THE ANGEL OF US LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 195, 16 August 1906, Page 6

THE ANGEL OF US LIFE.

By WINTHROP B. HARLAND,

Author of " The Colonel's Enemy" " Ltufy Elgin 'j-. Secret* " The Elder Son" "A Harvest of Skvme," ' " Lord.Ashtoris Heir" etc.

CHAPTER. IX. —(Continued.)

"Yes, dare! I deserve to be treated with respect by you; and you would not do that to Miss Brooke* Remember, please, that I am a lady." "Aud my cousin, which Miss Brooke is not. However, Madgie, I am very sorry that I olTended you, and 1 assure you. and T shall not repeat it without your permission." Madge gave a stately bend, and he laughed outright. "Do you think Victor will break mv head »" "I wish you knew how I hate you!" she said with anger, and Alfred laughed again. "Oh. you little spitfire—what have I done to vex you ':" But Madge was out in the garden ere bis sentence was ended; she fled to her own bower, and presently espied him sauntering forth in hLs cool mornin•suit, reading the newspaper, while he waited for the breakfast, signal. "Oh. you goose—you mad, silly contemptible girl!" she cried, addressing herself, "as if he ever gives a thought to you! You are baby, or child, or spittire—spitfire to bimf You mean little thing, giving your flower to Lord Ralston and thinking he would care!

At Bilberry the squire had gone to bed; the others were standing round the fire yawning—that is Thyra, and Agnes, Madge and Annie—tgvhen. suddenly, the. latter turned to her cousin.

"My dear." she said, putting her hand on Madge's shoulder, "1 must give you a word of warning. Do you think Victor would approve of your Hitting;" Madge reddened to her hair. "I Yvish I knew what you meant, Annie."

"You are no doubt guiltless in intention, my dear child, but. you certainly do flirt'with Lord Ralston. It is unbecoming, and .voir must not repeat it." The great brown -pyxis gazed into tin 1 small hazel ones for a moment, and theai Madge burst into tears, and ran out of the room.

"You must not mind Madge; it is only manner." said Miss Beresford, turning to Thyra. "I don't think you understand her," said Miss Brooke,' rather curtly.

'•I ought, then," said Annie, with rather loss than her usual" amiability; "but perhaps you do!"

"Perhaps. Like will to like." "The idea of putting Madge on a par with a Yvonian of the world!" thought Annie.

Man is fire, and woman Is tow, And somebody comes and begins to blow!"

Alfred Beresford. coming downstairs from bis father's room, encountered Madge ascending. "What is the matter?" be asked,.stopping. "Nothing is the matter. ''What are you crying for. you little goose?"' he asked, putting bis arm round her. "I am not crying—l"m laughing." "Lct N nio see your face, then." "No, I will not?"' she exclaimed, and then suddenly lifted n tear stained, disfigured countenance. "There! isn't it pretty." And, jerking herself from him. ran into her room, burying herself in a chair, a mocking old proverb beating its refrain on her ear:

"Oh, Victor—Victor, why did 1 ever deceive you and deceive myself! There he is, just as quiet and calm as though nothing could disturb him. My dear— my dear, I love you more tbiui anything in the world: and it isn't my fault, but my misfortune. And 1 would rather be buried alive than let you know." A day or two after this, however, she saw him disturbed. Meeting him iti the hall, lie passed without seeing her, a blue ray of anger shooting from his eye. his face clouded.

What is the matter?" she asked Ag-

"Man is fire, and woman is tow. And somebody comes and begins to Mow

""Why did you come": —oh. why did you. I was quite happy until you did: Man is lire—hnl not to mc! Oh mc, my dear, if you were not the line fellow you are —if you were not Ibe dear, true, high-minded, clean-handed English gentleman —just as good as any of their old carls —"' She stopped abruptly, for some one entered. It. was Thyra. and she xvas apparently blind to the tears, and deaf to the sobs.

"I came lo say good night. Madgic. What a splendid night! You should look out at the stars!"

