The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-05 00:00:00

CHAPTER XXIX
DEEPER AND DEEPER.

Ix compliance with the wishes of her mother, Rose
endeavoured to withdraW herself from the fascina-
tions of Mrs. Pierre's society; but the intimacy the
widow had succeeded in establishing with her,
rendered this exceedingly difficult. Too keen-sighted
not to be quite aware of the state of feeling which
existed towards her, Mrs. Pierre chose to ignore the
slight reserve assumed towards her, and still con-
tinued to make her unceremonious calls, even after Miss
Chard had been excused to her more than once.
_ _

Mrs. Chard was preparing for a musical soiree, and
as Mrs. Pierre was not a musician, it afforded her an
opportunity to have a re-union at her house, in which
that lady was not included; for of late it seemed im-
possible to avoid being seen in society with her,
earnestly as she desired it.
Mrs. Chard was not naturally a suspicious woman,
but vague and flitting rumours began to assail the
position assumed by her who so lately had been the
idol of the hour. The fabulous wealth which rumour
at first bestowed upon her was now said to be really
as unsubstantial as the brilliant visions to which it
had given rise in the minds of her adorers.
It was eagerly whispered that she was bearing only
a translation of her name into a foreign language, and
the unromantic one of Stone was truly her true cogno-
men This had been bestowed upon her by a young
American sea captain, who had fallen in love with
her in a transient voyage to Havana, while living in
the same hotel with her. Her husband died, leaving
her some money, which she spent in reckless profusion
in New York in the hope that her beauty would cap-
tivate some wealthy simpleton, and induce him to give
her his hand. Then, following the fashion, not having
hooked a husband in the New World's Capital, she had
emigrated to London and there posed as a millionaire
widow, dazzling a certain " set " of society with her
brilliant display and insinuating cleverness.
These things were circulated in whispers, for as
yet there was no proof to sustain them, and as long as
Mrs. Pierre herself maintained an undaunted front,
and lavished her charming blandishments on those it
was her interest to captivate, no voice was found
bold enough to accuse her openly. There seemed to
be a tacit understanding that time must unveil the
character of her pretensions, and show whether she
stood upon a golden foundation, which would cast its
dazzling radiance over greater faults than hers, or only
on a gossamer cloud, borrowing all its splendour from
a brilliancy as delusive as it was captivating.
Bose would not permit these insinuations to be re-
peated before her. With the enthusiasm of a young
and generous spirit, she refused to believe that one
she loved and trusted could be other than she seemed.
She dutifully complied with her mother's wishes, but
her heart secretly clung to one she believed basely
slandered by those who envied her success in society.
When Mrs. Pierre spoke of the necessity of a speedy
return to Cuba, and invited her young friend to
accompany her, Rose's first impulse was to express
delight at the thought of such a novelty to a young
English lady as a sight of the bloom and verdure of
the tropics. But she candidly admitted that much as
she desired to accept the invitation, her mother
would never consent to part from her for so long a
journey.
"Ali, Rose dear, do you not think that your mother
is just the least little bit too exacting ?" asked the
honied voice of the Circe.

"My mother is my best friend, and she loves me,
tenderly," replied the young girl, earnestly. "When
I have sometimes acted contrary to her wishes, I have
always found afterwards that my happiness would
have been best served by listening to her advice."
"Yes, darling; I know that Mrs. Chard is the
tenderest and most affectionate of mothers, but still
there is such a thing as over-regard for conventional-
ism and straining a cord until the tension forces it to
snap. You should begin to exercise some judgment
of your own, for you are quite competent to judge
what will promote your happiness. You will soon
become the mistress of a house of your own, and
you should learn beforehand how to walk without
leading-strings. Excuse me, my love, but I feel this
so deeply. I can see no rational excuse for depriv-
ing you of a visit which must afford you so much
pleasure."
Rose eagerly replied—
" You misjudge Mamma Amy, Mrs. Pierre. She has
alwa3 s endeavoured to make me feel that I am respon-
sible for my own acts—to make me a self-dependent
and reasonable being. I know that I owe everything
to the judicious training she has given me. I should
really like to go with you to Cuba very much, but if
she disapproves the plan, I must give it up. In an
affair of this kind I would not act in opposition to her
wishes. It would to too selfish. Besides, when my
fortune hangs in the balance, as it were, I must not in-
cur the expense inevitably attendant on so costly a
trip.
"Nonsense, child. The estate will be yours, either
one way or the other. If the law docs not give it to
you, the wedding-ring will. So send pecuniary cares
to the wind, as unworthy of consideration."
Rose flushed deeply, and an expression of reserve
came over her features as she said—
"l thought you understood my feelings better
.by
this time. If the law awards the estate to Mr. Trevor,
it becomes his without the incumbrance of a wife. It
is impossible for me ever to bestow my hand upon
him. If it is a part of your plan to invite Mr. Trevor
to be also your guest while in Cuba, nothing would
tempt me to go, even if mamma's consent were
assured, though under such circumstances it would
certainly never be given."
"Oh, you absurd creature! don't you know that
his interests chain him here ? I hope you will not
fancy that I am endeavouring to entrap you into a
voyage with your adorer, and a residence under the
same roof with him; that would be unworthy of my
friendship for you. But I will urge you no further,
my sweet Rose. I will only ask, as a last favour to
n-.Q, that you will see me on the ship before she leaves
port; I shall join at Gravesend. You expressed a wish
to visit the new steamer, and your uncle will readily
accompany you to her on the day the ship sails. You
will not refuse to come down and bid me adieu, my
dear friend ?"

