The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-02-18 00:00:00

THE
13
'A. RRIER BETWEEN;

REPENTED UNTO DEATH.

zizr CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued)
1144,.arr1age drew up in front of the silent mansion,
Wh,r,ee ill-assorted pair entered the stately abode, in
-`cn dwelt other sorrowful and dismayed hearts,
rlnst?se pride was laid low—whose love mourned the
"'Lege and degradation which had fallen on the idol
e house.
rs. Anderson rejoiced that the ordeal of her sister-
s introduction into society had passed without
thle'self being present; for she was keenly mortified by
wi„lesignificance of Mrs. Danvers, and she shrank
to `Le, nervous dread from appearing in the critical set
otio',l_lich she belonged, with so bizarre a person as the
sun'en wife of that brother whose talents and social
ess had been the pride of her life.
un
uthe following morning the three met over a late
t,reea.kfast, and she hastened to inquire if the party of
21,
_Previous evening had come up to the expectations
ut Mrs. Danvers.
All the ill-humour of that lady seemed to have re-
'lll4/led, and she curtly replied,
" For a London party, I dare say it was a fair show;
ourtut the rooms were too crowded, and the finery every
8: seemed anxious to display had little chance to be
of ,rl. For my part, when I wish to see an exhibition
thleNvels and laces, I think it is better to go to the
...°Pe in which they are for sale, than to such a jam
that great gathering last night was."
• Vet you were adorned with both, I presume," re-
Mrs. Anderson with a conciliating smile. "An
welling toilette cannot be made suitable for a party
About their
lik' yes; I wore my bridal jewels, but in a crowd
be„e„tliat, I did not think it worth while to put on my
The emphasis called a quick flush to the cheek of
Anderson, and she said:
Why not, Adelina? you could scarcely find better-
Women in any country, I fancy."
to" True; but I am not ambitious of entering on that
t rt Of
h/( rivalry with you Englishwomen. It involves an
Penditure of time, money, and patience, that I do
Possess besides, I'm not handsome, so where is
I use of troubling myself about what I shall wear?
frsael much more concerned about what I shall eat;
declare I have not seen a dish dressed fit for
Vandal since I left Paris."
h At tins sneer at her housekeeping, Mrs. Anderson bit
,:r liP and glanced at her brother; she was justly
t cud of the elegant style maintained in the service of
;ell' table, for every luxury of the season was found
h ere, Prepared by a cook who perfectly understood
her business. She constrainedly replied:
fo" am sorry our cook does not please you. As a
tnreigner, you probably prefer dishes more highly
'asoned. If so, all you have to do is to send your
orders to Vance, and she will serve you such dishes as
You like, prepared to suit your taste."
w," Oh, thank you; I do not wish to interfere in any
3:; but some time when I have nothing else to do, I
17,111 step into the kitchen, and show the cook how I
'46 things done."
a She lifted her eyes, and encountered a quick, keen
• of anger from those of her husband, but this
seem to stimulate her, and she added:
" I am an accomplished cook, as no one knows
uetter than my scowling husband yonder, for it was a
re.9out I made with my own skilful hands, that first
attracted him to—"
• Adelina !" thundered Danvers, "are you mad to
• on thus? What will my sister think of you ?"
She turned on him with an air of comical surprise,
lid mockingly asked:
"Must one have no natural tastes, because one hap-
to be born to a fortune? Did not nature make
t„ilis XVI. a locksmith in spite of his royal blood!
i;hat wonder, then, that she should have made Adelina
,anvers a cook? Yes, I avow it—making something
',lce to eat is my passion."
It is one you will not indulge while you are my
wire, I can assure you."
We will see to that, sir," was the defiant reply.
have always heard that your countrywomen
"eglect household economy; but I see no credit in ii
elYself. It is of more practical use to know how ta
c
beriti a good dish, than to be able to execute the most
ant sonata. It shocks your superfine ideas of
culegance to hear me say this, I know; but, then you,
:111014, are a specimen of refined porcelain tacked
a. fragment of common delf."
" Your estimate of yourself seems to have wonder-
,,llll37 fallen," he contemptuously retorted. "It is the
4rst time I ever heard you admit your inferiority to
atlY human being."
of 'I am far from admitting it now. I am ashamed
, no taste with which nature has endowed me; there-
'ete I have no snobbish fear of lowering myself below
4.13' true standard, as are some of the pretenders to
Fentility I could name, if politeness did not seal my
-
r With this parting thrust, she skipped from the
t(1)1e111, singing a barcarole in a tuneless voice, which
e knew always grated on the sensitive ear of her
husband.
Mrs. Anderson lingered over her breakfast, hoping
Cr brother would speak of the entertainment of the
13,rev1ous evening, that she might form some idea of
„."lie impression made by his wife; but he made no
1„--"11e1011 to it, and he looked so ill and depressed this
-.°llling, that she forbore to refer to what she knew
nnist have been a severe trial to him.
Danvers at length aroused himself from a painful
teverie, and asked—
" Sister, do you not belong to several societies for
'ne relief of the destitute in London ?"
1.." Yes—Amy and myself have interested ourselves
ilenela efforts as have been made to alleviate distress.
think we are connected with most of the London
'ecieties. Do you wish to recommend an object of
charity 2"
„At the word charity, a disagreeable qualm arose in
mle breast of the listener, yet he fe that the word
NvaB not misapplied. He repressed the emotion, and
rePlied.

"I have. Last night I 'net one I formerly knew,
vv
tin° is in poverty and sickness. She has claims on
h,,e, on the score of old friendship, and I wish to aid
7r• It must be done without her knowledge or
the service would probably be refused. Ask me no
::_ttlestions, Madge, but serve me discreetly, and my
'lean will bless you. Let it be known at every
of your charitable associations that if a person
• ing herseli Madeline Gordon is knowu to thom, or
,M3Plies to them for aid, you will take on yourself
he care of supplying her with all she may need.
raw on my purse freely, it shall always be open to
Y'd.°l-1 in this sacred cause. Her son is ill, and she
°es not seem strong enough to do much toward
earning a support."
will do as you wish, Harold, and even more. I
h 7• licause enquiry to be made for Mrs. Gordon among
tt-43' Own particular protegees, for in this vast city there
Many suffering creatures who would sooner
'• rish in their destitution than ask the aid of a public
society. This poor creature may possibly be found
1,1,1110ng such, since you have known her in more
prosperous circumstances."

This assurance seemed to lift a portion of the heavy
N7eight from Danver's mind ; already had he sent his
6ervant to the Times office to insert an advertisement
tc: the effect that if Madeline Gordon would call at the
ankiug house of Riches and Co. she would hear of
t3ruething to her •advantage. Immediately after
reakfast Danvers drove to the bank to deposit a sum
°f money and explain the use to which he wished it
to be applied.
Then, having done all that lay in his power to aid
;Po unfortunate mother and child, he repaired to the
lib Unfortunate
of the literary club in which his, before leaving
'l4lgland, was a well-known face, and endeavoured to
uury the growing sense of desolation and remorse
that prelred upon his spirits.