A ROSALIND OF THE BUSH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12267, 11 May 1903, Page 3

A ROSALIND OF THE BUSH.

BY KATHARINE WYNNE, Author of "The Madness of Love," "A Strong Man's Love," " Silken Bonds," etc., etc., etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

Chapter I.—The scene opens in a fashionable London ballroom, and introduces Gilbert Fermoy and Florizel Stratheam. The former is the son of an eccentric baronet, Sir Royston Fermoy, a reputed millionaire, who lives a retired life in the country. Sfr, Roystoi* makes his son a handsome allowance, and the latter lives the life of a fashionable man about town, and spends money lavishly Gilbert is passionately in love with Florizel Strathearn, a fashionable beauty, and at the ball in question seeks an opportunity of declaring his love. He finds Florizel in the conservatory, and just before the close of the last dance, succeeds in getting the lady to accept an engagementring, telling hei at the same time that in three days he will become of age and succeed to his inheritance. Florizel questions him somewhat as to the nature of his inheritance, and he has to confess that he is ignorant on the subject, and only knows that his father has promised him his inheritance on his twenty-first birthday.

CHAPTER 11. introduces Marlow Summerton, an old school-chum of Gilbert Fermoys. The friends go home from the ball together, ami Gilbert tells his chum of his engagement. During the ensuing conversation Gilbert also touches on the subject of his coming of ase, and confides to his chum the fact that Sir Royston wishes his son to remain in London foi the event, and that lite will write to Gilbert on the matter of his inheritance. A wine-supper has been arranged by Gilbert to celebrate the occasion, and after talking things over the friends retire to bed.

CHAPTER HI. sir ROYSTOX'S LETTER. Labt. Stbatheabn was a, widow with a tolerable income, and one daughter, Florizel. On the death of her husband, many years previously, the idea of marrying again had never come into her head. Her first had, she owned, been "a very pleasant union as far as marriages go." "It is a ceremony one may go through once," she remarked, "but in my opinion, without it is regarded in a financial view,

which most marriages should be more or less, there should never be a second, on the woman's side, at least. A widow with a good income has in her hands an amount of independence and enjoyment' any wife, after the period of youth and the first blush of married life have passed, must envy. Especially is she an imbecile to wed a second time if she has children. My Florizel is to me even-thing; my income will serve for both. I would always keep her with me, but that is impossible. It would be as absurd to imagine it as to cultivate the choicest flowers in a sunny garden and expect the bees to pass them by. No, it is on the cards she must many, therefore it must be my care to see she shall select judiciously and well." Governed by these principles she, had regarded Fermoy's passion with every favour, especially as "Florizel showed a preference for him above all other admirers. The heir of a millionaire, whose wealth wast accumulating every year, was certainly not a parti to be despised. Still, Edith Newton was perfectly right in her reading of her ladyship's character. Lady Strathearn was prudent. Why hasten the engagement for a few months? Both of them were far too young to wed at present, while their love—decidedly his —was far too earnest to fear a change; consequently, why not wait until Gilbert Ferliiov attained manhood and his inheritance? Lady Strathearn was of middle height, slight "figure, quick, excitable temperament. To use a common vulgarism, she was " always on the go." being vice-president to one society, secretary to this, treasurer to that. She was always tired, yet never seemed to tire. Her existence was a perpetual war between the mental and the physical. "Pray," asked her medical adviser, " does your ladyship imagine your nerves and organs are made of cast-steel?" "I really can't tell," she laughed. "I only know I am happy when I am busy, so I am always busy." She was a handsome woman; in part Florizel resembled her. but also had inherited the fairness of her dead father, with a luxurious love of ease fostered by her ladyship, who, content to be busy herself, liked idleness in her. " When you are married, Zel," she would say, " vou will be your own mistress, barring the husband, and can lead the life you like best. So it was with me. It's best not to begin my style of life too early. Youth tires, and it's soon over. It ouly suits the middle-aged, to whom the future is pretty well known, and who want something to fill up the time the young pass in hope, thinking and dreaming. Your hour will come, Zel, my darling, don't fear. At present enjoy yourself for yourself, and look handsome for others. Youth is like the flowers: the world wants nothing more from them at that period than to beautify it. When the leaves fall, and the fruit of maturity appears, then it requires action, deeds, or it will sweep over them like a Juggernaut-car, leaving them to wither in their selfishness, disregarded." Florizel, passing through the now deserted room, after Fermoy had left, came upon Lady Strathearn, looking immensely fatigued.

