The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-01-28 00:00:00

BARRIER BETWEEN;
OR,

REPENTED UNTO DEATH.

CHAPTER IV.
AN UNEXPECTED OFFER.
TRF, Week following the announcement of Harolci
Danvers' marriage was passed by Amy in her usual
found of employments. She did not seclude herself
rom company' nor did she neglect the claims
of the destitute and afflicted. In ministering to the
wants of the wretched, she found such consolation as
genuine benevolence can always afford its possessor.
Many a weary heart was cheered by that gentle voice
and liberal hand, even while her own lay heavy and
desolate in her bosom ; and she upbraided herself that
Ole, whose lot was comparatively so blessed, could
not find happiness in the many good gifts showered
Upon her. It should not always be thus; time must
restore to her the control of her own feelings, and
freedom once regained, she would for ever retain it
love again she would not—wed she never would.
In her deep desolation of heart, Amy every day
be. came more tenderly attached to her young protege.
She did not consider it possible that any chance could
sever Rose from her until she was of an age to be
sought in marriage. She was, therefore, quite unpre-
Pared for the events which quickly followed the news
of Harold Danvers' marriage.
Gen. Chard heard of it with ill-supressed exultation,
for he had long felt assured in his own mind that the
tie between Danvers and Miss Cunningham was not
Utterly severed, though the world so believed Save
tile bride of his youth, he admired Amy more than any
woman he had ever known. He was still a handsome
Inan, not much beyond the middle age; then why
811.0111 d he not succeed in winning this charming
Woman to be the companion of his future life? He
believed that through Amy's attachment to his
daughter he could almost command success, for in the
event of a refusal, it was in his power to separate
Rose from her, and be had not the generosity to for-
bear doing so should she wound his vanity by a
refusal.

Thus doubly prepared for conquest, Gen. Chard
tame one morning to Danvers-place, and requested a
private interview with Miss Cunningham. As it was
Often his habit to consult with her concerning his
daughter, Amy received him with her usual cordial
greeting, and great was her dismay, when, after a brief
Preamble, he said:
"I have lately been newly fitting up my residence,
Amy, and I shall be glad if you will call in with Rose
and see if the upholsterer has done his duty. I desire
also to consult your taste, as I not only consider it
Perfect, but I dare to hope that you will some day pre-
side over my home as its mistress."
"I am quite satisfied to remain with Madge," she
replied; "neither do I think I can assume the charge
of your establishment; it would be rather an unusual
Proceeding."
"You wilfully misunderstand me, Amy. I said I
desire you to become the mistress of my house. Only
!-8 my wife could you hold that position; consent to
be indeed the mother of my darling Rose, and I shall
be the happiest and proudest of men."
This was too plain to be misunderstood, and she
,quietly replied:
"My childhood was spent beneath your roof,
General Chard, and I have always regarded you as my
best friend. Let our relations remain unchanged, for
It will not promote the happiness of either party to
assume duties which to you would be a burden—to
Irle something more. I shall never marry."
"Never marry! Amy, recall those words, I pray
You. You, with your large heart, your tender sensi-
bility, must find a congenial soul to walk hand in hand
with you through life, or waste the finer part of yom
nature. It is sacrilege to speak of never giving your
hand to one who can appreciate the gift at its just
value."
"It would be deeper sacrilege to marry where my
heart was indifferent. Pray let us leave this subject,
and forget that you ever spoke about it to me."
"Nay, Amy, for the sake of Rose, you must hear
,me. I cannot be without her companionship any
longer, and only as my wife can you retain your
present relations towards her."
Miss Cunningham grew very pale; she hurriedly
Said:

"You do not mean it. You cannot be so cruel as to
separate Rose from me? Ah, if you knew what she
IS to me—how fondly I cherish her, how tenderly she
loves me—you could not speak thus."
He looked at her, and saw that he had stronger
Power over her than he supposed. Resolute to use it
to its utmost limit, he said:
"My daughter must come to my home; choose if
You will accompany her as my bride. I have loved
You long in silence, Amy; I have not before spoken of
/rly attachment, because I saw that some inexplicable
tie bound you to young Danvers. Whatever it may
have been, his own act has now effectually severed it,
and you are now free to listen to me. Be sensible,
and accept the position I offer you. It will be im-
Possible for you to remain here after Harold brings
his wife home. You feel that, I see, for you change
colour. Had you not thought of it before ?,'
"Yes, I had thought of it; but I need be in no
haste to change any abode on that account, as Harold
does not hint any intention of returning to his native
land.,,

