CHAPTER XVI.—(Continued.)

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2051, 29 August 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XVl.— (Continued.)

Tho letter ntnng him with pain sh&rprr than a serpant'rt bitu. Dear Heaven, bo had forgotten her ; ho had forcotten this strange tie— this half absurd, half Quixotic marriage; ho had forgotten this young wife, who was never to ,be moro than a good comrade to him. He sat quite still and motionless, with tho letter in hin bands. " Who has been writing to jou, Vivian?" asked Lady Gertrude, who had enteie<l the library unnoticed by him. " How agoni/ed you look over your letter. Is it a bill for cigars ? What io the matter, Vivian ?" " Nothing," ho answered, sharply. 44 Why do you look so distressed ? I am sure that you have bad news in that letter." 41 On tho contrary, I have no newi at all ; it is simply a reminder of some promise I mado some obort timo ago." " Who is tbe letter from ?" persisted his ■isttr, really alarmed by tho pained expression of his face. 41 No one whom you know," Gertie, he replied. " There is nothing tho matter really, believe me." But when his sister bad quilted the room, he sat down at the library table, and wrote : " Deaii Aime :— For the future address mo as ' Dear Vivian,' not as ' My Dear Husband.' I might leave the letters about, and then it would be dangerous. We are very busy preparing for ray sister's wedding— it la quite impOHaible for me to say when I shall see ycu. I hope you are well and happy. Be sure to let me know if you want anything. Youra affectionately, V.C." He sealed that letter and took it to the post ; he was quite determined that no servants' gossip should cause suspicion. How many long, sad hours had Ailie spent in waiting for that letter ; ehe had longed for it until she was sick at heart. Hettie brought it to her in her own room ; she hid it beneath her apron. 41 Now, Miss Ailie, m that fine husband of youra calls you, guess what I have for you here?" Alice sprang up from her eeat, pale and trembling. 44 Oh, Hettie, Hettie !" is it a letter?" she oried. 14 Yes ; it is a letter. Your fine gentleman husband has written it at last; but I shall not stay to hear what he says. The very idea," she added to herself, " of loving any manlike that 1" Alice never heard her. She was in a mud (ever of impatienco to read this letter. She had waited for it, prayed for it, longed for it , and now it was here. Sho kissed tho white envelope with passionate tears ; she cried out that his bands had touched it, therefore it must be prccioun. Then ahe opened it. Ah, well, it wa3 only the old, old story — the wasted love of woman and the indifference of roan. Th? words struck her with mortal pain, yet how ctrdesaly bo had written them. "Do not call me husband 1" They were like a death-warrant to her; to him they meant nothing e&ve caution. Alice laid her head on tbe long-expected letter, and wept some of the bitterest tears that she ever she'l. 44 Never call him husband :— he has forgotten me I " she cried. " Even the little liking he had for me is gone. It would be better if I were dead and out of ins way." Slio waa rou«ed from her sorrow when Hettie returned ; that plump, san&iblo young penon looked with contempt on all team. 44 Aro you crying for joy or for sorrow this timo?" she asked. "Oh, Alice, you had better have remained single ; you have done nothing but ory sines you wero married." She was speaking, .half in jest, half in tamest. " I shall call your husband Blue Beard, Alice," she said. "I am quite pure that all Blue Beard'd wives put together have not cried as much as you have done. You arc different to me, Alice ; I would not shed one tear for any man living." 44 That is a proud boast, Hettie." 41 And a true one. You are foolish, Alice. flore you have plenty of money, plenty of fine dresses, and everything that) your heait can desire, yet you spend the greater part of your time shut up here crying. When is Blue Beard coming back ? " " I shall not answer you when you speak in that tone, Hettio," said her sister. "Well, I will do better. When is Mr. Nehion coming back ? " 41 1 do not know, Hettie— ho does not say ; bo has some business on-hand, and will coinu when it is over." What would Alice have thought if she could have .known.that at that very moment her husband waa planning to leave England without returning to lludcswell? He did not care to go through [.the ceremony of biddins his Touncf wile farewell.