Stella Mowbray.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2644, 4 September 1906, Page 2

Stella Mowbray.

(All Right* Reserved.)

A CAPTIVATING ENGLISH-AMERICAN LOVE STORY.

By the author of "A Girl In a Thousand, Two Keys," &c, &c. I'ART 1. INTRODUCTION.

Steila Rosevelt Mowbray, an orphan girl, of about fifteen or sixteen years of age. is a passenger on the Albatross steamship, bound ironi England to New York. Her father, the only relative on whom she could depend, had died three months previously, and Stella was going to her rich aunt, who had promised to give her a home. The voyage is tempestuous. Among the other passengers is an elderly man who is strangely attracted by Stella's beauty, and tender, loving ways. She confides her story to him, and the mention ol her name has a strange effect upon him. His name is Jacob Rosevelt. The Albatross weathers the stoim, only to encounter a worse fate. Fire breaks out on the ship, and the passengers and crew are forced to take to theboats. Terrible privations follow, and Mr. Rosevelt is reduced to the point of death. Stella, whom the captain has favoured in the matter of food, tenderly nurses him until a passing steamer rescues the wrecked ones from their perilous plight. Then the reaction sets in, and Stella falls fainting into the arms of a manly-looking young fellow, who stood watching her with pity. This young gentleman introduces himself as Archibald Sherbrooke. Arriving at New York, Stella is met by a woman, who conducts her to the house of her aunt, Mrs. Richards, and our heroine soon realizes that her new life is not to be as she expected. Instead of being treated as one of the family, she is relegated to the servants' quarters as a man. Stella resents this treatment, but Mrs. Richards is unrelenting, so she decides to appeal to Mr. Richards

CHAPTER VI (Continued.) She went and stood before him. She did not wish tc sit down ; she could say what she intended to tell him better standing, she thought. "You spoke so kindly to me this morning," she began, "that I have ventured to come to you this evening for a little advice."■ "Spoke kindly to you ! Why on earth shouldn't I speak kindly to you ?" iie asked, in surprise. Then noticing her pale, weary face, he continued : "What under the sun have you been doing to-day ? You look tired to death." Stella tried to smile, but she felt mere like dropping her face upon her hands, and sobbing aloud. She controlled herself with an effort, however, and putting seme of hrr papers upon the table beside him said : "I have brought you seme papers which papa gave me just before—just before he died." A sob would come-in spite of her then. "One is a copy of a letter which he wrote to Mrs. Richards," she went on, "and there is also her reply. Will you please read them and tell me exactly what you understand by them." "Certainly, if you wish," he replied looking a trifle surprised at her request. He motioned her agaiu to a seat, then opened the letters and read thpm both through. "I understand," he said, when he had finished them, "from your father's letter that, believing he is soon to die, he wished to provide a home for you. He states that he has no friends or relatives in England with whom he is willing to leave you, that he has next to nothing to leave you, and begs my wife as the nearest of kin, to assume the care of you and your education until you are able to do something for yourself, trusting to Providence to reward her for her kindness to the orphan. He mentions that he feels assured she will do this, since she once entertained such tender feelings for his wife fcr the signal service which she, once rendered her." Do you know what that service was ?" Stella asked, in a low voice. "No ; [ asked Ellen when 1 reed the letter which she received ; but she seemed to have forgotten to what ho referred. Perfiaps you know, I though ? ' Mr. Richards concluded, inquiringly.

