DUNLEATH ABBEY; OR, The Fatal Inheritance.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 119, 21 May 1890, Page 7

DUNLEATH ABBEY; OR, The Fatal Inheritance.

BY HANSON PMNN DILTZ,

Author of * The Duchess Undine,' Etc.

CHAPTER XVIII. THE CLOSE OF VICTOR'S STORY. * Thus was ib thafc th 6 carl lost, fts it were eleven years oufc of his life,' said Victor, continuing his narrative after a pause that had been devoted to the task of soothing his companion. - But when that consciousness that is only the capacity to suffer re* turned to him, he felb no more joy in it than does the victim that is to be tortured* when he awakens from sleep to-the anguish of his fate! The future was as dark before him as the past that lay behind. Thab he had ever lived and loved in anobher world than the one he then inhabited was no more than a dream to him. When ab last he awoke one morning, he says he felt as if he had only fallen asleep on the previous night, and when he arose and looked in a mirror on the wall he was surprised to see how much older he appeared than he should. Then he rang the bell at his side, and when Djalma answered it, he thought the fellow's face seemed familiar, but it lCoked so much older than as he remembered having seen it last. Whab did ifc mean ? he asked himself; and then Mahal entered his presence, and explained to him whafc had happened. " We thought at first thab you Were dead," said the Hindoo. " lb was a terrible fall, and all that saved you from breaking your neck was the way in which you chanced to strike the ground." Then Mahal went; on to tell the earl how he (Lord Cecil) had been afc a window high above fche pavement ten days beforo, and losing his balance had been precipitated on to the stones fifty feet below. His wOrsfc injury had been a terrible gash on his head, in the same spot on which, eleven years before, the Thug had dealt him fche fafcal blow that had shattered his intellect. Even as thatfirst blow had paralysed his brain, bo had this second one, coming on the same spot, restored his senses. In answer to his questions, they fold him thab he had been harmless, and easily managed, during those years, and thafc Djalma had cared for him, and there was Djalma afc his feet, Kissing his hands, and vowing to never leave him. And I guess the fellow has been true to his words. Of course Lord Cecil could nob all in a day throw off the bonds of mental obscurity thafc had bound him for so many years ; and then he knew ib was to his interest to keep his gaolers in the dark as to the improvement in his condition, else they would have watched him closer. Ho says his mind now grew brighter every day, and was soon as bright as ever in his youth ; but by feigning a dull contentment with his lob, he believed he Should finally succeed in effecting his escape. Still, he was Buspicious of Djalma for a long while, and uncertain whether or not to confide in him j bufc he afc last determined to do so, and amply was his confidence repaid. Satisfied now that his master was a perfecbly sane man, Djalma, on the other hand, sbrove in every possible manner to atone for the wrongs of bhe pasb :,and no longer doubting the earl's story, he was ready and willing to aid him in making hia escape. But they knew they musfc move cautiously, that they had a wary enemy to overcome. One false etep would have ruined all, and Djalma Understood Mahal too thoroughly to imagine for an instant that he would be .pared if detected. So great was the poor fellow's terror of Mahal, that he almosb imagined bhab his master's keeper could read his very thoughts. So at last the long-desired opportunity came, and the watchful conspirators were nob slow bo embrace it. Mahal was suddenly called away from fche asylum labe one evening; his father, in a distant province, was dying. He dared not refuse to obey the summons, so he engaged another party to Watch the earl, whom he had so infamously mistreated. Now, if Lord Cecil and Djalma could only fall upon some plan to put themselves outside of the asylum walls, tho greatest obstacle in their way would be overcome ! An inspired idea suddenly entered Djalma's brain, born from his extremity. He secured a dose of opium, which, with difficulty, he succeeded in introducing into the sward's coffee at supper, and an hour lafcer the man fell into a deep stupor in fche vestibule of Lord Cecil's room. Ifc was bub the work of a few momenbs to exchange fche clothing of the earl and this guard, and soon the refugees were ready for t_eir journey. They were two desperate men, for well they knew that if they now failed it was farewell to liberty for ever —for Djalma would be dismissed, and Lord Cecil immured in closer confinement than ever before. So, trembling with excitement in that moment