WHO OWNED THE JEWELS? OR, THE Heiress of the Sandal-Wood Chest

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 238, 7 October 1891, Page 7

WHO OWNED THE JEWELS? OR, THE Heiress of the SandalWood Chest

J3t; Mrs If. V. VICT OS,

fLUTHOR OV " BOKN TO BETRAY," " BACK TC \ Life," " The Enemy of the House,"

'• A Fathee/s Sin," Etc,

CHAPTER XXXV. COMPENSATION.

After two years of fluctuating fortunes, Cathervrood and Co. went by the board. One sunny day in early autumn tho unexpected news flew about Wall-street, exciting more than the ordinary commotion produced by such private catastrophes.

It never leaked out at the time of the crisis that they had been on the very verge of failure. The manner in which they had mob all their liabilities had inspired still firmer confidence in this old house. Indeed, Mr Catherwood, with all his experience, was scarcely awara of his own danger, though knowing thab any sudden pressure might inconvenience them, and was about to pay over to the Duleths the first instalment of their claim, having fixed the following day for doing so, when a groat and unexpected depression of certain stock, of which the bank held more than it had any business to hold, caused the long-hovering calamity to descend. Oliver saw the announcement in the evening papers, bub said nothing to the Duleths, hoping, by being on the gsmmd early the following morning, to get some eettlemenb of their claims, even if less than expected. Ho was sorry for his young friends, very sorry for the Catherwoods—especially for George, a young man unaccustomed to providing for himself. Hβ understood that Mrs Lytton had a fortune from her husband, bo that George came in for the larger share of his sympathy. On presenting himself at the bank he obtained an interview with Mr Catherwood, who explained to him how impossible it was that he should now do anything, for the Dulethe. The affaire of the bank were in the hands of a receiver, and creditors would be obliged to accept such percentage of their claims as it was found tha firm would be able to make. But the Duleths, having no legal claim, would of course get nothing. The old gentleman was very much ca3t down : but the despair and agony with which such a failure would have rilled him two years ago was now much lessened. That his youne: people were all married— Ethelda so well cared for, his widowed daughter in independent circumstances, made him feel less responsibility than he had felt before; it may bo also that the sudden tragedy of Mr Lytton's death had impressed upon him how vaia are the expectations and triumphs of this life.

Whatever had vrroughb the change, certainly it was great. Instead of a halfcrazed, feverish, frantic man such as he had encountered on a former occasion, he saw Mr Gatherwood depressed, bub calm.

'If ib were nob for George,' ho said, ' 1 should nob care so much ; though ib ia the first time a Catherwocd ever failed.'

Oliver expressed his ardent sympathy, and left the bank, with the duty upon him of breaking to the Dulefchs the news of their disappointment, which he felt would be very bifcter bo Wilt, whose manly ambitions bad grown with hie prospects.

' Nothing bub ill-luck ever corner, of treasure-trove '.' he murmured, as he walked on in the sunshine. ' The only one who has profited by any such discovery thus far has been Ethelda; and it will end in mortification to her ; for I feel that I must write to Mr Scranton and explain the whole story to him. He is an honourable man, and will refund the money.'

As he entered the little triangular park on his way home he recalled that day, nearly a year past, v/hen in anguish of mind he had returned and found Leora sitting under the trees. That was Camilla's wed-ding-day ; a little later in the season, but such a sunny, lovely day, with the sky such a deep-blue and the foliage scarlot-tipped with the frosfc. He seated himself under the very tree where he had mob Leora ; for he dreaded going into the house with his ill-news. He had an appointment with Will to go with him at two o'clock for the raoney. He mused on the shock ib would be to the eager ambitious young man to be told that that appointment need not be kept— fchab the liberal education for which ho had pined was out of his reach—that Leora was not to have her kitchen-maid and her new piano—that he must still remain amid his drugs and chemicals. For once Oliver felt like a coward. He would gladly have done his task in writing, or deputed ib to some other person. He sab there a long time under the trees, thinking of it, dreading it. He was not so Borry for Leora as for Will. Will had less patience, more ambition. At one o'clock Will would be coming home to his lunch.

He looked at his watch. Jb was nob yet twelve. He reflected thab Will would see the announcement of Mr Catherwood's failure or hear ib talked of, and would be in a measure prepared for what was to follow. Perhaps he, Oliver, had better talk the matter over with Leora, who would know best how to soften the blow to her brother.

