Some day or other. A novel

Front matter

'SOME DAY OR OTHER. 1 Jl flODCl. t.v JANE M. KIPPEN IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. SonBon: SAMUEL TINSLEY & CO., 31, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND 1879. [All Rights »«BR»rf.] CONTENTS OF VOL. I. CHAPTER PAGE I. A PARTING . - 1 II. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER - - - -25 III. A TRYING ORDEAL FOR EVELYN - - - 50 IV. TIDINGS FROM A FAR COUNTRY - - -74 V. BRIGHTENING HOPES AND PROSPECTS - - 93 VI. A NEW SUITOR FOR EVELYN - - - 111 VII. MR. US LE SPEAKS OUT 124 VIII. A COUSIN, BUT NOT A FRIEND - - - 146 IX. GILBERT ELLIS MEETS WITH A CRUSHING DIS- APPOINTMENT - - - - - 169 X. HOW WILL SHE STAND IT t - - - - 189 XI. GILBERT'S ERRAND 204 XII. THE MOURNER 225 XIII. GILBERT ELLIS SETS A TRAP - 'SOME DAY OR OTHER.' CHAPTER, I. A PARTING. On the evening on which our story opens, a clear September moon is casting its soft, silver light on the broad grassy walks, formal borders, and quaint-cut evergreens of a high walled garden within the grounds of an old mansion standing near the sea-shore.

Within an angle of that garden wall nearest to the entrance-gate, in an arbour twined over with creeping plants, and shel tered by an ancient walnut-tree, a young vol. I. ' Some Day or Other.' maiden, of slight, graceful form, is seated in an attitude of apparently eager expectation. She is attired in a simple Avhite dress, with a large dark shaAvl throAvn round her, at once to protect her from the night air, and to serve as a disguise in the event of her being seen by any one in passing between the garden and the house. Nor is such precaution unnecessary, as she has come out at that unusual hour for the stiU more unusual purpose of a stolen meeting. And if the moonbeams streaming through the surrounding foliage had afforded sufficient light to reveal it, the agitation of her mind might have been guessed from the look of mingled excitement, expectation, and dread of interruption, all visibly expressed in her sweet face, with its varying colour, soft grey eyes, and delicate features, corresponding so well with the small, classically-shaped head, and rich brown hair simply draAvn back and gathered into a coil behind.

In the still evening air, bearing no sound save that of the slightlyquivering leaves, and the gentle dash of the tide on the adjacent shore, the agitated girl fancied that she could almost hear the throbbing of her heart, which greAv quicker as the moments — to her like so many hours — glided slowly on, without bring ing the person she has come to meet. At length, the scarce audible swing of a small iron gate leading to the shore, which she had purposely left unlocked, the sound of a light, quick footstep on the gravel walk outside the wall, the opening of the garden door — and a taU, handsome young man enters the bower. A few words of eager, joyous greeting, a warm clasp of both her small hands in his, and he is seated by her side, while the agitated expression of her face gives place to 1—2 'Some Day or Other.' that of quiet confidence and glad welcome.

Chapter II. Mother And Daughter

The room in which Mrs. Lyle was accustomed to spend the long Aveary days of her invalid life was a spacious, oak-panelled, wainscoted apartment, occupying a wing of the old mansion, and formerly used as a library. In the spaces between the large book-cases, well stored with literature, both ancient and modern, the Avails were adorned with some valuable old paintings, part of a collection made by Mr. Lyle's father, he himself having no taste for the fine arts, or indeed for almost anything beyond money-making — his most ' Some Day or Oilier.' 26 prominent characteristic, as William Ellis has hinted, being an all-absorbing passion for the acquisition of the ' gold that perisheth.' Equally indifferent Avas he to literary pur suits : poetry and romance to one accustomed to take only a practical, prosaic ATie\v of life, appearing but idle, useless dreaming ; and history possessing almost as little interest in his eyes — as Avhat to him signified the rise and fall of empires unless as connected with the fluctuation of the ' stocks V and for biography — the only life which seemed to him Avorth living was that of the man who had man aged to accumulate the greatest amount of wealth !

