CHAPTER XLIX.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 270, 16 November 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER XLIX.

G ERTRUDE'S PROBATION.

Nay, nay, no thought, not any thought, At least not any thought of you, • , But what shall thank, dear love. Nor aught Of lovo's mistrus' between us two Can ever creep. Thank God, we keep Too close to lot thin doubt slip through. ANON.

Aftkr her solitary tea on thafc eveningwhen Gerald had left her on one of 'his mysterious absences, Gertrude drew her low chair to the centre-table, took up her needle-work and sewed under the light of the chandelier.

" I will sit and sew till twelve o clock, and then when I go to bed I may sleep, and the night will nofc seem so long. She was interrupted by a light rap at the door. , . _ .. "Come in," she said, half hoping, half expecting a note or a message from Colonel Fitzgerald. . , , "Vet why should I look for any when he has only left mo for a nighfc ? lam growing silly," she thought, as she raised her eyes to see the waiter enter, followed by another man with a pile of packages in his The waiter advanced and handed her a note, while the porter began to disburden himself of Ids parcels, and arrange them upon tho centre-table. ' ■, Gertrude recognised Geralds handwriting with delight, opened and read his note: " My Dear Little True : I send you something that may amuse yon. anil holp to pass oil the time of my enforced absence ; lor I Blia.li not be back lo you before nine to-morrow morning, when 1 will join you at breakfast —Gekalo.

She lifted her head and looked around. Both the waiter and the porter had loft the room, and closed the door behind them. She pressed tho littlo noto to her lips, and then put it in her bosom. Ib was the first noto or letter that Goruld Fitzgerald had over written to her, and she resolved to keep it for ever. Then she laid aside her sewing, and began to open her parcels with curious interest, to see what they might contain. It; was like seeking answers to riddles which she could not guess. They were tilled with beautiful presents. Among them a littlo packet, tho smallest ip the lot, which was found to contain an elegant littlo gold hunting-watch and chain. Gertrude uttered a low exclamation of surprise and pleasure. All her presents had delighted her both iv themselves and as the gifts of Gerald ; but the watch and chain more than all the others ; these were gifts that were equally useful and beautiful, and that she often desired to possess. She took the watch from its case, kissed it, and hung it by its chain around her neck. "Oh! bow good Gorald is to inc. He does like me, he does think about me when lie is away, and ho doea try to make mo happy !" she murmured to herself, as she took up one after another of his gifts and kissed them.

Notwithstanding all hor earnest woman's lovo for her husband, sho enjoyed tho pretty presents ho had sont hor, just as any other young girl might havo dono. No tho evening', though solitary, passed pleasantly awuy~so pleasantly that Gertrude did not note tho flight of time until sho heard a distant clock strike twelve.

" I thank Heaven the night is half spent In nine hours I shall sco Gerald aguin. I will go to bed and sleep six of them away! But lirst I will wind up my dear little watch and sot it one minute past twelve— tho very first minute of tlio new day."

Sho did so, and then put away her treasures in her upper bureau drawer, prepared to retire, offered up her evening prayers, and wont to bod to sleep.

Gertrude, when her heart was at rest, was a sound blooper. She slept until morning. A little beforo ninn o'clock, Gerald Fitzgerald walked into the parlour. If ho had ever had any doubt of his littlo Gertrude's devoted love, thafc doubt must have vanished before tho radiant look of joy thafc lighted up her face as she welcomed him. Sho did not noed to say how glad she was that he had got back she looked it; but after the first greetings were over, sho did call his attention to hor decorations and toll him how much she thanked him for his gifts. •'Why, my dear littlo True, those were only some things thought of and picked up in a hurry, when I left you last night, and Kent to bo a littlo diversion for you in your solitude. But, after breakfast we must go out together, my child, and get what you will want on your sea-voyage," ho said, smiling nt her delight. "Oh, thank you, Gerald—thank you so much ! It will not bo a great deal I shall need. Grandpa, when wo were thinking of going to Europe, told mo that I should only require ono suit for tho whole voyage, and only other clothing enough to last ten days. And that I should take no more than could be put into a small trunk, to stand in tho state-room. Everything, he said, could bo purchased so much better and cheaper in Europe," said Gertrude, with a wise air of experience. "Yes, little Moderation; but we shall bo on the sea in the month of October—a fine month to cross in, but cold. Wo shall both need extra-warm outer garments. You must have a seal-skin sacque, muff, and cap, among other things." The entrance of tlio waiter with the breakfast-tray put an end to the conlidential conversation.

