GRAZIA'S MISTAKE

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 95, 21 April 1894, Page 6

GRAZIA'S MISTAKE

SY MRS GEORGIE SBELDON.

Author of 'Faithful Shirley,' Brownie's Triumph,1 'The Forsaken Brido,' • Geoffrey's Victory,' etc.

CHAPTER XI.

MR VESTNOR'S I'AETY ATTEND A HOP AT NEWPORT.

»I trust you do nob find yoarself lonely, Mies -King, or homesick to feel the solid earth under your feet,1 Mr Ventnor re. marked, in a bantering tone, aa he drew a 3tep nearer his fair gueat. •No, indeed,Mr Ventnor,' Grazia brightly returned, but wondering again over his Blight muse before her name; I simply 6 tole away here to admire tins magic scene and the almost «plemn atillr,es3 that pervades everything.' 'There is a peculiar charm in it, and 1 often come here, ftlone, just to watch the lights appear and hear tho musical chime ot bells, aa they toll the passing hours, the gentleman responded, with a thrill of feeling in his tones, for he recognised a congenial spirit in this fair R irl who so appreciated the beauty around chab ehe would ■leave a gay company to enjoy it. 'Doyou love the wßter, Miss King? ho enquired after a moment of silence. _ < Very much—especially the ocean, said Grazia. ' There is something co limitless, co sublime and majestic about it, that it excites a feeling of admiring awe within :You and I are in sympathy, then, for the sea has always affected me in that way, THr Raymond remarked, in a low, musical voice. ' Byron has aptly described it as,

" Bonndles3, endless, and sublime, The image of eternity—the tlirona Of the Invisible!"'

♦It makes mo think of the human soul,' Grazia murmured, in a thoughtful tone, with her eyes fixed upon the distunb shimmering waves that marked the path of the mooD, as it eailed upward in the vault above them. . 'In what way ? questioned nor companion, as he benb lower to study the fair, op'.ifted face beside him. 1 It is so deep, mysterious, unfathomable,' said the girl, with a sigh. ' Look 1 where the light of the moon strikes the water. Is it nob beautiful? It makes me almosb feel as if, through some rift in the veil that separates us from heaven, something of celestial glory is sbining. But who can tell whab dread secrets lie concealed beneath the sbining surface; what death and destruction ? what bravo hearts may have gone down to their doom, with moans of pain and prayers for help, in this very epob.' Gram's voice was full of pain as she concluded, and Raymond Ventnor yearned, with a mighty longing, to speak some worda of comfort to the heart which he knew from her conversation must be tossed and torn with some secret grief which never allows it to be ab peace. ♦lam sure, Miss King, that you bave known some deep sorrow,' he remarked after a moment of reflection, • or you would nob always be shading your pictures with puch mornful comparisons. As you have eaid, the sea is like a human soul, in some reepecfcs ; it is deep, mysterious, unfathomable ; in other respects it ia not like it, for when its surface is lashod to fury, by bho tempests that sweep over ib, there is always peace and qniob in the depth beneath ; for a mighty Power controls it. ' That, to me, is symbolical of a soul, which in spite of all the griofs and trials that come to ib, can rest (secure iv the hollow of the Hand that never makes a mistake.' . Two great tears rollod over Grazia's cheeks and fell in glittering beads, like so many diamond?, upon the railing, as her companion concluded. ' Oh I' she exclaimed, with a catch in her breath that) was almost a sob, 'you cnc never have suffered, as—as some havo suffered, or you could nob feel like that.'

