The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-26 00:00:00

BARRIER BETWEEN.

REPENTED UNTO DEATH.

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE PLOT 8 UCCEBDS.
AT the hour appointed, Mr. Chard called for his niece;
with a feeling of exultation at having out-generaled
his sister-in-law, he saw the unsuspecting Rose enter

the Carriage with an expression of serene confidence
in his protection, which should have been a severe re-
proach to his treachery.
Mrs. Chard had returned home late on the previous
night, and immediately after breakfast again went tc
the Danvers mansion, to pass the day with its afflicted
inmates. Thus Rose's maid was left to make her pre-
_ _ _

parations for departure without suspicion, for hex
young lady was engaged with company all the morn.
ing, and the supervision of her wardrobe was left tc
the care of her attendant.
Kate had informed the household that she intended
leaving in the afternoon, as her mother, who lived at
Gravesend, was taken suddenly ill, and required het
presence at home. Leave of absence was of course
granted her, and she dexterously had the trunks taken
away by a porter hired for the occasion, when the
other domestics were engaged at their different duties.
and could not comment on the singular fact that Kate

should require two large trunks tO take her clothing
on so brief a visit to her sick mother._ _ . _

Everything had been so carefully and quietly
managed, that Rose had not a suspicion of the decep-
tion intended to be practised upon her. She accom•
panted her uncle to Charing-cross-station, and took the
train to Gravesend, and when they reached the spot
where the magnificent ship lay, steam was already
up, and her flags were unfurled ready for departure.
Rose said:

"I am afraid we are too late, uncle. I scarcely
think it will be safe to venture on the steamer, for they
might take us off."
"No danger of that, my dear. The captain is an
old friend of mine, and would not serve me such a

trick. Besides, it is their habit to keep up a great
show of starting at least an hour before they actually
leave. You will find your friend expecting you, and
surely you would not permit her to go without
bidding her farewell."
"Not willingly, I must confess; and I must risk a
little, I suppose, to see her once more. There she is
now on the look-out for us."

As the carriage was driven slowly toward the depar-
ture stage, Mrs. Pierro was seen leaning over the
railing, fluttering her white handkerchief towards her
friends. In a few minutes Rose was safely beside her,
and she exclaimed: _ _ _

" Dear love, I am so glad to see your charming face
once more; and your good uncle is welcome as the
flowers in May. I have felt forlorn for the last half-
hour, for Mr. Trevor had an engagement which pre-
vented him from remaining till you came. I would
not go below, but preferred sitting here to watch for
your appearance. I am so glad you did not dis-
appoint me."
"Now lam here, lam afraid I have only-a moment
to stay, for the steamer seems ready to bound away
every instant."
"Oh, no, love; the captain assured me just now
that we should not leave for some time yet.
His freight has not yet all arrived. You must not be
disappointed iry the main object of coming down; you
must see this teautiful palace, which one might fancy
Aladdin planned in a moment of illumination from his
wonderful lamp. Come, let us go into the cabin at
once.

