For Honour's Sake.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7971, 24 February 1906, Page 2

For Honour's Sake.

CHAPTER XXXI. PAULINE RESOLVES TO PLAY A WAITING GAME. Lady Meldune stopped her carxiage in Piccadilly, and beokoaed to Captain Stewart, whom she caught sight of just emerging from the. Green Park. He came up and shook hands. "I want to book you," she said "as soon as possible. You're always in so muoh request. What are your seasoa engagements?" "None atpreaent," he answered, . smiling. "Can you give a week at Colston Folly, from the twentieth of July—unless you're going to the Goodwood races?" "I don't oure for races," replied Stewart. Pauline was going which was reason enoogh for him to stay away. "I shall have great pleasure in going to Colston." "That's delightful. 1 shall get a small, nice party—always my way, us you kuow of old. I've got Maida, and so," laughing merrily, "I don't think there'll be muoh difficulty in securing Major Langdale. 1 wonder if Miss Verner is free? She is sure to have lots of invitations." How the man's heart leaped! Bat he controlled both his face aid voice. "I shall meet her to-night at an at-home," he said, "aud I will ask her, if you like." "Do, there's a dear fellow, aud let me know to-morrow. Ta, ta!" And my lady drove on, to look up two or three more people. "I don't suppose." said Stewart to himself, "that Claud* has any engagement so early, and I hope to ' Heaven not. She must come to Cold tun Folly." At eievMi'oVlock that night he was making his way through Mrs Challoner'a crow led rooms, aud presently attained the tiano, from which Claude had just risen. Though she gave him her bnnd with just the manner of an ordinary friend, he eaw the light in her eyes, and felt, in her very touob, a subtle something that only existed for him. "i am lucky to have reached you so soon," he said, smiling; then, lower: "Let tse find you a seat. I have a message for you, from Lady Meldune." "From Lady Meldune?" She looked surprised, but was quite content to let him lead.hdr to a seat, which was not easily founc 3 ; but Stewart detected one at last, a small sofa. He placed her in it, and sa't down by her. "We are fortunatp," he said. *'Now for my message. I met Lady Meldune to-day. aud she wants to know if you are free from the twentieth of July, to stay at Colston Folly." "She is .very kind to want me," said the girl; "but for how long? A few days I suppose. Mrs Westmore has asked me to Merton Grange for a week from the twenty-eighth." "Has she?" saii Esric, with a quick accent of pleasure. "I am so glad, dearest. When did she ask you?" "Pnly this morning.' But about Lady Meldune. I don't quite know n "But you must come," said Stewart, bonding down and speaking with passionate earnestness. "I am to stay there a week." "You!" She started, a-d flushed a little; her heart beat fast. "Only you? I mean—not——" "Not Pauline; we rarely visit to- i gether, and she will be at the Goodwood races. Don't say you are preengaged, darling. You must come." "I am not pre-engaged, .Esric—only just now some one was saying , your wife might be staying at Colston." "Lady Meldune would nut ask her," said Stewart. "Then you will come?" "Yes; that is, I am disengaged." "But you fear think it an arranged matter between us two? That I, being so intimate with Lady Meldune, contrived that she should ask you. You know I would not do that, dearest." " , "Yes; but she will think yo s a did." He drew his breath, mastering himself. He must not be selfish. Claude gave him so much, risked so much for his sake. "Then you would rather not go?" he said, gently, at last. "If so, I will not ask you again. You must decide, sweetheart." That instant an entire self-abneg-ation touched her to the quick. Did she not know what it cost him? She had to wait a minute before she could speak. "It isn't for myself," he said then, "if she means to speak evil of me she can do so now; but it rrlght make things liardef for you." "Sweetheart! Always thinking of my safety Nothing could make things worse than they are already. Pauline may say to me that 1 contrived you should be at Colston with me; she dare not say it to others." "I should not mind if she did, Esric. Then I will crime." "My darling, thanks! But you would be very happy at Colston, anyhow. Laay Meldune always has such nice people. Gus Langdale , and Mrs Wcstmoro are among the j guests, I i£»iow —'hat is, Mrs West | more has accepted, and Guj will." Olaude laughed. "Poor fellow!" said she. "He will bi banished from her for at leait a week a terward. )Mrs Westmore isn't asking a party, you know. She has to see about a lot •of business things, repairs and so on and HHe asked mo if I would care to beep her company and I said I j should be delighted." "So you will be a great deal alone. It seems aim oat cruel of you, Claude, tu tell me. You tempt me to play the ostensible nermit at the Raven's Tower, that I may sometimes to able to see you." "The Raven's Tower?" "A place I have about eighteen miles from Merton Grange. But I

By. Bertha UK. Clay. Author of " Wife in Name Only," " Wedded and Parted," "Dora Thome," "A Queen Among Women," " A True Magdalene," etc., etc.,

' can better bear my exile from you, as I shall see so much of you the week before." someone came up just then to claim acquaintance with Claude, and, after a few minutes Stewart left her to the group of worshippers, while be went to talk,to others, The next evening arrived a cordial invitation for Olaude tor the twentieth of July, for a week's 9l.ay. Mrs Westinore, wrote Lpdy Meldune, was coming down the same day, and would no doubt be. delighted to escort Miss Verner. It was, perhaps, "odd" not to ask Mrs Davenant; but Lady Meldune was famous for doing "odd" things. She didn't like Juila, had no intention of being "saddled," as she expressed it, with that lady. Mrs Davenant was somewhat offended but she was not thinskinned; it was a good thing for Claude to stay at such a house, and indirectly benefitted herself. But she looked forward with some apprehension to the visit—as yet more than six weeks distant Coeld Pancourt be fooled for so long, if be lived? And drunkards, like threatened men, die liugeriugly. (To be continued). i