I.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 51, Issue 51, 22 April 1898, Page 23

I.

Two young people face! each other in rather dramatic attitudes, — he blond and good-looking, she dark and plain ; both pale, both angry.

" Some meddling mischief-maker has been carrying stories to you, Rhoda, — that's clearl " said he, emphatically. '• Then there are stories to be carried, Cecil ? But Ido not listen to gossip ; ana it was not necessary to do so in this case, thanks' to my own eyes and my own intelligence, which told me that you have no affection for me — merely as me, of course. I have all the ridiculous yearning of the maiden in fiction to beloved for myself alone, as I have said. Do not make it necessary for me to repeat that we are no longer bound to each other. I return you your freedom and regain my own."

" Very well, very well !" criel he, hotly. " Let it be just as you wish. lam not used to being lectured, and I will not stand it. You have virtually called ma a fortune-hunter, and that ought to be enough for any man who hasn't quite lost his self-respect." The rush of hasty steps, the rustle of a. portiere, the sharp closing of an outer door, and he had gone forth, in that state of uncomfortable indignation peculiar to the guilty when they have unexpectedly been brought to book. How ever high was his regard for her possessions, he had never hai more than a passing fancy for the austere young heiress, whose affection he had, nevertheless, succeeded in winning. But he told himself as he walked away that it was a mere fit of silly temper and jealousy, and that she would be glad enough to call him back again ere many days were over. Therefore it was an unpleasant surprise, a little later, to receive a parcel of letters, with faded flowers in their folds, the engagement ring, and a couple of morocco cases representing his votive offerings at Rhoda's shrine.

He looked hastily through the parcel, hoping that she would have sent wme message, left some loophole of escape, or imposed some condition which he could at least promise to fulfil for sake of the thousands he longed to secure, and on the strength of which he had incurred a few extra liabilities. There was not a line, not a word from her ; and, grinding his teeth, he tossed the parcel into his desk, more furious than he had ever been before. His first impulse, when his anger had cooled a little, was to fly to her on the wings of assumed penitence and despair ; to appeal to her love and passionately reassert his own ; to feign a broken heart, and threaten rash deeds if she remained unmoved. But he did not act upon this ; it went too strongly against the grain of self-conceit. He came to the final conclusion that it might not be necessary to give himself so much trouble. She had returned his gifts in haste and would repent at leisure. He could wait for that. She needed a sharp lesson, and she should have it. Having decided on his course of action with regard to her, he remembered an appointment, the keeping of which would administer balm to his wounded pride.

" She is a hundred times prettier than Rhoda," he reflected ; " I only wish she had half as much cash. Still, her voice may prove her fortune, and it may be worth my while to marry her. At any rate, I shall keep on good terms with the girl until Rhoda's case is settled one way or the other."

His thoughts went back to a bygone night, a merchantprincess's musical •' At Home," when his fastidious eara had been charmed by a sweet and clear young voice ; his critical eyes captivated, his fickle fancy caught by the fair young face of the singer.

'• Who is she ? — what is she ?" he had eagerly aske i ; and had received the reply : " A shy linnet, meant for rustic seclusion, but compelled by necessity to turn her notes into gold ; literally singing for her supper in gilded cages such as this."

Which, being interpreted, meant that she was Claire Daintrey, daughter of a once famous violinist, who, falling on evil days, had died in a proud and silent poverty, leaving behind a sickly widow, with an only child whose voice was the sole support of the household. People were kind to her for her father's sake, Cecil's informant told him. He concluded that probably a few were kind to her for her own, and was desirous of being of that number.

On some pretence or another, in a short time he found his way to the dingy apartments she called home, where, under difficulties, she cultivated her one talent, and patiently ministerel to the wants of the poor ailing mother who had grown half-weary of the troubled march of life. To-day was Claire's birthday — a fact Cecil had all but forgotten in the excitement of the rupture with Khoda.