Rose looked towards her uncle, who nodded, and
said, "You have plenty of time before you—go with
your friend."
Thus reassured, she entered a magnificent saloon,
fitted up with the luxury of a palace, and amused
and interested, she was lured on from moment to
moment, until the sudden heaving of the floor beneath
her feet gave her a shock of surprise, and she ex-
claimed—
" The ship is in motion! we have started! Oh,
uncle, speak to the captain, and get him to let us take
th boat for shore. Mamma will be so unhappy—so
much annoyed. Indeed, indeed I must."
She seemed so much excited, so suddenly alarmed,
that Mr. Chard thought it best to reassure ber until it
was too late to insist on being restored to her mother.
He quietly said—
"Do not heedlessly excite yourself, Rose. There is
some mistake. I will see the captain, and get it
corrected. He will not refuse to do anything I wish.
There, sit down, cllild, and be quiet. I will return
immediately after speaking to him."
Rose sat down as he commanded, for she was
trembling so violently that she could scarcely stand.
A vague fear of evil had suddenly seized her; she re-
membered the singular warning against taking a sea
voyage which she had so recently received, and she
was resolved, if she could evade it, one should not be
forced upon her. She looked appealingly to Mrs.
Pierre, but she calmly said—
"Do not distress yourself, Rose; it will be all
right. Remember that you are under the protection
of your uncle, and he will not permit any evil to
happen to ,you, even if the steamer has started on
her voyage."
"But Mamma Amy will be so miserable. If I thought
my uncle had played such a trick on me, I could hardly
forgive him. He would not surely lend himself to such
a deception !"
"My dear Rose, rest assured that your uncle will
do nothing that is not for your ultimate interest and
happiness. Rely on him, for he loves you tenderly—
is most anxious to promote your enjoyment in every
possible manner." •
" But I do not desire any enjoyment of which mamma
disapproves. I hope that my uncle has not attempted
to take me from my home without first obtaining my
own consent to such a proceeding."
"Hush, my love, here he comes; do not say what
may deeply wound his feelings."
With a well-simulated air of chagrin, Mr. Chard ap-
proached his niece, and said—
"You were right, Rose. The captain thought we
were to be fellow-passengers with our friend here,
and has actually sailed with us on board. However,
you need not feel annoyed on that account, for we
can return in the pilot-boat which takes the ship
outside the river. The night promises to be a little
equally, but I daresay you will not mind that, if we
can only get back home in safety."
"Oh, no, no! Only get me back, and I shall be too
thankful to find fault with the means employed. I
shall have no fear of rough weather, for I would
rather risk it than give Mamma Amy the fright she
will receive when she finds that I have not returned
home. What time can we get back, uncle 2"
"That is uncertain, Rose. Make yourself con-
tented, child, and be sure that I will take good care
of you. You should feel as safe with me as with your
stepmother." -
He spoke as if he was annoyed, and she regarded
him gravely as she replied:
"She has never been a stepmother to me, uncle,
and I never heard you call her such before. I would
do nothing that she disapproves, even if you wished
me to do it."
"I am fully aware of that, and that is one reason
why I have—"
A warning gesture from Mrs. Pierre stopped the im-
prudent avowal he was about to make, and she
caressingly took Rose's hand, as she said—
"l am selfish enough to rejoice in the mistake which
assures to me a few hours more of your company, my
dear young friend. Come with me into my cabin, and
take off your wrappings. You will be more comfort-
able without them, and besides, dinner will soon be
served." e F
Rose mechanically followed her; Mrs. Pierre re-
moved her bonnet and cloak, smoothed her hair for
her, and talked all the time in so agreeable a strain,
that the young girl was insensibly beguiled by her
fascinations into thinking how delightful it would be
if she were really embarked on a voyage to the
tropics. with the consent of her mother.
Presently the bell rang for dinner, and they went
out to an elegantly-served table. There was a large
number of passengers, and among them several gentle-
men, who were acquaintances of Mr. Chard, and his
betrothed. On their return to the ladies' saloon, they
came in to call on her, and be introduced to her young
friend. Much lively conversation ensued, but at first
Rose was pre-occupied, thinking painfully of the alarm
with which her absence would fill her mother's heart;
but gradually she was drawn within the charmed
influence which hung around this woman as a spell,
and she found herself talking gaily, and enjoying the
passing moment almost forgetful of the disagreeable
pesition in which she was placed.
The hours sped on. It was surely time for the pilot
to give , p his charge. Once there was a brief pause
n the onward career of the steamer, and, soon after-
ward, the increased motion assured Rose that she had
reached the open sea. She looked around anxiously
for her uncle, but he had left the saloon,and when she
whispered to Mrs. Pierre—
"I am sure it is time for me to get ready to leave,"
that lady instantly replied—
"You need have no fears, Rose ; your uncle will
be sure to see you safely off the ship, sclien it is best
for you to leave. Enjoy the present, dear, and let
dull care be the portion of him whose duty it is to
watch over you."
Half re-assured, thoughtless, and full of excita-
bility, Rose was willing to repose confidence in her
false friend, and the ship was bounding on her course,
leaving land far behind her, while she laughed and
chatted with the agreeable acquaintances she had just
made..
At length it grew late; the gentlemen bade them good
night ; the other lady passengers retired to their
cabins, and Rose was left alone with Mrs. Pierre. She
yaw ned,•and indolently said—
"I wonder what can have become of Mr. Chard ?
Shall we venture on deck, and see where he is ?"
"Had we not better send the stewardess to ask him
to come to us P lam very anxious to know how long
it will be before we set out on our return to
London."
"It will be quite safe to go ourselves, and I wish
you to see night upon the ocean."
Rose timidly followed her, and in a few moments
they stood on deck. She cast her eyes around, and
in the vast dim profound, was startled to see no vestige
of land. There was only the measureless ocean
stretching far, far away to the horion's verge, where
the stars seemed stooping to meet thebt counterparts
mirrored in the lucid dentha below. The dean blue

