THE STORYTELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3489, 3 November 1894, Page 13

THE STORYTELLER.

MORE BITTER THAN DEATH,

[By Elise Bee.]

Chapter IV. (concluded.) When Pearl Hamilton was seventeen she was the recognised beauty of the neighbourhood, Young' men, sons of the neighbouring station-holders, had eyes for no one else when she was by. She enjoyed popularity, yet she was not vain and never sought to attract attention. There was very little of the coquette about Pearl, but like most young girls, she was not averse to the idea of having a lover, and on this account she rather unwisely allowed herself to be drawn into a compact with the son of their nearest neighbour. He however straightway assumed such airs of proprietorship, and showed himself so insanely jealous at the slightest notice taken of anyone else that Pearl after disagreements and reconciliations, desired to be released from the engngement, saying that she had not imagined that the state of being engaged, was such estate of bondage, Of course her lover pleaded for a further trial, but' Pearl was not to be beguiled a second time, when her affection was not in the matter. So her first love affair came to an end.

But she had made a bitter enemy, and was yet to suffer in consequence.

The months went on and Robert Joyce still came frequently to Kooraliie, although'the engagement was known to be at an end, He was a man of revengeful nature and was biding his time. When Pearl was eighteen, her mother gave a party in honour of her birthday, Among other guests was a gentleman who had recently come to live within a few miles of Mr Harveys: lie had already made a"favourable impression at Kooraltie, arid was at once charmed by Pearl's many attractions. Pearl on tier par,t'was equally attracted by Allen Denbigh. Her mother, fond as she was of Pearl, .would gladly see her liappily married, for it seemed to her, then only would the stigma which bad rested on her birth, be removed. Of this cloud Pearl was still 1 happily ignorant and it washer mother's" intention that she should remain so. So for- some ! time the course of * their 1 love ran smoothly enough, their affection deepening with every meeting, although no positive engagement existed, Mr Denbigh was only waiting a, suitable 1 opportunity to ask her to be his wife. Pearl on her part, \remembering her former,j^^ purposely, defrauded him of several opportunities, for she'''enjoyed the freedom; of their,preeentrektions too much to wish to alter them, although she truly returned; hisjqss_» ; .>

Matters were at this i stage, when one evening Mr.Benbigh had'ridden over, with the news of a dreadful murder 'which 'had been committed

by the natives, "the victims being a defenceless' woman and her children! The husband on returning home one niglit had fouiid , that, his, , but had been robbed and bis wife and children were: missings. He saw signs of a great struggle and following the tracks left, by. .the. blacks. : had, at last found the bodies hidden in a small cave. ', ;■ , ■

" How dreadful," said Mrs Harvey, "and 1 suppose the cruel wretches are still at large," Yes," said Mr Denbigh, " they hare not caught' them yet, I am sure hanging is too good for them." "And yet," said Mr Harvey, " you can hardly blame them, poor' ignorant creatures," ' "Not blame them papa! what can you be thinking o: 1 To me the murder of that helpless woman and 1 her children seems a most diabolical crime."

ut Yes but it was probably done in revenge for some equally diabolical injury done to some of their tribe." !

" But these poor things were innocent "

"It is only the old story.' The innocent often have to suffer for the guilty in. this world. Once when I was visiting near the coast a long way from ere, some facts came to my knowledge which opened my eyes as to the treatment the blacks had received from the,settlers in the early days of the colony." " Oh papa," said Pearl " do tell us. Old Black Sarah has often told

me that some of her tribe were murdered by the white people. " We'll, I was staying at the coast some years ago with a friend of mine, and one day we were exploring the caves, when I said to my friend. 'I have heard hints of the massacre of some natives, which took place in these part.*, is there any truth in it']' 'Yes, and I can give you a proof of it if you come along with me.' We went in until we came to a cave blackened at the entrance as if by fire. We entered, ' Now,' said my friend 'do you see these bones?' 'yes.' 'And these, and these,' he went on, pointing to numerous skeletons which lay about. ' I see them,' I answered, ' how did they come there.' ' Well, a long time ago the blacks used to be very troublesome stealing and killing the O D cattle for their own use. You could not wonder at it, for their land had been taken up for these cattle, and kangaroos and wallabies were getting scarce. But of course the settlers thought nothing about that, they all voted the blacks a nuisance, and a few of the most unscrupulous decided to make an example of some of them, so they went atter a lot of them with dogs and firearms, of which the natives stood in great o fear in the early days. The poor things took refuge in this cave, which, as. you see, is not a large one, and has but the one opening. So the barbarous wretches lit a large fire in the entrance and suffocated them, What do you think of that f ' Dear* me,' said I, 'no wonder that the blacks attack our people sometimes when they find theav unprotected; But how did these skeletons come up on these ledges,' said I. 'Oh' he replied, 'that is where the poor creatures crept to get away from the smoke, and where they died their bodies were allowed to< remain, a continual witness against the perpetrators of the crime.' ; U . ' . " Well,"i said Mrs Harvey, with indignation, "irpeople calling themselves eivilized can be guilty of diabolical cruelty, I suppose there is nothing else to be expected from these poor heathens,"