"But he must return, Amy, for his father is failing
rapidly, and his only son cannot be so unkind as to
remain on the Continent till his death takes place."
"I do not know what Harold's plans are, but they
will not materially affect my actions. I have my own
little place, Ivy Cottage, down in Dorset, where a
Portion of our summers are annually spent, and the
house is always ready for my reception. Should I find
It unpleasant to remain under the same roof with Mrs.
Ilarold Danvers, I can go thither."
"And bury yourself in the dull neighbourhood
around a little country town! You were not born for
such a fate ; Nelly, accept my offered hand, and become
a queen in London society. With your intellect,
cultivation, and beauty, you can support the role of a
bet esprit of the highest type."
She shook her head, for his words fell drearily
uPOn her ear. To her wounded heart there was no
temptation in the brilliant picture he placed before
her, for,
"Bleak and bitter, and utterly doleful,
Spreads to her vision the map of her life,
Hour after hour she looks in her soul, full
Of deep dismay and turbulent strife."
She faintly said—
"I dare not. I should make you wretched, and
become so myself."
"Amy don't let a phantom from the past stand be-
tween us. For the sake of my sweet Rose, you will
give me a favourable answer, for my child must take
up her abode with me."
"You are Rose's father, General Chard, and of
Course you can reclaim her if you choose to do so, but
1.4 have been a mother to her, and she has now been
with me many years. I cannot bring myself to
believe that you can find it in your heart to separate
Us."

"I do not sever you from the child of your af-
fections, Amy. It is you who must decide to give
her up, or to come with her to my home."
"And is there no alternative ?" she asked, with pale
lips.
"None."

Amy shivered, but she did not falter in her re-
go)ution ; she said:
"Act as you think best for Rose's future welfare.
Since I decline to accompany her, under whose charge
Is it your intention to place her?'
"My brother George has returned from the Con-
tinent. Mrs. Chard is one of the most elegant women
I know; under her auspices the education of Rose can
be completed, and her debilt in society be made.
This was an impromptu thought on the part of the
BPeaker, which he considered a master-stroke of
Policy, for he knew that Mrs. George Chard was a
Woman for whom Amy had no esteem, and it would
_ be a bitter pang to her to know that the child of her
affections was placed under the influence of a heartless
, devotee to fashion.
"You surely will not undo all I have endeavoured
- to accomplish for your daughter's mind and heart, by
- giving her over to such a woman as you know your
, brother's wife to be ?" asked Amy, with emotion. "In
. the name of her angel mother, I entreat you to have
' compassion on her child, on me, for this transfer would
. be a severe blow to me."
"Avert it, then, Amy, for you have the power. I
'Mist have Rose with me, and if you decline to
. ... accompany her, I -must do the best I can without
, c . You. In the event of my death, George will be her
natural guardian, and then she would, of course, reside
With him. I only anticipate what may happen before
Rose attains a marriageable age."
"Do not speak thus, General Chard, for it is your
„
• duty to provide against such a contingency. After
Yourself, I have the strongest claim on Rose, and to
. me :she. should be left, even if her uncle controlled the
r,- lem nanaent of the estate. I feel this very acutely, for
: I consider that I am fulfilling a sacred duty intrusted
• to me by the dead. I feel as if lam responsible to our
lost Alice -for the moral and religious training of her
Child. I ask you if Mrs. George Chard will be likely
_ to impress upon her young mind any lessons better than
• those taught by vanity and folly? Excuse me—l feel
strongly, and I nilist speak the truth."
"You are easily excused, 'Amy, but if you are
resolute, in the refusal of my hand, what can I do?
, I am tired .of the wandering life I have led so long,
and I-wish to have a home of my own, with a bright
• little mistress and a charming household fairy, such
, as you and Rose can make for me. Put aside all
sentimental nonsense, and say 'yes,' Amy darling.
You shall do exactly as you please—you shall—"
"It is useless to plead. General Chard, I do not
believe that you can take my darling Rose from me,
any
,)npre than I can consent to marry you without that
strong affection which can alone hallow the marriage
• General Chard was a man of strong will and
irritable femper, and the impassive manner of Amy's
refusal aroused his anger. He arose, and haughtily
said: .
"Am I, then, to understand that no inducement can
be offered which will change your decision ?"
She deprecatingly said:
"I can wronc, neither you nor myself by giving false
hopes. Forget this interview, and let us return to our
= old relations towards each other."
- . 4.4." gnough—enouqh. I understand to positioiiw6

