THE GAME OFLIFE; OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2787, 8 May 1911, Page 4

THE GAME OFLIFE; OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

COPYRIGHT,

PART 13

" No, he doeen't love me, he love* Grace Doyle, but she won't have him because he confided in her that some disgrace shadowed his life. Now, what I'm going to tell you is not very flattering to my vanity, but it seems that my father knows what tb.is disgrace is. He gave me to understand that it was a debt, and that he would pay it if I became Jack Oathcart's wife. It seems he will never marry Grace Doyle and he says he admires me. My father has a notion that he would like me to be mistress of Millwood Hall and he assures me that it is my duty to save Jack and Lady Annette from having to leave their home penniless and disgraced. Lady Annette also has pleaded for her son."

•? Mr. Oathcart in debt and threatsned with disgrace. It seems incredible."

" I don't understand it, but it is true, I am certain. I asked my !ather to pay the debt and leave me out of his calculations, but he won't, tt's a case of barter. I become tniatrees of Millwood Hall, and my father frees the Cathcarts from this thing that threatens them. It is a contemptible bargain and I feel as though I .should hate myself for ever if I became a party to it." And Stella's voice was full of indignation. Then she added in a quieter voice :•

"All the same I'm not sure that I aught to refuse Mr. Cathcart. It is awful to think that if I say no it will cost him his birthright. Can you advise me ?"

"You don't know anything about this debt? All debt is wrong, but people in the Cathcart's position generally regard it more leniently than those lower in the social scale. Yet even Lady Annette, you say, admits there is disgrace attached to it. Do you know, Miss Swift, I am inclined to think there is more than they have told you," said Ford.

"My father said Jack Cathcart was paying for his father's folly."

"Oh, but even if the estate is heavily mortgaged that should not imply disgrace. I'm inclined to think that is the explanation and that your father is prepared to pay the mortgage of! if you become Mr. Cathcart's wife.", :

" I don't think that is all, but il it is it all comes to the same. It depends on me whether they have to leave Millwood Hall or retain their old home and—and—l don't know what to do. Last night I slept very little, and I dreamed that I wag standing at the gate of Millwood Park with a sword in my hand, and I drove poor Lady Annette and Jack out. I suppose it was because I had been thinking it was something like Adam and Eve being turned out of Eden."

"It was a sin that caused the gates of Eden to be shut on them, and according to your father's tale it is the sin of his father for which Mr, Cathcart will have to pay. It's an awful fact that no man liveth. tc himself either at once or later he influences others."

•' What do you advise me to do?"

Stella's question brought him back to the present, and. he could have groaned. Was he to advise this gir] to save the other man by becoming his wife? He who loved her with all his heart. Then he told himself she could never be anything to him. ' She would think he was mad If he told her of his love. He must forget himself and do what was best for her.

" Will you let me ask you a q'ues<

tion ?"

" A dozen if you like."

"Do jou love Mr. Cathcart? know you think he doesn't love you."

" No, but I pity him. I think h< is placed in a terrible position."

" Pity is akin to love," he said, and his voice sounded almost hard, He was anxious she should not see vhat it cost him to speak* of this other man. '

" Yes, but not the pity I feel. 1 sai never love him because I love another man," she said, her eyes dropping as she spoke.

" That makes your way clear. It would be a sin to marry one man when you loved another." And hie tone was stern.

The colour stole over her face and she bent her head as she said :

" But this other man may not tell me of his love. I don't think he will ask me to be his wife, so it seemed to me that if I sacrificed myself I might save Mr. Cathcart and Lady Annette from the trouble thai threatens them."

" It would be a sinful thing to do. Only a woman would dream of* making such a sacrifice." Then hie voice became grave and there was a great tenderness in it as he said : 11 I trust you will find happiness with the man you love," and as he spok< he- looked at the lovely face, half turned from him, revealing the pretty brown hair gathered in a coil at th< nape of the neck.

"I'm afraid he will.not tell me co, yet I kmow he loves me," sh« said almost in a whisper. " You see he's poor and my father's a rich man. I daresay he thinks I couldn't tlo without the- luxuries to which I have been accustomed 1, yet If he onlj knew it Ive 1 a genius for housekeep- , ing and that kind' of tMng. I could be very happy cooking and making the bread. r believe I could mak< my. own- frocks-, and I'm a born milliner; I .always pull my hats to pieces and" remake them, ■ but then he doesn't know it." And Stella sighed. Then a moment later sh< said : " I wißh you conld help me." "I ! Gods knows I would do much to ensure your happiness," he ■■ said, his tone unconsciously revealing his love. Stella turned her face a little more away from him as she said : " You see the man I love is poor. I suppose the world would say h? was not my equal In social position, and he's proud, so he's letting these thjngs keep him from telling me oi his love. Tta you think it's right?" Miles Ford's face" had become very pale. The man whom Stella lovec was doing what he had done and she Waa suffering. Was it -right ? Eous- - ing himself he said : " I cannot judge for this man, bui ' I know it must be har'V to ask a wo-

man to give up riches for poverty, even though it may bo comparative poverty."

