SHORT STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18335, 27 February 1923, Page 10

SHORT STORY.

THE TWO LADY ANNES. BY THE HON.. MBS. ARTHUR HENNIK.EE. (Copyright? Edgar Somerville had come in from his ride. Ha was tired and muddy, and his face looked older than when he had set oat some three hours Before. He banged the door of his sitting room, and strolled towards the window. The rain was falling in a steady downpour, the air that came in through the open casement into this snuggest corner of the Manor House was curiously mild for December, and smelt of wet earth and evergreens. Raindrops hanging on the long blades of grass under dripping bushes glittered under a dull splash of red, where the sun was just going down. Edgar stared out gloomily. This Christmas Eve was so different from the one of his dreams. An hour or two hence, a fev? dull relations, his old tutor, and a college friend or two would arrive, and he felt thankful that he had suggested a lata train for their advent. He would have more time to think over his blunders, to wonder whether it was all his fault, or a little hers. The sound of the pattering rain on the leaves, the brave efforts of a drenched robin to sing, the far away voices of children going home, the dreary lowing of a bullockhow sad it all seemed, how unlike the,, rollicking Christmas of atones and plays, of laughter and joyous greetings. He shut the window and drew the curtains across it, and went over to the fire. Hero at least was to be found the cheer- j fulness of cracking logs, of pleasant books, of a luxurious chair that invited him to sleep, if only he had felt less worried and restless. The beautiful old mirror over the chimnoy-piece, with its carving of golden fruits and birds, refuted green walls and more bookcases, a jk'e'at with heavy claw feet, a cabinet' full O' Crown Derby porcelain. And on: one aids of the fireplace the firelight flickered and danced on the fair pictured face and powdered locks of Lady Anne, tho sister of his great-great grandfather. She gazed smilingly 'downward on Edgar Somervillo's. tired figure &nd ' muddy boots. One of her little hands played with tho string oH pearls on her blue: ' bodice, tho other rested on a lambs head, and the lamt> looked up at this lovely lady who had broken so many hearts, and died unwed at last. On the table by the fireplace lay a letter written to her when she must have looked .just as she did in the picture, and which Edgar had left there when 'he lad started for his ride. ; On succeeding some six months ago to the Manor House, he had ordered the mirror to to taken down, regilded and and repaired, and to bis delight . he had discovered a note behind it which must have slippect into a crack many a year ago a note written on a square sheet of paper, browned -with age and dust, in a man's hand. Edgar re-read the words -which bad grown faint and*' faded, and glanced up at Lady Anne—who had trifled with her happiness and los't it. - For tradition bad it that she and her handsome young neizhbour bad been betrothed, had quarrelled and parted.. Somerville won-j dered if her teaai had fallen when, as an old woman, prtople told her of the death of the gal'iant General Godfrey in Flanders ? And had ho found in his gratified ambition compensation for the losses of those blue eyes and curved lips? Edgar sighed as Lie carefully folded up the letter, and put it away in the table drawer. Then, with his feet stretched out towards the logs, ho recalled his interview of yesterday wiith his neighbour, Lady Anne Constable. He had known beforehand that she was somehow hurt by mistakes of his;, he had been sadly conscious that her manner had grown colder each, time they had met. And yet he had gone on in his hopjiul, blundering way, doing and saying things that vexed her, for it seemed to him that she must realise how great his love was, and that this knowledge ought to win him forgiveness for all shortcomings. ,No doubt he bad been stupid in riding homo twice after hunting with Mrs; Curling• but how on earth could Lady 'Anne dream of being jealous of her? He was sorry for Mrs. Curling, who had an unsatisfactory husband, and was sympathetic and pretty, but that was all. "For my part," Lady Anne had said, "I am sorry for poor Jack Curling. 