Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

A WIFE'S TEMPTATION.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

( Copyright.) A WIFE'S TEMPTATION. Bt SHIRLEY RAYNAUD, author of i,ni Christmas Bells at Itealmont," Acrogg the Atlantic," &c. Ihe —5— Octowl *aS 8ettin<? Fracombe one beauti* tow/ i eTen'nS- -A.8 he sank lower and «i,a«r8 ^'uo ^'ne the 8ea» he cas'; 6 bold u *'Sht °ver the little town. look«d out !!eadland t0 your right, as you °utline -L .8ea> was clearly defined in its 'Parsed UP huge boulders inter- 8°mewha(- 1 °f heather, bright still, but 'n 'he w;n jPask their glory. He was reflected t08e one K°VS SreJ stone houses which Hieh Q ,nd another, until you reached &8cendin„ when you paused before f»ct, bujft ^er- The little town was, in *0,1ld ?Pon hills on every side, and you Jardi n< i6 ,en hard put to it to find fifty A littl» <■ ground. V V the Clift° the west of the town, about a mile ltands I Road, which is somewhat winding, '8 prettilv^ S^one c°ttage facing the sea. It all-ere with ivy and other creepers, th^ f.'c^ure8(llle' nestling with its back fl Jr > stone porch, »l»aya gr'ov^ summer time, sweet peas are ftia Oct\R^a'nst *'le entrance to the porch on ^"tost &° -6i evening stood a young woman, r'n6 on l ^10u8h y°u could see a wedding- from he^ ^la as s'ie shaded the sun Cliff eyes. Strangers passing along the ??tr*ncincr ?aUS,ed to 8aze upon the woman's 'he 8 loveliness. She was only a cottager, finest «f„.aMailor' and was dressed in the c°tton bl a dark-blue skirt and white high d« 0U8e bodice > hut many a woman of for h etree would have given untold wealth present eau*y °f form and feature. At the ?Qy notwom.?nt 8h? seemed all unconscious of lovely k_Ce s'le might be attracting, for her h°rij0n T were fixed intently upon the a large \here- just crossing the sun's disc, was girl i ,'P making her way westward. The the ijjj steadily until the sun sank, and sigjj L8 en^reV to view then, heaving *aited' i turned slowly from the door, her elbow and sat down, leaning >80 8, uPon the round white table. III ah Ife s gone again," she said to herself. War I?0'' see this side of Christmas, not until far into the New Year. '8«mg ^i1 y«u only knew how long the time hovue „i en have nothing to do but keep the only ]e.ean Rnd look after myself! If you'd •honJd f 8° and work, as I used to, I yourg, y lonely. But it's that pride of ou have more pride about me than gli or me." r bega: t roused herself, lighted the lamp, and tooved t0PrTre ^er supper. As she the and fro between the cupboard and "hich she passed and repassed the door, the lSftl V. stood wide open. She, being in had teA 'f^t; did not notice a young man who the OBn • upon the low stone wall on s'de of the uneven road. He, L had h Cou^ distinctly soe her; in fact, halt-ho been lazily watching her for the last "rfh♦ *nd Coi* figure, and what lovely hair 'fiovy "ring he said, as he watched her. JO «e& t T ee^ looked, too, as she gazed out i r husK jnder who sailed away in that ship °v«d K suppose ? I^ucky man, to be woman! Well, I may as 'teady J}' an<3 with this he started at a j°Wn, J[jCe' and had soon crossed the little bote} walking up the steps of his I th, 'my let re ? he inquired, as he passed (desk. No, riot tDenilion said the landlord; fie raif'if- '3ut believe there is a paper." i?°ducced 0Ter the pigeon-holes and Siaon t, a newspaper addressed to H. • trenVi Collingwood Hotel, Fracombe." the wClnan the paper, carelessly tore Rapper, and carried it with him as ^owly up to his room. He flung L«' t0 an easy-hair by the open window L • li»t n* over it. His eyes ran down re*pi,0 j on the first page. As j'^ly l*8t one he started up sud- ('°Wn' ,1'th an oath, then flung the paper w a terrible look came into his face, tty » iu never have believed it of you, a^r 'all I?uttered "so the reports are true, it11* Dun'i v. y°u deserye all you get, and {hat jjjjj W'nt will not be light, married tp trui»' k WOuW hare loved you, had yo^ '«H fool.ii L am not the first man who has s,t. j, hy a woman, and I shall not be the *°U n,a j*- go straight to the bad now, Kitty, Yourathe sweet consolation that it's ant 8aid' with a sneer. Part f -r?ware that this was weakness on pending Denison, whom I am not h risen ?