114110.

k:,,sapst

must henceforth hold toward each other. I ptofess no
hollow friendship such as you propose. Inform Rose,
if you please, that on this day a week hence I shall
remove her to my own residence to remain there. By that
time Mrs. Chard will be comfortably established in her
own home, Good-morning, Miss Cunningham."
With a chilling bow he left the room.

CHAPTER V.
A STRANGE WEDDING.

FOOn Amy was stunned by this sudden shock, and
she threw herself upon a sofa, and gave way to one
of those passionate bursts of weeping which come as
a safety-valve when the feelings are too highly wrought
to find relief from any other source. Like the sweep
of a tornado was the wild tempest of emotion, but,
like all violent things, it exhausted itself; and Amy
a -ose calmed, and ready for the painful duty before
her. Bitter as was the trial, she must herself com-
municate the decision of her father to the child of her
adoption.
She went to her own room, bathed her eyes, and
prepared for the dreaded task. Toward twilight Rose
came in, looking so bright and happy that poor Amy
shrank more sensitively than before from the duty she
must perform.
"Oh, Mamma Amy, I am getting along famously;
I think I shall certainly carry off the prize. You will
be surprised to hear how well I begin to sing 'Hear
me, Norma.' Listen now." And she warbled in a
clear, liquid voice the opening measures of that wail
of anguish, each tone of which thrilled to the wrung
heart of the listener. She hurriedly exclaimed;
"Oh, my darling, not now. I have somethink' to
tell you that is of importance. Sit here close beside
me, and listen attentively, Rose.
"I am afraid it is something I shall not like to
hear, Amy mia, for your voice seems full of tears."
"And with good cause, child of my heart, for the
fiat that separates us has gone forth."
"Never !—never! I say no—no--no. Who will
attempt such a thing, Mamma Amy ?" she asked,
with dilating eyes and pallid lips.
"Your father alone has power to do so, my
child, and you are bound to obey his commands. Re-
member, Rose, that a failure of the duty you owe to
him would render me more unhappy than even this
cruel separation."
Is he going to be married ?" she abruptly asked.
"No—your aunt, Mrs. George Chard, will take
charge of his house, and he naturally desires to have
you under his own roof. I must give you up, Rose,
though it rends from my heart the strongest tie it now
claims."

":I do not like Aunt Emily nor Uncle George much.
I must change papa's determination, for I shall not be
happy with them," replied Rose, quietly, for she saw
evidences of the recent bitter struggle in Amy's face,
and she did not wish to add to her suffering by ut-
tering all the rebellious thoughts that seethed in her
own bosom.

Poor child! she little knew how powerless all her
resolutions would prove before the unbending will of a
determined and implacable man. Her father had
hitherto been blindly indulgent to her and she had
not believed that he could refuse her anything on
which her heart was set. But in this instance General
Chard did refuse firmly—almost fiercely, for Amy's
rejection of his offered hand had stung his heart more
deeply than he had thought possible.
Rose's tears and prayers availed not—apartments

for her use were elegantly fitted up in Chad House,
and her father informed her that on the appointed day
his carriage would be at Mr. Danvers' door to convey
her to her future home.

No restrictions were laid upon her free intercourse
with her beloved friend, but Amy felt that under exist-
ing circumstances it would be impossible for her to
visit the house of General Chard with any degree of
freedom.