'Mias King," said Raymond Ventnor, in a voice thab was vibrant with deep feeling, ' eight years of my life were spent upon a bed of pain—ei^rhb long weary years, during most of which I expected to bo a cripple all my life. I had scarcely recovered my health, and begun to look for-

ward to a life of usefulness, when my

mother was killed, before my eyea, by being thrown from her carriage in front of a passing locomotive. The five years following were lived uncler the ban of a dishonoured name ' lOh !' breathed Grazia, shrinking aa from a blow. But her companion went on as if he had nob noted either word or act. ' My father's partnor forged for a heavy amount, bub so covered his wrong-doing that my father, a Vontnor, whose name for "many generations* had never been sullied by,Jas much as a breath, was made to cxi 1 tiiate hia crime. The truth prevailed in ■""^the end, however, and ab the end of five years the wronged man was released and exonerated before the whole world. Surely, my friend, you cannot now say thah I have nob suffered.1 'No, no; pray forgive me for my thoughtless speech,' regretfully pleaded . Grazia.

' Nay do not reproach yourself,' gently returned Raymond Ventner. 'I am glad to have told you this, for sorrow makes us all akin, and I would not have you deem mo unsympathetic. But, Miss King, did yon never think that there is a purpose in p*in ?' ' What purpose?' questioned Grazia. 'The name purpose that'a sculptor has in using a hammer and chfcel upon a piece of rough marble—to develop the beautiful and perfect form that lies hidden wibhin it; the same purpose thab tho wise gardener has when, with an apparently ruthless hand, he prunes tho vine of half its life and beanty to make it produce larger and richer fruit.' Grazia eighed heavily. Sho wondered what purpose thece could have been in the suffering she had endured —what possible good could come out of the network of troubles and trials that had entangled her, tying her hands and depriving her of even hor identity. She wondered what fruit ehe could bear fettered as sho was, and obliged to hide from all the world. ' But I am afraid we have choßen a very depressing topic,1 Mr Ventnor continued, in a lighter tone. ' I want you to have only pleasant thoughts and experiences while you aro my guest; but some time I would like to dive a little deeper into thie subject with you, if you will give me the privilege.' • I shall be very glad to do so,' Grazia replied, ' for you awaya give me something to think of.' " "

'Thank you,' her companion heartily returned, then added : 'NW will you lob me take you down to the saloon ? I see mosb of our frienda have disappeared and we wove planning to have a little music before wo retire for tho night.' He offered her hia arm as he spoke, and ac ehe took it Grazia was conscious of the earno thrill tingling through her veins as ebe had experienced upon their first meeting.

Tho company passed an hour very de- « Rightfully with music and social intercourse and them retired, with the expectation of awakening to find themselves far out; upon tho briny doop, for tho tide would turn early is the morning, which was all the captain wad awaiting for. Grazia felt a

desire to see the beautiful vessel leave porb. and bo secretly resolved to rise in season to do so.

Accordingly the firsb tender glow of sunrise was flushing the eastern horizon when, enveloped in a warm ulster, with a Boft grey felt hab pinned securely to her head, the fair girl stole softly upon deck, and found that ehe was only just in time for the steam was up and two sailors were on the poinb of hauling in the anchor, while others were unfurling to the morning breeze tho white wings thab were to help waft them over the sea.

She would nob have miasod the sipht for anything, for, just as the eun lifted his glowing face above thab far-off line, the graceful vessel began to move like a majestic bird out from the harbour, toward the wide expanse of water beyond. There was something very exhilarating in the scene, in the crisp fresh breeze that was blowing from the north-west), in the cloudless sky and brillianb sunshine, that made Grazia's eyes gleam and her cheeks flush with delightful anticipation. She ethod in the prow of the boat, as she bad done the nighb before, and she was go absorbed in what was going on around her thab she did not realise the presence of any one else, unbil a voice, which of late had begun to thrill her strangely, remarked in a cherry tone, juab behind her : 'Good-morning, Miss King. lam 6ure the Nautilus is honoured by the interest you have shown in her movements.' Grazia turned quickly, and found Raymond Ventnor smiling down upon her, a look of undisguised pleasure in his expressivo eyes. Ho wore a heavy reefer thab was buttoned Close to bi3 Chin and showed his fine form to the beab advantage, while the visorleß3 cap upon his head gave him quite a boyish look.

