Winifred's Sacrifice.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1900, Page 6

Winifred's Sacrifice.

By MRS GEORGEE SHELDON,

Author of "The Magic Cameo," "Littlo Mis« Whirlwind," "Brownie's Trirnnph," "Stella Rosevelt," "Queen Bess," "The Golden Key," "A Girl in a Thousand," etc. CHAPTER XVI. .WINIFRED DISCOVERS THAT HER OWN AND HER LOVER'S LET rj"( ARE BEING TAMPERED WITH, & ADOPTS RADICAL. MEASURED TO RIGHT THE WRONG. Before he reached the point where he had left his bicycle -/Ir Wadleigh met Winifred riding leisurely down the hill, a pained, thoughtful expression on her fair young- face, which had also lost much of its colour and brightness. The gentleman, having heard nothing of the. conversation which had passed between her and Miss Woodman, believed it was caused by the reaction afjer the excitement induced by the recent accident. He paused as he drew near, and, following his example, she checked her horse beside him. "Well," he began, smiling frankly up at her, "everybody, fortunately, has come out of the late trying ordeal practically without a scratch. I think we may say that it has been a remarkable escape, taking everything into consideration." Winifred shivered slightly as she resu^tyd, figuratively speaking; what she \»JI fluttered from Marguerite WoodfcMUt'u olaws. But she gave him an «iaa wei'lng smile. "Yes, it certainly is wonderful," she said", drawing in a long, deep breath; "it Was a frightful experience." "Indeed it was; I trembled for you when you rushed into the road to try to check that madiiened horse; I expected to see you knocked down and trampled under his cruel hoofs. It was a very daring thing to do; but you certainly checked his headlong pace by the operation. And now, if I may presume so far," he added, a mischievous twinkle in his fine eyes, "I would like an introduction to the young lady who was capable of so brave an act." Winifred flushed, at his request; then, responding to his humorous mood, she said with dimpling cheeks: "With pleasure, Mr Wadleigh; allow me to present Miss Winifred Beresford, and to add that she was most grateful to the, gentleman for coming so opportunely to her assistance a while ago." She bowed with mock formality as She concluded, and he, removing his cap, made a low obeisance in return. Then both broke into a merry laugh, , and from that moment there was established between them a bond of friendship, which lasted throughout their lives. To Winifred it almost seemed as if she must have known. him in some other sphere, for her heart went out to him with a feeling of confidence such as she seldom experienced towards a stranger—she began to feel febttjjething. as.' she ,imagined a young sister might. feel "towards an elder brother. They fell into a friendly chat, during which Mr Wadleigh learned that Crescent Lodge—several views of which he had sketched—was the home of his new acquaintance, and he found himself wishing that he might meet the very interesting maiden frequently during his sojourn in that locality. Finally Winifred, knowing that it was not far from lunch time, and feeling that Mr Wadleigh had been detained by the way long enough, intimated that she must go on, and, after exchanging cordial adieux, the artist pursued his way to the top of Sunset Hill, while Winifred galloped towards home. '; ' , .' ■__ She drnaded to go back; she dreaded to meet both her father and his visitor, but, since she must, she tried to put on a brave face and appeared in her place at lunch with what: selfpossession she could command. Mr Metcalf tried, once or twice, to draw her into conversation; but, at though she was courteous and repliel to him intelligently, her manner was not encouraging, and he finally let her alone. ..■■'.- Late in the afternoon her father insisted that she should accompany them upcn a drive, and charged her to take especial pains with her toilet, and they rode for an hour or more, Mr Metcalf occupying the back seat with Winifred, much to her secret annoyance. Every day for a week she was subjected 'to similar experiences, hrv middle-aged suitor becoming more and more familiar, paying her numerous attentions and fulsome compliments that made her weary and heart-

sick. ;"" _ Moreover, her letters from Roger suddenly ceased coming, and this, of course, was a source of great anxiety and unhappiness to her, for she imagined all sorts of calamities and dangers in connection with him, although she had no suspicion of fraud. ' She began to grow pale and lose her appetite; a feeling of restlessness possessed her; she could not interest herself in her usual pursuits, while she did not sleep as well at night, and Nurse Williams began to be watchful

again. . One morning when the mail arrived at the usual hour and there was still no letter for her from the West Winifred burst into nervous weeping, and confessed her trouble to the faithful womanMrs Williams, who was a shrewd character, although always very quiet and unobtrusive, looked grave, and after sitting in thoughtful silence for some time arose and cautiously closed the door of the room where they were sitting. Then going to Winifred's side she remarked in a significant but confidential tone: "Miss Winifred, if you will write a letter to Lieut. Woodman I will take it to the office for you, dearie. Tell him when he answers it to put it in an extra envelope addressed to me at the general .delivery and I: will: warrant that you will not be disappointed again." ■' -: _ -

The weeping girl Checked her sobs and turned a face of astonishment upon her companion.

