HER PROMISE TRUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 41

HER PROMISE TRUE.

By DORA RUSSELL. Autborof "Footprints in the Snow," "A Country Sweetheart," " A Man's Privilege," &o. [Copyright.] SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Chapters I <fell.—Pretty Belle Wayland, daughter of Mtb Wayland, a dashing but not over well circumstanced widow, is at Brighton with hey mother. She loves and is loved by Hugh Gilbert, a penniless soldier, and the two are bidding each other farewell, as bio regiment is about to sail for India. Mrs Wayland has other schemes for her daughter, especially favouring a certain Lord Stanmore, a wealthy nobleman who has just come into his title. Belle, however, declines to encourage Stanmore, and her mother threatens to tell Gilbert something which will prevent him marrying Belle. She also writes to her Bister, the widowed Lady Stanmore, Bpnaking of her daughter's proposed marriage with Gilbert as " moral suicide." OHAPTBB 111.

LtuHy Stanmoro's Advice. RS WAYLAND having ' finished and despatched her letter to bei 1 sister felt somewhat relieved in her mind. Bat she was still very angry with her daughter. She, however, presently went to Belle's room, as the morning waß fino and Mrs Wayland believed that a wslk v/ould do ber good, and help to compose her nerres. Bub Belle was already cub, and Mrs Wayland had therefore to sally forth alone. Belle had gone out early nnder the somewhat romantic idea that she should like to stand once more on the spot where last night she had stood with Hagh Gilbert. She knew ha had left Brighton, bat his memory seemed tery vivid to her. She could almost fancy he was still by her side as she walked slowly along in the bright fre3h air until she reached the very chairs on which they had sat together yesterday morning, and where she had promised always to be true to him. She sat down on one of these and looked vaguely at the sea. But she was not thinking of the whits-created restless waves — she was wondering how soon she could have a letter from Hugh; she was mentally repeating some of his fond words ; she was telling herself that she would never change to him. But suddenly her reverie was interrupted. "Q-ood morning, Miss Wayland," said a voice quits near to her, and when Belle glanoed quickly up she saw it was Lord Stanmore who had addressed her. She bowed and smiled, and Stanmore laid his hand on the baok of the vacant chair by her side. " How is the headache this morning 7 " he continued. " I was 30 very sorry you could not dine with us last night." Belle was conscious that she blushed deeply," and Stanmore saw the blush, and admired the lovely colour that flooded her smooth checks. "It is gone this morning," she answered somewhat shyly. " Yes, I was very sorry." "The sea air has blown it away," said Stanmore, smiling. " You do not look this mornirsg as if you ever had a headache— or a heartache. Ab, what is it to be young 1 " Belle gave a little laugh. •• But young people often have headaches, and heartaches too," she said. "And cause them; at least lemeanI e mean the heartaches. Well, I won't pay you any silly compliments, Miss Wayland, but I fear this will be your fate in life." "Bat I call that a silly compliment," JWrnsed. &s)&>• gftiUag.

