Lady Gwendoline's Secret.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 52, 11 February 1911, Page 2 (Supplement)

Lady Gwendoline's Secret.

The Story of a Family Secret and a Great Wrong.

BY

AGNES M. & W. J. ROWE,

. . . Authors of . . . “ The Lady of Kileen,” “ A Shadowed Life,” “ His American Wife,” “ A Heritage of Shame,” etc.

CHAPTER 111. THE MYSTERIOUS TELEGRAM. Ladv Gwendoline Dysart was strikingly beautiful, though past her gjri* hood days and though now in the tull . bloom of stately womanhood, her smile ' stirred men’s hearts, and one look ot ! her soft brown eyes was sufficient to I make them almost her slaves. there were manv who termed her cold and 1 haughty, and who in the rage of their ■ disappoint'd hopes did not scruple to i fray th it Lady Gwendol ne s beautiful face hid a cold and heartless nature, while others declared she was but waiting for higher gameBut as years rolled on, and one season after another still saw her unmaitied and the reigning be'le (especially when it became public property that she had refused the hand of the Duke of Bvford and looked coldly on the attentions of Prince Carl Mendoza), society was stirred to its depths. What, was the girl waiting for? XVha. was her object in letting such chances slip bv? And again, they thought it was very hard on the carl, her father to sec his daughter pas-ing her youth in such an aimless fashion, instead or leok’ng to the future. . Yet in spite of her numerous admirers, no on/ could conscientiously say that Ladv Gwendoline was a flirt. No man could honestly cla’ni that he had been more favoured than another ; she v*ns a I wavs sweet, aiwpvs kiiiu gracious, yet on the slightest sign of hive mi their part she could lie at cnee Ix'th haughty and cold enough to effectually cheek all further advances. It was no little grievance, to those riammas who had younger if plainer daughters to present that the beautiful I.ady Gwendoline was still unclaimed; for though (he more sensible men saw their chances with her were few, there were always others only too willing to pay her court and hover round her as a moth does the candle. Unheeding the remarks of her friends end soe’ety in general, the heiress lived on her own life; so in spite of her father’s entreaties and the pleading of her relatives, she was still Lady Gwendoline. though mvi'-li past thirty. •As Regir>a’d watched her ladvshin s f.-’.cc during th? interview, he saw that she was strangely moved ; there w.ns no sign of pride or coldness aliont her pow tears dimmed her eyes, and she lav back lort in thought. Her mind !ia<l wandered far away, while a terrible look of sorrow and suffering, one such an onlv a great crief c n n cause, was ilen'cte'l on her sweet face. It was a relief to the youth who had sr.t there in silence, i nab'e to break fbe sne’l when at last the door opened and 111" girl on whom his eye had fiist alighted entered. Her entrance rccall"d Lady Gwendoline’s -wardering thoughts, and site sa’d; , . , ‘•-Ida. this is not Lord Evcrsleigh, there lias been some mistake owing to the strong resemlihinee ’between them : this gentleman is Mr. Reginald XVeyman : a friend of ours, the Reverend Mr. Foil of Barrow, sent, biin to Lord I Tiiston. and now he hgs fallen into our hands,” sli? said, laughing. For a moment the girl gazed at th" I young man in mute surprise; then, as she saw his flushed face pale again, she, too. saw het mistake. ‘‘AVell. I never was c o mistaken in my life before but the likeness is really marvellous; though I see the d fference now. But. oh, Mr. Wevman. T am so serrv for all I have said; what must yen have thought of me?” and the girl I.eld forth her hand to Reginald. Lady Gwendoline smiled. “Yes. I am g'ad that you and Miss Ticror are friends now. Yon see. Air. Wevman. von have discovered ber weak spot. You corne from Lancashire, and are a friend of Mr. Fell’s; and in her eyes there is no place on earth like Barrcw. and no’minister to equal the Vicar of St.’ Luke’s.”

The girl laughed softly. •‘You are quite right, Ladv Gwen-dolin-1. I agre? with you ; and I know Mr. kVeyman, being a Barow man, will do the same.

A substantial lunch was placed before Reginald, to which, needless to ray, considering the state of his appetite, ho did ample justice.

