LADY GWENDOLINE'S SECRET.

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 3

LADY GWENDOLINE'S SECRET.

By Agnes M. and W„ J. Rows, . Authors of ‘The Lady .of,Eileen,’ .‘A Shadowed Life,’ _ ‘ His American Wife,’. ‘ A Sormitago of Shame,’ etc., etc. CHAPTER XY. ' A HUAI, EOUE. It was tho first night of-a new play at >’-Society’s favorite theatre, and the spacious building was crowded with a-fashionable ■ audience. Amongst those present wore Lady Gwendoline and Stanley Beaumont; who_ occupied a box in the grand tier. During the progress of the play the attenlion of Gwendoline was attracted to a lady dressed,in black, who never withdrew heir eyes from the box in which the two were seated. The woman was accompanied by a young girl dressed in white, who sat statue-like 'at her side. Stanley also appeared to observe her, for his companion saw him mare than, once stare hard at the figure in black. , ■ Just as the curtain fell on the last net the lady and her companion disappeared, while Gwendoline and Stanley also rose to leave, , As they left the richly carpeted corridor, and emerged into the vestibule, Gwendoline. saw the woman in black descending tho stairs opposite. -- Lady Gwendoline and Stanley would have passed out, but the woman stepped quickly forward and barred the way. “Bertrand? My. husband!” she cried. “Ah last we meet again,” and fell unconscious to the ground. As the cry fell upon Stanley Beaumont’s ear he started violently, as though the voice was familiar to him ; then when his eyes rested upon the lady, who was already being lifted from the floor.and supported by her- friends, he changed ‘color instantly. His face went deathly pale, his eyeballs became fixed and staring, his breath came in short, quick gasps, and he gazed upon the unconscious form like one stupefied. His companion noticed the alteration, but all her sympathy was for the unconscious lady. She could render no assistance, however, for the friends as well as the employees of the theatre were doing all that was possible to restore her. Already a small group of people on their way out had paused and stood watching. Lady Gwendoline turned to her companion. “Who did she address as her husband? Poor thing, I wonder if she is in trouble, Stanley!” . “ Ob) of course, most likely she mistook someone else for him; or' perhaps the woman is ill. Come along, Gwen, dear, the carriage,is waiting. You can do her no good.” He took his cousin’s arm in his and was hurrying out) when someone stepped from The small group and laid a detaining hand upon his arm. Beaumont shivered as the small gloved hand rested on his; then, as his eves met those ol the young girl and her sweet face was raised to his in a perplexed, questioning gaze, his face hardened, and for a moment it seemed as if he was about to shake her off and resent the liberty. “ I_ l sorry to intrude, but would you mind telling mo if your name is Green, Bertrand. Green?” the girl said, in a tremxuaus voice. “Green! No; my name is Beaumont, Stanley Beaumont, madam. Can I be of any service to you 1” The words were said rather frigidly, but somehow Gwendoline thought she detected a strained, anxious ring in the tone of hecousin s voice. • oi disappointment swept over the girls face at_the reply. 1 , ajn , sorry lor troubling vou, but thought, as mamma mistook you for—er someone else, you might bo he. You arc like Ms photo exceedingly, but then I would scarcely remember tlic original 1 suppose. oin grieved you , are disappointed, dear, but my cousin can scarcely be tout friend; a strange coincidence, is it not, .Stanley?” -hor ladyship said, appealing to her companion. ■ : “Very' but let us hope the lady will be quite well presently. Goodnight!” he - nosed- his hat courteously, and the two passed on to the waiting carriage, leavin')the girl still in perplexity as to the unaccountable resemblance. For the few days following the episode of the theatre Gwendoline noticed ’their relative was nervous and strangely restless in hia manner.. He remained more than his wont in tho house, putting forth as an excuse that he was not very well, and had. an extra rush, of business. Lady Gwendoline was not quite satisfied since that meeting at the theatre ; and the more she pondered over it, the more she ralised that Stanley was strangely excited as well as nervous over the . whole thing. On seating herself in the carriage she remembered that she might have asked the lady’s name and address, so as to call and inquire how she was, hut had no sooner expressed this view than her cousin became greatly excited, almost angry at the suggestion. “ Ridiculous 1 why, you let your sympathy for strangers run awy with your commonsense. Besides. Gwendoline dear, they are evidently nobodies, country people most likly, and common. I could not bear the thought of your knowing them; mother a bit wrong in the head, I fancy.” “They were not vulgar, at least: the daughter was a lady; and I think I saw ae much as you did of tho mother; besides, Stanley, I shall pleas© myself what friends I make,” retorted his cousin, sharply.

