The Unknown Bridegroom

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 313, 19 November 1910, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom

(.All Rights Eeservea.?

' ■ - ♦ tiy the Author of "Stella,"- "T\v« Keys," Etc., Etc.

THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

TAUT 6. And now as she sat looking at it after the departure of Walter Leighton a. curious smile wreathed her lips. "r could have proved to him that lam not his wife by showing' him this," she murmured; "but somehow I did not like to —he would probably have made up some story about it as he did about his accident — what a story-teller he is ! and since he did not apologise on his own account for using such a ring, I think it, is safe to assume that he (.locs not know anything about it. Oh. what an experience! Will the mystery ever be solved ? Will I over meet the man again ! 1 believe I shall never feel quite frtxj again—at least, until the. puzzle is solved. .1 should feel almost as if I was wedded to some ghost who had crossed my path and left his spell upon me. but for those ryes so dark and tender ! Ah, < he,\ were beautiful eyes ' And no ghost could June worn a ring. I wonder what this device means she added. as she tried to trace the engraviiyj; upon the tiny plate. " I will procure a strong magnii\ing glass at the first opportunity and study it thoroughly."

A step outside her door warned her that some one was coming. and quickly slipping the ring back into its place of concealment she caught up a look, just as Mrs. Seaver. ai'ter tapping lightly for admittance. entered the room.

"Why, Florence, what a grave, tired-looking face!" that lady exclaimed as she observed the serious expression and troubled eyes of her husband's ward. "Wasn't Mr. Leighton's call a pleasant on- ?"

"Not altogether, auntie." Florence replied, flushing : and then she changed the subject so abrupt ly that Mrs. Seaver regarded her with surprise. She did not give the circumstance much thought at that time, however; but many months later it occurred to her with peculiar significance. She sat with Florence for half an hour or more, chatting pleasantly of their plans for the coming year, until the girl finally appeared to forget the depression and annoyance she had at first betrayed. The following Wednesday was the :lay set for their departure ; but, contrary to her first intention. Florsnee had decided to leave her maid behind her, greatly to the girl's chagrin a ltd disappointment, for she had long been anticipating the trip, and had fully expected to accompany her young mistress up to within a week of her departure. But ever since the night of her romantic though mortifying adventure Florence entertained an unaccount able aversion for Anna, and when one day Mrs. Seaver proposed leaving her at home she readily, iven "eagerly, assented to the arrangement. "It would be somewhat of a nuisance having her to look after." that, lady observed, "for, of course, she could not always accompany us upon our sight-seeing, and would have to remain alone at our hotel during our absence. She would not have half enough to do to keep her busy, and would get lonely and homesick, and perhaps insist upon being sent home. Besides, dear, since you and [ will always be together, we can help each other, or if we should find ourselves in a strait we could easily get another maid." Mrs. Seaver had seen some things in the girl which had caused her to distrust Iter, and led her to fear that she was not always as true to her mistress's interests as she might be. Therefore she thought this a good opportunity to get rid of her. Accordingly Florence gave Anna her notice, and on the day of her departure made her a handsome present as she bade her a kind goodlive, and went away with a se n se of infinite relief at being thus need from a constant reminder of that one rash and ever-to-be-regrettcd a ct. of her life. But she never once suspected that she had thus made a bitter enemy Of her servant, who secretly vowed that she would have her revenge for the keen disappointment she suliered in being deprived of her expected visit to the Old World.

