LOST A PEARLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6147, 30 July 1881, Page 2

LOST A PEARLE.

BY JIfES. GEOKdE SHELDON. Author of 'I'Sibyl's Influence," "Tho Forsak™ Bridej," "Brownie's Triumph," 4c. r ' i~ CHAPTER HY ,'! V...... A 'fatal resolution.In order toi. interpret our first chapter woinust take a;baekvrard glance, arid describe a few thrillinjji'eveniß which occurred durW the few; diiya inunediately preceding the wedding just described. '•"'■■ ■■•■'•■ . Upon a balcony, just,outside.a: brilliantlv lighted roonji in a stately mansion there might have been seen,' one loyely moonlight night apairof loviers in earnest conversation. ' "Only three days more,- my Pearie, and then I need ,'hope' no longer, for you will be mine for bo long as we both shall lj ve Dearest, I oiin never tell you of all the bright plans that l<have woven for our future. The prospect faiijly dazzles me sometimes, to think that I have won so fair a bride, aud.to know that her heart is:all my own. Pearie, my darling, do you realize it ? Are you glad that you are.to h>3 my wife ?"- The moorji shone brightly upon the impassioned speaker, a fine-looking youug maa of twenty-nve. • • ■ . , Ho was of medium height, with a powerful nobly proportioned frame, a finely developed head set squarely and proudly upon a pair of stalwart shoulders. The moonbeams played lightly over his broad white forehead, from which rich masses of soft, curling black hair were brushei carelessly away. Dark, fathomless eyes, of wondrous beauty and expression, beamed froni beneath the shapely brow, while a goodly shsiped nose, and a pleasant mouth, about whicli •'tenderness and 3rmness contended for the supremaoy, made up the remainder of the profile'.. ;.'' ,'-■- It "was such a good, true face; aside from its manly beauty, it was a trustworthy face, and just at this moment it was full of earnest, tender passion, betraying that his-whole life was bound lip in the fair girl who was so soon to be his wiiie. .

She was a. trifle below him in stature, yet of queenly presence and magnificent beauty. That beauty, however, did not consist of the stereotyped style of either classical or regular features. ...'..' Her eyes—beautiful eye's they were too— were a decided grey, and large, as was also her mouth, but 'both capable of such charming expression that no mau ever thought to criticise their dimensions. Her nose was straight and of aristocratic mould, her complexion without a blemish, and the abundant chestnut hair which crowited Jier intelligent forehead, and always arranged with dainty care, was a perfect delight to look upon. But the character which is more than beauty, thai! was .written upon Pearie Radcliflfe'B pure face, was its chief charm. Before it, strong men had bowed and owned her their queen,, while her owir sex would have been willing; to sacrifice half their birthright to have possessed tho peculiar, powers of fascination l;hat were hers.

" Yes, Richard," she replied to her lover's question, '' lam glad that 1 am to be your wife —so glad that lam dumb with my happiness —so blessed that it seems to me there can be no other woman whose measure of joy is equal to mine. And yet—" "Heart's .dearest J" he interrupted, reproachfully, hurt that she should qualif y her statement in the least. He laid her two soft hands together, aud folding his own over them, drew Tier toward him, while Ike searched the dear face with intense earnestness. - . "And yet," she repeated, taking up the sentence again, and with a shy resoluteness, as if determined that he should know all that was in her heart, though she shivered slightly, "I have been strangely oppressed to-day with a sense of impending-evil. I have felt something of what Damocles must have experienced as he sat at the banquet with that naked swor.il suspended above his-head by a single hair. It seems as if it would take but the slightest breath, to send all our beautiful air-castles crashing down upon ns, burying us in their ruins."-

The strong arms of her lover gathered her close to his manly breast at these ominous words, and his tender lips touched her white forehead reassuringly, ■ J " ' Air-ca,3tles,' love! Who_ has been Building 'air castles?' "Not you and J, surely. Our hopes and plans are'-much more substantial than the light-structures-you mention," he said, lightly, then addea with fond solicitude ' ;

