The Marriage of Felicity

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10642, 24 May 1912, Page 2

The Marriage of Felicity

OUR SERIAL.

BY ALAN ADAIR. Is »,' 'i Author of "The Earl's Wife," "The Pnde of John Middleham," "His !| FtMr's Son/' "Bertra m's Folly," etc.

CHAPTER Xll— Continued. "Yes, I think it was made for von, Felicity," ho said. "It suits your'oldfasliionod name a'nd slender white, little hand." "I am going to ask you a lot of umintcresting things,' she said. "'Do you mind? It is about a house. I saw .such :i nice one in the Grosvonor Square. You see, dear, I thought wo ought to have a really nice house. But you must like it, for 1 want to Iniy it- as a wedding present for you." "Perhaps I ought not let you do vo,' he said. "Y'Hi forge!, t'l'ilt lam vour tr.ns>ivi : ;- n a s well «<* inan vcVi ..re about to marry." "But father said T was to come into vhv- property immediately after his death, did he not? And'so 1 can do what I like. I want ito make all my ■money over to you, except a thousand or two a year, which I want for pin money. You said there was nearly twenty thousand a year, did you not? I want you to spend it, to pay for everything, and to do what you like with it." He protested a little. If it had not hcon for Isohel' lie.would not have ev?n

,jiature, and I thank you from the botI'tom of my heart." | "It is I who am grateful,' 'lie remarked in a low voice. She. looked straight at him. ".! know it costs you much," she said, "and that is why I want to get it over once and for all—that is why 1 want to get it into your hands so j that you will soon forget that it comes from me. Indeed, I would rather that you paid me my pin money, as other men do to their wives, so that I will' ' get it froinyour dear hands. You will soon fo'-getj dear, i}hi\i it was, ever Inline!" 1 J '>. r o, felicity, never!" Slie took his hand ill htfrSi "But you must try to," she said. "That is why I so much want to give you the Utilise in Grwsvenor Squaro, so that you may Jive in your own ihou.se. Do you know I am actually looking forward to the lawyers' visit?" She laughed happily. "Do not attempt to do too much, Felicity," he warned her. '"That it, all I aVk." "One thing more,' 'she said. "I want to give Mrs Hewett a tihousnnd pounds for her and Isobeil. May I

thought of her money. It was char- ! aotoristic of Mark that he did not reproach Tsc;l',.?l for her desire to lib rich. Ho did not even thiink the less of her" for it. He realised that to her money wins as the air she breathed. After 'they had discussed money j matters for seine time, the conversation turned to .Newquay. "You will eomo down with us?" she j asked. "Mrs lJ:nvett says there is , iplenty of room for you.' ' "No, he could not do that. He could not stay in t'.he same house with Tsobel and their victim. | "I Wiill conic down, and see you just for a day and sec you safely at a hotel," he said. "Mrs Hewitt weed not keep a room for ine. I shall go abroad for a fortnight or so and then come down to you. I shall have to take a. I holiday when we are married," he said, controlling his voice- with difficulty. I "1 wanted to ask you," she said, blushing deeply, "whether it would he hi are convenient if we were married sooner. I have just thought of the I loni; vacation." } He 'hesitated—lie knew th'at he I wanted to put off the evil day—and | yet what Felicity said was practical' comnnqn sense. ,

ido it?" "No!" ho said sharply and shortly. She stepped hack and looked at him surprised . She had never heard him speak .so peremptorily. "No?" she ropea>ted. "Why don't you wanij mo to do it, Mark?" I "They are pa-id enough,' he .said in ! tho same curt tone. It would have t hecn more than he could hear if Isobel ' had Waken this money from the girl ' of whoso expected death she had opokeu so selfishly. i Felicity remained silent for a while. "Of course it shall he as you wish," she said at length. "I will not ask for your permission and then act in 1 opposition to your decision. lam convinced that you know hest! They have been kind to me, though." | "You are paying them for it," hj? saw! in a hard voice. "I must protect your interests, dear." I "Very well, she said, a little doubtfully ,and then she added generously: "You have let me have my own way 60 much, and have been so delightful in it. that 1 must not rebel at this last little piece of tyranny." I Her gentle raillery pleased him. "Am I a tyrant, then?" he asked . "Oh, I like it!' 'she assured huv.. , "Are you going now? Shall I not see