. " You don't know much of women or you would know that when a woman truly loves, nothing else counts."

"Then if you feel so I would let the man you,love know it," Ford said, and his voice was husky. " But I cannot tell him. What could I say ?" " Your woman's wit will help you." " Ah, but he is so very blind, yet I think he loves me. Still, I cannot make him understand," she said, aa she raised her eyes and met his that were regarding her so seriously. " Stella !" It was only one word but it showed that at last he understood. " Miles !" But almost before she spoke he had clasped her in his arms.

CHAPTER XXII. "For the world itself was a fairy place,

Once upon a time."

"I don't know whether I 'have done right," he said, as he held -her hands in his and. looked at the radiantly happy lace that was raised to his.

" What wrong can there be in telling a maiden you love her ? Even a parson may 'do that," she said, demurely.

"Yes, and be the better man for saying it, but there is so much to consider. You see I'm a poor man and a Dissenting Minister. If I had even been a curate your father would have looked upon me with more favour. I have nothing to give you, Stella, but my love. Will you not crave for other things ?" he said, studying her face as he spoke.

She leaned towards him and her eyes seemed to echo his words.

" Your love would crown a queen ; it is a great gift. As for the other things, what are they ? Smart dresses, dainty food. They're not worth a toss up. You're not going to get rid of me, Miles, now you have told me that you love me, though I had almost to ask you to say the words," she said, with a happy laugh.

" Child, I couldn't believe that you loved me, yet the other day I had a half suspicion, but I told myself it was fancy. Thank God, it is very truth', and you and I will travel'through life side by side till we come to the City of Habitation,' where there is no parting."

For a moment there was silence, Miles had relapsed into thought, and Stella's mind travelled, forward ; she thought of the bright little home she would have, a home where she would cook and mend and bake, where all work would seem noble because it was done for the man she loved.

He roused himself, and his voice had a grave earnestness in it as he said : " Seeing we love each other it is right we should spend our lives together, but your father will not view it so, and there is something to be said from his point of view. I daresay he will regard me as a fortunehunter so I shall tell htm it is you I want and not your money."

"That's the very thing ; , then he can still help the Cathcarts, and I shall feel ever so much happier if he does," said Stella, joyously.

"I hope he will, but I am not at all sanguine ; it was a different thing when he expected you would be mistress of Millwood Hall."

She looked grave

"I shall try to persuade my father to help them regardless; of that" ; then her voice became lower as sh« said :

"I cannot: get it out of my head that there is something more than debt, and it puzszles me how my father is cognisant of it."

"It seems to me a mysterious affair ; still, I feel sure Mr. Cathcart is a man of honour, but he was different the first time I saw him from what he is to-day. I believe he has had trouble since then. Now, my dearest, I want to know when you think I could see your father ; we must not keep this from him."

"You had better write just now, while Jack Cathcart is waiting for his answer. I should not care for you to come to the Hall." '

"Then your father shall hear from me in the morning, and, Stella, I ■would give Mr. Cathcart his answer at once."

"Yes, and if my father refuses to sanction our engagement, what then?" and Stella's voice showed, that she •was uneasy.

"How old are you, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Twenty-one in threo, weeks. You didn't think I was so cvenerable." He laughed.

"I'm glad you will so*on be of age. In the eye of the law tyou will then b; a woman, and able to marry withcit your father's consent. I would i ,ther he gave it, but "we cannot let i ly prejudice regarding- my position £ parate us. God has implanted the 1 ye for each other in \ our hearts, £ id,we cannot disregard. 1 it," he said, c ! he drew her towards ("him and kisse<. her.

"Did you ever thinJc .you loved any c her woman ?" ask«& Stella. She f It sure, it could not have been the r al thing, but she "was longing to k iow if she had beeia the very first.

"No. Until I saw you the only •w Dman I have • ever loved is my mot"er ; you and sbie will be great fi lends."

"Have you a phjotograph of her ?" asked Stella..

"No, she wou].<d never have one taken."

"Well, you murjt take me to see her soon. By the way, are you going to take up that woffk in London?"

"Yes, but we must be married first. There would bet time to squeeze a brief honeymoo-a in," he said, smiling at her blushes. "Did I tell you there is a man se joining the church— a comfortable nine-roomed house ? I'm afraid, though, you'll find it gloomy, and a »cry different from the West End," h.e said ruefnlly.

"You forget „ sir, I shall-have turned my back on the West End, and I have heaps of pretty things to adorn our home with."

The last tvords: were spoken in a low tone, ar.<d Ford detected the very lingering tenderness with -which the words "our-homo" were uttered.

"I wonder wha.t I've done to have so much joy. I'fm sure I <ion't deserve it."

