A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10037, 6 May 1910, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

CHAPTER I. A delightful evening in early August —sweet, cool and fragrant. A full moon glowed abovo the horizon, golden :;s the setting tun. It gleamed in the dancing waters and murmured musically upon the shore: 'A liquid chord in tvery wave that f-'ov/s,' and s; lead a mystic beauty over the dreaming world. The soft strains of a mandolin trenblcd in the air, the strings vibrit'ifii:.; under the exquisite touch ot fingers as gentle as the evening breeze, and a deep voice sariir

"Thcie lies v. shell beneath the

waves, In many a hollow winding wreathed, Such as of old Echued tha breath that warbling seamaids breathed. This magic shell Prura the white bosom of a siren fell, As once t-he wandered by the tide that leaver; Sicilia's sands of «old." "Very nice, Percy; very nice, indeed !'

another voice said patronisingly. 'But where on earth aid you get the melody from?'

'lnspiration, my boy,' was the half-bantering reply. 'A night like this would breathe poetry into the dullest of mortals .'The furzy hiils behind; shut out the noises of the town; and the footfalls on the promenade are but rythmical echoes.'

'One would think that Llanthorne-by-thc-Sea was a perfect paradise, instead of being about the slowest spot on the face of the earth.' ''J'hst is whsre we differ, Daventry. 1 i'e;ight in picturesque out-of-the-way places, while you revel in brilliancy, noise and ever-changing scenes. The i'reab, sweet beauty of the country damsels is an eternal fefcvc. Until I came to Lianthurne I had never seen the beautiful blush of maidenhood.'

His companion smiled cynically, and removed his cigar from between his lips. He did not epea*, though, and Clifford continued:

4 So you like the melody, Daventry?' 'Yes; it is all right. But the mob will not understand it. I shuuld think that a plantation aong would be more suitable.' Daventry yawned. 'You are determined to go on with this folly, Percy? The idea of Lord Manthorpe's son and heir appearing as a minstrel on a public platform! If the earl heirs of it he will have a fit of apoplexy.'

'My father need never hear of it,' Percy said. 'And lam sure that my conscience does not accuse me of wrongdoing. With som« other visitors to Llanthorne, I have consented to take part in a concert for the benefit of the church." 'You are always doing extraordinary things; but I am not altogether bliDd. The earl believes that lam looking after .you, and, instead, I am basely abusing his confidence. If I were to act up to my principles, I should insist upon your leaving Llanthorne at once!' 'I am afraid that I should disobey you!' laughed Percy. 'Then l ought to lay the case before the earl.' 'What case?'

'This concert business, and the——Pardon me, Percy, but you ask for a plain answer to a plain question. You are infatuated with the pretty country girl—Miss—er—what's her name?—from the gardener's cottage. It is very nice and romantic, ai;d all that, but hardly the thing, you know. I should not worry if I felt certain that you were merely amusing yourself; but you are so rash' —so hot-blooded! If trouble came of it, I should have to ! bear much of the blame.' Percy flushed hutly. 'Much obliged, 1 am sure, Daventry,' he haughtily retorted; 'but I think that I am quite old enough to look after myself. I am twenty-four years of age, and not to be censured as though I were a mere schoolboy. This system of espionage is particularly distasteful to me, and the best thing that you can do. my d.?ar cousin, is to take yourself off." He placed the mandolin in it case and sprang to his feet. 'One moment, Percy!' Daventry said huskily. 'You will be sorry for j that ungenerous speech, to-morrow. You know that I am in the position of a dependent, that I am really in j the employ of Lord Mantborpe, m the capacity to you of. mentor and friend. The position fur me is rather equivocal, and I want you to pause ! and consiiier. lam a poor relative—with very doubtful prospects—just fifteen jears your senior. I cannot afford to offend you, and I cannot afford to offend the earl. I am between two fires. You must remember that only your ilfe stands between me and an earldom. If I failed in my ~.uty toward you, what would the world say?' 'I don't understand you; but co on.' Daventry shrugged his shoulders. 'I will speak my mind, since you are so good as to listen,' he said ] 'You have always been wilful and !

