FOR HONOUR'S SAKE

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12913, 2 March 1906, Page 2

FOR HONOUR'S SAKE

(By Bertha M. Clay.)

CHAPTER XYHI.—MRS MILLINGTON'S BALL. The cards for Mrs Milling ten's ball wqee the first fruits —and very early the ■was —of a valuable acquaintance. From this untold benefits would, follow, to say nothing of other favours from tie same source which might be confidently looked for. It certainly would not. argued the Davenants, be worth while to quarrel with Captain Stewart or Basil Tollemache or ■anyone else. If he expected a reward from Claude he would fhid out his mistake, and he could not undo the past. Certainly they took no account of any possible injury to Claude's peace.

• /'I; don's, see iwhy Claude- shouldn't wear a,, coronet," said Julia to' : her husband,: whUe she was.dressing for the ball. She spoke French, which the maid in attendance did not understand. "I hear the Marquis of Duffield will be present tonight; he's a brilliant catch."

" But I'm afraid Claude would laugh at him. She is taller.than he is." " Claude never does see the force of worldly advantages," said Mrs Davenant, frowning. " She is wildly romantic. Well, she'll have to make up her mind before the season is over. We have tried her in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Rome, and all in vain. London is her last chance. The girl forgets that she owes us something." "The girl" at that moment was not thinking of the debt she " owed'" her guardians, or of dukes cr marquises, or even of the ball itself; she had been to so many. She was thinking, with a vague, dreamy sort of happiness, of meeting Captain Steagain, of the promised waltzes with him. She would not see much of him, naturally; there would ibe so many claimants on his attention; but he would be present, and she would dance with him. And when th* maid went into raptures over her gown it Hashed into Claude's mind what Esric Stewart would think of it.

She did rot care to eclipse other women. She did not inir.d how many people copied her gowns; they we:e welcome. Nor, as a rule, did she care to please, even by her dress. But to-night she did, though not in the plural number. "My dear,"' was Julia's comment, when Claude appeared before her, "you'll make no end of conquests, and I don't know what Mrs Stewart will say to you. . You quite throw her into the "shade." "Hew happy that will make me," said Claude, with ironical gravity. "And how about other beauties?"

" Xonsense! There isn't a girl in London to compare with you. Here comes Stephens to announce the carriage^' Claude Yeruer's entrance into the fastfilling rooms created no small sensation. All the mea wanted to be introduced to her, and to dance wirh hec- Rival belles regarded her as a distinct - danger to them. The women, generally, admired her dr-?ss as something " quite too lovely," and wondered who had'made it. An artist had surely designed it for its perfect bleudimi aid contrast c: colours, its indescribable Jail and iiow- of dnipsries. But Claude w:;> v.s£f? Tv homage and admiration. it ii-.tu Hi.: re\v;;Le;t be!, vr the surface ui her n.itnie w!u::i rl;.<i she began to discover that she had the power which belongs to beauty and charm. She was not likely

to value it any the more new ; she valued k far less; it w;-.s such a mere matter of course- And. then, there was always that sense of being " trotted out" to give l:er a feeling of disgust even with herself. Bat to-night slit fergot that; she had other thoughts. Instinctively her eyes sought for the tall figure of Esrie Stewart. He was not here yet. Mrs Davcnaut le marked to her, aside: "The Stewarts have not arrived. I dare, sar they'll bs rather late. Trust her to time her eutrauce for the greatest effect."

