A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10035, 8 July 1910, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

CHAPTER XXXVII.-Continued, j t c The rector, by virtue of his office, £ had immediately called upon Mr* j Deverell. He was an old man, who ] remembered her when she was a i curly-headed child. "Toward the last, my dear Mrs , Deverell, poor Sir James often talk- ( ed about you. It is good to know that i everything is righied at last," the t rector bad said; "but for the double j bereavement, lam sure that society ] would have welcomed you with open , arms." < "I have no heart for pleasure of . that kind," Mrs Deverell replied. , , "For a great ma»>y years> my life has i been one continuous struggle, and a .. I period of quiet calm is absolutely es--1 sential. I do not wish to be unneighbourly, but I have no desire to visit or to be visited at present." She spoke very decidedly, and the garrulous old clergyman was much 'impressed by her determination and I earnestnes?. Nevertheless, he felt somewhat disappointed; out his disappointment was in a measure relieved ;when he saw Mrs Deverell and her*daughter in the family pew the I next Sunday-moriing. A week later lie had,been consulted as to the re--1 moval of the coffin from the lonely churchyard at Deal. Tna rector was ! anxious to prove his friendship, and he took the matter entirely in hand. At last poor Eva rested in the vault of the Hardings, ai.d her mother was patisfied. j Su the firs'", three weeks passed away. An early winter had set in, ad King Frost reigned supreme. To Hildred the new life was pleasant enough. The change had been so , rapid, there, had been so much to do, that she had had little time for sor-L rowful reflections. Jars Deverell had been fs>r from well, and hetded her . constant carp. The,excitement, the intense mental 'and physical strain of the last two months, had left her weak and nervous. "Are you tired of being tied to an invalid, my dear? " sne said to Hildred one morning. "I really mus louse myself. I shall imagine that 1 ' am ill until I actually become so!" "I am never tired of helping you, mamma," the girl tenderly replied. "I can never grow tired of wandering about this grand old ho ise. How beautiful the trees looked this morning, under the ttuch of winter. It is all like a world of enchantment!" Mrs Deverell smiled faintly. "I think you are happy, dear?" she said questioningly. "As happy as I can ever be again mamma," Hildred anwsered, her eyes growing misty with tears. "After al), some people would consider me a fortunate girl. How many are there in whose darkened lives there is not, one ray of hope? As the years pass by I shall at least become contente.i." "Time's chastening hand works wonders; dear. Even I am now content—l, whose sorrow was tenfold greater than yours. Long years ago I felt that I coulJ not bear it, and to Heaven for death. I was . tied to a man who abustd and dis- ; graced me. a fiend in human form. When inflamed with drink, he cursed me for deceiving him. He married me for money, and when my father disowned me his fury was terrible. 'At last he was convicted of forgery, and died in gaol. Sometimes I dream of him; at night I see his -glaring eyes, J hear his bitter, mocking words, and shudder to think that I once loved'him. What am I,now but ' the widow of a convict? Dj you think that society forgets it? No; but 1 owe nothing to society, and I care neither for its censure or for ito praise. If you are satisfied, Hildred, T shall not have one regret. 1 have already willed to you every penny of which I am' possessed; but are you not giving far more than you will ieceive? Is not the bargain a selfish one? Do you not Bee that you will carry the taint of the man who is I supposed to be your father?" "It cannot possibly affect me, mamma. I am dead to the world." "Nevertheless I ought to have told you before. It never occurred to me until now that my mistakes might shadow your life. You are young, 1 beautiful, and some day——" she paused, a wistful light in her eyes. "And Borne day?" repeated Hildred thoughtlessly. "Some honest noble gentleman may love you, dear, and " "Don't-—don't, mamma!" he girl interrupted in tones of agony. "I can- ! not bear it! If you love me, you will never permit such words to pass jour ij, lips again!" Mrs Deverell was alarmed. She ~ took tha pitiful white face between s her bancs and kisstd it tenderly, re- • mnrsefully. "I am sorry, my dear!" she whispered. "Do not look like that —you frighten me, I am airaid that Ido not understand, I will promise not to vex you in that way again." And she never did. Ihe san.e day, after luncheon, Hil- ; I dred went to the library to read. Mrs Deverell had retired to ht-r room to , rest. The nervous headache from ' which she had been suffering was nearly gone. The briei conversation \ that morning with her adopted daugh-

BI ir. L. DACRE, Author of—The Doctor's Secret, A Case for the Court, Sir John's Heiress, A Loveless Marriage, Trenholme's Trust, Etc.

ter had helped] much toward her recovery. "If Hildred is dead to the world," she thought, "am I not equal.y eo? Af the years roll by we shall at least become contented with our lot."

