The Herald, 1909-07-09, Page 7Her voice was not as well cultivated
as Lady Gertrude's, but it was fuller,
richer, mellower, and more than all, had
a strange power of sinking deep into
the heart, and leaving en echo there..
Lady Gertrude listened and turned
pale, She could appreciate such a voice
now as she could not have done before;
and with a heart full of dread, looked
up at the face of Lord Aubrey.
He had forgotten where he was. In
imagination he had been transported to
the Castle, and was sitting in the twi-
light at has mother's knee, listening to
her as she sang an old country song,
whieh, had always drawn sweet tears of
sympathy from his eyes.
And the tears were in the stern blue
eyes now, as they had not been in many
a year since. Never, even in his beloved
mother's voice, had he heard the ballad
so sung; and his -whole nature thrilled
under the spell.
He listened., heedless of who might
see, his face working and his heart
throbbing, and his eyes fixed • on the
beautiful girl, who all.unconsciously had
evoked a charm which would help him
more than aught else to return to him-
self as he had been in the old, simple,
innocent days,
The song ceased, and before Lady Ger-
trude could think of a plan to prevent
him, Lord Aubrey, 'with a hurried word
of excuse, left her side and hastened over
to where Erna sat, receiving the extrava-
gant praise of those who had thronged
about her.
"Let me add my thanks to theirs," he
said, as soon as he could make his way
to her side.
There was an emotion in his tone
which was unmistakable, and Erna turn-
ed quickly toward him and looked in his
face. She saw that ,he was greatly
moved, and she was puzzled, until with
a flash of memory it all came back to
her. She had sung one of his mother's
old songs.
"I had forgotten," she said, hastily,
"I found it one day, liked. it, and learned
it."
She seemed to wish to apologize. He
cried eagerly:
"I am, so glad you did. It was one
of my mother's favorite songs. Words
will not tell you how grateful I am.
Erna's impulse was to put out her hand
in her oldfrank fashion, and grasp his,
for his feeling was one she could under-
stand and sympathize with. Then she
remembered not only that it was not
good form to do such a thing, but also
that he had once before frowned upon
her good -fellowship. A quick revulsion
of feeling camp over her, and she an-
swered, with sudden coolness
"Yes, it is a pretty, rather silly little,
thing. Was it `Comm"Thro' the Rye'
you asked for, Captain Merriwetber?
Very well, I will horrify ears polite with
another ballad if you will permit me."
She eetrued to the piano again, and
the crowd about her melted away. Only
the marquis and Aubrey remained. She
knew he was there, and turned her head
as she ran her fingers over the keys. He
bent over 'her.
"Will you never forgive me?" he whis-
pered, wistfully.
"Yes, perhaps," she flashed. back.
"When I am free front you."
"You shall be free to -morrow," he
answered, desperately, it seeming to him
that he would do anything to stand well
with the wilful, imperious girl. I will
speak to Lady Romley. Will you accept
her in my place?"
"Yes; anybody,"
she replied.
"And shall we be friends then?" he
demanded.
"1 cannot force my liking," was her
ungracious response.
"I will try to win it," he said, and
walked away.
CHAPTER XXI.
Lord Aubrey was as good as his word
with Erna. He left her and made his
way to Lady Romley, who 'had been
watching him with uneasiness; for her
Conclusions were gradually tending to a
belief that the earl and Erna were in
• love with each other without knowing it.
He stood by the old lady's side until
the last word of the saucy song was
sung, listening with a thrill of wonder
to the marvellous voice that seemed to
send his blood. leaping quicker in his
veins.
"She sings well," he heard Lady
Romley say.
"Divinely," he answered. And then,
R . after a short pause: "She is a singular
young lady, marchioness."
"Why?" inquired Lady Romley, in her
most norecommittal tone.
"I would like to be friends with her,"
he replied slowly, wondering how be
should explain to her; "but she won't
let me.." She would not even receive my
thanks for her first ballad, because it
was one niy mother used to sing to me."
"And why?" queried Lady Romley, her
conviction growing stronger at each mo-
ment that her previous conviction was
correct.
"Because she dislikes me—hates me, I
should rather say—and will have nothing
to do with xne as long es I am in just
position of quasi.guardian to her. I
promised her that I would beg you theto
relieve me entirely of my duty
matter. Will you do so?"
