The Marriage of Felicity

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10636, 15 May 1912, Page 2

The Marriage of Felicity

OUR GERI/.S,

BY ALAA T ADAIR. Author or "The Ev.Vs Wife," "The Pride of John Middleham," "His Fthor's Sc:i," "Bcrtra ivs Folly," cl-\

CHAPTER Vl.—Continued.

"Silio will ho quite alone," .said l/,< old man. "She will bo rich, .and you know what, that means. 1 only want 'tin honest man for her." There was appeal in toe ironmaster's eyes. Mark would nob have been himself if iie had rot .soon what tho man was driving at.

"Look here, .sir!" he ."--aid, looking •strightfonvardly at Skelton—"l will ho o-pju with you. You want an honest man to look after Miss Skelton's intei'Wit.s if anything .should 'happen to you. I hope lam an honest man, and ;;o I offer myself. I love another woman with my wliole heart, and it is for her that I want to win .in tihiy; struggle. Loving 'her as I do, I ron.ld in it (think of any other woman, if you -will appoint me executor, trustee, or whatever you will, I promise .solemnly to he worthy of your trust. If Miss Skelton is unfortunately deprived.of your protection, you may he sure ."'he will be a,s safe and as well looked after'as my own sister would have been." For si few moments Skelton was silent. Then he turned and 'held out Ms hand to Mark. "Thank you," he said. "I trust you, and I will communicate with my lawyers at once. Indeed, I will write the letter now. As to the other matter, I assure you the thought only entreed my mind ,as you entered together. Somehow I thought you looked well suited to each other. You are a strong man, while Felicity has everything but health and strength. She ha,s courage and a tender heart and quick perceptions, but it is refreshing in these money-craving days to come across a man who loves as you do. I could have washed it had ibeen Felicity. It is needless to tell you that she knows nothing of this. It was, a.s"l told you, a very sudden thought." "And you may live miaiiy years longer," said Mark. "Doctors are not infallible." '

"I may live many years longer, and I may die to-morrow —then; is that to be faced. Anyhow, I leave nothing to chance. If you do no't mind, T will write, my letter at once. You will do well to rest, too. You will be heckled at the meeting to-night. Do not expect to have things all your o.wu way." "I like a fight!" Mark said, his eyes lighting up. "So did I once,' said Skelton with a sigh. "And you will again,' asserted the young man. "You need not bo despondent, you have been doing too much."

Skelton did not answer, hut made his way to tho study. When tlhc three met at dinner that night there was a certain calm in his manner that had not been there before.

They started for the meeting almost directly after dinner. Felicity Otad dressed herself carefully, hut very simply. She wore Mark's colours, and there was much whispering and nudging when she entered; tho hall. It wars soon evident that Mark was to meet with a good deal of opposition, hut his spirits rose as he dealt with his antagonists. As the evening wore on ,his personality seemed to dominate the others.

"We have gotten a man,' said one woman to another when the meetings was ended. "Ho knows what he wants and ivhat we want."

Felicity, quick to feel all the variation,'; in a meeting, knew that Mark had scored a distinct success. She ah so knew that he looked frequently at her, and indeed, her pale, intelligent face was an inspiration to him. He knew when he had scored a point by the light in her eyes, and after the conversation Mark had h'ad with her fatlher, he felt that he stood,in a different light' toward her. She might be his vi'ircl; it would be his duty in life to safeguard her interests; and he was conscious that it- would be distinctly pleasant to carry out the trust reposed in hini. Slip was waiting for her father and Mark when the meting broke up. Skelton stumbled into tho carriage, fcnd if it had not been dark she would have seen. the. awful .pallor of his face. When she had said "We ars waiting for Mr Leigh ton," arid .Wad turned to her father and said, "It was a splendid meeting, wias it not?" he had so far recovered himself as to be able to say "Splendid!" At that moment Mark made his appe!aran,c{\ .Hushed and triumphant. He knew that his evening's workwould be productive. He had held the crowd spellbound. "Ihe tin•■■•.• were almost silent during the drive home. Skelton co'i'd in! ■speak, and silence was a relief u. Mark. Felicity, stealing a look at 1.-.m now and again, saw'the strong, handsome face in repose. Evidently he was thinking deeply, thcgli not unpleasantly. They all went into the girl's boudoir, whore she drank her., evening milk and the men drank vine. That night Felicity refused to go to i.ip.l early.

