OH THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3280, 27 July 1911, Page 3

OH THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

A RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION.

(By L. T. Meade, author of “A Son of Iskmael,” etc.)

CHAPTER VIII

“What is the matter, Dick?” said Barbara at last. “Why do you look like that?—you have quite a queer expression in your eyes.” “Have I, Barbara I ought to have a delighted' expression—the thought of ■winning you is enough to make any man happy.” “But you are not grateful to Dr. Tarbot ?”

“Don’t question me. I have an un-reasonable-—no, perhaps it is not unreasonable—but I have a very strong dislike to- him.”

“Surely that is unkind. I own, until yesterday; I quite shared your feeling, but how can I think it any longer? I almost believe that I could love him. At least-1 must tell him how very grateful I am for what he has done.” Pelham looked stern. “Dick, what is the matter?”

“Don’t- say too much about him, Barbara. I must tell you plainly that I do not like this. It seems to me as if I owed you to Tarbot’s action. It all sounds very generous, but then you are not behind the scenes. I don’t want toi be in debt to Tarbot for anything.” “Oh, there, there, dear,” for Barbara’s face had clouded and then became very white. “It is all right now, and it is a blessed relief, and we’ll be married as soon as we can, little woman. I was attending to my first brief when your fascinating little note arrived.

“I rushed off to you, of course, for what are briefs to me when you want me. But now I shall attend to business with a will. I have about three hundred a year of my own—a mere nothing, of course—but we might be married in the autumn. We could begin in a small way, and hope for the time when I shall earn enough to give you the comforts you ought to have, my darling.”

“I don’t want comforts, or luxuries, or anything,” said Barbara. “I just want to be with you. Yes, we’ll be married in the autumn, Dick. I don’t wish to wait. I don’t- care how poor your are. Oh, that it mother’s step. Now, Dick darling, he kind to her, .‘lie has‘gone through a great deal. Money troubles are enough to take the heart out of anyone. Be very nice to her, dearest. Be as grateful as you can.” As Barbara uttered the last words the drawing-room door was opened, and Mrs. Evershed came in. She was a handsome woman, tall and stately. There were hard, worn lines round her mouth, but- her relief was expressed in the eyes, which were still shining as if through recent tears, and in the mouth, which smiled, notwithstanding its tenseness. Pelham went up to her eagerly. “Is what Barbara tells me true, Mr. Pelham?” said Mrs. Eve-rslied.

“It is perfectly true,” replied the young man. “I love Barbara with all niy heart. She has promised to marry me, but we should both like your consent.”

“That means,” said Mrs. Evershed, ‘that- you would marry without it.”

“I should,” was the- quick response; “but I doubt whether Barbara would yield to my entre-aties.”

“I don’t know what I should have done if I had been tried,” said Barbara, “but luckily it is not necessary. Mother consents, don’t you mother—you consent to make me happy in my own way ”

“Yes, my child, I cannot refuse my consent. I have been relieved of a great load of care, Mr. Pelham, and it behoves me to be good to- others. I may as well say frankly that- I had more ambitious views for Barbara, although, of course, I like you personally very much.” As Mrs Evershed said the last words she held out- her hand. “I give my consent, Dick,” she said softly. The young man grasped the hand she offered. “Yor are more than good,” he said. “You make me happier than I have words to express.” “Well, c-ome down and have lunch with us now. I shall have much, of course-, to talk to you about afterwards. Yes, I allow the engagement, but the marriage need not take place for some time.” “We can talk over that by-and-hy, mother,” said Barbara. “Come, Dick, come to lunch. I am so hungry.” They had just assembled in the- din-ing-room when there came- a ring at the front door, and a moment later Tarbot appeared. He entered the room' hurriedly, shook hands with Mrs. Evershed, noded to- Pelham, and then approached Barbara’s side. When she saw him her face- grew white. She looked round her eagerly; the servant had withdrawn. She held out both her hands then and clasped Tarbot’s. “I must thank you here and now, ’ she said. “I do it with a full' heart. I did not know it was in- you. You are the most generous man in the world.” A queer look came into Tarbot’s face. His eager eyes looked into the girl’s; they glittered with suppressed emotion-. ITe tried to say something,but no words would come. Pelham was watching him intently. The next moment the

little party were seated at the luncheon table. Just as the servant was handing an entree, Tarb-ot glanced at Mrs. Evershed and spoke quietly. “This is very sad about Piers Pc..ham,” he exclaimed. “What about him?” asked Mrs. Evershed. Pelham dropped his knife and fork. Barbara looked up with- interrogation am! alarm in her eyes. “I am sorry to say that th© child is dangerously ill. I have been obliged to consult Williamson. He thinks badly of the case. All depends on the next few days, but the present moment his life bangs in the balance.”