CHAPTER XXXVI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 324, 12 December 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXVI.

'HB IS NOT >AMLl J Kt>^. 1 O(Jtohj:jc and November passed without any event, of special interest} occurring in connection with any of our character?. In Brooklyn, iv the home of August Huntress?, ther ( e wore very busy days, but. every member of the household was full of hope and happiness. filadys and Geoffrey saw but comparatively little of each other, except during the evening, for <!eoffrey went early to the oHice in New York every morning-, and did not return until dinner at six ; but both were looking forward to the thirtieth of December, the date »et for their union, with all the fond anticipations of young and loving hearts. Their engagement was formally announced immediately after it was decided that Oooffrey was to go abroad, and cards for the wedding were issued by the first of December. Congratulations poured in upon the young couple trom all qn i ters, and, the winter being an exceptionally gay one, invitation*; abroad were numerous and pressing, their friends urging their presence, .since they were to loso their society entirely dm ing their long absence in Europe. Eveiet Mapleson, while reading the fashionable items in a New York paper one morning 1 , came across the announcement of this approaching marriage. . He bounded from hischair withamutteicd imprecation. . 'So soon !' he said, with a frowning brow. • They are in a errent hurry ib seems to me ; bub perhaps the trip abroad explains it. Lefc me see— they -are to bo married the thirtieth,'- he continued, referring to the paper again, • and will bail the noxt day on the Scybhia. Tho Scythia? -That is nob a N, ew York steamer — that sails from Boston ; . so of course they will jiave'tq leave- New York immediately after their marriage to be - in season for it.' f i Ho paced up and down, the room with bent t head and sullen, thoughtful. brow. ' - , " ; i All afc once he gave a violent slurb.

in his pacing ; 'I' wondei' if it 'would be possible to manage it ?'l •. < x %\ - Ho topsed back the dishevelled hair from his fovohoad-; if h\s' eyes' blazod' with pome sudden purpose, his lips were set; in a firm, livid' line. " ' ' / nhall try for it,' lie said, in a low, I hoarso whisper, ' I have everything 1 to win or lose, and I will not yield without a desperate struggle.' Two hours lalei his portmanteau was packed, and he was Caking Jca\c of his father and mother. They expressed great surprise over 1113 sudden departure, and protested against his leaving homo before the holidays, since | they had made arrangements for a gay timo i at Ohri-ttnas chiefly on his account. But he was resolute and would not be turned from his purpose. 'There is to bo a great wedding in New York tho thirtieth, for which 1 am booked,' he explained, though ho did not say who r was to bo married ; ' and I would nor- mi&s it for anything.' ' Well, bub you could easily reach New York in season for this wodding oven if you do'noO leave until after Christmas,' his mother pleaded, for she was greatly ,' disturbed to have him leave home at this time, while she suspected from his gloomy N faco, who wn.s to be married, and felt f<uro he was only heaping up misery for himself in going to New York. ' Perhaps 1 will come back just for your grand paity at Christmas,' ho &akl, to appease her and be allowed to got o(I with out any further objections: 'but 1 must run up North for a week or two anyhow.' He reached the city on the morning of tho sixth, and proceeded directly to the club, ot which he was a member, and where he soon learned all that was going on among the hon (on. During the following day he called upon Gladys' friend, Miss Addie Lorincr, horn whom he meant to get all the particulars of the approaching wedding. Miss Loring received him with evident pleasure. ' Where have you kept yonraclf all winter, Mr Mapleson V' she questioned, brightly, a? she cordially gave him her hand. ' I feared you had deserted us altogether since leaving college.' ' I have been to the South most of the time, but something, more powerful than home influence, constrained me to come to New York for a little taste of society and city life,' Everet returned in a tone and with a look that made tho young lady's bright, cyos droop consciously. 1 Will you remain until the end of the season ?' 'That depends,' he replied with a significant smile, which made her heart flutter strangely. ' New York is very gay this winter, and there will be plenty to entertain you for as long as you choose to remain/ Mi&B Loring promised with a charming smile. 'I suppose,' s>ho added, ' you have hcaid of the great wedding that is lo come off tho thirtieth.' 1 The groat wedding ! Whose ?' Everot questioned feigning ignorance, although tho chief object of his call was to learn all he could about it. * Why, that of your classmate and double, Mr Geoffrey Huntress, and my dear friend Gladys. lam astonished that you h«*ve not heard of it,' said Miss Addie, really surprised that he should not have leceived cards for the marriage. 