PATSY'S SECOND LOVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 3 (Supplement)

PATSY'S SECOND LOVE.

BY EFFIE ADELAIDE ROWLANDS, Author of "Brave Barbara," "The Interloper," " A Splendid Heart," "The Temptation of Mary Barr," etc., etc.

CHAPTER XVIII. WEIGHED DOWN BY REGRKT. It was just when Patricia was starting to walk with Miss Enthoven to this luncheon that the letter which Hugo had written was brought after her. Vera watched with girlish interest, and was quick to see that Mrs. Bulstrode coloured slightly as she received the letter. • " That must be from him," she said to herself. She noticed" that Patricia slipped the. letter unopened into her pocket, and she determined to take an early opportunity to leave her new friend alone so that the letter might be read and enjoyed. The Enthovens lived in a quaint old house which, like the cottage in which Patricia was staying, seemed to be situated in the heart of the moors. It had been originally an old kind of farm, but Mr. Enthoven had built and enlarged, and made it quite important. He had what Vera called an observatory—a round, domelike building, where he passed the greater part of his existence. Strangers though her host and hostess were this visit calmed and delighted Patricia. She was like a child seeking knowledge at every turn, and Vera was pleased to approve of her father. this day. He came out of the clouds and paid every attention to the' beautiful young creature who had so won his own girl's heart. ■ Patricia did not read her letter until she reached her own little cottage. Several times she had been tempted to open it, but a sort 'of shyness fell upon her when she would have done so. She felt that she must be alone.

She sat a long time looking out over the moor when she had put aside the letter.' She was conscious, vaguely, of regret and even disappointment. For Bulstrode made no mention of an immediate return. The infinite delicacy of the man's thought, his very real care of her, seemed brought home to her actually for the first time in this letter. There came to Patricia a pang of remorse. "He gives me so much," she said to' herself, "and I—l give him nothing." Mention of his sister called up all the practical unpleasantness which must be laced in connection with the marriage. Once again the question, "Was. the marriage right?" forced itself upon Patricia. But this time it was not of herself that she was thinking; it was of the man._ , Paradoxically, the pleasure she derived from the companionship of Vera Enthovcn brought with - it, a sense of discomfort. When the other girl chatted about her husband, and asked this question and that question, the bride felt awkward, and once now and again coloured as with shame. The word " husband" rang so strangely her ears. How far away the old life seemed to her now ! And when she went back it would not be to the old house, to take up the old duties; everything would be changed. . ... She could not picture, even in imagination. what kind of life lay before her in the future. On one point she was quite sure, however—if it was possible for any human being to make happiness for another then her pathway stretched smoothly ahead. •

, Her last thought when she went to bed that nighfc was that she had been very, very selfish in her dealings with Hugo. Indeed,' she could hardly explain to herself now the motives that had led her to stand where she did. " v ~

; "I ought to have been stronger," she said; to herself, restlessly. ■ "1 have behaved like a coward—trying to hide myself behind someone bigger than myself." • And once in the night there flashed across her mind the thought that to one person her hasty marriage might be construed as a confession of weakness. She knew now that she could expect no mercy at Leila's hands,

' "It has been a mistake," she said 10 herself, miserably; "a big, a terrible mistake!"

But next morning, when the sun shone and the fragrance of the spring flowers whispered to her that the world was ; a beautiful place, Patricia lost that mood of restless misery. Vera Enthoven had promised to come 'early, and they were going for a long walking excursion together. Mrs. Bulstrode had hardly finished her breakfast before the other girl appeared. Bright and charming, and half-boyish in Her sensible country attire, Vera seemed in some ways older than Patricia, but in others to be quite a child. ! "You have made a conquest of my dad," .she chattered. ".I shall write to Sara' Crosland and make her jealous. In fact, 1 was going to write to her to-day and entreat her to come up and stay with _ '.is, but I know it is of no use. When it is a question of duty with Sara she is harder to move than a block of stone."

