The Marriage of Felicity

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10640, 22 May 1912, Page 2

The Marriage of Felicity

OUR SERIAL.

BY ALAN AT)AIR. Author of "The Earl's Wife," "The Pride of Jolm Middleham," "Has Fth&r's Sec," "Bertra m'e ; Fo%>" ««»•

CHAPTER X—Continued. "But what in heaven's name is vour reason?" he asked, his anger and astonishment increasing. "As to my love tor you she need never know *<rf it. i She dl f m SIX months, why should she ever know of it?" "Mark, I Jove you deeplv, and I "•ant you to marry Felicity, aid when she disinherit her fortune tnd nwry me."

A\h,xt he cried. An expression of utter contempt came over his face, and for a moment Isobel feared that she had overreached herself, and lost him. I can believe it of you," j lO said angnlv. " J hat you, the woman J love should ask mo to do such a thing '" 1 have proposed this way out of the difficulty to you, Mark" she said stof'v Judge then, how much I love you I" ' How .much you lovo me?" h e asked in a dull voice. "If; ' hmv ,m«ch I lovo you." She loaii<-I toward him caressingly nblV ljt ! le tini ° lie secm «* incapable ol speaking. - "Another woman," she went on fn!' J F v V'? to l d you wllat I Proposed orlehcrtyVsake. Ido not stoop to that 1 tell you honestly that I want you to do—this-r-because I love yon so much and see no other way to our marriage I< ehcity, having only six short mouths to hve, loves you. At the end" of that period you will be free to marry whom you will."

But how could I do it?" ho urged. Isobel you are mad. How could I hold another woman in my .arms, loving you all the time?"

I think that it would be hard to keep up a semblance of love for her but it could be done,' s 'he said. "You are fond of her, and it would be preferable to my marrying a rich old man, with thtprospect of being your witV >it lr.s death."

shoot any man you»mar-

"And ruin 'both our. lives? No, Mark, my plan is the safer." ' "And I say that is uitrpossible' What marry that innocent child for her mo ney ? See her die every day before mv eyes. Itejoico as she grew weaker tnatmy deliverance was near at hand getting nearer and nearer!" ' "You would not rejoice—vou would do everything in the world to alleviate her sufferings. You am taking up an extreme position. It would be the one thmg that she would long for. You would .be inexpressibly kind to her and she 'would mistake that kindness for love.

"'I-, it nothing to you, Isobel, thai: I snoiil-i even pretend to make low; to a !• tiiei i» oman ' '

She turned her face to his and laughed musically.

"What should I. care so long as I know it is only pretense? You might kiss a thousand women so long as 1 alone hold tho key to your heart!'' For a moment the magic of her look held him; then he said slowly: "How different with me J "'Why, I could kill any man who looked at vou with even admiration."

"You are a man, and I am—whafr I ain!''

"Are all women nice vou?"

<( "I don't know," she said candidly. <( I suppose most.women, who know the power they have over men are the verysame. There is only one thing I know, Mark, and that is, I love you, and that I desire more than words can express to be your wife. I don't defend the plan I have proposed to you; I don't excuse it. It is the broad fact, thaV presents the only solution to our diffi-

culty. And as for your consolation I don't think the carrying out of it will be as hard for yon as for me." "Do you mean that?" he asked, his eyes aflame. "Certainly I mean.it! It is strange that you do not seem to gauge what you are to me. Will you never understand. Mark?" She laid her hand on his shoulder ami smiled up at him . Mark was van-

quished. . '''You are a temptress!" he said, and kissed i hj« lips that wero so near. "And I shall be your wife," v.nd Isobel.. "Mark, what a career before you and a fortune at your hand."

"Before that time arrives, Isobel, there are devious and disagreeable paths to be trodden. I cannot forget them!" ''Then you cannot wan me as badly as I want you,' she said airily. "Or do you prefer that I make a loveless marriage? The way I have indicated is not beset with difficulties"or subsequent remorse. Felicity will die, probably in your arms, happy in her inmost thoughts. What harm can there be in giving her such pleasure?" There was something hard and callous in the voice.

"I have not promised,' ',ho said, after a brief pause. "Mind, Isobel, I have no promised anything! You must give me time to think it over." "Time is valuable. Remember the time limit of her life is six months."

