THE NOVELIST.

Lake County Press, Issue 904, 29 March 1900, Page 2

T HE NOVELIST.

[ALL RICHTS RESERVED.] What Gold Cannot Bay, CHAPTER XT .—-Continued. "I hope you may. and I believe you will he. Here is the carriage. Let us go in. I suppose, Mr. Savile is ready. Nothing proved to me his mother's complete restoration so much as her speech about him. 'Let him go away with you, Mr. Rawson,' she said; 'it he. travels about with us he will only be an additional responsibility to Miss Desmond. Richard is incapable of taking care of himself.' She is marvellously toned down by suffering and sympathy; but we cannot expect the Ethiopian to change his skin, nor the leopard his spots altogether, though one may become a shade lighter and the other have fewer marks." It was with a thankful heart that Hope Desmond found herself and her charge safely housed in tie Stafford Square mansion. Mrs. Saville bore the journey well—indeed, fetter than her companion, whose pale 'cheeks and heavy eyes bespoke mental and physical exhaustion. Mrs. Savilie's usual medical attendant, or raiher the medical attendant of the household, for the wiry woman scarcely knew what indisposition meant, awaited her arrival and noticed Miss Desmond's looks. "If I might offer advice unasked. I would recommend a tonic and some days' complete repose to this young lady," said the polite practitioner. "It seems to me that her nervous system Is somewhat overstrained-." "She shall do as you direct," returned Mrs. Saville, with her usual decision. "I will look to her myself. She has braved horrible infection for me, and has had a large share in saving my life; therefore I value hers beyond everyone's except of course my sons' Yes, you look frightfully ill, Hope. I cannot have this." "Perhaps if I went to Miss Rawson for a few days," said Hope, with hesitation, "I might gather strength sooner. Here I shall always want to be up and about." "You shall pe nursed in no other house than this; so, doctor, send in your prescription soon. As for me, I want nothing but good food and occupation." "You are indeed marvellously 'well and strong, considering what an illness you have gone through. We have now every reason to hope that you will be spared to your family and friends for many years." "Much my family and friends care about that special mercy," returned Mrs. Saville, with one of her ironical smiles. "Good morning, doctor." And the doctor bowed himself out. "Thank God, he is gone; I am dying to read my letters," cried Mrs. Saville. "Here is a thick one from Mr. Rawson." She opened it, and then, growing rather white, exclaimed, "Why, it encloses one from Hugh!" This she read eagerly, and then reperused it. "Ah, if I could believe he cares for me." she said, at length. "The letter Is like himself, tender yet obstinate. He will be there nearly as soon as this," she went on, her small, thin fingers closing tightly on the paper. "He implores me to let him see his mother's face once more—the mother he has been so near losing. Rawson has evidently told him of my illness. He confesses I had a right to be angry; but reiterates his conviction that he has done well and wisely in securing the sweetest wife man could have." "You will see him, dear Mrs Saville ?" cried Hope, with white, parched lips. "You were so good as to think I was of use to you; if you would amply repay me, see your son—let him plead for his wife. They are married, you cannot separate them, and if she is a true woman it will break her heart to know that she has parted mother and son. It is in our power to confer such happiness." "I will receive my son. As to his wife, I cannot say what I sh*ll do. I gave Rawson directions to have her watched; it was a shabby thing to do, but I did it. He has had her clot-ely shadowed, but she has been abi-olutely well conducted. Still, if It is in my power to confer much happiness it was in hers to create much misery, and she did it ! Why, Hope, what is the matter ? 'Ar? you ill ?" Hope fell back in her chair so deadly white and motionless, that Mrs. Saville was terror-struck. She rang violently, and rushing to the fainting girl, began to rub her cold hands. "Bring water, wine ! send Jessop ! call back the doctor !" she cried, In great agitation, to the astonished butler, who had never before seen his imperious mistress so moved. , "The doctor has just driven off, 'm; but I will send Jessop.' Soon the lady's-maid, the butler, and the housekeeper were trying to bring

Miss Desmond back to life. When she did open her eyes they sought Mrs. Saville's; she smiled and feeby put out her hand. "Now she must go to bed," said Mrs. Seville, holding the offered hand In both of her own. "She had better be carried up-stairs." "1 can walk quite well: at least in a few minutes," she murmured Hope, "Jessop will help me." Thus Hope was relegated to her own room, where Mrs. Saville insisted she must remain all the next day. Wonderful to relate, that lady spent most of it at her bedside, reading- or knittins. Neither spoke much, yet they had aoertaln comfort In the companionship. Miss Rawson cailer, and was admitted during Mrs. Saville's absence, when she went tor a short airing. Which she considered essential for her own health. To her Hope explained that she must tor the present refuse her hospitable li-vltation. Then they talked long and confidentially, and Miss Rawson

tools charge of a couple of letters when she bade her young friend good-bye. It was then established that Miss Desmond was not to appear till luncheon time, Mrs. Saville being content to read the papers herself. The doctor was not quite satislied; his young patient did recover strength or tone; she was depressed and nervous, averse from food, sleepless. Some complete change to a bracing place might be necessary. Mrs. Saville, who was deeply concerned, went eagerly into the question of localities, but Hope implored, almost piteously, not to be sent away.

