LADY DAMER'S SECRET

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 236, 3 October 1916, Page 10

LADY DAMER'S SECRET

By BERTHA M. CLAY Autthr of "Put Asunder," "The Sins of the Father," "Redeemed ty Love," "A Secret Borrow," "The Shadow of a Bin," eto.

CHAPTER XVni. MISS CHARTERIS RETURNS. A week, had elapsed, and Lady Darner still looked ill and unlike herself. She could not relieve her mind by speaking of her fears to anyone; but the dream had been a terrible shock to her. She was happier now, for Hope had returned, and she always brought with her an atmosphere of strength and rest. The t#ro sisters were seated now in the luxurious dressing room of Lady Darner—a scene of magnificence, luxury, and elegance not to be surpassed. . Florence sat beside the sumptuous toilet table; the dinner bell had not rung yet, but she was ready dressed, and had dismissed her maid in order tbat she might have a few minutes alone with her sister. Hope'cs eyes rested admiringly on the lovely figure before her. "Floy," she said, "I do not wish to flatter you, but I do think you grow more beautiful every day." There was some reason for what she said. Lady Darner's dinner dress was of rich amber silk, the beautiful neck and arms were like white, polished marble: she wore a coetly necklace of pearls, with a small ruby cross, a pearl 'bracelet was clasped round one fair arm. the masses of golden-Thrown hair were fastened with a email circlet of pearls; she had a richly jewelled fan in her hand, which she moved carelessly—it seemed to stir the fragrant air into richer fragrance. Lady Darner smiled indifferently. "1 am glad you think so. Hope. I dc not wish to lose my beauty yet." "You will have to abdicate some day ir. favour of Rose, Floy. She will be v very lovely girl; but, now that I look more closely at you, you have lost your colour. Have you been ill? You do not look so bright or so happy.'* "I have wanted you, Hope," said Lady Darner, as she moved her jewelled fan more quickly. "What should I do without you? I have missed you so much!" "Why did. you want mc, darling, asked the elder sister, looking anxiously at her. "Because I had grown so nervous and frightened—for a whole day and night I thought of nothing but that terrible time at Riversmead. It seemed to haunt me—l could not take my mind, or bear my thoughts, from it; and then, Hope, I had such a terrible dream—l must tell il to you—it almost drove mc mad." "Dreams are only dreams, darling," said Miss Charteris. "But this was so terrible, Hope, I must tell it to you." and, with a face that grew whiter as she spoke, Lady Darner told her dream. "Do you know, Hope," she said, "that it impressed mc *feo that whenever I have looked up at the sky since then I have seen, in naming letters, 'Lady Damer'* Secret'?" "My dear Floy, you are nervous, that is all; and your nervousness has taken that shape. It is not fo be wondered at, if you thought of nothing else for a day and a night. I advised you always to forget it, to drive it from your thoughts." "I could not; it mastered mc," she said. "Oh, Hope, dear Hope,. forgive mc if I try your patience. Do you think my—secret is safe?" "Yes I know it; if it were not, I should not, I could not, look into your face with a smile. I am quite as anxious over you as you can be for yourself. I have lived for you, Floy. I have been mother and sister and friend. Danger, threatening you, must touch mc first." Lady Darner looked greatly relieved. "And you really think it is'safe, Hope —that wearisome secret!" "Safe as are the dead. Remember, so few knew it—only the doctor and Mrs. Lejnbourne. The doctor I do not thint--would betray us, if he were threatened with the rack; and even were -he inclined to do so, he could not. I left no clue to our future when we quitted Hyde Park Terrace. He could never find'us, for be would never dream of looking for you at' Avonwold. Mrs. Leybourne looked upon you as a very young wife, whose husband was abroad, and whose friends were not quite content .with the marriage. She only knew you as Mrs. Maxwell, and 6he is far away in America, probably dead, but never likely to return. You see, darling, there is not really one loophole by which your secret could escape." ' "1 have almost despaired," she replied. "Oh, Hope, could the leaves of tho forest or the birds' song, tell it as I dreamed?" Miss Charteris smiled. "You are allowing your nerves to get the 'better of wisdom," she said. "Leaves do not talk. You must call a little common sense to your aid. You may, indeed, rest content. I pledge you my life that your secret is safe. I should not bave allowed, your marriage unless it had been so. Now,- look up, darling—your own 'bright self. Smile, and tell mc you are ashamed of each childish fears." Lady Darner's beautiful face cleared. "I have been so very happy, of late years, Hope," she said wistfully; "Karl is co fond of mc, and I love him so dearly. I worship my children. I am so happy, so honoured, so beloved, in my home, that it would be ten thousand pities if that dreadful history came to light now. Oh, Hope, it would kill mc, or drive mc mad." _"Yon know it iwill never be, Floy. Now, drive' it right away from your mind; do.not think of it again. Remember, I have pledged my life for yoar safety, and I have told you that what you call a nervous fear is nothing but ill health and nervous imagination. Now Ibe happy again, Floy." Lady Darner had learned to rely so implicitly on her sister's word, that the doubt cleared from her mind, the fear rolled away, as does the morning mist before the warm sunbeams. "Remember, Floy, this ie to be the last time, it is mentioned, between us; and. now let us speak of other things. I hope, dear, when Alwin goes' to Oxford I I shall not be obliged to live there." I Miss Charteris laughed as she spoke. "No;.that is different. I could not have sent Rose to Paris unless I had known you were near. You are my tower of strength, Hope. I had a certair conviction that no harm could come to the child when you - were near" her;" "And how have you enjoyed yourself, Floy, of late ? Lord' Darner tells mc yoa .have been very-gay." "- "We paid a very pleasant visit to Hatton Court. I like the Dysarts so much, Hope. Lady Dysart is one of the most charming women I know, and her son, Lord St. Albans, is perfectly de lightful. He inquired about you co very kindly." "He has left Oxford, then?" said Miss Charteris indifferently. "Yes. I had not time to tell you in pryrlctttrttof tte:aocid-rt tbat'hapiqfrfd

