A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10033, 6 July 1910, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

CHaPTER XXXIII.-Continued.

"I have no time to go into details, or the story of my schtmes would fill I a volume. At the last his lordship became suspicious of me, ai d decided to destroy tbe will which made me master of all these broad lands. I was toli that he had sent for the family lawyer, a man whom I hated and feared, and in my rage I struck the earl. Keeling, he fell at my feet, and I hoped that he was dead. He lingered for many days, hut he could never make his wishes known. At last the end came. I was staying at Llanthorne, professedly in the service of my cousin, who was living with his young wife at a place called the Woodlands; near fcllesmere, Kent. A telegram came to me, announcing his lordships' death. I forwaided it to Clifford, and an hour later decided to follow it to the Woodlands. "Even now I cannot understand what impelled me to act in such a way. Perhaps I thought it wite to give Percy an intimation of the nature of his father's will. No one could prove that 1 had any hand in it, and I wished to appear generous. I was afraid of his sudden fury and hate if he became convinced of my duplicity. I swear that it was my intention to divide the estate equally between us. I took an early train to Ellesmere, the nearest statiun to my cousin's home, and the first person I saw on the platform was the lawyer, Mr Spaiks, between whom and myself there was a bitter feud. He was waiting for the up-ttair, and I j knew that he had forestalled me—l knew that he had revealed mv villainy to my cousin. I left the station hastily, and for a long time wandered about the town; then I decided to go on to the Woodlands. There was still the chance that fcparks had not told Percy anything, and an explanation just then would be referable to one perhaps in the presence of a crowd of guests. "It was a long walk to the Woodlands, but I had no difficulty in finding the place; Percy had described it to roe so many times in his enthusiastic letters. It was late when I found myself reading the name inscribed on the columns supporting the big entrance gates, but a lull moon was shining in a clear sky. I was startled by a sudden rush of wheels, and a carriage swept at a furious pace up the drive. As it passed me I saw that it contained only one person—my cousin Percy, and his white set face sent a chill through me. I knew that he was on his way to Manthorpe Park, and I stood in perplexity, until I heard some one approaching; then I slunk, into the shadows of the tall trees J that skirted the drive and waked, by devious ways to escape observation,in the dir. ctiun of the hDuse.

"Should I call upon Percy's wife? I knew that she had never liked me, although I had played an important part in her husband's courtship and marriage. I had rjeen best man at the vieddng. It was impossible for me to return to Ellesmere railway station on toot that night, and I would crave the loan of a horse at least.

"I had wardered to the rear of the house, and began to make my way toward a lighted window. I had to cross a plantation of young trees, and, when within a dozen pacts oi the window, my blood was chilled by the sound of the stenrorous breathing of some human creature/ the moment I believed that some avenging Nemesis was-upon me ready to strike; I cannot describe the desperate terror which nerved me with the fury and strength of a demon. I hurled myself upon , the creature, and with one savage blow stretched him at my feet!" "lhere was no further movement, no sound, not even a groan. Then, for the first time, I saw that my victim was but a feeble old man, that I was a murderer —the murderer of trie grandfather of my cousin's wife, the oid gardener, Mr Dudley! The heart had ceased beating, the jaw had dropped, and the glaring eyeballs were turned upward. I crept away; 1 was too bewildered to realise my own danger until I was standing once again upon the platform of Ellesmere station. It was nearly midnight, ahd perhaps half a dozen people were waiting for the Lon&oh mail train. A heavy mist was falling, and I pulled up the collar of my coat. Nohody appeared to take any particular notice uf me, and with the rest I took my seat in the train and was borne to London.