Stella coloured vividly. "Yes, I do," she returned with compressed lips. "Well, what was it ? I should like to know." "My mother was a Miss Cludleigh before her marriage, as you doubtless know, and she lived near llalowell I'ark, in Devonshire, where Mrs Richards was < nee visiting, and it was during that visit that she saved her from drowning." "Whew ! Your mother saved my wife from drowning—oh ?" cried Mr. Richards in astonishment, and colouring as he remembered his wife's indifference upon the topic when he had questioned her about it. "Yes. Now, will you please read Mrs. Richards's reply to my father's letter, and tell me how you interpret it ?" Stella did not care to dwell upon the subject of her obligation, since Mrs. Richards had seen lit to pass it by so lightly. "I interpret it just as it reads," he said, after glancing over it, "that she would be most happy to grant your father's request, do her utmost to make a good and useful woman of you, and follow out his wishes regarding your future education as nearly as she could " "Yes, that is the way papa understood it—that is the way I understood it," Stella said, rising and standing erect before him with a gravitj that made him wonder what was coming next. "My father." she continued, "as you know, was a clergyman, with a very limited income, and he conducted in\ education himself, until he be came 100 weak to do so, therefore I .•in pretty well advanced for one ol

my year*. I h»v# a very fair knowledge of Latin. French, German, as well as mathematics ami history. 1 was studying harmony in music vchen papa died, besides a little painting and drawing. 1 do not It'll you this," Stella interposed, with a sad smile, "to boast of what F have done, but that you may understand what my feelings are, when I tell you why I came here to-night. I'apa wished me to keep on with my latin, reading Horace and Tacitus, with French, German, music and history —in fact he left a written programme for me to follow out as nearly as I was able. I am ambitious myself—l am hungry lor knowledge. I wani a thorough education, and as 1 must in the luture earn in\ own living, I know of no way so congenial to my feelings as through literary pursuits. "l'erhaps I made a mistake in appealing to you .iust. now, but I could think of no other way out of my difficulties, for of course I am wholly ignorant of the manners and customs of this country. "I mentioned these things to Mrs. Richards this morning "—and now Stella's voice trembled, and the beating of her heart nearly choked her, for she did not know how this man would receive her appeal to him against, his own wife. "Well, and what did she say ?" he asked feeling somewhat perplexed over the matter. "She told me that 1 could not go on with my education, as papa had wished—that I was to take the place of a girl named Maggie Flynn ii l your family. "What!" exclaimed the gentleman, in tones of most enipathic astonishment .

"Maggie Flynn, I understand," Stella went on, gathering courage as she noted his surpi iso. "was a sort of chamber and waiting maid, and Mrs. Richards says that I am henceforth to perform her duties. I cannot tell you," shf continued, earnestly, "how repulsive such a life would he to me—to give up all my hopes, to forget, in the ceaseless routine of such an existence, all that 1 have already acquired ; and I have come to appeal to you—to a.sk you if \( u will try and persuade your wife to allow me to continue my studies. 1 am willing to work, and work hard, but I must have some time to improve and develop my mind. There are plenty of girls who can be eniplr.yed in my place "-—Stella did not know of the curtailing business—"and who do not care for an education. Papa authorized a friend of his to dispose of his library and our household goods, and give the proceeds to me, after paying all the bills. I have a letter of credit to the amount of a hundred pounds. I do not know the expense of schooling in this country, but ciuld I not be sent to some institution for a year or two, and take this money to pay for it ? I should be fitted by the end of that time, I think to teach, and could relieve Mrs. Richards of all responsibility regarding my support."

Mr. Richards' face was very stern when the young girl concluded, and Stella, looking into it, felt almost frightened at what she had done. "What have you been doing today ?" Mr. Richards asked in cold, stern tones, alter what seemed an intolerable pause. Stella began to feel almost faint. That hard face, in which displeasure was the chief expression, did not look promising for her cause ; but she replied : ''l have done all the chamber work, swept anil dusted five rooms, and. waited upon Mrs. Richards." "You are not accustomed to such work ?" he said, glancing at her delicate hands. "Not to any. such extent, sir. Mamma used to require me to take care of the music room, besides my own room at home, for we could only keep one servant : and I knowhow to sweep, and dust, and make beds," said Stella with a smile. "i should say that you know a great many things for so young a lady," Mr. Richards said, kindly ; for he saw that she was nervous over what she had been telling him. Then he added, more gravely : "I will consult with Mrs. Richards and I think that we can arrange for you to pursue your education as you desire." Stella flushed. She knew well enough that a mere consultation with Mrs. Richards would not secure much for her, and that she would be very angry with her for having appealed to her husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to made a bold stroke for her freedom. So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking with the utmost respect, she said :