'Ah ! So Huntress is going to marry Miss Gladys is he? Pray what name -vv ill he bestow upon the lady ?' the young man asked, with a curl of his handsome lips. ' Why, of course, there will be no change of name— Geoff was legally adopted by Mr Huntress, so that makes everything all right,' returned Miss Lorinir, looking a trifle displeased at the slur that had been cast, at her friend's betrothed. 'Then the groom-elect has never been able to discover the secret of his parentage? 1 Everet remarked inquiringly. 'I think not.' 'Are you pleased with this match, Miss Loring?' 'Of course I am -I think (<eoflrey Huntress is a magnificent man,' sho affirmed, emphatically, 'ft would, doubtless, boa great comfort to him to have the mystery of his birth solved ; but W> doesn't matter, really — they love each other devotedly, and will make a splendid couple.' Everet winced under these last words, but deemed it wiser to keep his sneers and blurs to himself. ' I suppose it — the wedding — will be a very giand affair? 1 he remarked. ' Very ; there uio to be six bridesmaids, of whom 1 am to be chief,' responded Mi«s Addie, with animation. ' They will be married in Trinity Church.' lln church /' interposed Everet, with an eager look. • Will it be in the evening :' * Yes in the early evening" —at five o'clock — and they will receive from six until eight. Mr Hiuioresß has spared no expense to make it a vei y brilliant aftair. But I am sit prised — 1 supposed, having been a classmate, you would have received cards for the we Ming, Mr Mapleson,' Mis-b Loring concluded. ' No, I ha\c not bsen honoured. Will the happy couple settle in New York ?' 'Really, Mr Mapleson, you am behind the times,' laughed his companion. ' No, indeed, they sail the next day, at twelve, for Europe, to bo gone for six; months. Will nob that be delightful '! If the coutsc of true love never ran smoothly before, it hah done so in this case, for there has been nothing to mar it from the beginning.' Everet Mapleson's eyesgleamed strangely j at this, and a spot of bright colour leaped I into his cheeks 'On what steamei do they sail?' he inquired. I 'On the Scythio, from Boston, owing to porno business connected -with thnt city. That is why the marriage and reception are set so early — they leave New Voi k on an evening train, and will arrive in Boston early the next morning. Oh •' concluded the young lady, with a sigh, 'I shall miss Gladys more than I can tell you.' 'No doubt,' Everet observed ; and (hen after conversing a few moments upon indifferent topic*, ha'-Ing obtained all tho points he wished, he arose to take his leave. i His chief object in calling had been to assure himself that he had been misin formed regarding any of tho details of the approach ing marriage. His next plan was to meet Gladys somewhere, if possible. Jfc was easy enough to do this by securing .invitations to receptions among the elite, and a few evenings later he found her at a fashionable patty on Lexington Avenue. She seemed lovelier, than ever, w tit the rosy glow of perfect health on her face, her beautiful eyes gleaming with happiness, and her lips wreathed with smiles. Her dress on this occasion was vastly becoming, consisting of a deep shade of ecru, embroidered with a delicate shade ot blue intermingling with silver. Ornaments of silver in filigree, and set .with diamonds, were on her. neck and arms, while a.gracoful aii/ref (<i of blue and white, was, fastened in her hair by a star to match her other ornaments. - " • ' ■> She started slightly as she met Everet Maplcson'j3 glance fixed upon/ her. 1 , He 7waB 7 wa8 so much like. Geoffrey, that it- was almost impossible, even now,' for her Jto dis : _' tinguish them apart. ;, "^ , ', .- , . ' *- , . The nexb.moraent' he »va3 bowing before 1 ' her, with extended, hand! k ',» \

' It seems :i long'thvtO.since we nieb,'Miss Jtfimtres?,' ho said, in J a tone \yh.ich. s l deeperied l the colpiu'jin b(jr qheeks, tox it reminded her viv-idlyof-nob only their last meeting, but also their parting. But she thought best to ignore it all, and so returned, his 'greeting with ladylike courtesy. ' , ' •I suppose you have been in your Southern home, Mr Mapleson,' ' she 'said. '1 should think you \Vould hardly like to leave its genial climato for our rigorous winter here.' 4 Thoro are sometimes stronger attractions than a genial climate in winter,' ho replied, with an earnest look into her lovely eyes ; ' Vccs ?>fcw York is very attractive just now,' eho returned, determined not to appropi iatc his significant remark to herself. • Do you remain hero long V ' 1 think 1 may stay thiough this month,' ho answered, with an emphasis upon the last two \\ orris that brought tho quick blood aga ; .n to her chocks, for she knew that he was thinking of her approaching marriage. Still sho was wilfully obtuse. 