THE GAME OF LIFE, OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2788, 10 May 1911, Page 4

THE GAME OF LIFE, OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

COPYRIGHT.

By Hedley Richards, Author of "Time, The Avenger," "The Mine Master's Heir," etc., ©to

, PART 14. CHAPTER XXIII

" Eighty ftars hence it will matter little whether we were a peasant or a peer, but it will matter much whether we did our duty as one or the other." — Stopford Brooke.

" Father, I want to talk to you, but we must be quite alone," said Stella, in a low tone as Jack Gathcart went to interview a tenant who had called on business. They had paused for a moment in the Hall, Lady Annette having gone into the morning room. Swift glanced keenly at his daughter. During luncheon he had been struck by something unusual in her face, and now he felt sure that what ehe had to say was of importance. "Come this way," he said, as he led the way down the hall until they came to the door of the ill-fated room—as the servants and others called it.: Turning the handle, Swift waited 1 for hia daughter to enter, then shut the door after them. Stella glanced round. " I've never been here," she said. " 'No, Lady Annette is not fond of this room ; it has a history ; it has been twice struck by lightning." " Oh !" and Stella looked curiously around her. "Now what have you to tell me V* said her father as^he threw himself Into an armchair. " I've ' made up my mind not to marry Mr. Cathcart, bo I thought t'd better tell you at once." He studied her face attentively. "I suppose you have a reason for deciding so Boon. You asked for a

week—that was yesterday; to-day J you tell me you have come to a de cieion ; kindly explain." ' Stella's face became crimson. "I cannot marry Jack Cathcart, because X love another man."

I see. Didn't you know this fact yesterday,, or has the love sprung up like 'Jonah* gourd, in a night?"

His sneefing tone irritated her, ; and she spoke quickly :

"I knew it yesterday, but I was not sure—at least not absolutely— that he cared for me, and even if he did I was doubtful whether he would speak." "A series of enigmas; the only thing I can rteduce is that the bach-

i. fill lover has spokstx." ' "I don't think lie is bashful. I was afraM that because be knew I was rich he woal<l not ask* me to be ". His wife," "Ah ! you don't know the world, Stella ; but this poor man—l gather he is poor—has put his scruples on ; - on 9 side and asked you to marry him and you thinking you love him have said ' Yes.' Quite a romance, my dear. Now for the man's name ?" ; She was standing by the table, looting down at her father, and an onlooker -would have been struck by ; - the dificrencc in the two faces—the „',„., girl's lovelj with an uncommon ;'.', loveliness, yet a face that told of decision and will power, a nature , that loolced frank/iy out on the world with, which fit was atTpeace, while the man's 'powerful counten- .' ance expressed cynicism and a kind I- of sneex-ing amusnment, as though ;, J his fellow men afforded him matter ' < of grim satisfaction . " Well, who is the man 7 Surely you are not ashamed of your lover?" he said. j ' " Ashamed ! 1 ,am proud of him. I thinlc Milea F*>rd is the noblest J->' man on earthq" anid there was a ;;, proud ring in. SteQa's voice and she ;- drew herself up to her-full height. "Miles Ford!" There was nei- . ther surprise or indignation. "Miles > Ford, tlie Dissenting Minister/ he V repeated. "So he has asked you ; r to be his wife. Well, whatever ':',"* ,' other qualifications "he has he is not V lackm- in boldness,?' said Swift with a langh. "We love eacii other. Why should he not ask tme to be his wife? --'; Oh, father, you -will give your con- ■'^ sent ?" she said, her tone becoming -£„ pleading. . - ..',,' . Thcro was a mocking light in his yh eyc3 an he saidl-': \\<-- " The longrer I live the more lam >.!" convinced that the wajs of women nro past finding out. I should have :,' thought that Oathcart possessed all 1 > the qualities that would appeal to :, .-.- you, but you turn your bacti on him 1 !)■ . and choose a grim-faced parson. 1 The world would call it madness but I—" Then he stopped and whistled softly, whiir, a look that held a fair '•'<■' amen-at of amusement in it dawned. <■;, , , Stella ff.lt puzzled. She had ex- \'\<'- pectcd her father to storm at her in rV,/hts quiet way but instead he seemed --', to regard the affair as amusing. r, ,"It's not a joke, father. Mr. - Ford is going to write to you tonight—you'll get his letter in the * morning, and as I shall have to tell ■' . Mr. Cathcart anjfl his mother, I want „■"■',' to know if I may retirn to Doyle ■"'ij Court to-nnorrow. I've just had a iV letter from Grace ; they are coming home to-day and she wants us to go there to-m/orrow." Swift rose* " We'll tfilk about that later. I .. am going to see Ford ; in the mean- ' time doa't mention the matter to • ' the Cathcarts. By the way, do you know where this parson lives ?" " No, but you will easily find out. i|, , Why, are you going to see him, . . father? Is it to forbid the mary. riage?" Stella inquired., l/7,V- " No, I've not made, up my mind _;,!; to forbid it ; I'm inclined to think I ,'f'f shall let you have your own way, ,' ' but I must see Ford." !•■ ■' Stella followed her father to the „\ ',' door, wondering if she was in a ..-, dream ; then as she heard him ask £';,. the butler if there was a horse he -;v::' could have she went upstairs to her ,7'V ■ room. A little tetter she saw him v!, „ ride through the jwrk ; evidently b.« \--/ 'was on his way to Millwood, and |,7' Stella vaguely speculated as to what ;! ■ her father would have ?to say to her ';,;,'■' - lover. SyVJ.'v Sw*ft rode quickly into the little 'P : ) town and put up his horse at tht l^r. "Golden Fleece" then! inquired hit 7 . .way to the parson's, tand was told - ; /'"'-' that lie lodged! at a Mirs. Robson's, at the end" of the main street. It was a house with a bow *<&,. window downstair* Md (two straight MfikiVUM above. . „" *

