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When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XII. —Continued

"Moat cf us know peers' sons, sir. Its part of our business." The cabman smiled, "if I can be of any use in the matter of the girl, sir—l am " "The lady will shortly be my wife," interrupted Duncan with extreme naunteur. Zilla had entered the restaurant and was sitting near the door. "No offense, sir, I hope!" The cabman started and apologised. "I want to provide with a suitable home, with avspectahls people, for a little while. Perhaps you can recommend me to a maiden i'idy who has appartments to let, or to a married couple?" "Yes, sir—l can recommend gome first-rate people on Brixton Hill a middle-aged couble with nn family, and they have Jived in the same home for twenty five years. That's Charlie Chatto and his missus, and Charlie Chatto's me, and his missus is my wife, sir." The man's earnestness caused Duncan to smile. "Thank you, Chatto," he said. "You have relieved my mind of a great load. We will not keep you waiting long." He turned into the restaurant and ordered some rerfesliments for Zilla. "I cannot eat anything" she told him pitifully. "I am not a coward but I shall never forget the last fierce look my father gave me. I feel brave enough when your are near me but the prospcet of your being far away unnerves me." "The clouds will soon pass away, little one," he said fondly. "A-d when you are my cherished wife we can defy the whole wodd. The cabman knows me. I have told him a little; and for a few days he will find you a comfortable home. It is a most fortunate arrangement. In the meantime, darling, you will want money. All that i have is yours now. Take it, dtr.r one, and spend it freely. You must buy pretty dresses and all that is needful." He put a well-filled purse inti her hand. It contained twenty sovereigns and half a dozen five-pound Bank of Bngland not;s. Zilla held her breath in sheer amazement. "Is all this for me, Duncan? Is it right that I shoul.i cake it?" she whispered. "Foolish Zilla! Right that you should take it? Are wa not taking each other and all of which we are possessed? Is is o;:ly a small sum—a trifle to me. I want to see i you nicely dressed. lam tired of these shabby things." He kissed her. "But nothing on tarth can improve the beauty of my d-ailing's sweet face!" She blushed vividly, and her lies quivered. There was a look of rapture in her dark eye?. "My love!" she murmrued. "My love—my love!" The journey to Brixton Hill was all too short—they had so much to say to each other. "I shall come to see you every day, Zilla," he told her. "And I want you to dismiss the man Seton from your thoughts. I believe that he is an imposter, and I shail know no rest until I have seen the 'cure' in whosi charge you were placed. lam anxious for youfr sake —for my own—for the sake of my family." "Your family?" "Yes, my darling. It i 3 not a pleasant thing to have to contemplate the fact that John Seton, an ex-convict, if my father-in-law." His words brought a chill 'to Zilla's heart. "I forgot, in my bli id adoration, that you were an aristocrat, and that I was a wandering minstrel." She was silenl; until her new quarters had been inspected and approved. She, was to have a large private room.and the use of the parlour. Everything was scrupulously clean; and Duncan felt that he was leaving Zilla in good hands. . -»;;.-^^S^8 "I think you may safely confide in Mrs Chatto," he said to Zilla when they were alone. "We have no secrets. 1 am proud of my beautiful love." He kissed the taar-stained faie passionately, rapturously. "When will vou come again, Duncan?" she said. "My heart is growing cold withJiear. "Foolish little Znlla! I shall never be very far away. And it is only for a little while. I will come to-morrow evening, and you will sing to me. There is an old piano here." • "I hate singing !" she cried pettishly. "It reminds me so of all that is . bitter —as bitter as death. Oh, for- ; give me! I was my voice which firstbrought you to my side. I will sing ■' to you now. 1 will show you that I am brave —oh, so hrava!" She laughed a littlj hysterically, and sat down at the piano. Duncan waited and listened. Then the matchless voice burst into plaintive song: " 'When the lamp is shattered. The light in the d>uat lies dead; When the cloud s scattered, !:The rainbow's glory is i-hed. When the lute is bn ken, Sweet tones are remembered not When the lipy have spoken. Loved accents are s<on forgot. " 'As music and splendor I

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

Survive not the lamp and the lute, The heart's echoes render No song when the spirit is mute — No sot'g but sad dirges, Like the wind through a ruined cell Or the mnurnfui surges That ring the dead seaman's knell. " 'When heart 3 have] once mingled, Love first leaves the well-built nest; The. weak or.e \i singled To endure what it once possessed. Oh, Love, . hj bewailest The frailty of all things here, Why choose you the frailest For your cradle, your home, and your bier? " 'lts passions will rock thee As the storms rock the ravens on high; Bright reason will mock these, Like the sun from a wintry sky. From thy nest every rafter Will rot, and thine eagle home Leave the naked to laughter, When leaves fall and cold winds come.' " Zilla turned to her lover, her face wit with fears. "I don't know why I sang that sad song of Shelley's" she said. "Oh, lam so foolnh! Do you know that my soul is haunted by those lines: " 'Oh, Love, who bewailest The frailty of all things here, Why choose you the frailest For your cradle, your home, and your bier?' " "My Zilla-my saint!" Duncan's arms were about her. "Kiss me. Good-bye for a little while —until tomorrow. I have already been here a long time, and Chatto is waiting to drive me home. Wd have to call at the 'Grand' and the 'Grosvenor' for my luggage. I am going to my father's town house in Mayfair. I shall write to you to-night sweetheart." The parting was one of mingled bitterness and sweetness. Zilla's heart was too full for words. Before she realised it, her lover was gone. Sh3 rushed to the window, and as the cab dashed away ha waved his hand wildly to her. Then all was gloom, and she s;uv that tno skies were hidden by masr-CEi of dark clouds, and that the rain was begnnirg to fall ITO Bfl CONTINUED."J

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19090730.2.3

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9555, 30 July 1909, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,173

When Love Rules The Heart. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9555, 30 July 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9555, 30 July 1909, Page 2

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