As they were starting for their walk Vera Enthoven startled Patricia by abruptly asking: "Do you know Sir Hubert Dalborough, this nephew about whom Sara is always fussing?" - Patricia caught her lip sharply with her teeth. '

"Yes," she said, "I know Sir Hubert Dalborough." . ".Well," said Vera, "of course I may be wrong, but I think he must be very selfish. He is always wanting Sara to do things for him. Now that lie is married why can't his wife look after him? You know, it is only because of him that Sara is staying in town now." Patricia paused a moment. Her heart was beating so wildly. ' " I understood," she said hurriedly, when she spoke, " that Sir Hubert and Lady Dalborough were going to their country place in Westshire. They— live quite close to my old home," she added. "Oh, I know I have not made a mistake!" said Vera, confidently. "As it happens, I have Sara's letter with me, so I can read you what she wrote." Vera searched in her coat pocket and brought out some papers. Lady Crosland's letter was among them. "Here's what she says: 'I should love to be with you, especially as Patricia is so near you just now. But all my plans depend upon other people. My nephew, Hubert Dalborough, and his wife are in town, and intend to stay for some time. As Lady Dalborough is very delicate, 1" don't feel that I can leave her just now. You must write and tell me exactly what you think about Patricia. I thsk she is quite lovely.' There! J suppose I ought not to have read that- to you said Vera, laughingly. But Patricia did not laugh; she was, realising in a dull, tired way that the sacrifice Hugo Bulstrode had made for her might have been averted. All through the hours that followed she tried to shake aside the depression, the sense of bitter regret that weighed upon her. She shrank from the thought of meeting Hugo. It seemed to her impossible that he should not regard the situation in the same light as herself. _ Happily, she had the excuse of feeling tired to explain her quietness, and Vera fuss ed about her, and insisted upon her remaining their guest until the evening. "Then dad shall drive you back," she said ; " and I advise you to keep your eyes on' the reins, because he is sure to be stargazing." But Mr. Euthoven was denied this pleasure, for, just when lie was preparing to take Patricia home, there came the sound of wheels up to the old-fashioned doorway, and' a moment later the servant announced "Mr, Bulstrode."

Vera scanned Patricia's husband critically, and quickly came to the conclusion that he was very nice. "He has such lovely manners," she said to herself. " I am sure she has been wanting him all the day. She has been_ so sweet, but her eyes have looked so sad.' Hugo apologised for his presence. " I heard from my servant that my wife was here," he said to Mr. Enthoven, " and so I thought I would come and fetch her." Ho spoke to his host, but he looked at his wife, and her lids drooped beneath his gaze. When the two girls went to get Patricia's hat and coat Vera clung to her new friend's arm. "Now I suppose I shall see nothing of you," she said, with a sigh. "' On the contrary,'' answered the other, hurriedly, " I was just going to suggest that you should come over early to-morrow. Perhaps we might go on another excursion." Vera looked at her doubtfully. " Oh, I am afraid I have tired you too much to-day," she said ; " 1 nope Mr. Bulstrode won't scold me too much! It has been so lovely having you with me. II is a little lonely here, you know, sometimes, when dad gets wrapped up absolutely in his discoveries. I hope you are going to stay here a long time?' Patricia coloured.

"I ha'rdly know what our plans are," she answered hesitatingly. Then she smiled. " I wonder if Mr. Enthoven would let you come and stay with me some time soon?" Vera clapped her hands. "Oil, that would be lovely! Of coui-se dad will let, me go. I think'when he does wake up every now and then he fancies that lam too much alone. I know I once heard him say this to Sara 1 Croslaad." . Patricia kept her hand linked in Vera's till the last moment. She was almost afraid to turn away from this loving friend and go back alone with Bulstrodc. He, too, was acutely conscious of her feeling aw he helped her into the cart. In leaving her absolutely to herself he had been well aware that the inevitable reaction would in all probability bring about this desire to avoid him; yet now that he was realising it definitely it hurt him to the quick. They drove back in silence. When they reached the gate and he stood ready to help her down he said: "There is something I have to tell you. The Dalboroughs have changed their plans. I understand that they will not be , at Heron Court for the next few months." His tone was the old, curt, harsh tone which she knew so well; and the sound of it seemed to her a confirmation of her theory that he regretted the mistake as she did. '

