Chapter XX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 39

Chapter XX.

Godfrey's Answer. Godfrey Saton fixed to leave Northesk on the following day, bnt boforo he left he determined to see Nell. He therefore wrote to her after his interview with his uncle. " My dearest Nell,— Since I saw you something very unpleasant has happened, and by my uncle's wish I have decided to leave tomorrow for a short while ; but bsfore Igo I want you to meet me. Yesterday afternoon I rode over to Lilbank and saw Mrs Fanshawe. A very painful scene took place between us, for I told her the truth — told her I had no heart to give her, and that our lives in future must be apart. I blame myself very much ; blame myself for my folly and weakness, and I can only ask you to forgive me, though Ido not desorve it. But forgive me for my love's sake, Nell— for my deep, true love for you. "And now will you meet me at 4 this afternoon by the west plantation ? Do come, for I cannot leave without again looking on your face, without again holding your hand in mine.— Always yours, G. Seton." Nell received this letter very shortly after it was written. Godfrey again employed the same maid that he had done before to do ! him this service, and rewarded her in the j game fashion. It was brought to the door of Olive's room, and Nell received it there, and after glancing at the address, put it swiftly into the pocket of her gown. After a while she went to her own room and read it, and, of course, understood its contents at once. Mr Seton had told Godfray about Mrs Fanshawe's letter, and had advised him to leave. 11 It is better he should go," thought Noll, and yet she Bighed. But she could not resist seeing him before he vsent. Yet bow to manage this was very difficult. It was 3 o'clock when she got Godfrey's letter, and hs had asked her to meet him at 4. But she went back to Olive's room determined, if possible, to keep Godfrey's tryst. After a while Bu« tpoke to Olive, who was

lying with the same listless look on her white face that now never left it. " Olive, I should like to go out for a short walk this afternoon," *he said, tijing to apeak in her usual voice. Olive made no answer; but a peoulla* look, Nell thought, for a moment flickered in her bluo eyes. " I feel I want a lit lie air," continued Nell. " Can you epare me? " " Yes," eaid Olive, and that was all, and the next instant Nell heard her sigh. This made Nell hesitate about leaving her* But ahe loved Godfrey, and love is etrong — stronger than pity and the tender feelinga which bound her to the poor Bick girl. Sne looked at Olive, and then quietly left the room, and going to the housekeeper, asked Mrs Av«ry to sit with Olive until her return. " I am going out for a short walk, Mrs Avery," she explained ; but the kindly northcountrywoman, Nell fancied, did not look over pleased. The truth was that Mrs Avery had seen Godfrey give the maid the note for Nell, though neither Godfrey nor the maid had seen the housekeeper. And Mrs Avery had a feeling of jealousy about her young mistress. Unconsciously, Olive had allowed the old servant to read the secret of her guileless heart. "Was Miss Fraser going to meat the major?" Mrs Avery was thinking as Nell made her explanation, and her thought was written on her face. Bat she said nothing, and Nell was free to go. It was a gusty, windy afternoon, with dark clouds driftingfastover agrey-tinted iky. And just as Nell started it began to rain. But the girl— eager, tender — was not afraid. She walked quicky on over the wet grass ; she scarcely heeded the heavy downfall. And as she neared the west plantation she | saw Godfrey waiting for her. " I scarcely hoped you would come," he said, «s he advanced to meet her. " I was afraid the rain would frighten yon." " Ob, no," answered Nell, lookicg softly in his face. "Let me hold your umbrella over you. You got my letter, Nell ; were you surprised at itc contents ? " " No, for your uncle sent for me this morning, and told me — of Mrs Fanshawe's letter." " Told you of Mrs Fansbawe's letter t " 11 Yes— and. oh 1 Godfrey." She was very close to him ; her arm was touching bis, as he protected her from the drifting rain ; and again she looked in his face. " What is it, Nell 1 " asked Godfrey, bending down bis head, as she paused and hesitated. "He — he — said something else," faltered Nell. "Mrs Fanshawe bad mentioned— Olive's name in her letter — in connection with you " "In connection with me?" interrupted Godfrey indignantly. " What does all this mean, Nell ? " " Godfrey, it is bo painful for me to tell you," answered