"You are quite right," he said, his voice quivering a little. "We might he married by special license, as soon | as you return from Newquay." t "They will get the house ready for ms while we are away," she said. "Let us go for our honeymoon to some small village off the beaten track. I .remember that fhare was a dear little place the other side of Lake Constance , that T often wanted to stay at. You see I am selfish; I want you all to , •myself during our —honeymoon." The .sweetness of her words as she spoke touched him deeply. ' "\*ou slhali! have meto yourself,'' he said. "Perhaps in the future," lie said to himself, "I shall be thankful that I was able to give her happiness before, she died."

"Oil, you are so good," she oaid. "It is tlio sweetest little place on the lake, and we shall be free to wander about all' day and do as we like. A >Ye can h-e like children, can't we? Afterwards, when wo como back, we will be able to begin life in earnest in our ' big house, and we will entertain and be entertained. But just for a month let us be all to ourselves." "You shall do what you will," lie assented, "now and always." "Of course I know I shall have to j try and get stronger in Newquay," said the girl suddenly. She so seldom spoke of 'her health. "Here Ido so much. And f went to see the house ■ again, and the decorators and tiho dressmaker; and my laiwyers are coining to see me this very afternoon. 1 thought you would rather not meet j them a" r £% hesitated; she I did not"know how* to finish the sentence'with offering an, Mlront to him. . •He laughed a little bitterly. I "They will think I am a dishon- [ est man. k - ».avb ..t ...... no great an heiress," lie said, "Mark!" she cried indignantly; "the whola world knows you and your characiter. No one would dare to accuse you of interested motives. I want tho whole world to know and feel what you are to me. My dearest" —.she spoke very shyly —"you have never asked when, it was my heart went out to you. but 1 loved you from ycrr first moment that you sto^; IXI I 0 «t of tho train. You j W as in tho carriage. * n ' d fatliei . brought you !?.' ,™'\ somehow I never left off ' ..King of you from that very veoI incut."

you before you come down to Newquay?" | "No, not until then," he said, and , seeing the pain in her face, he added : "By that time things will he well in ■train. I shall iuive got the marriage license. Where would you like to bo married, Felicity?" 1 She become shy again. J "I—l think from this house, at the parish church here," she answered. , "Mrs Hewett thought it had better be a very quiet wedding, but I like the church. Do you know it?" I "Yes, J know the church," ho said. "I don't like it. Why not be married quietly a>t Ettringhain, where everybody knows us? Mrs Hewett will cake you up there a week before. All your friends will understand your being in

"You should have thought of someone, better—more worthy of you," lie answered: " [could not!" she cried indignantly "Mark, my love, if I were to die tomorrow. I'should die blessing you for all the happiness that you have giver, me." He turned a,way. She was agitated by the eagerness with wlhich she toad spoken. "liuii, T am iwit going to die to-mor-row," she continued. " Li.m not going to die till I have made everything alright for you. Above all the blessing that I have in having your love, I have the immense joy of having that which will help you on in life. I want to speak about it just to-day, and then ' never to mention it again, I think it deligihtful of you to accept my money. F know what it must be to one of your

mourning and wishing to have a quietweckliiiiK." "Tcs," she said eagerly. "That will be the 'right tiling. How like you to have thought of it!" He bent down and kissed her. ' "That is all settled then," he said... "I will write to the vicar. Ttjvill be the first week in September. Will that suit'vou ?" "Yes," sJie said shyly. "Mark!" She stopped suddenly. ] "What'is it, little girl?" , "Do you tlhink it is wrong to l:e «s happy as I am with father only dead so recently?" i "Wrong? How can it be wrong to he happy?" he asked. He thought that he was miserable enough for both of them, j " [don't know," she answered. ! There- was something so childlike and s. nisUfu.l aibout her that he bent fjfld took her in, 'his arms. It I was the most spontaneous caress that i lie had, ever given her. Oh, if tney i" - * ■ " were not -anout to be married, how fond 'he would have been of her! He released her, but not before ho had brought tears into her .eyes. "What is it?" he asked. "Nothing," •'■' he smiled. "Happiness. I. think. T was never sure of how much you loved me till now."(fo be continue..,.