The library at Hardmg Manor was one of the greatest attractions of the grand old house. It contained thousands of old and curious volumes, besides works of aa «ue best modern writers. It was, in reality, library and picture gallery combined, a spacious, lofty room, the windows of which overlooked the lawns 5 and park —a magnificent view at all seasons of the year. The wocd was rrute now, but the leafless branches ■were clothed with sparkling gems, while the bills beyond melted skyward info a hazy blue. Hildred opened a dozen books one' after another, but she found it impossible to read. The most fascinating volume failed to arouse any intereat, Then she wandered round the room, and found herself gazing absently at the portraits of dead-and-Kone Hardines. The women had betn beauti ul, the men handsome and noble looking. One of tne pictures reminded her of her husband, and a hysterical sob escaped her. It was the portrait of Mrs Deverell's father when a very young man. The eyes were blue, like Percy's, the hair was bruwn and curly. He, too, had been cruel and unjußr. He had disowned his only daughter, and left her to a tate that was infinitely worse than death. Looking at his smiling, handsome**face, no one would have believed him to be cold-hearted and unkind. Were all handsome men careless snd wicked?

flildred seated herself in the deep recess of one of the windows. A robin was chirping, merrily outside. Its gladsome song seemed a mockery to the girl. Never, until that moment, had the thought occurred to her that she had perhaps acted in an arbitrary manner toward her husband Sue cjuld not help thinking of him; bis face was constantly before her. Then she hardened her heart, and a bitter laugh passed her lips. "He never really cared for me," she thought, "and he hated my unhappy grandfather. He would have hated mo also in a little while—he would have hated me because I stood between him and his birthright-be-tween him and Miss Constance Glinton! Not once did be defend me against the cruel words of the lawyer. Then it was that he saw his mistake. I wonder why he married me? 1 cannot understand it. Perhaps he never meant to acknowledge me, but intended to live a dual life—but I discovered too much. He must have been frenzied when he struck my grandfather, and I must try to believe that he meant him no reil harm.. By this time he has probably forgotten me, and I never wish to see him or hear of him again!" She sobbed passionately, but was bitterly ashamed of her tears. And the robin chirped loudly on the window sill. After a little while she leaned back against the oaken wainscot, and fell into a gentle slumber. Again she was a simple village maiden, and she smiled in her dreams. She saw the picturesque, irregular streets of Llanthorne, she heard the sounds of the sea. "Percy! dear Percy!" she murmur-

She awoke with a start. The sun wab setting over the hilla; a grey haze had crept across the wintiy blue of the sky, and the robin was gone. It was five o'clock, and Mrs Deverell always had tea at five. Hildred rose hastily and ran to her room. She bathed her hands and face, and brushed her shining hair. Her dream was present with her still, and her heart palpitated wildly. Her husband's face, her band's voice, haunted her. She went downstairs with a quick step, and pseped into Mrs Deverell's favourite sitting room. She was not there, but a footman came forward, saying: "The mistress has been inquiring lor you, Miss Deverell. She is in the west drawing-room." Hildred did not wait to hear more. I She was afraid that Mrs Deverell had ; been kept waiting, and hastily enter-1 ed the 100 m, to find herself in the presence of two strange ladies. She was about to offer an apology, when the elder lady rose with outstretched hands, saying: "I am sure that you are Hildred Deverell. Your mamma has gone in search of you. Jam Lady Locksley, one of jour nearest neighbours, and this is a very dear friend of mineMiss Constance Glinton!" TO BS CONTINUED