The Marriage of Felicity

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10634, 13 May 1912, Page 2

The Marriage of Felicity

OUR QERIASU

BY ALAX ADAIR, Author of "The Eavl'3 Wife," "The IVid© of John Mtf&stsm," "His Ftlicr's So:i," "Bertram's Folly," c'jj.

CHAPTER IV —Continued. "it, was splendid—the best mooting I J-;lvo over attended,' she cried enthusiastically. Mnvii tvas exhilarated. Ho had felt i.b:it uisn ica&a of the people were with him —that ho had spoken successfully. Edw.a.rd silence was in striking contrast to Felicity's loquacity. "You have ma do roe forget I am an invalid," sho .said to Mark when they were in the drawing room at The Larches. "J'hen you cannot really be one," flic young maai said. "In a week's time you will not have the opportunity to think about such things—if you a.■■■:- going to canvass for me." "1 am going to begin that work tomorrow," said Felicity. "Now, don't s-jy a word about tiring myself—l hate to be reminded of the fact that I am uofc so strong as the others. Father, don't look so gnave, I am alright." He bent down and kissed her ■ with more than ordinary tenderness. '" "You can't be too robust for me. Good-night, darling." "Good-night!" She gave Mark her hand, and he turned to open the door for her. She held herself well, although it 'was not Isobel's superb carriage. Mark looked after her a moment, th,en went hack to the table. ition ihad sunk into a chair, and Mark was startled to see that his face hlad become livid. He had not had much experience with illness, but he knew that there must be something seriously wrong wlhen a man changed colour like that. He poured out some hrandy, and forced it between his teeth. Gradually Edward revived, but he lay gasping for several minutes in his .chair.

"That is the second time to-day, ' ho said. "Oh, my poor girl." "Heart?' asked Mark quietly. "'Yes, I am afraid so —and Felicity has no idea." "Ought she mot be told —is it not cruel to keep it from her?" "She is not strong enough.—and I may live for many years—.if I avoid excitement. I hiavo been doing things a little too hurriedly to-day. I shall hlavo to give up everything as soon as this election is over, and then I dare say I will get stronger." "I shall never forgive myself if you get worse through this election," said Mark. "Think of Miss Skelton!"

"Oh, (there is no cause for undue anxiety," said Skelton. "The doctor tells me to be careful and I will. I could not bear the thought of leaving Felicity alone to face the world."

Mark understood. There was' no doubt that many men would become Felicity's husband just for the sake of her immense possessions. "Forgive me, Mr Leighiton, if I ask you to excuse me. I am very tired. To-morrow I may be'better. We breakfast at nine." , . ■ -, : ' Skelton rose and walked carefully to tho dcior. But Mark hurried 'to his aide, and helped him up to Ids room. ■Skelton itfiankedildiu'warmly.

Mark went downstairs to smoke an ' j dream of Isobel. If he won tihe seat J !he would be prominent, and it would j be possible for him to earn more at lr I profession. Isobel was ambitious; he ■had always known that; but she had r right to be ambitious. He saw himself that night mounting the ladder of success, with Isobel by his side, encouraging him, stimulating him. Felicity 1 dreamed of .Mark, who had come sn j suddenly into her life, Avhile her fatihe" ] lay tossing to and fro, thinking of tlr young wife who |had left him years | ago, and Isobel thought—ah, w!b'o can tell what were her thoughts—certainly they were not of the man she loved and who loved her.

CHAPTER V. Edward Skelton. looked quite .lv.mf-V the next morning. He found Felie.it--awaitiing him, still excited rafter last night's meeting. Mark appeared ... minute later. The three talked together .long after breakfast: It -was definitely decided that Felicity would at once'start' to canviass for Mark, who would, if successful, undoubtedly, owe nis seat to her father. She was happy and eager. "Do you happen to know Miss Hewctt's address?" .she asked Mark. "Yes." Ho gave it to her. "Whv, may I ask?" "You will be amused," she answered. "I fell desperately in love with I •her. I was only a schoolgirl, hut now J I am a woman, enough of the feeling ■ remains for me to write to her. I should like to hear '"••--" her again." "Why not ask her up here, Felicity, dear," asked her father. "I do not know her well enough, and I could not ask her to leave town for thesa dusty, tgiimy parts just as the season is beginning. If I were tc meet her, and speak to her, ! it would bo different!" "You will have a chance of seeing her next year," remarked Skelton, "a.? I intend before then to take you to a house in London." "I thought nothing would take you away from the works?" said Felicity, smiling. "Oh, I am not going to sit tight at the works," said Skelton lightly. "So you shall! see your friend, Felicity." "Ah you are counting without your host. You never know what another .year may bring about with a lovely girl like Miss Hewett. Do you happen to know if she is engaged, Mr ,Leighton?" 'I have heard some rumour of it,"

