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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1909-07-16, Page 3She crossed over to Lady Gertrude," and greeted her cordially. • "1 am so delighted to see you, Lady Gertrude. Good -morning, Lord Aubrey! L hope you have forgiven me for my die - play of temper this morning," and she milled up into hie face so brightly that ba wondered if his eyse were -playing him a trick. Was it possible that she had so com- pletely recovered from her anger, which diad.. seemed so furious? Yes, he could not doubt it. And when had she ever been so delightful before? He was charmed. Lady Gertrude smiled and talked vivaciously, but in her heart she wan saying that Erna was preparing a .trap. .Ahl who could resist Erna in that wood? The earl saw in her something of the merry hoiden of'his first meeting, and something of the womanliness he had discovered. later. But, besides, there was a new charm—a seductive winsoune- stess which somehow reminded him of Lucie; though he cursed himself for per- mitting the thought to take shape in Gradually Erna separated him. front Gertrude, and presently had • him walk- ing with her out on the terrace. There she held him enchained as she talked to dein} of the tillage she had unearthed in the Castle, drawing him out to talk of Iti.mse]£ somewhat, but taiking for the most part herself. And he, listening to the softly modu- lated voice, whose eve tone was the -sweetest music, though he had never ,dreamed of such bewitching grace and winsomeness. ,She recalled the song she had sung at Roseboro, and hummed it then in a low, witching way that enthralled his senses, Then she spoke of other songs she had found there; and these, too, she snug -softly, so that no one but himself could hear; and to him it seemed as if he were listening to the angels. When she finally left him, he was like rc man intoxicated, and he could. not Gear to return to where the others were, lest he should lose something of what .he had gained from the strange, bewilder- ing creature, who seemed to have so ;many moods. CHAPTER XXIV. Strong men! What is a mans strength to a woman's witchery? it took only a short time, but to Aubrey it came like ai. burst of dazzliu; sunlight through the gloom—the fact that he loved the enigma of'a woman, who had been; a factor in his Iifo .alutost from the first moment of seeing her. Ile wondered that he had not realized it sooner, but was eouseious, too, that it WAS a thing not to be reasoned out. He was in love, infatuated, bewitched; and he could do nothing but think of her when she was not near hint, and watch her when she was in sight. Her voice hada strange power over Mei, which she soon learned, and she used it to matte his emotions play upon his bronzed handsotne face; now making his stern eyes dance with delight, now filling them with moisture of sympathy, and then suddenly filling them with dismay. As for herself, she went on like one I who has deliberately east herself over 't precipice and no longer has a choice of direction. Her spirits were unnatu-- rallyy high, but only those who knew her were well aware of this. It was not only the earl she carried along on the cur- rett of her witchery. The other young num, and nota fete •of the older ones,looked for her coming in the morning, and sighed when she went away at night. Her eyes were the only eyes, her voice the only voice; and, when she .smiled, others must laugh per- force from very infection. Lady Gertrude saw, and gnawed her heart in silent misery. Beautiful and • gifted as she was, she was like one effaced in comparison with the marvel- ous magnetism. of the other. She had . -loved Aubrey, she loved him now. She . had. no claim on him; for, in ..spite of the gossips, it had not conte to that yet, Aubrey had not even done anything -which 'would give her amoral hold on him. But there had been. no doubt in her *.unbind, or in the minds of others, that he 'intended eventually ,to. ask her to be- come his countess. Site had even eon - a 'seated to aecept the Invitation to Mel- rose in a spirit of •conscious strength. !She had not had the least fear of Erna; ;ret Erna had won hint from her with a ;glance of her eye; a tone of her voice.. The marquis was distracted with a fear no one could have comprehended, and which no one certainly sympathized with, unless it was Lady Romley. The measure of his love for the bright being who was so far removed from him by • age, was not to be gauged by ordinary standards. He realized as well as anybody who was merely an indifferent spectator, that it was absurd and incongrouous for hien to think of mating with Erna, whose youth and wonderful beauty were ,such a contrast for his•rather unpleasant old age and. decrepitude. But he worshipped her with that in- fatuation which very old and very young • melt are often guilty of. And his love made him humble. He .even dreamed with delight of how he would bask in the sunshine of her presence for a little while, mad then sass away, leaving her rieh and with