Leora knew best how to do everything. She had that delicate feminine quality which spreads velvet over the rough places of life.

As he mused upon the young girl's good Qualities the tears came in his eyes at the thought of this new trial. He did nob pity her the less because he felt how nobly she would bear it.

Severe illness sometimes results in changing the constitution for a better one. Oliver's long illness had marrellously changed him in mind as well as body. Sitting here under the trees, he looked back upon himself as he was a year ago, as he would have looked upon another person. He wondered that he could have been so madly in love -with a woman of such Bhallownesa of character as Camilla. He smiled as he thought how utterly without effect upon him were the same arts and charmo which had then driven him to illness and despair. He felt that perhaps, had he never mob her after parting from her on her marriage day, her image might always have i-emained the same to him, the most beautiful and" perfect in the world.

Bub meeting her intimately as he had been doing after suffering of various kinds had <nven him more insight into character, he had been astonished ab his own criticisms on her faults—astonished to find that he was continually drawing comparisons between her and a cerbain other woman as Bweot as she was beautifui, and that those comparisons wore always in favour of the eweetness, and the modesty, and bbc fresnness and the unselfishness of Leora Duleth.

Slowly Oliver rose and walked across the street. With steps eager and yet reluctant, he entered the house, went upstairs and knocked ab the door of the quiet parlour.

Leora's voice bade him come in, rather faintly. He saw at a glance thafc ane had been crying, though she smiled brightly enough now. A paper lay on the table feeeide her work.

c You have read the bad news V he ashed. 'Yβ?, , she said, quietly; 'I suppose I know what you have come to tell me. Our fairydream has vanished. It is a little hard on poor Will, , she continued, taking up har sewing and bending over it to hide her quivering lips. ' Will is a man and can fight his way. It seems to mo it is hardest on you, my poor child.' 'You mistake, , she said quickly; 'lain contented. So long as lam young and hoalfchy I do not dread work. Eat my brother is so nroud ! He is talented too— ha deserves "the best education possible. Oh ! if I knew how to accomplish it, 1 should be willing to double nay tasks !' ' Leora, Will shall not be disappointed. I will appeal to Mr Scran ton. , 4 Perhaps ib will be bast, Mr Grey.' ' Leora, I wish you would call me Oliver. , He had drawn his chair fco the opposite side of tho little tabie where she sat sewing, and as he said this he touched tlse bit of silk embroidery over whicli she bent, She drew a little away ; her voice was cold and reserved aa she anowored : ' You aro nut Oliver to mo. You are Mr Grey.' ' Oh,' he said, in an injurod tone. '1 tun very sorry foi- your friends, the Cathenvoods,' she said, presently, fearing that she had wounded his feelings, yet warned by feminine instinct thai) her safety lay in doing so. 'I am not-half so sorry for them as for you and Will. , 'i'erhaps Mrs Lyfcfcon may be taught sympathy, , continued Leora, hardly knowing what sho did say. ' Misfortunes may soften her haughty spirit. It may be thai she will no longer hold aloof from you, who have loved her so long and truly. Ob, Mr Grey, what if you should be very, very happy after all V 'I think I shall bo. I intend to be the happiest and tha richest man in the world, Leora. I should be sure of ib—only for one thing. .

The young girl looked up at him in wonrfer. Something in his flushed face and plowing eye 3 troubled her, and her glance fell. She had never seen that expression on Mr Grey's face before.