Before th" n.eal was finished he had gatherer! that the girl h" had met so strangely was no other than the beautiful Miss Trevor, who, on account of her goodness to the . poor of Barrow, was idolised among them. She, the daughter of one 'of the wealthiest land-owners, as well as Barrow’s parliamentary representative, was now chatting as amiably with th? shopkeeper’s son as though he had been the expected Lord Eversleigh. An hour later saw Reginald taking his departure in search of Lord Triston. Lady Gwendoline, true to her promise, had furnished him with a note, while she had also insisted on his calling to inform her of his progress. "he shrill see each other I feel sure, and so you must mak" quite a friend of me from this hour. I know yon will he all right nith Lord Triston. Good-live’ and God bless you. Tho Inst words were uttered in a low. broket’ gasp, as though, even now she was doubtful of his ’’dentifv. could not realis" the truth, and longer] to keen him by her side.

Reguiald’.s heart quailed in spite of all ns he found himself about to enter Lord Triston’s moms. ‘Every on" nil! not.be so easy io p’en-e ".s t l ’nt l-’tiy Utts, and though I dnresnv the influence of mi carl's daughter is groat, vet I wonder if T will meet— <>h. if y r ' r > u ld <nlv <ome up to his lordshin’s requiremo'its ”

The voung man was received in quite a friendly manner by Lord Triston, a genial, good-natured I'ac’-elor. ‘‘l like vou. Mr. Weyman. I admit you r.-mi'd ne of some one I know yonrs ago, nnf! on th" recommendation of my old and revered friend, am willing to give you a trial. Then, ao-ain. Lady Gwendoline stems interested on umr behalf, and I would do much to n’ease her Now as to the duties required. I am a badi-lor. and must tell you I roam about at my leisure, a perfect wanderer on the earth. Your position would be between that, of secletary and companion, while I would :d-o like yon to possess busiress capabilities: for. ns yon know. I am engaged largely in the steel and iron trade of

Barrow so that the knowledge of the business, and also of the locality you possess, would Jx? in your favour. The principal thing is, are you satisfied to lead a roving life, and to put up with my peculiarities?” “I should prefer it above all others, my lord.” “Then shall we say £l5O a year to commence with, and see how we get rdong? You will require some things most likely, so here is a small cheque ?r. advance. Do not rush the tailors too much; I find it does not pay in the long run; the beginning of the month will suit me admirably.” As Reginald left the hotel to seek his humble lodgings, he felt dazed by the new and unexpected good luck which had overtaken him. His heart was full to overflowing, he felt happy and proud, and it was with feelings of thankfulness he remembered that after all his crosses and disappointments, fortune had smiled on him.

Lady Gwendoline was certainly not her usual bright self after the departure of Reginald. She became abstracted and dreamv in her manner, and was so preoccupied and quiet that not only her young friend Ida Trevor, but even her father the earl, and Stanley Beaumont, were conscious cf the change The dinner hour arrived; they were dining en fnmile. and Stanley Beaumont had schooled himself so well that it was he who, turning to his cousin, said : “There was some mistake about Eric to-day: Henri. I am told, showed the stranger into your sitting-room, thinking it Teas he.” "Yes. that is so; and the strangest part of all is that the, young man was so like Evcrsleigh. Is it not a coincidence, Papa? The poor young fellow came from Barrow-in-Fufness, and had letters from the vicar to Lord Tristan.” “Yes, it was strange he should fall iota your hands, Gwendoline, but the likeness is not so remarkable'; how many one meets in a day almost the counterpart of someone else,’’ said the secretary. “But it was marvellous the reeemb'ance to our family, surely one cannot deem it amere accident,” said her ladyship sharply. "Stanley is right, my dear; one meets this kind of thing every day. I trust you have not been taken in by some adventurer or imposter. It is not wise to give such people entry into the house,” remarked the earl. Lady Gwendoline’s ' eyes flashed angrily, but it was her friend Ida who spoke. “My lord, you forget that this young gentleman was a friend of Air. Fell’s, and the letters he carried’ we:e not forgeries, I assure you.” “Oh, yes, of course, it may lie quite right, and I do not wish C ver.didine to be suspiciousbut in these days you cannot lie too careful.'’ “I am sure Ladv Gaondoliue is so clever and just that st? is nut likrty to be easily imposed upon.” said Stanley, with a glance ..f a-Itmr iimn at Ins beautiful cousin.

Her ladyship r-'ained the coaiihment with the '.'Mest of bows giving the signal to- 'tn.) »l>o • d Ida 1-ft the room, l.v the rierciug glauc" of Beaumont’s eyrs a,s he held the door open for them.

