CHAPTER II. THE LADY KATHLEEN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 305, 6 October 1888, Page 5

CHAPTER II. THE LADY KATHLEEN.

The late Earl of Kildare, tho father of the Lady Nora, had inherited the title and estates of Kildare somewhat late in life, and had lived to enjoy his honours and possessions only three or four years. At the date at which we have introduced his daughter to our readers he had been dead a little more than a year. He had been married twice. His first wife, a lovely Irish lady, the mother of Nora, had died in her daughter's childhood, He had married again, a year after coming into his title, his second wife being the widow of an Irish peer, with a daughter some eight years the senior of his own. This second wife had died two years after her union with him. The daughter of the second Countess of Kildare was the Lady Kathleen Connor, who, while the strange interview between the rival claimants was proceeding in the breezy sea-side parlour, was strolling along the rocks to the northward of the castle, keeping close to the wafer-side, and absorbed in her own thoughts. The Lady Kathleen was in the prime of a magnificent and statuesque beauty. She was tall, and fair and large, with a queenly figure and slow and stately movements. Her complexion was dazzlingly white; and rendered fairer by contrast with the black lace shawl.she had fiung.carelessly over her light brown hair. Her eyes were blue— of the deep rich, lovely blue only to be found now and then in J nsh eyes, and when once seen never to be forgotten. She had .been educated^ in France, and had mingled- foi; r years in English society,

,but ;a year after her mother's, to ( Lord Kildare she had; come to % the castle,' where she had since ,'remained; to the great/ surprise of her -fashionable -friends; who wondered that one so" 'fitted by nature to adorn society could, bear to' .bury herself i in the seclusion of a lonely Irish castle on i a lonely Irish coast. ' Despite' the' difference in the ages of the two step-sisters, a warm and fervid attachment had sprung up between them, and' Sir Bussel Ryan, the guardian of the" Lady Nora's fortune, deemed that she could - have no better guardian of her person than the Lady Kathleen Connor. Thero was a shade of anxiety on the lady's face as she walked on slowly, absorbed in her own thoughts, and a troubled look in her azure eyes that told of a strange and secret unrest. Presently she arrived at a low rocky bluff, and here she sat down, wrapping her lace shawl closer about her, and looked with desolate eyes off upon the waters, upon which the twiligat was softly closing down. A few minutes later she was aroused from her reverie by the sound of a quick, light tread approaching her over the rocks, from the direction of the castle. She looked up ' startled, and glanced over her shoulder, recognising the new-comer, as might be judged by the sudden flood of scarlet tinging her cheeks. ' Lord Tresham !' she exclaimed, half rising * * Yes, it's Lord Treshara,' returned the intruder, as he came on with a springing tread. * I could not leave, Ireland, Lady Kathleen, without a last visit to you, and here I am !' By this time he had gained her side, and Avas holding out his hand to her. He was a handsome, noble-looking man of some thirty years of age, with a commanding figure, and a soldierly carriage that well became him. He was an Englishman, had been bred a soldier, and having recently come into his title, had sold out his commission as colonel, and reth'ed from the army. His black beard was cut short, after the military fashion, giving a rather stern expression to his square-cut face, whichjsternness was in part counteracted by the kindly gleam in his grave, pleasant eyes. 'You are going to leave Ireland, then ?' asked the Lady Kathleen, the scarlet fading from, her cheeks, leaving her strangely pale. 