A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15002, 25 May 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABBANdEMEJIT.

WHAT WAS HER SECRET!

BY ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT,

Author of "By Eight, of Sword," " The Man who was Dead." " A Dash for a Throne," "In the Name of a Woman," "The ' Case of Lady Broadstone." *' The Queen's Advocate," etc., eta.

COPYBIGHT.

CHAPTER XXll.—Continued.

Birr in the meantime other forces were at work of which he had the first intimation in a letter from Elinor that evening. "My sister is here. Can you come to us at once?"

Agatha had received Elinor's message .directly upon her arrival in London and had hurried to Fraglington. Elinor had broken the news as gently as possible, but had been taken entirely by surprise by .its effect upon her sister.

" Of course you see that the thing must be hushed up, Elinor. It is largely your doing. You arranged everything with the man; you told me he had sailed in that boat to America, and that as the boat went down he was drowned. If you hadn't told me I was free, of course I shouldn't have married Edward. You got me into the mess and you must get me out of it. The one thing essential is that Edward should not hear a syllable."

" I told you only what I believed, Agatha," replied Elinor, rightly indignant at the charge.

" I don't mean that you did it intentionally, of course but the fact remains that it was your doing all the same. Anyone can sea that; although.l don't want to reproach you. The thing is what is to be done? How much does he want to hold his tongue

" But if you are Gilbert Paxton?B wife, how can you go on living as you are " You don't suppose I wish to go back to him, do you ? lam not his wife, I refuse to listen to any such suggestion." "I think that Mr. Carrington should be told and everything left for him to decide, Agatha. I went up to London to tell him." ..■*•

" You did what!" exclaimed Agatha-in a tone of horror. "Thank goodness, we were on the Continent then. How could you be so mad? Can't you see what it would mean to me if Edward knew? Do you imagine for a moment that I should drawn of giving up everything I now enjoy merely because this man has played such a trick on me?"

"But, Agatha. . . ■'."'■ "I don't want to hear any 'buts,' and I won't listen to them. I'll tell you quite Elainly why I mean that the thing must be ushed up. If my husband/ had even a glimpse of suspicion of the truth he would put me out of his life. You may think he would not; but I know him. He loves me but there is something he loves much better—his ideal of honour. Have you thought what my position would be then !.'■ Elinor shook her head hopelessly. ' " It's no use doing that. You can shake your head until it falls off, but it won't alter the facts. I should be absolutely disgraced; not one of all my women friends would speak to me; I might even be prosecuted for what I did m all innocence. In other words, my life would be a hell to me. Do you believe I would endure that even for a day, or an hour ? No. No. A thousand times no. I could not. I should kill myself. You may start and look shocked; but I should. I am not cast, in your mould and don't pretend to be very brave; but I could be bravo enough to do that, although I should not be brave enough to try and live such scandal down. No, I tell you plainly that there are only two alternatives— this thing must be kept from my husband's ears or I shall kill myself. That is what I mean when I. tell you you must get me out of this'." Elinor tried for hours to move her from this resolution; but absolutely in vain. Agatha's threat to kill herself in the event of the scandal being known, hardened into a fixed and definite purpose from which it was impossible to dissuade her; and it was when she realised the futility of her attempt that Elinor sent for Jack; a course to which her sister readily agreed. "It will be better for a man to arrange the thing," she agreed; "and if your ill'. Shuttleworth is what you say he will be able to deal with him. Not that I care what he asks. Whatever it is it must be j paid. It is nothing less than my own life that I have to buy," „ She said much the same to Jack when he arrived and the position had been ex- I plained, and grew angry i ; when he hesi-I tated. "Surely you must see it as I do, Mr. Shuttleworth?"

He looked very grave. "My hesitation is due to quite another cause, Mrs. Carrington. Unfortunately, Paxton is not. the only person who knows this. His silence is no longer of such importance.' She started, the colour left her cheeks and she trembled violently. "Tell me," she murmured, hor voice suddenly low and unsteady. . * t " I feel for you deeply ,* but it is no uso to attempt to mink the facts. He has already told Mr. Wilfred Howell." ,- ; Elinor was deeply agitated at this, but her sister breathed a fervent sigh of relief. "He will. not speak of it, said Agatha confidently; but seeing -Jack's, troubled looks and Elinor's agitation she added: " What is behind this?"

He made no reply, but Elinor understood his silence. " x You have seen him she asked. He nodded. "Please tell us." ..:■.■".

"But he will do anything' for you, Elinor," interjected Agatha. " The price of his silence is your consent to marry him," said Jack to Elinor

Agatha looked searchingly ' from one to the other. "Thank heaven it is no worse," she exclaimed, in a tone of intense relief. " For the moment you frightened me, Mr. Shuttleworth. Of course you won't hesitate, Elinor."

