CHAPTER VI.—RESISTING TEMPTATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 59

CHAPTER VI.— RESISTING TEMPTATION.

WING to a rainy afternoon, it was not until the evening that Madge was able to join Mrs Lovell in the drawing room, as she had to remain with her pupils. "You see, my duty to them must come first," said Madge, making her apologies. "But I do hope you will give me a treat now," and she glanced at the open piano and pile of scattered music. Mrs Lovell was seated in a big easy chair drawn up close to the fire, and sat with her elbows on her knees, her face resting in her hands. "Come and sit down and talk.; perhaps I'll play.spon. I want to ask you some questions," she answered. Madge obeyed, and pulled up a low chair to the hearth. "Why were you kind to me the other night when I was — like that? Nobody else is ; nobody takes the trouble to be. I don't understand it, and I want to know." Tne woman turned her dark eyes questionably upon MadtfCt

"Because I felt sorry for you, I do nowf, I feel very, very sorry; why do you da it?"

Madge's voice shook a little, and she* leaned forward, touching the other woman's hand gently. A rush of tears gathered itt Mrs Lovell's eyes and rolled down her cheeks in great drops. "Oh !" she cried, dashing them away with her hand. "Oh, you don't know whati a miserable woman I am! Why do I do it? To drown thought. To forget misery! and sorrow and trouble. It is the onlvj thing, and I am glad of it. I love it. "I can't do without it — I crave for it, and must have it."

"But think of the degradation — th«f shame and the disgrace," . said Madge. " What's- the use of -thinking? I don't want to think, I want to forget." "But what trouble and sorrow have yoir had to make you take to thiS? Oh, Mrs Lovell, if I can help you, let me. 1 am only a girl, but I want so to be of use to' you — to help you to fight against this awful curse," cried Madge. Mrs Lovell laughed bitterly. ''You cau't do that— no one can. It is" too late — and the sooner I drink myself to death the better." "No ! no ! Don't say such dreadful things.. ' Jell me about yourself; sometimes it does one good to speak. How did you first begin "r"

"I began before I married— Ah! I knew . you would shrink from me. Perhaps I will tell you all one day ; I won't vet though •> it is too soon to trust you. t have never said as much to any man or woman before as I am saying to you, but there is something about your face that I like, lou are true, I think— and good— not a humbugging goodness, sanctimoniousness, and that sort of thing, but straightforward, honest goodness. Still, I'll wait and see. Have you met my cousin, Kent Rodhford?''" The question was so sudden and unexpected that Madge started, and felt her face turn crimson. She was exceedingly annoyed, for Mrs Lovell was scrutinising her countenance sharply. "Yes, I have met Mr Rochford. He only left this morning, as I daresay you know,"she replied.

"Why do you colour up like that? Whafe is he to you?" "Nothing— less than nothing. I dislike aim, answered Madge. "Well, listen to me. Don't let him get any influence over you j if you once get into his power your life will be ruined;' once give in to him and you are ruinedruined body and soul." "There is no danger to me. I shall be only too glad to avoid Mr Eochford as much as possible. I really do not need any warning against him." "And my husband— does he make love to you t"

Mrs Lovell spoke in a forced, carelessly satirical manner, but she watched Madge* face narrowly. "Your husband has been courteous and kind, all that a gentleman should be, Mr*' Lovell. As you have questioned m$ enough, I think I will go," replied Madge, making a movement to rise. "Oh, don't bt offended. Come, I am going to p'.ay tc you." And for an hour or more Mrs Lovell sat at the piano, wandering from one thing! to another, holding her listener entranced under the marvellous spell of her talent. Then, 11 o'clock striking, she finished with her usual abrupt crash of chords, and proposed that they should both go to bed. Madge was wakeful and excited by the music, and Mrs Lovell's strange personality that interested her intensely, and she lay for hours, thinking about the woman, her weakness and sin, and her strikingly fascinating appearance. She had said nothing-to Chris. Keane of the shadow that darkened the home of the Lovells with dread, nor did she even intend to mention it to her brothez-. Somehow she felt that it would be a disloyalty to do so, as she was living under the Lovell's roof, but she felt glad that in case of need she had a friend near who would come to her if she wanted him. Then her thoughts wandered to Chris. and at last she fell asleep, with his fair boyish face in her mind, the tone of his voice in her ear, and the clasp of his hand giving her a feeling of confidence and security. Of the three men who had lately : come into her life with their distinct per- ; sonalities, Chris Keane was the only- one J whom she felt she tould trust wholly and entirely. - J

It must have been nearly 4 o'clock when she was "awakened by a gentle knock at her door, and starting up immediately, flinging the clothes off her, she switched on the electric light and opened the .door. It was Mrs Lovell — who stood pale ana shivering in the passage. "May I come in?" she asked. Madge's reply was to take her by the arm with gentle touch and draw her inside.

