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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1908-12-11, Page 3CHAPTER XII. "The first of May," said. Mrs. Lynne to Inez, one beautiful morning. "The flowers and biros seem, to know May Las come. I shall soon have a daughter of my own, Inez," The beautiful, proud face softened, and the rich voice whispered some lov- ing words that cheered the mother's heart, Lord Lynne was in London—he had been there for more than a month— and onthand he was no expected home until the sixteenth. He was busily engaged in furnishing and preparing one of the finest mansions in Belgravia for his wife. Mrs. Lynne and Inez lingered over the breakfast table. They had much to dis- cuss, and the hours passed pleasantly enough, until the little ormula clock up- on the mantelpiece chimed twelve. "How late we are!" cried Inez; and just at that moment a footman announc- ed Mr. Bohan to see Miss Lynne. "Poor Bertie!" said. Mrs. Lynne to her young companion. "I quite forgot to tell you, Inez, his regiment is ordered off to Canada. He bas come to say good-bye to you, no doubt. Be kind to him, my dear—he is going to danger, if not death." Something like remorse or pity smote the young girl as she noted the pale, worn, face of the young soldier. "I have just heard the news, Mr. Bo- han," she said, holding out her hand to him. "I am very sorry we aro going to lose you." "You are very kind, Miss Lynne," he replied, with the least touch of bitter- ness, "I am glad to go; for many weeks now I have longed to be off to' the wars." "You like active service," she said, coldly. "Yes," he replied, "and I should like anything better than staying to see you married. You laughed at me, Miss Lynne, the last time I dared to tell you something of the love that has made me blind, and deaf, and careless to all but you. You laughed at me, and in your heart you called me a foolish boy, did you not?" "I never intended anything unkind to you," she replied, proudly. "I have al- ways liked and esteemed you." "Have you?" he cried, his honest young face brightening at her words; "then I am happier, for I thought you despised me for loving you so much. I could not help it, you know. I have never been presumptuous in my folly. x was never mad enough to dream that you would love me. I do not care for that; but if you were to ask me for my life at this moment I would give it to you; and if ever you want a friend re- member my words, that I will give my life to serve you." "Thank you," she said, simply. "If the time should come when I want you, I shall not forget." "I should like to hear from your own lips," he continued, "that you are hap- py. It will comfort me when I ain far away to think of you as bright, and radiant, and beloved. If I fall, my last thoughts will be of your face. Tell me, do you love Lord Lynne?" "1 do," site replied. "If it will make you happy to know that I am happy, I will tell you that my heart has not wish left unpratifled." "I am heartily glad," he said; but the brave young face turned a shade paler. "Will you tell me the clay settled for your wedding? I shall be upon the blue sea then, but I shall like to know it," She told hien the twentieth of May; then he rose and held out his hand. "I must not detain you," he said; "but Inez—Miss Lynne, I have given you all the love of my heart. The world is all over for me. 1 can care for no woman living after loving you. Before I go, will you say to me, 'God bless you, Bertie?'" Tears rose in those dark eyes as she uttered the words. He bent his noble head before her and kissed the little white hand that lay in his own. With the quick, warm impulse of her Southern nature, she touched his brow with her lips; and she never forgot the expres- sion of his face as she did so. He spoke no word, but in another minute he was gone. During the remainder of that day Inez was haunted by poor Bertie's face and the sound of his sad, wistful voice. The day was drawing nearer, and one thought began to agitate the beautiful bride -elect. How would. Lord Lynne and Agatha meet? She wished it were over; and yet she whispered to herself that nothing could go wrong. On her wedding eve he would he engrossed with her. She called herself weak and fanci- ful, but there was the ever -haunting dread, "Suppose anything should hap- pen!" It would kill her now. She could not bear to think of it. With care and caution, by constantly watching her sis- ter, she could avert anything that seemd dangerous; and again, in the hour of her triumph she wished, but wished vainly, that she had done nothing that could cause her fear. More proof Hoof; Lydia, E.Pink- hatn'sVe etiialeCompound cures tamale Ws. Mrs. John Scott, 489 Grand Trunk St., Montreal, writes Mrs. Pinkham "I was very much run down in health from a female trouble, was thin, nervous, and very weak, and suffered from bearing down pains. Indeed I did not care whether I lived or died, I felt so badly sometimes. "Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com- pound completely cured me of all my troubles. I gained in flesh, and am free from backache, female trouble, sick headaches, and nervousness. " a heartilyrecommend Lydia E. Pinitham's Vegetable Compound for all women% ailments, knowing what it has done for me." FACTS F i,R SMilt 1R/0 ','; EN. For thirty years Lydia E. Pink- ha3n's 'Vegetable Compound, made from roots and herbs, has been the standard remedy for female ills anrihas positively cured thousands of women who have been troubled with