Foiled.

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue XX, 15 June 1892, Page 4

Foiled.

* Well, I suppose I must let yob go, North, bat I don't half like it. ¥$o**4 rievgr been away from me Wore and I shall miss yea frighten*: ' . *Te«j I nope you'd let me go, Jim. I fon'twanfta be selfish, but I should •njoyit somnucb, and after ail, you c*n see me every day if you like." Tbey^rere husband and wife, these tsk and bad been married just a jtftr. their married life up to this point had been one of unclouded liappine&s and, perhaps, the term 'married lovers ' best expresses their gom to one another. Jim Kennedy ) fine specimen of a man, tall and [-shouldered, but no one ever I bis stem, rugged face goodtoakfog,, though there were people life found in it a charm that bandattMtf features often lack. Nor ah, onHbe contrary, was extremely pretty, tip could be no two opinions on that t j her tail, slight figure, clear, skin, crisp golden-brown hair, 4eep blue eyes, fully entitled her i to toke rank witb the beauties of her §£x. Jim was well aware of this ffisf, tod tha knowledge afforded him g^f^gratifieation ; perhaps the pride of possession, so prominent a feature in the male character, was even more •IMfKljr developed in him than m mc^i^en; stall events, bis pride in his, wstty wife knew no bounds. His devotion to her was quite proverbial* crfiong their friends and neighbours, aching couW exceed bis tender care antt forethought in all matters that eofectoned her; she was always his n*r»> Consideration. His was a curiOQAJ&, contained and concentrated nrffSri*— a nature that was incapable of IssMr* than one love— and she had itis—iit to its utmost depths. The subject under discussion was aiO'rivTUtfon that the Kennedys bad nattfoi to *p*nd a fortnight at one of tbt jjwghbouilng country-houses. This invitation Jim, for business reMofc*^ , wa* obliged to decline, but thtte itftted to be no good reason why ftotib should not accept it, and tbt vu very annous to do so, being naturally enough, greatly attracted Inr i&e prospect of unlimited fun in fM shape of dancing, theatricals, and assail the tbdusand-and-one-amuse-ttentt that sre always life amongst a large country-house party. 4 lt isn't as if i%was tar away,you know, Jim,' she urged. 'Why, Woodlands is only three miles from fcere; you can walk or ride over to ■se me as often as you like. Of course, t am awfully sorry that you cant go top, and i sha'nt enjoy it ball as/touch as if you were there ; but I can tell you all about it afterwards, and it sftgms so ungracious to refuaf Mrs Merry n's invitation altoget)»r, wfeen there is really no reason •taUwltf I shouldn't accept it.' J{m looked down at the eager, uptif^faCQ, and smiled. fTou sball'go, dear, ' he said. ' I nay b* selfish, but I hope I am not •sllsfa Anongh to do you out of any fftftaautt > jppt because I can't share in ft Wfifltf Of course,. you shall go ; a&d if you want any new toggery you h»d better set about getting it at once.' <

• Oh, you dear old Jim!' cried Norah, flinging her arms round his neckr«fid kjwing him after her usual impjfcWe, girlish 1 fashion. * Oh, you dear dear old Jim ! ' So the weighty matter, was settled to the satisfaction of all concerned, and in, due course Norah went off to Woodlands, in a very fetching new gown and tb* highest possible spirits. When she had been away for two days, Jjm rode over to see how things were going on. He arrived at Woodlao#-, nbout baJKpast four, and was received by Norah in the library, •very other room, at she informed him being turned topsy - turvey ; some cleaisj for dancing, and some given nf> for theatricals, which were just taen in proceftStorrebeart&l. ' And how are you enjoying your- j §elf fcV*ked Jim. ' Oh ! so much, Norah answered, her bright face aglow with excitement and pleasure. *It is perfectly delightful. 1 only ivisb you were here to enjoy it too.. Da you miss me very much, JtaFyit ■' : ." . . i • frightfully, ' Mid Jim, with a little iigb, ' I feel quite lost without yeuj but never mind that tell me about yourself. "What special line h»*«^fifi taken up f Are you going in for theatricals ? Bhe shook her head. 'No lam afraid I should be no good on the stage. I have had no practice, you know. I enjoy looking on immensely, an<Fthere is plenty of fnn to be got out of dancing and other things. " j lire Mtrvyn it- a clinking actress, ' observed Jiuh $ * Yes, ' Norah agreed absently ; 'she is awfnlly good, [and is going to play all tbe leading parts. ' After that she was silent for a few ninutes, looking into the fire with a thoughtful and preoccupied air, that tomewljafc puzzledjber husband, who was B*©re accustomsd to ber brighter moods. ' A Denny for your thoughts/ he said at W. North started, and glanced up to him with rather a carious expression. * Jiflt, * she said, nervously, *if I say «onietbTng you won't be cross, will you?*" < /','"■ <v - " •. ; Hesoofce£ sarprised. • Cross Nam*? No, of: course not. You nay say what you like. • 'It is something that I overheard, ' •he went oii^ ejwieatlj, fingering his rat sleem i Lfismld^t help bearing ifc; J wish I hadn't, but 1 couldn't

