Selina's Love Story.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8261, 15 October 1906, Page 2

Selina's Love Story.

CHAPTER XXXlll.—Continued.

The more he questioned, the more surely he found that the taking away of the child had been deliberately planned, and his heari sank as he went through the household Hnd found nothing but consternation and sorrow. Even Miss Lasoombe's spirits seemed to have broken down. She DUt; the same question to him as he had put to Seliua. •Why should he steal the child?' But Michael could give her no comfort. And then, all at ouce, a wondrous thing happened. His mother, who arrived in a state of greatest anxiety, brought him a letter. 'This whs left tor you eaily this morning. I can't find rut who buught it. It looks a tunny kind < writioc. Where is ibiit I'liild? Let ma go to her.' Miohael took the letter from his mother's hand, and his heart beat very quiokly. He recognized the handwriting at once. It had corae to him before on those two strange letters. 'Lot there be no sorrowing for the child,' wrote the old Italian woman. 'He is safe. He has been taken so that be shall be safe. Patience, my friend! The end is drawing near!'

CHAPTEK XXXIV, TP.B FINGERS OP JUSTICE. The niilnmn day was drawing to a 01088 when a carriage containing Lady Durnstone and ber now husband flrove up to tho Gate House. It was remarked by the servants tha*; the man passed in with the afr of a ma-ter, but thuS their mistress had a straneely subdued and almost frightened look. Miss Lascorabo and Selina were together in the drawing room. They stood in silence as the door opened and these two entered. Thero vras a look in the eyes of De lava! that sent the blood running ' cold in Selina's veins, but she did not look n-; him; she looked at the woman behind him, and at right of ber Dorothy gave a cry and stretched out her arms. Instantly Delaval stood between them, j 'We want no foolishness, ho said, curtly". 'We havo come here as master and mistress of this house. 1 As master, I desire many things done. Uratlyj that woman 4 -he pointed to Miss Lascombe—'must leave at once. Secondly, it is my order that you'-~looking straight at Selina—'shall hare nothing whatever to do with my wife's child. We have brought down a new attendant. But you will remain,* be added, quickly. 'I recognize no laws of yours. 4 Selina said, quietly. 'The only person who can order me. away from here or order me to remain is that lady . 'That lady has no will except her husband's,' said Delaval. 'Have you, my dearest?' It was a utrange thing indeed to see Dorothy recoil and skrink as he looked .at her just as though she had been lashed with a whip. 'No,'she murmured, faintly. Miss Lasoornbe advanced. 'ihis is all absurd and ridiculous,' she said. It may suit; you, Mr Delaval, to imagine that you are in the wilds of Africa; but this is England it is a free country. Men do not walk into other peopJe's houses in the rude way that you are dome with impunity; neither is a man permitted to ooeroo another being as you apparently are coercing that poor, unfortunate girl witboat questi"n. If Selina leaves this house, 1'go; if she stays, J remain. 1 think it bas yet to be proved by law whether Lady Durnstonff has any right, beyond being tho guardian of her eon, to order people to and from this house.' Delaval's face was livid. There was a strange look about tho man. He was greatly changed. He had become thinner, older; his eyes were more restless, it was amazing to Selina, as ehe looked upon him now, to remember how nearly she bad fallen under the spell of his Strang** attraction. He advanced closely to Miss Lascombe and looked her straight in the eyes, but sl?e r \id not flinch. 'Keep your tricks man, ' she said, with immense scorn, 'fur those poor creatures who regard you as * being great. You cannot frighten me!' Delaval seemed to tremble, and as, though infuriated at his lack of power, he turned on bis wife. '(Jo and bring your child!' be said. 'l. will let this woman see who is master here' The door opened at that moment, and Michael Silcheeter entered. The prostration whiHi had fallen upon Selina in the [morning had caused au alteia'icn in his pious. ludeed, now that ho waa assured the child was in sniie beeping, Hnd that, in [stonltb, Selinn would be able to B ee the little fellow, there was nothing to take Dim to London. He bad hastened to Ibe Gate House now because someonw had told him that Lady Durnstone bad been seen driving in that direction. Delaval laughed as be saw him. 'Here comes your champion,' he said, with a sneer. For answer, Silohester advaucd and look Selina's trembling tiand. "Yes, Delaval,' be said, 'I am her champion, snd I will thank you to ndress yourself to me.' Delaval took no notice of him; be turned again 011 the unhappy Dorothy. 'Will you obey me?' he said, -with a s«iarl. As she turned, quivering in every limb, to the door, Mary Lascombe hastened forward. J

By EMe Adelaide Rowlands. Author of" An Inherited Feud," "Brave Barbara," "A Splendid Heart," "Temptation of Mary Bdrr," t( The Interloper," etc., etc.

'I will go wito .you,' she said. 'No confidences,' said Delaval, iu a quiet tone. 'Remember, I have the power of knowing what passes .when I am not with you.' k Out'in the hall, Mary Laaoombe drew tue shivering creature into her arms. 'He is mad!' she said; 'and you were mad to put yourself into the hands of suoh a creature as this! Oh, Dorothy, how could yon have done it?' But Dorothy could not speak; fear had taken possession of her only too surely and as luck would have it Dr Foster arrived at the Gate bouse at that moment. Mrs Siloheater bad sent for him. To explain as hurriedly as she could and to transfer Lady Durnstone into,the doctor's care was Miss Lascomb's first task. 'Give her some sedative,' she said 'and keep her away from him if you can. God knows what will happen but t am prepared for anything.' I'beu under her breath eho added, 'The man is a fiend!' Dr. Foster knitted hia brows, and took Dorothy into another room. 'lben Miss Lasoombe opened the door and went back into the drawing room. As she did so she gave a great start. ,She had opught sight of somebody crouching out side the window—a figure draped in black. (To be Continued.)