THE NOVELIST. A VEXED INHERITANCE. CHAPTER XVIII.

Otago Witness, Issue 1981, 11 February 1892, Page 37

THE NOVELIST.

A VEXED INHERITANCE.

CHAPTER XVIII.

By ANNIE S. SWAM

Author of "Twice Tried," "Across Her Path,"

" Aldersyde," "The Gates of Eden," &c.

Renunciation. ERE is a message from Alderley, Sir Clifford. It is very urgent. Lady Adelaide asks that you will come over without a moment' 3 delay." Such was the announcement Sir Clifford Westray re-

ceived on his return from the county meeting at West-

borough. He looked much surprised ; what could have happened there to require his presence so urgently ? " Take Magnum round to the stable", then, Bennett, and saddle Windfall for me at once. There is no word from, Lady Westray yet, I suppose 1 " " Not yet, Sir Clifford," Bennett answered, and hastened to do his master's bidding. Within an hour Clifford Westray drew rein before :the hall door at Alderley, and was at once shown into the library. He thought the house quiet, and knowing Ella had intended to spend the day there he wondered where they had all gone. It was scaicely two hours since they had left for Pine Edge, and at that moment they were sauntering gaily through the woods on their homeward way, laden with their spoils of autumn fruits and foliage, little dreaming of what had happened during their absence. Scarcely had Clifford entered the library when the door was hurriedly opened, and his aunt entered his presence. He saw at once that she was unusually excited; her pale face was much flushed, her eyes shining, her hands trembling, as she clasped them upon his arm. 11 Dear Aunt Adelaide," he said tenderly, "I am here. What has happened 1 What can I do for you ? " •• Oh, Clifford ! Clifford 1 " she said falteringly, and suddenly burst into tears. Not till then did she realise what her joy must involve for him I how, for her sake, he would be called upon to give up all. In the first ecstasy over the restoration of her child her heart had turned to Clifford, yearning for his sympathy and love, forgetting that her joy could not be without its keen pain for him. He was both mystified and concerned to see her grief ; bub he endeavoured to soothe it, and at last succeeded. " I do not know that it was the best thing to send for you, Clifford. It did it on the impulse of the moment," she said at length. " A strange, almost incredible revelation has been made to me to-day. My son is yet alive." Clifford Westray gave a great start. 11 Impossible, Aunt Adelaide I " I "It is true ; oh, I know ; lam sure it is 1 Do you remember, Clifford, that night you brought the young artist to my house to meet Melnotte ? You remember how moved I was at the sight of him. Oh, Clifford, he was my own son, and I did not know it I " " YouDg Wareham, your son, Aunt Adelaide ? " repeated Clifford Westray, and in a moment a thousand things which had long puzzled him were made plain. He had often wondered what was familiar in the young artist's face ; why certain intonations of his voice should seem like the echo of some faroff memory, why his heart had so often and so unspeakably yearned over him. The unknown tie of kinship explained it all, and even in that moment there was no shadow of doubt concerning the identity. If any thought of what this meant for him intruded itself, even then he hid it well. He clasped his aunt's hand in bis ; his true eyes looked with gladness into hers, and he said from his honest heart : " God be thanked, Aunt Adelaide. This is glorious news indeed ! " " She, Rosamond Vane, who stole him 20 years ago, is here in this house. Oh, Clifford, such a sad, strange story she had to tell. My heart bled for her ; I could not but pity her, ihough I have been desolate so long. You will hear it all by and bye. But what am I to do ? I sent for you in my selfishness, knowing none could help me as you would. You have taught me to depend upon you in every time of need." " That is a compliment, Aunt Adelaide," he said, smiling — ay, even in what was a moment of keenest pain. " What would you like me to do? Perhaps the best thing would be for me to see the woman whom I have met as Mrs Wageham. She did not bring — my cousin down with her 1 " " No, he knows nothing yet. Should Igo to London, Clifford, or what will be best 1 I leave it all with you." " I will go to London, Aunt Adelaide, and bring him down," said Clifford, without a moment's hesitation. " I shall enjoy the surprise I can give him. We are great friends, Aunt Adelaide. What a mercy that he should be restored as he is. It might have been so different." " Ah, yes ; and for that I owe Rosamond Vaoe my gratitude. She has toiled and suffered nobly, though her life has been so sadly mistaken." " Then you do not mean to punish her 1 " "No.no. Would that give me back my lost years, Clifford 1 She has been punished ; she will be punished yet more in giving him up. My heart is sad for her ; I will help her if she will allow me." " Aunt Adelaide, I do believe you are an angel." " No, no, Clifford, only an ordinary woman, whose heart, perhaps, sorrow has a little softened; and we have all need to be forgiven." " I suppose she will have some proofs of his identity, Aunt Adelaide 1 " he said i presently. "There will be some legal questionings to be satisfied before he can be restored to his own." " Yes, she has the clothing he wore when she took him, and the little charms he had about his neck, and the nurse's shaw), and, of course, ahe is prepared to give her statement on oath," Lady Adelaide answered, and then a silence fell upon them that neither could [ break. Clifford Westray walked over to the window, and looked across the barren stubble fields to the mass of gorgeous colouring in the West Court woods. The leaves had i began to fall during the last few daye, and

through a gap in the trees he caught a glimpse of an ivied turret of his home. His horne — now his no more. That was a sharp moment, indeed, for the master of West Court.