* ought, as a model man, to 'fied • V, a his trouble, and come out ^h jftate i Harry Denison was not made of v.int»,bla His was a nature of many good 8 t 8adly lacking in true manliness. ^hat iam,ing' .^00' had not helped to bring rich ftf ^or' as on^ 8011 Dn««{ki had been pampered in devoid way- His love for Kitty Bruce he jv,: good in him, and with her ProvJi £ ^ave done wonders. But Kitty lift false, and her cast-off iover Of gL. ^^y reckless. or i« 18 of women; it either w mars. k •* • • • • • a bight, sunshine had been the harbinger rw ^omin™ -^r day, and by nine o'clock in i\„ j Nora Stevens had locked lief fr*r the Rnd on a six-mile walk Vho°rg" Her obJect was to visit an old tjj^matism ^as n°w bedridden through hrv6 ^("aint »• i. ^er hands she carried one of dv °°d ftf m baskets made in the neigh- ] fo» i.i apombe, filled with several t«,ali*r' sh« !k '"Vvlid* Nora was a g°od Over thought nothing of her six-mile In ^ind h«.v ro}1gh moorland road. The „Ni h»r Against hey cotton skirts, and stre, nod bar Pretty hair from under her huge *oft ,UP' also> a beautiful colour of k-.UL s^"ln' until she made a perfect remai aihy.Womanhood. **r«?f^Pn°on friend until far into hal# M then started on her home- *a« °* the di-f en 8ho had covered about **nderino, an.ce met Harry Denison, who c(lahle fr, aimlessly up the moors in no *h 1 h? ° mind. W?1? he Wa8aid to himself, as he recognised po.t}y' I'll v. Ineet'ngi "here is my rustic (IQ h tempi »Te words with her pour heLj1^, Can'0^' said, politely lifting it Coonjka^?,u me how far it is from in th 7 ? ?nS?^er hi.r„j sir," said Nora, blush- glance. to >'« j he exclaimed then it is too Iv.ir the r?'ng on his heel, he began tal{ girl £ direction as Nora. her ^aHger, rs a little shy of this hefom «. Wa^ed 80 composedly beside ^n» rifled h«». e was passed he had thft talu°j his easy, affable W ^°*t natuj.,1 away to her as if it were h«t. k 'n world for him to J'r' 1I.J Then he gently inti- "Amj an li 868n her before, and watched 3 I lTr• ,nikfown to anyone. Sinfully i V.R. n»ade my confession," he me Kln? down upon her, "you f,lH an,l ftl0t1' and tel1 that ] i looked u .free forgiveness." ^SWer V }D\0 his face, not knowing l0l b6f7ei» s'h» S!'e q'^ctly looked away fr* had f u light in his e-ves' but *^>1 a run be]r >0- Is it that you have no forgiveness for me?" he pleaded, in his softly modulated voice. "Oh, sir," said Nora, "there was nothing to forgive; I did not know you were there, and so, you see, it did not trouble me in the least." Well, I promise never to do it again," he said, with a little laugh; "next time I shall knock at your. cottage door, and tell you I am going to sit on the wall and watch you. What a good thing it was, my meeting you at the top of the moors I You see, if you had not just happened to be tripping down in this direction, I should have had to walk back to Fracombe all alone. And I am not very fond of my own company-especially just now," ho added in an undertone. Nora,-with her inexperience, did not tnow what to make of this good-looking stranger, but she found him very pleasant to talk to; and, do as she would, she could not resist the temptation to look into his eyes. He was a handsome man, and possessed a magnetic attraction which had held sway over women better acquainted with the ways of the world than Nora. "What a pretty road this is! he said, when they had gone a few paces further. "I declare I never noticed it before I met you. What did you do to me to make me think this one of the prettiest places in the world ? Do you come often in this direction ? "About twice a week, when my husband i. at sea. I have a sick friend who lives at Morton, and it helps to pass the time, both for her and me." Well, good-bye, and many thanks for your company," said Harry, as they reached Nora's cottage. "Allow me to unlock the door for you," he added, as he saw her draw from her pocket a large key. This done, he lifted his hat, and walked quietly awav musing to him- self. "She is about the prettiest woman I have ever seen in my life! he thought. "What lovely lips and sweet, trusting eyes! It does not shew the greatest wisdom in that sailor husband