"My darling, the excitement of. the past few weeks lias been too much for you—you are nervous. You must rest for the next three days, for no shadow must, cloud the face of my bride. '.Now 1 will send you away ; I have kept you longer than I ought in the night air, my love, my almost wife ! Earth does not hold a man so blessed as-I am tonight, nor a. woman more tenderly , , beloved." ■ He would, have released her, but she clung to him, and. he could feel the thrill of pain which quivered'through every nerve of her being and vrondered at it. Involuntarily lie clasped her closer, as if thus to testify to his power to shield her from every ill of this life. "Still superstitious, beloved?" he asked, smiling fondly into the uplifted eyes. "I "suppose I am very, very foolish, Richard, and I can. assign no reason for the feeling; bull iudeed I am terribly.and inexplicably oppressed," she said, sadly. "You will forget it all, my own, when the morrow breaks. You will,, of course, attend the morning concert in town S" ho asked, to change the subject. " I r e—s—you will come to go with me 5" "I am sorry, but I cannot, as I have an engagement at that hour. I will send our friend to escort you, and I will join you before the concert is over." :

Again he felt that thrill of pain through all her being. :; -" Our frieud!" she repeated; -" yes, I suppose your friends should bo mine also, but i frankly, Richard, I do not like this Mr.— ; Cheetham; the name itself is sufficient to ' to repel any one." ■ f '' Not like Adison, Pcarle! What can you t be thinking of ? He is the soul of goodness, and would share his last crust with me. I J know his name has not the pleasantest sound in the world but 'what's m a name?'" he asked with a laugh. ; " I dp not like to speak disparagingly of your friend, Richard, but you know I have no secrets from.you, and I believe this man is untrue to you—there is something insincere t and sinister about hie eyes when they rest * upon you and you do not obesrve him. ', I wish lie would go away—there is a feeling ; of restraint Kind embarrassment upon me con- '- tinuallywhan in his presence," the young feu") said, in a trciubled tone. : " Sly peai'less Pearle ! what lias come over , you to' mali.e you so suspicious ?" returned the young nisin, in grieved surprise. "Atiison ; Cheetham waa my most intimate friend during all my school life, and although he is some years older than I, yet I have been from the first day, of our acquaintance his chosen I associate. HadT a lesson unusually difficult ' he waa never'too busy to explain it to me, even though he wjis pressed for time by the harder studies of ari advanced form. If I qot into trouble ho was always tho one who helped me outof_it ; He helped me to my position and : commission ;in the army through the influence j of a friend; he has been interested in all that i has interested mo, and was first'and foremost in his congratulations when notified of our en- j fagement and approaching marriage. Really, f 'earle, I aoi exceedingly disappointed that j you do not like him." "Have you over done anything to offeml S him?" Pearlo asked, without appearing to •? heed hislasti words I " No; we never clashed in any way except- { ing once ■•" . . \ "Ah ! once? Tell me about it," his be- [ trothed interrupted, with a slight start. ■ \ "You know, i "wo have prizes and degrees .warded & j the end of every term .for, the excellence of our thenar;. Itw bitious during my first year atia.,,:' .*. im- \ proved my time to the utmost^and at the be- ■' N ginning of my second, year I\wae idvanced a whole form, in which there were lads much older than I--Adison among them. This so elated mo that I secretly resolved to try for the prize offered for the best theme at the end of the new year, and wliich was to bs in verse. I won it, and; Ad. was most bitterly diaappointed. H<i had heretofore stood at the liead of tlho class, and felt reasonably suro o£ it, and did not dream th.it I was nuttini? forth f every effort sjs a. competitor, as it was only my first yeai: in that form; but poetry always came naturally w Die i on ™ e M ' a y of the term, livhen iny name was resd as tho victor, the i'act seemed to smite him like a thunderbolt. Ho was fearfully angry at first, but his friendship conquered, and ho finally turned it off with a laugh saying, ' Never mind, we'll make this thiug even, soma other .time. . Ho thinks you aro perfect," Richard added, drawing his arm closer around ' lel 'i - '' and only to-day said in a laughing way, that ho was mWo than half tempted to try and win my charming bride away from me, ;,";Did ho say that? Did AdisonCheotham. dare say thatl!" demanded Pearlo Radcliffe, with a haughty uplifting of her, proud head, while her eyea burned and her tones trembled with indignation, f .

