Selina's Love Story.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8243, 22 September 1906, Page 2

Selina's Love Story.

By Efrie Adelaide Rowlands. Author of "An Inherited Feud," "Brave Barbara," "A Splendid Heart," "Temptation of Mary Burr," "The Interloper," etc., etc.

" CHAPTER XXIV. —Continued i-

'I don't think you ought to go always by yourself,' Sir George said, in his grave way. «0h! I am quite safe,' cried Dorothy, with an afeoted little laugh. 'What do you think oould happen to me? I'll tell you what,' she added, quickly. 'Let me drive you to >ouv club, then 1 can pick you up after I have been to my'.dressmaker's. I don't Know how long 1 shall be there. As a rule I am kept forages.' •Thanks, my dear,' said Sir George, 'I think 1 shall walk. Selina is like me, in one respect; we don't get enough exercise in town, and we country people need that.' Lady Durnstone pretended to pout. 'Oh! well, if yo» won't come with me,' sne said. '1 shall trot away.' She blew him a kiss and floated out cf the room, ami Sir tSeorge went to the window aud watched her getting iuto the oarriage. He was restless and in a seuae unhappy. The thought of belina oppressed bim. At one moment ho told himself that he shuuld speak to her outright, at the nest ho hesitated. The mere fact that Solinahad said nothing to him seemed to put a seal on his lips, aud yet he would nave given a greut deal to have broacbed the subject of Michael, and had paved the way for the better understanding between Selina and Silohester. It was a glorious day, but somehow the sunshine and the gayety in the street had a mocking air to George Durnstone. They emphasized the fact that he wag not quite a young man—they accentuated the faofc that Dorothy was a mere child. His face softened as he thought of her, aud he delight in all the little frivolous things which constituted social Mte. It was only natural that she should oare for them; that she should love to flutter about as the butterflies hover air-one the flowers. He stood a long time by the window, watobing the carriages clatter to and fio. Somewhere in the near distance a voice was singing. Laughter and song, sunshine and youth, all took a sad meaning to George Durnstone ; in this % moment.

He went downstairs slowly, and the butler brought him his hat and stick. He was just passing out when, on a sudden impulse, he turned. 'ls Miss Durnstone in the h/juse?' lift BSLtQCJ 'Yes, Sir George,' answered his man. 'Will you be so good as to find her and tell her that I should like to speak to her? I shall be in this room.' He wan sitting, trying to read a newspaper, when Selina aame running up the stairs. 'You want me, George?' she asked, and her heart thrilled as be answered ner. 'Yes, dear, If you can give me five minutes.' He smiled as be spoke. A little moisture dimmed Selina's eyes. She went across to him, and„ stooping, him on the brow. 'All my time is yours, George,' she answered. She would have moved away but George Durnstone put out his hand and detained nor. 'Do you know, Seine,' he said, 'that I have suddenly discovered that I have have been you very badly?' 'Dearest!' said the girl, in a tone of tender remonstrance. 'll is true, all the same, 'said Sir George, as be let her hand go. 'You have always been such a wonderful, independent little person, you see, Selina, su self-obliterating, as it were, that I have had none of the worries with you that most people would have made for themselves if tbey were placed as 1 have been placed.' 'I have never wanted anything better than I bad in oar old life together,' Selina said, in a low voice, 'and lam happy now,' she added. Sir George was silent for a minute or two, and then he said: 'Michael and I were talking about you this morning, Selina.' He noticed how her faoo flushed. 'He is very deeply attached to you,' he said, when be next spoke. 'Y«s,' said Selina, 'Michael is a really good friend.' 'He has more in his heart for you that friendship,' said.George Durnstone, very pteadily. Once a«ain the girl's face was dyed with colour. Then she said: 'I don't want to think that, George, I want to keep Michael always as my friend. Sne sighed quickly. *How I wish we could go back to the old days, when 1 was always scolding him and grumbling at him. J never trouble myself about anything in particular now.' 'And are you troubling now?' her brother asked. Her brows contracted, and the flush died away. She grew pale. She looked him In the *jyes, with that irank, fearless way of hers, as aheßaid: 'Yes, George, dear I am a little bit worried.' 'Suppose you tell me all about it, said Sir Goorge. 'Shall I give you the lead? Is not your trouble mixed in some way with Delaval?' She nodded her head, and then fifae asked: 'How did you guess?' J 'lt was Michael who gave me the suggestion,' answered George Durnstone. ;He got up, put is two bauds on Selma's shoulders, and turned her round. 'ls this man anything to you?' •A little while ago,' Selina answered, 'if you had asked me that I should have answered back tha*t he wan more to me that anything in

