The Sentinel, 1881-10-28, Page 30-=
7='••%;;;-:,
ArVEIVG. 6 AT .a.,A.s.r.
_ ali. story at Lev° and Daring: • - "
. By the author Of "What fie COSI. Mae
. "Gwendolinces Harvest;" and other
ie3pular novels. • „ .
-
, 'CHAPTER •XIV,
. •
, •,
TB s suss. Timonotr ifs sar-tienr._ .
There are, some men; whom one cannot
elp-envying, that will. as readily execute a
, 3 painful, duty as confer a. benefit of pleasure;
:who. feel no enaharrasment 'Whatever at
_
having to • sa,y a disagreeable' thing, and.
- whose 'agility for managing unpleasant
;Matters', with a high hand should commend'
.Aself (and yet somehow fails to do so), to
!public. adiniration, Thera :Are others,
again„ivho shrink from:giving pain, to their
fellow creatures, is. from: asurgical opera-
tion On ' theraselves,. not neeessitrilY from
• high, or even benevplent motives, but.
because theirnaturee are sensitive, deli -bate
and eeltielawhe are . moral Epicureans.
Although Ralph .Clyffard was &good man
(as plod men Went. in those days), he Was
one a these.. He had a. kind heart, and
would have. wounded nobody's feelings, if
'he- oolld- have helpedit ; but it somebody
inustmtFecis be- 'offered the cold Shoulder,
It Wait not likelyto be. that person upon
whom his own. happiness and. Comfort prin-
cipally depended-; itwas- not- likely to be
-that person-leastot aIL Rxp-ediency and
- convenience, as well as doting fondness,' all
- cdrabizied together to make his wife's- will
a. la,w unth ihi, and. to causehim to look
coldlY upon -whomsoever she had cast out
from her g.Oecl graces. But at, the • sanie
• time, he Would never kllOwirtglY have COM-
. .-mittedan injustice to please her' rand it
• wasvery -painful to Iiiin:even to do what -
was harsh. Thus when he invited his sec -
end son to sup with him in hiSpVirTI turret
Chamber,- With, the object of telling him
• that- he was not wanted at, home- .the
• » .Master of: Clyffedid not look forward. to a
pleasant evening., His ,conscienee pricked.
Anna,' and the milk of- human •kmdziess
flakeckforth front the wound toward, poor
: Throughout the intervie*, he
as. patient in Este-pi/ape to -what the young
• man had :t_g_ say for himself ;' and ' even
;Whenthat. defence took, somethina of the
, team of anclisatiOn of Mrs: Clyffareherself,
_ he suffered bin' to say on.
. - " I do not deny, son Raymoral,:" rejoined
the- old man, pacing the _little eh:anther to
-and fro with his haride ,behind hitn," that
ur
at
er
n.
15
I8
it.
he
ur
hs
a
of
e,
6
k -
you have. sometinhg, to cern plain.,of._ Yo
etenehotherehita, I: fear, been - soniewli
. iMperipusl while you, Ray,- on the oth
, hand, are-not,of a conciliatorY dispositio
. ' Thereare. tioubles enough threatening th
. -.house without the continuance ' �f th
tiniiatnral dissension, --I. cannot bear
•:- I have come to the conclusion: that; for t
-- present. at least, it would be better th
- yeti should absent yourself ;. travel le a
• . e.xeelleat thing -for a young man-, of ye
Ago ; spend, therefore, the next few moat
or a year abroad. When yen Were quite
. lad, you used to . be very - ambitious,
roilita,ry honors ---what say you_ ta-a, *QOM
mission in His Majesty's . Foot r Guatads
'Money, my »dear Ray, you `41.1a -y be sur
-wilt never be a subject upon Which eeesha,
disagree, .rit my _death, you will to ono
_ sueceed to your mother's little portion, an
7 -thrice. aa Much agate.. I have-not forgptte
you- in:my will, Ray, and in the. caeantim
. -.I wish. you. to want for nething-here ar
notes to a_ considerable amount—" e
';.What, l.father ; ant I to leave Clyffe, it,
-epee?' .11Ven a seryapt is not thug.. turn
1 ent.of-d.oers Without warning!" • - -
"-Nay, lad,' I -meant net that; a wee
• hence, nay,: a month, if you will have it se
'!: there 'shall be no haste, no. laarehness.
- There aee arrangements to ba made; 0
COUrfie,, friends to be written. te, inteiiiit t
be made.. .- ' ' - ' .• '. ' '• -
• -• Rayinond looked at his -.father withar-sa
and. pitying smile; he ;west- not . angry
'though deeply. grieved; he -well kiie.vitlia
- the old man was mentally. ' contending,'no
-with kird; but -with another not- then pre
sent. --- . • : - •
' - Ralph - Mistook his glance. " Is th
money net enough e geed lad?, Then. le
016 dixibte- it Heaaen knows-,_ I - hate
grudged thee nothine,"•. : • ,
- c6 Nothing butyonr71ove, father„" returned
• the, yoAng man reproachfully.; "and now
yoih&ie- it _not to give itm11-
-to e. I tills
:that ie who .has. »won . it all away
from . e may nat'requite you 111. for BO
1 Muth good-fprtunte.," . , •
,
"a Baymend,_ you, da 'ine :Wrong ;-; I love
yen, boy; how should. I_ net have love, for
Any own eon?" • . . -
. '-'"-A-y„, how should. yob. not?" returned•the
Yeung marl - bitterly. '4 The :babe -you
• danced Upon- your. knees so often -your
' !blaekbirclie ? -The child you took before
you -upon your -pommel- for-teany-a-hreezy-
ride? - The boy whose light-hearted laugh
you said; was the -only music: -you cared to
listen . to? Hciw should you not,. hatted.?
