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THE WELFLEET MYSTERY.

BY MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON, Author of "The Forsaken Bride." "Brownie's Triumph," " The Lily of Mordaunt."

CHAPTER XlX.— (Continued).

" LET MB GO ! I WILL HEAR NO MORE I" "Thko, look at me," John Knight com* manded, and her obedient eyes were instantly fixed in a wide, horrified stare upon his face. •'Listen!" he said, through his closed teeth ; "if such were my feeings in connection with him— my dear boy- what do you imagine they might be toward anyone else who should dare" aspire to your love or you? band ? Do you suppose I"would allow such a one to triumph over me, if I could wipe him out of existence ?" " What do you mean ?" Theo gasped, with pile and stiffened lips. " Ha 1 ha ! you begin to realise something of the strength of my passion, do you ? Bat surely you have not forgotten that very modest confession which young Walton made regarding you at the time of his examination before the Mayor regarding the supposed murder of my boy ?" "I have not forgotten," Theo said, slowly, and with a sudden fire leaping into her eyes, "who played the part of a contemptible eavesdropper and spy upon him, and then forced the confession from him in public." A dusky red shot over John Knight's face at this retort; but he went on as if she bad not sooken.

"f have never forgiven that in him I never will forgive it. I have believed from that moment that he was guilty of Bert's death, and I swore that I would devote myself to the task of bringing the murderer to justice, and I will. All these months I have been working silently but surely, and slowly but surely I have been drawing in the line which will eventually secure my prey and bring him to the scaffold." "I do not believe it. i will never believe that Guy Walton is guilty of that awful crime which you impute to him. If I bad ever entertained such a suspicion, what you have said to-day would have made me cast it to the winds," Theo cried, driven to bay in defence of the brother of her dearest friend. And with all her spirit aroused, she stood and looked her tormentor fearlessly and defiantly in the eye. "My darling, what you believe will not make the slightest difference in the end," he Raid, insolently, but nevertheless quailing a little before the clear glance of her eyes; "and let me tell you, darling, circumstantial evidence has often hung an innocent.man; a net can be woven around one, little by little, mesh by mesh, until it will so entangle its victim that there can be no possibility of escape. The evidence is gathering that web is weaving to bring Guy Walton to his ruin."

" Why do you say this to me? Why do you threaten Mr. Walton to me? What have Ito do with it all ? We were almost strangers at that time, and if he did make that confession of which you speak so bitterly, what of it ? He has never so much as lisped a word of it to me." Theo began very bravely, but before she concluded her white lids drooped over her beautiful eyes, and her cheeks had become a vivid scarlet.

"Aha!" laughed the master, sceptically, "he may • never have 'lisped'it to you ; but, according to your own assertion, there are a ' thousand ways, a thousand devices,' by which such a love can be shown. I suppose the rack could not make you confess to the least affection for him, but surety you could not disown a love for Miss Walton." .• . / '.';"•;."

"Sho is my dearest friend," said Theo, with starting tears, as she realised how much she needed Josephine's ittrong, courageous nature to lean upon just now. "And, doubtless you would be willing'to sacrifice considerable to save her from trouble and disgrace." ;'.-' . '~ , "To the ' extent of my ability; to the forfeiture of my whole fortune, if need be,' Theo replied and John Knight felt the implied threat, and winced under it. ;

" She lovea her brother," he «sit 3, fiigniflcan My. . ;S ''' . - ' •"•'-'' "Who could doubt it, alter the tt&bU devotion which she has shown him f' Theo retorted.

'•It would break her heart, mayfaCi* ft* should die a murderer's death." w

"How cruel you are i It'would kill her I" cried Theo, id agony at the 'thought. . " Then, if yon love her, wave her sad— bum ; give yourself to me; promise ms that yea will become my wife when one year of asaaraing for Bert is up, a&d htfnceiorth i' shall have no will save jmj'V' said the raapj bending nearer the fair girl, sad speaking in low, tender tones.

" Do you dare propose to me to barter may* self like .an article of merchandise ?" Theo cried, shrinking from him with loathing. " I dare anything to win you. I worship, 1 idolize yon. I will move heaven and earth to make you my wife, and if you continue to oppose acd thwart mebeware !" She could endure no more. She sprang up and away from him now, and sped back toward the house, her heart beating like a sledge-hammer in her bosom ; her head dizzy; the sight almost going from her eyes ; her whole soul revolting from this man, who bad insulted her with such heartless proposals and threats.