" No;" answered her husband, you cannot wonder at them taking their revenge • when they see an oppor-. tunity." i .i ■!. "No," said Robert Joyce, revenge is sweet. I' .'«•

Then as he was taking his leave he said in ani iundertone'to Pearl, " i have been oh a visit to Adelaide, and while there I heard a story which I should like to tell to you. May I come to-uiorrow as I think you have the /first right to hear itl"v/,'-.

Wondering much at his words and manner, Pearl answered,/' Yes;" As it was getting . late i Allen Denbigh also took his leave at the same' time, and; as!'he said good right to Pearl at the door he said " I have something to say to you when come"iagain; iDo ' give' me the opportunity," and Pearl blushed' and 1 answered that she would,

Several times - Pearl was on the point of telling;her : mother what Robert Joyce had said, but then she thought, "Perhaps it is something he has to tell , me against Allen Denbigh, if so I shall not believe it, but mamnia might, so I had better let hira tell me ; first." So on the next day feeling too restless and uneasy to stay indoors, she started out for a walk, going in the direction, in whibh Robert Joyce would come.

It wasa lovely day in spring, the air full of the perfume of wattle blossom, the trees crowned with their delicate yellow clusters were to be seen in every direction, combined with graceful festoons of native lilac. It was just such a day as Pearl would have delighted in, but for the feeling of foreboding called up by something in Robert's manner, which seemed to her to be ill concealed triumph. Feeling tired with her walk, when she came to the river instead of crossing, she sat down to rest under some large gum trees; alternately watching the broad river as it flowed by, and the smoke going up from the fire in front of the whares of some blacks not far off. Presently. she heard the beat of a horse's hoofs, and lookit * down the road, saw Robert Joyce approaching. " I see you were anxiously ex-

pecting me, I ought to feel flattered I am sure," said he with sarcasm as lie drew ud and dismounted.

" I am at a loss to imagine what you can have of such importance to say to me," said Pearl with dignity. " Well I will begin. "When I was in town, there was staying at the same hotel, a gentleman named Hamilton, who had lately come out from England, and finding that I 'came from this neighbourhood, he began to make enquiries about a cousin of his whom he had traced to Riverside, and to cut the story short, he turned out to be your mother's cousin." "I do not see anything very strange, about that. You might have told my mother last night. But as his name' is Hamilton he is probably a cousin of my father's." " Nothing of the kind, and that's where the rub comes in, your father's name not Hamilton." "Then what was itf gasped Pearl,her face blanching with sudden dread.

" Edward Martyn." " Then, why is my name not Martyn f " Because there was no legal marriage between your mother and Mr Martyn, therefore you bear your mother's maiden name." Pearl stood as if transfixed with horror for a moment. Then she turned oil her persecutor like a young fury. "This is false, you know it is false you coward, you are saying this to frighten me." "It is truth, and ; you can prove it by going home and asking your mother, you will find she cannot deny it."

"There must be some mistake. My mother is a lady. I could hot ask her such a question." " Well the facts are these. This Hamilton told me that your mother was an only child, her father had long been dead, and after she was grown up her mother had married again, but your mother disliked her step father, and when Mr Martyn came a stranger' to the town, the two fell in love and were married after a short engagement, and came out to Victoria." .

"But I thought you said they were not -married,- said Pearl

eagerly, " Excuse me, I said not legally, After they had been living together for several years, a first wife made her appearance. Then there was a storm and a separation, and. your mother took her, maiden name again." "Then my mother was not to blame," said Pearl " she was cruelly deceived." , i- i

That may be, but it places her child in an unpleasant perdicaraent. You y could; hardly, marry Allen Denbigh? without telling him of the stigma. which rests on your birth."

