TERENCE O'NEILL'S HEIRESS

A STORY

CHAPTER XXV

VERY motionless and still, Elizabeth sat by her uncle's side, her eyes upon his face, her heart full of wonder. A few hours ago Terence O'Neill had been but a name to her-now he was a living and breathing reality, and a reality that promised to bring considerable peace and happiness into her life.

"I'll be as a daughter to him, for I feel that I can love him well. Oh! how different he is to poor Uncle John," she thought. "He would never try to force me to marry just to suit his own purpose. Oh! how glad and proud Aunt Magdalen will be of him. The dear thing! how delightful to see her, to-morrow -and Uncle Mike! But what can their words mean? What-"

The door opened a little, and Austin Gibbons beckoned to Elizabeth to come out and speak to him. The girl hesitated and glanced at her sleeping uncle. But as a nurse glided in, and softly approached his chair, she slipped away on tip-toe, into the passage.

"Uncle Terence is asleep," she said. "Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Gibbons?"

"No, dear, thank you. But there is a gentleman, a young, good-looking man," he replied, laying his hand on her's, and smiling down upon her as he spoke, “in my sitting-room, who is particularly anxious to say a few words to you."

Elizabeth flushed, then grew pale again.

she asked quickly.

Anyone I know?"

"Yes. You know him well. It is my brother-in-law, dear Charles Arrowsmith."

"Charles!"-Elizabeth's heart gave a great bound, and a crimson wave swept over her sweet face again. told him about Uncle Terence?"

"Have you

"Not a word. Till Terence O'Neill reveals himself to his family, as he wishes to do, in person, my lips are sealed. Charles heard of my arrival and yours at this hotel, in a telegram from Rathkieran, and hastened over to see us both. He is furious with John O'Neill, and is longing for a few words with you. He says he has some wonderful news for you."

Elizabeth's silvery laugh rang out through the corridor. "News?" she cried. "Why, the whole world seems full of wonderful news. This is a strangely exciting day, Mr. Gibbons. But "-with sudden gravity and a pained look in her eyes-" I think I had better not see Charles yet. I have not changed my mind-till my innocence is made clear-till it is proved beyond a doubt, to everyone, that I never touched Mrs. Arrowsmith's cross, meetings between me-and Charlesare "-her voice breaking-"more than useless. They only pain us both. And now, since I dare not mention Uncle Terence -Oh! I feel I

As a quick, firm step came along the corridor, Austin Gibbons disappeared as though by magic, and before Elizabeth realized what had happened, Charles Arrowsmith had taken her hand in his, and led her into a cheerful well-furnished sitting-room, a little further down the passage.

"Charles! This is rather foolish," she said trembling and agitated, the colour coming and going in her cheeks, her eyes turned resolutely away from him, as she sat down upon a big sofa, near the fire. You promised not to come to me declared you would not ask to see me again till the horrible mystery of the stolen cross had been cleared up, and my name rightedyet, here you are-oh! Charles is this fair? Glad-Yesvery glad-as I am to see you "-with a quick sob, and covering her face with her hands" it is not fair-and unlike you to break

"

He caught her hand, and his face lit up, his eyes gleaming with joy and happiness, cried out :

Elizabeth, I have kept my promise faithfully."

She started. The colour faded from her face, and white to the very lips, she whispered in a low husky voice:

How can you say so? Oh! Charles, Charles, things are as hidden and mysterious as ever. And I'd give worlds-remain willingly poor all my life, if only I could find out-all about that cross, and proclaim my innocence-beyond—a doubt— but

"

And that you can do that has been done. The whole thing," he cried, breathlessly, as clasping her hand, he drew her gently towards him, " is now as clear as day."

She gazed at him with dilated eyes, speechless in her overwhelming joy.

"That is why I am here. Oh! my darling-I bring you most joyful tidings. Elizabeth, mine own, the cross has been found."

"Found? She passed her hand across her brow.

Her heart throbbed tumultuously.
God."

"Oh! Charles.

Thank

"My darling! Thank God, indeed. And now I must tell you all I know-for my news is but scanty-for it only came to me by telegram." And sitting down beside her, he told her the story, as far as he understood it from his mother's message.

A

"Punch," she murmured in a dazed, bewildered way, practical joke? Hidden away in the oak-panelled cup-board? Why, it's like a dream-a sort of nightmare, Charles. And yet very simple."

"

So it is, dearest. Now that we know all about it. So simple that the wonder is that none of us thought of that young scamp and his tricks before."

44

Strange-very strange. Oh! it was stupid of me, Charles, not to think of it; for he often used to talk of hiding things away in that old cupboard, just to see if they would ever be found."

"He ought to be horse-whipped."

"No, no. But, tell me," laying her hand quickly on his arm, will this clear my name? Shall I be freed from all suspicion now?"

Absolutely. And so you see, my beloved, I had a right to come-that is," looking at her with a longing and adoring glance, unless you have ceased to love me-unless I have hoped in vain, and that you cannot return my love, sweetheart, now, as in the days before this trouble came to us.'

