When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9566, 12 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XVII. —Continued

He did not reply at once. He saw Zilla's reproachful eyes, he heard the music of her voice. "Oh, traitor, traitor!" was the cry that echoed through his heart. "Cecil was here an hour ago." he said. "He heard Jast night that you and Flo were in town. He could not remain to breakfast with us, but will dine here to-day." Helen looked up at her lover's face, her own blushing charmingly. "i suppose that Cecil has heard of our happiness from Lord Rainhill?" she faltered. "And he came " She hesitated, and Armitage added, with a touch of bitterness: "To offer his felicitations! It is ever the same when two people think of assuming the fetters of marriage!" , Helen was startled by his manner, his tone, his words. "Duncan, my darling, you are vexed! What is it, dear? Tell me." Her eyes darkened with fear, her face became almost waxen-white. "Yes, I am vexed, little sweetheart.," Armitage said quickly —his conscience smote him—"but not with you—not with your brother Cecil. lam vexed with my father. He is interfering unduly with my with our affairs. I did not know one word uf your coming to London until last midnight, and [then only through the medium of a note left on my dressing-table." He paused lamely. Helen glanced up swiftly, smiling through her tears. "1 know what you mean, darling," she whispered. "I was myself disappointed, horribly. I thought that you would be waiting for me yesterday. Lord Kainhill only laughed, and said that you were out somewhere. lam sure that he is doing everything for the best. Duncan, ought we not to be very happy? livery doubt is removed. I was so afraid of Lord Rainhill! He has appeared in my dreams as an ogre, j whose one desire was to desparate i us. Florence believed so, and you | were both angry and rebellious. Is . not the metamorphosis remarkable? His coldness and reserve have given way to warmth and genuine affection. Florence was amazed, and I was be- j wiloered. He telegraphed to us yes- | terday—we vveiv to come to town at ■ once. His commands were imperative"—she laughed—"but I was glad to obey him. 1 wanted to be near my lover." She nestled more closely to him, and he caressed her. His brain was in a whirl. He murmured something —he could not recall what. Then the breakfast-bell rang, and Lady Annandale's gay laughter fell upon their ears. "Truant!" she called through the keyhole. "I know that you are in the library. The butler says so. Fancy getting up at such unearthly houra to make love!" A ripple of silvery laughter followed. Helen was smilir.g and blushing. Armitage turned from her to hide the misery in his eyes. "Come," he said briefly, "my father does not like to be kept waiting?! Good heavens," he thought, "lam completely surrounded! A scandal for malicious men and women, a delightful sensation for the papers, a broken heart! I shall go mad!" They entered the breakfast-room, and Armitage ft It that his father's keen eyes were scrutinizing him. He feared to look at his father lest his own eyes should reveal the anger that was raging within him. He murmurea a orJef "good morning," and was grateful to his sister for her light badinage. It diverted the attention of all. Lorn Rainhill assumed a forced gaiety, but the cold expressioa never left his eyes. "Now, what are your arrangements, ladies?" he a»ked. "You cavalier is at hand, I suppose that a woman's eternal delight is in your minds'" "And what may that be?" demanded Lady Annandale. "Shopping, of course—spending money!" was the half-cynical reply. "You are wrong, papa," said Lady Annandale. Duncan remembered the contents of nis father's note, and his lip curled. "A final canter in the Row?" suggested Lord Rainhill. "To-mor-row will probably be your last day in town until next season. Make the moat of it. Duncan. I must leave Miss Howard and Florence in your care. I have urgent matters to attend to. Pardon me." ■ / He left the table. His son followed, him to the door, his heart throbbing furiously. "Father," he said—his voice was strained and hoarse—"can I see you alone? 1 must see you—it is imperative!" Lord Rainhill paused and raised his eyebrows, Then he frowned, and cast a cold glance at his son's flushed face. "Imperative?" He smiled icily. "Not now—t>morrow any time. My carriage will be round in one minute. I think that I have been sufficiently lenient toward you already, Duncan. My business has been subserient to yours. \Does it not occur to you that you are rather selfish? But you are in loe! I can make many ] allowances. Ah, the carriage is

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

waiting. My hat and gloves!" to the butler. The old butler catne forward with the articles demanded. Then Lord Rainhill nodd3d to his t-on and passed out. Duncan saw the carriage whirl away. Choking' with wrath and bitterness, he sought for a while the seclusion of his own room. "My first duty is to Zilla," he resolved determinedly. "I left her ill; I shall know no pleace until I am satisfied that she is better and in good spirits. I will go to Brixton Hill at once; then I will see about the marriage license. Florence must entertain Helen poor, loving Helen!" A groan passed his lips. He felt that nothing could ever efface from his life the foul > blot he was creating. He wondered vaguely how it would all end. "Poor trusting Helen—my little sweetheart of the long ago!" he murmured. "I believe that the knowledge of my seeming perfidy will break her heart! How much am I to blame? What madness prompted me to speak of a love that never existed? My life was so empty, and her sympathy was sweet then." He went down-stairs. His sister and Helen were in the morningroom. Lady Annandale greeted him in a tone of railery. 'Now, sir, our fate is in your hands. What are you going to do with us? Papa declares that we ought to have a final canter in the Row. Now I have no desire to be a spoil-sport, and, if two are company and three none, I am resigned to anything." Helen looked up shyiy, and Armitage dared not meet her gaze. He walked round the room, his hands in his pockets, a frown on his handsome, boyish face. "I cannot help his lordship's arrangements!" he desperately retorted. "I have not been consulted, and you will have to look after Jyourselves to-day." He looked out into the street. Lady Annandale was amazed. Helen moved to the side of the man she loved. "It does not matter, dear," she softly murmured. "I am not a bit disappointed." "Naughty fib!" exclaimed Lady [Annandale. "What a telltale your face is, Helen! I consider that we are very ill-used." "I have appointments quite as important as Lord Kainhill's," Armitage said. "I left the room to tell him so. He refused to hear me. Of course I understand why!" with a fierce glance at his sister. Lady Annandale paled. I TO BE CONTINUED.!

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