Stella Mowbray.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2651, 30 October 1906, Page 2

Stella Mowbray.

I All Rights Reserved.)

A CAPTIVATING ENGLISH-AMERICAN LOVE STORY.

By the author of "A <>irl in a Thousand," "Two Keys," &c, &c. I*. PART 12. CHAPTER XXVI. DEFEATED. Whtui they wore within a few feet of, the upjier door, Mrs. Richards stepped towards them and stood directly in their path. The hall was nearly empty, almost ••wrybody being in the parlours or the dancing room : so there was no one by at that moment to witness what transpired. "What sloes this mean ?" Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low, authoritative tone. "Stella Mowbray, how is ;t that I find you here? Uncle dacob, where have you been all this time, and what strange freak of fortune brirprs you here in this unaccountable fashion ?"

Mr. Rosevelt started' slightly on heboldjng his niece standing excitedly in his 'path ; while Stella grew pale at first, for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the arrogant woman while she was an inmate in ber house.

'<t. remembering that everything was entirely different now, she quickly recovered herself, and the blood went surging through her voine, flushing her faco into brighter loveliness, lighting her eyes with indignation over the memory of past wrongs rtnd curling her beautiful lips with scorn for the woman's meanness of soul.

But, for all that, she clung a little closer to Mr. Bosevelt's arm, as if she was glad ho was there, though in no other way did she betray how disagreeable this encounter was to her, or appear as if she had ever met them before.

"Tell me what this means," Mrs. Richards repeated, looking from one to the other, noting Stella's delicate beau'y with a pang of bitter jealousy her self-possession and grace ; Mr. Rosevelt'B improved appearance, and, more than all, the air of pride and fondness that pervaded every look and attention which he bestowed upon his companion. "Well, Nieco Ellon," Mr. Roscvelt returned in a quiet tone, while he met her eye with a cold, steady glance which made her very uncomfortable, "it appears that you are considerably excited over this unexpected meeting. Suppose we retire to yonder ante-room, where we ean converse undisturbed."

ITo turned and led the way with Stella still upon his arm, to a small room on the opposite side of the hall. They entered, and he shut the door, for he did not care, that anyone should overhear what passed between them, nor did ho intend that Ellen Richards should do or say anything which should make them objects of remark.

With a dignify of word and manner that surprised his enraged listener, Mr. Rosevclt recorded the history of ids life since meeting with Stella, gave cogent reasons for his assumption of poverty, aJtd concluded by proclaiming her his heiress. Mrs. Richards was pallid with anger, mortification, and bitter disappointment, when Mr. Rosevclt concluded. It was a terrible blow to her to lose the chance of such a fortune, and now, wheu too late, she regretted her heartless treatment of her uncle.

Mr. Richards had met with heavy losses in business of late, anu it was only by straining every nerve, calculating, and contriving that she and Josephine had been able to come to Newport at all that season, and it was maddening to think that Stella, whom she had so disliked from the first, should have won by little acts of kindness, what she would have spared no pains to secure had she once suspected the truth. She could not conceal her hatred of the girl who had surplanted her, and with more bitterness than she had yet betrayed, she said to Mr. Rosevelt :

"I can congratulate Miss Mowbray upon being more successful in wheedling you out of your fortune than she was in her manoeuvres to become Lady Carrol." Tliis was a cruel thrust, and wholly unexpected on the part of cither Mr. Rosevelt or Stella. He was about to reply, but she begged him not to do so.

A shiver of agony ran through every nerve of her body at this rough probing of the still unhealed wound, and a painful crimson shot over her beautiful face.

But it quickly subsided, leaving only the bright spots on her cheeks.

She rose from the chair which Mr. Rosevclt had placed for her. drew herself up prondly, her eyes gleaming as brightly as the diamonds in her cars, and, entirely ignoring the woman's malicious thrust, she looked up at her companion and said, in her .sweetest, clearest tones :

"Uncle .Jacob, I believe we arc going out to sec the illuminations." "True, child, true," he said, taking her hand and laying it upon his arm while he cast an angry look upon his niece for her cowardly attack. "Come we will go at once." And with a formal inclination .to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, he led Stella from the room, shutting the door after them.