She raised her beautiful true eyes to his, and her lovely face, suffused with blushes, her lips tremulous, said softly: 'Love you? Oh! Charles, when-or how could I cease to love you?

"

"Never, I hope-I trust. Although," smiling, "you were harsh and cruel in keeping me away from you."

"I was right in that-till my name was cleared. But I have loved you always-since the day we first met in that field, when I sprained my ankle, and you became a hero in my eyes, as you carried me home to Rathkieran. Do you remember that day, Charles?"

Remember!" clasping her hand, and carrying it to his lips, "could I forget it? You were an angel that day, to methe most beautiful I ever saw

Elizabeth laughed gaily.

"Without wings. Ah! Charles, I did not know you were acquainted with many angels."

I'm not I never," rapturously, and gazing into her eyes

with love and admiration, "really knew one, but you. I'll never forget your courage and unselfishness that day, mine own, when you saved Punch and Lottie from the bull. The young rascal! 'Tis badly he has repaid you for your kindness."

"He had no desire to hurt me, I feel sure. You must forgive him, as I do especially now, when we are so happy."

My darling, it is hard to do so. When I remember all that he has made you suffer, my blood boils with indignation." "You must forgive him freely as I do, from my heart."

Since you wish it, I will. And, now, Elizabeth sweetheart, you will make me perfectly happy soon, by saying you will marry me, and by naming the wedding day without delay."

"I will certainly marry you, dearest. To be your wife is the greatest wish of my life," she answered, looking down with a shy and vivid blush. "But I cannot name our wedding day just yet-not till I know—'

I cannot see why we should wait," in a disappointed tone. "I am not rich

"

Thank God, no!" flashed quickly through Eizabeth's brain. "Otherwise dear Uncle Terence should have laboured in vain. Of what use to find gold and make a fortune for a niece, and then come home and find her engaged to a wealthy man? It would be terribly annoying, and the poor dear is so very sensitive. It would be a joy to him to help Charles-a happiness to know that his money is really of use to us."

"I am not rich," continued Charles, little imagining what was passing through the girl's mind, "but I am getting on. I love you, and can give you a happy, if only a humble home. We'll not require much, and by and by things will improve."

"I know, dearest. You can and would give me all I want. But," in some confusion, "I am not my own mistress, just at present."

"Not your own mistress! My dear child," he cried a little impatiently, "why not?'

"I cannot tell you. Don't ask me yet. But I'm very comfortable and happy here, Charles."

He stared at her in amazement.

"

Comfortable and happy? You astonish me, Elizabeth. Turned out by your Uncle John, you sought refuge here, and were kindly received by the manageress or housekeeper, who allowed you to stay till Mr. Tiernan sent you money, or came to fetch you. Isn't that correct?"

Quite." Elizabeth kept her hands before her eyes that he might not see the amused and radiant smile that lit up her

whole countenance, as she told herself, "He must not know yet, not till Aunt Magdalen and Uncle Mike arrive. Uncle Terence must not be spoken of. Poor, dear, kind fellow, how mystified he looks!"

"I thought Austin Gibbons would not tell me wrong. And yet, in the face of all that," rising from his seat and walking restlessly about, "you tell me you are comfortable and happy here."

'And," without looking at him, "I spoke the truth, dear Charles. I am both comfortable and happy. This is," with a quick, roguish glance in his direction, a first-rate and most charming hotel.'

"

"

"No doubt," a little sarcastically. "But your time here cannot be long. And who, pray, is to pay the bill?"

That is my secret."

"Elizabeth!" He stopped short before her, his face red, his eyes flashing indignantly. "Are there to be secrets between you and me, now? Surely not."

The tone of his voice alarmed the girl, his expression filled her with dismay, and she looked up at him with an appealing glance in her sweet, blue eyes.

"No-at least only for a while. Don't be vexed, dear," she cried. "But this secret is not mine. I'd tell you-long to tell you

He drew himself up.

"Don't distress yourself," coldly, "I am not inquisitive. But it seems odd-very strange that you

"Oh! yes, I know it must. But I can't help it. Perhaps, you may hear the whole story to-morrow."

"We live," sharply, "in an age of mystery, it would seem.” Elizabeth laughed. "The whole world-our world, I mean -is bristling with them. But I feel sure we'll soon come to the end of them. Aunt Magdalen and Uncle Mike arrive here to-morrow morning."

"And my mother, Flora, and Punch. A marvellous rendezvous, truly. Perhaps you will confide more easily in them than in me."

"Charles!" She sprang up, and clasping her hands tightly round his arm, raised her eyes to his. "You are not jealous? You surely don't think that I would tell anyone the smallest thing that I would hide from you? Oh! my dear one, you must trust me more than that.”

He caught her to his breast. "My beloved, I trust you wholly, entirely. Keep your secret-for ever if you please, Elizabeth. I will never seek to find it out."