• "Yes: I think I should have suggested
it to you, the replied. "Erna is not a
person to be "left to herself any longer:
She, is strangely gifted, but aass With a"inikhann, look, orxied as a wild animal, thous of the guests were up, oriel• rather early
some
dayftrue rvoij be nelus that •ahoutlal borne an thing for the sake of win, ice_ e, 7rlet arlvina litsfxe®i for even the swere 'up -Erna was r earlyrits head in the sand ��d irtiaginee
ieorectify all her faults. n; they Peerless creature. I3;s only horfOradv1
"The same thought had occurred to
trey MWay8 h.elpf er inn a eidin habit, and at the stablee. ane hen see rt.
g
fear was that some one'would come
.,e>;,hP said. eaucrly.
Lady Romley saw that she had made
a mistake,
"I see you are;very attentive to Lady
Gertrude," she said; "I am glad of it;
for she is just the mistress Aubrey
should have."
"Yes," repliead the earl, but without
enthusiasm, "she is ,beautiful. and gifted.
Then I may consider myself .discharged
from an office which I fill with so little
pleasure to Erna?"
"From this moment she is my charge,
if she will accept my guardianship. elle
is to willful a young woman to be dis-
posed of without her consent."
"She told me she would accept you fn
my place," he answered, and, bowing,
left her.
When Lady Romley spoke to Erna
about it, and told her that, Mrs. Htu1-'
stone willing, her' future home should
be at Romley Towers, Erna's face flush-.
ed and paled, and her lip quivered as she
said:.
"I cannot tell you how grateful I am.
I am afraid I shall be a great' care to
you; though I shall try to be what you
wish, instead of what I am. But,I hate
him so, and have hated myself fair xny
dependence on hint—that tha�I think
you are saving me from myself.' ''
Lady Romley patted the little hand,
and smiled reassuringly. But when she
wee ,done with. Lord Romley she said,
shaking her head:
"Romley, I shall have any hands full.
The girl's temper is a perverse demon
Chat will lead her into some terrible
mischief if I do not guard her well.
Moreover, she is in love with the earl,
and thinks she hates hint"
The marquis shrugged his shoulders.
"Then why do you saddle yourself
with her?" he asked.
"Why?" she replied. "Because I* am
an old fool, 1 suppose, Besides which,
the girl fascinates me. I think she is at
once the most beautiful and the most
gifted creature I ever saw. Romley, I
am going to marry her to Melrose."
"Poor old Melrose!" said the marquis.
"You needn't pity him. 1f he is fool
enough to fall in love with her and wish
to marry her, that is his concern."
H, "1 can't help it," retortee. the marquis,
with a grimace. "He and 1 were boys
together.'
".Ah," laughed the marchioness; "but
he has forgotten that."
".And when do we take this firebrand
into our home?" asked the marquis.
••'•At once: She has no business at
school any longer. 1 shall only wait for
the consent of her aunt, who, 1 fancy,.
will be glad to be relieved of her"
Perhaps Mrs. Hudstone would not
have been glad to be relieved. of Erna,
if the earl had not written to her saying
that the villa would remain at her dis-
posal during her life, at the seine time
intimating that J.rna would be better
off with Lady Romley:
At any rate she replied to Lady Roin-
ley's letter, saying that she was delight-
ed with :any plan that seemed for the
good of her :;dear Erna; and that she
hoped that .Erna would not forget that
her Aunt. Augusta's home would ever
be ready, with a hearty welcome, for
her.
So Erna left the Misses Warner, and
entered upon a new life at the Towers.
It seemed very easy to be dependent on
Lady Romley, since she must depend on
some one. And the taotful old lady
was not long in gaining her love and
confidence. iter confidence on. all stilt-
jeets but one—Lord Aubrey.
11 Erna had any other feeling than one
of hatred for the earl, she either did not
know it, or was. determined to keep it
to herself, Lady Romley was firmly of
the opinion that Erna was in love with !
him, consciously or uneonsciousiy, and i
her mind was mar that the safest thing
for Erna to do was to become the Mas --
(lioness of Melrose. t
a desirable tiring it would be to be Mis-
tress -of I1°eirose, with nlrnost unlimited
meane at her eonuniu d.
list was toc, wise„ to mako that part
of his programme • evident, however,
which was fortunate for las �nopes;• for
Brea, with .all the wish iii tire world to
please Lady Romley, seemed to firm it
im1possible in these days •to be the evens
tempered, self contained young lady soca-
ety demanded
- `!`o I acjy :Roxnley, indeed, She was• all
that. could:.ilte desired, but she was sub'
jeet to Mandy. fits, and would go' to'
her own room and remain there, say-
ing humbly enough that she was in a
temper and was not fit ''eont.pany for
anybody.
