TWO KEYS: OK Margaret Houghton's Heroism

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 298, 18 December 1886, Page 3

TWO KEYS: OK Margaret Houghton's Heroism

By MKS GEOROIE SEELDON,

Author of "Brownie's Triumph, 11 "The For-

gaken Briae," " Audrey's Recompense," &o.

CHAPTER XXIII

A NOVEL rASTIJIK

Mabgaket stood motionless until she hoard the door close after him. Tb6n she glided into that corner of the room whore ehe and her lover had sat that last night, and getting down upon her knees, she began to look carefully all about lor Arthur's missing diamond. She moved the tete-a-teto aside, and lifting tho draporie9 from the floor, searched carefully along tho edge of tho carpet, but she found nothing. " I do not believe he lost it here," she said j" but he lost it thai nit/At, and — where ?" She was about to rise from her kneeling posture when hor attention was attracted by tho arrangement of the rich curtains where they were drawn back from the window and the arch between the two rooms and fastened in folds in tho corner "How awkwardly the girls arrange those things," Margaret said. She took the massivo tassels in her hand?, untied tha hoavy corde, and was on the point of shaking out tho draperies preparatory to gathering thtm up more grauu fully, when somothing m'ldo her stop. Tho next moment she was bending over them evon closer thnn before. " Ah!" It was a sharp, startled cry that broke from her. And what sho flaw was sufficient to cauao anyone a shock of surprise, for there, caught among the overshot threads, and almost in the heart of a rich crimson rose, like a groat drop of glittering dew, was a pure, gloaming diamond ! "It is his I" she cried, in a breathless voice, " but how came it here?"

She stood as if paralysed tor a moment ; then, with resolution evident in her pile face, she added : "I havo a cluo at last; but, oh ! it n such a slight one, I fear it will lead to nothing tangible. Nevertheless I s-hall follov,it, if it takes mo as long as I live."

The next day Mrs Houghton's maid was taken violently ill, and their physician, up m being called, pronounced her disease to bo fever of a malignant typo, and advised that she be romovod at once from tho houeo, v* Mies Houghton iv her proeent delicate condition was liable to take it. So tho poor girl was removed to her own home—being fortunate enough to have ono in tho city-and a trained nurse was provided to givo her proper care. Every day Mrs Houghton drove out to soe how sho was progressing, and Margaret accompanied her, although she wis not allowed to alight, her mothor going in alone to ascertain the needs of her maid and to carry her comforts and delicacies. Tho house where sho was ill was a humble ono, in a narrow Rtreet which had once boon an important business locality. Years before there had been a lino array of shops and bazaars upon one eido of it, while upon tho'other immense warehouse.* loomed' gloomily above them. But as the tide of humanity rolled moro and more into the city, pushing and crowding into every available nook and cornet, business interests hud gradually boon removed to tho more aristocratic portion of tho town, and thon the buildings on the south sido of the street had been tnado into dwellirtgs for tho pjoror classes, and those on the north rented for storage or left empty and deserted It was not a pleasant locality, but rents wore low there, and as the poor are forced to tako what they can get for thoir money, they flocked into every available epaco It was a singular fact, howovor, that people shunned tho side of the street that was uninhabited ; the side walk there was almost deserted, while the opposite ono was teeming with life. After dark tho inhabitants of that place were disinclined to walk in the Bhadows of those great, gloomy buildings, and thus after a timo the belief gradually prevailed that they were haunted. Into this pi ice, howover, ' Margaret Houghton and her mothor drove every day upon their errand of mercy, and aftor Mrs Houghton alighted, tho driver was in the habit of turning his horses about and driving up to tho opposite sidewalk, while! waiting for her reappearance, in order to bo out of the way of other vehicles passing through. Thus Margaret sat in the carriage ono day, wuiting for her mother, who, for some roason, remained much longor than usual with Annette, her maid. Tho young girl was extromoly no'voui* and impatient that afternoon. She was sitting nearly opposite a narrow alley, which led at right arglos through to another street running parallel with tho ono they were on. She had never noticed it before, but new she saw that there were entrances all along, as far as her eye could roach, to the empty buildings on her right. Suddenly her attention was attracted by seeina a man come out of one of the ao doors in the alloy-the third ono from the corner. . Apparently, he was an old man, having white hair, and a full, grizzled beard He was very ordinarily dropged, wearing a long grey coat, a tall black hat of e.omewhat antiquated shape, and cheap, thick shoes. , , , He stopped a moment to. lock the door after him, after which he tried it to pee if he had fastened it eecurely ; then he turnfd and came down the alley toward the street, swinging his keys carelessly in his hand. . , Margaret noticed the keys particularly - there were two of them— becaueo one hit against the other, making a little musical rinp^and Bne Baw ' too> that they were fastened together by a small brass chain. . She drew back out of the man s sight, although she still watched him, as he came out of the alley almost facing her ; but his head was bent as if in deep thought, and at first he did not appear to observe the carriage standing so quietly there When he did, however, he gave a start of surprise, and shot a keen glance at the driver Bitting bo dignifiedly upon his box. Then he swept a startled look into the carriage, and though he could not see Margaret, Bhe caught the brilliant fln«h of those eyes and her heart gave a frightened The'next moment be resumed his thoughtful mien, and passed cm, up towards tbe larger and .broader street which crossed, a few blocks above, the one he was on. The minute bis back was turned, Margaret leaned out of the carriage window and closely watched him. She noticed that ho limpid slightly as. he walked—limped with the left foot- and also that the-ungloved hand, from which the keys were still swingings was not tho hand of an old man at all, but white, and delicate, and rosetipped like a lady's She watched him out of sight, until ho turned a corner, then she sank back, while and trembling, among the cushions of the carriage, where Mrs Houghton found he>soon after white as death and as strengthless aa an infant. "I have, tired you out, Margie, keeping you waiting here in the cold so long," sho cried, in a voice of self-reproach. " I believe I will never bring you into this dismal place again." "I think I am rather more tired than usual, mamma." Margaret answered, weakly ; " there is a disagreeable chill, too, in the air to day ; but I ehall be all right again when we get wherethere is a cheerful fire and I am rested. How did you fiud Annette thiß afternoon?" " She is much better, and declares that she will be able to return to us by another week," Mrs Houghton answered. In spite of her assurance that she should be all right when Bhe was rested, Margnret did not get over the effects of her excitement for a day or two, but seemed nervous, depressed, and preoccupied, while she would start violently and glance about her in a half frightened way at every unusual Eound. The third day, however, when Arthur Aspioall called,he found a plearant change inher. She was looking much batter,while she seemed more cheorful and animated than she had appeared since her lover's dis appearance She greeted him cordially, and immediately fell into a social chat with him, ■ and was so kind and affable that he could

