Barry Dock News

F'L OD 8'-1 I OVER FLORABEUS LOVER; I Oii. Hi Y A L BELLES. A NOVEL By "LAUiiA ,H: LIBISEY, Author of A Mid B<-lroth>d" lone," "Parted by fte," We Parted at the Altar" etc, de, CH VPI'KK XIV. FLOilAUJai/s FOLLY. A moment later she heard the swift galloping of a horae going down the chestnut drive. Every clatter of the iron hoofs struck a death knell to bar heart. No cry came from her white, cloaed lips that locked as though they would never open again no atatue, carved from stone or marble, was ever mora silent or motionless. Outside the wind stirred the leaves of the trees, dying away in a low rnoaa over the rose garden bat she never hea d she was deaf, dumb and blind under this great stroke of mortal anguish. She was trying to realise that he had gone from her that of his own free will he had left f -r—the lover who had wooed and wedded her; that she should never look upou his face again. I was utterly impossible-utterly absurd. She heard the sound of a wild laugh, and was ssartled by it, not knowing that it was her own. He had gone out of her life forever, to return no more, and he-her own husband-given to her before Heaven and man-how could he have let t her forever ? Gradually the mist clears from her brain her v; oughts grow distinct, and she realises the full harror of the awful sorrow that has fallen upon her. There must have been a sense of something wrtmg in the household, for when John reached tie servaista' ball 8nI saw Gregory, the maid, he easd. hurriedly I do not like the looks of mailers about young master's apartments. It is a dreadful thing to taj, but I am almost afraid that; he has quar- relled with his young btide. I heard loud and :«• i<- v \v0rd3 from their boudoir a little while then he rode away from the house like one mad. Make some excuse to go and speak to ?r, Siie will have little eneugn sy mpathy from Lu mother or Mia Covering, poor thing They been trying to set him against her since he ug<it her here. It's a poor place for a bride in a mother-in-law's house." I will go to her at ones," said Gregory, with hsr kindly face full of sympathy. She hurried through the long marble corridora to Fiorabel's room. The door was ajar. She pushed it open and entered. Gregory was startled at the ghastly face turned toward her. "Oi:, my dear young lady, you are in trouble I" she aried,bastaning toward her. FwrabeJ looked up with startled eyes. Yes, 1 am in great trouble, Gregory," she said. "i may tell you—the whole world will know it cüon-my husband has left me 1" As she uttered these words her lips quivered, A and the ho4 bitter tears roll like rain down her i 1 e. Left you echoed Gregory. Oh, surety you do not mean it, m3iaiii. He has not left you for good. No man in his senses could have done that." "It is q iite true, Gregory," she answered, and h-sr voice sounded like noihiag human. "He has gjue never to return." Oh, poor child and the woman paused her was too great for words. "Poor ohild *1 e gasped, "what shall we do ? and you loved him ao well." "That is it, Gregory," she answered piteously. What shall I do? I—I have heard of such things, bu t I hardly thought they were real. Oh, Gregory, W¡U" do other wives do when their husbands for- sake them? I-I never thought what those wives did—never dreaming that such a thing could happen to me." And the hapless girl turned in her agony to the c-visr woman, who had seen and kaeff more o- life, Are you quite sure there is no mistake ?" said Gregory. it seems so impoasible." It is quite true," faltered Florabel, tears still failing like rain down her pale eheeks. Then, poor ohild, you ought to send for your relatives at once." She never understood why Florabal drew back, looking so white and scared. H I cannot atay here, Gregory," she sobbed. I will go- away. Think of the bitter anger and reproaches his mother and Mi 33 Clave ring would CME upon me if I were to stay here. They have made life bitter enough for me already." "If ypu would but stay here, and not mind tiieiQ, I am sure he would come back when his anger had time to cool. Most men are hasty. They always repent." He will never come back," wailed Florabel. He said so. He left me with almost a curse on ma lips," she cried, wringing her hands. 41 No, no, Mcegory, I will not stay here. I am going away. You must help me to get my things ready. I aa: going to New York by the midnight express. In vain the maid pleaded. Florabal was firm. Hi.3 mother and Miss Clavering should not gloat over her terrible misfortune to her face, telling her bhsy were right glad Max had left her at last, and that it was the wisest step he had ever taken. N ?, no, she could never endure that. When Gregory found that she was firm in her purpose, with weeping eyes she helped her to pack tsie little hand-satchel she had brought with her. That was my mother's," she sobbed. Ie I shall take that with a few necessary articles. All the rest I shall leave behind." But your jewels cried Gregory, aghast. Why, they are worth a small fortune, child. Surely you wouldn't leave them behind you ?" Yes," said Fiorabel, resolutely, I shall leave them here." In vain Gregory protested. She would not touoh fcha jewels. Nor would she allow the faithful maid to accompany her to the rail way station. When the midnight train started, it carried with it poor Fiorabel. She had left a note pinned to the cushion on her tible. They would find it on the morrow, and that would explain all. As for Max, he had parted from Fiorabel in suoh bitter anger he hardly knew what he was saying. Au hour's hard riding cooled his fevered hin. "Had he