THE BETTER MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11582, 21 February 1901, Page 3

THE BETTER MAN.

tT was a perfect moonlight night, and two people were slowly pacing a secluded path in the grounds of the Darncombe Cliff Hotel. The man was about thirty-five years of age, powerfully built, with a strong, good-looking face, and a bronzed complexion. His companion was a young and radiantly pretty girl, not more than twentyone. , They strolled for some moments in silence. The man, with his hands thrust deep in the pockets of his jacket, war thinking hard, thinking of the thing that had happened to him. -M.ii.--i He was in love— love with the girl who wae walking so calmly by his side. And it could have no result ! It was impossible. They had come to a seat on the cliff, and the girl touched him lightly on the arm. He awoke from his reverie with a start. " Shall we sit down for a moment 7" she said. "Yen haven't told me half of what I want to know yet !" He dropped into the Feat by her side. Below them was the sea, its rippling surface glittering under the light of the moon. "You can't think," she continued, smiling at him frankly. " how dreadfully nervous I wa. when Cyril told mo you were coming to England !" Dalyell forced a smile. "Had he drawn such a terrible picture of me, then ?" " Oh, no ! He is very proud of you proud of what you have done. But I thought that perhaps—" she hesitated, and her eye fell on her engagement ring, " that perhaps you would not approve of his Choice." " Would that have mattered much?" he paid. "Being the man you are—yes !" she said simply. " I should not have cared to marry Cyril had you objected." Dalyeli clenched his teeth as the gill's steady gray eyes met his. The next moment a smile lighted up her features and she laughed. "But luckily we needn't discuss that." she cried happily. " For you don't object, do you :'' "No !" He paused, and his eyes dropped to the ground. "I suppose," he continued in a low tone, "you really love him ':" A tiny spot of colour showed on her fresh young cheek. He glanced up and saw her eyes shining, and her lips parted in a half smile.

"Yes." slit said, softly. "I really love him !love him as I thought it not possible for me to love anyone !" A sudden cold feeling crept over him. Yet he had known it from the first.

"Who could help loving him ':" she cried eagerly. "He is so good—so clever, so handsome !" She paused. " Weren't you pleased, after all these years, to find him as he is ?"

Hei face, sparkling with enthusiasm, was turned appealingly to him. He looked at her for a second, then pulled himself together and lied bravely. " Yes, he's a brothel any man would be glad to own !" he said in a voice that jeemed strange to him. She did not notice it. however. Her cheeks were flushed, and she laughed softly.

" I didn't know the world held such happiness !" she said in a low tone. "As what?" II could not resist the question. "The joy of being loved by Cyril, and the prospect of being his wife !" she said proudly, Ho turned his face away, that she might not see the bitter look that had crept to it. Years ago, when hardly more than a boy. he had gone abroad. He had worked hard, was clever, and, best of all. lucky. In a few years his means were considerable, and, his father dying, lie had made an allowance of some hundreds a year to his aunt for the purpose of educating his younger brother. With these fund*, he was sent to college, but his career there was not particularly brilliant. Then it ■was discovered that he had a craving for art, and he was given the best opportunities. Dalyell, to whom money was now but a secondary object, goodnatured! v continued the allowance. Occasionally Cyril wrote enthusiastic letters about his progress, but they always contained a request for more money, and Dalyell, sitting alone in his bungalow some thousands of .miles away, would smile contemptuously, and sign a cheque. Immediately on landing. Cyril had insisted on dragging him down to Darncombe, where Madge Escott, to whom lie had lately become engaged, and her aunt were staying. They had been together a day or two, then I Cyri! had srone to London to execute a com- I mission for a portrait, leaving him behind. I and for 10 days ho had been practically alone with her. She felt that Cyril had left j him in her care, and had devoted all her j time to him : and this had been the result I he had fallen madly in love with her!

"May I tell you a secret?" He gave a slight start as her gentle voice fell on his ears. He turned his head, and saw a shy smile had crept over her pure young- fnce. "Do!" he said, with an effort.

"Cyril said last week," she went on, '*' that he is making so much money at his painting that he wants the marriage tc be next month !"'

He felt a slight shiver run through him. His brother was even lying to her. Hi knew very well that his earnings from his brush formed but the slightest part of his income. For the rest he was dependent upon him. " You will, of course, be his best man," she cried, gaily. " And you'll have to come end stay with usvery, very often Dalyell made up his mind. "I am very sorry," he began, haltingly. *' But—l'm afraid I shall not be able to stop for the marriage!" Her eyes opened in amazement. "Not stop fo. the marriage!" she repeated. "Wiry?" He hesitated for a moment, then faced her resolutely. " I find I shall have to ffc back to India," he said, between his teeth. "There are a lot of important things to be seen to, and —well, I have decided to leave next week!" he finished abruptly. He saw her face cloud with disappointment.

