Chapter IX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 42

Chapter IX.

Mrs Wayland'a Illness.

Mrs Wayland, m a rule, was tbe most disobliging old woman in the world, bat at this time she did exaotly what her sister, Lady Stanmore, wished her to do— that is, she took a serious illness, and was compelled to .remain , many weeks at Redvors Court trhether «he wished it or not. ■. She had, in truth, by some means' or Other, contracted -rhenmatitf fever, and if % not in Absolute danger was really extremely ill. 'tiandshe was the most .impatient of invalids. Bbc declared it whb the damp of the falling leaves at Redrew Court that bad done tbe mlsdbief, and rated her sister, and Belle avery hour of the day for having taken ber (here;

Lady Stanmore, however, bore it all very DouaplaoeOtly, and Stanmore— who never saw ber— yet more complacently. Bat be was alto secretly pleased at this illneas — tbe illness Chat detained Belle Wayland under bis roof. Tbe letter whiob poor Belle had writtemto \ber lover with such overflowing tenderness i& her heart we may ba veiy sure never ltft fiedvers Court on its way to Bombay. A few , minutes after Belle returned to her mother's ,100 m Lady Stanmore also .descended to the tall, though tbis was not her usual practice, i carrying some letters ia ber band. She too unlocked tbeletter-bag, placed her own letters •within it, and drew out one addressed in Belle's handwriting to * Htjoh Gilbebt Esq , Royal Lancashire Regiment, General Post Office, Bombay, I India. Lady Stanmore carried tbis letter in the pocket of ber dress to her own room, quite tuiaware that the butler, Jenkins, who bad charge of the bag, and was just going to lock it before giving it to the postman, had teen her abstraot Ift , Jenkins saw this, but lie had lived at Bedvers Court in Lady Stanpore's time, and knew it was as much as his plaoe was worth to say anything about it. Ho bad known Lady Stanmore take letters ■Tom tbe bag before, and be knew also that Ills lady bad a determined will and an iron b*nd. " I wonder what she is up to- now ? " thought Jenkins, and that was all. In the Meanwhile the poor little love-letter, fall of the tender outpourings of the girl's heart, feras consuming in the flames. For a moment j or two after shehad reached her own room jLady Stanmore" thought she would open it >nd wad its contents. But after a brief indecision she determined not to do this. ! "Tbe old story, the old folly, I suppose," She reflected, and she flung it into tbe fire and watched it burn quickly away. And at lunob she met Belle without once thinking Rhe had done her any wrong. "I forgot to aek you," she said, "If you bad written your letter and sent it away ? " "Yes," , answered Belle softly, "it Is gone"; and for the moment the memory of tier dxeara cams back to her mind. • "May I ask?" inquired Stanmore, who 'tad beard the question and answer, " what was the nature of this important letter 1 " "Jack, of course, thinks it must be a love-letter," answered Lady Stanmore gaily ; ••'.but for once, my dear Jack, you are wrong. It is something much more important — a business letter."

"Why should I think It a love-letter?" asked Btanmore sharply* -••Because all girls have them," said Lady Stanmore coolly { " but, of course, you know nothing about It."

Stanmere made no answer. He' 1 was very tjuiat during lunob, but wben Belle left tbe jtable to sea after her mother; be suddenly looked in hit sister-in-law's face, while a dusky flash passed over his own. 7' "Luoy, would you think I was a very great fool," be said, "if I were to tell yon that I believe I am half in love with that girl?" "With Belle 2" asked Lady Btanmore Jlowiy.

"Yes, with Belle. I know it's folly, but I can't help It." "I do not see that it is folly," oontinued Lndy Stanmore, still Blowly, and as if she were thinking. "Belle i* a very- pretty girl, and I Suppose some day you will marry. " " I never thought of doing so until I met Belle Wayland. But do you think she would bay» ms if I asked her 1 "

" That I cannot answer. Bat one piece of advice, if you are in earnest, let me give you. Don't be in a hurry ; your rank or your wealth will aot influence Belle. You must try to make ber oare for you for your own rake." "I like her all the better for that. Bat suppose in the meantime someone else outs me out? That young Diok Probyn, for instance." "I dont think Belle is a girl to oare for so yonng a man as Diok Probyn." " But ibe Is so young." "That II different; and, joking apart— pray don't think I am flattering you, Jack — you are a muoh better looking man than Dick Probyn. Besides, that unfortunate stammer of bis ." Stanmore smiled,- well pleased. " I must say that's a bit of a drawback," he said. "So you think I bad better wait', ,Lucy?" "Decidedly wait. It Belle thought we wanted her to marry yon beoause you are what in oalled a good match, she would not hay« yon ; but if she learned to oare for you •he would." " And you will stand my friend ? " " Certainly I will, Jaok. I like Belle, and I've always liked you. And naturally I shall bt pleased to be doubly connected with you."' " The old woman is tbe worst of it." "She has proved a most convenient old woman at the present time," answered Lady Stanmore with' a little laugh. "Her being laid up here gives you an opportunity of seeing Belle intimately, wbioh you oould have had nowhere else." •

"And you think I had better" wait?'* again asked Stanmore, a little anxiously. " Most owrtainly 1 do ; wait until I give you a bint that it is time to speak, and then you will speak to soma pnrpoce." Stanmore nodded his head, and then went out to cmoke. ,

" Lucy ii a wise woman," he thought as be walked slowly up and down the long avenue. "I'm glad I've told her."

(To It continued.)