THE CAME OF LIFE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2781, 24 April 1911, Page 4

THE GME OF LIFE.

eorrramm.

THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL

ft} Necltoy Richards, Author of "Time, The Avenger," "The Mine Master's Heir," etc., ©to.

PART 7. CHAPTER XI. " SURE SOME EVIL BODES.

WOULD IT WERE HERE THAI! •

MIGHT SEE ITS EYKS."

" Sometimes another claimant a» rises as in the Druce-Portland case," said Swift, slowly and dearly, whilt he studied the face of his hostess* and noticed, that she had tamed deadly pale.

For a moment she wac silent, then a mocking laugh rang out, and net tone was sarcastic as she said :

"I should never have suspected you of being imaginative, but to reassure you as to the stability of my bob's position, I can teil you that there has not been an eccentric oM gentleman in the Cathcart fenvrty like the fifth Brig «l Portland. They nave all been qnfat, \wll-canducted eM men, who have wot Mt any traditions behind them on which the most avaricious oouM build a claim."

"That is rr ill ■ inwiufi f like your son," he saM, j|K%e drew nearer to her, and leantagr-hja hand on the back of a chair, he eoafatnued : " All the same, strange tKngs happen, an<| for my part, I ttitafc the man vtim IttherMii under a mfll is safer, the law of entail leaves nacb room for litigation. Yok tell me there have not been any ecctant*ic otd #BHtlancn in the Gathcart ffflß^^ot thwe may have been a jmmk n*a wfco bad a secret."

" A secret !" exdafaned Lady A»nette, as she. Bank aba chair.

"Yes, suppose one of the Gathcarti in the heyday ofHhte youtb married beneath him, and afterwards sought a wile in his own sftheae, a difficulty mffeitt arise abovt the succession, long after the transgressor was dead and buried."

" The Gathearts are not bigamists," she said, but her voice shoot) slightfy.

"There might be one amongst them, but I'm afraid I've upset you with my suppositions," he said, MgUtly.

"I certainly think it would be as well to leave such suppositions out of the question ; they are as ridiculous as they are annoying," replied Lady Annette. ■ He smiled. " Excuse my saying so, Lady Annette, but you Bxe too bigMy strung, the imagination plays strange vagaries, and I, who hme seen the seamy as well as the bcigbt &Me oi life, sometimes give it the rein and picture what might be, but knowing your son's title to be flawless, you should not let idle wotdß disturb you."

The words were spoken in a pleasant, almost bantering tone, but she felt there was something beneath them, and if she had been !a man she knew she would have struck him in the face, but being a women she tried to look pleasant and sheathed her claws.

"Yes, we women are easily upset. But yon spoke so very gravely that if you had been our man of business, I should have prepared myself to hear same awful news, that my son's great-great-grandlather had bad one wife on view, and another behind the scenes; still, I should have rallied for battle and, foaght-for my son's rights," she said, lightly. " You forget, Lady Annette, such a battle would be with jwiir son, yon would be a looker-on, and as I don't thinb you would fill the place at all well, I'm glad your son has no flaw in his title to being, Cathcart of Millwood. Now, dot#t*yoti think we had better return to the others, or they may think something has^happened in this ill-fated room. By the way that bureau, might hold rtomtupn crets of the past," he said, gfaaefng carelessly at it.

"If it had done they vmkM halve been revealed wheanit was smashed," she said, in a firm tone.

"Of course they would, and they may have been," he• repHed^in « hm Impressive tone.

Lady Annette clasped her hands: tightly, as she asked herself what this , man knew. Had other papers been found by the saoKante? Then, as he opened the door, she».pasßed in-* to the hall, Sw-ift admiring the statues and declaring emjjftaticaliy that it was his ideal of an English mansion. Lady Annette scarcely heard what he said. Her mind was to a tumult and it was only by a powerful effort that she controlled herself to answer the queries as to what mode her loofc so pate.

