APPLES OF GOLD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14347, 27 October 1910, Page 5

APPLES OF GOLD.

By JOHN K. PEOTHERO.

Author of "An Eye for an Eye, 1 ' "The Way of Transgressors,” "A Strong Man Armed,” "A Modern Esau,” “The Silent Witness,” “A Woman’s Lovo, etc., etc. [oopthight.] CHAPTER XVll.—Continued. Tho door closed behind Lord Dynvor, the flat seemed suddenly dull and quiet. Love felt’a sudden fierce impatience with herself, and hurried up and down tho room in a quick and restless motion. Why had she not waited; why had she boon so hasty? if only she had been more deliberate, loss impatient ; as it was the outlopk was more puzzling, more tangled than ever. Sim could not bear the thought of Rodney’s disappointment; she could not endure the thought of foregoing a stage career. She had not tho courage to meet her lover—a quick pang went through her heart as slit* realised the many months, perhaps years, that must elapse before they met. She loved him, uo doubt as to that, but once again the old vision of success blinded her eyes. She could not, she would not endure many months of monotony in a strange land. And yet—Rodney? It would hurt him to death. iiis familiar rat-tat sounded on tho door. The little maid was hastening to the door to open it. Another minute he would he in the room. In a panic Love rushed down tho passage, seized Murella by the arm, and drew her into the bod-room. “I’m in trouble,” she said, “and you’ve got to help me. I’ve promised to marry Rodney as you know, to-mor-row, but I don’t intend to, and you must tel) him so.” The woman looked at her reproachfully. “I thought you cared for him, my dear.” “I do. I sliall never marry any man but him. Rut J can’t go to Africa ; I’m frightened at the thought.” “Last night you said it was lovely to think of.” “Last night I didn’t think of yellow fever, snakes, and horrid natives. Last night I didn’t know 1 should have to live miles and miles and miles from everywhere.” “lyord Dynvor’s responsible for this.” “You’re prejudiced, Murella. lie’s been so good, Oh. Murflla. darling, do he nice. Volf’s been to see Sheldrake, the actor manager, and he’s promised to give me an engagement. Think what that means, dear, and try to understand.” The woman sighed. “A good man’s love is worth so mueh more than you know, my dear. “I’m not giving Rodney up. I'm only a-sking him to wait a little while. I can’t marry now; 1 want to he free to work and live and make n name. You’ll tell him for me, Murella? I couldn’t do it I’d just have to give way if lie begged me to. Rodney can alwavs persuade me if he makes up his mi ml. You’ll tell him kindly-you won’t let him be cross? After all, he’ll lie hack in three years.” “And haven’t you any idea of what those years will he? Reflect. Love, ou what you are doing. Rodney thinks that to-morrow 'you will he his wife - he’s the happiest mortal on the earth at this moment. You’re going to make him the most miserable.” “If I married him I should he rnis»*rahlo—and lie would be unhappy. Don’t scold, Murella. hut holy me. make it easier for me. please.’ She kissed her lightly, and patted her cheek, ami Murella yielded to the caress. 1/ove was 100 radiant, too charming a tiling to he refused. There would always lie someone to make smooth the rough places fdr her. And yet Murella accepted the mission against her will. Site had welcomed Love’s decision to marry and had determined to accompany her to Africa. Rodney’s strength of will, his loving care would have given the girl the steadiness of purpose she needed, 1 Jut if she decided to remain in England, Murella must make it easier for her to do so. Sacrifice at least was a part of a mother s love she had a right to exercise. Just what she said to Rodney. I mve never knew. It was a long interview, broken at time* by his young voice raised in passion and pleading, - hut at Inst Murella came out, her face white, her hands shaking and Uvc, troubled ami alone, went into him. Thoru were no reproaches for her, no a ntrer only a great grief looked from his dear eyes ,ond Ids brown face was bleached. He kissed her tenderly, holding her close. “You're unhappy? she said, slowly. "No, iijv darling, only disapiioinled. But* you’re not to worry. It was my fault—l was n selfish Insist to think ..{ taking mv girlie with mo. Though I'd have hoe'll very careful of you, liltlc one. Nothing should have harmed °‘ ‘There are such terrible things out diore. You never told me about snakes and fever, , , , , , "Silly child, I wouldn t have asked vou to come to au unhealthy place.^ ' ‘Toil mean--oh, Hodney, if its really nice, I'll come if—if you ask me.” , , ~ "I’ll not do that, and you mustn t suggest it. Kiss me, darling, once again, and then I II go. ’ But at that she clung to him, sobbing in a piteous childish fashion, vowing she could not. would not live without him, that it was all a mistake, and that she’d marry him or die. lie was cruel to refuse. She meant every word she said—or thought so. And yet an hour after Hodney left her, Lord Dynvor received a eardhoard box hy special messenger. Opening it, ho took out—a rose I

CHATTER XVIII. THE DUMB STEAKETH. In a flash la-am had reached the door, her first mad impulse to shut out that gaunt figure with tho grim yellow face, silence Ids dreaded tongue. But Jim was too quick for her. She found herself gently sot aside, while Kincaird rested on her lover’s arm. "Loam,” he jerked out tho phrase, the while Ids face worked horribly. "Steady, old chap,” Cartaret held him up. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying. Learn, with desperate courage, rose to tho situation. "His brain’s wrong— I told you all about it. Send him away, Jim, ho makes me shudder.” But the big man did not obey her. lie put Kincaird in an armchair, and held a glass of water to Ids lips. “I toll yon I won’t have him hero—he, makes me ill. I can’t hear him near me. That death’s head to have thrust itself between us. Take him away,” her voice rose to a cry. Ids lips wore quivering; he was going to speak. What would ho say? “He’s ill, Learn.” "Mad —that’s what ho is—mad with the drugs he’s taken. What was

Noble thinking of to let him out of sight!” iSho pealed tho hell furiously for Kiucaird's attendant. The nurse ,a soft-footed, slow-voiced man, Imre, tho brunt of her wrath without re.tort. “I cannot think, ma’am how Mr. Kincaird could have dragged himself along,” ho said at last."] left him on his couch hy the window of the sittingroom while I went to fetch his medicine. He couldn't put one foot before tho other this morning—l had to lift him like a. child.” "Learn—” the'voice was strong, insistent, the gaunt figure rose and stood erect, “beam—l saw you in his arms,” ho pointed to Cartaret, "his arms, while you ought to be in mine.” For a moment the blow stunned her. She stood, her faculties numb, her brain torpid. “Loam, why wore you in his arms when you belong to me?” It had come at last, tho dreaded blow, tile hour she had feared had struck—she shook herself, and grasped at her lost courage. "You I’ ’she said, with a hitler sneer, "a broken thing like you. .This,” she pointed to Jim. "is the man I love, tho man I’ve given myself to.” “Then —” Kincaird’s hands clutched at tho back of the high chair, and for a moment he suayed to and fro, "then lie must hear, who and what you are.” "Vou shall not speak to him, you hoar me?" She came towards him, menacing in her strength and beauty. Kincaird shrank, a spasm of pain contracted ill's shrunken laxly. "Learn,” Jim Cartaret once more came between them. ‘‘Learn, leave this to me. Von are- -excited.” "I sav ho shall not poison your mind ugaiiist'me. A liar ,a taker of drugs!” "Learn, for my sake control yourself.” lie had sent Noble froni the room, hut the woman's voice, raised in auger, pealed through the house. •‘Why should you take his side against me?" "Against you?” He smiled at her reassuringly.' “Let the man speak, I,earn ?’’ (To be continued.)