"Tell me."' said Madge, seizing Thyra's hand in two hot, trembling palms, "do you think 1 flirt ? Would Lord Ralston, or anyone, think so?"

"He would not, indeed. Madge: nor did

"I wish," said Madge, after a. pause, "that you would teach mc to be like you." "How like mc?" asked Thyra smiling. "1 can't quite say: but I know you arc different from every one else. Every one respects you. Lord Ralston is quite different when you are with him; Mr Pigott's voice quite changes when he speaks to you. and Alfred —thinks you are a queen, i-o you are among us—a | rose, in thorns!" , | "YVho taught you to pay compliments, 1 Madge?" I "It, is truth!" said Madge solemnly; •'"to-day he quoted that you were a 'porifpei type of good and noble woman hood.' iT'nyra. can you make mc like you—as high, and womanly, and serene?"

"Ilefore I begin any reformations, Madgic. I must have Mr Victor's permission."

A sudden cloud came over Madge's face: she was kneeling.on iho.rug beside Thyra. and she slightly turned her head away.

"Yon have niwer once, told mc about Y T ictor." went, on Thyra. stroking the soft, disordered hair, "never after the first night, when you showed nip your ring. What is he like—or whom, 1 should say? Does he resemble Alfred?"

"Oh. no! he is not such a brave chevalier, and not nearly so decided. If Alfred had had to choose a profession, he would have done it at once, and not wasted time. Poor Victor!"

''Scarcely to be called poor when ho has your love."' said Thyra. kissing the round young check, "(.'ood night, little sunshine."'

"Watery sunshine," said Madge, smiling; and when the door had closed she resumed her former attitude and meditations the text of which -was: '"'Sonicbody comes and begins to blow;.' If she had not come T should never have found out. 1 should have gone on believing that I loved Vie— Good gracious!"

With a sudden flush, and start, and glance at her Ting. Miulge banished reflection and hurriedly undressed. In the morning, when she entered the breakfast-room. Alfred was there alone. "Well. Madge, are you better this morning?" "Better! 1 was not ill."' "Not ill. perhaps. Tell mc what ailed you, like n gciod child."' "I am not a child...and nothing ailed mc that you would care about." "Little goose! Conic, Madgic, don't be cross." "Alfred, I am not cross." she .said solemnly. • "Then kiss and be friends." he returned, soiling the action to the word: but the effect was amazing. Madge started back with flaming checks and eyes of fire. "How dare you 5" she cried passionately. "Dare!" Alfred could scarcely keep from smiling; he had kissed -Madge as he kissed Agnes.

"Annie said something to Miss Brooke, and Alfred was angry about it.'' "Oh!" said Madge, a long-drawn aud most comprehensive, utterance. CHAPTER X. RALSTON BECOMES REFLECTIVE AND I'NUAPPY. They were all -going over to Kingscourt to-day: Lord Ralston hud invited them, after hearing the squire express v wish to sec a certain painting, one of the ninny art treasures at Kingscourt.

"1 like a good picture,'' said the squire, "though 1 don't admire painting a-s a profession, (t is""nirmanlv."

"Aud so useless.'' finished Annie; while George Pigott, who at one point of his career had"held palette and lnsulstick, set his teeth and breathed hard.

It was May now. and in the delightful grounds of Kingscourt were the glow and glory, and the fragrance of lilac, hawthorn, ami laburnum. A man in his own home is at his best or worst; and the squire told himself that Lord Ralston was as worthy of his home as that was of its royal name.

"You had better let mc be guide."' hnid (ieorge. when they were Bearing the pic-tture-gallery: "(.Veil is all very well as an ornament, but. for downrighl usefulness take mc. ticnuine Velasquez that, squire. In passing, note the armour and remember the Chip legend of the American who bought a castle, and kindled a lire in a suit of armour. Ridiculous, Miss Beresford? 1 quite agree with you!"'