Left alone over their wino, the carl turndd eagerly to his relative. “Stanley,” Jhe said sadly!, ‘fl am enxious and puzzled by Lady Gwendoline’s manner of late; surely the old wound has healed by this time ; and it cannot be that she is fretting about young Ev-e-rsleigh ; of course he is not all to us .we should like, something scorns to have estranged him lately and weaned the lad away from us. Yet I feel this is not the reason ; I am firmly convinced there is more in her actions than we think. There are those morbid fits, and the mysterious journeysshe takes annually when none of us "an discover her whereabouts. Gwendoline is a strange woman, proud and independent; though I fancy at times that she loves me, there -are others when she s-’oms to be indifferent, (Mi! Stanley, old as I am, I do not yet know mv own daughter,” and the carl sighed

“You must not t'-.ke these things so much to heart; L?dy Gwendoline is a creature of moods, but she is affectionate for all that; and see how she has clung to vou and remained single all tlies? years.” The earl smiled.

_ ‘‘lf I could only se? her happily married to a good man, one she could love and look up to. it would be the dearest wish of my life gratified,” he said earnestly. Stanley Beaumont plaved with the stem of his half-empty champagne glass, then ho raised his eyes and looked ste-’dily into the earl’s face as he said <lowly and deliberately: “Aly lord, there was a time as you know when my one wish, mv only ambffion in life, was to gain the love of my fair cotis'n. Thincs were against mo then, and you as 'well as she declined my offer with scorn. That was years ago- tim-s have changed, other suitors have come and gone, Lady Gwendoline lias had many trials as well a.s numberless offers, and still re mains unmarried. My ’ord, what would you say if I told you that mv love for her is still unaltered, that if anything my nas-ion grows stronger day bv dav? I love h-r now more than ever' T di-1 in. her girlhood. 1 have remained her friend al! thr ugh. Lord Dvsart answer me. unworthy as I am. would you io wiL'ii'T- to give me vonr daughter if I could win Ladv Gwendoline’s love?'

CHAPTER IV. THE EARL RECEIVES A SHOCK. hor a moment the o dor man seemed too over.-on'e with emotion to speak. <<nd as hi< h-'—d rested on h’s hand it tnomh!"d visibly. At last in broken act€nt,s * 1!? n nswerrd :— ‘•'tan ey, yen have been more than n son to me all the«e years. In the days of cur trouble vou ’stood manfulT' in the breach. Is it Hkelv I forget all that now. No, Stanley Beaumont, if my words of those other davs could since have lieen recalled, how willingly I would have withdrawn them; but the past is gone, the future alone

remains. Need I say with what happiness, with what confidence I would entrust my daughter to your keeping. XVin her love, gain her heart (and, oh! what woman can withstand such devotion as yours has been.) I willingly give my consent to vour suit, and will forward it all I can.” The earl stretched forth his hand as he finished It was grasped in the strong palm of the other, and so the compact was sealed.

The ladies had not been long in the diawing-room before it became plain to Ida that her companion was not in a talkative mood. The yoilnger woman had done all she could to draw the other into conversation and interest her, but though Gwendoline was far too polite to show indifference, yet her thoughts were far away from the present surroundings. Occasionally, too, she started, and glanced towards the door as if every moment she expected some one to enter. Ida went to the piano, and her fingers wandered gently over the keys. She knew that no more soothing sedative could she find for her ladyship’s present restless mood. Strange as it may seem, these two women, dissimilar in age and temperament, were greatly attached to each other, and the younger knew and studied the other in many ways. Yet for all their intimacy, Ida knew nothing of her friend’s past. ThatLady Gwendoline had known some ' Teat sorrow, which had changed her fife, leaving her cold and haughty to outsiders, she understood from the people around: but she never sought the confidence of her friend. Presently the sweet, sad notes of the song. “For Ever and for Ever,” rose on the still air, and the words sung in that sweet rich voice filled the room. Who was she thinking of, or whether her plaintive strain meant anything more than an appeal to some as yet unformed ideal it would be difficult to say. but certain it was that Ida, becoming engrossed in her song, did not bear the opening of a doer, or notice a maid enter' with a telegram which she handed to Lady Gwendoline, iust as Ida’s soft voice began the second verse; “Perchance if we had never met, 'T had ’-eon spared this mad regret, This endless striving to forget. For ever and for ever! Perchance if thou vert far away, Did I not see thee day by flay, I might again be blithe and gay, For eve.- and for ever!” A shuddering, heart-broken cry rang through the room as the last words died away. Springing from the stool, Ida beheld with horrified eyes the unconscious figure of Lady Gwendoline lying full length upon the rug, while bv _ her side stood the white-faced maid ’ evidently too stunned to move. Ida gazed but a moment upon her friend’s sensel<?ss form, then hurriedly hastily to the bewildered waiting woman, she gave orders in a. clear firm tene:

