THE STORY-TELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 936, 22 June 1878, Page 2

THE STORY-TELLER.

WIFE IN-NAJkEE &NLY. By the author of /*' BoiU. Thoene," "On Her Wzvpttra Monar," " REDEEMED BT LOVE," " A WOMAN'S War," &c. &n. (Continued from last Saturday's issue). CHAPTER XXII. iShe looked at him earnestly. *Do you love her so very much, Normaii ? ' * I love her better than any words of mine can tell,' he said. * The moment I saw her first I told you my dream was realised — I had found my ideal. I have loved her erer since.' * How strange !' murmured the Duchess. *Do you think it strange 1 He. member how lair and winsome she is — how sweet and guileless. Ido not believe there is auy one like her.' The white hand that held the jewelled tan moved more vigorously. * Why do you tell me this, Norman ? What '!o you wish me to ;dor ' You have always been so kind to me,' he said — * you have ever been as a sister, my best, dearest, truest friend. I could not have a feeling ot this kind without telling you of it. Do you remember how ynu used to teasa me about my ideal ? Neither of us thought in those days that I should find her under your roof.' * No,' said the Duchess, quietly ; * it is very strange.' * I despaired of winning Madaline,' he continued. ' Shehadsuchstrauge ideas of the woudi _\ul difference between us — she thought so much more of me than of herself, of the honor of my family and m}* name — that, to tell you the truth, Philippa, I thought I -should ne-'ei* win her concent to be my wife.' * And you have won it at last,' she put in with quiet gravity. * Yes — at Jjist. This morning she promised to be my wife.' The dark eyes looked straight into his own. ' It is a miserable marriage for you, Norman. Granted that Madaline has beau r y, grace, purity she is without fortune, connection, position. You, an Arleiu-h, of Beeehgrove, ought to do better. lam speaking as the world will speak. It is really a wretched marriage.' ' I can afford to laugh at tho world and please myself in the choice of a w ife. There are certain circumstances uncles wh'cti 1 would not have married anytHie ; those 6irotunstaucc-s do not surround my darling, fche stknds out clear and distinct as a bright jewel frpm the vest of the world. Ta day&fihe promised to be my wife,^^^ne is so sensitive and hesitati'i^W^t I am almost afraid I shall lose her even now, and I want to marry her as soon as 1 can.' ' But why,' again asked the Duchess, * do yon tell me this?' * Because it concerns you most nearly. She lives under your roof; she is. in some measure, your protege.' ' Ye re will be very angry when he hears of it,' said the Duchess. And then Lord Arleigh looked up proudly, and Said — *I do uot see why he should. It is certainly uo business of his.' ' He will think it so strange.' * It is no stranger than any otli6r marriage,' said Lord Arleigh. 'You disappoint uie, Philippa. I expected more sympathy at least from you.' The tone ot his voice was so fnll of pain that she looked up quickly. ' Do not think me unkiud, Norman. You could not expect auy true friend of yours to be very delighted at such a marriage as this, could you/' It seemed as though she knew and understood that opposition made his own plan seem only the dearer to him. ' Still I have no wish to fail in sympathy. Madaline is very lovely and very winning * I have a great affection for her, and I thiuk — nay, I am quite sure — that she loves you very clearly.', * That is better — that is more like your own self, Philippa. You used, to be above all conventionality. I knew that in the depths of your generous heart you would be pleased for your old friend to be happy at last, and I shall be happy, Philippa, You wish me well, do you uot V Her lips seemed hard and dry us she replied — * Yes, I wish you well.' • What I wished to consult you about is my marriage. It must not take place here, of course. I understand, and think* it only natural, that the Duke., does not wish to have publis arfcOsntiou drawn in any way to Madaline. Wa all like to keep our little family secrets ' consequently, I have thought of a plan which I believe will meet all the difficulties of the case.' The pallor oi* the Duchess's face deepened. ■Are faint or ill, Philippa V he asked, wonderiug at her strange appearance. 1 No,' she replied, * it is only the heat that affects me. Go on with your story, Norman • it interests ine.' ' Tha* is like my dear old friend*

Philippa. I thought a marriage from here would not do— it would entail publicity and remark ; that none of us would turn for— besides, there could hardly be .» ruafnajß under your auspices daring tho absence of*. the Duke.' No, it would hardly be en regie, she agreed. • But,' contiuued Norman, it Lady Peters would befriend mo— if^she would go away to some quiet seaside place, and take Madaline with her— then, at the eud of a fortnight, I iri Wit join them theie, and we could be "married, with every due observance of conventionality, but without calling undue public atteution to the ceremony. Do you not think that a good plan, Philippa?' ' Yes,' she said, slowly. • Look interested in it, or you will mar my happiness. Why, if it were your marriage, Philippa, I should consider every "detail of high importance. Do not look cold or indifferent about it. She roused herself up with a shudder ' I am neither cold nor indifferent, fshe said — * on the contrary, I am vitally interested. Yon wish me, of course, to ask Lady Peters if she will do this ?' • * Yes, because I know she will refuse you nothing.' (Then that is settled, 1 said the Duchess. - There is a pretty, quiet little watering place called St. Mildred's—l remember bearing Yere speak of it last year- which would meet your wishes, I think, if Lady Peters and Madaline consent.' ' I am sure they will consent,' put in Lord Arleigh, hopefuly. •There is another thing to be thought of,' added the Duchess — 'a trousseau for your fair yovng bride.' 'Yes, I know. She will have every fancy gratified after our marriage, but there will not bo time for much preparation before it.' 'Let me be fairy -godmother,' said the Duchess. * In' three weeks from to-day I engage to have such a trosseau as has rarely been seen.. You can add dresses and ornaments to it afterwards,' 'You are very good. Do you know,' he said, that it is only now I begin to recognise my old friend 1 At first you seemed so unsympathetic, so cold — now you are my sister, Philippa, the sharer of my joys ani sorrows. We had no secrets when we were children. • No,' she agreed, mournfully, ' none ' 'And we have none now,' he said, with a happy laugh. ' How astonished Vere will be when he re. turns and finds Madaline is married ! And I think that, if it can all be arranged without auy great blow to his family pride, he will not be 111— pleassd ' ' I should imagine not,' she returned, listlessly. • And you, Philippa — you will extend to my beloved wife the friendship and affection that you have given to me?. ' Yes,' she replied absently. ' Continue to be her fairy godmother. There is no friend can do as you can do. You will be Madaline's sheet-anchor and great hope.' She turned away with a shudder. 2b be Continued.