SWEET LAVENDER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 37, 13 September 1890, Page 16

SWEET LAVENDER.

A SOCIETY STORY. SI I’l’l ISE everyone has a pet aversion. Mine sounds innocent enough—it is the -s fW-z-o smell of sweet lavender. A friend of ~ ' z'i ul mine, Mrs Morecroft, bad been reduced ' "xi flUls- to *' ie neceMS it.V of taking boarders. iS'''' iJ'JI ’“> I* ll *' s ' ,e was suc ' l 11 thorough lady that we all humoured her harmless little *’fiction of regarding ns all as merely visitors as in her happier days. We never mentioned the subject of money, but > once a week we walked down to the postV.’wli f v oflice and left a white envelope in Mrs MoreW croft’s letter-box. '7 So we had met summer after summer, mutual acquaintances and friends always, with now ami then a new arrival to add freshness and variety to the circle. The last summer I spent there brought two new additions to our number Miss Mornington, a young lady’from the city, aa heiress in a small way, as we soon learned, and quite independent in all respects, and a niece of Mrs Morecroft, left suddenly orphaned the previous winter and to whom the good lady had forthwith offered the shelter of her home. * 1 never could quite forgive my sister for throwing herself away on a worthless fellow who first squandered the little fortune she brought him, and then broke her heart,’ she said to me, in one of her confidences, in the bestowal of which she always manifested a partiality for me. * And for years we saw very little of each other, and very rarely wrote : but when this poor child was left an orphan, what could I do but forgive her for being her father’s daughter, and otter her my home, for the sake of her mother. She seems to be a good girl, so far as I can see now, and.with none of her father’s bad traits of ehaiacter, and she certainly has a very winning face.’ I agreed with Mrs Morecroft heartily as to the latter fact, for, without being strictly beautiful, Ada Rowell possessed the most winning countenance upon which it had ever been my good fortune to gaze, and on which I found my eyes turning constantly from the first moment of my introduction t<> her : a sweet, innocent face, with a clear, red-and-white complexion, lighted by deep pansy-blue eyes, and surrounded by a lavish wealth of rippling hair, anil animated at all times by a bright ingenuous smile, which shed perpetual sunshine through the cheery house. She was standing—that first peep I had of her, before Mrs Morecroft led me out to introduce me—leaning against the veiandah, a few Howers which she had been gathering for the dinner-table in her right hand. I had been employed in a warehouse before the death of an uncle left me in sulliciently good circumstances to enable me to choose my own work, ami I at once appreciated the elegant style of her fashionable yet simple dress. It was a combination of black lace and grey cashmere, with sleeves and petticoat pinel in black silk, with black velvet diagonal bands. She wore a large Tuscan hat, forme bateau, covered with black lace, and trimmed with mauve ribbons and flowers. (See illustration.) It was not long before I made two discoveries, which affected me in widely different ways. The first was, that Ada Rowell had in some way, and without any artifice or endeavour on her part, bless her ! crept so close and fast into my heart as to become absolutely necessary to my happiness ; and the second was, that I was the object of more or less tender regard on the part of Miss Mornington. I think I can honestly acquit myself of the charge of vanity, or any undue estimate of my own merits ; anil for some time 1 was exceedingly unwilling to admit the truth of this latter discovery ; but the quietly persistent manner in which Miss Mornington contrived at all times and on all possible occasions to avail herself of my society left me at length no further room for doubt.

Whether I was lounging on the verandah, exploring the rosery, pacing up and down the line old elm-tree walk, or sittting, book : n band, on one of the rustic seats tastefully dispersed among the trees, I was sure to be made aware, by the faint lavender scent, of Miss Mornington’s close vicinity. Had she been a female detective, and 1 under surveillance as a suspicious character, she could not have ‘ shadowed ’ me more persistently and untiringly. It was all done, moreover, with such an elaborate appearance of each encounter being wholly unexpected and accidental, that for a time I hardly 'knew whether to be most amused or vexed : but I began then to acquire my first aversion to the smell of lavender, inasmuch as it inevitably presaged the bestowal of attentions which I would gladly have dispensed with altogether. Nevertheless, I chatted with her sometimes, danced with her sometimes, and even turned the pages of her music occasionally, and endeavoured in all my intercourse with her to convey to her as delicately as possible the fact that while I was willing to accord her the passing attentions of social courtesy, I had no thought or desire of imparting to them any deeper meaning. But in vain. She continued to appropriate me as often as opportunity allowed, with the most uncompromising persistency. Equally in vain was it that I made my attentions to Ada more pronounced and obtrusive; Miss Mornington either failed or refused to discover any special significance in them which in any way debarred her from her assumed claim upon my society and attentions ; although once or twice I fancied 1 caught a gleam from her dark eye which boded a determination not only to ignore, but if possible to usurp the claims of her gentle little rival. Outwardly, however, they were perfectly good friends, and although Ada could not but have marked the fact winch had become quite patent to all, she never reverted to it in any way ; which only made me admire ami love her more. About half our summer holidays had slipped by in this way, ami Ada was wearing a ring that 1 had given her, and over which she had gone into ecstasies of admiration, although the name of the donor was known only to ourselves and Mrs Morecroft; for the good, lady, although- approving <>f our engage nt. did not wish it made public until the close of the season when Miss Mornington presented her-