Beaumont’s mood changed in a second; once more he was the penitent, pleading lover, only anxious to do his queen’s bidding. He remembered it was not often lie had Gwendoline to himself now, it seemed as though she purposely avoided being - alone in his company lately; chance, however, had given him tins opportunity; Stanley determined to make the most of tile occasion. Besides, after what had happened lately, followed by the drama of the vestibule .plainly showed that he was treading on -■ dangerous ground, and that at any moment .the explosion might take place. It was necessary that he should act, and that quickly. ■ He tamed to her on the instant, a world of passion and love in both ©yes as ho cried imploringly s “ Gwendoline, you know why I say this; it is because I love you so, I could riot bear to think of you, my darling, as associating with such'people. Oh! Gwendoline! my love! my angel! when will you give yourself to me. When shall I have the right to protect and cherish you more than, all the world besides. My darling, I have been patient and faithful, and have waited and served for you all these years. Surely my ■love and devotion shall now reap its own reward. Gwendoline, you will say yes at last; you will love me, my darling ; even if it is ever so little I shall be content.” He pleaded so earnestly, so fervently, that for the first time his words touched her strangely; she felt he was at least sincere in this, and his burning, passionate eloquence moved her now as it had never done before. Yet' she was as cold and ■unbending as adamant; she had her part tojilay. Stanley,” shewhispered, “tan you ask me this, knowing, as you do, all the post. I have no heart to give ; it is dead.” And she tamed her face from him. But Beaumont drew closer still. He eaught one of her small hands in his, and, even, through the glove, felt it Was icy cold. “Gwendoline, my darling, I expect nothing but what yon are content- to give; it matters not to me that your heart has Already been. won. I cane not for the past, only live for the future. If you will but be mine, I promise that the. remainder of vour life shall be as pleasant, aivL-sweet as’the earlier part was sad and bitter. I would not revive old memories- by raking up bygone : sorrows; only say you will try to love me; it is all .the recompense 1 ask.” The proman beside him sat cahn and unmoved a» a statue now that ‘the first agony . of having to listen to his impassioned ad- . (frees yras over. What .would she not have given, to be able to rise in. anger and ecofh , denounce and upbraid this man as a , perjured scoundrel, a double-dyed traiton^

one who was false both to his own relatives and his friends, a man who would stop at nothing to gain his own ends, but sacrifice the life of his most intimate kinsmen in the tnrthoranoe of his own interests.

■ For his sake, then, she must still dissemble—aye,. oven feign; a liking she did not feel. She was willing-to be termed a hypocrite, a coquette, anything at. all that would enable her. to achieve her purpose and make her equal with this nian, her relative, yet the one who bad blighted her young life and that of the man she loved. /Was it any -wonder that she hated him? The violence of her emotion held Lady OweCKktline speechless, wtdle her face turned, deathly pale. Her - companion noticed this, and mistook the reason ; in faet. thonght. it augured well for his Ultimate chance of success. “ Gwendoline, you do not speak. What is the answer to be, yes or, no?” They Were almost home, and her ladyship gave a sigh of relief .is the carriage turned into the square, for she felt the tension on her nerves terrible, and knew she could not have sustained the role she was playing much longer ; she must either have broken down under the strain or turned upon hexcompanion and given him a little of what was in her mind. But the time was not yet ripe for this; one false move, a word out of place, might warn him ; and, much as sba detested the hypocritical part she was forced to assume, she kn-eir there was no other w'-ay of saving the other innocent man from a'fate worse than death. Yoar answer, Gwendoline? 73 She smiled.upon him, though her own heart was aching, and she feared she could hear its beating, so loudly did it throb against- her breast, “Give me time-to consider; a month or six weeks,” she said, tremulously. ~“ M y as long as you‘like, for though I have waited it is. for vou tocommand, me to obey. Oh, my own Gwendoine, if you but know hew happv tout sweet words have made me: they Vive hope after all the darkness. Oh, mv pearl among women, this great happiness shall stiil bo mine; you will give yourself to me, my angel.” • almost beyond description shone m Stanley Beaumont’s eyes, as he spoke those words, then stooped and kissed his companions hand once, twice, three times. A hen suddenly his eyes rested upon her tace, as if magnetised; he bent his dark, handsome countenance towards her until ms moustache, almost brushed her cheek; another moment and he would have enlolcled her m a close embrace, but the woman shrank from him. Gwendoline was startled at the force of his passion. i i no ; 1 , havc answered yet, and look, Stanley, here is John.” It was a release for her that they were stopping at the door at that moment, and that the footman’s appearance outside the carnage window effectually prevented any part 6r <,emonstrafcion of affection on his

