Fotheringay's Son.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 14 December 1912, Page 2

Fotheringay's Son.

W? SERIAL.)

BY ALAN ADAIR

(Chanter Vll.—Continued.) At; ihe.t UK.m.'ivt the only wi-.li in j Virginia's heart was that she had j never m::t the Duke, of Alfroton. "Tony will soon be about again." sa-d L:-;Jy Rayburn, "Vour father toil! m« to-day—l am to say no more, hut he us preparing a surprise for i Virginia i. d-red a r -' her mother with her beautiful eyes' swimming in tears. • "Mother.'" site said, "you a,ro very ,-;t world iv and very sweet. I am neither. You and lather will have to forf've mo." I "f |;i»n" ue arc unworldly," said the mother, with a sigh. She remembered iln- time when she, too, had had visions of dazzling splendor for her brilliant daughter—visions wli:eh Tony had put to rout. "Perhaps- we were not lit to have the guardianship of a daughter, but we have only thought of our -happiness." j Virginia. had grown calm. I 'T know." she said, and then she kissed her mother. "T shall J-':» to bed," sdie added. "1 have a headache." | Shi' wont to lied, hut not to sleep. Slip lay tliero ~,icl thought of Tony. To-morrow morning at eight she \vr,;about to do the irrevocable' dShe had to far-.' matrimony without any of the incidents that usually distract a bride from dwelling upon her future life. There were to be no bridesmaid:' and congratulating relatives : the. only thing that told lie' ;of it was the box ready packed by her maid, who had been let into the secret. Lady Ravhurn went to her daughter's- room late that night. Virginia .heard her coining and thought, '<.*- '■- to fe ; gn sleep. Kor a moment the mother stood and looked down imer the daughter. Then she bent down and kissed her and. going out, saw j tho box. Tt gave, her a shock. What did it inean? Taken in conjunction with I hor tears, it must mean setnot.v' i She went to her hus'band and told him. i Lord Rayburn turned pale. "T ean't understand it," he said. i "Do you think she means to jilt Tony? Thank Heaven he is oominr ■ early to-morrow morning! He can just manage to walk on his crutches; he will not be later than half past nine. Nothing can -happen before then." "No." said Lady Rayhunt. Virginia, was int a "irl to !<'■"•■> }•-•■■ ■■-•• I cuts home hv ttiirht. and th-"- box wan jsufbcienl !'V-.1-nr,t,>„ f ]~,!■

inie>'tio'i>. of d"i Tt was light at- three o'clock, oiu 1 Virginia felt that" she had just fnlhr into a deep sleep when tho tnr " to w.i.kon b"i- at ttx. &" ''•■—-.- , quietly, and. accompanied by tlu- J maid, stole down the stairs. ] Tt was a beautiful summer m • ' London felt fresh, -and looked ' ,] grmia mever forgiot th.nt walk— J ; v quiet, deserted streets, the shop?) looking as if they were just sleepily opening their eyes, and the few ped pie about who were all too busy witl their own affairs to notice even a beautiful .woman like Virginia and her maid. It was of Tony that Virginia thought as she walked with her maid. She had seen bis>. face before her all through the night, had recalled the sound of his voice. Tony would soon know that she had betrayed his love had jilted liim! All too soon she came to the church and breathed hard as she neared the porch where tho duke was waiting for her. He looked pale and anxious. He had feaed that she would fail him at the last, moment, that k she would feel it impossible to betray Tony. But a.s tho clock struck .eight she put in an appearance., and it seemed to the duke that her beauty lit up the whole building. Tn her simple dress, her deep-gray eyes shining under the brim of a large white hat, fyer dark soft lia.iV falling in looso waves over her forehead, she was a dream of loveliness. He looked at her and forgot for the moment that he was stealing a sick man's sweetheart, "T can't blame, him," said Hugh "Devoreux to himself, "whatever the reason of this hasty, secret marriage. I don't blame him for securing her at all -hazards. She will, be lovely when she is seventy!" The incumbent, who knew tho rank of the man whom he was marying, read the service with a solemnity that was not lessened by the circumstances in which the wedding was taking place. The empty church into which the morning sun wa« throwing its rays, the agitation of the bridegroom, the pallor of the bride all impressed

Author of "An Island Princess," "A Marriage of Felicity " Etc.

uim. \'irginiu found herself vowi:.-; '-■o lore, honor, and obey the ,inan for whom -,:)■- felt i-,o love. Her voice faltered a little ami her "I will" v ,- a! . scarcely audible. She covered her face with her hands as .she knelt at tho altar, and the incumbent could see her shoulders heaving. Somehow he had not expected any emotion nor indeed had the duke. There was. no joking, no kissing, no congratulations when the adjourned to tho vestry to sign tho register. All four looked ay if they had passed through a strain. Virginia put her arm within her husband's and walked down the aisle with drooping head. The duko did not feel triumphant until he and his wife were safely ensconced in the carriage. As they drove away Virginia let hor head fall on her husband's shoulder. She was on the verp>i of collapse. Rut she had recover?.! iiei self-ciieniair] by tho time t'-to earvitire arrived ";i Green Stive!. Lord Rayburn was looking out of the window; breakfast was nominally at nine, and he way impatient for j | it. Tony was coming at half past, and he could then feel that he could consign Virginia to her fiance's care. and she could make her own explanations. "Not that he will ask her to explain when once he sees her," he was; saying to himself. "That is< the worst of girls like her—they neve-, get properly hauled over the coals 1 — the .have only to look at a ma.n e.r.'i ho gives in weakly." Lady Rayburn was down, and was about to seat herself opposite to the coffee urn when the carriage drove up. Lord Rayburn thought it was Tony, too impatient to wait another half hour. But the dapper, blond little man f who sprung out of the carriage- was i not in the least like Tony, nor did Lord Rayburn expect to see any one follow him. The little man was standing ready to help some one out of the carriage. Lord Rayburn stared; there was no mistaking that willowy figure, that, superb carriage of the head. He turned to his -wife. "Tt is Virginia!" he said. The rud- - dy color left his cheeks*. He staggered to a chair, and then tho door opened and Virginia, followed by his grace of Alfreton, entered the room. CHAPTER VJTT. What is the meaning of this?" Lord R.aybur.n asked. "Please explain your presence here, your Grace!" The duke came forward, holding Virginia by the hand. "T am afraid," ho stammered, "that T have done an unpardonable thing. Virginia herself is my best | excuse. T have stolen your daughter. |Lord Rayburn! We were married at > St James's early this morning!" I "Married! Virginia!" Lady Rayjburn gasped. "And Tony—have you forgotten him?" "T could not marry Tony, mother." Virginia &aid quietly. "Tony should never have asked me; but, if you want to know, Tony is the -reason why we married without any one's knowledge!" • • (To he Continued.)