The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 340, 25 February 1911, Page 7

The Unknown Bridegroom OR, THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING RING.

(All IliglUs Reserved.}

Hy Die Author of "Stella," "Two Ke\s," l r -tc., Ktc.

I'AUT ''Why. iinw I understand something that lias always puzzled me," murmured Florence, as she recalled the shock that- had quivered through Addison Merrill that, morning when I hey had encountered -Mr. Leighton on the upper deck. "Muring the voyage. Jlr. Merrill showed himself quite an adept in arranging living pictures," .Mr. Leighton continued, witli a scornful curl of his lips, "and amused himself upon one occasion by cleverly reproducing a tableau representing the secret marriage which 1 have described. Ah." hi: interposed, with a start, and quick look at Florence, "that was what caused jour fainting lit. It never occurred to nie until this moment ! " "'llow strange ! And 1 did not once dream, until now, that you knew the secret of that tableau, the fair girl responded, with a flusb and a smile. CHAPTER XXXYIir. "Now. ladies, gentlemen. Mr. Leighton observed, with a sweeping glance that included his whole audience. ''you all understand the meaning of the words which I uttered as I entered the room. T asserted that if .Miss Richard-son was the wile 01 any one. she was mine : but she is 110 man's wife. She is as Iree as the air. That ceremony was only the rankest farce, and 1 have always deeply regretted my share in it. 1 ought, to have revealed my identity and openly denounced the impostor the moment. I realised the great wrong he was doing - , and there lias been, no time since, when, if I could have learned who the unfortunate lady was, I would not have sought her and frankly confessed the whole story. Miss Richardson, 1 humbly hope that you will forgive me for the part 1 played in that sacrilege," he concluded, turning regretfully to her. She looked up brightly at him. "Rather let, me thank you a thousand, thousand times," -she heartily responded : "for to the shock occasioned by realising that an uttet stranger stood beside me 1 owe the awakening fioiu a" illusion that would have proved the ruin of my life." "Perhaps it may prove interesting to those who heard these explanations to learn what detained the would-be bridegroom c.n that important occasion," Mr. Seaver here remarked. "lb- was thrown from his carriage on the way to the church, although lie has sworn that the accident occurred after the marriage, and while he was on his way home. Eh, Merrill ? "Yes, sir, you are right," Merrill admitted, but. Hushing. "Leighton—or. rather, Andrews—was thrown on his way to the church, his horse bej coming unmanageable through fiat I of the" lightning. Andrews's injuries ! were severe. He lay unconscious 1 upon the road for several hours, u nd he was confined to his bed lor up- , wards of a week aiterwards. "Traitor !" snarled Andrews, turning suddenly upon him a lace almost I convulsed with passion. I "Possibly I deserve to be regarded j as such." "said Merrill, with a shrug j of his shoulders, "but. to tell the I truth, I am rather glad to free my i conscience oi' this miserable business. : I've done your dirty work lor a eood while, and it is a relict to wash ■' my hands of it." lie glanced repentingly at 1' lorence 1 as he concluded, then abruptly leit the room. • Mr. Leighton turned to the two i strangers, whom he had designated as Messrs. Saunderson and Richards, wool merchants, of London, and requested their testimony as to Ins : identity. They both allirmed that I thev had known him for a long | time, having seen him upon s-veral I acca.