" I should like to give the girl a nice present — something worth having," he thought, After a gloomy consideration of his finances and his credit, over which he frowned and shook his head, a bright idea occurred to him, and he thrust into his coat pocket one of the long, slim cases returned to him by RhoJa. "If she asks for it

when we are friends again, I'll swear that I destroyed the lot, and all but destroyed myself in my despair. That will teach her to value anything else I may give her." He left the fashionable quarter where he lived, for humbler

regions — for a series of dull streets, built after one monotonous ' pattern. At a certain door he halted ; a long, thin lobby, dimly lighted, led to a sitting-room. An immense block of coal was crushing the life out of a few red embers in the narrow grate ; and beside it sat Claire, repairing the ravages made by time in her only evening gown. She looked pale and tired. " What is worrying you I—what1 — what is the matter ?" he asked ; and she started up with a little cry of surprise.

" Mother is worse," she replied, as he repeated his question. " I had to send for Dr. Arden, and he thinks she ought to go to the

country for at least a month." Her face brightened, her eyea smiled as well as her lips. •' And I believe we shall be able to manage it," she said confidentially. " I am engaged to sing at a great lady's house nest week ; and she has promised other engagements on still better terms, if I please her. Oh, Ido hope I shall ! For then mother can have all that she needs. Perhaps it is because lam so anxious, because so much depends on my being at my best, that I feel uneasy and worried, and as if something unpleasant were going' to happen on that particular evening. Oh, if I break down 1" " But you will not," said he promptly. '• You will sing your best and look your best ; and when you have retired to the country in a blaze of glory, 1 shall come and see you, and laugh, with you over these absurd fears." " Then you don't seem to believe in presentiment ?" " Firmly. And I have a presentiment that on this especial occasion you will be a brilliant success."

He spoke with an easy confidence that impressed the girl, though it did not altogether dispel those vague, tormenting fears. Before his departure he laid a small case on the table, saving : " This trifle is for your acceptance, and to wish you many happy return". I wish I could more adequately express myself." When alone, she opened the case and uttered an involuntary cry of admiration and delight. In a nest of white satin and velvet lay a brooch — a bar of diamonds with three diamond swallows perched upon it. The jewels seemed to light up the room with their rainbow brilliance. Claire was ignorant of the value of the trinket ; she felt only the pleasure of a child in possessing a new and pretty toy. Mrs. Daintrey turned the brooch over and over in her whithered hands, admiringly.

" You must wear it at Mrs. Crawford's, dear," she said ; "it will help to brighten your dress a little."

So when the half-dreaded, half-hoped-for night came Claire decided to wear her one ornament. Her dress, very simply made, became her fresh, girlish beauty ; a cloud ot lace was held together at the neck by the bar of brilliants. All presentiments were forgotten. She had said " Good-night " to her mother, and was in the dingy parlor fastening her long loose wrap, when quickly entered a tall, square-shouldered, brown-bearded man, who carried a cluster of beautiful red roses, which his own complexion began to rival in hue as his eyes met Claire's.

" I was afraid I should miss you," Baid he. "At the last minute a call came, and I was afraid, Miss Daintrey, that I should have to send these flowers, instead of bringing them myself and asking you to accept them with — cr — that is — cr — "

He came to an impotent conclusion. Claire was red and very shy, and through sheer nervousness could not succeed in fastening 1 her wrap. Dr. Arden offered his assistance, and so became aware of her magnificent diamonds. " What a beautiful brooch !" he said, involuntarily. " Yes. I promised to wear it — I mean, it was given me by -" " By Mr. Layton ?"

" Yes." He was silent a moment ; his lips in a hard white line, hia hands tightly clinched.

'' Thank you for telling me," he said at last. "If I had known, I would not have intruded. Good-bye. I hope you will always be happy."

With these words he abruptly departed, leaving the girl staring after him in utter bewilderment. She did not understand that he believed himself rejeoted, — believed that she had intended to inform him fiat she was engaged to Cecil Layton.