CHAPTER XLIX.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2197, 7 August 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLIX.

A. SACRED TRUST. JNot quite a month after Sir Hugh's death George manners arrived in Eugland. His father had teleganhed the news to hitci the day after the cs r ent had occurred, bat a letter which he received from Amy shortly afterwards, telling him the story of the unfortunate PeggyRichardson, determined him at once to undertake this journey. He did not even confess to himself why he decided to do so. He did not say, I do not trust my father's honour in such a case : but an undefined feeling was in his heat that the unhappy girl would now greatly need some protection, and that her interests would be safer if he was at home. # He was deeply and genuinely touched by his cousin's untimely death. Hugh Manners had made few friends, and many enemies ; but George from first to last (excepting during the short time of his mistaken jealousy about Amy), had been really and consistently attached to him, and no thought of the iaberi-

tance which would now probably devolve on him ever entered his generous heart for many hours after he received the intelligence. •Poor Hugh— poor Hugh/ hei said. Aud his memory went back to the bright and clever boy — so the gay and handsome man — to his cousin's careless life, and^ faithless, hopeless creed — to a thousand till then almost forgotten words and deeds ofj kindness which hud. passed between them— pnd at last to poor Peggy Richardson, whose heart Hugh Manners had won arid broken. •What must she bo feeling now?' George thought, and he resolved to make it one of his life's duties to protect and befriend tho unhappy girl who, had loved his cousin so well ; and he bad aqtually a letter written to his father on 'the subject when Amy's news of Sir Hugh's reported marriage with Peggy reaohed—himy-and on receiving it he at once decided *to,, start ,i for England. ' I must look on myself as her guardian now,' he' thought — 'as hers, and that of poor Hughes unborn child.' "Other thoughts and feelings alspstirred > strong and deep in, his heart, afe the, i pros- , pect of oooe more peeing home., , , He. hadworked bard for the last few, months at his new business, giving bis, time and his energies almost entirely to. it,- and winning, snme reward for, his exart;U>us nut only in a lucrative point of view, but also in' a sort of acquired peace of mind and inward self-satisfactiqn, at, having truly and honestly tried, to do his duty. . But it now lay at home, it seemed to him ; and his cheek flushed and his, heart beat fast as he thought how soon again he would probably see the sweet face of one whose only fault he at .least was but too ready to forgive. •If she were but free—free to be his wife — to find shelter in his strong arms ' and then ho checked himself and sighed, and bit his lips. What , thoughts were these ? The old, sweet folly— the old, sweet love. Was it not cruised out and gone, ? George knew that it was not, yet told himself that it was, a hundred times, in his ,ocld and dreary journey hombwards, hugged tbe dangerou* poison to his breast. As soon as be reached England he at once proceeded North, and the, first person he encountered as he stepped out on the platform at . Oldcastle, , was Mr Mounsey,, George frowned as he saw him, , ,Be was in no humaur-to eadure- his wearisome civilities, and lie turned away his head 'in the hope of escaping; but'Mr Mounsey was too sharp, and had already seen him. • Ah, my de:ir Manners, how do you do?' he cried, hurrying 1 up to George, and holding out two iat fingers as of yore. 4 1 have been expecting to see you,' ho continued ; ' I heard from Hindmarch you were coming., Quite natural— quite natural. I hope I may congratulate you — I hope I may; But this is an awkward story. But,' he added, lowering his voice confidentially, ' I have no doubt that some arrangement might be made with the young woman.' George made scarcely any answer to this, but stood annoyed and embarrassed.' < I I hear our frieud'!Portland will conduct your case,' said Mr Mounsey ; • you could not have a better lawyer— a little old-fashioned, perhaps— a little oldfashioned ; but Portland is a clever man. I am quite ready to apknowledge that.' • I really do not know to what oase you allude, ' said George, coldly. 