Nearly Parted.

Otago Witness, Issue 1674, 22 December 1883, Page 9

Nearly P arted.

1 {Written for the Witness 1 Christmas Number.))

By Makib Db Lacy.

JY MORTIMER, or rather MajouMortimer, a tall, handsome-look-ing mad ®f thirty, was seated under the verandah of a bungalow, evident)/ lost in gloomy reflection. On & small table at his side was a heap of newspapers, which had just arrived by the mail. "Hullo, Major, whaJs the iuauuuL ■. ..^quired the hearty, cheerful voice of Captain Corliss, as he sauntered in. Taking a chair, he fanned himself with his" wide-brimmed hat after the exertion of walking half a mile under an Indian sun. He was of rather short build, rather fair, and moderately good-looking. Casting another glance at his friend, and noticing his dejected appearance, he exclaimed : " Why, man, what's the matter ? You look . in the blues," " Oh, nothing," rejoined the Major ; " only a little put oKt. The mail is in, and no letters, I dare say you Imow what it is to expect letters, and them not to arrive." " Don't I, just ! " was the earnest reply. " How I used to tremble at the postman's knodk when I was swelling it in the Old Country, always expecting it to be a tailor's, or a bootmaker's, or a wine-merchant's reminder ; and they always came — worse luck," sighed the gallant Captain, " I don't suppose that made you very serious, Corliss ? " laughed tho Major. " Well, can't say it did— no, can't say ifr did," added Captain Corliss reflectively. "But Ido say, ain't it hot ? Has your punka- wallah - gone to sleep in there ? " And glancing in to see that the native was on duty, he continues : " Shall you go tiger-hunting, Mortimer?" " Yes, probably," answered the Major shortly. " Dangerous sport, you know, Major, unless you are a good shot. These tigers make pretty short work with some of us." " What does it matter?" exclaimed Major Mortimer passionately. " Come it slow, or como it fasfc, TiB but death can come at last." "Oh ! " exclaimed the Captain, opening his eyes wider than usual, and spreading his soft fat hands out to their biggest extent on his well-rounded knee. " Now I see where the shoe pinches. Not creditors' letters you were expecting?" " No, certainly not ; my uncle always kept my pockets too well supplied for creditors to be any trouble to me. The same old story, Captain. Why should I bother myself about it ? " remarked Guy Mortimer bitterly. " That's right, Major— that's the proper way to look at things. Sighing is awfully bad for the liver in this confoundedly hot climate. And remember, old boy, ' there's good fishes in the sea as ever yet were caught. Oh, by the way, who. was that deucedly pretty woman you were talking to yesterday ? " " Oh, that's Miss Ada Ashdoune, just come out with her married brother and his wife. I suppose she will create quite a sensation here. If you are going to Morton's to-night, I'll in- " troduce you." " Many thanks, Mortimer. Maybe Miss Ashdoune will favour me with a ' square.' 'Pon my word, you are a lucky fellow, Mortimer.' " Why ? How do you mean ? " inquired the Major, in astonishment. " How do I mean— eh ? Don't yr v think I saw the blink that Miss Ashdoui.e's brown eyes bestowed on a certain officer in Her Majesty's Service, seated not a hundred miles from me ? Go in and win, and my best congratulations go with you," replies Captain Corliss. " Thanks, but there is no likelihood of my accepting them," replied Guy Mortimer quietly. For half an hour or so the friends chatted j then Captain Corliss sauntered off to another bungalow. As soon as Guy Mortimer was left alone he relapsed into the moody reverie his friend had interrupted. " I wonder why it is? I can't make it out. Six mails, and not a single letter. Myra promised to write every mail. Perhaps my darling is ill ; then surely she would manage to send an answer of some sort to my letters of inquiry. I think I must try and get six months' leave, and go Homa and see if my darling is ill," soliloquised the Major, " No, before I do that 1 will try one more letter." .Rising, despite of the heat he paced up and down, his hands clasped at his back. Entering the bungalow, Guy Mortimer wrote a letter full of fervent love, anxious inquiry as to the silence of his betrothed, and eager entreaty that she should reply at once. Securing the envelope, and addressing it, he put it in his desk, from whence he took a photograph of Myra Thorpe. It was a lovely and noble face, with an intellectual expression that gave the face individuality, and from beneath the long lashes there gazed forth a pair of gentle grey eyes. " She not true ! " exclaimed the Major indignantly, as he gazed long and wistfully at the face of the woman so dear to him. " I will not believe it. There is no deceit in that face. No, Myra, my loyed one, whatever may be the cause of your silence, I cannot forget the promise which those dear lips whispered on my shoulder—' I love you, Guy ! I will be your wife.' " Guy Mortimer had made the acquaintance of Miss Myra Thorpe some four years before in Paris, at which period he was much struck with her beauty, but believing her tobe engaged he had gone back to India, carrying her image with him. Just eight months had elapsed since their meeting, when to his joy he found her still single. _He met her frequently in society, in which he was much courted owing to his handsome appearance, cheerful disposition, and great expectations. The result was before he came away he had plucked up courage, had proposed, and had been accepted. The next day he had sailed for India. ITor a few months Myra had corresponded regularly. In her last letter she had said :— " I have not told Aunt Martha of our engagement. I must tell you, dear Guy, she detests soldiers ; bo I shall leave it for you to tell her when you return. I know lam a coward, but aunt is so peevish— more tiring than a downright, .honest passion ; yet, whether ahe approves of my choice or not, it will make no difference in the love of - " Your ever loving " Myra." Since then Guy Mortimer had had no tidings of the woman he loved so truly. Once upon inquiring of some friends who had lately arrived from England, he was startled by one of them saying : "Oh yes— Miss Thorpe ! Yes— lst me see—

