FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16676, 25 February 1920, Page 8

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.

BY MADAMS ALBANESI. (Author of “Susannah and One Other,” “The Young Man from the Country,” “The Glad Heart,” “Capricious Caroline,” etc.)

CHAPTER XV. Nesta was some time before she answered xur. Arnold’s last speech. When she spoke her voice trembled. “Althougn you are telling me something that is very strange, she said, “it does not surprise mo very much, for 1 have always known there was something—some story connected with—witn John’s childhood which ho himself did not know. Sometimes I have even doubted whether Mrs. Leith was really his aunt, although,” the girl added quickly, “she loved him as much as if ho had been her own son.” Sho paused an instant. Jerome Arnold did not speak; lie was still looking at her, still fascinated by the charm which pervaded her, still conscious of that curious sting of envy that this delicate creature should belong to John Lessingham. ' When Nesta spoke after that little pause there was a proud note in her voice. “I am sorry he did not tell me this himself, i wish he had come.”

“Oh, I am sure you will not ho angry with him,” Mr. Arnold said, in his suavest manner, “because you must know how much he has to do. When great men die they leave all sorts of difficulties and business which must be attended to; that is why your husband lias found it impossible to come to you —why lie has asked mb to come in his place. He does mo tho honour to regard mo as his best friend.”

Borne colour stole into Nestn’s delicate cheek. Despite the disfiguring shade Arnold saw that colour oonie and then die gradually out. “I was not aware,” the girl said, in that some proud, cold tone, “that Mr. Leith had so important a friend as yourself. I never heard his aunt mention you.” “Possibly,” said Arnold, lightly, though he was annoyed at the faint suggestion of doubt which these words conveyed. “But then I don’t’suppose that your husband told his 1 aunt everything. It has been my good .fortune to render Lessingham certain services before he came into this money, and, unlike the generality of human beings, ho docs not seem anxious to forget this. Hence you realise the position, and perhaps you can understand why it is that he has confided so much to me—going so far, 'indeed, v«s; to’ give me the true story of your 1 marriage.” He noticed that tho girl winced sharply, and tho fact gave Jerome Arnold pleasure. “Of course you must realise that ho is more than anxious that you should share with him, Mrs. Lessingham, in all that be has, hut—but ” “But he recognises that he made a mistake, I suppose that is what you are going to say?” Ncsta added, very quietly. “Oh! you mustn’t take it in that light..” Arnold exclaimed. “Of course, it was a very hurried matterj : you neither of you had much time to consider, and I dare say if you had had time the position would be very different to-day. But that is not tho point.” “I am sorry I do not agree with you,” said Nesta, in her quiet, pronounced way. “That is the point; it is ■bn this one fact that everything turns.’

She ivas more hurt than she dared confess'to herself. It seemed to her so out of keeping with what she had known of John that, he should not have come to her himseir—Should not have spoken frankly to her. It* was horribly humiliating to her to have her marriage discussed in this matter-of-fact way by one who was a stranger to her—oho whom, instinctively, she distrusted.

“It is everything,” she repeated; “because on this lies the arrangement for our future.”

“Now, you are not to trouble about your;'future at all,” said Arnold, in his lightest and pleasantest tone. “1 am here to discuss this matter with you. Mr. Lessingham is desirous of surrounding you with everything suitable to your position as his wife. Ho lyants you to choose where you would core to live; ho will make splendid settlements upon you; and later on We shall hope ttiat you will' naturally drift together; but just -at first there is so much that he wants to do. Ho means to travel —to see the world—and, lie thinks it advisable that ho should travel alone.” ‘ Nesta’s two' small hands were clenched tightly together now, and she was quivering from head to foot. Arnold could not of course see her face, but her lips were pale, and bo knew that she was suffering as ho meant her to suffer. Had she been a different type of woman it would have been very much more difficult for Jerome Arnold to have attempted to carry through the task he had set himself; indeed, he had settled with himself that, ho could make no definite move until ho had seen Lcssingham’s wife, and realised the class of girl with whom he had to deal. He had, as a matter of fact, prepared himself for difficulties; but luck was with him, for here to his hand was the very material on which to work, not only 'successfully, but swiftly. ’ • • “1 think—l think ho is quite right,” Ncsta said, speaking witn difficulty. “You will kindly convey to Mr. Lessingham my desire to work with him in every possible way.” “I shall certainly do so. I don’t' think he understood that you would be quite—quite so amenable. If you will allow me to say so, Mrs. Lessingham, you are very different from most of your sex.” “I presume .that you have something more to say to met” Nesta answered this very coldly, very proudly. “I have to discuss with you tho question of money. A certain income will be placed at your disposal. Your motor-cars,, carriages, horses, and all your appointments will be arranged as soon as Mr. Lessingham knows where you would care to settle. 1 brought with mo a certain amount oF ready money which. Nesta interrupted him by putting up her hand “Thank you,” sho said, “I have sufficient for the moment. If you would he so good as to write down these various matters about which you have just spoken, I shall "bo so much obliged; and will you tell Mr. Lessingham that for the moment I am staying here, but that I will communicate with him when I have gone more thoroughly into tho proposition he has put before me?” Sho rose as she spoke, and began to feel her way back to the door. Once again admiration and pity arose in Jerome Arnold’s heart . The grace of her movements, ilto beauty of her soft fair hair, above all her distinction and dignity, made a strong appeartto him. “J am afraid you are displeased with

me for coming, Mrs. Lessingham?” he said.

He saw her lips frame themselves into a smile. “Oh, no,” she answered. “You arc, of course, only acting for another person. 1 don’t think there is anything more wo have to say to one another, is there?” “Only that I boprf you will let me servo you if I can be of any use to you. "Perhaps there may bo some way m which I can help you?” She thanked him very quietly and rejected the offer. When he would have put out his hand to help her, she drew back from .him so quickly that the man flushed and felt extremely awkward. It hurt his vanity to realise that this girl distrusted him so surely; but as he lot himself out of the shabby little house these feelings very quickly wont, and ho laughed to himself, for he guessed convincingly that Ncsta had not the least intention to stay on and wait for any action on tlio part of her husband. He was not sure what she would do—that must be Ids business to find out (ho would remain in the neighbouring town so that ho. could keep his eye upon her) —but one thing was very sure, she would not turn to Lessingham. Whatever the future might bring forth, he. had effectually divided her in sympathy from the man she had married. (To bo continued.)