To the last moment General Chard hoped that Amy
would relent—that, sooner than relinquish herprotegee,
she would consent to receive his addresses; but when
the day of Rose's final departure arrived, and no sign
from her came, he penned the following lines, to be
sent when the carriage went for his daughter.
Are you inexorable in your refusal, Amy ? It is
not yet too late to relent. I have made my will, be-
queathing Rose and her fortune to the absolute control
of her uncle, unless I should marry. In that event, my
widow would become her guardian at my decease.
Choose if you will now accompany my daughter; her
future fate hangs in the balance, for some intuition
whispers me that my life will not be a long one.
Brighten its remnants, Amy, and gain the blessing of
a lonely and weary heart. WM. CHARD."
As he penned this epistle, the writer little imagined
how brief that life was really to be.

Not caring to witness the tears of his child, when
the came alone to his dwelling, he dispatched the note,
and stepped into his phaeton, to take a drive through
the park, and on towards Hurlingham.
Pre-occupied in mind, he, having taken the reins
from his coachman, drove carelessly; scarcely half an
hour had elapsed since his departure when his phaeton
was dashed violently against a heavily-loaded waggon;
the frail vehicle was crushed into fragments, and its
hapless owner and his man both taken up in a sense-
less condition.
General Chard was taken into a house on the road-
side, where he revived sufficiently to give directions
for his speedy removal to his own house. A messenger
was despatched for his brother, and when the reluc-
tant Rose reached the splendid mansion which had been
fitted up with so much care, she found everything in
the wildest confusion. Three physicians were in
attendance, her aunt, Mrs. George Chard, in
hysterics, and the mangled form of her stately father
lying pallid and nearly lifeless upon a couch which
had been hurriedly placed in one of the parlours for
his accommodation.
The young girl rushed to his side, and at the sight
Df her frightened face bending over him, an expression
Df anguish swept over the features of the dying man.
He eagerly motioned to one of the physicians to
approach him, and faintly asked:
"Tell me, is there life enough left to enable me to
perform a sacred duty? Have I one hour yet ?"
"I trust so—l hope so," was the evasive reply.
"The truth, doctor, for Heaven's sake, the truth, in
this crisis. lam not afraid to die, but I have some-
thing to do which is of the last importance before I
go."
The physician, thus abjured, reluctantly replied—
"By the use of stimulants your strength may be
sustained an hour."
"Then write for me as I shall dictate."

In a few moments a note was dispatched in great
haste, and Amy's tears over the loss of her darling
were wiped away to read, in appalled silence, the
hurried words addressed to her by one in ex-
tremity----
"Come to me now, Amy, for L am dying—crushed
to death under the wheels of my own carriage. Save
my child from the future I dare not bequeath her to.
nannot die and leave Rose in any hands save yours!
Oh! Amy, claim your child in the only way now left
you; bear the name which you have refused, for he
who will bestow it cannot now live to render you un-
happy. ' WM. CHARD.
The same messenger who brought this also bore to
_ _

the family the first -intimation of the fatal accident
which had occurred. Mr. Danvers and his daughter
accompanied the agitated Amy to the scene of
distress which Chard House now exhibited.
A faint gleam of intelligence lighted up the face of the
dying man when the three entered, and ;he made an
effort to put forth his hand to Amy. She sank
upon her knees beside his couch, and he faintly
whispered—
" Only as my widow, Amy, can you. claim Rose.
My will is in my brother's hands, and he will never
give up the control of the heiress and her fortune.
Quick ! we have no time to lose. I feel with every
throb that my heart is beating a. rapid funeral march.
Shall it be, before I go, Amy 2"
Bose clung to her, and she convulsively whispered—
" Save me from my uncle—give his poor heart
what it asks, Mamma Amy, and I will be your own
Rose."

~/oy could only iind voice to say—
"lt shall be as you wish. General Chard, yours is
an honourable and unstained name, and I will not re-
fuse to bear it when so precious a trust is to be re-
gained by so doing."
The Dean of Eastminster had been summoned to
afford dying consolation to the departing spirit, and
he stood ready, the registrar having been hastily sent
for also, to perform his part in the solemn scene before
them. Kneeling beside the couch, and clasping the
rapidly chilling hand of the wounded man,'Amy Cun-
ningham pledged the vows which were destined to be
dissolved almost in the moment of their utterance; for
the ceremony was scarcely completed, when General
Chard sank back and expired.
Scarcely realising the strange event of the latt hour,
the widowed bride clasped her recovered treasure to
her heart, and retired with Rose to the privacy of her
own apartment.