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[COPYRIGHT.] A DAUGHTER OF THE TROPICS. BY FLORENCE MARRYAT, Author of Love's Conflict," Vdroniqne," etc. CHAPTER IX. GIVE ME YOUR LOVE. Miss Pow-EB occupied some dingy lodgings in the Waterloo road. As they reached the door and Mr. Kernaon handed her out of her car- riage, she said in a confused manner 4 You won't come in, will you?" And then, as though suddenly conscious of the rudeness implied in her words, she added, hastily I mean, of course, you are welcome to do as you choose but there is no reason I should trouole you further." But he only answered gravely If I have your permission to do so, I will see you up- stairs, as I have something to say to you." The door being opened by this time by an untidy, slip-shod servant, Lily Power led the way without further comment to her private apartments, which were dirty, com- fortless, and in keeping with the remainder of the dwelling. Arriving at this haven of unrest, she flung -herself iato a chair, and hiding her face in her 'hands, cried for a few moments hysterically. Then she said, without daring to raise her eyes to his: "What must you think of me, Mr. Kerrison ? First, of my being so presumptuous as to enlist your services on my behalf; and secondly, of my breaking down like this. But I am tired, and excited, and not strong. You --will forgive me, will you not?" Miss Power, I am ready to forgive you anything, on one condition—that you will per- mit me to help you out of your trouble "But that is quite impossible It lies too deep for any cure. Oh Mr. Kerrison, what allall I do ? I shall have to throw up my engage- ment at the Meridian—to leave the stage altogether, since this-this person has found me out I never thought I should see him again. He will persecute me to death If he doesn't leave London, I must!" "But this is unbearable, Miss Power Such .tyranny is unheard of, and must not be allowed. Tell me the name of this man whose presence alarms you, and you shall never speak to him again." "011, I cannot-I cannot she sobbed. Is he a relation of your family ? Has he any authority over you ? Y C, in a measure. I could not make you understand how without telling you all. But I dare not remain in the same place with him Has lie threatened you ? He threatens to find me out, and visit me." Have you not sufficient authority to keep out any person you may not wish to see ?" Not him, I am afraid she answered, shud- dering. Have you given your private address to any- one at the theatre?" "Notyet." Refuse to do so, then. I know it is the rule to demand it, but I will explain the reason of your reticence to Mr. McAdam. If this person is unmanly enough to persecute you with letters take no notice of them, and he will soon leave ot! writing. He can only send them to the theatre ? "But he will lie in wait for me, and follow me home, Mr. Kerrieon." "1 will take care of that, Miss Power, if you will put yourself under my protection. I will send you home each night myself, and see that the stage-door entrance is cleared before you pass through it." How good y"u are to me, sir The part of Philip is not worth so much as that." "I am not thinking of your part now, but of yourself. Believe me that, if you will let me help you in this dilemma, it is that shall incur the obligation rather than yourself." She seemed to read something in his eyes then that startled her, for she stood upright, white as death and cold as marble. What right have I to trouble you like this, air ? I ought to know better. I am not in a position to accept an obligation from any man. I beg of you to let me thank you for your kind- ness, and to wish you good night.' "And there is no other way in which I can serve you, Miss Power ? There is no other way in which I can accept your services, Mr. Kerrison. You are a man of the world, sir. I need not point out to you that a young woman situated as I am and living by herself, dare not take a benefit from the hands of strangers." But when will you cease to look on me as a stranger ? I have known you now for six weeks, but I have seen you a great many times. Are we never to be nearer friends than we are at present ? I hope we may be," she said in a low tone. You have been very good to me, Mr. Kerri- son, and I should like to return your kind- ness-if it were possible." It is more than possible, if you will choose to make it so. Miss Power, do not think me impertinent; but I cannot help seeing that you are poor and, it seems to me, friendless. Have you quarrelled with your friends ? I have none," she answered, looking down. No friends I-no relations! You are an Orphan then ? I am an orphan, sir." Without brothers or sisters Without brothers or sisters." Good Heavens !