when life and liberty and all worth living for hung in the balance, the earl knelfc down fco ask God'e blessing upon his struggle for his rights. Then he arose, and proceeded to darken his complexion with a stuff Djalma had prepared. They had not long to wait until assured by the silence reigning through the building thafc the way was clear. Stealing out noiselessly, Djalma going on before, they made for the only outlet left open at night—ifc was now dark—when, just at that crisis, oneof the watchmen, suspecting something wrong, threw himself upon Lord Cecil, shouting, "Treason !" Now, the earl had been doing all in his power for weeks fco increase his strength, believing a time would come when it would stand him in hand, as ib now did, and ib enabled him to hold hiß assailant ab bay until Djalma came to his assistance. Dealing fche watchman a blow square in the forehead, Djalma only paused t6 see him reel and fall, when, beckoning to the earl to follow, be made a dash for the gate, for bd time was to be lost* Indians seemed to be swarming from every direction. They are a quick people when they suspect treachery, and the gate-keeper, hearing the fracas, instinctively guessed that somebody was trying toeßcape. So, upon seeing two flying figures approaching him, as quick as a flash he sprang fco shut bhe gates. Bufc an instant) too late; the two muffled fugitives had gone through them like a dart! Bufc so narrow Was the escape of the earl, who was in the rear, that the gates in closing caught upon bhe cloak that enveloped him ahd fcdre ib from his back. A moment more of delay Upon the earl's part, and the ponderous iron gates would have closed upon him, and crushed him to death.' A cry of horror burstfrom Hazel's lips as she listened td this, bub was instantly hushed as She felb her guardian's hand passed gen brj. over her bowed head. 1 1 will soon be done,' whispered Vicbor. 'I am: keeping you up, when ib has been a hard day upon you, darling. But to continue—the situation of Lord Cecil and his servant was full of peril. A pack of bloodhounds were liable to be turned loose upon them at any moment, and in fchab caße their fate was sealed. Bab bhe earl had sworn th»b,he would never go back to.the living hell from which he bad escaped; any fate were preferable to that 1. And had/ ifc nob •beenlorhiScompanidn he Would uhddubtthere in that wilderne.. erembrnlng. *But._jaTmacheeredhimon.afld on bhey .pad. It was nob till long afterward thab he found oub whab had tran-

spired at the asylum when their escape was discovered. Knowing that the earl was a valuable patient, they resolved to take steps for his capture without waiting to hear from Mahal—and they did what Lord Cecil feared they would do—turned loose the bloodhounds oh his track ! Ah, I frighten you, my Haz6l, and cay what is not fit for your ears.' ' "* Nb, no, it is not that, Victor,' murmured Hazel, with clasped hands. * I could not bear to havo you leave your story unfinished now. But ib is so sad to know thab men vilo enough to do such wicked deeds exist.' • So it is, darling ; but there is no animal so cruel when on the trail of blood as man. -Yeb the fact-thab the earl suspected' whafc would be done gave him power fco frustrate the evil designs of his enemies. Still,, his escape was narrow, and had nofc Djalma been familiar wit_ the'cCunfcYy, and piloted their way as he did, the poor fugitive would indeed have been captured, and his mangled and bleeding body taken back to the asylum. Djalma knew where they were, and managed to guide his master through the wild country, keeping in a Westerly direction. The asylum was near Mozuffpoor, and they were making for the Rapbee River. And they did not reach it a moment too soon, for jusb as they pushed off from shore in a canoe, the baying of the bloodhounds on their track was wafted bo them, drawing nearer and nearer. The canoe was one tha. Djalma had hidden in the rushes there months before, ii» anticipation of the very need that had now presented itself. But for it, thej would have had to either drown themselves or be captured, for they were too exhausted to swim, even if they had known how. As it Was, the canoe had Boated far but and down the river ere the hounda and those in pursuit reached the bank, and the darkness concealed fchd fugitives. The mon then returned to the asylum, firm in the belief that the earl had destroyed himself in despair rather than be captured. Bhb Mahal knew better than this wheh informed of whab had happened, and he swore a terrible oath againsb bhose who had outwibfced him. He was certain the escape had been too cleverly planned bo have failed through any such carelessness, and ho went cunningly to work to geb Lord Cecil back in his power. He employed men who knew both