AT BEAUTY'S BAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 280, 25 November 1910, Page 8

AT BEAUTY'S BAR.

CHAPTER XLJ.— (Continued.)

The postboys drew up the foaming horses on their haunch.es, and a blushing, sparkling, radiant face, encircled in a charming bridal bonnet, came suddenly into view, and before Miss Manwaring had time to brush away a single tear, or, indeed, see anything clearly, the carriage door was opened, and Minnie, springing out, "was in her arms, laughing and crying toy turns.

A tall figure followed her, whose handsome, sunburned face seemed now a little pale from agitation. Squire Willoughby's ruddy countenance, too, lost its colour and his voice shook.

"Frank!" he exclaimed, and stopped, as if "words at this moment of liis life had no power to express the tide of feeling that came rushing to his heart.

"Father!" said the young man, with a slight, sad smile 'that did but quiver on his lips and then passed away.

"My dear boy!" The words came brokenly, then they clasped hands, and eyes were blinded with teare, and heart spoke to heart without an uttered "word.

There was no flinging of arms wildly round each other's neck, no rubbing together of manly faces, no frantic exclamations of mutual forgiveness, but with true English calm there was the silent pressure, the electric touch of kindness, the glow of; affection in every thrilling nerve. " But th'e'calm was like-the quiet of the ocean, iv 11 of .strength, subduing the mighty waves of agitation that in lighter" natures would have broken through their barriers. Still the tears would dim eyes that after years of estrangement weTe at last looking kindly into each other's depths again. Then the old man linked his arm in his son's, and stood leaning on him—as if he needed ■help, the stalwart English giant that ihe was—while he scanned : hts son's face tenderly to see what changes thne had made.

"You are a handsome fellow, Frank; you don't shame the Willoughbys."

The young man glanced at the papers lying on the Jawn. "And never bave done so, father. I sent those- as my avant couriers. I would not take back my name or claim my place till I had cleared "

"My dear boy, be pitiful! Do not speak just yet of the past. Let us hear what Miss Man.waring and Minnia arc saying."

"Allow mc to present Mrs Frank Willonghby," said Miss Man-waring, with, intense gratification.

The equire looked at her with 'beaming eyes, and pinched her pretty cheek with fingers turned to velvet.

"Ah, you little puss, how daTed you take my son without my leave i"

"I deny that," said the bride, blushing and emiling. "I had your written permission. Auntie can vouch for your words. 'Tell her she has my leave to marry whomsoever she pleases, so long as she refuses Algy Northcote.' So take my thanks, papa,"

Minnie bad her round white arm.-) round the old gentleman's neck, and had "given him two kisses before he couM epeak.

"Frank, it's very nice ito- have a papa," said Minnie.

"Frank, you sly dog," said the squire, "it's very nice to have a daughter." "Excuse mc, Miss Manwaxing," observed Mass Brown, "but the gathers of your dress are all awry behind. I suppose you stepped on your gown iv getting out of the way of the carriage. Really, it was a mercy she was not ridden over," she continued, turning to Mr Hunter for a listener. "I kept on telling her in vain ■feha't a carriage was coming." "In this foaming excitement your words fell like a pebble into the sea. But it's as good a bit of sport to mc as a first-rate run."

"Oh, I dare say; but I think the grass is getting damp," said Miss Brown. Here Frank's voice broke in.

"You see," he was saying to his father, "I was v«ry thankful to you for sending Hunter to Wrangham. His zeal, his sense, his prudence "Draw it mild," my dear fellow," interpolated that cheery gentleman. Frank gripped his hand, shook it heartily, and then went on:

"Well, let mc praise young Moberlv, then. There are no words to tell what "a good fellow he is. But for him we should never have arrived at the result, or have identified his cousin with the poor vagabond I had been looking after so long. You must know, sir, I always felt sure he could clear up this matter, •but then I could not find the fellow at any of his haunts, and orriy idea was that Algy was either hiding him or knew where he was, and that through him I should discover him. For this purpose, just to watch AJgy a little, I went to Mintford, and I allowed Minnie to go to Penibert«n "

"Where you grew jealous," eaid Miss Manwaring.

