LITERATURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6183, 10 March 1888, Page 1

LITERATURE.

• FORGING THE FETTERS. [Bt Mbs Alexander.] Author of "The Wooing O't," " Her Dearest Foe," &c, &c. £____ BIGHTS K_*SEBVBD.] Chapter I. — (Continued.) Mrs Bayley, though fresh and smiling outwardly, was internally bored and disappointed with the result of their first day in St Cuthber ts. They had only an hour or two of Sir Frederic's company on the whole. He had been quite taken up with that Btupid golf. It was all very well his saying that his old boyish love of the game had revived. She (Mrs Bayley) shrewdly suspected that he had backed some of the players-and hence arose his interest. He waa not too* lucky, and might seriously diminish his supply of ready money. Mrs Faoe only proposed to stay a week, and he shonld not throw away a chance, and it was such a chance to have Mrs Faqe all to themselves in that Bleepy little out-of-the-way corner. If only the rich grass-widow could be moved to use the information Mrs Bayley waß willing and able to bestow, she might free herself from the loosened, yet still hampering fetters of her unfortunate marriage, and form an alliance which would give her rank and assured position, and really not a bad husband, as husbands go ! So she mused as she stood in the pleasant window of Mrs Fane's sitting-room, waiting for that lady, who was putting on her hat, in expectation of Sir Frederic Morton's arrival to escort them to the Links. "Well, my dear Mrs Bayley, what profound problem occupies your mind ?" cried Morton, entering unperceived. " Those who lie down with the dogs, eh ? Tou know that graceful proverb. Tou dined with a brace of professors yesterday, didn't you?" " A braee — a trio ! I never was more bored. We had the humanity man, and the Greek professor, who succeeded Br Methvin, and they talked quite over my head. One of them had a terrific accent ! I was almost provoked with Mrs Fane, she waa quite interested and animated, and asked aU sorts of questions, and the old creatures (at least two were old) seemed ready to eat hemp ; she is such, a puzzling woman. I never know when she is in earnest ; wasting her money, too, as she does. She sent off a cheque this morning for .8200 (I saw it myself) to that designing woman Mrs Kiddell, who used to be with her ; for the Girls' Kef nge sho worries herself about— she really "want- a husband to guide her." "What hideous waste of money," cried Sir Frederic, laughing. "But here she comes. Mrs Bayley has just been abusing you for enjoying your dinner yesterday, and for talking over her head. I suspect yon did not give her a chance with either Herr Professor"' " I do not believe you. Sir Frederic !" returned Mtb Fane, smiling, as she buttoned her glove. " I assure you the dinner was charming; and the humanity professor is an old dear ! His profound booklearning seems only equalled by his ignorance of the • world j and he said such quaint, original things." "Well, I honestly confess I did not care for the conversation," said Mrs Bayley, with her accustomed good-humoured candour — candour was her line. "But the mere material dinner was excellent. The doctor gave us a glass of really good port wine, which i_ not to be despised, in my opinion. Good port is very rare now ;" and Mrs Bayley laughed in her pleasant, hearty way, as she often did in the pauses of her speech, which had just enough Scotch accent to give raciness to a good story. " What will you say to your diligent employee," said Morton, bending an admiring glance on Mrs Fane, " if I have found and captured the bold intruder of your story ? ,; "Have you, really? How, and where !'• asked Mrs Fane with some interest. "He sat next me at the golf dinner last night, and we had a game of billiard, after ; then he confided to me his wish tc make, your acquaintance; and as old Leslie Morton, who seems to know him, said he was all right, I shall, if you will permit me, present him to you. I believe he has been walking about the Links since daybreak, lest he should lose a chance oi meeting you ! Another admirer added tc your long list, Mrs Fane." "Admirer," she exclaimed, laughingj " I never- saw eyes express doubt and disapprobation more distinctly. It is thif that has roused my curiosity — how can 1 have offended him?" "Clever fellow!" cried Sir Frederic, "He knows how to make himself in teresting! But if you are ready let vi come on, I fear Miss Onslow will be waiting for us." The weather was still fine, but the sk. was more overcast, and the shadows of slov sailing, clouds gave variety to the aspect oJ the bay. On their way to that portion of th( ground called " The Ladies' Links," thej overtook Miss Ohslow, who was accom panied by her uncle— -himselfi an en thusiastic golfer. He had devoted som< hours each day since she was his guest t< instructing his niece in the mysteries o the game. As they grouped themselves to see Mis? Onslow strike off, a tall figure came v] from the beach between two sandhills am approached them, but it was not till hi had put his ball safely into the firßt hole that Sir Frederic exclaimed, "Ha ! have you come to see this excitin' match? I assure you I expect to b shamefully beaten! Mrs Fane, allow in to present my friend, Colonel Carring ton. Mr 3 Bayley, Colonel Carrington Mrs Bayley understands the game, an< will expound its complications. Now Miss Onslow, for No. 2. Capital! Wei driven ! " and the combatants moved t< the next hole, followed by Dr Methvin am Mrs Bayley. "I am glad to have an opportunity o explaining to you that my intrusion th day before yesterday was involuntary,' said Colonel Carrington. "The guan opened the door, and " " Tou were in the lion's den," put in Mr Fane, with a pleasant smile, as he paused " Pray do not think it necessary to apolc gise, or if you will, address yourself to Mr Bayley, who ia more disposed to uphol her rights than I am." She looked with friendly frankness int his grave eyes, instinctively seeking to cUe perße whatever prejudice against hersel might exist in his mind, and endeavourin to recall his face and figure to her memor, —she had met bo many people, Bhe had ha sentimental Platonic friendships with s many men — that it might be possible h. new acquaintance had been the friend < Eomeone who had quarrelled with hej though in truth she had a knack of retail ing the regard of her admirer-. But th steely blue grey eyes that looked into hei did not change or Boften as he replied *. "It is a sound principle to uphold one rights. People come to grief ' who los grip of what is justly theirs." "Provided they do not clutch whs belongs to others. Bights overlap som times, you know." "Not often," he returned, and the walked on a few paces iv silence, whic Mrs Fane broke by asking, " Is this yoi first visit to St Cuthberts ? " "Ifc is. I came with an old friend, man of this County, who is an enthusis Sn golf. ' The attraction of the game rather a mystery to outsiders." *' Yet, I am told.there are. menher _l wl