"It is too dull here for yon," Lady
Romley said one day., -
"Oh, no,"' pried Erna quickly; "I like
the quiet"
"Nevertheless," said the marchioness,
"I -intend to accept an invitation we re-
eeived to -day to go to Melrose Castle.
There will be a great gathering there, I
have no doubt."
Erna flashed a quiek glance at her,
but the Marchioness had not a tell-tale
face, and betrayed. nothing: in her coun-
tenence:
"When do w'o go?" asked Erna.
"As soon as we can finish the remain-
der of your Wardrobe."
"Weey, I have more gowns than
before in all niy life," said Erna.
think von are too kind."aSd the ruler
"It isn't kindness,"
chionese, "but pride. You see; you are
'kn"own as my ward, and I would not dare
to let you be shabby"
• "But there is a long waynsbetween
!
shabbiness and so many g
actually don't remember 'them all. 1
don't know why you are, so kind to nye,"
She, added, :with a sudden moisture in
her brown eyes: "I am sure I am hate-
ful enough. Nobody else but you would
have endured'me so long without giving
Me. a terrible scolding."
The xitarchioness stroked the round
eheek kindly,
. "I find it -easier to love you than to
scold you. I ani very well satisfied with
you, my. dear. When you get among 1
young people once more, you will be
quite yourself again."
"Oh,".' cried Erna, with a quick gleam
of fire in her wonderful eyes, " 1 am
worst when 'I ani myself. But, there!
I rail! be different. Now I am going to
sing to you the very sweetest song 1
know. It always soothes nye to sing it."
She went over to the piano, and sang
the song Aubrey bad told the marchion-
ess had been his mother's."
"Poor little gird," murmured the old
lady, shaking her head. "I wonder if 1
ought to try to bring you and the earl
together! I tut afraid it is too late for
that now, however, if all that I hear of
him and Lady Gertrude be true.''
"Now I nm good again," said Erna,
turning around and wailing at the mar-
chioness, after she had finished the song.
"What a dance she will lead the poor
old marquis!" thought Lady Routley.
But at first, after their arrival at Mel-
rose, it seemed as if her prognostications
were to be !woven all wrong; for Erna,
was simply merry. brilliant, and sweet.
She was the undoubted queen of the as-
sembly, by reason of her beauty, her ac-
complislnnents, and her ready wit; but
no one would have suspected that she
eould be a perfect whirlwind of passion,
on occasion.
She played tennis and croquet, she
sang and recited, she did whatever she
was asked to do with an angelic sweet-
ness that charmed everybody. but the
marchioness, echo, Knowing something of
the fiery young spirit pent up beneath
that gentle exterior, was uneasily ex-
pecting an outbreak at any moment.
Arid indeed it'was threatening when it
was least suspected. Lady Violet had
been invited by the marquis, who had ac-
eidentally, learned of Erna's friendship
for her; and she arrived in time to wit-
ness a wholg afternoon and evening of
Erna's model' conduct,
"Why, Erna;"slte, exclaimed, the first
moment they were alone together, "how
you have changed:''
"Too sweet to'li.ve, am I not?" laugh -
'ed Erna I ant trying to make dear old
Lady Romley happy; and I rather enjoy
it myself. ••Tell me alt the news!"
"Not a bit to tell," answered Violet.
should I know anything? 1 ata
edoped up in that horrid school all the
time. It is you who should have some-
thing to telL Das Gertrude won the
cell ,yet?"
Erna started as if she had been stung,
butt recovered instantly.
"I know very little about it," site an-
swered, indifferently.
"That's because you don't care. Mam-
ma keeps me poster! pretty well. and will
never cease reprgaehing inn for my lack
of ambition. The last thing site told Inc
was that he was certain to marry her. 1
didn't know but it was out."
The remainder of the everting Erna
was less gentle and snore brilliant. And those who have found good heal\
Lady lion deo, quick to note the change, through these fills is 'Miss Suddar
along to snatch hes away from under
his very eyes.
"Shall I speak to her at once?" he
asked. •
"If you.. wish Iter to say no," replied
the marchioness, "The fact is, Melrose,
I am afraid there. is some one else in
question. Don't alarm her now, but do
what you can to make life pleasant to
her between now and the London sea=
son. I shall present her at court as
so'bn as possible, and you know, else Is
certain to be the rage. After that
your chances Will be slim. Now is your
time."
The .anarquis quivered with apprehen
sion.
"Suppose`I should open Melrose Cas-
tle; and arrange for a visit from you,
with all the pleasure than can be con-
ceived of ?"'he said.