"Do you know- I'm awfully glad Grace Doyle asi :e3 us to the Court, or I shouldn't fhave met you, and if I'd married I c ouldn't have giot the right man," Sti jlla observed.

He smiled

"Did you cv» er read the ' lines, 'Hoaven and eai th are threadsf of the ' x the

loom, and we begin to weave tiia pattern here that will go on tlirougl' eternity. I don't thini v:c shall jver write finis to our work."

"And we are to weave at the same loom. I'm afraid my threads w5..U often be warped and broken, but your work will be flawless," said Stella.

"Don't make me into a god, or when you see my feet of clay you will be disappointed. Ah, there's' Miss Julie Ray," he said, as he raised his hat to her.

Stella turned and. saw that the girl was sitting on a stile at the other ;nd of the field, and was regarding them intently.

"She is the girl I saw you with that other day. I wonder how much she has seen ? Why, she's coming towards us."

Ford saw that she was, and he felt annoyed. Julie was a girl he did not like, and for some time he had had the impression that she spied on him. Now, as she came towards them he was distinctly vexed. Nevertheless, when she drew near, he rose, and raising his hat, he said :

"Good morning."

"I'm sorry to disturb your tete-a-tete," she said, without returning his greeting ; then, before he had made up his mind what to say, she continued : "I have been up to the farm, and I rested on the stile on my way back, but you didn't see me." The manner was more than the words, and Stella felt certain that this girl fcnew they were lovers.

"No, Miss Swift and I had much to talk about. Let me introduce you," said Ford

"I've heard of you, Mjtes Swift ; it was only the other day someone said you were going to be Mrs. Oathcart, but I shall tell them it was a mistake, that you will soon be Mrs. Ford, unless it's just a flirtation." "Miss Julie, you forget yourself,'! he said, sternly.

"You don't deny it. I see it is just a flirtation. Mr. Cathcart is to be the husband, and the parson the Lover;" then with a mocking laugh Julie set off at a run.

"Is she mad ?" Stella asked, lookIng at her lover.

"No ; but she is a strange girl."

"She is in love with you, and hates me," said Stella, as she rose.

"Dearest, she cannot hurt you," he said, as he drew her hand through his arm.

Stella looked at him with something akin to ■ terror in her eyes as she said : ; <'v , ■'

"I have a feeling that she will come into our lives, and that she will bring sorrow."

"God rules the world," he answered, as they went slowly down the moor, here and there catching a glimpse of Julie's pink dress as she walked at a rapid pace. On the high road they paused. , "Good-bye, sweetheart. I shall write to your father, then you will hear from me ; but, remember, you belong to me, and I shall claim you when you are of age—only three weeks," he said ; then looking up and down the road, and seeing there was no one in view, he kissed "her, then stood watching until she reached the gate that led into the wood, and disappeared through it ; then he turned towards the town, feeling supremely happy.

Stella crossed the bridge and went towards the Hall, her heart quaking as she thought of the meeting with her father. He would be vexed that she had decided not to marry Jack Cathcart, but he would be more than vexed when she told him she had promised to be Miles Ford's wife ; but she had a high spirit, and was not really afraid of her father, so telling herself it would be better tc get the interview over, she quickened her steps, and soon reached the house.

The butler handed her a letter, informing her that the London post had been late! and as she took it Stella saw that the handwriting was Grace Doyle's. Seating herself near a window in an ingle nook she tore the envelope open, and read :

" Dear Stella,—

," My father has taken it into his head that he would like to return home, so he has wired to the housekeeper saying she must expect us this evening. lam very glad' as I have no friends here and miss you dreadfully. Now, I want you to come to us as soon as you possibly can ; you have been almost three weeks at the Hall and we really cannot spare you to them any longer. If your father prefers the Hall to the Court, will you come without him ? Do come, dear. Can you be with us on Thursday, the day after to-morrow ?

"Remember me to Lady Annette and her son. My father sends iind regards to everybody. With dearest love,

"Ever your friend, Grace Doyle."

" She hasn't relented . toward* Jack, or she wouldn't have sent her love to Lady Annette and her son. Poor Jack, if only Grace would stand by him when this mysterious trouble comes; she's as hard aa nails. But I'll do my best to set the matter right ; she does love Jack, so I ought to be able to manage it. I wish she .was as happy as I am." Then. Stella's heart sank as she remembered it might not be smooth sailing for her, bnt she resolved that whatever happened she would be true to Miles. Her father might disinherit her, but what did that matter as long as Miles loved her ?

" I'm glad we can go back to the Court ; it would have been horrid to remain here after Lady Annette knew I was engaged. Even if my father remains I shall go." Then the gong sounded and. running upstairs she' removed her hat and the maid put her hair in order, so that she was only a minute or two late. " Where have j'ou been my dear?" asked Lady Annette, and as Stella replied, "On the moor," the telltale colour flew to her face." To be Continued.