' I do nob appreciate your extreme willingness to bestow upon me Mrs Lybbon,' ho continued petulantly. ' Why, 1 thought you loved her !' ' Does it please you to think such is the case '!' Again she looked up in surprise. She did not understand her friend in his present mood, and was not over well pleased with him. He spoke more seriously : ' I am wiser than 1 was a year ago, my litfclo sistar. Camilla. Lytton is a beautiful, a superb woman, but her heart is as hollow as—as yours is full and deep, little one. I am as indifferent to her as to auy woman living. With your permission, Baroness Duleth, I propose to spend my days as near to you and Will Duloth as I am now. You are the only friends I have on sarth.' It ivaa one of his jests, calling her baroness ; but his »,tone was very earnest; something in it quickened the boating of her heard—her thread tangled, she picked ib up nervously. ' You will not drive mo away from you ?' 'I do not want to be seltish, bubyouknow how happy it will mako us to have you stay here.' ' As your brother, Leora ?' The .blue eyes, just a little sad, very earnest, very clear, met his. Oliver saw something in them, as if he had carelessly looked up into blue space and beheld an angel. Her love for him was looking out of them, and that was what ho saw—the door of heaven open. ' You have been a true little friend to me —most faithful, most kind. There is only one thing moral ask of you, who have clono so much.' 'What is that, Mr Grey? , 'To forget that I ever loved another less worthy, and to be my wife.' ' Your wifo!' She said that because the surprise was so complete —the happiness so sudden that she knew not what she said. ' Yes, litfclo Leora, I am as selfish as you are generous. I shall never, never again be content with the title of brother. If you cannot give me a dearer one, I shall have to go away. , ' I should nob like you to go away, Mr Grey ! ! With what a dazzling amile, with what pretty archness, she said that; blushing ua red as a rose ab her own daring. Perhaps ehe thought the table a sufficient; obstacle to the young man taking advantage of this confession ; if so, she was mistaken. In an instant he had taken iier embroidery away from her, and bad turned hoc sweet, sad iace up, and kissed her in daring triumph. When Will camo thome, shortly after, with a moody cloud on his brow, expecting full sympathy f,rom his sister, he found her sitting beside Mr Grey on the sofa, radiant from top to toe with happiness, and not only oblivious of his disappointment, but, yes, of his dinner. 4 He frowned a terrible frown on the guilty pair. ' Why, I have forgotten to pub on the coffee-pot !' exclaimed Leora, her face pink as a rose. 4 1 must go this moment.'

I Oliver, who saw all the wrath and reproach in the boy's face, retained her hand as she wa3 about to run away.

'Brother Will,' ho said, gayly earnest, 'I will write to Mr Scran ton by the noxt mail, the very next mail, 1 assure you. You shall go to the college, and as Leora cannot possibly keep houso alone, she has consented to allow me to remain, after certain shorb bub necessary ceremonies shall have given me the right. Congratulate ue, dear Will, for we are as happy a3 angels !' ' And lam as hungry as a bear!' answered Will, coming down i'romhis tower of v/rath by degrees. The next minute he was ashamed of himself.

'Is ib really and truly so ?' he asked. ' Then I am as heartily glad as if we had got our ten thousand dollars ! It is better to be happy than to bs rich, and I don't believe sister Leora would ever have been quite so contented with you as a brother.' ' Dear me !' she interrupted. ' I dare say the roast is done to a cinder,' and she hurriod out.

The roasb xms a little over-done ; but nob one of the trio was aware of ib. They abe their beef and browned potatoes as if they had been ambrosia, and drank their coffea as if ib bad been nectar.

Ten thousand dollars had melted into air tbat day like a smoke-wreath dissolving in bho sky"; they had watched ib disappear, and aiber one sigh of regreb, began to laugh and hope, and bo build new casfcles in the air on the ruins of the old, for they were young, and healthy, and happy, and loved each other. With these blessings they defied misfortune.

Oliver, so tardy in winning: was eager enough in keeping ib. He would give Leora but'a month's grace. As she had no money to spend in wedding finery, it stood to reason there was no necessity for waiting to 'make np things. . There need be no change in the outward aspect of thair quiet lives." Some bright sunny day in October they would walk around to the old church on the avenue and be married.

The sooner tba better, now thab they understood one another, and considering the circumstances surrounding them.

Meantime the letter to Mr Scranton was delayed by the facb thafc Mrs Lytton, to whom her father had communicated the story of the jewels, had sent Will Dulebh five hundred, dollars out of her private purse, to enable him to enter school, promising more in course of time. * I feel like waiting a, little before we write—l hardly know why, 'Leora had said, and they concluded to wait. Mr Grey received an. order for two pictures, which he knew would be handsomely paid for. Under the stimulus of his

sweet hopes, he painted bettor and with more care than he had ever done. That unhappy ambition after power—the power of money and position—which had always tormented him, died away. To be ioved by one pure, single-hearted woman, and to paint on canvas the beautiful which lived in his soul—this contented him. His studio on Locust Place was dearer to him than Italian palaces under Italian [skies. There was a goddess who haunted it fairer than the marble goddesses of those old palaces. Leora had golden-brown, wavy hair, ivory complexion, rounded limbs, a," magnificent form, fine features, tender curving lips—and Leora was alive and loved him ! Leora would soon be his wife !

{To he Continued.)