Andyet. you- -heti& forgotten -' all . theee
things?".7 • ' - : . .. • - -• ' . - . -
"No, Ray, :no --1 live- not forgotten
..,
them," answered- the cad 'Man litiriedly,
patting the stripling's head With` his -great
,• -- . .
_hand.- "You.are still Very dear to me; you
.,
are indeed,. Dear Ray !-der Ray I, Never
- weep,Iada that is- not like a Clyffard."
' " Whe has seen me weep,- save you?"
Urned the -young Man passionately,. ."But
n ye a heart, which sotne have ,noLbelieve
me, whe an weep -When 'theyplease." •
' Italph Clyffard knit hie brows. tt Hushl"
. .
...said he, : "that is , •Mildred playing the
.. orgen in: ihe. gallery, le. a .4fatz . now
. grandly it, swells forth i40- the manlier
• .. night; something divine seems- gathering
in my .aeul,. yet not without pain," He
.,' _placed -hie hand upon 'hie heArt„ - and
- •sighed, then listened in silence, with _his.
: -eyes turned to theunslauttered. Window and
. the darkling sky, . • • . , .
-.". Father, since I am to leave yon," con-
tinued -the young- -Man- earnestly, . "Itruat
• that aeau Will listen-- to a -fe* last Word
which, may ba the very ,ittat that Will ever
• - pass betweenud." ... • -. . . ,„
e They . may • be, ind,eed," returned the
- old rean,atill gazing On the night., "The
' titne is dreAng tear -When I shall be but a
' mtimoty to you, Raymond; then think
* n,An me -as. tenderly, as you oselee
"Say not so, lather ;».-you are yet sirdng
and hale; I `trust there are many happy
re
yearsr—
•
"Happy !" interrtipted -.the Master of
• Clyffe with a quiet scent ; ;" how should a
Clyflard having a son; be. happy ? I speak
• not of you, Ray; your ,light and wayward
nature may be somewhat out of tune with
mine, and may vex and.- anger other's ; but
there ia nothing in you -to Cause the current
- a_fatiter's bloodtafreeze.."
• • .=
"Nor In Rh
young» man, r
• pealed And th
• be some- one's
think so.. •Wii
hasrefereuce
wordirof•warn
honor." r
▪ "Being thus
.theerRayinen
last draught w
palate,. and me
their good win
lees at parting.
.Rayrnond;» it i
it not away lin
ate.".
"That Must
is solightly los
• sorrowfully; "
all that I- May
risk its forfeit
give...yen leave
prove 'that I s
hate -me still."
ert either," metered the
Willi:fiery, while .the,- organ-
dered;, -"although it may
nterest. to makehis father
t I would say to-yonifather,
this yeryinatteri and. ire
g, not of hate, upon mine
; -
requested, I nannet refuse
; yet reraemberthat it isthe
telt leaves- its fiaver on -the.
'who. wOuld be praised . for
, offer not their friends its.
Ply heart -is towerds you:, •
_ indeed. I pray yen-- turn
as we are about.to separ-
fight love, father', Which.
;" returned theyeting _1411
nd though Iprize it --being
laim, it seems -yet will I
e. If I tell yeu lies I Will
b hate ; nity, if I do not
eaktroth; then you shall
"Prove what Raymond r" ,
asked the Old
-man with kizidl ng eyes. " Trustme, having
said. so Much, tough it grows near to mid-
night, and I need_ my rest, you. shall, say
all." • .•• '. . . .
Above his hoarke deep tones the :organ,
"yearning likeeegod in pain," wata heard
e
tuannItuous.. ' _ • ' - "
"Lwillprove then, --father,- that. the sad
• story of our raci', and of its curse, has been
made the handle of deceit and fraud; that
the vision Which you. thaVe seen se oten is
no illusion :indeed, but worse, the 'creel,
kick of a, guile ul woman ;.that the Fair
Lady - of , Cly e"--,( - ‘:Achievect is the
Glorious Work ' here broke forth lubilant
and-full,and--s
'wild anclaiiny
house is flesh
womanwhom
dupe and fool y
will, but . list
your eyes!" -
door -in the Tui
Wide. ‘‘Foltow
dovvn upon the
if I.do not prov
With hasty a
streaming th
face pale.With r
rraed :- about-their-eare ino
t.that , the 'hannter of • our
-and blood ;, nay,: is the
on have Made your wife, to
n---- Strike, fatheref• you
.- Nay, then, do but •use
ayniond epened a little-
ret- chamber, and flung it'
e,"criedhe ;»," and cast me
tones of yonder court -yard
my _Words!!! ' : - •
el uneven steps, .his hair
auturim wind, his bronzed
•
e, and. in expectation of
he . knew not what, 'the Master of Olyffe
followed close upon his younger sot. The
'moon was. small. • and hidden at tithes by
the flying clouds • but there wale light
i
_enough fromt nd-from the eters to show
- • - - •
the vast expane of reoffiag, diverse in form
1
as. any frozen- se " here level, there ridged ;
r square, there. • shooting
and . gables; The various
ately place were pictured
iqUarian eye iti. the hori:.
et -a ray from with -hi wee
.one spot,to which .they
awing. near -ithis shone,
etearebdydtkhye-illugnhotu..asnetin ttwhoe .Of
here risipg.- fo
into pinnacles
• periodi of the s
• ther-e-to the an
zonta,I section ;
to be peen savei
were rapidly,
through a- segue
right angle,' for
towers.. Three hideous gargoyles leaned
from their • eto bases, as, thotigh to
• peep down atth scenes -below', and grinned -
approval.