of hers, leaving her alone for months in that cottage. If I am a wise man I shall leave Frncombe by the nine train in the morn- ing, and not, see that little face any more." As for Nora, she went early to bed that night, but not to sleep, for her mind kept going over and over the events of the past day. To one whose life has so ittte incident as hers had, an adventure such as this is strong excitement. For several days Nora saw nothing further of Harry Denison, though she had not by any means forgotten him; indeed, his wordi and looks had had their effect, upon her. She bad never before in her life talked on familiar terms with a gentleman in manner and education, and she often sat and thought how pleasant it had all been. About a week after her meeting with him on her return to Fracombe, she was wandering idlv along the beach, some distance beneath the Cliff noad. She was walking close to the water's edge, listening to the lap, lap of the sea, as it washed up the little stones to her feet. There was a soft wind blowing, and she had taken off her hat and was carrying it in her hand, that she might feel the breeze blowing in her hair. Nora loved the sea, and could feel its various moods in the depths of her soul. Sometimes as she dreamt the tears might have been seen to start to her eyes, and she wotrld heave a sigh, then draw herself up proudly, and walk on with a firmer step. Nora had married John Stevens when she was only nineteen years of age, though he was at least fifteen years her senior. She had deemed it a fine thing to be a married woman and living in a house of her own, and up to the time of her marriage had never realised what it. was to have the passionate craving for love and sympathy which grew upon her during the first, -years of her married life. Her husband, though he thought in his heart of hearts that there was no one like Nora, had not a way of shewing his love, and would often appear cold and careless when he was in reality far from feeling so. Underneath a chill exterior there was a warm, true nature. Perhaps it was that the man's heart had never yet been stirred to its depths. Nora wandered on, dreamily watching the water, but she was at length aroused from her reverie by the sound of a boat's keel grating upon the stones behind her. Upon looking round she saw Harry Denison just throwing down his sculls and about to jump from his boat. "Don't you think I managed to aim very straight?" said he, coming forward and offering her his hand. "Do you know, I saw you when I was ever so far out, and I thought I would make straight for where you were, and so here I am. Come and look at my boat," he added; "I think her a little beauty; but let me have your opinion. I have only bought her this week. You ought to know something about boat-building, living so nea rltlie sea as you do." Nora went up and examined the lit le craft carefully, whilst, Harry Denison pointed out the strength and beauty of the boat. "Is it not rather late in the year to buy a boat ? asked Nora. "Well, yes, perhaps it is," he said; "but I have decided to stay at Fracombe until Christ- mas, and a fellow must have something to do to pass away the time. Suppose you step in and let me pull you out to sea a little ? The weather's beautifully fine and bright just now. "No, thank you," said Nora quietly; "I must be getting home; I've been out longer than I thought already." "Suppose I will not let you go ? said he, playfully putting himself in her way. "But I must go, please," said she, looking up at him, a pretty smile playing about the corners of her mouth. "Well, I will let you go on one condition," said he, "and that is-that you come out and have an hour in my boat to-morrow." "Oh, sir, I cannot I said Nort; "to-morrow is the day I go to see my sick friend and besides- "Then the next day, if you can't come to- morrow. I know you have nothing to prevent, and I want you to try my boat; she skims over the waves like a bird. Now, promise you will come at eleven o'clock the day after to-morrow -just for an hour, you know." "Good-bye," said Nora. You promisp, thou? If you will have me, yes." The girl walked home, never once looking round, though Harry Denison watched