"Did you ever hear anything like it ?" Mrs. Richards said, hopelessly, after they had gone.

"No, indeed ; and it is just as you suspected—he was playing poverty all the time." .Josephine answered. "Oh, if I could only have known it !" groaned her mother to whom the calamity appeared to have grown more appalling every moment. "He makes a perfect fool of himself over that girl." snapped .Josephine. ".Just think of the amount of money it must have cost to deck her out to-night."

"I am going back to our hotel." Mrs. Richards said, rising. "I am not going In Slay lure to we h<-r olay (he liiie lady and crow over us.

As they swept up the hall, and up the grand staircase, on their way to the dressing room, they encountered Mrs. Blunt, who was waiting with warm wraps for her young mistress. Determined to gain all possible information about St«lia, Mrs. Richards questioned her late housekeeper, and found, as she suspected, that the woman had left her service to enter that of Mr. Rosevelt and his adoptct| daughter. Mrs. Blunt was not.sparing in her praise of her new mistress and master, and gave a glowing account of the grandeur and luxury of their home. Mrs. Richards did not wait to hear more, but, bestowing a glance which would have annihilated if :\ look could have had that- power, upon their old servant, the\ swept on towards the dressing room, with a sense of defeat such as they had never before experienced and hoped never to experience again. CHAPTER XXVII. UNMERITED KINDXKSS. If Mrs. Richards had conducted herself according to Iter own inclination she would hu\e left Newport at once. But she was unwilling that Mr. Rosevelt or Stella should think that she had run away from them, or that she was heart-broken over the disclosures which her uncle had made lo her.

Xo, she would stay, and she resolved she would make things as uncomfortable as possible for the ajrl, while Josephine should be ma™to shine with all the splendour of which their means and Mr. Richards's credit were capable. A week passed quickly by, and then Grace Meredith and her brother arrived at the watering-place, ami immediately attached themselves to Mr. Rosevelt and Stella, by mutual consent ; and many envious looks were bestowed on this dark, handsome stranger who appeared to assume the right to be their escort everywhere.

But Stella, whenever she appeared ill company, laughed, chatted, and danced with all that was possible of her admirers, dispensing her favours with an impartiality that was exasperating not only to her victims—if such they could be called who were ■ach anxious to secure the prize—but also to the many forlorn damsels who were all sighing for the attentions she was receiving, and the honours she was usurping.

One day, a week after the arrival of the Merediths, an excursion was arranged to visit a point on Xarragansett Bay, and it was a picnic after the good old-fashioned sort of carrying his own basket and sharing with his neighbour.

A boat had been chartered to take the party down the bay in the morning, and return at night by moonlight. Ralph Meredith and two or three or his friends were the originators of the affair, and the invitations were very select, and limited to one hundred. 4

As it happened, Mrs. Richards and Josephine, with quite a number of others from their hotel were included in the party. The morning was delightful, and the spirits of the whole company were at their highest, while the jaunty, white-winged boat, with its inspiring band of music seemed like a floating world devoted entirely to pleasure—as indeed it was. Ralph Meredith had arranged a cosy little nook on the boat for Stella and his sister, by taking some camp-chairs amd cushioning tlvm with rugs, with a couple of hassocks at their feet, while a sail had been adjusted as an awning to screen them .from the hot sun.

Hut when, after they were well mi their way, he conducted them thither he found to his chagrin, thai this snug corner upon which he had spent so much care had been appropriated by Mrs. Richards and her brilliant daughter, who were holding a little court to themselves.

They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when, an hour later, they saw the interlopers promenading the deck, they quietly slipped into the vacated seats ami settled themselves for the remainder oi the sail.

Here they were soon chatting in I he most sociable manner, and were in the midst of a most interesting discussion regarding their toilet for an approaching reception, when a cold voice broke in upon them, saying :

"Miss Mowbray, may 1 trouble you to vacate our seats ?"

Stella flushed and started. Too well she knew those' incisive tones.

