ESTHER THE FRIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10347, 23 January 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

ESTHER THE FRIGHT.

BY MRS. GEOKOIE SHULDON', Author of " Brownie's Triumph," "The Forsaken Bride,"" That Dowdy," etc. CHAPTER XXXVII. ESTHER TAKES FORMAL POSSESSION OP HER FUTURE HOME. "You'll want a lot of company in that great place all the time, Esther, or you'll be lonesome," Frank observed ; he was deeply interested in this, to him, wonderful home of hers.

" Yes," said Esther, with a little sigh, " I am souiowlißt awed in view of taking

possession of so large an establishment and living by mj r 3clf—so to speak, for of course

tho burden of it will be upon me. But it is time that I began to assume my duties and it will be a great deal better for the place to have it managed in a systematic manner.' "How far trom London is the manor?" Frank inquired. " About twelve or fifteen mile?, I believe." " Ono could do it in a day easily 2" "Oh, yes." "Then I shall surely come to make you a call, when yon are settled—that i 3, if your ladyship will bid me welcome," §aid the youth, with a smile'and an appealing look. " You know, Prank, it would give mo a great deal of pleasure to have you do so," Ssthergravely returned. "I would gladly nvite you to come and make u>6 a ' nice, long visit,' as wo say in America —my dear friend, you understand, only I do not wish to influence you to do anything contrary to your mother's wishes." " Humph ! If mother only realised what your influence over me is, she might he very glad to have me cultivate it, even more than I do," said the youth, with some spirit. " I'd like the ' nice long visit , more than I can tell you, Esther, bub I suppose, under the circumstances, I shall have to make an occasional call do. I'll tell you a secret," ho added, in a lower tone; " mother has promised me that, if stocks are all right this fall, I may stay over here, for a year or two, and go to Eton. I'm almost afraid to build much on it, though, for most of what father left us is invested in Atchison, and that has been very, very shaky of late," "Eton is only about as far from Irvington Manor as the manor is from London, and if you do remain, I hope we can arrange to have you come to mo often," Esther said, with kind thoughtfulness, " It would be rather comfortable to feel that you had a kind of home to go to whon you had a vacation or wanted a little change." " I'm sure it is very nice of you to think of such a plan," Prank responded appreciatively, "bub I'm not sure yet of staying." Having now finished their lunch the two young people arose to leave tlio place, and as Esther turned from the table she found herself looking directly into tho face of the man who had been seated behind her. Ho bowed with exaggerated politeness to her, but, although she flushed slightly, she acknowledged his salutation by only a slight inclination of her head, then turned quickly away; whereupon the man gritted his teeth savagely, a look of hatred leaping into his oyes. " Who was he, Esther," Frank questioned as they were passing oub of the room. " He is Mr. Harold Irvington." "Eh 1 Any relation to you ?" " Well—no; but ho is Lord Irvington's brother."

" You don't mean ib!" exclaimed Frank, wonderingly. " Well, let me give you a tip, my lady—that man is no friond to you, and ho" wouldn't hesitate to take a mean »d----vantage of you if lie got the chance —I saw ib in his face, as lie looked tit yon." "I am afraid he isn't very friendly to mo," Esther quietly replied, and then the subject was dropped. Aβ they passed out upon the streeb Frank was about-to hail a hansom, but Esthor