Our party found a delightful company of fellow-voyagers on board the Germanic, there being many young people among the number, and from the first day out the greatest sociability and friendliness were manifested by almost every one. During* the first three days of the vovage Mrs. Seaver found herself considerably the w<>;-se for sea-sick-ness, and was obliged to keep very quiet, leaving her fcusband and Florence—neither of whom was in the least affected by the motion of the

vessel—to their own devices. On the second morning after leaving Port Florence was on her way below to get something from in-r state-room,' when midway her swri caught on a screw that fastened the nil.ber mat. and which had become loosened, when she lost her balance, and for a moment seemed about to be precipitated to the bottom of the companionwa.v. But suddenly she saw a fi'A u >' r springing upward to her rescue : the next' moment a strong arm was thrown about her waist, and she was set firmly and safely o u her feet

once more. Slie was panting' with ininu'lf'cl »'Xcitement ami fear, 'for she had fully expected to pitch headlong- i» 11"' bottom of the .stairs and be lnghtfully injured. "The danger i.s a *il over, an't 1 t.nist, you will soon; recover from I he shock von must have experienced.' her companion observed, in low, wellmodulated tones, as he released her from his embrace. Glancing up at him. she found herself looking" into the handsome face of a ,\ ouhk man of perhaps:" twenty-live years. -He Had a healthy complexion, resll-

lav,' clean-cut features:.. n:en dark eyes, dark-brown hair', and wore a' carefully ami becomingly trimmed moustache, which, however, did not conceal the. fine set of teeth that gleamed snow-white beneath it when he smiled, as lie was now doing as his glance met the fair girl's startled upward look.

"Thank you very, very much." Florence heartily responded. "I should surely have had a bad fall if you had "not. come 1o my assistance. 1 w a s frightened." she added, laughing nervously, "but 1 shall be over it in a moment, and no harm lias been done beyond what a few stitches will make right :" and she glanced down at. her trailing skirt. which had been ripped from the belt. "1 am very glad."returned her companion. "But shall T assist, you below? You are still trembling." "Thank you. but that will not be necessary. Tamon my guard now. and will take heed that 1 do not get caught in the same way again." Florrence responded, with another glance into the line eyes that wen 1 regarding her with an earnest, admiringlook which caused her heart to thrill with a novel sensation. -. "What occasioned the trouble. T wonder?" said the young man. bending to examine the stair. "Ah. here is a screw loose in tinrubber pad :" and he pointed to it as he spoke. "T must report this to a steward at once, or some one else will be repeating your experience." He kept beside Florence until she reached the landing, for after her conscious blush beneath his look «iht: had grown very pale again ; then, poliielv dolling his cap to her. he went in search of a steward to report, the accident . The man immediately gave the matter his attention, lirnily replacing the offending bit of steel in Us place, and then made a careful inspection o( all l lie stairs, to make sure that no other screw was likely .o jeopardise the life and limb oi some iiiii' else. Florence did not met her deliverer a train that day. although, while she was at dinner, she chanced lo glance down the table, and saw him sittingopposite at the farther i'uO. She found his eyes resting upon •ier with the same curiously-intent. ;<-aze that she had observed in the burning, and which again set her heart throbbing with inexplicable .-motion, and once more caused a vivid colour to diffuse her cheeks. A faint smile cur\ed the lips of the gentleman as he observed it ; then he suddenly became absorbed in his dinner, and did not again allow himself lo be caught, watching her. The next morning, while Florence and Mr. Seaver were taking their constitutional on the upper deck, thev came face to face with the genleman. looking very handsome in his becoming ulster and cap.