"My mother has aThvays avoided that room, my father' twed it constantly, and, of course, we regard it as a sort of ill-fated ptaee, seeing it has twice been struck with lightning. You should have let me take Mr. Swift to see our oiratriter of horrors," said Jack, spaajftng lightly, but it was evident 4» weemot pleased.

"I don't think going into tbe room disturbed hajfy Annette at all, 'and we had a pleasant chert towee: it is something 'quite ulterior that hm made her ladyship look pale and tired. I should, say she has taken a otoll."

" I confess I Jdo feel chiMy," ana Lady Annette shivered slightly.

Shortly after this the guests took their departure,, and when Jacic who had gone with them to the carriage, returned to tt ie drawing-room, he found his mot/ier had retired, but instead of going to "bed she dismissed her maid, an*l, putting on a dressinggown, she s* >t down and thought over what Mr. Swift had said, and the longer she thought the more uncomfortable gb'.e felt. One thing she resolved, bI ie would not tell Jack of the conversation. * * * * " I w/ sh you would come to my room," said Grace as she and Stella went "upstairs, leaving the two gentlemen in the smoking-room. " AJi right, I'll come, though I leel a bit tired, but I know you've some/thing to tell me. I felt sure ol it when you and Mr. Cathcart crossed the lawn. Really, Grace, I felt half inclined to flirt with your father -Lady Annette and ms! father had a long tete-a-tete in the Tragedy Room, and I began to wonder if he were asking her to marry him, and you and Mr. Cathcarfc were as bad," said Stella as she followed Grace into her , dretwing*roam. " Now tor

added, as olic scat-

Ed herself. Grace drew a chair near to hor friend.

"I've misjudged Jack terribly ; you were right he has a trouble," she said.

" I see, and he's halved it ; eased himself by pushing some of the burden on to you.. Just like a man," and Stella laughed.

" No, he can never make it easy for himself. Poor fellow, he has suffered terribly. . I wonder if I ought to tell you, he didn't ask me not to. Of coarse, he knows I cannot talk about' it except to a very dear friend," sakt Grace.

" Well, I suppose you intend telling- me as you brought me here," said Stella, with a twinkle in her eye.

"Yes, I must tell someone, and I cannot tall myfather, he would ask such a lot of qneetions."

"So shall I, particularly if it's a love story. I should like to hear how he proposed, and compare' it with the way the boys, who got it into their heads they would like the spending- of my father's fortune, went about it."

" Oh, Stella, you are cynical."

"Not a bit of it, only*l know so far that rtf*e the money bags that have bean wooed and not me ; but go on, I snaps* Mr. Cathcart has asked you to TDSfryshim ? And I'm <rery glad." " No, he toW me4bat another woman had a data on Mm." ateUa^s face annsstd surpriee and Indignation as she said : " What did he mean ?" " Stella, don't speak as though you thought he was to blame: Jack cannot help himself."

"I suppose he couldn't help himself when he began to make you an offer?" she said with withering contempt.

"He wasn't to blame. That day he believed he was free to ask me to be his wife, then afterwards he discovered that he wasn't and he said he was thankful my father had interrupted him, or he wouWhave been placed in a very awkward position," said Grace.

"Does he mean that he has a wife ?" asked Stella in amazement.

"He didn't say so in so many words, but he told me that anothei woman had a greater claim on him than I had. He said he couldn't explain, but he made it clear that circumstances compelled him to give me up."

"If ..he had a wife why on earth did he begin to make you an offer ? I think ; it's shameful !" exclaimed Stella.

" Didn't I tell you that be said he thought he was free. I've been thinking about it all the way home, and I've come to the conclusion that he has married beneath him, perhaps when he was at Oxford, and they've been separated ; she may have been an impossible person. You know sometimes men—when they are very young—do get trapped by designing women, and he may have believed she was dead, then suddenly heard to the contrary. I'm sure he's'not to blame."

" Yes, such things do happen, but I think he ought to have toM you more," said Stella, thoughtfully.