CHAPTER xxm
THE STORM.

TOWARD morning Rose-;:v-a-s-a-z:O-Used from her slumbers
by a violent crash, and she started from her berth
with a feeling of bewilderment at the strange place
in which she found herself. The recollection of the
events of the few past hours flashed suddenly upon
her mind, and she felt the certainty that a collision
must have occurred between their ship and some other
vessel.
Throwing on a dressing robe, Rose prepared to go
out and inquire what had happened; but Kate clung
to her, and frantically entreated her to remain where
she was until some one came to their assistance.
She unclosed her door, and by the light of the cabin
lamp saw Mrs. Pierre, pale and evidently much
alarmed, slowly making her way toward her; for
the ship pitched so violently from side to side, that it
was difficult to keep one's equilibrium. She ex-
claimed—
"Oh, Rose, this is dreadful! We have not been
able to outrun the storm; it is upon us in all its fury.
Hark! do you not hear the roaring of the wind and
waves? and that crash just now was the shivering of
the mast, lam certain. Where can your uncle be,
that he does not come to us ?"
Her room was so near to that occupied by Rose
that she soon succeeded in reaching her, in spite
of the rolling of the ship. The two crouched down
clasping each other, and endeavouring to steady them-
selves against the wall that seemed to heave and
quiver with every swell of the tremendous seas that
momentarily broke over the decks above.
"I was warned not to take a sea voyage," said
Rose, "and I suppose we must all go down to the
halls of the mermaids to dwell in coral caves, and
associate with sea-monsters. Do you think the
ship will stand this strain much longer ?"
"This is only the beginning, Rose.. I have been at
sea in as bad a storm as this, which lasted four days,
and every moment we expected to go down; but we
came to land safe, and I have the conviction in my
mind that we shall do so now. Cheer up, my dear,
for I am not frightened—only a little uncomfortable.
[wish Mr. Chard would come, and tell us what has
really eappened."
As if in response to her wish, the gentleman referred
to appeared at the cabin door, and, by a series of
clever gymnastics, at last succeeded in coming
near enough to render his voice audible above the up-
roar of wind and waves.

"I hope you are not frightened. There is a pretty
stiff breeze blowing, and some of the rigging has been
torn away, but the captain is not uneasy. I thought
it beat to come down and re-assure you. How i.
with you, Rose ?"
Dear uncle, I am very much frightened: and I
'begin to feel dreadfully dizzy with this constant
motion. I wish more earnestly than ever that we had
never left dry land."

