CHAPTER XVI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1851, 17 May 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XVI.

" Prepared to let him go ! " cried Herbert who had bsen gieatly affected by the narrative. " I would be unworthy if I were not to use the means in my power to do justice and to inflict punishment. No, Mrs. Morden, William Whinstun will find he hd,j sown the wind to reap the whirlwind." " I fear," said Mrs. Morden, with a sigh, the sigh of one wno had known much disappointment, " that you will not be able to tight the great array that will be brought against you. The strength that lies behind Willirvn Whinstun is terrible. 1 ' " f do not fear," replied Herbert. As he said this Mrs. Morden looked at him, and her face glowed with pleasure. What strength, defiance theie wuo in thot fierce young face and form. " You will triumph," cried the lady, carried away; "you look like a young god." The tete-a-tete "was interrupted by the entrance oi Alice, who had just returned, and whose face flushed with pleasure when she beheld her young hero. She had hardly entered when Ebby came in, pale, hollowchecked and woe-bsgone, but with a bright look of love at Herbert whfcn he met tlvil glance which now seemed to him the breath of lite. Heibert looked at the little group with the deepeht affection, and it scorned to him that never till now had he known what it waa to be happy. Advancing, he took their hands. " Ljftten, Alice, Ebby, mother, 1 ' he said ; " I wish to speak to you all to toll you what I intend to do." Alice turned pale. The word mother had in a moment levelled to her all. Ai by a flash of the eloctiic light all became clear, and the happiness was almost too much for her. Herbert took the dear gitl to his heart and gave Jioi" the first war-n pure kiss of love. Ebby turned his head aside, but only for a momeut. Mrs. Morden'a face lit up as it had not been lit for many long weary years. They all sit down, and then Herbert, Jin face bright as the daybicak, spofce. " Mrs. Morden," ho said, " before I aay further, I roust ask your permission to ask Alice to become my wife." " You have it freely, and may God bless you," aaid Mrs. Morden, with a sob. Then came back into her mind her time of May. Alas ! it is not always May. "Alice," continued Hprbart in the low musical tone which was his characteristic grace, " are you willing to become my wife, my own?" She looked up into hi 3 face trustfully, lovingly. " I am, Herbert," she said, . faintly but Qrmly ; " but,"' she added, " I am not worth} ; I have not the education to become the station of your wife." "You are too good for me," said Herbert, warmly. " Now, friend 3, listen to what I iutend to do, if it seems good to you. I have planned it all out. To-morrow the great battle between myself and the banks takes place. I do not fear the result. After the struggle is over I intend to take a cruise in the South Seas. It is an old plan of mine. Within a few days a splendid yacht will arrive, and in that veaaol I will do the voyage. While in the South Seas I will do my best to seek out John Morden. Alice, in marrying yau I but do justice in restoring to you your father's property. Half what I own shall be settled upon you— it is yours already. If what I say is a mystery to yourself and Ebby yeur mother will explain. And now for yourself. 1 will not expose you to the misery of entering into society, aa it is called, wichout preparation. Whatever is necessary we will appropriate out of your half, and yourself and your mother will proceed to England, where you will spend a year in some institution of the highest class to put a finish to your accomplishments. Then you will return and be my wife. We will take our pjace at the head of society. As for you, Ebby," continued Herbert, going up to the poor youth, and taking his two hands, " from this forward you are my private secretary and general manager, at a salary of a thousand a year. I know you will truly and faithfully discharge your trust, for you have great business capacity. Experience will enable you to grasp the work. In the meantime old Milburn will be your guide. He is as gold ten times refined." Ebby did not reply. He threw himself on his friend's breast and sobbed. All the clouds were gone ; the shadows had fled. He was not only resigned, but happy beyond any happiness he had known. " It is well and wisely planned," said Mra. Morden, coming up and taking Herbert's hands. " Let the time be two year 3. At the end of that period I will return from Europe with a woman iv every respect qualified to be the first in the land as she is now in soul and mind." 11 Then it iv settled," cried Herbert, with rapture, " Let us devote the afternoon to pleasure. I have heard that my absence from Melbourne has been looked upon as a surrender. We will drive into the proud and wicked city, and I will introduce you, Ebby, to Mr. Milburn as my secretary. We will take seats for the opera tc-night. We will drive right past the Bovine Bank, right through Collina-otreet. Come 1 Bustle, bustle, get ready. We will dine at my house at six, and be at tho opera before eight." It was, indeed, a triumphal day. Never did Mrs. Morden think that she would have seen it. The weather was lovely, and when they arrived the city was at its height. Streams of gaily dressed ladies promenaded the celebrated Block, seeing and being seen. It was a brilliant spectacle. But once Herbert's carriage appeared nothing elae was seen. Who wa,s the golden-hairea lady ? who was the aged gentleman ? These questions were upon every lip, and none '. could answer. Quite a crowd congregated, in.

'ro<ti of h ibj.'b'd oGioi ivhiio Iw. wjni up to introduce Ebb;/ to Ml. Milburn. The news lav through the city like wildfire that the young millionaire was in town. When they passed the Bovine Bank the clerks were at the door. Afc Glen's, where Ebby got down co secure soatd, there wa3 another assemblage, though more decorous, save as regarded the " foreign noblemen," who block up Melbourne niiKiic- sellers' doorwaya. Proud as was the occasion they were all glad to got back to Herbert's, where a splendid dinner, *uch as Mis. Morilen and Ahc2 had not hi^d tor years, was heartily enjoyed.