the
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the

"If my uncle will be my escort, there can be no
reason why I may not see you there," was the un-
suspicious reply. " Yes—l think I can promise to
come down on Thursday. I will speak to my uncle
to-night about it."
"Oh, he already knows my wish, and will offer to
take you down," was the reply, with a half smile, and
a meaning glance which Rose at once interpreted
aright. She kissed the cheek of her false friend and
heartily said :
"I am so glad that my uncle's future wife will be
one I can love. Yet, do you know, I could scarcely
believe that you could like him well enough to accept
him, though the rest of our world seemed to think dif-
ferently."
"The world is a harsh judge, Rose. Its voice will
say that I am actuated by interested motives in
marrying your uncle, but you will exonerate me from
such a charge. I have been told that his first
marriage was not happy, therefore I excuse his rather
premature devotion to myself. lam anxious to make
up to him the large arrears of happiness due to one
who has known so few of the joys of domestic peace.
I am considered worldly, my Rose, but my heart
is very tender, my tastes very simple. I trust I shall
make him a good wife, for I have promised to give
him my hand as soon as propriety permits."
"Thank you for this confidence," replied the young
-girl with brightening eyes. "Uncle George may
arrange to follow you to your own home; he
has always, long before he knew you, spoken
of his fondrIESS for tropical parts, then,
• • ' s

F'7m4ts•-•

perhaps, I may be able to accompany him, for I
should be so happy to witness your marriage, espe-
cially if it took place out in Cuba. The whole thing
would be delightfully romantic."
"You shall witness it, my love. Your uncle has
already decided that you shall accompany him when
he goes to Cuba to claim my hand. Promise me that
you will overcome every obstacle, and be the com-
panion of his voyage."
"I think I may safely make that promise, for
Mamma Amy will be quite satisfied when she hears
the occasion that induces me to go, and feels assured
that I am under the protection of my guardian and
neaest relative."
Mrs. Pierre had accompanied one of the objects of
her visit, and she arose to go. She carelessly asked—
" What is your engagement for to-night, my dear ?
Perhaps we may meet, as I, too, am going out."
R Dse blushed slightly.
"I am not going out. We have a few purely
mugical friends to-night; we are to play portions of
Nv cantata to be given for the benefit of a charity
Fnately, and no one is asked but those who take a
in this rehearsal performance."
,And lunfortunately am not musical. So much
!worse for me. But I should really like to play the
of audience to-night, if I can play no other. Shall
IA in upon you in the course of the evening, or is
re-union strictly exclusive?"
Of course we will not exclude you, since you will
o obliging as to honour our performance by listen-
to it. Uncle George will probably not be present,
le cares very little about the concord of sweet
tlds.' If he learns, however, that his day-star will
e upon us to night, he will probably come. Shall
spatch a little note to him ?"
'Do not trouble yourself, ma chere ; I shall see Mr.
Chard before your note can reach him, and I may suc-
ee in bringing him with me. Au revoir, my
daring Rose. lam more tenderly bound to you than
ever."
The two parted, and Rose sought her mother to in-
form her of the invitation so skillfully beguiled from
her Mrs. Chard was very much annoyed.
'tilt really seems impossible to evade Mrs. Pierre
in ny way. She is resolute that I shall assist her to
maintain her footing on the eminence that is sliding
from beneath her. I really did hope that for once I
had avoided asking her."
"Dear mamma, it is necessary that we sustain Mrs.
Pierre against the Blinders of her enemies, for
cal nmies I am certain they must be," said Rose,
earnestly.
1 Why necessary, my dear? TfTe can have no interest
e-gilding the tarnished fame of such a person as I
afraid Mrs. Pierre will prove to be. She has no
Lm on us."

(To be continued.)