A WOMAN'S SOUL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12546, 13 April 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

A WOMAN'S SOUL

BY CHARLES GAR VICE,

Author of " Claire," " Her Heart's Desire," " Iter Ransom." " Elaine," " Nell of

Shprtie Mills." "A Coronet of Shame," " The Story of a Passion." etc.

CHAPTER XXl.—(Continued.)

Long before the evening Lady Despard had forgotten about the invited guests; but Doris dressed early and arranged some flowers in the small drawing-room in which the meal was to be served ; and, thinking that it would be required, arranged as well as she could the music which lay in a confused heap in the rare Chippendale canterbury. Presently Lady Despard came down, fresh from the hands of her maid, in a costume of Worth's, with which she had been entirely satisfied until she saw Doris' simple frock of black lace with a yellow rose nestling in its bosom for her only ornament. . " How nice you look, dear 1" she exclaimed, taking her by the shoulders and holding her at arms' length. "Now, I wonder why it is that you always seem just perfectly dressed. That neat little frock of yours is simply exquisite, while mine looks all furbelows and fuss. Where did you learn to dress like that ?" Doris could have answered. At the best of all schools, the theatre;" but, instead, she smilingly put the question by and praised the other's handsome costume. They were still talking when a footman announced Mr. Spenser Churchill and Mr. Percy Levant. Lady Despard gave a little start.. i "Bless me!' she exclaimed. "I had forgotten them'" and she glided forward to receive them. • Doris turned aside for a moment to pick up a flower which had fallen from a vase, then looking round found Mr. Spenser Churchill waiting with extended hand. "My dear Miss Marlowe!" he purred, pressing her hand and smiling down upon her with a perfect- wealth of benevolence; "I'm so glad, 'so glad to see you again. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Percy Levant. May I?" He stepped on one side, and Doris, looking up. saw a. tall, graceful young man, with "a face almost perfectly handsome; and as she noticed the well-cut and carefully severe stylo of his evening dress she felt surprised and amused. This aristocratic gentleman, with the face of a Greek god, must have startled Lady Despard, with her doubts and fears. "Miss Doris Marlowe, Percy." said Mr. Spenser Churchill, glancing at him sideways and with keen watchfulness. Percy Levant- did not start, but the quick flash of his eyes and a certain quiver of the delicately-formed lips sufficiently indicated the surprise which fell to hie share. He had imagined a girl, plain almost to ugliness; not only plain, but shy and diffident, andas he" would have put it—bad form; a dark, colourless, governess kind of creature: and this vision of perfect grace and youthful loveliness startled him almost to bewilderment. He bowed low to hide the faint signs of his discomfiture, and Doris, just inclining her head, at once moved away. Dinner was announced, and Lady Despard. talking in her languidly-glowing style, gave her arm to Spenser Churchill, leaving Percy to escort Doris. The dinner was served on the oval table, and the little partywhich would have seemed cold and formal in the larger apartment. with its huge table and splendid furniture—was made to appear pleasant and homelike. Spenser Churchill and Lady Despard did all the talking for a time, and Percy Levant only joined in occasionally ; but his silence was perfectly self-possessed, and without a touch of the gauehoiie or awkwardness and want- of breeding Lady Despard had so much dreaded. Every now and then he let his splendid eyes wander to the lovely face beside him, and each time the amazement overwhelmed him, although lie sat apparently so calm. This exquisite creature had been sold to him by Spenser Churchill! This beautiful gill to be his wife! He caught himself once in twice looking round the room with a close scrutiny, us if to convince himself that he was* awake and not dreaming. But he could not sit there silent all through the dinner, and at last forced himself to address her.

