Denbighshire Free Press

[ALL RlGBTS RESERVED.] ] THE ORCHID ROOL i I By YRS, L. T. MEADE Author of "The Medicine I.ady," "Stories from tho Diary of a Doctor," "Froin the Ilaud of the Hunter," "His Mascot," &c. CHAPTER XIX. Don't tell me any more now," I could not help exclaiming. The time iG. too uncanny, too late. Why, it's nearly tvrclve o'clock." It's a good time, a fitting time." said the baronet. Come—be quick: An he was speaking be lit a candle, and holding it slightly above his head, and still grasping my hand, he led me upstairs—up those etairs which led, not towards my owa room, but to the other wing of the house. "What," I cried, "what—what does this mean?'" and then I found that I was able to say no more. Sir Claude hurried his footsteps. We walked on tii4 on closed doors. There were a good many people staying in the, I house. The Rosebud Room was occupied by a married couple. I saw their shoes and boots outside the door. I saw the gentleman's suit of clothes hanging on a chair waiting to be I brushed. Each room seemed occupied. Surely-ch, surely the Orchid Room was un- occupied And surely—oh, horror it wa3 there- we were going ) We stopped at last outside that verv room. I You have nothing to fear." said the I baronet, looking at me almost savagely. "Ten thousand pounds is worth earning, and no one I can earn this but you. Now, come in." Ha opened the door abruptly and dragged I me in. shutting it immediately after liiin. The moment he had done so he turned on the electric light. After all, it was a quiet the electric light. After all, it was a quiet chamber—peaceful, soothing in its tone of white and mauve. The little bed, always ready- made for a possible visitor, looked inviting. It is true the fire was wanting in the grate, but I noticed that there were clean towels hanging on the towel-horse-that, in short, the room was readv for a stray guest. We shall be very full up at the time of the wedding," said Sir Claude, very full indeed; and someone—someone must sleep in this room." Yes," I replied. He turned and looked at me. "Will yoa j be the one to occupy the Orchid room? No," I said, firmly. He did not take any notice of my remark, but, still holding my hand, dragged me across the room to where there was a cupboard in the wall. The room, like many old-fashioned rooms, was papered all over. including its cupboards, so that this special accommoda- tion for stowing away unnecessary articles was not at first observable. It was a very narrow cupboard, and had shelves from ceil- ing to floor. I noticed that it was very neat within. The shelves were painted, and covered with mauve-coloured silk neatly scalloped at the edges. The back of the door was lined with white wood. highly polished. Sir Claude slipped out a tinv panel of the wood, and asked me to read some writing which was at the back. deciphered the following wordd, which were in a crabbed and illiterate handwriting: There is a mystery about 44, Garland- square, and hitherto few people have been able to live in the house. The mystery has, up to the present, defied all attempt at explanation. It culminates in this room. If man, woman, or child can be found brave enough to sleep alone in the Orchid Room for three successive nighte, and to withstand the Fear (the essence and heart of the mystery) it will depart for ever." That is enough," said Sir Claude. He slipped the panel back into its place, secured it by a secret spring, shut the door, and hurried me downstairs. You understand," he said; "you are the one to do it. I want this house to be free- to be made like another house. I want Zack Yates to go. and I offer you-I am a rich man, a millionaire—I offer you ten thousand pounds to effect my object. I always meant, from the moment of your arrival, to give you this sum if you should prove worthy. What I have told you to-night is secret—secret as the grave.. Think it over." n:e lert me, and 1 hurried to my own room. The next day Pearl's engagement to Denis Ward was publicly announced. Pearl herself came into the schoolroom to inform me. "I am going to marry Mr. Ward." she said, in her careless way. "'The wedding is to take place almost immediately. I like him very well-of course, I am not in love with him. I don't hold with being in love with people you have much more power over a man if you don't give way to unreasonable emotion. Why. Salome, what's the matter?" If you don't love him, why ever do you marry him? I am madly in love with him, and so is poor Mies Treherne. It's terrible of you to take him when you don't want him, and when we two require him so very, very badly. Don't we, Miss Treherne—darling!