Her loverlaugTfeansoftly^ -t.-: : "Sparey. our wrath, my darling/'.he said:.: <i\, e -was only i«--stuig.. = .:()£;;CoyM:se.,he > well! irnows feat neither he nor any living man can %L mv love from me.,.. Only: his admiration for yoa led him into that extravagant form of speech." .'/ , : -• ,:.;-r:'."- : ■ Pearle ehuddered. • ;..■• -'■'!'■' Y : "I am afraid of him," she whispered, nest-. ijug closer within the strong arms th»t held her, and longing to tell him something she^ aa "i n am'e X tremely sorry dear that you have conceived this dislike for him, Richard Byrnlolmsaid, with deep regret. . "But.for my sake try and conceal your fechngs. It will;, Only be for a few daysand then we shaUhave nothing to mar our happiness. . _ " I will try, Kichard. Forgive me if I have wounded you; but the feeling has been; so strong upon me that I could not control it, the fair girl said, repenting of what she had told him as she saw how it had hurt him. "And will you allow him to attend you to the concert to-morrow? I have already asked him to escort you." Pearle's heart sank at the request, and she m:cw cold as ice; but she could not refuse to Irant his petition, and replied, though with some reluctance: " Yes; if you wish it." "Thank you; I do, as long as it has been mentioned. And now good-night, sweet. I hope by to-morrow all your gloomy fears and presentiments will have disappeared." Kichard Byrnholm bent down and pressed a fond caress upon her lips, when with a sigh that was almost a sob, Pearle threw her arms around his neck and returned it passionately, even wildly; then breaking from his embrace, she glided swiftly into the house, leaving him alone and deeply troubled by her strange manner. " What can trouble her so?" he asked himself, as, with anxious brow, he sprang lightly over the low railing of the balcony and turned toward his own home. "I have never Been her composure so disturbed over anything Tjefore ; and to think she should be so unjustly suspicious of my dearest friend ! I must not monopolise her so much during the few days ■ that remain. She must see more of him, and discover how unfounded is her dislike." Ah, Richard Byrnholm, -when you made that resolution you consigned the gentle dove to the cruel talons of a Lawk!

A word regarding the three characters mentioned. .

Margaret Radcliffe—Pearle being a pet name bestowed upon her when a "child—was the second daughter of the fourth Earl of Derwentwater. She was an orphan and alone in the world aside from her only brother, in whose care she had been left at her father's

death, which occurred some five or six years

before our story opens. AUstone Radcliffe, the fifth Earl of Derwentwater, was several

years older thau his sister, to whom he was most devotedly attached, while she had been like a bright gleam of sunshine in his home ever since their father's death. He had a

lovely -wife and three beautiful children, with whom the fair girl was also a peculiar favourite. She had, cs has been before stated, a large fortune in her own right; but with all the ■distinction attendant upon great wealth and a high social position, she had a warm, generous heart that made her beloved by all who knew her. Richard Byrnholm was a young man of great promise, and also of excellent family and large wealth. He bad, contrary to the wishes of his friends, been desirous of enter-

ing the army after completing his education. He possessed great energy and decision of character, and bad acquired, besides, a sort of sentimental desire to distinguish himself in some way. Speaking of this one day to his friend, Adisoc Cheetham, the latter had suggested the army, and ofiered to assist in procuring him a commission. Richard had been instantly fired with enthusiasm, and having plenty of money at his disposal, a captain's commission was not long in forthcoming. His regiment had expected to be Ordered abroad almost immediately—at least Adison Cheetham had taken pains to secure a commission in one that was likely to be called into immediate action—but_ some change had been made which detained it indefinitely. Meantime Pearlie Radcliffe, for whom Richard, as a boy, had conceived a great admiration, returned from the fashionable school where she had been sent to "finish off," and his boyish admiration assumed tenfold proportions, soon deepening into warmest love, which, being reciprocated by the young lady, an engagement ensued •which was regarded with great satisfaction by the friends of both parties. Immediately all thought of life in the army became exceedingly distasteful to the youn? captain and he forthwith set about trying to dispose of his commission. He succeeded, and believing himself to be the happisat man alive, he gave his whole attention to the preparation of a suitable home for his bride, resolving to lead a very domestic life, and get all the good out of the -world that was possible for a country gentleman. He was a large-hearted, pure and noble-minded man, and all who knew him honoured and respected him. Adison Cheetham, our third prominent character, was some five years older than fiichard Brynholm, and the latter had become acquainted with him, as he told Pearle, •while attending the same college. Although so much older, and in the form above Richard, he had seemed to become instantly and strangely attracted to the handsome new scholar. Before this Cheetham had been one by himself—"glummy," his school-fellows had called him. He was a close student, unexceptionable in his deportment, and a good scholar. But no one liked him, or seemed willing to fraternize with him. He never apoke of himself, hie antecedents were unknown, and his history previous to his advent at school a mysteryHo all save himself. He was supposed to be poor, for, although he was dainty about his person and clothing, his apparel was very ordinary, and limited to a few articles, while he never appeared to have any ready money, and never mingled with the students in their games or frolics. But from the moment of young Byrnholm's appearance he joined himself to him, won his confidence and e3';eetn, by protecting him from many of those little annoyances which always attend the advent of a new scholar, and constituting rdmself his champion and protector upon all occasions. Richard had plenty of money, and spent it freely, and his new friend found himself in " hidi clover." The lad admired the grave, dignified student; his vanity was touched to be thus noticed by a scholar in an upper form, and from that time forth he was his model par excellence, and there was nothing under the sun too good for him. Richard was unusually capable for his years, and the ambitious desire seized him to go ahead of hi 3 own class, and gain admittance to the form of which hie friend was a member.

