DECREE NISI.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 10 (Supplement)

DECREE NISI.

BY ARTHUR II li. FOOKEH,

Author of " In the Flosh and tho Spirit

CHAPTER XXXV,

MR TUUHBIt'S GKNKRO3ITY

On' tho morning following tho ovontful circumstances related in the last chapter, tho sun roso bright imd glorious.

You of my readers who liavo lived in New Zealand know how delightful Is a bright Novom'ior morning, when your garden is resplendent with the rose, the pclargoiniim, tho heartsease, tlio columbine, and the innutnorable flowers which combine to make your homo a paradise. The balmy air is lnden with fragrance, whilo tho tui, from yonder diiiiip of bush, sends forth his mellow notes as he flits from

treo to treo. Tho stately tree-ferns wave their beauteous fronds in tho morning breeze, and all naturo smiles. Oh ! blessed land.

Thero, in that secluded glen, tho arum lily blooms, mingling i« wild luxuriance with countless ferns, while the bright-tinted 'periw'nkle' nods its fairy head with coquettish grace. And hero, on this bank, in rich exuberance, ico plants abound, charming the eye with their gay blending of superb colours.

Astley, as he gazes around him inhaling the rich perfume, sends up a fervent thanks" giving to (iod, the giver of all good things. Hia heart is full; ho is happy j —serenely happy 1 Bohold him, as he steps forward to meet that lovely form how ap< preaching. How his dyes sparklo; hia fair, wivy hair all slieony in tlio.jrfor'nMg gun. And thoro, among tlio ro-ios, lie Cake? her in his arnw in a long, silent embrace, sho tho

fairest rose of all ! _'Oh ! Astley, lam so happy—so hnppy,' said Floronco, gazing tenderly into thoso loving eyes bent to hors.

'And I, my -Jailing, my own, own darl ing. Oh ! Florrie, do you not fool here, in this lovely spot, the great—tho unbounded goodness of Cod ? It is to Him wo owo all our happiness, my Florrio. Shall wo not thank Him ? Shall wn, even now, go on our knees on this mosey bank and oiler up our lives to Him, asking Hi< help to guide us, that we may do nothing to cnuso Him displeasure? Come, Florrie, come, darl-

They knelt, fide by side, hand in hand, find thero went forth to Hod from tho.e two loving hearts an cnniest tender of their two lives ; and when thoy arose, after asking His ble??in<: and guidance, thoy knew ench other even better than thoy had ever done before. Each knew tho other's soul—that nil \vm pure within,

Later in the clay Aatley was closeted with Mr Turner in hU pliVafo ofliee. Ifo had been to sooCariie, and fl'om her lio had learnt tho part she hnd taken with regard to Dakin—'how he had placed curtiin money, which he had stolen, in her care ;

how she had invested them with tho pro ceods of the sale of Certain valuable jewels.

What she piirpo-cd dainj} Ms to hand over thes securities to Mr TUriiel^ transferring them to him and trusting to his iiidrcy: She begged Astley to interccdo \VUIt Him for (ief, tfellirirf him that she had utterly <fivcri tip her old lifej and th;:t even though starvation -hdiild Ibafc her in

thd face; she woiild accept her lot; biit to the old lifo she would never return. She toH him1 how his kind- es? to her, when she liticl met. with her accident, had filled her Hertrt witli grafcittide ; how, wHi'e thinking what sho co'iiltl do to in.fdtHo wriy i-oturil his kindness, one of her' visitors, R cle'fk in ono of tho mercantile houses, had spoken of

him as tho co-respondent in tho Ashford divorce ; how this young fellow had said

that many believed him entirely innocent, and that it was supposed ho hnd been the victim of a conspiracy; how sho had