But she quickly recovered herself, and looking up at Mrs. Richards, made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling with indignation, to keep silent ; then she arose, bowing with graceful politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though her eyes were gleaming with suppressed laughter. "I bog pardon if I have been occupying what docs not rightfully belong to me, and 1 cheerfully resign my chair to your prior claim." Josephine flushed hotly, for she saw it was all Stella could do to restrain her merriment, thought what could have caused it she could not understand ; while she looked so pretty and was so lady-like it made her angry. "I'm sure," she began hotly, and raising her voice so that others could hear her, "I don't see what you are so amused over. Stella Mowbray ; and it seems to me that you are putting on altogether too many airs for a girl who used to perform the services of a chambermaid in our house."

For a moment Stella stood as if dumbfounded ; then the hot, indignant blood mounted to her brow, losing itself beneath the glittering mist upon her forehead. Her lips parted, as if, upon the impulse of the moment, she would have replied in the same strain, but no sound came from them ; she controlled her angry emotions. The blood receded leaving her a little paler than usual. She lifted her head a trifle as if in conscious superiority, gave Miss Richards a cold stare of surprise and turned away without a word * * # * The gay company reached their destination after a delightful sail of two hours It was a lovely grove upon the shore of the bay, which people were in the habit of frequenting for picrues of this sort, ami the parl\ wandered about in groups fur another (wo hours, I'Xpbii'iiie the beauties and ul Irwi i ions uritiiud i h. in It wjus four iu the aUeinoon before

dinner was concluded, and then the j company scattered—some to lounge about and rest, others to stroll into | the shadows of ihc woods. Mr. Rosevelt and Stella. Miss Meredith and hrr brothe", and two or three others, wandered away by themselves, and finally sat down beneath a wide-spreading tree for a rest, and a quiet chat. While thoy sat there Stella got up quietly and slipped out oi sight, ! some spirit of restlessness possessing her to get away for a ramble still further into the far-reaching woods. She had walked some distance when site heard voices, ami soon saw a gentleman and a lad, both with gnus j over their shoulders, approaching her | and looking heated and very anxious, j They saluted her courteously and j the gentleman said, abruptly : '

'Have you seen anything of a snictll white Spit/ dog. Miss? It is a pretty little creature, wearing a silver collar round his neck, and tiny blue bows tied in his ears." "No," Stella answered : "I have seen no dog to-day." "Wo are in search of it because we are afraid it has run mad. It has not been well for several days, and this morning showed unmistakable signs of hydrophobia. It escaped confinement from the cottage, a mile or so from here and ran towards these woods about an hour ago."

They passed on, and Stella thought it would be best for her to go back to her friends. Pt\<\ therefore turned to retrace her steps.

She had only gone about, half the distance when she heard a clear, musical laugh ring out from among the shrubbery on the right of the path.

Thinking it must be some of her party she stepped forward to warn them of their danger.

She partod the trees, and looked through. What was her horror to see Josephine Richards sitting at the foot of a tree, her hat tossed upon the ground beside her, and holding in her lap the mad little dog against which she had just been warned ! Jt was a beautiful little creature, and had evidently been made a pet and plaything. It had lovely brown eyes looking out from beneath iti (shaggy brown. Its coat was as white as snow, while round its neck there glistened a silver collar, and in its pretty cars were the tiny blue bows of which she had just been told.

Miss Richards evidently had just. coaxed the little pet into her lap, and was playing with it without a suspicion of the terrible danger that she was in, while just for the moment it showed no signs of the madness which possessed it. Stella's lace was as white as her dress as she took in the dreadful situation : then she stepped quickly forward, determined, at all risks, to save the girl who had so little merited her kindness. CHAPTER XXVIII. TRIE HEROISM. Jn clear, authoritative torus Stella exclaimed :

".Miss Richards, put thai dog down as quietly as you can, and conic away with me instantly, for r have just heard that it is mad." No sooner had sin- uttered these words than the little creature snapped at th'' hand raised to caress it. and with a scream of fright, Josephine sprang to her feet, anil turned to run.