The only book he was almost ever knoAvn to consult was accordingly a Gazeteer, from which he might learn the capabilities of different countries for producing that treasure on which his heart was set ; the only chart he valued, a map to show him the distances his ships would require to traverse in search of that ultimatum to Avhich all his hopes and Avishes tended. In this way the library was secured for the sole occupation of mother and daughter ; and the latter, whose chief concern Avas to try to lighten, by any means in her power, the sad burthen of ill-health to her beloved parent, bad done Avhat she could to render an apart ment, already the best in the house, as com fortable and attractive as possible. A beautiful conservatory, built under her direction, ran along the outside where the windows looked to the sea ; thus interposing a screen of the rarest exotics and freshest verdure between the interior and a viewr only tolerable when the tide was full, and the sun sparkled across the waters : a bleak extent of sandy beach, broken by slimy rocks, wrack and shingle, when it had receded, with the dreary, monotonous stretch of ocean outside.

In addition to everything that could gratify the taste in the Avay of adornment, the room was furnished with the most luxurious of couches and easy-chairs, the softest and richest of velvet-pile carpets ; and window-curtains of pale green refreshed the eye, and toned down the glare Avhich three large windows might otherwise have rendered too strong for the invalid. Large folding-doors, which could be thrown open when the heat became oppressive, gave access to a passage leading to her sleeping apartment, Avhich was equally comfortable and commodious. In those two apartments, between which she Avas Avheeled back and forward alternately, Mrs. Lyle had spent the greater part of her married life, with the exception of those rare intervals when the state of the weather per mitted her to take outdoor exercise in a low pony -phaeton driven by her daughter.

The ill-health which had occasioned this long, dreary confinement had arisen partly from an accident Avhich resulted in an affec tion of the spine, with hopeless debility, augmented by grief for the loss of two pro mising sons, both older than Evelyn ; and perhaps, more than anything else, from the depression inevitable to an ill-assorted union. For though a man of the strictest honour and probity, by no means ill-natured, and conscientious in his duties as husband and father according to his own notions of their requirements, Mr. Lyle's coarser nature, with his absence of all intellectual culture, rendered him incapable of appreciating his wife's exquisite sensibility, perfect refinement, and gentle amiability of character. Between them there was very little community of disposition, still less of sentiment.

Under these circumstances, the companion ship of her daughter — and now only child — had been her chief solace, her most precious possession ; and the sedulous attention, the deep devotion of that daughter was repaid by an affection approaching to idolatry on the mother's part. Evelyn was the very ' apple of her eye,' the one gleam of hope and sunshine in an existence which, without her, would have been one of little else than gloom unmiti gated. William Ellis had formed only a just estimate of the tie that bound them to each other in expressing his conviction that Evelyn never would consent to be separated from her mother, at least Avhile her health continued as it was — and there seemed little prospect of amendment — for well he knew that to deprive her of that loATed presence would be like shutting out the glad sunshine from the earth ; and Evelyn shared his belief.

In person, as in character, the mother and daughter strongly resembled each other. Both Avere distinguished by the same delicate regularity of feature ; the same grace and elegance of form and motion. In each was conspicuous that true refinement of look and manner w^hich pre-eminently marks the lady ; the same womanliness and tender sympathy of disposition. But Evelyn possessed a strength of charac ter, brightened by playful liveliness, qualities of Avhich the Avearing-out influence of sorrow, an impaired constitution, and advancing years, had greatly deprived the mother, if she had ever been equally endowed in that respect. Evelyn's natural quickness of intellect had been improved by the greatest advantages of education and culture ; and her various ac complishments, especially that of music, had done much to enliven her mother's weary ' Some Day or Other.' confinement ; her sweet melodious voice, and tasteful rendering of a variety of favourite airs on harp or piano, helping to shorten the long Avinter evenings, or protracted summer twilight, by beguiling the sufferer into tem porary forgetfulness of her pain and weak ness.