"The essence bt respectability," h thought as he rang the bell, nnd ; middle-aged woman with a pleasant face appeared, and in response to 3wift's request to see Mr. Ford she asked him to walk upstairs ; then, leading the way, she opened a door, saying:

" A gentleman to see you, sir."

Ford—who was seated at a table writing—turned (quickly round ito confront the man to whom he was writing.

" Good afternoon, Mr. Ford; you didn't expect to see me," said Swift pleasantly as he extended his hand.

"I did not; ,in fact, I was writing to you," replied Ford.

" Yes, Stella told me I might expect a letter, but I believe in verbal communications. There are oftea things one can say that a person would rather not write ; for Instance I've no doubt your letter is a marvel in its way, and explains away all the reasons I could possibly have for opposing your marriage with my daughter, yet five minutes in which you could use your powers of rhetoric would have twice the influence."

"I a|m giad* you have given me that chance," replied Ford, quietly.

"My dear sir; neither letter nor speech would influence me to consent bo your marriage with my daughter, if I didn't happen to know some facts of which you are ignorant."

Ford looked steadily at him, and saw that his visitor had not been drinking, so he waited

" I don't think jou we a curious man, or else you would have asked your mother more questions about your father."

" What do you mean ?" exclaimed Ford, all his calm gone and his face alive with interest.

" Just what I mM, that you are not a curious man. Now, please correct me if I make a mistake, but you believe you are the son of a woman who calls herself Rachel Ford ; 'no doubt she has told you that your father is dead. I don't think she will have given you many details, because she is not a woman to lie unnecessarily ; still—"

" What do you know about my mother?" demanded Ford in a quiet tone, but one that showed he would not be trifled with.

"I know that her real name is not Rachel ; Ford but Rachel Cath-

cart."

" Are you out of your mind?" said Ford.

"Not exactly, but I will ask you a rather more polite question. Did your mother ever talk to you of your father? Did she give you any details as to where he died and was buried?"