— don't we? You may have him first if you like, for I am so much younger that most likely you'll be dead and buried before I am ready for him." I could not help laughing. Salome, you are quite the most ridiculous child in all the world' You don't train her at all well. Mi6s Tre- herne," said Pearl and she fixed her wide- open, apparently innocent blue eves full on my face. "Well," she added, "I thought you'd both like to know. Salome, if you talk such rubbish any more I'll have to tell Aunt Justinia." 11 "011, you may tell as much as you like," said Salome, "it won't make any'difference to me. For the rest of my days* I'll be like Patience seated on a monument smiling at Grief. Miss Treherne is too plucky for that sort of part, but it'll suit me very well. I'll let my hair down, and assume an attitude—a pose you call it, don't you? I'm sorry you are marrving a man you don't love. I'll find out from him to-day how much he loves vou." You will do nothing of the kind Pearl looked really angry. Her delicate face flushed. Miss Treherne," she added, aren't you going to try to keep that child in some sort of order? I shall certainly do my utmost," I an- swered. Then I continued: "You mustn't mind what Salome. saYs. she doesn't mean her words." But I do said Salome. My heart's breaking She pretended to sob. I I congratulate you." I said. looking full at Pearl, on having secured so good and ex- cellent a husband. And now. if you will leave us. Salome and I will resume our studies." Pearl went out of the room rather crossly. When she had done so, Salome flung down her book and looked at me. There she said. She has got him. She was aiming for him all the time. Do you know that some day he is to be Lord Nor- brec-k? And do you'know why he is marrying her? In "I don't want to know, Salome. Please, darling, don't let us talk on matters which don't concern us." "But they do concern us." said the child. We both love him so dearly, and we knew that Pearl will make him miserable. I used to think that Pearl would be lovely when t-ke came bac-k. But she isn't. She's exactly like an empty sheli with nothing inside; fthe has no heart at all. It's awful to have to say such a thing of one's own sister, but it is true. Pearl's empty, and oh dear Denis Ward, he has such a warm, affectionate heart! He'll be .starved to death with a wife of that sort, j It is my duty to tell hiin—and I will too You will not. Salome. I forbid you." Salome put on that obstinate expression 11 which I knew so well. Come," I said, it's time for us to read that ^assa^e of Raeiue."

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"Bottier—oother "Racine!" said Salome. Who cares for that stupid old French poet when one's heart is full. I tell you what, Miss Treherne. You won't get many lessons out of me for the next eix or eight weeks, for if there's to be a wedding in the house I'm going to enjoy the fun. I am going to watch poor Denis while his heart is gnawed by a fox, like the Spartan boy. And I'm going to watch you, for you're very low about it, only you pretend you aren't. It's the title that his done it. You see, I always have my ears open, and pa is such a queer old man-oh, yes, he ie:lverv old. He pretends he isn't, but I know his age. Justie and I find out everything. We looked it up in the family Bible when he was out one day. He is fifty-seven. Isn't that j an—awful age? Think of anyone living so long Well, poor old pa, who is practically in his dotage, didn't care twopence who Pearl married. But Aunt Justinia, she's eaten up with ambition, and she. found out all about Lord Norbreek—a dreadful old nobleman in Scotlancl-nd it seems that Denis—sweet name Denis-is the next heir, and the old nobleman was visited by no less a person than Aunt Justinia herself, and she told him all about the money Pearl would receive. Well, I don't know much more, but I know she did that, because she was staying at Norbreck Castle. I saw one of her letters with the ad- dress on the top. It came here, and, of course, Denis has been staying there lately. Norbreck seems to be in ruins. It seems to me that noblemen and poverty go together, and people like my pa and riches go together. Oh dear !