" There may have been things he couldn't tell me. He said he loved me above anyone in the world and always should."

" He's a nice sort of married man; It's his duty to love his wife," said Stella, sharply.

" One cannot control one's heart. [ suppose I oughtn't to love Jack now, but I shall do so as long as 1 live, and 3ou don't know what he's suffering. He told me that he'd been tempted to keep bis secret and marry me," said Grace.

" Poor fellow, I'm afraid he's made a muddle of his life, and I'm sure Lady Annette doesn't know anything about his wife who is kept out of view, because she hinted to me the other night they were here that she hoped she might have you for a daughter-in-law, and when Mr. Jack tells her he's married he'll have a bad time."

"I don't think Jacki will care what she says, the thing that troubles him is that he cannot marry me," said Grace.

"He should have kept himself clear of youthful entanglements. One thing is certain, this wife of his is uot presentable, or she would not be kept in the background," said Stella.

" Yes, I suppose so," and Grace sighed as she pictured a bold-faced woman coming as mistress to Millwood Hall. Stella rose, speaking decidedly. "Now, Grace, you must not let yourself think of Mr. Cathcart, he can never be your husband and you must try to forget him." "It would be no use, I couldn't forget him, and I shall never marry any other man. I intend to be his friend,and when he brings his wife home I shall try and help her," said Grace, but the last sente*nce was spoken in a hesitating way, as though Grace was doubtful how far she could carry out her intentions.

" Fiddle-de-dee ! " You'll never help her. You're too jealous of her. If Mr. Jack Cathcart's wife was here now you'd feel more like scratching her eyes out than smoothing her path," said Stella.

" I don't think I'm such a very jealous disposition."

"You're a woman, my dear, and you've got the little weaknesses that belong to your sex. You've forgiven Mr. Jack the pain he has caused you, but you blame and hate the woman, and I expect I should feel the same if I were in your place. Now, good night, white Rosebud," SteHa said, as she kissed her, then left the room.

CHAPTER XII. /' WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE—ESPECIAL. LV WOMEN." The next morning Grace was bright and cheerful, she knew now that Jack loved her, and only a cruel fate separated them, and she made up her mind to face life bravely. Of course she would never marry, but she would be Jack's friend, and see him often. This was a wonderful consolation, and Grace looked tranquillj forward to a life of platonic friendship with Jack ; once or twice she thought of the objectionable wife, but only to be put on one side. When breakfast was over, Grace asked Stella if she cared to walk with her as far as her old nurse's cottage. The old woman was ill and she was going to take her some good things, then stay and have a chat with her. SteHa declared she would very much like t6 go, and they set off, carrying well-filled baskets. On the way Grace informed her companion that oW Mrs. Blake had been hei

mother's nurse, then hers

The cottage was not very far from the moor, and stood back from thr lane in a pretty garden, and they went up a path lined with stocks, marigolds, sweet peas, etc. As Grace raised the brightly-shining knocker, a woman about thirty came to the door.

"Mary, I've come to see Nurse," said Grace.

•' Yes, Miss. Will you ladies step in ? My aunt's had a bad night and she's a bit cross this morning, Miss Doyle," said the woman.

"Oh, I'll cheer her up," replied Grace, as she put the baskets on the table. She took a btmch of grapes out of one of them and put it on a plate that she took off the delf rack".

"Now, Mary, I'll take her these." " Just wait a minute, miss, till I tell my aunt you're here," said the woman opening a door that led into a room at the back and going in. Two or three minutes elapsed ; then she reappeared, looking vexed.

" What is it, Mary ?" asked Grace

" Well, miss, I don't like to say it, but my aunt says she'll be glad to see you ; but she won't let the other young lady go into her room."

Stella laughed lightly

" Don't let that trouble you. I know sick folk don't care for seeing strangers, so I'll go and have a look at the moor while Miss Doyle is with your aunt."

Grace looked doubtful. " The moor is rather lonely ; had you not better wait^iere," she said. Stella laughed again.