"1 feel confident from the conversation which I had with Mrs. Richards this morning, that she will be very unwilling to make any change in her arrangements, so I will be perfectly frank with you and say thut much as I should dislike taking any steps in opposition to Iter, or my father's desire that T should remain with her, yet 1 cannot consent to remain here as a common servant, with no privileges or time to myself. I presume Mrs. Richards will say that as she has been appointed my guardian, 1 shall be obliged to do as she desires. But I have read somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches a certain age, he has the privilege of choosing a guardian for himself. Rather than be subjected to the fate of becoming a second Maggie Flvnn," Stella continued, her voice gathering firmness, "I shall exercise that privilege. Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles and 1 trust 1 have not wearied um. Good night." Without waiting fi.r him to reply, she inclined Ivt head in a graceful bow, and quietly glided from the room. "Gracious !" exclaimed Mr. Richards glancing after her retreating form. "That is what I call spirit. Make a common servant of such a girl as that, indeed ' My lady and 1 will talk the matter over, and see—what we shall see." CHARTER VII. A coNsn/i A noN Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife, and there followed "a consultation " in (■artiest . Mrs Richards »a- dumbfounded upon being informed of the decided stand which her spirited little ward had taken, and her indignation in consequence knew no bounds. "Confound her impudence !" she ei ; i«• 111 ;it<m 1. crimson with rage, "hops she expect to rule lIIC or baulk llie like this '.' Siie will liud heiself mis-

taken. I will gne her a dose in the morning—such a dose ! "Ellen, you will do no such thing" her husband returned, firmly. Have you forgotten Mr. Mowbray's letter to you, and your reply to him? When you wrote accepting the guardianship of his daughter you did it in a way to lead him to believe tifat. you would do your best for her." '"And so I am doing my best for her," interrupted his wile. "You have talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six months, and T have tried to retrench. I knew the coining of this girl would make an extra mouth to feed ; so 1 made up my mind 1 would make her useful and save something if I could." "Well, the child says she is willing to be useful, but you are not fulfilling your agreement by making a drudge of her. Mr. Mowbray understood that you w«>ulil give careiul attention to her education, which he evidently has conducted upon the most thorough principles, and he ex|>eeted that you would fill, as far as possible, his place towards her." "How do you know what 1 wrote to him? You did not see my letter" demanded Mr. Richards, angrily. "1 have seen it to-night. The girl has it, and showed it tr me; and now 1 want you to live up to your promises," replied her husband. "She ought to be thankful that 1 she has a roof to shelter her. I'o you suppose that I am going to al- ' low her to interfere with .Josephine's rights ?" "Certainly not. But this girl is 1 exceedingly bright and pretty ; let them become mates, and share alike, 1 and I'll wager that Stella will never abuse that privilege," Mr. Richards said, generously. !

"How about retrenchment if von have two line ladies to support instead of one?" sneered Mrs. Richards. "Oh, bother; we'll make it up in some ether way. I'll sell one of my horses. You can give up a new dress once in a way." "N'ot if 1 know it, Mr. Richards. I do not intend that this girl shall interfere with my comfcrt in the least degree," interrupted the lady, with a frown. "Well, we will manage, it some way. Hut." lie added, beginning to get out of patience with her selfishness and heartlessness. "I swear, if you won't promise to treat her considerately, and she repudiates you as her guardian, I will get her to choose me in your place, and I'll treat her like a young princess—send her to any first-class school she may choose, regardless of cost." "George Richards," cried his wife, with flashing eyes, "if you take up weapcns against me in this way. I will never forgive you !" "Can't help it," he retorted, coolly "I'll not have this girl made a common drudge of in this hcuse while I am master here. llow you could meditate such a thing for a moment is more than I can understand. Where is the gratitude for the life her mother saved for you so manyyears ago ?" Mrs. Richards started slightly. She had not intended that her husband should ever know of the debt which she owed Stella's mother. "I suppose she had to twit you of that in <rder to gain her point and make you her champion she said, sarsact icallv.

