CHAPTER LI.—Continued.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2203, 21 August 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER Ll. —Continued.

He went down to the sands and stood watchinir the waves, full of his great joy. He remenibtred then the groy morning when he stood there before and cried out vainly against the fate which (separated him frota his love. What thoughts and emotions had then filled his breast ! But now he was near his heart's desire, and life was no longer a dull cold effort to do right. * I will watch over her and love her to my life's end," he thought; 'but—but ' and George turned away #ith a sigh. Amid ?ll his thankfulness and joy, an awful shadow yet came before him, and the miserable life and death of Hugh Clayton haunted him even then. ' But, thank God, not knowingly did I wrong him, 1 he said half aloud — ' not knowingly ;' and he stood and looked at the bright blue sky. Perhaps he was thanking God also for having given him strength to resist a great temptation. But presently he remembered the purpose with which he had net out, and turning from the sea he pursupd his wav along the sands towards the village. He was going to see Peggy Richardson, and shrank with ssme natural feeling from this painful interview. When he reached the cottage he found the door barred and bolted, and even had some difficulty in obtaining admission. Presently, however, a .strong, decentlookiny woman opened tho door, and seeing George, made her best curtsey. 'Ay, Mr Gcorgo,' she said, 'is that j you? I hoard you had got home. Come in, sir, but she's very bad the day. That's the reason I had the door fast.' 4 Will it disturb her, me seeing her ?' asked George. 'Oh no, sir. Nought makes any difference with her. She's noisy at Mmo3, and quiet at times, whoever bees her. Sho'Jl not notice ye.' But contrary to her nurse's expectations, Peggy did, and as George entered tho cottage ho could sec a tall figure in white walking restlessly up and down in the inner room, talking aud gesticulating to herself as she did so.' Tne old fi-hennan, her father, was sitting near the fire, and looked .suspiciously up at George as he went in ; he thought he had come probably to interfere with wmc of his unhappy daughter's rights. ' Well, Richardson,' said George, * how is your rheumatism to-day ?' 4As bad as may be,' he growled out. 4 Ay — there's nought but trouble' * I hear that your daughter is very ill,' said George, ktndly. ' Ay, but for all that ye are not ganjring (o wrong the poor lass, Mr George,' answered the old man anyrily, striking down with energy his stick on the red brick floor. 'Ye may come prying hero if ye liko, but if her bairn's born alivo I'll show ye all she has a father to look after her .still, poor, mad lass.' ' Do you for a moment suppose,' said Gerrgo, gravely, ' that if her marriage is proved, or can be proved, and Hugh'.s child is born alive, that my father or myself would wish to disturb its rights ': I think you had better learn niore charity than to imagine such a thing. 1 ' What ?' asked old Richardson, who was considerably deaf, ' What do you say ?' ' You ought to know'better than that,' shouted George, changing his sentence ; and then, looking up, he saw Peggy's face, who had been attracted by the loud speakinir, peering through the door of communication between the rooms.' * Our Cotwn George,' said she, opening it wide, and coming forward with a theatrical air, holding out her hand. ' Our grave cousin George. I hope that you are well ?4? 4 A hundred times had Sir Hugh called him this, and George's eyes grow dim as the unfortunate girl kept shaking his hand, and looking with her wild, unsettled gazo into his face. 4 How did you leave him ?' then said Peggy. ' He's been a long time away — a weary time ;' and she dropped George's hand as she spoke, and began walking up and down the kitchen in the same restless way as she had been walking" up and down the inner room before. 'Is she always like this ?' said Geortre, sadly, to the woman who had opened the door for him ; his eyes following her form in its quick and nervous pacinsrs. Ay, Mr George, always,' answered the woman, ' better and worse, better and worse, and will be so till her time comes. 1 4 Will her reason return, then, do you think ?' asked George. 4 I've known it happen, sir. My sister's man went down with the • Cumberland,' which was wrecked of Yarmouth, and fifteen men besides ; and when the news came she was as one demout. She expected her bairn in a few weoks, and from that timo till it came, she knew of nought ; but when we put the little lad to her breast I saw a tear, the first she had shed, gather in her eye and fall on the baby's face ; and so she came round, and is a flue, stout woman now. ' Then, perhaps, there is some chance for her.' ' Why are you talking to that common woman, Goonre ?' said Peggy, stopping suddenly. ' Come and walk with me, and do not listen to her old wives' talcs of lost men and little lads. Wo have lost none — what does sho mo, m ': — but .she's only Jenny Wright, poor creature, and knows no better.' Tho woni'iu shook her head, and gavo a pitying sigh. ' Don't sigh and shako your head, you silly old .Jenny,' said IVgwry. ' 'LVII us something mot ry, if you will talk — something to mako gr.ivo Cousin Georye laugh, and then when ho goes back, lie can tell Hugh we're not so sad — only very weary — weary with waiting.' ' Can I do anything- for you, Peggy ?' said George, taking her hand. 4 Ask for anything you want.' Tho pour girl put her hand to her head, as if endeavouring to recall something as he spoke ; as if some tone in his voice had touched some not quite unbroken and unstrung chord within hor heart. 'I cannot icoollect — 1 cannot recolloct,' she said, mournfully, after a little while, shaking hor head ; I can recolloct nothing new— except that I want /urn. Wiil you bring him back ?' ' Alas ! poor girl,' sail George, much affected ; ' do you know ?' 'I know what?' aaid Peggy, with a sudden change of voice and manner. c I know I'm a lady, Cousin George,' the

continued, throwing back her head excitedly. I know ono day they will all bow before me, the meun wretches that tread on me now ; I know I'm Lady Manners—Lady Manners ! There, Jenny Wright, what do you think of that \ And you'll come to the christening, won't you, Cousin George?' and she laughed aloud— her terrible laugh— and flung up her arras and her long hair. 'God help her,' said George, 'it's very pitiful;' and ho took up his hat, and hurried from tho painful pceue, Peggy's mad laugh ringing in his ears as* he went. _______