THE SECRET CHAMBER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5467, 5 March 1889, Page 4

THE SECRET CHAMBER.

CHAPTER XXVIII. VEIVNOr. DISMAYED. Vainly did Mr. Digby endeavor to mediate between tho two cousins. Vernor pertinaciously adhered to hie demands, and declared that tho full anil ample restitution of his fortune, together with the surrender of Ethel, were the only terms to which ho would listen.

Several days wore consumed in fruitless negotiation, during which Ethel confinod herself to her own apartment, and steadily rofused to receive tho intruder. Vernor assumed tho command of tho honso as its lawful master, and tho servants learned to their dismay that tho wedding of their lady would not take place, as a former husband, long supposed dead, had returned to assort his prior claim to her. Gerald was almost in despair at at tho firmness of Vernor, when a lotto? from Lyme was delivered to him which changed the aspect af affairs in his favor. It was directed in the cramped hand of one not much accustomed to writing, and, on opening it, ho found thr-so lines:

Sib Geeald Methotn— Honored Sir :— I write this to lot you know of a discovery I have uuido which, may bo important to you. Threo days ago a ship went ashore near this placo; the people on board woro saved, and one of tho passengers was brought to Jessie Lithgow's where I lodge. She is a young and beautifnl woman, I can see, although she has been sicfc almost unto death since her arrival hero. During her illnesa her wild ravings informed me of facts that bear upon tha history of your noußin, Vemor Methurn, who I am aware is now in England.

I know much of Vernor'B former life, and when his first name fell so often from her lips I listened to her words with interest, belioving that they referred to your uncle's Bon. I sought for a confirmation of my auspicious, and found a letter concealed iv tho dress she wore •'when she was brought hither, which proved to mo that I was right in my conjectures. I enclose you a copy of that letter, as I dared not move tho original. You can judge for yourself if the facts it contains can ho of any use to you at this crisis. He has married a second wife while his first one is yet living, and this poor girl has followed him to demand such redress as tho law may afford. Four nights ago Vernor Mcthurn was'in this place, and by this time ho is undoubtedly at (Jliffden. I know tho Lady Ethel was soon to many you, and tho information I send may ennblo you to deal with your adversary on moro equal terms. You may rely t>n tho truth of this statement trom a friend, although my naino is not signed to it. si. v.

Bolow this was copied tho letter Vernor had written to Sylvie, and Gerald no sooner glanced over it than he saw from internal evidence that his cousin must have been the author of the original. The date also confirmed his suspicions that Vernor had not told tho truth us to tho plaoe of his refugo during tho years of his absence. in a tumult of feeling he sought Mr Digby, and 2aid the important missive before him. 110 read it carefully, and then said :

" This places Venior at your mercy. Tho woman he lius thus wro'iged will expose his treachery, and to avoii'. a prosecution for higamy iie will be compelled to fly from the country. A delay of a fen- months will enable you to claim your bride, for now all legal difficulties to n divorce must vanish beforo the proofs you can bring , forward of Ins utter want of principle and feeling , . Let us Beok an interview with him, and show him tho critical position in which ho stands."

Yernor was -walking on tho sea beach, but in a short tirac ho uauicup and returned to tho house. Gerald mot him in tho ball, and requested a private conversation in tho library. " Our interviews load to so little that is satisfactory that it seems useless to hold them," he said, with a sneer ; " but 1 will not refneo your request." *' This ono at least will bo more decisive," wae tho significant reply; I have something of importance to communicate to yon which will probably change your plan of aotion."

"I fancy not; hut wo shall ccc," and he indolently followed his cousin, and throw himsolf in a chair in front of tho fire. Mr, Digby was seated besido the library table, and Gerald carefully closed tho door of the room. Vcrnor haughtily said:

" You tako many precautions which are now useless, for every servant in this house knowa who I am and why I have coino Mthor. They also begin to comprehend thiit I intend to maintain the footing I havo gained here ua tho lawful master of the domain."

" I am quite ivoH aware of that; but (hoy do not know what I am about to communicate to you. It has boon known to myself only within tho last hour, and I warn you that it will bo a terrible blow to you." " Lot it fall, then," was tho reckless rejoinder. "I am prepared for anything you can have to tell me."

" 1 think you aro scarcely prepared for this. How long is it since you left Burba - does and deserted tho womiiti to whom you wore united there ? I am aware that you have never been in Virginia ; that the ye.tra of your exile were spent in tho Went Indies."

AsVernor listened hie clicoke blanched. Hβ visibly trembled, though ho faltered : "It is false! No woman has a legal claim on mo savo Ethel. Why should you presume to doubt my word as to the place of my exile i"

" I doubt it because it is satisfactorily provod to mo that you never have boon in Virginia. Tho woman you lately desorted is already in England in pursuit of you, uud by this time the cluo to your identity is furnished to her, though you wedded her only under your baptismal niuno." Ho looked fixedly on the changing face of the listener, and if confirmation had been noedod, the agitation of Vcrnor supplied it. Ho faintly gasped ; " Sylvio in England! Syh-io on xny track ! then I am indeed nndono !"

After a moment of perturbed thought, ho passionately asked:

" Who lias told you this 'i What prool Jiavo you of what you assert 'i v Gerald offered him tho letter of the gipay, and calmly Baid:

" Read that, and see tliat you are no longer safo in this country."

I TO HE COHTISDED.'I