It was the end of September, and, Lcr.don was at its emptiest: Mrs. Saville was therefore spared the visits end kind inquiries of her kinsfolk and acquaintance. She was ill at ias ■ fiom anxiety concerning Hope. All that was kindly and grateful in her strong nature had been drawn forth by the desolate orphan girl who had thi spirit to withstand her hitherto ur,desisted tyranny and the perception to appeal to the better self which lay brreath it. So Mrs. Saville sat by herself, thinkinf deeply of her past, her present, and the possible future one warm, rainy morning. “Horrid weather for she thought, “impossible for nerves to get right under such skyey influence.” Yes, she must get Hope out of town. How desolate her life would be‘without that girl! and she would need comfort and support in coming years. Even if she brought herself to accept Hugh’s wife, she would probably turn out a thorn In their side and keep her and her son apart.

Here the old butler, with a beaming face, announced, “Mr. Hugh, ma’am,’’ and her son entered. How well, how distinguished, he looked ! his strong face deeply embrowned, his fine eyes looking eager yet soft. “Hugh !’’ cried Mrs. Savillo, rising, and, trembling from head to foot. “My dear mother !’’ he returned, ten-derly;.:-with a slight hoarseness of warm Emotion, and he clasped her in hhj'arms, kissing her affectionately. “Are you indeed safe and well ?” “My son ! you have nearly broken my heart !” Her tones told him he was already half forgiven. "Rawson told me this morning, Just now, that I might venture to call. You must forgive me, mother. I know I deserved your anger, and this I regret. I only want you to let me come and see you sometimes, and I will trouble you no more. I can fight for m; own hand; and you must accept my innocent wdfe, too.”

“It will bo a hard task, Hugh. I am a prejudiced woman, and m.y prejudices are strong against her.” “I think they will melt when you see her, mother.” “I doubt it,” Mrs. Saville was beginning, when the door opened, and Hope Desmond walked slowly into .the room. She seemed very pale and fragile In her simple black dress. No sooner had she caught sight of Hugh than her cheeks flushed, her great brown eyes lit up with a look half joy, half terror, and her lips parted with a slight cry. Hugh Saville sprang forward, exclaiming, “My own love ! my own darling wife!” and folded her in a raptur-

ous.embrace, kissing her hair, her eyes, her lips, forgetful of everything else, Mrs. Saville again rose from her chair, and stood petrified. At last Hope disentangled herself from her husband’s arms, and, crossing to where her mother-in-law stood, said, brokenly, “Can you forgive me for the deceit I have practiced ? Can you have patience to hear rny explanation ?’’ "I am bewildered,” cried Mrs. Saville, looking from one to another. “Is Hope Desmond your wife, Hugh ?” “She is ! Can you not forgive me now ?” said Hugh advancing to support Hope’s trembling form by passing his arm around her.

“It is incredible ! How did you come to impose upon me in this way ?” “I will tell you all," Hope began, when she was interrupted by a message which the butler brought from Mr. Rawson requesting to be admitted. “Show him up; he is a party to the fraud,” said Mrs. Savillo, sternly. Hugh drew his wife closer to him as Mr. Rawson entered looking radiant. “I trust you do not consider me an Intruder,” he said.

“You come just when you are wanted. I feel my brain turning,” returned Mrs. Saville.

“If you will listen," urged Hope with clasped hands.

“Yes. pray hear Mrs. Hugh Saville," said Mr. Rawson.

Mrs. Saville turned a startled look upon him, and Hope went on ; “When I came to this good friend, who offered me the shelter of his house so scon as he found I was the niece of his old rector, I was In despair. I began to realize the mistake, the disobedience, that Hugh had been guilty of. I had yielded too readily to the temptation, of spending my life with him. I felt that I was the cause of his troubles, and I was overwhelmed. I wished that I could die; anything to be no longer a burden and an obstacle. Then I heard Mr. Rawson aptak of finding a companion for Mrs. Seville, and the thought came to me of being that companion, and perhaps Winning her affection for myself and restoration for Hu o a," A sudden sob interrupted her; then, with an effort, she went on ; “Mr. Rawson was startleu at the idea, but his daughter at o; ce took it up. and, after some discussion, it was agreed that I should make the desperate attempt. I was therefore introduced to you by twp of my names—Hope Desmond; I was called Katherine Hope Desmond after my mother, who was Uncle Desmond’s only sister. How I had courage to brave such an experience I cannot now understand, for my heart,” —she pressed her hands against her bosom, and disengaging herself, made a step near-

