CHAPTER XII.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11646, 30 March 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XII.

THE STATE m«»M AT HADION. "A poodly tree, stricken in its prime. Dying whilo its leaves are still green. '

There are no tiuor woids written or spoken tban those which say that " n the midU of life we are in death.'' Sir Philip had invited a lar:<> party of «u?Bts <o Huddon. and although i.c had already two of tl.e finest studs in E.igland, he had r^olved upon purc'tasing two magnificent hunters that had been offered to him.

Oa this bright September mornin,?, he had risen early full of heath ami spirit?. He sat down with Guy. ll<> had talked £ a ) ! v of his plans for the amns-ra?ntß of his guests, and then declared his resolution of galloping over to Lynnton to see how the new hunter, Prince Charlie, was getting along. Guy, who lad been riding the same horse on the j reviuus day, tried to dissuade him, saying he had found him difficult to manage ; but Sir Philip laughed at the caution. 'I have always been couriered the best rider ia Lorneshue, Guy,' he said. 'Am Ito (urn coward now? Prince Oarlio Mill try no tr.rks with mo, and, it' he does, he will iepet.t them.' As he was leaving the room, SiPhilip turned to his po-i. 'Ride over to tho Cmst, Gny, if you l.aye time, and ask»d Lidy Hanton about the pierre to Harleigb, and give m> love to Lady Viola ' "(xuy watched his father as he mounted, Prince Charlie standing submissively ; but as he looked at him the heir of H addon thought there was no finer, handsomer or grander man in Englanl than his father. Another moment and he had mounted, had waved a parting saute to his son, and had riJdpn gayly out of Kigh% lhf> kindly smile still lin^tricg on his face. Guy went over to the Court, and made all arrangemen.s with Lidy Hanton for the picnic that was never to take place. He remained to lunch, and rode br.clc a^ain in tho foli glow of the afur.ioou sun, half tearing that bis father might have wanted him.

But «ir Philip had not letnrned. The honr for dinner cime and went, Guy became un<>Hsy, for his father, contrary to his usual cus'om, had ridden out alone and unattended. He hai j'l-t i-^olvel upon {ioi;ig ia search of Inn, when th«»rfl came a sound that ho mn»r forgot — a scutvl that hauntfd him, s ; <pin<» or wnkingr, for years — tho tratii;; of liea-y fett al:,ng the lawn, the half- -nnthere I cri^H of \vom a D, tl c ir.'ie-crtl»i' lo mur'imr that telln of some fulfil acci [•■ut, tut- hurrying; of raj.il footstep- — then v tudiK'n, deathly silence.

lie stool f<^r tonic minutes sfrickf-n, onahlc to move — ;\ d,a.llr, awful fear hsd pirnliz-'d biai. Then !>e went oat into the hall.

The rays of the September sun streamed through the staiued-gl.i«3 window?. Th?y fell on a ghastly burden that stron-.: mer-, with wiping i-yfS, ha i carritd horns — S'r Pinlip, imiined, \Mtun!cd, a mass of dreadful cuts, whito and d\inq. Another moaicnt ar.l Guy was by his si i' 4

'I had bptter have trt'een your advice, (tuv,' whinpt-rt-d a faint voiw. 'Tri-ce Charlie hnd kiiiol me. Ho threw me. a?id my fx<t win fastened in the stirrup. He draped me al<v.g tl.n road, only <Jo\ ki.ows how f.ir Don't let them torinre tne Gay. L"'.- me die in fieace !'

1I(» \Mini 1 not l>« canicd to hia own room— the room hs had left full of strength asi 1 health oidy a f.'W hours sintv*. He asked to be taken to the state n»..rn, when 1 his fair young wife ha i died ho many 3 ears ago. They lad him on the b.d whera she had t n-athnd her li'Sf. He did not scpni to siiiT »• mn<*'»» p.'un ; neither was ho i'on«ciou-> at n«l tiiut s.

'it is vfciy strange.' he said to Guy, k !>u» 1 h,iw Helena, my wife, la->1 night Sh--;ool by my bed?idc, and a4:od inn if I w<«;e ready, for she wa=» tired of waiting. Sho bint clown and kissed mv lips. They have been cold over since. ! 1 1 r. v arc cold now, and I shall scon ha with her. Guy,' ho continued, 'we Wyveries are very true to our lotc. I loved jin) won your mother, ah ! so many year?, ago. S c died, and left me wliei! y>\\ wen* quito a cliild. Her face hn«i t c-'ii fdiir.iri'.r upon nifi from the si'ent ntars ever since. Do you know, Guy, when I R*e her, I can tell her t'. at, ali'iough «he left in<? po long n gn f I h,,<. o never looKM in the face of ar>y' oihvr v.omnn si o? sho died. No wi man's turn 1 Ins lai-i i-» mine, no

woman's voi<-e ha? pail sweet words to me. Tbat is love, Guy. I shall not be afraid to meet my darling again.' He lay silent lor many hours, with the same swe.-t smile on bis lips, murmuring low words of his wife Helena, who had come to summon him with » kiss

When morning dawned, he nsked to s?o Lady H \nton, who had helped hin t> take cari of Guy, and Viola, who loved his son.