all the world before her, Surely' that WAS the very acme of abne- gation. Arid now another, equally rich, equally noble, and with all the advantages of ensue and rood looks, had come along and snatched her from, under his very eyes. And it did not miigae his misery to know 'that he had deliberately planned to have Aubrey come to the castle, For a few days' Lady Romley merely looked on and was troubled. She had conte to know Erna well; - and she was cure that there was mote in the matter than appeared on the surface, though just what it was she was unable to fathom. She hesitated to interfere; for what reason was there why the earl should not wed. Erna if he would? • He might make a better match, from e worldly point of view, but, after all' that'was a small matter in his case... Hd was rich enough, and no • name joined with his could add lustre to that of„Cecil. • But as the days went by, and. she studied Erna closer, she was sure that she was only acting. And yet the mar- cbDnauess had been so sure that Erna loved. the earl! She could • not .compre- hend it; but she was decided that she ought to,speak to Erna. She went to her room one afternoon when she had gone up_ there to dress.' Erna sat in a chair by a little round. table, her head on her arms:. She looked up with a start when the old lady en- tered, and Lady Romley could. see that her face was very pale. • . "Erna, dear,” she said, going quickly over to where she sat, and placing her hand on the brown, curly head, "some- thing is wrong; what is it?" "Nothing," replied Erna, and with a violent emotion, and smiled up at the old lady. "Yes," said Lady Romley, "there is something the matter. I have watched you forseveral days, and I know it. Why have you taken the earl away from Lady Gertrude? Do you love him so much?" Erna started up from her seat sud- denly, stamped her little foot vehement- ly, wallowed something in her throat, and. cried out with flashing eyes: "Love him? I hate him!" "Then why do you eneourage him to hover about you? He is madly in lore with you. You have taken him from Lady Gertrude, and you will end by making misery for yourself and all the rest." "I do not care;" retorted Erna, pas- sionately. "she carate here with him to flaunt him in my face; he came here intending to marry her, but to try to platy with tae. I vowed I would wring hist heart, and I will, if I break rely own!" and she buret into sunlit a pas- sion of sobs as frightened the old. lady. There was such a pent-up power, whc- there for good or evil, in the beautiful creature, that her joy and her sorrow seemed different from the sante pas- sions In other girls. She wept as if site were wrestling with it demon; and then suddenly dried her eyes, as if the very fire of her passion had dried them up. "You do not know." she said to the troubled old lady. "I love lam. I—I have always, loved him. He treated me front the first as if I were not of the same clay. ]fee betrayed my girlish coin- fidenee. "The first morning he was here; he saw me rfdin+' out of the park, and hur- ried to gat iris own horse and follow me. When he caught up with me, be Legged me to be friendly with him; and he seemed so noble and true that I --like a silly little fool—was so happy I could hardly Contain myself, and 1 gave him my hand. I loved him, and I believed. he must love me. And he did, he did, I am sure of it. "But he would not marry me! You had warned me against him, ,so had my aunt; but I had not believed either of you. I gave hila ley hand, and I gave hint the glad smiles of a happy heart; and then—oh, I could make him suffer for iti—he gave me to understand ----he said enough to let me know that Lady Gertrude was the one of his choice." She tapped her little foot on the floor, she tore a lace handkerchief in shreds and her eyes blazed, but her face was white and set. Lady Rowley could have wept for sorrow' at the unveiling of this passionate soul in its agony. "My dear," she said, gently, "you must be mistaken. Your very 'love .for hien makes you put a wrong construction on hie words." "I am net mistaken. DM not you tell me that he was a choice husband, but a dangerous guardian? I did not fully comprehend then; but I do now. Did not everybody, everyone of the grooms at Aubrey, warn rte that it was better not to know him. But I laughed at them. HP knew that, under all my coldness, I loved him, and he kept seeking ane until I yielded. Then he warned me that 1 could not be his wife. That was what he meant; and although I love hire, I luite him, I hate hint for that; and I will wring his heart, as he has wrung :nine. I have blinded him now, and he would even make me Countess of Aub- rey. Well, he may make her his count- ess." "My dear! my dear! you are playing with fire," said Lady Ilomley,-sadly, but feeling powerless to cheek, or turn the torrent of passion that swept from the tortured heart of her ward. "Besides, you forget that you have given oueatn•- agenient to the 11Matrquis of Melrose, and that you are making hire buffer:" "Oh, es for