Bur, swift as she was, his movements were swifter yet, and he was by her side ere she shad taken a dozen steps. "I will never give up while I live," he whispered, hoarsely, " I will follow you wherever you go ; and if anyone, no matter who, ever dares to come between us, I will wipe him out of existence as easily as I wipe this dust off my clothes," suiting the action to the words, by lightly brushing some dost from his coat with hie handkerchief.

Theo answered him no word ; she only sped along as fast as her trembling feet would take her.

"I wish to lay a command upon you," John Knight pursued, in an authoritative tone. "iou are not to breathe a word of what has transpired to-day to anyone, unless yon wish me to strike the dread blow at once. I mean it,'' he contused, with a sort of sullen ferocity. " I love you so entirely, so absorb' ingly, that I am capable of doing almost anything that will servo to make you mine." They, bad reached the house now, and, without deigning him a word or & look, Theo rushed by him into the hall, up the stairs, and reached her own room, only to fall in a deadly swoon to the floor. a

CHAPTER XX. HERMON GREGORY'S OATH.

When consciousness returned to Theo, and with it the remembrance of all that had passed between her and John Knight, a nervous trembling seized her; a horror, over* came her ; the very idea of breathing the same air, of being in the same place, with him, filled her with loathing. She felt as if she could never meet him again ; as if she must fly and hide herself somewhere, so effectually that he could never tind her. His threats were torture to her. If he had simply threatened her alone, she couJd have defied him recklessly, bat to make her responsible for harm to. her dearest friends was horrible.

She thought of fleeing to Mr. Edmonds and appealing to him for protection ; but such a proceeding would have to be explained in some way, and she feared such a course might even hasten the blow she so much dreaded.

For the last six months—in fact, ever since the disappearance of Bertie—a dim suspicion nad been floating in her mind that John 'Ku'ght might know more of the truth regarding that dark deed than anyone else.

- She had never breathed the thought to anyone, and doubtless if she had done so, the idea would have been "repudiated with derision.

She recalled what Mr. Gregory had told her about bow strangely be had been affected upon learning that her engagement with Bertie had been mutually dissolved. Bad he, when that fearful passion of his was aroused to a white-heat, been guilty of a dark deed, and then learned, all too late, that he had committed a useless crime ?

"I know what I will do," she said, suddenly brightening ; " I will go to Mr. Gregory and tell him the whole story from beginning to end. He will know just what it will be best to do, and he will tako eare of me— least, I shall feel safer with him than anywhere else." Bat the Misses Lovel were away, and could not give her permission to make the journey to London ; though, if they had been at homo, aha was quite sure they would not allow her to go unattended. She could not wait to write to her guardian to come for her, so she resolved to take matters into her own hands, and go to London without saying anything to anyone previous to her departure. Acting upon this conclusion, she hastily threw a few necessary articles into a travelling-bag, pencilled a hurried notu to Miss Lovel, Baying that she was anxious to see her guardian upon a matter of business, and had gone to him; But she urged her not be anxious on her account, as she should be perfectly safe and well cared for, and would inform her regarding herself as soon as she could do so after her arrival.

Then, donning a travelling-hat and wrap, and tying a thick veil o«rer her face, she sped, with trembling feet and rapidly-beating heart, away to the station, and was soon rolling at a rapid rate over the glistening rails towards the great metropolis. She arrived at Enston Square just as twilight was settling over the city, where, calling a cab, uho gave the cabman Mr. Gregory's address, and then went rattling away over the rough streets towards her guardian's office. Reaching the great building, and having been set down at his door, she dismissed her cabman, tripped lightly upstairs, and tapped for admittance upon a panel, upon which was painted in conspicuous gilt letters, " Hermon Gregory, attorney-at-law.' A moment or two of waiting, and then the door was opened by her guardian himself.

His face wore its most stoical business expression, bat it instantly changed to om of amazement as he saw her standing there alone.

" Good gracious, my child !" he exclaimed, "what has brought you here? What has happened ?" For he saw by poor Theo's troubled face that something serious had happened. At the sound of his kind voice all her fortitude forsook her, and she astonished him still further by throwing herself into his arms with a wild burst of tears.

