ROSLAYN'S TRUST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 131, 7 June 1897, Page 4

ROSLAYN'S TRUST.

BY LUCY G. LILLIK

CHAPTER XX.V,

PREPARATIONS.

Mr Roslyn did nob linger long ab Sea View Villa after hie interview with Valeric. Hia point gained, ha knew that the wisest courao he could pursue was to leave liar to herself until the morning. Conscious thab bis companionship was only agreeable to her when come question of vital intorost connected with her father was under discussion, thab hia very presence often irritated her, ho had yet an overweening faith in himself, a determination to force her to love him, if nob as he did her, yeb in some moaauro after the same fashion ; for it had cotno to this, thab bhe one only and desirable good in the man's life was Valeric Clove, wibhoub her love, if ib must be ; with ifc if power of his could create or develop ib, Two years ago the man would havo laughed fco eeorn an idea thab he would marry any woman on earch for love ; yeb as he slowly retraced his steps to the station, as the train bore him swiftly along to the old Cathedral city, he told himself a hundred timo3 that were she a pauper, the , humblest peasant girl in the land, he would go on hia kneos for her slighteab favour. Love—blind, pa3tionate, eager, and craving, as this man's had come to be for Valerio Cloy so absorbed him of late that his businea*, the curiousnetwcrkhehad woven, had been neglected. He had not acted with half his usual tacb or cunning. Mrs Debree, who had remained in America to look after certain 'interests ' there, had warned him that Iso was growing weak ; efiad written him strenuously to that) effect; had employed every argument to make him feel thab Valeric reeoilod from htm and that he ought nob to marry her, bub despise her; yeb for the sake of once holding hor in hia arms, for the sako of one uureluctanb lifting of her fair lips to his, the man iswore to himaelf thab ho would forego all claim to awy material possession ti)9 world could give. A mud, unreasoning passion, doubtless, such q« would loud turn to forco her bo tho altar by any pretext; yob none tho less had it become tho all-engrossing emotion of tho man's nature—tho oii6 fixed purpose and ambition of his lifs.

Tho brief journey to Exeter found him still pondering these qusetiona with v quickening pulse. Ono important point had to bo considered. How should he explain to Valeria tho name under which he must bo married ? the natna which was attached to the marriage license. He spent an hour walking aboub tho streets and away up the hilly slopes of the old town, thinking over tliia and other matters connoctod with his marriage. Id seemed fceircely crediblo, oven with her words ringing; in his ears, to believe in very truth she vrua to stand ab the altar with him on tho morrow. Avid in three months, hi* mission accomplished, ho could and ivould claim her. Death only could wrest her from him when thai) time was over. And thon, purely the patience, tho intensity, tl»o devotion of his love would win kor ! They would go away—to the Mediterranean, perhaps; somewhere 'far from the maddening crowd ' —and her life should bo ono of perfect luxury ; ideal locus-eating; hours honoyed oven1 and fragrant with the balm and swootneaa of all that the earth could jjive, that love could suggest. Waß ho — could ho be — tho careful, cunning schemer who nob a year ago had laid his plans only for this girl's fortune? How marvellously had Fate seemed to play into his hands. Iloslyn strolled bank to his hotel near tho cuChcdrul, and sitting down ab tho table in hin own parlour, thought over tho curious ovents of tho past cix months ; by what a atrange chance had it como to his knowledge that Colonel Glove nossoHsod a socrot —one which Paul Roslyn and one other man alone shared ; ono that Valeric bad to know, anil which ib beciime his duty to tell her; how, little by little, ho and Benuerton had worked ifc up until tho wholo story was in his hands and he was prepared to say to Valeric,: ' Marry me and 1 will soe your father's name cleared of this stain. With that cloud upon his life you eannob become ilie wiie of any other man. Kofuso me this and you mako via dcaporate ; I can do nothing,' And Valeric had her father's own written words bidding her ' repay Paul Roslyn the debt of eternal gratitude ho owed him.' So, by many thread*, tha not was woven and closely drawn aboub the girl, who, shrink as she might, found hers&lf drawn-in—entangled — hopoleasly hold faat.

Itaslyn had uiade every nrratsgemont for the marriage !;C eleven o'clock the next morning, and ho had considered it judicious 10 ask Mrs M3igs to officiate, with Lena, at< one of the witnesses—explaining to her that, tor purposes ot business, no otio was to know of it for a time—until his return from Algiers*. ' But it will insure good evidence In my favour,' ha had argued to hitxi.-eU. Mrs Meigs will be ix valuable ally. Valeria must), Eii*o, for special reasons, be called Miss Clove,' until his return. Oiva other imtlter ot' imporlp.uce was that, in their capacity of witnesses, Mrs Meigs and Lona. tnuas bo ac a coi'taiu— and safe—distance.

While Roslysi went over papers, read old letter?, and dreamod of the morrow, Valeric Clove waa motionless in her window, looking out; upon the sea, gleaming now with the colours of the eunscb—purple, amour and palo opal hues, Hung lika a royal banner from a!cy to sea, lighting the rocky coast, casting into deepest shadow the verdure of tli'j ciitfa and gentle uplands. And, knowing that on fcho morrow life would bo in one tonso ovar for her, Valerie'd eyes drunk in this fairness of the earth, feasted on this beauty in Nature which she loved, and know that! never sgaia could Eea or shore, sky or upland seem to her the same. Venetian days, with their ineffable, ineffaceable charm of Nature and of companionship, came back aa the radiance in the heavens faded, the vivid tones drifted away, and the pale primrose and opal of the evening lingered. Ah ! Whore was he now ? What would he cay when he heard of her marriage ? Itesting her claeek upon her hand, Valeric closed her eyes, for tears forced themselves from under her lashes, and they fell unheeded, unchocked. 'Good-bye, sweetheart !' the girl murmured to herself. ' Wherever, however you are, good-bye, and God keep you !' Some day, perhaps—some day God would lob him understand ie all. Until then, Bhe must bo patient. (To be- Continued.')