• One.naomen ; fathet,"-nried .RaYanond,
laying hishan upon his arna, " 1» have
staked all on t is, and .must go- throtigh
with it ;. but it i for your sake.I haVie•done
it, as -nnich, ay more than for myt OWn.
You: have a nigh to look there ;.' but though
• she were Jezehe herself, I would net play
spy Without he husband's. red_ye. •That -is
Mrs. -Clyffard's rivatechamber sir." '-
.
4
"She is not up," returned the oict man.
hoarsely ;. "she lado me good -night '-ere
you joined me 4 thestipper,table.
•• "She -is, up, father; . that is her ,light,
hunting aSbrigli And purelY as.thdigh. it
were an altar -ca dle in the chapel yonder;
She is_dresaingf r her part to -night. Look!
look
t the Maker of Clyffe-
pon. the shoulder of his»
great effort he strodefor-
For aa insta
leaned -heavily
son; then with ,
ward rapidly; bnt: -firmly, and gazed"- down
through the Skylight.upon what waS pass-
ing .in. the- room beneath. FOra few
moments there he•stood, unmoving; :With
eyes that 'devoured the,acene; then over
hisrfice a_shadoWlell, as falls on hint who
at the grave's truth locaiii his very last
'Uponthe wife h 'loves.; and tittering one
great cry,df anguish,- he pressed his hand
against . his bro en heart, and fell: back-
ward-. -- - : , , .
Raymond sprat g towards taim, arid, . as
he did so,,,could hot but See that which had.
so moied his father. In a small :room,
windowless Savel for the sky-lightwhich
had betrayed -her, :stood . Mrs. Clyffitd,
with her eyescast up interior and diemay ;
they had met • er husband's downward
gaze 'at:the-v(36r oment,whenshe, -in the
quaint black rob- in which she-waswont
to fils.1 her gni eful part, and_with her
blackhair loose,_ and fallen to 'her. _waist,
was practicing tt »reole before the tiretgliss.
. The -shroud was in one- had, and . needle
and thread in th other, whileher fa,ceivoie
a» look of triuthp ant malice; which would
the foul fiend_ • himself,
angelic garments. „_:,•.One
d tpteard as though: Spell -
twitched the_lighL - •
ad_not seen-. her hueband
esornepreoious,momenta
4
106
have unmasked
though -.clad_ in.
iestant, slae star_
bound, and then
Mrs: Clyffard-
faill but there We
before her vet, she • knew.-- 'Swiftly she
entered the-ne chamber; whiak wee her
own, and Seizing large- jewel case . -from
-the dressing' tab ei eMptied its glittering
-dontents 'into hr pocket! from Aesniall
-• locked draiver ili lie same table -she took a.
-leathern purse,* ed -tightly with -bank-
notes..' "I did not dream when 1 - began
•
• ,QIM
this board„"- she • uttered, "that the day
Whereon to 'title i .Wati So near, or it Would:
teem been tbrice s large:"... Had theday
really „come? ' . „ as the game -quite _lost?
She •,paused , up n the -threshold Of her.
chambor, and.. ,otried het own fair lips -
with'', her Sharp' teeth. Yes! utterly lost.
The expression o her hushancl's fade had
unmistakable—faithhaen.„ shattered, love
misplaced, untit, erable pain ail& shame,
• had -been all. pictured there. He had, been
undeceived witlala..Vengenee.- That ,pther•
form, too, she. had seen, was Raymond's -
her sworn.enetny.t it_ was tolim dotibtless,-
• that she was indebted .for this evil 'Wen..
She had been baffled; beaten by , that
hateful boy. That.was the' hitteteatclimight
in all the cup, 119w. Came be .wancloring
on the. leads at midnight in • this fashion ?'
r
So; d:oubtleee,-- he ever, it had happened,
and seeing -what e saw, he had_brought
his .father to look likewise. • Curse the,
chiming bay? A d yet, was -,ehe net- her. -
self to blame,- Oiling tthe trisk . she did;
however small, of such unmitigated thin?
Why had she not Put up - a- blind? 1W. hy
have used a light, at all? Could Mildred
have betrayed he ? .. lier fait fano black- phys
ened at the :thought ,No, She dared not
haliedoneit. - Her treMbling Angers, had
she been privy to the scheme;- could never
have beaten- . out those .organ thunders,
Which .even now were swelling 'through the
house. She was stilr playing,' and there-
fore her aunt could not Make her exit, as.
she had. meant to: de; through 'the great
_gallery. She opened- another • door, and
went out thence. She did -not wish to meet
a human beingl S'.,e Would leave •„Clyffe
And all it held and „begin • life' again else -
.where, She was _fair as ever, And not poor,
&sidle had been at first -but. alas! hate
was:Rupert coming; and -rat :speed, in the
'narrow passage ; there could be no avoid...
