ALONE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 150, 26 June 1889, Page 7

ALONE.

BY MARION HARLAND, Author of' Nemesis,' 'Hidden Path,'« Moss Sido,' 'Miriam.' 'Empty Heart,' 'Helen Garduor,' ' Husbands and Homes, • Ruby's Husband,' ' Phemie's Temptation,' Etc.

CHAPTER XXV,

The season of sunshine and rose 3 had come, and Carry's demands for her friend's society were importunate

• You would not fret your dear heart with harrowing doubts of my love for you and Poplar Grove if you could peep in upon me this morning,' wrote Ida. 'Mr Read is worse. lam unfamiliar with the diagnosis of his malady ; but I fear his condition is very precarious. He is entirely disabled ; cannot lift his hand to his mouth without extreme pain, and his nervous system is much deranged. I write now at the window farthest distant from his bed, and cautiously, that the scratching of my pen may not disturb him. I can see your hands and eyes go up, and hear the " this is too much !" which signals the last throe of expiring ©atience as you picture me a nun-like figure, with serge gown and close cap ,• or more affecting, an attenuated damsel, such as we see on tomb-stones, pressing a handkerchief to one eye ; I imagine your multitudinous arguments, each unanswerable in its excellence, and which I know by heart. You allege that he is not entitled to my cares, inasmuch as there are no ties of blood between us ; that he has never dpne me an ungrudged favour ; that he is greedy and thankle33 iov my services ; that his wife and daughter should esteem it their duty and pleasure to tend him ; and fifthly and lastly, that ib is wrong to endanger my health, as your whimsical country doctors will have it I am doing. Putting the last first, reassure yourself, my dear, I am luell. Ido not prevaricate to allay your fears ; I look well, eat well, and sleep well, and I may dismiss the remainder oi your objections in one sentence—l am doing my duty. Carry ! lam morally certain of this, more certain than if you were my charge ; for my love would bo the mainspring of action then- I am upheld by the assurance that I am fulfilling, in my humble the command o£ our Saviour appointed as the touchstone of piety to the end of time—"Do good to them that late you, pray for them that despifeely use you." I thank Him that He has vouchsafed to me this opportunity to examine myself by this criterion.' The euflerer moaned, and she laid down her pen. ' You have had a refreshing sleep, have you not, sir ?' •No ! there is no ease for me. Why is that window open ? It does seem that you all have conspired that'l shall die, whether or no. Where is Helen ?' ' She was here awhile ago, and will be in again soon. , ' Is she in the house ?' 'I do not know, sir. Let me get what you want.' *'I want her!'

She was noc ab home, and Ida renewed her offer. 'Gone out, hey?' he rambled on, peevishly. *How she walks! as if the ground were not good enough for her feet ! ogling ;ind coquetting ! and I am here !' with an oath. ' Where is Josephine ?'

' Down stairs, sir. ' SWhab is she about ?'

'Anna Talbot is with her.' , * More folly and vanity ! ringlets and ribbons, and bonnets v.nd beaux ! The world is peopled with knaves and fools—, women are knaves—men fools. Yoa are a mixture.'

Ida suppressed a smile. ' Your lips are dry,' she said ; ' hero is water. . He drank ifc. ' You are :' he went on, obstinately. ' I hatsd you from the minute you entered this house, and you repaid me with compound interest. Here you are, sitting up at night; waiting on me all day. I can't do without you, because you are handy and wakeful, but I don't like you Do you hear ?' ' Yes, sir '

'Idou't! and therefore, I'm a fool to tolerate the sight of you. I'm a fool — that's proved ! Youare spoiling your eyesand complexion, aud losing the time you might be catching a husband —mewed up here. You expect to be paid when my will is read — that's knavery—hypocritical lcnavery. I haven't left you a red cent; you are a fool to think of it, and that's proved. . Pitiful driveller ! It was not insensibility, but compassion, that closed Ida's mouth, although s*he knew this was the revelation of the inner chamber of thought, now that the veil of custom and policy was rent in twain.