After breakfast, Gerald ordered a carriage and took Gertrude out shopping. She wore her littlo country hat and Paisley shawl, and looked quaint, matronly and oldfashioned.

Gerald had perspicuity enough to see that that was all in her costume, and resolved to change it.

They stopped first at a fashionable modiste's, where Gertrude chose a neat black velvet jacket, trimmed with deep guipure lace, and a little black velvet hat to match. These, Gertrude knew, could bo worn with her b!ack silk dress, und would make a good walking suit. Here, also, she ordered a sea-suit of black serge, which wa3 to be sent to her complete in two days. They next went to a furrier's, where Gerald himself selected the sealskin saoqite, muff and cap, that were to be Gertrude's best defences on deck against cold days and high winds at sea. A few other purchases were made, and then they returned to their hotel. They dined and rested after dinner, and in tho evening Gerald took Gertrude to a concert of celebrated performers that some enterprising musical manager had got up, and which was well attended even at that dull interval before the meeting of Congress filled the city with its winter population. Little Gertrude wore her new velvet hat and sacque, and her pearl jewellery ; and though thus simply dressed, looked no longer quaint and old-fashioned. This country girl had never been to any public place of amusement, and so she enjoyed her first concert excessively, and was frank and outspoken in her expressions of pleasure. And certainly Gerald Fitzgerald's enjoyment of the music was doubled by his witnessing that of his naive little companion. They returned to their hotel about eleven o'clock, and finished the day with a dainty little supper. The next morning's mail brought several letters—one from the New York agent of the Cunard steamship company, enclosing a diagram of the first cabin of the Europa, with the state-rooms yet at thoir disposal marked.

This letter Gerald Fitzgerald answered by return mail, enclosing the money for four passages, and thus securing their berths.

The other letter was from Pennynian, his steward, telling him that the two young

servants, Meta and Jubal, would be sent on to Washington by the nexb morning s stage-coach from Wildeville. . A card was here placed in _his hand by the waiter, who had come in to set the breakfast table. "Bless my soul, Gertrude, ib is the Rev. Dr. Goodwin ! he exclaimed, as he read the name.

" Dr. Goodwin !" echoed Gertrude. " Yes, child. Waiter, where have you left the gentleman ?" " In the reception room, sir." " Show him up here at once." The waiter left the room to obey the

order. " I wonder what brings him here, by the way '!"■ said Gerald. "Oh ! don't you know ? His congregation aro sending him to Europe for his health." " Ah, certainly ! It would be curious, by the way, if he should be going over on the same ship with us." " Why, yes, so ifc would. Oh, how I should like that! Would not you, Gerald f' "Certainly, if ifc would pleaso you, answered Colonel Fitzgerald, somewhat, coldly. " Oh, it would ! Because he plays chess so well. And you like to play chess, too, Gerald. And be could play with you, and so holp you to beguile the todiousness of the voyage," she answered, frankly. • And now Gerald blamed himself for tho momentary, unreasonable jealousy he had felt of his wife's old guardian and pastor. The truth is, that the love and worship of a heart like little Gertrude's had come to be a very sweet and acceptable incense to his wounded s_>irifc, and ho could not bear to share it with any other living man, even though that man Was her grey-haired minister.

Ah! thafc Irish-Italian temperament— that morbid Fitzgerald jealousy ! Geraldine was its greatest, bufc not its only, slave and victim.

The door opened and thowaiterre-cntered, ushering in Dr. Goodwin. Gertrude sprang to welcome him with both hands held out, exclaiming :

"My dear Dr. Goodwin ! 1 urn so overjoyed to sec you !" "So am I, to see you, my dear! How well and happy you are looking," replied the minister in some surprise and pleasure, as lie cordially shook the hand she gave him.

"How do you do, sir? I am happy to see you in Washington," said Colonel Fitzgerald, courteously greeting the visitor.

" I thank you, Colonel ! I am very glad to find you and my good child here looking so well," heartily responded Dr. Goodwin. "Tako tliis ca;sy chair, sir. Do! You will breakfast with us, of course. I hope you have not breakfasted yefc !" said Gertrude, warmly, us she whoelod up a largo easy-chair, and gently forced him into it.

"No, my little hostess, I have but just arrived, and only had time to wash my face and brush my hair before coining to see you," pleasantly replied the pastor, as he sank comfortably into the offered chair, feeling much relieved at the sight of Gertrude's perfectly contented faco. They gathered around the littlo breakfast table, end l)r Goodwin, without waiting to bo " interviewed," told his young friends that he was going to Europe on the Cunard steamer that was to sail from New York on Wednesday, and was undisguisedly elated to hear from Colonel Fitzgerald that that was the steamer upon which Mrs Fitzgerald and himself were to sail for the Old World.