II No, it is a fact. Bat tell mo truly— don't you like nice things aaid to you 2 " " You mean do I like to bo flattered T" "But nioe things are not all flattery by any meanci. Now I confess Hike to be flattered, isn't it far pleasanter for anyone to say to yon, ' How well yoa are looking, my dear fellow, ' than to remark, often too truthfully, • You look very yellow and bilious this morning.' I may know lam looking yellow and bilious, but I don't like to be told so." Again Belle laughed. " You are very candid at least," she aaid. " That is one of my attractions. Yee, I like nice things said to me and of me. Do Bay something nice, Miss Wayland 2. " 11 1 can't think of anything to gay." 11 That is too cruel. By the bye, I saw you sitting just about here yesterday morning with a gentleman, didn't 1 2 May I ask who was the happy man 1 " "His name is Gilbert," answered Belle with a blurt). " A fine soldier-like looking fellow enough ; is he in the army I " " Yes , he starts for India to-day, to rejoin his regiment." "Ah 1 " said Stanraore, looking curiously at the girl's face, " Well, the life of a soldier has como attractions, don't you think 2 They have always change at least." " And you like change 2 " 11 One is apt to weary even of sugar-plums, you know." •* " I have not had enough to weary me," said Belle brightly, "Is that so 2 Well, may I take the place of the happy man of yenterday, and occupy ! his vacant ohair— Bince be is gone 2 " As Stanmore spoke he seated himself on : the chair by Belle's side, and Belle felt slightly annoyed, which Sfcanmore was amused to perceive. " I wish I were the happy man," be said, > smiling j " bat since I cannot be, please do not frown on me, and make me an unhappy one." " You have every reason to be a happy man 1 should think, Lord Stanmore." " Why 7 Because I am seated by your side?" " You know I don't mean that. I mean — you have been fortunate in life." " Through poor Stanmore'a death, I suppose you think 2 Well; I do not "wish him alive again to test. the truth, though I also must say for myself that I never wished him dead." " No, I am sure you would not do that." "How can you be sure 2 It was only a natural temptation to a weak human heaxt. Stanmore'e death changed me from a poor man into a well-to-do one, and made my position altogether more comfortable. I am not going to pretend that I do not like the alteration." 41 And have people chacged to' you with your chaDge of fortune 2 " asked Bslle half curiously. "They have improved vastly in their manners," answered Stanmore, smiling a little grimly ; " and Ido not wonder at it. A man with £100 to lend you is a much more agreeable companion than a mart who wants to borrow £100." " You put things very funnily," said Belle, in an amused tone. . " Life is very funny, you know, if you do not take it too seriously. To do so is a mistake." At this moment, however, the conversation was interrupted. Mrs Wayland had gone out to seek her daughter, and felt by no means sure that she would not find her with Hugh Gilbert, aa she had not absolutely believed what Belle had said about his leaving Brighton. It was a pleasant surprise to her, therefore, to see Belle with Lord Stanmore by her side. The expression on her face changed the moment she recognised them, and she approached them with a smile on her not uncomely face. "Good morning, Stanmore," she eaid graciously ; " and may I ask where you picked up Bslle, for I have been seeking her everywhere 2 f> "I siw Miss Wayland sitting here," answered Stanmore, rieicg courteously and offering Mrs Wayland his ohair, "and I ventured to stop and inquire if her headache wa» gone." "Oh! I dare say that is all right this morning," replied Mrs Wayland, with a carious glance at her daughter ; " the headaches of people . of Belle'a age don't labt long." "Huppy age I" said Stanmore with an affected sigh. 41 1 don't know about that \. young people have such a sad want of sense." " Worldly sense 2 " asked Stanmore. "Of course, worldly sense. Dont we live in the world and want sense to carry us properly through it 2 " " " We were talking in a horribly worldly manner before you joined us, Mrs Wayland." "Tell me what you were sayirg. Stanmore, bring another chair and Bit between us, and tell me all about it; I don't see why you should have all the fun to yourselves." Stanmore obeyed Mr 3 Way land's request and sat between the mother and daughter. " The old woman," as he mentally designated Mrs Wayland, rather amused him, and he admired Belle exceedingly. Her beauty suited his taste. Its piquancy and delicate loveliness seemed refreshing to his somewhat jaded eyes. " Now tell me what you have been talking about," asked Mrs Wayland when they were all settled. "This charming daughter of yours," answered Stanmore, smiling, " has been saying the cruellest things to me. She asked me if people were not more civil to me now than in poor Stanmore's time, and evidently insinuated that she thought they would be." " Oh I Lord Stanmore, what an exaggeration 1 " said Balle. "Perfect truth, I assure you, Mrs Wayland ; and I candidly admitted the fact. Of course my position is improved, and people naturally give me the benefit of it." 11 Bat you were always popular, Stanmore," said Mrs Wayland. " I doubt it greatly ; at all events, lam much "more popular now. Don't" laugh, please, Miss Wayland, or you will hurt my feeliDgß," . " I don't think I could do that," answered Belle assaiy, >.

"But t am sure you could; I am very sensitive, you know." Belle shook her head. " I am sure you are not,"eha said. v Belle," interrupted Mrs Wayiand, "I have written to your Aunt Lucy and asked her to join us here at once. And then, Stanmore," she added, " I hope we shall see you sometimes." " I hope so, whether Aunt Lucy — or rather, in my oaae, sister-in-law Luoy — joins you or not." 11 That is all right, then," said Mrs Wayland, " but I dare say Lucy will come. If she brings her oarriage it will be much more convenient." " But why not hire one here 2 " asked Stanmore. " I will see about it," replied Mra Wayland, who grudged all extra expenses. " But it's getting rather ohilly sitting here, do you know. Suppose we walk 2 " Lord Stanmore walked with them until they returned to their hotel, and then he went back to the sea wall and walked by himself. " What a haunting face that girl has I " he was thinking ; "an enchanting face. Am I going to be such an old fool as to fall in love with her 2 It would be utter folly, and yet no doubt the old woman would be quite delighted if I did. But I'm not so sure of the young one, though. There are hidden fires beneath those bright eyes and sensitive lips. I must find out all about her from Lucy; in the meantime it's a pleasure to look at her. I wonder when Lucy will arrive. 1 ' r His curiosity was gratified on this point during the same evening. After dinner, in the lounge, when the band was playing, he saw Mrs Wayland and Belle sitting together on a couch, and Mrs Wayland beckoned with her fan for him to appro&ch them. " Well," she said, addressing him, " I have had a telegram from my sister Lucy, and she will be with us to-morrow. I am very glad she is coming," "I am charmed," answered Stanmore ; and then he began talking to Belle, and Mrs Wayland kept thinking of Lady Stanmore's telegram. It ran as follows s— " I have your letter, and send a telegram to you at once. I will be with you tomorrow, but in the meantime t strorgly advise you to say nothing to B on the subject to which you allude. To do so could do no good, and might do much harm. As regards the other affair — the young man — that will' probably die a natural death when he rejoini big regiment in India. " Ltjot."