Lady Marjorie's Love

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 March 1913, Page 2

Lady Marjorie's Love

(OUR SERIAL

By Carl Swerdna Author of "To the Uttermost "A Mere Oeremouj." "A Fight for Honour," Etc.

CHAPTER XfV. (Continued.) It was certain that -Mr Harrington liad received no notice to quit his post, and if lie heard anything from his employer anent his misdoing lie kept it. to himself. Perhaps out of consideration of Lady Marjorie. who had shown herself .so concerned, and possibly because, when he. rowed on the river or strolled at. her side in the park, lie was sufficiently inventive and ingenious lo find more entertaining topics of conversation than Mr Tom Jocelyn and his tumble. One row on the river had led to many, and as for the walking, that there was no other way of getting t.i the river was obvious to anybody. the week or two went on, and only ono short letter containing nothing worth mentioning had come from Loftus Bligh, and Marjorie's cheeks, in spite of it, or it may have been in consequence of the walks and the rows, were becoming rosy and round again; her brown eves as bright as on that Jifne day when she sat on tlio fallen tree trunk and sung the ballad of .June: and she was prettier than ever. Possibly the countess made her own comments upon the walks and the river trips, and the consequent ease and friendliness which had sprung up between her step-daughter and Mr Cltadburn's agent, hut, if so, she held her tongue. She did not even menu, her plans, although Marjorie often apprehensively wondered what, they might lie. and 1 when Fenella—and therefore herself —must, turn their backs upon beloved Castle Marling. But Lady Marlingt'ord, who did most things deliberately, kept silence deliberately until she pleased to break it, and took heed of the poor child's timid wonder and doubt not at all.

trespass 'upon. Mr Ohadbum forever, I thought you entirely understood that when we spoke together last."

"Yes, I understood that." "Certainly—not that it wanted any understanding of explaining, it is obvious that Mr Chadburn's property must shortly be left free for Mr Chadburn's occupancy. Indeed .1 have written to him this morning thanking him again for his courtesy and saving that I hope to leave his house- free in something less than four weeks from now. Delays and hindrances are so apt to arise at the last moment that T thought it wise not to mention any special day." Marjorie gave a little shiver, her lips parted, but she said nothing, and did not stir. She waited mutely for what was coming next. "As f believe T .said when we last spoke about the future," the countess •resumed, looking not at the girl's face but over shouldor and through, the window beyond her, "T had thought of going to London and establishing myself quietly there, hut now T have altered my mind. For the present — for the next vear, at any rate —I shall live .abroad." "Abroad ?"

She was pleased to break it o.no ruddy, russet afternoon, when sho entered the hall from the library , where ' she had been writing letters ever since luncheon, and found Marjorie standing in the embrasure of her favorii.e great square window, with Jack <.-n the. cushions beside her and the sun turning her bright brown hair to tints that were ruddy and russet, too. The (•oiuito-ss, pausing in her stately sweep toward 'the staircase, gla.nced at the slender black figure dubiously, as though in some cloubt as to whether she should e.omo to a decided halt or no. But she did come to it, and rttstlingly crossed to the. girl'* side. Marjorie glanced up with a start from her absent pulling of Jack's velvet ears. She had not been thinking of the countess."

"You are going out, Marjories" "J think so —presently." The question had been asked suddenly. with the kind of suddenness which impels a quick reply. "Ah!" the countess eomiiKiited slowly. "And whore is Mr Barrington then?" "Some one called to see him —Lorton, of the Cpcroft Farm, 1 think. But he said he would not be long, and so 1 said i would wait," Ma rjorie. answered, fingering a late rose which was in thc> waistmand of her black frock. Her cheeks were almost as deeply and delicately crimson, her brown eyes were bright. Tho countess, watching her, was forced to a grudging admission that in her way—of course a perfectly everyday ajid insignificant way— -the girl was pretty enough; perhaps to such as admired her style, or want of style, even very pretty, indeed. Lady Marlingford was not, one of them ; sho had never been able to "see anything at a l .'" in the looks of her stepdaughter. As for the information given, she made no remark upon it; it had no£ pleasea fo remark al ;ill upon tlio walks n-'i/J 1 •,^ w s. Sliico von are doing nothing you can, I suppose, spare mo a . row minuaes mv dear?" "Oh, of course, Fenella!" Marjorie turned about and' " sartk

"Yes, T am to mv sifter. Mrs Aberdeen. She is with Iter family at Gonoa, and will most likely remain there nermnjitlv—the el ima to suits her husband. who. von have hoard mo sav, Is delicate. Dick Aberdeen never had any constitution. hut, Kat? knew that when she married him. as well as slu 1 d : d tliat, lie was wretchedly poor. Hnf. never mind that: lam going to them partly because f can so? pretty clearly that tlioy will bo glad of some one to share their expenses. The house they have is absurdly large for them, but Kate never had any h.ad for management. So that is my j)lan." Marjorie lifted Jack as he- jumped up beside her and pressed her cheek hard upon his neck. "Yes. Fenella. There's more yet, isn't there? Go on. please." "Of course, there is more, child! T am cornilift to it." Reluctantly, although she maintained her cool composure perfectly, the countess looked at the <i;irl now. It was a relief that she understood. she thought, with :i tench of iinnatience, and that she did understand her manner showed. Mrs Aberdeen's house held out no offer of .asylum for her penniless stepdaughter, but to bluntly sa.v so was not exactly pleasant to Lady "Marlingford. "I had some thought. ( as you know. -Marjorie, of your being j with me For the present," she wenton, "but now that I am going to Kate such an arrangement, is not at all possible. For one thing, you would not. T .suppose, care to leave England "X o. T don't want to leave England," said the girl steadilv. Her eyes were wide and bright., her teeth set, but she was very quiet. I I (To be Continued.)

down 0.11 the window seat. She felt a kindling of wonder and almost alarm as she looked at her stepmother's pale, cold, handsome face, Fenella was always stately, dignified, impressive, to be so was natural—uncomfortably natural —to her, her aspect now, even in the way in which she arranged her.self in the chair. Something important must b© coming if it needed such a. formality of introduction. The girl folded .Iter hands on her lap and looked ip at her stepmother, waiting. "I dare say you have been expecting me to speak to you," the countess resumed, slowly turning a ring on one of her white fingers and looking Jown at it. "But you have 'seemed very much occupied., and, I have been busy, and—and altogether I judged it best to let things remain as they were as long as possible. But, now that all my plans for the future are definitely niade and settled, I must tell you what they are." Lady Marlingford paused; it may havo been that she purposely did not look at the girl, but down at the ring which 'she was still turning, and twisting. Marjorie's cheeks had grown milk white; sh<» sat looking with large eyes. "I—we " she faltered, broke off. and began again, "You mean that you are going away from Oastle Marling, Fenella s " "My dear girl, of course! What lan unnecessary question! I cannot