A LOVE DREAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13055, 21 December 1905, Page 3

A LOVE DREAM

~ BY OWEN MASTERS,: Author of " For Love of Marjorie," " Her Soldier Lover," ■"Nina's Repentance, " The Mystery of AVoodcrof t," etc., etc., etc. CHAPTER XVII. "i HAVE I'ItOMISED TO MAKKY IVOR • ; clovklmjy!" .-■-, ,_ '"'■■■ The beautiful- woods, tho glowing gardens and undulating fields, the emerald terraces and lawn that surrounded Clovelley Park, lay basking in the siniles of golden morning. Happy birds were singing in tiie trees* and all nature was attuned to, melody. Several weeks had passed since the memorable storm, and it was whipered that Rachel Clovelley would not leave the Park after all. Everybody was pleased— the servants, the tenants, the villagers, and the neighbours— but Rachel herself 1 People wondered why her engagement to her cousin was not publicly announced, but none doubted that it was . tacitly admitted. That Ivor Clovelley was passionately in love with Rachel was apparent to all. In his blundering way he shouted it from the housetops; he was her abject slave, and at the same time her tyrant and master. ■ ■ '"' . -. Rachel was strolling in the grounds, and enjoying the soft and mellow warmth of the late summer morning. Yes, autumn would soon be painting the leaves with russet, and red, and gold. The cornfields were turning yellow, and the orchards were teeming with fruit. Rachel's face was pale and thin. She had been far from well for some time. It was the worrythe uncertainty of the present—the dread of impending disaster in the • future. ; ' ' A step sounded in the drive, quick and firm.' She knew it intuitively. Ivor Ciovelley walked • heavily. This footfall was elastic, electric; it belonged to Arthur Coventry, whom she had not seen since his confession -of love. ■ She turned and faced him, the rich colour flying to her face, and he was startled by the. change in her. _ "'■'/;.- * "Rachel,"" he said, simply, "I bavo waited a long time." "You promised to call." Her colour had gone, .and she was strongly agitated. "Yes, and I came half-wav —once during the big storm, as C-lovelley /will testify, and again the evening of the same day."' He took her arm, and his touch thrilled her. "Let us go to yonder seat, Rachel. • You are trembling like a leaf." A v brief silence fell upon them; then Coventry spoke gently. ; . v "I have come for my answer, Rachel. Don't you think that I have been very patient? Rumours have reached mebub I. would not believe. I always remembered that you had confessed to liking me, and loving you so much I could not doubt you." Rachel's face was turned away, and when she tried to speak the words died in her throat. " I am waiting," he reminded her, softly. " And I have com© for my answer because I heard that you were in trouble, and I want the rignt to bear your burdens." - She shivered, and withdrew her hand from his. , f ' ' "It is impossible, Mr. 'Coventry," she breathed. " Forget all that has ever passed between us. It will be the greatest kindness you can do me. I shall never know the' meaning of happiness again in this life." "Nonsense! Most people; suffer under similar delusions at some time in their lives, and they all live to smile at the foolish phantoms conjured up by their own excited imaginations. Your troubles will never scare me off—the more the merrier for me, I mean. A princess or a beggarmaid, my darling, you are all the same, to me. You have read of Beatrice and Dante? "' All- ending with her eyes. Hell, purgatory, paradise!'" " You are making it. very hard for me, Mr. Coventry." Rachel said, faintly. A long-drawn sigh escaped her. "You have made it hard for me, too. I want the barrier, if there be one, swept awav, so that we can stand- in the clear sunshine, heart to heart. I have come early because I wanted to talk to you without chance of interruption. I-know that Ivor Clovelley never rises until ten o'clock." , She started when he spoke her cousin's name, and looked him straight in the eyes. "All that you wish is impossible, Mr. Coventry. I have promised, to marry Ivor Ciovelley. Now go—for pity's sake, go!" He did not move. A lark was poised above them, carolling a song of ecstatic rapture. The tall trees rustled, gently in the golden sunshine, and the air was fresh and' free. "I have heard that!' he said, presently, "and have hot wholly believed. Having it from your own lips I must know why', because you don't even respect Clovelley, while you are, in a measure, bound to me. Rachel, I am not the man to let my happiness go without a struggle," . " You assume too much, Mr. Coventry," was the half-haughty..rejoinder; then, tearfully, ." Have you no pity?" " I have what is more—a fountain of love for one woman, and you are that woman!" He seized her hand again in a frenzy of passion, and kissed, it. "You will marry me, Rachel, and nobody else. I don't care what other arrangements you make— and Ciovelley." '-*•'; ;; ; She smiled at him through her tears. " I must many my cousinit is all settled for the first week in the New Year. Now, I will say as much as I dare. I don't love, himl don't respect him; I i am really afraid of hun, but there is no 1 escape. Even you' are powerless to help . me—"