' What time is it ?'

' Twelve o'clock, sir.'

' That's a lie ! it's three, at least! Bring the watch to me. It; has stopped ! Hold it to my ear—you've put it back ! Lay it down by nib ! I don't trust you again !' The bands pointed to one when Mrs Read appeared. ' Well, madam !' the form of each tooth was seen through the thin lips, stretched over them like yellow parchment. ' And where have you been traipsing V

' I walked down the street.'

* And on Main-street, too, I'll swear ! spending more money than you'd sell for at auction ! Why don't you answer me ? Your tongue was more glib when you were passing compliments with that fellosv who walked with you.'

'I went out alone, and did nob go on Main-street.'

' You would have been better employed in the kitchen—for ever gadding ! I don't want you in here —I'm sick of you and your brazen face !'

' What error to suppose that sickness softens, and predisposes the heart to repentance !' thought Ida. She went into the other room, and beckoned Mrs Read. 'The doctor was here tiiis morning, , she said, ' and told me, privately, not to mind his irritability, nor to answer him, unless silence increased it. It is an ordinary symptom in neuralgic affections. We must be forbearing. ,

• There is a limit to everything, , was Mrs Read's response.

'True —but. forbearance should last as long as the pain we would cure. ,

'That is your theory, Miss Ida. lam tired of the practice. You mean well, I have no doubt, but I am not a n't object for your charity.'

The asperity was pointed at herself, rather than at her hearer, and Ida pondered upon her words and manner often during the day.

'It did not agree with Josephine to sit up'—a constitutional weakness, loudly lamented, and encouraged, instead of overcome. 1:1 a and Mrs Read divided the vigil; the mulatto nurse, Sarah, sleeping in the apartment. Ida was to watch the latter part of the nighb. The patient was cross and restless when she looked in upon him at bed-time— railing, and swearing and abusive.

' You want me dead !' he said to his wife; 'but I won't die—to spite you. I shall live years, and year.?, and years, 'till you are a toothless hag, and walk with a crutch! Ha! ha!'

IHe is delirious !' whispered Ida. • Let me sfcay with you !'

•He is not ! 1 prefer your retiring. Sarah will call you at two. ,

' I shall not undress to-night, Rachel,' said Ida. ' I have a presentiment I shall be wanted.'

' Is he much worse V

' No—but I may be called up. I shall sleep here, upon the lounge.'