er her mother-in-law—"seems to flutter and fail me. But the desire to retrieve the wrong I had wrought sustained me. I did not tell Hugh what I had undertaken until I had been some weeks with you. He was much alarmed, and begged me not to risk too much—to leave as soon as I could if the strain was too great; but he did not forbid me to stay. So I stayed. How dreadful the beginning was ! Yet, though you were cold and stern. 1 could bear it, for you ar» too strong to be suspicious, or pettj, or narro'-v, and I dared not let myself ftar you; and then—l grew to know you had a heart. That is what makes this moment so terrible. I fear your disapproval more than your displeasure Now, can you. will you forgive me ?" Mrs. Saville was silent; her brows we're knit, her eyes downcast: yet Hope darJd to take the small handwhich lay on the arm of the chair Mrs-. Savilie did not draw it away. The locker:; held their breath. Then she drew Hope's to her and gently stroked it, "I.think," she said, slowly," that you arc the only creature that ever understood me. I forgive your husband, and accept you—not because his disobedience is pardonable, but because, when I came back from the jaws of death, the first sight that met my eyes were your tears of joy at my recovery. Yet, had I died intestate, you and your husband would have been far better off than you will be; and you knew it. You are the first that has ever given mt what gold cannot buy." "Mother," cried Hugh Saville, in a tone of wounded feeling. "I always loved you as much as you would let me." "Perhaps you did. I believe jjoii did." said his mother. Hope had sunk on her kwes and kissed the hands which held hers, then hec head fell forward, and Hugh sprang forward to lift her. "She Is quite overoden," he exclaimed, almost indignantly. "She is but a ghost of her former self." And he placed her in an easy chair, where she lay with closed eyes. "Happiness will be a rapid restorative," said Mrs. Savillo kindly. "Now, what punnshment Is to be dealt out to you, traitor that you are ?" sTie continued, turning to Mr. Rawson. I degrade you from the high office of my chief adviser ? I must hold a council, and the council-board shall be my dinner-table. Bring your daughter •to dinner this evening, and we shall settle many matters ? And Hope, if you fee! equal to the task, write to Richard, inviting him to dinner to meet his new sister-in-law." "Very few fellows have sB good a right to be proud of a wife, as I have," cried Hugh, exultingly. "Our old naval stories of desperate cutting-out exploits are poor compared to the enduring courage that upheld Kate, as I always call her, though the long strain of her bold' undertaking." "She has enlightened me, at all events," said Mrs. Saville. "Now go away to the drawing-room and have your talk out. The doctor insists that a complete change is necessary for Hope's recovery; so take your wife away to-morrow for your long-delay-ed honey-moon. But, remember, whenever you are pursung your profession on the high seas, I claim the companionship. Mr. Rawson's pleasant protegee." "Dear Mrs. Saville, I will be your loving daughter so long as you care to have me near you," cried Hope ; and, no longer hesitating, she folded her formidable mother-in-law in her warm embrace. THE END. Why Is It ? That when you put. your hand in your pocket for a nickel and find a quarter, you are disappointed ? That, if a woman, you insist upon telling the eonrluetor to stop the car at the next street when you have already seen him pull the bell cord for somebody else ? That, when you -owe you grocer a small bill, you trade and pay cash at his competitor's ? That, you wear your old coat without flinching, provided you have a better one at home ? That the weather gets cold so early In the autumn if you have a new seal skin sacque. That you say you "used to play a good game," when you can't make a simple carom at billiards ? TKat you use half a dozen towels on the sleeping car, when one is sufficient at home ? That you tell an utter stranger facts you wouldn't whisper to your dearest friend ? That you grapple with and overcome a present trouble or misfortune, when you worry over a theoretical one in the future ? How to Tell (lie Speed of Traill*. Passengers on railway trains can ascertain easily the speed of the train by counting and timing the bumps made by the car wheels as they pass over the ends of the rails. Count the number of rails passed over during 20.3 seconds, and thai is the number of per hour the train is traveling. Thus, if in 20.3 seconds the wheels of the train pass over forty rails, the train is moving at the rate of forty miles an hour. Rails are thirty feet long, and thirty bears the same ratio to a mile that 20.3 seconds bears to an hour. At t lio Minstrels. Tambo —Can you tell me. Mr. Speaker, what there is strange about a woman who marries a lord? Interlocutir—Give it. up. Now, Mr. Tamlbo, will you kindly inf'nnri the ladier. and gentlemen here what t/hera is strange about a woman who marries a lord? Taimbo—A woman who marries a lord is high on the sea of matrimony, ain't she? Interlocu/lor—Undoubtedly. WhaA of it? Tamlbo —Well, you see, at the same time thai she is on the seas of matrimony she is t'/i fast to a peer. Interlocutor—Very good. The band will now excute that path -tie little ballad, "When Papa Minds the Babies While Mamma Rules the Roos't."—.NewYork Journal. Would Have in "<;it" Aery Uvely. An inventor recently went to the British War Office with an explosive that he paid would destroy any army against which it was directed. "It is the most powerful explosive the world ever saw." said the visitor, "and I propose to send up a balloon over an army that would attack ours, setting the fuse so that it might go off the moment the balloon Coaled over the army of the enemy." "That is all very good, indeed." said the Secretary of War, interrupting, "but supposing that a current of air should carry your balloon over our army—what then ?" "Well," said the inventor, layrng his hand on the right honorable gentleman's arm, "I tell you what it is, my friend—our army would have to get up and run like the very dickens."—New York Tribune.