Then aU at once she flushed crimson and started to her feet as the meaning flashed upon her.

"Why, nurse," she breathlessly exclaimed, "do you think—oh, would anyone dare to be so cruel as to keep my letters from me?"

"Never mind what I think, dearie. You do as I teU you. It is only an experiment, but if it works satisfactorily then you may think whatever you choose," was the non-committal reply.

"Oh, but I do so hate deception above everything else," tbe young girl cried in a tone of repulsion.

"Well, Miss Winifred, I don't like it either, and it's the last thing I'd suggest if I thought you weren't being abused. But if Lieut. Woodman isn't getting any letters from you I'll warrant he is every bit as anxious as you are" said the woman, with a shrewd expression in her kindly eyes.

"Of course he is! Why, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Winifred aghast. "Well," after a moment of deliberation, "I will try it.for once."

And, with a look of determination on her face, she sat down and indited a letter to Roger, telling him what had occurred to arouse her suspicions that her letters were being intercept, ed, and that night the white-winged messenger went speeding over the rails to the impatient lover, who also had been deprived of his letters for more than two weeks.

Eight days later Nurse Williams made an errand to the village and on her return she placed with an air of triumph a letter addressed to herself in a well known chirograpby in Winifred's eager hands.

When she had read it carefully through twice she quietly folded and returned jit to the envelope, locked it away in her desk, and then went deliberately down to the library, where her father sat writing and alone, for Mr Metcalf had- gone to New York on business and was to remain away over nig-ht.

Mr Beresford looked up from his work surprised as she entered, for of late she had persistently avoided him whenever she could do so.

"Well, Winifred, what is it?" be questioned as he laid dowm his pen to attend to her.

She advanced to the desk and stood where she could look directly into hi a. face, and something in her manner as well as in her clear, steadfast gaze made him feel very uncomfortable, even though he had not the remotest suspicion of what was coming.

"Papa," she began, gravely, "I have never wilfully deceived' you, and I am not going, to begin to do so now, so I have come to tell you plainly that I have discovered that you have intercepted several letters which should have passed between Lieut. Woodman and myself. I will thank you to give them to me."

She assumed that he was the guilty one at a venture, but she knew it beyond a doubt before she was half way through speaking, for he had flushed hotly under the charge and averted his eyes in conscious confusion that carried instant conviction with it.

He was taken utterly off his guard, and realised the fact.

Nevertheless, not knowiflg just how to meet the accusation so unexpectedly brought against him, he took refuge in anger.

"Well, upon my word! that is a pretty charge for a daughter to bring against her own father," he began with eonsiderabe bluster.

Winifred's lips curled with contempt for the subterfuge.

"Don't!":she interposed with scornful appeal, "don't try to evade it, for if there had been a shadow of doubt in my mind before coming to tell you this, there is none now; you have betrayed yourself. Now let me tell you how-1 made the discovery, for, as I have said, I am not going to be guilty of duplicity. My, letters from Lieutenant Woodman ceased coming more than a fortnight ago. I could not understand it and became very anxious. \ Impelled by a suspicion of what might have occured, I wrote to him and mailed my letter at the village instead of having it sent from here,: as usual; and I suggested to Lieutenant Woodman that-he write to me under a-different address, the letter to be called for at the general' delivery. To-nig'bt I received his reply and have learned that five />r six letters which I should have had from him are missing. I have come for them, if you please; also those -which I have written him," she concluded, and looked her companion resolutely in . n'e eye. The man was wrought up to a white heat of passion.

He felt ashamed, humiliated as never before in his life—although he had been guilty of many gross offences — in v'uv of the open, straightforward conduct of this truthful girl and her d'.-tection •of his meanness.

"You cannot have them!" he violently returned.

"You have destroyed them, perhaps?" she questioned. , "It is no matter what I have done with them," he retorted rudely; "you cannot have them! _• ■

"Veil j well," she quietly observed, after amoment of thought, "I can do without them, if you will assure me that they are destroyed, or that you will destroy them if they are still in your possession—that I at least have the right to demand." "Well, then, they are destroyed," Mr Beresford curtly asserted. "Are you satisfied?"

