EVELYN MOSSLEY'S LOVER,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2674, 31 August 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

EVELYN MOSSLEY'S LOVER,

A Sketch, by MRS W. RATTRAY, Author of " The Mystery of Sloan's Cottage," Captain Alten's Torpedo Expedition," &e.

CHAPTER V. In Sydney, meantime, the' clays had seemed long and tiresome, to the stately beautiful Evelyn Mossley. Her faith in the innocence of John de Castney?, remained unshaken ; though every one around her ; her brother especially, seemed to entertain no doubt of his guilt. But just why he had taken the money was a mystery. Richard Mossley invariably shrugged his shoulders when the subject was mentioned, and muttered something about good young men being very deep. He was in the same firm as do Castneys, and was very jealous of the quick promotion of that gentleman ; especially smarting when John was given a post he had long coveted. He was an idle, dissipated fellow ; and had lately caused his sister, Evelyn, much anxiety by returning- home, late at night, or early in tho morning, in a semi-intoxicated condition. They were orphans and lived with a rather infirm maideu aunt.

Richard possessed a latch key, but had frequently been in a condition which prevented him from making use of his niaaculine privilege'; and he had to wake hia sister by the time-honoured fashion of the application of a few pebbles to her window. When he was incapable of getting one stone out of a dozen to hit the glass, a friend of his—Nat Raikns— performed the little ceremony for him, and assisted Miss Mossley in the disagreeable task of supporting Richard into the house. Once she said very bitterly ; " Instead of helping my poor brother to degrade himself like this, why can't you be noble, and generous, and help him to keep sober ?" 'It would not be the least use;'answered Raikes ; " he's just drinking to drown care. If I were you, Miss Mossley," he added significantly : " I should get him out of this. Go over to New Zealand ; the firm arc beginning to suspect him ; he does not mauage to hide this little failing of hia as well as he did. Aud, " the man lowered his voice ;" when he's had rather too much, he boasts of what he's done to—" " To whom ?" gasped Evelyn, sick with fear of what wan coming next. " Never you mind, Miss ;" said ; Raikes aud touching 'lis cap h» wout otf,

Nat Raikes was a porter in the great firm, and Evelyn knew he had some good reason for going out of his way, to give this piece of advice ; and though she was determined to profit by it, she retired to her room almost in despair as to her ability to carry out the suggestion.

Naturally, she was not much inclined to sleep ; and by the time welcome daylight peeped in at her window, her plan? were formed : it only rcmainod to carry them out.

She was in the breakfast-room early ; and was still attentively studying the newspaper when she was surprised by her brother's entrance.

" What have you got there ?" he a3ked sullenly and auspiciously ;-now that her eyes were more open, she was quick to notice his tone, also the eager, nervous manner, in which he hastily scanned the pages she handed him. " Dick" ; she began, and she steadied her voice with difficulty ; " I want to speak to you." He broke into a short laugh : " Goo 1 gracious, Evelyn, what on earth is the matter ? For heaven's sake, say what you have to say, and dou't make such a fuss about it."

Thus encouraged, the girl faced him boldly. " I understand that change of air, is at this moment, especially reccommended for you. I have, also, not been well lately, and am going to New Zealand this afternoon. If you like, we can go together." Richard stared at her for a second, in blank amazement, and then exclaimed with an oath ;

" Either you've been prying into my affairs —in which cose I'll soon pay yon out, or some one's played me false : now then, which is it ?" Evelyn had made up her mind to save her worthless brother, if possible ; so coming up to him she said gently. " Dear Dick, I know you are in trouble and I want to help you. I don't know what it i<, and I don't want to know, if you would rather not tell me. But I believe you will bo better out of this colony and I am willing to go with you, and make a fresh start where we are not known."

He was touched by her kindness, but answered roughly ;

" You might have been of some uso to me, if you had only let mo have some money when I asked you." " You know perfecty well, I should have been only too glad to have given you anything : but I promised dear papa before you. that I would never give, or lend you anything above £o unless you would go with me to my solicitor.'', and explain to their satisfaction, why you wanted it ; seeing we had each the same amount left us ; and you know you never would no."

" Confound it, no ; you were an iunO' cent to ever imagine I should."

There was silence in the room, whilst breakfast was brought in. When they were onne more alone, Richard insisted on knowing Evelyn's reasons, for wishing him to leave Sydney ; then suddenly became feverishly anxious to get away. He tried hard to persuade her to pay his passage, and let him go alone, but pereeiving the hold she had on him, through his itnpecuniosity, she would not consent.