—oh dear Would you like to be rich, Miss Treherne?" I No, not really rich," I replied. "But you'd like to have some money, wouldn't you—something to call your very own? I should, for. you know, if you haven't a penny no nice man will ever ask you to marry him. He can't afford to. I am certain Denis would have asked you to marry him if you had been rich, but as it is-" Oh, come, I can stand no more of this," I said. Attend to your lessons." I felt really so stern, so annoyed, so ter- ribly put out that, for once, the irrepressible Salome became obedient and bent her little flaxen head over her uncongenial tasks. At dinner that day Denis Ward was one of the guests. He and Pearl sat together. He hardly glanced at me, and I took care to avoid his eyes. In the drawing-room after- wards I saw Salome dart- towards him, and engage him in an active and very spirited conversation. It did not last long, but, to judge from-her gestures and her intense animation, she was evidently making the best of her opportunity. Meanwhile, there was an undying ache in my heart-ail ache so great, so deep, so desperate that I almost forgot what Sir Claude had said to me on the previous day. The queer writing 011 the back of the panel in the cupboard in the Orchid Room, his pro- mise (if I would stand the test) to give me ten thousand pounds—all these things were as nothing, and less than nothing to me, for- alack and alas I had found my heart only to lose it, to know that it had gone irreeover- ably from me to a man who was engaged to another. It seemed to me, too, that Denis Ward partlv guessed my thoughts, for once, after Salome's eager conversation with him, I found his eyes fixeq on my face. I know that I coloured violently, and that a sick feeling took possession of me. How T despised my- self He was nothing to me; nothing, ever again, henceforth and for ever and yet, in my strange and really perilous position, he came before anyone else. I thought of him when I lay down to sleep I dreamt of him at night; I remembered him the first thing in the morning. Although he wae engaged to Pearl. I way glad that he was living under the same roof with me. But I avoided speaking to him, as I sftw that he avoided speaking to me. There was no longer any talk now of schoolroom tea, and of buttered toast, and of all those inno- cent pleasures which belonged to the olden times Pearl stood like a beautiful, impene- trable wall between me and that period. I wished with all my heart and soul that I could leave the house, but for some extra- ordinary reason I felt forced to remain. 1' On the evening of Denis's arrival as the affiaueed lover of Pearl Malcolm, Salome dashed into my room and said, impulsively: I gav Denis a piece of my miud." I stood before her, speechless and terrified. I said—and I don't mind I did say it You don' love JEearl you're only marryrng her because she is rich. The person you love is Miss Treherne, and the person who loves you best in this house is myself.' Oh, he did look angry! But I didn't mind a bit. I said: 'You may marry Miss Treherne first, and by the time she is dead and gone I'll be ready for vou,' and then he walked away from me. He was furious; but. of course, if it wasn't true he wouldn't have cared, he'd have only laughed. But he didn't laugh. Ob, if you had seen his eyes when I mentioned your name, and when I said. 4 The person you love is Miss Treherne.' Why, what is the matter, Miss Treherne? How queer you look I sat down on my bed and drew my little pupil towards me. Salome," I said, "I think you really care for me." NViiv, of course I do," said the child. "Who wouldn't? You're so jolly and hand- some and so full of spirit—and pa's afraid of you, and so is Aunt Justinia, though she won't own it. And so is Justie, for that mat- ter and Pearl would be if she was afraid of anyone, but she has no sort of heart or feel- ing in her, so she can't know fear. Poor, poor darling Deni6 "We will leave Denis Ward alone for the present," I said. "I want you to think of me." Of course I will, dearest Miss Treherne." The child cuddled up close to me. "You say you love me?" Yes, J,ètI,"yeB-Yes! I t'ould go on saying Yes till morning, and will, if you require it." You have said the word often enough, Salome. Now. what I want as a proof of your love is not words, but deeds." Oh golly! You don't want me to do a whole lot of horrid lessons? I am not thinking about your lessons, but I am thinking how very ctrange it is that a little girl who really loves her governess should do her utmost to put that governess to shame." Now what do you mean 1" Darling, you don't understand, but you will when you are older. You ought not to speak of Mr. Ward as you do; you ought never to mention my name to him. He is absolutely nothing to me, and I am-nothing