APPLES OF GOLD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14346, 26 October 1910, Page 5

APPLES OF GOLD.

By JOHN K. PROTHERO

Author of “An Eye for an Eye,” “The Wav of Transgressors,” “A Strong Man Armed.” “A Modern Esau,” “The Silent Witness,” “A Woman’s Love, etc., etc* [copyright.] chaiTETTxvii. 1 AMBITION CASTS OUT LOVE. For the first time in his experience of her, Love kept Lord Dynvor waiting. Ho arrived at the Hat in Chelsea early one glorious June morning laden with roses and lilies, and a certain excitement in his eyes. Always well dressed, he looked more than usually distinguished in a now Hock suit and a yellow rosebud in his buttonju/le. Murella received him gravely, and leic him to Himself m me drawingroom. The pictured face of J.o»e laughed at him irom tlie wail. He lose and stood beiore it. dove! but tiie girl was bcaiumil. And then .Hove herseil appeared, ami Dynvor relt his heart beat quicKer ny many throbs.

Jjer manner was peneeuon. i Jiey might have parted tne nay- cciore so ctuumly iiiduterent was she at ins return. .

“lou’vc had a good time:'” she asked, smiling. f “On, Fans is always tolerable, but T laid 1 prefer Chelsea.” ‘* 1 hat s a pretty speech—you generally bar mem. iiavc you brought these lovely Lowers lor me r she lit ted. the roses and held them caressingly to her eheeu. “Its too good ol you/ I must put mom in water." lie watehca her deftly arrange the blossoms in her favourite white goblets, his eyes took in every curve of her rounded form. lie was more than ever contieioufi 01 her beauty.

“And what have you been doing, Love, this long timer ' “Lnjoying myseif*,” sho answered lightly. ’ “lou’vo been out much.-'

“Oh, yes; MureJhi and I did some theatres together, and later ” she paused ana laced him suddenly, her Hands full of flowers.

“Von know that Kodncy is in town?' she asked.

“Yes, he called on mo yesterday evening.” “He told you the news?” The colour crept up her cheek and reddened the tin of her little ear.

“lie handed in his resignation from my iron mines, and explained he’d fixed up to go to Africa. “Nothing else?” 'ihe colour deepened; surely he might show a little surprise, a touch of regret! “Oh, yes; Dare told me you and ho were going to get married.” “So we arc.” “He’s to be congratulated.” “AndT ” she regretted the words as soon as they were spoken. The personal aspect of the case., admitted a tone of intimacy she had not wished to introduce. Dynvor smiled, and his eyes grew caressing. “My dear child, what am I to say? The notion of you in a mining camp miles from everywhere is a touch surprising. Tho yenuo doesn’t suit you a little bit.” “It’s a wonderful country,” she cried indignant. “Remarkable! For those whe like snakes, have an affection for wild beasts, and are immune from yellow fever, cholera and other trifling ailments incidental to the tropics, it’s a charming place.” “I’ve heard you say that tho Transvaal is tho most perfect country.” “My dear child, are you aware that the Umtolo gold mines arc come thousands of miles distant from tho Transvaal? A wild spot miles up country, among hostile natives, and not another white woman within hail.” “It can’t be like that.” Her voice grew distressed. The picture of herself goddess and queen, worshipped by adoring miners . and reverent blacks faded rapidly. “Rodney wouldn’t have asked me to go if it wore so bad as that.” “My dear girl, 1 tell you for those who are in love with loneliness and do not object to savage boasts it’s a perfect paradise.” “And the yellow fever?” “You may escape; a few do.” “Yon’ro not really serious?” she dropped tho flowers, a heap of odorous blossoms on tho table, and came towards him, adorably young and slim. “I am entirely convinced of what I say.” “Rodney she commenced, “My dear Love, I vow Rodney was as surprised as I am that yon fell in love with Africa so soon. You painted a fancy picture from the few sober facts ho gave you. and were enraptured at rour own production.” “He would have told mo if there were danger and fever.” “It’s common knowledge that yellow fever is prevalent in certain parts of Africa.” .

“Not in this nart.” “In tho adiaccnt districts, anyhow. You’d have to pass .through a fever swamp to get to Umtolo.” “And you say it’s lonely? What about the miners?” “The mine’s worked by Kroo boys, ugly as sin, with a few white overseers to keep them in order. Oh,’ it’s a bright spot. “You’re teasing me.” “I’m telling you the truth. Ask Rodney for yourself.”

Her lips quivered. “It’s too late! I I ” she glanced round quickly, “We’re going to get married to-morrow.” she said in an agitated whisper. “I can’t go hack now. Beside, 1 love him.” she throw the words out almost as a challenge. “1 love him, that’s enough.” Dynvor shook his head with n kindly tolerance that maddened her.

“You were first engaged in Wales, weren’t you?” he asked. “Yes—l was tired of the country. The monotony choked me.”

“It’s quieter in Umtolo, Love.” “Why do yon say these tilings?” She came quite close to whore he stood, and tho flame of an indignant anger flashed through her calm.

Dynvor’s curious lambent eyes grow bright. “Because, my dear. I want to stop you ruining your career.” “I have none. 1 shall never do anything on the stage. I couldn’t endure the smiling impertinence of the agents, or the familiarity of the actors. I went to Garrick Street the other day. and tried to get an engagement. I’ll never repeat the experiment.” “You need not. ’ I can help you—if yon will let me.” “Yon are very kind, but slightly erratic. Here to-day, in Tlong-Kong tomorrow. It’s a chance you’re back now.” Ho shook liis head. “I went to Paris to seo Sheldrake, tho actor-manager, about you'” ho said, quietly. “Your reproaches aro undeserved.”

She faced round quickly, a sudden glad look in her lace. The words were balm to her wounded vanity, her injured pride. “Oh. why didn’t you tell mo?” she cried, forgetting in her eagerness to cloak the feeling in her voice. “The visit might have resulted in nothing. 1 did not want to raise false ho))es.’' “And now—now?” He shrugged. “You’re going to be married tomorrow, you tell me—and sail for Africa the day after.” I Love clasped her hands in an attitude of despair. “Oh, Wolf, Wolf,” she cried, “what am 1 to do?”

“One of two things. Co to Africa, wear out your .liuslkukl’s affection and grow thin in impossible .surroundings, or stay here, accept .Sheldrake’s offer, and when Rodney returns with a for * mne marry and ho happy ever after.” She caught her breath. “Me won’t be long away?” she asked dubiously.

“Ho said about throe years or less.” •‘Vou'rc sure of Sheldrake ?“ “1 give you my word, my child.’ “And you’re certain I should-hate Urntolo?”

“Put the rase to Rodney, and see what ho .says. I’ll leave you now. It’s a matter’•for you two to decide. Let me know though, won’t you?” “I’ll write to you.”

“No, letters are unsatisfying things. If you decide to stay in England .send me a rose. If you go to Africa—a lily, is it agreed?” She nodded. “I oan’t tell what I shall do yet Wolf, I should love to accept Sheldrake’s offer, hut,” she panned, “I don’t know how to tel! Krcnn-y,” she said and her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t help you here. Good-bye, Love, I shall know to-night if it’s a last good-bye.“ Me took her hand and lifted it with a certain stately courtesy to his lips. “Dear Wolf, how can I thank you?” she said, softly, “you’ve been very good.” (To be continued.)