"I had been hoping — '." she began, then she broke off with a cry of surprise. "Why. here's Cyril!" she said. She rose from her seat and ran along the path to meet him. Dalyell saw her link her rm affectionately within his, and together they came towards him. "Hullo, Dick, old chap!" he cried, boyishly. "I got through with the job earlier than I expected, and so ran down to-night. Has Madge been looking after you well?" he added, with a smile at the girl on his arm.

"She lias been very kind!" answered Dalyell, quietly. The younger man shot a keen glance at him.

"Oh, Cyril, what do you think?' cried Madge.' "He says he must go back to India next week not stop for our marriage There was a curious light in the younger Daly-ell's eyes as he glanced across at his brother.

"Why, what's this. Dick?" he asked. Dalyell pulled a cigar out of his pocket. "I'll tell you about it latei," he said. He left them and made his way out of the grounds and down to the beach. For a full hour ht strode up and down, deep in thought. He had done right. It was better to leave England for good. Perhaps he had been unjust to Cyril. Tf lie loved Madge, perhaps he would do his best to make her •iappy. At any rate, he, Dick Dalyell, would do his best. He would double Cyril's allowance.

At length he made his way back to the hotel. Presently he found himselt again on the cliff, this time alone with Cyril.

The two paced the path in silence for a few moments. Cyril, who was smoking, now and again shot a glance at his brother from under his eyelids. " Why are you going back tc India?" he asked, suddenly. Dalyell looked out to sea.

"Oh, there are a lot of things I must attend to," he said, rathe: lamely. "It's a lie!" said Cyril, very quietly. Dick Dalyell swung round on him in astonishment.

"What do you mean?'" he asked, sharply. " Simply this," his brothoi answered, calmly. "That you are going back tt India locause von have fallen desperately in love with Madge!" Then his tone changed. "Did you think you could deceive mo?" ">e cried, triumphant!} "I've seen it in every look you've given her -every word you've spoken. You're going back because you're afraid of yourself—it's right, isn't it?" He caught his brotlie, by the arm and peered into his face. "Quite right, eh?" Dick Dalyell shook himself free of the .grasp: there was a gleam in his eye. "Yes, it's right," he cried, passionately. "I love herlove her as 1 thought no woman could be loved!" His voice dropped, and he continued: But there is no harm done. She does not knowwill never know —and in a week I shall be on my way back to India." 11- u- 1 The younger man was looking searchingly at him. "You need not—uniess you particularly want to," he said, in a meaning tone. Dick Dalyell looked at him quickly. "What"" he cried. .A look of infinite cunning crept over Cyril's face.

" I mean that if you'll agree to my terms, I'll retire, and leave the field clear for you," be said.

Dalyell stared at him stonily. His brother took it for encouragement. "It was her face—her simplicity, that took my fancy!" he went on, frankly. "But I am tired ox her—l could never have really loved her. Now, there is another—the woman whose portrait I have been painting. She is rich, in love with me, ready to marry me and go abroad." He approached nearer to his brother. "Make it £5000," he said. Dalyeli clenched his hands. "My —you blackguard!" he said, hoarsely. Young Cyril Dalyeli smiled. "Yes," he admitted, impudently. "And utterly undeserving of Madge Escott. You are the reverse—so, why not accept my offer, and remain on here. Give her a few months, and you will succeed."

The veins stood out on Dalyell's forehead. He recalled the girl's face. How it had lighted upand at the prospect of becoming- this scoundrel's wife!

" You love her," went on the younger man, calmly. A feeling of mad passion suddenly overcame Dick Dalyell. With a sudden movement he stepped forward and caught his brother by the throat.

Yon think I would do this thing!" he said, thickly.

They were standing at the cornei of the path, in front of some bushes. There was a quick rustling noise, and the next moment someone laid a hand on Dick Dalyell's arm. H. gave one glance, then, suddenly let gc his grip. Before them stood Madge Eseott, white to the lips, hoi eyes wet with tears. " I was coming to call you in." sht said, tremblingly. "I had nearly reached you when some words caught my ears. I had to listen—l have heard all!"

Then she turned to the younger man, who stood cowering a few yards awnv. She drew herself up, and her eyes flashed. " I can only thank heaven T found you out in time!" she said. "I shall never see you again!" She moved her head and her eyes met Dick Dalvell's. He was gazing at her intently. For a second they remained thus, then she took a step forward, and held out her hand.

"Good-bye!" she said, with a sob. "I am sorry!" She turned swiftly and vanished down the path.

It was inevitable they should meet again, and it happened at Nice about a year later. It seemed strange at first that they should he together, but gradually it. grew to be more natural. Then, at length, one morning, he toW her of the thing that was in his heart, and waited for her answer. He saw the slightest of flushes spread over her cheeks, and after a moment she lifted her head and smiled back into his eyes.