A HEART'S IDOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 6

A HEART'S IDOL.

BY BERTHA M. CLAY,

Author of " The Gipsy's Daughter," " Another Man's Wife," '.' A I'air ".Mystery,"

•' For Another's Sin,', utc.

CHAPTER- XXI,

' DO YOU REFUSE HE UTTERLY ?'

The invitation to David Langdon was sent in such a way that ho could in no wise decline it. Ho was to go to Cameron Lodge, 1.0 discuss and receive instructions on important business, which Lady Cameron could nob lie cunstniilly driving to town to arrange. Of course ho gladly went. Luciy Cameron was so engrossed in noticing whether the sudden meeting with Lan"don brought to Feral any mysterious pleasure or ' excitement, or unwonted timidity, th.fc she failed to see the ilame Hash into Lois'* eyes, the radiant morning of a love- b r;i ll.iab.leap over her smooth, round cheok. David himself did not note these signs ; he was tolling himself that that littlo tenderness hiding; down deep in his heart was foolish, even wicked, and that here was Lord Herncroft, come a-wooing evidently, and this srirl had been given to him since her babyhood. As for Lois, she could not help how she looked, but she raado up her mind to be passing brave in speech. ' Oh, is it you, Mr Langdon !' she cried. ' I mads sure you would not come hero any more, for fear of my new dog ! Bite him, Beauty !' and oufc of a, pocket of her black silk apron, sho brought a minute puppy, whose eyes had only opened tho day boiore, and set the tiny creature in a threatening attitude, on the lloor, facing the stately proportions of David Langdon. They all laughed, even Lady (ameron, who also blushed, saying, reproachfully : 'Lois, I'm so ashamed of your be faaviour !' ' What have I done now ?' asked Lois, re pocketing her puppy. ' Forol, tell rae why grandmamma is in a chronic state of shame concerning mo I was duly baptised in church, I have the right number of feet and hands, and,' and placing herself before a great mirror, ' I am not even cross-eyed or freckled. I almost think lam pretty. And yet grandmamma is ashamed of me ! feee me hide my blushes. Lord Guy !' and bobbing down her pretty head, she rained her black curls over her face, and a pair of joyous, velvet, soft black eyes peeped out through the meshes of the silken veil. 'Lois!' cried her perturbed grandmother. 1 Lord Guy, suppose you take me out on tho river, and we will stay there until grandmamma thinks I am drowned, and then she'il feel better toward mo-' 'By all means,' said Lord Guy. 'Mr Langdon, you pull a good car, I have no doubt. Miss Ferol, will you go with us? And in a moment, the young party were getting boating hats. Lady Cameron, in her vexation, noticed that Lord Guy walked by Ferol. Sho would have been more dismayed if she had seen Lois's eyes grow wet ati.l wistful, as she raised them to Langdon's face, saying : ' Grandmamma is very good, but 1 often think if I had my own mother, she would have understood me better,'

And how those simple words went to Langdon's hearb! The boating party landed on the other shore, a few miles up, in a field red with poppies. In an instant, Lois, hat in hand, w:is darting; after an emperor butterfly. The two men stood looking after her. Feral was looking at the flowing water, and —strange wish for one so young and fair— wished she was cradled asleep for ever,' in if 3 cool and sunless depths. ' She is a creature all fire !' said Horncrof t, turning with a frank smile to Langdon, as they watched Lois. Langdon instinctively felt that this was the voice of a friend, not of a lover. Eis heart ached for this motherless girl, whom a stranger's act would to the arms oi'an indifferent husband.

Bub Herncroftfs frank, manly ways, and noble ail", had attracted Langdon. ' He can never bo an unkind husband,' he said 'to himself, ' and every gii'l would icarn to love such a man.'

Horncrofb, on his part, had o«fr.ceivcd a very strong liking for Langdon.