the earl and Djalma to go in every directiori ; but in vain. They had made good use of fcho day's sbarb they had on their pursuers, and by the blessing of God they reached Calcutba in safety.' • And was the earl never again molested by thab horrible wrebch Mahal?' asked Hazel, as her guardian paused an insbanb in his narrative. •Mahal followed him to Calcutta, but too late to do him any injury,' answered Victor. * At Benares the earl Was so fortunate as bo meet Princo Nador, who had known the Princosß Sinda in her early girlhood, and in his company he made the journey to Calcutta. Reaching that city, he at onco procured clothing suited to his real rank, and he then sought fche English Governor-General of India, at tho Government House, intending to throw himself upon him for protection. He had passed through deep Wafcete, and had sefih enough trouble to have driven a weaker man mad, but God seemed to have at last remembered him, and to have opened'a path of peace before him. Sir Dyson, the GovernorGeneral, had been orte of Lord Cecil's College friends in th6ir youth, and the meeting between tbem was affecting in the extreme. Upon this gentleman the earl feast himself for profceotion. ab the same time revealing fco him the story of his pasb, bufc under the seal of confidence, since he did not wish just yeb to disclose hia identity to the world. Sir Henry was overwhelmed wibh surprise and remorse ab the thought thab the bosom friend of his boyhood had suffered such unparalleled outrage right there Where he could have rescued him, for fche baronet had beon in Hindeoatan for twenty-five years. Prince Nador also regretted that he had not known of Lord Cecil's condition, and took tbe liveliest inberesb in his affairs. Ib is bhrough bhe Prince bhab the earl's son has been restored to him. ¥es, they remained at Calcutta several months, the earl having been stricken down with a dangerous fever, from which he recovered Blowly ; and, moreover, he naturally wished to see justice done bhose who had so cruelly persecuted him. Mahal had followed him to Calcutta, bub at the first sign of danger had fled, nor could his wife be found when searched for. All efforts made toward discovering their retreat had proved fruitloss ' Hazel suddenly averted her face, which had been turned to her lover, for a shadow had fallen upon ib as she listened to this last statement—a shadow caused by the fear that something serious had happened to Zura, the woman who might hold locked in her breast some strange knowledge that ib was of the utmost importance her guardian should possess. • Whab if old Rannie's lebber never reaches her daughter?' she asked herself, tortured with doubt. ' Bub I shall be careful nob bo put anything in ib fchab would injure Victor if ib should fall into the hands of his enemies. Then she said aloud: ' May ifc not bo that Mahal and his wife are on their way fco England, and thafc you will hear from them some day?' • Thafc is hardly probable,'replied Vicbor, sadly; * and yeb I have an abiding belief that Zura can, if ever found, unravel the mystery that surrounds my mother. Why 1 should feel thus I know nob, bub ib is so, and fcime alone can toll whebherl am wrong or nofc. But to return to fche earl—another thing thab troubled him greatly was the fate of his son, who was alive and well at the timo he was stricken down after his Wife's death. And he had remained in Calcutta affcer he arose from his last illness, to have inquiries made aboufc hie son, but all in vain. So he finally embarked for England, where he landed ben days ago. Prince Nador, tho faithful Djalma, and Beveral other frieflds accompanied him. • And had he no difficulty in establishing his identity ?V inquired Ha_6l. 'And is there no doubt in the mindß'of the people as to who he is ?' • None in the world-, darling. The evidence going to prove that he is Cecil, Earl of Dunleath, is Conclusive and incontestable. There ia a peculiar scar on his right) arm, which old Humbert remembers. Old Henry, who was his lordship's valeb in his youth, also reitten-bers it, from bathing his young master. He further says when Cuthbert Mbrtinier Callback from India, passing for Lord Cecil, he would never let the old servant bathe him ; but it so happened one night thafc Henry Saw his arm, and swears there was no scar upon it. He was puzzled about the matter at the time f though he Baid nothing.' • But thab is only the testimony of servants,'murmured HazeL • True; bufc servants dt.Vo._d to me, whom no money could corrupt,' replied Victor. «Nor is that all. My father's conduct condemns him. Prince Nador had known both him a ad Lord Cecil When bhey were first in India, bub after assuming the role of earl, my parent was careful nob to leb Nador see him again ere leaving