She answered him as coldly. "Thank you," she said; "I have already heard of this." As the man led away the horse and cart they passed slowly into the house. The lamps had'been lit. The simple cottage room looked pretty and inviting, but Hugo saw nothing but her cold, white face, was conscious of nothing but that she shrank from him. _

" You are tired," lie said, in that same hard way; " I am afraid you have walked too much to-day." She shrugged her shoulders. "■ _ • "Oh, no; I alii accustomed to walking. I am not bodily tired," she said involuntarily. Then, with a great effort, she turnedto him. "You—you saw Barlow?" "" •

"Yes." _ ■ He drew forward a eliaii' for her and sat down himself. As for Patricia, she was angry with herself—she wanted to be calm/ and her hands were trembling, and her heart bent wildly. " I am afraid Barlow will not he able to come to you for some time," lie said. "Her sister is really very ill. Barlow is in great despair, poor soul. She loaded, me with messages; her only thought is for you." The girl passed her hand over her eyes, then she rose. "And your sister?"' she asked in a low ton p..

Bulstrode frowned.

" Oh, we can discuss my sister another time. You— may not imagine that you are tired, but you look exhausted. • That madcap of a girl, I expect, has tired you unintentionally." "If you don't mind," she said, and "her voico quivered, "I — should like to settle our immediate plans. Please tell me .exactly what your sister has said." He frowned again. " Janet is not very pleased," he answered curtly, " but I do not know that her displeasure need affect us one way or another. 1 ' It was Patricia's turn to frown. ,

" You said she was ill?"

" She is ill," he answered. "Then it is only right that' you should go back to the Manor House."

He paused a moment before answering. Then he said: " In this matter it is for you to choose." 1 "We will go back at onoe," Patricia said, without hesitation. Then her calmness forsook her for a moment, a'nd her face was dyed with colour, as she added ' "If —— one had known I could have' gone back to the—farm. 4 ' His lips moved as though he would have spoken hurriedly, but he controlled himself. Then, after a pause, he said: ■" Why worry yourself about what is inevitable? I hope to be permitted to prove to you that life can be comfortable and oven happy at the Manor House." _ ; . ; He paused again, but Patricia said nothing. She was very near to tears, and Bul'strode went on, speaking thoughtfully : "I should have preferred to take you ba'ck when my sister was not there. But Janet, is not a young woman. My marriage has come upon her in the nature of a shock. I think we must study her, for a time at least." . . His young wife was standing with her. arid on the mantelshelf, her hand supporting her head. Her eyes. were closed; she looked quite ill. .. . He approached her, and it V/as with an effort that he restrained himself from, stretching out his arms and drawing her to the shelter of his heart. This he could not do,' but the cold, harsh note had gone from his voice when he spoke again. __ " I entreat you to go to rest. lam really anxious about you. Good night." He held out his hand, but Patricia's eyes were still closed, and she did not see it. He turned away, and she heard him leave the cottage and walk down the path into the roadway beyond. Then half-blinded with her tears she made her way to her room. " Wha|#have I done?" she said to herself, as she went. " I have hurt himl have ■hurt myself! I have made things thousand times worse than they were !"

CHAPTER XIX. THE HOME-COMIXG.

It would be impossible to describe the amazement that prevailed in the neighbourhood of the farm and the Manor House when the news of Hugo Bulstrode' s marriage was made known to everybody. _ The rector and his wife a.t first regarded it as a hoax. : " It cannot be true, dear," remarked Mrs. Morrison. "Why, Patricia and lie have scarcely exchanged half-a-dozen words." But the rector said nothing. _He was greatly troubled, as well as surprised. He let his wife talk on for a time, and when she was silent lie said: " I am afraid I am a little to blame in. this. I neglected Patricia." Then, woman-like, Mrs. Morrison began to see the bright side of the matter and to shape a romance. " After, all, Arthur," slio said, " it really is a very fine marriage for them both, and it puts ail end to that ridiculous quarrel which 110 one lias ever understood. And now wo need not worry any more about Par tricia; she will be. a very rich woman. And you really like Hugo Bulstrode, dear, don't you?" Mrs. Morrison added, looking at her husband a little anxiously. " Why, only the other day you were saying what a fine nature he has."

