When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9595, 15 September 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XXXlV.—Continued

The young lawyer smiled pitifully. "Wait!" was the only word he uttered. He vanished into the shadows, and then passed into the brilliant moon • light, through one of the doors farther from the house. ' There were very few people wandering about now; they were strolling in to supper. "There is nothing left for me!" he thought despairingly. He looked back once; he held out his arms to a phantom. Voices neardiverted his his thoughts. He recovered himself and laughed mirthlessly. Lord Rainhill was waiting for him in the moonlight; he saw the tall figure moving restlessly to and fro. "My duty !" Cecil said half aloud. "Am 1 not performing it with Spartan fortitude?" Rainhill started forward to meet him. Cecil laid one hand upon his arm. He was perfectly coo! now, although his face v*as white and set. "Duncan, the woman you adore is waiting for you. Stay!" He tightened his grip. "You will find her in the conservatory—the north end, where the fairy lights burn blue. The people are at supper, you will not be disturbed. Now I want to say 'good-by'—it may be for a week or a year, or foiever! You and she understand why!" "Cecil I, " Kainhill paused. anything he might say would only add to his friend's despairing grief. They clasped hands in silence. The moonlight fell upon them; the foilage was zeutly moved by the warm wind of the perfect August night; the rhythmical music of the fountain seemed to murmur "goodby!"

CHAPTER XXXV.

WHATEVER IS—IS BEST!

"You will find her in the conservatory—the north end, where the fairy lights burn blue," Cecil Howard had said to Rainhill when they parted in the garden after the latter had been informed that Zilla was waiting for him. Rainhill hastened thither. Cecil was forgotten. He could think only of Zilla, Zilla, his lost love, was restored to him! He entered the conservatory and found his way to the spot indicated. A figure rose as he approached—a figure in shimmering white. He saw the dear face, the misty dark eyes of Zilla—he heard her gasping, ecstatic cry of—"Duncan, my darling!" and then she was folded to his heart. * * » * * The minute slipped away—a world of happiness was compressed into a brief space. At'last they were seated hand in hand, Zilla's head resting on her lover's shoulder. The moonlight was shining upon her lovtly face, showing that it was now glorified by a deeu and perfect love. "Zilla, Zilla, tell me that I am not dreaming! If this should be an illu : sion—a phantom " "Ours have been no phantom kisses, my darling—no phantom caresses! Thank Heaven that it is no dream!" A brief silence ensued, then Lord Rainhill spoke. "Zilla, my darling, we have mutual explanations to give, arrangements to make for the future. You are called Miss Queenie Vavasour—you are being chaperoned by a woman who parted us two years since, who has caused both of us indescribable anguish." "Listen, dear," Zilla said, "and you shall her my story. As for yourself, Cecil Howard has told me all. I heard it eagerly, my heart full of shame for myself; but you will not utterly condemn me?" "I shall love and cherish you .until death—and after!" "We were to have been married once, Duncan," she said, with a low, happy laugh. "And we shall be married yet, Zilla. It is two years since I obtained a special license. Two years—or twenty? I left you, my heart happy with hopej with love. Then you vanished." "Hush, my dear—l have heard it all! Now I will explain to you, and you shall judge me as you will. 1 don't know that I was quite respon • sible for my actions, but I remember every incident as clearly as though each one had been photographed. Mr Mountarbon and Mr Etherington"— she shuddered —"led me from the little house at Brixton to see the man whom I then believed to be my father. He was in prison, and wanted me; it was my duty to go to him. I did not wonder until long afterward how they had discovered my retreat; I went willingly, anxiously—but not to Bow street, nut to see- John Seton. 1 was driven many miles into the country, to a prison like house lying in a valley. I remember my terror, and the cunning which enabled me to fly and evade pursuit. I was half delirious at the time. I hid in the woods till darkness came, and then continued my flight, At last I caught sight of a flickering light, then, beyond it, I saw other and bright lights, and presently found myself before a beautiful house. I was tired and footsore—l was fainting; I wanted halp—l thought I was dying. These were my thoughts. So I began to sing—the old instinct came hack

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

to me. I sang the song of 'Blind Nydia of Thessaly.' I did not know until lone afterward that I had done so, for I fainted as 1 finished the song." "My poor Zilla!" Rainhill murmured. "I fainted,' Zilla proceeded; "and for many weeks the world was a blank to me When I awakened to a knowledge of life, the day was dark and dreary, and I knew that the winds of autumn were in the trees. I saw the leaves flying, and heard the chirp of a robin. I could not understand it. It seemed to have been summer the day before. "Gradually my memory returned: my thoughts were chaotic, terrifying. I glanced at my surroundings—they were luxurious. I muttered a wild cry—l was in the hands of my enemies! No—an old lady' was bending over me, stern-looking, severe. She j had gleaming black eyes, and a, I nose that reminded me of an eagJe's beak. I turned my head apprehensively, and she smiled at me—l never thought that a face like hers could smile so kindly. I felt reassured. "Time went on, My benefactress was named Vavasour. It was at her door that I had sung of 'Blind Nydia of Thessaly'; it was at her door that I had fainted; it was in her house that I had battled with a long illness. I told her that I was friendless, homeless. She took pity upon me, and confessed that she had grown to love me. I had seen an account of your marriage, Duncan, to Miss Helen Howard, and my faith was broken, my love was only a fevered dream. I had always been slightly jealous of Miss Howard, »nd now " The tears trembled on her eyelashes. "And all this while I had been looking everywhere for you, my dear litte love!" he said fondly. I TO BK CONTINUED.!