" I'm not afraid of being in a lonely place, so I'm off, and don't you hurry. I afcali enjoy myself out there," she said, as she left the cottage, and Grace went in to see her old nurse.

It was not far to the moor, and when Stella reached it she stood looking at the wide expanse of country that lay in front of her ; then she went forward determined to explore, and mounting a stile she happened to glance to one side, when she saw the man whom she had heard preach on the green at Appleton. He was seated on the grass under the rough stone wall, and was evidently reading, but as she sprang lightly from the stile he turned his head, and recognising her, raised his cap.

Stella went towards him, and he took a step forward.

" I'm glad to see you," she said/ as she held out her hand, and he clasped ft heartily.

" May I sit down or shall I interrupt your reading?" she asked.

"I shall be-very pleased if you will sit down; the book will keep till another time," he replied.

"So it will;" and she seated herself on the grassy bank ; then, as he hesitated, she moved her dress to one Bide, saying :

111 don't want all the bank."

He laughed as he seated himself by her eide and she noticed that his laugh was low and musical.

"Have I shocked you ? I know I'm free and easy by your English girls, but it's just part of me," she said.

"And a very delightful part. I shouldn't call you free, but that you had an easy courtesy," he replied.

"I shouldn't have thought you eouM pay compliments ; I thought you'd be in deadly earnest over ever* thing."

He smiled, and she thought what a rare smile it was ; it seemed to reveal so much of the man.

There was silence for a minute then she said :

" I think I'll introduce myself, Mr. Ford ; you see I know your name— the Vicar told me. I am Stella Swift, of New York- My father and I are staying at Doyle Court."

*l I heard you were staying there. I am afraid you won't find the Doyles regard Dissent with favour," he said. She laughed merrily.

" Oh, no. Grace Doyle is a staunch Churchwoman, but a real good girl. I've left*her with a sick woman in a cottage in the lane over there, and as I was one too many 1 came to explore the moor. Doesn't Millwood Hall look lovely with that background of hills •?" she said. " Ytjs, it's a grand old place, and its master is a fine man," he replied.

'•Do you know Mr. Cathcart ?" she fcsked.

•" We met while sheltering from a storm on the moor and I have seen him since, and a friendly feeling towards him has arisen in my heart, though I know there can never be friendship between the master of that place and me ; there is a great social gulf."

" Yes, I suppose there is ; yet you are more than Jack Cathcart's equal —you have education and are cleverer than he is," she said in a reflective tone ; then it suddenly changed, and, holding out her hand, she said : " Mr. Ford, will you be my friend ?" "Gladly ;" and he clasped her slender hand in his ; then, as lie released it he said : " Shall you stay long in this country ?" " I don't know. My father is a restless person ; still, he seems to like England." "I hope you will visit Wales before you, return home. I have a great love for the Principality ; my mother is a Welshwoman," he said.

" Has she other children to keep her company now you have left her?" asked Stella.

" No, I am her only child, but sh« is not lonely ; her life is a full one, She has a little shop, where she sells drapery goods ; then she does a lot of work 1 among the sick and poor, she is a woman who is welcome in every home, but those in trouble cannot do without her. I wanted her to give up the shop and come here ; then I should have taken a _ little house but she says she shall nevei leave Llanert, and that she could not give up her business there because it brings her into touch with other lives."

Stella's eyes brightened, as she said :

" I should like to know her."

" I wish you could, Miss Swift. you would be friends, though she is only a shopkeeper ; my mother is s gentlewoman." Stella smiled.

"Yes, there are some people—l've known them at home—whose fathers have sold matches and pipe-clay, aw! the children have been all that makes gentlemen and gentlewomen, and others who've been three or foui generations of moneyed people behind them were cads. Ah, here comes Miss Doyle," she said, as Grace mounted the stile.

The sound of voices reached her, and seeing Stella with a gentleman, she went quickly, towards her.

To be Coatinued