"Rose, love, only think if you had not come with
me I should have been alone, with no one to care
'for me but old Toinette, who needs help herself at
such a time as this, even more than I do. I did not
believe you were selfish, Rose, nor can I thinks° now,"
said Mrs. Pierre, complainingly.
"If it is selfish to wish myself safely back with
Mamma Amy, whose protecting arms I should never
have left, I am afraid I must be pronounced so," re-
plied Rose, honestly. "I have no taste for adven-
tures either by land or sea, especially the latter. Oh,
dear, there goes another crash 1"
The ship reeled and quivered in every timber from
the violence of this second shock; she heeled to one
side, and a confused sound of voices and quick blows
were heard. There was a heavy plunge—a surging
sound, as if the enraged waters seized upon the prey
offered them with eager avidity,- and then with a
violent effort the ship righted herself, and again went
bounding on her headlong course.
The force of this concussion extinguished the lights,
and they found themselves plunged in darkness as
profound as that of Erebus. Rose was not sea-sick,
but a death-like faintness oppressed her, and she felt
as if dissolution itself could scarcely be more appal-
ling than the circumstances in which she now found
herself placed. Her uncle sat down beside her, and
endeavoured to reassure her by words of encourage-
ment, but she was too much prostrated in mind and
body to give much heed to them.
Mr. Chard soon turned his attention entirely to his
betrothed, who never suffered from sickness on the
ocean, and was not too frightened to listen to his
platitudes; for she knew the ship to be new and
faultless in her model, and she felt assured that she
could weather many a harder storm than this one
before her hour of destruction came.
At intervals the wailings of poor Bate were heard
from the state-room; but she was too ill, and too
much overcome with remorse at the possible result of
her own share in bringing her young lady int° such
imminent danger, to be able to move from the position
in which she had entrenched herself beneath a sofa
that was securely fastened to the floor.
The hours crept slowly on, and at length day
dawned, pale and leaden in its aspect, revealing only
the heaving ocean, lashed into seething waves by the
wild winds that still swept over it. Toward nine
o'clock there was a partial lull, and an attempt was
made to re-light the cabins, and provide something
for the passengers in the shape of breakfast.
The very thought of food was loathsome to Rose,
and when the Fght shone upon her features, she
looked so palid and worn-out by this long and pain-
ful vigil that her companions were alarmed. With
the assistance of the stewardess, Mr. Chard placed
her in her berth, and insisted on her taking some wine
and water as a restorative. She was then left to her
own wretchedness for hours, while the storm slowly
subsided. •
Mrs. Pierre sat just outside of her cabin dooi?half
supported by Mr. Chard. and. thus they talked'.over
their futura thus. and arranged them as calmly as