f BT f. 1. DACEE, 5 I 1 a* Author of—'J he Doctor's Secret, A Case for the Court, I* Sir John's Heiress, A Loveless Marriage,' / Treaholme's Trust, Etc. /

'No,' was the firm rejoinder; 'I have given my promise, and to me a promise is binding! There is r.o disgrace in playng any musical instrument for a good cause/

'But, if you chose, you could, without the slightest inconvenience, give the vicar the money he needs. It is a few paltiy pounds, I suppose?' 'Yes, I could do that; but my identity would be revealed. Then I should lose all the pleasure of the fair and the concert.'

'And the blue-eyed country girl,' added Davehtry. 'Yes,' assented Percy, reddening. 'I don't mind owning to you that I have thoroughly enjoyed myself among these si tuple people. I would not for worlds have the charm broken; and I take all responsibility upon my own shoulders, Daventry. You must c'ote your eyes to everything; and, in the future, I shall never reproach you.' Daventry turned his dark face toward the moon —there was a strange light in his eyes. 'J am forced to obey you,' he replied, "whether ray conscience acquits me or not; but I shall hold you to the promise you have just given to me, Kemember one thing—we must return to Mantborpe Park before the end of the month. The earl is making arrangements for his annual visit tn Scotland, and Misa Glinton will be there. You and Constance were sweethearts once,'

'Yes,' assented Percy; 'and it is understood that we are sweethearts still.Constance is a beautiful woman.'

'And she loves you, Percy.' Daventry glanced up at the young man, and his heart thrilled with envy. How handsome his impassioned face appeared in the moonlight! Youth, strength, good looks, wealth—all were his.

'I believe that she does care a little for me, Daventry,' he said dreamily; then he held out his right hand, adding: 'I am glad that we understand each other a little better now, old man! I have often resented your interference. and felt disposed to quarrel with you; but, of course, you were not to blame! Shall we take a turn on the esplanade? There are not many people about; and I want to talk with you about this fair and concert and the gardener's daughter. *

He stammered like a schoolboy, and Owen Daventry clutched his arm.

'You may speak freely to me now,' he said; 'we are upon a different footing. An hour since 1 should have considered it my duty to report everything to Lord Manthorpe. Rather than quarrel with you, I would resign my position—the position which you described as one of espionage. That usrly word cut me to the quick. We are now chums, if you will permit me to call our friendship by the dear old name.' 'You have always been loyal and true!' Percy generously acknowledged. Had he seen the sneer in Daventry's eyes he would instantly have recalled the words.

'I am glad to hear you say that,' his cousin responded quietly. 'Give me your arm, Percy, and we will stroll along the esplanade. You can then tell your story in your own way.' The two men emerged from the shadow of The moon was now shining like a silver lamp. Myriads of stars gleamed in 'the purple heavens, and the waves droned a sweet lullaby to the beautiful night. A sort of enchantment seemed to be over all things—a holy stillness—the silliness of love and dreams.

Then Clifford told his story, and Owen Daventry listened. Better far for him had he hugged a serpent to his brea&t than believed in the sympathy which was uttered by his false cousin under the ahininig stars!

hot-headed; and for that reason the earl confided you to my care before we went abroad. He holds me responsible for your well-being. You are the very apple of his eye. 1 have been faithful to you in ail your escapades;' but 1 have reason to hate the day when we set foot in Llanthorne, I strongly object to this concert, and I should like to see you fling that mandolin among the rocks. What has a gentleman to do with music of that kind? It belongs to street minstrels, This bohemianism was imbibed in Italy. You have premised to stand upon a public platform, among a lot of vulgar tradesmen, and play to a crowd of country louts. I say that it is monstrous!' 'No one knows me,' Percy thoughtfully observed. 'There are hundreds ot people named Clifford.' 'But, my dear boy. it is sure to leak out some time.!'

'I have given my promise, Daventry.'

'Pshaw! What does a promise of that kind amount to?' exclaimed the other. 'An excuse can readily be made*.