When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9539, 10 July 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER lll.—Continued. Duncan thought of Poe's beautiful lines: "I saw thee once —once only — It was a July midnight, and trom out A full-orbed moon, that, like thine own soul soaring, Sought a precipitate pathway up through Heaven, There fell a silvery veil of light With quietude and sultriness and slumber." The bow of his boat grated on solid earth, and he sprang ashore. He was still thinking of Zilla Seton, the .sweet girl singer, when a slender white-robed figure stepped from the shadows into the brilliant moonlight. "Helen!" he exclaimed. "How you startled me! I have been for a row on the river. I felt out of sorts." "I saw you go, Duncan," was the gentle reply, "and I have been waiting here for you." She laid her head upon his shoulder, and he kissed her tender lips. CHAPTER V. THE PERPLEXITIES CF A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY-FOUK. Armitage said nothing to his sister about having engaged the troupe of minstrels until the next morning.. He was busy reading the morning paper at the breakfast table. Lady Annandale and Miss Casson were discussing the prospects of the day, while Heien Howard was absorbed in maiden dreams.

"Do put that paper down, Duncan!" Lady Annandale said at last. "It is very bad taste to read to the exclusion of everybody else." "l am sorry," her brother languidly replied. "Sorry? Nonsense! Now listen to what I have to say." "I am all attention."

"At the present moment Henhy is full of people who know us, and we want to get away from them. My table is littered with cards. In one sense it is fortunate that Sir John is in France—l have that excuse at least. Now here we are, 'three lone women and a man.' What are you going to do with us, Duncan 9 "

Duncan looked up blankly, and Lorna Casson gave him a very bright dmile. "What am I to do with you, Flo? I haven't been here since I rowed for my college, and know nothing of the place. Besides, lam your guest. What are your commands, 'ma chere?' I don't see that there is any particular difficulty in disposing of objectionable people. Tell your servants that you are 'at home' to, no one "

"You'forget that we are close to river," said .Lady Annandale scornfully. "And it is unutterably dull sleeping away the and the freshness of the day, with one's hat tilted over one's eyes!" "I think it is delightful!" replied Duncan. "What do you aay, Miss Casson?"

"With Tennyson, and one's lover to read one to sleep!" was the halfmischevious, half-malicious answer. Helen Howard blushed vividly. "1 am not sufficiently ungallant to wish to gratify my own inclinations in preference to yours, ladies." Armitage said. "Now, cell me, what are your plans?" "You must acknowledge, Duncan," Lady Annandale proceeded, "that from the Nook we have only a wretched view of the aquatics—or, rather, no view at all. We hear a great deal of noise, but see merely the flash of the oars round the bend of the river."

"Very tantalizing!" yawned Duncan. "I will take you on the water."

"How kind you are! But, my dear boy, there is no pressing need that you should exert your lazy limbs. I have recieved an invitation to view the sports from the deck of a gentleman's house-boat—my guests and l—and you shall be our escort." "Oh! Do I know the genleman?"

"I think not. You are fresh from college, and society knows you not. The gentleman is a friend of my husband's. His name is Etherington the Honourable Augustus Etherington."

The bright expression left Lady Annandale's face, and she tossed her head a little defiantly. Armitage started, and his brow darkened.

"Florence," he said gravely, "I am afraid that I must decline to be your escort. D© you know the character this man Etherington bears?"

"Is it not quite sufficient that I have said thai he is a friend of my husband's?"

"I cannot believe it' I know Sir -John too well, in spite of my youth and inexperience! Your husband would not permit you to breathe the same air as Augustus Etherirgton." Lady Annandale wavered. She knew that her brother was speaking an unpiepsant truth. Sir John and Etherington had had a small business transaction, and there their acquaintance had begun and ended. "You are doing your best to be disagreeable, Duncan!" Lady Annandale said. "Mr Etherington's man brought the invitation by letter last nigh, and I accepted it. It is

BY OWEN MASTERS. Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "One Impassioned Hour," Etc., Etc.

impossible to draw back now, and we cannot go without a male escort." Her eyes flashed resentfully. "Of course, if you refuse, we shall have to do so!"

"At any rate, I would not permit Miss Howard to board that man's boat unprotected!" Armitage angrily retorted. "I am amazed at your stupidity, Florence! You will be asking him to dinner next! If you persist in thisffolJy, trouble is sure to follow. Mr Etherington is no friend of mine. We have met and spoken but once, and thai was yesterday. The man is a coward and a blackguard!" Lady Annandale raised her eyebrows and laughed. "I quite understand now. dear Duncan!" she said sweetly. "We unfortunate women are to be the victims of your quarrel with Mr Etherington! Not for the world would I have any unpleasantness between you and him on board his boat! If he glanced admiringly at Helen you would want to pitch him into the river. Hot-headed boy! My dear Lorna, there is absolutely nothing for it but to write a polite note to Mr Etherington and tell him the truth."

"And get out of a bad piece of business at my expense." growled Armitage. "I haven't the slightest objection. I hate the man! I will even be the bearer of your note if you like. If you wish to go on the river " "The desire no longer exists. The little breeze is ended. Kiss me, Duncan. I .am sure that you are in the right. We must not quarrel. Another week and we sahll have parted —perhaps for years." The young man rose and pressed his lips to his sister's cheek. "Ladies," he said, reddening, "I am your abject slave to-day." He hesitated slightly, then continued, "I am not altogether unmindful of your pleasure. The river let it be, if you prefer it to the lawn and the shade of the trees!" "He is thinking of Miss Howard and Tennyson," thought Lorna Casson. "He is a splendid type of man! I would win him if I could." She looked up at him with a smile. "It is hard upon one man to have to entertain three women," she said. "Two are company—four are none! Now be honest with us, Mr Armitage. Would you not prefer a quiet nook, your ciga* •" | TO