hardly believe she was the same person. " Come and see what I am uoinjr," eb.Q said to him, after a while, and, rising, aho led bim to-a table at tlia other end of the

room and upon which 'horostoodn jrlasscasp, having a biack velvet bed withinit, to which various coins and curious designs in red seali-\2:-via>: '■'■'ore attached. "Ah, you ard making a collection o< coins, Margie," he s.iid, bending down to examine thc-m more closely.

" Yes ; I began it several years ago, and for a time was very much interested in it; but after a while I grew wenry of it and put my case away. It OCCUITO-J t mo, however, n few duvs ajo, that I had plenty of time now and "it go d opportunity to gain -'omothiug now, being in a foreign country. .'O I have brought it forth, hoping to yo. some amusement out of it." " You have quite ? variety of coins —come rare ones, too." Arthur observed. " Yes ; there aro two or throe—■thece,' touching thorn lightly with the tip of one of her dainty finger.-' " that 1 have been ver> enticingly invited to dicpo=e of upon two or three occasions. Thi-< very fact, howover, only eervsd to make mo defcire moro earnestly to keep them." " But what are theso designs in red wax?" tho young man inquired, turning his attention to them. "Those/1 pointing to four or live, " aro copies of KOtno rare medallions which a friond in Boston allowed mo to take." "But how wero you able to reproduce them so'nicely ?" "I mado a mould, or impression, of plaster of Paris, and then melted my wax and tilled it with it," Margaret explained. "This is a queer device; mny I ask what it is ititendid :o represent?' Arthur a-ked, taking up a circular tablet that hud rocoivod a curious impression. Margaret gave him a swift, searching glance ; but he flid not observe it. "Oh, that is a litt'e invention of my own," she said carelessly. "After making a copy of the niada'l uns I spoke of, I con Ceivod the Mea of taking tha impression of different kinds of keys. I first, form ,ny little tablet from molted wax," shoeing him ono that was perfectly plain, "then, whenever I find .1 curiously shaped key, I heat it moderately and stamp it upon tho smooth surface." " Tint in a novel idea."