"My dear Theo! my poor little girl!" he said, drawing her into his office, and shutting and locking the door to keep out all intruders, " tell mo all about it. How came you to be here at this time of night, and what makes you so unhappy 1" "John Knight," she sobbed,--"Bertie's uncle— has been making love tome, and—and has threatened me ifif I will not listen favourably to his suit. I—l despise him, and do I ran away to yon, to ask you to take care of me, and so save me from him." Mr. Gregory's face was a well-defined exclamation point for a moment, then his cold, blue eyes began to blaze, while the angry blood played like a flame over his countenance. Hefgently put Theo into a ohair, then drawing himself up to his fall height, his rage burst forth. " The wretch! Did he dare do that !" he said, and then, forgetting Theo's presence, he swore a round oath. But evidently this last "outburst surprised himself as much as it did his ward, who hastily wiped her tears, and regarded him with astonishment, for he started and looked around as if someone else had uttered the irreverent words.

"I beg your pardon, my child," he said, humbly. "I do not remember as I ever said such a thing before. But we will not talk any more about this just now; we will wait until you have had something to strengthen and refresh you, and then you shall tell me all your troublesome story." "I cannot eat," Theo said, with a shudder, as she recalled that fierce, darkface, which had so terrified her a few hours 'ago, while to her excited imagination it almost seemed as if it followed her there, and was peering at her from the dusty corners of tho room.

"Oh, but you must eat, my dear, if you will excuse me laying my commands upon you," returned Mr. Gregory, smiling, for that sweet little face lifted with such trusting appeal to his, touched him in a very tender part. " I consider myself," he added, "not only the guardian of your fortune, but of. your health and welfare generally. . Now, if yon will come with me across the sheet to a very respectable and comfortable inn, we will have ftcozy litfo tapper, after which, if I am eatriiad that you nave strengthened yourself sufficiently, you shall unburden your heart to me. ' . v Theo looked up and' smiled. She was greatly comforted already, and felt so safe and restful with him that her spirits began to rise at once. H' ''*;-"' --:' .,: '''.'.'

She allowed him to lead her across the way to the inn referred to, 'where, in".a: welllighted parlour, they had a sort of dinner and tea combined ; while Mr. Gregory made himself so gonial and hospitable, that she ahnost forgot her troubles, and soon fell to abating with him. while she ate and drank ilka the real hungry maiden that she was. ! When both had partaken heartily of the bountiful repast, Mr. Gregory said • " Now, ray dear, if yon will resume yoar account of the occurrence of this afternoon, which I interrupted some time ago, I will give my undivided attention to it." < Theo gave him a detailed account of her interview with John Knight, and explained as wall as she could tue influence and persecation to which he had subjected her to for 30 long. Mr. Gregory sat grave, silent, and stern through it all. " John Knight is a Mack-hessted rascal! a cunning knave I" he ejaculate*!, when ahe concluded. ... Theo started and searched his face keenly as he said this.

' Was the same suspicion which had so haunted her o! late beginning to take root in his mind She was not sure—at least, not ; sure enough to speak of it; but something in bis manner made her fee? as if it was not so absurd and unreasonable as she had at ursfc believed. The clock struck twelve before Mr. Gregory ceased questioning her regarding the matter, and arose to go. v " I have kept you very late," he said, with a deprecating smile, " but you shall sleep as long as yon wish in the morning.. Your chamber leads from this room,. and I have given orders that yon are to have everything you wish or need to make yon comfortable. Your breakfast will be served here at any hour you think fit to name, and I will look in upon you sometime before noon. I hope you will not snd it very lonely to be left here by yourself." Theo glided to his side and slid one little hand within his arm while she looked up in his face with a most confiding expression. " I feel very happy, thank yon, and as safe if under the protection of my Own father," she said.

Mr. Gregory patted that small hand affectionately, while actual tears sprang into his eyes. "My dear, you have made me as happy as if I were really the father of a beautiful young maiden, which, for an old bachelor, who has made a life of single blessedness his choice, is saying considerable." "I believe you must be the dearest old bachelor in the world," Theo said, with a half-merry, half-serious l look ; "at least you have always been so good to me that I cannot help believing so, and"a roguish twinkle leaping to her lovely eyes—" I mean to look out that nobody tempts yon out of a state of single blessedness while I need you, for I should be very jealous of anybody who could take you away from me." Mr Gregory laughed at her pleasantry, but his voice was a trifle husky as he bade her "Good-night,"and went back to his lonely lodgings, no * tenfold more lonely than before she had graced them with her bright presence. * "God bless her! God protect her How much she grows to look like her—her beautiful mother i he remarked, with a longdrawn sigh that was almost a groan, as he locked his doors and retired to rest.