to him. Whatever happens in the future, Salome, he can be nothing to me, and I nothing to him, and it makes my position here so terribly painful when vou go on as you are doing, and allow each 'wild thought of your little wild heart to fly to your lips, that unless you faithfully promise me, here and now, that you will say nothing more about me to Mr. Ward, I must go, Salome." "Go!" said Salome. "Oh, but you mustn't go I couldn't live without you. You are necessary to me, now I have lost Denis. It's an awful blow. I am almost inclined to work up the subject of poisons in order to see if I can do something to get rid of Pearl. Why should site take the man we both love? Oh we do love him, don't we—don't we? But if you go, too, why, I'll just go mad I u C, hate Aunt Justinia. I hate Pearl-and I hate Justie, for that matter; but I can just put up with dad. You mustn't leave me, Miss Tre- herne-you really mustn't! ù I will stay with you. Salome, for the pre- sent, if you will promise to be sensible, and not again to mention my name to Mr. Ward." You are sure you will stay? Yes; but clearly understand that what I have said I mean, if I find that you are talk- ing any more nonsense to him" about me I shaii go." All right. I won't, then." said Salome. If h must go and get married I'd rather he took that frozen image, Pearl, than I would icse you. Oh Siiss Treherne, darling, I do love you so tremendously CHAPTER XX. Salome kept her word. The fear of losing me had a salutary effect upon her. Besides, it so happened, to our mutual relief, that Denifi Ward and Pearl Malcolm were very sel- do.'ii at home in the evening. They went out a good deal, to theatres, or various other places of amusement. He was introduced to Pearl's many relations; she was introduced to his. Sometimes the future bride was too busy to give up her time to her future bridegroom, for she was in the hand", of so many dress- makers and milliners; she had so many ap- pointments to keep. Her miniature was being paintecL and she had to 6it for that. Her portrait ity a well-Known artist was also in i process of completion It was to grace the j walls of the Academy during the coming j walls of the Academy during the coming j 6Jason. Pearl looked remarkably pretty. She liked the fuss, the excitement, and she and Mrs. Wolcombe were too busy to trouble them. selves about such a very insignificant person as Miss Treherne, the governess. I saw my mother and Sophy again on the following Sunday. Soon afterwards they re- turned to Penwyn. and I settled down into a quieter life than I had enjoyed siiift-- my arrival at Garland-square. Sir Claude seldom or never spoke to me. He seemed to have ex- hausted all his powers of conversation on Christmas night. He had put a proposal be- fore me, and left it there. But sometimes at dinner, when I invariably made one of the party, he fixed his deep-set eyes on my face as though he were reading me through. When I laughed and joked, and made merry with any chance acquaintance, the baronet seemed I laughed and joked, and made merry with any chance acquaintance, the baronet seemed to enjoy himself, and his spirits rose but if I/ were depressed or very silent, anxiety I plainly shewed itself on his wrinkled old face. I Pa's turning into a fossil." Salome would whisper to me. "But he's fifty-seven what can you expect? I know he gives himself out as forty-eight, for I heard him tell a man so the other night. He didn't know I was listening. I was on the point of saying, Family Bible, pa,' but I didn't. How old are you, Miss Treherne? I Twenty-two. Salome." That's a considerable age." said Salome. You haven't much of your youth left. You had better hurry up and marry someone, as you can't get dear Denis. Why. Pearl is only eighteen. Pearl is four years younger than you. I asked Justie the other day. and he said that the minds of females begin to weaken at thirty, so you've only eight more years in which to enjoy yourself. I don't think that can be quite true. for Aunt Justipia's mind isn't weak. and she must be n, frightful age. Do you know she has six different transformations for her head. I bribed her maid the other day to shew them I to me. I gave her French chocolates—she'd do anything for French chocolates. They're made up in every sort of style. They do look so funny. Aunt Justinia's head is quite bald, 6he has scarcely a hair of her own but when she puts on her transformation, you'd sup- I pose that she had the finest head of hair in j the house. I suppose it's about thirty that the liair