Jack turned away to conceal from them both his indignation at the callous selfishness of this demand. He knew that Elinor's happiness depended upon • her reply; it was the crisis of her life and of his also. But the decision was one which she must make for herself; and he left it to her, unwilling to influence her by so much as a single gesture or glance. Elinor was profoundly distressed. Ho could tell by the sound of her laboured breathing during the tense pause which followed.

"Elinor!" appealed her sister. "You don't mean that you would think of refusing? You can't!" '

"You do not know what you are asking, Agatha. Mr. Howell is as hateful to me as Gilbert Paxton is to you."

A startling change came over Agatha at this, and she appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Her face was ashen grey, her features drawn and haggard, a deep sob of despair burst from her lips, her eyes glanced wildly round the room as she realised all that the words meant to her. Her lips moved once or twice during the pause, but no sound came. Elinor moved forward to her side, but Agatha shrank from her, cowering back in ! her seat. j

"I am sorry, Agatha, but you must not ask this of me," said Elinor. "It is your duty to tell Mr. Carrington everything. To remain with him as his wife will be a life of sin and misery for you, every hour of which will be haunted by tho fear of discovery. But even if I thought otherwise I could not marry Wilfred Howell."

"Then you would rather have me kill myself," murmured Agatha, her voice broken and hoarse with anguish. "You tell mo to do it."

"Agatha!" cried Elinor iu horrified dis>

may. Another tense pause followed and Agatha, glancing again round the room, caught sight of a Bible on a table close to her elbow. She snatched it ujv and rising pressed her livid lips to it passionately. "It is true," she eaid in a low clear tone', distinct with deliberate purpose. "If this horrible secret is to be told I swear on this Bible that I will not live to face my husband." And she pressed her lips again solemnlv upon the Bible. ■■•■'' "Agatha!" . .., : , ' All three turned towards, the speaker, and Agatha uttered a cry of terror as ber

eyes met those of her husband, who bad . '„ entered the room and stood gazing X her in questioning alarm and agitation. For a few seconds they stood thus ; and then Agatha collapsed; the Bible slipped from her nerveless lingers, and she fell nilconscious into her chair.

. CHAPTER XXIII. A SACRIFICE WORSE THAN DEATH. When Agatha fainted , Mr. Carringtoif and Elinor hurried to her, and Jack took advantage of the moment to leave tha room. He remained in the passage, as ha was anxious to see Elinor, and presently she came to him.

"Agatha is conscious again, and I have thought it best to leave them together,'* she said. " What a scene it was!" ' " Will she tell him?" Elinor threw up her hands with a sigh. "I am afraid not. I don't know what to do or what to think of it all."

" You were right. Ho ought to be told." " But that oath," she murmured distressfully. " She has no right to demand such a sacrifice from you.' "No. No right,' she answered, with a significant emphasis on the word. "But if she were to kill herself I would never know another happy hour. In a way fih« is right when she says it was my doing. It was I who told her that the man was dead and that she was free, although heaven knows I believed it and acted in all innocence. Still, it was my doing. "But you urged her to tell CarringtoH about it all before she married him." " I don't know what to think; but thai) oath of hers has frightened me.", < _ "Do you believe she would keep it?" " I wish I did not. But in the old time she tried to poison herself. lam desperately frightened. She is subject to moods of the most morbid depression, and at such times is capable of almost any, madness." "How is it that he has com© here?"' asked Jack, after a pause, wishing to turn! her thoughts in another direction, "Very simply. He saw her agitation afi the message I left for her in London, and followed her. He missed her at the station, and it has taken him until now to find out that she has come here. He saya he found the door open, and hearing her voice he entered the room when wo saw; him.". . ', At this moment Agatha, called Elinor. " Shall I stay?" asked Jack anxiously. "I think better not. It can do nd. good." " You will not do anything until you have seen me again? Promise me that. ' She hesitated, but gave tie promise, and Jack left-the house. ' "Agatha has told me everything abonti this terrible affair," said Mr. Carringtott as Elinor returned to the little room. • "I am very glad," said Elinor with a sigh of relief. "I told her it was the.; only thing to do." "lam intensely sorry for you, and al« though we have not met before I have heard so much in your praise from Agatha that lam sure you are not. to blame. If there is any way in which I can bo of help to you I will do anything in my power. I feel the deepest sympathy fori you," ~.-■ • Elinor looked from one to the other in! perplexity. Mr. Cdrriagton had risen oil her entrance, but resumed his seat by his wife's side and took her band in his. " X don't think • I quite' understand," eaid Elinor. ;