CHAPTER XXI. THBO'S EXPEDITION.

Theo slept as "sound as a top," awaking rested and in the best of spirits at a late hour of the following morning. She could hardly believe that she was the same girl who had been so wretched and depressed only a few short hours ago. She made a simple but tasteful toilet, and tripped to her little sitting-room, where ihe found her table laid for breakfast.

A servant soon appeared to know when she would- have it served, and finding she was ready for it at once, returned in a few moments with a most tempting array of viands and some luscious fruit which her guardian's kind care and thoughtfulness had provided for her.

She lingered over the meal with a sense of enjoyment and security. Before she had fairly finished, there came a rap on her door, and Mr. Gregory entered, accompanied by Mr. Edmonds.

She greeted them most cordially, but looked the surprise which she felt at seeing the Minor Canon. • "I have come at Miss Lovel's desire to ascertain if you are perfectly safe and well," he explained, smiling at her perplexed face. " She came to me in great trouble last night, immediately after reading your note informing her of your intention of coming to London, and she was so exercised about your taking the journey alone, that I said I ' would come and assure myself of your welfare."

"You are very good, I am sure," Theo returned, gratefully, for Mr. Gregory bad already told her that Mr. Edmonds had very recently been in London on his usual visit to Guy, an*, she felt as if this extra trip must have been both a tax upon his time and an expeuse to him. *- " I have informed him, Theo, of all that you related to me regarding what transpired yesterday, and he is both greatly shocked and astonished," said Mr. Gregory. "Is he not a wretch?— John Knight, I mean," she said, turning to the Minor Canon.

" He certainly has conducted himself very strangely," gravely returned the good man, who was not quite prepared to adopt the radical epithet which she had used. " I had no idea that he was capable of anything so very dishonourable, or of such vindictiveness and spite." "I am amazed that he over dared to criticise Mr. Walton's temper, knowing that he possessed such an unruly one of his own," Theo returned, with spirit, but the beautiful tint on her cheeks deepening as she spoke Guy's name. " What do you thick of his threats regarding Josephine and her brother?" she continued, after a moment of silence.

"I think very seriously of them, especially as I remember that when I w*s hero a few days ago, Mr, Gregory and I discovered him spying upon Mr. Walton in a way to show thai; he had some 'desperate purpose in mind." "What can we do to save them from him Theo cried, a look of distress in her lovely eyes. " That is a question which requires careful consideration," replied the Minor Canon. "The man was —a — I will say it—a wretch," the good man went on, firing with hot indignation, as he thought how this lovely, innocent maiden had been pursued and insulted, "ever to subject you to such systematic persecution as he has done. I repeat, lam amazed. I have been grossly deceived in the man, and I shall feel it my duty, as soon as circumstances will -permit, to see that he is not retained to longer profane our sanctuary." Just at this point there came another rap upon Theo's parlor door. Mr. Gregory answered it, and found the maid, who had served his ward, standing without.

She informed him that there was a gentleman below who was inquiring for someone by the name of Edmonds. " Oh I is he a tall, thin man, with black hair and very bright, black eyes ?" Theo demanded, breathlessly, while she sped to her guardian's side and tucked her small hand within his arm, as if seeking his protection. "No, miss, he has brown hair and blue eyes, and he is of a stoutish build," answered the maid.

Theo breathed freely again at her reassurance, and her colour returned. ; But Mr, Gregory could feel that hand upon his arm tremble with nervous excitement.

" Did he give no name ?" asked the Minor Canon. " "'.'....-''"".' "■]*: '.';

"No, sir."