&nee of him: "Make haste!" cried he -7
quick=quick 1" He.„ Spoke inipatimitly,
and seemed. scarce:- to'. know to wb�m he
-
was Speaking ; orperhapshe already, knew.
all; and addressed her thus impetiotisly' as • • upon- whomi courtesy ,Ilartd. all fair
dealing Would - be_thrOWn. away. ". Quick,
I say; my father is illis.dying ; bring -a -
Running towards her in hothaste,
ba• lling thus, ; both speeCh and Motion
_seemed to -fail him all up:in a sudden.; with
mouth agape with terror., and eyes starting
from their sockets, he Stood. thin*I then
shrinking from before her with feat and.
loathing, as -from some Aerrible andun-
clean thing, he turned and fled, : • '
- For a moment, Grace, Clyffard watched
-
him with irresolute -eyes. - forgot•My
strange attire;" She ninrniured ". the .fOol,
-takes-me for the fair Lady ; he thinks rain
the harbinger of death. » How•ev.ere it if I
really be so?. 'e My lather is dying,' said -
he. • Perhaps his heart has killedhime as
he always thciught ittvOuld: If. so, all May
yet -be well. My Word is wiggled .as Ray.;
-mender; . Who will belleafe an idle tale like
this, vouched for» but by a deadana,n and a
boy. I will put by this masquerading gear,
and play ity own -part of a tender wife pnce•
more. If 'have the smoOthing'of Ralph
Olyffard'apillow, another dawn shall never.
trouble hie. vexed soul agent."' -
Hastilyshepiit away her black garment .
in a safe and-seoreeplace, and attired her-
self in the dress shehad Worn thatevenirig ;
then -stepping forth into -the now 'vacant•
.gallery,took the Way thated t� the 'cham-
ber *here her :husband had supped and
whence the Sound of manyvoices and the
tramp of. roany•feet could -now hebeard..
CHAPTER0.
ovE4 aim limy./ -
'In the Hameroom Where- father and:: Son'.
had .: 'talked together Of .parting - a few'
minuted hank Ralph -Clifford lay -.upon' a
little- coach, with Raymond kneelieg . by
his.. side, .,Another ' sort of _parting than
that -of which they had spoken Was taking
_ . • . , - . • . • •-. • : -
place,and thestiffening fingers could_not even
return the .ad's mute pressure in teken- Of
faieWeli,.• The mightychest Of the Master
of .Clyffe.still rosseand fell,,but in nneven.
- .
spasms, • as though his iloOniy soul was
struggling:. te. . flit. away. -- -. Around ...altitOd
'_many a _serving tash-and-'-raaid, suramOned
by that raysterions Messenger misfortunes
that thee so- swift and far, and I'S whoth
the -night is -as- -.daer.' -Searce one of.thero
had ever-befere•Ventuted to intiudeupbah is
privacy, .but now they .watched-..lum with
reverence, but without fear, setting forth
Upon that journey.:Whieb--rich and poor'
Must alike make •One , groom had already
been dii3Patehedfor a -doctor', Another for a
priest ; but somehow it Was • knewn. to: .alI
tluit their lord would never open hie proud
eyes again. - They had :been kind.eyes, for-
all.th eir pridetile voice, noWlaindied Iciv.
ever, had been, . a -gracious bite. to all hia.
household, Sonie honest- ;tears Were jail-.
jug.- 'There.- had never,: at least; been :so
:good. a Clyffrardiasthie last. - ', . - - •
' "Where ;is my brother Rupert V' asked
Raymondhuskily. : I . ' . • :-.' . - ''.
.." I told hint; what:had happened,..: 'Sir,"
returne-d'a domestio respectfnlly; "andhe
threw. On his . dressing - gown, and :started
hitherasSoon is I.. lies. took the •••paSsage.
bYenty.lady're room, meaning- taball•ber by
the way— -Bittliere is .my lady', sir" ,
• lire:- Clyffard enteredvery swiftlyewith
her dregs cedar half fastened, and -. tier hair:
disheveled, like- 'one auddenly aroused •..in
'bet pteparatidiS - fel- retiring to .- -bed.
"What islhe matter ?" cried she. -: ' .... •-••.---.-' '.
- -sNo • one answered;. but all Made. way for •;.. and it .was sttange. -to . see - liew-all
hecatne conscious at -iondeof their relative
positions,. now • that the- mistress . had
arrived. -. -Some even left " the row* *eke
• tined, to. the Censciotiebesa, of rhaVing no
business there, and fearingsharpi rebuke.
Quito a great space was -left . between. the
half -circle- of Ouriona doniestice and -.- the
couch whets .theyoling inanWai- still kneel,
.ing . by his -father% side. Had Raymond
spoken against her yet, or had her husband.
had voice -'to •speakl.,_ Hstil the servants
withdrawriAhus suddenly.: at her approach;
frOmslothing or from respect? - i . .. , :
_"Whathas happened - to toy. o*n. dear
husband '-'. -murniured- she,*. fallingupon her
knees beside- his pilloW.. : .-. .: -• :.- . .