"No. indeed. I asked her what, her father meant by his allusion to the service rendered you. and to which he referred in his letter, and she told me of course—though in a very modest wax—that her mother once saved jmi from drowning- Now I want you to change your tactics ] want you to allow her to he one of the family." "I will never do that, so it js useless for you to suggest it !" Airs. Richards returned. hotly. "1 could | not endure the sight ol the girl at my table after this, and .Josephine, I know, would not consent to it. An\ one can see, by the course she has pursued to-night with you, that she is full of art and guile, and wotdci not hesitate to interfere with .Josie's plans and prospects." "Oh, oh !" You're afraid she will outshine Jo. are you?" laughed her husband, good-naturedly. "I should think one would set tlie other off. Stella is so fair and .Jo so dark, and I should really enjoy seeing two pretty girls a butt the house." "I will never put Stella Mowbray on an equal footing with my daughter, so you can cease arguing on that point," reiterated Mrs. Richards, with a posit iveness that »as not to be mistaken. "If you insist." she continued, after a moment's thought, "upon her being allowed to pursue her education, since she makes such a parade of being a book-worm, let her—l will not interfere. Hut I insist, on the other hand, that she make herself useful. She must work about the house before and after school hours, and do something in return for her support —more than this I will not cuicede;" and Mr. Richards, having gained a point, considered that he had quite gained a victory for his wife's pretty ward. "Very well," he said ; "1 presume that she will be satisfied with this arrangement. She said she was willing to work if she might only be allowed to study.

"Satisfied or not, ii is the only concession that I shall make. And mark my words, George—l shall not love her any better for this interference on your pari his wife .said hotly. "Fie. Klleii ! I thought you had a warmer heart : and it would not sound well outside, if it should become known, that you were making a servant of a relative. It would make quite a stir, let me lei! you. 11 she should appeal to the courts l< have a new guardian appointed." Mr. Richards returned, in a conciliatory way. Thus the matter was settled in Stella's great joy . Mr Richards made arrangements for her to enter at once a select school for young ladies, which was situated quite near his residence, and she began her attendance there the following Monday , having passed a most "creditable examination," the principal told her. When she was informed of this pleasant change in her life, she thanked Mrs. Richards for consenting to il . but. the irate woman shul hei up instantly . by saying : "You owe me nothing, and I wish the subject never mentioned again in my presence. You will assist in the chamber work in the morning before it is time for you to go to school, and help Mrs Miuni with the mend ing on your return in the afternoon. Miss Raker will attend to the pro vision of suitable clothing for you. and you will work with her on Sal

urda\s. ,\ow we will consider this matter disposed of until such time as you may deem your education finished." And with this heartless speech Stella was summarily dismissed from the august matron's presence. She was greatly rejoiced with e\en this ungracious permission to pursue her studies, and the hours spent in the schoolroom were a source of great delight to her ; but her position at home was anything but agreeable. Mr. Richards treated her kindly whenever he chanced to meet her, but his wife and daughter ignored her presence when they could do so. When they eouid not, they took pains to make her feel her obligations and dependence in the most uncomfortable manner. With Mrs. Blunt she was comparatively happy, for the woman, though brusque and peculiar, was very kind seeming to have conceived a great liking for the lonely orphan ; and often she would sit up late at night getting piles of mending out of the way. in order that Stella—who was studying very hard to make up lor having entered school in the middle of a term —might have more time to herself. Miss Baker, the seamstress, too, was very kind to her. and her Saturdays were often passed very pleasantly in sewing and chatting in the cosy sewing room. She left home at a quarter to nine in the morning, and did not return until half-past four in the afternoon taking a luncheon and spending the interval in the middle of the day in the schoolroom.