displacements inflammation, ulcera - t irregularities, pe. °ti odic fibroid backache, that bear - In -down feeling, flatulency, indiges- tj ,dirtinessornervousprostration. yy dont you try it? ]W s. Plnkhaan invites call sick wonnen .to writte her for adrrieea .he lies gtni(l.ed thousands tr t isles. A.lidire L,yn y Mass. fool and lips turned whie when he heard the noise and Coitfuetion of her lover's arrival. he .was in the draw- ing room with Agatha, Evelyn and Allan Leigh, Mrs, Lynne had gone to meet her son. Perhaps Inez never suffered great- er suspense than in. those few moments. Her eyes seemed msgieally attracted to Agatha's face. If she ;should stint when she saw Philip again, then he would question her, and thhe whole story must come to light; bttt :Agatha showed no signs of fainting. ,, "That is my cousin, site. said, when the sound of a gentleman's voice was heard. The color did not vary in her face her lips did not quiver, nor did her voice tremble. he stood near the door when he entered, and his first words were addressed to her. Inez watched them so eagerly, she hardly seemed to draw her breath. Quite frankly and calmly Agatha held out her hand and spoke a few words of kindly greeting to her cousin. Just as calmly Philip replied and then passed on, Inez sank back in her chair—the or- deal was over; they had met, and no sign showed that they had ever been more than friends. Lord Lynne thought her pale face and quivering lips weie caused by her emotion at seeing him, and he loved. her the better for ib. But she had yet another ordeal to pass through, eyen more terrible. When dinner was over they adjourn- ed to the large drawing -room. The party was a large etre; besides the six assembled bridesmaids, there was Allain Leigh, who on the morrow was to officiate as "best man," and several other gentlemen, wedding guests. The evening was warm, and the large French windows were opened to admit the sweet, soft breeze. Lord Lynne had es- tablished himself by the side of his fair fiancee. Agatha and Allan were perhaps the merrieat couple in the xoom. Sud- denly some thought seemed to strike Lord Lynne, and, turning to Agatha, he said, in a low voice, "I have something very particular to say to you. Will you come into the conservatory with me for a minute. I will not detain you long." NO one heard his words except Inez and the next moment Agatha had gone toward the conservatory, followed by Lord Lynne. clear conecience is the happiest and greatest blessing that man or woman can enjoy. There are no words• in which the feelings of that beautiful girl can be described. .A death -like pallor stole over her face; her dark eyes had a wild, perplexing dock. She did not speak nor move, but sat like an image of des- pair. "It is all over," she cried in the depth of her heart; "there is sure to be some explanation between therm, and I am lost." The warite hands were ti;~htly clinch- ed. and she listened in sickening sus- pense for the voiee of her sister or lover. Minute afterminute pas,ed, and still they came not. and despair took the place of hope in her heart. At Length, after whatseemed to Iter hours of torture. she sa'v Agatha slowly ap- proaching her. "Inez.' said ?ler eiste.r, 'bensding over he, "Philip wer is to speak to you; come with me." She had purposely invited Evelyn Leigh to be one of her bridesmaids, thinking that she wnuld engross Agatha thinking that sl:io would engross Aga- tha's attention. They were to reach Lynnewolde three days before the wed- ding, and on the day appointed she awaited their conning anxiously. She dreaded the first look at her sister's face. If it should be pale and sad, if those gentle eyes wore that pained, wondering expression that she remem- bered so well, what should sbe do? Mrs. Lynne wondered why that beautiful Southern face looked so pale and agitat- ed as the carriage stopped at the hall door, For one moment, at the sound of Agatha's voice, a mist swam before her eyes, and site could t ;e nothing, than it cleared away, and she saw before her the same sweet face with its delicate color. There were no trace of sorrow on those calm features, no cloud of grief in those dove -like, tender eyes. Her sister looked a little thinner and more thoughtful; the child -like gayety had gone; but it was not a sad face upon which Inez gazed. with curious, wistful eyes. Tho relief was great, for the fear had been great. Agatha did not quite under - ball to be given in the evening. They stand why, when her sister caressed her, she left two burning tears uponher face; even Evelyn thought how tenderly the bride loved her sister. "There is but one danger more," said Inez to herself that evening, "and that is, Philip's first meeting with her." The whole country -side was ringing with the coming marriage. No one could be more popular than the young Lord of Lynnewolde, no one admired more than his beautiful young bride. The country papers were in ecstasies; they discussed tlhe magnificent preparations at the Hall, the number of bridesmaids, the superb wedding presents, the ar- rangements for the marriage, and the Iikewise informed'the public that imme- diately after the ceremony the happy pair would leave for Ross -y -Glynn, a small estate in North Wales, belonging to Lord Lynne. After the honeymoon they were to proceed. to London, where Lady Lynne was to be presented at the drawing -room announced for the 24th of June. The morning of the nineteenth arrived bright and beautiful, no cloud in the sky; Nature seemed to have donned her fairest robes; the soft spring air bore the perfume of flowers and the music of birds. "If to -morrow is as bright as to -clay," said Mrs. Lynne to Inez, "you will have a glorious wedding -day." The magnificent bridal costume, order- ed` expressly from Paris, had arrived, perfcce even to the last detail. The bridesmaids' costumes were all ready; the wedding cake, which was really a work of art, had arrived, the wedding breakfast was laid out in the long din- ing -room, and a more magnificent dis- play had never been seen in Lynnewolde. The four young ladies who were to join Agatha and Evelyn were staying at the Halll, and everyone seemed devoted to the queen of the festival, the beautiful bride -elect. 