been too hasty?" he asked himself. Would it have been better and wiser to plead with his young wife to clear up this mystery, t in: to command her?" e Nas a spirited little thing he remembered that, she always rebelled against coercion. He would not ruin two lives by being too lusty. He would temporise with her. He turned his horse's head about, and rode aicwly back through the dewy fragrance of the night. Those notes might have meant nothing which H j. lharst had slipped into Fiorabel's hand; per- haps the name of some piece of music, or a new book, and that meeting in the rose-aibour might hava been accidental, after all. He would not believe the fellow was anything to Flofabel; that might have been an ingenious manner she had adopted to test his love for her, to allow him to imagine so. He was fiery- tempered-the curse of the Forrest. ers for generations back had been passionate iii'o'.isy it had led to grave results before now rt-.ii Max resolved to combat, step by step, the family foe. lb was a great concession for a man of his proud nature to make-to return, once more, and plead w th her, for the old love's sake, to set the matter sinight that was drifting them apart. If ib was a lesson to curs him from flirting with Inez Clavering, he would need and profit by i, Yuun] and foolish wivea bad been known to t 7 such experiments, to see if their liege lord's i «e had waned. He almost smiled as he entered t ia gates. There was a faint, light in Fiorabel's r-iom. She was expecting him 10 return, he t.-id i>natlf; ail the rest of the house was as dark 1« '.he tomb. The hour was so late, he put up his horse wsihout disturbing the groom then hurried into »i.s ;> house, and no warning cani. tf) himoi the blow t<M'. awaited him when he should reach his wife's bcudoir. Ha tapped lightly, but, assuring himself she did hear, he entered unceremoniously. She waa not fosing her beauty-sleep, by sitting up waiting for him—r.bab was evident. So ?I""u.y prstfcy little tiiflos, reminding him of F<orabei, lay strewn about. H" saw her j :.vd ease, with the lid open, lying on th.) m.-wb » maiutd Ah ihat was very Rule- less oi Fk>rabei, indeed, to lay like this. Hi must speak to her about it. 0. course, the servants wtie ail very hoi&eslr stili it was best not to lempi, thun like this. He clos-d the lid on the sparkling gems, aad carried cham in his hand toward the inner apart- ment. "Fiorabel," he said, gentl v, thrusting aside the pale blue plush portieres, hesitatingly, with hid white hand. Fiorabel, my darling There was no answer. The stillness that reigned was oppressive. No golden-haired little creature sprang forward to meet him, flinging herself, with soba, into his outstretched arms, crying out how unhappy she was, because they had quarrelled. Where was Florabei ? CHAPTER XV. U J WILL KEEP THEM APART FOR EVER." MAX FOBRKSTER stood quite still in the boudoir, and glanced uneasily about him. As his eye roved past the centre-table neat him, he saw a letter lying on it, addressed to himself. At the first glance he had recognised Fiorabel's delicate writing. What could that m-^an ? Thea there came to him the conviction that there was some terrible sorrow in store for him. He turned up the gas jet, and, sinking down in the nearest seat, tore the envelope open. As he read, great drops of moisture gathered on his forehead the wavering words seemed to h6 half hidden beneath a blood-red mist. There were but a few lines, which read as follows "MAX—When this falls into your hands I shall be far away from Forrester Villa. When you know all, you may find it in your heart, perhaps, to pardon Arthur for my sake. I am going to him now, to plead with him to come to you, and tell yen all for I could not-no, no, I could n 't. You took me into a life for which I was unfitted, and the end has come. When you hear our terrible story—for all the world must know it sooner or later, Arthur says—by the old love I plead with you not to curso me, even though, you bitterly regret your proud name was ever linked with mine. Yours unhappily, "FLORABEL" He sprang from his seat with a cry oi rage 4ad pain that startled the whole household in that dead hour of the night, and brought the servants hurrying around him. They found him standing there inthejuvddle of the room, his face as white aa death, And intensely excited, aa they gati ered about him. His mother and Miss Clavering had thrown on their dressing-gowns, and came hurrying to the scene but where was Florabal, his young wife ? I will go for his wife," cried the house-keeper. now can she sleep amid such a din?" Hold? cried Max, as she started for the inner apartment. "She is not there. My wife has fled-gone to Arthur Hurlhurat. I have no wife! She has gone Do you hear me ? She has fled from ine I", The servants fell back with a or; of consterna- tion his mother fainted. "Heaven help us!" oried the house. keeper. 44 Oar young master must be mad to say such a thing." Faithful Gregory uttered no word. Max strode from the room, leaving them in little groups talking the matter over. Miss Claver- ing followed him out into the corridor, laying a little white, fluttering hand on his arm. I am sorry for you, Max," she said but you are bait without her. I saw how it would end long tgo, and I warned you. Let her ago. Never let your heart break over the falsity of a woman." "Think of the disgrace, Inez," he groaned. By to-morrow every one will know it." You will have to face it," she declared. Face it bravely, like a Forrester should." I'll tell you what I shall do he cried. 