self at the breakfast-table one morning, with a disturbed frown ruffling the smooth whiteness of her forehead. * I have lost my small diamond brooch,’ she replied in res|ionse to Mrs Morecroft’s inquiry. ‘1 do not rememlier wearing it yesterday, but I must have done so, and it has become unfastened, for it is not in my jewel case nor anywhere about my room. Won’t you please, every one, assist me in finding it, if possible ? It is a very dearly prized heirloom, and 1 would not lose it for double its value.’ < If course we all promised to render her any assistance in our power ; and at the same instant I instinctively glanced down the table to where Ada was sitting. Her face had a pale, troubled, almost frightened look, and for the first time her eyes failed to meet mine full. It was evident we were both thinking of the same thing—her extravagant admiration of that same brooch only a day or two before, and her remark that she would give almost anything to possess one like it. My memory further tormentingly admonished me that I had not seen it on Miss Mornington’s dress the day previous, not indeed, since that evening when Ada had broken out into such enthusiastic admiration of it. Must I make the humiliating confession that for one brief instant a doubt of Ada’s perfect honesty crept serpent-like into my mind? It was indeed so. She saw the look in my eyes, and her own fell before it, misty with gathering tears.

Happily for Ada's embarrassment and my increasing distress, a remark from one of the boarders changed the subject, and the remainder of the meal passed in tolerable comfort. But Mrs Morecroft’s kind blue eye was clouded by a troubled expression that had not left it when we rose from the table. For some reason that I did not understand until afterward, I did not even have an opportunity for even speaking with Ada that day, and the few times that we met incidentally, she shrunk past me with a nervous'avoidance wholly unlike her usual manner. The brooch was not found, although carefully searched for, and within the week two of the gentleman boarders reported the loss of some small article from their rooms. Mrs Morecroft said nothing, but I knew that her vigilance was redoubled : and I knew further, with a sinking at my heart which told me that in some measure I shared the misgiving, that her suspicions pointed with increasing strength of conviction to her niece. By almost imperceptible degrees she managed to withdraw her more and more from association with the guests, in which restriction, of course, I shared with the rest. A feeling instinctively possessed us that a crisis was impending, and it came full soon. A few mornings later, when we gathered at the bieakfast table, one look at the usually serene face of our hostess apprised us that something of unUsual import had occurred. ‘ I have a loss to report'.’ she exclaimed, unable to restrain her excitement. * A set of pearls that was presented

to me on my first coining out has been taken from my bureau—also a packet of important pajiers. I know they were there last evening, for 1 took them out and looked at them, and this morning something impelled me to look at them again, and tliej- are gone. They were in a compartment of the drawer that opens with a secret spring, and its existence is known to but one person besides myself—my niece, Ada Rowell.’ All eyes were turned upon my unhappy fiancee, who had been the last to take her seat at the table. With a convulsive effort she struggled to her feet, uttered one word laden with an agony of grief, shame, and remonstrance—'Aunt!'—then her light form swayed, and lief ore I could reach her, another boarder had caught her and laid her gently back in her chair. ‘ A most unhappy expose,' remarked Miss Mornington,with a cold, unpitying glance at the unconscious girl. ‘ I suppose the history of my brooch will be solved now. I have had my suspicions al.i along, but felt unwilling to speak ; but I fear they will prove correct. Bad blood will show itself most unexpectedly, and I understand the young lady’s father was not a very reputable character.’ ‘Hush!’ sternly interposed Mr Gregory, who was supporting Ada, ‘ she is reviving. Mrs Morecroft ’ —as Ada glanced vacantly what do you propose to do in this case ?’ ‘ Call an officer at once,.anil have the-matter sifted to the bottom,’ replied the lady excitedly. ‘ I shall not spare the culprit, whoever she is. ‘ And before you do that,’ continued Mr Gregory, • will you allow us gentlemen to make a preliminary investigation ?’