-ions in Sydney, when they had i I,een tlr-re to transact business, and | ilso in London, when he had soniei times accompanied his lather upon • his trips thither. They also recogi nised the prisoner Andrews. whom i they had aho met in Sherwood ! Leighton's ollice in Sydney. ! "Now. William, since that point. I is settled beyond dispute, you will I please tell me where 1 can lind the ! papers that belong to me," -Mr. 1 Leighton remarked, as he approach- ! Ed The <l'.i 'CI ed-looking man. • I o yen (latter yourself that I will i --II vou anything, curse yon? , hj,. legae. fiercely. when the olhcer ; in ei ul rge tapped him sharply upon the shoulder. "Take my advice, and be ciml. voung man." I>'' 01.-served, in a warning tone. "Your game is up lor „ 0 ,, d. ant' all. Where are those papers ! Quick !" And Hie detective towered above him menacingly. "Well if you must know, they are in the safe'in the library," was the sullen reply. . "And the keys, if you please, said yir. Wellington, coming forward and xt ending his hand for them. The deposed baronet Hushed a • nilty crimson as he met the attoriiev's gaze. .. . • | n ' mv right-hand pocket, he i i,uit t end, but quickly averting Ins , . V es • and in another moment the : olhcer had passed them to the law- | ■■Now, my friends. I believe oui j „t orv is all t old." said -Mr. Seaver, genially. addrersing the company. - I ree.'ret tluit anything unpleasant 111.1 lia\e arisen in enneei ion wp )i m . \ I ji 1 ~ 1 he Tow ers. but i u -1 u.'e : he "m to the offenders ui - ip.,. l a w. oilicer. vour prisoner ra;i now Pe removed." i the mttii marched the culprit fro,,, i he room. | v . turned and cast . , | t . s .,airing glance upon 1- lorence, but i, was quickiy superseded by one of hate, as he saw his cousin conwith her in a continent lal l 'i- e miniil e- hit er he w as ma line; . I i , ' 1 ■ m i : ()I1 pi-. w a\ I o l.ondiin and t prison. j j.,,, ,{iij U.'e. e.-,, reuuiiuiuß' iu ills

gi\ a i ho';-'-'''- The child hud been a wondering li>tin.-r to all that had hei n said, and the fact that he was the lord of Worthing Towers was almost more than in- could understand. "id you mean i h;,l i his great big louse and everything in it—ail the horses -nil carriages, too. are mine—r. all v mine ?' Yes, everything that you can see ;or miles around von. hesiiles a great fleai of moii '.v. ami you «re a baronet i.ow —you are Arthur Yincent l.eit.iii on. and those portraits over the niau iel piece are the likenesses oi vour father and mother." Alter some discussion it was arranged, greatly to the boy's delight, and later Walter Carrol Leighton was legally appointed the youthful baronet's guardian, and to him w a s committed the duty of rearing and educating the little waif whom he had restored his rightful inheritance and position. It was decided best that the leavers should not return to London that night as they had planned : there were nianv things to be discussed in connection with the events that had occurred so recently, and they all agreed that the Towers WO' Id be the best place for their cons:; 11 a I ions. Accordingly a ffroom was despatched to the'station for August, who, it will be rememnered, had agreed to meet the party there in time for the three-thirty train, and after all business arrangements hat' been completed and the lawyers had taken their departure it was a very happy and congenial party ihat sat down to dinner in the dining-room at the To wers. Presently August and Monica, slip---ped into the conservatory, and thus Florence and Mr. Leighton found themselves alone. Florence had been very quiet and shy ever since therecent revelations,: not once did she meet the young man's eye without feeling the hot nlood tingle in her cheel-H and her pulses leap with quickened throbbings, while now as they sat alone in each other's presence it. almost seemed to her as if lie must read every thought of hei heari, which for so long had beat only for him. Presently the- young man arose and came and stood before her. leaning one arm upon the mante'piece near which she was sitting. '•.Miss Iticharns.m." he