The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-04-07 00:00:00

BARRIER BETWEEN;

on.
REPENTED UNTO DEATH.

••••-.4)........

CHAPTER XVlll.—(Continued.)
On, as to an understanding, that is not wanted on
::137 part, dull, as you may think me. I comprehend
;ery
Well that I am nobody and nothing among such
willperfine people as my unlucky fate has thrown me
f th• Aly husband hates me, and both you and your
father despise me."
t *s• Anderson, thus rudely attacked, sat down,
renibling violently. She made a strong effort to
control herself, and then said—
fe" 1 trust, Adelina, that your assertion regarding the
f elingB of your husband toward you, has no more
oundation than that which followed it, for I assure
that neither my father nor myself would permit
!Ilrlselves to cherish hostile feelings towards Harold's
'NC, let her act as she will."
131:` Your brother's wife ! Ay, there it is! Only as a
;'ci°os piece of property belonging to him have I
11137 consideration. I wish I could go back to what
Waa before I ever saw him. Better freedom even
Ivith

ban--
.vers arose with sudden strength, and regarded
op'r with an expression that made her pause. He
b„°ke in the concentrated tone of a person wrought
to the highest point of endurance.
Adelina, these contentions are destroying me, and
fully aware that you are following out a purpose
acts as you do. I cannot bear them any longer.
'if you wish-it. If your life is intolerable here,
Cu can have ample means to seek a more congenial
:enle elsewhere. My father will be prodigal of his
irita.o%ith to rescue the few days left to me from these
tholerable jarring& I cannot—l will not endure
Chap 18
y:lt must be a high bid that will induce me to leave
~„‘,T, and a still higher one that will prevent my'un-
the Y Member, from prating of you know tv.hat," was
s
cornful reply.
thl:L'anvers sank back, evidently cowering before this
kcsat, and alarmed at his increasing pallor, Mrs.
, 9erson took up a bottle of cologne and attempted
her h
;° bathe his temples. Mrs. Danvers snatched it from
and, and said—
" No one shall come between me and my husband,
not e,„
tei, en a sister. He is mine, body and soul; mine,
de Yntla bought with a price, held in a bond that
dearthalone may break. I assert my power and
1,e,11(1 my right, and he dare not repudiate it."
hi,:rs- Anderson drew back and looked upon the
kiske With an expression of bewildered fright. She
d her broth
er—
VI hat does she mean. Harold ?"
tess"othing, nothing, Madge. My wife was only in-
by:cl nature for an actress, and her destiny was
th,,l'red by marrying me. This ranting might tell on
ards of a provincial theatre, but in every-day
pee 't
is too melo-dramatic to be agreeable. The
d,s_r girl loves me, I believe, though at times she
Pleas torment me sadly. Leave us, now, if you
• ca Madge, and when I feel stronger, I will
—1303' down to the library to sit an hour or two with
father. Thanks for your jelly ; I will eat a
Ltion of it by-and-bye."
dismissed, Mrs. Anderson left the room with
te. 'lean oppressed with undefinable fears and sus-
itleiTtis, to which she dared not give a tangible shape
A er own mind.
da4i.s the door closed upon her retiring form, Danvers
hi:11,?(I away the hand of his wife, which was bathing
utnwa and sat up, pale, rigid, and stern as Brutus
'as he sat in judgment on his sous.
Melina, I warn you it is the last time I will bear
• allusion to the dire secret that bound our miser-
-47 fates together. As well avow the truth at once,
'sta"ye vague insinuations of something terrible con-
d•slitlY thrown out. To save my family from the
anLgrace I would have brought upon them, from the
thguish the knowledge of my act would have caused
it eln,l sacrificed myself to you. I swear to you that
t}i such another scene occurs—if you utter another
4lareat to me, I will reveal the whole, cost what it
Y• Then I will send you adrift in the world with
\‘• °ugh to keep you above want—nothing more. The
iiicalth of my family shall never go to pamper the
x.itrY of one who has tortured me as you have."
yo" No—it will take it all to purchase immunity for
Urseif.•You seem to ignore personal conse-
quences.),
" I shall never live to suffer the penalty of my
criine
he gloomily replied. "Besides, nothing can
• " no proved against me; your evidence against
could husband would not be received, even if you
carry your malignity so far as to give it."
that really the law of this country ?"
aOf course • and in every other in which justice is
kgarded."
„eMrs. Danvers sat down and rested her head upon
r hands apparently absorbed in deep thought. He
cios
cu his eyes with an expression of weariness, as if
Znausted by the disagreeable excitement of the last
„ir• Suddenly she arose, and went toward him,
t"hleth an expression of contrition: she knelt beside
, couch, with tears streaming over her face, as she
"mbly took his hand, and pressed it to her lips and
heart.
" Harold—my Harold—adored of my heart! you
rioW that I would die sooner than injure a hair of
Yl:air beloved head!' My nature is wayward, and I
;,!ntiot be to you what I could wish. I taunt you, I
toe Cot
you, and then my heart weeps tears of blood
xver the suffering I have inflicted. Oh ! I will try—
_ will try to be more rational, more thoughtful for the
lutore, for I know I am a sad trial to you."
banvers wearily lifted his heavy eye-lids, and spoke
t▪ carcely above a whisper—
is only the same old story, Adelina ; a blaze of
,118_81011 extinguished in a flood of tears. Your pro-
'aefi are only made to be broken. Your avowals of
;`,lection• I can have no faith in, for we do not torture
lat we love. No—an avenging faith has sent you
~ Punish me for acts committed in the selfishness of
l
J.outh and passion, and I accept the at mement,
earful as it is:,
8 Again that flitting expression of wistful tenderness
WePt over her face, and she humbly said—
littlell !if you would only love me a little—a very
be.., I might be encouraged to make an effort to do
to"er; but you have always shown me such bitter
y4l„ternPt—such a scornful endurance of the creature
bite cannot shake off—that my whole nature is em-
'd by by it. Think, Harold, how wildly I must
:ye loved you, to grasp your reluctant hand, and
myself a burden to you, in the forlorn hope that
7111 e you might learn to endure me near you."
!hat lesson has been learned—is daily practised,
-emia ; and if it were your will, we could at least
:c tranquilly together. I will not act a part that is
o,.,—inils to me, but I am willing to treat you with the
laynsideration that is due to the position you hold as
t• "lie You will not accept those terms—you
.en •
Cr my life a constant irritation, and then, in a
v, "lent of aroused feeling, avow affection, which, if
—taline, would lead you to consider at least my daily
Z)l7nfort a little. You have come into my father's
„°llse to be not only my evil genius, but that of every
-tie in it.„
es" Oh, you are cruel, cruel—inflexible towards me !"
tueinoantk l:?anvers,did not look at her—he seemed
Ott"CVl,: Y to have heard her, and the hard mockery of
ecereal nature again gleamed upon her features. She
bat watching him in silence, revolving schemes in her
brain that would moit,effectually have aroused
- if he Couldonly have.fathomed them. -