And in anticipating" all her wants and wishes, in ministering to her comfort in every possible way, Evelyn realised a perennial source of happiness to herself, which nothing she had as yet encountered had power to disturb. ' Where have you been, my love ? You surely can't have been walking at this time of night; and if you have, you must have got Avet, as I heard heavy rain on the conservatory windows a few minutes ago,' were the first words that greeted Evelyn as she entered her mother's room. ' I was no farther than the garden, and was only overtaken by the shower in coming from it. So don't alarm yourself, dear mother, as I have removed my wet things and am noAv all right,' replied Evelyn, making an effort to assume a composure Avhich she Avas far from feeling. ' See that it be so, dear child.

You know how precious your health is to me in every way,' said Mrs. Lyle. Then, looking anxiously at her daughter, as the chastened light of a lamp placed near her couch fell upon the girl's agitated face when she came Avithin its influence, she exclaimed in a tone of affectionate alarm : ' But how is this 1 You are pale ; your eyes are swollen. You have not been weeping, Evelyn V It was all the poor girl could do to suppress a fresh outburst of tears, as she felt the necessity for answering this question, as well as the impossibility of hiding the cause of her distress from her mother. 3 VOL. I. Indeed, though shrinking from the mention of anything that might agitate unnecessarily or vex the latter, the idea of concealment with her in any other case never once occurred to Evelyn, so perfect was the confidence sub sisting betAveen them on all points.

So, Avith out hesitation, she summoned up courage to relate all that had happened. Her mother listened with all the deep interest Evelyn expected from her, evinced at once by expressing her warmest sympathy, and by putting many questions regarding the prospects of her lover. But a shade of more than ordinary sadness settled down on her face afterwards, as she said : ' I need not tell you how fully I enter into all your feelings, my love, in this most unex pected trial ; for well I know what they are. But you must pardon me for saying that not the least part of my regret on your account arises from the thought that you should ever be placed in a position to realise them — I mean that your affections should be engaged to William Ellis.' ' How can you say so, mother V exclaimed Evelyn, in a tone of mingled surprise and something of reproach. ' You surely cannot possibly think him unworthy of the love I feel for him 1 I ahvays supposed you esteemed him as highly as he deserves.' ' And you were only right in thinking so, my Evelyn.

You knoAV I have ever loved him as a son, both on account of his open, generous, honourable disposition, and still more, I fancy, because of his appreciating my own Evelyn as she deserves. My sole regret, as concerns you, my dear child, arises from a dread of future trouble and sorrow to you, as I have reason to fear that your father will never countenance your engagement. And though I could never find it in my heart to thAvart 3—2 you in this case — the object of your choice being otherAvise all that I could desire — I haATe often blamed myself for yielding my consent to your engaging yourself to William, considering that the sanction of one who has an equal right to be consulted was never asked.' ' And I, too, have often felt uneasy on that score,' said Evelyn, ingenuously. ' But I try to console myself by thinking that to have applied to my father would have been Avorse than useless, with the certainty of an adverse result.' ' True, love.

And my position was a very difficult one, feeling, as I do, that I can never be brought to look upon the only objection your father could possibly urge as a valid one — I mean William's want of fortune.' ' But don't you see that objection is now in a fair way of being obviated, dear mother ? and that helps to reconcile me to the prosr>ect X Mother and Daughter. 37 of a separation which would otherwise be almost too painful to bear. So let us try to look on the bright side, and not to anticipate evil. Let us rather hope that nothing may happen to draw forth my father's adverse in fluence, till William shall have returned with such a fortune as will satisfy even his ambition in a suitor for his daughter.' Her mother tried to smile, but there was doubtful sadness in her reply. ' I shall try to hope so for your sake, deai child.