Her utterance was choked by sobs, and he piacea one arm round her neck. "I am going to kiss your lips, Rachel, and it will pot be the.last time. ■ I shall come again to-morrow and ©very day, until you can truthfully say that you love your cousin best." ' Rachel broke away from him, wild-eyed and panting. The throb-throb of- an automobile smote the silence. "That is Ivor's motor-ear," she said. "I cannot face him now. Good-bye!" '• "I hoard of his investment; I'll wait for him here. . To-morrow, sweetheart!" Rachel vanished, and Coventry lighted a cigar. His face wore an expression halfsatisfied— determined. He strolled in the direction of the drive, and leaned against a tree until the automobile hove into view. Then he straightened himself, and waited. , , "Now, what shall I say to" the man?" lie thought. "It is certain that we shall not be on ordinary speaking terms for very long!" The automobile came to a standstill, and Clovelley ordered his chauffeur .to " clear out" in' his own unique way, adding, as ho-jumped'to the ground: "'The smell of your cigar has set me longing, and' I'm going to light up myself. What are you doing here, Coventry "I called to see Miss Rachel Clovelley." "And have you seen heri"' Yes." ,-•"■•, ■'•■■' Ivors brow darkened. "H'rn! I was here twice yesterday, and «he was invisible. Better, I hope, this morning?" "I came upon her accidentally," Coventry continued, coolly. " and she appears to me to be ill. She has returned to her room." "' ' . • "Oh, well, it's no business of yours. Coventry. So we'll drop ■ the subject of Miss Clovelley. You want my decision, about the well, I suppose? Fact is, old man,' -omebody else has undertaken the work, so you needn't worry your head about it .any-more. I -want' it done mv way, and you object to taking orders, so you and I car' agree on that point. lam glad to see -that your head, is- all, right again, -and shall do myself the pleasure of calling at the Red House.one of these days. I am interested m machinery." My , .workshops, are. . not on view," Coventry answered. ■-, ....•' ~-.■.,•■ . -"Oh ! ! You' don't think that I want to prig your blooming, ideas, do you? I.call that 'dashed ~ unfriendly. Coventry, ■; my dear fellow, you owe me an apology." " Nothing,of the sort. You invite yourself to my place, and I decline to receive you—that is all!" .

Clovelley stared,- and his face reddened. '"Is this a studied insult?. Mad ..about the well, I suppose! I can comfortably dispense , with your friendship." >■■' "It was'never yours, and never will be!' Coventry spoke , With-' heat. There was mora in his heart, but he wisely forebore for Rachel's sake. " Ivor was white with passion. Have you come to Clovelley Park to tell me this?" His voice trembled, and he advanced a step, threateningly. "I am here to tell you . that my contempt for a bully and a coward is immeasurable. You are forcing Miss Clovelley into a marriage that is distasteful to her—or, I .should say, attempting to do so, because it will nob be, realised." Ho met Olovelley's flaming eyes . unflinchingly, '~-. a bitter smile wreathing his lips. "And what business is this of yours? How dare you lecture me—how dare you interfere? You've got a be© in your bonnet because I won't sell you the picking of my estate. Your lease is a short one, arid when it expires out you go! And if my cousin has been complaining to you, I'll make her marry me within a month, or know the- reason why! I am. one of the best fellows in the world until my corns are stepped on. Now, you can go, Mr. Coventry, and take my advice: Don't set foot in Clovelley Park again, or take the consequences!" "I'm afraid I must run the risk," was the scornful rejoinder. "Miss Clovelley expects mo to-morrow at this hour, and I never disappoint a. lady, if I can help it." ':'-■• i

