CHAPTER XLVI.—(Continued.)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 100, 2 May 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER XLVl.— (Continued.)

That ehe had been but slightly injured, been taken in charge by the best and most gentle of nurses, and under her constant, tender care, had come back to the world to which, be it ever so surly to us at times, we all so heartily hate to say farewell, never once occurred to him. We all hnve our choice of spectacles Just now Voyle made choice of blue rather than of amber, though through the former he saw clouds and shadows, while the latter would make the whole world sunshiny. You know yourself how a conviction, especially a conviction of evil, will seize on one, take possession of all tho powers ot heart and brain master one. Thus was young Vernell ruled now. Were she well she would have written, were she too ill to write the would have had another write for her. or through that other send a message. Mie lud been on that train. Of the injured taken in kindly charge she had beeu one And she had died. This he reiterated over and over in passionate misery as he strode along at a tremendous rate, white-lipped, wide eyed. He would make search of course, and that at once. Ah, terrible »s the journey which terminates beside a grave ! she had been flying from her home, poor child, because of an infamous persecution If she had not, like other girls, a sweet, safe, sheltering home, not a mere palace, but in tiuth a home, this had not been Now did he owe to James Vernell a mighty debt indeed. The rush of noonddv was over. Thut of •« closing hour " had not yet begun. Up j blew a sharp, bleak wind It swept from the lake, chilling one to the manow The sun, which had made the day glorious, an hour aso hid his royal countenance and skulked" relem I issly. And still Voyle Vernell walked on, not thinking, heeding, caring whither. As he passed Dearborn going eastward he noticed a long line of carriages draw n up at the kurbstone. He regarded them blankly. \\ ny wan there suck a crush of vehicle* ? How stupid he was, to be sure ! There was a matineo , at McVicker's to-day. j As he parsed the side entrance ot the theatre a man leaning against one of the pillows, a man squat in figure, wearing a ' fur-trimmed overcoat and high silk hat, roused himself with a sudden movement, sprang forward to the pavement, confronted Through sheer astonishment Voyle stood ' still in his tearing walk. ! Two pudgy, cirmson hands were laid upon his arm, ten fat. jewelled fingers clutched him. A broad, red faco looked up at him. , " You young hound, you ! I believe you re at the bottom of it all «" m At sound of the familiar voice which had | always mado the lad think of a file rasped on sheet-iron, he started slightly. He was still too dazed, though, to speak. " Where have you got her hid ? It was ' you who induced her to leave her lawful , husband, was it? Where is she? hat street! What number? Out with it! Where is she ? Where is Vella ?" The spot where they stood was one of the most thronged and public in the city, but though the millionaire had spoken fiercely, ; he had kept voice and actions well under! control. | Vella ! That named aroused the boy. j He shook off the other's detaining hands , with rising rage. | "Vella! How dare you ask for her?. Though I shouldn't blame you so much, f Mr Jonas Claflin," his voice growing louder in its concentrat-d scorn. il You could not resist the temptation of conquering a woman ' —rather a child ! There never was a mean . man yet who did not rejoice in tyranny !" j 11 Hold on!" cried the other, angrily.) " What's all thie tirade about ? Remember where you are !" The matinee was over. Already In twos and threes the edge of the audience >\as; beginning to trickle down the steps within •« I remember as well as I wh-h to '" with the furious recklessness of youth. " What do I care who hears ? As I say, I give you only contempt, but for him a\ ho drove her to her death I bear a les* blunt weapon. As sure as there is a just God above us, James Vernell shall answer to me for my sister's life!" There was quite a blockade around them now. Several overheard the wild word^ By main force Claflin drew his companion with him into tho alley just beyond and out of earshot. But one man followed them, unnoticed, for the words had excited his curiosity, a tall, largely-built fellow, v;ith a big, blonde face and auburn moustache. "What do you mean — life — death ? gasped Jonas. j •' Thar my .«-ifter i 3 dead— give her rest in her grave !" he panted. Then be tore him.-elf free, and «vas lo>st in the crowd surging towards State-street.