J -Jiiid Alan;, wishing from his heart that I iio mie/it t-oi'l her the whole truth. "Of course, you had hotter not allude to i-ha subject when you write. "Of course not. I will only say that you mentioned her name to me. I may say that, may I not?" "Certainly!" and then rose to take his leave, having, as lie explained to his host, to return to tpwin for a few J clays. Skalton drove 'him to the station, whore a few'of his adherent", had .assembled to see liira off. "Mind you work well," he Maid, with a laugh. " lam relying upon you—and Miss .Skelton.' "'Oh, Felicity is alright. She will drive to your agent's this morauing, and get a list of people who will canvass for you, and give them all) their districts. You can count on a thing as being well done if Felicity does itShe is thorough.' "She jMssfc not knock herself up," Mark siaid. . Skelton smiled; "Bless you, man, it will have a reverse effect, —ere you come, rouse her from her fatigue to enthusiasm, and she hi oblivious of her weakness. A day or so iago I should not have thought such a change possible." Mark waved his hand to his supporters on the platform, and they responded with a ringing cheer. . te would not have bean human—and Mark was very human —if he had not felt elation at his triumph. "If I could only get a glimpse of Isobel!" he thought. He was extremely busy that evening, but he decided to go to a dance It was a small affair, but the Palfremans and perhaps Isobel would be there.. "The gods are very good to me,'' ; lie thought, as about twelve that might' , Isobel came in with her mother. Mrs Hewett, who had not been expecting Mark, fortunately overlooked his presence, and as. supper and bridge occupied her attention soon after, it was passible for Isobel' to give Mark a dance. She faltered a litle under his gaze. The flush of triumph was still upon i him, and he felt strong and confident, "How is your candidature at Ettringham going on?''she asked. "Very well, indeed. lam going to win the seat!' he said with decision. "After that you will have to let me announce our engagement." "You had better marry the ironmaster'is daughter," isaid Isobel quietly. I liad a letter from her. I suppose you have been talking to me. I hope, you were guarded." "Yes!" he said, angrily. "More guarded than I iwanted to be. I am getting tired of it!" "Are you, dear?" Isobel spoke soft I and caressingly. "I you are, what must I be?(' He responded to her tone at once, as she knew'he would. "Isobel!' he exclaimed, ' "why do you love me at all?" "I wonder why?' she said flippantly. , "I think.-it;.must be because you have such a bad temper, and I have ia bad one, too. You really should marry a woman whom you could hector, and ••win© would always be good-tempered. With her money she would be the ideal wife for you." . "Don't!" he exclaimed. "You know that I mean to mary you!" "You ought to marry this girtl, Mark, and then tlhe would leave you I her money." "Are you desirous of driving me to I declare that I will never say anotlier I word to you?" ' "Yes," she said, "I am, Mark! It wou'kl he a way out of our 'difficulties. And sometimes," —she lowered her voice—"l see no way out of them." They finished the dance in. silence, and then he took her to a seat in the corner of the room, j "When you speak like that," he said , "I feel as if I could go straight Tip to your mother, and tell l her that I want you." - "Poor mother!" said Isobel. "Dovou really think that what she would sav would make any difference to me, dear?" "Would it not?"' • "This as not a case wlherd coercion would avail. If you were a rich man I would marry you to-morrow. On the other hand, there is ,my love for you; on the other my desire to be a rich mans' wife. Which will be in the ascendant? You see, the matter, lies ' with me." (To be continued.)