—at your age, and with your attractions It is incredible. And in so peri- lous a profession too What made you adopt it To put bread in my mouth, Mr. Kerrison and to kill thought that was killing me." My poor child So sad and lonely, and yet you will not let me be your friend I think you are so, Mr. Kerrison the best one, at least, that I possess." "Prove your belief by trusting me, Miss Power. Come and see me, and let us try to know more of one another." "But you are a single man, sir I am single, but I should not dream of ask- ing you to visit me unless it were in the com- pany of other ladies fitted to protect you. Besides, I have a widow lady to keep my house -a Mrs. Arlington -who is a sufficient chaperon m herself. Will you come, Miss Power ?" Perhaps—some day. But I have no wish for society. It galls and irritates me I am much better alone." I will not take that for a definite answer," said Mark Kerrison, as he offered her his hand "but a»k you again and again until you con- sent." bhe tried to appear grateful for his atten- i°ns, but wished him "good-night" in a list- I?anner that showed that her thoughts were far away. or i?w«-f-re sure no one followed the carriage, fearful J.lng a*>out outside ?" she asked in a Quitl as they Parted. now on vou8»^re ^ut take an extra look j°ur account He passed on* Ji after a minute to JLu-le ^all-door, but returned •'Th. loiterer in sight c*eaf 5 there is not a echoed a grateful 'Vood And slle away. e°°d-night" as he drove Thoughts oi ner hlled Mark v* ■ ■ as he drove homeward. S 1' Why did she him ? what powef cnnhl man hold over Uns innocent, harmless gh^ Lut whatever it might be, he determined he would free her :rom l*. It.was terrible to think ot a young cre?t>n'e like t ia- living alone without friends or fortune, nattling with poverty, and ■compelled to v/ork for her bread, and hanging o'r* r all ehe d; or esid this shadow of a secret fear Kerrison rememberm:* his ampje income and hi;. iar v i,ouse> sighed. How strange it fleoined that one mortal should have so much in tr.is world and another so little Hou he wished L'lt the rule., of etiquette would permit him to fn.tke this youig feHow creature comfortable t( r (, and beyond the reieli oi stmt or care Iver, a But he knew it was impossible. He was thircking "'tlms and sighing over it, s'r many men have clooe before when he turned the latch-key and opened his own door. Was 1'iier thaji he had imagined. The time flown on silver wingi in Lily Power's pre- sence, and the clock in the hall pointed to half- p ;st on* ,'v'Ui k Kt'rrieon was s} jl] .l:<»fvn',rini hiring him- oi iu* u tkUil wLvu th tiguie ,'v'Ui k Kt'rrieon was s} jl] .l:<»fvn',rini hiring him- oi 4ü4 u tkUil iivu a figuce walked out of the library and confronted him. It was Mrs. Arlington. He started as if he had seen an apparition—she took him so completely by surprise. He was always uncertain in his hours of returning home, and this was the first time that she had ever sat up for him. JIi3 first idea was that James Escott had been taken ill. "Good Heavcns is that you, Mrs. Arling. ton?" he exclaimed. Is there anything the matter with the Colonel ? Mrs. Arlington looked annoyed. "I I cally know nothing about the Colonel, Mr. Kerrison. He i3 not such an object of interest to me as he is to you. I sat up with a very different purpose. Because-because, I was too unhappy to sleep." She pronounced the last words with a falter in her voice which made Mark Kerrison look up sharply. He saw, then, that she was unusually pale and careworn in appearance, that her hair was in disorder, and her faje was stained with tears. "My dear woman h-* cried, involuntar- ily, "what is the matter? Has anything occurred in my absence? Have you received any bad news?" "No, no," she answered, shaking her head, whilst a large tear rolled down either cheek. "It is nothing new. I am simply over-excited, and- and miserable." "Nonsense," returned Kerrison, stoutly; "you are tired-that's what it is. A first night is enough to tire anybody, and you ought to have been in bed long ago. Come along into the dining-room and have a brandy and soda. That's the thing to set you right again. I insist upon it," he continued, as she appeared to make a slight resistance, and he placed her arm within his own and dragged her in a friendly manner to the apartment ho had indicated. There he exclaimed, as he handed her the foaming mixture, "drink that to the con- tinued success of 'Miss Credo!' Wasn't it splendid? Did you ever hear louder applause? Were you Dot proud of your share in it But instead of pledging her employer and the new comedy, Mrs. Arlington laid her head down upon the table, and burst into tears. Kerrison became annoyed. He felt, no sym- pathy with this distress as he had done with that of Lily Power; it only worried nn 1 made him impatient. "Now, now, now what ii this all about? he asked, petulantly. "Yon will wake the whole house, Arlington, it' you make such a noise. Has anything happened to annoy you ? You cannot expect me to condole un- less I know what I am to condole wiLh." You would not understand if I answered you," she murmured. You do not give me credit for much sense. Why shouldn't I understand ? "Because you arc so blind—so btiild You cannot see—you never have seen all this time —that my heart—my heart—is YOltr heart « breaking repeated Mark Kerrison, utterly confounded. Breakin Yes My only wonder is that it has not broken long ago. But what do you care so long as your plays succeed—so long as the artists fulfil your expectations—you think nothing of the hand and the brain that have worked to help you Any new fancy will make you forget me Do you suppose, as I sat alone and neglected in the dresscircle this evening, watching the girl you take such an interest in, and are always lauding to the skies, that I didn't think where she would have been, and the play would have been, except for me I do all the rough work, it is true, and you take all the credit. But I labour as much as your- self, and you have often said you could not do without me." "I know I have, and I repeat it," replied Kerrison, with a perplexed brow. You are of the greatest value to me When have I denied it to anybody ? What have I done now to deserve these reproaches ?" "I am everything in the library," went on Mrs. Arlington, still sobbing; but out of it I am nothillg-nobody-only the housekeeper with a bitter stress upon the word. "And vhy do you suppose I have worked for you ? What motive do you think I have had for my labour ? What reward have I looked forward to ? I'm sure I don't know," said the dran-iatis". ruefully. "But if you think your services are under-paid, Lola, say so at once, and I will give you any salary you may require." Give me your love," cried Mrs. Arlington, impetuously, as she pushed her hair off her face, and looked up at him with her large dark eyes. CHAPTER X. I WILL DROWN" MYSELF." IF Mrs. Arlington had asked Mark Kerrison to give her his house and furniture or his entire income, she could not have surprised him more. He almost staggered as her demand struck upon his ear; it appeared so supremely ridiculous. But, then, his mood changed under the supposition that the woman was hysterical, or over-excite: and he answered roughly- You don't know what you are talking about! You had better go to bed before you say any more. You will be the first to laugh in the morning over the absurdity you have been guilty of." But Mrs. Arlington was not to be shaken off so easily. She had taken n¡,aman's advice to let Mark Kerrison read the true state of her feel- ings regarding him, and what she had begun, however awuwaraiy, sne intended to go through with. So she made no attempt to stir. "Don't send me from you!" she pleaded, with those big eyes still fixed on his and making him feel exceedingly uncomfortable. Let me tell you all that is in my heart. 0, I did not mean to say so much, believe me. It slipped from me unawares. I had been wait- ing for you so long. Your unexpected kindness made me forget myself." Mark Kerrison passed his hands through his grey hair thoughtfully. "I don't quite understand you," he said, in a tone of annoyance. You speak as if I had in some way or other neglected you—as if I were not habitually mindful of your claims upon my attention. Is this the case, Mrs. Arling- ton ? Is there anything in the treatment you receive in this house, either at my hands or those of my servants, that you wish altered ? Is there any comfort you have been denied ? It is quite a reproach to me to see you in tears of the cause of which I am completely ignorant." 0, have I not told you?" she cried, "Is their meaning not plain enough ? Do you think it is possible for a woman with my appreciation for genius and every good thing that can attend it, to live month after month under the same roof with a man like yourself and not feel her soul knit to his own ? Do you think I can follow the workings of your talent, from its first embryo thought to its final success, without feeling myself, as it were, incorporated with it, and part of the great plan from beginning to end? And yet I am nothing to you-tioth ill-fl. I I Mr. Kerrison, although growing more uneasy with every word she uttered, fought bravely under the banner of miscomprehension, and professed to be totally ignorant of her real meaning. "I feel flattered by your opinion," he answered, gently. No man could feel other- wise. I am glad, too, to think that you derive a certain pleasure from co-operation with my work. But I am afraid you over-rate my powers. I am a successful dramatist but not a genius. I hold the public to-day, and to. morrow they may hiss me off the stage. StiIJ, whilst I do hold them I am very sensible of your appreciation of my work, and grateful for the assistance you give me in it." You will not understand me exclaimed