FACING THE WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12441, 8 May 1926, Page 19

FACING THE WORLD

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

DOMESTIC STORY OF ATTRACTIVE INTEREST

BY

FLORENCE HOPE,

Author of “The Trials of Madge Moberley,” “Paying the Penalty, M

“The Lordship of Love t ” “Against the Wind,” dec., &c-

CHAPTER XVll—(Continued.) If only—oil! if only she and baby could go away together! There were times when she shuddered at the thought of her husband, when slie shrank from the sound of his step across the threshold, and the tone of the voice that, had become hateful to her. And yet she had tried so hard to care for him, and could have done so if he had been different, or even as he had been in London before they were married. found Rene upset by the news of Willoughby that Mab had not given a thought to. “Lord Hamersham (she never called her brotlier-in-laiv by any other name) must not ask him here, or 1 shall have to go away, Mab. How could I bear it, it would look as if—as if—oh, you know what 1 mean—as if I rushed at mm as soon as I knew that lie was flushing scarlet. Don’t worry, dear, about that; if he comes you may be quite sure it will lead to your happiness, at least if In* cares for you still, Rene, darling, but tlon t'hope too much, time hits passed ahcl men change. J<Yaneis is unbearable to-day, and delights in hurting one s feelings. Lot us keep out of his way as much as possible,’* advised Mab, wisely. did not know that her husband sent off two letters, one to Geraldine, enclosing another for her to re-direct to her brother. Both wore pressing invitations couched in cordial terms, atid stating that iiis wife would have written, but was so devoted a mother that she was always occupied with the cnild, charming letters tbev were that surprised the receivers of them. Gilbert, who had arrived in town, hesitated long. The temptation to see Mab was great, he had pictured her often to himselfj but now to look upon h©r in reality, what a thrill it pavfe him I Could he resist going? Why should he? He had vowed to be her friend; they were both married, ami both had a strong • sense of honour, arid he wanted—ah, how he wanted to look upon her face. It was her husband who had invited hinij pressing him to accept his invitation. He must go, yes, lie would. Arid the letter was sent, the day fixed, the hour of arrival ’at Riverston announced. He told Hamersham that he should be thankful for the fresh country air after the illness lie had had and suffering connected with the serious operation to his eyes that had been such a brilliant success, and lie thanked him and Lady Hamersham cordially for thfeir kindness in asking him to Old Hall. Hamersham laughed in his sleeve at the surprise he would be giving his wife, for lie told her nothing of these letters that liad passed between him and Havelock. He wduld be present at the meeting. It Would give him a sensation, a new one, ami he wanted something novel to happen, his existenco had been stagnation lately. Tiresome that Willoughby was still away, fdr there, might have been another .fillip to Inc.

A few days passed in comparative peace, -for Hamersham chose to be quite amiable, and the sisters decided that he had&frightened them needlessly, and supposed that the idea of asking the down had passed away, and he had forgotten it. The weather continued to be lovely, more like summer than spring, the hot sun bringing out the leaves and buds and blossoms in profusion. Old Hall was looking, its best, tlie orchards snowy ■with bloom, save where the pink flushed tbo white as if blushing at its own beauty. Th© Ajiple Tree Walk was a vision )of and, under the I shelter'of its twining boughs Mab whs , Walking up and down with her baby , in her arms, now singing softly, now 1 hushing it to sleep. Presently as its breathing became regular, she laid it gently in the white carriage, and was drawing the hood over to shadow it from the sun, when she heard footsteps approaching and voices: one was her husband’s; but the other—she caught her breath —it could not be—her heart throbbed passionately, madly, and then the two men appeared beneath the apple tree arch, and Gilbert Havelock saw the woman he loved for the first time! And she saw instead of that blank gaze from sightless eyes a passion of gladness, admiration, and for one moment—rlove. But Gilbert controlled himself sharply, though not before Hamersham had seen and understood. Mab, who was taken by surprise, could not recover so quickly, and tho sigh of