“Help me to remove your mistress to -the couch; and while I bathe her head with Eair de Cologne, go for th? smelling salts quickly.” ' The words roused the maid, and, as if ar. inspiration had .come to her, she bent hastily- over the prostrate’ form, removed the fateful telegram from ths cold fingers, and ’ hid it in her own garments. Then as she saw the look of surprise which Ida cast upon her, she burst forth:

“Oh, forgive me, Miss Trevor, but though my action may seem strange and unwarrantable to you, I am but acting as she would desire. Oh, please, as you love my dear mistress, I beg of you not to mention the incident of the telegram before either the earl or Mr. Beaumont. As she finished the maid hurried from the room, just as the other door cd to admit the earl and Stanley Beaurront.

Lord Dysart was greatly disturbed by this sudden indisposition of his daughter, and in spite of all remonstrance,, even when Lady Gwendoline -herself opened her eyes and declared she felt quite well again, that it was nothing but. the heat, he would not be satisfied without the doctor’s opinion. Lady Gwendoline was as determined as the earl himself, for though to please him she consented to see a medical man, it was a different thing all together when he declared her suffering from shock and worry. Her ladyship smiled at such a suggestion, but when the mention of change was broached, she received the idea with open arms. “Yes, yes that is vhat I want; I feel a short rest would do me a world of good.” Then turning abruptly to the carl: “Oh. f?.ther, yes, that is what [ need: a short stay with my old nurse in Devonshire will soon set me up again.” The earl seemed - surprised. “But, my dear, why go there; could you not choose some more suitable Epot? The Isle of Wight or Bournemouth; some place where we could all go together would be more pleasant and cheerful.” “Oh., no, papa ; I would not think of taking Stanley and you away from town in the height of the season. Besides, I fee! that quietness and rest is more what I want than the company at a fashionable resort. To be alone and enjoy the beautiful country, as well as indulge in old nurse's cream, fresh eggs, and butter, and he petted and spoiled by the dear old soul, is the height of my present ambition.” So a.s was generally the way in such c::ses, Lady Gwendoline gained her j'Oint. It was arranged that when Ida, who was a. urcat friend, and companion and often i-tayed with her, left. Gwendoline would start, for the South. Ida felt nuzzled, she could not quite make her friend out: often enough before Ladv Gwendoline had been pleased to have her society when s-he had gone to the seaside or elsewhere. While now the very mention of her accompanying her seemed to bring a terrible look of fear and horror into her friend's face. Then, again, she thought of that telegram, and the secret manner in which the maid concealed it and kept all knowledge of it from the earl, worried her not a little. Only once did the broach the subject to Gwendoline, say ng, “1 hope, dear, you received no Lad news in that telegram; is there anything I could do to help you?” 'J’he other’s face blanched suddenly. ‘No, oh. no; ib was not much; nothing of any consequence, I mean ; and, dearest, thanks for your offer, but you really <ould do nothing—l— of course there is nothing to do. But Ida, dear, you have not mentioned the arrival of that telegram to papa?” "No, certainly not; your maid asked me not to speak of it, she took charge of it for you.” “Yes, I know that was all right; she is a woman in a thousand, one who studies her mistress. I am so glad, though, you did not tell papa of its arrival: you see it was nothing, and would only unnecessarily frighten him.”

Nothing! Ida thought, oh. Gwendoline, how can you keep all this to yourself, why not trust me if you are in trouble, let me help you? Then, as new idea occurred to her, there is certainly some mystery here. I only hops that maid is as faithful as her mistress thinks. There are times when somehow I mistrust her, but what can I do? Ido not wish to pry into your affairs, yet I feel no good can arise from such secrecy. Oh, dearest friend,

is there nothing left for me to do, no way of helping you but to wait and watch ?

