One Maid's Mischief Part 118

"Take them back?" he exclaimed, wonderingly.

"Yes; take them back. Do you think I could be so weak and cruel as to let you be burdened for life with such a degraded thing as I?" she cried; and she burst into so violent a fit of sobbing that the Resident grew alarmed; but he must have possessed wonderful soothing power, for when Mrs Bolter came in a short time after, it was to find Helen Perowne's weary head resting upon Neil Harley's arm, and there was a restful, peaceful look in her eyes that the little lady had never seen there before.

Helen did not move, and the Resident seemed as if it was quite a matter of course for him to remain there, so little Mrs Bolter went softly forward and bent down to kiss her invalid as she called her, when she was prisoned by two trembling weak arms, and for a few minutes nothing was heard but Helen's sobs.

When Mrs Bolter went down soon afterwards to sit with the doctor, she said, softly:

"I never thought I could like that girl, Henry, and now I believe I almost love her."

"That's because she has changed her colour," said the doctor, with a hearty chuckle.

"Oh! that reminds me," cried Mrs Bolter; "I wanted to ask you about that."

"About what?" said the doctor, looking up.

"About the black stain. Will she always be like that?"

"Pooh, nonsense! my dear. It is only a stain, which has thoroughly permeated, if I may so term it, the outer skin. Soon wear off, my dear--soon wear off."

"But her teeth, Henry?"

"Come right in time, my dear, with plenty of tooth-powder; all but the filing."

"But that is a terrible disfigurement."

"Oh, that will go off in time. The teeth are always growing and being worn down at the edges; but what does it matter? she is ten times as nice a girl as she was before."

"Yes," said Mrs Bolter, thoughtfully; "and now, Henry, if I could only have my mind set at rest about Arthur, I believe I should be a happy woman."

"Then we'll soon set your mind at rest about him," said the doctor. "I never felt that I could leave you till Helen was safe from a relapse."

"Leave me, Henry!" cried the little lady.

"Only for a time, till I have found Arthur."

"Then you do think he will be found?"

"I am sure of it. Why, who would hurt him, the best and most inoffensive of men?"

"Surely no one," said Mrs Bolter, with a sigh.

"Of course not. I've tried to get something out of Murad, but my messengers have failed; but all the same, I feel sure he knows all about it, and burked Arthur for a reason of his own."

"But what reason could he have?" cried Mrs Bolter.

"Well, I'll tell you my theory, my dear, and it is this: he meant to silence all Helen's scruples by marrying her according to our rites."

"Do you think so?"

"I do; and that is why he secured Arthur. If it was not so, it was because he was in the way. Anyhow, we can get nothing from the rascal, so I mean to go up the river again. I have my plans working."

"But, Henry!"

"Only to try and find him; for Harley's and Hilton's men have made a miserable failure of it all."

Mrs Bolter sighed, but she made no opposition; and then further conversation was ended by the arrival of Grey Stuart with Hilton, both looking so satisfied and happy that Mrs Bolter exclaimed: "Why, whatever now!" The doctor chuckled, and cried: "Oh! that's it, is it!

Oh! Grey! I thought you meant to be a female old bachelor all your life!"

"I have persuaded her that it is folly," said Hilton. "But I always thought it was to be Chumbley!" cried the doctor. "Here, I say, this is a horrible take-in."

"I thought the same, doctor," said Hilton, smiling; "and have been making myself very miserable about what is a misconception, though Grey here owns to thinking Chum the best and truest of men."

"And I'm sure he is!" cried Mrs Doctor, enthusiastically.

"Here, I say!" cried the doctor, banging his hand down on the table, "this won't do! Am I to sit and hear a man praised to my very face?"

"Yes," said Mrs Bolter, quickly; "if it is Chumbley; and if Grey had chosen with my eyes, she would have taken him instead."

"But she did not choose with your eyes, my dear," said the doctor, smiling; "and she was wise?"

"And why so?" cried Mrs Bolter, tartly.

"Because she saw what a bad one you were at making a choice, my dear.

Look at me for a husband, Miss Stuart; this was the best she could do."

"Oh, Henry! for shame!" cried Mrs Doctor. "There! I'll say no more, only that I hardly forgive you, Hilton; and I tell you frankly that you have won a far better wife than you deserve!"

"Then I'm sure we shall be the best of friends over it, Mrs Bolter!"

said Hilton, merrily, "for I have been repeating that sentiment almost word for word."

"There, there, there--the young people know best," said the doctor. "I congratulate you both; and I must be off now to see Perowne. But here is somebody coming. Mrs Barlow, I believe."

"Henry, pray say I'm out!" cried Mrs Bolter, starting up. "I really cannot meet that woman to-day!" and she made for the door.

"It's all right. Don't go, my dear; it's only Stuart," said the doctor, chuckling.

"And you said it was that horrible Mrs Barlow on purpose to frighten me! It's a very great shame--it is indeed!"

"Ye're right, Mrs Bolter," said the little dry Scotch merchant, appearing in the doorway; "it is a great shame! After all my care and devotion, and the money I have spent in her education, here's this foolish girl takes a fancy to a red coat, and says she shan't be happy without she marries it!"

"Pray, pray, papa! No, dear father, don't talk like that!" said Grey, crossing to him, as he took a chair, and resting her hand upon his shoulder.

"Oh, but it's enough to make any man speak!" he cried. "I suppose it's natural though, Mrs Bolter?"

"Of course it is, Mr Stuart; and if Captain Hilton undertakes to make her a good husband, why you must be very thankful."

"Humph! I suppose so; but mind this; you can't be wed till the chaplain's found! Ha! ha! ha! I say, doctor, that will stir up Hilton here!"

"We are making earnest efforts to find him without that," said Hilton, warmly.