CHAPTER XXXVI— Continued.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12254, 13 May 1903, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXVI— Continued.

"What will you do ?" queried Mrs Chambers, very quietly.

"There has been some mistake, j I know Leonard so well. I will — " Mrs Chambers stopped him. "No, no," she said with dignity, "I will not permit this. Kdna must have good reason for her great sorrow. Her one desire now is that she should never see nor hear of Sir Leonard Eardsley again. jvShe has told me nothing of \v, ! lias occurred, but I know the world Mr Armstrong. I can guess pretty correctly what happened. Sir Leonard has insulted my nie^e. a: - «l (has treated her as no gentleman or (true man would have done. I should be unworthy of her love and j regard if I allowed you to go to him 'now that she is lying ill aud unable to act for herself, and so urge him to attempt to stand, if possible, in a better light than he appears at present. Surely you must see this." I "I only see that Edna is ill akd that her heart is breaking," was Matthew Armstrong's quiet reply. "I care nothing except to give her back her happiness. "Mr Armstrong, I appreciate your feelings. Do you not think I that I, too, would wish to see her as she was ? But a woman is best in these cases. If Leonard Eardsley could treat a girl as he has treated Edna, 'is it likely that he I will come forward and own to his | mistake ? Even were* he to do so ! the memory of his despicable conj duct must ever remain, and I though she might love him, she | would never be able to forget." Matthew Armstrong was silent ! for a few minutes. I "What about her brother ? ShaY : you let him know ?" 1 Mrs Chambers' face grew more J troubled. "I have felt all along that Sydney ought to be told the truth— his position is such a false one;but, poor | child, she has pleaded so hard that he should be kept in ignorance that ! I do not like to break my promise ! to her." I "Still now she is ill ?" } "I will wait for two days. «vi«l ii i she is not better, I will ynd for Sydney. I suppose you will be icturning to London "o M^h 1 :, ?\Jr Armstrong ?" j Matthew onty he;i<v-: It «- [ moment. i ' No," he said, \v»ci a IreaK in ! bis voice ; "I could 'jot i;u\v. ! Perhaps I may be able v (!) soviio thing." And then he sat down by the table and covered Uis face wlxh his hands, while Mrs Chumbrii. gazed at him compassr.uvcitcly for a j.ooment, and then, -vith another murmured, "Poor fellow,' went softly | away to Edna who lay in Uv. cool darkened room above.