Hut the act roused ail tin- fury in the maddened animal, and he seized hold of her skirts, biting' and tearing thiin in the most furious manner, foaming at the mouth, and howling frightfully in its sudd.mi paroxysm of frenzy. "Save, me—save me !" Josephine ceied. There was not a thought of personal danger in Stcilla's heart —not a thought of enmity or of malice or evil. All her mind was concentrated upon one tiling—how best to save her companion from the terrible danger, and from a horrible death. ""Stand still !" she commanded in steady, stern tones. "Let, him bite at your clothes all lie chooses but do no! allow him to get at your feet. If you run he will seize them and bite through your boots. Have you the courage to stand where you are for a moment '.' I will go behind and slip the end of my parasol through his collar, and pin him to the ground : then you can go and call help for me." Sin 1 spoke calmly but rapidly, and Josephine saw at once how much wisdom there was in her plan. "Yes, yes—l will do anything," she said. hysterically. "But be quick." "He still just a moment longer and I will savr you if I can." said Slella.

Watching her opportunity she stole softly behind the struggling animal, and by a dexterous movement slipped the end of her parasol, which was a very strong one, into his collar, and then, with all her strength d-ove it into the ground and held it, there, though the creature struggled furiously to release himself.

Ho- face had not an atom of colour in it, hut her lips did not falter as sin.' said to the horror.stricken girl watching her :

"Go quickly and get help for me ; for, small as it is. 1 cannot hold him long."

Josephine did not nerd a second bidding, but went shrieking back to the company in a way to almost rouse the dead.

She had not been gone two minutes—though the two minutes seemed an age to Stella, who found an almost superhuman strength in that writhing, twisting thing at her feet—when the busies | jr |,j n ,i nc| . p a ,-ted again, abd the same gentleman who had met and warned her of the d ger sprang towards her with his gun cocked, and aimed at the dog. His face was almost as colourless as her own.

"Can you hold him just an instant longer V Will you dare hold him while I shoot him '.' I will not harm you in the least," he questioned, in rapid tones. "Yes, 1 will hold him," she -aid, resolutely, "li I let him loose now he will be sure to bite someone."

Although she spoke so steadily. and with so much fortitude, sinlooked like some beautiful spit-it from another world, and the gentleman knew he must do what he had to do or it would be too late. There was an instant of silence ;

then a quick, sharp report rang through tie- woods, and the little danger-fiend la.\ dead at her feel Ml danger was past.

Stella li.'ui saved an mit*lii\ from a horrible lute. She hud done an heroic

need, but the tension ot her own nerves gave way when it was all over. She swayed, tottered, and would have fallen to the ground, but another figure sprang through the bushes at her side, and her fainting form was received into the strong arms of Ralph Meredith, who had heard Josephine's warning, and was guided by the report of the gun. Tt. was a long time befO"o Stella revived.

The shock to her nervous system had been a terrible one, and Nature seemed loth to resume her sway after it. But at the end of half an hour her chest began to heave, and a slight tinge of colour returned to her lips. Finally, to everybody's relief, her beautiful e.vcs looked up, and a long shuddering sigh shook her frame. ••What has happened ?" she quesi ioneil, with a vacant look.

"You are faint, dear. Brink this, you you will be belter,:' Grace Meredith said, gently, while she held a silver cup to her lips. She swallowed the stimulant mechanically, and then began to shiver, as from cold.

"1 remember," she murmured, all the colour fading from her face, again. . . "'s he dead?" she asked, a moment alter, beginning to rally once more.

"Yes : he was killed instantly," Ralph Meredith returned. "And Josephine—Miss llichards—is she safe ?"

Everybody looked surprised at ih« question, for no one know she had been in an,\ danger until now. "Yes, Miss Richards is safe." Mr. Roscvelt answered : Inil a frown contractimJ his Urnw as he began to understand that Stella had sacrificed her own safety to save the ungrateful girl. Xo nut! had been able to gather from Josephine's excited and incoherent account anything save that the mail rlog had at lacked Miss Mowbeay in the wood. She said not a word of how the girl had come to her rescue, "warned her of her danger, and then put into execution a hazardous plan to secure safety. When they came, bringing Stella—for she was still too weak to walkto the spot where they had all gathered, say and thoughtless that morning, there was a look of sadness and sympathy on every countenance save those of Mrs. Richards and her daughter, who stole away by themselves, jealous of the interest and concern manifested by the whole company for the object of their hatred. Stella was soon much better, but still very weak, and looked so white and feeble that everybody was alarmed.

