CHAPTER XXXIV.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 5

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CLEAREP. When Carrie Mander and hei sister had departed, Astley, having conducted them to the cab at the door and promised Carrie fc o see her on the morrow in compliance with her request, instead of returning at once to the drawing room, stayed some time in the garden pacing up and down and thinking what would be the best course to take, to at once communicate the oyf ul tidings to his friends and prevent a coo sudden announcement of the same to Mrs Ashford. He was not long considering. He soon re-entered the house and proceeded to the library. There he found Mr and Mrs Bernard, Mrs Ashford, Florence and Escombe— the whole party. ' I am sorry to break up such a cosy party,' he said, ' but I shall be glad to have a few minutes' conversation with you, Mr Bernard, and you, Escombe.' 'Now, isn't that too bad V said Escombe, who was in the delightful occupation of holding a skein of wool for Mrs Ashford. ' Is it important, Berwick ?' ' Well, I think so. Will you come ?' ' Oh, yes,' said Escombe reluctantly — he was so happy. ' i*ray excuse me, Mrs Ashford. ' •To the drawing-room, please, Mr Bernard,' said Astley, as that gentleman looked inquiringly at him. Ai rived in the drawing-room, he could lestrain his joy no longer. He seized MiBernard by the hand, and literally embraced Escombe, exclaiming, ' Congratulate me, you dear friends. I am cleared. ' 'Cleared !' exclaimed both friends, simultaneously. ' Yes ;itis a positive fact. Read that.' So saying, Astley handed Jenkyn's confession to Mr Bernard, who read it aloud in his rich, clear voice. Then he said, ' This is indeed good news, my dear Berwick — certainly, Escombe, Imaylsuppose?' Escombe had held out his hand for the paper, and now took it aside to read it, while Astley told Mr Bernard abou> Cairie and her sister. While they were calking they were surprised to see Escombe sink into a chair, throw his head back and shut his eyes, while the paper fell to the ground. They hastened to his side, and Astley cook his hand, saying, ' Bertie, what is it ?' Escombe opened his eyes — he had not fainted — and looked at his friend — such a tender, loving look. 'Is it true, Astley ? It is l'eally true ?' lOf course, Bertie ; but what is the matter ?' How — I do not understand. Have yoetnocongratulations ?' ' Have I not !' exclaimed Escombe with emphasis, rising and clasping Berwick's hand.' 'My heart is too full to say much, old boy ; I am selfish, 1 know,' 'What do you mean, Bertie? How are you selfish?' 'Ah ! you don't know, Astley, what a load that little piece of paper has taken off my mind, independent of your affairs. It is brutally selfish ot me, I know.' ' Nonsense ! You selfish ! What can you mean ?' •Listen, Astley.' Then Escombe told all the reader already knows about Dr. Berwick's suspicions of his sister and of his own conviction of her innocence which Jenkyn's confession had proved. 'Then we have reason for mutual congratulations, Bertie. And you never told me a word of this before.' ' How could I, Astley ? What possible good could it have done ?' ' True. I think you were right, as you always are. lam very glad. ' 'And I. It is indeed glorioas news, though I cannot altogether exonerate my poor sister, notwithstanding the fact of her being cleared of the direct sin. Poor Flo 1 ! she has suffered much and mu&t suffer still more, I am afraid.' ' I hope not, Bertie, I am sure. ' * But she must. Of course you know that she married Ashford. Well, that marriage was, as it turns out, illegal. Ah, well, it can't be helped. We must make the best of it. lam so glad it has all come right for you, old boy.' While this conversation had been taking place between the two friends, Mr Bernard had quietly left the room and was now communicating the jcyful intelligence to Mrs Bernard, whom he had called out of the library for the purpose. Said Mrs Ashford, ' Something has happened, Florrie, I am sure ; there is mystery in the air. I hope it is nothing seriou&. ' ' 1 trust not, Evie. Some fun of Astley's, I suspect. A surprise most likely. I wonder what it is. We shall know soon, I dare say.' Nor did they have to wait long, for presently Mrs Bernard re-entered the library and taking Mrs Ashford, who was rilled with wonderment, in her arms, said : ' My dear, prepare yourself to hear joyful news. Florence, come here and help me support her while I tell her the most joyful piece of news ib i 3 possible for her to hear. How you stare, child. Do you think lam out of my mm i ? lam almost, with excitement. I don'- know if lam right to tell you so suddenly — but stay, you shall guess. Now fche.j, Eva, what is it?' *Oh ! Mrs Bernard, you are cruel. Tell me, do,' said Mrs Asbord, beseechingly. * I dare not guess what! ftjpe, for, if wrong, you would be sorry. Has it anything to do with me V *Of course, child ; and with Florence too, indirectly. 'And with Mr Berwick?' asked Eva, laying her lovely head against Mrs Berinard's bosom.

I c Yes, wifch Mr Berwick too — principally with yourself and Mr Berwick. Now, can you gues3 ?' ' Oh ! I dare nob say lesb I should be wrong, but you know what I hope it is— and yet I cannot sec how it can be.' ' Nor could 1 until I heard all about it. But toll me what you guess : I bolieve you will guess right.' 'Is it some good news about — about my afiairs at home ?' asked Eva, hesitatingly. ' Yon have guossed it near enough for me to tell you. Kiss me, darling child, and know that you will bo once more J|in the eyes of the world what you have always been in mine, that your name will no longer bo tarnished, that — ' 'Oh! Mrs Bernard,' now sobbed Eva in her Hist happiness, ' is it true — i^ it really true ?' ' My angel, should I say J-o unless it were ?' ' But that, is not my meaning. I mean, dear friend, are you sure there is not some mi&bnke ? Is it as you say, without doubt '' said Eva, mho could not yet realise the change. ' It is without doubt I believe — nay, I am Mire, dear. Listen, and I will tell you all I know. Thcro is a document, which Mr Bernard has seen, that clears you without a shadow of doubt.' 'Where is it?" here demanded Florrie, who had been silent till now. ' I believe Mr Berwick has it, dear, but I will get it presently. He is in the drawingroom with Mr Escombc. It is quite true, dear girls — here, Florence, where are yon going? 1 want you to hear about it.' But Floience was half way up the stairs ere Mrs Bernard had ceased speaking. Let us see what she did. Astley wa* on the point of leaving the room when Florence entered. Said she, ' May I venture to come in ? Has your lady iriend departed ? Nice behaviour, Mr Astley, 1 must say.' This was spoken jestingly, of course, though she pretended to look very much injured, the little action only enhancing her loveliness. 'Am I not a dreadful fellow, Florrie? But my lady visitor bi ought good news — good for us all, dearest.' 'Oh ! I dare say. Where is that document she left with you ? Tell me that.' ' Who told you she left a document, darling ?' 'Oh, the usual 'little bird.' You see your doings are known to me.' Here Escombe — possibly remembering the old familiar saying about two being company — left his chair and made for the door, saying, as he passed the lovers, 'I shall be in the library, Astley, if you want me. ' As soon as he had departed, Florrie was in Astley's arms. ' Is it true, Astley ? Are you cleared ?' ' Yes, my own darling, it is all over.' ( To be Continued. )