began, in a low, trembling tone, "ours has been a vi'i v strange experience, and I leel that I was inexcusably [(resuming in going through that, ceremony with you. Are you sure that you forgive me 7" "Have 1 not assured you that that act was my salvation'.'" she in' quired, half reproachfully. "Ah. vol are very good to say that," he eagerly responded, "and if 1 but, dared t ( , hope that. I might be able to contribute towards our future haopiness. it would be joy nev ond expression. Parling. he- went on. emboldened by the flush on. her cheek, while his noble face was full of passionate .earning. have loved you ever since we viewed that wonderful sunrise together Irom the upper deck of the Germanic, and once since- then 1 have been eiirourageel to hope that you were not indil'lerent to me. Love, was there any special significance in- yodr act when you laid your hand in mind as you bade me farewell tin; night before you started for Switzerland, or was it my imagination that made me think so 7 Is there any answering abaction in your heart for me, dear 7 He held out his hand as he ceased, and Florence 1 , a s if impelled by some irresistible inllucnce. arose, and stood before him. and laid her hand again in his. with the same conlieling gesture that had characterised her farewell on the night oi which he spTike. "Ah. my beloved ! Pare I hope that I may claim it 7" the lover exclaimed, with a ring of joy iif his tones. "It is yours, if you wish it. That wonderful sunrise meant as much to me as to you," Florence whispered, anil the next moment was folded close in her companion's strong, loving arms. "Hut I never can call you Walter," the fair girl asserted, when, later, after they had become a little accustomed to their new happiness, and lie had chilled her for addressing him as "Mr. Leightein." " That name will always be baleful to me, because of my cruel experience with that, impostor. May 1 call you Carrol 7 "Am thing you like, sweetheart," n - fondly returned. "Yes." lie added, gravely. "I think I prefer \ on.should not call me Walter, for henceforth that name cannot fail to have unpleasant associations for both of us. I shall be ' I ncle -Carrol ' to -Ja— Arthur. Can I ever get used to that ; hang.-. 1 wonder 7" he interposed, smiling. "And so it will all be in harmony if I am Carrol to you. "Carrol," said Florence a few moments later. "1 iyant to tell you that -ouiehow 1 have felt bound to you jve-r since we stood teigether at the altar in Positiale chapel. I knew, of course, that it was not a legal marriage, but from the moment 1 looked into your eves, just before 1 lost consciousness I have leit that, -.(ranger though s were, you possessed a claim upon me that J could never throw olT." "Then I was not far out of the way to-day. dear, when I almost claimed you as my wile 7 ' said the \ oung man. tenderly. •No ; and 1 am so glad that it was you who stood beside me that night." she whispered, nest ling closer within his encircling arm, "and that. 1 shall he able to fulfil papa's wishes, after all." Mr. and Mrs. Seaver were verymuch gratified when informed of how mat ters stood. ■-| t 's match after my own heart." said the lawyer, heartily, as he shook the young' man warmly by the hand- " 11 . vou my own sun. or Florence my own daughter, 1 could not be belter plea-ed." "Ther.- i< but one drawback t o my happiness." said Carrol l.eighton. gi'ave!v—' 'the fact of my present impecuniosilv ; but am in a lair way In climb 'fortune's; ladder again, and ii. will not be "' y ¥ before I can offer vour ward at least a competence." ■• j t -1,1 ejaculated the lawyer, t hotigh 11ti 11 v. ' "I'm in no hurry to pan with Florence, 1 can tell you—it, will In- a sad day for us when we have l( , give her up : but let me ~, \i ~,, a litHe piece of advice. i ,7 i" 1 let ill | '-Sir " - to- com t 1-ill! OiJ , iil j u tone oi a-toni"-su»ciJ'..