' And so you sacrificed your morning nap for the sake of seeing my bird spread her wings,' he added, while his colour deepened slighDly as he noted the blush which his salutation had called up to Grazia's cheeks. •It was no sacrifice I assure you,' she said, hor eyeß sparkling with animation, ' I wanted to sco the start, and I have enjoyed ib immensely. I never saw a more beautiful annrise in my life.' • Yes, a sunrise at sea is something worth contemplating, and a whili of such air as this ia bettor than any tonic for the appetite. I always walk the deck for a half-hour before breakfast ; will you join me ?' and he held out his hand to her with a friendly air and smile that made her pulses throb more quickly than was their wonb. She frankly laid hera within ib, when ho slipped ib up on his arm, and together they paced back and forth the length of the vessel, and chatted socially until other members of their party began to join them. Grazia found that, in epite of his dignified bearing and the serious moods he had hitherto shown her, Raymond Ventnor could be as merry and jolly as a boy ; that, while he neglected nothing as a hosb, forgetting nob the smallest detail that could contribute to the comfort of his guests, he knew how to enjoy himself thoroughly, thus becoming the life of tho party, and ho contributing greatly to tho pleasure of others.

Among Mr Ventnor's guests there were a Mr and Mrs Macomber, and their daughter, Mias Mario Macomber, a handeome girl of twenty-one, who appeared to be a great favourite with the party. She was pay, brilliant, witty, and evidently a thorough society girl, for she was perfectly at home with every one, and could simultaneously entertain any number of people, with the most perfect composure. Bub when Grazia bad been introduced to her, sho impressed her as being cold and devoid of any real sympathy with her own sex.

She had looked Grazia over, from head to foot, with one sweep of her passionless eyes ; measured her, as she told Paula in speaking of it afterward, mentally, morally, and physically, noting even tho fib of her dress, the style of her hat, the make of her boots and gloves. Then she had turned calmly away and resumed her conversation with a gentleman which the introduction had for a moment interrupted, ignoring her utterly during the remainder of the evening.

Bub the next morning when she made her appearance upon deck and saw Raymond "\{entnor promenading with Miss King upon his arm, when she noticed the admiring look in his eye as it rested upon the fair face of the girl, his eager, animated manner in conversing with her, ehe suddenly changed her tactics, and, the moment Grazia was ab liberty, approached her in the moat friendly way, and -exerted herself to be agreeable to her.

She attached herself to the two girls after tbab, while Paula often noticed bbab she appeared to be studying Grazia, with a perplexed, intent look, as if she were trying to solve some intricate question, 1 That girl is a born mischief-maker, and woe to any one who happens to Btand in the way of her ambition, 1 Paula murmured to herself, after watching her for a while. ' I only Hope that my gentle Grace will not interfere witb her designs,'

She tried nob to bo unjust, bub ib made her very uneasy to see Miss Macomber hovering about her friend all thab day, and to observe how she watched every act and look whenever Mr Ventnor approached Srazia, which he often did, and took no pains to conceal his enjoyment of her society.

The young man's plan was to sail direct for Newport, where he proposed to spend one night, and attend a grand hop ab the Casino, for which ho had procured tickets more than a week in advance.

The Nautilus arrived in porb about noon of the second day out, and, after lunch, carriages were provided, and the party took a long drive about the city, returning to the yacht in time for dinner. The gentlemen surrendered the saloon to the ladies to mako their preparations for the hop, while they smoked their afterdinner cigars upon the deck, and the next hour below was one ot fluttering oxcitement among the fair sex. It was a very brilliant party that left the Nautilus a little after nine o'clock for the Casino, but the fairesb ainong'bhom all, in Raymond Ventnor's eyes, at least, was the lovely girl in whom he was every hour bocoming more deeply interested. She was clad to-night in a blue silk of a very delicate shade, with beautiful ornaments of exquisitely carved pink coral upon her neck, arms and amid the wavo? of her rich dark hair. The costume was vastly becoming to her rare, almost faultless complexion; but her chief charm lay in her utter unconsciousness of her own beauty—in the perfect naturalness of her manner Did bearing.