" How tired you are, mamma, dear," she remarked, sympathetically< " You overexert yourself, indeed you do." "My clear Zel," laughed Lady Strathearn, " was there ever a hostess, who did her duty, who was not tired after a ball? In nothing in this world is a woman called upon to make such a self-sacrifice, if she would have her guests enjoy themselves. It is their comfort she must consider, not her own. But you — look as bright and fresh, my love, as when our first guest arrived." "

Who happened to be. the same as the last to depart," smiled Florizel. "Gilbert! Ah, happy youth!" " He looked supremely happy just now." "When he. was leaving? Is that flattering?'' "' I think be was too happy even to think of that. Again he had urged me to make our love an engagement, and, poor fellow! he looked so miserable, so disappointed, that I consented. Indeed, mamma, I could not help it. See," extending her hand, "there is the sign." " Zel, I am ashamed of you. . Could you not have waited just a few days longer? In less than three we should have known the amount of his inheritance," ejaculated Lady Strathearn, annoyed. " And be set down in society, where jealousy litis already made me enemies, as the most mercenary girl out. In fact, I know unpleasant things are being whispered already, mamma, which not only hurt me, but are an insult to Gilbert." "Well, perhaps you are right, though I would much rather Lave had it otherwise. Happiness in this world would be oftener secured if one always kept to the safe side." "Surely this side is safe enough?" said Florizel, gaily. "Heir to a million. To what could affectionate ambition for your daughter, mamma, have ranged higher?" To a coronet," responded Lady Strathearn, regarding her daughter with fond love.

"That, could have to-morrow, could I not?" laughed the girl. "A real Scotch laird, with a. pedigree as long as the Nelson Column, and an estate as barren as his account at his banker's. Better plain Mrs. Fermoy, wife of a millionaire." '" How Mammon rules the world," remarked Lady Strathearn. "Well, when at Rome, etc. One must go with the times. Now, Zel, to bed, or I shall fall asleep where I sit." Half an horn later all the lights were out in the Strathearn mansion, and, must it be owned? Florizel's eyes closed in sleep directly her head touched her pillow, and her slumber was so healthful, restful, i and sound, that she never dreamed even I of her bethrothed, Gilbert Fermoy. How Time speeds on some occasions, what J a laggard he is at others ! These last few hours were the longest in Gilbert Fermoy's life. The hitter had ever been too happy ; for him to regard an increase of wealth i with any selfish hankering. He was only - anxious out of bis strong passion for Flori- \ zel. She was the pivot upon which his I every thought turned. I On starting up of a morning and noticing I the sun inundating the room simultaneously ' he would think of how glad Flori/.el would be, for she loved sunshine as dc the flowers and all that is beautiful. Indeed, no turn came on his mind but her influence was about it as the air one . breathes.

On that day, full of such moment to him, no sun had ever shone more brilliantly, and he awoke with that sense, rarely experienced, of having slept well and being peacefully happv and content, as some less fortunate do with a sensation, of depression, a vague knowledge that they have reason to mourn and pine. As early as was permissible he called at the Strathearns'. "Dearest," he had whispered the previous evening at parting, "I shall avoid everyone who has the right to wish me joy and congratulate me until I have seen you. I want to hear it from your lips first. I shall regard it as a good omen.'' " Is a good omen necessary," she rejoined, gaily, "where all is so certain? Or"— slightly coquettish—"do you mean a good omen of my love?" " I should be miserable, indeed, if I required a good omen of that," he laughed out, brightly. "'I should be unworthy of the prize I have won." " Then omen for what, Gilbert?" she asked ; *' of your inheritance?" "Again, no," he answered. "The good omen of our future happiness." He found her waiting for him when he entered. She advanced with extended hand, her good wishes and congratulations sparkling in her eves, She was attired for riding, and looked a queenly figure, as she had stood at the window, watching, his affection told him, for his arrival; the short habit, slightly lifted, disclosing the small foot and well-fitting riding-trousers, the rich coils of golden hair, almost metallic in its lustre as the sunbeams caressed it, the complexion so dazzlingly pure, with the delicate rose-tints on the oval cheek.