Bub sleep was coy to her wooing. If she had ever felt fear, she would have known that she was scared and excited. The south wind generally affected her unpleasantly, creating heat and nervousness ; but to-night the breeze was from the north, and the moonbeams were spread in broad, white sheets upon the floor. ' I must be sick !' she said, aloud, ' I cannot ascribe this numb horror to anything else. They have a superstition that it is a precursor of death.'. Her mind rejected this explanation, but the utterance of that word had populated her soul with phantoms. Lynn's chill, damp hands again enfolded hers, and his glazed, upward look, still and fixed, moved not afc her weeping; the clods rattled upon the coffin—frozen clod 3 ! and how warmly soever the sun smiled upon the swelling turf, down where he slept it was frosty night still! Must he, the loved and gifted, rest there forever ? Would a tender mother's arms never more embrace her —the dear lips, now turned to dust, never cling to hers, in speechless fondness ? But the dead should rise ! some to the resurrection of the just, some to everlasting shame and contempt. Oh ! the unspaakabie woe of a hopeless death! the dying strife of the finally impenitent! Was his end approaching ? 'My God ! avert from him this doom !' His room wa3 beneath hers. She could hear occasionally a groan, which she knew was an execration. Hemightbe dying. She ■ thrusb her feet into a pair of felted slippers, and descended to hisdoor. ' Quiet — quiet as death !' 'This is improper ! irrational !' said' she, severely, to herself. ' I need repose and steadiness of ner«-e —there are watchers with him.' But she would nob go back to her room. She went instead to the parlour. The hall-lamp burned all night; and setting open a door, and unclosing a shutter, to dissipate the darkness, which suffocated her as a thick pall, she stretched herself upon a sofa. She slumbered and dreamed-visions like her waking fancies. She was in Mr Head's chamber; writing to Carry, at her far window ;—the door swung back and his wife glided in. With a gesture of silence to her, she passed to his bedside, and poised a knife above his heart! Ida strove to scream—to move—but her mighty efforts, only shifted the scene—did not awaken her. Hβ was dead ; and his friends had come to the funeral. They thronged the room where his corpse lay in its costly coffin; and the carriages, headed by the "hearse, grated upon the pebbled gutter. The undertaker was- tightening the silver screws—when, oh ! horror ! the lid was heaved up from within—crashing and splintering—and the dead sat upright! The distorted features were Mr Ashlin's —the yell, as he tossed his arms aloft,—Mr Read's. 'I will not die!' She was in the centre of the apartment ; the cold beads dripping from her forehead, and her hair, dank and heavy, upon her face and neck. She put it back and listened. The silence drove by.her in waves—throbbed with the beatings of her heart. Hark ! it was not all a dream ! the pawing of hoofs rang upon the stones. The moon had set, and the lamp was brighter than the starlight. She had the presence of mind to creep to that side of the window hidden by the shutter, and looked oub. A carriage was at the door —in appearance like the doctor's. He had been summoned —the sick man was worse. Something light and white sailed past her window, from overhead ; as it fluttered bo the ground, a tall figure stepped from the vehicle, and caught it to his bosom. The apparition ot the Arch-Fiend himself would nob have shaken Ida as did that manly form. She was awake ! A stealing step fell, softly as a snowflake, upon the floor above—she heard it. With the speed of light, she flew to the front door—locked ib; to that at the other extremity of the passage —hid both keys beneath the cushion of the hall-sofa, and back again to bhe etreet entrance, as Mrs Head, dressed for travelling had her foot upon the lowest stair. The fugitive leaned against the wall for support, faint with the terrors of detected guilt.

' Back '.' said Ida, her cheek bloodless —her eyes flashing living fire. ' False to your word ! false to your sex ! I will save you" from public disgrace ! Back ! I say!' ' Nob while I live !' was the answer.

' And you cross this threshold over my body !' cried the girl, passionately. 'Oh ! shame ! shame ! you—the pride and idol of your family and your husband ! thab you should break their hearts and disgrace his name!' ■

• It is nob my name after I leave this —I shall forget and be forgotten. Let me go !' ' Forget! forgotten ! you may ! a false woman can forget the mother who reared her ! bub bhe stain upon them ! your tears nor his blood can cleanse it!'

' You are mad !' said Mrs Read, regaining her composure. ' You cannot stop me. My home is in another land. Why do you talk of disgrace? the brutal dotard I fly from will unfasten my legal fetters, and then I shall live! the life for which my Creator destined me !'

' You speak your Creator's name ! trampling upon Bin laws—His curse hangiug over you ! Oil ! I entreat you, by a mother's prayers—for the sake of your old father, tottering on the verge of the grave —in the name of your honourable and loving brother, not bo expose your design! You shall not—you cannot go; the doors are locked —call for assistance from those who are without, and I will alarm the household. To-morrow your name will be trumpeted at the corner of every street. Ha! that cry ! they have discovered all. Too late, too late ! but no! —' She tore off the cloak and bonnet, and threw them into a corner, as Sarah rushed down the steps.

' Mistress ! Miss Ida ! for the Lord's sake, come ! Master is dying !'

A cry from Josephine pierced their ears. Ida forgot her companion, but she reached the chamber with her. Writhing, convulsed, screaming, he was wrestling with the Destroyer; the disease had grappled his heart. Mrs Read sank upon her kneea, as blasted by a thunderbolt; Josephine shrieked in helpless dismay; Ida was wrought up to too high a pitch to think of self. .