"The next morning I proceeded to Femhurst, and later in the day bad aa interview with Stoner, the late earl's valet, to whom 1 represented that I had been in the neighbour hood for at laest twenty-four hours. This man readily obeyed my summons for two reasons —he wished to sever his connection with me, and also warn me that my cousin was fully cognißant of my so-called villainy. But why need I continue the story? My brief triumph has been dearly bought, and I am dying in the very prime of life, amid the splendours for which I have imperilled my very soul. This is not the usual

BY If. L. DACRE, Author o£—the Doctor's Secret, A Case for the Court, Sir John's Heiress, A Loveless Marriage, Trenholme's Trust, Etc.

snting death-bed repentance. lam only sorry that I have failed! OWEN DAVENTRY." The signatures of the witnesses followed, and a few words from Stxner, dated later, announced that Mr Daventry was dead. Lord Manthorpe read the confession through very carefully; then he wiped his brow and murmured: "It is terrible indeed! Great Heaven ! to think that one of our race should he such a villain! His cruel wrongs do not die with him -they live, and I have to bear the bitter load. He killed my wife's grandfather —he killed my darling Hildred. For this—for this—l curse his memory !" He paced about the room frenziedly. He fiercely resented Constance Glinton's hopeful, cheerful letter. "I have no wish to see her," he cried, ; "or anything that reminds me of all that I have lost" B-it a few days elapsed, and then he changed his mind. CHAPTER XXXVI.

TWO ADVERTISEMENTS. One morning, very soon after the death of her daughter, Mrs Frost received a double shock. She was reading a copy of the Times, when her eyes fell upon two advertisements in the "Personal" column. One was: Mrs Frost: Please communicate with Percy C, the Woodlands, at once. Your conduct is unjustifiable." The second item caused her face to turn deathly white: "Mrs Alma Deverell; nee Harding, of Harding Manor, Sufsex.—l| the above will communicate with Messis Birchill and Sens, Lawyers, Chauncery Lane, London, she will hear of something to her advantage." The poor Jady pressed her hand to her heart to stop its wild beating. Mrs Alma Deverell was her real name—the name which she had discarded when her husoand's disgrace became too terrible to Pear. Her nan.e had been Harding before her marriage, and she knew only too well that this appeal was made to no one but her. She would learn of something to her advantage! Was she forgiven at last? A thrill of joy shot through her heart, to be succeeded by a bitter pang. Forgiven—but_too late; Her darling Eva was dead!" "Oh, why was my child taken from me?" she passionately cried. "1 have nothing to live for now!" She restrained herself suddenly, for the door had opened, and Hildred quietly entered the room. There was a saddened light in the girl's i soft blue eyes, a light that gave place to an expression of anxiety, when she saw traces of tears on Mrs Frost's face. I "What is the matter, mamma?" Hildred tenderly asked. She twined ' her arms lovingly about her friend. I "Tell me what has vexed you." "I have rebellious thoughts ! against the whole world—even against Heaven!" was the reply. "Hildred, I think that I must be a very wicked woman! Although Heaven has taken my Eva from me > I am not quite desolate. Now and for the future you are my daughter; and we love each other with an affection as deep as that of mother and child." She looked wistfully at tne girl's sweet face. "Yes," said Hildred, "I will be a daughter to yon. It was Eva's last wish. I will never leave you." "You will be my daughter in name also?" pursued Mrs Frost. "If you wish it. mamma," Hildred replied. "I will be known as Hildred Frost." "Not as Hilclred Frost, but as Hildred Deverell, my darling! From this hour I must be known by my husband's name —by the name which is rightfully mine!" Her lips quivered. "I do not think that lam anticipating too much; my heart tells me that all doubts as to our future are set at rest. My girlish follies are forgiven, and I shall return to the dear home of my childhood!" I hildred looked at her wonderingly, I and Mrs Deverell pointed with a trembling finger to the paragraph in the Times which was to change the whole course of her ilfe. "I remember Mr Birchill,." she] went on. ""The firm of Birchill. and Sons has conducted the business of my family for fifty years. I shall write to the lawyers to-day, and collect all the proofs necessary to establish my identity." Mrs Deverell paused, and with a quick movement enatched up the newspaper; then she turned to the girl, a bright smile on her face. "Are you not pleased, Hildred?" TO BE rONTTNUED