Our Novelettes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1516, 22 January 1886, Page 4

Our Novelettes.

" MY QUEEN." (Continued.)

It was only when the first gray streaks of dawn appeared in the east that we left Morton Hall. Major Campbell carefully wrapped Lily in her scarlet-quilted cloak, and begged my father's permission to accompany his cousin to the farm the next day. I looked at Lily's happy face on her homeward drive, with a feeling half of pleasure an 1 half of pain; a bright flush was on her cheeks, and her eys shone as if a new, strange radiance from within illuminated them; she chatted merrily of every event of the evening, and spoke of every perron there save M«jor Campbell, till my father laughing asked her if she admired her partner in the dance, adding, with a glance of fond pride—

" He seemed to like to dance with thee, my little lass."

The flush on Lily's cheeks deepened as she carelessly replied—

" Yes, father, he danced even better than the young Squire ;" and then she said no more. The next morning Lily was on the tiptoe of expectation, for she said Mademoiselle Henriette would come at mid-day, before the sheep-shearing was over. It was almost noon when we saw Mademoiselle de la Ferroniere standing at the wicket-gate which opened on to the terraced flower garden in front of the house, and by her side were her betrothed and his friend Leonard Campbell. Henriette hastened to meet me, and then turned to Lily, and, saluting her on both cheeks after her pretty foreiga fashion, li«ped in her broken English, " Ah, Mees Lily, we are de bonne \eure, and are come to see the cutting of the flocks!" and with a few words to my father she took his proffered arm, and they led the way to the fields where the shearing was going on. Lily followed with Mr Morton and his friend ; they bad promised to return to dinner, so I remained to make due preparation for our unwonted guests.

They staj ed all the afternoon and far on into the evening, when we eat ,in the soft twilight, on the terraced walk in front of the home, and conversed on every imaginable subject, Major Campbell telling of his travels and adventures in foreign lands, ever and anon glancing up at Lily, at whose feet he sat, for a nod and a smile. The still air was heavy with the rich perfume of the flowers which blossomed in profusion on every side; and a young moon was rising over the hill tops when our guests took their leave.

Major Campbell brought a rare plant the next day for Lily, which he said she would admire when it blossomed ; and the next day he brought her flowers for her garden, and persuaded her to join the riding party at the Hall. From those rides she always returned radiai.t with health and spirits, while I, with an indefinable weight pressing at my heart, tried to feel glad at her happiness—a happiness, I felt, for the first time in my life, that I had not been the means of procuring her. I was sitting one evening, as in days gone by, in my old favourite seut in my little room, facing the tree-tops, which wete now once again a mass of pink and white loveliness, when Lily came in with a strange air of saylies*, and, coming slowly up to me, threw her arms around my neck, and, hiding her face on my shoulder, faltered out the tale of her happiness. " He has asked me to be his wife, May; but I told him I could not leave you, for you were a mother to me."

" STes darling," I murmured; " but a mother must learn to part with her children." " That is what he said, May—that, if you liked him, you would not keep me from him ; but he would ask you and our father himself."

As she became calmer we talked more connectedly of the future, and she told me that Major Campbell's regiment was just ordered to Ireland tor a short time, but that on his return he intended to leave the army and settle on hU own estate, a small property about ten miles from our own home, and then he hoped to make her his wife. Before night my father had given his consent to their betrothal, and I wished Leonard Campbell joy of the treasure he had won. Leonard came to the farm every day, and every day only confirmed the favourable impression he had made, and the golden opinions he had won. Lily's cup of hippi-ne-s seemed full, and I, more accustomed to her newfound joy, grew contented at her future, which seemed so fair. But the sunny present came to an end at last, when the orders came for Major Campbell to join hi* regiment. It was a sad parting for the lovers, though they were cheered by the thought of meeting within a few months, when their marriage was arranged to take place. As be turned to depart Leonard placed weeping Lily in my arms. " You will take care of her, May, for my sake as well as for her own," and with another embrace of his betrothed wife he was gone. Next day there came from the port where he had embarked a packet for Lily; it contained a long and closely-written letter and a beautiful miniature of Leonard set in brilliants, while at the back was a lock of bis curly black hair. That miniature was the joy and comfort of Lily's life, and it never left her night or day, as the wore it suspended from her neck by a gold chain which Leonard had sent with it.

" London, June 23.