"And that is why you have come to me with this fiction," said Pearl with trembling lips, "It is no fiction, in your heart you believe it; and you can prove its truth, , But; if, you will marry me Pearl, your , mother need never be troubled by having the past brought up to her again,"

" I will never marry you, Robert Joyce. I was indifferent to you before, I hate you now." " You, had better not defy me, Before you shall marry. Allen Denbigh, the meanest creature in the neighbourhood, shall know your history; even the blacks shall point at you." . At this threat Pearl could bear no more. With a bitter cry, she threw herself on the grass and lay-there sobbing. Even her. tormentor was moved to pity. "Come Pearl," he said "do not take it so hardly. You used to like me, if you cannot make up yonr mind to marry me yet, just give me your promise that you will not marry Allen Denbigh, and I will give you my promise never to divulge a word of this story." "I will give you that promise. Disgraced as I am 1 could never think of linking my fate with so honourable a gentleman as Alien Denbigh." " Come, that is reasonable; it is a compact then," said he trying to take her hand. But she drew back coldly saying "I shall never marry, I wish that I was dead,"

Refusing Robert Joyce's attempted consolation, and his company as well, she turned oack to the house alone, walking as one in a dream. " Why Pearlie, what is the matter," ■said Mr Harvey as she came in at the gate. " I don't feel well father," she answered. "I should think not indeed, go and tell your mother. I say you ought to be in bed." " Why, Pearl, my child you look like a ghost," said her mother as she entered the sitting room. "Oh mother, 1 have heard such a dreadful story. Tell me it is not true," gasped Pearl locking the door behind her. "My poor child, what can yon •have heard," said Mrs Harvey, her thoughts flying swiftly back to the bitter past as she noticed the marble whiteness of Pearl's face and felt that her hands were cold as death. For answer Pearl poured out the story she had just listened to, eagerly watching her mother's face for any sign of dissent. u lt is quite true, Pearl my child, I wish I could have spared, you. But do not look so despairing you will marry by-and-hy, and the past be forgotten," "Never mother. When Allen Denbigh comes, I will not sec him."

"Why Pearl he is too generous and just b} far to blame you for this misfortune. If you thitik 'he ought to know, your father shall tell him ; 1 am sure it would make no difference." " Mother ho must never know. I 2iave promised Robert Joyce never to marry Allen Denbigh if he keeps my •secret. If I may not accept Allen's love, I cannot endure his contempt." "Ah childj Allen loves yoii well ■enough to overlook this misfortune, T,et your father tell him, and dare Robert Joyce to do his worst," " No, mother I must leave home; I cannot stay here Allen must think mo fickle, or deceitful, anything as long as he does not know the truth." ; ■ :

" But where could you go dear. If you went to any of our friends, you would have to come back after a> time; it would be better to face it at' once." ::: ■ " Mother, I aVW 'just' desperate: if you do not let me go with your con' sent; I must go > without'it. Let ine ;go to town ands get a ! situation;as/ governess somewhere,, and tell Allen that I do not wish 'ihim' to know, my •address. Father can; go with me to town. Oh to think that lie is reallyfather to Archie, an J Alice, and Mabel; and I am nbbody's? cliild j" T l ' '"My poor Pearl ihe loves you I believe better than his own. < But : you< arc taking this to heart as your .mother did before yousj" ' ■ When Mr Harvey heard 1 Of Pearl's ■decision 1 lie ' tried' hard ; to 7 dissuade' her, but fitiding her firm; he'thought 1 it would be kinder to let her have ! her own way in the'matter. Relieving .that time would soften thft bitterness of the sorrow which ! had 1 darkened'' mi hitherto happy y'oniig dife. ; ; : ! Chapter V. <■ When Allen Denbigh cailled a ; few days after hoping to win Pearl's promise to be his wife; he' was met' •by Mrs Harvey witli the news that Pearl and her father were both away frOm home 'and it was uncertain when they - would 1 t'eturri. Much disappointed he went away, inwardly wondering at the, evident •constraint of Mrs Harvey's manner. But, when time passed on, and Mr .Harvey returned without-Pearl, he went to him for an explanation and ■was told that Pearl by her own wish had taken a situation as governess in a distant part of the colony, also that'she Wished her present address to remain unknown to him.

'! Bug Mr''Harvey I came on purpose to ask Pearl to be inv wife." " She wished me to.tell you that •she could never be your wife. I •can give no explanation," Mr Harvey coldly, though in his heart he ■was fuming at the thought of the [promise which Pearl and her mother had extorted from him. ' Deeply hurt, Allen Denbigh left •Kooraltie, and it was wine time before he called again, but his love got the better of his pride, and in time he •was once more a visitor at Kooraltie, picking what scraps of information lie could about Pearl, hoping at least she would come home on a --visit, Much of its old cheerfulness

seemed to have left with her who had been the chief sunshine of Kooraltie. Mr Harvey missed Pearl's cheerful companionship and his wife seemed weighed down by some secret trouble. Allen Denbigh was quite mystified but he felt sure that whatever the trouble, Pearl was in no way to blame, Pearl Hamilton had been so genuinely good natured, that in spite of her popularity with the male sex, she was a general favourite among her girl friends, and her continued absence was much deplored by most of them. But the gossips at Riverside, talked over all the peculiarities of Mrs Hamilton's first appearance among them. "Depend upon it," they said, "there was something wrong, and Mr Harvey has just found it out, and sent Pearl away, in consequence." Mrs Harvey obtained her cousin's address, from Robert Joyce, and wrote to him, so bitterly reproachins him for the harm his careless words had done her child, that he wrote back saying how sorry he was for his thoughtlessness, and promising never again to let the story pass his lips, and so ashamed was he of his conduct that he never ventured, into the neighbourhood of Kooraltie.