"Six months!'"'he said, and a wave of pity came over 'him. "In mercy you should, give her as good'a six months as you can," said Isobel. "After all, you may a.s well tell mo at once that vou will do as I suggest." "I cannot,' he said. "See, here they come!" * The carriage returned, with Mrs Hewtt looking as if a victoria drawn by a smart pair of horses was the only vehicle that she would condescend to rido in, and Felicity looking very fragile and white. Tired as she was, a light sprang into her eyes when .she saw Mark, which ut-

terly transformed her. Mark, who had run down to the door to help her out, could not help noticing the change in her. "Is it you? Have you heen waiting long?" she asked, an there was a wealth of gladness in her tones. "Xo, Felicity," ho answered gentiy —"not long. But 1 will not stay tonight; you look so tired. I will just help you up the stairs and come again to-morrow." She took the arm he offered and regarded him with tender eyes. "You are quite sure you will come?'' "Do I usually fail you?" he asked. "Xo!" she answered with conviction "I am quite mre you never failed man oi" woman yet." An then he left her and went home to a night of thought and unrest. CHAPTER XI.

When the morning came his mind was made up. Ho wrote a brief note to Isobel and despatched a special messenger with it. "I will do what you ask of me," it ran, "as I believe Felicity loves me. But although I >am her lover, remember, darling, I am always your lover." Isobel smiled when she read it. The measure of her success was the measure of his love for her. 'She- had conquered. She went up to Felicity's bedroom. "How are you?" she asked. "I feel tired,' 'was the answer, "and judging by my reflection, in the glass opposite, I look so. But I shall he alright this afternoon.' ' I Isobel looked at her curiously. Pale and frail, there was still something distinguished-looking about her—it was something that told of the fine qualities of patience and courage and endurance.

"Are yon expecting Mr Leighton to-day, then?" she asked. "Yes, lie said lie would come; that is why I am .resting, so that I may-get rid of that tired feeling. I don't like to look ill when he is present. He will pity me, and I don't want his pity." Isabel seated 'herself on the edge of the bed, and a maid came in with a white dress over her arm. "With a Mack waistband you will still bo in mourning, Miss Skelton," ' she remarked. i "Yes,' replied Felicity sadly. She was thinking of bar father, who would Ixave rejoiced in her happiness. "I shall always remember how father trusted him," 'she murmured. Mark, coming a little earlier than she expected, found, her lying resting on the sofa in the dim drawing room. "Felicity, are you worse," he said, with real concern in his voice. "No, I am quito well! Only—l have caught a, little cold, and that makes I mo feel tired." ■"Don't rise,' he said. "I want to talk to you, Felicity." He adjusted her cushions, with unsteady hands. •„. "Felicity, he 'said impetuously, I want vou to listen to me." He felt he wa.s about to do a. dastardly thing. Instinctively he felt that Isobel would be waiting for him to tell ! her that the first part of the gnmcomedv had been successful. "Felicity," lie went on., "you Know your father trusted you to me—-' He had intended going straight into his speech, but at the beginning the words seemed to choke him; Her father ' had trusted .him; this was how he was Ito fulfill-his trust." "Father trusted you," she stud, "and he 'had a rare insight into men s I characters." , "He was too good to me, MaUv replied. "I am not,the man he thinks I aim lam a very ordinary creature, with an ordinary man's temptations and 'Mi ordinary man's failings. _ "Do vou think you need explain yourself to' me, Mr Leighton? she It seemed to 'her that the great moment of her life was approaching, fcne looked down at her white dress and reoTcedinit, Itwa S wells'h:eh adcli»ged the black dress. How could she mourn with Mark Iby her side. _ _ "You have far too high a,n opinion of me, Miss Skelton,' 'he replied, mentioning her name with emphasis. She laughed. . "What am I to call you it you object to Mr Leighton?" ' He stepped to the window, feeling that his intentions .were brutal. Overhead he heard the sound of footsteps, they mav be those of Isobel. When be returned to Felicity's side lie was, IYorv pale. "'We shall have to find another name j_ a lie w name," ho said softly. ('lob« continued.-.