. "Murder!" returned 'Rayinon.d.,, under
-his breath., ..- - : :• •-. ' . - ,. .- -.-
- She did not heir hi6- scermaoh.. ea to see
'the -movethent of his lips; but mien without
. . .
that his stern tojpreachful-eyeawould'have
'given her thelike answer; . '' ,:• • .. . , ..
"My poor, loot - Rai& I"- einlainied the
widPw-fer. death Was already settingthat
blank, *MO- ifilt13- signature to our r010100'
front. all worldly • cares, :': upon ' the Owl*,
-stiffening, 'faoe.-!` and am,-Ionly here, in
timetwelose thine eyes?"' .- a ':. - •
- -"TOUch.,.. ,hirn not !" . hiSsed. Raymond
fiercely: 1' Have You not heard -that when
a .murdered malt is z touched »by the vile
hand • that slew him, the blood Will :flow
afresh from Ms drained wounds?! Beware;
I s,akt Lay but .a -ager on..hia. sacred
brow,. which ;Yon have. helped -to _ wriiikle.
and I will take you by the throat, and:pres:
claini.yeut crimel"..- •, =_-_•: . • .. .. ..
• .He had nottlien, at p sent ptoclaiined
of half its : (lappet. Why •shad..Raygiond
r\s‘
it; the -preciOnatime this el had' wasted::
,Weregolden,-rrioments • to . he indeed. :An
accusation -thtia delayed avae-a readY.robbed
- . : .
stiared her ?' '' .• - .. .:- • - . - - ,
"For = my 'father* Salle,"- said the
young Man; answering _ through his set
teeth her unspoken • question, • :1., • haie
epared..you hitherth ; .. net because 1.1ove
you -you fair alevil-lbut. that I would not
„ithoet.laWimor:d,, shotil_4-:lin. ovv.h•.ow. .7.!grea.t'a, ii.d
,.
noble heart was rooledrwhere, is. Rupert;
rot' the ' firet time: in her life,, Grace
dlyffard- quailed and shuddered ;: the ben,.
centtated . passion »with which the - 'arming:
man *peke -waS terrible to listen to. , She
was armed at all points to ineethate Ahd
guilewith their own we:I:pond -bat not 'the
'eel -fury- which '-wesOr 'ev.eiel.ed in:_the .n
- .
•
....- - . -----ap-ata,V... - -• : 7: -.- • .' - ' - ' 7- • -
tOne.is - Of her - step son knetwthat: Course 'avoided -- He tnetint: 0:04 that he .
shestoodin ,danger -�f: that .0'f:fill' ...6111Pe- • lied. _seeii the calanntyin.the Fair
thing whose., s_ha(14-akaY" fee on • Raymond Lady - of blyge,- and was prepared for..
Clyffaid's face•--thattte.ftelie dared te atiatilt- dornestic :Misfortune.; Still; itwas_strenge 1
that fokeheadL-eireddrAtbeeing its; ph-. 1.-iited that he never -asked after his :father -laid- -
106k,:-andgrewing.0,44, ..,'egild., cold,. with her . long since by the side- of the Clyffards Mad.-
"false lips, - Ra4monakt*Iild Surely rise and and iatie in the chapel vault-norreinatkeA.
perhaps straiiglersq02'lho,di4 not 'mind upon theiable suits all -around hitiL. This .•
'what-thinge'theyrniWaity • againethere. was . not, • however, because - he had not -
:bpi chief perit.in tlia(Veiipeet. WaS--Passed - observed- them. .: -One morning, Mrs. _Clyf-.;
-but She feared hi -q"-
ul.fingeraq Onea. -hard, doubtless by design, --..having ;left the
round her throat, they '.
It again;• it May, beltlfie t not Spitat With retina; and .the sick Mildred being:
e judge tt ntra:.by; left- Alonetegether,,he.' _addressed her Came.
herself 'in that;' --1 bn:r-ertainly datli.-.Ray- I it was the first day he was .1.ble to leave .
tietnidhad a 166kshe'l enaight fear:- _ She his bed, and that only for a sdfa.. •" HOW., - -.
had Once' seen: tYrii at -the Dene leeltlat her] scion; think you, after a man has cmay
.lied, m
brother Gideon.-muchkhke that, juSt: re .be his seta- marry, '. Mildied.?" • . . .
. ., , : . , , .- . . .. . .
had .strove to tea -04M_ lizilb.•,-frord&•.litall.` She waS bathe 84 of handing him a eu.p .
She had no leaded weapon, as -Gideint had,et-bred:Wand her tremulous - -fingetsalifiest, "
to beat such an assailant back. -i ' : -• .1,-. :--- ._ refused their Office, as she likened to . his
• ."Away,,aWaY,.aenctr.inutteredhei:step- weadee. -' . _.".. . " '7 - • ' '- - - .--..- -. .
son furiously ;•_.. 4 yeti-IspresenCe.la pollution : ..".11ow soon, Mildred?" said he Again.,
-ur . Wokk. • is done -,'.here: .: That poor • "..That. isa qizeistipi,• .-Rupert; which - I...
abused !endear can drink in; Heeii6-7 more. Cannot answer. Itrapends upouthe- . love
Away, I say l'.' .- - • , :• ....-- _ ' :i %- .'1•• thatihe son bore his father." . •
• Mrs.- Clyffard arose from her kneda:: with . •: "1 am thinking of one who would have;
as little haste .as she dared to usie.:' As she loved his • father :Well, if there - had :: been; -.