It was only some trivial remark about the weather, but it seemed to him that his voice trembled with the emotion with which his heart literally throbbed. Doris responded in her soft, cuiiet voice, and the sound of it somehow lulled the storm within him and gave him confidence. He found himself talking to hen more freely, and each moment the spell her unexpected beauty and grace cast upon him grew stronger. To listen to a commonplace from Doris was delightful melody, but she could talk something better than commonplaces: and Percy Levant, the adventurer, the man who " knew the world," was again startled to find that Mr. Spenser Churchill's ward was, young as she looked, well read in. subjects of which most women were utterly and sublimely ignorant. And yet she talked so modestly, so diffidently, that- her knowledge was an added charm. He started when Lady Despard, rising, said : "The but! knows the claret you like, Mr. Churchill; T shall leave you to his tendel' mercies. Mr. Levant, we will have some tea for you when you come into the drawing-room, so don't expect any to be sent in." He opened the door fot them, and then, sank into his chair, let his head fall upon, his bosom, his lips tightly compressed. Spenser Churchill filled his glass and remained silent until the butler had left the room, then he said, with a smile: "Well, my dear Percy, what do you think ol my "dear young ward?" Percy Levant raised his head and looked at him* with a curious expression. " Give me some wine," he said ; then after he had drunk a glass he demanded, almost sternly: "Why did you not tell me?" "Tell yon "what?" asked Mr. Spender Churchill, with a chuckle. "I told you she was a charming young lady---" _ "And you wished me to think that you lied in saving so"," retorted the other. " Whsdid you not tell me (hat she was as beautiful as— is?"

Spenser Churchill chuckled again. " My dear Percy, I thought" that a I-A tie surprise would not come amiss. It I had told you that she wan pretty —"

"Prettv!" "Well," beautiful—lovely would rothave believed roe!"

"No, I should not," he said, curtly. Don't say any more. I want to think! Great heaven, she is like a dream! Stop! Don't talk, I say; I'm not equal to cuy of your smooth platitudes at present. Let me be in peace!" Mr. Spenser Churchill laughed softly. " Certainly, my dear Percy," lie said. "Yes, I can understand your astonishment. This claret is very fine —"

"No more!" said Percy, rising and taking a step or two across the room, with his arms behind him. his head bent upon his breast again. '' ,Let us go to them." " I'm quite ready," said Spenser Churchill., smiling with intense enjoyment.

They went into the drawing-room. Lady Despard was turning aver the music, Doris was seated at the tea-table. .. " " I am trying to find something for you :to play, Mr. Levant," she said. "We are j so eager to hear you play, Miss Marlowe | and I." He bowed, and his glance caught Doris'; but she only smiled. "Will you not play or sing?" he asked. "Oh, no," she said ; "I should be afraid." "Of me? It is I who should fear, for I know from your conversation that I shall have a musician for a critic." "No," she said, quietly; <! I am not a musician. You will have some tea. present- ■ ly?" and she raised her eyes to his with : the calm politeness of perfect self-possession and good breeding. CHAPTER XXII. TWO SONG BIRDS. Percy Levant bowed and went to the piano, and Mr. "Spenser Churchill walked across the drawing-room and took a scat immediately beside Doris. " I hope'you like my young friend?" he said, in his softest voice, and glancing affectionately toward him as lie stood by the piano talking to Lady Despard. " I have seen so little of him," said Doris, "but he is very agreeable." " Yes. Ah, my poor Percy!" he sighed. Poor hoy! He has suffered so much—so much! There should be sympathy betweeen vou two, my dear young lady, lor lie has known what it- is to lose his dearest, I should move your heart- if I were to tell you what sorrow and trouble have fallen to my poor young friend's lot, and win your admiration and esteem for him if I recounted the many difficulties he has had to encounter. It"has been a hard world for him, a hard life, poor fellow! I do so hope you and Lady Despard will like him." Doris "remained silent, but the scftly-spok-en words had something of the effect their speaker intended, and she looked toward the young man with increased interest. " I think, with the exception of myself, he has scarcely a friend in the wide world," said Spenser Churchill, sipping his tea and sighing. " I am counting so much on your and Lady Despard' sympathy, my dear Miss Marlowe! A word of encouragement from such kind hearts as yours will go far to console him for the cruel disappointments lie lias endured. Ah! lis is going to sing. I see! Now you will see if I spoke too highly of his voice and abilities." Percy Levant was certainly going to sing, but he "seemed somehow loath to begin. For a few minutes his fingers strayed over the keys irresolutely, then he struck a chord and commenced.

