LOVE'S PENANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2026, 22 December 1892, Page 9

LOVE'S PENANCE.

■^Specially Written for the Witness Christmas

Number of IS9£.

By L. J. S. Mrs Jambs Suistbd, M.R.G.S.V.

PROLOGUE.

11 And so, my fair cousin, I hear that yon have actually rejeoted Karl Ralnsford again 1 What a shame to treat a fine man like that with such disdain I- 1 But there, you aiea most extraordinary young woman, and don't deserve to have such a faithful lover dangling after you. If I had treated my r Gebrge in ' the hearties i way you have behaved to poof Karl, I shouldn't be the happy wife* I ' l, am to-day. Really, Bara, I can't understand you. After being engaged to my cousin for I don't know how many years, you suddenly break with him, nobody knows why. Karl goes off to the antipodes, bat evidently couldn't console himself with a Maorilander, for he soon returns and pays court anew to bis old sweetheart, who accepts his attentions quite as a matter of course. Then, just as we have thought out all the arrangements for a grand wedding with the consequent festivities tbi« news comes like a thunderclap and all our plans are shattered. George agrees with me that it is too bad," and the speaker, a saucy'ooking brunette beauty of about 20 summers, threwback her pretty head and frowned defiantly. . ••

The lady thus addreised was young— not .nore than 26— beautiful, and wealthy; and isould have been hippy had not the .twin lemons of pique and jealousy "come between tier and the man she adored, causing her to Bcorn his suit while her heart was aching for very love of him. Bub the fair and proud possessor of Ladnor Manor could not brook even the semblance of a divided homage, and some luohet on the part of her lover, magnified by ialae friend*, bad oaused a complete severance between them. A soft blush dyed Sara Beauchamp's delicate face while her privileged young cousin was speaking; but ere she ceased there was an angry gleam in the deep blue eyes, and her slight figure was drawn up to its fall height as she turned her face towards the girl. " Why did you build such absurd castles In the air concerning me?" she asked quietly, but with just a touch of sarcasm in her low voice. "You see now that there was no foundation, a* they have all come tumbling about you* ears," and Sara laughed bitterly. "Moreover, I suppose 1 it dees not occur to you that it is a piece of impertinence on your part to come bore and lecture me in my own house. However, if it will ease your mind, Tessie, I may as well tell you at once that I sever intend to marry,"

"Rubbieb!" exclaimed the offending Teeeie ; "as if a young woman like you wonld go on for ever living a lonely life in tbin grand old House, with only that antiquated pereonage called by courtesy a companion. Ob, no ! you could not do ir, Sara." • •'Very wel', dear, weflhall see," laughed the Jady, as, standing before the tall mirror in her luxurious boudoir where the interview was taking place, she arranged with her white jewelled fingers a stray tress of the mass of golden hair crowning her regal little head. "Sara, you are too provoking J" cried Teesie warmly. "Do you know that honid Lady Nina Fancourt remarked the other day to one of her particular friends that ' Sara Beauchamp was one of the most imperious women in the county and much too cold to be really lovable ' 7 Imagine her cotl insolence, Sara ; for she knew that I was In the room and might , overhear her rude speeoh." "My dear Tessie, I do not value Lady Nina's opinion in the least," replied Sara, her red lips curviDg in a contemptuous smile. " No, perhaps you don't, but your friends do. And now I suppose the designing creature after having practised all her wiles upon Karl in a vain endeavour to win him fiom his allegiance to you, will enact the role of consoling angel, and eventually win -the prize she covet 3." "Not another word or we shall quarrel, Tessie," broke in Sara holly. "Iflam to be made the subject of Lady Nina's eilly gossip at least you might refrain from supplementing it with irritating remarks on your own account." "Oh, very well, dear, if yen recoive my efforts for your good in this spirit of perversity of course I have nothing more to «ay " And the warm-hearted but impulsive Kiri, bidding a hasty adieu to her cousin, hurried home, to her darling George, to whom she confided her opinion that Sara Beauchamp was not only utterly heartless but also the most objtjnate woman under

After this little episode the cousin* did not meet for several weeks, although Tha Firs— Tessie's bome-rwas not more than JO JpiDQtei walk from Ladnor Manor, whfeb

was situated upon an eminence commanding a magnifioent ocean proßpect, with a bold headland and lighthouse to the right, near which ran many a hidden ridge of dangerous rocks; while to tbe left, curious, sharp-toothed lines of mountain peaks stood, oat against the sky, tbe coast line being fringed with odd-looking cliffs and overhanging crags in many a grotesque and curious shape.