' One does not have an ehvetion'li.it:'c »verv year,' .she remaiked. ".'.•■■..! if I do iv. ar myself out It wll bo in .1 grot cause. I want to heat ri.o j.'f.r. or campaign." B''e has so intelligent iiiat S< ; rk liked explaining things 1o Iter, avd sli.-; vert on gaily telling i.im stories of her canvassing adveiitmes. There were one or two that she did not think fib to tell him, but which had not slipped her memory. On one oc-

c.asion an old man had eaid to her: "Yes, .1 will vote for your lad if you i will invite me to th:> wedding." There . were several other incidents of the saino character. She had not told them to anyone, being reluctant to make a jest of the sentiments that sho entertained toward Mark. Her k'l:,'ta!e face was covered with blushes at her thoughts, and Mark reflected that if she only looked a little stronger she would be an ideal English girl, adding much to the conversation. At length Felicity turned to him. "Arc you not well, dear?" she asked him anxiously. "No, not very well,' he answered. ' "What is it?' 'asked.the girl, cross- ; ling over to where 'he sat, and taking ihis hands in hers. "Father, why are I your hands so cold?" "They will get warmer soon," lie said. "I have not been quito well all day, you knew, Felicity.' '"But 1 cannot understand it," cried the girl ia quick alarm. "Father, .you know you have always been so well. It is me who has bean the invalid. I .can't have my privileges usurped like, this." Skelton smiled, hut his smile was wan. "Your father has been doing too much,'iMark explained. "Miss Felicity, you must restrain him." "Father," cried the girl pitifully, j and looking from one to the other, ' "what is it? Tell me, father, what troubles you?" "Nothing at all," said Skelton. "I I shall take a lomg rest and he alright i again. I believe I work at too high a I pressu.ro always, and if you do not | want me to break down, you had hotter go to bed." "Very well; I will go," returned •the girl, buib she went licigcringly. ) As> she had said, she was not accustomed to her father being ill, and it worried her, but she had forgotten her worry before she went to sleep sin the thought of the election campaign and all that it meant to her. "He was splendid, tanply sjpka!did," she said to herself, as ishe recalled his eloquence at the meeting. CHAPTER YH. That week was full of excitement. Both candidates were busy, both candidates wore, good speakers, and Ettringham war. a town where the workers were intelligent people. Naturally the meetings .were welil attended, and the crowds.were not always respectful. The ferment increased until it reached •its height on polling day. Felicity was greatly excited; day by day her interest in tho election increased. .

Knowing her father's intentions, the young man had adopted almost a brotherly love for her. But she did ■not see.' She only saw that he was glad to he with her, glad to ask her questions, glad to let her -work for .bim. Young as she was, a. good many young men had already paid court to her, and it was almost natural that she .should imagine that Mark was also one of the number that sought alter her hand. And, although she did not regard to any .extent what tho gcs'vip'j said, their words were not entirely without effe'et. It would bo natural to the workpeople that Miss Skelton won let be canvassing for "her young man." •■'■ . Edward Skelton had 'succeeded in h'ding the condition of his health from his daughter, but not from Mark. "I will soon go away,' he assured Mark. "Let me see you through, and I will not do another stroke." '■Grc«tlv to her surprise Felicity had received * another letter Miss Hewott inviting her to stay with her. Her mother had suggested the invitation. There were many ways in which a. wealbhv girl like Felicity could be useful to* Mrs Hewett. When the invitation came Felicity was too much engrossed in electioneering to answer At lengih the election day had actually arrived. It was arranged that Felicity should drive to the town hall, there to await, with other ladies, the result of the poll, and she was glad when the last vote was recorded and the work of counting began. Mrs Mount joy, who had been ner mother's friend, and was keenly interested in everything that concerned Ebtringham, was sitting with her. assaulting her with countless questions. '""You" seem particularly interested in Mr Leigblton," .and then .with, ingenious ■ skill she brought round the subject of how her father first met her mother. Felicity always liked the stm-v—s!ho liked it even to-day. She remembered what sho .had first felt when she had first seen Mark Leighton. Mrs Mount joy prattled on till they heard the clatter of approaching footsteps. (To he continued.)