THE DOUBLE SECRET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9609, 1 October 1909, Page 2

THE DOUBLE SECRET.

CHAPTER IV.—Continued,

"I am sure, Birkin," said her ladyship, "that there is some mistake about this; the mother of Miss Pauline must have been ail that was good and lovable. Hereafter, Birkin, Miss Pauline will take the surname of Percy, and live with me as my ward, and you are to know nothing else about her. Answer no questions, you understand?" "Surely,my lady " said Birkin. "I know you have always been fond of Miss Ormesby, supposing her to be the little child born at Lyme Reeis, whose first hours you cared fur; and you are the only one of our household who has lately seenh;r, and the only one knowing all the circumstances of her life, and I trust you, Birkin, as I should trust no one else." "Thank you, my lady," said Birkin, greatly flatterci. "I hope to show you, my lady, that I do not betray your ladyship's confidence; and surely Ido love; Miss " "Miss Percy; get used to it, Birkin." , "Miss Percy, my lady, very much. "I shall take this young girl, Lucy, who has been waiting on us for several days, with me as Miss Percy's maid," said Lady Astraea, "and you must train her for her duties," To Harcourt Towers, Lord Harcourt's favourite country residence near Hastings, Lady Astraea now took her way, accompanied by Pauline, Birkin and Lucy. Her ladyship had written to her son that she should bring with her a young friend and ward, Miss Percy, hereafter to live under her care. Lord Harcourt paid little heed to this infirmation; what pleased his mother gererslly pleased him, and he took t for granted that this was one of the numerous side branches of the Percy family, branches betterjendowed with good blood aad good looks than with money. Nor did Lady Asltraea expect her son to take more the most casually polite notice of the new member of the family. Lord Thomas Harcout paid the least pi ssible attention to any woman, except his mother and his daughter. The .family met first in the breakfast-room. Pauline entered with the dowager, and found Lord Thomas standing by the mantel, his elbow resting on the carved marble, and his eyes vacantly resting on the breakfast-table, noting that the letters had no yet ,been placed beside his place. As his mother entered he- went up to her, took her hand, kissed her cheek, remarked on her long absence, and her improved appearance. "It ic time your ladyship returned," he said. "Squire Brinkham's son is hauning your granddaughter like a shadow, and I am afraid her late governegs and her aunt make but poor companions even for this country." "I have brought a young friend who will teach her discretion. My son, this is my ward and young friend, Pauline Percy, whom we shall be fortunate if we keep with us." Lord irlarcourt gave his hard to his guest, saying kindly ' "I hope we shall make Miss Percy happy." "Thank yon, my lord. I cannot fail to be happy with Lady Astraea." ItJ was a common-place remark enough, but at the rich, even tones Lord Thomas started, as one who hear" some long-forgotten strain, was this strain pleasing or full of sorrowful memories? He looked so intently at his guest that her eyes fell, and then as the lids veiled the aoft dark eyes, he studied the face for .an instant, and gave a sigh as he turned hack to the mantel. His mother Mas used tu these signs. She had never quite reached their meaning; but she knew that they had to do with the one grand error of her son's life. At this instant Lady Lina, as the daughter of the house was called, c'anced in at the open window that led to the south terrace. She had in her are arms a xew long whips of blooming honeysuckle, and what seemed to be a collection of stick and squeaks. Her hair, which was golden in the light with tints of auburn in the shadow, was rolled and puffed upon her head, and fell over her shoulders as Pope describes the charming Belinda:— "This nymph, for the destruction of mankind, "Had two long locks which gently waved behind." She was even better than Pauline, but had a way of looking like a child in spite of her womanly stature. She was oddly arrayed in a white muslin dress, short and narrow in the skirt, short in the waist, square-cut in the neck, puffed hugely in the short sleeves, and with blue bows at the shoulders and waist. "Oh, my magnificent grandmama, have you really come home? I did no know it. When did you get here?" she cried. "I havei't a hand to shake, my arms are so full, so do let me kiss you. How could you stay so long? How did you know but I'd elope?" "Harcourts do not conduct, themselves in that way," replied the grand old dowager. "My dear, here is my friend and ward,» Miss Percy. I hope you two will be happy together."

