The Masked Bridal

by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon

  CHAPTER XXXVI.

  FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.

  "It was very, very strange that you should have drifted into his homein such a way," Mrs. Stewart observed, when Edith's narrative wasended. "But, dear, I am not sorry--it was perhaps the best thing thatcould have happened, under the circumstances, for it afforded you anopportunity to gain an insight into the man's character without havingbeen previously influenced or prejudiced by any one. If you had nevermet him, you might have imagined, after hearing my story, that I wasmore bitter and unforgiving toward him than he justly merited."

  "He must have recognized you instantly when you entered Mrs. Wallace'sdrawing-room to-day," said Edith, musingly; "for, did you notice howstrangely he looked when Mrs. Baldwin called me Miss Allandale, andyou came to me so eagerly?"

  "Yes; the relationship you bear to us both must have flashed upon himwith as great a shock as upon me," Mrs. Stewart returned.

  "And how perfectly wretched he appeared when he came to thereception-room door to give me the letter," Edith remarked, musingly,as that white, pained face arose before her mind's eye.

  "Can you wonder, dear? How could he help being appalled when heremembered the treatment you had received while you were a member ofhis family?"

  "It all seems very wonderful!" said the fair girl, thoughtfully, "andthe fact of your being in the house at the same time, seems strangestof all!"

  "It was a very bold thing to do, I admit," responded Mrs. Stewart;"but the case demanded some risk on my part--I was determined to gethold of that certificate, if it was in existence. I thought it betterto employ strategy, rather than come into open controversy with them,as I wished to avoid all publicity if possible. I firmly believe that,if Anna Correlli had suspected that I was still alive, she would havedestroyed the document rather than allow it to come into mypossession."

  "But you could have proved your marriage, through Mr. Forsyth, even ifshe had," Edith interposed.

  "Yes; but it would have caused a terrible scandal, for Mr. Goddardwould have had to answer to the charge of bigamy; while the publicityI should have had to endure would have been exceedingly disagreeableto me. If, however, I had failed in my plans I should not havehesitated to adopt bold measures--for I was determined, for your sakeas well as my own, to have proof that I was a legal wife and my childentitled to bear the name of her father, even though he might beunworthy of her respect."

  "How did you happen to discover where the certificate was concealed?"Edith inquired.

  "Do you remember, dear, the day when you came upon me, sitting faintand weary on the back stairs, and insisted that I should exchange workwith you?" her companion questioned, with a fond smile.

  "Yes, indeed, but I little thought that it was my own mother who wasso worn out by performing such unaccustomed labor," the young girlresponded, as she raised the hand she was holding and touched her lipssoftly to it.

  "Neither of us had a suspicion of the tie between us," returned Mrs.Stewart; "and yet, from the moment that you entered the house, Iexperienced an unaccountable fondness for you."

  "And I was immediately impressed that there was something verymysterious about you--our portly housekeeper," Edith smilinglyreplied.

  "Did you?"

  "Yes; for one thing, these hands"--regarding them fondly--"neverlooked as if they really belonged to portly Mrs. Weld, and, severaltimes, you forgot to speak in your coarse, assumed tones; while, thatevening, when I captured your hideous blue glasses, and looked intothese lovely eyes, I was almost sure that you were not the woman youappeared to be."

  "I remember," said her mother, "and I was conscious of yoursuspicions; but I did not mind, for my mission in that house wasalmost ended, and I intended, as soon as I could resume my realcharacter, to renew my acquaintance with you, as Mrs. Stewart, and seeif I could not persuade you to leave that uncongenial atmosphere andcome to me."

  "How strange!" murmured Edith.

  "It was the motherly instinct reaching out after its own," was thetender response. "But, about my finding the certificate: You rememberyou offered to put the rooms in order, if I would sew for youmeanwhile?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, that was the time that I learned where that precious papercould be found," and then she proceeded to relate the conversationthat she had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Goddard, and how,emboldened by it, she had afterward gone to the room of the latter tofind her in the act of examining the very document she wanted.

  She also told how, later, she had gone, by herself, to the room anddeliberately taken possession of it.

  She also mentioned the incident that had occurred on the same day inthe dining-room, when Mr. Goddard had knocked her glasses off andseemed so disconcerted upon looking into her eyes.

  "He appeared like one who had suddenly come face to face with someghost of his past--as indeed he had," she concluded, with a sigh.

  "I do not see how it can be possible for him to have known onepeaceful moment since the day of his desertion of you in Rome," Edithremarked, with a grave, thoughtful face.

  "I do not think he has," said her mother. "No one can be really atpeace while leading a life of sin and selfish indulgence. I wouldrather, a thousand times, have lived my life, saddened andovershadowed by a great wrong and a lasting disgrace--as I havebelieved it to be--than to have exchanged places with either GeraldGoddard or Anna Correlli."

  "How relieved you must have been when you met Mr. Forsyth and learnedthat your marriage had been a legal one," Edith observed, while sheuttered a sigh of gratitude as she realized that thus all reproach hadalso been removed from her.

