When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9596, 16 September 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

S BY OWEN MASTEES. J 1 1 It Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman |# 5 Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "One linpas- ? sioned Hour," Etc., Etc. /

CHAPTER XXV.—Continued.

"1 did not know it then, only I thought that I, the poor singer, the convict's child, was forgotten—gone nobody cared whither. Mrs Vavasour's rugged kindness appealed to me. She had befriended me, and I in turn was able to minister to her wants. She suffered from rheumatism, and I became her right hand. She spoke of my likeness to her dead daughter, and one day asked me to assume her name. Henceforth ] was her adopted child, her heiress. She had no relatives for wh'im she cared, she was doing no living soul any injustice. We went to Canada—her home —and, until she died. I was happy enough in a certain way. It was so hard to realise that 1 was poor Zilla, the singer, and I used to dream of my handsome lover as I knew him when he loved me !" "As he will ever love you, darling !" "I understand now—l did not then. It only shows how poor and paltry a thing was my faith com ■ pared with youra. In the early spring of this year I returned to England, with my maid, as Miss Queenie Vavasour, the heiress. Mra Vavasour had moved in the best circles, so that my credentials were unquestioned. I was very rich, and society opened its arms to'me. One of the first persons to make much of me was Mrs Francillon. the only woman I ever really detested. I had seen her fierce eyes, her contemptuous smile, in my dreams ever since the day she stared at the poor waif whom my knight loved so well. I engaged her as my chaperon, and I think that i have taken a malicious delight in misleading her and her silly son!" "Naughty Zilla!" Rainhill laughed. "I really think that she will be fully repaid for her past treachery." "I am sorry now that I have been cruel," Zilla said. "My story is nearly ended. I made the acquaint ance of Cecil Howard, and I never tired of listening to him, because he often spoke of my lover of the past. Then a few days since he made plain to me your true nobleness of character, my darling, and my own worthless faith!" Ranhiil drew the aweet face closer to hia own, and kissed th red lips. "I am quite content, Zilla," he said fondly. "You know that your real name is Zilla Etherington, and that now you are doubly an heiress?" "I nave known it only since last Thursday. I have seen advertisements for 'Zilla Seton,' but feared to reply, lest I fell in again with tl:e people of whom I was afraid. And—and my father is dead?" "Long/since, Zilla. He and I were friendly at the last; his repentance was sincere; he sought everywhere; for you, and appointed me your guardian." The girl uttered a long-drawn sigh —a sigh of unutterable content.

Lord Rainhill spoke to Ladv Lovatt in private that night. She was an old and valued friend of his family, therefore he had nothing to conceal. In the end it was decided that Miss Vavasour should stay with her for a time. It was impossible for her to return to mrs Francilion's home after what had passed. There was the usual nine days' wondtr; but whether the world condemned or approved, the lovers did not heed Thev had crossed the border into Elysium. m * * * *

It was spring again. The sun shone in a blue sky. The birds sang joyously in the trets, countless blossoms beautified the fragrant earth. Duncan Armitage, Lord Kainhill, was standing on one of the balconies of Rainhill Court., an open letter in liis hand, a smile upon his eager, handsome face. "Zilla, darling!" he called. He thrust aside the crimson curtains that draped the window, and looked into tne room beyond. A clear, gladsome vohe answerd: "I am here, sir, at your ser-

vice." A vision of loveliness appeared— Zilla, a happy bride of one short week. mi, "A letter?" she continued, brom whom?" "CannDt you guess, Zilla?" "From Cecil?" The sweet face flushed guiltily. "I guess that it is, from your air of mystery, your excitement." "Listen sweetheart, and I will read what he says. '"My Dear Old Dunan: I ought to have been at your wedding—yours and sweet little Zilla's—but I am so terriblv hard pushed! You understand?* I am fighting for fame—tor advancement in my profession—and some day I may be a judge. Briefs and fat fees are flowing in upon* me. . . . 1 heard only to day from Lady Annandale that the honeymoon was to be spent at Rainhill Court. Well, 1 should think it is far nicer than having to stifle one's natural feelings in the presence of strangers. I had a most brilliant description of the wedding from your sister. Trust a woman for that. . . Accept my eternal love for yourself and your bride "'Believe me, ever yours, "'CECIL HOWARD.'" There was a brief silence. Tears were standing in Zilla's eyes. "Poor old Cecil!" her husband ex-

claimed at last. "But it is all for the best, darling. If we could only un derstand " He put one arm round her slender waist. The dark head rested on his shoulder, the shining eyes were turned up to his. "Duncan, my darling, my husband, I think that it was an American poet who said: '"I know, as my life grows older. And mine eyes have a clearer sight. That under each somewhere „ There lives the root"of right, That each sorrow has its purpose £ By the sorrowing oft unguessed; But, as sure as the sun brings morning, Whatever is—is best. '"I knuw that each sinful action, As sure as the night brings shade, Is somewhere some time punished, Though the hour be long delayed, Ijknow that the soul is aided Sometimes by the heart's unrest, And to grow means often to suffer; But whatever is—is best. "'I know there are no errors In the great eternal plan, And all things work together ~ For the final good of man. And I know, when my soul speeds onward In its grand eternal quest, I shall sing, as I look back earthward, Whatever is—is best!'" A thrush close by burst into ecsta - tic song. Duncan pressed his wife more closely to his heart. "Oh, my Zilla. my saint," he murmured, "surely such affection as ours is divinely blessed! In sunj shine, in storm, we live only for each other, content with the serene happiness assured B 'WHEN LOVE RULES THE HEART.'" THE END.