" Wei i—yes : there's, no .-ease if, beating about the Im'sh," interrupted Mr. Seaver. in his blunt way. " You're making a lair income alrea'K in your business ; there 11 b. something more coming to you for your care of the bo.v and the man ageinent of this estate, while 1- lorence has a "ice utile inheritance oi her own. and there's nothing to hinder your having a wedding just. a s soon as you choose." "Well. sir. no one could accuse you of being an ogre of a guardian,' said Carrol l.eighton, laughing. "Oh, I could be ogreish enough if there were occasion for it." returned the lawyer, with a humorous twinkle in his eyes; "but. don't you sec, Florence would just break her heart if she hail to go back to America and leave you over here 7 "l>o yo» really 7 mean it 7 Would you give your consent to an immediate marriage ?" inquired the lover, eagerly. "Willi all my heart, for T am confident that it would be the. best thing for you both,' Mr. Seaver gravely replied. And thus the- matter was settled, and only the day remained to be named. The following day the whole party repaired to London, and the Towers was left in the care of the butlei and housekeeper j the former rejoicing greatlv over the fact that the recent- baronet had been deposed, and "a bora gentleman" was destined to reign there once again The next morning came the examination of the two prisoners, the result being that both were committed to await their trial some weeks later. When their cases came to trial both were found guilty and sentenced —King to twenty, Andrews to fifteen years' penal servitude. Carl King was compelled to relinquish all papers' and accounts pertaining tc Monica's property, besides all money and letters of credit. The very day that her father was sentenced Inez disappeared, and her cousin never saw nor heard oi hei aiterwards. Airs. Ciairemont had been dismissed before they went tc Brighton. One day. shortly aftei this disagreeable business was settled, there was a double wedding ii LondonIt was a very quiet affair, there being only about twenty-live guest.' present, and there was not the slightest, shadow to mar the joy oi the young couples, who so .solemnly yet joyfully plighted their vows. The brides were visions of loveliness in their rich ivory white satins, their voluminous veils and fragrant orange blossoms. Their costumes were exactly alike, and after the ceremony the guests were continually making mistakes regarding the identity of the two brides, thus causing no little amusement and, merriment ; but the proud and happy husbands were never at a loss to distinguish them. Their fond eyes were quick to recognise each his own. ft happened very opportunely that the firm with which Mr. .Leighton was associated —found it necessary t c send him on a trip to the Lnited States just at this time ; thus the whole party sailed together one bright September morning, and a very haPP.V company they were throughout the voyage, young Sir Arthur being not (he least joyous among them. Arriving in New York there came the first separation, Senor Castaldi and his bride deeming" it necessary to proceed directly to their home in Mexico, but the young man informed their iriends that he hoped by the end of a couple of years to he able to dispose of his' .Mexican mine to such advantage that he could retire from business and settle in a more civilised community. probably New York, when frequent visits between the cousins, who had become strongly attached to each other, would be possible. Air. and Mrs. Seaver repaired immediately to tlieir home, where Florence" and her husband and their charge became their guests during their sojourn in New York. Early in November they returned to England and took up their residence at Worthing Towers in order that the young heir might be brought up in his own home, and where, with a resident tutor, he began in earnest to prepare lor his future. I-'or many years this happy household lived at the Towers, and. without a shadow to mar their joy. Air. Leiglilon's business prospered beyond his most sanguine expectations, and he bade fair, as the years went on, to amass a handsome fortune. He began early to take an intcrrst in public affairs, and .showed himself so thoroughly in earnest in the promotion of every good work 30 straightforward and unimpeachable in life and character —that hewas finally elected the member of Parliament for his borough. in which capacity he served his party, for years, in a way that won him its unbounded confidence and esteem. As Sir Arthur Yincent l.eighton grew older he began to manifest a great interest in the condition of the homeless newsboys, bootblacks, and other street gamins of London, where during his early years he had obtained so much c-xperi mental knowledge of their deprivations and sufferings. When it became evident that the i, oung baronet might at no distant dav 'bring home a. bride to the Towers, Carrol Leighton, who had long contemplated such a change, purchased a fine estate a few miles from Worthing, a n d having made all the money he cared for, retired from active business in order to give ilis attention more fully to his pruned,v and his political work. Here our friends made an ideal nome for themselves, and when at cngth our noble hero was knight>d, as a reward for his philanthio:,ic work, Florence became, strange to relate. Lady l.eighton, thus acquiring the very title and position, ivhich once she had scorned, and dejlarcd that nothing could induce hei to accept. Ladv l.eighton has many and very 7 costly jewels, b. none that she prizes more high l ..,- than a certain tinv braided circlet, with its mystic legend. "Love and Hope," and which she always wears upon the third hre-er of her le't liana, with I the real wedding-ring which was ! placed beside it when :;lie became in ! !vut.h the. wit.- of the once unknown i,,-i(i ( ~ri-,M.'111 I/, whoi,. 'i" had plight.■Ml' h,.s mca-:- m );<•," chapel on a i-.-rt f»i«, ••■in pes' nous -.tud tiiemoi'dbl'i uight in June iosu. j the l- i'»- _