'Where is John? , she cried. 'Here! run for Dr. Ballard. Mr Read is very ill! Call for Mr Talbot as you come back. Fly !'

He was down stairs while she was speaking. • Why, Miss Ida, the key is not here !'

She ran for it, unlocked the door, and pushed him out. A man stood in the shade of the porch, whom John did'not perceive in his rapid egress ; bub he seized Ida's hand, as she would have shut him out.

'Helen!'

• Mrs Read's husband is dying, Mr Ash lin !'

• Good heavens !'

The bolt had shot into its place ere he could say more.

All the accompaniments of the last agony, of which Ida had ever heard, read or conceived, were realised in this struggle ; —the blackening features,- drenched with sweat, the starting eye, the twisting muscles, the death-rattle, —the soul was tearing through the clay receptacle: yet for two hours the awful conflict was protracted.

Morning! a sheet covered the rigid, motionless limbe and countenance, telling in death of suffering; and there were solemn steppings and stifled whispers through the house, and crape waved from the door where the traitorous friend had waited at night for the dead man?s wife. Mrs Read was borne to her chamber in hysteric convulsions, and continued raving and swooning all day—attacking in tigress fury everyone who approached her, excepting Ida. Her she would not: suffer to quit her sight. Holding her hands in a frantic grasp, she poured forth such tales as made her heart ache, of warm spring evenings when the air was

Aden with sweet-briar scent, and the young linoon was swimming in the pale blue sky, and the star of love shone upon them — an eye of light — from the blushing west, and he sang to her—poetry ascending from hi 3 heart as perfume from tha flowers — songs upon whose memory shelived in the winterof his absence. ' But '—and the deep wells of her eyes were black with anguish, 'her heart died, and dissolution came nofc to the body—would that it had ! and the thought of the past was a yawning abyss, like the abode of the lost, from which arose hot, poisonous simoons and tormenting spirits. The world brought incense and gaudy offerings, and friends their best treasures, but it closed not—and she resolved, by self-immolation, to shut the chasm ; by an irrevocable sacrifice to seal it for ever. The effort was idle—she sold soul and body for naught. He came, and turned her face to the Future. His heart had wavered, bub returned to its allegiance. She was his, by an earlier, holier tie than her loathed tyrantt's; away in the sunny land of their youthful dreams, they would live, unmolested by memory or care. She clung to duty until her husband drove her from him with a curse jto a brother's love—and he painted that brother's hatred of him, and threatened to see her no more—and by the specious names of " soul-dictates," and the "religion which enjoins truth, and* condemns hypocrisy," gained h(Sr promise. The hand of the Almighty interfered !' Ida shut up her tears, and reasoned and pleaded with her ; praying inwardly for her comfort, and that her own mind and nerves might not tail her. She rested the maniac's head upon her breast —bathed the beating temples, and pressed her cool lips to the parched ones working with painbeseeching her, with every endearing epithet, to rest and forget. But the lava crust was heaving ; and the long-repressed flood spread over it in fast, seething streams. The Juno twilight was on the earth—as she had described those of years agone ; and in calming tones, she bade Ida 'sing.' « What shall I sing ?' ' Of love and faith and hope.' The exhausted girl rallied her strength, and the sweetest of written hymns seemed whispered to her spirit. 4 Oh! Thou who driest the mourner's tear, How dark this world would be. If pierced by sins and sorrows here, We could not fly to Thee! The friends, who in our sunshine live, When winter comes, are flown ; And he, who has but tears to give, Must weep those tears alone. But thou wilt heal that broken heart, Which, like the plants that throw Their fragrance from the wounded part. Breathes sweetnesa out of woe. When joy no longer soothes or cheers, And c'en the hope that threw A moment's sparkle o'er our tears Is dimmed and vanished too— "Oh ! who could bear life's stormy doom, Did not thy wing of love, Come, brightly waiting through the gloom, Our peace-branch from above ! Then sorrow, touched by Thee, grows bright, With more than rapture's ray. As darkness shows us worlds of light Wo naver saw by day."' The head weighed upon her arm, she did not withdraw it. A fleet step ascended the stairs-it did not belong to the household, yet was not strange. A knock— which she could nofc answer—the bolt was cautiously drawn. 1 Helen !' said her brother's voice. The ' hush-sh-sh !' silenced him, but he entered. The moon revealed the dark and white forms upon the bed. ' Your sister sleeps !' said Ida, under her breath. ' I beg you to retire —she must not see you. Oh ! go !' for she was awaking. • Ida !' said Mrs Read ; ' what am I doing here? Oh ! mercy ! I remember.' 'Peace ! peace ! ; and with gentle violence Ida forced her back to the pillow. ' You are safe and well now.' She was still for a minute. * Whom were you speaking to when I awoke ?' ' Someone opened the door, and I did not wish you disturbed.' 'It was a servant, then? I dreamed Richard had come. Oh !if he should !' ' Do you want us to send for him V ' Never!' 'Bub the fatigue of travelling rapidly over so greab a distance will be too much for your parents. Some of your friends ought to be with you.' ' But not Richard ! anyone else !' Ida was perplexed. He would insist upon seeing her, as soon as he heard that she was awake; —they must meet in the morning, and the shock then might unfit her to endure bhe trials of the day ; yet to tell her now, appeared cruel and unnecessary. •You have not eaten to-day—you will take some nourishment if I bring it 2' ' Don't leave me !' ' Only for a little while. Promise me to be good and quiet, until I can run downstairs and back.' • Only do nob stay—l am afraid to be alone.' Richard was pacing the hall with a troubled air. ' How is she Vhe asked. ' More composed.' 'May I go up? , 'Ib pains me to deny you, bub she can see no one at present.' 'This is extraordinary, Miss Ida. We know that there is nob ground for this excessive grief, and Helen has nob miss-ish nerves. What ails her ?'