goes. I'll ask Justie lie, the female sex a good deal. He says they're & very poor lot. I mean to marry when I am eighteen. I'm not going to wait to be very nearly an old maid like you, Miss Treherne." Unless you talk a little more sensibly, I don't think any man will have you, Salome." Oh, won't he? With father's money to back me I am not at all afraid; and. what's more, I'm going to pick and choose. I'll have a right gay, pleasant sort of man—another Denis, if I can find him. Oh! my Denis—my first love Isn't it a great, great tragedy, Miss Treherne, that a girl's very first love should deliberately marry her sister before Ler very eycs? CHAPTER XX. January came to an end, and February dawned upon the world. It was a wet. dismal February, sometimes rather cold. 60metimea rather foggy, at all times sunless and de- pressing. But inside the big house at Garland-square there was no time to think of the weather, for we were all bustling, all striving, all hurry- ing towards a great event. This event was the marriage of Pearl Malcolm and Denis Ward. Mrs. Wolcombe was hastening matters as rapidly as she could; the baronet was doing likewise. Lawyers frequented the house. Pearl was required at all times and seasons to be present in order to sign legal documents. Visitors came to the house in groups—visitors to stay, visitors to go. but the place was always practically full. There was only one empty room, and that was the Orchid Room. No one slept there. r-earrs presents negan to arrive. They were Tery gorgeous, and, in my opinion. rather useless. They nio-stly consisted of jewels. Salome was in raptures over them. She invariably tried them on, putting the diamond and sapphire tiara round her flaxen head, and the necklaces round her neck, clasping the bracelets round her fine arms, loading her little fingers with the magnificent rings. She chattered she talked she made her presence felt all over the house. It was next to impossible to give her any proper in- struction, but I hoped earnestly that this state of things would cease when the wedding was over, and that I should really be able to teach her. Meanwhile, I shut away the thought of the Orchid Room from my mind. I endeavoured to banish even the memory of Denis Ward. Since his open engagement to Pearl his manner to me had changed. There was not the slightest doubt that he avoided me. He never came to the schoolroom. When we did happen to meet, he gave me the briefest salutation. I perceived that not only had Pearl secured for herself the man I most cared for in all the world, but that hie friend- ship for me-that friendship which my starved heart might have rejoiced in as better than anything—was also a matter of the past. I went as often as possible to Wimbledon on Sundays. I was glad to talk to General Dalkeith and to Rupert. But even from them I seemed to have a secret. They ceased to trouble me with regard to Garland-square. I noticed that Rupert was agitated; that he often looked at me with a peculiar expression in his ejes, just as though he longed to say something but restrained himself. I did not wish him to become too confidential. I was more and more certain, as the days went by. of a coming tragedy. I felt that the test about which Sir Claude had spoken would be demanded of me. How was I ever to bear it? It is one thing to be a girl without Derves- or. at least, with perfectly healthy, strong nerves in a country village-and another thing to keep those nerves in a state of health 1 in such a house as 44, Garland-square. It is true that I had now lived lierefor over three months, and, beyond my one painful experi- ence on the night I spent in the Orchid Room. nothing of the smallest moment had occurred to alarm me. But the servants still wore their watchful and apprehensive look. No amount of merry-making, no gaiety, no crowds of visitors, no hurrying to and fro could cause that expression to leave their faces. Zack Yates. too, was about. He occa- sionally appeared in the schoolroom. When- ever he did so, he gave me a glance which was. I am certain, meant to be a warnincr glance. But of late he had not ventured to I speak to me again, and I took excellent care to avoid all notice of the creature, and hoped that he would let me alone. J I had got into the habit at night of locking mv door, but I must say that I never saw or heard anything to cause me the slightest alarm in the Buttercup Room. One da\. when I went into mv room to get- heard anything to cause me the slightest alarm in the Buttercup Room. One day. when I went