_-- -
concave was brilliant with them, for there was no it none of the dangers foretold to those who "go
moon to dim their lustre; but down toward the edge I down to the sea in ships" could have been meant
of the wide expanse a thin, vapoury haze was floating for them. The future destiny of the helpless girl
like wreaths of white mist. In the distance a faint they had decoyed from her home was definitely
black speck was receding from them, and in the cer. settled and Mr. Chard gave a positive pledge that
tainty that this was the pilot boat in which she should within six months from his union with his betrothed,
have returned to the shore, Rose forgot the awe with Rose should bestow her hand on Trevor. She gaily
which the grand scene before her had inspired her. said—
She exclaimed in a distressed voice— "You offer me a tempting bribe to hasten our
"I am upon the wide, wide sea, and yonder flies I union, mon ami, for I will confess that my heart is so
the boat my uncle promised me to return hi. Oh, strongly set on the completion of the other match that
what does this mean? What can it mean ?" I would do much to secure it."
A gruff voice spoke beside her— The infatuated lover eagerly caught at the hint so
"It only means, Miss Chard, that your uncle had adroitly thrown out. He quickly said—
no mind to risk your life and his own, by venturing "Are you really in earnest, Lonore ? Would you
upon that little craft in the face of a coming storm. give me your hand to-morrow, if I should ask it ?"
Look at those filmy clouds yonder; in a few hours "Why not ?" was the smiling reply. "What
they will fill the heavens with wrath, and the wind signify a few days to us, when so much is to be gained
will blow like great guns. I advised your uncle not to others by our speedy union? I answer yes to your
to risk taking you back on that cockle-shell yonder. query, but-that does not benefit you much, for we can-
If she escapes the storm now brewing, it will be a not find a priest to unite us before we reach Havana,
miracle !" and when so near my own home I shall prefer to
"And we !—what is to become of us asked the wait till we reach it."
young girl, appalled by the idea of a storm at sea. '"I have your promise, though, if I can claim you at
"Oh, we are staunch and tight. We shall outrun once as my own ?"
the violence of the gale, and only feel its lightest " Assuredly ;I do not retract a pledge I have once
breathings, while that boat runs into its very teeth. given."
Be assured, young lady, that we will take care of "Then in my case, the old proverb is fulfilled—' It
you, and your uncle will be answerable for all the is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,' for the
rest." captain will, in consequence of the damage received,
At this point in their conversation, Mr. Chard joined be compelled to put into some North American port
them, and said— to refit before completing our voyage. We shall
"The captain has told you how it happened that I Probably make for New York, as that is the nearest
dared not keep my promise to you, Rose. Come out available place, which we may now reach in three or
of the night air, and I will explain all that seems four days. We can be united there, and my squeamish
mysterious to you in your present position." sister-in-law will have no pretext for withdrawing my
In silent consternation Rose followed him. When niece from our protection."
the three were again in the saloon, he caressingly After a few artful scruples, only intended to in-
said: crease the ardour of her lover, the fair widow was
"Would it be so very displeasing to you, my dear Prevailed on to consent to this arrangement ; while her
niece, to find that I have deceived you purposely, head rested upon his breast, and her fragrant lips
that I may afford you a pleasant trip, on which, I breathed such delicious flattery into his ears, as made
had reason to believe, your heart was once set? You him believe himself more to be envied than Jove upon
are on your way to Cuba, Rose, to be present at his throne, with the imperial Juno beside him.
my marriage with your friend. By this time your The gale which drove them at high speed across the
mother knows where you are, and that I alone am to Atlantic, and continued for full five days at last lulled
blame in bringing you away without her consent. j and the ship only moved with the heavy undulating,
trust, my love, that my efforts to give you a pleasant ground swell Which follows a tempest. The saloons
surprise will not be rewarded with ingratitude." were again brilliantly lighted, the tables spread for a
Rose burst into tears in spite of all her efforts to luxurious dinner, and the captain came down to see
retain composure. how his passengers had fared during the storm. Like
"Oh, Uncle George, how could you do this? Poor poor Rose, the most of them were still confined in
mamma I she will come after 1110—I know she will; their state rooms, too ill to move; but Mrs. Pierre
for she will never have a moment's peace till she had already made a fresh toilette, and appeared as
holds me in her arms again." serene and handsome as if nothing unusual had hap-
" Rose, this is silly. Was a daughter never sepa. pened.
rated from her mother before, that you make such a i With the bluff frankness of a sailor, the captain
fuss about it? My protection and that of my future , offered her his hand, and said:
wife, is surely sufficient to satisfy your fastidious " You're fit for a seaman's wife, ma'am; deserve to