intense joy, the tremulous voice, the quiver of her parted lips told their own tale. Ah, how lovely she was! He had hot thought her to be like this; he hud fancied a pretty, charming girl, but not a beautiful ivoman with depth in her expression and a suppressed, almost spiritual, look ih her face. Their hands met, but scarcely touched; they dared not, for the longing to linger over the clasp was too intense. “And you are no longer blind,” murmured Mab. “No, I see everything, and am dazzled,” he answered, his gazo upon her face. ““Come and look at my baby—my treasure,” said the mother, and she drew back the hood to show- the tiny bit of humanity that was all hers. “For heaven’s sake don’t bother Havelock with babies. . Besides, it’s too ugly a. brat to be proud of,” said Hamersham. “Surely not. It looks to me very sweet and dainty,” declared Gilbert. “J should like to kiss it. May I?” “Oil, yes, but gently, please, or she might wake,” replied Mab, and watched the man’s brown face bend to the delicate, fragile little blossom that he barely toothed with his lips. “Her father has never kissed her yet,” she said as Hamersham walked away, leaving them alone. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Gilbert. “It is so. Ho dislikes her because’ she was born a girl instead of a hoy that ho wanted.” “I should not let that worry vou. When she grows bigger he will care for her. Ho must—your (child—anO; his.” At tnat moment the niir.so arrived to tako the baby out of the grounds for a walk, and tlie two went slowly towards the house. “You know, I knew nothing of vour coming,” said Mah. It seemed to her as if she must tell him the truth and show him what was her married life. “I fbought the invitation was from you. I am sorts- do you wish that I had not come?” he faltered, trying to pierce through svhat seemed a species of mystery. ‘How can I be anything but glad— Maestro. Ah, yes, let me still call you that. Let me look upon vou as a friend, for I want one so badly— You do not know how badly.” He listened to her pleading voice, and looked l at her sweet tender face, and felt the whole charm of her personality only too intensely. How could he have ever thought it possible to be just friends with this ivoman who was a distinct danger to him and to herself. He resolved then and there to stav but a dp.v or two and to leave them and not return, he dated not, knowing that an unhappy wife needing sympathy and what she calls friendship is cine of Clio greatest dangers that can beset a man. Involuntarily he let fall tho words: “Then God help you!” She understood, and shrank a little from him, but his heart was aching for her, and just as tlie.V Were entering, the house and were hidden by the deep porch, he laid his lia-nd upon her shoulder, and said: “I will be your friend always, even though I should have to leave you, but whatever I do will he the best for you, and done for your sake, remember that, L&dv Hmilersham.” “Oh, why do you call me that?” she whispered, as if hurt. “Because I must get used to it, I must always remember that you are another man’s wife, ns I am another woman’s husband. Let me tell you now—for I may not have another opportunity, that my wife is supposed to be cured, and is at present with her people in Oxfordshire. I am. paying them an Income to keep her. We are best apart, you see.” “Yes, I am glad she is not with you. It would not be safe after what she did. Maestro, we both have our crosses to bear,” murmured Mab. softly. “And somehow we will help one another to bear them bravely,” he said, taking his hand from off her shoulder as they went inside to meet Irene coming across the hall to welcome Gilbert. “I am so glad you are living here with your sister,” said Havelock, shaking her hand warmly. Hamershnm’s voice answered him from the gun-room, the door of which

was wide open. “Ah, but she is leaving shortly for the Dower house that is being made ready for her. My wife and I have a fancy to be alone; we have not yet got over the turtle dove stage of matrimony, Havelock.” Gilbert saw the look of horror that passed between the sisters, and involuntarily their hands met and were locked together. “Perhaps he doesn’t mean it. Ddli’t be frightened, Mab,” whispered Rene, hut her sister’s face blanched, and there was fear in the eyes that turned with a look of appeal to Havelock. How could he help her? Great heaVens, how? “A pity it is the close season, and there’s nothing to shoot,” said Hamershato, coming to tlie open door with a gun m his hands. “I recollect you used to be an awfully good marksman, Havelock, before you met with that accident, or whatever you like to call it,” he added; then he said, “I wonder which is the best shot, you or IP” "I wonder,” replied Gilbert, coldly.

The eyes of the two men met, and did not flinch. “What do you think of this for a; toy?” said Havelock, thrusting hi»| hand into his breast-pocket, andbriU£-j ing out an exquisitely made little pi»-| tol. “Be careful; it is loaded*” hoi said quickly, as Hamersham. took ifci from him. / “Then let me advise yon to leave; such a deadly affair here in the gun-! room/’ and as he spoke Hfeinferahaia) placed the pistol in a safe place. • “It was a present made me from my I friend and medical attendant—A little l thing lie picked up abroad, but you' hardly looked at it.” said Havelock,; as if disappointed at the other man’flf want of appreciation. » “Thanks. I don’t care for finch dan-' gerous toys.” was the short reply. (To be continued.)