"Just the tiring. Only be careful not
to ask any dangerous young men, on
the one hand, nor too many old fogies
on the other." • .
The marquis reflected. He could. .not
ask for information the marchioness did
not choose to give; but he ached to
know something more definite,
"May I ask,' he said, hesitatingly,
"if the particular person I have to fear
wee_ at nosello__,s'1 the otlher da1y?"
"Yes rthe was," replies the Marchion-
ess, glad that he had been shrewd
enough to pee for himself.
"Thank you ini said. "I was afraid
of him, and I will not invite him. I can't
bear the long+legged puppy."
The marchioness laughed.
"How the eyes of a lover do distort
the features of a rival!" she said.
"`I am obliged :for the warning, any-
how," he said, and Ieft Romley, very
hopeful of some day taking the beauti-
ful Erna to the altar.
Erna bad not suspected his errand
at.Roxnley, but she was perfectly aware
of his feelings toward her, and she
treated him with a singular mixture of
encouragement and mockery that nearly
drov ehim frantic. Perh ps this pas-
sage in a letter from \'inlet written
from the school,. bed something to do
with it: '
"Did I 'tell you t',, Gertrude had
not returned to school? We can spare
her; but it is intolerable without you.
I hear from mamma that Gertrude is
going out a great deal, and that the
Earl of Aubrey is always with her. It
is so that she is almost always invited
to places he is visiting. Mamma is fur-
ious at me for not improving my oppor-
tunities better. As if I would have had.
'any chance against her!"
CHAPTER XXIL
The Marquis of lfoirose had the means
as well as the knowledge of how to set
about entertaining guests. It was his
wislt to do all that was humanly possi-
ble to make Erna enjoy herself. inci-
dentally he intended to let her see what
•
Liver i1; ': c T.
Elsxc` ig3s7tion Bad ,CF,plors
Pale, V,gatilued.
T'iiose ol?p !'eased by ?ipitation tlild
'Licari rains wiii find litteresf nli
Vactr, iii this Article.
The following letter is printed with
the hope that itWillshow a clear load
to health to• those who suffer the pangs
of inuhigtzstion and weak stomach.
"i can: anxious to send the message
of hope for and wide to all who am in
poor health, as I was a year Ago," writes
Mrs Ernest 1'. Gomez, from Meriden,
"For years 1 have had a weak stonmeh
and have experienced all the distress
caused by indigestion. 1 may say that
the heart pains, watery risings, pressure
of gas from fermentation at times al-
most drove me wild. For a time 1 could
scarcely eat a mouthful, without causing
myself endless misery; I could not sleep
well, my color was fearful, dark circles
under my eyes, bad dreams, etc.
"As a last hope I was persuaded to
try Dr. Hamilton's Pills of :Mandrake e •
and Butternut. As I persevered with
this treatment my appetite fradually re-,
turned, and I began to relish my meals..
My strength slowly returned, the head-
ache and chest pains grew less severe,'
and at last I began, to look my old self
again; Dr, Hamilton's Pills cured me,
and I use them occasionally still, be-
cause I find as a system regulator and
health -supporter no medicine is equal to
them."
The same medieine that so wonder-
fully restored Mrs. Gomez will also
cure you, 25c. per box„ or five boxes
for I1.00. Beware of substitutes, By
mail front The Catarrhozoue Company,
Kingston, Ont.
ever
"1
The marquis, on his part, lost no tante
in declaring his intentions ea Lady Burn-
ley, the moment Ire understood the relax
tion in which she stood toward Erna. He
did not do it with any great boldness.
`In fact, he looked rather shamefaced;
for the sober truth was that in the days
of his youth he had been a rival of ,the
MarAquis of Romley for the hand of the
marchioness; and there did seem an ele-
ment of humor in asking her to permit
him to sue for the hand of her ward,
who Wright have been the grandchild of
either of them.
"I know very well, marchioness," he
said, after he had made his formal pro-
position, ".that with the strong good
sense for which you have always been
famous, and to which I did the utmost
honor in days gone by, this must seem
to you like folly. But I have always
been -foolish, you know. You may re-
member referring to it at the time I
did the only wise act of my life."
"Yon mean when you wished to marry
me," she said, smiling. "Thank yon!
you were always able to say a pretty
thing. Foolish! yes, I think you foolish.
You can't expect the girl to love you.
If she should consent to marry you, it
will be only for worldly advantage."
"I understand that," he answered;
"and I -will make it to her advantage,
indeed. Tho you think she will consent?,'
"I know no more than you, marquis.