mother. Wipe your eyes, and make the best of it sail with him every voyage. Why, you look as fresh
now, for the trip you are bound to take. My wedding and bright as if we hadn't been within a hair's
will be a sufficient excuse to your friends. Come, breadth of going to Davy Jones's locker. Excuse
cheer up. I know you will enjoy it when this first me, ma'am, but's that's a sea phrase meaning going
burst of annoyance is over. I really thought I was down among the fishes."
doing something especially agreeable to you in getting "I understand its meaning," she replied, with a
you off so cleverly. You will find your maid in your smile, " for lam a sailor's daughter, and it would be
own cabin, with such things as you will ,need. Go, a shame to me to disgrace my parentage. Was the
and sleep in peace, child; and wake up to-morrow storm really so severe? I have been in one so much
in a mood to forgive and thank me for what I have worse, that I had little fear of this."
done." " Worse in your estimation, because it lasted longer,
"I, too, must ask forgiveness, darling Rose; for I maybe, and was your first one; that makes a deal of
joined in the plot of carrying you off with me. I love difference. This was the hardest blow I have been
you so much that I could not bear to give you up; in for many years, and once I began to fear the ship
and I had promised you that you should be present would never weather it; but she's a beauty. She
at my wedding. See—this was the only means of held her own bravely, and with a little fitting up, will
keeping my pledge, for we shall be married imme- be as good as ever."
diately on our arrival at Mirandola." "You do not mean that you must refit before we
Rose permitted herself to be soothed and reconciled reach Havana ?"
to the voyage before her; and the certainty that her "Exactly ma'am; you've hit the nail on the head.
mother knew how she had been entrapped into so un- I shall be forced to put into New York to get my
ceremonious a departure, went far toward consoling riting spliced; it was dreadfully cut up by the
her. The brighter side of the picture arose before wind."
her youthful imagination, and she began to think A rapid glance was exchanged between Mr. Chard
how charming it was, after all, to visit the land of and the lady. He looked triumphant ; but in spite of
the orange and the myrtle in such attractive com- the success of her plans, she grew pale, and shivered
panionship. Some consideration was due to Mrs. as if seized with a sudden chill. Her lover drew near
Pierre, too, for she was soon to stand in a near and and anxiously inquired:
dear relationship to her; and Rose wiped away her "Are you ill, Lonore ?or are you terrified at the
tears, and half smiled, as she said: recollection of the storm, whose danger has passed
"I will try and not be ungrateful, uncle, for I away?"
am sure you thought only of affording me pleasure; "Oh, no—it is only a foolish dread of those to come
though I must confess I should have preferred ac- that moved me. It is the penalty of a vivid imagina-
companying you in a more legitimate manner. I tion to see looming in the future evils that may never
will do my best to enjoy the voyage you have secured arrive."
for me. Good night! I will seek my cabin, and try Mr. Chard did not understand this reply, and he
and arrange my thoughts." said—
"No, darling—rest, repose, are what you need," "I was not aware that you were addicted to the an
said the caressing voice of Mrs. Pierre. " Lose your ticipation of evil."
own regrets, my Rose, in the certainty that nothing "Nor am I ordinarily; but there is a dread upon me
could have afforded me more sincere satisfaction now that is natural to one in my position. After all,
than to have you with me on my return to my own I may not be able to render you happy."
home. Good night, love! May guardian angels "Have no such fear, my adored. lam the proudest,
watch over your slumbers!" the most fortunate of men. Only become mine, and I
will surround you with such tender care that you will
be happy yourself—therefore I must be so; for a
happy woman does not make him who is devoted to
her uncomfortable. Is it not so, my angel ?"
All that was good in the nature of this woman was
appealed to by his words. She looked into his eyes;
her own grew luminous and tender as they responded
to the feeling he had expressed. She placed her hand
in his, and tremulously said—
"l will repay your devotion with such happiness as
It is mine to bestow. Care for me in spite of all that
may happen in the future, and I will be a true wife to
you. I will be gentle, trustful, tender as my nature
leads me to be; but you must promise to love me—
love MC, through evil and good report."
"I freely promise it—nay, I swear it to you, my
Lonore ; though there is not a creature living who
shall be hardy enough to breathe a syllable of eel
against the bright lady of my love."
"Thanks, thanks, for that assurance. Defend me—
stand between me and the cold, cold world—and I will
indeed be yours in heart and soul."
She arose abruptly and went ,into her state-room.
There she found old Toinette just creeping out of her
berth, a miserable spectacle of exhaustion and terror.
He mistress administered a restorative cordial, and
then went to look after Rose, whom she had not en-
tirely neglected during those tedious hours of suffering
and uncertainty. At intervals she had administered
wine to her, and spoken such tender and soothing
words as were calculated to reassure her.
(To be continued.)