He raised his cap mockingly, and turned on his heel. ... . „ , ... \ -

: "I am afraid that I have precipitated matters too soon," he reflected. He stood irresolute at the end of the drive. " Shall I, go back? No, Rachel has nothing to fear. That maid of hers—Helen. Gray, I think she is calledis devoted to her, and between them they should be a match for' that good-natured blackguard, Ivor Clovelley."

CHAPTER XVIII.

IVOR clovelley's uncertain temper.

Clovelley was in a tremendous rage, and the servants soon knew it. He stamped through the hall, and in and out of most of .the rooms, on the ground floor, shouting at the top of his voice. In the midst of this violent outburst, Rachel walked downstairs, pale, but determined.

Perhaps you will confine your remarks to mo in some sort of privacy," she said, scathingly. " The servants are quite unused to scenes that are usually associated with the tap-room of a public-house!" He looked rather foolish for a moment, abashed by the haughty stare in her flashing eyes!. Then he answered, sullenly: "I am sick of being played with, and want an understanding." She pointed to. the library door. " I am glad of an opportunity. to settle matters, once and for all, Mr. Clovelley." " Oh, very well!" "Now," Rachel continued, closing the door. " What is your grievance?" She endeavoured to appear calm, but failed to control her .voice, and her heart was surging into her throat. "Don't look at me like that, Rachel, and don't speak so!" Ivor pleaded. "I know that 1 am a beast, but the provocation 1 have received would drive any man to , the verge ,'of madness. I love you better than anything else in the world, and you ought to make some allowances." • She sat down,' shivering. "I'll humble myself on my knees if you will'say that 1,, am forgiven. I shall go' mad if you .turn against me. Listen to me, Rachel. I. met that man Coventry at my very doors, and the language he used was most ungentlemanly. He attacked me unexpectedly, and championed your- cause, as though he was a brother, or, he added, viciously, "a lover! You have refused to gee me for two whole days, and yet I find you complaining to this man about me."

"I have said nothing that I dare not repeat to your face. Such exhibitions as these are cowardly, and I have no respect for you, Ivor Clovelley." /'Good heavens! hat am I to do?" He banged round tlbe room in a frenzy of passion. " Don't I love you better than the whole World besides! Look at the inconvenience I am putting up with now! Months in lodgings when'this is my rightful home. I've got your sister on my hands, and your insolent servants-rail to please you. I've turned my mother adrift, cut my oldest friends, and made myself utterly miserable —all for you !" "I am sorry," Rachel answered. Her face brightened momentarily. "If I am a source of so much trouble, why don't you let mo go? I can never make you happy, and married to you life would be a living death to me."

His face purpled, and he tore at his collar. ' . '