I :will help you, beeause T wish Erna to
have the wealth and position you eon
give her. She can make her nest match
to suit her heart"
The marquis shivered at this plain
statement of the oases but his old heart
was all aflame, and he 'would have
E
The grooms stared at her in •amazement.
"I ant going for e ride," she said, "and
I wish a good. horse. Have you any
good ones:"
The orders of the marquis had reaehed
the men, and they were prepared to du
the bidding of the beautiful young lady.
But, for that matter,, they would have
done it anyhow; for it was whispered
in the servants' quarters that .she was
some day to be their ntiet"ress.
"Tire best in the county," said the
head groom, touching hitt hat respect-
fully. "Jim, bring out Kitty."
"Is she gentle and s'afe'r" inquired
Erna.
"A child could ride her, ntisee' was
the answer.
"So I supposed,' said Erna, "I don't
want her. Let me go into the suable
and see what you have."
(To be continued.)
e0' b
Practically. all Canadian drug-
gists,
rug
gists, grocers and general dealers
sell Wilson's Fly Pads. If your
storekeeper does not, ask him why..
♦t0
IT ALT, 1)Iif'aiNDED.
(Vaneouvc r Saturday Sunset.)
Long after midnight the nburban man
sat on his front step listening to the
diemal bowls of a relentless canine.
"Awful racket!" commented a big po-
liceman, saunteringup the street,
"'terrible!" agreed the than on the
ste;is.
' \'� onder you don't make a complaint."
„Well, I'm lust waiting."
"May 1 ask what you are waiting
for?"
"Certainly. I am waiting to find out
if that is my dog or my neighbors dog.
If it is my dog ---well. you know. we alt
have to put up with unseemly noises
sometimes: but if it's my neighbor's
dog --confound me if I don't shoot himie
' By' Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound
Gardiner, Maine.—" I have been a
great sufferer from organic troubles
andaseverefeniales
weakness. T h e
doctor saidl would
have to go;to the
hospital for an
operation, but I
could not bear to
think of it. I de-
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E. rinkham's Veg-
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andSanativeash
—and was entirely
cured after three-
months'
hree
months' use of thein."—Mrs. S. A.
WiLTrn'irs, E. F. D. No. 14, Host 89,
Gardiner, Me.
No woman should submit to a surgi--
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iy from roots and her ,
This famous , airs p prome ved to bemthe
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esti-
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atMrs. L o Masa*,
viteg all stink_err�amen; to 'write
WEAK, TIRED GIRLS
Will Find Health and Strength
Through Ar. Willialmsr Pink
Pills,
r -
There is a time in the life of every
girl when the strain upon her blood
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when dizziness seizes her and she le-
eomes extremely miserable. That is
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Williams fink Pills for Pale People
They have raised thousands of grow
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good health and strength. Amon
v
caw that she frequently roused herself
suddenly, and kept herseirgoing, so to
speak, by ehcer force of will..
"I wonder what has happened:" she
murmured.
Once Erna found herself alone with
the marquis. She turned to him quickly..
"Have you any good horses in your
stable?" she dome:Wod.,
'"rhe best in the country, they say?'
"May I ride whexiever 1wish to?" sure
asked.
"Certainly. I shall be only too delight.
ed to have you. I will get upu. riding
party. 1.1 I had known—"
"I don't wish a riding party," site`' in-
terrupted, a little fiercely, much io his
dismay. "I wish to ride off some of my
—my—superfluous energy." .
"Any time you wish, I turn Bare," he
stammered.
"Will you tell then so at the stable?"
she asked.
"At once. I will tend orders at once,"
he said.
The next, morning early -before any
1
d
a s", Ha)dimand, Que., concerning whose
case her mother writes as follows:
"Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have been
a great benefit to my daughter who
was weak and miserable. She was
pale, easily tired and was bothered
with indigestion. The use of the Nis
has brought back her health, and made
her strong and active. I am -tory
grateful for what this wonderful meet -
eine has done for her."
Dr. Williams' Pink Pills are the
greatest blood builder known to medi-
cal science. That is why ;they cure
anaemia, rheumatism, heart palpita-
tion, indigestion, neuralgia, etc, That
is why they are of such value to 'wo-
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through which they pass from girl-
hood to maturity. The Pills are ,ma.
by all medicine dealers or direct ly
mail at 10 cents a bon or she „ beteg
for $2.50' from The Dr. Williams' Medi.
eine Co., Brockville, Ont,
The man who clbaes his 'eyes tte i►3n
own feints is like the ostrich that buries
ao