him," said Erna, "I am not troubled. I shall marry him, That is all he wishes. Ile is bidding in the • open market for a wife. As well him as : another. I will marry him." ",Erna, my ,ditrl r-*," said Lady Rote COR 24 iseratin UR Yon can painlessly remove.any core, either hard, soft or bleeding, by applying peewe'& Corn Eaitractor. et never mutts, leaves no soar, contains no acid$ ; is bermlese because composed • only of healing gums and batlms. eine years in use. Cure guaranteed. Bold by all elruggists We. bottles. Refuse substitutes. IPUTNAN'S PAINLESS CORN EXTRACTOR ley, drawing Erna to; her and holding her in her arms, "you and 1 have' been to.: gather but a short tune, and yet I have learned -to love you dearly. Won't yon give up your terrible; tenon 'Of punish- inp Lord Aubrey. You are scorching your own heart, searing your own soul, put- ting all possibility of happiness far away front you. You' 'will eternally re- giet it if you persist. i ata: older tchan you, and I east see what you cannot." "What will give me happiness?" de• mended Etna, Alas! how could Lady Boinley, or any one else answer that question. "At least you can do what is just and .right;" said the old lady, sorrow- fully. . "No," cried Erna, vehemently, "I can- not de what is just and right. 1 am too wicked for that. Do you think. `I can- not see the misery before me? I have seen it all along. I saw it before he came down'here. I felt it away back at Aubrey. 'I saw Hint climbing up that fearful cliff at Aubrey, and my heart went out to him. That morning when he overtook me • riding even my heart was furious with him for what he . had said, I loved him for the masterly way he held my horse and would not let me take that jump. I love him every minute now. But 1 will wring his heart." She ceased and looked fixedly out of the window for a space of a minute, almost; then added, in a low, agonized tone; "After that I do not care." Lady Romley had been equal to many trying emergencies in her life. It seem- ed to her that she ought to be to this one. She felt that she ought to be an- gry with Erna's wicked insistence on. doing this wrong. But somehow Erna compelled -love, in her worst moods. The old lady sliook her head. "Erna," ;the said, "I feel that I ought to warn the earl. It is not right to per- mit this." Erna smiled, and stroked the wrinkled hand. "Do you think he would heed your warning? No, he is infatuated, and he would believe you are maligning mc. But do what you will," she added, wear- ily, "I wish -it were all over. If the marquis speaks to you, tell him that I give my word to be his bride. Ire won't ask for love, I should think." Lady Romley was defeated. What could she do? It was quite true, as Erna said,, that the earl would never believe a word against tin woman he worshiped. He was perfectly, well aware that the ntareltioness haat.wished Erna to maarry the Marquis •fi ',Melrose; and be would be justifie , ettspeeting that she was analigning .with e. pur- pose. So she did nothione and when Erna came down, later In the afternoon, smil- ing,. brilliant end gay, shu could only marvel and pity. The days went by, and the comedy went on. Only Lady Romley knew of the tragedy that was being played be- hind the scenes, and she shuddered when site thought of the end. Aubrey was a strong ratan. but he would reel under the blow, and her heart bled at the thought. Lady Gertrude did what she could to win the earl hack to her. She sang the songs he had praised, and then Erna would sing the songs, she knew he lov- ed; and Gertrude, feeling the thrill in her own heart as site listened to the voice she hated, knew that the heart of the earl was throbbing wildly. It was true that Lady Gertrude had urged the earl to let her ride Selim, wishing to show to Erna that she was so much his mistress; and it was true that the earl had so and Selim that he was not, afraid to trust Lady Ger- trude on his back. And yet Selim stood in the stable. and she did not ask, nor did he suggest a ride. Erna's ride on Dandy that first morning had changed everything. For a week randy Gertrude bore it bravely, unwilling to be defeated; but as each day strengthened the infatua- tion of the earl for Erna, and she saw that she was as nothing in his thoughts, she broke down, and gobbing piteously at her mother's feet, begged her to find some excuse for going away. "She has stolen hint from me?" she cried. "Oh, why did I ever tome hers?" So, one day, Lord Moreliam found.im- perativc reasons for leaving Melrose. Lady Gertrude sought an opportunity when the earl wet alone, and went to him, holding out her hand with a smile. "We go to -morrow, Lord Aubrey." she said, "and 1 may not have another e itanec to say geed -by. Shall we see you at Moreitam be•foro the Easter hol- idays?" It was the best way to approach a man like Aubrey. Ile knew he had not often ratite fairly toward Lady Ger- trude. Ile had :said nothing and done nothing that gave her any claim on him; but he knew that it had been his intention to :ask her to be his countess, and he felt troubled, He hail grown to like her, and he was reasonably sure that she more than liked him. But he had not.1ovecl her; sail he did love Erna. Hp could not win.