help it. Mrs Brown and Mrs Willis 1 were talking, and I couldn't help hearing what they said — but they didn't know that I was near. Is it true Jim — is it true that there was ever anything between yon and Mrs Mervyn ?' A heavy frown crossed Jim's face, and be uttered a sharp exclamation. ' Confound the women !' he cried, angrily. 'What a lot of chattering magpies they are. • Ob, Jim l» Norah pleaded, 'don't be cross ; you said you wouldn't. It ; i* n't true, is it?* | Her voice quivered a little, and something suspiciously like tears glittered in her bright eyes. Jim I muttered something under bis breath as he looked down at her, then he put his am round her waist, and drew her close to his side.

1 Listen, Norab, *he said, impressively ; • I am going to tell you the whole truth, and nothing but ihe truth. A year or two ago I wab rather intimate with the Merry db, and used to come to Woodlands a good deal. Merryn and I hare always been good friends, and at that time Mrs Merryn and I seemed to get on uncommonly well. I can swear that I nerer gate her a thought even that passed the bounds of friendship, and it was some time before it dawned on me that she was trying to lead me into a flirtation. When at last I woke up to the state of the case I gave Mrs Merryn to understand that that sort of thing wasn't in my line, and then promptly cleared out. I bare always kept on friendly terms, because I thought that people would begin to talk if we had an open split, but I hare nerer come here much since then. That is the truth of the whole matter. '

The quiet tone and simple, straightforward words carried conviction with them, and Norah's perturbed face dimpled into a smile aa she asked :— * Why did you never tell me all this before, Jim P' 'My dear child, f he answered, gravely. • a man dosen't care to tell tales of that kind at the expense of a woman, even to bis wife. Besides, I had almost forgotten the affair, and in all probability, Mra Mervyn has quite. ' Norah shook her head. * A woman never forgets,' she said, emphatically. ' You may depend upon it, Jim, Mrs Mervyn has forgotten nothing— but she may have! forgiven t and that is more to the" point. ! Jim stooped down and gave his ! pretty wife a hearty kiss, j ' What a good little soul it is,' he said affectionately ; ' you take things uncommonly well, Norab, Some women, in your place, would have treated me to a scene and refused to believe me. ' ' I should like to see any one refusing to believe you,' cried Norah, indignantly. Then she rubbed her sof t cheek against his, ' Dear old Jim,' she whispered, lovingly. Tbus ended the first doubt that had ever threatened to mar the happiness of their married life. A fortnight is only a short time after all, and very soon Norah's visit to Woodlands was drawing to its o lose. Three days before the one on which she was to return home, Jim got a note from her asking him to be sure and go over thai afternoon, us she had something important to say to him. It was some days since be had been there, and he had not intended to go again, but Norah's word was law ; so he ordered his horse and rode off, arranging to get to Woodlands about four o'clock as usual.

In the ball he was met by Mrs Mervyn, and he fancied Chat Bhe started and turned rather pale when she saw him. ' How do you do, Mrs Mervyn ?' he paid as he shook hands. ' Jolly day this, isn't it ? Is Norab anywhere about ? She sent me a note asking me to come over and see her.' * Your wife is id the house ' Mrs Mervyn answered, * but I don't know that you can see her now.' bhe B poke rather absently, and Jim thought that she looked at him with a curious expression. 1 Is anything the matter ?' he asked hastily, *"l hope Jtforah isn't ill.' ' No, no, she is quite well, but — • 4 But what ?' asked Jim, who was beginning to feel rather impatient. Mrs Mervyn turned away and looked out of the window. * Can you bear a shock ?' she asked in a low tone. 1 A shock ?' Jim repeated, feeliug more and more bewildered. « What kind of shock ? "What do you mean, Mrs Mervyn ? If you have anything to tell me about Norab, for Heaven's sake tell me and hare done with it. Don't beat about the bush, that is false kindness/ * Tour wife is quite well/ Mrs Mervyn eaid, in 4 the same low tone, * quite well, but — ' She broke off sharply, and suddenly turned from the window. ' Come with me,' she cried, ' come with me/ A curious petiße of doubt and wonder thrilled Jiui as be followed his hostess avrot^s the hall, he could not at all understand the state of affairs. Mrs Mervyn led the way to the small drawing-room, outside the door she paused and looked up at him. ' You bad better go in alone,' she said ; * Your wife is in the morningroom. If you are quiet you can hear without being heard/ (To be continued.) W« are willing to undertake any description of jointing at Auckland tariff rates. You wPI therefore save the freight by having your work dona here.— Ajm.