After breakfast thoy chatted a little while, until the waiter came in and announced that the carriage ordered by Colonel Fitzgerald was waiting at the door. Then Dr. Good win arose, saying, simply : " I will not bid you good-morning, for I havo a room in this house quite near these; so I shall sco you several times a day while we stay hero; and I suppose that we shall all go on to New York together." "Certainly. And I hope you will take the freedom of our little parlour hero and uso it as your own," cordially replied Colonel Fitzgerald. " Do" added Gertrude. " And don't go now, unless you have somo business to take you out. There are the morning papers. Sit in tho arm-chair and read them until our return. Wo shall not be gone long. We aro only going out to get a couple of email trunks to pack our sea outfit in."

" Thanks, my dear little hostess, I will sit here and look over the morning papers for a little while. I wish to see if there is anything in them about Lackland's case. Will the execution tako plac« on next Friday, do you think, Colonel ?" he inquired, suddenly turning to Fitzgerald.

"No; tho President has respited him. He will probably be granted a new trial," coldly replied Colonel Fitzgerald. "1 am glad of that. I never believed that man to be guilty. A new trial may enable him to vindicate himself," said Dr. Goodwin, cordially. " Why—was there a man here under sentence of death, Gerald?" inquired Gertrude, in a tone of awe.

" Tho carriage has been waiting half an hour, my child, We must hurry. Dr. Goodwin will excuse us, I know," said Colonel Fitzgerald, without seeming to notice her question, and then left to complete their purchases.

That evening Jubal, the Vaici, and Mete, the lady's-maid, arrived by the late coachboth in high glee at the thought of going abroad together, with their master and mistress, " to see the world."

The next day, Saturday, Royal Greenleaf made his appearance, and was cordially welcomed both by Gerald and Gertrude, who invited him to stay and dine with them that evening. "Instead of dining with you, I ought to quarrel with you, Fitzgerald," exclaimed Royal, shaking his finger at the colonel.

"Why, pray?"good-humouredlyinquired Gerald.

" Why ? Hear the fellow ! Haveh't you run off and married my sweetheart, pray?" demanded Roy.

But here Gertrude gave such a start of surprise and dismay that both Gerald and Royal laughed out.

"You must not tease my little lady by making such speeches, Mr Greenleaf," said Colonel Fitzgerald.

" Don't distress yourself, my child. You knew nothing about the honour I designed you; if you had, you would' never havo taken that fellow," said the irrepressible Royal, pointing to Gerald. Gertrude looked from one to the other in perplexity, and felt much relieved when the entrance of Dr. Goodwin put an end to this, to her, most embarrassing raillery.

Royal Greenleaf declined the invitation to dinner, saying that he had only come to tender the newly-parried pair his forgiveness, his best wishes for their prosperous voyage, and his parting benediction; for that he should start for Wildoville by the stage-coach that would leave Washington that night. So he took his leave, bearing with him many tender and affectionate messages from Gertrude to her friends at Greenwood.

• Dr. Goodwin, Colonel and Mrs Fitzgerald, and their servants were to leave Washington by the earliest train for New York, on Monday morning. It was now Saturday afternoon. Therefore, to.avoid encroaching upon tho Sabbath, it was necessary to finish their paokmg before bedtime.

By ten o'clock all their preparations were completed. , Early on Monday morning the whole party, consisting of Dr. Goodwin, Colonel Fitzgerald, Gertrude, and the two servants, started by the early train for New York, where they duly arrived in the evening. .

Two days, later, as Madame de La Valette and her gnest, Miss Fitzgerald, sat together in a.pleasant morning-room,

madame being engaged in colouring a pencil sketch of flowers, and Geraldine in looking over the morning papers, the latter read in the list; of passengers that sailed on Wednesday by the Europa for Liverpool, the names of Colonel Fitzgerald and Mrs Fitzgerald, and two servants. She stopped reading and looked up, and inquired: "Ma belle, when do you return to France J" Wo Sail in the Asia foi- Liverpool, a week from next; Saturday. Oh, that; you could bo persuaded to go with/ us 1" exclaimed Yei-ouiquo. " I will go with you," answered Geraldine with quiec decision. " You will ? Oh, you angel ?" cried Yeronique, suddenly kissing her. " How good you are ! You fill mo with joy—with delight !"

( To be Continued.)