"No, she always said it was painful to talk about him and that I must never forget he was a good honourable man."

" Not too) honourable to marry Lady Annette while your mother was living," said Swift.

"I don't believe it!" and Ford's [ace blazed with indignation.

"I feel half inclined to let it rest at that, but perhaps you'll take my word when I tell you that your mother's first husband —she was very young when he died—was an elder brother of mine, Barry Stirling, and after his death she became the wife of Rupert Cathcart. I don't mind showing you the certificates of the two marriages."

Ford examined them critically, then he said :

" How do I know this Rachel was my mother? I never heard her mention the name of Stirling, and her maiden name is not an uncommon one."

For answer Swift took a miniature out of his pocket.

" Does that bear any resemblance to your mother?" he asfcd. Ford looked at it.

" Yes, it is as much like her as a girl can resemble a middle-aged woman ; but she has a grander face now."

"Yes, she was always a noble-look-ing woman, and jou are like her, though there is a strong likeness to a Miles Cathcart, an uncle of Rupert Cathcart's, who died young. And there's a singular thing connected with that portrait. The butler at Millwood went to hear you preach ; he was taken ill, and had to be helped out of the church. Strange to say, the portrait of the man you resemble has been moved out of the gallery— the butler says it fell—and he is going to have it made all right, but he's a long time about it," said Swift)

"Do you mean to tell me that my father, whom you say was Rupert Cathcart, deceived Lady Annette into marrying him, when his wife was living ? My mother would never call such a man honourable."

"It's a queer, story ; sit down, and I'll tell it to you," replied Swift, who then related what he knew of tbi Fast.

Ford listened, at first incredulous, f:en bit by bit he began to think it might be true, and when he had heard Ell he said ;

"God help Lady Annette and hei B :n!"

The other man laughed.

"Oh, Lady Annette has been helping herself for a good many years; end she's some nice snug investments. I don't suppose you'll get much of tlie money that she has had the handi ling of."

"You don't suppose I would take the estate from them ?" exclaimed Miles, indignantly.

" Then why on earth did you pity them ?" asked Swift.

" Isn't their position awful ? and yet it does not appear that anyone iB to blame. Of course, we should acver think, of putting in a claim."

" Very well then, you understand I shall not allow you to marry my daughter. Miles Cathcart of Millwood Hall, is one person, and Miles Ford, the Dissenting parson is another."

" Ah, I see now why you wanted Stella to marry Mr. Cathcart ; you would not have told me this if she had consented."

" Certainly not; I've a real liking for Jack Cathcart, while you art only a ranting parson. All th« same I don't think you can be so blind as not to see that if you leave matters as they are the questior may have to be fought out in the next generation. These kind ol things always leak out, and when you've done preaching and trying tc set the world right, it's,very pro bable your children or grandchildrec may call you a bigoted fool whe cheated them out of their birth right," said Swift with bruta/ frankness. CHAPTER XXIV. Miles did not reply for a littU while. Swift's words had struct home ; it was quite likely that if hi rahwed to assert his claim, his cb.il

ion."

dren or grandchildren would learn the truth and blame him, then the >state would be wasted in litigation. "It'G an awful muddle, and I don't ec my way," he said. *

" Of course you understand if you -laim the estate I will consent to Stella becoming your wife so put that fact in the scale when you are vcighing the matter."

Ford looked the other man full in the face as he said :

" Stella will become my wife when she is of age whether you consent or not. The only objection jou make is my lack of position and wealth ; she is willing to forego these so we should marry."

"So that's the way the wind blows; I thought the Book from which you preach, said, 'Children, obey your parents' ? "

" Yes, and I don't think Stella would break the commandment if she married me, seeing she is of an age to choose her own path in life."