This was not done ori account oi the distance, but because the dinner hour at the Hichards' mansion interfered with the school hours. By staying at noon thus Stella had an hour's practice oil one of the pianos, and no one to interrupt her, and this was a source of unalloyed delight to her. Nothing' had been said about continuing - her musicMrs. Richards had vetoed all accomplishments on account of the extra expense ; but Stella could not give up the piano, so she pursued a course of faithful practice by herself. Not a moment was wasted. She was up with the dawn, and every morning for an hour she would be seen bending over her small table, busily engaged in writing or study. All her duties were faithfully performed ; beds had never been so well made before ; rooms had never been so carefully swept and dusted, or so tastefully arranged ; and yet one would scarcely have mistrusted her presence in the house, everything was done so quietly and unobtrusively. This general exercise, together with her brisk walk before and after school hours was very beneficial to her health. She grew tall, and round and rosy, and in beauty every day. * On Saturdays Miss Raker's weary face would brighten as Stella sat and chatted in a cherry, entertaing way, whiling away the long hours, her busy lingers often lightening her labours when there, was no sewing to be done for herself, until she began to love the sweet young girl with a deep, warm affection, and to look forward to these weekly diversions almost as if they had been angels' visits.

Stella was ver,\ tasteful also, and often suggested changes in trimming and the arrangement of drapery, thus making great improvements in her work, while in spite of Mrs. Richards's commands that "everything for Miss Mowbray be as plain as resjwetabi 1 it\ would allow," she took pains to lit the young girl's figure with great nicety, and added many graceful touches to her otherwise simple dresses. All the winter long Stella pursued this busy life—improving every moment to Ihe best advantage, making every hour count ; and one morning getting through her work earlier than usual, she might have been seen stealing forth from the house a halfhour before the regular time, her cheeks (lushed with some inward excitement. her eyes gleaming yet somewhat anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly-sized package neal ly wrapped in brown paper. She took an opposite direction from the ordinary route to school, and walked hurriedly towards the business portion of the city. At the end cf twenty minutes she stopped before the door of a large and handsome shop, where for a moment she seemed to hesitate as if uncertain what to do next. \t last with fluctuating colour and trembling hand she turned the handle and entered. A little while passed, and then she came out again, while now she appeared pale and agitated. As the door closed after her. she stood still for a moment upon the pathway seeming lost in thought ; then a tremulous sigh, which was almost a sob. broke from her lips, and she turned and walked towards her school.

CHAPTER VIII. RETKENCIIM EXT. Winter passed, spring came and went, and the yearly examination of the pupils of the school where Stella was attending drew nigh. Cards of invitation were sent to its patrons, requesting them to be present and see for themselves what their children had accomplished during the year. 11 chanced i his time to fall < n Stella's birthday, although no one was aware of the tact save herself; but In her it was destined 1 n prove an eventful occasion, and one long I" lie remembered. Mr. ItiehunU received and opened his invitation with his other letters on that \ery morning. and after glancing over it, passed it to his W i t'e. She merely looked at it, and laid it indifferently on one side. Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please him that all the young gin's interest should thus lie slightingly ignored, but lie said nothing, although his thoughts were busy during the remainder of the meal, and as soon as it was completed he repaired to the librarv and rang the bell. "Send Miss Mowbray to me," he said to the servant who answered his summons. Stella received the command, won deling w ha I it meant, and went down with some trepidation to oliev it She wiu> alinosl like an alien m the house, living so apart from the family, and so rarely encountering any of I hem : hul posses.-d ,•> sunny, even disposition, and ul though site often grieved over tha