Florence gave him an involuntary glance and nod of recognit ion. Instantly his cap came off. and he. howed with the utmost respect to ier. then passed on. "Who is that good-looking young ellow. Florence ? Some o K e who nas fallen an early victim to your :harius. eh ?" queried her guardian, 3esl owing a fond look upon her •■lowing face. ••11,.' is the gentleman who saved :t,e from failing downstairs yester;lav," she explained. ''•Bless my heart. ! Then 1 must nake his acquaintance. a nd thank aim for saving you from a broken neck and auntie and me from a broken heart." returned the affectionate ild genileman, as he tenderly pat;ed the small limi'l "ml lay upon lis arm. while he turn -d to tali' a second look at the trim, stalwart figure that had just passed them. "Ho you know his name ?" lie pre;en"v inquired. "N'o." Florence replied. with a ■winkle of amusement in her eyes, she remembered how she had swung like a p< ndulum in mid-ah" : •we (bit not go through the ceivunnv of exchanging cards .veslerda.v. We were both too much absorbed m ;he excitement of the moment 10 think of introductions and ihe formalities of polite society." ••Woll. well, sit down here for a minute." said Mr. Seaver, leading ier to the seat than ran around the ;leck. "I'll go and overhaul him. lender my thanks, find out. w lu> he s. and if he appeals !,, be O.K. as ;he bo.vs say, I'll bring him back ,nd introduce him to you. 1' might be a trifle awkward for you to'meel him everv du.v for a week ;ind not feel at, liberty to recognise Mm." . lie left her as he ceased speaking. in ,l presently encount--ring the voting man on his return beat , courleousiv accosted him. •■Kvcuse me. sir." he began, "but my ward informs me thai you saved her from a bad fall yesterday, and. naturally, r want to thank you on mv own behalf." '••That is not necessary, sir." the vonng man returned, ami again- lifting his can. "I was only too glad to" be able to render her the assist-

a nee. : "It was very fortunate you appear- | ed upon- tin- scene just as you did." i Mr. Seaver remarked. "And now | may 1 inquire to whom v\e are in- ' del.ted ■.'•' . | •'Certainly, sir " ami slipping Ins ; hand inside his ulster, the si ranger ; drew forth a card, which lie pre- : seated to his companion v\ ith an- ; other deferential bow. i ••Addi-on T. Merrill, New ■ oris ; Oil v." Mr. Seaver read. j "'Thank you. Mr. Merrill." as lie again bent a shrewd, searching j glance upon him. "My name is j Robert Seaver, and J perceive that ; you also are a New Yorker." •■"' j 'concluded, with a second look at tin. | card in- his hand. ; "Yes. sir. It has always been my j home. I am now going abroad to ; execute a commission for my uncle. | Adrian Merrill, who is a wholesale ] •rnn-oist on Headway. I'ossiblv von know of him." said Mr. Merrill. ' -Yes. yes. I kimw him-thut is. by here-av." returned Mr. Seaver. in a satisfied tone, for he knew that tin. hi..-li standing, both in t lie business and in the social world. "So you are going abroad on business lor him '?" ~ "Yes, and upon pleasure as v.ed for mv uncle' has given me a generous holidnv. and I hope to see con--.idera! !<• oi the world beiore I return." resrou'led the voting mam w it h ;l smile. "Ah, that will do you good, youne man ! And now suppnsc you conn. a „d let me. introduce you to tin. little lady over yomler. 1 think

it might be pleasanter for you both to know each other, since you must meet day after day during the coming week—eh '.'" The young man laughed. "I perceive von appreciate the situation." lie observed; "and if von think the young lady will be agreeable. I shall lie delighted to have an hit roduct ion."

Accordingly. Mr. Seaver led his companion foi-v^: - -l and presented him to Florence, who greeted him cordially, though with risin/r colour, as she met. the look of unmistakable admiration, and pleasure jn his eves.

'The ihree stood chatting together for several minutes ; then Mr. Sea vm excused himself, remarking 'hat he would il-o to see if Mrs. Seaver need?d anything. ' thus leaving the two young people by themselves.

Mr. Merrill proved to be a. very rtgreeable compa?iion.

This was his third trip abroad, In ;aid : consequently he was able it onversc iluent !y regarding the var-

ious countries which he had visit■:>d. and Hie pleasures in prospect for his fellow voyagers.

The time passed very swiftly and pleasantly, until both were start h-d by the sound of the gong for lunch.

' "Can it be possible '." cried Florence, laughing out. musically. " 1 had no idea it was so late, and I had not once thought of being hum

" Thank you, Miss Richardson, though perhaps I am presumptuous in doing so." said piling Merrill, as lie smilingly lifted his cap to hei for her indirect confession that the time had passed agreeably t.o !vr in his society.

He smiled as the tell-tale colon: ;.)iice more mounted to her temples but ii she regarded his thanks a:

presumptuous, she did not chide him for them.