Ho (hen impressed upon her, the neceafiity for keeping , their departure a profound secret from everyone. Poor Evelyn with, at the least n prospect of the gallows for her brother haunted her as a vague possibility, her foars heightened by this order, made her hasty preparations. She gave her maid a duy's holiday, and parked her own boxes. Fortunately, a cousin of her aunt was coming that afternoon, on a long visit; so her conscience was clear about leaving the old lady. She stole out and ordered a cab, without saying where she was going ; only begging the driver to fee punctual. It was a long drive, and Evelyn, looking at her watch many times on the way, feared she had not allowed enough, for the difference of speed, between her own horses, aud those in a cab.

Arrived at the steamer, she slipped on board, fearful of being recognised, even through her veil, and, having secured a berth, remained below, trembling with anxiety for her brother, who had told her he meant to come on with the crowd, and escape notice in the confusion. The last whistle sounded ; she could bear the suspense no longer. Cautiously she crept on deck, and catching sight of Richard, thankfully retreated to her own cabin.

She was ill all the way, and saw but liltle of him. She had given him a few shillings ; and was surprised to hear him ask her for a trifle to fee the steward, just before they landed. "I can't give him less than five shillings and I spent a lot in cigars. Three or four pounds, would do me," said this unabashed young man.

The deck of a steamer surrounded by other passengers is not the place to make a fuss, so opening her reticule, Jenny handed her brother a note, saying ; "I have only that, and a little change that I can get at just now ; it's live pounds." "Thanks, I'll make it do."

CHAPTER VI. The boat did not arrive till very late; so by the time they reached t'neir hotel, the table tl'liotv was ready. Tired as she was, Evelyn proposed they should go to the opera, thinking that was her only chance of keeping her brother with her.

There was a cood compmy playing ; for a shoit time the weary girl forgot her troubles in rapt enjoyment of the music, till the non-return of Richard, after an interval, made her uneasy. She felt very uncomfortable sitting there completely alone, and blamed her brother for thoughtlessness. But the next interval did not bring him, and, much annoyed, at the close of the performance, she waited for tin: crowd to disperse, and getting her wrap", made her way down the staircase to the entrance. At first she could see nothing of Richard, but a good look down the street revealed him, leaning against the wall a few yards from her. She went quickly up to him, and perceived to her shame and dismay that he had been drinking.

" Come along," he said thickly, "I'm not very well; best get a cab." But they were too late ; all the vehicles had been quickly filled and had driven off.

"Take my arm," she said in dispair; " and for heaven's sake, Dick walk straight." But the wretched man was quite incapable of complying with her injunction ; ami after two or three lurches, Evelyn gave up the attempt to manage him unaided, and looking round on hearing quick footsteps, meaning to get help, if possible from anyone. " Great Scott," exclaimed a well-known voice; is it possible? Evelyn—Miss Mnssley—is that really you?"

With a cry of thankfi lues?, tho poor girl held out her hands, "Oh, John, help me; you sec what's the matter," with an irrepressible shudder and a glance towards her brother, who now exclaimed with a most ludicrous attempt at diguity— " I say, you fellow, hands oft'my sister. Can't allow a thief to touch her, you know."

Evelyn gave Jahu an imploring look, as though beKeeuhhig his forbearance ; and he answered it by saying, " Walk on jii"t in front, of u-i; not too tast, we will gjt i cab in a minute,"

Fortunately they did so, immediately, and drove to the hotel, John explaining to Evelyn that he had only come down to town the day before to take a situation which a gentleman with whose family he hud been staying—ho did not then tell her in what capacity—had procured for him.

Evolyn na'urally shrank from telling him whnt had induced her to come to Auckland, and the arrival at their destination, and the difficulty of getting Richard quietly up stairs stopped the conversation.

John put him to bed, and, after giving tho chamber-maid special instructions to look well after Miss Mossley, went away.

The next morning found John at the hotel, in time for breakfast.

" I heard last niuht that you had not been able to .secure a private eitling-rooin," ho said, "so I camu over to chaperone you at tlio table-d'-hote, in case your brother wna not well enough to appear."

He refrained from adding, "I did not care to trust my precious treasure with him after last night."

" You are very good," responded tho young lady, demurely," but I have no idea how my brother is this morning. Boots had, of course, received no orders about calling him, and I fancy lm ia still asleep. Would you be good enough to see?"

John went at once, and was away a few minutes. He looked very grave, and said : " I am afraid your brother ia ill; I have sent for a medical man. No, you must not go near him," and he put out his hand to arrest her quick movements towards the door. "I will look after him. By the bye, I have secured a sitting-room for you, and have ordered breakfast. Don't wait for me, but I will come when the doctor has been."

It was a long weary day for the poor girl; without the cheering words John looked in, every now and then, tc bestow on her, she did not think she could have got through it at all. About five o'clock, she was allowed to sit with her brother, whilst John was out, and the nurses was gettiug her tea. At first Richard lay quite still.but soon began talking in disjointed, incoherent—for the most part —sentences. But the attentive listener heard enough to make her bury her face in her hands, in a silent agony of shamed weeping. In this attitude, so John found her, when he and the nurse came into the room an hour later. Tenderly he laid his hand in hers, and led her away to the sitting room. '' Don't fret so, darling," he said, as he placed her on the sofa, and sat down beside her. " It's all over now."

