CHAPTER XIII. THE CLOVEN FOOT APPEARS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 313, 3 November 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XIII. THE CLOVEN FOOT APPEARS.

It was at the close of a dreary October day that the party from Kilctare Castle arrived at Dublin. Sir Russel Ryan, the principal guardian of the young Lady Nora, bade her adieu at the station, promising to call upon her in her new home on the following day, and entering a cab with Mr Wed burn, his English lawyer, drove to his hotel. The parting between the step-sisters was very painful, but it was mercitully brief. The Lady Kathleen and Bassanryne drove also to an hotel. They were to go on to Wicklow by a morning train, and the two g'rls, both ot whose lives had so strangely darkened, were not to meet again for the present — perhaps never. The two cubs containing her friends had driven away, when Mr Michael Kildare ushered his young kinswoman into a similar vehicle ; Alleen followed her mistress ; the trunks were mounted : and bbc lawyer sprang in beside Lady Nora, giving loudly his order for home. The cab was presently hurrying through the streets towards Mr Kildare's residence. A heavy fog, thick with damp, enshrouded the Irish city like a mourning veil. Through the mist the light of the gas lamps struggled with a faint and sickly yellow glare. A few people were going swiftly along the wet stieets under big umbrellas, and a few homeless or adveiH turous persons crowded close to shop windows or hung about theatre doors, but for the most part the streets were deserted. Nora pressed her pale, tear-wet facs close to the wet cab window, and looked out into the dreariness outside, a horrible sense of desolation and heart-sickness assailing ner. * We are almost uhere,' said Michael Kildare/ peerine out. 'We are almost home, Nora ; and it won't be long, I hope, before you can call my lonely old house ' home ' with the same affection I feel for it.' Nora could not answer, but her little gloved hand fluttered from the window, seeking the hand of her kinsman and giving it a grateful pressure. In her present sense of homelessness and desolation a little kindne-s went a great way with the poor young Lady Nora. The cab turned into a quiet street near Mountjoy Square, and drew up before a tall red brick house, one of a long block of similar dwellings. The cabman sprang down from his box. ran up the steps', and rang the bell. Then he came back to the vehicle, and leisurely opened its door. Mr Kildare alighted as' the house door opened, and assisted Nora to the sidewalk. Then giving her his arm, he hurried her up the slippery steps into the dwelling. Alleen, the Lady Nora's maid, followed with bags and parcels. Mr Kildare and the Lady Nora were met in the hall by a tall, heavy, masculine-look-ing woman, whose deep bet eyes regarded the young girl with jealous intentness. Nora conceived an instant and instinctive aversion to her, feeling intuitively that this person already felt suspicious of her and unfriendly toward her. , ' This is Mrs Liffey, my housekeeper,' said Mr Kildare. ' Mrs Liffey, this young lady is my niece, Lady Nora Kildare. I with you to regard her as the mistress of the establishment, and to consult her wishes and tastes in every respect. ' Mrs Liffey bowed assent, but rather sullenly. Evidenly she had betn used to rule supreme, and did not want a mistress. * Show the Lady Nora to her room,' commanded the lawyer. ' You got my telegram and expected us, I see. That is

well. The cabman will fetch up the I boxes.' 1 Mrs Liffey turned to Nora, bidding her follow her, and led t.he way up a broad staircase to the drawing-room floor. Another flight of stairs brought them to their destination. The housekeeper conducted the newcomer to the front chamber on this floor, Alleen closely following her young mistress. ' This is your room, my lady, 1 said Mrs i Lifley, still with that sullen expression of countenance. ' Your maid has tho small room without windows, adjoining. Mr Kildave has the rear room on this floor. I suppose our accommodations look small and mean to you, accustomed as you have been to a whole castle, but this is the pleasant est room in the house, and overlooks the street.' ' It seems very cozy and pleasant,' said Lady Nora, gently. •Our household is very small compared to that at Kildave Castle,' continued Mrs Litfey, with the manner of an ill-used person. 'We have but one servant, who is both cook md housemaid. I have beeu in charge of the establishment for many years. I am a lady by birth. My father Avas a physician near Dublin, and my departed husband was an architect. But of course mv antecedents cannot interest \ our ladyship. Although a lady by birth, I hope I know my place ; but I wish to say that Mr Kildare regards me as a reduced gentlewoman, and treats me as such. