TWO YEARS OF A LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2567, 22 December 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

TWO YEARS OF A LIFE.

[Br Belladonna.] CHAPTER ll,—He's Goxe. The next morning Hadiee entered the breakfast room just as they were about to gather round the tablo, she saw at a glance that Willie wus not present, then, there was the usual 'Xmassalutations, and in a few minutes all were seated round the cheerful bieakfaxt tablo, all decorated with holly and ivy, a bright fire burning, and everybody gaily laughing and talking, and admiring , their presents which were laid round the table at their respective places. A contrast to the outside where everything looked bleak and cold, the ground covered with snow, and here and there a solitary robin hopping about, vainly looking for an 'Xmas breakfast, but not a crumb was to be found on the snow, so you will have to wait little robins until the gay party inside have finished, and then perhaps there will be a chance for you. Returning to our friends round the table. Willie's place remained unoccupied, and apparently uunoticed (except by Hadiee) when suddenly Edith Turner looked up and said. " Why P " where's Willis Morris, uncle Hamillen.?" " He left us in a hurry last night," replied Mr Hamilton. "He has got an appointment in India, and he sail* tomorrow. He asked me to wish all present this morning " A Merry 'Xmas," and to say good-bye to all for him." "Gone to India," "gone to India," waa echoed round the table. Hadiee turned perfectly white, and it was only by a great effort that she could sit erect in her chair. She tried to eat her breakfast, and as one almost in a dream she heard her father answer tho surprised questions. Willie, he explained, had only got the letter the previous day, offering him the appointment, and he had only a few hours to make up his mind, as the vessel is to sail to-morrow, so be was obliged to leave at onoe, and felt too sad to say good-bye. " How long will he be away, uncle, do you know," asked Mary Turner. "Two years, probably," said Mr H—— if ho can stand the climate. "How we shall miss him," she said. " Oh, indeed. How I shall miss him," thought Hadice. " YVere you in the secret too, Hadice F" asked Edith. "No," said Hadiee, blushing slightly, "I knew nothing about it till now." Then nhe caught her father'd eye looking a little sadly at her, aud she instantly divined that he was aware of what hud passed between her and Willie the day before. "Papa," shesaid, when they two wero left alone in the room some little time after, and putting her hand on his arm, " Why did Willie leave so suddenly ? He did not say anything about it yesterday." "No, my dear," said her father. "He did not know whether he would accept

the billet or not, but he told me before he left thut from a conversation he had with you decided him to acenpt it at ooce, and he felt he could not face all the wonderments and good-byes at his sudden departure ; and, my child," he continued, "he asked my consent to address you, which I gave most willingly, thinking you were fond of him." "So I am, papa," she said ; "but not quite in the way he wished." This was said quietly, though she felt inolined to sob. " Very well, my love, it was your old father's mistake. You shall not marry Willie, or anyone else, if you don't like." " I don't suppose I shall ever w?nt to marry anybody, papa," she answered, trying to smile. "You don't want to get rid of me, do you ?" "No, indeed, my darling, I don't," he said, kissing her, and I hope Mr Right won't turn up for many a long year. Now run away and find your cousin. We must have no sad looks to-day, though our dear boy is not here."

Mr Hamilton always called Willie "his dear boy," and the old gentleman was almost as fond of him as if he had been

his own son, and he was really disappointed that Willie had gone off in that sudden manner.

Hadiee did run away, but not to her cousins, but straight to her own room, and locked her door. Then, throwing herself on her bed, gave vent to her grief in tears.

"Oh, Willie! Willie!" moaned tbe poor girl," how could I be so cruel as to send you away to that horrid India. I heard mamma say once she knew a young man who went out there and got all yellow and died, and oh dear! oh dear ! perhaps Willie will go out there and get yellow and perhaps die, and it

it would be all my fault and then 1 don't believe I should ever be happy again, if all that happens. If I only had known he really thought of going away, I would have been kinder, and perhaps might have given him a different answer, but its too late now. I must be brave and not let nnyono know how much I care that he is gone. I Hliall hnvo to go downstairs or some of the girls will bo coming to look for me. I hopo they won't talk to me about Willie, or I urn afraid 1 shall bronk

down," thought the poor jrirl, as nhe got up oft' the bed and smoothed her hair and dried her eyes, and when she felt a little composed, slowly went downstairs. Most of the young people were sitting in the morning-room, laughing and chatting. "Come here, Hadiee," cried Edith Turner, as she entered the room ; " come and give us your opinion about these sketches."

Hadiee quickly advanced, and began talking, glad that her absent looks had not been noticed, but in thia she was mistaken, for Edith, with her quick womanly instinct, had seen Hadiee's faoe at breakfast and guessed a little of what was passing in her mind, so when she saw her at the door, looking so white, she came to her aid without appearing to do so, and Hadiee folt grateful to her cousin for givinsr her something to do as she came in. ."Now, Miss Hamilton," said Mr Harker, laying two eketcheson the table before her,

After studying them for a fow minutes she held up one and said, " thie is decidedly the best of the two as far as my judgment goes." There was a general laugh aud " now Mr Barker we told you so."

"We all liked that one beat but Mr Barker, and he vowed this was the best and was sure you would agree with him," said Edith laughing. " I am sorry I cannot, but I like them both," she said smiling up at him. "I thank you, Miss Hamilton," he said with a low bow. "Now I am perfectly satisfied."

Mrs Hamilton now entered the room, and said it is time for the young people to get ready for church, ao there was a general move made for their room?. In half an hour they nil gathered in the hall reiuly to start. The young ones elected to walk ; they said it would keep them worm. It waa a clear, cold morning, and the ground cracked under their feet as they walked briskly alone:. llow beautiful the white snow looked olinging , to every little twig and branch, and the bells rang ont joyously as the churchgoers hurried along, wrapped in their furs. Hadice walked along with the rest, end talked and laughed and tried to appear what sho did not feel—light-hearted. After they were seated the extreme beauty of the decorations took her eye for a time while waiting for the service to liegin. Then the great organ began to play the Christmas anthem, and the chorister boys in their snow-white surplices filed past into their plaeeß. Then the service began. She got up when the others got up and sat down when they sat down, hut it was all to her as one in a dream. Snc saw it all and heard it all, yet the current of her thoughts could not be changed, they echoed again and again, " he's gone ! he's gone I" Willie, the decorations, the music and the sermon were all mixed up together in her head. How the day passed she never knew ; there was a grand dinner in the evening and laughing, and joking, and gaming, and plum pudding, and almonds, and raisins, and dancing; and nhe laugher', and talked and danced, but all in a maze.

As she laid her weary head on her pillow that night the last thing she was conscious of was something in her heart saying over aud over again, " he's gone ! he's gone !" {To be continued.)