CHAPTER X.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 11316, 7 September 1898, Page 4

CHAPTER X.

A TEBRIBLE DEED. 'My fevered eyes I dare close, Bat stared aghast at hloop ; For sin had rendered unto h«r The keys of hell to keep.' —Thomas Hood. Mr Aylesford stood like one petrified, as Hilda's words, spoken in the heat of passionate resentment, fell on his hearing. His face grew ashen white, his lips fell apart in a rigid line, his eyes glared at her stonily. He looked like the statue of terror. The indignant girl, looking at him so scornful, was surprised at the effect of her angry words. • Why should my words affect him so strangely 7' she thought, wonderingly. He saw the surprise and wonder in the expressive young face, find by a powerful effort shook off the lethargy that had fallen upon him. • l What — what did you mean by those words, Hilda ?' he demanded, in a voice that trembled with fear. ( Who says that I am not — not your father ?' ' I say so !' answered Hilda, spiritedly. ' What father would maltreat his child as you did me ? What father would rear a daughter and neglect her as you have neglected me — lavishing all your means and all your affection on the child of one whom you have declared was yonr deadly enemy ? It is unnatural ani impossible. I could sooner believe that Florence, whom you have pampered and petted all your life, is your own child, and that I myself am Lord Devon's granddaughter.' The thought had occurred to her with the Bwiftness of the lightning's flash, and in her anger she had given it instant expression. Bat she was not prepared for the terrible rage it excited iv the man before her. The perspiration Btarted out on his livid features, his eyes glared like a madman's as he sprang toward her. Seizing her rudely by her shoulders, he shook her uutil her breath was nearly gone. ' You little she-devil !' he hissed in her ears. ' Dare to tell me such a thing again, dare to breathe such a suspicion abroad, and I will kill you — kill you do hear V He drew back his hand and struck her Beveral times cruelly upon the head, then threw her from him with such force that she fell upon the floor. Without waiting to see the effect of his brutality, he hurried out of the room. ' Little sbe-devil !' he muttered again as he descended the stairs. 'Her cursed tongue bas sealed her fate !' He went upon the lawn, and directed his steps toward Mr 3 L'Estrange's cottage. 1 I will try to get a look at that mysterious woman,' he muttered. * Surely it cannot be ' He paused, and would not give expression to the name, but the very thought of it caused his frame to tremble, and the dew of terror beaded his high forehead. Walking slowly along, he gained the cottage which he had seen Hilda leaving a short time before. A subdued light gleamed througg the parlor window, which was shutterless, and protected only by the curtains of white lace. Mr Aylesford peered cautiously around him. There was no one in sight, and he softly opened the gate of the small front yard, and stepped within. Then he stepped forward and peered into the window, whose lowest pane of glass was just above the level with his eyes. For several minutes he continued to gaze cautiously into the apartment, then quite suddenly he dropped upon the ground, and crouched there, trembling with terror. IMy soul !' he muttered, huskily. '* All the fiends below have conspired against me !' , He remained in his crouching position several minutes longer, then '•quietly rose and peered through the lace curtains again The lady whose mere sight had inspired Mr Aylesford with such terror lay upoix the "sofa, wrapped iv a w»rm,

white cashmere dressing-gown, her white hands pressed upon her heart as if in pain, bhe had been weeping", and in the brilliant light that shone through the room, the dew of tears was still visible upon the dark fringe of her silken lashes. An elderly maid across the room was busy pouring some darkcolored drops from a small vial into a wineglass half filledwith water. ' Here, madam,' she said, geutly, as she crossed the room, ' you had better take your drops. This agitation is very bad for you.' Mrs L' Estrange lifted her head, and drained the potion otediently. 'My kind, faithful Margery,' she saii, looking gratefully at her patient attendant. •I do not believe my present agitation can hurt me. I have been weeping, it is true, but my teais are tears of gladness. I have had tidings of great joy.'

' Thank heaven !' exclaimed Margery, fervently. « Was the young girl who visited you the bearer of your good news ?'

1 Yes, although she was not aware of it. Sit djwn by me, Margery, and I will tell you about it that youi faithful heait may rejoice with me.' Margery brought a chair and sat down by the side of tbe sofa, and the man outside listened intently, anxious to catch the import of their talk. But owing through weakness or excessive caution, the lady lowered her voice to a whisper, and he could not understand the low, agitated murmurs in which she spoke to her faithful servant, ' I can very well guess what she is talking about, though,' he muttered, with a terrible scowl of hate at the unconscious woman. ♦ And now — now I must hit upon some plan to secure her everlasting silence. The future of my daughter and myself hang trembling in the balance. I cannot afford to be squeamish now I mast strike at once, aud in the daik !'

He moved sway silently, and went back to the hotel where Florence reigned conspicuons among the brilliant beauties gathered there from every part of the country. Her beauty and odor of romance that hung around her made her quite a bell. Mr Aylesford. went into the ball room and told her that he was unwell and would retire to his room if she would excuse him. She readily consented to do so, ami consigning her to the care of Sir Wilfied Hale, he went away. k Bat in the ' dead waste and middle of the nig.it,' when the ball-room was deserted and everything was still in slumber, when the moon had gone down and the world was wrapped in darkness, he stole forth a^ain, and took his way to Mrs L'Estrange's cottage.

All was calm aud silent there. The lights were extimjaish"d, the inmates fast aslepp. He crawled under the front porch aod remained there a few minutes, then came out and went around to the back part of tbe house. Iv a little while he stole cautiously back to the hotel, and went up to his room and to bed, »

After a little, as he lay trembling under the. bed-clofches, he heard men's voices out on the lawn shouting. ' Fire ! Fire I Fire !' He sprang up, and looking out of the window, saw the pretty white cottage of Mrs L'Estrange wrapped in a winding sheet of lurid flame [to be continued .]