"My dear Mies Dormer,—A.s the aunt of Major Leonard Campbell, I venture to address you and to express the hope that you and your sister will come and pay me a visit in Loudon. Tou are not strangers to me by reputation, as I hare heard much of you from my nephew, and I should be plra«ed to make your acquaintance. I think that perhaps you may find in Loodon facilities for providing for the marriage which "the country does not afford, and whilst you are staying with me you may be able to accomplish some of that agreeable ta«k. In the hope that 1 may soon hare the pleasure of making your acquaintance, I remain, with every consideration and esteem, Your obedient servant,

" Dorothea Campbell.

" P. S. Card enclosed will enable you to find Oakford House with little difficulty." This letter the old postman brought us one summer morning from the nearest town, and its arrival caused as much excrement in our quiet household as a bombshell would in an enemy's camp. My father, with his usual kindness, urged our acceptance of the invitation, and Ldy said how much she would like to see Lady Campbell, of whom Leonard had so often told her, as well as to have a glimpse of the unknown splendours of London. I shrank from going amongst strangers, but my scruples were overruled by Lily's wish that I should accompany her, for she declared that without me sbe could not and would not go. So the next week saw us on our journey. My father put us into the London coach, am. after a tearful farewell, we left him for the first time in our lives. After a wearisome tourney we arrived at Lady Campbell's door t was evening) and we were surprised ai entering a well-planted garden-for the house W|f to tbt suburbs, awl net, u we had

imagined, in town. Lady Campbell stood on the threshold to receive us. She was a tall and stately woman, with dark piercing eyes. She had been maid of honour to Queen Caroline, and she made me a stately bow as I a Ivaneed ; but, when her eyes fell on Lily's blushing face, her glance softened, and she stooped and kissed her. Thm, leading the way through a large hall, she to >k us to a small oak-panelled room where supper was served; it was lighted by wax tapers in heavy silver sconces, and the service was of fine old Dresden chira.

l "Draw near, younij ladies," said Lady Dorothea; " I am sure yoor long journey must have made you botn tired and hungry.' During supper the slight reserve of her manner gradually thawed, and she conversed easily and agreeably. Soon after the meal we were shown to our room?, where we were glad to rest, after the fatigues of our journey. Lady Campbell was most kind and gracious to me, but Lily seemed to enjoy her special favour. To her she never tired of speaking of Leonard, her favourite nephew, telling her long stories of his boyhood and youth ; while I, as was my wont, sat apart and listened. "My love," she said one morning, " I am going to take you both to a rout at Mrs Egremcnt's next Tuesday. All the world will bo there, and I am anxious you should both do justice to yourselves; so I have ventured to fend for some stuffs from a silk mercer's in the city, and I hope you will each choose a gown;" and, ringing the boll, she desired a footman to bring the packages she had ordered.

They soon covered the tahle in rich and templing profusion. Lady Campbell would not hear of thanks, and, findiug we did not decide as quickly as she wished, she chose for ns herself—for Lily a piuk brocade, covered with sprigs of silver lilies of the valley, and a delicate grey for me, with blue convolvulus twining over it in long and graceful sprays. The eveniug arrived, and Lady Campbell's carriage conveyed us to Mrs Egremont's mansion. As we entered the grand sal-ion, a gentle murmur of admiration greeted Lady Campbell's beautiful charge. Lily had never looked more lovely than she d>d on that night. The rich pink dross she wore suited her to perfection, and her only ornament was the dia-mond-set miniature of her betro'ned. Her hair, differing from that of the powdered belles around her, fell in clustering rings on her neck,

A foreign Count sang Italian songs to the company 5 and, after he bad lefr the instrument, Mrs Egremont invited Lily to sing. Her voice, though untrained, was swsef a id melodious, and, after I had played the prelude, she san? in her touching tone& lb* oid ballad of " Barbara Allen" *er voice lingered over the last pathetic word*, «• Since my love died for me to-day, I'll mfor him to-morrow," and a great silence if on the ciowded assembly—silence which was broken at list by a buaet of applause. While many rose to congratulate the young songstress on her rare talent, a gentleman who was a stranger to us off ored her his arm to conduct her to her seat, when, with a half-uttered cry, he started back as his eyes fell on the miniature on her neck.