for England—thus ifc was bhe Prince suspected nothing until Lord Cecil, whom he .had supposed dead these twenty years, presented himself to him affcer his escape, Nador also identified bhe earl by a scar on hia shoulder, from a sword-cub . received In India soon affcer , his arrival there. Then, there is Sir Jasper Cardrosa, whose testimony alone would have suffered to ■ settle the .question. ■>'■ He is Lord Cecil's cousin, bub was prejudiced in my favour, until convinced that I waa nob the noble I passed for. He says Lord Cecil recalled incidents and scenes of their youth that no one except bhe genuine Lord Cecil Could .have reoalled; and h«f further 66nfesses that, from the firsb" time he me. my father in his stolen garb, he had his doubbs,

and felt thab there was a mysbery aboub him thafc he did nob like.' ' Whab hurts me, Victor, ia the thought thab anyone, knowing you, could deem you capable of such treachery,' sighed Hazel, gassing at her guardian, who stooped to caress her, as he replied : * I pray Heaven, darling, you may ever be spared the knowledge of how cruel the world can be to the unfortunate.' Even as he spoke, his heart beab a fierce, dull anguish, as if some prevision of the future was upon him—that future in which she who was dearer to him than life would stand al.no in her desolation, while, he would be powerless to shield her from the pitiless storm that his own evil destiny had brought upon her. .. ' And now, fco render my humiliation complete, the losb heir of Dunleath has been found in thab poltroon, Chevasney,' he bitterly continued, losing all control over himself. 'Surely, my father would have paused and considered well ere committing Such heinous crimes, could he have known the life-long misery and shame he was entailing on me ! Oil God ! help me to bear ifc!' The speaker cast his burning eyes heavenward. 'And help me to remember thafc he waa my father, else I should curse his memory— —•■' • No, no, Victor, not thafc!' cried Hazel, beside herself With terror, as she clung to his knees. ' Oh, he was your father—forgive him—for my sake, darling ! ' She could say no more as she sank at his feet, her words dying away in a faint, inarticulate whisper, yeb berribly disbincb to him in his agony. ' Oh, Heaven, musb bhe fruib of my folly fall on bhis innocenb young head and bow ib thus ?' questioned Victor, in tones of keenest} self-reproach, as he stooped and raised her in his arms ; and the face he tenderly pressed to his bosom was as colourless as a block of marble. Bub her eyelids slowly unveiled themselves ab fche touch of his moustached lips. * Will you ever forgive me, my Hazel ?' he continued, as he placed her on a luxurious couch thab sbood in bhe room. ' You are worn oub, and I have been selfish to keep you up so late.' • But you will not go away from Dunleath and leave me here, Victor ?' she cried? clinging to him. * You will kill me if you do.' ' But I shall nob do so, my own sweeb child,' he responded, reassuringly. 'Be sure I shall only leave you with your consent. Here comes Rachel, and as you are bired and need resb, I will now bid you good-night.' Rachel, having entered the room at fchafc moment, he drew her aside and whispered : • I wish you to have your mistress ready to leave hero in the morning. We go to London, where I shall place ncr in the caro of Miss Harbesoh. I know this will hurry I you, bub ib cannob be helped. You will be ready?' Yes, she would be ready, bhe nurse assured him, and he wibhdrew, inwardly vowing that the roof thab sheltered his enemies shbuld never again Bhelter fche young life h6 had sworn to protect, afc the peril of his owh, if needs be. He know there was nothing thafc Lord Verner Warnock, in his new position for working devilment, would shrink from doing to injure him or the being he loved. Thafc the man he had dealt a blow that blood only could wipe out would never seek hn honourable revenge, he Well knew ; but he feared fche low cunning that would smite him through her whom hi. heart had made an idol of. Personally, Victor was the bravest of the brave, as his courage on many a bloodbought battle-field had attested, yet he was tender as a woman in his affections; and in some strange manner bhab he could nob define, his sympabhies had been aroused in a strong degree for Cecil, Earl of Dunleath, the person to whom more than all others he owed his present cruel situation. ' Poor gentleman !' he sighed, when alone in his chamber. Then, a contemptuous smile that Chevasney should have seen curled his lips, as h6 bhoughfc of the traitor who now wore the guise of an earl's Bon. ■Not for all their wealth would I stand in his place,' muttered Victor, * and bear fche brand of cowardice fchab musb for ever burn on his cheek.' (To b^Continued.)