THE SECRET CHAMBER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5450, 13 February 1889, Page 4

THE SECRET CHAMBER.

CHAPTER XXII. (Continual)

" What is it, aunty ? Why should you be so much distressed ?''

" Oh, child—child—don't ask me now. Bead—read —I must hour whut is told of this sad disaster."

With faltering voice — for, by come electric chain of sympathy, Mrs. Digby's agitation had communicated itself to her— Ethel read the following paragraph :

" The ship Sally Ann, on which so many of the political prisoners sent into exile wero embarked, has goue down almost in eight of port, carrying with her every soul on board, except her officers, who managed to escape in tho long boat. We do not intend to say that these men were undeserving of tho hard fate to which they were condemned, but we do say that a most shameful and culpable act has been committed by those in authority."

" The writer of that is a bold man, and may esteem himself happy if ho escapes the vengeance of the government for speaking so plainly," said Mr. Digby, in the hope that Ethel's attention would be drawn from the uncontrollable emotion of his wife. She was weoping convulsively, and tho young girl fixed her eyes upon hor with a frightened md perplexed expression. Suddenly she arose, approached her aunt, and, with palo lips, faltered : "I see it all now. Vernor was among those- men. Ho was not permitted to esoape to Holland. Oh, aunty, this is a terrible blow. Poor, poor Veruor ! Would that I could have saved him ! "

Mrs. Digby slasped her in her arms, and together they wept over the fate of the hapless young man. Every effort was made to discover if Vornor bad actually perished in the shipwreck of the Sally Ann, and before the winter passed away, confirmation came that he was among those left on board the ship ; she had atruck among a lodge of rocks, in a few minutes went to pieoes, aud as fur as was known, not a soul among the prisoners had escaped. Insensibly the sad raeraoriea connected ■with Vernor faded from tho mind of Ethel, and once more ehe walked the earth with a sense of freedom that was delightful to her. Sho reproached herself with this freodbm, bat the glad consciousness that no bat remained between herself and Gerald would make itself felt, and a new spring of happiness awoke in her tried heart. Tho ehado of sadness which had often been seen on Gerald's brow passed away, and ho gave himself up to the delightful thought that by the time Eihol was old enough to become his wife ho wouH be in a position to claim her as his own. No word of love passed between them, for she was yet too young to bo bound by any pledges, but as the years' went on those two kindred soule were knit together by bonds strong us death, lasting as eternity. The Priory had passed into tho possession of Mr Digbj, and he assured Gerald that he only hold it in trust for him. So soon as he was able to repay the purchase money he •would restore it to him, in the meantime he eet aside a certain portion of the annual income derived from tho estate us a portion for Ethel, as ho satisfactorily ascertained that a large sum from her inheritance had passed into the possession of Sir Hugh, which had been expended in the improvomout of the property. With this bright propped before him Gerald labored with untiring assiduity in Ids profession, and won golden opinioua from all who knew him. Hie old friend, Mr Clyde, threw much business in his hands, for which he mw well paid, and his day-dream began to assume tangible shape. Ethel was maturing into a lovely and accomplished woman, for she sought to render herself v companion for him in the days to come, not to bo v mere toy for tho amusement of tut idle hour.

The people of England wero still in a restiess and discontented state, and tho tyrannical rule of Jiiniea I. wan slowly maturing the revolution which compelled him to abdicate the throne, and the Prince of Orange was made king under tho title of William 111. Both Mr. Digby and his stsp-son took a •warm interest in public affairs ; they eteurly Jorcsaw what the end must be, and when

the final arrangements wero made for the landing of William at Torbay, many of tho negotiations that secretly paused were neul through tho agency of Morton & Methurn, and the junior partner of the firm twicer visited tho llugue, aud was privately received by the I'riuce of Orange. William graciously promised that on hi.-t accession to the throne, as the reward for Gerald's services, tho attainder should be removed from the name of Methurn, and the family honors and estate be. icrtored to their present representative. It was it joyful day for Gerald when tho loud toiitd belL» of Tiiuntou rang out then , jubilant peal for tho accession of William, and men congratulated each other that the tyranny under which the country hud t>o long groaned was at an end. The blood so ruthlessly *lied in the rebellion of Munniouth wan avenged in the downfall of the Stuartu, and James, in his turn, was nn exile aud a wanderer.