married a short time ago to a Canadian, immensely wealthy." " You can't mean Miss Myra Thorpe?" had said the Major, a cold creepy sensation coming over him. " I think that was the name. Father a stockbroker — pompous old gentleman." "We do not mean the same lady. Miss Thorpe is an orphan. She lives with her aunt, Lady Martha Crosby." Relieved at having no news instead of bad news, Guy Mortimer had gone on hoping letters would come, when the unexpected arrival of Ada Ashdoune gave him another chance of bearing at last, as Miss Ashdoune had been out in the same season — indeed she had pointedly laid siege to the Major until she discovered how the land lay. Directly on arriving at Morton's he had sought an opportunity of speaking to her. It was not easy at first, as Miss Ashdoune was rather a dashing brunette, which, added to the prestige of being a new arrival, caused her dancing-tablet to be pretty soon filled. At last it came, and he made his way to where she sat flirting with her recent partner. With a smile she readily arose, and, taking the Major's arm, moved towards the dancers. " How do you like India ? " he remarked lightly, yet nervously, getting toward the one subject of interest. " Very much indeed, from what I 'can judge," she replied. "Itis a pity it's so terribly hot," continued the lady,,, fanning herelf. "I am afraid we can't alter that. A ballroom at Home is nothing to this. The last time I had the. pleasure of dancing with you was '

" The music has commenced, Major Mortimer." " I beg your pardon, Miss Ashdoune." The dance over, Major Mortimer led Miss Ashdowne to a seat.

" You were remarking, Major, that " " The last time I had the pleasure of dancing with you was at Mrs Kingdom's, the night before I left for India."

"Yes, the night Myra Thorpe's dress- was bo torn by that clumsy Dick Sinclair. Ton my word, Major, I could have killed him, and Myra took it so quietly." " Have you seen Miss Thorpe since then? Js she well ? " anxiously inquired the Major. " No, not after that ; but no doubt she is well enough," smiled Ada. "Of course you heard of her marriage ? " * " Married ! " The blow fell with such stunning force upon him that for a moment no change came into his face. " Impossible ! " " Oh, it's quite true, I can assure you. It was only this morning I was reading the announcement of the wedding in an old Times I happened on in my brother's library. I can lend you the paper with it in, if you like. Major. And I have been told," continued Ada, with a gay laugh, " that her husband is a sexagenarian, old enough to be her grandfather, but terribly rich." Whether Miss Ashdoune was conscious of the pain she was giving or not, she never looked into her companion's face, which was stony grey, with a set look like death.