"Jealous! No, not at all; but I confess I was uneasy and a little angry. Here was I, only able to meet Minnie under the greatest difficulties—a ride now and then in the loneliest lanes, with thai rascal Cridge far -escort, a harried interview' in. the park or garden, end Minnie trembling like a ibird, and longing to get away, /while all the time- Algy was

riding up to the house nearly every day, and spending hours with her quite comfortably, and Minnie singing to him, or playing draughts with him, while 1 was kicking my heels out in the' rain under a hollow tree, and getting mistaken for a, thief or a poacher. Bless mc, Minnie has no idea how expensive such a courtship.was. I've spent a fortune in bribes to keepers and gardeners." "But you couldn't expect Minnie in the rain," expostulated the laughing squire. "No; but then I felt myself such an unfortunate fellow." "You look Hike one," said his father, shaking his head, while his face beamed all over with smiles. "I don't mean now," returned Frank, •with, a proud look at his wife. "You sec, Minnie, they won't let mc flnieh my story."

"I'll finish it for you," said Miss Manwaring. "You must know, squire, that under the difficulties of a secret courtship, these young people began to torment each other. Frank grew so fiercely jealous of Algy that he gave Minnie no peace "

"I acted for her sake," broke in Frank. "I wiehed to place her in a position "•'

"Which should render her less liable to be attacked with offere of marriage. In a word, he insisted upon marrying her himself instantly."

"Well, • I was justified. I knew Algy was desperate, and helped as he was by the o3d lady, I felt alarmed for Minnie's safety." .

"Yesj you were justified," continued Miss Manwaring; "therefore, on being appealed to, I gave you my help."

"So you were in it from the beginning?" said the squire. "No wonder you took it so tranquilly when you heard Minnie had run away—to her husband. Why didnt you let mc into the secret?"

"I was .bound not to tell till Frank's name was cleared. Xow, will you let mc finish? I wrote to Minnie to meet mc at Mintford, if she could come so far, and it seems she could, with Frank's escort. "Well, there we three agreed on settlehalf the way. Well, there we three agreed on settlements and all other business—dispatched quickly by my lawyer— Frank Ibeing most easy to deal with in this Tespect, making Minnie keep all her money, but very difficult, and full of grum'bHng " "Well," burst in Frank, "I swear I •could hardly stand it. I had thoughts of pummelling 'AJgy into a mummy or of popping him with a rifle as he rode up ihe pxrk " "And seeing this desperate state of things," continued Miss Mauwaxing, "I consented to an immediate marriage by special license, and so, a few days after our first meeting at Mintford, we met again, and I gave Minnie to her husband in the little church .there. And all this would tare been kept secret some little time longer but for Minnie's alarm, *which induced her to fly at once to her husband for protection." "I confess," said Minnie, blushing rosy red, "that when Cridge divulged Algy's daring scheme to mc, I thought it 'best and safest to show him at once that I had a lawful protector." "You did quite right," said Frank. "I should have been annoyed if you had gone to anyone but mc. You would not have been safe at Pemberton, and had you come here Algy would have pursued you, and, in ail probability, I should have broken his 'bones." "Dear mc!" said Miss Brown. "Ah, it's quite touching to see the Jove of (these young folks," said. Mr Hunter, in a low voice. very nice, but it was a horrid black beetle that made mc cry out," returned Miss Brown. "And there's a grasshopper on your coat, Mr Hunter!"

"Wiat a woman!" thought the lawyer. "No more feeling than a brute who shoots a fox."

"Yes, yes," the square was observing, "after such an attem.pt on Algy's part Minnie's only place was by her husband's side."

"And I hoped, if possible," said Minnie, "to screen my father's mother. I never intended to let you know she had any share in this, and I still think some mistake has led her into it. I have learned to care for my grandmother, and I believe she loves mc a little."

"It looks black against her—this bond, and all the Test of it," said Mr Willoughty.

"We won't speak of it," .returned Miss Manwaring, who had observed the shade on Minnie's face. "We will give 'her the benefit of our doubts."