‘ Yes,’ said Mrs Morecroft, after a moment’s hesitation * I will accompany you.’ Leaving her niece to the care of the ladies, she preceded us to her room. One by one we examined the drawer and its contents, then stepped back, unable to offer any extenuating suggestion. As we were leaving the room, Mr Gregory motioned me to stay ; then ushering the others out, closed the door. ‘ I ask you to stay because you are personally’interested in this affair,’ he said to me. ‘ You discover nothing? I believe I have.’ Stepping to the drawer, he lifted a piece of paper that had been caught by the spring of the secret drawer, and handed it to me. ‘ Do you perceive any odour about that?’ he asked. ‘ I do indeed,’ I answered. ‘ A faint but perceptible lavender perfume.’ ‘Mrs Morecroft,’continued MrGregory, ‘ who among your guests use this kind of perfume ?’ ‘ I never use any, neitlrer does Ada,’ replied Mrs Morecroft, with increasing bewilderment. ‘ And the others have different extracts. In fact, there is hut one who uses lavender, and that is ’ ‘ Our friend, Miss Mornington,’ supplemented Mr Gregory. ‘ But why—why began Mrs Morecroft. ‘ She has abundant means to procure what she needs and why ’ ‘ Revenge is sometimes a stronger incentive than covetousness,’ replied Mr Gregory. ‘I think the motive is quite obvious in this case. We will go down, if you please, but let me be spokesman.’ We went down. My first glance took in Ada’s pale distrait countenance, then Miss Mornington’s cold scorn. ‘ Our suspicions are confirmed,’ announced Mr Gregory, ‘ and I intend to make a search at once.' ‘ It is no use to search in her trunk,’ interposed Miss Mornington. ‘ She would ' know better than to hide them there.’ ‘ It is not her trunk I intend to search,’ was the quiet answer. ‘ With your permission, Miss Mornington, I will ook first in yours !' ‘ What do you mean, sir ?’ gasped the lady, turning livid, while every one started as though struck by’ electricity. ‘ In case you object,’ continued Mr Gregory, with imperturbable gravity, ‘ let me call your attention to this ’ — holding out the paper— ‘ which was found caught in the spring of the secret drawer. Y r ou are the only one in the house that uses this perfume. Will you permit us to look and avoid the publicity of an official search ?’ ‘ Come, then!’ exclaimed Miss Mornington, with the reckless bravado of utter despair. And, bounding up the stairs, she rushed into her room, threw out the contents of her trunk, and revealed the brooch, carefully laid away in a box at the very bottom. As she stood facing us with the sullen defiance of defeat, Mr Gregory conferred with Mrs Morecroft, and then said : ‘ The design of this plot is only too obvious, Miss Mornington ; but as it has been so happily’ frustrated, and Mrs Morecroft desires to spare you, as well as herself, any unnecessary notoriety, she is willing, if you will tell us where the other things have been secreted, to spare you the disgrace of any public or legal action. Will you do this ?’ ‘You will find them under a stone at the foot of the hollow tree in the garden,’ replied Miss Mornington, in the mechanical tone of one in a trance. Then, with a wave of her hand she dismissed us, I lingering behind just long enough to see her fall fainting on the bed. Sending a maid to attend her, Mrs Morecroft led the way to the garden, where we found the missing articles cunningly secreted. ‘ Now let us go in and make the vindication of that dear girl as public as her disgrace as been,’ said Mr Gregory, as with the treasures in his hands he led the way. I will not attempt to describe the scene that followed ; where Ada was covered with kisses and congratulations ; but when we were alone I caught her in my arms. ‘ Thank Heaven !’ I exclaimed. ‘ But how could you look so—so guilty, Ada?’ ‘ I read suspicion in your eyes,’ she sobbed. ‘ And it made me almost feel that I must be guilty, especially when I remembered how I had talked about the brooch. But she’s gone, they tell me—and, oh, I’m so glad.’ Mrs Morecroft’s repentance knew no bounds ; and she insisted that our engagement should be made known at once, and our wedding follow without delay ; with which we were only too glad to agree. We were married the last week of the season. The boarders all stayed, and Mr Gregory was best man, and Ada received many handsome wedding presents. We spent our honeymoon there, ami then left for our city home. We never heard of Miss Mornington again ; and you no longer need wonder why the perfume of lavender is peculiarly obnoxious to us both.