A partner came to claim the lady, and, rising, Major Mortimer made his way into the grounds. This was the cause of Mvra's silence : she had sold herself for gold. Could it be true? Why should Ada deceive him? For nearly an hour he paced the grove, fighting down his agony. With a calm, proud look he returned, to the dancers, and sought out Ada Ashdoune. " Miss Ashdoune, if you have the paper containing Miss Thorpe's marriage announcement, wouldyon let me see it ? I should like to congratulate her." " Certainly, Major. I will send it to you in the morning." "A thousand thanks," replied the Major, bowing slightly. Then he quitted the bungalow, summoned his bearers, and went home. He never clearly knew bow he passed that night. Sometimes he> fancied fie lost his reason. He could not believe Myra was false, but if it was m the Times it must be true ; they did not put wrong announcements in that paper. But was it in? He could not credit it.

The next day, however, a native servant brought the paper, with Miss Ashdoune's compliments, with the announcement folded on the outside, marked with red ink. It ran as follows ; — On the 3rd inß*., at St. Mark's Church, ■ ■■ „ by the Rev. Timothy Holmes, B.A , George Wallis, Esq., ol The Elms, Cambridge, to Myra, daughter of th« late H. Thorpe t Kaq., of Derby. " Then it is true," cried the unhappy officer. " Myra is false ! false ! false ! " Every muscle quivered with anguish. He crossed to his desk, tore the letter he had written into fragments ; then he took the photograph, bub as his eyes rested on the much-loved face his strength gave way, his whole frame shook,, and covering his face with clasped fingerß, sobbed bitterly — wept as only the young and strong can weep, 'in an agony of self -abandonment and of despair, Chaptee 11. Nearly a month had passed since Major Mortimer had received the news of Myra's marriage, yet, in that short space of time, he was a changed man, the happy laughing ex pression had changed into a contemptible sneer, his voice was harsh, and he was frequently observed sitting for hours lost in sul- ■ len reverie. " Ada, have you refused the Major ?" asked Mr Ashdoune of his sister one evening as they sat on the verandah. " Since you came here, he has been quite a different man, sullen anAj diagreeable, and now the man is getting thin — absolutely thin." " Refused the Major ! Do you think I am mad?' replied the lady, " I only wish he would, give me the chance ; you see he did not know of Myra Thorpe's wedding until I told him. He has not got over that yet, case of spoons on ' his part, brother mine ; but for all that, you will congratulate me before long. Already his attentions are quite noticeable, and ha is quite an eligible parti. When that gouty old uncle of his dies, he comes fn for a title, a nice little estate, and a few thousand a year. Fancy your sister my Lady Mortimer, and if I do- not make him kneel at my -feet before two months are over my head, I'll " " Suppose we ask him to pur little shooting ty next week," broke in Mr Ashdoune, pa*. "•? his long tawny moustache. ipulliu ~ just the very thing," exclaimed "Oh, n n animated voice. "Do ask him, .Ada, in v nfc delay." jtfred, witho.. *ne had gone through four Lon,Ada Aehdov houi & chance of marriage, ,tlon seasons wn>. -^ t <jtection of her married •therefore under th«. tv^ er fortune in India ; ibrother, hadcoTSie to *r » Nn d Frederick Ashit was quite a speculation, j- - % j or f or s f u t ure . doune having spotted the Ml f orwarding bis x brother-in-law, fell readily into . first received sister's views. When the Major -towim**. '. the invitation his first feeling was Q {or & Bub why should he mope and V h heartless flirt? Was the world to b ifc . forth colourless to him 1 No, a thousan^"™ no; he would extract as much amust » fwmit as posßible. At this period, toe m

