CHAPTER XL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12863, 23 May 1905, Page 6

CHAPTER XL.

A JOYFUL REUNION.

Like the , tender-hearted^ woman that she was, Lady Susan refrained from letting George Verney know of the great event that was pending. She went to his room each night Ito see that all was well with him, and, after Tom' had gone, she calmed herself and went as usual to knock at Sir George's door. His valet told her that Sir George was writing. So Lady Susan entered with a scolding on her lips. "AVhy is this naughty b*oy not in bed ?"

Sir George smiled faintly at her. His smile should have no sadness in it on the morrow, Lady Susan determined, with a thrill at her heart.

"U must send a few linos to, Aunt Agatha," Sir George explained, "but I have just finished. She is so anxious for news," hej said, 11 a low voice. ' Without, having rieen 'Mary, the dear old soul has learned to love my wife, and she frets at- this long silence, this hopeless separation." "Nothing is without hope," said Lady Susan ; sin- [ stooped over ,iim and kissed him. "Go to rest, George. You look so utterly weary, my dear. No wonder your doctors are angry with you ! "'

Sir George got up slowly. "I hajve no incentive to take care of myself," he said. Then, with a break in his voice, "Oh !( dear, dear friend, shall I ever see her again ?"

Lady Susaai laughed.

"Ah ! George, 3-011 are very young," she said. "To the young a month is a lifetime ; six months an eternity. There, my dear !" she added quickly, "I am only teasing you ! Keep up your heart ; we shall have some, news before long, I am sure of it."

Sir George looked at her wistfully, then they kissed, and Lady Susan went away quickly.

"If I had stayed another moment he would have seen the truth in my eyes," she coniessed to Sir Henry, who was sharing her delight, and who, like herself, was longing eagerly to have the girl back with them once again. The old people sat chatting till the night was very late. Hland in hand they lived over again their ;owjti long-ago romance in this present one ; finding as much joy in the thought of the coming reunion between ( the; young hiusiband and wife as though George Verney and M>ary were their own children ; but at last they went to rest, and the night wore away and the morning came.

George Verne^ was sitting by tire window of his rooim. He never grew tired of watching the stream of people that passed to the streets -bellow^ Unconsciously he had grown into the trick of scanning every young, girlish figure, and sometimes his heart would go into his throat as he fancied he saw a resemblance to Mary. Tihis morning a newspaper lay open on his knee. He had been reading the account of Carina's strange experience with a woman unknown, and it set him "thinking. His thoughts for? once deserted their usual groove. -, (To be continued.)