And yet I should be wanting in duty to you, did I not warn you that circumstances may arise in which he may be tempted to exercise it.' ' I know what you mean, mother, but I have made up my mind firmly to reject the suit of any one else. Surely in a matter of such importance, every Avoman has — or should have — full right of choice V replied Evelyn. 'Undoubtedly. But to struggle against attempted compulsion is a fearful ordeal. God grant that you may never be exposed to it as too many have been.' ' I shall never yield, AA'hatever I may have to encounter in that way, as I should consider it a fearful sin to marry where I cannot love. And yet, pardon me, dear mother, if I have gone too far in expressing myself so,' — and Evelyn looked earnestly at her, as she added (the deep sigh with which Mrs. Lyle had listened to her last declaration suddenly sug gesting the idea, to Avhich she felt immediately tempted to give utterance) — ' I fear - — ■ I almost think that you have spoken from ex perience.' ' From bitter experience, Evelyn ; you have guessed too truly.

An experience, how ever, which, thank God, can never — humanly speaking at least — be yours. I was forced to sacrifice my heart's affections in this respect — the happiness of my life, on account of my father's pecuniary embarrassments.' ' My poor, dear mother ! what a trial !' exclaimed Evelyn. Then adding impulsively, as she pressed the pale, thin hand affection ately in hers, 'Of course, I never guessed anything of that ; and yet, I often thought that my father was scarcely one you could voluntarily have chosen ; you are, in most points, so unlike — if the remark is not unbe coming from me.' ' If it be, it was Avhat I said that has called it forth, Evelyn. And perhaps any allusion to a matter long since buried aAvay, and at least partially forgotten, should have been avoided. But the thought of what your position may be — though in one respect so different — called up painful recollections regarding a subject on Avhich I should never, in any other circumstances, have spoken.' ' If you don't mind telling me so much as ' Some Day or Other.' 40 may comfort me by contrast, it would be so kind, dear mother, if you would do so.

Do not think me unduly selfish in making the request, and don't comply if you find it too painful. Only, noAV that you have aAvakened my in terest, I am sure, Avith your usual indulgence, you will admit my curiosity is only natural.' ' Certainly, my love. I shall give you the details, which, I fear, are not uncommon ; the feelings arising out of them I shall not — be cause I never could — -describe. A mutual affection subsisted almost from our childhood between myself and one as lovable, as en gaging as your own William ; and I need not say more in his praise. There was no actual engagement, but a mutual understand ing, which seemed to bind our hearts as closely ; but marriage was a prospect too remote almost to think of, as we Avere both entirely destitute of fortune, I should rather say, pecuniary resources, except those arising from his hopes of promotion in tbe army, in which he had got a commission.

Almost immediately after he had entered on its duties, his regiment was ordered to India. Then came a parting as painful as that you have this night experienced (so you may fancy how much I can sympathise in your feelings), as unexpected, too, but far more hopeless ; for, with the chances of his danger ous profession, who could tell if ever we might meet again % About two years after wards came a crisis in my father's affairs, which had never in my recollection been prosperous. I cannot explain its nature ; indeed I never fully understood it. myself, but I was led to believe that it involved not only ruin, but disgrace, irremediable loss of charac ter to him, unless he could raise a certain sum of money Avithin a given time. On a visit I paid shortly before to a friend in this neighbourhood, I had met with, and, as it ' Some Day or Other.' 42 turned out, captivated your father, but had, on account of my affections being already en gaged, discouraged his attentions.

