When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9564, 10 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XVI.--Continued. | "I am not half worthy nf you!" Zilla murmured. "I fear that 1 may awake and find it all a dream. Kiss me, Duncan, see how strong and brave lam now! When y«u are gone I shall sob myself to sleep, and never expect tu see you again. You will awake from the spell which enchains you, and recoil from poor Zilla in disgust and horror." His reply was to embrace her tightly, to shower hot kisses upon her brow. my Zilla, as long as life lasts!-, I have said unkind things to you to-day, and I am penitent—so cenitent! You are feverish, and I should have honouied your fancies. My heart will always rtproaeh me. And now on« word about your father. I am glad that, you spoke of him as you did. He may not be utterly lost of self-respect, and one never knows how circumstances combine to defeat a man's best efforts. You have lately been his chief source of income, and he must be adequately recompensed. After our marriage we will go to him. There will be no fear then." "And after that? Oh, how kind, how thoughtful, you are! And after that?" "Elysium." He laughed almost gaily. Zilla's eyes flashed with unnatural brilliancy. Mrs Chatto tapped at the door. "Shall I bring in the lamp, Mr Armitage?" she asked. "It does not matter, thank you!" replied Duncan. "I am going now." He kissed Zilla, then he opened the door. "And, Mrs Chatto, you will attend to your patient?" he said. "There is not much the matter, but I arn a little anxious " "Miss Seton ought to be a happy girl"—and Mrs Chatto sighed. "How he worships her!" Duncan went away with a strange weight at his heart. Zilla watched him from the window. His dark figure became lost in the gloom, and she held out her hands mutely. For some minutes she stared before her, seeing nothing but the creations of her own fancy. Then she turned to leave the room, a faint sob bursting from her lips. "Oh, Duncan, my faithful knight, it seems as if a black river were roling between us! Polly—folly! I have caught cold, and am feverish and imaginative. 1 have made myself unhappy, and Duncan, too. I cannot help it. My thoughts are wild, disconnected. It is the worry of it all—the bitter knowledge that he is making a ruinous sacrifice ior me. Another cares for him — one of his own order —one who would do honour to his high i tation. Bi.t he loves me best—poor little Zilla, the singing girl!" v There was a note of triumph in her vioce. She tottered to a chair, and saw that Mrs Chatto was in the room. / | "My dear child," said the cabman's j wife, "you must nit take on in this way! I couldn't help hearing a little of what you've been thinking aloud, and I respect your feelings. When you are a great lady you'll think of me, I hope. I know that it is a proud day in my life. It's real romance, and no humbiig about it! Now I want ycu to go to vour room. I've got Bome nice hot gruel, with something warming in it." She smiled insinuatingly. "We must have a bonny bride!" "Thank you, Mrs .Chatto. lam so tired!" Zil!a rose. She picked ur *i paper. It was the "Echo" Duncan had bought. "If I can't sleep at first I will read this newspaper," she said, smiling. "Anyhow, my lover bought it, and 1 will place it under my pillow to brighten my dreams." CHAPTER XVII. HELEN'S ENDURING TRUST. It was late when Duncan Armitagn dismissed his cab at the corner of Mayfair. The street was alive w:th closed carriages and hansoms returning from the theatres. He paused irresulutely under a lamp, and within view of Lord Rainhill's town house. He was thinking of Zilla's capricious moodp, of the strange hectic flush on her face. His mind was greatly disturbed. He tried to recall all that had passed between them. In one sense the afternoon had been spent delightfully, but he had uttered unkind worlds more than once. He had not made sufficient allowance for Zilla 'a nervous anxiety about himself and her father. She was only a girl. "Only twelve hours until I see my darling's face again!" he murmured. "I will go to her in the morning. I cannot bear this sus pense. Pshaw! It is only a slight touch of fever, and she wiil laugh at my fears! Only twelve hours, but it seems like an age!" ' Like one in a dream he saw the flashing eyes, heard the ripple of silvery laughter, as the carriage whirled past. A policeman, tespectfulJy wished him "good night," and he started guiltily. "Good night," he responded and walked homeward. His eyes were fixed upon the pavement, his hands were thrust into his pockets. A sound of quick feet caused him to look up suddenly, .and his heart beat fast. Two men ran lightly down the steps of his fathers' house, and, I springing into a cab, were driven

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

rapidly away He recognized them at once—Gus Etherington and Clarence Mountarbon! Armitage glaied savagely after the departing cab, then he simled. "A few more hours and my darling will be safe from the persecution of that scoundrel! I will lash him yet as I would a vicious hound! Arid it is with her father's knowledge! Which is the greater villain?" His eyes flashed. "And Clarence Mount"arbon—the man who has been my frietid, my comrade! To what depths will jealousy descend!" _ The butler met him in the hall. He was an old man, and had served the house of Rainhill from boyhood. He was devoted to the present peer, "Lord Rainhill has retired to his own apartments, Mr Duncan," he said in a gentle, insinuating tone. "His lordship has had a busy day. Hedoesnot wish to be disturbed. His lordship commanded me to imparl, his wishes to you." Armitage reddened angrily. "What were those people doing here?" he bruskv asked. "People, sir?" Thsre was surprise in the butler's voice "Mr Etherington and Mr Clarence Mountarbon! My good fellow, pray do not smile at me like an elderly ape! Bah! get out of my sight!" Tihe butler retired apolegetically, and Armitage turned into the library His enemies—Zilla's enemies —had been there. His father had granted them an interview, and had nought his room immediately after their departure. Armitage could hear his steady tramp on the floor over the library. The young man dropped into a chair and lighted a cigar. "I will make a clean breast of everything to morrow," he decided. "I cannot bear this. My father is half prepared." Helen Howard's fair face rose before him,J and a ' groan passed his lips. "1 ought to have adhered to my original plan. My father shall not meddle with my affairs!" He went to his room. 'A note lay on the table, addressed.to himRelf. It was in Lord Rainhill's handwriting. He tore it open hastily and read it. | TO BK fiONTWirED.I