  "Indeed I was, love; but more on your account than mine. And Iimmediately returned to America to prove it, and then reveal to mydear old friend, Edith, the fact that no stigma rested upon the birthof the child whom she had so nobly adopted as her own. Poor Edith! Iloved her with all my heart," interposed the fair woman, with startingtears. "I wish I might have seen her once more, to bless her, from thedepths of my grateful soul, for having so sacredly treasured the jewelthat I committed to her care. If I could but have known two yearsearlier, and found her, she never need have suffered the privationswhich I am sure hastened her untimely death. You, too, my darling,would have been spared the wretched experience of which you have toldme."

  "I do not mind so much for myself, but was in despair sometimes tosee how much mamma missed and needed the comforts to which she hadalways been accustomed," said Edith, the tears rolling over her cheeksas she remembered the patient sufferer who never murmured, even whenshe was enduring the pangs of hunger.

  "Well, dear, do not grieve," said Mrs. Stewart, folding her in a fondembrace. "I know, from what you have told me, that you did your utmostto shield her from every ill; and, judging from what you have saidregarding the state of her health at the time of Mr. Allandale'sdeath, I believe she could not have lived very much longer, even underthe most favorable circumstances. Now, my child," she continued, morebrightly, and to distract the girl's thoughts from the sad past,"since everything is all explained, tell me something about these newfriends of whom you have spoken--Mr. Bryant, Mrs. Morrell and Mr.Raymond."

  Edith blushed rosily at the mention of her lover's name, and almostinvoluntarily she slipped her hand into her pocket and clasped aletter that lay concealed there.

  "Mr. Bryant is the gentleman in whose office I was working at the timeof mamma's death," she explained. "He, too, was the one who was sokind when I got into trouble with the five-dollar gold piece, and soit was to him I applied for advice, after escaping from EmilCorrelli."

  "Ah!" simply remarked Mrs. Stewart, but she was quick to observe theshy smile that hovered about the beautiful girl's mouth while she wasspeaking of Roy.

  "I telegraphed him to meet me when I should arrive in New York," Edithresumed, "because I knew it would be late, and I did not know where itwould be best for me to go. He did so, and took me directly to hiscousin, and that is how I happened to be with Mrs. Morrell."

&nbs
p; Mrs. Stewart put one taper finger beneath Edith's pretty, round chin,and gently lifting her downcast face, looked searchingly into hereyes.

  "Darling, you are very fond of Mr. Bryant, are you not?" she softlyquestioned.

  Instantly the fair face was dyed crimson, and, dropping her head uponher mother's shoulder, she murmured:

  "How can I help it?"

  "And he is going to win my daughter from me? I hope he is worthy."

  "Oh, he is noble to the core of his heart," was the earnest reply.

  "I believe he must be, dear, or you could not love him," smilinglyreturned her companion, adding: "At all events, he has been very kindand faithful to you, and therefore deserves my everlasting gratitude.Now tell me of this Mr. Raymond."

  So Edith proceeded to relate the story of that gentleman's unfortunatelove for and devotion to Mrs. Allandale; his recent quest for her,after learning of Mr. Allandale's misfortune and death, in order toleave his money to her; and how, after learning from Roy that she haddied, he had then advertised for herself, and, since her return to NewYork, had settled the half of his fortune upon her.

  "Really, it is like a romance, dear," said Mrs. Stewart, smiling,though somewhat sadly, when she concluded her pathetic tale. "To thinkthat, after all, I should find my little girl an heiress in her ownright! What a rich little body you will be by and by, when you alsocome in possession of your mother's inheritance," she added, lightly.

  "Oh, pray do not suggest such a thought!" cried Edith, clinging toher. "All the wealth of the world could not make up to me the loss ofmy mother. Now that we have found each other, pray Heaven that we maybe spared many, many years to enjoy our happiness."

  "Forgive me, Edith--I should not have spoken like that," said Mrs.Stewart, bending forward to kiss the sweet, pained face beside her."We will not begin to apprehend a parting in this first hour of ourjoy. Now I suppose we ought to consider what relationship we aregoing to sustain to each other in the future, before the world. Ofcourse, neither of us would enjoy the notoriety which a true statementof our affairs would entail; at the same time, having found you, mydarling, I feel that I can never allow you to call me anything but'mother'--which is music to my hungry ears."

  "No, indeed--I can never be denied the privilege of owning you," criedEdith, earnestly.

  "Well, then, suppose you submit to a second adoption?" Mrs. Stewartsuggested. "It will be very easy, and perfectly truthful, to statethat, having been a dear friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth, andreturning from abroad to find you alone in the world, I solicited theprivilege of adopting the child of my old schoolmate and providing forher future. Such an arrangement would appear perfectly natural to theworld, and no one could criticise us for loving each other just astenderly as we choose, or question your right to give me the title Idesire. What do you say, dear?"

