CHAPTER-LXVIII.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11957, 3 May 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHAPTER-LXVIII.

The first of January had come, and Nice was in the flood-tide of its winter glory. The quarter of the Marble Cross was full of foreign visitors, and the quay asong the river was crowded with loungers, while splendid carriages with coats of arms, and servants in livery dashed up to and left the handsome residences in tho Jardin Public. In one of the handsomest and sunniest of these Lord Alfred Heath aud his wife and daughter were e'tablisbed, Lord Alfred's German wife being nobly lavish in all that she esteemed suitable expenses. Lord Alfred had an elegant residence, plenty of servants, fine turnouts, rodo as good a horse as any one in Nice, but found himself eadly restricted iv regard to Monaco and its green tables, the betting wherein his soul delighted, and the brandy. which madame expressly prohibited.

'My adorable Alfred, brandy will kill you. Your death would break my heart. My angel. 1 find it necessary for you to exist without brandy.' And by some occult means, madame govern* ed hßr admirable Alfred so well that he raved against her restrictions and submitted to thetu.

Jerome Sothron had arrived in Nic? shortly after the Heaths, and established himself in lodgings in the Rue Droite. It i 3 not to be 'denied that be spent much of his time in the hotel of the Heaths, and unier tho auspices of the amiable stepmother Beryl and Jerome found tbe days of their courtship an idyl of delight.

On this first morning of the year Sir Jerome bad come to breakfast at Lady Heath's, bringing for Beryl an exquisite bouquet ot roses. He gtood in the sunny window of the breakfast-room waiting fcr his idoi.

The door opened, and in came B>rjl, but a Beryl that at first be scarcely recognised. During the last two months Beryl's black had changed to lavender, and now ov^er a year had passed since the death of the marquis, and that morning^ Fanny bad been in the height of joy, dressing her dear little lady once more in colours. Beryl wore a dress of pale blue cashmere j the open sleeve? and the slashed draperies were lined with delicate pink satin. The robe was cut in a point over tbe neck, and under a filmy veil of lace gleamed tbe soft, pearly throat, and a cluster of blush roses and forget-me-nots nestled lovingly asaiost the warm, soft chest. Her fluffy golden hair was like a radiant crown ; laughter dimpled all her dainty facs ; a subtle fragrance of mignonette diffused from her garments. She poised like a bird on the threshold to read in Jerome's eyes the impression which she made, then rippled into a laugh like & bird's nesting song, and flattered into his open arais, with a long sigh of sweet content in Hading her heart's true rest.

•My angel ! my darling !' cried Jerome, pressing her again and again to his heart, in all the pride of his true and deep love, half wild with py at claiming as all his own 60 sweet a thing. *My love 1 my life ! my own !' Beryl wound one fair arm at»nuc bis neck, and laid her warm, sweet lips oo his iv a lons kiss. -

There, my Jerome ! That kif-s, and — and ihifl dress — this blue <J vss are your New Year's gifis fro»a rue."

•Heavenly gifts imle<"i ! s*\ < Jerome. 'Sow I fepf as if the p&r-x, hud been ail a dream, and yon are mine, truly mine, eweet Beryl. Now crowu the joy of this blessed New Yeur by telling me when we may be married." Beryl hnng her head. 'Speak, Beryl ! 'JVll me the lovely day. the crown of my life !' 'Then, if nothing happens ' 'Don'c say that. What can happen, Beryl ?'

'If nothing happens/ repeated Beryl, 'it shal) be the twenty -eighth of June.' 'So long !' cried Jerome, in uistnay. 'Le.-s than six months/ said Beryl, hiding her rosy fae-o on h:s arm.

'Wei l , as we shall not be parted in that tiiu?, T can live, I suppose, even that long/ he said, with a sigh.

'And Jerome, I would jßtht»r the engagement should not be aonouuctd until May.' 4 _ , 'The announcement is nothing, so 1 know my joy myself/ said Jerome, vali-

autly. 'Hare is my New Year's offering.'

Beryl took the fragrant bonqnet of choice roses in both bands, kissed the flowers, and laid her warm cheek against the cool, delicate petals. Tnen looking at each bad and blossom separ ately, lor itself, she cried oat :

'Oh, Jerome, here ia something in the centre — a note ! a little box 1 Oh, this quite makes me feel as if t w«r« n. prima donna ! They get socb bouju«cs!' 'You are the priaia donna of my heart !' said Jerome.

'Ah ! bat I must be more than that. I claim to be only laly of your heart.'

'You are, indeed ; else you would not find 'hat in your bouquet,' replied Jarome, as Beryl untied the little white ribbons that bound the white velvet box, and openiug it, baheld a medal lion richly set with pearls and turquoises. She touched the spring, and the handsome face of Jerome, exquisitely painted on ivory, met her eye. She kissed the picture with rapture. Jeiome possessed himself of h?r left hand. The taper - fingers were without any ring. The evening before, when she took off 'her last remnants of mourning, she had, with a soft sigh, laid in a secret receptacle of her jewel-case, two riogs given her by the Marquis of Medford. Jerome slipped on the pretty finger a diamond engagement-ring.

As Beryl drew the slender chain of the medallion about her neck, and the two stood gazing at each other in a happy trance of love, the door opened,' and Lady Heath entered in her Neve Year's splendor, with the adorable Alfred in her train.

Jerome took Beryl's hand and led her to meet them.

'The tweoty-wgbth of Jane is to crowc my wishes, 1 he said, in triumph.

l I adore engagements, weddings, trou3seaus I' cried Lady He»th. 'Beryl, mr cherub, my New Year's gift shall be to despatch Fanny to Paris to bring you three of Worth's best gowns. I pine for your re-entrance to society; The days will- be long until the first of April/

'They will be short as minutes,' asserted Jerome ; 'and then detestable wociety will ingulf her in opara?, balls, dinners, suppers, theatres, fetes, other partners, until 1 tear my hair with rage.

(To be continued.)