her climb the hill, go along the Cliff Road, and enter her cottage. Then he pushed his boat down into the water, jumped lightly into it, and was soon skimming away towards Fracombe. II What -a pretty little woman she is II) he thought. So she goes over the moors again to- morrow. I will run up and meet her as she returns. There is no pleasanter way of spending an hour or two." This thought he carried into effect, and Nora found him on her return journey lying on his back on the heather, not far from the place where she had first met him. He walked home with her, making her forget all care by his light-hearted conversation, turning easily from one subject to another, and always seeming to touch upon things that interested her. As he bade her good-bye he made her renew her promise for the morrow. The next morning was bright and sunny, and Nora was on the beach as the far-distant clocks of Fracombe were striking eleven. She was not quite easy in her mind, for thoughts of her sailor husband would obtrude themselves, though she did her best to shut them out. "After all, I mean no harm," she said to her- self, and it is not as if he loved me." Poor Nora did not realise what a hold Harry Denison was gaining over her. His flattery was sinking deep down into her soul, and she felt a wild excitement come over her as she saw his boat appearing in the distance. As he came near, he waved his cap in token of recognition, whilst his eyes flashed at the sight of her. She was wearing a pink cotton gown, fastened in at the waist with a belt, into which the had tucked bunch of late rOle. of a deep ro4 0010111, in a few minutes she was safely ensconced in the stern of the boat, leaning against a pile of soft rugs, which Harry had arranged for her; then he pulled away with long steady strokes, and they were soon some distance out at sea. He had brought a small hamper with luncheon for two it contained somrt dainty sandwiches, cake, fruit, and a bottle of champagne. These Nora unpacked, and Harry was charmed by the childish way in which she enjoyed the good things. The morning had passed into late afternoon by the time they were again at the starting-place, and, before landing, the girl was made to promise that she would go for another little sea-trip within a week's time. Thus it came about that during these autumn days Nora might often be seen walking down the steep path which leads from the cliff to the beach, and at the same time Harry Denison's boat would come into sight, and soon be pulled up ready for the girl to embark. As time wore away, and October gave place to Novem- ber, Harry again said to himself that he ought to go. Things had gone quite far enough already, and he could not answer for himself if he stayed much longer in Nora's company. The girl had ceased, to be afraid of him, and was now quite natural with him, and he found her refreshing in the extreme. She was so free from affectation, and so very beautiful to look upon, that he felt he must be with her when possible. Though he had at first been merely a toy to him—a pretty thing, who helped him to pass away his time—he now thought her essential to his happiness. A great passion for her was overpowering his somewhat weak man- hood. Visions passed through his mind of his charming villa at Nice, with its flowers, sun- shine, and the blue Mediterranean, and Nora always with him-with him in the sunshine, and in the moonlight of the perfect nights. One morning early in November Nora was as usual "with Harry on the water. The weather had by this time become somewhat cold, and he had wrapped her closely round with his fur- lined coat and rugs. He was pulling up the coast towards a rough, rocky promontory about four miles west of Fracombe, but he was in no hurry; the present was sufficient for both of them. Nora was unusually silent. She lay back against the rugs, now and again looking up and smiling into Harry's face. The morning had been gloomy, but towards noon the sun had broken through the clouds, changing the appear- ance of everything. "Shall we picnic on the rocks, Nora? said Harry "it will be a pleasant change, and you can take a. nice little valk to warm yourself." "But I am not cold in the