“Forgive me, darling. I—l know I ? m to-night,” Stanley whispered, as ne assisted his trembling companion up the broad steps into the house.' Again she smiled the answer which her trembling bps refused to utter, and once more the secretary was thrown off his guard, and muttered frequently to himself that night : , She loves me after all. -I am sure she does, and it is just as well to secure my prize at once. Deuced unlucky, too. that the other, curse her, should appear on the scene at such a time; it was a narrow shave, too. Curse it, are all the castles I have built going to crumble to dust at the last moment? No, not if I know it. I have played a desperate game, and am not content to be foiled in the finish bv what people term fate. Destiny? Why I laugh, 1 scoff at it. 1 The only thing in the world is opportunity and chance, and these I have and will use to my own advantage. I had better make myself scarce for a week or so lest that meddling woman should find out my address and follow. That would- spoil all. Fiends take her, why should she trouble now, after letting things go. on so long ? But once Gwendohnevis- my wife.rit will not matter; 1 We can go abroad for some time. No one knows about that other, why then should I fear?

i 0r S boasted courage, Stan*ey Beaumont was strangely pale and ill at ease that night, and in spite of the brandy he took to steady his nerves his valet at once noticed that something more than usnal was troubling his master, from the manner in which his hands shook and the nervous, irritable way he started at the slightest sound. CHAPTER XVL . , SOWERBT HALL. - _&owcrby Hall, the residence of the Honorable Richard Trevor, M.P., was once more a scene of bustle and confusion. Although the season in London was not yet over, and the family had intended to go straight from the centre of gaiety into the delights of a fashionable seaside resort, all these plans had been suddenly changed. The housekeepv had received an intimation to this effect, and that the house was to be ready for the return of its master and young mistres.s on a certain date. This was indeed good news to the faithful matron, as well as to the whole of that household, tor there was not one member of the domestic staff, from the stately butler down to the humblest scullery maid or stable boy, but loved Miss Ida, and hailed the news of her home-coming with joy It was no.wonder, either, that they, as well as every, tenant ami resident oh the estate or about th© neighborhood, revered her, and to win a smile of hers would go any distance. London society scarcely saw the proper side of Miss Trevor's character. There she felt, somehow, a'different being, A constrained manner was -assumed when in company, for though always amiable, sweet, and good-tempered, her natural vivacity and light-hearbedness seemed always to receive 'a rude check when brought in contact with her chaperon and stately aunt.

■ To laugh heartily or enjoy anything too much was a breach of etiquette in this good lady’s eyes, while to subdue her niece’s lively temperament and remove from her mind the liberal notions possessed by her father, and so make a good match for the girl under her care, was her chief ambition.

Was it, then, a matter for surprise that the high-spirited Ida should resent this, and long for a more congenial atmosphere, or hail with delight the thought of returning to thfs freedom of her country home—her beautiful Sowerby, with its sloping glades, well-filled coverts, and stately grounds and woods stretching down to the sea? Looming in the distance were the tall peaks of the Westmoreland mountains, and on one side lay .the Irish Sea, on the other the valleys and fells of beautiful p unless.

Small wonder Ida Trevor loved her home, and thought that old-fashioned, stately mansion, with its terraces, balconies, and beautiful gardens, th© loveliest spot on earth. Yet on that particular day, a short time after their arrival, as she paced slowly up and down the terrace, there was more on her mind than th© contemplation of tire beauties of her surroundings.

“Have I done right in coming home, when he is so near? Can I meet him constantly, be in bis loved presence for hours, and not disclose my secret?” Then suddenly she paused, and shrugged her shoulders impatiently. “You must be mad to indulge in such thoughts, Ida Trevor. Where is your pride, your sense of honor, - that you should give way to such idle dreams? Duty has called yon home; your people are in trouble and need your aid. Is it right, then, that you flinch from performing your task? What does it matter to you, a Trevor, that a certain young secretary is in the vicinity, or that yon may come in contact with him? Well may you blush for the weakness that would tempt you to shun him; - and yet, could I resist did he but- speak? My pride says Yes,-but my woman’s heart cries No, no. He may bo poor, not' your social equal; yet he is a’boro gentleman, so manly, noble,, and handsome. Oh, Reginald Weyman, why did we ever meet, if it--was only for,, this? I love you, and shall love'you only .until ’ I- die, ' Oto.^hat

