When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9559, 4 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XlV.—Continued. "You have mistaken my meanii g, Duncan," she said, in her soft, cooing tones. "In my sight you are a king among men —you are the fairy prince of my dreams! Even I have had drearr.s! [ had not sunk so low then. I thought that my father was a gentleman, at least. I have been thinking until my head has throbbed with the pain and the weariness of it. I love you to well, my darling, to drag you down to my level. Tha scandal and the shame would be terrible! I have realised it only since yesterday, but I shall love you as loni> as I live!" "Go on!" he said hoarsely. She glanced at him with unutterable longing. "Perhaps it will be best for both, Duncan, if you will help me out of England back to France. I can find people there who will befriend me when they know my wretched story. I will go into a convent, and pray for you always; and sometimes you may perhaps think of poor Zilla.'' "What are these foolish fancies? Are you afraid of me?" Jtle gripped her arm fiercly. " You would prefer life in a convent? Faugh! IJo not believo it! I have told you you that I am comparatively poor. Do you sigh for wealth? A convent would appeal to you no more than a Carthusian monastry would to me." Then his manner changed. Zilla's dark eyes were turned to his, with an expression of reproach and pain. "Forget that I have been unkind. Oh, m.v love, you shall never leave ine! I had planned our wedding for a week hence! It shall be solemnized within forty-eight hours! You have filled me with vague terrors. To lose you would be to d.ei Dear Heaven, I cannot even contemplate it!" He trembled with emotion, and showered hot kisses upon Ziila's face and lips. The girl heaved a deep sigh of content. "I am satisfied," she whispered. "Duncan, I know that you love me now—that you will love me always! 1 am happy!"

CHAPTER XV. BLINDED BY LOVE'S DELIKIUM. "No more iooliah dreams!" said Duncan, after a long, blissful silence. His face waa bright again. He caressed Ziila's glossy dark hair, and kissed her lips. It was four o'clock. A ray of sunlight had shifted gradually from 1 the carpet to the will. A crowd of noisy children were playing in the street. A man was shouting "Watercress!" A sharp knock on the door startled Zilla. She sprang to one side, a sudden look of terror in her eyes. Armitage opened door, and Mrs Chatto, the cabman's wife, sto.d before him. "Excuse tne, sir, but I came to ask if you and Miss Seton would like me to prepare tea?-" "I am sure that we shall both be very grateful to you, Mrs Chatto!" Duncan replied, with a laugh. "Will i you serve it in this room?'' "Yes, sir, if you prefer it." Mrs Chatto stniled and blushed. She was a bright-eyed, cheerful little woman. And this little bit of romance under her roof was bewilderingly delightful to her. Oh, if it only tarried out happily! "That settles the matter," Duncan said. "Now. Mrs Chatto, Miss Seton and I are going out to buy all sots of delicacies. We shall be back in half an hour. Remember that the tea mu3t be especially good, and don't forget the cream!" Mrs Chatto stammered and flushed "Dear ir.e, I can hardly believe that he will be a lord some day!" she thought. "He talks as natural ias my Charlie. I'm sure that he's an honest young gentleman. But his people are sure to make a fuss. And Miss Seton is as lovely as a picture. And only a street singer, Charlie says !" She watched the lovers leave the house, she saw Ziila's dusky eyes up> turned, eha heard Armitage's eager, happy voice. Mrs Chatto smiled to herself. "They won't be back in half an hour." she reflected sagely. "I can't make it out at all. I thought it was a'case of sharp and flat —women are so cunning!—but the girl has the face of a child. If a London cabman liked to speak, he could tell some strange tales Pretty barmaids and actresses sometimes manage to make gentlemen fall in love with them, but street singers are no better than beggars." It was a street of poor houses where the Chattos lived, and the neighbours were already immense-Ay interested in the cabman's fair lodger. Some of the women made unkind remarks, and" Mrs Chatto vigorously defended her charge, though ahe had her own misgivings. All unconscious of being noticed, Zilla and her lover walked past several groups of gossiping women. The bright afternoon sun turned the seams of her shabby 1 lack jacent to a dingy btown. Her dress was faded, and one of her boots was bursting at the side. In damaging contrast, Armitage was perfectly dressed, and a small brilliant flashed on one of his fingers. He was look-

? BY OWEN MASTERS. 5 1 1 0 Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman 5 Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "Oneltapas- 5 sicned Four," Etc., Etc. £

, ing at Zilla's lovely face, he was listening to her low sweet voice; he had eyes and eard only'for Zilla, "Kags and elegance!" one of the women said scoffingly. "I wonder where he [licked her up?" "Just arrived from the workhouse," a companion replied in strident tones. "Oh, she'll soon be decked out in finery, and driving in a carriage!" Zilla crimsoned. Duncan remained blissfully deaf and happy. They passed into the main street. Even here people turned to look after them. "I shall hate going back again!" the girl thought. "I cannot face those terrible women!" Duncan was talking to her about jewellery, and she shuddered ly"Do you notice anything peculiar about me?" she asked. "Anything peculiar?" He laughed. "You are simply angelic, my darling!" "People s'Fre at me so! My clothes look dreadful in the bright sunshine. How ridiculous a diamond ring would make me!" "I had forgotten," Duncan stammered;. "Confound it —why can't people mind there own business?" He gnawed tfce end of his moustache angrily. "Yes—they do stare! Zilla, you must have on a new dress and hat and things now. I've seen plenty of them in the Oxford Street shops. Come!" Zilla had no desire to protest. She thought of the woman who lived near the Chattos, and of her prophecy. "1 would rather not return home until after it is dark," she thought; "and, when I next leave the house, I hope that I shall never see it again," From Brixton station they were driven in a cab to Oxford street. Duncan was quite unconscious of danger. Zilla was beside him—her trembling fingers were resting upon his own. He took her into one of the great clothing establishments, and spoke to an assistant. The shop-walker stepped forward and listened obsequiously. "This lady requires a complete outfit," Armitage said—"things that she can wear at once." "Certainly, sir." The shopman's eyes were upon her, and Zilla reddened painfully. "The ladies' department is upstairs. 1 will take the young lady to our manageress." | TO J>K CONTINUED." 1 ,