-tkim

•
CHAPTER XIX.
BACK TO LIFE.
S
afj,cdr% ANT came to the door, and handed in a letter,
tioujessed to herself. She examined the superscrip-
4,tu, for, there was -no postmark. The writing was
tra new to her, and -a cold shiver ran through her
:Ile, as she muttered— •
the dead can came back I should think this his
Pshaw ! why am I so nervous ?"
With trembling fingers she broke the seal, and
'a,nned the few lines scrawled within with pale lips
(:!. diluting eyes. She Went.out, and inquired who
' brought the letter. A boy had left it at the door;
was no message, no clue to the bearer.
lin Mrs. Danvers sat down, and carefully
'd the few words the note contained—
am still alive. I have come hither
ess that will need assistance. Mrs. Danvers
,osition to afford it, and it must be granted.
street, at two o'clock to-day, and
11 meet you who will conduct you to Your
"A. G."
'd at her husband, and a bitter smile
as she muttered—
be war to the knife between us now.
all, he will never submit to keep ma
will die before I will consent to give
ltal hold is slipping away from me,
It be forged or found. Well, at the
ley will be mine. That I must
subtle brain and scheming mind,
utmost need ! "
time-piece on the mantel; it
expression of irresolution
he finally commenced prepar-
tood before the fire, in her
unclosed his eyes, and re-
It was something so un-
e that he asked:
elins. P and just at lunch
coolly said. "I do not
•mess that may detain
ig !"
lments to inquire
a release, Danvers
He arose at once,
absence afforded
'ed so constantly
Ithout her sur-.
watchfulness
come almost
1; she went
walking a
,hich she
d in the
,arance,
ng girl