THE STORY-TELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 966, 31 August 1878, Page 2

THE STORY-TELLER.

WIFE IN NAME ONLY. By the author of " Dora Thorne," "Ox Him AVmddisto Momn," "Re. DKEJIKD BY LOVE," "A WOMAN'S War," &c. Sr.a. (Continued from last Saturday's issue). CHAPTER XXVII. 'No,' she replied. 'Then came a time/ she went on, ' when it seemed to me tbab ray mother spent all her days tsnd nights m weeping. There fell a terrible shadow over us, and we removed. I have no recoil eel ion of the journey, not the faintest, but I can remember my sorrow at leaving the bright green wooclk for n. dull, gloomy city lodging. My mo* her was still niy hope and comfort, After we came to London, she insisted that, no matter what else went wrong, I should have a good education. "My darling- must be a lady," she used, to say. She would not let me work, though I entreated her with tears m my eyes, I used to try fo deceive her even, but I lever could succeed. She would take my hands m hers and kiss them, saying at the same time, " Such dainty hands as these, dear, must not bu ppoiltid." After a great deal of trouble and expense, she contrived to get me an engagement as governess-pupil m n ladies' school, and there 1 did receive a good education. One peculiarity of my mother silw-.iys filled me with wonder : she used to. fancy that people watched mo. " Has anyone, spoken to you, darling?' she would ask. " Has any stranger seen you 1" I used. to laugh, thinking at the time that these questions were merely the result of parental anxiety, but it has struck me since as strangev Wbais T was at the ladies' school, my father committed the crime for which. I am now suffering.' ' Will you tell me what that, arime was?' requested Lfrd Arleigb. A dreary hopelessness, inexpressibly painful to see. came over her face, and a deep-drawn sigh broke from her lips. ' I will tell you all/ she said, ' and would to Heaven that I had done so before ! My mother, many years njro, was m the service of Lady 1/ Rstrange ; she was her maid then. Miss L'Estrnge married the Duke of Hazlewood, and, when my mother was m great difficulties some time since, she went to the Duchess to ask her for employment. The Duchess was always.' kind,' continued Madaline, •' and she grew interested m my mother. She came to see her, and 1 was at home. She told mo : afterwards that when she saw me she conceived a liking for ma. I know now that I was but the victim of her plct.' She stopped abruptly, but Lord Arloigh encouraged her. * Tell mo all, Madaline,' he said, gently; ' none of this is your fault, my poor wife. Tell me all.' Thus encouraged, she went on : ' The Duche«s was very kind to my mother, and befriended her m many ways. She interested the Duke m her case, and he promised to find employment for my unfortunate father, who went to his house to see him. Whether my father had ever clone wrougr before I ■ c'anuot tell. Sometimes 1 fear that he had done so, for no man falls suddenly into crime. In a few words, What he saw m the Duke's mansion tempted him. ITc joined some burglars, and they robbed the- house. My unfortunate father was found with his pockets filled with valuable jewellery. M/v mother would uofc Ivc we rea4

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