And he rattled on, the squire's hearty laugh echoing down the corridors, Rafston following last with a quiet, smile on his face. Turning his head, he saw that Thy™ bad lingered behind, and he Yvent slowly back to her.

She stood beneath a high window of stained glass; queen and knight were there pictured, nud the purple glory of a royal robe was falling on lier in radiant reflection, bars of gold, and crimson, and deep green mingled in long rays, but clear out of the blending yet confused splendour rose her face and shining eves.

"Thyra, is it not singular that this is your lirst visit to Kingscourt:"

"It is, considering the length of our friendship. It far exceeds my expect*-

"I'd give ten years of my life to redeem it," he said, looking through the window. "Indeed. 1 would!" "And there is no way of doiutr so?" "No. There is a chance. Kul so remote I never look at it—the mines, you know." "Only a cluhicc. truly. But you are not extravagant. Cecil, and. while denying yourself, you have never turned a deaf car to the poor: to them your band has been always open, and of one thing 1 am quite sure—Heaven will never be outdone in genorosit.v!"

His calm eyes lighted up. and be smiled. Alfred Beresford. looking back, saw the group; the pair moved slowly forward through light and shadow. All the cold repose of the earl's manner was gone: he was bright, animated, and the face beside him was but a mirror of his own. Or so at least Mr. Beresford thonght.

Perhaps he was the only one on whom the visit had a depressing effect: as they drove homeward Annie commented on his silence.

"My dear sister," he returned, "when a man has nothing to say, he can't talk about it!"

"There is no occasion for you to answer so sharply!" -said Miss Beresford with dignity, and when they were at home he. had to undergo a brief skirmish with his cousin. .

" I think Madge's temper is getting spoiled," he said, laughing, Yvhen his father asked what was the matter.

" Everyone "is temper has been spoiled since "

'" Siuco v Victor went away," said Agnes, finishiug her sister's significant sentence rather hastily.

"Bless the boy!" chimed in the squire, " he is off to the other extreme now; nothing will induce him to leave his studies; he tells mc he won't return until autumn—the end of it, indeed. It's all right if he does not injure himself with study. Mark my trovcls, that boy will be Lord Chancellor vet."

■ May glided on into the Yvarnier June, with its wealth of roses: then came -Tuly. hot and scorching, with- strawberries lurking under cool, glossy leaves: and quietly enough weut on the days at Bilberry externally, whatever might b£the interior distnirbonees—the emotions which, like volcanoes, bided their time. j, JOn&Angggfc JLoxjljßalston,jtnd,2us

cousin came over'to say good-bj r e; they were going north for the shooting sea-

" It's a duty, you know," said George; " besides that, you have a high old time, and the highlanders are very fine fellows!

•These are the men who chase the roe, Whose footsteps never falter, Who brins with them where'er they go A smack of old Sir Walter.' "

''Do you return to Kingseonrt again?*' Th\-ra asked of Lord Ralston, as they walked among the?roses —pink ones, and white, cream-hearted ones, and deepest crimson. "It depends on circumstances, but I think so. Remember that if you want mc, I would come from the ends of the earth to servo you."

'" 1 almost think I shall leave this place, Cecil."

Leave here! Why should you?"

"' 1 think it is—why should I stay? I have no claim upon them, and it seems contemptible.''

" But you arc not dependent on them?"

" Not for pence or shillings; but I should feel happier if I were working my own way."

•' Well, don't do anything rash, Thyra. Will you write to mc. sometimes?" I moan, if I don't return to Kingscourt, that wo are not to lose sight of each other!"'

" I hope not, Cecil. All my past has perished, save your friendship."

And thus they parted

" Lord Ralston might have asked you to join him at his moor." said Annie to Alfred.