'Ah well, ah well ; but it's well known. Perhaps you are right, Manners — perhaps you are right. A silent tongue, eh, and a wise hend — you know the proverb ? But lam delighted to see you to-day"— truly delighted. We have a wedding to-morrow — Laura's wedding — you're just in time. It was put off, you would hear, till now, and the ladies will be charmed if you will como ; indeed, you must come. ' lam waiting here for Hie North train ; we expect Captain Clayton by it — Captain Clayton, you remember, my wife's cousin, and he is coming for the occasion, aud you must be sure to join ! the party.' •Thanks, but you mnst excuse me,' said, George, biting his lips, and with a jealous pang darting tnto his heart.' ' Indeed we will not ! Laura will be delighted to see you ; and so will mamma; | I assure you we have talked • over '^this unfortunate connection of Sir Hugh's Very often. We w<?re quite out up when we heard it. Ab, young men — young men — how little they think what mischief they do ! But still I hope your reverend and honoured father will succeed. It would be a, thousand pibies--a thousand pities, if ■ tliis unfortunate ' child were born ali7e.' I 1 would not like to say so, ,Mr Moun* sey.' - - - - -- Yes, yes, Manners. Come, dqn't bo t£o chivalrous. But about the breakfast to-morrow ? It's at twelve o'clock, and I'll just add you to my list.' And Mr Mounsey pulled out his pocket-book as ho spoke. • You really must excuse me ;' said George again ; and then glancing at his black coat, he added — ' it's too soon after my poor cousin's death for me to think ot going anywhere.' •Oh, nonsense, Manners, nonsense.' cried Mr Mounsey ; but George was firm, and positively declined to accept the invitation ; and as the North train came puffing into tbe station !u9t then, he hurried away, and left Mr Mounsey to receive Captain Clayton. At his old office he found his partner, Mr Hindmarch, who greeted him with great cordiality. • Why, Manners, old fellow!' ho said, jumping briskly down off his high stool as George entered. ' Glad to see you — really glad;' and Mr Hindmarch shook George's hand and his own little ourls at the same time. 4 Well, Hindmarcb, you look very bright,' said George, good-naturedly. He was glad, somehow, to see the old place again ; glad even to meet his ' useful' partner. 4 Well, things are doing pretty well,' answered Mr Hindmarch. * The account goes on at the right side up ybnder,' indicating the bank by with his thumb in the direction it stood. * And how are you — pretty flourishing, eh ? You have just come in time. The fair Laura is to be married to-morrow to h,er old fivehundi ed-thousander.' • Are you going P' asked George. ' That lam ! Such a swell of a card as you never saw they sent me ; I have it about somewhere, I believe,' continued Mr Hindmarch, with affected uncertainty but perfect knowledge of fche fact. * Ay, here it is,' and ho handed a very elaborate, gold-printed invitation to George, who glanced at it, laughed, and laid it n6wn. ' It's a great sacrifice, I think, 1 he said. *The victim's quite agreeable, at any rate,' rejoined Mr Hindmarcb. * They have such stories in the town about the splendid dresses and jewels she has ordered, and Jvewforth Hall has been furnished and refurnished, and decorated and gilded, till it's like a palace ; and it's like a palace ; and it's all settled on her. They were in a horrible fright when the old boy took a fit, and nearly gave them | the slip ; but if once the knot is tied the business is done, and Laura will be the richest and handsomest woman in Northumberland.' ' Well, I hope she will b^ a haopyone, at any rate,' said George, honestly, ' for she well deserves it.' Mr>Hindmaroh laughed. • Wait your time, my boy,' he sail, 4 and. it 4 will be all serene. But wbat's the