This youn;? man, bravo and self reliant, rising by hia own exertions, depending solely on himself, seemed to Herncrofb to have something in him far nobler than rank or wealth. He said as much to Lois, aa they strolled along the bank of the river ; for Fevol, mindful of Lady Cameron's wishes, resolutely withdrew from Lord (Juy, and placed herself frankly by Langdon. Lois had never ilked Guy one half so well as now, when lie was praising the man whom sho secretly adored.

. They stopped to gather some golden flowers, and as mutually they told the praises of David, looking into each other's faces, David marked them from afar and told himself:

' Yes, they are lovers. I hope ho will make the darling happy.'

Then they all sat together on a ferncovered bank, and Guy, looking at; the Thames, said :

' The river seeks the sea as its goal. What goaf have each of us ? i will tell you mine I want a home —a home beautiful, svnd blessed, by tbe tereno presence of the woman I love. A home which shall be a fountain of good to all whom we know, a refuge to my tenants, a happy haven to my friends, to itsa paradise.'

Ho spoke with fervour. ' And yours, Miss Cameron V said Lang don.

'A home is my ideal, my goal, too, but not such a one as Lord Herncrolt means. / want a quiet, simple home; safe, sheltered, out of sight, like a bird's nest—a home where I can be myself, as freaky as I please, and no one will think me illbehaved. I mean to be a poor man's wife

1 What is your goal, Mi* Langdon ?' interrupted Fcrol. ' The woolsack, of course ?' said Langdon, carelessly. ' And yours. Miss Ferol V ' I —should like to grow old—at once; quickly, in a night, if 1 could—and belong to some churiby establishment, where I should feel myself safe, by being losfc in an order, and spend my time in making others happy, if I could nob be happy myself.' ' Why should you not be happy yourself ?' asked David.

' Oh, lam happy—yes, of course—as any one is,' said Ferol, as if remembering herself. Lois sprang up, and knotting her ker chief about Ferol's fair face, said :

* Here she is, this little sister of a guild Look at her!'

David Langdon was gazing at the river ; with the murmurs of the water echoing in his ear the words, ' I mean to be a poor man's wife.' .

No, she could never be that—she wjoa born to bo a countess, Lady of Ilerncroft — burdened with her state. No doubt it was Lois to whom Lord Guy referred in his ideal horn& sketch.

And David Langdon realised that he loved her. this dainty, fantastic sprite. Oh, to fold her in his aims and carry her far ay/ay from the cold, high-bred society, which condemned her tricksy ways, and chilled her merry spirit—to love her, care for her, work for her, cherish her—his own for over!

Somehow, as a bird flutters to its nest, Lois fluttered to his side, not to Herncroft's, as they walked back to where their boat rocked on the coming tide. Langdon never*guessed what Lord Guy was saying to Ferol. 'Miss Ferol, I can tell you just the jDbati (y to which you can devote, yourself,

Just the place where you can be safe, and lost in others, and spend your hie in makeing others happy, and with Gods help, thus securing your own happiness. ' Oh, do you"know such a place ! \* here is it?' cried Ferol. Lord Guy suddenly grasped her hand, first noticing that Langdon and Lois walked before them, and were too absorbed to look back. ' Ferol! It is my home '. Be sheltered in my love, protected by my position—lost, if you will, iv my name and title ; spend your life in making happy and good me and mine ! Kesfc for ever in my heart, shrine of loving worship, revered, adored as never woman was before! Sweetest of women,

be my wife !' Ferol struggled to free her hand. ' Oil, Lord"Herncroft, do not speak to me so ! You forget who 1 am—a poor, nameless girl, and you of the proudest of tho land ' ' Only proudest, Idol of My Heart, if I can claim you as my wife!—blessed in your love forever !' ' Xo, no, no,1 sobbed Ferol. ' Oh, Lord Guy, forget the very thought.' 'Do you utterly refuse me?' 'Utikrly. You should not ask me. And Lois—the will—' 1 Hear me !' said Herncvoft, ' I entirely repudiate that will.'

(To be Ccntinved.