'I think I had better,' returned Lord Tresham, with a heavy sigh. * I have been staying about here for months, like a moth fluttering about a candle. I have wearied your patience, Lady Kathleen, and have lived a life of suspense and anxiety. The only way to recover my lost peace is to go away and never see you again. And so I have decided to buy a commission in a marching regiment, and, 5 he added, with a forced smile, ' go where glory waits me !' The Lady Kathleen sat down, trembling visibly, and put out her hand blindly. Lord Tresham took it in his. Its coldness and tremulou&ness struck him. He sat down beside her on the rocks, and bent forward, trying to peer into her averted face. ' * You will miss me, then, Kathleen ? he whispered. ' Miss you ? Oh, my lord — j The sweet voice trembled, and gave way. Something very like a sob escaped the Lady Kathleen's lips. For a moment Lord Tresham seemed amazed. Then he started, his grave, stern face softening and lighting up with a sudden glow. ' Kathleen ! Kathleen !' ho cried. * Can it be that, after all, my years of devotion have touched your heart ? Can it be that you repent your rejection of me, and that you really love me? Oh, Kathleen, say that it is so I 5 He waited for her answer in an agony of hope and fear. The two were so absorbed in each other that neither heard nor heeded the quiet approach of an elegantly-dressed man who was also coming from the direction of the castle. He had gained the shadow of adjacent rocks, when Lord Tresham's impassioned questioning arrested his attention. He . came abruptly to a halt, listened to his lordship's words, swept a hasty glance around him, to assure himself that his movements were unmarked, and then quietly dropped down into the shadow of the rocks, crouching there in a position to hear and see all that passed between the lovers. From the strange expression on his face, one would have thought that he also was a lover of Lady Kathleen, and that he hated with a bitter hatred his noble rival. The Lady Kathleen did not reply to Lord Tresham's adjuration, except by another irrepressible sob, but she did not withdraw her cold hand from hi?, and his sudden hope was strengthened. ' Speak to me, Kathleen,' he urged. ' Shall I tell you for the hundredth time I love you ? You are no coquette, Kathleen. You are not trifling with me? Say that you are not.' ' No, I am not trifling with yon, Lord Tresham,' answered the Lady Kathleen, in a low, fluttering voice. ' 1 did not mean that you should ever know my secret, but — 0, Heaven help me — Hove you. 1 ' ' You love me V cried Lord Tresham, half incredulously and wholly ecstatically. ' You love me, Kathleen !' ' Yes,' she answered, drooping low her white face. 1 1 do love you, Barry. Take the knowledge with you to India — ' ' To India I' interrupted Lord Tresham, clasping her to his heart with a sudden and uncontrollable impulse of love. ' But I am not going to India, Kathleen. [ am going to stay with you, my love ! my bride V Th6 Lady Kathleen struggled to free herself from his embrace, and then looked up at him with wild and frightened eyes, and lips that quivered btrangely. ' Don't !' she said, putting up one shaking hand feebly, as if to defend herself. 4 Don't speak so. There is more than ever need for you to go, Lord Tresham — I can never be more to you than I am now — never.' 'I do not understand you, Kathleen,' said Lord Tresham, recoiling. ' You will not understand me, Barry.' she said, in a voice of anguish. ' I shall never marry. There is a barrier between us—' ' A barrier, Kathleen ! You do nob mean that you are engaged to marry another — that you are not free ?' 'No. I am free.' ' Then what barrier should there be between us ?' The Lady Kathleen shuddered, and a moaning cry of pain broke from her lips., ' I cannot tell you,' she answered. It is enough for me to say that there is a secret in my life which 1 can never reveal — not even to you. And that secret is the barrier between you and me, Barry Tresham. I could not go to you as your wife with that secret untold. You see, therefore, that we cannot be married.' Lord Treshatn released the hand he held, and paced to and fro over the rocks a few moments in anxious thought, passing very near to the spot where the unseen listener was crouching. His Loidship was a proud man, stern in his 'uprightness and fine sense of honour. But his love was stronger than his . pride., The Lady Kathleen, watching him, saw the struggle that went on in his soul, and was not startled when presently he returned to her, and studied it with a -long and yearning gaze. , ,