was hardly acccountable for his actions ; to hi fits of gloom would .succeed one of almost wild exhilaration and excitement ; and he went himself to accept Fred Ashdoune's invite, and found j Ada alone. Never had she found him gayor, and from that time a decided flirtation commenced between herself and Major Mortimer, on his part with no other intent than that of amusement. Ladies like to be flirted with, they are all heartless, and besides it might reaoh Myra's eara, and she would see he was not wholly heartbroken by her perfidy. It cannot be said that Guy Mortimer behaved nobly, but he was reckless, and acted like one in a dream. Fred Ashdoune's party was a pleasant one ; the days were spent in hunting, and the evenings in dancing and music, intermixed witb flirtation. "I've just had news of the vicinity of a superb tiger," exclaimed Mr Ashdoune to his guests, who were seated on the verandah, in the pale light of the moon, on the fourth evening of their arrival. " The natives are in a state o- terror, and no wonder, for he has demolished nearly all their goats, and for his last feat he has devoured a poor old inoffensive Hindoo ; what do you say, shall we start at daybreak to-morrow for bis lordship ?" The reply was a general affirmative. "That will be splendid fun," exclaimed Guy Mortimer, excitedly. " Will it not be very dangerous ?" murmured Ada, looking up with a scared expression in her large brown eyes. " That is the zest, Miss Ashdoune, else we might as well stay here and slaughter these poor little, harmless quiiil." " I wish you would ; it would cause less anxiety to those you leave behind." She bad spoken sadly. He looked at her with a grave expression on his face ; in an instant it was banished by one of scorn. "What," he thought, "am I so soon to be tricked again by a woman's pretty face ?— not I forsooth." The next morning at dawn .the gentleman, fully armed, and under the guidance of a native servant, started for the jungle. Arriving there, the Indians were examining the grounds. Keeping their guns in readiness, they cautiously forced their way iuto. the jungle. Abruptly Fred Ashdonne called " Halt !" in a whisper, for the bushes m front were swaying, as by same animal passing through them. They gazed with breathless excitement on the still waving bushes, and the next moment the magnificent head and chest of a royal Bengal tiger appeared. A.s he beheld his enemies he stopped, with one foot raised ready for another step.; his eyes flashed angrily— slashing his tail from side to side— Ois jaws emitted a fierce growl — he crouched for a spring. One of the party fired, but missed hi s mark. The tiger, with a terrific roar, sprang forward. Standing firm, with his gun to his shoulder, stood Guy Mortimer, As the animal sprang he fired— the tiger fell. " Is he dead ?" asked one of the party. " I fancy he has eaten his last Hindoo," exclaimed the Major; Approaching and bending over the creature, he perceived it was not dead. He stepped back, but too late ; the tiger sprang at him, fixing his terrible teeth in his knee. As quick as lightning the Major drew his long kindjal .and plunged it into the Creature's chest. Uttering another roar the tiger fell dead. "Bravo! Bravo!" they shouted in chorus ; but before they could hasten to his assistance, Guy sank insensible on the grass. This event made Guy Mortimer the hero of the day. The ladies were all ready to devote their time to bis amusement, as he lay on a couch, where his doctor had said he must stop for at least a week.

Miss Ashdoune said little, but showed her esteem in action. She read to him, talked to him, smoothed and rearranged his pillows with gentle compassion. If he were dull she chatted cheerfully to him ; if tired, she drew the guest to another room. " There is no better opportunity for a woman to make an impression," she had told herBelf, " than judiciously-paid little attentions to the hero." She was right ; never are we so weakly sensitive as in the hours of convalescence ; and at that period Guy Mortimer felt Myra's behaviour the more keenly. So in comparison he appreciated Ada Ashdoune, and far earlier than she imagined the idea of proposing to her bad entered his head. The week was getting far into the fortnight, when he fully made up his mind. For a wonder he was alone. A riding party had been arranged for the day, and he had persisted on no one staying at home on bis account. It wanted three hours to their return. Tiring of his own society he dropped into a reverie. " Why should I not marry her ? I can never love her, but what dees that matter, I daresay we shall be happy enough. She loves me, lam sure— why not make her happy ? For if ever I could be idiot enough to believe in a woman again it would be in Ada Ashdoune. She must love me, or she would not devote her time and pleasure to me as she has done. If I had not persisted on no one staying at home on my account, she would have stayed willingly with me, so she must love me," His reverie was broken by | the clatter of horses' feet, and Captain Corliss came riding up to the bungalow. Perceiving the major he sprang from the saddle, and handed him a telegram. " Seeing that it was marked immediate, I thought it might be of great importance, bo I brought it myself." " Thanks, Corliss," and tearing it open the Major read the following : " Get leave, return to London, uncle dying, wishes to see you," signed by the family lawyer. The Major, forgetting all else but his uncle, who had been a father to him, hurriedly enclosed the telegram in an envelope addressed to his host, and started with Captain Corliss for headquarters. "I'm afraid he has slipped through your fingers, Ada," said Fred Ashdoune. " Oh, perhaps not. lam sorry though, for lam quite positive he would have proposed before long," replied the lady, with an angry frown. " Oh, bother take that old uncle of his, as if the old stupid could nst have put off his dying till a more convenient time," and with this most kind remark Miss Ashdoune bounced out of the room. Chapter 111. Although Guy Mortimer travelled day and night he did not arrive at Deepdene until the, day of the funeral. The death of his uncle was a great blow to him, and for long he could think of nothing else. All his relatives and near friends assembled to pay the last tribute man can pay to man, and George Mortimer, friend to the rich and poor, was laid to rest in the tomb of his ancestors. The will was read — and Guy Mortimer was master of Deepdene and all its broad acres. It was a grey, oldfashioned Jbouse, low wilt-pointed gables, and tallice-stained windows, and surrounded by a broad terrace, which the doves and pigeons and two gorgeous peacocks apparently considered their exclusive property. "With what delight I once used to contemplate the idea of being master here," reflected Guy Mortimer, smoking, his cigar on the terrace, as the red evening sun was throwing broad beams of light across the meadows. , " $£ow I have pictured Myry, its mistress-—

