For Honour's Sake.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7957, 6 February 1906, Page 2

For Honour's Sake.

By Bertha M. Clay. Author of " Wife in Name Only," " Wedded and Parted," "Dora Thome," "A Queen Antony Women," ■ " A True Maydaleue," etc., etc.,

CHAPTER XXl.—Continued "It's good for sore eyes to see you," he said, but bis voice was a little husky. "You are not changed a hit, old fellow." "1 don't tbiak ynu are, either, Stewart," Gus answered; and yet be •was conscious there was a changethat indefinable something in the expression of the eyes aud mouth which shows a man has suffered, nud suffered deeply. Stewart smiled, and his smile, though so bright, was mora than tinged with that evor-abidiug pain. "No?" he said. "You aro coming home to dine with us Langdale, and stay the night. All orders have been given." "I shall only ba too delighted," lepliod the major, "but I'll jtißt give orders to my man to take the heavy baggage on to Clifford street, my old diggings, you know." "All right; I've got my dogcart here." In two or three minutes Major Langdale's portmanteau was on the dogcart, which was waitinc, aud he and Stewart were in the vohialo. Stewart gathered up the reins, and they were off. "You'll excuse Pauline this evening," the latter said. "She had some previous engagement." An engagement that he had not even suggested she should put off though she could easily have done so. He had, naturally, no desire for ber society, and he knew Gus was not particularly eaaer to see her. The major answered at once: "You wouldn't make a stranger of me, I hope. We shall find plenty to eay to each'other the first night." Pauline had not letumed from her visit when they reached Carlton House Terraoe, but she came home in ample time to drees for dinner, and ascertained that Major Langdale had arrived. Panline did not like this straightforward soldier, but she was none the less ready to dazzle him, and bewitch him into forgettng his "prejudice" against her. The occasion was propitious, for Pauline was going to an at home, where she was due at nine o'clock; therefore she was dressed for diuuer, and was able to appear in more imposing attire than would otherwise befit a dinner table where there was only one guest, and that, guest »n old friend. Certainly she looked dazzling when she came into the drawing room in her gown of plush and satin in Wall flower shades, and blazing with diamonds; and Langale, who was already in the drawing room with his host, was, in a manner, startled. Lovely as Pauline bad appeared in the simple gown in whioh he had seen her at Aviron, she seemed ten times more eo in this splendid attire, set in an appro priate baokgrbund; but though he could not but admire, and his glance involuntarily said aa much, be was not bewitohed at all. He rather, mentally, resented this physical beauty aa an aggravation because of the moral lack. '•I am so pleased to see you again, Major Langdale." Pauline said, with ber most chaming smile. "I bope you have come for good.'' .' "A very kiudwish, Mrs Stewart," said Langdale, as they shook hands, "But I don't think I should like to be always a carpet soldier, you know." "Of course not! What a stupid thing for me to say. But perhaps, you know," sinking gracefully into a fauteuil, the upholstery of which suited her frock, "you will marry, I dare say, and leave the army." "Not I," returned the major shaking his head "My wife, when I get one, will have to take me as I am." "Fancy piking such a life," said Pauline. "Going into horrid hot countries, and all that sort of thine." "Oh, but that's only the prosaic side of it, you know," said Langdale, laughing, "You should look at the other.". "Thero isn't any other for the wives," said Pauline, "if they have to go out to such dreadful places, I wouldn't." "I dou't imagine your husband would ask you," thought Langdale, but, feeling that the talk was getting close to delicate ground, he turned ivoff, saying, lightly: "Well, at present 1 haven't even a wife in contemplation. Can't you help me to one." She laughed. "Ask Ersio," said she, glancing up at ber husband, who was leaning against the mantel. "He is such a connoisseur, aud you would prefer his recommendation to mine." "Should I? You say so—l don't. Well, Esrio,. have you anyone to recommend?" "Yd might as well ask me," replied the other, "if 1 have any good advice. Besides, how imprudent to recommond one more than another. Are not all women lovely and charming?" "Of course they are," said the major; "but 1 want something more than that." "Try your luok with Claude Verner, major," said Pauline, with another covert glance at her husband; "the new beauty, who is turning all the men's heads." "And your own,, too, probably. Most likely she is a terrible flirt." "Oh, 1 daresay. Most pretty women are. But I can introduce you; only I'm afraid the Marquis of Duffield is making the running in that quarter, and rank and immense fortune are temptations you know." shaking her head archly. "No chance for a poor major, eh, Sfcewnrt?" . , "You can try," the latter answered laughing. "Sometimes love eets the upper h^nd." Paulino was annoyed; she had been flinging darts at her husband, and not one of them had told. She said now: "But then, Miss Verner is poor, and her .guardians probably intend her to marry money." On the whole, major, you had best avoid

her. She is too dangerous, too beautiful; you'd lose your heart, for a certainty." "You are generous to her," said Langdale, bowing. Stewart set his teeth, but said nothing, and was outwardly unmoved. "Ob, no'irsense." exclaimed Pauline. "You men always think pretty women are "jealous. Besides, Miss Venier is not in my style a bit. We are foils; she has dark hair, violet eyes—pale hues. ' By the way," turning to her husband, "I called at The Ferns to-day; they all send pretty -messages to you. Charming man. Mr Daveuant, such a frank hearty manner, Mr Tollemaohe was there, too. Poor fool. It was easy to see he is awfully in love with Claude Verner." A vague feeling was beginniug to dawn upon Langdale's mind. If this Claude Verner was as beautiful as Pauline Maid, aud hei husband evidently knew the girl—of course be would, if his wife did—was it exactly in the nature of such a woman as Pauline uot to be jealous?. There was something, too, * • " manner, as well as her words, that struck the major as unreal; as if—well, as if shejjwere, in a way, talking at her husband. (To be Continued).