There was one, however, among Fcirl's acquaintances who had from (he first very much admired Allen Denbigh, and who now hoped by the absence of so formidable a rival, to win him for Herself. This was Robert Joyce's sister Alice. Robert being only too willing that Allen should be ; removed from his path; gave her every opportunity. She was a handsome dark-eyed girl, witty of speech, but by those who were intimate with her, known to be of a jealous and; violent temper. Of this however Allen Denbigh was ignorant. He only saw her at her best, as a bright and amusing companion. Therefore as the properties of Mr Joyce and Allen Denbigh joined each i other, and Robert lost no opportunity of showing* himself an obliging and aggreeable neighbour, Allen became a' frequent' and his name in consequence soon became coupled, .with; that of Alice Joyce, as it had formerly been with that of Pearl Hamilton. People said it was a.'caseof out of sight, out of mind. But in this they wronged :thej steadfast ' nature Of < Allen*Denbigh'. ; He still ilived in the hope that Pearl must 1 eventually return home and if hes'could only see her: once,niere; he believed he could win her. i

'• Chapter Yli ; iv > i!;: Five slow lonely years passed away for Pearl, and l yet slie had cot ventured ' home, i Once her mother had met i her in Adelaide, tad the two hid been together for iim days. Bat ? the rest of her holidays had been spent! at ithe home of her employer. Christinas was drawing near,and<Pearl began to: s longf iwith an; i everrincreasing longing for the> old familiar home and her mother had written begging) for,her to. sppnd her,,.holidays at home. But still she felt that she could not meet j.Allen, Denbigh.: She, had not been jlefc kuow how rumour connected ,his ,name with that of Alice; Joyce. -

i Her mother, in : her. last.letter to Pearl had mentioned how the bush, fires were raging in; their neighbourhood, and, all the men who could be spaied were out fighting the flames, and trying to drive them back. She felt very uneasy she said, for the fires might at any time escape the men and sweep down upon their heme as it had done on that of others. After reading this lettor Pearl was very uneasy, for she had in former years witnessed the des'truafcion caused by the? 3 terrible fires, which are of yearly occurrence in Australia, when the long dry grass is waving in the plains, and the dead timber on the hills is at its driest. She was not much surprised then, when she got a letter the day before Christmas. The fire however had not as she feared come down on her own home, the danger there, was tided over. But Mr Joyce's home had been swept away, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the family had been saved. Robert indeed was so severely burnt that his life was despaired of, and Allen Denbigh in his attempts to rescue his friend had been so seriously injured that he was in a

very precarious condition. Her mother concluded by begging Pearl to return homo at once, as Robert Joyce, feeling that his end was near, wished to see her before he died.

Five days later Pearl was at home again, and not an hour too soon. Robert Joyce, who had been removed there after the destruction of his own home, was sinking fast. Pearl shed tears of pity when she beheld the companion of her childhood in the agonies of death, but Robert had noc sent for her to plead his own cause now, He begged her.to forget the promise she had made to him, and when Allen Denbigh asked her to be his wife, to accept him. He dwelt with all his remaining strength upon the splendid courage of tho man who had so generously risked his own life to save him who had been his enemy. " I have never," said he, " breathed a word of your story even to my nearest relatives." " But I could not take advantage of Allen's ignorance of that matter," said Pearl sorrowfully.

"There, is no, need," said Mr Harvey who i stood by, I will myself tell him, "it is better he should know, and. if his pride is greater than his love, you will be spared the pain ot refusing him."

So Pearl, tired of the long banishment from all she loved, promised that if Allen asked her to be his wife she would not refuse,

That same day Boberfc Joyce died. For many days the life of Allen Denbigh was despaired of, the fever occasioned.by his injuries ran very high, and the great heat of the feather combined with this nearly cost him his life. But his splendid constitution in the end oonqpoved. As soon as he was well enough to hear the story of Pearl's birth Mr Harvey told him all. "Tothink,'' said Allen, "that she should not Have known that I loved her too well to have that stand in the way, if I had only known."

He insisted that Mr Harvey must bring Pearl to see him as he was now able to be moved into the sitting-room. . ' . ; 'j For," he said,l cannot come to her so she must come to me,"

So Pearl , became the wife of Allen Denbigh, and the mistress of, his beautiful home by the river, and. .her own> andher mother's early j sorrows, were; put away as; things of thftspast, never more to cast a , shadow,, over, .their lives, though to both they had once been more Bitter than, ; death,. ;