truly castles in the air. I shall sell out now, and marry in duty to my ancestors — the name, old and honoured, must not die out ; so, why not Ada as soon — nay sooner — than any ?" Finishing his cigar, Guy Mortimer entered the library, rang for lights, and sat down to write to Miss Ashdowne. He could not form his thoughts into wordm ; he could not drive Myra out of his mind. He hears the words still ringing in his ears—" I will be your wife, Guy." He feels the soft pressure of her face on his shoulder. No, the old pain was not gone. Would it not be a sin to marry Ada, loving Myra so passionately as ho did ? Next morning Guy Mortimer started for London. A man who inherits an estate never lacks friends. The Major was received with open arms ; he would not inquire respecting Myra, yet how he hoped to hear of her ! Thoy never meet, ber name was never mentioned — perhaps that old husband of hers is ill, and she is nursing him. Well, as his wife, it ia her duty, after selling herhfcif. With these thoughts still swimming in his mind, he sauntered along under the Park tree 3in company with Morton Selby, of the Guards, staying now and then to lean "over the rail to exchange greetings with some friends.

" Are Mr and Mrs George Wallis in town, Selby?" carelessly remarked the Major as they sauntered on. "Oh yes ; do you know them ?" " I knew Mrs Wallis before she married, I have not seen her since."

" Well, my dear fellow, talk of angels, behold their wings : that lady dressed in peacook colours, leaning on the arm of that tall military man ; that's the happy pair," exclaimed Selby, laughingly. " You are mistaken, Selby, Mr Wallis married Myra Thorpe." " Yes I know, but that was Myra Thorpe ; I was at their house last night, old fellow, They gave a ball to their niece, who is staying with them. She goes to Scotland next week to join her aunt, Lady Crosby ; the old lady has bought an estate there. Oh, by-the-way, the young lady's name is Myra Thorpe too," exclaimed Morton Solby, aud for the first time since they had entered into conversation, he looked at Major Mortimer. " Great heavens, Guy, what on earth's the matter?" for the Major was as white as death. "Are you ill, old friend?" Receiving no answer, he hailed a hansom and drove Guy Mortimer to his Club.

" Here Guy, have a drink ; shall I call a medico ?" exclaimed his friend.

' " No, I thank you, Selby, old fellow. I was engaged to Miss Thorpe; I think this will explain," and opening his pocket-book, he handed Morton Selby the cutting from The Times.

" I was told this was Miss Thorpe's marriage announcement by a friend of hers, Miss Ashdoune," concluded the Major.

