Chapter VI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5180, 9 December 1884, Page 4

Chapter VI.

We must now relate the circumstances tinder which Mr Rudolph Dulcimore and Miss Julia Eotherhyde—now Elsie's stepmother—had met twenty years ago. At that time Eudolph-was a youth of eighteen, while Miss Eotherhyde had arrived at the more mature age of thirty. She was handsome, clever, vivacious, and resident in his father's house as governess to his sisters; he was young, inexperienced and susceptible, also a remarkably handsome boy with a large fortune in prospect. They were much thrown together, and the natural result followed. The boy -sv&s desperately in love, and, led on by the siren, loadedher with many valuable gifts, the first of which was the little ■vr-om brooch we have already seen. He ran up long bills at the London "jewellers where his father's name was well known, and trought his enslaver constant and costly presents of every description. , She told him with tears, of harrowing cases of poverty which she longed to alleviate, and he, glowing with admiration of her goodness, showered upon her every available sixpence, which she, in. turn, forwarded to a certain "Jim" before mentioned in this story. At last the father discovered the amazing extravagance of his son, and demanded an explanation. ' The boy falteringly confessed his love for the fair Julia, and was alternately scolded and laughed at by his parent, but Misd Eotherhyde was desired instantly to depart. Then the infatuated youth declared that he also would quit his father's roof and work for the woman he loved. He followed her to the railway station on the morning of her departure, and with " devotion " written in every line of his face was about to take his place in the same carriage, when she, with, a harsh laugh, turned to a horsey, dissipated looking man by her side and said: " This is my husband, Mr Eudolph; I do not think you need trouble to accompany me further." Stunned and stricken, the deluded youth returned to his'home. . He knew now that he had been duped: for in that one instant he had seen a look of love in Julia Botherhyde's eyes, as they dwelt on the graceless jockey-like creature fey her side, such as his own fondest caressei and most lavish gifts had failed to arouse. Subsequent enquiries led to the discovery that the woman was an adventuress, and tad on various occasions narrowly escaped .the clutches of the law. \ Years passed on, and Eudolph, still .-susceptible, loved and married the heartless ■woman whose tragic end we have told. The letter and little brooch, put into his hand by Elsie, brought back with full force his early recollections, and he determined, for the sake of the girl who was so true a friend to his children, to see this woman who had worked so much mischief, and expose her to her latest victim. Confronted by her early lover, Mrs Grant's courage failed, and throwing , herself upon his and Elsie's father's generosity, she confessed that "Jim" —' her husband —was still alive, s+ill beloved, . and still supported by her schemes. So the amiable Mr Grant, thankful to be rid of such a creature at any cost, and shrinking from a public exposure, settled a small annual sum upon her, and shipped her off tr> England and " Jim."