Meantime Sanley Beaumont is enraged beyond measure on finding Reginald Weyman installed as secretary to Lord Tiiston. Not only will he himself be thrown much in contact with the young man, but owing to the friendly relations existing between the two families, he knew that Lady Gwendoline and the Earl would also see a great of him. * To liegin at once and try to make mischief would be useless, and perhaps defeat his own ends. Mr. Beaumont therefore took a more diplomatic course, and on beinp introduced to Reginald as his lordship’s secretary, expresssd the hope that as they were likely to see a good deal of each other they would be friends. Yet, for all that, he managed very ingeniously to keep Reginald and the Earl apart for a time, and when they did meet it was in the following strange manner, Reginald had been already a few (h.ys in his new situation, and began to feel quite at home with the bachelor lord. His duties turned out to he even less arduous than he expected, so he had a good deal of spare time at his disposal; and when not required to accompany his.employer could spend his '• evenings as he pleased. One evening. Lord Triston having an engagement, Reginald was delighted, » on receiving a small scented note Gwendoline, to find it contained a quest that he would spend a few hours with her and Alias Trevor, as they were alone. . The. young man’s heart bounded with joy at the prospect before him. Once or twice since his arrival at the *fiotel he had met Miss Trevor and Lady Gwendoline, but only for a short time*; and that in the drawing-room. But the thought that he was specially invited, and that ho would spend an evening alone with the two ladies, was rapture. Even yet Reginald scarcely admitted that it was Ida he was anxious- to see, ho dared not acknowledge that there must be some reason for her fair face appearing fo-constant-ly before him, or thoughts of her filling his mind by day and haunting 'his • dreams by night. It was the day before Ida’s departure and her ladyship’s journey South. Stanley Beaumont, continued to shower upon Gwendoline those many little marked attentions, which denote the lover; only that evening he had bogged to be allowed to escort her to the opera, but her ladyship, though apparently grateful for the offer, declined most decided- . ly. She would not even consent to her cousin’s jeraaining at home, said she had some letters to Write before’her departure', and would be obliged if they- 5 ' left her and Ida for a time. The few hours spent in the ladies’ society fled al! too quickly for Reginald much of his shyness was wearing off, ne was no longer shabby and ill-dressed, and his constant companionship with his employer, assisted by his innate refinement, was already making a differe nee in his genera! demeanour. .. They chatted on different topics, dy>- - cussed books, music, arid the politic.? 1 of th' day in a manror which showed the ladies that the young man was well versed in such things. Ladv Gwendoline was greatly sur-’“' prised that one in his station in life : < and so- young, too, should have such knowledge as fie possessed; while to Ida ho no longer appeared a rather shy and reserved young man of the middle class, but one far above his present position ; a mtn, she felt certain, who iVas likely -to rise in the world, one who, but given the opportunity, would mount the ladder even to the top. It never occurred to this beautiful daughter of an did and wealthy race., that there might be danger ahead if she allowed rer admiration for the young 7 stranger to increase. As the daughter of the broad-minded member ; for Barrow she had mixed freely among her father’s constituents at election and other important times, and being able from her own personal knowledge of the middle class to respect them, such an idea had never entered her head. Ida and Lady Gwendoline played and sang; and. it was then they discovered that Reginald had a most powerful tenor voice; quite without thinking he had let them know that he sang that beautiful song. “My Queen,” and Ida, with all a devotee’s love of music, pressed him to sing it. dear as a bell, the rich, musical tones rang out; both women held their breath in amazement, then ns Ida’s fingers wandered over the keys in _ unison with his singing, a strange sen- A cation crept over her; all else but the ® melody of those_ rich notes, the ecstatic, feeling of the words and the pathetic expression of his voice which seemed to act upon her like a spell, was forgotten. Too late she recognised that songt was sung, jo. her and for her alone. Act was she angry? She could scarcely tell; a wild, tumultuous beating of her heart, a strange exultant feeling of J-i.v,-which was new to her, caused the warm blood to surge quickly to her face..

An awkward silence fell upon them when he had finished, which was broken by Gwendoline. “Thank you for that pleasure: you have a soui for music. Alight I ask where you learned to s ; ng like that? It seems a pity you did not make more use of. your voice.” Reginald laughed. “I never thought of it in that way; in fact I did not think 1 sang well, though I am nassionately fond of the art.” Ida was strangely silent, and murmured only a few words of thanks; there seemed likely to lie another awkward pause, when the door opene.d and the Earl, accompanied bv Lord Triston, entered. When he had greeted the ladies, the cenial bachelor turned laughingly to Ins se-retiry. ’.Meli done! Mr. Weyman ; glad to find you so well employed. A splendid voice, too, by Jove!” Meantime Ladv Gwendoline had approached her father. “I am pleased von returned in time to meet Mr. Weyman, papa ; allow me to introduce yen.” The voung man rose from l:i> seat as the Earl advanced with his daughter. I‘or one s'ccnd only the lord and the commoner faced each other, then suddenly a change camo over the old man’s face : the. b’ood surged quickly to his brow, he reeled backward.*, while the words* “Merciful heavens! It is Maurice! oh my bay’ mv Lov!” burst in gasps from fi s parclmd bps. f To Le Continued.)