The waves were running rather high, and t here was considerable motion to the vessel, and the gen'ie-

man begged his companion to taki his a rm while he conducted her below'

She frankly accepted his support, and they had just readied th" companionway and were about to descend, when they met a gentleman

coming up. lie could not, have been any older than Mr. Merrill. and Florence thought his fa'-e looked unusually relined and noble. She also observed that he was very pal", and walked with dilliculty. as if he were weak and ill.

The young people stood aside to allow him to pass, and as he reached the top stair he bowed his thanks and glanced into their earnest, faces. As he met Addison Merrill's eyes a look of blank astonishment swept over his features. a nd he, started violent ly.

Merrill also appeared to have received a sudden shock, for hj" lost colour and muttered something that sounded like an imprecation.

Then the stranger passed on. and the young couple went below.

I OIIAI'TFU VII. Mr. Men-ill from that day confinned to be xrvy attractive to Florence—was the first to greet her in the I morning and the last to leave her i when she retired to her state-room | at. night . I Occasionally they would encounter | the stranger who had been ill : but i no sign oi recognition had passed be- | tween them after that first meeting. ! To Florence he had become an object of singular interest, i She had learned that he was registered as "W. F. Carrol." and some- : how the name attracted her as well ■ as the man. ; One morning Florence rose early. I nnd hastily dressing,, she ran lightly i up the two .'lights of stairs to the ! hurricane deck. ! She had just reached the topmost 1 step, when slv heard a rich 1. arilone | voice break forth into that spirited- ! old song ; I . "A life on the ocean wave. A home on the rolling deep," etc. tvhen she paused where she was. an entranced listener. I The singer ha'l evidently been well ■| trained, for he seemed to have peri : ecf command of every lone, and bej lieving himself lo be entirely alone. he abandoned himself to the pleasure and freedom of the moment. lie was nor a doze,, paces from Florence. i\ n d as she m rived ami i glanced a! him she found her comlanion was— Mr. Carrol. | A gleam of amusement flashed in his ] eves as he saw her. and noted the i lovely Hush that leaped to her temj pies at being discovered. I She half 1 umed 1 o fly when he removed his hat With easy grace and I .-anie 1 owards her. ! --I'l-av do not let. in" frighten von ! .iwa.v . ' Miss Kiehardson." he ohser- | veil, his face lighting with pleasure ! a , th,. pretty picture she made, si auding with one small hand reM - ! j,,,.- upon the stair railing and -mv 1 foot iu-i in lhe net. oi stepping : down. "I did. not dream I had an

I audience or was amusing any one j -ave myself." j "It was more than amusement. Mr. i " a iroi." Florence responded, as fie i unused, and. quickly recovering herself, though tin- Hush still lingered in ' her cheeks : "ii was lovely - I i never so Ihoroughly enjoy ed that : song before—ihe "me. the plr.ee. and \ i he'rendering have given it a charm j I shail not soon forget." "Thank > ou." said her companion, j with an appreciative bow and smile. !"I have seldom received a compli- [ ment which L prized so highly . 1 I suppose." he went on. adroitly ; changing the subject, "that you. I like mv'self. are. here to see the sun ! ,-jso. ' I have had that delightful ! privilege every morning, save two. i since vve sailed." \ lb- led ln-r to ; , spot where they \ could face the east, and after seeing i her comfortably seated, he took a ; place beside her. They s a t chatting upon "various I tal'ics for several minutes, when, sud- ! denly lifting his eyes from her face Ito the eastern sky, Mr. Carrot obj Served ; ! "Watch now, Mips Richardson, if ! you would not talss his majesty's ! appearance." ' Then he con' inn-M m h.w, musical i tones that held her spellbound ; •'The east is blossoming: yea, arose ! Yasi as the heavens, soft as a kiss Sweet as the presence of woman is. i Wises and reaches and widens and grows Bight" out o-; the sea as a blossoming tree." (To be Continued).