LOVE WINS THROUGH

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16501, 31 July 1919, Page 8

LOVE WINS THROUGH

POAA'ERFUL STORY O.F ROMANCE AND MYSTERY.

By BEN BOLT,

Author of “Tho Lady of the Miniature, “Love Finds the Clue,” “The Sin of Silence,” etc., etc.

CHAPTER A 7. A fortnight later Stella Shenvood was convalescent, and, sealed in a garden I hair in front of the house, was meditating on the events which had preceded her illness, when she caught sight of a man coming up the drive. She recognised him instantly. It was the now baronet, Sir Philip Arcott, and a iitt-io .'mile came on her face as she remembered her aunt’s words. She, knew that it was just possible that Miss Sherwood's surmise might bo correct, and as he came slowly up the gravelled road, she considered him not for the first time in iho light of that possibility. Philip Arcott was tall and slightly built, with delioatoly chiselled features, vho dark complexion of which, with the glowing eyes almost too beautiful for a ■ nan, he had derived from his Spanish mother. lie walked gracefully, and Fnere was that about him which would appeal to many women, though men uiight bo inclined to brush him aside as ,oo dandified and feminine. Stella, who aad known him from childhood, was not conscious of what some might count defects in him ; and her eyes were ton unsophisticated to read the tell-tale lines in the handsome face. She knew that since lie had stopped into the baronetcy he had become one of the most eligible bachelors in tho county, and she was flattered by the thought that whilst ho could nick and choose lie was turning to her. She smiled suddenly at her own thoughts. It was ridiculous to patePhillip. Arcott became aware of her sitting there, and leaving tho gravel, made a bee-line to her across the lawn. One look at his face told her that the anticipations were not so ridiculous after all, and his greeting left no room for doubt.

“How glad I am, Miss Stella, to see yon about cnco more! • J met your aunt in the village and heard from her that you were almost well again. I have come straight from her to offer my eougratu-

The girl’s face flushed a little, for there was an ardour in his manner that was more than friendly, and of which she could not remain unconscious, but for all that she laughed lightly. “But why such haste!' It is not good to hurry in such weather as this!” “Perhaps not,” he laughed in answer. “But I did not think of that. I was thinking not of myself hut of von, and of the great pleasure it would he to see and speak with you again.” “And is the realisation as good as the anticipation?” she asked, with the same lightness of manner.

“It is hotter,” ho answered promptly, “much better! A’ou do not know how 1 have waited for this moment, nor i;an you guess how distressed I have keen by your illness.” He spoke fervently, and Stella was at a I”s what to do or how to meet what feminine intuition told her was coming. The flush in her face deepened a little ax ho dropped into the seat by her side. In her embarrassment she spoke hurriedly and quite unintentionally gave him a new opening. “I. do not know why yon should have been so distressed.”

“No? Then I shall tell you. Stella, though I think you must already guess it. A’ou are dearer to me, than anyone in the world; indeed, my uncle being dead, you aro the, only person in tho world who can possibly have any claim on my affection ” “But I do not claim ” began Stella, to be instantly interrupted. “No, but. I have the temerity to offer it yon, Stella. Ever since we were children I have loved you, desired you, and having this morning received your aunt’s consent, I have now the honour to a,sk you to be my wife.”

Stella sat there quite still. Tho tiling which she had anticipated' had come so suddenly that she did not know what to say. Her grey eyes stared into vacancy as though she were considering the matter, and Die man watched her eagerly, impatient for her answer to his question. As he. watched ho saw a change come over the beautiful face. Tiic flush ebbed away, leaving it marble pale; a. frown of thoughtfulness creased the white forehead, and into her eyes came a troubled lock. Afraid that her answer was to bo an adverse one, ho strove to anticipate it and. to avert it.

“Things arc not what they were two months ago, Stella. Then 1 was dependent upon my uncle, now I am tho master of Arcott. I can offer you a homo which ■s almost worthy of you, and a position which you will adorn better than anyone ! know. Arcott Manor is not to bo despised ” “Oh, it is not, that,” broke in Stella impulsively, “It is something else that I am thinking of!” “Tell me,” lie said quickly, anxiously. “It is something that troubles you I am sure. Your face betrays that. There is not anyone else?”

“No,” answered tho girl slowly, almost doubtfully, “there is no one else.”

She did not look at him as she spoke. Her eyes were fixed straight in front of her, but she saw not the, beautiful garden. In memory she was standing again in the studio off tho Place Pigallo. On tho floor was a. dead man, and by her .-Ido was a living man whispering urgently; “Go 1 Go at once., and do not come back here. Quickly! Do not wait for anything ” ’What had happened to that man? ’Where was he? Could she let him continue to suffer for a crime which he had not committed? Could she marry Philip Arcott without Telling him all? She knew she could not. but was slow to make her decision, and through tho tumult in Imr heart and brain sounded the tones of Philip Areott’s voice, in answer to her own remark. “Then if there is no ono else, Stella, what is there to hinder? I love you. I will do all that in mo lies to make you happy.” “I do not question that,” she said quietly, her decision readied at Inst.

“Then why not consent and make mo a- happy man?” asked Sir Philip, nrgiiigly. “Because there is something that I must tell you first —something that I think was the cause of my illness, and that distresses mo when I dare to think of it.”

"Ah! —then I guessed rightly!” cried her companion; "there is something troubling you I knew. it. You must tell me, Stella, dear. You must let me help, if for no other reason than because I cannot bear to think of you ae unhappy. There is nothing I would not do—nothing that I would not dare in order to prove my love for you. Tell me, and ”

She broke in upon his words. "You • —‘ — l-0 You would do anythin#,

to prove your love for mo —anything to help mo?” "Absolutely!” he answered quickly. "But suppose it were something unpleasant—something that might prove dangerous?” "Then I would welcome it the more!” ho replied, steadily, though for one moment a, look of surprise flashed in his eyes. ' "And suppose your failure would involve the loss of your liberty, disgrace, impris ?” “But I shall not fail, Stella. There is no need to take such consequences into consideration. Success shall prove my love and 1 crown it. You must tell roe now what your trouble is, and what I can do to banish it.” He paused a. moment as if waiting for her to sneak ; then he added. "Tell me, Stella, please! Toll mo what is worrying you, won’t you ?” Stella looked at him, and moved by the earnestness of his gaze answered, simply; "Yes, I will toll you, and I will tell you what you can do for me.” (Continued daily.)