'•■Oh, Rachel, and I worship you! How can.you: balk in this way?" "Your worship is of a peculiar kind," ,she said, contemptuously. "I liked you at first; I thought yon simple and kindhearted. But when you spoke of love, you filled mo with pity and disgust. Then you stooped to threats. My sister had used your money, and you swore that .she. had committed* a dreadful crime." She shuddered, and a moan passed her lips. " You thus hold mo in bondage—a tyrant's slave." * Clovelley was filled with remorse. His eyes were wet with tears. "Rachel! Rachel! Forgive," he whispered, hoarsely." "I lore you—l love you! Arid it is this overmastering passion that caused me to talk and act like a madman. I was afraid of losing you, and I was terrified. As for Clyda, and her follies, the kindest that we can do is to believe her to be irresponsible. lam as certain that she shot poor Dick Walton and pushed him into ' the well as I stand here before you, and it is my duty as well as yours to shield her. I found his hat and the pistol, which you confess was the one Olyda used ; for target practice; 1 saw the evidences of a struggle, and promptly obliterated them! And since that night she has been a different girl. You have remarked it yourself. She knows that Dick Walton can trouble her no more! Then the banknotes that he received in exchange for her cheque have never been cashed. Rachel, Walton's dead body is at the bottom of the well in the pines, and we have to guard the secret. This is no threat, dear one. If 1. have ever used it as such, I am sorry; I only think that it is a link that should bind" us closer; and if I ever niter an unkind word to you, or am guilty of an unkind action again, may heaven punish' me as I deserve to be punished!" "I have heard this sort of thing before. Your moods are SO' uncertain." " Do you want to drive me mad?" 7 She loked at his distorted face and i bloodshot eyes, and her heart failed her. ■It was useless to struggle against fate, and the die was cast, And the future as the wife of Ivor Clovelley was lik'- a desert i* without water or leaf.

"You forgive me, Rachel?" " Yes—freely and fully." He uttered a cry of joy. Coventry made me jealous, but I will not refer to him again. Oh. Rachel, you have made me happy—happier than I ever hoped to be." "I will write to Mr. Coventry, and tell him that the doors of Clovelley Park are closed to him in future." Her voice was cold-and even, and she spoke like one in a trance. My plans are made, Ivor, and there shall be no turning back." He listened hopefully—expectantly. "We might give Coventry the go-by, as far-as that letter is concerned," he pleaded. " I know now that he was mistaken." " - • ■ ■ ■, • •'

But she silenced him with a- gesture, at the same-time rising from her seat. ■ " And our mai-riage can take place- much earlier '"than January-—I don't car© how soon. You are at liberty to make who* announcements— arrangements '' you please.. I only want all,things accomplished which , are necessary to the regulation of my'life until—the end comes." ; A dry sob burst from her lips as she hastily left the room, and Ivor Clovelley stood, the picture of triumph and dismay. For a* full hour he waited for Rachel to come back, but in vain. " Yes," he decided at last, "she is right; it will be better to end this sort of thing. As my wife I can teach her to love mc, and I can soon drive the notion from her mind that I have forced this marriage upon her. I am giving her love, wealth, and everything that goes to make a woman happy. It is that unhappy sister. , . . Now if

we could prove Dick Walton's death to be due to an accident!" . ' • He walked slowly from the house, but looked back several times, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rachel. '. r V '•' ■""' : ' Somebody was singing in the -garden, and he recognised". the voice at"? once;, it was Clyda Clovelley's, and she seemed to' be merrily inclined:, "To be handsome, young and twenty-two, With, nothing else on earth to do, But all day long to. bill and coo— It were a pleasant calling!" . ;,• "Oh, is that you, Mr. Ivor Clovelley?" she added. " I heard you making a ninny of yourself, and a laughing stock for the kitchen! - But of course you must assert your authority, eh? Thank goodness I am not to be under your rule for .very long. When Athol Glenwood comes home, my way lies over there." She pointed to the towers of Gleiiwood Hall, looming plainly through a break in the trees. " I have been" watching the men fill in the well," she concluded. " Horrid place! She passed on, and he was speechless. " Sho lias lost her reason," he thought. " There can't be a -doubt about that. Her f—her eyes —are absolutely radiant. And then—the "reference to Clenwood's homecoming!" He looked after her. "Poor thing! But it's all for the best. It will soften the blow for us when the truth is known, and it must become known some day!" And in the meanwhile Rachel was writing to Arthur Coventry, a cold, decisive letter which admitted of no single doubt, and was final in every sense of the word. For reasons which she could not explain she was to be married, at an early date, to her cousin, Ivor Clovelley, and in future they were to be strangers. This terrible letter she posted with her own hands, and as it dropped into the box it sounded the death knell of her last sweet hope! •■'..-.'. ,■ ■~ . (To be continued daily.)