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.' With this abrupt announcement, after having let the young stranger know that, although housekeeper, she, Mrs Liffey, was 'no menial,' the 'reduced gentlewoman ' withdrew, greatly to the Lady Nora's relief. Left alone with her maid, the young girl took a survey of her new home. The chamber was wide, long and high, and had three windows, which, as the housekeeper had said, overlooked the street. It was furnished as a parlour, with a new Brussels carpet, a set of chintz- covered furniture, and a .small cottage piano In an alcove at one side of the room, shut in by long, white curtains, was a low French bed, with lace-trimmed pillows and satin coverlet. At one end of the room was a large, w eA polished grate, in which a tire was flaming redly. On a low marble mantel-shelt above the grate, two tall wax candle- were burning in high, old-tashioned silver candlesticks. Alleen removed the wrappings of her young mistress, and wheeled an easy-chair to the corner of the hearth, into the mingled glow of fire light, and lamp-iight. The Lady Nora wearily took possession of this seat, saying : 'It seems as if this room had been prepared in expectation of ray coming, Alleen ; or rather, in the absolute certainty of it. The piano yonder was suiely bought for me. Mr Kildare is very kind. He must have known that 1 could not remain at the castle with those people, and urnished this room for me during the two weeks which passed between his iirst and second visits to Point Kildare. ' This was indeed the case. Mr Kildare has expected his young kinswoman to return to Dublin with him, and had made due preparations for her residence with him. The trunks were brought up. Alleen proceeded to lay out her young ludy's toilet, and Lady Nora, dismissing her cares, hastened to dress for dinner. Before the half hour of grace had expired the young girl was dressed richly but simply in a wine-coloured dress of poplin, which, with delicate laces and the bioad bright sash fashionable at that time, set off her piquant beauty to advantage. She then made her vay down to the drawingroom. It was untenauted when she entered it. It was a long narrow apartment, adorned with prim, hoisehair furniture, and had the unused look to be expected in a house without a mistress. A bright me in the grate alone redeemed it from a pnson-hku or conventual look. Wax lights burned upon the mantel-piece before a mirror, making the grimness and desolation of the room more apparent. The Lady Nora went to the fire, and leaning with tolded arms against the she f above it, looked drearily down into the dancing flames. She was standing thus, bhe picture oi desolate sorrow, when Mr Kildare came in. The Dublin lawyer had changed his attire, in honour of his young guest, He was as soft and gentle and tender as ever, with beaming smiles and mild, deprecating manner; but the Lady Nora marked, with inward surpri-e, that he seemed full of a secret and ill-i epressed exultation. He acted like one to whom some great triumph had come, and yet who must bear his joy in secret, not daring to display it to the world. ' Welcome to my poor house, Lady Nora,' he said, with gentle eflusiveness. * I hope that you will act as misbiess of my household. lam not a poor man, as you know, and you aie welcome to make any changes here you please. If you want more servants or newer furniture, you have but to mention your de&ires. If you would like any of the castle servants to attend upon you here, I will send for them.' ' Thaak you, Michael, but my wants are proportioned to my fortune,' answered Nora, smiling faintly. 'I thank you for retaining Alleen ior^ me. She will be a gi eat comfort to me. For the rest I have nothing to ask. Ido not waut you to enlarge your household for me. 1 prefer bo live quietly.' ' It may be as well for you to live quietly for the present,' remarked the lawyer. • But such a course is not compulsory. I base no one to care for but you, Nora, and what I have will come to you at si.y death. Lady Kathleen expressed to me her wi&h to divide her own fortune with you, but that cannot be done. Her husband pub in a decided objection. She is no longer free to cairy out her wishes, Nora, as of course you understand. But there is the dinner bell. Let us go down to dinner.' He gave her his arm, and they proceeded down the stairs to the rear room on the ground floor. A bright fire, gas-lights, drawn curtuins and a well-spread table made the room seem plea&ant and cheerlul. A neat housemaid was in attendance. Mrs, Liifey, bhe housekeeper, was not at hand, and Nora took her place as mistreds of the house. After dinner Mr Kildare escorted his young relative back to the drawing-room. They spent an hour or more in conversation, and the Lady Nora retired to her room. The next day, Sir Russel Ryan and Mr Wedburn called on the deposed heiress, and Sir RusseJ took occa&ion to urge the young girl to reconsider her rejection of Redmond Kildare. Finding her firm in her constancy to Lord O'Neil, he soon after took his departure with his friend, lamenting the obstinacy of women. The days that followed were almost barren of incident to Lady Nora. She settled easily into her new position, and cultivated a bright and hopeful spiiit. She wrote two or three letters to her lover, and also to Lady Kathleen. She had two or three drives with Mr Kildare, one of them on the Circular Road, and visited the Phoenix Park and the Zoological Gardens. A fortnight thus dragged slowly away.