Appa rently insensible to my indifference, hoAvever, just at this time, he folloAved me to my home to ask my father's sanction to his addresses. 'The result you have anticipated. I rather suspect, from circumstances I afterwards learnt, that he had got some hint of my father's embarrassments, and had turned the knoAvledge to his own account, bv offering to accommodate him on condition of his favouring his suit to me. The option Avas accordingly put before me, either to consent to become his Avife on my declaring my aversion to the thought of it, or to hasten, by persisting in rejecting him, the fearful crisis I had thus the power of averting. You may wonder how I could ever have brought myself to yield ; but the alternative was something I could not contemplate. My OAvn wonder is how Mother ancl Daughter. 43 your father — how any man — could persist in entering the most sacred of connections with a woman who told him frankly that her heart was given to another.

I may wrong him, but I do believe that his estimate of wealth is such as to have deceived him into the conviction that it possessed an alchemy po\verful enough, in his case, to transmute my indifference into love. After the sacrifice to which I consented, I have had less cause for unhappiness than I might have anticipated in finding in him a kind and indulgent husband. But your natural acuteness has led you to discover that between us there is little congeniality of character or sentiment. You cannot wonder, such having been my experience, that I dread the remotest chance of my beloved child ever being placed in a position to choose betAveen the indulgence of her own inclinations and opposition to the wishes of a parent. But as it is now too late to ' Some Day or Other.' 44 indulge in such reflections, I must try to hope that such a calamity may be averted from you.' But there was something in the sad, anxious expression of her pale face, which led Evelyn to suspect that she had some deeper cause than she cared to tell of, for dreading some such trial in her case. ' And now, my love,' she continued, ' that I have given you my reasons for saying what I did in regard to a matter which has otherwise, as you know, my Avarmest approval, wouldn't it be advisable for you to go to bed and try to forget your sorrow in sleep % though I fear I may have inadvertently increased it, by ex pressing forebodings which I should have kept to myself, at least for the present.

You will forgive me, dearest, knowing as you well do that the last thing I could mean was to pain you in any way.' ' I know it, dearest mother ; and also that your Avarning me of what I may have to encounter is from your heartfelt interest. And to show you how much I appreciate that interest, I will presently obey you by retiring for the night, though I fear I have little chance of sleep. But first, having awakened a curiosity Avhich I share in common with all Eve's daughters, may I ask you to tell me what became of your former lover, how he stood the disappointment, and if you don't object, bis name V said Evelyn. ' Surely, my dear. There is no reason why I should refuse to gratify a curiosity so natural, as he is long since dead ; and I can now speak calmly of an event which, had it happened during my " love's young dream," would, I fancy, have almost broken my heart.

So strangely constituted, and most wisely is it so ordered, are the minds of us poor mortals ! To soothe his feelings, and antici pate probable reproaches, I compelled myself to the difficult task of writing to him an ex- ' Some Day or Other.' planation of all that had happened — the position in Avhich I had been placed, the hard alternative offered. And, as I expected, he Avas too generous to blame me ; deep sorrow on his own account, and deeper pity for me, Avas all that he expressed. And though his heart-Avound was as acute as mine, Ave had both comfort in feeling that to neither could wilful inconstancy be imputed. And Avhen we saw each other in after-years, each, as I believe, was still suffering from the pressure of a life-long disappointment — though he too had married ■ — you Avould have Avondered at the calmness with Avhich Ave met.

And now, as to Avho he Avas : you cannot have forgotten a tall, handsome man, who had lost his arm in battle, coming to visit us with his wife and only son ; as I remember that, child as you were, you were deeply interested in him.' ' Oh, yes, mamma, I remember him well — Captain Clark, and his son's name was Charles, a handsome boy, who ran aAvay when left behind by his father and mother and gave you such a fright ; I think he had quarrelled with my brothers. I do recollect thinking the father such a fine-looking man, and pitying him so for the loss of his arm. Do you mean to say that he Avas the gentle man of whom you have been speaking as your former lover V ' The same, Evelyn. And it seems strange hoAv I should have been led, so many years after, to relate Avhat I never Avould have done but for associations called up by your own case, my dear child.' ' I have often thought of them since,' said Evelyn ; ' though, till thus recalled to my mind, I had almost forgotten all about them.