tbefworld even than yourself! But 1 believe that 1 was only dreaming. At any rate, 1 feel now that 1 am awake, and that what seemed possible is now quite impossible.' Sir George let his hands fall from her shoulders. Hia face looked a little like it used to be—cold and storo* 'Do you mean that Mr Delaval has asked you to be his wife?' Selina just bent her head. 'But how? Where have you met him? He was practically a stranger to you.' *I hardly know myself how it has come to me, George. When you married, and 1 came to London with Polly, 1 seemed to see Mr Delaval wherever I went. At first this had no serious meaning for me then, when I did comprehend that he—he —oared for me it amazed me—it seemed so strange .' 'And now?' said George Durnstone, as she paused. 'Now,' said Selina, 'I don't believe I oould give yu the least idea what is passing in my mind. He attracts me. George he makes me feel for him as J have never felt for any other living creature, and yet all the time I seem to know that I am doing all this against myself—against my better judgement.' 'What is the position of affairs between you?' asked Sir George, In that quiet, stern way, and Selina coloured hotly.

«I am afraid,' she said, in a low voice, 'tnat Mr iDelavat regards me as being pledged to him.' 'No man can hold a woman if uhe refuses to be held,' said Sir George, bluntly. He wanted to keep his anger Minder, cut in truth —unworldly" man as he was, in a sense—he knew enough of life to properly All in the pioture which Selina had drawn for him. For some reason—he had yet to grasp what it was—Delaval bad undoubtedly sought Selina, he had practically bewitched her. He must have knovn in his heart of hearts that he was no fit mate for a bright, young, innooeut'girl. 'I am glad that we have spoken together,' Sir George said, breaking a period of silence. 'I only wish I had known of all this sooner. Does Dorothy know?' he asked, abruptly. Weiina shook her head.

'No one knows except yourself and Miohael.* She looked at her brother for tin instant. '1 told Michael that I loved Mr Delaval,' she said. Then, in that low viooe, *I thought him disloyal. He uaed to oare so much. It hurt me to hear him so obanged.' 'Selina,' said George Durustone, 'I hope I am not going tn make you unhappy, but I must ask you to give me a promise. Pledge me your word that you will have nothing more to do with this man. It is not merely prejudice on my part, dear. I know that I have the greatest right to ask you to do this. If he troubles you in the .'east way you must bund him over to me.' He ntld out his hand, and Selina went toward him, just as a child might have done. 'Ob, George!' 1 she raid, half brokeuly, 'it makes we so happy to think that you care—that it is really something to you what happens to me! I have been persuading myself of late that there was no room for me in you heart, or in your life.' Her words gave George Durnstone a keon pang [of remorse, but Selina bad gone on sneaking eagerly. 'Don't you think for an instant that I am jealous, or that I want to exact too much. 1 am quite content to be second with you. I know that Dorothy must come first; thatJs only right and natural ' ] She broke off, for George bad benF toward her, and had kissed her pn the brow. That was perhaps one of the very happiest moments thut had come intoSelina's life.* Not even the old bright days bad held such a moment, for in those days she had adored George in a blind and ignorant way, hardly conscious of what she gave, and, how little she got in return. (To be Continued.)