" Good Heavens!" he exclaimed, " why, that is Leonard Campbell, who was shot" Lily gazed at him for an instant, and then, with pale hps apart and eyes dilated with horror, ehe fell senseless at his feet. I clasped her in my arms and saw and heard nothing of what passed around. All my attention was absorbed by my heut's idol. We bore her gt-ntly from thu sah on, and placed her on a couch in Mrs Egremont's own room, where every remedy was resorted to, in order to restore consciousness. After a few faiut gasps she came back to life and misery. Presently she clapped my hand—and her touch was like ice.

"Go to him, May," she whispered—" go and ask him whac ic means, and it it is true ; and, oil, return at once !" With faltering steps I moved to the door, and there, wiih a face whose remorseful an* guioh I can n> ver forget, stood the man whose random shalt had struck the heart of my only sister. Lad; Campbell was beside me. " Tell me," be suid " what 1 have done."

" Sir." replied Lady Campbell, in stern accents, " you have wrought a cruel work by your thought.ess words; you have, 1 fe«.r given a Oaath blow to one who was to have been the wile of my nephew, who is to me as a son. But tell me—as briefly as may be—the meaning of your words;."

In trembling tones he said that he had just returned from Ireland, whi'her he had gO'ie witn Leonard's regiment as assistant surgeon. He knew Leonard well, he said. Two days before he—tue speikcr—had left Ireland, there was a dinner given by the officers to some neighbouring gentlemen, and afterwards one of the officers, who bad drank rather deeply, made some remarks on Leonard's approaching marriage, aud whispered to a brotherofficer, loud enough for Leonard to bear, that his fiancee was only a country farmer's daughter, who was glad to many a man of Campbell's position, and that he would soon tire of her pretty lace. Leonard heard the words, and after dinner sent a challenge to the young officer. Next morning, at daybreak, they met, and Leonard, the noble, the true-hearted hero of my poor LUy's life, fell dead, shot through the heart. The young man broke down here, and sobbed bitterly; but, recovering himself, he continued—

" I can never forgive myself for my wicked carelessness; but, when i saw the portrait of poor Leonard on that lady's breast, my first feeling of astonishment bewildered me, and I scarcely knew that I tad spoken." " May heaven forgive you, sir," said Lady Campbell, " but, if any harm should come to Miss Lily Dormer, I never can;" and she turned and left him.

Lily insisted od knowing everything, and we imparted to her as gently as we could the death- warrant of her hopes end happiness. She listened patiently, with her sweet face rigid as marble. " Take me home," was all she said. We conveyed her to Lady Campbell's house at once, but the next day she repeated het request to be taken home j so Lady Campbell herseK went to our own borne to break the sad news lo our father.

On the following day 1 took my Lily home, she speaking no word duiing the whole of the long journey. When my lather met us she kissed him, but no word passed her lips j and oh, with what anguish 1 laid her stricken lorm on the couch in our own room, which but a week before sue had left so full of joy and hope. For days Lily lay in a kind of stupor, till, as a last n source, 1 Mademoiselle Henriette, who »as still at the Hall, to come and see her. She came, like the true-hearted woman she was, and wept over Lily, and clasped her to her breast, and at last began to speak of Leonard. Lily drew herself back and gssed at her, as if awaking from a dream, and then the flood-gates of grief were rent asunder, and sbe wept such tears as Only the broken-hearted weep. When the tempest was past, she lay exhausted, like the flower whose name she bore, when, broken and crushed by a storm, it lies forlorn and helpless. This relief to her pent-up feelingseased her a little, though day by day she gradually sank{ but the weaker she became the more contented al>e grew, and a new light, as of a faintly#dawning hope, seemed to shine in her wan face. One day ibe cajjed mi to her, tad Mid—

"Listen, May—l feel lam not to be with you for long, and, though I grieve to part from you, my dear, good s ster, and our father, yet you know I am going to meet my true lore again— where no one can take me from him; and, May," she added, " please let hit image lie on my breast as it does now."

I promised to do as she wish'd, for I could not hide the truth which " shone <n her eyes, and epoke on her sunken cheeks," that she would not be with us long. She lingered through the bright, warm summer time, and, when autumn's fi<'?t touch turned the emerald leaves to gold, the Great Reaper gathered our choicest bio som into his garner. We laid our Lily to sleep in a sunny spot of th* churchyard on the hill side; and there beneath the daisies, lies till that is mortal of my heart's Queen. We placed Leonard's name with bers upon the tombstone, with the last words her lips had spoken—" Faithful unto death!" M. H.