And then Claude was carried off bv someone, and presently the Marquis of Duifield was presented" te her. He was quite two inches shorter than she was. but he was passably good-looking and plea sant enough to talk to. The marriageable damsels of " high degree"- gazed enviously at the tewenmci who seemed to be usurping the marquis"attention: but :hey have been jealous. Clandr would have laughed at tns idea Li tier wanting to captivate her iire.-c:i. cavalier. She wished it had been P°, ! ? :! V° tf> lefuse hiai a dance. How iiQ?T.i'.:i i;;; t cla;icfc with a man shorter \h:c; voi^se: 1 . ' '" rlt-.v hit-.- Captain Stewart and his wife :a i e .;" :en:!i:-!:ed Ms Millington to Claude. w:,:.8 ;l:c iv: .s resting after a dame. i ,::'iie .:;ij happened to p:event tl.eh' o;:li'i: _;."' '" We>:!([:: i '>.;;).r;:in .Stewait Imvc sent ;• :<!..-;s:.g.- ::-. tua; .as ; : : ' suggested Claude. ->;ip h:u( already been asking herself with j e-.i.-- <>; dull disappointment. "•' I - h -" '---■•*•■'.: :ch meant "he"'—" uot ii sniiit; ':"' ""'.if i!>;:;s: he v.-< aid." said Mis t ::. '" i ;.:•.•„••. :•:::(.-«■ Captain Stew.ui ;.> i-. i;itM. a c:;i! tesy. Oh. it's probably inly I'anljne s delay in dressing: it takes her 11 ""'•-• I ./:' ; "->'•"" the old lady, laughinn- " iiie-c ;uey are. 1 do believe." ana s::s to »;<: and receive the new arrivals. Yes, Claude Ui:ew they had arrived a •second tr two bcfoie Mis .Millington spoke. arc! her hei-it leaped up with a quick. wild throb; the- grey changed U: iosv hue. Oh. that stupid marquis f Why "should ha come and b-.'t!:<r her? Sho" oxd not iva::t to talk to anyone just now: she would so ihii;li rather be ah.nc! Hut she l:ai something more th;.u r. <•'.!'.:<: say in see Captain Sr«wart's wife, and tried to catch « glimpse rf lie,- thiou<;h tie inrerveriina crowds. Th-iie she was Ah. what a hve'y woman! Xo wonder tiis .a-.en g:it:ie:ei round he? : ami with w--at'.a« air of sunply icceiving her own sl>- .-n-cep'ed their adulation! "Do you admire he;'/" nsktd the in::*in 1 -;. foHowirg his romnani-n's sr-r/e. " I-\-»ryn-:e •r":-'." s; .;i (-;.„;:,.. ** Siu> 1 : .-i ■f-:y he i"' : fv?." . '' iTi.ie-.1. <■!•.<.• U !" I-i-kirg n.veMly n' tr? v --rr >'-, r. !,<..j,; e ],;,„ -v\-ttii jt.s irtiaiU v :■-'»! y of I'sp-v-.i'iiiin: " hnt yc-u know. \l >.< s'i* ha* oi;!t one face.** '■

" Well, the Indians say, ' Two-face gal make bad sqaaw,'" returned Claude, puiposely misunderstanding him. "Ah, you know what I mean," said he, laughing. " I mean one expression." "Is that a drawback in masculine estimation?" asked Claude, who did not warn to say anythipg against Captain Stewart's wife.

"In mine, at any rate. I sea they are forming for the quadrille. I must find my partner: but here comes Captain Stewart to take mr place. I envy him!" He bowed, and moved away, and Claade looked up with a boating heart and a soft smile on her lips as Stewart come up and dropped into the vacant chait." "I am cruelly late." he said, clasping her hand in his with a close, strong, almost passionate clasn. expressing admiration, but something cieeper, toe —which, veiled though it was, yet startled her, stirred within her that vague, bewildew-d ,sense,, half joy, half fear,, that defies analysis or translation into words. "Have ycu beeu here long?" he added. " About an Iw-ur and a half, I think." said Claude. "Mrs Millington began to think you were not coming." A eurhus smile flitted over the man's lips. " I should be sure to come," he said, quietly. " I," J not "we " ! And the tone and maimer! Claude could not fail to understand his meaning; only he might have said as much to any pretty woman, she thought; but did she feel that he would have said it in just the same way? "You haven't given away my waltzes, have you?" he added. •

" Oh, no! Will you mark them now handing him her programme. "It is very good of you. I dot't deserve that you should have kept them—though it was not my fault being late. 1 wou-aer if you take over two hours to dress?" "Oh, no," said Claude, laughing. "Barely one." "And yet the result is perfection! Forgivr my saying so; your gown ia a picture, vou know."

" I am glad you like it." said the girl, colouring with the intense pleasure his admiration gave her. "Are you?" said -Stewart, and stopped, checking other words that trembled on his lips. How his heart throbbed, that he had power to call tnat soft colour to her che?k, that light into her eyes. "My wife wants to know you," he added, controlling himsch': " will you let me introduce her to you when this quadrille is over?" "I shail be s<» pleased," said Claude. *• I looked for Mr.s Davenant. bu; she is in some other ror.m. perhaps. I j-liall find her presently. You dance the y.ex'V' " With the Marquis of Dulfield." "A"nice little fellow, and the ir.tch of the season." said Stewart.

"Is that a kind hint, Captain Stewart, for me:" quizzically. "A coronet and som* eighty thoiiKaul pounds per annum are not to be despised, you kuow." The girl's quick look, wistful, questioning, half pained, too, was almost mere than he could bear. " You don't think." he said, bending down and spc::king hurriedly. " ihat I really misjudged you .«.«.? 1 was only jesting, yon kuow that?" 'Yes, yt-s; but -still you might think— You have known mc such a little while, ycu see."

"Such a lit tie while?" Stewart began, :mpu»sive!y. asd caught his bieath. siientlv.