He had chosen not an elaborate specimen of the flowery school but a simple Brittany ballad, and he sang it exquisitely. Doris, as she listened to the long-drawn notes that seemed to float on eider wings through the room, felt a singular sensation at her heart. It was as if this stranger had defined the trouble of her voting life, and had put it into music! With tightly-compressed lips she sat fighting back the tears that threatened to flood her eyes, her hands closelyclasped in her lap. her eyes fixed on the ground, unconscious that Mr. Spenser Churchill's eyes were covertly fixed on her with a keen watchfulness.

The last notes of the song died away, and Lady Despard's soft, languid voice poured out her praise. Oh, but that is very, very beautiful, Mr. Levant; and you have a lovely voice ! How kind of you to come and sing to us! And 1 am so grateful to Mr. Churchill for bringing you ! You must sing again, must he not, Doris?" He had risen and bowed to Lady Despard, but- his dark eyes looked beyond her, and sought Doris' face. Her lips trembled, but she forced a smile; taking it as a request, he returned to the piano and sang again. Lady Despard was in raptures, but he prevented her asking for another song by going across to Doris. "Lady Despard will not play; will you?" he said. "You are not afraid now?" Yes, more than afraid," she said, with a smile. " Will you sing with me? Here is a duet!" lie said, quietly, his eyes downcast. "Do, dear!" said Lady Despard. "Miss Marlowe sings like a professional, Mr. Levant." Doris rose reluctantly, and he led her to the piano. Mr. Spenser Churchill went and sat beside Lady Despard, and began to talk to her in an earnest but softly persuasive tone. The two voices at the piano rose and fell in harmony, and seemed to act as an accompaniment to his. _ •_ "Isn't it beautiful?" said Lady Desparl. " Their singing together is simply delicious !'' " And if "your ladyship assents to my proposal they can sing together as often as you please!" he murmured, insinuatingly. She laughed and nodded. "That's true! Oh, yes, just, as you like. I'm sure he is most interesting, and such a perfect gentleman !'' "Ah! ves," said Spenser Churchill:"! would not have brought him to you if he had been anything else. And it is settled, then':"

Yes," nodded her ladyship. He rose at once and looked at his watch. " I will make all arrangements," he said, in a low voice. "Say nothing to him tonight." The two men said good night, and Percy Levant found himself outside, his brain in a whirl, his heart beating wildly. " Well, may otic ask your highness what yot thin it of 'my ward now'.'" said Spenser Ohm-chill, softly. Percy Levant, thrust bis hands in his pockets. " Has she been ill. or is it trouble that makes her look like that';" he asked. 111 a grave, thoughtful tone. " Trouble said Spenser Churchill. "Poor girl! Yes, she lifts been ill, too; but she is better, and the change, will completely set her up. I hope." " Change?" '■ Ye?,"" he purred. " She and Lady D?spard go to Italy next week," and lie smiled as he struck the blow and saw Percy wince. "To Italy next week!" He turned upon him. " What are you scheming'.' What are von doing? Why did you take me to see her to-night, if—" Do you think I am made of stone • that, like yourself, I've no heart! To Italy!" " Yes," murmured Spenser Churchill, "and I have arranged that you shall go with them —" ' Percy Levant started again, and, stop-' ping, "confronted him. -with c- pale, eager face. "What?" " Yes, exactly! You are to go with them what shall we say?—friendly cavalier, courier, what you will—anything will serve as an excuse. What do you say? Perhaps, after all, you regret your bargain! If so, aav so, and I'll release you." Percy Levant caught him by the shoulder, and held him in a savage grip. " Yon—you devil!" lie said, fiercely, almost wildly. "You know that I cannot! It 1 had not seen hei I might have had the strength ; but now—" lie withdrew his hand, and, almost thrusting the other man away from him, strode on. (To he continued daily.)