CHAPTER LV. MAN AND MAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 371, 25 May 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER LV. MAN AND MAN.

At sight of her husband, Dulcio ga^'e a sharp cry of alarm, and then, with blanching cheeks and dilated eyes, stood deadly still. Now that he had discovered her place of refuge, every worst fear was realised. ' So, then, Mrs Denver,' he hissed between his set teeth, • this is the reason you have chosen to absent yourself from your home, negating every wifely duty. Such conduct, however, is no more than I expected, and does not surprise me in the least.' She winced under the cruel, sarcastic words, but with rising courage answered steadily : 'You are quite wrong in your conclusions. Mr Mornington and I met to-day quite accidentally, as he himself will tell you.' 'Of course he will. He'd back you up through thick and thin, no doubt ; nevertheless, you can't expect me to believe what either of you say.' ' We don't care whether you do or not. It's the truth all the same.' 'Yes,' said Bob, ' I swear it, for I only arrived in England last night.' 'In which case, 1 observed Mr Denver, sardonically, ' I must congratulate you on having made such singularly good u&e of your time. Did I interrupt a very, very interesting tete-a-tete ?' Dulcic flushed crimson at this speech. Mr Denver evidently put the worst construction upon her actions. ' Why did you come ?' she asked fiercely. ' What brought you here V ' 1 came to recover an amiable and beautiful wife, and to bring her back in person.' ' I will never go back !' she cried desperately. ' You have driven mo out into the world, and alone are responsible for the results. Dumb animals may be struck with impunity, but not so a wom#n, and that woman a wife. All I ask now is that you should leave me alone. No, you need not look at Bob in that way, or fear any disgrace of your name. Both he and I "fully recognise the impossibility of personal happiness. My one desire is to obtain peace. ' ' You have a remarkably skilful manner of disguising ugly sentiments,' he returned, sneeringly. 4 Why not be honest, and put them into plain English? Cannot you say straight out that you intend remaining with your lover V ' Such an accusation is talse !' thundered Bob. ' I love Dulcie, as you know — I have never ceased to love her truly and uevotedly — and since I entered this room — to my shame be it said — I so far forgot the respect that is due to her as to urge her to fly with me ! Now you know the very worst. Call me scoundrel, blackguard — I whatever names you like — but spare her. She is pure and faultless. Don't dare,' he went on, in a tone of manly defiance, ' to utter a single word against your wife's good name in my presence ; for she is one of those women who put men's evil thoughts to shame, and who uphold, by their bright example, the beauty and purity of the feminine character. You and I are not) fit to tie her shoe-strings !' As he spoke Bob's honest face glowed : with a rare enthusiasm such as only the highest and most exalted feeling can give birth to. He did, indeed, appear humbled i in his own eyes, and now felt aghast at having tried to tempt the woman he loved, < when such love as his could bring her nothing but loss of self-respect. : Rather than harm one single hair of her . head, place her in a false position,'or add 1 in the slightest degree to her unhappiness, • he would leave England for years. ; Had Mr Denver possessed one spark of generosity in his composition, he might f have refrained from taunts, which in his,, heart of hearts he knew were unmerited, i But Bob's words had roused his anger to i

the utmost, and, with a smothered oath, he answered, jeeringly : • You forget, Mr Mornington, that your opinion of Mrs Denver's moral qualities — flattering as it undoubtedly is — carries but little weight.' It was a dastardly speech, but he took a vicious pleasure in seeing her wince and cower, like a creature wounded to the quick. In one thing he was invariably consistent. To exercise his power over a weaker person afforded him unceasing delight. For an instant, Bob stood glaring at his opponent wLh anger-flashing eyes ; then lifted, his ,arm on high, and, swinging his cane in the air,- -brought it down" with a tremendous force on the other's shoulder. Such' a blow, as between man and man, can only be avenged in 'one way. Mr Denver turned pale with rage and pain, but Bob's superior strength prevented any immediate retaliation, whilst the currish blood within his veins rendered active combat peculiarly repugnant. He had a coward's fear ot bodily hurt. 'You shall pay for this!' he said in a voice hoarse with passion. ' Most willingly,' responded Bob, feeling a trifle sobered by his impulsive action, though perfectly prepared to stand by its consequences. 'I will meet you whenever and wherever you like. You have nothing to do but name your own time and place.' ' No, no, no !' interposed Dulcie, in a voice grown suddenly sharp with terror. ' You shall not fight ! I will not let you ! Dennis,' turning to her husband, ' I am ready to come back with you at once. I will do everything you wish ; only promise, promise faithfully, not to tight a duel. Bob,' seizing his hand wildly, ' T can trust you. Swear not to have blows with Dennis.' 'That must depend upon Mr Denver,' he said, reluctantly ; * otherwise I am ready in all things to perform your will.' He did not like the idea of being unable to inflict a well-merited punishment. ' God bless you, Bob !' she cried, eagerly, every other consideration borne down before that of any injury arising to him. ' I will settle matters with Dennis, only go away at once.' 'I can't, Dulcie. It makes me feel like a hound.' ' You must, Bob, to please me.' That was sufficient. He bowed his head in silence, and, with a choking lump rising in his throat, left the room. She watched him go, all unheedful of her husband's presence ; she watched him step out into the street and walk slowly down its length. Through her scalding tears, she saw him turn and wave her a hurried farewell. Then with unutterable yearning, she stretched out her two arms, whilst a sudden blackness descended upon ail things, and uttering an exceeding bitter cry of agony, she fell swooning to the ground.