One pleasant afternoon, the Lady Nora returned from a brisk walk round the neighbouring squares about dusk. The house was not' yet lighted, and the outer door, through some neglect, was temporarily ajai. The young girl entered without ringing] and went upstairs to the drawing-room floor. The corridor was full of shadows. The drawing-room door was closed, but the door of the apartment in its roar was open. The Lady Nora moved toward this door, passed through it, and found herself in the library. The curtains were not yet drawn here, and a faint light struggled in through the wide panos, revealing the tall bookcase crowned with gleaming busts, the writing tablos, and the ea9y-chair in which tho lawyer was? wont to <nt when occupying this room. Nora sat down on a couch among tho shadows and removed her hat. Already this library, so long the huunt of Mr Kildaro, had become a rhoiished retreat to her, although her relative was unaware of the fact. Presently she arose and passed into a little alcove beyond. This alcove had been designed by some former occupant of the house as an oratory, but was now used as an addition to the libiary. It had a single wido window, and Nora knelt by this, and looked out into the dim nitrht, her lovely face uplifted, her glowing eyes uprained to ] the dusky sky. She was still kneeling there when bteps ' were heard in the libiary adjoining, the door opening fiom the corridor was shut, and the light from a La per penetrated into her alcove. ' She was about to rise and beat a reUeat when a voice, which sho recognised, broke the -ilence, and held her motion les>. It was the voice of Bedmond Kildare. 'Yes, I've just anived," Lord Kildaie was saying. 'Of course, I hastened to you at once. What's? the news ?' ' One moment, till I make sure that we are alone,' returned the lawyer. He took up hib taper, and, holding it above his head, as&urod himself that no unwelcome presence was in the library. The movement was scarcely effected w hen Michael Kildare looked in. In the flickering light of hi.s tapei, the trembling folds of the curtains escaped his. scrutiny. A cursory glance satisfied him, and he went back to his gne^t. ' And now, how am ] to get out ?' thought Nora, in a sort of despair. ' I cannot face that man. What am Itodo V Unconscious of the prisoner so near at hand, the lawyer set down his taper, and said : ' It's all right, Redmond. No one ever comes into the-e rooms. There's not a safer place to talk in nil Dublin. Sit down.' Redmond Kildare obeyed. He had changed somewhat frince taking possession of Kildare. His beating was more haughty and supercilious. His glances were bolder and more insolent. His good fortune had evidently turned his head. He carried himself like a monarch. ' How is the girl '!' he a&ked, fondling his moustache. She's well. Just now she's out in the square. She's beginning to feel that dark days have come, but she's so patient and cheerful that at times my heart bleeds for her,' said the lawyer, in his soft, mild tones. 'Humph ' Your heart must be getting eoft, then,' sneered Redmond Kildare. ' Come ! come ! Don't be so soft and sweet to me, Michael. I know yon t>o well that all your pussy - cat gentleness sickens me.' The lawyer laughed in his low, mild way, showing no displeasure at this strang address. Nora was startled and shocked. To her Michael Kildare was one of the purest, gentlest and tenderest of human beings, and she wondered how this insolent visitor daiod thus address him. And then again she looked eagerly and wildly about her for :-ome way of escape. To remain and listen to a conversation not meant for her ears was abhorrent to her honourable and upright nature. Vet her terror of meeting Redmond Kildare in- , creased with the perplexities of her situation. She was resolving to boldly declare her presence, however, when the lawyer said : 'Nora is brave and cheerful, as I said, despite the most discouraging circumstances. She has written twi- c to Lord O'Neil since she came here, but has leceived no answer — ' Redmond Kildare laughed loudly. ' Indeed !' he ejaculated. ' That's not wonderful. I suppose she entrusted her 1 letters to you to be posted V ' Yes,' said tho lawyer ; 'she gave them into my hands. Notwithstanding I disap1 prove of her engagement to Wild Lirry, Nora has confidence in my honour, and writes to him openly. J haven't forbidden i her writing to him, of couise. ' ' Of course you haven'!",' baid Redmond. 