" Clifford 1" Hia aunt's gentle hand touched his arm. "I know what you are thinking, Do not let it trouble you, my darling. Though my boy is coming back to me it will make no difference. You will still be master of West Court. Who could fill the place half so nobly or bo well ? lam a rich woman, Clifford ; I can buy another home for myself and my son. We will never, never seek to supplant you at West Court." Clifford Westray's firm tinder -lip quivered, and he passed his hand just once across his brow. The struggle, though sharp, had been brief. It was over now. He turned his eyes, honest and true, on the sweet face oE tbe woman he had long loved more than a mother, and, bending from his tall height, pressed his lips to her brow. In that kiss he gave up all, even as she, in her kiss, had once given up all to him. "Hush, Aunt Adelaide, you speak of what could never be. Bertie is West Court's rightful heir; even you could not keep it from him. You need not bo sad or sorry for me. lam not helpless. Do I look as if I could do nothing for myself ? " he said, with a touch of his old gaiety. "The sooner all this is cleared up and settled the better. Now take me upstairs to see Rosamond Vane." 11 Florence, there is the fly we saw as we went away," said Ella Westray, as the twain once more stepped across the park to the avenue. "So it is — and isn't that your brother looking out and waving his hat to us ? What do you suppose it means ? " "It is Clifford. lam just as mystified as can be," said Ella in a puzzled voice. " Let us make haste, and see whether Aunt Adelaide can enlighten us." But when they reached the house no Aunt Adelaide was to be found. She was in her own room, with the door shut upon her, and for a time would give admission to none. " Has anything happened, mamma 1 " Florence inquired breathlessly, bursting into the room where Mrs Courtney, now ahnoat a confirmed invalid, was lying dozing in tho drowsy afternoon sunshine. " Happened, my child 1 Nothing that I am aware of," she answered. •• Why do you ask the question ? " " Well, mother, a fly from Westborough stands two hourj before the door, and Clifford Westray rides away in it, and Adelaide shuts herself in her own room ; it is natural for one to suppose something has happened, is it not?" " All these things might be easily explained, dear, no doubt,"' answered Mrs Courtney, placidly. " What have you done with Ella 7 " " She is in my room taking off her hat. I 6uppoee we may have luncheon alone then. We are faraishod." " I suppose so. Tom is out shooting, I think," answered Mrs Courtney ; and closing her eyes, she turned her head upon her pillow, as if she had no further interest in what Florence was saying. She had, indeed, given up the work of life into the hands of others, and lived only quiet, restful days, ministered unto by devoted children, to whom she was unutterably dear. The eventide of her life was like the close of a calm and beautiful day. Florence bent down, kissed her mother, and went back to Ella. " No explanation is forthcoming, so in the meantime we had better go and appease our hunger. I hope you are not tired of my company, because there seems to be no other available." Ella laughed as she smoothed her tangled hair before the mirror. " Where is Anna to-day 1 I have not seen her," she said. " Anna is away at Torquay, to visit the Mainwarings and to meet some literary people. Did you not know ? " " No ; when did she go 1 " "Only yesterday, to be sure; and it was only the day before she apprised U3 of her intention. We are living in the midst of surprises. 1 wonder what could be the meaning of that fly ? " " How curious you are, Florence 1 " Yes, I am surprised at myself; but do you know, I feel as if something had happened or was about to happen," said Florence, soberly. Then together they went down to the dicing room, and had their luncheon. Somehow conversation flagged, and a kind of soberness settled down upon them— perhaps a prevision of the eventful issues of the day. " Would you mind going to mamma's room for a few minutes, Ella, while I run and see what is the matter with Adelaide," said Florence, when they had finished. " I cannot imagine why she shculd shut herself up. She was so jolly when wo went away." Ella blithely assented, and ran upstairs, singing, to Mrs Courtney's room. The sweet old lady was a great favourite with all yonng people, and Ella Westray was one of her especial favourites. Florence parted from Ella on the landiDg with a nod and a smile, and ran upstairs to Adelaide's room. The door was still locked, but, in answer to her knock and reque3t that she might be admitted, the key was immediately turned. " Come in, Flossie." "What has happened, Addie ? How flushed and excited you look I Are you quite well 1 Why is your door locked, and why is Clifford Weslray riding away in a Westborough fly ? " exclaimed Florence, with something of the breathless haste and impetuosity she used to exhibit so often in her girlhood. " Come in, Florence, and shut the door. Is Ella away ? " " No, she is with mamma. Something has happened, Adelaide. How your eyes shine — how strangely you look. What Is it? " " Something has happened, Flossie. Think of the most impossible thing, and you will be right." " No ; I should be wrong, Adelaide, lam afraid to say it." " You need not be. I believe you will be right." " The most impossible thing I can or could ever think of is that Bertie has been found." "Florence, you are a witch I" cried Ade-

laide We3tray, tremulously. " You are quite right. My son is still alive." "Ob, Adelaide, impossible! How can it be?" -

"It is. Fred's friend, whom you will remember as Frank Wareham, is my own boy, Florence. Has not God been very good ? "

" Did hG come in that fly, or what ? "

" No, the woman who took him from me came and went away in it. Clifford is gone to London to bring him back." " Clifford 1 Does he know, Adelaide ? "

"Yes," Adelaide Westray answered, and a deep shadow gathered in her eyes. " There is no joy without its sting. You understand what changes this will make 1 " "Yes," answered Florence, quickly* "Beitie will be beir to West Court." She said no more, but walked over to the window and looked out. It was well, perhaps, that Adelaide could not see her face, could not read her eyes. If ever true and honest love was reflected in any eyes it was in hers at that moment, and she was thinking of Clifford, of him alone. In a moment, however, she came back and put her arms round her sister's neck.

"God bless you, Adelaide. You will be happy now." Then she stole away out of the room, and I think Adelaide Westray understood. Perhaps Clifford, in giving up so much, might win something which would be more precious in his eyes than all he had lost.

(To be continued.)