The woman was trembling all over ana looked wretchedly ill. " I— l have tried — tried hard for the first time for years. I have been thinking of what you said about degradation and: shame. If I stay alone any longer I know I shan't resist." She spoke' falteringly, and tottered into the room.

Madge's arm crept round her, and her face was full of infinite compassion. "Get into my bed. You are cold and shivering ;, I'll cover you up," she said. Mrs Lovell obeyed like a child. She felt the strength, and comfort of the girl's strong will, and was ready tc submit to whatever she thought best.

Then. Madge turned out the light and crept into the bed beside her, throwing her arm round the still trembling form and? whispering words of hope and consolation in her ear. Presently by the sound of het| quiet regular breathing she knew that Mrs Lovell was asleep.

But there was no more sleep for Madges Young and ardent, and full of hope, she feltf elated at the influence she had already* exercised over this weak woman, andlooketa forward with" wonderful faith to inducing hei to break off entirely her fatal habit of drink. »

The girl clasped her hands together tuttS xr*jed t and: almost felt that it wrald fee» as

tM-r task. But she knew nothing of the te'iJbie curse or the fatal fascination of thick for a woman -who once has fallen under its baneful influence. Alas ! once to conquer did not mean always to conquer, and tnere would be many and many a backward step, stumble and fall.

However, for several days, with Madge's Constant companionship, Mrs Lovell resisted the temptation that was ever by her tide, and even the nurse remarked the perceptible change in her-mistress. She went put walks with her children and the governess, and returned home with a lovely colour in her cheeks and brightness in her ieyes. Madge was overjoyed ; she prayed^ that IMr Lovell might stay away longer, so that he might be struck with astonishment at the change in his wife's appearance. When another week had passed without his returning, Madge felt sure that he would remain 'eway over the Sunday. "He never writes to say when he is comJng back," Mrs Lovell told her ; "but likes to come and go as he chooses." Then Madge told her of her wish to go to town to see her brother. He 'had written, urging her to come if possible the following Sunday, and Madge did not like to disappoint him. "But why shouldn't you go? Of course you must ; nurse will look after the children,'''- said Mrs Lovell.

Madge hardly liked to say what was in her mind ; that it was not the children she minded leaving, but Mrs Lovell herself. JBovrever, a few words with the nurse helped to reassure her on that point. ' "She hasn't got a drop o' anything in the house, and I don't see how she can get ranythin' on a Sunday. So you go and enJjoy yourself, miss — it'll be all right, and you are lookin' that pale yourself that you Beed a change. She's got on your nerves —that anybody can see; but, bless you, it's no use your worryin'. If she wants it, she'll have it, whether you watch her or you don't, -that's my opinion, although I .•will say she's been a different person the last few' days and brighter and more sensible than iVe seen her for years." \ So Madge decided to go, and on the Sattardav morning sent off a note to the adVkess Chris* Keane had' given her, telling Qiim she should go up to town by the 3 Vclock train the following day, and saying how glad she would 'be if he could go too. j Feeling a little like a parlour maid going 'tor her Sunday out, Madge took special Wins with her toilet, and was rather pleased with the effect of a large bunch of Parma violets she had sewn into her black toque to freshen it up. The touch .of colour suited hex", and the knot of real jviolets that nestled in the fur at her throat eeemedto accentuate the pretty colour in \er cheeks, and suited her to perfection. If Madge was not a regular "beauty she was pretty and attractive enough to draw attention, and many were the glances of ftdmiration that followed her as she waited on. the platiorm for -Chris. He came breafchless.'Xm feo awfully sorry to be late, but old JLawson kept me jabbering after luncheon," She said, as he joined her. "Oh, -but we are in time for the train, fco it doesn't matter," answered Madge. And to Chris that "we"' sounded delightfully familiar, linking them together, as it iwere. What a pleasure it was to get her jfcicket, and to hand her into the first-class (compartment which jfchey had to themselves ! "You are like a tonic," remarked Madge. rs she settled herself opposite him. "I ifeel braced up and fresh and lively ; and, flo you know, I was feeling tired, headachy, and dull."

"You've been worrying about something. II saw it at once ; this little change is sure to do you good. I was awfully afraid you [wouldn't go, and I've haunted that common ever since I met you that day at the post office. I was almost beginning to fear had left. Where on earth have you idden yourself?" said Chris. 'Tve not been out at the usual time ; ihat's why you haven't seen me. We've gone oat in the afternoon, and had Mrs iLovell with us," replied Madge. Then she asked him about his life as a doctor's assistant, and grew so interested in all that Ifae! told her that they seemed to have reached the end of their short journey in no time, \and there was Phil — dear old Phil-^-on. the platform — waiting for them.