Gerald's claim were not forgotten ; and

ax soon us his government whs established on v. firm footing , , William redeemed the pledges he had made him. The Priory w«s purchased of Air. Digby, and presented to him, with permission to assume tho title •which had been borne by his undo.

Ethel was now twenty years of age. She was petite in person, but exquisitely formed, and her sweet, face wub radiant with health and intelligence. Every obstacle to the union oi tho lovers was seemingly removed, aud Gerald might now express thu feelings that had been long understood. Hβ lost no time in doing so, and Ethel became his plighted bride. They weut hand in hand from the shaded garden in which this interview had taken placo to announce their betrothal to Mr. Digby and his wife. They found them in the library, and Mr.

Digby*was opening a letter, sealed with black, which had been just received. He look up, saw the youug pair who came in radiant with happiness, iind demanded his blessing on their union. Mrs. Digby was already prepared for this announcement, and she ottered her congratulations with tender smiles, mid fervently embraced Ethel nil her daughter. Alice came in, a brilliant dark damsel, of et*tely mien and no bio presence. Sho warmly offered her congratulations, und Mr. Digby nt last remembered the letter he had so long held unopened in hia hand. He uttered an exclamation of Burpriee, and after reading the communication twice, looked seriously at Ethel. " My dear, this letter concerns you, and the news it contains makes so material a change in your prospects that I scarcely know if Sir Gerald Methiirn, with all his newly acquired dignities, will be 11 suitable ma tub for you." Ethel grew pule, then flushed deeply, aud her olaHp tightened upon the hand Gerald still held in his own.

" I am Gerald's plighted wife, and no change in my prospects nhall make mo recede from the pledges 1 have given him. What is it, dear sir ? Has another fortune fallen unexpectedly to me;" "It ie even so, Ethel; and more than fortune. You nro now the representative

of your family honors. Your uncle is dead ; he has loft no child to inherit his estates, and you itre now Baroness Giifton, of Clilt'den. This letter is from tho family lawyer, and he requests that t will bring you up to London w soon as> pwible, that steps may be taken to put you in possession oi your inheritance." A bright expression of joy lighted up her face, and turning to her lover, she exclaimed :

" And Gerald, who sought me portionless, and almost dependent, shalj have it all. IJe shall enter Parliament, where his talents and eloquence will give him fame and position. Hero in my hand, (rcrald, and with it I joyfully endow you with all my honor?, auch aa they are. You will make a mime beside which that of tho proudest Cliftoi. shall Kink into insignificance" "Thank you, my generous love," ho tenderly replied, as he pressed her hand to his Hps. " But I am glad this did not happen a few weoks earlier, for then I should have hesitated to ask a lady so richly dowered to become my brido. Now we have looked into each other's heart*, and mero worldly distinctions cannot stand between us." "As if they could ever have donu so ! Fio Gerald ! why should you spouk thus ? Have we not loved each other for years ? Have you not always been my best iriondr . And if thi» fortune had wime as a bntto our union, I would have renounced it." " Bravo, iiiv child! there speak* the true lieart," said' Mr. Digby. "But the marriage must be deferred until you arc mistress of Clitfden. Then we will have a jrrand old English wedding, and all your tenants shall drink to tho happiness of tho bride and groom." ~,,.„*•, With some annoyance Gnmld teifc that it must be so. He hud liopcd to make Ethel his own in ll toW wot (lt " farthest, but now he km'-w that, months must elapse before tho tedious delays of the law would enable her to establish herself i" her new position, and her guardian to imvo such settlements prepared u» her now dignities de.namkd. fiut ho was too h.ij>py to jn-mnblo inncrli, " eoially us it was nwaii.ued that the whole niVtv should accompany Ethel to London, indVofroin thero to Ciinden, whero th., jnarriaije was to be celebrated. (XO BM CCOTINUKD.)