1 don't wonder he drinks." "But her life is made miserable by that man 1 He was' absolutely incoherent last week when they bad people to dinner, she told me." "I think it very disloyal of her to' discuss her husband with you. But I don't suppose after all that you are the only person favoured with her confidences." , "You can't expect her to remain, silent when with her old friends!" " Friends? No man could be a mere friend to an empty-headed woman like that! Unless they make lcrve to her, what could they find to talk about?" Lady Anne ( had walked with stately step into tho window recess, and the stupid Edgar had made some further remark about Mrs. Curling's beauty. It was tactless of hioi, for Lady Anne was tall and dignified, and Mrs. Curling was short and of an undistinguished prettiness. "I seem fated to vex you by whatever I say. I h£d better go away," groaned poor Mr. Somerville at last. "Well, now I think of —it is rather waste of time for us both. And that reminds me—don't think me rude— you? that 1 must write some letters j directly to catch the post?" He took up his hat and turned a little pale. "And you won't come to me for Christmas?" "Impossible, my dear friend. I havo school treats, and Christmas trees and dinners, and I don't know what besides." Lady Anno was a widow, and had a strong sense of her duty towards her tenants, bat she had no doubt forgotten that some months ago she had promised Edgar that she would come and help him • with his first house party. And that in his joy he had painted the walls of . the boudoir white, and hung old looking glasses on the panels, and put down a rose-coloured carpet like velvet. The room when finished appeared so aggressively feminine in his bachelor house, that he felt uncomfortable and selfconscious when he looked into it. Suddenly as Mr. Somerville sat thinking in his chair, he became conscious that he was no longer alone. Ho heard the door opea quickly and the rustle of a skirt, and a faint but distinct perfume of roses floated in. Ho started. On thu polished floor by the window stood a young woman dressed in blue, with a string of pearls round her neck. Her face was turned away, but struck him as very odd hat her hair should be powdered, as there was no fancy ball anywhere in the neighbourhood. Then it flashed across his mind that, years ago, his uncle George had told him that this end of the Manor House was haunted. Ho felt thankful that it wan by such a graceful ghost. The lady turned hor head, and ho started again most violently. For it was no other than Lady Anne Somerville, just as she was in the picture, but still more seductive, more sweet and sad. He wondered if she would speak to him. . The door opened again behind her and a young man joined her. He wore & plumcoloured coat, was tall-and slim, and his hair was . dressed in » queue tied with a largo Low. Breathlessly Edgar looked at him nnd waited. But the two ( visitors did net netke Ua at aIL The -.rgrr-:. r.-.ir . --T-yT-

young man's face twitchcd, and he kept on striking his leg nervously with his whip. r . > t • "Am X to understand that your ladyship's decision is final?" he said. Edgar felt . a great longing to hear Lady Anne's voice. And what a voice it was! Low and thrilling, with just now a touch, of scorn in it that reminded him oddly of one hfeard only yesterday. • " 1 cannot accept your apology, Mr. Godfrey. Ii is too late." She tapped the floor with her highheeled «hoe. "I have assured you that Miss Fanshawe is nothing in the world to me!" " You forget that your conduct at Al- ' mack's did not pass unobserved by some of my best friends!" . "It is useless, it seems, to try and convince you that, tviough sensible of the lady's charm, and an admirer of her virtues, she could never touch my heart. "Her charms and virtues!" Here Lady Anne raised her voice. "If .1, sir, were not absolutely indifferent 'to you, you 1 would not perceive" merit in any other woman!" , "Solam to start for this campaign with no hope, no prospect of your re- , lenting!" . , „ "I fear that is the case. The young man's face grew white. Ho laid his hand an Lady Anne's sleeve. " You know that I adore you, and you alone!" ho cried. She turned her head away, and a rose fell out of her dress. He stooped to pick it up. , , "I shall wear this next to my heart ■ always— disdainful and cruel as you are!" . . ' There seemed to be a mist in the room, for Lady Anne's figure grew indistinct. Tho blue of her bodice melted into grey— the rounded outlines "of her figure were blurred— her lover, with bent head, went slowly through the door. Edgar kept his eyes rivettfeed on the gracious form which seemed to be gradually sink- -- ing away before 'him. Suddenly she turned, and looked at him for a moment fixedly, imploringly., with an earnestness that made his heart beat; she stretched out her hands, and ho saw that ffno was trying vainly to speak, he knew what she wanted, to say. Then she too vanished, and Somerville