Ever since the earl had become a visitor at Bilberry Hall she had had the satisfaction of quoting him and hurling him at the heads of her bosom friends, the C'ot'bys, who had achieved greatness and won en\'y by an acquaintance with Sir Camaby -Tenks: but what was a baronet, to the Earl of Ralston, the lord and master of Kings-court ? To have been able to say to Ellen Corby: '' Lord Ralston and Alfred have gone to Maotavish Lodge—the earl would have him for the season." would have gladdened Annie's heart, hence her remark.

" Lord Ralston did ask mc very kindly." said Alfred, "but 1 preferred home."

'• It's n pity you couldn't persuade that good-looking young Beresford to join us, Cecil. He would have been ' company,' besides tlie diminution of his i-Tiaiues of cutting you out." George Pigott said to his cousin, across the walnuts and the wine. "Cutting mc out?" echoed Cecil. "Thai's plain English, isn't it? If you do uot love Miss Brooke, write mc down an ass. And Alfred Beresford— mere power to him —does the same."

'■ I suppose Miss Brooke is capable of judging for herself. George."' returned Lord Ralston. He had turned very white. " I dou't know about that, dear boy. I believe " ' "Tis net so much tlie gallant who wooes As ihe gallant s way of wooing.' 1 know if I stood in your shoos my pride should be made subordinate to my love. I would marry Thyra. and let the world say what it pleased about Lord Ralston. bearer of a spotless shield, marrying tile daughter of Paul the Magnificent: people didn't scruple to call him a rogue, an impostor '•

" Yon need not repeat, all the choice terms. George. And wlien 1 want your advice about anything 1 will ask you for ii:"'

"Thanks; I'm always ready to it." replied Mr. Pigott calmly." "By the way. the Beresfords are rich?"

" 1 cannot tell you. Miss Madge, of course, was her father's heiress: about the others 1 do not. know. YVbv?"

Only I hope, for Miss sake, 'hat Beresford junior He'll win."

" Nothing Brooke's hath cash

Lord Ralston hud his hand upon the table, tho hand on which was Thyra'a ring like a star. "And if so. George, she will hr happy, for she will Inve hint: therefore, his success will be a proof ot" her Klppinoss."

George laughed in mocking style

"' Tis not so much the gallant who wooes." sweet coz'. By .love! I'll take the lesson to myself—when 1 go in search of a wife. Know any heiress in want of a penniless lad wi' a long pedigree. Cecil? No? Well, 1 do. I know a sweet little Andromeda bound to a double rock— one a silly, childish engagement; another, an equally silly. I fancy, for a being who is looking another way. I am the Pc.rseu-s to free her from both! Wasn't it Perseus? 1 like to lie correct in my allusions."

"You are unintelligible to-night. George: but experience has taught mc that sean-ehing for your meaning is winnowing chaff."

And. with a slightly weaned air, Lord Ralston rose from the table; while George strolled out to smoke.

"Thank the stars for my cousin's stilts!" went his musings. "If he were not so high-flown in his notions he would have married Thyra, and, heigh-ho! for my chances of Kingscourt! Now Beresford will cut in between; then I shall try my heiress, and cast myself on Cecil's mercy. I think 1 can prevent him marrying; if 1 don't it shall not be for the wnnt of trying. Nothing venture— nothing win—the world over!"

Cecil was alone in the small blue drawing room— a. fa-vourite chamber of the late countess; his t'ico was paler and more thoughtful than usual, and his mind dwelt mi his cousin's words.

He looked back upon his past, and. 'like a star with ray constant, pure, and changeless, he. saw her Yvhom once he had so easily given up; and beyond all others she was set. a shininc lily among other women, wtith their petty spites and narrowness, their changofulness and instability; with her he was at liis best; Yvith her. the true, patient friend, the noble woman who had set him free, from an engagement he had believed irksome, which now, oh. irony of fate! he would give bis life -to renew.

It was too late: one better and truer than he loved her, and she wonld love him: he had thrown away his pearl of great price, only to realise its beauty Yvhen another would wear it. She was his fair ideal, on whom fell the purple splendour of the king's mantle: but he realised that truth too late.

(To be continued daily.)