unlucky business about poor Sir Hugh's supposed marriage with the fisher girl ? I hope it's all moonshine, and that the governor will come into the title all right?' ' I know no particulars.' 1 It'a been the town's talk for a Week. TJiey say old Portland has the cane, and if so it will be a deuced long time before it's settled. Those old lawyers are like snails — no driving them. Yet John Portland's a deep one, ay, an uncommon deep one, for all that.' 'If Hugh wore married, and his ohild is born alive, the oase will need no lawyer,' Baid George, quietly. 4 What, do don't mean to say you'll give in without a fight ? Giv« in to some artful hussy, most likely imposing a false marriage, and a false child too, maybe upon you? I would be sorry.' ' The poor girl is mad, I understand, ' \answer«d George, sorrowfully. 'Don't yoiijbelieve it,' said Mr Hindmarch, knowingly. Those kind are very devils for aoting. I'm up to a few things, <my boy. I've seen a dodge or two of that ■sort; but they don't take me in, and so may as well 1 leave off trying,' ■ George laughed. ' ' Pdid not know you were suoh a gay man, ' Hindmarch,' he said. _ ' .»•-,'"! * ' • < '.'Not J,',ah§w.ered Mr Hindmarch, ' but I've had my day; but talking of . women, my daar fellow — not of women, but of ladies, I mean— l've half lost my heart, dye know, Manners ? What a charming young oreature that Miss Williams — is that girl, I mean, who is staying with your governor.' ' Oh — oh, yes, to be sure, you were down at Narbrough ? I had forgotten.' ' And enjoyed my visit immensely, I can tell i you. The Vicar and his goocT lady— my Lady Manners now, I hopewere most hospitable; genuine English hospitality, I call it. Take a fellow as you are — that's what I like. Not the vulgar up-startish turns- out one is asked to here,' added Mr Hindmarch, with an air of disgust. • And so you admired Miss Williams ?' said George, much amused, for he was ,not jealous of Luke Hindmaroh. 4 that I did ; and I flatter myself I made a little impression, too, in that quarter. A fellow shouldn't boast, of course— still 'there was a look in those soft blue eyes of hers .' >. ' They are grey, my dear sir.' ' They are lovely, loving little orbs, at all events,' replied Mr Hindmarch. '• Yep, Mr George, I think I must ask you to do , me a good turn there ; for after utt a fellow gets tired of bachelor life and bachelor ways. They are all very well when one is a very young man ; but it palls, sir — yes, I say it palls.' • Why, Hindmarch, I declare you have begun to talk like an old roue,' said George, with a laugh. - 1 Ah, I'm not such a sly dog as you are, that's all,' said Mr Hindmarch, much delighted. ' Still waters ,run deep, George. What about the little governess that Mrs Mounsey declares to this day you eloped withP What has beoome of the poor girl?' •Does Mrs Mounsey not know?' answered George, and his face blu&hed a dusky red. He was thinking how truly I Laura had kept her word, ' ' She swears you ran away in the middle of the night with some girl or other she kept to look after the children ; so you needn't talk, Mr George. But I kept it all snug at home. I did not hint at any of your little peccadilloes there, I can, tell" you. That pretty little Miss Williams took me to see your school, and spoke of you. as if you were some uncanonised saint. I was laughing in my sleeve all the time, and thinking how her iunocent blue eyes would open if she knew the story of tho little governess. But it's well ladies don't know everything about us.' * Or we about them,' thought George, and a smile stole round his lips. Evon to him the entire ignorance of Mr Hindmarch as to the identity of Amy and the '•• little governess" seemed absurd. 'Well,' he said, after a while, 'you must tell me all about the wedding, Hindmarch ; how the fair Laura looked, and tho bridegroom, and everyone. They expect a man I once met there to stay with them — a Captain Clayton, a cousin of theirs. I wonder if he is altered.' 'But arn't you going? I'm 1 sure old Mounsey will be pleased to see you. But \ perhaps you are going down to Narbrough to-night?' ' ♦ No, not to-night. To-morrow, or the next day, perhaps. I will telegraph to my father to, let himjniftvv I have arrived; and I will spo you before Igo down. Of ,course I;qquid,«ot;go r to^the wedding so soon after poor. Hugh \- death; but I am rather curious to hear all about it, so I will depend on you telling me.' * All right, old boy,' said ,Mr Hindmarch, swinging himself again on his high stool by his desk ; ' and now, suppose We pro over the accounts ? You'll find them all correct, or I'm much mistaken ?' and George heard this with considerable satisfaction, and confessed to himsolf it was something to^have a ' useful partner.'