What has become of them, mamma V ' A brother of Captain Clark's, settled in Australia, persuaded them to go out and join him there. And, as being no longer fit for ' Some Day or Other.' service, he had retired on half-pay, tempted by the thought of thus being able to add to his means, he agreed to go ; and his family of course accompanied him. But he died some years after, and his wife did not long survive him. Of the son I have quite lost sight, which seems strange, considering my feelings toAvards his father ; and that, after tbe escapade you alluded to, we all came to like the Avarmhearted, though, perhaps, rather spoilt boy, Avhen he remained a few days with us. But my sad trials coming immediately after, in the death of your poor brothers, followed by my accident, and constant iU health since, have, I fear, tended to render me too self-engrossed. ' And now, love, that you have heard my story, I must insist on your going to bed.

We both need rest after the unusual excitement of this evening. And, take with you this comfort, that sorely as I have been tried, I have always had needed strength given me to bear all. And feeling satisfied that your experience, whatever may be ordered for you, will be the same, and that as your day is, so shall your strength be, I am ashamed at my Avant of faith in indulging such gloomy forebodings on your account. I should remember that it is One Avho knows better than we can do what is for our good, that orders our lot. And if we can but trust Him, and commit our way unreservedly to Him, all will go well.' Evelyn could not trust herself to express what she felt, a multitude of thoughts called up in her mind by all that had passed pre venting her from speaking. So she con tented herself with a few whispered words of thanks for the comfort her mother had tried to give her, and then, having rung for her attendant, Mrs. Lyle fervently asked God's blessing upon her child, and they parted for the night. 4 VOL. I. ' Some Day or Other.' 50

Chapter III

A TRYING ORDEAL FOR EVELYN. As may weU be supposed, it was long before the soothing balm of sleep came to Evelyn, after all the excitement and agitation of that memorable evening. Still, she felt it a cause for thankfulness that her mother should have been led to relate to her the particulars of her own history, proving, as that did, the means of in some measure diverting her mind from interests yet more pressing. And as the affectionate daughter pondered over all she had told her, though nothing could increase her love for that dear, suffering mother, her admiration for the fortitude and quiet submission she had shown under trials she never once imagined had fallen to her lot, was only equalled by her sympathy. What a blighted life hers had been ! How dreadful to have been compelled to sacrifice her affection for one apparently so infinitely more suitable to her in every way, and to unite herself at the caU of duty to another she could not love !

Independent of all that had folloAved, that alone seemed enough to mar her life's happiness for ever. Evelyn felt sure she never could act as nobly ; and was thankful to believe that, come what might, she never could be placed in similar circumstances. Then her mother's parting expression of confidence, that ' all would go well with her if she would but put her trust in God,' though consoling at the time, was now recalled Avith something of misgiving. 4—2 'Some Day or Other.' 52 The consciousness that she had acted throughout from duty must have helped to reconcile her mother to circumstances else too hard to endure ; but was her own con science equally void of offence ? Strive as she might, she could not silence its voice, which told her that she had done wrong in entering upon an engagement of such moment without her father's consent — nay, more, contrary to what she knew would be his wishes.

Even the conviction in Avhich her mother so cordially agreed, that his prejudice was unjust, and should be untenable, failed to set her mind at ease. The thought would still haunt her, that concealment from a parent on such a matter was unjustifiable, as in volving a deceit, most repugnant to one so straightforAvard, open, and ingenuous as she was. And though there was much in his character of which the high-minded Evelyn could not approve, still he had always been kind and indulgent to her. Then arose the question, still harder of solution — what would have been the consequences if she had acted otherwise 1 — and how was she now to act, in the event of her father coming to guess how matters stood, and questioning her on the subject ? Already she had reason to fear, from various indications, that his suspicions were awakened ; and hence her consent to a secret meeting that night with her lover, and her dread of being discovered by any one who might report it to him.