CHAPTER LIV.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11933, 5 April 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHAPTER LIV.

The light, graceful pillars of the veranda were wreathed with clcmati3

and passion-flowers that passed in a fragile and fragrant curtain from one to another. Screened thus by leaf and flower, Beryl and Laura were unseen by passers-by, and they themselves did not see a portly figure stopping at the entrance gate, hesitant about curing in, and finally passing on. Laura would at once have known this figure for Sir Francis. But Sir Francis felt that the beautiful Beryl shrank from him, and that his call would be unwelcome. The sunset red was yet lingo: - ing, and Sir Francis, wandering idly along, passed the new modern cottages of Biarritz, and came to an open space, which lies between them and the ancient town, clustering about several large buildings once convents. Passing be fore him on this little moor Sir Francis saw a graceful young figure, in a floating blue dress and white shawl, and followed by a page-boy, who carried a leather music-roll. This was Lelia, who had been with Lady Beryl, and was slowly returning home. At sight of her Sofchron's bored look vanished, his face lighted, his step became rapid, he pressed by the lad, and said, in a low tone : ♦ Delia !' The girl turned and looked fixedly at him. ' I implore you/ eaid Sir Francis, trembling, *to tell me who yon are ! You are, and you. are not, Delia.' ' I am her sister.' ' Her sister ! " And so like.' * Her twin.' , 'She. never told me she had tach a sißter.' ' ' 'No doubt the poor girl could not mention to yoa a family heart-broken over her errors. When her soul was sick with longing for those she had loved and deserted, would she be likely to speak of us, whom you would despise as you did her and hsr tears ?' ( I did not despise her. I swear to you it was only my poverty ' ' Hush ! It was your selfishness, your cruelty, your lazines3, that would not take and support a wife, according to your promise.' 'Do cot be' too hard on me. lam ready to atone — to share with her my name and all that I have.' They were walking slowly on. ' I cannot be walking or speaking with you out here,' said Lelia. 'lam at school here. This i 3 my goto. As a parlor boarder I can receive a caller. If you have any news, or can help me in .searching for my sistar, you may in half an hour ring this bell and call for me; for 'the first and last time.' - Her tone was severe and fitm ; she passed within the low, heavily arched gate, and Sir Francis strolled out toward the sea to wait this half-hour. When he rang at the little door he was led to a small, nrat parler, where a piano, a stand of books, an embroidery frame, and pots of flowers gave a homelike air. ". Lelia was reading at a table by a softly shaded lamp ; in a low chair not far from her an elderly woman in black sat knitting. Leiia rose and bowed coldly to Sir Francis, pointing him to a cbair. ' We are not alone,' said Sir Francis, in a low tone. ' I wished co speak of private affaire.' *. Speak. She understands only Spanish.' But Sir Francis found it hard to speak. He found himself before this fatr girl in the position of a criminal before a severe judge. * You are very like your sister,' he faltered. ' How are you named ?' ' Lslia.' " * And your names are like V ' Because we were so alike, they named us so.' Sir Francis sat thinking, his face bowed. He distinctly remembered that his cousin, Jerome, had married one of those Morris girls, with a name ending in Ha. She had died a terrible death. Ho coald not hint of that terrible tragedy. So, this pensive, lovely crenture, so full of dignity and simplicity, watched him with high rebuke on her face. As he was silent she spoke : * Can you give me any clue toward finding Delia?' ' No — none. But one thing I can tell yon, Ralph Marshall — the man she married, is doart. J have the statement of f>ta perishing when hid ship went down with all ou board. If Delia is found, sheis free to be ray wife, and she shall be. I have looked for her diligently in London.' ' She was not in London. She meant to come to the Continent. She knew if she remained where she could sfo you, gho would be a grain persuaded to fly with you. She fled from terprtation.' ' A pity she did,' said Sir Francis, bitterly. *If she had come to me, tbo way would soon hare been cleared to my marrying her.' ' It is never better to sin,' sairt Lelia. ' But to send Lor lo the Continent

was to drive her to ruin ; she had nothing to live on.' ' She did. It was in my power to give her plenty of money, and I gave it to her. An elderly French woniß:t shut lodged where she did. vras going with her. To save her, I gave her gladly all I had. I loved my sister. And,' she added, in the deep voice of growing passioD, ' as I loved her, I hate yoa — I hate yoa, Francis Sothron, destroyer of my sister, with an utter hatred. And I call on yon vengeance 1 And it will C9me ! Mark my words, if there is one point where yoa can be wounded and driven to despair, there the dagger shall enter your eoul. Evil, and not goou, shall follow you all the days o your life!' ' I am ready to repair a y wrong,' faltered Sir Francis. ' Some wrongs can never be repaired ! This is one. I believe my sister is dead, for I cannot find her, although I have extended enquiries everywhere. Her death, then, lies at your door, and God will require her blood at your hands/ ' Do you give up the search V * No. I shall seek her, my best loved one ; and for a year and a day I hold your promise, and when the year and the day are ended I will meet you at the tomb in the Abbey Church.' i ( To be continued. )