Guy sint for thoru, and, wliiU, th..' dew was web upon the gn.s3 in the early morn, they cair.e. | l u io bC-Mie that followed will never ■ fide fro'ii Guy Wyverne's memory. To this day ho 'can see the gorgeous state room v with its hangings ufbluo velvet and gold, its massive furniture, its few rare pic'unts and costly ornament?, tin* sunbeams gilding them and failing like v halo round hi 3 father's head an 1 fac. Ho was t« uche.l by tl.e deep, u\feienc.i emotion of La ly Hantm. 'Aro we in time ?' she asket. 1 . '0\ ! Gr.y. I La?e hurried so. xVro we in | time?' Yes ; f>r, «9 *Le bent over the white fire, the iJyiug oyes opened, and Sir Philip smiled as they smile who stand on tho threshold of tbat other, fairer world. 'I wanted to see you,' he sail, 'to thank you f->r all your k : nJnes3 to Guy, aud to me. I shall tell Helena all "you ha*e done fjr her son. Where is \\Aa ?' Sii' 1 was Lendirig ovrr him the next intent, all tint of color banishe.l from h r face. •I am hfre, Sir P.iilip.* she said, with a deep sob, 'and 1 a;n so grieved for you.' He took her hand in his. •Guy,' he said, fau.tly, 'you must marry Vi»la. Wnen [ am gone, you must briog h?r home hero to lladdon Hall, and lovo her as I have done Helena, my wife. Promise me !' B.it 10 w.rd caui^ from his sou's lips. Sir Pailip had caught his hand, and the watin fi lgers of Viol* Carew clasped it. 'You nin-t m^rry Viola,' again mnr mured the hint v.)ic j . 'She will be to you what Ileltnu was to me. Promise, j Guy !' Bui Gay Wyvr-rop, for all answer, bent flown" bivl touched bis father's face. ■ lit 1 fca-v that L-onbciuu-ness had failed him. 'Another time, 1 101 0 siid to Lady Vi"li ;'I mint ;. -!c you to pardon this. My father do«.fi not kno.v what he says.' In the eyes lnise.l to his he might hare read a mlh g'anw of passion that would hiv,- been n revelation to liim. Even d-it'i could n. t wh<ll/ quell or subdue it. In that moment sho would have guon her soul it.-flf if ho would hive but indorseJ his fuller's words. Tho-?e words hnd gr >wn fiint and indistinct now, II? hnd forgotten their presence, and ?aw only his wife, Helena, waiting for him. Lady llantnsi Vnk her daughter's hai.l, and led her f.om the rocra. They went to th» libraiy, nhero Sir Philip 9 lettr-M still lay iiurfa 1, nad sat the:e awaiting th- news ttuit must toon l-e told. When the di.-r "•:•< and they wrie alone, Viol,; Crew turned to her mother. •Mamma,' s-lic crinl, Mid von hear ? Sir P.nlip nays I am to marry Guy ! Mamma, tell' mo I did n a dream it. Tell m? it is tru-.' 'It is q-iite tni".' Fa>'d the countes?, kissing Lor diui-htci ',s lovely face. •The great w\-!> (t i»j heart will bo accomplished whoa 1 see you Lady Wyvono, of II ".1.1 :i Il'ill That mar-* ringe, Viol", w 1! b? Hie door through wliic 1 ; wo s .all enter ;:^ain t'je life 1 IOVP<I SO Well.' Violt* ('arew forgot th« dark shadow thai i.nng over (>o.->ni •. S:e forgot that the man fche lovrd so pnfebi )nately was p'unged into the bittero.-l sorrow man can know. S)io f »ryot r very thing except that she was to m irrv Guy, aud lee' 1110 tnis'rcss of Jlivldon Hull. Kvtn as ph«« sat waiting Jor new 3of its nui-te-'s death, shu sat planning what the wouM do when sho was mntics^ there — what rooms sho wou'd Uke f>r lv r own; how many mont'ia of the year she would spjnd in London and in Pan".-'; how s ; ic would dazz'o tl.e world with her bsauty and her wealtli, until tho n.Tin of Lidy Wyvertie should he one of tho most famous of the day. Tnen sho diea-ned of Guy. whom she loved vw'h all tho foice of her passionate nn.l uni^r-t-'piined r.atun-. yij» was to be his wif. 1 The proud, nohb face she had soem.-d to worship so f.ir oil would t.iuile 1 n her no.v. He mu-t love l.«r. TI.o w i"s site h.ul ' louge 1 with sue!) Here 1 >:i;ring to he.ir f.om his ]\[S mv*- p-w b> r-pwKva

Her eyes were ruL'ht, her face glowed, her red lips qmvercd, the light that never ye: was on Imd or sea shone on her brow.

The deco'oua, worldly countess, happening to look at her radiant daughter, wnq shocked beyond words.

'Viol->, f she cii.'d, 'pull down your veil, child. If ai'y one shou d come in, what wonld be thought of you ? How can you look ?o pleased when you know what is happening ?' She had long i'org tten about S'r Philip, lut her mother's wor.ls recalled her. She hastily dreiv down the black lace veil tbat was to shield her want of sorrow, not one moment too soon, fur there was a toaid of footstpp->, aud then the housekeeper entered t lie room.

They knew her errand when thi-y saw her tear-stained face. There was no need of wcrds to te!l them that the kindly, hospital)'* 1 , generous master of Haddon was d^a X

'Si>- Guy/ eaiJ the woman wit'i cmpbasis on tho word- Sr G ly, M^s'rea li t3 cooiplimenfp, and btgs tbe lauits wiil excuse h ; m from «eeing them.'

Real tears stood in Lady Han ton's eyes, for the dead id™ hai been a true friend to her ; but Lidy Viola turned away, lest through her veil the housekeeper* would see the want of sorrow in her face.

Then they drove home together, to await the turning of Sir Gay Wyverne.