- out bis original intention, for he dreamed of sharing his life with Eina, Nevertheless he was troubled, and he took Gtrt•ude'shand and held it es he answered: "I would like to visit you at More - ham.. I owe a great deal of pleasure to you, and I hope we shall always be. such good friends that it will be a pleasure to meet,'" It was Lady Gertrude's last effort to win him back. She maintained her composure with difficulty; and hasten- ed, away from him,, She had the cour- age to be merry the remainder of the; day and mince her adieus With good spirit; 4'but she was glad. to be Ilene, f'n ber lawn robin when night came, axil,;. lad.'"that she, would be .Off in the tno'sikig..befo're the; fastie was aroused,. Slie' had `men the mocking light in .:Erna's—.,eyes when she a3aid good -by to ,her, and hid understood the meaning of the.,regtetful words; • '"s rG you going so 'soon? We shall mise• you. • S,,hope eve shall meet in Lon- don ,next Season., "D"o ,•you'intend. being there?" Lady Gertrude had, responded, ever so sweet- ly. 'But of course you will, for I .tear ,rumors about re certain generous old 'marquis. 1 cam. sure I congratulate you, dear.' "The dear old marquis," sail Erna, composedly. "Well, I do not contradict rumor" - Lady' Gertrude could have cried in her vexation. Shp had 'thought to deal a blow at Erna;;, but the latter had turned it aside so easily.. When Erna sat alone in her room that night, however, her face was ashen "pale, and her lips were quivering, "I have driven her away," she mur- mured: `'To•morrow he may know what it is to'play with a woman's heart. Oh, I wish I were dead!" . . *CHAPTER t3A.PTER XKV. The old, marquis tried with a sort of desperation to induce the Morehams to remain at Melrose. He did not know himself what good it would do, since Lady Gertrude seemed powerless to re- tain the affections of tate earl; but when she went, it seemed as if his last hopes were deserting him. From the Morehams he went to Lady Romley, He had not dared to go to her for sympathy before; but he must talk to some one, and better to her than any- body else. She was sitting in a little south bay window—a favorite seat of hers in bright weather•—anti a good place for aeonfidential talk. "The Morehams are going in the morning, Lady Romley,' 'he said, by way of preface. "'So I have been told," she answered, rather tawny. "I tried to keen them." "I don't see what earthly good that would have done," she replied, thereby showing that she understood whither he was tending in his talk. "I don't know, either," he said; '`lent it is hard to have to wit still and see flim Barry her off from under my eyes." "Why did you ask hint 'bene? But, there! that, is not, to the point. I sup- pose you never were foolish enough to expect the girl to love you." "No," he saki, with so mueh humility that the old lady felt more than ever sorry for him. "Aid all you ever expected was that she might see the advantage of marrying a rich old noblethan?" "That is all. I know how silly I am, Lady Romley; but I worship her, and I would take her for the sake of making her happy, both -now and in the futures wben I stn gone. 'You see, 1 dare to look it in the face now. 1 shuddered at the thought when you first broached it at Rowley." "It is something I don't. understand; Melrose," she said, with wonder • min- gling with her sympathy, "However, it does not matter. Do I understand that you make a formai proposal for her hand?" "Yes, if there is any use in doing so," he replied, miserably. 'Aubrey has all that 1 have . to offer, and a. great deal more besides. What chance have I?" "And what settlement would you make?" inquired the old lady. "Anything. I eau give her twenty thousand a year. I don't think I ought to take more from the next heir. It needs a great deal of money to run the estates. Still, if it would do any good 'Twenty thousand should satisfy any woman, Very well, then!, You under- stand fully that she des not love you —she will not pretend to do so; and that she marries you only for worldly advantage?" "Gileat Heaven, marchioness!" cried the marquis, tre.nnbling, "you go on talk• in;; as if the thing were possible yet, in aha face of all that is going on." • (To be continued.) -w SHOULD WHISTLE. (Ottawa ,Tournai.) The smallest Ontario hamlet has its brass band which gladdens the ears of the populace at least once a week during the summer if not oftener. In many of the larger Canadian cities there is abundant provision for pub- lic music. But the people of the eapi- tal of the Dominion have to go with- out music in the summer unless they man make it themselves. cry . The fellow who doesn't allow an alarm eleck to interfere with his morning Item illustrates the triumph of mind over matter, The trouble with the prodigal son is that after he has collie home and eaten the fatted ealf he generally hikes out swain. • dr ily Physician .Said ,Incurable She was cured completely key Dr". Hariltoiess'Pills. A Terrible' .:Exp , rienee with Indigestion. 