Novelist

Waikato Times, Volume 2641, Issue 2641, 15 June 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

Novelist

[ALL RIGHTS KKSFRVKD.] Love's Labour Won: AN EVENTFUL STORY. BY JAMES GRANT. Author of ''The Itomance of War," "The Black Watch," ".Fairer than a Fairy," &c, &c. SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

CiurTKRS I to lll.— Melanie Talbot, the daughter of an English officer who had lost liia life in the service of his country, is wooed by old Sir Brisco Braybrooke, but his intensions are odious to her, as her young heart hue been won by Capiain Montague Lonsdalo, a young and dashing officer from Calcutta. She has been on a visit to her annt Mrs. Chillington, during a London soason, but she has not, according to her aunt's idea, made the tnoßt of her opportunities, for she had refused the offer, twice made, of Sir Bortico, nud with it £20,000 a year. Her aunt is chngrineel at Melanie's conduct, and she returns to the house of her uncle Grirnshnw, who in also anxioua that ahe ehall make a brilliant marriage. Before leavinp, however, she mikes the acquaintance of Miss Hilda Tremaine, who boasto of her acquaintance with Captain Lonsd'lle nt Calcutta.

CiiAi'TEiw IV. ani.i V. —Melanio, on arriving at her uncle's home, is welcomed by her brothers, one of whom, Reggie, is a Lelplusß cripple. Amy Brendon, daughter of a neighbouring clergyman, also ■welcomes her homo. With Amy Reggie is hopelessly in lovo, but tho thought of his poor crushed fnim mid hfr qncenlikc beauty only fi" s ''' m dcepuir, Meliinie'H interview with her unelo in a bitter one and ho is exasperated at her refusal of Sir ISrisro. He makes poor Mtliiniu's heart isink when at the close of a conversation he fells her "If within a given time you do not marry Sir Brisco,

aud thu3 take off my hands your brother Reginald, he shall go straight from here to the ward of a common hospital."

Chatter Vl.—Melanie, out on a picnic excursion in the woods around Rosu Cottage, along with her brothers and her friend Amy, unexpectedly meet Captain Lonsdalo a'nd his friend Musgrave, who were on a visit to Sir Brisco Braybrooke. one of the largest landowners in he neighbourhood. Lonsdale is unaware of what has passed between Melanie and Sir Brisco, and the close propinquity of the country seat of Sir Brisco is also a matter of surprise to Melanie. In Reggie, the crippled brother of Melanie, Musgrave recognises the young sailor who once saved his life in the Arabian

deserts. CllA l-TEHS VII. TO Xl— Hovace MHegrave and Amy love each other at first sight, and poor Reggie, the cripple, sees the state of things with anguish in his heart. Montague Lonsdale and Melanie still love in secret, Sir Brisco's attentions being hateful to her, but Mr. Crimshaw is intent upon Sir Brisco's offers being accepted, Mid uses, with brutal cruelty, the illness and weakness of Reggie to influence her decision in the baronet s

favour. . Chapters X and Xl.—Sir Brisco Braybrooke prosecutes his wooing of Melanie, hut that lady keeps him at a distance, though he hopes to ultimately succeed in winning her. Meanwhile her lover Lonsdale, looks on the attentions paid her by Sir Brisco with feelings of indignation., but at Melanie's request ho torbcars declaring to the hopeful baronet that he is her accepted lover.