hunted up some papers containing Ihe report of a divor o suit in which her sistor had given ovidonce, and found it to be tho same ; how she' found ?omo lotters from her *istor which sho had caro lossly thrown aeide, intending to read them somo day, in ono of which sho mentioned her marriage with tho othor witness, Jenkyn, and their being well off, and in another that they wore keeping a public house in London under an as-umod namo, and that she was very wretched and wished herself in the gravo; how her suspicions were aroused and she sent for him ; and how she had subsequently proceeded to England, found Jenkyn dying, obtnined his confession, and returned, bringing with her her repentant sister. Sho beggod him to help her with Mr Turner to whom she intonded to give up all, even her house an j furniture, which were Dakin's first presents to her. All she hoped for now was that she aild her sinter might go away somewhere whero they were unknown, and obtain some humble employment, no matter what, to long as it was honest.

Astley assured lie" that she need not bo uneasy as to her future-aaylng that he would look after that, if she would allow him.

' Nay, Mis 3 Mander,' ho urged when she remonstrated, ' I insist. Remember what you have done for me. But for your timely assistance, tho truth might never have come to light.' Thus wo find Astloy with Mr Turner. ' And now I have told you all, I ask you to have mercy,' said Astley, ' if not for tho sake of the poor, tempted creature, then ag a personal favour to me. Will you consider

the matter ?' ' I nm truly glad to hoar this good news of your affairs, mydearßcrwick. I doubted you once you may remember. D ji that follow Dakin, it wns nil his doing ; I cay d——n him ! And you would have me consider this woman's case, would jou?' Ah; well, I don't think much consideration is requisite.' ' But surely, Mr Turner—' began Ashley, rising. IBe seated, Berwick, and if you will bo so kind,, be si'ent a few moments.' So saying, Mr Turner wrote us follows : — 'Miss Mander e'e,etc.,—Dear Madam, I have been informed bj- Jtr Asllcy Jfcrwick that you hold certain securities which i on purpose tru aicrrins to me. Mr Ucrwick lias made me acquainted with tho whole of the facts connected with tho case, and, while thanking you for your intention unit appreciating your so evident earnestness in desiring to mako restitution, I muat firmly decline to become the iransfcrrco. So far as I am concerned, I ben that you will no lonptcr rega'd yourself in the light, of a debtor, and if I can in any way liolp you at, this time or hereafter, I beg to say that I sliull be must happy to do so.—l am etc., etc., W.M. Turkeii. ' There, Berwick,' said Mr Turner, smiling as ho handed the letter to Astley,' will that meet the case, do you think!' Astley was astonished. From Mr Turner's manner ho had expected difficulty, if not failure. But this 'Do you really mean this, Mr Turner?' he said when be had somewhat recovered from his surprise. • Mean it. Of course ; should I have written it if I did not? Call yourself a business man and ask such a question !' ♦But, Mr Turner, it is too kind, too generous.' ' . ' Tut, tut, nonsense, man ! Suppose it is generous, did you think me incapable of a generous action ? Besides it isn't generous, after all. When tho money went, it was lost to the business. I never expected it ' back Wo have gone on well enough with- ! out it and have not missed it very much. ;No it is not so very generous ;it may be ' kind, I hope it is. Those poor creaturot ! want someone to be kind to them ; how , could they get along else when they bjirn k honest? I know. I have seen one or two

cases before — shunned by everybody, Chrinlians and all, and at last driven back to their old life ; that's It, Berwick.'

' lam afraid what you say is truo, sir, and am glnd to hear you express yourself as you do with regard to these poor, unfortunate women. Young as I am, Mr Tumor, it is a subject that I have given much consideration to, trusting that by earnest thought I might arrive at some method of helping them. It is a difficult' subject, but oh! there is suroly a remedy solrlowhoro. At home wo have our ' Refuges,' but Wo fnil in working the cure. It appears to mo that society is greatly to blame, for, from what [ can gather, many poor wretches have boon driven back to sin by tho " cold shoulder" of society—tho false modesty which prevents apparent Christians encouraging a poor penitent sinner in right doing, for fear of contamination1; Oh! it is dreadful.'