Mrs. Arlington. "0, Mr. Kerrison, it is more than that. I must unbosom myself whatever you may think of me. Why—>chy have you drawn me to you with a magnetic chain that J cannot break ? Why have you wound the fibres of my heart around your own untilt hey cannot be uprooted without they wither and die? Why have you let me live in close association with you for months and even years, since after all you have no warmer feeling for me than a co d and meagre sense of duty? I wish you bf ■" V me 'b^t ■ I wish I was dead and uiec at this moment, and gone out uf sight ^nd sound forever (n i,» ^°'a Arlington abandoned herself anew • espair. There was no mistaking her •( v no,v» aiJd M*rk Kerrison stood by her WV t- °inP,CaSed li;>s and a darkening brow. hat man ever liked a woman the letter f.->r letting lum openly see that she loves him ? He may a fleet to return her feelings for the of Haltered vanity or hia own purposes but he despises her when he is aione,and no m ot^t i- lions he may make to the contrary a:e nut exponents of his mind. As (he full u-eanin w-f.s u¡"'¡.. 'w. Aw'v." comprehension he experienced an unconquer- able distaste and loathing for her presumption and lack of modesty. But his vanity stepped in to save her from too merciless a scourge. After all it was a compliment she had paid him, and the poor woman (so he argued with himself) could not be held responsible for her feelings. But his voice was very stern and decided as he answered "I cannot recall what I have done since you have lived under my roof, Mrs. Arling- ton, to entitle me to any reproaches on your part. I am not aware that I ever failed to treat you with deference and respect, or that my con- duct has been such as to give you the slightest grounds for forming any expectations on your own account. Can you remind me of any one instance in which I have forgotten what is due to you and myself, or by which I have raised hopes in your mind which I have omitted to fulfil ? 0, never-never! You have always been too good and generous to me. Had it not been so, I might never have formed this fatal attach- ment, which can only end witb my life. 0, Sir. Kerrison, have you no pity for me?" she con- tinued, growing bolder in her despair as she grasped his arm. "Say that you will not despise me for my weakness—that yoa will remember I am only a woman, and let me return to the duties I have taken so much pleasure in for your sake-, and I will perform them more faithfully than ever if you will sometimes give a thought of oompas^ion to my loneliness and my empty, smpt.y heart I" The cunning jade believed that he would gladly take ad vantage- of the compromise she offered then and there, so as to get her out of his sight and give hiaiself time to think over the wonderful revelation she had made to him. And with most men (so long as they are not in love with somebody else) to ponder over the confes- sion of a woman's love for them is to make them return it-after a fashion of their own. But she was little prepared for Mark Kenison's collected reply Mrs. Arlington, you must know that what you ask is not in my power to comply with. I am very sorry indeed for what has taken place to-night—more sorry than I can tell you—and had I known what was coming I would have prevented it by every means at my command. But what is said is said, and you must feel it can lead but to one result—our separation." 0, nO-I/Q ctÏeJ the housekeeper, startled bejond measure by the decision of his man- ner; "don't say that, Mr. Kcrrison. I can- not leave you What necessity is there for it? You may rely on my not mentioning this subject again. Why cannot everything go on as it did before ? "That is quite impossible," he replied, gravely, "and a sensible woman cannot fail to see it. You have broken down a barrier between us, to-night, with your plain speaking, that must prevent the old relations being ever renewed between us. How could I consult with you about such a paltry thing as dinner, or set you your task of copying, knowing all the while No, no; it is impossible It is your own doing, Lola. It is you that have cut the tie between us, but you have dons it most effectually, and the sooner we part the better. You know that I am not ungenerous, and will take care that you lose nothing, in a monetary sense, from the suddenness of the rupture. You have known me long enough, I hope, to trust me with that; but I should wish you to leave to-morrow." "So soon-so soon!" she sobbed, with her face hidden from him. Certainly. What use is there in your remaining ? Each moment will only be a pro- longed torture for both of us. We cannot look in each other's faces without remembering this unfortunate revelation." "You shall never look into mine again!" exclaimed Lola, passionately, aa she started to her feet, "for I will drown myself before the morning's light." She rushed towards the front door as she