1 You're a deep one, Michael. You took the girl's letters, but I'll bet a thousand i pounds they never saw the post-bag.' 'if you did bet that, they were posted, ; you would lose,' said the lawyer. 'I did '. not post them I took the liberty, as Nora's guardian, of opening and pei using her letters. I did not approve them, and consequently suppressed them, as> wa-- my ■ duty.' ' And you suppressed his to her, as was your duty, also ?' questioned the visitor. ' Yes. He has a perfect mania for writing, I should think. I have thiee letters in my possession which ho wrote to her.' The Lady Nora started. The shock caused her by this- unexpected treachery was scarcely greater than the shock she experienced at finding that her kinsman, who was one of her guardians, who had been her devoted friend, in seeming, all her life, and whom she had regarded as the soul of truth and honour, was in reality, base and false and treacheious. ' If The O'Neil don"t hear from her soon he may suspect something,' ob erved Redmond, meditatively. ' You'd better get up a letter in the girl's handwriting that will bluff him off. J'vo called on him twice at Glen O'Neil, but he's no companion for a nobleman of fortune. Although ho has a much finer education than I, he is contented to work with his peasants, to teach them how to patch roofs and walls ; and actually he was teaching them how to use some newfangled plough, the last time I went to see him. What do you think of that, for the best shot, the most fearle°s rider, the boldest yachtsman in all Antrim ?' ' Better to be a clodhopper than nothing', said the lawyer. ' Hes a splondid shob, it's true, but he has no hunting dojrs, and can't afford to dress suitably for the hunt. He rides well, but has no horses. He can manage a yacht, but he sold his when he found out what a desperate condition his finances were in, and has had only a peasant's fishing boat since. He is disappointed in his hopes of marrying an heiress, so what can he do ? Has he called upon you ?' ' No,' said Redmond Kilda-e, sullenly. 'How do you prosper with your new possessions V 'Very well. Mahon, the land stoward, thinks the lady Nora has been wronged in some way, and he's averse to every improvement he thinks she would not like. 1 have put the screws to the tenants. The

vents are all raised twenty-five per cent., \ and there's grumbling enough, I assure you. The servants are inclined to mutiny, but the countess rules them with an iron hand. I have been busy since coming into possession.' ' I see. Yon' had better discharge Mahon ; I'll find you another steward. You hud better, also, clear out you entire staff of servants, and take now ones from Dublin. 'I will do so. I have come down to renew my offer of marriage to Lady Nora. I love her, and mean to lose no time in winning her. 1 would like to take her back to the castle with me as my bride.' 'Your interests at Point Kildare are in safe hands,' said the lawyer, thoughtfully. ' You can spend a few days in town ? it is woll. lb is important that you should marry Nora, and the sooner tho belter. The marriago is a necot-sary point in the battle wo are waging. Once the husband of the L'idy Nora Kildare, you can defy accident or fate You will be safe.' ' And am T not safe now ?' demanded Redmond Kildaro, in a startled voice. * Not so safe but (hat some accident may hurl you back into your former obscuribv,' dociared the lawyer, in a bone of deep significance. ' You need not question me, Redmond. I shall not explain mypelf fiuther. 1 know your history as you will probably neves know it. I know just where the weak point in your armour is.' ' There is a weak point, then V' 'Yes.' 'Theresa possibility that 1 may bcoustcd from my piesent po.-ition ?' 'Scarcely a possibility, 1 answered the lawyer, softly. 