'Another example of tbe marvelous merit of Dr. Hamilton's Pills comes' from. Kingeton, where. Mrs. Bh V. Holt ton was snatched from the grave 'toad • restored to sound health by this Won- derful ondeiiul medicine, "Three weeks ago X was taken sud- denly ud denly ill. My head throbbed anal. Ached; and I became so dizzy that I had, to go to bed. There was a terrible feeling , of weight and fullness in my left $ido , and all the region of ntysstomacle and Neer was sore even to touch. I . was µ in a terrible state --lied no appetite, In feet, 1 was afraid to eat because of the '• suffering I hada .to eedure after meal,; .' I got se: bilioua and had such pains: across oss my eye* that 1 could sear+eely see My doctor said I bad Incurable Indi- gestion. < "As a last hope I used: Dr, Hamilton's Pills, I saw clearly they Were doing the good and eonthnued the treatment. • ]1ty appetite and strength gradually return- ed ---my color improved and day by day the stomach azul liver derangements were less troublesome. All symptoms of biliousness and indigestion have now pa seed away: I ata cured by Dr.Hamil- ton's Pills. The same medicine ' that so wonder- fully cures. Mrs. Holton will cure any . . one else of bilidusnesa, constipation, in- digestion, headache, poor color and ' stomata trosuble. Get, Dr. Hamilton's ' Phis to-day—refuse any substitute, 25e. per boxy ea- five boxes for $1.00. By 'mail from The Catarrliozone Oomtpany, Kingston, Grit. 4.4• Rules for a Long Life. A Paris contemprorary has been in- structing its readers how to live to a good age, drawing its conclusions from the lives and writings of distinguished men. Melted Eugene Chevreul, the cele- brated French chemist, who lived 103 years, was always frugal in regard to his diet, and considered a happy dis- position to be an'important factor con- tributing to his long life. Victor Hugo bad a tablet on the wall of his house with the following: "Rising at 6, dining at 10, supping at 6, retiring at 10 make the life of man ten times ten." The secret of Moitke's health lay ie. his great moderation in all things. Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson de- clared that those who wished to reacit. a century.must neither smoke nor drink. They should eat sparingly of meat, work as little as passible by artificial Light, trouble themselves little about making a fortune, and never allow amble , tion to rule their lives, --London Globe. 'UF 6 WEAKNESS FOAMING DISEASE Can be Banished by the Wonder- ful Tonic Powers of Di'. Wit. hams' Pink Pitts. How often it is that the yietitus of disease -fevers, measles, le, grippe or any other contagious troubles are weak and ailing's, even after the disaaae itself has disappeared. They do not pick up strength as they ought; remain lists, tired and discouraged. The reason for this is that the blood has been impov- erished by the ravages of the disease through which the victim has passed. Strength will not return until the blood is enriched. The blood can be writhed by no other medicine as quickly and as sureyl ee by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People ---to enrich the blood. tad strengthen the nerves is the whole ditty of these pills—thousands have found them beneficial in bringing strength after disease had left them weak and run down. Among those who owe good health to these pills is Miss Labra Hiseo, New Ross, N. Be who sayst "Following an attack of measles I was left greatly run down tend suffered from a bad cough. I was advised to nee Dr. Williams' Pink Pills and procured half < a. dozens boxes. Before they were nidi gone I had regained my strength; my cough had disappeared and. I.was once more enjoying perfect' health." The experaenee of Miss Hiseo is that of marry others, Dr. Williams' Pink Ville make new, rich, reel blood. This new blood .steenigthens the nerves and ban- ishes such ailments as rheumatism, tele raigia, lumbago, dyspepsia, etc., and, brings the glow of health to pale <lreeks. The Pills are sold by all medicine dealers - or at 60 cents a box or six 'boxes for $2,50 from The Dr, Williams' Medicine Co,, Brockville, . (int, a. a. A. PlI1 NOMENON. Willie (whose father is building a ean- servatory)---Papa, if 1 planted this pip, would an orange tree grow up from it? Papa—Of course, my son, and arauges world grow on it. Willie ---That's very wonderful, isn't it, papa?---'etuzse this is a. lepton pip! 0,s Don't experiment ent with. un:sat . . isfactory substitutes. Wilson's Ply Pads kill many times more house, flies than any other known article. Eager. • Little Brother—I ant sure that if i were not in the room the lieutemvnt would kiss you. Sisters --••You naughty boy! How can you sarsuch a thing! Run out of the room at oneel Atlanttlo City Exou atiain 411:00 round trip from Suspension Bridge via Lehigh Valley R. 1,, Friday, July 18th. Tickets good 15 days. Par` titulars 54 Bing street east Tomato*