' My dear Berwick,' oxclmfticd Mr Turner, 'my dear fellow, you delight rite. We must talk of this again: I have' only half known you hitherto. But what am I to do with tho letter ? Shall I send it up, or will you take it ?'

' Thank you, Mr Turner, I think it would please her if 1 to.ilc it myself, and I would rather do so.'

' You are light, Berwick. I sec you arc mado of tho right stult' all through—not afraid of scandal, eh ?'

'Tho fear of scandal has never prevented me doing my duty. I don't know that there is any particular merit in that.'

' Keep on as you are going, Berwick, nnd you'll do. It's a pity there are not more like you—gooil-bye.'

Aatlcy loft tho little gentleman, highly pleased with tho result of his errand, and having despatched tho good news to England—knowing what a joy it would bo to his dear parents bo hear of his clearance —proceeded to hisollinc, and later conveyed Mr Turner's letter to Carrie.

CHAPTER XXXVI,

KflooMnn w.iisoEH.

' So you want mo to make love for you, do you, Bertie!' ftlid Mrs Bernard) as wit), Escombo she strolled leisurely along tho

winding path. ' Nay, doar Mra Bernard, I do not with you to do that, but if you would tell her Uov I mn placed with regard to Flora, at leant—oh ! Mra Bernard, do help mo. I don't know how to speak to her about it,

it is such a horrid bunine*'.' 1 Poor fellow !' exclaimed Mrs Ber

nard, smiling. ' It in rather awkward ; I admit. But really, Bertie, I think if I •voro you I should toll her mysolf—she won't ent you I 1 1 No, »ho wdit't out mo I know, but - oh, bother ! I never felt so nw'ktfrtfd lit my life. Mra Bernard, you re illy must help.'

' Thero ! Bertie I Did you not aeo I'

' No—what V

' Did you not see Eva pro into the house with a basket of flowers ? Now, take my advice—you know I generally advise well. Follow her iilto'the drn>yimr-room, where she ia almost suro to go, and afiilst.her to arrango hor flowers, and if you want any help after that—well, I will givo it you, though you won't deserve it. Go I 1

Fully an hour after this conversation in

tho gardon, Mrs Bernard entered the draw-ing-room. Thoro were tlio flowors, some

still in the basket, somo scattered on the table Sho advanced, her eyes glittering with misohiof, and thoro in the alcove beheld Eva supported by Escombo's arm, her fair hddd rtfetlnrf dn likbl'cAsti while lie stroked Her' glb'ssy jiair': Mrs Bernard migii'i bti^b retired unseen, but the spirit of mischief was too strong

ritlun her. Sho said— ' Do you want any help ?' Then, as they urned, blushing, towards her, 'Oh, I beg our pardon, Eva. Bcrtio said ho wanted iclp just now.'

' I have found it, thank you, do.ir friend,' ■aid Escombe ; ' permit mo to introduce tho

uture Mrs Escombe,' nnd ho drew Eva ;owarda their friend, who took tho poor, inppy, blushing, lovely creature in her

arms and kissed her again and again. ' You darling child !' she said presently, ' I lira so glad. You may leave us, Kcrtic ; we can do wiohout him for a littlo while, enn't we, dear ?'

Eva raided her pretty hood nnd smiled at E'ooinbe so sweetly us to thrill tho happy fellow through and through with delight.

It is a reinarkablo fuct that Eva u.*ed

jsnetly tho same words to Mrs Bernard IB her sister had in the morning spoken to Astley. 1 Oh ! Mrs Bernard, I nin ho happy, so hapiy.'

When Aatloy was returning from town ho was met by Ehcoiiiljo, who grasped his baud, crying :

' Congrntulaie me, old boy. 1 nin the !iappiust fellow in the world.1 'Doubtful!' drily observed his friend ivith a smile, 'but.since you believethatyou ire so, accept itiy congratulations by all tneufia. Seriously thcnijih, my dear follow, ivhat news have you '!