Nell, putting a little trembling hand on his arm; "but — but this woman had said in her letter that there was some sort of report in the neighbourhood about you and OHve, and sho therefore wrote to Mr Seton to tell him of " "My folly, I presume?" said Godfrey gloomily. "To tell him about— heraelf," continued Nell ; "and thereupon Mr Seton sent for me to ask me if — if I thought you oared — for Olive." " This is really too much I " " I—lI — I did not know whether to tell you, but I thought I had better do so. Oh I Godfrey, I did not know what to say to Mr Seton ; I felt guilty, for I oonld not speak the truth. And— and he asked me if I thought Olive liked you ; if I thought " " About this at least, Nell, you might have spoken the truth," said Godfrey gravely; " and it would have been better had you done so. Olive is to mo as a little sister— could never be anything more to me, and I wish you had told my nnole this." " But he afrked me to try to find out what — Olive's fecliDgs were to you " "Dear Nell, all this is very painful to me. Do yon know," continued Godfrey, still more gravely, " I do not believe that my little cousin's name has ever been mixed up with mine ; indeed it is impossible that it could be so. Mrs Fanshawe has merely invented it for her own purposes, and I wish you had put my uncle's mind to rest on the subject. If you have another opportuaityofdoingso, will you ? Tell him distinctly that I regard OJivo as my young sister, and that she regards me as her big brother." "If I could only think tbi*," eaid Nell, with a little wistful sifth. " You must think it, dear ; what I told you before is perfectly true. I wish, indeed, Olive knew about ourselves— knew that I love you, that some day you have promised to be my wife." " Ah, Godfrey " "Is not this so, my love, my dearest 7" said Godfrey, bending down his face to hers. "Is not your heart mine, and mine yourß ? Arc not our very souls akin 2 Nothing can ever part us, Nell." " I love you— oh Iso well, Godfrey," wbisperfd Nell, and her cheek was nestling against bis shoulder as she spoke. "I— l am always thinking of you. I know it is wrong " "It is not wrong, Nell ! It is natural, it is sweet. It was wrong for you to be forced into that— l cannot call it marriage— that odious bond that you deem binding. But ib is not to me ; you are not Mr Montgomery's wife, but my dear love." | Nell made no answer. Her head rested on his shoulder, his arm was round her ; she could hear the beating of his heart. She was thinking, " I could die for him" ; the sacred words came floating across her brain— " ' Greater love hath no man than this, that he would give his life for his friend "—and I would give mine for Godfrey 1 " And Godfrey ? Did he know what was passing in the girl's heart 1 Did he dream of her deep love ? Between these two was that myaterlous bond which comes unsought —the soul-link that is not forged on earth. This crown, this sweetest joy of life, was theirs ; but, like the waveß of the deep sea, its very depth and strength is dangerous. To possess it together is happiness; but it parted, it is the rending asuader of twa lives.

■ Godfrey recognised this, and knew as he drew Nfll closer to his brcaut that without 'fipch other their futures would ba a dreary jvrasto. He shrank, even now to part with her. His nalaro— londor, Bansitive— dreaded that any shadow might corac betvs r cca them. ■ " But she loreß in-",' o told hieeself, " and many waters cannot quuiich love." ' ' " And you have forgiven me ? " he asked at i length, in a low tono. j "I have nothing to forgive," £ho answered, though she knew he was thickirg of Mrs Fanebawe. ; > " Will you write to me, Nell ? " ] " I think not. Mr Seton sees all the ' letters, you know— no, I must not write." . " Well, it will not be for long ; lam going : to my mother's, but I will return £ere in a 'fortnight or three weoks. Do not forget me .when I tun aw»y, Nell." * " You know that I will not." " I shall feel as if you were always with ( me," said Godfrey tetderly. • •• My thoughts will be with you," answered ] Nell ; and Godfrey stooped down and j kissed her face. i " And now I must go," said Nell. " Goodbye, dear Godfrey." ', They parted with lingering handolaspfl, %vith looks that told their secret to each other's souls. What was it to them that the | rain diifted round them and the storm wind swept through the dripping trees? Their hearts were warm and gad with love, and "outward things could not touch the deep, sweet bond that Leld them fast. \ But Nell had scarcely parted with Godfrey \7hen ehe heard hurried footsteps bsbtad iher. She looked round, and saw she wa3 foliowed by a woman. A poor, drenched figure, Icrouching in the raw. In a moment Nell 'recognised her ; it was the woman who loved Joe Glllelt; the woman, who had lost emy"thing for hiß sake. , Nell stopped ; she had pitied this poor creature boforo, and now she pitied her more; perhaps understood beUer how another life oan btcome dearer than one's own. ' Tho woman ran up; the was breathless, she was pale, and her face was wet with the drifting storm. j "Ob, miss, excuse mo, but I saw you part .with tho gentleman, and I made bold to iollov you," ehepantod forth. " "Do you wish to speak to me ? " asked Nell gently. 