The maid was directed to show the gentleman up, and a few moments later a fine-look-ing stranger made his appearance. ' It was Mr. —Guy's neighbour and recent acquaintance. .;'.'; ','... :

He apologised in the most gentlemanly manner for intruding upon the ladywith an admiring glance at Theo— her friends. Then turning to Mr. Edmonds with a luminouß smile:

"I saw you, my friend, when; you 'came into the hotel, and I could not resist the impulse to follow you. Have you forgotten me entirely '■'..' ■/•.'. '-;\ i r;"\ Mr. Edmonds searched the handsome face before him &ad looked puzzled. '"■'■ •''l ought to know you, I am sure, ; and yet I So not," he said, regretfully. "I am Edward Stewart," said the gentleman. " ''■■' : v :: ' ;''.';. : :':-'' ; ''f' <<*:*':: :.--"•"•

" Bless my soul, so you are 1" cried the Minor Canon, a joyful look of recognition breaking over his face, while" he shook the hand which he held with a heartiness which told that Edward Stewart, whoever he might

be, had once been.'"a highly valued friend. 1 "But," he continued, "you have changed so, I should never have known you if jon, had not come to me. I cannot tell you how glad lam to meet you again." ~ ,- <■ "That is a statement I can echo mow heartily," responded the young man, and my desire to renew our acquaintance was so great that I could not refrain from following you and seeking an interview, although I fear I may have been guilty of a breach of etiquette by so doing," * t '_'. * •"■".*' , "No, indeed, no, indeed; yon are very welcome," returned Mr. Edmonds. "And! now alioWp.. me to introduce you to my friends. Mr. Gregory, this is an old friend —he wan a fag of mine at Eton, and a* 1 brighter, truer, or more faithful fellow I never knew. Miss Lander," turning to Theo, " lefc me present you also to Mr. Stewart." This introduction was courteously acknowledged by both Theo and her guardian, and then Mr. Gregory, who had been closely observing the young man, said : " Pardon me, but I believe I have sees you before. Have yoa not lodgings in the quadrangle opposite?" " Yea, sir; next suite to a young man named Walton, and whose acquaintance I have also recently made," Mr. Stewart answered.

"I am glad to hear it; t'ae young <&an needs young friends. He is a protege of your old acquaintance, Mr. Edmonds," said! Mr. Gregory. "Ah Then I must |take occasion to remark to my friend that I think his protege needs looking after, fo? he seems rather delicate and low-spirited, said Mr. Stewart, again turning to Mr. Edmonds. " Of that I am well aware," he returned, gravely; then he added., as if suddenly inspired with a new thought "lam sure I can trust you, Ned, now, as fully as in the old days. I know from your face that yon have not abated one jot in honesty and frank* ness, and if my friend here does not object, I am going to take yon into my confidence, for I have an idea that you may be able to assist 03 in a perplexing difficulty, since you are such a near neighbour of Mr. Walton's.' Will you trust to my discreion *3n the matter ?" he asked, turning to Mr. Gregory " Entirely," was tho brief but decided

reply. \ "And you may be assured," interposed Mr. Stewart, "if there is anything which I can do for him, I shall be only too glad, .both for your sake and his, for I confess to having conceived a fancy for him." - ' Mr. Edmonds, upon this assurance, puo* oeeded to explr.in something of Guy's part troubles and the evil which waa threatening his future.

He also mentioned that Miss Lander and" Mr. Walton's sister were very intimate friends, and that Theo was very anxious to go to her, but that he and Mr. Gregory thought it might not be advisible for them to meet openly just at present. "I have an idea," he went on to Mr. Gregory, "by which I think Miss Lander can be gratified. Now th *t I know Ned has chambers next to Guy's, I think it might bo safe, if it would not inconvenience him too much, for Theo, accompanied by you or me, to go to his rooms, where she can very easily hold communication with her friend front one of his windows." '

" That is a capital Idea 1" exclaimed Mr.'J Stewart, with animation, and a questioning ' glance at Theo to see it she approved of tho plan. She blushed slightly as 'she met his look,' and murmured that it was very kind in them both to be so thoughtful fbr her. *" ' "My windows are so overgrown wit3i vines," he won on, "that you will be per« fectly secure from observation, while you and your friend will be so- near that yon can almost shake hands with each other." . Theo was anxious to see : Miss Walton thai! very day, and with Mr. Edmonds as escort, she departed on her somewhat romantic expedition. .'_■■, [To be continued.] \ 1

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18850613.2.81

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7353, 13 June 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

Word Count
4,389

THE WELFLEET MYSTERY. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7353, 13 June 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE WELFLEET MYSTERY. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7353, 13 June 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

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