bowed his head over his hands. , A loud ring at the hall-door awoke Edgar. He sprang to his feet, feeling dazed and but half awake, and with this recollection of the phantom forms still vividly present. - " Yes! I will be patient, I will not ■ give her up! I will go to her again, my gentle ancestress he said, smiling at the picture on the wall, and the door opened, this time only to admit the butler, whose face told 'him of a catastrophe. . "If you please, sir, Lady Anne Constable's 'ad a severe fall from er 'orse. It's a bad job. They've brought her ladyship in, as we were tho 'andiest place." . , . : Edgar dashed past him into the hall. Through the open door he saw the moon shining on the wot laurels. Within, two or three men were bending over a woman dressed in a muddy 'habit. One of them held her head on his arm. Her hat had fallen off, and the brown hair was uncurled' and disarranged. From her face, white and distorted with pain, all the beauty and 'much of the youth had vanished. But for the first time Edgar realised the depth the strength of his passion. He knelt down by her side. "You are badly hurt?" His lips moved, but the words were scarcely audible. , She raised her eyes, the grey eyes that were now like those of a wounded creature, • and looked fixedly at him. "Yes, the pain is rather horrid. Edgar signed to men to help him. They carried her into the boudoir, where a fire burned brightly. "Have they sent for a doctor.' " Yes, sir, I expect it won't be long before he comes." . " You can go, thanks. I will stay with . her ladyship." The men tramped out, and ■ Edgar 1 Somerville knelt down by Lady Anne. '"01 my God, if I could only bear the pain for you . She smiled, for Lady Anne inherited courage from many fighting ancestors. " I had to come to you, after aIL she , said faintly. " The Fates willed it I" i "Yon will — must be better soon!" " 1 don't know back is hurt. But • it's strange, isn't it, after I said I wouldn't come to your Christmas partly !" Sho saw two tears roll down his cheeks —and tried to hide from him a sudden sharp renewal of suffering. After a few i moments she whispererd: — " Tell me about your party. Is, this with a wan little smile, " Mrs. Jack Curling coming?" ■ i Edgar's remark about Mrs. Curling was , unnecessarily forcible, and Lady Anne i smiled again. . i " You feel a little better—dear Lady > Anne?" . , _ perhaps. But somehow, 0! I wonder if I shall ever be well! Edgar— i would you still—still want to come and 1 see me sometimes, if I were an invalid, if ■ I couldn't perhaps even walk I "Don't, for God's sake, talk like that!" 1 "I have been so horrid to you! But ' I'm too proud to *tell you now how dreadfully sorry I ami For it seems to be like taking a mean iidvantage of you!" • " Please sir, Doctor Mile.) is here A short, sturdy man with a keen face, me in. He motined to Edgar to leave . the room. • "I'll call you," he said, "when I've examined the injuries as far as I'm able." I;t was half an hour before Somerville wad summoned. When he returned Lady Aroi;e was lying more comfortably, with her head on well-arranged pillows. Edgar 1 looked imploringly at the doctor's grave and enigmatic face. I'll come early to-morrow," said he; " and I'll send at once for a nurse. Lady Anno is remarkably - plucky, and _ she knows we'll do all we can for her. He nodded kindly, and when Edgar would have followed him, Lady Anne laid her hfiind on his arm. " Tits doctor takes a serious view, Mr. Somerville." " They can't be sure—they are always making'mistakes!" he cried in agony. • "Aiif I know it's serious- But no says not quito hopeless! If I get well enough to walk about, and look after my garden and my people, that will be enough." She turned aiway, and hid her face in the pillows. " You'll let me help yon?" He knelt down by her again'/ and this time he took her in his arms, and held her fast. " Edgar, Edgar—you are too goodmuch too faithful. But I- should be a coward n I said 'yes.' " t He held her still closer in his arms. " Your namesake, Lady Anne, came to me this livening," he said. "Spirit or dream, whatever she was, I know quite ■ well what ' she wanted to tell me. It is for you to show rne if she was a wise and truthful ghost?" '"You mean that you would love me— anyhow—anyhow ? 0 Edgar | You can't mean that He could not utter a word, but he ' bowed his head in dumb assent over her i hands, and she, seeing tears upon them, I flung her arms round his neck, and drew " I his face down to her own. [ I Outside, in the moonlight, they heard I the village children drawing near, and ! singing a song of hope as they came. I : -i-