said it was not far to Upper Grosvenorstroot, and if he did not mind, she would prefer to walk. He did not mind, except to bo very glud; and so, chatting in a friendly manner, they proceodod on their way. ■ They were not far from Mr. King's residence when Esther observed someone approaching who had a strangoly familiar look. ! " Why!" she exclaimed, the next moment. "I believe there comes Mips Percival! I haven't seen her for more than three years." "And who may MissPercival be?" Frank inquired, but regarding the woman somewhat doubtfully. "Sheis the person who had three ribs broken in that railway accident at Oakland and with whom I afterward came on to New York?" " Oh, I remember; yon have told me about her. My, but isn't she a perfect guy?" the youth exclaimed, under his breath, as his quick glance swept the figure of the little old woman and took in every detail of her peculiar make up. But Esther was hurrying forward, and, going straight up to hoc old acquaintance, greeted her warmly as she cordially grasped hor by the hand. " Why, Miss Pereival! where have you kept yourself all these years?" she «x----claimed. " I have thought of you so many times, and wondered how you managed to disappear so mysteriously from the steamer the day wo landed. I wanted, so mud), to give you my address, and get yours, so that we might see each other occasionally." "Humph !" returned the spinster, while she searcliingly regarded the bright face looking so smilingly into here. " I—l hud important business, and had to hurry off." Esther hero introduced her companion, who greeted her in a gentlemanly manner. "And have you been in London all this time?" our heroine then inquired. " Yes, most) of the time ; and what have you been doing ?" " Oh, I have been a(j school, trying to gee a little knowledge into this head of mine," was the smiling reply. " Well, you haven't lost anything physically, whatever you may have gained mentally," dryly observed Miss Percival. "Thanks—yes, my health has been very good." " And you've been Imppy, too, if I'm any judge," with another keen glance at the lovely face looking down upon her, " Yes, happy, too," said Esther, with a low, sweet laugh. " Whoro do you live?' , inquired the spinster,. "Right here on this street," replied Esther, giving her the number ; then added : " You romember the gentleman with whom I came abroad—l am still with his family for the present. Won't you eomo to see me, some day, Hiss Pereival *" " Yes—maybe; though I don't go out a greab deal. I haven't had very good luck since I came to England," said the woman, with a sigh. "I am very sorry," Esther regretfully responded. " I suppose you haven'b forgotten what I told you that) lasb day on shipboard," the spinster abruptly remarked. "No, I haven't forgotten," was th ■gentle rejoinder. " Well, I made up my mind thab I'd try your way of settling matters," Miss Pereival resnmed, bub in a lower tone; " but when I went to right the wrong the—the person was—dead!" " Oh!" said Esther, sorrowfully, and now she observed that tho woman looked much older and more pinched and haggard than when she last saw her. " i r es, he died only a little while before I came abroad; you see, I left it too long, and now I—l don't quite know what to do," Miss Pereival said, a perplexed look sweeping over her face;" bub you'll novor speak of it to anybody," she added, with sudden anxiety." "Of course I will not," was the grave reply. "And now, Miss Pereival, tell me where you live, and I will call upon you very soon.' The woman appeared to be soinewhab embarrassed by this proposition, and hesitated before replying. "I—l am nob really settled anywhere just now," she finally returned; " bub as I have your address I'll send you mine, perhaps, later. Go.od-by," and including both the young people in her farewell she abruptly turned and trotted on her way. " What a queer old woman!" Frank observed, as they also resumed their walk. "She is, indeed! I wonder if she is really as poor a3 ehe look?," Esther musingly remarked. " I really believe sho has on the same bonneb thafcshe woreduring the voyage, three years ago; somehow, I feel very sorry for her, she eeema so alone in the world,' . .

A few days later Mrs. King and Esther were seated in the boudoir of the former, having a quiet morning by themselves, when a maid brought a card to the former. "A lady to see you, ma'am,"she said, briefly. "Oh, dear I" she sighed, as she read the name with a puzzled look and arose to leave the room, "it is a stranger to me, and I did hopo, Esther, we were going to have no interruptions this morning. Sho left the room, but returned after a few moments. "Tho caller is for you, dear, instead of for me," she said, as she entered, ' and the woman is a Mrs. Bellows, who has come to see about the position of housekeeper at the manor." " Oh, I am afraid I am not competent to judge of her merits," cried Esther, who shrank from deciding so important a matter. "What do you think of her?" she added, anxiously. "She seems liko a very respectable person," Mrs. King replied. " She says sho is the widow of a clergyman, and has been left with an insufficient income. She is very good-looking, bub quiet and unostentatious in her manners, uses good language, and dresses very neatly and approprialoly in mourning. Tho only thing I found to criticise about her was her eentle-

ness. lam almost afraid she hasn't energy enough to manage a lot of servants. Supposo we go clown together, and talk with hor."

So Esther went down, and was introduced to Mrs. Ballows, whose keen, searching glance at once convinced her that the applicant was at least a very observant person, oven if she were lacking in "energy." Sho found her a rather handsome woman of abont thirty-eight years, with black hair and eyes, ruddy complexion, tall and commanding in figure, but with very gentle manners, which seemed rather at variance with her goneral appearance. She seemed to understand just what would be reqnired of her as housekeeper at Irvington Manor, and presented what appeared to be unexceptional reierences. On the whole, Esther was favourably impressed with her, after half-an-hour's conversation, and finally told her she would think the matter over, and let her know

her decision in a day or two. The result was that, a week later* Mrs. Bellows was established at Irvington Manor, with tho necessary number of servants, who were to get the greab mansion in readiness for its young mistress, who expected to take possession about the first of August, and would keep open house for a month or more. Masons, carpenters, decorators, and upholsterers had already been at work for a couple of months putting the place in perfect" repair, under tho superintendence of Mr. King, who appeared to take as much interest in having Esther's future home all that) could bo desired, as if she were his own daughter. Some portions of the structure were very old, and it was built partly of stone and partly of brick, additions having been made from time to time, as the needs or caprice of its various owners had prompted. The grounds were extensive, and, having been under the care of a skilful gardener

