ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3303, 23 August 1911, Page 3

ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

(By L. T. Meade, author of “A Son of Ishmael,” etc.) A RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION. CHAPTER XXXI. MRS PELHAM The Pelhams returned home and tooic lip their quarters at Mrs Evershel’s house in Mark Place. But Pelham had been in London two or three days before he could muster -sufficient courage to visit Mrs Pelham. “You must come, Dick,” said his young wife; “your keeping away looks so strange. Mrs Pelham has bean talking to mother about you and wondering why you never came near her. She sent us an invitation only yesterday, and she wants us to take tea with her this afternoon. I accepted the invitation for us both. You’ll come with me, dear, won’t you, and get it over?”

Pelham remained silent for a moment. Then he said:

“Yes, Barbara, it is best to. get it over. I will come.”

At the appointed hour they walked the short distance between the houses, and arrived at Ashley Mansions between four and five o’clock. Mrs Pelharii was alone in the old drawing-room where Dick bad so often greeted her in the presence of little Piers. Barbara in her rich furs, her eyes sparkling and the color of health and happiness in her cheeks, made .a loveiy picture as she advanced eagerly into the room. She held out both her hands, and tears of sympathy filled her eyes. She put her arms round the little widow’s neck and kissed her. Mrs Pelham recived her with effusion, but her real anxiety was to get a glimpse of Dick.

“Ah!” she said, “you have come at last.” She looked full up into the young man’s face and burst into tears. “I didn’t think you would have left me so long,” she continued. “I thought you would have been a son to me now.” She sobbed audibly. Pelham was visibly affected. Mrs Pelham sat down, and he placed himself near her. Presently she held out one of her hands and invited him to clasp it in his. “No one in all the world is as dear to me as you are now,” she said. ‘Y thought that under the circumstances you would rather not see me,” said Pelham.

“What 'a strange thought to come to you! You certainly were wrong. Do you think I grudge you wvhat once belonged to him ? I am not quite so base as that.”

“Dick has been in very low spirits since little Piers’s death,” said Barbara suddenly. “He felt his death dreadfully. He loved him as if he were his own brother.

“I know that,’’ said Mrs Pelham, taking out her handkerchief and applying it afresh to her eyes. “And now—l say it quite frankly, Dick —now that God has seen fit to remove little Piers, I am' more glad that you 'should have the property than anyone else in the world. If anything could reconcile me to the death of my only boy, it is the thought that you are his heir.” “Thank you,” said Dick. “You are more than good.” “Will you come and visit us at Pelham Towers this winter, Mrs Pelham?” said Barbara.

Mrs Pelham looked attentively from one young face to the other—Barbara’s full of eagerness, fire and enthusiasm, Dick’6 strangely downcast.

“Yes, I will come,” she answered. “Pick,. I am sorry you feel all this so much.” Pelham rose and walked to the mantlepiece. There he stood fidgeting with one of the ornaments, his back slightly turned to Mrs Pelham and Barbara. Barbara saw that the interview was proving too much for him. She was distressed and alarmed at his state, and as soon as possible rose to leave.

“What a short visit!” said Mrs Pelham in a fretful tone. “I hoped you would both stay and have a long talk. There surely is so much that we Ipive to talk over together.” “I will come.agaim to-morrow,’’. said Barbara .in her soft voice, glancing as she spoke towards her husband. “He is dreadfully upset,” she continued, dropping her voice almost to a whisper. *‘l will come by myself if I may.” “When do you leave London?” asked Mrs Pelham.

“On Saturday, I think. Don’t we go to Pelham Towers on Saturday, Dick?”

“Yes,” replied Pelham. “We will both come to say good-bye before we leave London, and we hope to see you, Mrs Pelham, at the Towers in the winter,” he added. The tiyo women said a few more words to each other, and then Barbara and her husband found themselves outside the door.

They walked together as far as Mark Place.

“I shan’t come in just yet, Barbara,’’ said Dick. “That visit has upset me — I shall go for: a walk. Ask your mother not to wait dinner.”

Tie turned immediately and left her. Barbara went upstairs to the drawingroom, where her mother was waiting for her.

“Did you see Mrs Pelham?” asked Mrs Ever shed. “Yes.” “I am"glad Dick went there at last.” Barbara made no reply! (To be Continued.)