neglect she experienced, axid yearneO lor love and sympathy, yet she would never allow herself to brood over it. Thus she was always swoet and genial in her temperament. As she entered the library this morning Mr. Richards looked up and smiled with pleasure. She was so fresh and bright and lovely that it was a delight to look upon her. "I have received a card for your school, to-day," he said, pleasantly "1 think I,should like to attend, if I can make it. convenient. How have you been progressing ?" "Professor Roberts has been kind enough to say that 1 have done very well. You know 1 did not enter until nearly the middle of the second term." Stella modestly replied, while her cheeks glowed with pleasure that lie should manifest this interest in her welfare. "Do you take any particular part in the proceedings to-day ?" he questioned. "Yes. 1 have a programme here in my pocket, Perhaps you would like to see it 7" and she drew it out laying it upon the table before him. He glanced over it, -»nd, third upon tile list lie saw : "Music, instrumental, by Miss Stella Mowbray." Further down he read : "Kssay, by Miss Stella Mowbray. Subject, 'Walls Must Get the Weather stain Ik-fore They Grow the Ivy.' " He looked up at her in some surprise.

"Did you choose the subject of your essay ?" he asked. "'Yes." "Why did you take such a topic?" "1 do not know," Stella answered. "I read the line one day. It haunt••d me continually, until I wrote out some thoughts about it, as 1 often do on different subjects. Professor Roberts found them one day between the leaves of my Horace, and liked them so well that he asked me to elaborate and extend them, and read them as an essay to-day." Mr. Richards had been looking her over critically while she was speaking. She was clad in a gown of some light grey material, made very plainly, but fitting her graceful figure to perfection. Simple bands of linen were just visible at her throat and wrists, while a knot of pale blue ribbon fastened her collar. She looked lovely. She would have been that in anything ; but he saw that her toilet, was hardly befitting the ward of his wife. "Girls always have a new dress for the examination say—don't they ?" he asked. "Have .you made any arrangements of the kind ?" "No, I shall go just as I am. This is the best 1 have," she returned, glancing at her dress, and flushing slightly. "How much time have you before the proceedings begin 7" he inquired.

"An hour or more," she answered looking at the clock. "1 am ready very early," she added smiling, "for I wished to look over my essay before reading it." Mr. Hichards looked grave. He remembered for Josephine had been all "fuss and feathers," on every examination day ; and here this lovely girl was going to appear IWore a crowded hall in a dress which his daughter would not have worn in her own room. "If you will come round to Hunt and Co s with me. you shall have one of those pretty silks they are advertising. I should be gratified to have you dressed as your classmates, and 1 fear that your needs in this respect have been neglected," he remarked with a slight frown. Stella flushed scarlet now. She had wished—oh. so earnestly' that morning that she could have something dainty to wear, and she sighed regretfully as she thought of all her pretty, things lying at the bottom of the ocean, for t hey had been prettily made, although the material was inexpensive ; and she had heard the girls talking of the new dresses which were Ix'ing made for them. But when her toilet was completed, and she looked in the glass, she felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there was at least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the true ladv, and she was comforted.

"Thank you," she answered quietly. "You are \ery kind to suggest it., but. if you please. I prefer lo go as I am. I shall lie gratified if you feel sutliciently interested to attend the exercises to-day, and I will endeavour to show you that i have tried to improve the advantages that you have given inc." "I should lie willing to take your word for it," Mr. Kichards said, heartily, "but i will come and see for myself." Stella looked pleased at this assurance : and then giving him a friendly little smile and bow, she went away with a light heart. "She 11 make a woman tc be proud of—or I'm much mistaken. She has spirit too. and is bound to stand 011 her own merits. There are not many girls who would have refused the offer of a pretty dress for such an occasion. I'll go over to the school and see what she has been doing." When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the school, he found it crowded to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends, and fond parents. He gradually worked his way forward towards the platform, for he was determined to hear Stella's essay. if possible, and finally took his stand beside an open window, where he could have air. and yet command a good view of all the exercises.

Vlmost at the same moment, a slight, willowy figure clad in grey, with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes and scarlet lips, and a wealth of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano, and after running her fingers nimbly over the keys for a moment or two, dashed into a brilliant and difficult sonata. It was executed without a mistake apparently, from beginning to end, and without music, and when it was finished the performer retired from the instrument amid enthusiastic applause'. Mr. Richards was astounded. (To bo continued.)