'What time do you think Philip will really arrive?" asked Inez of Mrs. Lynne. "About six, I think, 1 have ordered dinner for seven," was the reply, and the lady smiled to herself as she look- ed at the wistful young face. No one noticed. how unequal were the bride's sphdts—one moment flushed and laughing, looking like the queen of mirth and. revelry; then pale and silent, with shadowed eyes. °a:enrage,' she said to herself, "one Wel more, and then my, triumph 1'1e health. , oonrplete." Yet, ()code, her bravery, her that. greeted her, were the face and smiles of the gentle sister she had be- trayed, CHAPTER XIII, It is something worth living for to be perfectly happy even for one day. Lady Lynne was even more fortunate; she was perfeetly and entirely happy during the "golden" months she passed with her husband at Ross-y.Grlynn. She had said to herself that she would make him happy, and she did so. She studied his every wish and every thought; and yet, wonderful to relate, never wearied him, but left him always longing for her to speak again. Nor were those quiet weeks all given to love -making; Inez imparted to her husband some of those ambitious hopes and daring wishes she had formed for him. He listened, lost in wonder at the talents and beauty of the young girl he had made his wife. At first her views and plans dazzled him; but after a time he took great delight in them, andpletiothen longed eagerly for their cora- "I should never have dreamed of be - coining a politician but for you, Inez," he said to her one morning. "You have so completely fired my ambition that I shall never know rest again until I have obtained some, at least, of the fame you predict for me." Then, for the first 'time, Philip Lynne felt it was fortunate for him that his gentle cousin had rejected him; she would not have urged him on such a career as the one which his beautiful, brilliant wife painted in such glowing colors. He remembered the time, in the annals of his family, when the Lymies had been second to none in the kingdom. Why should he not restore even more than its ancient glory to the name? Let him but once get into Parliament, and then England should hear of the Lynes again. His wife's plan was the surest and safest to follow. They must keep to their original intention of going to Lon- don, and there theymust win a fore- most place among the great and noble. There was not much doubt of it, he thought; and again he gloried in the wondrous beauty he had won. He was proud of her, devoted to her; he appre- ciated her rare genius, but he did not love her as he would have loved Agatha, had she been his wife. It was rather the love that springs from admiration than from affection. Lady Lynne had already gained won- derful influence over her husband, Never was tact so great or so delicate as Iters. She studied his character, she knew every weak and every strong point in is; she knew how to appeal to his high and noble feelings, to urge, to arouse, and counsel hint. Be thought her the greatest and cleverest of women, and often wondered in his simple humility how she ever came to city for hint. They had arranged to leave Ross -y - Glynn about the eighteenth of June. Lady Lynne was to be presented at the drawing -room to he held on the twenty- fourth. There was a long discussion be- tween them on one point. Philip was anxious that Agatha should be pre- sented with her sister, and have the advantage of passing the remainder of the season in London. Inez did not know how to objeet to what seemed a sensible and kindly arrangement. There was not one single reason that she could bring forward against it; more. when she cane to consider the matter, did she care much about interfering. Both Lord Lymre and her sister were far too honor- able, she knew, to allude, however dis- tantly, to any attachment that night previou3ly have existed between then; there was no fear; besides, she would be always near. So the invitation was sent, urgently worded by Inez: with a postscript from Philip. beg, ng his mother to accompany Agatha to London. But Mrs. Lynne, fatigued by the festivites attend - int the wedding, begged this sea- son to be excused. Their cou- sin, Lady Eversleigh, would have great pleasure in presenting her beauti- ful young relations .at court. "I long to see London,' said Inez, to iter husband, when they were seated in the ing ofiltleyworld carriage. seen unoth- ing present. Ilongto take my place in it as a soldier longs for battle. Shall 1 like London, Philip?" "I think so," he replied. "lt is not so gay, perhaps, nor so beautiful, as Paris, but I would rather live there than in any other city in the world. Life al- ways seems to me twice as full and com- plete in London" "Perhaps English ladies uray not like me," said Inez, hale timidly; 'I am so