A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10072, 18 June 1910, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

CHAPTER XXVII. ( "I LOVE YOU NOW AS ISHOULU HAVE LuVED MY OWxN MOTHER." When acting upon her own responsibility, Mrs Frost wai a lady of great decision of character. She believeuMhat Hildred had teen cruelly, bitterly wronged; she nelipved that she was in reality no wife at ail. What other construction could she put upon the girl's wild words? or what other reason would her young mistress fly from her bemitiful home —from the man she had loved and trusted? It was an old story, always painful, yet none the less true—the highborn lover and the country maid. In this instance the country maid was a lady by instinct, and *s lovely as one could picture. Hew she had been deceived Mrs Frost did r\ot pause to inquire. Why further pvobe the wound? yWhen the train reached London Bridge the lady hired a four wheeled cab, and directed the driver So take them to Kennington. There was a great deal of luggage, and part of it had to be loft in the cloak room at the station. "I have a lady friend at Kennington," Mra Frost said U Mildred, "who will be pleased to look after us to-night. I took the precaution to send a telegram from Eliesmere. To-morrow I will settle with the agent about the furnished cottage at Deal, and arrange for the removal of my daughter from the infirmary. From this day 1 have two dauj»ht.-.re, and we shall be happy until " Her lips quivered and her eves filled with tears. She was thinking- of her darling's lingering death. The drive through the busy, crowded streets reminded Mildred of her first visit to London with Percy. She heard his joyous voice—she felt the tender claep of his hand. How fair and beautiful the world peomed then! The vehicle turned into a quiet street, and she was ton dnsied t« remember much of what followed that night. They were iecemd by Mis Frost's friend, and ihe pale-hepd, sad-eyed girl was conducted to a room iu one of the upper siarieu of a shabby-genteel house. Utterly wtary, both mentally and physically, she permitted herself to be promptly put to bed, and so an r\li into o ion?, dreamless r-leep. She was awakenedjthe next morning by the sh-aip ring of lurrying feet on the r,avement below der window—by Ihe aound of cheeiful laughter and of brisk young voices. Men and women were on their way to business in the great city; another day had dawned, and the world was awakening into life.

For a few minutes Hiidred was bewildered; and then a feeling of utter desolation and despair crept into her heait. What was she? An outcast—a pariah. She buried her face in the pillow and sobbed. She had prayed to heaven that she might die, and heaven had not answered her prayer. Her greatest disappointment was tn discover that she was alive and well. The long s'eep had cured the burning pains in her head —had cooled her throbbing pulses—' had brought to her a keenei realisation of her wretchedness [arid hopelessness. It naver occurred to her that she wa3 acting wrongly. She had been cruelly deceived by the man whom she had believed to be a king amorig men. The lawyer had calmly discussed with him the annulment of her marriage—had sneered at the marriage—and spoken of a solemn beone who had a greater claim upon him. Ah, it was indeed terrible! He had listened to it all and said nothing. The man whom she had worshipped—the man who had professed to love her—he had approved of what the lawyer said —he must have done so. Further, she stood between him and a great fortune. Perhaps he hated her for it. But, on, why had he deceived her? Her heart burned with fierce indignation. And now she had lost the one I being who clung to her—she had lost ( her grandfather—and by his hand! A I moan of anguish escaped ner. She j never doubted that her had j

BY *'• L. DACRE, Author of—'i ho I octor's Secret, A Case for the Court, Sir John's Edress, A Loveless Marriage, ' Tior-holire'o Trust, Etc.

struck that fisree blow— the blow which had deprived her g-randfathe: of his life! Some one moved in the next room,. and Hildred rose hastily and began to dress. Presently Mrs Frost canrj in, and she looked [anxiously at the fair sweet face. "You arc better, Mrs " "Call me 'Miss Dudley,' if you please," the girl interrupted. "Yes, I am sorry to find that I am both well and strong. I prayed for death, and death is denied me." "Hush, my dear!" the elder lady said chiding!y. • "You do not know what you say. Time will soften the sting of your misery and pain, and the world may yet be full of great possibilities. There is even pleasure in helping to alleviate the sufferings of others. Now for cur plans to-day ! I am going to the infirmary this morning to apply for my daughter's discharge, and at the same time I shall take the furnished cottage at Deal. I have done business with the agent before, so I anticipate no delay. You and I will take possession this afternoon, to make our new home bright for the reception of my daughter in three or four days' time Ihen we must look to the future, and trust in Has van."

"If you will excuse me, Mr 3 Frost, I should prefer to remain indoors," Hildred said with alongdrawn, quivering sit,h. "I have so much to think about. You will not consider me unkind?"

"Just as you please, my clear; but it will do you no good to be left alone to brood over your sorrow." "It is not that. I have put the past away from me—it is a sealed book. I hoped that I should die, but it is not to be yet; I am young, and may Jive many years; I must try to imagine what my lonely future is to be. I was Hildred Clifford yesterday; to-day Mildred Clifford is dead—a mere memory; I have sacrificed everything foi love."

"It is woman's lot," Mrs Frost gently said. "We are but units among millions. It is bitter to endure in the first flush of youth, but Time'* chastening hand gives us calm resigration at last/' In a fond, motherly way she drew the fair, golden head on to htr shoulder. "You shall be a second daughter to rri3, dear, if you will, and soon"—-there was a break in her voice—"and soon I shall have no other left to me." "Do you really love me a little?" Hiidred impulsively asked. "My symoathy lias iurned to fond, motherly love," waa the warm reply. "I want to keep you with me always, my dear. lam a wayworn, lonely woman." "And you have no friends in the wide world to care whether you live or die?" "None! l 'Mrs Frost sighed wearily, a wistful light in her eyes. "I have told yuu, Hiidred " She hesitated, adding, "It seems so strange to use your Christian name! A short time since you were my mistress; now you are my daughter, clinging to me tor love and protection." "Call me anythiag you please " Hiidred said. TO B3 fCNIINTTED