His natural ability, his untiring application, together with the assistance which he received from Cheetham, won the day, and at the beginning of his second year he was promoted to the upper form. The praises he received from his father, the approbation expressed by his instructors, fired him anew, and he determined he would stand second to no one. He dared to have a secret from his friend

he dared to contend with one who could bear no such thing as defeat. The theme was to be written in verse, which came almost as naturally to him as his mother tongue. He kept his own counsel, toiled dilligently, and—won!—won the prize, to the astonishment of the whole school and all the faculty, and to the utter discomfiture of his friend, who had vowed that nothing should make fail of bis desired object. Richard Byrnholm had not onco dreamed that Cheetbam's heart was so relentlessly set upon ■ knew the conflict Wa3 rSoSt to try, and Adison ' hVine been very quiet and self-contained abmt.the matter,, as he was about all things, ta«d not realize the bitterness which defea'. woU ld bring him Had he realized this bis regard for' bis. faeruawould" have far outv&heabis desire for tw pme . ~-. , ItJ™,i,i he impossible v> describe the I blank amaze meat ana rag^ e ;" e^aminati< £ ft when tne verdict w ™°

S™g»«e was rendf*"*; - ," j didn't oven '■%holm he was heard to letly face. ;; , . f ery demon f, a -toff**-*:Twer7puVple, *. Then, ukaful of all rules, of 6

I ■ wttajtes-jj-rassa

■sarigjroid an J ably reassuring, although shisiace -was stillvery pale from; the .battle ivshich he-Had' evidently itcvv • '.. Richard Byrnholm went to him instantly,) his great, generous heart deeply pained that! his vanity should have caused his best friend So much sorrow. ■ , ■;. \ ■ - ; . ■

"Old fellow," he said; humbly,-"l'm no end sorry, and I'd never have-tried if I had thought you'd take, it :so'to heart; though I did want to do- something to/.please -the governor." ■ ... : ; :.v;.-••.;•;,-.'.• ■■ )■ ... -~.'; .

For one instant Adison Ch'eetbam'e eyes biased fiercest wrath, and :;hatred upon his successful rival; the next a'wan but sinister smile' wreathed his pale "lips, as, extending his hand with an: appearance of frankness and cordiality, he said, with a forced laugh : "Never mind, Kich.,mow ; we'll; make this thing even some other time 1". . Richard Byrnholm gratefully took that proffered hand, believing the reconciliation complete, and voted his friend the "noblest fellow alive," never dreaming that, behind I those apparently careless words there lurked a purpose so deadly and vindictive, which only the rankest hatred could conceive.

To all appearance, the friendship which this event had threatened to destroy, was renewed, and prolonged until the young men finished their course, and each had gone their own way. Excepting the time that Adison Cheethani had assisted Kichard to procure his commission, they had not met since then until now. ;

Kichard had written his friend concerning his engagement as soon as it occurred—a year previous to the opening of our story— and had received in reply the customary congratulations and good wishes. A month before his marriage was to occur, he had written him again, claiming a longpromised visit, and his presence at his wedding as "best man." There was to be a musical convention in the county town duringthe week immediately preceding the wedding, and knowing Adison's love for music, he had deemed that this also .would be a rare treat to him.

Adison Cheetham accepted that invitation; he came to "Linden Grange," Richard's home, with a smile on his lips and a devil in his heart.

He was introduced to the fair bride-elect, and no woman had ever seemed , so fair to him: before; while Pearle, on the contrary, at once conceived a strong aversion to.him, which, notwithstanding her efforts to conceal, he was not slow to perceive. ITo be continued.]