very Spanish in appearance" "I must not flatter you, Inez," replied Lord Lynne, smiling quietly, "but I pro- phesy you will be the belle of the sea- son." "That will be something new for me," she said. "Was your life in Spain so very lone- ly??" said Philip gently. "Very," she replied; and the beautiful face grew pale and sad. "We must make it up to you now," said her husband kindly. "You shall en- joy yourself just as you like, and crowd as touch pleasure into each dry as you can. It will be doubly pleasant for you to have Agatha with you." Great was the delight of Lady Lynne when she saw the magnifieent home pre- pared for her. She ltd married entirely for love. It Philip Lynne had been penni- lese and obscure, she would have prefer- red hint to all the world beside; but elm loved splendor, and her heart rejoiced in the superb and luxurious apointmeuts of her new home. It was evening when they arrived, and dinner was served up to them in the stately dining room. "You must go to rest early to -night, Inez," said her husband, "late hours will begin soots enough. Agatha will be here to -morrow, and Lady Eversleigh will call, She will take you to Madame Nevers to choose your court costume. You must wear your diamonds; mind, Inez, we must do all honor to the Lynnes of Lynnewolde." On the day following Agatha arrived, The laet hope died in that proud, pas- sionate heart. She rose haughtily, and walked with the dignity of a. queen through the long drawing -room. "I have foupeht my fight." she snide to herself, "and have failed. Still, I know how to boar defeat." But when she reached the conserva- tory, instead of the pale stern face she expected to see. Philip stood before her smiling and bright as he had been when he quitted her, and in his hand he held a large ,jewel -ease. In one moment. with her quick unerring istinet, she divined that she had been mistaken—that she was still sale. "I am afraid I am a very awkward lover," said Lord Lynne, with a smile. "I wanted .to offer you my wedding - gift, Inez, and I have been obliged to consult Agatha as to whether I should do it now or not. She thinks, perhaps, you will like to wear my gift to -morrow, so I offer it to you this evening." A low sigh of iututterable relief es- caped from her lips as Philip opened the case and she saw the magnificent parure of diamomis that had driven half the fashionable ladies in London wild with envy. "How am T to thank you?" she said, raising her dark eyes to his fare. "By always looking as beautiful when you wear them as you do now," was the gallant reply. Then Agatha kissed her and wished her joy and happiness. without one shade or aloud upon her sweet face. .and went out, leaving the lovers together. No one round Lynnewolde will ever forget the wedding day of its young lord. The sun shone brightly, the very bells in the old church tower seemed delirious with joy. The rich feasted in the hail, the poor on the lawn. Bonfires blazed, and flags, banners, and triumphal arches met the eye at every turn. It was a scene of gaiety and happiness never forgotten by those who witnessed it, A more beautiful bride or fairer brides- maids were never seen. Sorrow and sadness seemed far as death from that noble and brilliant throng. The last face Lady Lynne saw as she drove away from home, the last smile "For three weeks 1 actually had to be fed like one feeds a baby, because my hands and' arms were so covered with • ecczera that they had to be bound up ail the time." That is the experience of Miss Violet. M. McSorley, of .75, Gore Street, Sault Ste. Marie. She adds: "I could not hold spoon nor fork. From finger tips to elbows the dreaded disease spread, my finger nails came off and my flesh was one raw mass. The itching and the pain were almost excruciating. I had three months of this torture end: at one time amputation was discussed." "Zam-Buk alone saved my hands and arms. I persevered with it and in the end had my reward. To -day, I am cured completely of every trace of the dreaded eczema,. and I fervently hope that sufferers from skin disease may know of my case and the miracle Zam-Bale has worked." Zam-Buk is without equal for eczema, ringworm, ulcers, abscesses, piles, cracked hands, cold sores, chapped places, and all skin injuries and diseases. Druggists and stores at 5o cents a beat, or post free from Zam-Buk Co., Toronto, for same price. You are warned against dangerous substitutes sometimes offered as ' • just as good." Mrs. Lynne had round an escort for her. At three, Lady Eversleigh °called, and both sisters were charmed with her. She was not beautiful, not even pretty, bu she possessed that incomparable and it resistible gift of fascination given to s few—high-bred and amiable, piquant an pleasant in conversation, with manner at once gentle and dignified. Lady Ever sleigh had been for some few years on of the leaders of ton. Her delight w unbounded at making the acquaintane of her beautiful cousin, and her eye were at once riveted on that lovel southern face. "Properly managed." said the lady, t herself, "Lady Lynne will make a perfe furor." Agatha was fair and sweet, but h English face and golden hair paled befol the lustre of the radiant Andalusian. (To be continued.) d --T BRIGHT YOUTH. Proud Father (meeting his son's teat er. )—Don't you think I ought to mal a scientist of that boy of mine? I su pose you have noticed his way of getth at the bottom of things? Teacher—Yes; I've noticed it abo his classes. 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