A low moan of pain escaped her lips as she uttered the'words, then stooped and buried her burning face among the trail'ing passion flowers which in rich profusion covered the marble railing of the terrace. How long she stood there nestling among her favorite flowers, with her burning brow pressed against the cool stone, she scarcely knew ; but suddenly she started as a light footstep upon the ground near reached, her. ear, while, at the same moment a musical voice said : ‘‘l am sorry to disturb your dreams, Miss Trevor, but your father cent me here for you. Ho is in the drawing room with Lord Tristoh and Lord Eversleigh.” The girl winced slightly, then, recovering herself quickly, turned a smiling face to the newcomer. Few, much less the young man who now gazed, adiniringly upon her, would have credited that the young lady who looked so elegant and dainty in her white laos evening dress could possibly be the same who, a few moments before, was fighting a battle with her heart, and trying to cool her burning brow against the tall stone pillar. The first greet ing over, Miss Trevor said - “How good of you.to come so soon and relievo our loneliness I did not expect you when papa gave the invitation; it was so short notice, was it not?” - mo. I would But here Reginald stopped abruptly, and though slightly confused, continued in another strain. “What a magnificent view you possess from, here, Miss Trevor. Ido not. wonder you have day-dreams. The only thing that surprises me is that you could ever leave home ; but I suppose being a Barrowboy lam prejudiced aa to its beauties. To mo there is no place- on earth so lovely as this.part cf Lancashire, including within its range of vision the glorious sea on one side and the mountains on the other.”

“ I am, ■ pleased you are such an enthusiast, for I love this spot dearly, though. I am sometimes compelled to roam a little you know,”>she said, smiling. They entered the drawing room by the open French windows, an<f something in the manner of both young people aroused suspicion in Lord Tristans mind. He saw now a something in bis secretary’s bearing towards Mias Trevor that he had not noticed before, and every move, every look of the young man that night tended only to strengthen that idea. “I hope for his own sake, poor fellow, that lam mistaken. Trevor would never give his daughter to anyone but a man of position. So this has been the trouble all along, has it? And instead of mending matters by bringing him here I have made a greater bungle than over. Well, lam sorry for him. What fools young men are to be sure. 1 suppose I was young once too, but never in love, that I swear.” The evening passed off very nicely, Loud Eversleigh hearing, all the. news from Ida about his uncle and cousin. Needless to say the young lady did not spare him the scolding she had prepawd, but gave him even more of her mind Than she had administered to Reginald (the time of their first meeting), when she had mistaken Mm for his lordship. Of course Eversleigh promised amendment, and, was sorry for thus neglecting tho old earl, as well as hie aunt, but honor forbade him giving the true reason for his absence, which was that Stanley Beaumont was making things so uncomfortable for him with Lord Dvsart.

Ida was surprised oil learning that Lord Eversleigh had espoused the side of the working class, and though admiring Ms strong convictions and sense of justice, could not but regret that this would be but another bone of contention between the proud earl and. Ms young relative. The dinner passed off very pleasantly, for Mr Trevor made a capital host, while his daughter was one who could adapt herself to any subject broached. Indeed, all conversation, including politics, she listened to eagerly, always joining in if a part either impressed or claimed her sympathy. A little music followed, and while the older men sat talking and enjoying a good cigar Ida and the younger ones strolled on to the lawn, there to catch, a glimpse of, the glorious sunset, as, like a ball ofi red, Irving fire, it. sank lower and lower, until the whole of that vast expanse of water assumed a blood-red hue, the great crimson ball seeming to, dip further down each second, until at last both sky and water were tinged with its fiery glare. The three had stood together enjoying the scene, but Reginald's presence being required by Lord Triston, Eversleigh and Ida were left alone.

The young peer, who possessed a sincere admiration for Ida Trevor, did not hesitate to seize this opportunity of making his feelings known to her. The girl listened gravely to his words, for she feared her answer would cause him pain. “ I am honored, Lord Ever sleigh, by your proposal,” she replied ; “but though I respect and like you very much, it is .nob in that way.” “You do not care for me sufficient to be my wife?” "I respect you, Lord Everaleigb, too much to deceive in such a matter, but my love, I fear, is not for you,” replied Ida, quietly. Ever sleigh become very pale, as he said : “ May not your feelings change in the future? You may yet love me.” “Love once given never changes,” Ida answered, sadly, for she felt at hurting the feelings of this young man, whom she really liked. “Thou there is someone else,” he said, in a strained voice; but the girl did not reply. , Both were silent, as if each was afraid to utter what might rake false 'hopes or give further pain. “We may still be friends?” said Eversleigh at length. “ Oh, yes, always,” she replied, with tears in her eyes. (To be continued.)