into mv room to get heard anything to cause me the slightest alarm in the Buttercup Room. One da\. when I went into mv room to get- ready to go out. I saw to my astonishment a little bed put up in one of* the corners. A fresh wash-hand stand was also introduced, and there was a newr w*ardrobe standing side fresh wash-hand stand was also introduced, and there was a new wardrobe standing side by side with my own against the wall. At the same moment Salome danced in. • "You don't mind-I hope you don't mind she said. I am going to sleep in your room for the present. I hope you won't be vexed about it. Aunt Justinia ordered mv thing* to be removed into vour room this morning. The GJoire de Dijon Room is wanted for a married couple who are ex. pected from Scotland to-night." I thought for a little. The child looked at me with eager ever-. I felt just as though a cola hand w as laid against my heart. A Con- viction swept over mc that I was a step nearer to the Orchid Room; but 1 wH.- re- solved not t,) go there. They could not force me. Even ten thousand pounds were not wo.th winning at the risk of life or reason. Salome looked at me anxiously. I'll be ever so glad." she said. "You won't really, really trouble about mv being in the room with you. will you? Oh. no. I said, kissing her; "that IS, if you will try on your port to be tidy." I will—I wiil indeed "You see. the house will be so very full, and auntie said there was only this room for me to slisre w'*h you. or one of us must sleep in the Orchid Room, so I instantly chose-to occupy half the Butter- cup noom witu you. lou're sure vou don't maii)d ? \O, I ecrb:nly don't." Then I'll tell auntie." It is not necessary to do so now. Salome. You have had your things moved pray get ready to go out. I have a whole list of com- missions to do for your sister this afternoon, and we shall have no time to 6pare." Oh. what fun!" said Salome. "Shop- ping—is it shopping?" "Yes. We have to call at Debenaani's, and we have also to see Madame La Touche, the dressmaker." 1 say Golloptious replied Salome. Then she added: Even though I were a frozen image. I think I should like to be mar- ried just for the fun of getting all the pretty dresses and magnificent presents. Wouldn't you. Miss Treherne? No." I replied. I shouldn't care at all about anything of that sort." Oh. you are different from otherF-YOu.. are quite different." eaid Salome. Some- times I wish you were not quite so good—but I expect it's your age. When people ara getting on in life they often turn pious. I suppose that's the way with you." I got my little pupil out of doors. We executed our different commissions, and on our way back were unexpectedly joined by Denis Ward and Pearl herself. Somewhat to my surprise, Pearl immediately walked on with Salome, and I found myself alone with Denis. I looked into his face and saw how very grave it- was. With that true intuition that love always give6 I could not help notic- ing it. What is the matter? I said. You are in trouble." He gave me a quick glance. "It's all quite horrible !J' he said. Instinctively, he slack- ened his pace, so as to put a greater distance between Pearl and himself. Then he said, quickly: "My old uncle. Lord Norbreek. is dying. There is scarcely a hope of his sur- viving even for a month longer. I want to be with him. and to put off the marriage; but Pearl won't hear of it. On the contrary, she wishes it hastened by at least a fortnight. I have yielded to her entreaties. She says that directly after we are married we can go straight to Norbreek Castle and be with the old man at the end. To me, the idea of a gay marriage when my uncle—who has always been more or less a father to me-is dying, is too distasteful for words. But Pearl and Mrs. Woleombe, and, indeed, Sir Claude, all want the wedding hastened." "And you have yielded?" I said. "Yes. What is a man to do? Well, a fortnight cannot matter much one way or the other." I replied. Not matter much he answered, fixing his eyes in astonishment on my face. I thought you understood me better." I could not help colouring very faintly. He dropped his voice. The wedding is to be very gay," he con- tinued. Crowds of guests are expected to arrive. I have learnt something through that boy, Justinian. I want you to make me a promise." "Why should I do that? I replied. His voice grew very eager. "I—I want you to make it. I insist on your making it." I waited for him to go on speaking. Promise —that nothing will induce you to go into the Orchid Room to sleep." (To be continued f