• Do you dance, Miss King ?' Mr Ventnor inquired, in a low tone, a3 he was assisting her to alight from the carriage upon reaching the Casino. •Yes, I used to,' she returned with a little sigh.

' Then let me have the first one with you to-nighb, will you ?' ho asked, with a little eager pressure of the bands he was holding.

'With pleasure,' she replied, her'heart bounding into her throat at bis manner, words, and tone.

TUe words were scarcely uttered, how ever, before ehe was sorry she had nob ex cusod herself from dancing at all.

' Such pleusures are not for me. and—l must nob let myself learn to love him,' she murmured to herself as she followed the party into the dressing-room. Then a terrible shock went through her as, like a flash of lightning, a revelation came to her.

' Ah ! it is too late to think of that now,' her white lips muttered, a? she blindly groped her way into a corner and sat down —' too lato, too late ! for 1 lovo him already with my whole heart.' I, Grazia Kingsloy —the wife of another man—love, adore Raymond Ventnor, as man was never adored before. Oh, the shame of it! the sin of it! Where now is tho guiding Hand that " makes no mistakes."'

She was almost benumbed by the conflict of emotion that raged within her upon this unlooked-for discovery, and she sat there, wretched and helpless, in her wraps, until Paula found her.

' Why, Grace !' ehe exclaimed, ' why have you not taken off your things 7 You will bo late for the opening number. Are yon ill?' sho adtied, as she caught eight of the girl's colourless face ; ' you are as white as a snow-flake.'

' No, lam nob ill,' Grazia replied, aa she started nervously to her feet, determined that no one should discover her shameful secret.

She would guard it most sacredly—she would play her part for the next two days with whab skill she could, then, she told herself, she would never meet Raymond Ventnor again if ebe could prevent it. She must nip this new passion in the bud, she must nob feed ib with so much as a look at that dear, noble face, or by listening to a tone of thab rich, musical voice.

Paula helped her off with her wraps, watching her covertly all the time, and wondering what could have happened to drive from her faco all the eager brightness thab bad been there when they loft the Nautilus.

' You must do something to those pale cheeks ; you cannot go into the ball-room looking to like a ghost,' Paula remarked, with real concern upon seeing that she seemed even more haggard and wrotcbed after removing her outer garments. •Ah !' she added, ' hore comes Mr "Ventnor, lookiDg for us. I will ask him to get you something to take '

' Not for the world, Paula dear,' cried Grazia, grasping her almost rudely by the arm.

Then, as Mr Ventnor caught sight of her, and nodded and smiled, a greab ware of colour dyed the girl'sfacti crimson and Mias Nelson was more puzzled than before.

Grazia had benb over her hand to button her glove and to hide her embarrassment, and when this was done she recovered something of her usual composure.

She concealed her aching heart with a smiling exterior as she went forward to meet him.

'I have brought your order,' he said, as be handed it to her, 'and may I beg that you will write my nameagai»Bb some of the numbers before we go into the hall ? Then I shall be sure of them, otherwise, I might not be,' ho concluded, in a tone intended only tor her, and with a low, musical laugh.

Grozia took the order and looked ib over, simply to gain time nud think what was bo»t to do.

Suddenly a little defiant light leaped into her eyes.

'I am here; I am hedged about;; 1 cannot help myself,' she muaed ; ' I might a3 well enjoy myself and make the mosb of the few hours that remain to me, before I tryto crush out forever this hopeless passion, I will put the pasb behind me for to-night. I will bo a gay and happy girl once more-'

She gave her head a little resolute toss as she arrived at this conclusion, then looking up into Mr Ventnor's face with a smile that made his hearb bound with a wild, sweet hope, she pub her order back into his hand and murmured: ' You shall write your own name wherever you choose.' (Tobe Contimitd.J