least, Mr. Denison," she said, casting aside her rugs, "thanks to your lovely coat." "Are you not, my pretty one ? But why will you call me Mr. Denison when I have asked you so often to call me Harry ? Mr. Denison sounds so far away from my little Nora; but I know you will do as I wish, will you not, when I ask it ? Harry removed the rugs and cushions from the boat and carried them to a sheltered part of the rocks then he threw his rug about Nora, though there was only a soft wind blowing, and the sun was still bright and warm. The girl rested against the cushions, looking very idle and very content. She had a sweet, dreamy look on her face, touched with a shadow of melan- choly. Harry watched her for some time, and then leant gently towards her, putting his arm round her shoulders. "Nora," he said quietly, "do you know that I am going away from Fracombe ? "Going from Fracombe I said she, turning very pale. Yes; I am going to Nice, where it is all sweet sunshine and lovely flowers. Will you go with me, my beautiful Nora ? Leave this dreary cold land and all trouble, and come where I will watch over you all your life. Come and be the light of my eyes; my darling I cannot live without you, I love you so. Say you will quickly, Nora," he pleaded, whilst a passionate light flashed from his eyes. "Oh, don't—please don't!" said the girl, drawing herself away from him. "I uhall say it, Nora," he broke forth. "1 love you far more tenderly than that husband of yours, who goes off to sea leaving you foi m: nths together. And you love me too, or I am much mistaken." In pleading his cause, Harry made a great mistake in using that one word, husband. When Nora heard it she started as if she had received a blow, then sprang hast ily to her feet. "I must go," she said, trembling from head to foot. "Oh, what have I done? Why did you tempt me like this ? "No, you won't go, dearest; stay with me, and we will leave Fracombe by the nine train to-night. My yacht is at Plymouth, and we will be on board and down Channel before either of us is missed." For one moment Nora hesitated, feeling that she would give all that she possessed in this world, or the next, to stay with this man, who had such a fascination over her. He held her closely to his breast, and she remained quite still, all power for the moment having left her. He thought he had conquered, and was even then arranging, in his mind, the details of their flight. Then, with renewed strength, Nora freed herself from his arms, stepping back, and looking him full in the face. "lam going now," she said, "and 1 will never see you again so long as I live. I despise you, but not more than I do myself. I have been like one in a dream, but I am awake now, thank God. Before he had time to realise what she meant to do, she was far away over the rocks, walking quickly towards the Fracombe Road. She went on and on, never turning her eyes back to him. It was a good four miles over a rough road, but the distance seemed as nothing to Nora, in her wild excitement. As she entered her cottage, she found a letter which the postman had put beneath the door in her absence. It bore a South American stamp, and was addressed in her husband's handwriting. She quickly tore it open, and ran her eyes over the four closely written pages. Then she bowed her head over it and sobbed as if her heart would bre^. The letter bpgan as Jack's letters usually did, bpt he went on to tell his wife that the ship in which he had sailed had been wrecked, and many lives lost. He himself had been in great danger for several hours, and it was then that hi. thoughts had gone back to his wife alono in their pretty cottage. "0 Nora," he wrote, "I never knew until that moment how much I loved you! I am afraid I have neglected you sadly, my own wife; but, if I am spared to return to Fracombe, you thall know what it is to have a husband who lores you with all his heart and soul." The following evening Harry Denison's yacht sailed out of Plymouth harbour, and Fracombe saw him no mftre. (THII END.]

Ynyshir.

Presentation Meeting at Pentre.

CRICKET.

Necessity the Mother of Invention-…

East Glamorgan Methodists.

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