" Say rather enemy. Guy, if that woman told you that, she told you a deliberate falsehood, for she knew different. That is nothing uncommon for her ; she has been spoken of at th c Clubs' as truthful Ada," responded Selby passionately, his eyes flashing, his hands clenched. Mortimer, that woman has caused gre&'-t trouble between myself and my wife by ber scandalous tongue ; but, thank heaven, ifcisp i aßt. Bub enough of this. What are you going 4 to do ? ' "" I will go and try to explain it all to Myra, i£ she will only listen to me,'- 1 replied the Major rising. " If si*a does not listen to you, she ia not the lady I ta.^e her for," said Selby, grasping the hand of his" old friend.

Reaching Berkeley square, Guy Mortimer sent up his o^rd, with these words written on it in the Germ-an language. "There has been a mistake; do not refuse to see me." After some little delay, Major Mortimer was shown iuto a pretty boud oir . Leaning on a table, stood Myra, pale but proud and calm. " You wished to see me, Major Mortimer," she said gently. " Myra— oh, my darling, forgive me ; have pity on me. This was given me ; I was told it was yours. Was Ito \blame, in thinking 1 was forgotten ?" " Forgotten," abe repeated, taking the slip of paper, and sinking: into a chair. "Is it possible you believod it of me?" continued Myra, looking at him with a Beared and pleading face. " Myra, my dear onei, how could I' think otherwise ?" he pleaded haimbly ; " even now it is a mystery." " This is the announce, ment of my aunt and god mother's wedding. My letters must have told you that, and of my illness." "Your illness, Myra, :is heaven is my witness, I never knew of it. Oh, my darling," exclaimed Guy abruptly, throwing himself at her feet, "do you think I would have kept from you so long, if I had known, I did not receive any letters from you for six months. Again and again I wrote inquiring the cause, but no answer came. My darling, it was weary waiting ; then came fine announcement in the Times."

" Oh, Aunt Crosby, how could you ! Guy, I see it all now; it must have been aunt's fault. When I was ill I wrote to you as long as I was able, then I told aunt everything, and asked her to write to you for me, at first she would not, as she never approved of my wedding a soldier. Then when I was very ill — I thought I should die— she told me she had written to you. When I recovered from the fever aunt told me my letters had not been answered. Directly I was strong enough I was about to write to you, when aunt received a letter from Ada Ashdoune, telling her she was as good as engaged to you. Then I thought I was forgotten, and tried to forget. Guy, Aunt Crosby must have destroyed or suppressed our letters." " Myra, can you pardon me?" pleaded Guy Mortimer, as he clasped her he loved so well to his heart. " Pardon," she replied, a sweet light in her eyes, a joyous smile on her lips, " were we not both deceived. Do you not think lam equally happy that all has come right at last ? Tell me, Guy, were you ever engaged to Ada ; did you ever ask her to be your wife ?" Myra asked wistfully, looking into her lover's face. " No, dearest, you are the only woman I ever loved, and the only woman I ever asked to be my wife. Axe you satisfied now, little woman ?" he concluded, smiling into her upturned face, and kissing her, very much like a privileged person, on her rosy lips. " Yes, Guy," she replied, resting her head on his broad shoulder, " but who told you that was my wedding ?" " Ada Ashdoune, my inquisitive pet." " Ada Ashdoune," exclaimed Myra Thorpe, with hprrified surprise, as she hastily raised her head from Guy's shoulder, " oh, Guy, how horribly wicked of her ! She knew it was not, for she was at aunt's first at home, after the honeymoon." " May 6he never know what it is to Buffer as we have done. I think we can even afford to pardon our greatest enemies, now that all has come right. What do you aay, little sweetheart?" reflected the Major, as he drew Myra's head down to its former resting place. " I say it is shameful, and people Bhould be warned of such a dangerous character, and if I could I would let the whole world know how horribly wicked eho is,"

" Come, come, little woman, don t be spiteful," laughed the major. " I don't wish to be exactly spiteful, Guy, but it is not right that such a woman should be allowed to mix with good people." "Never mind, little woman, let us talk of a more pleasant subject." I think we have intruded long enough upon those happy lovers, bo will withdraw quietly. Ada Ashdoune's fault soon became generally known. Some years have passed away since she tried to part two loving souls, and aha is still single — and likely to remain so.