4 What !' she exclaimed/ ftl chly. ' Can j-ou content yourself aw ay from home during the holidays ?' - ', ' Yes — at least, ior (his year. Mips Huntress, will you uive my name a plice upon your dancing list'"' ho afckcd, glancing at the card that was suspended by a silken cord fi om her coinage. , Gladys opened and held it up befoic him with a smile. , It was full, and she was glad'it happened so. - ■ ,V His face fell, for hi«f quick glance delected Geoffrey s minis against several dances. ' I am too late, T perceive." he said with a bow ; ' but, pttivhaua', i may be more fortunate beforo tho month is out;.' Somotbing in his tone more than the words made her regard him closely, and a f-ort of chill smote her heart as she marked the peculiar gleam in his eye and the lesolutc linew about his mouth. Someone claimed her just then, and, with a polite bow, phe e.\cnsed herself and lett him, glad to get away fiom-hia presence. The re.\t time' they met was more than a week later, at tho opera. Gladys was spending a few days with her friend, Addio Loring. It was to be her lnsb visit before her marrhge, and the two girls were making the mo&t of it. Mr Loiing invited them to accompany him to hear Parena Rosn, and sonb word to Geoffrey to join them ; but he had an engagement for the first half of the evening and could not ; ho would, however, join them latei, he said in the note that he sent his betrothed. Mrs Loring was not well, and did nob feol equal to going out, and so her husband had to be both chaperon and escort for the young ladies. Everet Maple&on saw them the moment they entered their box, while it was not long beforo Miss Loring discoveied his vicinity, when phe bowed' and smiled most cordially. A moment later she leaned forwaid and whispered, to her father, who nodded as&ent, and then made a signal for Everet to come and join his party. The young man needed no second invitation, and \va& soon seated between the two young ladies, grayly parrying Miss Loring's witty shoU at his having come to the opera all alone, when there were. so many belles and beauties -who would have been delighted to shaie the p.loasure with him. Gladys drew herself a little apart. She felt uncomfortable tojh&ve him tbeie under any circumstances^ wjhile, too, she was interested in thu opera, and it annoyed her to havo those around her conversing 1 , e\en though it was scarcely above, their breath. \\ lien the curtain went down, after the second act, Addie Loring raised her glass and began gazing about her. Suddenly her lace lighted, and bendintr forwaid she waved her hand to someone in the audience near them. ' Oli ! papa.' she "aid, turning eagerly to her father, 'theie is Sadie Nutting! she must havo returned on the last steamer. See ! she is beckoning to me ; will you taUe me lo her ju«t for a few moments while tne cut tain is down V lam sure Gladys and Mr Maplcson will excuse, us and entcitain each othc while we aro, gone, and wo\won't be h\e minute?." Mr Loring glanced at Everet, hoping he would ofier to escort hi* daughter, tur he was too comfortably seated to caie to be disturbed. But tho jonngman had no such intention ; this was ju>-t the opportunity he had been wanting over since he came to New York, and he meant to improve it, e\en though he should have only ' live minutes.' He said : 'Certainly, certainly,' to Miss Loring, 'go by nil moans- to .soe your friend if-you wish,' and he watched the father and daughter with a secret thrill of triumph as they went out leaving him alone with Gladys She was yreably disturbed by the incident. She could not blame Addie, for she knew that she was ignorant of her feelings toward Eveict Mapleson ; but she wished, with all her heart, that Geofhey would come so that she need not be alone with him. The moment the doors closed upon Mr Loring and his daughter, K\eret turned smilingly towaid his companion, and drew his chair nearer to her. ' Thank the fates and that giddy girl for this supreme moment,' he began, in a low passionate tone; adding: 'Gladys, have you forgotten our last private interview at Vassar ?' -> Gladys looked up at him both startled j and indignant. ' J should bo glad to foiffßt it, Mr Mapleeon, if you would allow me to do so, for your =ake a* well as my own,' she returned with cold indignity. u ' 1 do not irish you to forgot it. Gladys,' lie returned with increasing fervour. ' f . r [ love you a bundled fold more to-night, an.l I must unburden my heart to you or it will burst.' ' Mr Maple«on !' Gladys saidf half rising 1 from her chair, a flash ol anger in her eyes, 4 you shall not say such things to me ; you know you have no right — -' ' I ham a light,' he interposed, hotly, ' a right because of my deathless love and my indomitable purposo to win yours in return.' ' You cannot ! how date you ? Gladys began again, but he would not let her go on. 1 T dare, because J muJ dare or, die ' oh ! Gladv-, I love, you so! have puy on me!' he said, atvl his voice died away in an agonisod whisper," showing .how teriibly in earnest ho was. Tho young girl was deathly pale now, and trembling in every lima ; but she faced him with blazing eyes and curling lips, her perfect foim proudly erect. ' You ore no gontleman,' she said, scortv fully, *to pay such words to one who,' in" less than two weeks, wilUbe the wife of another man, to take ' advantage -of me during tlie absenep;6f my'friondH,*aijd in a place like ''this, • force such a declaration upon me. 1 ! ' j . 