" Yoi, and porbapa a foolieh on«: but I think v-ry few people heve ;inv idea of tho many curious ke>s that exist in the worid ; you perceive I have several that :tro very queer. By the w iy, havu't you something unique that you would allou me to take on itnprc-siun from, to put with my collection ?" The question was lightiy put but a close oh-erver would have seen ihat Ilio young girl was waiting with considerable interest, if no" anxL ty, for bia reply. " I dint know of anything, ' Arthur anpwored, plunging hi 3 hands into his pocket" i»nd bringing forth eovorai keys of various chapes and i-izos. Her eyes lushed for a moment as her quick glance passed from one to another; then a look of disappointment swept over her faco. " Tho^e aro all modern,' ?ho said, indifferently. "I want poimthing old. and queer ; havo you no others ?" "Yes, 1 havo others, hut nothing very curious, lam afraid, unless it i* ono belonging to an old-fashioned valise thut was my grandfather's." "Anything will bo acceptable. Suppose you bring all you have around to-morrow and lot mo co'ect from thetn I" She spoke nervously and v.ith an unsual flush "n her cheek. "Vary well, 1 will," Arthur replied, and then ba *rooil watching. ■hilo eh« gathered up h<>r treuaur » and carefully roplaced them in their ca?e.

CHAPTER XXIV

AN' INVITATION ACCEPTED. i " Will yon drive with mo thi^ afternoon, Margie!' Arthura-ked, when, afterebuhad arranged tho contents of hor case to her, they went b.iok arid re-umr.d their fe.'its by tho tiro ''I bava to exercise Uncle Albert's horses every day, and a fellow L'utH rather lones-ouic g /ing ofl by himsolf." Margaret did not reply to him at once, but stooped ta pick up a pin from tho floor to hide the puddoti pallor of hor faco. Then she litteri hor c-y.--n with a glance that wns strangely bright and penetrating, and *aid : '•Thanks, 1 think I will, since you are so kind aq to a*k mo Mamma has an engagement th'it will ksop hor tit homo this afternoon, and the duy is beautiful fou driving." Wfis lior heart a<- lnpt beginning to respond to the wilt) passion Eurf-ii;g in his | own ? " Where would yon liko togo ?' he asked, yot not daring to look at her lest clio should see the joy and triumph in his eyes. " Anywlnre you like, it docs not matter to mo, ho that I have tho ride," the replied. " By the way, when did you hoar from Mr Forest laet ?" " I have heard from him only onco s'nee ho left, tho city, and that was yesterday. Hie letter wit»not very eatinfaotory eithor— moroly o business epist'.o, and mentioned that ho should bo obliged to be absent sometime longer. It was written from London." " Doe^—ho kn^w of our trouble here?" Margaret nsked, with downcast eyes and faltering ppcech. A frown contracted hor companion's brow. " Ko ; I have not known where to address him until now, so I could not; write to him. Doubtless he would bo grieved to learn of Dunbur's mis-fortune, notwithstanding that ho was a'.inest an entire stranger to him " Arthur AspinvvaU had grovrn vety white while making iho abuve statement. Was it because of his hatred for tho young man, or because Margaret's question showed thiit, no matter what she might do or plan, her lover was nover absent from her thoughts ? lie pulled forth his watch impatiently and arose. " 1 must be off and leave word at the stablo tor tho enrriago to bo in readiness for our drive," ho said. " I will call for you at two o'clock "

Promptly at two a beautiful carriage, to which there wore attached a pair of spirited bay?, in handsome silver-mounted harness, swept up to tlio dooi of the Housrhtnn mani-ion, and two minutes la'er the fair daughter of tho houfe came forth, looking more trautiful, Arthur thought, as he took his eeat bos.ide her, than he had ever seen her boforo Juft a= they wore about to start Margaret turned to him, and asked : "Arthur, will you allow the driver to take us around to Annette's before'we fro on our drive? I have a little package that I wnnt to leavn thero " " Of course I will, Margie," he answered, smiling : " but. where dons Annette Jive ?" •'Number 84 Rue do Blanc." Why were those eye* of wonderful blue fixed so intently urjon him sf> she gave the street and number? he as'ted himself. " Ah !" he Baid, " Rue de Blnnc." "Do you know where it is ?" she ques-tiono-1. "I presume the driver does, if I do not.. Piorro, do you know where. No. 84 Rue de Blanc is?" " Oni, monsieur." • " Then drive directly there?" •