When she found that Josephine had kept the facts of the encounter with the mad dog to herself, simply saying that Miss Mowbray had been attacked by it, she also appeared very reluctant to talk about it, and as the siWiject seemed to excite her no one felt disposed to press her with quest ions. I'pon reaching Newport, Miss Meredith and her brother accompanied Stella and Mr. Rosevell, to their hotel, and Grace insisted upon staying the night with Stella. During tlie long hours of friendly companionship Stella grew confidential, and told Miss Meredith much concerning her life, and how it happened that she was at one time an inmate of Mrs. Richai'd.s'g family. She also related the events that had transpired since she left them and concluded by describing the scene with the mad dog, and expressed her deep thankfulness for Inning saved .Josephine from so terrible a fate. Miss Meredith was warmly indignant at Josephine's ingratitude, and took care next day to repeat the story of Stella's true and noble heroism.

Mr. Rosevelt was deeply touched when he heard of it. and declared to Stella that .Josephine Richards was unworthv of such a brave and un-

selfish defence. Hut Stella's instant reply was that she was glad and thankful that she had strength given her to do what was right, and return good for evil. As she spoke thus Mr. Rosevelt regarded her with a look of lenderest affection. "That good book which you love so well says that 'a little child shall lead them.' and truly, Stella, you in your youth shame me in my maturer years by your Christian spirit." he said, humbly. Stella did not reply, but ske looked very happy. CHAPTER XXIX. "1 LOVE HIM STILT,."

The first of the week following the events just related, Mrs. Richards and her daughter were suddenly "recalled to Rrooklyn;" for when the truth of the exciting events connected with the picnic became known there was a disagreeable buzzing in every quarter. Itesides. Mr. Richards had intimated in language more forcible than agreeable thai they must put. an end their extravagance immediately. He was continually suffering heavy losses in his business, and his purse could not long endure such exhaustive drains. They were gone before anyone knew that they contemplated going; and it must be confessed, it was a great relief both to Mr. Rosevelt and Stella when they knew they would he obliged to meet them no more. Stella had roceovered her usual health, and strength, but she had suffered from a '-hock that she could not meet or see a dog without a feolinjr of \<\n- and an almost overpowering weakness. She had seemed unusually thoughtful, too: since the event. Most

people noticing it, thought it hut natural considering the frightful danger she had linen in, hut Stella had a very ciifl'eronl reason for it. 'J'he inoinent she had returned to consciousness and found herself in

Ralph Meredith's arms—seen his agonised looks, heard his tones o\ fear, and noted the (uiiver of his pah' lips as he hung over her. she knew that he was no longer what she had regarded him—merely as a kind and congenial friend.

These signs she had interpreted in a \vu\ to make her feel very grave and deeph troubled. She felt i hat he regarded her with feelings which she knew il would be impossible for her lo return, and she feared he was elien'shitig hopes which if not "nipped in the hud." iiii-hl ruin his whole life.

Her fears were onlv 100 wll founded, foe one evening, when I hey all Went for a walk in Ihe park, h sin:

eeeded in Securing Stella for n cum

! n moment together, when he told her | how truly and devui.-dk he k.ved her

In piteous accents Stella begged him to forget what ho had just said to her, and listen to the story of her heart.

With bowed head and troubled looks he listened to the revelation of the love episode that had clouded her young life, and he knew that his love was hopeless when he heard her confess that her first love was her only love, and that she had no heart to give elsewhere. He begged her to tell him where the traitor was that he might go and brand him as a faithless coward; but Stella was unable to tell him, even had she been inclined to do so, which she certainly was not.

