When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9542, 14 July 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER V.—Continued. "She flashed her frock in the sunshine bright, That officer brave to charm ; And he vowed he was quite a delightful sight, And her spirits were gay till he came one day With a girl on his stalwart arm. In whispers low they talked of love, He begged for a rose and a wornout glove. But when they kissed a fond "goodby," The poor little goldfish longed to die! And she sobbed, "It's bit-bit. bitter He should love this erit-crit, critter, When I thought he would wish For a nice little fish With a frock all glit-glit, glitter." "That charming girl for a time upset That officer brave and cay, And his sad little pet he contrived to forget, For with never a crumb did he " chance to come, So the goldfish pined away. Until, at last, some careless soul, With a smash knocked over ths big glass bowl, And there on the carpet, dead and cold, Lay the poor fish in her frock of gold! • And her fate so bit bit, bitter, Is a story fit-fit, fitter, For a sad little sigh, And a tear in the eye. Than a thoughtless tit-tit titter!" "What pathos!" remarked Lady Annandale, with a slight curl of the lip. "The young person sings very well, though. What do you think, Lorna?' Miss Ca3son laughed and shrugged her shoulders.

"I never met with a vagabond minstrel , who sang so well before. She is pretty, too, as gipsies no. Her father is rather common looking." Miss Casson's clear voice reached the ears of the man, nnd an frown settled upon his face. He closed his instrument noisily and dismissed the troupe.

"There are vagabonds and vagabonds, ladies"! he said sarcastically. "I came here by desire expecting at least the civility which is usually nccorded to respectable entertainers. Not for ten times the amount uf money paid me would I Buffer your insults again." He bowed mockingly, adding to his terrified (laughter, "Come, Zilla—we will go"! Lady Annndale and her guests stared in haughty surprise at the man. Then, gathering her skirts together, her ladyship swept towards the house, followed by Lorna Casaon and Helen Howard.

Armitage was mortified and humiliated. The conduct of his sister was unjustifiable. He could not understand it. She. was usually so amiable!

Mr Seton and his daughter were standing by the riverside, while another member of the troupe carried the harp back to the punt, Armitage approached them, his face flushed, his eyes-sparkling with anger.

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

"Allow mp to anologiso for my sister's rudeness,''' he said."" "I ought to have explained to her " "Apologiss are needless, Mr' Armitage!" Seton said, attempting to be dignified. "We' have been treated as impertinent b€gg«rs\ or a class of people who are tiarigerous to the community at large: I cannot say much for the manners of the aristocracy ! Do you wonder at the feeling of class against class? Do you wonder at socialidrh and anarchy? Bah! We belong, sir, to an honourable profession; we are artistes who delight in a little out of door work, instead of etenally tipping it on the boards. We are not street beggars—we are not pick-pocketis or housebreakers! Thank Heaven, my hands are clean! And there will come a day when those proud ladies will be glad to beg my daughter's pardon!" Zilla laid a restraining hand upon her father's arm, her lovely dark eyes turned pleadingly toward Duncan Armitage. ,"I repeat it —those proud ladies will yet be glad to beg my daughter's pardon" "I beg your pardon now, Miss Seton," Armitage said, doffing his cap. "It is all a misunderstanding—my sister is a most amiable woman; but " He broke off impatiently. He was impulsive in all things. "The ladies are jealous of my girl's beauty, and of her talents" Mr Seton said sneeringly. "I am not su dull that I cannot see it. You are a young man, Mr Armitage, with the passionate blood of youth in your veins You have an eye for beauty; you will one day be a peer." He shrugged his shoulders. "A prince may stoop to woo a beggar-maid." "Come!" Zilla whisperd, turning deathly pale. Her father laughed coarsely.

"Pshaw! Why should you be prudish? A score of tithsd men would give half their fortunes for permission to at your feet!" An expression of shame and anguish passed over the girl's face. She looked away at the glittering river. The moon was brilliant. Seton's troupe were strumming their instruments while they waited in the punt. "Send your men away!" Armitage saio. impatiently.

"In that case Zilla and I shall have to walk to our lodgings." "Never mind. I will walk with you. We will sup together at the 'Royal.' They know me there. A private room —a little talk—a little musio, if you can spare, the time." "My time is yours, sir—our lime is yours; you have paid for it. Zilla, do you hear?" "If Miss Seton is tired " "She is not tired, sir. It is only nine o'clock. We work until eleven. I accept your invitation, Mr Armitage! Home!" he said curtly to the others. "We have finished for tonight!" Armitage conducted Mr Seton and his daughter along the drive, a strange thrill at his heart. He knew that his movements were being watched by his sister and her guests. •He knew that they were both amazed and angry. A minute later they were standing in the highway. Armitage then forgot everything but Zilla. "Do you remain long at Henley?" he asked Seton. "Until the Goodwood races. We follow the race meetings. And. when we are not at the races, there is money to be made at seaside resorts —on the sands." < ,

"And Miss Seton sings there in the open air?" "Oh, yes—she is my greatest attraction! The public like a pretty face and figure. And her voice, though I say it, is divine!" He spoke in a half whisper. "A terrible life for a lady" Armitage pitifully responded.

"A life as free as air," the man retorted. "Our lives are honest. We work for what we get. If the public object, they need not pay. We do not inveigle them into a hall, and take their money at the door. Yes —Zilla is a lady, Mr Armitage. I thank you, sir She has been well and carefully educated; I have spared no expense, and now I expect some return."

"But this singing in public, to be insulted by such men as Gus Etherington," objected Armitage—"it is revolting—revolting"

A dark flush ro : e to Seton's sallow face, and he eyed the'young man curiously. "You are right, sir," he whispered huskily, "it is revolting? But what am 1 to do? I cannot pick and choose my customers. Besides, men like Mr Etherington pay well. I understand and appreciate your notions of chivalry, you have outbid Etherington to-niiiht, but he will come sgain? Here we are at the Royal. Come along, Zilla, my dear." . |TO PE CONTINUED.]

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