ABANDONED.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4894, 31 December 1888, Page 4

ABANDONED.

LITERATURE-

By the Author,of “ Black Sheep,” “Wrecked in Port,” &o.

, CHAPTER XV. AT LAST. ‘ Eurther inquiry proved that he had been in Springaida on that dreadful day, having actually called at my house and spoken to my servant; and all these circumstances, corroborated with your evidence, left, no doubt on the minds of the magistrates, who discharged Mr Heriot ; while the coroner’s jury brought in a verdict of wilful murder against Philip Vane. You are distressed Margaret, I had better stop.’ ‘No ; pray go bn. And Gerald was liberated at once.’ ‘Not merely liberated, but became the idle of the hour. The revulsion of popular feeling was extraordinary. Nothing, however, not even his restoration to Rose’s arms, I think, gave him so much joy as my discovery of a letter amongst poor Sir Geoffry’s papers, written two days before his death, a letter addressed to George, in which he confessed his harsh treatment of him, and implored his return to his position and his home. You are crying, Margaret.’ ‘They are tears of joy, dear friend I had no idea that letter had been written, though Sir Geoffry had spoken of his intention of writing it. . Thank Heaven he lived to carry that intention into effect. And Gerald—George —is now bßppy.’ ‘ Intensely happy. I know not which is the happier, he or Rose. Tour illness has been the only blot on their felicity.’ ‘I suppose they will be married at once,’asked Madge. ‘ Now that you are convalescent, there is no occasion for any further delay. Sir Geoffry died intestate, and Gerald is consequently sole heir. He is going to sell Wheatcroft, and, for some time travel abroad. So soon as you are able to bear the faGgue of the journey they will be married and start.’ ‘ Did they purpose taking me with them.’ ‘ They did; they have talked of it often. George Heriot was only speaking to me about it two days ago in London.’ ‘ I shall relieve them of that responsibility,’ said Madge with a smile; ‘ they shall have no querulous invalid to destroy the happiness of their bridal tour.’ L ' ‘And what will you do, Margaret.’ j ‘ ‘Wait till lam a little stronger, and then seek for some new situation.’ ‘ A sharp expression of pain passed across the rectors face;’ Margaret,’ he said, bending over couch, ‘ months age I tasked you to become my wife. There was an obstacle, and you refused—that obstacle no longer exists. Since then I have seen you surrounded by dangers and difficulties, and trials of no ordinary kind, and in them all your goodness and purity have been triumphant, and rendered you more than ever dear to me, Margaret, I ask you once again ; for pity’s sake, do not give me the same reply.’ ‘ I—l could not go back to Springshe said. • ‘Nor is there any occasion for it, dearest one. By my father’s death, I am rendered more than rich. The physician, whom I consulted in London, spoke to me words of hope, more cheering than I could have expected; he told me that, by wintering in a warm climate, my life may yet be pro longed to the ordinary span. It is for you to give me an interest in that life, Margaret, what will you do.’ ‘ I would give my life to save yours,’ she whispered. ‘ I will devote half of mine to tending yours.’ She raised her eyes to his, and in them he saw the dawn of life and hope. ‘My darling, my own.’

Mr Delabole’s friends at this board of the extinct Terra del Fuegos Silver Mihing Company did him injustice in suggesting that he had intended to mislead them by giving King’s Cross as the address to the cabman. He proceeded to that station, thence to Peterborough, thence, per Great Eastern Bailway, to Harwich, and tjhence, per steamer, to Botterdam. Bemaining on the Continent a few months, and baffling all attempts to .track him, be finally made his way to Havre, and then took ship for America Mr Delabole, being possessed of a large sum of money and great business talents, found admirable scope for financing operations in the United States, aud is now one of the leading lights ot Wall Street. , Mrs Bendixen never received the letter which Philip Yane addressed to her on the morning of his flight, and and knew nothing of her intended husband’s crime and fate until she read of both in the newspaper. The shock sobered her for a time, and she disappeared from society. There are rumours, however, that she has seen sufficient of the charms of solitude, and intends re-appearing this season with an addition to her household, in the person of a husband—a German tenor ot military appearance and a flute-like yoice.

George Heriot and Koee have their home in Florence ; the artistic society of which pleasantest of cities delights both of them.

Last autumn, while the Triennial Musical Festival was being held at Wexeter, a lady suddenly detached herself from a large party, which was crossing the cathedral yard, and running up to old Miss Cave, who was standing looking on in admiration, seized her by both hands and kissed her on the cheek. They had a short but animated conversation, Men the lady hurried off to rejoin her friends. ,

‘ More friends among the quality, Susan,’ said Sam Cave, ns be bustled to her. ‘Who was that lady just now —the bishop’s wife or the new dean’s daughter.’ ‘ Neither one nor the other, Sam,’ said old Miss Cave, half laughing, half crying. ‘ You have seen that lady often before She is staying at th e Deanery now with her husband, who is a clergyman : but you recollect her when she was our leading lady, and was called Madge Pierrepoint.’

THE END,