"Then you knew all the time that he had taken the money, and—and," she sobbed uncontrolably " made people think it was you." "Never mind that, now dear," said John soothingly ; '• I assure you [ should be perfectly consoled by one touch of your sweet lips." Of course Evelyn told him, with an inward happy certainty that she should not be taken at hei word, that he ought not to have anything to say to Richard Mossley's sister, aud when John informed her that ho was fully prepared to marry her, even if her brother had been hanged for his sins ; she gave herself to him with a glad content, and the lovers sat in blissful silence till the entrance of tho waiter recalled them from Paradise, to this present evil world, as particularly represented at the moment, by Richard. " I want you to agree to a very good idea of mine, sweetheart," said John the next morning, when the doctor had told Evelyn, that her brother would probably be a long time in recovering; "you eee it's very awkward for you,here alone with your brother, for after to-daj I must get to work, or I shall lose my billet."

" Yes, I don't like it; but what else can I do?"

"Marry me," cried audacious John," that solves the problem at once. We will walk down to the Registrar, as soon as I have fixed things up, and get the knot tied. Then we will move into a little furnished house, with Richard (the doctor says ho must have more quiet than can possibly be obtained here), and set up housekeeping at once. You understand, dear, that I would not hurry you like this, if your bnther did not require more looking after at night than you or the Duwe could gire him. Of course we could get a male nurse of some sort; but there is no need for that just wnv, and it is better to keep his ravings to oursolvos."

" But .luck, in justice to you we must get some sort of written confession, and send it to the firm. I wrote to your uncle last liL'ht and told him all; ho has irriovfd no sorely over the nhole affair."

John kis.-od her M>ftly. " You are u little angrl," he said, ''but you should not have troubled to do that ; it is bound to come straight soon, and I am nure my uuelo will mhke my future all right or I should nnt dare to marry an heiress."

Walking down Queen-Street, a little later John met Mr and Mia Brown—the latter on shopping business intent. Glad to prove their good opiniou of him, that she believed his innocence would be proved directly. He further added, that a young lady to whom he was engaged, had brought her sick brother from Sydney, for change of air, and explained his plans. i.'oo 1 Mrs Brown was much shocked, when she heard that the poor girl was alone in a strange hotel, and wanted the Mossleys to come up to her. But John declared Richard could not stand the journey, and finally, convincing the kind hearted lady that his plan was the best, took her back to see his fiancee.

Both Mi-and Mrs Brown assisted at simple tredriing ceremony, only regretting that it was not performed in ehuich ; and both cillcd on the happy pair, in their new home the next day, and brought several handsome, and useful presents, which were supposed to come from the entire family, though half of them were yet in ignorance of the existence of such a person as Mrs John de Castneys. In due timo came a letter from Evelyn's aunt, declining , her niece's invitation to make a ho:ae in New Zealand, and winding up : "After the selfish and undutiful way you left me, with no regard to my feeble health, it will bo long, indeed, before I trust myself again in your hands. Cousin Maisen lias kindly consented to live with me. Why you should think of (jiving up a comfortable homo for a seoundrel of a brother I can't think ; and it's very solfdenying and good of young de Castneya to marry you, though I think you showed quite indecent hasta in accepting his offer."

Sir James de Castneys came over himself, bearing the kindest letters from the firm, and saying that they acknowledged receipt of his telegram declining for several good reasons—with which they fully sympathised—to return to Sydney ; ;uid as they had long intended establishing a branch in New Zealand, begged his acceptance of the post of manager, to ultimately lead to a partner-

Uncle James was evidently much pleased with the offer, and announced his intention of settling in Auckland too, saying he would take care of Evelyn whilst her husband was away, arranging sub-offices in the South Island.

A large and handsome house was built in one of tlic prettiest suburbs of the very pretty city by the Waiteniata, and Mra de Castneys wrote to her maid to pack up all the furniture and nicknacke which were her own personnl property and unclaimed by her aunt,- who went to the next Church bazaar held in Sydney, auu out of tho sum ghe always get apart

as a sort of tithe, bought—for the good of the Chinch only—as many fancy antimaccasars and other trifles as were necessary to repair the waste places caused liy the sudden and selfish removal of Evelyn's bric-a-brac, hitherto a continual apple of discord between the two ladies, for Aunt Mossley was a terrible Philistine, and only when the tasty things belonging to her niece were really gone did the idea of calling her seltiah occur to her: and, after all, it was Cousiu Maiscu who suggested the adjective Fortunately she died before Aunt Mossley had executed that will in her favour, she was so anxiously endeavouring to obtain ; and when the old lady herself died, a few months later, her niece and reformed nephew inherited all her fortune. (The End.)