CHAPTER XXIV.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1902, 4 June 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXIV.

POOK TE COXA,

The Auckland Times, is a purely conservative organ, and its chieE delight is to chronicle the doings of fie upper ten. Under the heading of "Distinguished Visitors," it devotc3 a column ami a half anent the arrival of Prince di Rmmaine, and his lovely daughter the Lady Violante, together with their suite. In a purely Ridic.il community (the Tones, notwithstanding) it is a red letter day to have a real live prince amongst them. Moreover, the interest in. Prince Di Rouinajne and his belonging? is considerably augmented by a full and particular account of chat love romance at Venice betwesn the fair "Violate and young Warne, the banker's heir, occupying something like two columns more in. the same jouri,al. The Ciub3 — jv rather the youihlul members thtircf, aro dyinsj for an introduction to the eh-irmins brido-elecfc. Whilst more of the eldec-i, sale-made men with money, strive aud vie with each othe.' for the honor of presentation to His Highness. Lady Blanche Trevor, who has taken the beautiful Italian under her especial care, id quite charmed with the simplicity and sweetness of her charge. The days go by very pleasintly for both father and daughter in this new land.at the Antipodes. Tao former wonders within himself at tlu stupendous grov/lh of. fclie young giant. Hera he soes men completely freed from the fettera that hamper and retard older and more civilizad peoples ; men with thews and sinews, and the will to transform, with the wand of a '' Pro3pero,'' a wilderness into a mighty nation. The tide of war has rolled backward and loft Society free to pursue its balls, its parties, and its pleasures at will. For the Princess Roumaine there is but one end!cs3 round of that butterfly existence which the votaries of fashion call gaiety, but although she is the belle, and the petted darling of. the most select "set "in New Zealand, their adulation does not spoil th<? innate gentleness of her disposition, or tend one jot to mar the kindliness of her nature or the purity of her own heart. Paul Roumaine, Prince though he be, has kept his word with the plebeian lover. He has brought; his child twelve thousand miles to give her in marriage to one whom he believes will make her happy. It is a grand wedding ! No gaudy show to please the oyea of die vulgir here. But a quiet select gathering wheroin each personage present is a "somebody," — each lady a? beautiful and accomplished a3 the bride herself. The world goes on much the same when the bride an I bridegroom emerge into it as one ; only it seeuu a new world to, them, and Oiled with brighter shape* than ring in those who 3 3 first rom.iuoe of love has gone for ever moro. The Italian patrician goes back again

to his ancestral halls, by the sunny shorev of the Adriatic, and Violante begins to lead a life-of usefulness and love. At the Barrier Rock the wheel of life moves its round of dull monotony — one finodaya fac simile of its fellow. Every city mail brings invitations from the fashionable world to Hilton Fernbrook, but the Master of the Rock has no time for idleness and frivolity. His estate is on the threshold of bankruptcy, and he must work to retrieve his losses. " It is a fight with fate," 1 he says, with a laugh, " and I mean to cheat the jade." His strange story has been a nine days wonder, as all tilings must on this bustling .sphere. FrieiKU have offjred their congratulations in scores, and a few of them practical help, yet neither good wishes nor the ready sympathy of amicable neighbours, was half: so sweet to him as the shy look of welcome from the haughty Blanche Trevor. To him there was a whole-souled interest in her every look and word. " Tiie usurper has fled and left 33 r ou an empty coffer, a? a memento of his cleverness," she said. "Oh, I care not, so that he did not rob me of your love," he replied. And my Lvly Trevor sighs,' and blushes like a schoolgirl, neath the glance of his eloquent, pleading eyes. To llita, the Hiori, the wheel revolves as was its wont when her j'oung master camo home for his holidays. Tae watchful, eu »piciou3 look has vanished from her now and she move 3 about less cv like in her daily round. Tiie old housekeeper does not, or cannot, comprehend how one man can so closely re3omi>le another as to defy detection, though Hilton Fernbrook has tried to impress the fact upon her a hundred times or more. The incredulous Maori goes her way muttering : "How can it be ? Who shall stand in the young eaglet's place, and deceive me ? No man cm divido himself to bo in two places at the sams tima — except he is aided by the dread fiend Te Toro. Ah, my master, I am glad to look into your face again, now that the devil has fled." Te Cora heard the story of Hilton Fernbrook's return with amazement. To her it came like the revelation of some deed perpetrated under the inlluence of a poworful opiate. What has she done ? Given her virgin love to a felon and a murderer? Alas! it was si. For whatever extenuation there might be for her under the circumstances, the degradation and shame was none the les^ for her. She — the daughter of Now Zealand's prouiest chieftain, to be so entrapped and dishonored. Faugh ! To Papa's blood wa3 in her veins, and Ins cour.ige in her heart. Though she was but a woman and a Maori she vowed silently to find (his man and kill him without the faintest shadow of turning from her fell purpose. To resolve was to act spee-liiy with Te Cora, but with caution, as became the nature of her race. She remembered how this man had wished to espouse the Mv>ri cause against the Government; how to tint end she had brought about a in noting between him and the reb3l leader, Titori. Wuerever the rebel encampment, there she would find the pretender. That same evening she began her task. Fernbrook was in Uid library, after tea, looking over his pile of newopipeiu received from Auckland. A tap at the door — " Come in !" "It's only I," says To Cora, peeping through the doorway. "Truant! when did you return?" cries the young man, with a friendly nod and a smile. " Take a seat and toll mv what good fortune has wafted you back a^ain to this dull abode. " "There now, my good relative would have me believe that this same dull abode, as you term it, has been an Eden during my absence," replies the girl, with :i merry laugh. "By the way, Mrs G.iyland has been very ill." " Yes," he said, " I 3aw mention of it m the Times. The lady has had excellent muting." " I thank you, is that a compliment ?" "I trust you do not think me so ungallant as to mem it in any other sense, my dear Te Cora, 1 ' he says, ac the same time handing her a chair. "Oh, it only soaim yesterday, as it were, since you and I used to romp bslow on yonder green," she say^, seating hurseif, and looking steadily :it him. " Now it is mv dear Te C^ra, and Miss To Cora, and wh it not." The young man laugli3. "Certes," he crie3, "I only hope the usurper was as temperate in his conversation, my Puni Peko. " A sudden frown wrinkles the girl's face and makes its beiufcy almost hideous. "Bah, do not mention the monster," she says in a low tone. " Why did you suffer him to depart ? Hvd 1 been in your place I would have shot the villain dead on the spot." " Humph ! Have you seen the papers? The Times reports that my worthy representaliva and his friends aro, with P.iul Titori, ab the Block pj,h on the Wairoa. " " I have not seen the papors," she adds with a smile. "Of course, I forgot, ladies are not interested in these things." " Pardon me, I am concerned in every thing connected with my poor misguided race," she say 3, quietly. " It is to be regretted that Miori and Pak6ha cannot live in peace," he replies. " C )lonel Chesterton has crossed over into Taurauga with three regiments to attack To Titori in his stronghold. Perchance a stray bullet from the volunteers may end the cireer of VictorMiupr.it, the escaped convict, and his confederates." Te Cora did not reply. Taking out- a book from her embroidered tamba, she began to write therein. Hilton Fernbrook wa'chod her with some curiosity. "I am only jotting down the name of ihe usurper," she siyj, in reply to his look of interrogation. I have never heard it till this moment. And now I must say goo-J-bve."— To be Continued. Jb'JJ 18