BY DUNCAN McQKEGOE Author of "Kennedy's Foe," ';lshmael Kefonae "A Game of Three," "Edna's Peril." Etc, etc.

"Grandmama's friend," said Miss Lina, in an awed voice. "What a collection of perfections you must be! and I without a hand to welcome you! The idea of grandmama and I having the same friend! But I am in iove with you directly. You iook like the most excellent mingling of the Venus of the Louvre and Saint Cecelia! Do give me a kiss." I'he salute being bestowed she piroutted in front o* her father: 'Good morning, Lord Harcourt! Bestow on me a kiss and your bene« diction, and then behold what a treasure I have!" Lord Harcourt bestowed the required kiss, and then Lady Lina de- ! iiberately put her foot under one of the claw feet of the little round stand, quite ignoring that it was destined to receive her grandmamma's especial teapot, and in this rude, naughty fashion, dragged it before her father, and bestowed upon it the of sticks and straws which she had carried. Around this she twisted her honeysuckle sprays, remarking: "He wants something green, he is so verdant and new himself, quite unused to society. Do look at him, papa, grandma, everybody ; did you see the like? A rook's nest with a baby rook at this time of year! It came down with a dead branch, and he's alive," which was quite evident, as the young bird clamoured fearfully. "Papa, I don't think you appreciate him." She picked the wretched object out of its wrecked r.est and set it on the marble mantel."Do look at the little beggar! Scarcely a mite of clothes on yet! Now, if he belonged to a family of taste, whit a privilege it would be to grow one's own clothes to suit one's taste, but he'll go and invest in those same dingy black things worn by all his relatives. Come, signor rook, get into your nouse again and breakfast with me. No, Simmons"— this to the servant who came in with a silver salver bearing a teapot under, a crimson velvet cozy—"find another ; stand ior her ladyship's teapot. "I j want this for my bird." | "Lina!" said her father, in a low, , sharp tone. "What's the matter?" she said, whirlhg around, and now deprived of her spoils, exhibiting the singular style of her dress. I Lord Thomas Harcourt fairly gasped for breath. "Child, what have you put on?" i "This? Oh, isn't this pratty? 1 had ! Rivers make it for me, copying from an old-fashioned plate 1 found. Won't Aunt Grace be indignant to j see me dressed a quarter of a century ! behind times? Neither a modern nor J an antique. How do you like it"^ In exhibiting the dress she had/ sanced backward until she reached Pauline, and'now stood close beside her. Lord Harcourt opened his mouth as if to speak, then suddenly turned away his head, and put his hand over bis eyes. His daughter began to get a little sobered. and looked at him inquisitively, when he straightened bimself and said: "We will wait no longer for Miss Vilthorpe," and led his mother to her place at the breakfast-table. Lady Lina took her seat opposite Pauline, pulilng the stand with the rook close to her elbow. With this wretched bird she insisted on sharing her breakfast, putting crumbs of bread and drops of milk and chocolate into the yawning abyss of his throat, and, whether/ from satisfaction or strangulation he presently became silent. Lady Astraea glanced several times at her son to see if he took exception to his child's capers. She remarked that he was not eating much breakfast, but that he was devoting most of his notice to Pauline, with whdm he entered into some conversation, paying her more than usual, attention. Breakfast over, Lady Lina collected her rook and his dilapidated nest, and saying to Pauline: "Come with me; I shall have the gardener's boy matce him a beautiful little house, and T shall dress the villain up until he gets a suit for himself; he looks quite heathenish in this style. Which would be most becoming to him, do you think, a bunch of blue heads on his neck, or a red ribbon" I TO BK CONTINUED.]