'But, understand me, it Nora kni'W what I know — if Sir Ru'ihel Ryan suspected one-tenth part of what 1 positively know — Nora would be back at Kildaro in her old position, And you would be back where you were. But one man in the woild has tins power of injuring you, and that man i% 1 ' You are sale with mo, Redmond Kildaie. I would die sooner than betray you !' Redmond Kildaio looked at the lawyer inciedulously, but cue long look into Michael Kildaio s mild blue eves, and ecntle, benevolent fa«eas>suied him that the state ing woids just uttered were words of truth. He knew in his soul, at th it moment, that the lawyer held a secret which, if it were known to the woild, would ;-ob him of all his new riches and honouis. Tho cold sweat started to his lorehcad. The other hstoner, the young Lady Nora, also heard and comprehended the full force of Michael Kildare's words. A strange trembling seized her. ' There is some ilaw in this man's claims to theKildarc title • m\ estates,' she thought. ' And Michael, my guardian, knows it. But he will befriend him and defraud me, the orphan giil committed to his care, the girl h» has piofessed to lo\e with a father's allection. There is some terrible seciet in thi» !' But what. that, secret might be she could not e\ en guess. The lawyer was silent a few minutes, that Redmond might have time to digest the strange news he had heard, and the latter was the first to speak. 'It seems, then,' he said, uneasily, 'that my claims are not altogether just, and that I am in your power. I fancied that you were obliged to yield because my claims v. ere just.' 'You don't know me, 1 said the lawyer, smiling. llt seems not. But j'ou must have favoured me in older to further some object of your own. You may want money — ' ' When Ido 1 will tell you. I decline at present bo say what my motives were and are. But one thing you must know. lam your best friend, Redmond Kildare. I have made your path to wealth and honours easy. I have connived at a fraud which lendors Nora, the rightful heir — mark me, the rightful heir — penniless. But I mean to lestore to her that of which I have dcflanded her. lam not so bad as you may have thought. So long as Kildare is licit. again, what matters it whether it is hers in her own right or through her husband ? She shall become your wife if I have to force her into it. I will be just, so far as to compel her to become mistic^-- of Kildare Cattle, if it breaks her heait. ' This singular idea of justice Inet with Redmond Kildare's approval, although lie might have laughed at it had he been le-s anxious to marry Nora 4 I love the girl,' continued the lawyer, in his meek, gentle way, wiping hi? spectacles. '1 leally and truly love her, Redmond. Her innocence, her affection for me, her noble, generous nature all appeal to what is good in me. It pains me to wrong her, even for the brief time she must stay under my roof. Bub I shall be s2tbing matters right by marrying her to you. In this she will find my will adamant. When the hour of conflict between her and me comes — as it will come — I shall be, as I have always been — conqueror.' ' She has a strong will,' suggested Redmond Kildaie. ' It will yield to mine.' ' Can I nob see her this evening "'' asked Lord Kildare. ' She must have come in from bhe square.' I 1 will see. I will call her.' The lawyer rose and lit tho ga^ with his taper, and dropped his library curtains. 'J will go tor her now,' he said. 'It would be as well foi yon, my lord, to show her a little extra attention and sympathy. Women always like chivalry. You can make yourself a hero in Nora's eyes, if you wish to. It will be easy to cut out that beggarly O'Neil. You are a handsome fellow, Redmond, a very handsome fellow ; and it will be the happiest day of my life when 1 see Noia your wife.' He let his hand test on Redmond's shoulder a moment, and then moved toward the door. At the same instant the young Lady Nora started from her concealment, crossed the floor of the alcove, and lifted the curtains dividing the library fiom the alcove. Here she paused, her glowing, piquant face framed in by the red folds, her big brown eyes glancing trom one to the other of the two amazed countenances turned toward her. ' You need not call me, Mr Kildare.' she said, in a voice bo strange a3 to astonish herself. 'I am hero ! I have overheard all that you have said to Lord Kiliare. And now, what have you to say to me?'