441 will follow Hurlhurst to the end of the world and hunt him down, showing him less mercy than I would a dog. Such men are not fit to live. He tempted Fiorabel away, and he shall answer for it by his life, or be shall take mine," Inez Clavering was terribly frightened. 44Oh, Max," she cried, "do not do it. Your life is worth more than a thousand fickle hearts like Fiorabel's. She was only a—" He stopped her short by an imperative gesture. 44 No matter what she has dobe, do not say anything about my poor little Fiorabel," he com- manded. 4.41 could not endure it; and he turned on his heel and left her, strode back to Ftorabel's deserted boudoir, and loeked himself in. Meanwhile the train bearing Florabei was whirl- ing swiftly toward New York. Flight from her home seemed to Florabel, even in her excited, ill-reasoning state, a terrible step. But on the other hand, now that Max had deserted her, they would be glad she had gone, for they hated her. When she reached New York she took a cab, and shortly after found herself at the street and number her brother had given her. She racg the bell, and a tidy maid showed her into the parlour, "No card?" she said, lifting her eyebrows in surpzise. il Then who shall I say is waiting for Mr. Hurlhyrst ? 44 His responded Florabel, simply. A few moments later and Arthur Hurlhurst came hurrying into the room. He cried out in alarm when he saw hev white face Great heaven, Florabel he gasped. What is the matter ? Why are you here ? Wolat has gone wrong ? My life has gone wrong," she answered, simply. 44 My husband has left me, Arthur." If a ohasm had suddenly yawned beneath his feet—a thunderbolt from a clear sky fallen on his head—he could not have been more astounded. He had not as yet received her letter. H I-I-do not understand, Fiorabel he cried. 411 think my ears must be deceiving me. What is it you say ? She stood before him like a drooping lily, her face pale, her lovely golden hair dishevelled, her hands clasped nervously together, her tear-wet, hazel eyes regarding him intently, and oh so piteously. "I said that my husband had left me, Arthur. He has gone out of my life forever. I—I could not remain in his mother's house, for she hated me, and so I came away." He fell back thunderst-ruck. He was literally speechless. "Take off your hat and cloak and sit down and tell me about it, Fiorabel," he said, nervously. She unfastened her lung travelling duster, and there, in picturesque disarray, was the blue and white lace evening dress she had worn the evening before, with a spray of faded rosebuds clinging to the corsage. He looked on in utter dismay. Great Heaven, 'id you travel in thatl" he cried-"an evening toilet Pray put on your cleak again. I did not kIV¡W. I was not prepared to see you dressed ike that. Put your cloak on quickly before any of the servants sea you." "And now Fiorabel," he said, when she had !ott!piied, 11 let me hear all about this strange ifa i r. I really thought you were one of the nappiest and most loving of couples. What has gone wrong ? His amazement grew when he heard her story. "This is bad business," he said, slowly, CI worse than I thought. Sending that latter to me, and your husband tracing what you had written on the blotter, was most unfortunate. You should have laughed him out of the idea when he accused you of meeting me," "I could not tell an untruth," said Fiorabel, slowly. What a straight-laced liiitle PMiitan you are.! he said, impatiently. II Any other woman would have known enough for that, it seems to me." "I could not tell him you were my brother, I had taken a solemn oath to you not to it," she said, with a s <b. N J. no; of coarse you not," be agreed; "for if you had it wouH h.vo ail leaked out, and by this titua I s-h u 1 bean in a piisu-; cell. Forrcuter is cot the leiiovtr to spare in* were I twenty times your brother." 411 believe- you mistake him, A¡,thur; suo replied, earnestly. 44 would not aeu ta" offi.. i'- ot the law upon you, for sake. You &k why I am here, Arthur," she" went on. I will I tell you. I want you to find Max and tell him all, and pray with him, plead with him, not to hate me, for father's sake and yours. For I love him so, oh, Arthur I cannot live away from him." Arthurs's face had grown white as he listened. Why, that would ruin me, Fiorabel," he cried. By doing so, you would consign your only brother to prison, as sure as the sun shines. Keep our secret a little longer, and our trouble will blow over. I shall have made enough to make restitu- tion; and when the money is paid the charger against me will be withdrawn, and I will stand before the world again t6 fre- r„'ia*i. For the love of heaven, be patient. with me a little while, Fiorabel.1 1- How long do you think it will be before you can get the money that you took paid back, trother ? "Hushi Walls hfitve ears!" he whispered, impatiently. 11 Dodt talk so loud, Florabel. Some me might hear. You ask how long it wilt take me to refund that money. Well, about three weeks, I should say. We must keep quiet that long. You shall stay here in this house. Mrs. Dicksor will find a room for you." 44 Shall I be here three weeks-away from Max ?" she asked, piteously, the tears starting to her hazel eyes. "You will not complain, knowing it will save me," said Arthur. As he walked slowly up to his room, his brows contracted into a deep frown. "A pretty how-d'-dol" he muttered. "What shall I do with Florabel on my hands, and she with no money, while I can barely get enough to pay my board from week to week ? But one thing is evident-I must keep her and Forrester apart for e,sw to gave iiivpe,f. (To be continued.)