that Mrs Hamilton, Jane's mistress, who was fond of my master— Mr Ashford- said if Jane or T could lind out anything that would lead to a divorce of Mrs Ashford she would make our fortunes. • When master used to visit Mrs Hamilton at Twickenham ho gradually took me with him and while he was engaged in the parlour I made the best of my time in the kitchen. Jane and I kept company. ' Well, by-and-bye Jane came to live with Mrs Ashford ; then she and I got talkiDg about it, and I put her up to doing what we did, so as to get Mrs Hamilton's money. She, poor girl, tried to persuade me against it, but I was determined, and said if she didn't do as I told' her I would leave her. Jane couldn't stand that; we had been too much together for that, bless her. So we invested it all between us though I might as well take all the blame for that. It was all my fault. Jane said just what I told her to say. and sbe did swear hard, too. She knew if she didn't 1 should leave, and if we got the money we were to bo married, and there was reason enough for her wishing that ' We got through with it all right, however, and got a sight of money from Mrs Hamilton. She thought it Avas all true, so did the master. We did it well, but it never prospered. We have gone to the bad ever since, and have been obliged to live out of the world, like. I thought we was going to make a lot of money in this pub, but we have lost nearly all we had Our next move -would have been to go and tell Mrs Hamilton all about it, and make her pay up to keep it quiet. 'This is all true, every word, I swear with my last breath.' The above confession was signed c John Jenkyn,' Ware-street, Bethnal Green, London, and witnessed by Henry Collins, M.R.C.S.E., etc., etc., and" Caroline Mander. 'How can I thank you Miss — Mander?' exclaimed Astley earnestly. ' Mander 's my name, Mr Berwick, but? you've no need to call me by it unless you like. As to your thanking me— me « Oh ! Mr Berwick, I shall never know how to thank you enough for what ' ' Hush ! Car— Miss Mander. You owe me nothing ; you have made me eternally your debtor— but how did you become possessed of this ? How are you connected with this Jenkyn ? I do not wish to ask impertinent questions, but•Oh ! that's all right, Mr Berwick. Jenkyn s wife— Jane— is my sister.' • Your sister !' exclaimed Astley, surprised. _ * Yes, and what's more, she's waiting outside in the cab. All I want you to say, Vlr Berwick, is that you will be kind to her. She is a poor, lone woman now, and you see it was not ncr fault, though sh© shouldn't have done it. But what was she to do when that wretch threatened to leave her and she— begging 1 your pardon, sir — soon to be a mother ? Pity her, Mr Berwick, and forgive her. Promise me you will not punish her. ' 'Carrie,' said Astley with tears in his eyes, 'you are a noble girl. Trust me your sister shall be protected— but stay' have you told anyone about this — any lawyers or anybody V • You are the only living being besides Jane and me and the doctor as knows anything about it, The doctor was present when I wrote down what Jenkyn said, but he didn t take much notice, and when I asked him to say nothing about it, he said he wouldn t, for it was nothing to do with' him.' ' Then \ou may rest assured, Carrie, that, your sister shall come to no harm.'

4 May I fetch her, sir ?' 'I -will send for her, Carrie; sib down.' So saying, Ashley rang the bell, and upon the servant appearing bid her step down to the cab and request the lady to come upstairs. At the entrance of the servant Carrie had lowered her veil. This did not escape Astley's notice, and ho folt all the delicacy of the action. The door opened, and Astley once more beheld the woman who had ruined him. What did he do? He did that which it was natural for him to do. He extended his hand to her ; but she did not take it. Overcome by shame and remorse, she sank to the floor at his feet. ' Forgive me, sir !' she cried through her ' You are foi given, Mrs Jenkyn, freely by me.' ' You know then, sir -you know all '?' * All. And 1 k.iow how you must have suffered for yoursin, and how sorely you were tempted. You are freely forgiven.' * Oh ! sir,' exclaimed the poor creature lising. 'how oan I thank you ! Tell me, sir, have I dene right in coming to you ? Should I not rather have gone to my poor mistress, Mrs Ashford, and have thrown myself on her mercy ?' ' Well, uy good soul, I cannot say which course you ought to have taken, but fortunately it does not matter. Mrs Ashford is bare.' * HeiS, sir? exclaimed Mrs Jenkyn. ' Ye>, she is here on a visit to the lady of the hruse ; it is most fortunate.' 1 Tte Lord be praised,' sighed the poor woiran ; * I shall see her again. Oh how is fhe, sir ? So good and so sweet, it was aw'ul, sir, to serve her as I did, and she so kjad to me !'