"I am obliged to be —I have no choice," . said Winifred coldly. "And now," she continued with Van air of decision which proclaimed something of the.relentless spirit within her, "I would like to tell you frankly that I shall continue my correspondence wh... lieutenant Woodman, and if I cannot have your promise that our letters will be allowed', to pass -unmolested. I shall not hesita'.e to employ methods to provide against any more of them going astray."

Her companion stared at hei speechless for a full minute; he was dumb in view of* the attitude of independence Which she had assumed and maintained. '

She did not quail before him, but stood quietly awaiting his reply. Then, suddenly, he leaned toward her and seized her by ai'e wrist, his cruel fingers sinking' deep into her tender flesh.

"You obstinatte, wilful girl! do you know what j'ou are doingV" he exclaimed through his tightly shut teeth. "Do you dare defy me thus to my face? Do you know that I have it in my power to blight your whole future with a word—to make you shrink into obscurity and wista to hide yourself from every, one who ever knew you?" 'v am sure. I do not understand you, papa," Winifred returned, an expression, of surprise sweeping over her face; "release my hand, if you please; that is," she continued as he involuntarily obeyed her peremptory tone.

"unless you refer to the supposed disgrace which might follow the execution of your threat of a few weeks ago. But, as I told you then I tell you now, that does not move me."

"That does not move you?" he repeated, hoarsely. "No; not to violate a principle, and I am not morally responsible for any crime which you may commit," she gravely but positively affirmed. "I 'have no wish merely to defy you, as you express it," -she added, even more seriOusly, "and would not presume to disobey you in whatever is just or reasonable; but I am old enough now to judge for myself in certain matters, and, even though you do not recognise if, I shall assert my right to do so. Now, about my correspondence with Lieutenant Woodman, will you allow it to continue in an open, straightforward manner?"

"Never!" the man retorted in a voice scarcely audible from passion, "and, mark me, I will yet find a way to break that obstinate will of yours. Now go!" and he waved her from him with a passionate gesture.

Winifred was only too glad to obey him, although she w Tas too proud and angry to hurry and bore herself with an air of conscious dignity that spoke volumes.

"Good gracious!" breathed the exasperated man as she disappeared, "I came mighty near betraying the whole story to her, and that would have settled everything for me; but the girl nearly drove me frantic with her obstinacy. Bah!" giving himself a rude shake, "there must be some way out of this tangle; some way to bend her to my will, and, by heaven! I'll find it." Martin Metcalf returned the next day and came laden with various gifts for the different members of the ilyMrs Harper -was the recipient of a handsome, cut-glass vinaigrette; Mr Beresford was asked to accept a quaint, rare pipe, and Winifred found upon her dressing case an eleg-aut silver tray containing combs and brushes of varions kinds and a complete manicure set, all having solid silver backs and handles, while beside it lay the donor's card, "with compliments." Winifred swept the things aside with one impatient movement of her hand, a shiver of repulsion passing over her. She could not return them to the giver, and she could not thank the man for what she did not wish to accept from him. About the middle of the afternoon she stole out of the house to a rustic arbor on the grounds, tailing a book with her, and hoping thus to escape both her father and his guest and the hated afternoon drive as well. She read for nearly an hour and had become deeply interested in her story, when, all at once, she became conscious of another presence and glanced up to find her would-be lover standing in the entrance to the arbor. He came forward, bland and smiling, upon finding himself discovered and seated himself beside her. "What have you there that is so entertaining, Miss Winifred?" he. inquired. She quietly passed him the book, a malicious gleam in her eyes, whereupon he flushed, ohed! ahed! and appeared decidedly embarrassed. It'was a pretty little story in French, which was the same as Greek to him.

"We-do not see much of you nowadays," he at length remarked as he passed the volume back to her. "Why do you ran away so by yourself and deprive us of your bright pressenee?" "Well, you and papa are such old friends you - must enjoy being alone together;, doubtless you have many topics of mutual interest to discuss." Winifred demurely replied, and without a suspicion that she -was leading up to the very one he most wished to discuss with her.

"Yes, indeed we hay one in particular," said the man, with gleaming eyes. "Miss Winifred, let me tell you; I can Wait no longer. You know why lam here—you know that I have come with the hope of winning my friend's beautiful daughter for my wife. lam here now, Winifred, to ask you if you will marry me!"

(To be Continued.)