"\Ali, Minnie iwon l t let mc say a -word against the old lady," remarked Frank. "And now, as the horses have had a little rest, we'll start."

"Start!" exclaimed the amazed squire. "Why, where are you going?"

"Going!" rejoined Frank. "Why, on our honeymoon, to be sure! You don't begrudge a man a honeymoon who has passed such a difficult courtship as mine?"

"Well, well," said his father, "but it's rather hard on mc, you see, to part with you the moment you arrive."

"We shall have a nin through Switzerland, and be bade again in no time," Frank answered, drawing his wife's arm firrough. his own. "Now, let via go without «ny fnas. Min-nin is tired. Yon forget she:hesLJied * long run JatoMOonrwalljto

find a truant husband. I could not refuse to go -with. Moberly. He, and Hunter, and I left Wrangham together, and reached Penmare just after that poor fellow died. So Minnie had to come there after mc; and now you can appreciate her goodness, and likewise mine, in stopping here on our way to give you these long-winded explanations, in spite of >fatigue."

"But surely," exclaimed Miss Manwaring, who had stood very silent and pale, ".Minnie must stay a day or two to get her clothes from Pemberton, and to pack up her things here?"

"My dear aunt," returned the triumpphant bridegroom, "I managed .all ..tihai ■long ago. I secured Minnie's measure from her dressmaker, and in those numerous trunks there ds 'hidden a trousseau that will gladden your appreciative eyes when you overhaul it. Now, Minnie, Ftt give you two minutes to say goodbye." "Isn't he ridiculous?" said Minnie, laughingly, while tears shone'in her eyes. "Fancy his getting all sorts of things for mc!" "Five minutes more and we lose the ■train," said Frank. "So. two minutes are a liberal allowance, Minnie, and they won't admit of a very—lachrymose faTewell." Miss Manwaring and Mr. Willoughby looked at each other with forlorn countenance, as the old must look when the young • leave them, too full of their' own happiness to understand. that this calm as but -their resignation; to the grief .they hide.'V - - : .-.- ' -, ■ .j/;. ; - \ ' > j"SjA hurried: kiss; jah-: ;uiiercha , nge -jf a lew loving words, "and Miss Man-waring ■drives, .'back: the' tears; that : well - into.her eyes, while Mr. Wilioughiby wrings l his son's hands again and again.

"And when you come 'back, my. lad, we'll have cheering and "

"Here's a man on horseback," said Miss Brown. "Coming at a great speed," she added, peering through the trees, and Tittering her -words slowly, as she caught glimpses of him in and out and behind groups of trees.

"Never teaindt Now, Minnie!" cried Frank.

But the man, or, rather, boy, on horseback did mind, for he came bouncing into the 'midst of the party like an express train.

"Mrs Willoughby," he said, taking off his cap, not from politeness but to dive into the crown of it for a crumpled paper.

■"•Mrs Wiiloughby?" rejpeated 'the equdre, with a sly glance at Miss Manwaxing. "Here," said 3lhmie, in a very soft voice.

"Ah, to .be sure!" said Mr. Willoughby. "How cwuld we be so foolish?"

"Mrs. WUloughby,'.' resumed the boy, witaoufc stops. "Telegram. Answer paid for. Am Ito stop?" And now all the group gathered round ■the ominous scrap of paper that fluttered in Prank's hand.

"Penmare. Sebastian Moberly to Mrs. Willoughby: lady Margaret is here, dangerously ill—not expected to live. She implores you to come to, her instantly. Explanations on arrival." As Frank read this out, the listeners looked at each other with Wank faces, and the paper fell from (his hand to the ground. "She never received my 'letter!" cried Minnie, divining the truth. She clung to her husband's arms -with -tears. "We will go to her, Frank."

The young husband's face -was full , of dismay, 'but he knew how to accept the inevitable. Yet he kept silent as Ihe hastily penned an answer to the telegram. "I would go for you, Minnie, df I could," said Miss Manwaring, "and nurse the poor creature with all niy heart." "Now, if I were il], or any one who would like to have you for a nurse, you wouldn't make that offer," observed the squire. "Lady Margaret would be so ■pleased to 'have you, wouldn't she?"