11 Yes," answered the woman, with a sort of cob. " Miss, do you know the Assize is to ;be in a fortnight, and Joe Gillett will be tried 'for bis life." '" I did not know when it was to be." It was a subject indeed that had never Jjotn mentioned at Northesk before Nell. Mr Seton had been deeplj disappointed by iher evidencs at the coroner's inquest and her ."refusal to identify the poacher. Bar, on the other hand, he Hk«d her so well, and felt 'euch deep gratitude to her for nursing Olive, ;ihat he had never cared to speak on a matter that might make any difference be•tween tfcem ; and Godfrey and Nell had had other things to occupy their minds. Now It all came back to Noll ; tho woman's Borrow-stricken face recalled the miserable tragedy of her life. 41 Yeß, miss, in a fortnight," continued the woman. " I've seen tho lawyer that's going to speak for Joo, and I've seen him — poor, poor fellow 1 " And t ears began to stream heavily down her ? unk-jn cheeks. " Well, we muat lrpe for the best," said Ntll, who naturally was greatly embarrassed. "And, miss," went on tho woman esgerly, "they both charged me to see yen— both Joe and the lawyer— and told me to tell you that your word might still save him. You .did not 'dentify him at the coroner's 'quest, and God's bUssing rest on you for it. Will you, oh my lady, promise aot to 'denlify him at the trial 1 " "I can but repeat Ihe evidence I gave before, you know," answered Nell ; "it was all •taken down. I did not identify Joe Gill-it t at .the coroiur's inquest; 1 will not at the trial." The woman would have fallen on her knees io express her gratitude, but Nell prevented her. " Do not kneel down, please," eaid Nell ; " the ground is wet, and I promise to say as little as I can. And tell me," eho went on, holding one of the poor worn hands in herd, '" how you have been getting on ? Miss Seton has been so ill that I have never had a moment to it quire after you." " I'm used to trouble, miss," answered the VTQman meekly, and she looked more than ! balf-stwved ; " but if we only can get him off that ia nothing." i "But what will you do— if " " Jce thinks perhaps we might emigrate, miss. You see he's a fine, strong man, and —if only " "Only what 7" "If you could forget that part, miss — Martin's message to the squire. You see Joe's name was mentioned in it ; that's the pait that will go hardest on him. Joe charged me to fee yon and beg this of you. ■ I was goiog to write, but I saw you with the gentleman— and — and, missj " And she raised her pathetic sunken "eyes appealingly to Nell's face. "But," begMi.Nell hesitatingly. " Oh, miss, perhaps you know now what it jg — to — to be bo fond " A burning blush rose to Ntll's face. "When I saw you with him— oh, mise, forgive me if I make too bold— l thought, ' Tee young lady will know, will feel for a poor breaking heart like mine.' You have much, miss, but I have nothing but him." Nell's eyes suddenly filled with tears. The thought swept through her heart, What if she were pleading for Godfrey's life I—the1 — the agony she would feel, the misery she would endure 1 " I will say as little as I can," she faltered. vMj deposition has been taken down, and it is impossible I can go back from it ; but I will do what I can. Will you take this ? " and she placed a sovereign in the woman's hand ard t ! . en left her, hurrying back to the Hall ab qu c\A\ £.s possible, feeling tbat the tiial befoic h?r would now be inexpressibly painful. Whtn ehe reached the house she first went to her own room to charge her wet things ; then she hastened to Olive's, and when she entered it Mrs Avery, the houeekeeper, received her with very grave looks. "I don't thick Mies Oiiva seems quite co well, rnisß," ehe said. Then N&ll looked with guddon anxiety at