Agatha answered this. "I have told Edward about, the reason* for your leaving home, Elinor, your recent trouble about your child, and the ■ monstrous' sus- ' picions that were entertained—everything, in fact," " Agatha was most sympathetic,'' said Carrington; " and I assured her that she) need not have had the slightest, fear tbati:.;-' },% our relations would he in the least degree) ; affected by. those facts becoming known. Her fear, on that account is really the measure of her love for you; for us both, in fact. I heard what she said in her ex- , citement as I entered ; but I need scarcely assure you that I should never permit. such a matter as, this trouble of yours to affect our relations. ' At the same ttme x I agree entirely with her in thinking that, if it can >.* be kept" secret,' it will be far the best thing iu the interests of us all." . ' This rilhar long speech, deHjered with an air of Almost patronising ' uidulgenpe, \ gave Elinor time to collect heytJjfiitJ'gh'tS** - and understand , what ' A?atha coeant in ' saying that she had fold her husband " everything." It wis an ; entirely falsa position; and Elinor .vould have repudiated it instantly had it not been for the agony of; termor and suspense which sho , road in Agatha's eyes. But she: was at a loss what to say. "It is very good of ;yon, Mr. Carritgton. but— sho began, when her sister broke in with nervous, trembling eagerness. ; ;, , ' '' •'■ '.. ' "I have told Edward that it .will probably be necessary to pay this wretch who is persecuting you, Elinor, and r of course we shall willingly see to that being done," This was even worse than Elinor had expected. ' Agatha had put everything . upon her, and; now sought.to make her a party to a deception by which Mrl Car* 'rington should pay the hush-money to j Paxton in the belief that ho was doing it for Elinor. "I must have some time to think. I—-X cannot decide now," she stammered.', " Cannot decide what?" asked Carrington, in considerable surprise that an offer which he regarded as very generous should be received with hesitation and without* thanks. ■' , - , ■•'■ '.'■ MI am not yet inclined to—•to," she al< tered, and stopped as Agatha turned, ant imploring look upon her. / - t , . " I can understand your agitation, of '. course," said Caxrinjfton placidly. If Agatha was so tressed and excited, 1 naturally you, • who are so much more con- >> cerned than she is, would be much more affected. But at the same time I would strongly urge you to consider 1 the advisability of avoiding publicity if it can possibly be arranged. I have, as I say, every sympathy with you in your trouble; and I trust that I have proved that in the offer; , which Agatha; has explained. But: I dpthink that you owe something to your sis-;• .;;•,; ter, and, if 1 may say so, to myself. lam very jealous of my good name and of that of all connected! with me; and if the scandal were once voiced it is impossible to tell how wide-reaching the effects might be." ' " Scandal?" repeated Elinor quickly. "It pains me even to mention it, but I' refer of course to your child." , '."' Elinor could not restrain her anger and indignation, and* seeing it in her eyes, Agatha rose quickly, and went to her. "For God's sake spare me," she whispered entreatingly putting her arras round Elinor's neck; and "adding aloud for her husband to hear : " Think of all it may mean to' Ruth"'also, dear." " There is another thing I should like to say," continued Carrington. "Agatha tells me there is a good man who, knowing everything, wishes to make you his wife, Mr. Wilfred Howell. You have avoided him hitherto; but will you let me counsel you to become his wife and put an end to this—this somewhat crude manner of existence It is not the. sort of life which Agatha's sister should live. Provision can be made for your child—" . . "Stop, please, I" can bear no more ol v this," cried Elinor distractedly. ; ; " Elinor ? -Wip r !" exclaimed her sister, dreading the revelation which she saw was hovering on Elinor's lips; and as she spoke someone knocked at the door of tho cottage. ';; ■ '•>.■ ■''".. r ' , It was the " good man," as Carrington had called him, Wilfred Howell; and when she saw him Elinor would have shut the door in his face had he not prevented her j by pushing his way into the room, saying) j as he passed her, "I have.something to say to you that cannot wait, Elinor." He started .at the sight of Carrington, and Agatha, and would have retreated» but the former rose and offered his hand. " I am very glad you have come : at this ■"■ moment, Mr. Howell, You,can help ***'"■■■■■ all in a position of great difllcttlty.'* " I am always willing and ready to help Elinor, I 'think knows : that/' replied Howell, turning to hex as she followed him into the mom. "What is the trouble?" and fee "looked from one to the other,.' ■:,_ ; :.::: 5 , ';+■'". \r\. '.f >::;v - •-;;;-..•;.; ;i?;v/; f : *' It is a very painful family affair; bet as'you are so closely connected with Miss Murray I am sure we all feel you ought ,to be taken into the . consultation. You know the distressing farts., but I will briefly run over them," He repeated what his wife had told him, and Howell listened greedily, drinking in every word until ha understood exactly the position, and saw how he could turn it to account. ," Just before* ybu came in," concluded Carrington, "I was urging my sist*ir-in4aw to do what I believe you hm^h&mt® , your W wife.". ■- : - : v'^' : ¥P*' ; CTe he continued d»i* -/ K .