HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3202, 31 May 1909, Page 2

HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

BY HENRIETTA B. EUTHVEN. Author of "His Second Love," " Corydon's Infatuation," " Daring Doia," " An Unluclry Legacy," Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER XVl.—Continued. | "It isn't the old gown only, you see I wasn't altogether satisfied with the new one the young ladies picked out. I was such a dull colour. There was one a sight smarter, so I had that, too; and my gracious, if the bill didn't frighten me, for it took nearly all your money !" Again she was-imperatively silenced, and hurried into a passing vehicle that set them down at the station with ten minutes to spare. These minutes the gentlemen were glad to spend in the refreshment bar; but Lois, declining to have anything to eat, hurried into the waiting room, whence she did not emerge till the bell began to ring. But now she came with her neatly prepared package changed into a shapeless bundle, her ulster flung on her arm, and her tall, fine figure clad in "robe de chamber,"' of brigh pink flannel and cream lace. Worn with clumsy country boots ard green gioves, imagine the effect —especially when Lois, complacently surveying herself, exclaimed: "Now, that's something like, isn't it? It's as pretty a colour as the rosea that grow on the bush in granny's garden. They hadn't a thing in the shop I liked as well as this!" So ludicrous was the contrast between the girl's satisfaction and the angry dismay of Laurence, that Mr Stuart could scarcely stifle a laugh. But already other eyes were being turned curioiisiy upon her, and, motioning to his friend to preceed tham, he wrapped Lois' ulster round her bizarre costume, and hurried her into tne nearest carriage. It cost him some trouble to make her believe that the elaborately embroidered and trimmed houserobe was only intended for the seclusion of her chamber; but when she scouted the idea of keeping the prettiest gown she..had ever possessed to wear where no one could admire it, her provoked father interposed. He spoke with such intense wrath that his command to hold her tongue and make no further exposure of ner folly and ignorance, awed her into silence; but the looks she cast him augured ill for the future. A little more and she would hive broken into open rebellion. It was in this constrained and uncomfortable fashion that Lois—who had never before entered a railway car—was whirled up to the great metropolis; indebted to Mr Stuart for the few attentions she received; compelled to make a fresh toilet at Waterloo station, and, by the time she was led into the general's mansion, reduced by fatigue 4 and amazement, into a a state oi hopeless tewildered. "involuntarily she had clung to Wilfred Stuart during her progress across the crowded platform, and while being rattled over the stones to Kensington; and her heart sank when, with brief adieus, he went away to his lodgings. She was beginning to know that in him she had a friend; and when he uttered a reproof it was heard with none of those feelings of angry revolt against authority every speech mad by her new relative was sure to inspire. But he was, gone, and the girl drew her breath more rapidly, and looked back with keener regret to her wild life in the forest, as she followed Laurence Haydon into the .entrance hall of his father's house. Yet she did. not glance round her as nervously as her companion did. .' He was wrestling with an unconquerable dread of encountering 'Ambra Neville. How should he bear to see the blush of shameshame felt for him—that would suffuse her delicate features when she beheld this uncouth daughter of his whom he would have disowned but for those two keepers of his conscience—the general and Wilfred Stuart. Nor was this all. Ambra might conquer her emotions to spare him, but no one else would be so merciful. He knew that he would have to endure Lady Marcia Lillington's wellbred stare of astonishment, and Miss Braysby's spiteful titter and upraised brows; and he also knew how the world, whose favour he valued, would gloat over his mortification. He could have found it'in his heart fco'turn his back on all the annoyance threatening him, and escape to the Continent; but he coulcKnot afford to offend his father, nor would he relinquish the hope of wedding Ambra. Had she been poor he might have had sufficient strength of mind to leave her: as it was, he took great credit to himself for his constancy, and fancied he was acting heroically in submitting to such degradation for her sweet sake. However, the only person visible when he and Lois entered the general's house was nurse May. Her patient having .fallen asleep, she had come down-stairs to put into the box on the hall table some letters written in the course of the day ; from his dictation. The sound of wheels, and the click of a latchkey in the door, had made : her pause halfway up the stairs, and i there she continued to stand, looking : down with gravely considering air at Lois, who, with her bundle at her feet, dropped into the nearest chair, yielding to the extreme lassitude that ) sudd ntly overwhelmed her.

As soon as Laurence Haydon caught sight.of the nurse he signed to her to come forward. He saw a chance of obtaining a few hours' respite and would not let it slip. "Olige me," he said, "by taking charge of this girl till to-morrow. She has had a long journey, and will be glad to go to bed directly." : "Who is she?" asked the woman, looking swiftly and steadily into his eyes. "Why have you brought her here?" Somehow those searching looks of hers always thrilled him with strange uneasiness, and now goaded him into a fierce retort. "What is that to you? Must I be catechized by everyone? " She is General Haydon's granddaughter!" Nurse May started, and glanced doubtfully from the speaker to Lois who was trying to suppress her yawns, and wishing her head did not ache so miserably. "She is the General's granddaughter," Laurence repeated, fied that he had made some impression at last; "and if you value his favour you will treat her with respect." An almost imperceptible smile flickered at the corners of nurse May's, well-shaped mouth; but it had disappeared when, falling back into the chilling reserve of her ordinary manner, she dropped him a little curtsy. "Thanks for the hint, sir; but it is not necessary. General Haydon is too just to withdraw his favour unless I give him cause for it." "You misunderstand me, indeed, you always do—purposely. I think. , My father will be pleased—grateful —call it what you like —if you comply with my request, and take his granddaughter under your care till other arrangements can be made." Again nurse May cast a swift glance at the girl; but there was more aversion than kindly feeling in it, and her answer was discouraging. " You are very good, eir, to propose to trust me-with the—the young, lady; but waiting on visitors does not belong to my duties. ' I will send you one of the housemaids." She did not stir, however, for just then the door of the morning room was thrust open and trio of heads appeared at it. Laurence Haydon heard his name joyfully pronounced; there was no escaping now, and he was obliged to confront the three ladies with as much composure as he could muster. CHAPTER XVII. LOIS LISTENS TO A WISE LESSON. Ambra, whose eyes were heavy with secret weeping, was the first to give him her band—the first to • id him welcome; cut this done, she hrank behind her more demonstrative companions, whom she had vainly endeavoured to hinder from rushng out upon him. I TO BE CONTINUED.]