CHAPTER XXXV.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 998, 14 November 1878, Page 2

CHAPTER XXXV.

Madalino had never sent for her mother, not knowing whether Lord Arleigh would like it; but she had constantly written to her, and had forwarded money to her. Another thing she had done — she had most carefully refrained from saying anything- to her mother as to the cause of her separation from her husband. Indeed, Margaret Dornham had no notion of the life that her wellbelovsd Madaline was leading. It had been a terrible struggle for Margaret to give her np. ' I might as well have let her go back years ago to those to whom she belonged,' she said, 'as let her go now.' Still, she s:ood m great awe of the Duchess of Hazlewood, who seemed to her to be one of the grandest ladies m all England, and, when the Duchess told her it was selfish of her to stand m her daughter's light, Margaret gave way and let her go. Many times, after she bad parted with hep, she felt inclined to open the oaken box with brass clasps, and see what the papers m it contained, but a nameless fear came over her. She did not dare to do what she had not done earlier. Madalino had constantly written to her, bad told her of her loverhad described Lori Arleisrh over and over again to her. On the eve of her wodding-day she had wvitten again, but, after that day, she had not told her secret. Of what use would it fee to make her mother more unhappy than she was — of whit avail to tell her that the dark and terrible shadow of her father's crime had fallen over her young life 1 ? Of all her mother's troubles, she knew this would be the greatest, so she generously refrained from naming it. There was no need to tell her patient, long-suffering, unhappy mother that which must prove like a dagger m her gentle heart, Margaret Dornhiitn had one gleam of sunshine m her wretched life. She believed that tho girl she had loved so dearly was unutterably happy. She. had read Madnline's descriptions of Lord Arleigh with tears m her eyes ' Tha 1 ; is how girls will write of the men they love,' she said — ' my iMadaline loves him.' Madaline had written to her when the ceremony was over. She had no one to make happy with her news but her distant mother. Then some days passed before she heard again — that did not seem strange. There was, of course, the going home, the change of scene, the constant occupation. Madaline would write when she had time. At the end of a week, she heard again, and then it struck her that the letter was dull t unlike one written by a happy bride ; but, of course, she must be mistaken — why should not Madaline be happy 1 After that the letters came regularly, and Madaline said that the greatest pleasure she had lay m helping her mother. She said that she intended to make her a certain allowance which she felt quite sure would be continued to her after her death, should that event precede her mother's ; so that at last, for the weary-hearted woman, came an interval of something like contentment. Through Madaline's bounty she was able to remove from her close lodgings m town to a pretty cottage m the country. Then she had a glimpse of content. After a time her heart yearned to see the daughter of her adoption, the one sunbeam of her life, aid she wrote to that effect: ' I will come to you,' wrote Madaline m reply, ' if you will promise faithfully to make no difference between me and the child Madaline who used to come home from, school years ago.' Margaret promised, and Madaline plainly dressed, went to see hermother. It was sweet, after those long, weary mouths of humiliation and dospair to ■

I lay her head on that faithful breast and hear whispered words of love and affection. When the warmth of their %? fc /S^eet|nK •wafcoverj Margaret was ama_ed'-'"_ll^;eVoha_ge in her child. Audj-line had grown taller, the girlish graceful figure had,, developed into a model of perfect womanhood. The dress that she \'w,oxq became her so well that the change in the marvellous face a;ma_ed her themost, it was so wonderlujly ' beautiful, so fair, so pure, yet it hid so stratige a'story written upon it— a story she could neither read nor understand. It **as not a happy face. The eyes were shallowed, the lips firm, the radiance and, tightness that had distinguished hep were gone ; there were patience and resignation instead. • How changed you are, my darling !' said Margaret, as she looked at her. 'Who would have thought that my little girl would grow into a tall, stately, beautiful lady, dainty and exquisite? What did Lord Arleigh say to your coming, my darling ?' 'He did not say anything,' she replied, slowly. •But was he not grieved to lose you?' * Lord Arleigh is abroad,' said Madaline, gently. 'I do not expect that he will return to England just yet.' ' Abroad !' repeated Margaret, in amazement. • Then, my darling, how is it that you are not with him.' ' I could not go,' she replied, evasively. ' And you love your husband very much, Madaline, do you not ?' inquired Margaret ' Xes, I love him with all my heart and soul/ was the earnest reply. 4 Thank Heaven that my darling is happy V said Margaret. • I shall find find everything easier to bear now that I know that,' Jo be Continued.