Time would bring its own punishment to her faithless lover, she believed, and she had no desire that anyone should act as her champion in the matter. She had called him Archibald Sherbvookc in speaking of him, feeling assured that if by any chance Ralph Meredith should ever meet him, he would not recognise in Lord Ca-rol, the man of whom she had spoken. Ere they joined the Others, Ralph had extracted a promise from her that henceforth they should be Dim friends, and that upon that basis he might visit her as before. Both Mr. Rosevelt and Miss Meredith saw at a glance that the interview had been a sorrowful one and both were disappointed ; Grace on her own, as well as her brother's account, for she had grown to love her friend fervently. Mr. Rosevelt liked the young man and would have gladly given Stella's happiness into his keeping. But he learned from her that night that it was not to be. and he refrained from saying one persuasive word, for he knew that Stella would only do what she felt to be right.

When they parted at the door of the hotel, Ralph announced his intention of leaving early the next morning, and Stella knew by his dejected looks and sad tones that he was bidding good-bye to hope as well as to herself. CHAPTER XXX. A NOBLE RESOLVE. The next day Mr. Rosevclt proposed they should leave Newport as soon as possible ; for he saw that Stella was far from being her own bright self, and he felt sure that travel and change of scene would greatly benefit her. Miss* Meredith (to whom Stella had fully explained the reasons of hebrother's rejection) was asked to accompany them, and gladly she accepted the welcome invitation. Together they went to the White Mountains, from thence to Montreal, down the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Niagara. The trip occupied three weeks, and proved a most delightful one. Stella was a first-rate traveller, Miss Meredith a most pleasant companion, and they all regained much of their accustomed spirits before it was over, and Mr. Rosevclt congratulated himself that he had planned most wisely.

"1 think it is charming to travel this way," Stella said, one day. while they were at Niagara—"just a few of us who enjoy one another's company, stopping where we choose, going on when we like, and having

everything our own way. I think there is nothing so pleasant as travelling." "How would you like to go to California and the Yoseinito Valley'.'" Mr. Rosevclt asked.

"I should like it very much," shi answered, enthusiastieally. "Will you go this autumn?"

"Oh, Undo Jacob, aren't you tired '? Ho yon not need to xo homo and rest after so much dissipation?" tlir young' girl asked : hut her face (lushed with anticipation. "Do you call it dissipation to travel '.'" he asked, smiling at her eagerness. "I enjoy it almost more than anything else."

"Ahnost more!" Stella repeated quickly. "What would you enjoy more ?"

"To see \on peefectly happy," he replied, tenderly ; "and I believe that travel does you fully as much good as anything else. We will go home and rest for a week, then wo will start for the Far West. What do you say to my plan '.'"

Miss Meredith's face lighted. •■Say 'yes ' to it by all means, Stella." she said, "and—and T will go with \(iu if you will have me." "If-we will havo you !" Stella returned with dancing eyes. "Why. it would lie the nic:st thing in all the world—wo three, with Mrs. lllunt to look after us. to have such delightful cosv times-"

"I have hevn wishing for just such an opportunity for a long time." (Jraop answered, "and if you will take me along with you, 1 should esteem it a great favour."

"I think with Stella that it would be the best arrange!!* nt in the world and. Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member of our party," Mr. Rosevelt said. with a bow and a smile tot hat lady.

Stella looked up into the old gentleman's face. "Uncle •Jacob, how good you are to me !" she said ; and her lips trembled over th<' words, for she knew that he had planned all this expressly for her to keep her mind from brooding over the past.

"My dear, do I not owe my life, and all that I am at present enjoying to you," he asked gravely. "Remember that when you are happy, 1 am happy, too. and vice versa. Whatever cloud darkens your sky is sure to bring sorrow to mo also : so let us make the most of our lives while we have them."

And Stella thought, wiili something- ut' sell'-ivproaeh :

"1 will never trouble him with anything' again. If I am misoraablo I will hide ii in tlii' <lt ]»tlis of my own heart. Ho has had trouble enough during his life. I will put away every thought of self for the luture, and devote all my powers to Iho work of making his a "gnrn old age,' 1 will strive to be what he really calls mo. 'the star of his life and brighten all the years that remain to him, and make him so happy and contented that the memory oi his early sorrows shall grow laintor and fainter. I must strive, too. to lead him to look forward to a brighter future." These were noble resolves, and well and faithfully she kept them. To be Continued.