the little white face lying oa tho pillows, marked with Buffering and pain. " How do you feel, OHvo, dear 1 " ohe said, bending over her. Tho pale lips quivered at this question, aud tbat was all. Bat presently Nell, watching her, saw two tears Bteal from beneath tho closed violet rimmed lids and creep slowly down the sunken cheeks. "Dear Olive, what is it?" asked Nell taking her hand. Then suddenly Olive flung her arms above her head and burst into passionate sobs. "Ob, I wish I v re deadl" she cried. "Oh, Iwiehl wer.edor.dt" " Bat why, Olive, dear ?— why 1 " said Nell tremblingly. " I have nothing to livo for," went on tho ycuog girl with bitter, heartrending sobs ; " J am not like you." j At this taomenfc Mr Seton, who chanced to be passing along the corridor opposite his daughter's rooao, heard her cries and stopped to listen. " I have nothing to live for ; lam not like you 1 " These words fell on Mr Setoa's shocked and startled ears, and he at ones opened the door and went in. i "My darling, what is this ? " he said, > hurrying up to the bed and clasping one of her hands in his. " Miss Fraser, what has happened ? What is distressing Olive ? " ; Then Olive looked at her father, and lifting herself up, flung her arms around his neck. " Take me away, father I " she sobbed. " I want to die. lam too miserable to live 1 " "My deaf, my dearest child," said Me Selon in the deepest distress, "what has upset you 1 Tell your father, my darling. I would give my life to save you from any pain." But Olive only kept sobbing on, with her hoed lying on her father's breast. In vain Mr Seton with every endearing expression j tried to draw from her the canse of her uncontrollable grief. Once or twice Mr Seton looked at Nell, who was also trying to soothe her, and there was suoh grave anxiety in hia facß that Nell knew he was thinking of what he had said to her about Godfrey. Presently Olive Eank back exhausted, and Mrs Avory induced her to swallow some salvolati'.e. " Try to sleep, my darling," said Mr Sston, bending over htr and kissing her brow, and as he did so there was a fixed determination in his heart. 11 1 will find out tbe truth about this," he was telling himself ; " the child would not break down thus without a cause." Aftor a while he left her, and went straight to Godfrey's room, as he knew his nephew was in the house. He rapped at the door, and Godfrey called to him to come in. J His portmanteau was open on the floor, as he meant to leave early the next morning, and Godfrey was arranging some papers lying on the table. "You, uncle?" he Bald, lookicg up pleasantly as Mr Seton entered the room. " You see I am preparing to clear out." " I see," answered Mr Saton gravely, and something in the expression of his face made Godfrey look at him anxiously. " Godfrey," continued Mr Seton, " I have just left Olive — I found her in ths greatest distress." "Ia the greatest distress 1 " repeated Godfrey, i " Yes ; something is pr^yirgon the child's mind ; is making her unhappy. Godfrey, you know what she is to me— the only child I have left, and I would give anything, everything, to guard her from any possible dis- ; appointment and pain. Ia that letter which Mrs Faushawe wrote to me, ehe mentioned Olive's name ; she said that in the neighbour- j hood there was a report that you were paying Olive attention. Is that so 1 " A dusky colour rose to Godfrey's face at this question. " Certainly not," he answered quietly and firmly. " I regard Olive, and have always done bo, as my little sister." 11 Sail she is not your sistor, and girls, young girls especially, take fancies. Have you any reason to believe that she regards you otherwise than as a consin 1 " "I have not," said Godfrey slowly. He was remembering what Nell had told him ; ho was wisbiug with all his heart that Nell's suspicions and his uncle's might not be true. " I cannot bear to see her in such distress," continued Mr Stton, moving about the room in great agitation. " I know she is very fond of you— when she was ill she was always calling on your name. I thought that might be just the fever, but I don't think so now. Godfrey, if you think you could learn to care for " " Uncle," interrupted Godfrey, also in great agitation, "I do care for her, but not as you mean. I lovo some someone else — I am engaged to some eUe." - The two men looked at each other, and something in Godfrey's face made Mr Seton ask another question. "Is it anyone you have me there ? " he said slowly. " ifes, 1 ' answered Godfrey, and then Mr Saton understood. He said nothing more, but as he left the room he knew that Godfrey's answer was a bitter blow to himself, as, well as to his little girl. {To te continued.)

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