A WOMAN IN THE CASE

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 22, 27 January 1898, Page 6

A WOMAN IN THE CASE

I | By MRS E. BURKE COLLINS,

Author of 'Married for Gold,' Bonnie ; Jean,' 'A Terrible Penalty,' etc., etc.

CHAPTER TX

BACK AGAIN,

An hour ])nssed, but thes lovers heeded uot the Wight of time. At length Ardsley arose. '1 nrnst leave yon. darling,' he said, *and your guest will wonder at your long absence.' He stooped and kissed her once, and then he left the room, while Lesley returned to Mrs Greyson and Maude, who had begun to think that she was asleep. There was a look of perfect happiness on Lesley Dinsmore's face, which not even her sudden acquisition to fortune had had power to bringthere. Bttt she kept her own counsel; and the day passed somehow, and Maude returned to her home without suspicion of the strange happiness that had crept into Lesley's life. For Lesley had promise*! John Ardsley to keep' their secret for the present ; there, were reasons, he said, why no one should know the truth just at that time. 'Stolen waters are sweet,' and Lesley was quite willing to keep their secret unshared ; and thus a week passed in. perfect, unalloyed happiness. Alas !in this world of sin and sorrow, to how many of us poor mortals is one week of happiness vouchsafed ?

Lesley stood on the verandah one night in the pale moon rays, a white shawl wrapped about her, and her eyes shining like stars. Ardsley came to her side, and laid one hand on hers. There was no one near, and he stooped and kissed her. 'Darling,' he whispered, softly, ' 1 am going to ask you to prove your love and confidence in me by making a sacrifice. Lesley, could you, would you marry me at once, in secret, and jet the matter remain a secret, for n certain time, not- far distant, when I will divulge it to the world?' She rested her head upon his shoulder, and her sweet face flushed. "I trust you,' she murmured. 'Then you will consent,' he cried, eagerly.

'I will think it over, and let you know by to-morrow,' she responded in a whisper. 'Heaven bless yon!'

And then astep upon the verandah startled the lovers, and when Mrs Greyson approached, John was standing aloof, one hand resting upon the trellis near upon which the Guelder roses were creeping slowly, their fragrant' heads glittering with dew; while Leslie reclined in her easy chair, some distance away. But no olie saw the dark figure which crouched behind a tree, its trunk covered with clinging ivy forming a screen; or the white wrathful face and burning eyes which had been watching them iutently.

Lesley knew that she loved John 'Ardsley with all the strength of her young heart, which had never oared for any man before. She trusted him, although she had not known him over thre&'l.months. And considering the high t re'cbmiiTe"ri-dations in regard to his character —from some of the most exalted^ dignitaries in the land—the girl w^nrdf-so much to be blamed and censured as blindly credulous. She gave him her answer, and, as one might predict, it was not- adverse. She had made up her mind to marry John Ardsley secretly, and at once. Why • need th*y Wait? True, she would not comd into cognplete control of her fortune for nearly two years yet, but why could tlu.'j' not live on es they were, and yet she would have some one always near her who wo\ild have a right to protect her and care for her ? She was intensely romantic, you will perceive. She had never cared for any one before. John Ardsley was the ouly man who had ever kissed her lips, and she lavished upon him all the wealth of love in her heart. She did not question his reason for keeping their love a secret, or for asking her to marry him clandestinely ; she had all the beautiful trust and confidence of youth, which, once lost, is like the down brushed from the pink cheek of the ripe peachit can never be restored, though we barter our lives to regain it.

The days came and went, Maude Uradburn iiitted in and out of the house like a fairy, but Lesley felt no longer jealous of her pretty friend. John Ardsley loved her; he had no soft words or tender glances for any other woman, and Lesley was content, ami oh, so happy !

And one night, in the fair moonlight, Lesley stole forth from Cliad■wicke Hall, and entering the carriage which Ardsley had in wailing, she •was driven to a distant town, and there the solemn vows were plighted which made them husband and wife.

In the pearly moonlight they drove slowly back to the hall, too intensely happy for words. Mrs Greyson, believing that Lesley had been visiting her friend Maude, met her in the entrance hall.

'Why, my dear, she cried, taking the white'hands in her own, and kissing the girl's soft cheeks, . 'how lovely, how radiant you are ! You look so happy, Lesley !' And both of them recalled these ■words in the/dread, dark afterwards; for it were many a long clay ere the heiress of Chadwicke Hall was happy and care-free again.

Sitting in the pretty morning-room the next morning, all in white as usual, Lesley was startled as a servant announced Max llnthven. She arose with quiet dignity. He came in, white to the very lips, and his dark eves glinted maliciously as they fell upon the young girl. 'Good-morning,' he began, with ill— concealed derision, 'good-morning Mrs Ardsley ! '

Lesley, pallid as mai'ble, sank into her seat again. How had he learned her secret ? 'What —do—you—mean ?' she faltered.

Max Ruthven's cold eyes never re-

mored their glance of triumph and hatred from her white face^ ' 'Ah !' he sneered, insolently, 'you fancied your secret unknown; 'but — listen to me, madam —you can never hide anything from Max lluthven ; so don't you try it ! Stop a moment,' he continued, as Lesley arose with quiet dignity, and laid her hand upon' the bell-rope ; 'listen to what I have to say, if you please, madam; it will! not detain you long- : and then, if you think best, yon can order your servants to put me out. You have seen fit 1o wed with this stranger; now let 'me tell you-a secret. 1 know all I about him. He calls himself John ! Ardsley; but his real name is Guy Raleigh, and —he is a married man !' With a low groan of mortal agony, Lesley's hand dropped from the bellrope,' and she reeled forward unsteadily. There was a hustle in the hall without, and glancing up, her eyes fell upon the face of Lurline C'hadwicke. She came forward with insolent grace. 'Madam," she cried, in a clea1.1, ringing- tone, 'T swore never to cross the threshold of Chadwicke Mall again until I came back to my own—until 1 returned its mistress. Lesley Dinsmore Ardsley — whatever you call yourself —my hour has come !' (To be Continued.)