The rector smiled faintly. " Yes, I said that. I think it, too. Still, I regret this marriage—or, rather," he added, "I regret the way in which it has been, brought about. I fear one of them, if not both, will feel as I do latex- on."

"Well," said Mrs. Morrison, growing very enthusiastic 011 the subject, "I don't altogether agree with you, Arthur! Really, the more I think about it the more I am pleased. Huge Bulstrode is a man whom any woman might be proud to marry—and then poor Patricia has had so much unhappiness. Now she will be able to hold her own with anyone." Just as she was leaving her husband's study, however, one aspect of the case came to Mrs. Morrison's mind which had not presented itself before. - "There is only one drawback," she said, " and that is Miss Bulstrode. I am afraid this will upset her dreadfully, Arthur.

Perhaps that is why she is ill now. I wish Patricia 'had written to us. I wonder where they were married? I always pictured you officiating at the marriage of Patricia Chesterton."

"We all make 'our little plans, my dear," said the rector, with his pleasant smile: and then, as he bent over his writing, his wife understood that he wished to be alone, and she withdrew. But she little realised how truly her husband mourned over what he feared was the outcome of a girl's impetuosity and impatience of mental suffering. He had no knowledge as to how this marriage had been brought about, but lie was shrewd, and he needed no words to tell him that, Hugo Bulstrode might havecourted Patricia Chesterton for many months and years without success, had not the girl's nature .been warped by. sorrow and mortified pride. .'"Happily," the rector said to himself, after a while, these things do not lie in our hands."

When lie went forth that day he.found, himself beset by everybody who wished, for information. He had to confess that lie was as much in the Hark as everybody else.

The marriage was the sensation of the hour, and everybody was concerned to know how Janet Bulstrode would accept such a curious and unexpected event. Sitting alone in her shadowed room, the proud, jealous woman knew perfectly well that she was being discussed ill . this fashion—knew perfectly well that the whole neighbourhood would be alive with eager curiosity. , Two days- after Hugo had been to see her she received a few lines, from" him, They ran: — "My wife and I -have resolved to return to the Manor House at once. It is Patricia's earnest desire, as it is mine, that you should make your plans to remain with us as long as you care to do so." ■ For a moment Ja.net Bulstrode's spirit was filled with a sense of. triumph. She had prepared herself to be driven away. She had even commenced to plan in' her mind where she would go and what she, would do. This weakness on • the ptfrt of Hugo changed all those plans. "As long as I care to stay," she repeated to herself. "Perhaps Mrs. Bulstrode will be- surprised, as time goes on, • to see bow long that is." That day Janet Bulstrode left her room and went downstairs. Save that she, .was. thinner, and that her eyes seemed more.fierce and restless, there was nothing to, mark the fact that she had passed - through a great mental battle. With her old, calm stateliness she began to make preparations for the reception of her brother and his wife. ' '' "

