GLADYS', WEDDING DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1902, Page 6

GLADYS', WEDDING DAY.

(By BERTHA M. CLAY.) 'Author of "True to Her First Love," "A Bitter Atonement," .etc. CHAPTER X. THE ECSTASY OF REUNITED HEARTS. " Excuse my intrusion," Lawrence Weyville said in his most suave tones, " but hearing that Lady Eeatherstone was ill, I ventured to bring the refreshments myself and dispatch the waiter to find Mrs. Ainbei worth." "Lady Featherstone? " Ah! yes —Athol remembered that in all other places that was the name which Gladys Ramsey was supposed to bear. Only in this out-of-the-way spot, where she had been hidden during these long* years of probation, was she known by her maiden name. "I thank you, Mr. Weyville," said the earl, " but I must even at this critical moment disabuse your mind of one thing. This lady is Miss Heathcote, not Lady Featherstone. Our marriage does not take place for four days." " Not married! What does it all mean?" said Lawrence, white with fury. " Explain yourself, my lord. Have I been tricked and deceived, after all? " The earl eyed him sternly. " Sir, I refuse all explanation," he said. "I can see no right by which you'can demand one. Harriette, I am glad you are here. If you will stay with my poor girl, I will go and see after the carriage, so that we can get her away without any commotion." Gladys opened hereyes as she was received into the plump embrace of the earl's sister, _md gazed wildly around. "Where is he? Where is he?" ahe murmured. Then her eyes fell on Lawrence Weyville, and she shuddered and clung to Mrs Amberworth for protection. "What is the matter, dear?" said the latter, soothingly. "Tell me what' has frightened you?" A thrill of horror passed through the frame of the young girl. " I thought I saw him—Colin,'; she murmured, as she buried her face in the1 ample bosom of her protector. " Whom does she mean?" cried Mrs. A-mberworth, looking eagerly at her brother. " This person, I suppose, a cousin of hers," said the earl, " who caused her much sorrow years ago." "No, no! Colin! Colin!" cried Gladys; while you were talking to me, Athol, I thought I saw him standing at the door, pale—ghostly, reproachful. It must have been his spirit, come to remind me of our old love, and my present faithlessness." "Who is Colin?" asked Mrs. Amberworth. " Her former lover," said the earl, gravely; "he was drowned on hi_ voyage out to India. She has kept no secrets from me, her heart has been to me as an open book. I know that the dead man is still my rival. I know that' she loves him vet, but I.have set myself the task to make her happy and teach her to forget the past." "Excuse me, my lord," said Lawrence Weyville, " excuse me, but Colin Ramsey —rightful owner, as I believe, of Featherstone' Towers—was not Miss Gladys Heathcote's lover, but her husband. If this is not the case, who is Gabriel Ramsey, now four years of age, and bom at Villagio in the year 1880? The names of Gladys Ramsey and Colin Ramsey are recorded on the marriage register." The earl's face had been turned tovard Lawrence, vainly hoping to detect anything which would prove that the man was spealdng falsely. Alas! it was evident that his words were too true! His face was flushed, and his eyes ■were ablaze with triumph. Lord Featherstone turned toward Gladys. She was sobbing violently, her head on Mrs. Amberworth's breast, her arms tightly clasping her, as if for protection, a tide of crim son dyeing her face and neck. "' I will go and see to the carriage," said the earl; aud beckoning to Weyville he passed out. "I expect you to come home with ice," he said to Lawrence, in a hard, unnatural voice; "you must,1 for all our sakes, substantiate your words." "I shall be most happy to do so," replied Lawrence, whose heart was beating with evil triumph. "And show me proofs?" "Certainly, my lord." What a melancholy ride home that was for Gladys. She was accompanied only by Mrs Howard Amberworth. Tlie earl and Lawrence Weyville walked in absolute silence. Once or twice Gladys' enemy endeavoured to force conversation, but in vain. "I decline," said the earl, "to enter into the matter in any way until we reach the grange. I never talk scandal behind people's backs." (To be concluded.)