"Are you comfortable ?" ho continued, bending forward to wrap the robe more olopely nb-ufc Mnrgarot, though he was bo awkward about it that the driver reached over to aasit him, while a significant emilo ■ wreathed his lips "Very." she replied. "But you ?—you lire almost shivering, and you are as white ns i irhost." '"'lt is nothing," ho answered, impatiently, nncl turning away from her great, searchine eyes, "1 believe there is ftn unusual chill in tho nir to-day,' he added, " but the sun is bricht, ani we shall soon forest it." They were not long in reaching the Rue de Blano, and aa they tumid into it Arthur ; Aspinwall fwept ono swift, comprehensive I glanw down its narrow longth. "What a strange street.' he exclaimed ; "one side of it is teeming with lifo. the other ia as dreary and {le«oried a» if there were no people in the world. ny eB , Wers you nover hero beforo? Muraaret asked. "No " Tho driver f.topped before No. 84. Miss Brighton cave him a pmull par.VaftP nnd asked him to leave it at the door, ne she j did not wish to get out. Hfl did as ho was requested, remounted his box, turned his horses about and began to retrate the way (hey hnd come. As they cavne onpo=i<-a tho narrow alley which hod attracted Margaret's attention a few days previous, and from which sh« had seen that old man emerge, she leaned forward and remarked : "What, a gloomy pas^ago. I wonder where it leads?" "Pierro, wKcronopS that »ll«v lead—upon what etreet?" questioned Arthur of the driver. " Rue Oaptiplione, monsirur. ' "■ Ene Caniifilione!" repealed Margaret, with faltering lips and a pained, startled 1 look. • Louis Dunbav's oflico v/as en the. Rue Castiglione !

._-:., ' ii' t

" Margie," said Arthur suddenly, " I do m' think this is a proper locality for you to r.tjuent." " Why not?" ehe asked, regarding him -.vit'i th<it searching look which of late had >na ■' ....ii =o uncomfortable. '•The reason is self-evident," he returned, .rith a shrug of his shoulders. "It U ceriainly very disagreeable here, and, I should <ay, "hardly safe for ladies who wear dia-, ■mmds, watcher, and other fine jewellery."

"Oh, I never come alone; mamma is always with mo, aud we come in a close carriage, with a driver." A s»vift pillor swept over the young man's face, fhe thought, but it was only for an instant. " Htiil, it is n'bad locality," ho persisted. •' Well, vve shall not be obliged to come much longer, for Annatte is getting better, nod will toon come back to v.»," Margaret replied, aid she was confident she heard him breathe a eigh of relief at this assurance. They drove several mile 3 out, Arthur exerting himself to be'social and entertaining, and recovering from his chilliness and pallor almost immediately after leaving the Ruo de Blanc, while his spirits rose and he gavo himself up entirely to the rare pleasure of having Margaret Houghtoo all to himself. He wai well versed in Paris goeaip—hear in<j mucn at the club that he frequented— and he reeled off interesting itema for her amusement ; describing the last new opera and play, while Margaret listened with such apparent attention that he_ fondly imagined himself to be rapidly gaining ground with hor, and flattered himself that her heart might, perhaps, after all, be caught on the rebound. " Will you go again with me, Margie?" ho nsked upon their return, as he assisted her to alight, and saw with a thrill of delight how ted her lips had grown and the *l?^ht beautiful tint that had come into her cheeks from contact with the keen, pure air. i swif;-. flash like the glancing of fire came into 1 •;• eyes at his question. " If you repeat the invitation, I do not think I shall' refuse," sho answered demurely.

"Thanks." he said, in a low, eager voicu.

" Tho acknowledgments should be reversed, perhaps," Mho returned; " buG the carriage it? euny, the horses puperb, and," sweeping a keen look at him " taking everything into consideration, I think the temptation you offer mo is too strong to be resisted." What did sho mean by this strange cons! ruction and emphasis of Tier sentence ? He could not toll. His heart gave a great boand of delight at her words, and then sank in his bosom strangely depressed. The vounsr girl «as an enigma to him "You shall not lack for invitations then," he murmured, clasping close the hand she had given him in alighting, and speaking with a tender cadence. She phivered slightly and withdrew her hivui, while every atom of that lovely colour which he had so admired] faded instantly out of her face ; a sudden mist seemed to dull her eyes, and »he caught her breath sharply. Surely she was a creature of strange moods. " You are cold and tired, I fear," he said, ai lie accompanied her up the steps anr) ran? the bell for hor. She did not answer, seeming to be preoccupied with eotne painful thought. "By the way," he continued, after a moment, " I suppose that unlucky diamond of mine has not como to light yet." One of hor gloves, which she had been nriiwing off whiln waiting for the door to be opened, dropped upon the marble etep at her feet She stooped to pick it up before anewer--111 have not heard either mamma or the housemaid f.iv anything about it, although I Itnnv that they have searched for it," she :-;iid. at length. " Well, I giies? T shall have to give it up as lost," Arthur returned while a shade of anxiety crowed his face. " Yet even if I should never see it again, it would be some satisfaction to know how I happened to lose it." Margaret was busy with the fastening of her other glove and did not reply. • . Tho servant at that moment answered their ring, and, bidding her good bye, Arthur turned to the carriage and was driven away, while Margaret went directly to her room, with a firm resolute tread, a steel like glitter in her lovely eyes. ... " An 'unlucky' diamond indeed !" she muttered between her white teeth as she shut and locked ihe door after entering her chamber. (To be Continued.)