Outwardly she determined no one should find a flaw in her conduct. There was to be no ostentatious display, but the master and nominal mistress of the Manor House should be received with fitting state and honour. The butler was tactful enough to keep to himself the fact that , his master had already commissioned him to do those things which Miss Bujstro'de now . desired should be done. ? , When, therefore, Hugo Bulstrode , and Patricia arrived at Starchester Station they found the most splendid of carriages waiting for them, and what seemed, to the girl, a small retinue . of- servants. , ; : Lady Crosland had hurriedly purchased a few clothes for her friend while they had been in London, and had purposely chosen garments that had only a halfmourning suggestion. Patricia had never, worn colours since her father's death, but Lady Crosland had- argued to herself that as a bride she could not be all the time, in black. She , looked very sweet, . and: lovely, and fresh in her gown and hat of softest grey, with a collar of rare old lace. To . her dismay, the girl' found herself the centre of a little crowd when she passed to her carriage. Someone put a large bouquet of flowers into her hand.. It seemed to her that the eyes of all the world were fixed upon her. She said nothing, nor would her smiles come easily, but Hugo Bulstrode showed himself in an absolutely new light; He had a handshake for everybody, and a hearty word of thanks for the good wishes poured , out upon him, and as the carriage rolled away, and he sat beside his wife, he lifted his hat and the crowd gave a little cheer. As they passed out into the streets lie murmured to Patricia his regrets. ./ * . V. "I am so sorry. If I had known of this I would have taken steps to prevent it," he said, earnestly. And : the girl, suffering; nervous, even modified, answered him coldly: ' ' "Oh, it. .does not matter." Then, halfbitterly : : Nothing matters." :"; AIL through that long, sunlit drive fi'dßfl*. Starchester they sat dumb, side by side. Both of them felt the mockery ■of the thing. To the man there came that hideous conviction that she was picturing to herself such a homeward drive with Hubert Dalborough sitting where he sat, and once there came buzzing in ' his ears • the words'that Janet had said:

• "You love her—so much the worse for you— she loves him!" But there was the same spirit of pride in both their natures, and as they drew nearer to the Manor House, passing groups of familiar faces on- the road, they .woke to the fact that they had to play .their! parts, no mater what it cost them to do. so.

Patricia forced a smile to her lips and nodded brightly as she swept past people whom 'she had known all her life. The smile lingered on her lips as the carriage drew, up at last at ; the • entrance to the Manor House. But as she saw , Janet Bui-' strode standing in the background, \ tall, forbidding, and cold, . the: girl's lips trembled, she' felt the need of comfort and' encouragement. Just for' an: instant . she pressed nearer to Hugo; and he, eager to give her all the support possible, gripped her hand. It was the action of an instant,: but it had ' not escaped the eyes of the woman who was waiting to receive them,' and the sight of what she imagined .was a demonstration of tenderness made' her heart , contract. . *

The next moment she had advanced, and the two women were : touching hands. Then, at a signal, from her, the servants, led by Hay ward, gave a ringing cheer in welcome of; their master and mistress. It was as much as Patricia , could do to keep back the tears. There was something so genuine in the. shout given.by these people, most of whom had known her ever since she had been a child.' Indeed, the tears did come as Hugo took her hand, and drawing it through his" arm, turned to thank all those surrounding him for their very affectionate greeting. ' Then the excitement passed, and Patricia found herself being led up the broad staircase to the rooms which were allotted to the mistress of the Manor House. Here she found a new evidence of Hugo Bulstrode's wonderful thoughtfulness. Barlow could not be with her, but there, standing in the room waiting to receive her, was one of the maids from .the farm, and the sight of this familiar face was like a gleam of golden sunshine to the girl in this strange hour.

It was with difficulty that she restrained herself from throwing her arms about , the woman and utterly breaking down. The servant, on her side, was trembling with nervousness and excitement. In the old days Barlow had been most jealous of anyone in the household who had wished to_ wait on Patricia, or do the smallest tiling for the girl, and this maid, Miriam, could hardly believe in her good fortune now.

She thought that " Miss Patricia'' had grown more lovely and taller, though she seemed very, very thin,, and the eagerness with which her young mistress plied her with questions conveyed nothing more to her than a natural interest in the farm and her old home./ She had no conception that Patricia was quivering with nervousness and excitement combined, and talked, scarcely knowing what she' said. "We all feel lost there without you, miss—l do beg your pardon," Miriam added. "It don't seem natural to say 'ma'am' yet. But, oh, miss, what a lovely oid house this is! Aren't these rooms' beautiful?" ' Patricia looked about her. She was indeed housed as though she were a queen. There was nothing modern about her, the furniture was the work of hands dead for generations, the appointments were oldfashioned, yet indescribably comfortable. (To be continued on Wednesday next)