" My sweetest and best congratulations," she said, putting her white hands in his. "Jsiobodv can have a return of their majority, but may every year, at least, bring to you greater happiness." "No year that can come, dearest," he answered, gazing with passion into her eyes, " can bring me greater happiness than this which makes you mine. Yes, to-day I say farewell to youth, and enter manhood. Never did one do that with lighter heart. And you are the cause, my queen!" A moment they were silent. Sufficient for them was it for a space to gaze, as the prospect of the future drew panoramic visions in their minds. Then he said :

" Florizel, is it not usual to bestow some gift on such occasions'/ I shall receive many ; have you none?" "Of course," she laughed. " Surely you never dreamed otherwise? See, am I not conceited in my choice - '" She held to him a small medallion miniature of herself,'set in pearls. His hand trembled, his eyes sparkled as he regarded it.

"How good. How well you guessed what most I should prize I" he exclaimed. " Never while I live shall it go out of my possession."

"Oh, but yes," she remarked, gaily. "If ever you take back this you must give me that.'*'

"That I'll agree to," be laughed, "feeling myself more stable, so far, than the old earth itself. And yet there is a gift I mean to ask of equal value.". Florizel Strathearn opened her eyes interrogatively. "We are betrothed," be said, " and betrotheds' kiss at least once, do they not, to ratify their oaths?' She smiled, her colour deepened; but she did not resist as be drew her to him, and pressed bis first kiss on her lips. "Darling!" be said, "'no woman's lips have I ever touched with minenay no woman have I ever kissed since I left nurses' and governesses' control, but yours, 1 swear."

"Is it truer' she queried, looking into his face.

"Do I not swear it? Yes, on this"— kissing the miniature. . "Then am I happy, indeed," rejoined Florizel, seriously. " How few can say the same to her to whom they are betrothed. By the —breaking into a lighter vein, " mamma, who is tired, and will not be down till late, sends no end of messages, and says you must dine with us this evening, when she will congratulate you herself, and give you her present. Now, Gilbert. let us start. It is a shame to be indoors on such a day." It had been arranged between them the evening previously that they should ride together. Not in any of the fashionable resorts, but far into the country, among nutwoods and green lanes. It was a strange way of keeping the coming of age of an heir to a million ; but Gilbert Fermoy would have asked no better.

If love is exacting it is also compensatory. Now and again they would revert to the inheritance, and merrily form speculations. On Gilbert Fermoy putting in an appearance at the Strathearn drawing-room previous to dinner it was almost the first question of her ladyship.

"Well, Gilbert," she asked, "have you heard from Sir Rovston?"

"Not yet. I looked at his letter hefor? coming out," he replied. " I see he said. 'I shall -write you on that day,' so I may not receive the letter until to-morrow."

" How tantalising," ejaculated Lady Strathearn. "Under some circumstances, how anxious and curious you would feel. With you it is only a matter of amount." "That is so, I expect, Lady Strathearn. I have never been so congratulated and made a lion of at my club before," laughed the young fellow. The fellows are laying no end of bets. You know, with Englishmen, it is always they must bet, or they must kill something. They call the latter sport or science. It is almost like the eve of a Derby-day. I shall dread being the bearer of my own news to-morrow, so many fellows must lose."

There had been a suggestion of spending the evening at one of the theatres, but Lady Strathearn had caught cold at an antiopium meeting, and dreaded the night air Therefore, equally pleased, Fermoy remained with them until the advent of his bache'lor supper forced him to go. If any supper was a success, that one was. Healths were drunk ad infinitum. Each guest had some speech of congratulation to make to the happy young fellow whom fortune had so favoured ; and once more dawn was peeping through the blinds before the last hansom rolled away, bearing Marlow Summertyn, who had said : " Look here, old fellow, you'll see me first thing in the morning, and remember, you and all the fellows lunch with me to-mor-row, to congratulate you on possession." The day had been full of pleasure, but it was tiring, and Gilbert Fermoy gladly welcomed the silence that followed the departure of the last guest. " Now to bed," he thought, when his servant, entering, held him a letter on a salver.

"It arrived by the last post, sir," he said. Gilbert Fermov seized it quickly, recognising Sir Royston's writing. " Why did you not bring it at once?" he demanded, sharply. "If you'll look, sir, it says, 'To be delivered when alone.' I didn't like to do other when the gentlemen were here." " No, I see," reading the words to which his attention had been called. " That's right, Proctor. You can go." By himself, with eager fingers, he tore off the envelope, and read. One minute—elapsed, then with a great cry, white to the lips, his expression one of bewilderment, horror, and incredulity, he dropped motionless into a chair. He knew at last what was his inheritance. (To be continued daily.)