and his assistants all the summer, were now in fi.no condition, when the new Lady of Irvington finally arrived, on tho third of the month, bringing a host of friends with her. A grand reception had been arranged for the middle of the following week, for the purpose of introducing Esther to her neighbours and tho gentry of the county. Meantime she proved herself a charming hostess, probably because she seemed to forget self entirely and threw her whole heart into tho business of entertaining her guests. There was something enjoyable planned for every day and evening. There were plenty of horses and carriages in thestables, and these were at the disposal of any who wished to ride or drive. There was a fine billiard hall and bowling alley for those who cared for the cue or pins, a pleasant library and music-room for others who were inclined to be musical or literary, and thus enjoyraont wae provided for all. Tho house had been put in the nicest possible order from top to bottom, the servants were quiet and well-trained, and both Mrs. King and Esther congratulated tliainsoives upon having made a wise choice in tho housekeeper, who ruled over her subjects with the utmost serenity, but who seemed to see everything and neglect nothing, A day or two after the fe3tivitie3 at the manor began Esther noticed in one of the London paper? a paragraph announcing that " Mr. Harold Irvington, formerly of Irvington Manor, had meb with quite a serious accident —having sprained hie ankle —which would, doubtless, confine him to his rooms for some weeks."

Esther pointed tbie out to Mr. and Mrs. King—the incident) was briefly commented upon by fcheui, and then the matter was apparently forgotten, although it assumed far greater importance later on. Tha evening of the grand reception at last arrived, and Irvington Manor wa3 like a scene in fairyland. Every window in the great house was brilliantly illuminated, every room was beautifully decorated with potted plants, trailing vines, and a perfect wealth of cut flowers, while lights and fancy lanterns gleamed from everj direction about the grounds. Esther, assisted by her faithful friends, Mr. and Mrs. King, received her gueeta in the state dining-room, and truly she appeared to be especially fitted for the posi;ion she now occupied. Her costume was of cream-white Lyons satin, made very simply, the richness of the full, sweeping skirt unmarred by any trimming. The low bodice was finished with a deep frill of exquisite needle-point, caught hero and there with some of the finest of the Ivvington gems. Her white throat was encircled with the costly diamond necklace, and upon her breast gleamed the wonderful twin ruby. Solitaires sparkled in her small oars, and the massive coils of her glossy black hair were fastened with several stars and crescents. As she stood facing the long folding mirror in her room, before going down to her guests, while Jennie put the last touches to her dress, a smile of amusement hovered about her scarlet lips. " Oh, what a fright!" escaped her, almost unconsciously, and then she laughed aloud 'merrily as she caught Jennie's start and expression of dismay at her words. " A fright! Oh, Lady Irvington, what can you mean ?" cried the girl, astonished ; "you are like eome dazzling picture just stopped oub of a frame." " Thank you, Jennie; I did not realise that I was speaking my thoughts aloud; but I was thinking of what the fastidious Mrs. Cushman said the day ehe met me upon my arrival in New York city, more than five years ago, and I was really a for-lorn-lookine object, I admit. Well, time does work radical changes." Later, when Prank Cushman met her (he having braved his mother's displeasure to be preseub ad this grand house-warming), he cried out, admiringly: "Great Scott! Esther, you are the fine lady to perfection to-nigbt! Don't I wish I was a few years older! I vow I'd carry you off before the face and eyes of every English admirer."The young hostces laughed, but flushed beneath the look of honest admiration in

his eyes. " I wish I could feel that everyone who paye me a compliment is as sincere as you are, Frank," she said, adding, a3 she broke a lovely flower from her bouquet: "And now you must let me put this orchid in your buttonhole as a souvenir, for the evening." It was a long time since there had been so brilliant) an occasion in the county. Hundreds of guests came to do honour to the young Lady of Irvington, for the romance attending Esther's marriage had aroused the liveliest curiosity and interest. Everyone was charmed with her, and ib was plainly to be seen thab she would be a groat favourite in the community. She carried herself with ft dignity becoming her position, and yet she was unassuming, sweet, and affable. The gaiety was at its height in the ballroom when eupper was announced, whereupon the merry dancers filed away to the banquet hall, where sumptuous refreshments awaited them, and where, for an hour or more, they devoted themselves assiduously to the demands of the inner man. Esther had promised Frank Uushman the first dance after supper, but whea be sought her to claim it she was nowhere to be found. - He strolled through the various rooms, seoking her, and, finally running across Mrs. Kiug, inquired if she had seen her. She had not,., and, taking his arm, they

both searched for her, but with the same resuU. ', , ' ' " Mr. King wa9 thon interviewed, but no, he had not met her since supper was aunounced. ' After this the inquiry came to be quite general-tho guests began to look about; them, and comment with snrpriso upon tho fact that their hostess should absent) herself so long from the company. , Next the servants were questioned, the rooms above examined, and lastly the grounds were oxplored, but nil to no purpose ; and, finally, tho appalling conviction that) the beautiful lady of Irvington had mysteriously disappeared, or beon forcibly abducted from her homo, fastened itsolf upon every mind. [I\> be continued.)