  "I think the plan a very nice one, and agree to it with all my heart,"Edith eagerly responded.

  "Then we will proceed to carry it out immediately, for I am veryimpatient to set up an establishment of my own, and introduce mydarling daughter to society," smilingly returned Mrs. Stewart; adding,as she observed her somewhat curiously, "Are you fond of society andgay life, Edith?"

  "Y-es, to a certain extent," was the rather thoughtful reply.

  "How am I to interpret that slightly indefinite remark?" Mrs. Stewartplayfully inquired. "Most girls are only too eager for fashionablelife."

  "And I used to enjoy it exceedingly," said the young girl, gravely,"but I have had an opportunity to see the other side during the lasttwo years, and my ideas regarding what constitutes true enjoyment andhappiness have become somewhat modified. I am sure that I shall stillenjoy refined society; but, mother, dear, if your means are so ample,and you intend to set up an establishment of your own, let us, at theoutset, take a stand in the social world that no one can mistake, andmaintain it most rigidly."

  "A 'stand,' Edith! I don't quite clearly comprehend your meaning,"said Mrs. Stewart, as she paused an instant.

  "I mean regarding the people with whom we will and will not mingle.Have you ever heard of Paula Nelson, mother?"

  "Yes, dear; I met her only a few evenings ago, at the house of Mrs.Raymond Ventnor; she is a noble woman, with a noble mission. I beginto comprehend you now, Edith."

  "Then let us join her, heart and hand--let us take our stand forchastity and morality," Edith earnestly resumed. "Let us pledgeourselves never to admit within our doors any man who bears thereputation of being immoral, or who lightly esteems the purity of anywoman, however humble; while, on the other hand, let us never refuseto hold out a helping hand to those poor, unfortunate girls, who,having once been deceived, honestly desire to rise above theirmistake."

  "That is bravely spoken, my noble Edith," said Mrs. Stewart, with dewyeyes. "And surely I, who have so much greater cause for taking such astand than you, will second you most heartily in maintaining it in ourfuture home. I believe that such a determination on the part of everypure woman, would soon make a radical change in the tone of society."

  Both were silent for a few moments after this, but finally Edithturned to her companion and inquired:

  "Mother, dear, where is Mr. Willard Livermore--the gentleman whorescued you from the Tiber--and his sister, also, who cared for you sofaithfully during your long illness?"

  "Alice Livermore is in Philadelphia, where she has long beenpracticing medicine for sweet charity's sake. Mr. Livermore is--herein New York," Mrs. Stewart responded, but flushing slightly as shespoke the name of the gentleman.

  Something in her tone caused Edith to glance up curiously into herface, and she read there, in the lovely flush and tender eye, whichtold her that her mother regarded her deliverer with a sentiment farstronger and deeper than that of mere gratitude or admiration.

  "Ah! you--" she began, impulsively, and then stopped, confused.

  "Yes, love," confessed the beautiful woman, with shining eyes, "I willhave no secrets from you--we both love each other with an everlastinglove; for long years this has been so; and had we been sure that thereexisted no obstacle to our union, it is probable that I should havemarried Mr. Livermore long ago. But we both believe in the Bibleritual, and those words, 'until death doth part,' have been a barrierwhich neither of us was willing to overleap. Each knows the heart ofthe other; and, though it sometimes seems hard that our lives must bedivided, when our tastes are so congenial in every particular, yet wehave mutually decided that only as 'friends' have we the right toclasp hands and greet each other in this world."

  Edith put up her lips and softly kissed the flushed cheek nearest her.

  "How I love and honor you!" she whispered.

  "We will never speak about this again, if you please, dear," saidIsabel Stewart, in a slightly tremulous tone. "I wished you to knowthe truth, but I cannot talk about it. I do not deny the affection;that is something over which I have no control; but I can at least say'thus far and no farther,' for the sake of conscience andself-respect. Now, about that letter which was handed to you to-day,"she continued, suddenly changing the subject. "Suppose we look it overagain, and then I think it should go directly into the hands of Mr.Bryant."

  She had hardly finished speaking when there came a knock upon herdoor.

  Rising, she opened it, to find a servant standing without and waitingto deliver a card that lay upon a silver salver.

  Mrs. Stewart took it and read the name of Royal Bryant, together withthe following lines, written in pencil:

  "Will Mrs. Stewart kindly excuse this seeming intrusion of a stranger? but I understand that Miss Allandale is with you, and it is necessary that I have a few moments' conversation with her.

  R. B."

  "Show the gentleman up," the lady quietly remarked to the servant,then stepped back into the room and passed the card to Edith.

  The young girl's eyes lighted with sudden joy, and the quick colorflushed her cheeks, betraying how even the sight of Roy's name
andhandwriting had power to move her.

  A few moments later there came another tap to tell her that her dearone was awaiting admittance, and she herself went to receive him.

  "Roy! I am so glad you have come!" she exclaimed, holding out bothhands to him, her face radiant with happiness.