to him. His mother will never trust, him out of her sight again, lam sure. He is, as you know, anything hut strong, and he -went out boating. with two of his friends, fell. into the river, and 'would been drowned but for the bravery of a young companion, who rescued him. He had a very narrow escape—one minute longer in the water, and he conld not have recovered, the doctors- said." "I am very glad he was saved; Lady Dysart -would never have recovered from the shock." "The young hero who saved him ie at Hatton Court now; they will never let him go again; he is like a child of their cwn." "They are sure to be very grateful t/b him." said Miss Charteris carelessly. "I think dinner is late to-night, Floy." 'Karl -and'l both fell in love withj this young collegian, Hope; he is my' perfect idol realised; he is all that a young man should be—beautiful, for hiel face is so fair and spiritual; gifted, a poet, an artist, with such a charm of manners." "My dear Floy, Karl will be jealous." "So, Karl likes him quite as much as I do; he has asked him to come over to i-Avonwold. He is not twenty," she added, i with a smile; "so that there is very little cause for jealousy." Miss Charteris did not seem *o be particularly interested in her sister's favourite. "What is tbe name of your young hero?" 6he asked, wishing to show some little interest. "He has a very romantic name—Yerner Elster. Hope, Hope, what is the matter?" For Miss Charteris had fallen back in her chair, &- ghastly pallor on her face. "My dear sister," cried Lady Darner, "what is it!" "Nothing," said Hope, trying hard to rouse herself. "Do not look so frightened, Floy; it was only a pain, a sharp pain, that comes at times and shoots I through my heart." "You should see a doctor," said Lady Earner anxiously "It is really nothing. See!—now it has gone." Lady Darner laid down the jewelled fan, and, bending over her sister, kissed her face. "The colour is coming back to your lips." she said. "Hope, you frightened mc." "I cm very 6orry," darling. You see, Floy, I grow older, and I cannot expect to have such perfect health as I have enjoyed until now; it could not he." "I would give you all my strength," said Lady Darner. wistfully. "I know you Would, darling. I am so much interested in what you were telling mc. Hoy; I did not quite hear tha [ name, though—who was it saved Lord St. Albans?" (To be continued dotty.)