spend their lives on the Links. I cannot • understand it." " There _ is a certain fascination inthe effort to win smything/' said Carrington. As he spoke, their eyes met, and Mrs Fane was startled, even annoyed, at the new expression in his— and at the effect it pro--duced on herself. A sudden glow, a gleam oi fiery resolution, lit up the deep-set of his soul, and sent c, thrill of apprehension through her veins. " Come on ! " said Morton, waving his driver towards them. "It is mortifying to see how indifferent you are to the splendid play going on under your eyes ! Miss Onslow is beating me hollow. She is besting' me hollow — three holes np." "I am proud of my pupil," said Dt Methvin, in high delight. "Now then, Sir -Frederic, it is your turn. You must go on ; there are others behind us." They all kept together for the remainder of the-course, and talked only of the game. Finally, to the great exultation of her i uncle,. Miss Onslow came off victorious. " Suppose," said Dr Methvin, "we walk > on to .the flagstaff and go down on the sands. The wind has gone round to the east and; is rising. We will have a view of the waves beating over the castle rocks. lam afraid we shall have a wet day tomorrow." " A terrible prophecy," exclaimed MiFane, "but I have a" French novel, so am forearmed/ Still conversing with the ex-professor, she walked on over the short elastic turf, Carrington keeping at the other side, so . that it was impossible for Sir Frederic to approach. When the flagstaff was reached, i they all grouped round Dr Methvin, who - pointed out some of the dangerous r-efs; ' and then Mrs Bayley said *. "We had better go homewards ; fhe i wind is getting disagreeable." " Very disagreeable indeed," cried Mrs : > Fane, as a sharp gust caught a light shawl she was trying to wrap round her and nearly carried it away. " Allow me," eaid Sir Frederic, endeavouring to lay hold of it ; but Carrington had it already in his grasp. "Allow me," he said,- with grave emphasis, and not seeming to hear or see Morton, he wrapped it carefully round its owner, , with, a touch, of authoritative decision in hip care that partly amused, partly piqued her, and made Morton vow to himself that the grim Indian should pay for his cool audacity at billiards that night. "If you don't mind a steep descent we can get upon the sands at once, and be sheltered by these hillocks." He led the way, gallantly assisting Mrß Bayley. Miss Onslow, accustomed to the ground, tripped lightly down, but when Mrs Fane found herself on the (edge of some huge rough stones which lay at the foot of the little eminence, Carrington again stepped before Morton with an indescribable air of decision, saying, quietly, " Take my hand," and she did bo, smiling to herself. Mrs Bayley, turning to see how matters were going on, noticed the little by-play, and compressed her lips 1 with a confirmed dislike of the bold stranger, whom she resolved most firmly to rout and unmask. She therefore attached herself to Mrs Fane in their homeward ' walk, and proceeded to cross-examine the ' foe. " Pray have you any relations in the south of England? I knew some Devonshire Carringtons years ago." " No, I have not," rather shortly. " Then there are the Herefordshire Carringtons, rather an old family — perhaps you belong to that branch ? " " I can't say I do." "Ah! there was a rich old Bombay merchant of that iname who died lately, 1 and made a curious will, leaving his money to some stranger. Did you know him?" " I have heard of him." > "It must be a great bore having hosts of cousins," said Mrs Fane. "Oh! Do you think so?" cried Mrs Onslow, " I dote on some of my cousins ! Then Aunt Julia and Uncle Methvin are [ delightful." J. "I suspect," said Sir Frederic, "there , is something in yourself that attacts the better part of even crusty cousins." " I am afraid that is nonsense." 3 Here, being close to the hotel, Carring- ' ton thought it wise to say good morning. [ "There is something original about ■ your friend," said Mrs Fane, as she I parted with Morton at the door, " bring ■ . him to coffee any evening you Uke." 1 Mrs Bayley sniffed. 1 ?To be continued-^