Aid so,- Alen -isle servant touched heron - the „roOntivithin his - heart; but •-• there Wei - -n6
shoulder;' -" Mr: Rupert is take very: 'Ill: loom.. ,-_,There was space for 1:lathing, there
-madam. Miss Mildied is With hiM, and -• but love for the girl- who was to be hiswife,:
has help; but she ' hid' Me tell you ae., soon' '.L: -You tremble, --dearest.- -Pretty- flattering .
as possible-. -: She was corning _ _hither -..her: :dove. How soon, how - soon, sweet heart?". ,
. _ .- Apple ._.- : -
Reif, and. came -: -him: lying upon the Ills--langunreyes-looked-
..ionter•-earnestlY --"-
._ opt n the passage_ close by "owti,„dOer, but without a trace -:bf. doolit; :es One .Who:',-
in a fit or,something."."-, - --;-: -. •. - , : -.0: i , ". In an for the -ripe .fruit to )jb,-: -..
. . . .. . : _ • - .
•.- - "De you hear thlaneWnaisfortunelBay--,-. fait between , his :palms. while -atiethet ::,- • '.
mond ?" -Sobbed' Mrs.: 'Clyffard... -: '---ii',41 • - f- • shakesthetree. ' "Whatsweet revenge you-..
. "Ay, ;_ge you to my brother," .retWedhavetaken.on:yoUrselfiferyseue pretenee,Of ..
the young man sternly.: ...,. - -,' * 1 7- ', -cruel:- hardness, in this long. kind. tendance;--
. ' And as she _ineved away with :tiaigiiii3V-I .tobetnY - nurse" before . you are .my • bride. ':
but tearlegeOyea,,Mulftim,. sWift:trerad,-the ------that . le. rare -indeed. .- I will not think .
:bystandera tuurmuredtaone another, • "How that pap 'itself could -.Shade* '. that . fair -. -.'...
wise_ and .. strong she•ae i in all this' tebtible 1 brew,of shrink that - dimpled cheek; but `i ''. -
How dutifully she leavesthehelOved. dead,' if everitdoth, ' thy -Taildretli IViliWiaitaipina',. -'
for whom she can do_ no .more, to tend the you day and nightt -counting all toil as -plea,.
son Who was so dear to hita!" • •-..: IA: .'- - sute,: all T'sivearineSS: as,:..blistiful rest;' - and
_.. " Ineefit orecametiting," soliloquizedthe :while you have Strength-to-813We, be over-
Lady. of tJlyffo, as she hurried . to-Rdpert's paid indeed. : Smile on me now, and seat -
rocnn..'; "-Heaven forefend..that. I....Should.yon.bY...m..y side; for se seine. eastern. king
have r frightened:the ,fool to _death) -. My delights hearing his own greatttese:ipre-
tettueel of Clyffeia valueless -..itideed;• if it claimed to his own ear, so yearn I; Mildred,
has:to-he Sharedbythat dark boy yeincler-f to hear you say, '1 .. love you,'2 although . S
yet even in such sitase; i. will be .revenged -none kiateis •• yeu ;do: SO' Well as I." • Hie. .•e.
;Upon him. -Ile -..hes -reiEised his....turii.; but „herveless :hand .616F -36d -on one glosey.-.'etiel-,..--i„
when my turn-conieS.. routed, !look to „your- „andearriedit to Ilk lips; :while; lapped no.-..--
self, llaynioncl. Clyffard! - f Noman/ shallleesin the .sweet,asBuritce-.: of reciprocated t.
make Me pale - as you have done, and live lovethanin.the.Caltn.: content that coma- -
to boast of it, r voila - that Gideon -1.--,Werca -to:the...recovering frame long 'reeked by „
here,. or Catore or -c-even the poor .6§Witrd .sickpese,- heweited for her answer. '- .. -
Cleinent. This Mildred is scarce safel She -:: " Rupert," said eke,- " I 'thought that the .
nerves me . but it is With. '.grudeint ' If kat time we spoke of -the lasttinie, - that
Rupert liyee• this keit, he Must be married is, this subject Was: touchelinpon by : you, '
to her, mad or Sane. If she denies ,Inth- .we. Agreed' to Wait ,asebile•-beforie - it 'Was:
jet her,'„ tea,- -look to berself.- I '.hav,'-',. bot ,T0E3d)110-di • „When T I . then - said, ' YPti:eare,._
..be alone,: I.am yet: a match for all of t ant: too young. by weeks or Oen • months but:- .
gone 80 far 1O-tuila beek flow: andtho leb•I istiavery young, - RUpprt;'; I: did not . Mean,'
, , .. .. • - • -. • -
-. .- ..
yeare..".. -•.• . , - --.• ',.... .- ' -
-" Atri f so - young, dear girl?" said he .
With 'A -tender smile. - "Ithank ..heaven for _ There Will be then Mete tin:le:in Which -•: -
to show my love te you. ;Hew: happy.shal, I.
we be' tcgether,. and hot. letigi . -Yeah :he-- ..
;sweet:=. -ah: trine, hoar sweet - it is„. -And :elter, -
yentil there is the prircie ; and then .heyond.7.-..-
'the Prime:le-that which-IhaVe-read as best.. _
'Of eat -the nalin -content of tried and, faith- -
fill loire ; ttve hearts bound. -7 up in one, with
-
. .