< lit, was; a pure ''a8/vveil^as'loyely^fa^e;j? Every delicate" and 'noble, feature 'expr|»liejl|| an honest; upright soul. -.There, wad nqguilegJ in ,those wide'azure.eyes, 1 no guilt' or shado^|| of wrong-doing. about the sweet,' '.tremulous* mouth. He felt, that he/couldstake hissqulf : iiponherpurityand goodness. ' " " ' ™ f *"¥^;f 'Kathleen,,' he • said, '- and , .his"' -voice}"'", thrilled her like strange music, 1 youi: secret is your own. 1 will never ask you what) itTj; is.' But it is clear to me that if has caused ', you suffering and dread." Is it not so f/ ii /V, VL 'Yes,' she answered. 'It is. like the', sword of Damocles. When, the 1 morning" dawns I never know what will befall 'me ; •.before night. My life is full of terrors./ , I "*" \ \ \ You are not tit to cope with them alone, • Kathleen. I will never ask you to confide', this secret to me. But I do ask you to give mo the right to protect you and care for j you. You love me, and 1'love you. What, then, should prevent our marriage V '- 'You would marry me, then, knowing , that I possess a terrible secret I can never' share with you— a secret which may yet be revealed, to cover me with shame and anguish ?' Lord Tresham looked at her steadily, and " j answered, gravely : ' Do not mention shame in the same breath with the name of Kathleen Connor ! I can shield you from the world, and I will do it ! I comprehend that this secret of yours has kept us apart these years. It must do so no longei*. I am going to take your destiny into my hands, my poor Kathleen ! We must be married and at once !' * Impossible !' murmured Kathleen, her face flushing. ' There is nothing to prevent our marriage, Barry ; there is no legal barrier ; but I could never stand afc your &ide with a crowd looking on to witness our marriage ! I could not !' * We could be married quietly, then, Kathleen,' said her ardent, generous lover. ' There is a little old church on the Scottish shore. You have often been there, and know, the old priest well. My boat is on the shore, Kathleen — ' ' No no !' broke in the Lady Kathleen, shuddering anew, as if stung by some sudden remembrance of fear, 'It cannot be, Barry ! I could never accept you generous sacrifice. The more I think of it, the plainer I see how impossible it is that we should be married !' ' Then you must not be allowed to think long on the subject,' said Lord Tresham, with an air of smiling authority. ' Kathleen, I've waited for you a long time, and now that I have won your love, I don't mean to lose you through any over-delicate scruples on your part ! I mean to make you my wife at once ! Kathleen, I trust you implicitly. I want you to trust in me, also, and show your trust.' 1 How, Barry ?' ' By to-morrow you wi'l be your old cold self again, and will condemn yourself for what you will call this night's weakness. I want you to put it out of your power to send me away hopeless and anguished. In short, I want you to marry me to-night.' The Lady Kathleen uttered an exclamation of amazement. ' To-night !' she repeated. c To-night !' the watcher crouching in the rocks whispered hollowly. ' Yes,' answered Lord Tresham, firmly. ' It is but an hour's sail across to the old Scottish church. We can go and return before you will be missed. The Lady Nora has company, and will not think of you. We will take your maid as a witness to our marriage. And when you are mine, Kathleen, \\ c will come quietly back to the castle and tell our story to Lady Nora. The quietest way is the best way. I never did like pomp and ceremony at a marriage. Trust to me, Kathleen, and do as I say.' The Lady Kathleen hesitated. She loved Lord Treshavn with all the fervour of her nature. There were reasons connected with her fearful secvet that made her dread any public marriage ; and his lordship's persuasions," urged with all the tenderness ol his great soul, inclined her to yield. Theend can be foreseen. TheLady Kathleen yielded to his persuasions, although with tears and trembling. ' Let us bo off at once !' cried his lordship, in rapturous excitement. ' Go for your maid, Kathleen, while I get the boat ready.' He pressed her to his bosom, kissing her repeatedly, and hurried down to the beach. The Lady Kathleen went to the castle, presently returning wrapped in a shawl, and attended by ner maid. * A few minutes later the lovers were out upon the