spoke, with a feint of leaving the house, but Kerrison seized her by the arm and held her back. Let me go Let me go she screamed, as she struggled with him. You turn me out of your house, after years of communion and friendship, just—just because, in a moment of misery and weakness, I have showed YOU my heart; and I will not survive the shame and the disgrace Why shouldn't I end my life ? What use is it ko me without you ? Let me go, I say Kerrison was thoroughly alarmed by her violence. He thought she was going out of her mind, and that the household would be roused and made the confidants of her unlucky passion for himself. "Lola! Lola! he said, soothingly, "don't be so hasty Listen to me. I cannot and I will not allow you to leave my house to-night. You are not in a fit condition to go anywhere, except to your bed. Try and calm yourself, and if you really care for me, do as I sav. Co upstairs, and try to sleep, and in the morning we will talk over this matter again. Will you do this to please me ? I ask it as a favour. I am deeply sensible of the honour your feel- ings do me, Lola, and what I said just now I said for your sake, not my own. But drop the subject till to-morrow, and let me see you go quietly up to I)ed--fci- my sake, Lola He laid so much stress upon the accentuated syllables that she thought it wiser to comply with his request. Indeed, she had neverhad the slightest intention of drowning herself, or even of walking about the streets bareheaded. Her ruse had had the effect she intended, And she was enabled to give in gracefully. in "For your sake, then," she whispered, gasp- ingly, as she commenced to toil laboriously up the stairs, leaving him at the foot. When she had mounted three or four. øht turned, with a smile of heavenly sweetness breaking through her tears, and held out her hand to him in silence. She looked so like a repentant Magdalen as she did so, that, notwithstanding his new-born flame for Lily Power, Mr. Kerrison could not do less than take it, and coavey it to his lips. Then Mrs. Arlington walked slowly up the remainder of the stairs, and turned another watery smile upon him before she disappeared from view, leaving him in such a state of per- plexity and annoyance as he had seldom experi- enced before. What was he to do about this most unpleasant matter ? That was the question that worried him for the remainder of the night. To lose Mrs. Arlington was to lose the main- stay and prop of his establishment. He had told her very promptly that she must leave the house the following day, but what he should do if she took him at his word, he dared not even think. In the middle of the season, too, it woald be impossible to replace her And supposing he could get a housekeeper to take charge of such vulgar necessities as dining, and cleaning, and engaging servants, who would help him with his literary labours ? He had tried half a-dozen assistants without success before he hit on Mrs. Arlington. He was not a man who could get on with everybody. Some people worried and irritated him other drove him wild by their slowness and stupidity and with none but herself he had ever felt free to think aloud. To the suggestions of no others had he ever listened with patience or any sense of sympathy. If she left him half his ability would go with her. He must have been a dolt ever to propose such a thing At all hazards, he could not part with Mrs. Arlington Then, again, would it be fair of him to part with her against her own consent? His home had been her home for some time past. He had considered her settled there for life. She was a widow without any private means, and, as far as he knew, without any family of her own to fall back upon for support in time of need. She was not fitted for every sort- of situation. He had lifted her somewhat above her original sphere by associating her with his work. Would it be manly, or generous, to throw her back upon it, for no fault of her own ? For after all-and at this point vanity stepped in to aid the woman's cause—when all was said and done, what was her crime ? A foolish, over- weening fancy for himself. It was ridiculous and inconvenient, but it was not criminal; and if it were, he was the last person who should visit it upon her head. Mark Kerrison lay awake through the live- '0n9 pight, ruminating on the position, and the decision he arrived at was, to speak openly to Mrs. Arlington the following morning, and see i." they could not come to a compromise. They would both be calmer by that time, and able to argue the matter from a common-sense point of view. Yet his hand and voice shook con. siderably when, breakfast being over on the suc- ceeding day, he rang his library bell and desired the footman to tell Mrs. Arlington that he wislitd to speak to her. {To be CQhUni.zJ.i_

BLISSFUL BARRY.

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