CHAPTER XXXI.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1580, 19 August 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XXXI.

Bertha sat still after her father went' out. Palo had struck the most cniel blow it could administer, and now she S9emed incapable to resibt her father. A strango lethargy came over her. Suddenly there was a tap at the door/ and "Buttons" told Bertha Mr White desired her to go into the drawing room. Bertha lose, and, after a few alterations in her appearance, stepped out to meet her doom. Strange rebellious thoughts rose iv her heart. What if even at this eleventh hour she struck a strong blow for love and liberty, and refused to become Hector Macinnis' bride ? She was at times almost tempted to rush out of that house and fly, at all risks, to the dear fellow who she knew was now suffering the torments of perdition. Ah ! how his face would light up ; how he would clasp her to his arms ; and then, together, never to be separated. ' What need they care for the world 1 Doubts were also beginning to enter Bertha's mind as to whether the charges against Jack were as grave as she had been led to believe. Her farther stood outside the door of . the drawing room." " Hector is inside," he said quickly. ' I leave him to speak to you." And he entered the room on the other side where Obadiah Swectcomfort sat, turning over the leaves of a portrait album, all anxiety to see the lovely creature who had enslaved nim. Hector Macinnis stood against the mantelpiece Never had Bertha seen him look so handsome and happy. His eyes were lit with an exultant light ; his form seemed to have shared his election and he seemed many years younger. He advanced to her, and would have clasped her in bis arms, but she 'turned away. Her heart rose against him as she thought that a short time before Jack had stood there, the loving personification of manly grace and beauty, his glorious face seared with the tempest of love and despair. What was this man in comparison to him ! " Dear "Bertha," said Hector, quietly, • • your father tells me that you have at last resolved to throw aside all scruples and consent to an early marriage. Need I say how overjoyed I feel ?" He stopped as if waiting for her to speak, but she did not reply. " I know, Bsrtha," said he, " that lam not so young as the man ,who sought your hand ; but still I am in the prime of life, and a brilliant career cf.life before me. To-day I havo become a Cabinet Minister, and let me hope 1 yon will be my partner in the honors I will receive. Believe me, Bertha, the 'day will come when you will love trie as now I love 3'ou . I feel," here his - voice became deep, " that we shall be happy, very happy." Why did his voice seem as if protesting, to some unseen being — some monitior that spoke of woe to come. ? Suddenly Bertha started up. ' c ' 3 u " Hector Macinnis." she .said rapwiy^ this is nonsense. I can't, love yojjJ— J will not love you. My.iea.rt is fpj^fy to one only, and I can never give it to,another. Iv consenting .to , marry JJfjjuJ* only obey my father for, reasons hejwall not disclose at present Mr ,Macinn?s, you are a great man ; you have a retim^ tion for wisdom ; shovf it. by ro]gßft&UCs me, and save both ' hotu a' 'w&Wfflg A crimson flush suffused HectOT3pHMp|s This girl loved his rival wtth n a r u^|ufjioJ&f passion that he could 'never; h^Jfg^jjj^'ijgiv spire. What a hell wasninhiSJOT^^s as he never, loved a '' VfOta T^^^^v^^P i& merely, passing s'ensualijflmKK^^M 'this | was allied, to' jthe ? no^ er «|^fe^^©^"!' ne ? heart; plug much of the2BßS™|fif jfeelirigBtthat<aflife of i n^£3§j§ffP^^^ n ~^ ted in his breast: -HQjf jEmßjaj^!.^ oll^ sooner hear.Jßertha7da^^wgjying,t^e|

w both " : she'said. "Y^u are 'plpffij a ! life of ! sih and' shadow for'usV 1 b&^Be ' i""No;-no, B B4iahei / < Trkther i 4/li£M: enjdymenVof triumph 1 /'^ 4bffi^' jfljT dear Bertha/throw asiad^yoifr'lofe JfW; this man, and become mine' in refiUij^' 1 Look at me ! lam ready 1 to give youslfi , to'make you a queen, of 'society, the light, of my home. Ah, ! Bertha, why do you" not relent? I*1 '* '' ' '' ";' 1 Bertha sighed deeply.' "There was no hope for/,her r riow. This man was resolved tp exact- the utmost title' of the % liondi 'He came up, to hef, u and would have enclosed' heir in his 'arm's, but again she repulsed-'him', 1 -' and rising,' swept out of the' room. I * '' '■ ' ' He' stood still Rafter" -'Her departure," strange I ' 'lights - flasniqg' over his face. Rage 1 filled' his hea r r6 tj as he thougt that she , still loved Jack'; bburt r this' only sparred him on to have' the marriage arranged; and thus place her forever' oiit 'of ; his rival's reach?. ' /Then- jOther thoughts j came into his Drain — the policy he had to' mature and prepare in order to maintain; his ground in Parliamen&'^Heknew well* enough that Mr M'Calvin was not dead"" ! that he would tnoet with bitter' and ~&8tormmed opposition ; thatrevery word and {every action would be scrutinised. But i Hector was of a -combative nature ; he I wan in his element' on the field of battle j which called jforth all :his energies and 1 sharpened his Mintellect..' His bloods I coursed rapidly through his veins as he thought of the. coming: fray. < He had, | narrowly watched the.bend of public opinion and had sketched^ out a policy wholly in accordance with the great mass/ . 'Success, he argued, mustJbe achieved if,the many headed monster -was 1 to b» proIpitiated. MrVM'Calvin .had fallen 7 be-) cause he had steered his bark against_an eddy of public opinion, s • . "Well," said Mr. White, •< entering, j" r haveyou sucoeeded^dn/oombatting.her jobjections ?"f .. - - 1 •'-■ i -; - "Partially," replied Heotof ; • " but I see very plainly, Mr White,' • that she still loves that i. boy iand'- iSiiitime is only allowed there 1 is*<no. telling what she will do. Thei: best 'course, iisrt©>corfolude the marriage oerentony tbisuweek. J'< Procrastination, &q., yoafkno.w»Wh «'»i" c< It will be done.<V"-repUea Mr-t White. On Friday . • the: i ' wedding u dhall 11 > take .place. I must havii arnother'OQen'versation with her." il will boi'bnelfflia a few minutes." ■ ■■ >- (To be contmiftd.)U> ■» f