'Cannot you guess, Astlcy? Do you not know tfiuifc I had ERt liiy heart on—the dearest wi-h of .niv life ?'

'Oh! no\V I bogirt to understand — you me likoly to become a family connoctidri, is that it?' ivked Astloy, who knew very well what his friend meant.

' You have hit it, my boy, and I t'ivo you dreilifc toy a Vft*t amount of discernment.

' You do! Now, really I peat old follow, I ant very glad.- We sh.ijlithcn truly bo brother.', as wo liavo (tlWnys beon dt heart.'

' 1 was frightfully timid, Astldy, at thfl pntsefc, and actually consulted Mrs Bernard as to tho best way of approaching tho oubject. 1 asked hor to toil Eva about Flora —my sister, you know—as I had scruples about touching on so delicate n subject; however. I seized a favourable opportunity and plunged headlong, got through it all right somehow and- here Lam, engaged to the beat creature in tho wdrld.'

1 Oh, you are, aro you ? Well, I supposo it is all right f r you to think so, but I have my own ideas about "tho best creature in the world," and, though I■ linvo a very high opinion of and a groat regard for Eva, still I cannot admit that sho in superior to Florence. Suppose you say, Bortio, " one of tho best creatureH in tho world." '

' Oh, yes, if you like, old boy. We shan't quarrel about it, shall we?' '

*1 trust not, I nm sure,' said Astley, leaning from his horse and placing hi* hand on his friend's shoulder, 'but, tell me, Bcrtio, how did you get over the difficult part of tho business—tho allusion to Ashford and—and—'

'And my sister! Oh, I got oror it all right ; but for tho life of me I can't recollect ono half of what I said. Anyhow, the dear little woman was very good about it, and said she should not blamo me for the faults—if fau'ts thero were—of my sister. We did not talk much on that subject, you may be sure, I have no doubt Sirs Bernard will say all I have left unsaid. You see it was ralhtr awkward for me.1

' You aro right, old fellow—a job I should not have liked at all. What a blessing it is all over—this terrible scandal —and how strange tho way it has been cleared up! Had I beon anywhere but in ■ street when that unfortunate girl met with her accident, or had anyone1 olfo picked her up, the chances aro the affair would never have been put rijfht, for tlieso people—Jenkyn nnd his wife—were living under.'in alkix, and might never have been found. Certainly the fellow might have confessed, but then again, even if he had we might not have heard of it —it would have depended much upon who were round him at the time, for I think tho wife would scarcely have lmd courage to r.ome forwnrd. Was

i accident or Providence that brought me in contact with poor Carre? lam much inclined to think tho latter, for see the happy lesults. By that carriage turning over and my picking her up she is saved, body and soul, Yes, sho has quite given up her old disreputable manner of living and is now a new creature, lull of generous impulses. By-the-by, I hope to see her soon a respectable married woman.'. ' Indeed ?' said Escoinbe, interested. ' Yes,' continued Astley, ' I find she ban a lover, a steady, hardworking faithful fellow, who came from England in the same boat with her and to whom she was to have beon married ; but that base fellow, Dakin, tempted her with his infernal offers and ruined her. She told me her faithful lover had tried again and ngain to lead her from the life she has been living, desiring to make her his wife, but she has always rejected his offers.' ' Dear me, what an interesting case,' said Escoinbe. 'What kind of life had she led in England ?' 'She has been a music-hall singer—originally a milliner, wronged and deserted. She saved (sufficient money during her musichall career—though but poorly paid—to go into business with out here, and came out in an immigrant vessel. It in an interesting case, and I will tell you more about her another time. Meanwhile, I mean to do my utmost to promote her welfare.' 1 And, Astley, if I can help, you know I \rill,' said Escombe heartily. ' lam sure of that, old boy—but here we are,' said Astley as they entered tho gates, i \Tobe"Continued^) '