waters, on their way to the Scottish shore. The twilight had deepened into night, and the moon had not yet arisen. The boat went sailing away into the shadows, bearing the Lady Kathleen to a destiny whose good or evil fortune she could not yet know. Lord Treslvtm's boat had become a mere shadow when the crouching spy crept out from behind the rocks, hurried'down to the beach, entei'ed one of the castle boats, and sailed after the lovers. It was not yet midnight when, some three houi-s later, the two boats landed within a few minutes of each other on the Scottish shore. The old church stood near the landing. Lord Tresham left the Lady Kathleen and her maid in its porch, while he hastened to the priest's cottage. The sinister spy skulked in the shadow of the trees near the church, for the moon was ri«ing. The minutes passed. At last Lord Tresham came back, full of happy exultation. Mr Cowan, the priest, came behind with the key of the church. The Lady Kathleen exchanged greetings with Mr Cowan, whom she knew well, and he then unlocked the church. Tho party entered. "We will be married in the moonlight, said Lord Tresham. ' There are fishermen on the beach at a little distance, and we do not want intrusion.' The Lady Kathleen paused, looking up at him with sudden appealing. ' You are sure you will never regret this V she asked. •Quite sure, Kathleen. I will never regret it. And, C4od helping me, you never shall. " The Lady Kathleen was reassured, and, taking his arm, she suffered herself to be led into the church. It was dim and strange, the little church, full of dusky shadows and spectral glooms. The moonlight streamed in through the gay painted windows. At the further end of the vaulted room, behind his reading desk, an" ong the deepest shadows, Mr Cowan was standing, and on the pulpit stairs crouched he figure of Lady Kathleen's maid. . 'They are waiting, you see, Kathleen,' said Lord Tresham, as the two stole up the dim and lonely aisle. ' It will soon be over, darling.' A sudden panic seemed to seize tho Lady Kathleen. ' We need another witness,' she* whispered. 'Why doesn't Miss Cowan come? Go for her. I will wait in this pew until you return.' Lord Tresham obeyed, hurrying out' on his errand. A minute or two later Miss Cowan silently entered tho old church'. And behind her came the figure of; the spy who had crouched behind the rocks at Kildare, and who had followed/ the lovers across the Channel. There was a desperate purpose in this man's soul. ■ r ' _,'.-, In height and carriage he was nob.'unlike Lord Tresham, in the dim JUgh'tf '; The Lady Kathleen,' in the darkness; -and,- full*

df agitation, supposed him to be his lordship. _ i - , She arose at his approach.^ -* \\ ,. The spy marked her movement w,ith secret and terrible exultation. He ,had 4 formed a bold, wild scheme, and he was determined to execute ifc, "Come, Kathleen, ' he whispered. We must lose:no time.' He offered her his arm, which was accepted, and they approached the dim and . shadowy altar. Mr Cowan began the marriage service, for he, also, supposed the daring intruder to be Lord Treshain. • He'll be gone ■ several minutes longer,' was the thought of the ' intruder. ,'He missed Miss Cowau on the way. Before he returns, the Lady Kathleen will be my wife !' The marriage service proceeded. The Lady Kathleen's*senses wero in a whirl, yet a deep, strange joy began to pervade her being. The questions were asked and answered. And finally, the Lady Kathleen started from the delicious trance that held her tremblingand. frightened, to hear the solemn words : *I now 'pronounce you man and wife! And whom God has joined together let not man put asunder !' The words were yet ringing through the grim shadows of trhe^church. when the bridegroom stole his arm around the bride's slender waist, and pressed upon her lips', the bridal kiss". At the same moment steps were heard at the church porch, and Lord Treshara came hurrying in alone. A single glance at the two figures before the altar, and his lordship staggered back as if shot. ' Kathleen !' he cried. The Lady Kathleen, with a shriek of terror, sprang from the arms of her bridegroom. ' Barry !' she cried. ' Oh, my God ! Who is .this?' 'It is your husband, my lady !' said the sinister intruder, with a mocking bow.