. joys; -rpgrete‘ and reerrieriese in. .conimen.,
Mybud,lny fii.114-bloonied 'flovv.erity rose, - -
whose be odorous and
(if - you, on, fade) shall '•_.
. .. . - . . . . ,
rons and.precious to the end,ah how :
". . . .. , . ...,, !. ..-.•
1.-16Ve .ymil". -. - • • - • -
. ,
Mildred's heart sank Within her., - If ehie. -•
had been -- his *. wedded wifei already, the
,yourig man -could .'scarcely. •-haye uttered .
-these words With a More Settled .faith. - - - --; -, .
"Why speak -of this, which we werenot:•
to speak of, -Rupert ?"- ..]: ; - •• .-. :. - • - -
- ,- ',‘...Bentinde„Sweet,•-_there, is no ;longer any
reason:for keeping silence. • Lam the Mas,
ter of Clyffe'how,..and there is none to say .• -
Me 'nay,'• when •. I say 'yea.' --moreover, i.
have learned that my -.geedfather gave his •- -.
consent in private te,Ciurtinion, so the very r•
-
dad will stitile .r. upon :91.1r. nuptials; .-.while
•your Aunt Grace.--.,:liay,r,then I will not
Mention her, sinCe. you _dislike her,. but She :
:has - heen...a.--..trustwertily -friend . to •• me,:
:Mildred, ::- When the light of.--lovelvas "low
Within Mycheerless heart, she - .fainzed.ita.
feathers,- with -- encouragement; 'not:. :that '..
she knew why y theY-.-ivere to faint and pale; -
not: that she guessed thc. secret -ah,_ y0.2.6 ..• -
have not it, .I tee, . I hoped you •
had - Mildred.- -There is no td-rereetta -
beiit any More. • By you, fair saint, that .:.
demon has been exorcised, l• hope." :: :-..
.;,.••-•-•His -voice, se cenfldent.hither.to,-...theugli ',..'•
lOiVatadweak, here wavered and btoke.off.
His hand, -..whichrhe . _would .have .carriedto
Itis 'forehead, failed by the way; and sank: „
down, as it happened, upon hens; - then
itareiglattaiy„, as thongh:.revited,..-Antmus•;.,-.
like,. by thetatweet contact, he spoke again,:- - .
"Shebide Me woo .yoixebinee=1_loyekffyOUIE
so -.-that.,-- surely _ :wail: ,na . -.evil • counsel, :
•Mildred?.. and when .I., lona you cold, ;She.. -
.bade. 'me... pre -Ss iny_ suit --did she not do _
well? ••".T..weet she that sent you to the -On •,
that morning to her private ehanaber:.-7-r-7.•-
• -:"Iikilevi. iti."-interniptedtbe.girl gravely; .
.",andlaentlyon,:. too, to Ribble Cave to spy:- •
upon your brother." ..f.-. - • - . - ,. -
. "Mildred P' . -
.
•_.. - "-Ay, Thigert;•.She Came between -Ray, .
mond and -hitt.. own -father, And .noW: '-sile . f
would-..eothe between • Raymond and you. .
8he-IS.the-ge.between•-Of hate; andnotof,•
love; her offices are evil andnotgeed.: - The:.
tender_ -Mercies.-.of the *labile Rue,' are .
P71-3ge ''
' ie . --1aPteria-el:t6': .1eire-;
"(''' illii.:(1-red• .- but '
kind.".. returned the. Yqting- Man; "and ''-
strange it* -. thatil.though'Shp ' stands,. not ,',
:in your faveir, itlis-foe your sakebn_ly that she ._
_stands in Mine, _ For .:heill'hatte no ' Mere,
liking than the sailor hath , for., .the- biting
- _ - _-
north Wind . whose ..favoring gale is bearing . "
him for the Wished "forhaven. She would
'wreck -me if itsuitedher purpose; .1 doubt.,
_ .. ,
not ;:buit -since.** interest,and my haPtii-- '-
ness_ate fellotv.passengersH" .. '
"Be not so sure Of that„Rupertelyffaid,",-.
broke in Mildred earnestly. . "Beware lest -•.: .
there is no i_pleasant'.ohorei awaiting ' yon,-...„.=
110 isles :of paradise -beware rather tilt
she'is-not driving you 'ou the rocks. If She. -: ,
has repreeented what poor : telidance I -lave
paid you inthissickness in any other light,-.' -- '
than , .sisterly. - affection and - good -will -if
she has dared, whether- bYhint, or by out.
spokeil-woid,...to plight my . troth to - yours, •
to prOxy,wedme, then; has she - deceived: s_
:both me, and you2--tay:.-More,.. if . the has
ever ---t-Old- you: that 'I -love- you;.,:she has .
lied 1" Her ,-. toile,' _which ' had - been ..Vehe-. •
hent- and alMost . fierce,: here -pelted . into
pity, - as she added, - "-Rupert, I: love you
not!". „ . • - ., -. = --. - -- - „'•,,,--
-. .. , .• , - •
MO be eoetiimecla -
cHAPTEhx-vr-
.. rile- sx-roitean:'esettaen. -,
- . Rupert,: ciyffard.:„:was-IlerY 111, and , par
to death..•,•-- but for -_ his step -mother's -cin.ning hand.' Which bled. -him ere. the Repot!