His frown commanded her to reply, explicitly : ' You do not reflect how sudden Mr Read's death wa3, Mr Copeland. It was an alarming event to us all. After awhile your sister will receive you. She does not know that you are here —her mind has wandered all day ; and I deemed it safest not to agitate her. Trust me to do all in my power for her and you.' ' I do !' Mrs Read remained comparatively tranquil, saying little, except to supplicate Ida not to leave her.

' You are better —are you not V inquired the latter, stroking her brow.

' Yes—easier, and more quiet.' ' I find your brother has been sent for, , she pursued. 'He has come !' ejaculated Mrs Read. ' Oh ! what shall I do ? what shall I do ?'

'Ib is unavoidable ;—you must meetwhy delay it?' ' Oh !he will kill him ! he said he would if he ever spoke to me again !' More perplexity ! Ida staggered under it. Her ingenuousness pointed to the straightest as the best road. The guilty mind would never be unburdened without confession; but there was solid rock underlying the foamy flow of Richard's character. When his distrust of AshHn did not amount to a defined conviction, he had said that he ' dared not see him'—and she recalled his meaning,—' If he crosses my path again !' The dilemma was fearful—a life of concealment to one, murder to the other. Mrs Read's consternation redoubled on perceiving hers. ' What shall 1 do? oh ! if I could die !' she moaned, tossing from side to side. Ida spoke in accents of command—representing the unhappiness she would experience in her intercourse with her deceived brother; the watchfulness, and subterfuges, and the misery of accepting- a love she had forfeited : and on the other hand, the remorse of the murderess ; the biood of another soul clogging hers ; the public ignominy—but this was barely touched upon.

' Yet sin unconfessed to man is not always unrepented of to God, , said she.

'Can you resign this base-hearted man, and devote your life to an endeavour to repair—you cannot, of yourself, expiate your offences against your Maker and your fellow creatures V And the haughty, _ hardened woman bent before the simple majesty of truth and feeling and. solemnly vowed herself ready for her work. (To be Continued. J