Swift leaned forward, and spoke in a persuasive tone :

" Have you thought what you could do if you had the Millwood estate and its revenues ? You could help the poor, give to charitable institutions, you might even found a home for children and give them a fair start in life that you good people say is the only thing required to evangelize the world. I tell you, man, you could do the thousand and one philanthropic things you have longed to do. The rich people would flock to hear the man who being rich yet preached to sinners. You would become the Apostle to the great of this England of yours, and if I believed in religion I should say they need it as much as the outcasts and,- vagabonds. Can you turn your back on such a prospect ?" Miles Ford spoke deliberately : ", You put me in mind of that portion of Scripture when we are told Satan tempted Christ, offering Him the Kingdoms of this World if He would worship him."

"I don't want you to worship anything«; I want you to take your own, not to turn your back on the good things of this world, including Stella."

11 Do you know I am puzzled why you cared for your daughter becoming Mr, Cathcart's wife. There are many richer titled men who would have been glad to win her. I can understand you wishing me to claim the estate, knowing she loves me and will be my wife, but the other is an enigma."

Swift looked mockingly at him as he said :

" For a parson you are a farseeing man. Well, I have a reason for wishing Stella to be mistress of Millwood Hall. Have you a field glass ?"■'■.

"A field glass !" exclaimed Miles. "Yes, I want to enlarge your vis-

Miles went to a shelf and handed the glasses to Swift, who went to the window ; then after a minute he turned to his companion saying :

" Come here."

Miles stepped forward and as he put the field glasses in his hand Swift said :

" Look to the west, three miles beyond Millwood Hall, and you will see a little white house standing bare and bleak without a solitary tree. From here it looks a mere speck."

"I see it," replied Miles

"All right, you observe what a wee . place it is; but small as it is, in that cottage there were born three boys with unbounded ambition who wanted to rise in the world become rich and great; the two words were ■ynonymous to them. I, the youngest of the three, had by far the largest share of ambition. Ah ! you are surprised," aeM Swift as Miles uttered an exclamation; " but my parents lived in that little house and farmed the half-down acres of land surrounding it. The little homestead had descended from father to son, just as Millwood Hall had done in the Cathcart family and for generations the Stirlings had been content to till their bit of ground and keep a few cows, making a meagre living; then my father, James Stirling married a woman who was lady's maid at Millwood Hall. She was a Frenchwoman, quick-witted, with a strong business instinct and a longing to rise in the world. You see where her son's ambition comes from. She soon persuaded her husband it was folly to spend their lives working for a mere subsistence. Still she had some trouble to induce him to sell the little house and six acres but she was a persistent woman whom her husband almost worshipped ; so at last she got her own way. The night before they left the little homeBtead she stood at the cottage door with me. I was a little lad of three and pointing to Millwood Hall, she said :

"' Boy, you must grow rich and come back and buy that place, then your children will be masters of the bouse where your mother was a maid.'

" Young as I was I never forgot her words, and in the 5 ears to come, when we were in America, my father slowly but surely rising in the world she would enlarge on the glories of Millwood Hall, and I became posses■ed of an ambition to acquire it. My two elder twin brothers, Barry and James, who were big boys when we went to America, took to the sea and became captains of merchant ships. That was in the days when a captain could make money, and they became well-to-do if not rich ; but at the time when my brother came to tell Jack Oathcart's father that Rachel, his legal wife was living, he happened to be in low water, and hoped to receive a sum of money (for holding his tongue) that would set him on his feet again, but instead he met hia death. I being the youngest received the best education and my mother contrived that I also inherited what my father had to leave which caused an estrangement between myself and brothers, but that did not trouble me. I speculated and rose, until when I met Stella's mother I was h rich man. As the years have passed I have grown) richer. Then I decided to bring my daughter tc Europe, our final destination being England and Millwood. Here again my usual good luck favoured me. W« met the Doyles and were invited tc visit them. I had the longing mj mother had implanted in me to pos sess the Millwood estate, but I mm Cathcart would never sell it, and 1 resolved he should marry my daughter in order that Stella might ruli where her grandmother had served, so I told Lady Annette I knew al! and they agreed to my terms. No^ you know all," said Swift quietly.

'To be Continued.)