"I did not think of that; ibut this da •not the time for enmity."

"If I can !be of any use," remarked Miss Brown, with the calmness of an icicle, '"I am sure I'll go with pleasure." "Ah!" ejaculated the squire. After which be eaid nothing.

Meanwhile, Minnie had both, her hands on 'her husband's left arm, and was looking in his "face with imploring eyes, •fall of tears, and he was gradually giving up his dream of Switzerland and of Italy ■for the sake of an old woman who had ■hated him. But he knew how to do things pleasantly.

He handed over the telegram to the gaping boy, and turned to Ms -wife -with amazing cheerfulness.

""Now, Minnie, jump into the carriage. We have just time to catch the down train. On the whole ; I think Cornwall is ■better tlian Switzerland, and the sea at Penmare is so glorious!"

Off at last, at full speed, almost without a good-bye, and Miss Manwaring wipes her eyes hurriedly to catch a last glimpse of Minnie, as she -waves her hand from the carriage window.

The squire stooped to caress his dog, and under cover of that "big animal, furtively used his handkerchief to remove a suspicious dampness on his eyelashes.

Mr. Hunter mounted !his horse unobserved, and quietly rode away. Miss Brown changed her everlasting knitting from the right porner itajtiie left,_ma.de

two little clicks, and picked up a dropped stitch.

"Frank is a good ■boy," said the squrre, still smoothing 'his dog.

"Should I have given tim Minnie jf I had not known that? Ai;d I have seen the gold the fire. Poor fallow, this is rather hard on him, isn't it?" '"Not at all,"" returned Mr. by. . "Miss Brcmm, do ,go in and get us a cup of tea, there's a good soul."

. Hiss Brown ceased her knitting and obeyed, followed by Joseph, carrying all the papers gathered into- a bundle.

. "Not at. all," continued the squire, following .up his thoughts. "If it were you and I, do you think I should care if, it were Cornwall or Switzerland?"

"What are you talking' of?" asked Miss Manwaring.

"I am saying, the best thing we two forsaken ones can do is to keep house together. You can give up Beokieigh to Minnie and Frank,' and come to the Grange to comfort mc."

••Miss 3lanwaring passed her arm through his as ehe answered him.

"No, my old friend, I cannot do that. I have already said it is impossible."

Her grave, sad tone made him. look oil her face with surprise.

"Why?" he asked urgently. "Let us sit down here beneath this tree, and I will tell you.".

Tea half-an-hour,. and Miss Brawn counted how. many times the little copper kettle boiled' over -while they sat still on the garden seat, aincl Miss Manwaring told her early history to her old friend.

"So Martin's memory stands between mc and/anyrnpyr.. would make a. mockery of my AVedding ring. lam too old to take up a new life, and discard ,old , feelings that are rooted'deep in my inmost soul. We shall .befriends —dear friends. John, you must say to •mc: 'We are friends still, and God bless, you.'" Mr. WillougKby said the required ■words dn a, husky voice, then he drew Miss Manwaring's hand ■within his arm, and led her to the door, but here they, parted. ■ . ,-.- He mounted his horse,- and galloped many miles without stopping. So the sun set, and the evening shadows fell down. on. the young'couple travelling joyously together—on .the old man riding beneath the shade of the old elms of Willoughby, -with the deeper ehadorws of yeare gathering about him; on Miss Manwaring in her lonely home,

(bravely resisting the ch'fll of bereiie; ■ment, bravely ignoring the hot tein that fell on her clasped hands 1 lyiie idle-in her lap. ■ \T

Even so runs the -\v6rld .away. Tfcv young leave for a new life, and.the oR •left alone, shrink, nipfe and 'more ' more into themselves, and, gazingiioiml upon walk, and furniture,- find they, mnsfc learn .to call these .things home.. -'>-•■''■ Miss Man-waring thought r often that night of !Lady Margaret, thought .niti. fully of her forsaken age, her? long lone." liness, and, thus thinking, ihe/gained an insight into the "weariness and bittew ness of her last years, and she forgwe her allthe past. . .' .. ;:- ---(To be continued ..'. ■'