.reould reach the castle, lia-yinond *Odd,
Surely have been heirof Clyffe-; while •Oftere
wards the sink -man would have Sati14 had.
it not. been :for'. her niece. .. Long-. - wbeks.
elapsed before _his- head could leave tha.pil,
low* where it lay -cake ''Ana 'patient, - -Smile
,Mildred was in . his--ehamber;.and restless.,
with . roving . eyes, When:she wae. -abetatt.'.
Her .voice vetiver:T._ his failing strength like
wine; her hand upon his bib* was ak- the:
magnetic:chaem -will)* -beckons. away all
;pitini.- and ..aa - the: precious --drug which
dowere. the . dullest :with. delicious :drettus
:It *pleased her Well tehe...of Service to.kiin .;
she gave up rest, and eieroiee,andpleafeire
beyond- words to tell._ yok-. Might not Ray-
mond toiv ' have, borne .laer-,COMpanyf all.
day '?)., with 'pheerfut .readiness. • .She...,Itvas
glad at heart that she had such - such OPPor'e!
thilities of proving her goad Will. towards -
hire ; She tended him like ' his own sister ,,,
and Since She was • not his eisterethe_'Udy
Of -Ciyffe 'approved ,..ahd Smiled -upon:her,
Such gentle ministering niustilniter aunt's
opinion; ,:have, as . her ..own had, Werne •-..bel-
:481i nci•;- and what end could this *be Save
iitie-airotie-? . She-n:eVer called ,her -"clalltr"
now; :it waii.,=...".•Mildred.',-, love,", or at teak
-" my .'prettY'..,Mildred,"--.:. Whenever i she,
addressed her - nieces .in. R-upert*. hearing,
:afi though She would have :suggested to his
-mha the .-Very words which be hinakelf
'ehould Ante.- ': ..• .- :.- : ., - ' - . -- :sr-- ".. - .-.L.,,e.i. .- -
- . So helpless and enfeehled-Was_peer av-
ert At first that the.. yetinggirl thought of
nothing. but .his: Weakness,. :and how_ •fihe
might conduce to his recovery: ... But cvlaen
the oo1Pe . ctiree back to . hia. cheeks, and
Seine vigor to hislinabs,- And he could- sit up
-andtalkto.hee; ._Mildred 84MOBC, regretted
her past kindness. Hewas-grateful to .er,.
yet which in Mrs. Olyffard'a . presence -,f-ibe
1
of 'ouzo, but with hie.expreinnoineof--ge , ti:
•tudewaeMingled sOmethingiwariner;-wif ell
she could • not Affect not ta'lindetstandi-,trid
dared notuttetlyireject. , Though her ra4tit
felt satisfacition atpreSent withher conduct,,
the girl•well knetie. that only se inuchathe.
greeter *Mild. be her hate: and'ltitY-teten.
elle carne to teeth: the truth. : • Nor_was_Mil-
cited ,:- to blame for this ditidimulatien: $ It
10E13 IlOt a Metter with _"'•nicital.-0- ij,'
Age" had anything ..tce do, - To have -coo
fessed, ".Ibannotteed_Rupert, • ,.1.--... . ,
• pledged mY. faith to Itaynaiind,". w -41a
hayebeentO. produce : -8,- cataetrophie:46h
ite she dared .. not even - picture to.; hereillf,
_ Shape its ePnsequences-rwouldinettainlyhave
extended to-. her lover, . She...feared; with
reason for his vety:life s; And 'Bathe 7:poor
girl,tenipotized, only too Well awake .of. the
passion with Which Rupert Was consumed;
yet trusting that the flame . would 'nom.
gain such head -but :that her "no" at .1g*.
might quettch it; be at all-•.. eye)* •-. proorasi .
titiate, as before, the evil _day.. :-':w4s-yomg•
41-atesimastis,-*gkiis:- it weakened hie.phyei;:-
eal . :strength,: seemed to have heeled:, his
-mental Malady,.---.There.was nothing now.
:to „inspire her With -apprehension in ..hil
look lid e its love And if returning :reason
had been . indeed.' venchsafed.. hiiii,•.;..surely„
with his natural generosity to second it, he
would withdraw -when her. dread'hour Of;
leenfeeeimi. ,..etinae-feetti., his unWekente
suit . SOMething 'like this . she framed . to.
noinfort 116ra-elf, with;: ' but J. it scarcely
• inusa its office. - Sho. could notalways
forget lip* :immure Was the .fciundation• of
this.. hopeful faith; :for , not only -, 'night
Thvervs seeming: calmness . be, untrust-
worthy, even As matterawete, but A ieVoth-.
tIOU -,. was at present ti4Ithelci from hillei.
which was likely to try it sorely. - - He had.
not aa yet been tOki of, his father's .4eath. -
.When ...given to -understand that. lie -..v.tae
ill-, liehad reeeived-.theAnforniation with
quiet £30/tOW but Without .surprise. ... fil
kepW it," Baia 4.s..-ealmily, .0tideetly with
"books in tbetunning brooks
reference to the -immediate :cans° of ;his: rightly Conies- under the 'head of- -current
wh nent, all allusioti toaWhich MOS., ‘_: '
- 4
,