'I could not help«, it ;>lt' Had no other time ; you avoid mo upon *very occasion,' he returned, therbJood* flushing his face hofcly at her scorn. >,^' 'J > N • s' I >have no choice 1 '; your looks,your acts, all compel moto~- -, ** < ' ,- } '^ ' -"„• j;t " '

*I cannot hol'p them— when lam near you, 1 foigeb everything but lhafc I love you- !' lie pleaded in excuse/ * ' 1 '" " ' Shame ! Where is^your senso of honour^ that you persist in such language to the affianced ot another ?"' she panted. 'Twice you 'have' thrown that' in my teeth,' he retorted, fiercely, and. fast losing control of himself; 'Have you no shame that you confess yourself the afliaticed of a nameless outcast V' ' ' Ho is not iiameloap, and you have no authority for calling him an outcast,' retoited Gladys, proudly, all her spirit rising to arms at this attack upon her absent lover. ' Haven't 1 ?'. sneered the hot-headed young man. ' Listen ! I have been looking up Geoffrey Dalo's pedigree, since I saw you last t have traced him to his birthplace. His mother was a poor but beautiful girl, without a homo, without friends. Shehad a rich lover, who could not marry her without sacrificing his fortune, and ho loved his money too well to do that, so he sacrificed the girl instead. He took her to a remote mining district,- where, hidden away from evoryono who ever knew her, sho livei wit!) him for one short year, and died when her child was only a month old. That child was Geoffrey Dale —his mother's name was Annie, Dale, and he has no light to any other, except the one that has boen given him for charity*? sake. You have a right tOfbe proud of your betrothed, Miss Huntress.' ' 1 am proud of him !' Gladys returned, in a firm, even tone. Astonishment ,at Evoret Mapleson knowing so, much. about Geofhey had contributed more towards, calming her excited nerves than almost anything else could have done. '-Yes, lam proud of him,' she repeated, with a change of emphasis, ' and you have told me nothing n"tr, iVir JJapleson, excepting that this young~girl had no home or friends, and that the man who took her to TNew Mexico was rich and wilfully wronged her. Indeed, I know even more than you have told me.' ' Mom ! Do you know who his father was . Everet Mapleson exclaimed, with a start. ' No, nor do I with to, if he was guilty of the atrocious act you have named,' Gladys returned, with withering scorn. ' But the sin will some day recoil upon his own head ; it can never change my regard for one who is innately noble and true.' ( 'And you do not shrink from becoming the wife of one upon whom shame has i ested from tiio hour of his birth ?' demanded Everest Mapleson, regarding the beautiful girl with astonishment. ' No,' she leplied, steadfastly, 'no shame rests upon him : that all belongs to the preceding generation, but I should shrink with loathing from the man who betrayed Annie Dale, as you represent, were he lord or prince— he is only worthy of my contempt, and I would scorn him as 1 would the veriest black-leg in this city.' The young man flushed hotly. It was not pleasant to listen to such words, believing what he did — they touched a sensitive spot. ' But this man of whom I have told you is a gentleman nevertheless,' lie said. ' A ijaitleman .'' The words were uttered in the quietest possible tone, but the contempt which trembled through it was matchless, and made the young man wince as under a losh. ' Your distinctions are -more nice than wise, Miss Huntoess, but mark my words ; you shall never lmury this man's illegitimute son,' he hissed, driven- almost to a frenzy by her words, her look, and tone. ' You insult nic, sir ! You insult one who is a hundred-fold more noble than yourself, by the use of such vile language. But — ' and she raised one daintily gloved hand to enforce her words, ' were his name doublj tainted by the sin of others, it could not smirch the man I honour — the man I /ore. It will be the proudest day of my life when I wed Geoffrey Dale Huntre&s, as I --half, in of all that you have Loid me to-night, ay, even though you should do your worst, and proclaim it fiom every housetop in this city.' She was glorious in her haughty pride and indignation, as she gave utterance to these loyal sentiments, and Everet Mapleson instinctively shrank before her with a sense of shame and humiliation. At that moment the doors behind them swung open and Geoffrey himself entered the box.

{To be Continued).