"SVei!. yes." be added quiet'y, aflcr that pau.-r. "if vuh go oniy by lime, so T have: but it doesn't secin to me ns if it was a little while. Ah! they have finished now. and Pauline is sitting over on tbe other side. Someone has just introduced Mrs Davenant. Come." They rose, and he drew Claudes hand on his aim. and led her acr* ss to where bis wife x.it. with two or three men hivering about her.

CHAPTER XIX.— THE -MEETING OF THE RIVALS. Up iill now Pauline had only caught one or two distant and imperfect glimpses of Claude Venrtr: even these bad shown her jeal.us eyes tbat tiie girl was heauiiful. and exquisitely dressed. .She did not sec her hesrband and Claude appioach—she wa« i:o busy Hit ting --until they paused before her: aud then Jibe looked up. asd the benuty of her " rival" struck her like a shock. She ,<i\\ also tbat Claude's dress \r;> quite as effective as ber own. though fcsa cpstly in materml. Xo wemaa could take :n at a glance mere of another woman'.- dre.s.s than Pauline.

i'his was the gir! Esric Strwait loved! And Pauline would have haled her less li;i«l slit not been forced to sec that there w.-ix Utile marvel he should surrender—toned t« see that even her own loveliness did no! surpass the loveliness before her. AM this ii; the flash of a moment, while the ;cs\ 111. j, smiled, anticipating the words ik" in!r..iU.v'.!iii). " Let inc i.);i!i:',ii. e Miss Terrier to von. P-ulna-- my wife." Pauline he'd out" her hand. "* I ji:h so pleased to know y»;i. Miss Vi -.-•H-r." she s.dd. sweet!/. " I uiv. he-ird sa much of you. and one always likes to knew celebrities. Won't y<u sp..:e me a little time?" Stewart drew forward a ti:.-«:r. and ("aude sat down. " i!i::) away," added P.i:i;i:i».. waving her hand, laughingly. •«. her admirers. * "! want to talk to Miss Vcwcr ." They went off with Wks «f dismiv. Stewait bowed anil turned away, setting h:s teeth for a .second. His wife's detest" able, trcaeheiy nude ids veiy heait sick. Some one touched him on the arm. and hr Irokcd down upcu M.dd.« Wt»sinure's fair face. "f'aptain Stewart." said *:>■•. "y.»n. or somelntdy. must introduce me to Miss Veiner. I can't find Mr* Milling;™:." " T will, with pleasnu'. She Is with tnr wife just now. I will "ake you to her in a minute." " Do! The air! i.- div»:;c. I c:,u't take- my eyes off Inr. And «!.m: * ?i.ve*y drsss! Don"! taujj-t * Y<--i .-(mits is. T k?:ow." *'l own the soft hnps."»rh;r«ri. " " It would be no use ::" y««: «-i « ; !'* And all thw time M-ils <i« -:'.;:.i;"^e: " Heaven b«J» hiro. VFh«»; r..;i -•. znsn $&

but lose h:s who!e soul to tech ji gin!" Meanwhile, l'atdtne vm mmw lo

" I have just been introduced to Mi* Davcn.mi. I uiu»t do myself the* pleasure of calling. How da vou like Loa* doc?"

" Fairly well. Oh. I bare been ia Loadon.beftre."' said Claud*, laughing. "Have you? I thought y«u were quite a foreigner."

She went oa. -arjlh a Uriog of tbo*c conventional, vapid remarks, to which it is' difficult to give nay but conventional phrase*. She tried, presently. also, a litt!e "punapinff"; *pnk c cf I/oid Duf* field, then of Basil Tollem.-.chc; but Claude was moie than a match j«r her. Sha fell at odco the antagonistic element of insincerity.

Claude was on her guard, aad, a* *be bad lietz. s-nbtk brains, and Irisa- qaidiiHS* 'of apprehension and happy leading.** of speech. Pauline made notiunj* t-f her attempt*. Yet her companion**; fencing wa* ?t> ckver she did not discover **ae was "being deliberately foiled. It was a v,i.*t re*;cf so Caadc when Stewart came up wish Maida. Wc*tmore. ard to her the gitl's sympathy went on" at onoe. Pauline insensibly dropped o*jt* of she conversation when "Maida aad Stcwsit catnc on the scene. She hid se'dom mac"; t«i say to women, unless dress were the '■abject: and htr husband. «.f course, dad not count as a man—to talk !«-.. The flow of tnlk flashc! hnghtly m:r,d for a few minuter: Pauliac tensed her attention to a younj fop who bad wrac up. and then thf hand "fezan up for a wait/., and Stewart beat dtwn to Claude: "This is my wahz. 1 think." he sail ,To he continued.}