THE STORY-TELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 930, 8 June 1878, Page 2

THE STORY-TELLER.

WIFE IN NAME ONLY. By the author of " Dora Tjiobne," "On Her Wedding Morn," "Redeemed by Love," "A "Woman's Wab," &0.. &n. (Continued from last Saturday's issue). CIIAirTER XXI. ' Only imagine what life must be for us, Madaline, if we part. You would perhaps go on living with the Duchess all your life — for, m spite of your coyness and your fear, I believe you love me so well, darling, that, unless you marry me, you will marry no one — you would drag on a weary, tired, and unhappy existence, that would not have m it one gleam of comfort.' 'It is true,' she said, slowly. 'Of course it is true. And what would become of me ? The sun would have no more brightness for me j the world would be as a desert; the light would die from life. Oh, Madaline, make me happy by loving me!' 'I do love you,' she said, unguardedly. ' Then why not be my wife ?' She drew back trembling — her face pale as death. * Why not be my wife V he repeated. 'It is for your own sake,' she said. ' Oan you not see ? Do' you not understand T ' For my sake. Then I shall treat you as a vanquished kingdom — I shall take possession of you, my darling, my love!' Bending down, he kissed her face — and this time she made no resistance to his sovereign will. 'Now,' said Lord Arleigh, triumphantly, 'you are my very own, nothing can separate vs — that kis3 seals our betrothal ; you must forget all doubts, .til fears, all hesitation, and only say to yourself that you are mme — all mine. Will you be happy, Madaline V She raised her blue eyes to his, her face bedewed with happy tears- ' I should be most ungrateful if I were not happy,' she replied ; you are so good to me, lord Arleigh'' ' You must not call me ' Lord Arleigh ' — say Norman.' ' ' Norman,' she repeated, ' you are so good to me.' ' I love you so well, sweet,' he returned. The happy eye's were raised to his face. ' Will you tell me,' she asked, ' why you love me, Norman ? I cannot think why it is. I wonder about it every daj r . You see girls a thou- j sand times better suited to you than I am. Why do you love me so ?' ' What a question to answer, sweet ! How can I tell why I love you ? I cannot help it ; my soul is attracted to' your soul, my heart to your heart, Madaline. I shall be unwilling to letve you again ; when I go away from Verdun Royal, I shall want to take my wife with me.' She looked at him m alarm. ' I am quite serious,' he continued. 'You are so sensitive, so full of hesitation, that, if I leave you, you will come to the conclusion that you have done wrong, and will write me a pathetic little letter, and go away. 'No, I should not do that,' she observed. ' 1 shall not give you a chance, my own ; I shall neither myself nor let any one one else rest until you a? e my wife. I will not distress you now by talking about it. I shall go to the Duchess to-dtiy, and tell her that you have relented m my favor at last ; then you will let us decide for you, Madaline, will you not V ' Yes,' she replied, with a smile ; ' it would be useless for me to rebel.' ' You have made some veiy fatal admissions, he said, laughingly. ' You have ownc d that yon love me j affcet that, denial, resistance, coyness, shyness, nothing will avail. Oh, Madaline, I almost love this spot whore I won you ! I will have a picture of this brookside painted some day. We must go back to the houso now ; but, before we go, make me happy, tell me of yo«n» own free will that you love nic. v • Yqii know I do. I love you, Norman— l will say it now — I love you ten thousand time 3 better than my life. I have loved you ever since I first saw you ; but I was afraid to say so, because of — well you know why.' ' You are not afraid now, Madaline ?' 'No ; not; now,' sho replied ; ' yon bave chosen me from all the world ' ;o be 3 r ouc wife. I • will think of jotbing but making you happy. • In token of that, kiss me— -just . )nce — of your own free will.' ( No,' she refused, with a deep jlns 1 .). ' You will, if you love me,' ho •-. laid ; and then she turned her fair ■' 'uce to his. She raised her pure t ;weet lips to his and kissed him, ' I

blushing as s'ie did so to tke veryroots ot her golden hair. ' You must never ask me to do tli at again, she said, gravely. ' No,' returned he ; 'it was so remark ably unpleasant, Maclaline, I could not wish for a repetition ;' and then they went back to the house together. *■ Norman,' said Madaline, as they stood betore the great gothic porcb, \ will you wait till to-morrow before you. tell the Duchess 1 ?' ' No,' he laughed, ' I shall tell her this very day. It was almost noon before Lord Arleigh saw Philippa, and then it struck him that she was not looking well. She seemed to have lost her brilliant colour, mid he fancied she was thinner than she used to be. She had sent for him to her boudoir. ' I heard that you were enquiring for me, Norman,' she said. ' Had you any espcial reason for doing so?' 'I had,' lie replied, 'a most important reason. But you are nob looking as bright as usual, Philippa. It is evident that you are riot enjoying the best of health.' * ' The weather is too warm for one to look bright,', she said ; ' imjfch sunshine invariably has' the effect of tiring me. Sit down here, Norman ; ray room looks cool and sufficiently inviting; I think.' Her room undoubtedly was a. triumph of art ; the hangings were of pale amber and white — there was a miniature fountain cooling the air with its spray, and choice flowers emitted sweet perfume. The fair young Duchess was reeb'ning upon a coush of amber satin ; she held a richly - Jewell©! fan m her hand, which she used occasionally. She looked very charming m her dress of light material, her dark hair carelessly but artistically arranged. Still there was something about her unlike herself; her lips were pale, and her eyes had m them a strangely wistful expression. Norman took his seat near the little couch. ' I have come to make a confession, Philippa,' he began. ' So I imagined ; you look terribly guilty. What is it ?' 'I have found ray ideal. I love her, she loves me, and I want to marry her.' The pallor of the lovely lips deepened. For a few minutes no sound was heard except ,fche falliug spray of the fountain, and then the Duchess of Hazlewood looked up and said — • Why do you make this confession to me, Norman ]' ' Because it coneei'ns some one m whom you are interested. It fa Madaline whom I love, Madaline whom I wish to marry. But that is not strange news to you, i am sure, Philippa.' Again there was a pause, and then the Duchess said, m a low roice — , ' You mnst admit that 1 warned yon, Norman, from the very first.' He raised his head proudly. ' You warned me ? Ido not understand.' ' I kept her out of your sight. I told you it would be better for you not to see her. I advised you, did I not V She seemed rather to be pleading m self-defence than thinking of him. ' But, my dearest Philippa, I want no warning — I am voi'y happy as to the matter I have nearest my heart. I thank you for bringing my sweet Madaline here- You do not seem to understand ?' To be Continued.