THE GAME OF LIFE OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2790, 15 May 1911, Page 4

THE GAME OF LIFE OR THE MASTER OF MILLWOOD HALL.

COPYRIGHT.

By Hodley Richards, Author of "Time, TheiAvenger," "The Mine Master's Heir/ etc., etc

PART If* CHAPTER XXVI,

1 "I have very sore shame if, like f coward, I shrink away from battle. Moreover, my ow-n aoul forbidtfetb me." —Homer.

"I don't see my way. Ob Lead, make it clear I" murmured Miles Ford, as he paced the floor of hi* sitting-room. He had slept little during the night ; the revelation Mr. Swift had made to him had caused sleep to vanish, and during the hours of darkness he had weighed the mat* ter, but when the morning came h« was no nearer a decision. After he had breakfast he put the matter resolutely from him, and gone to see a few of his flock who were ill, and now, after' dinner, he was thinking the matter over.

"I could do untoM good with the income from the estate. Yes, and the Hall would be a grand place to send the sick, infirm, and crippled to recruit, or as a children's home, where the little children bora in the slums Df a town would forget the darkness and learn what light and" love meant; then in time go forth, strong to fight the battle of life, instead of growing ap weak, demoralised men and women, to add to the crime that darkens all our great cities. Swift was right when he told me I could do all those things I have longed to do," he thought. Then his mind wandered to Stella, and he thought what a different home he couW give her. They would never waste thousands in senseless luxury ; stiil, it would be fair to make their own lives brighter and easier, and Stella could have some of the pretty things to which she had been accustomed, and the estate was justly his. Then he thought of Jack Cathcart and Lady Annette, and realised that before he could do alt these things he must turn them out of their home—not penniless, he would give them at least as much as he and Stella would spend; but his heart was full of pity as he pictured them disgraced, through no fault of theie own. Neither was Rupert Oathcart lo blame ; he had acted in good faith when he married Lady Annette. It was a horrible tangle. From Lady Annette and Jack his thoughts travel" led to his mother.

Why had she not told him the storf of his birth ? Was it possible that Swift was lying ? He was quite capable of it if it was to his interest, and he wanted Stella to be mistress of the Hall, But no, there was no getting over the certificates, and he had always felt that his mother's life had contained a secret. He had regarded her as-one of God's good women, and felt assured, whatever the secret was, It was no discredit to her. Still it had troubled him that she had persistently refused to talk about his father. When he came to manhood he had asked her several questions, but all. she would say was that his father had been a*good man, but a mistaken action, for which he was in no way accountable, had spoiled his life. She had even refused to tell him where tte was buried. It was the only time there had been any disagreement between them, and he had told her she was not acting fairly by him, when her reply had been that in yeare to come she wolild tell him all he wanted to know, but not yet, and they had made peace. Still, her silence had troubled him.

Then he remembered' the agitation she had displayed when he received the invitation to the church at Millwood, which she had explained by saying that she was not very well, and she had not thought of him go- : ing so far. She had refused to advise him whether to accept the call or not, saying it was a matter for prayer ; if God willed that he should go to Millwood, it wasn't for her to try to keep him away. If he went she should know it was in the divine scheme of his life.

He had come, and he had met Stella, whom he had learned to love with all his heart, yet he had not told his , mother, because he thought Stella was too far above him to ever be:ome his wife ; but yesterday, before Swift came, he had intended writing bo tell his mother of his great joy. Now he felt that he could not write bo her without telling her that he knew who his father was and all that it- involved, and he would not do that until he had made up his mind what tie should do. How would she view it ? She was a noble, unselfish woman, and he felt sure her inclination would be to leave Jack Oathcart and his mother in possession. That had been his own imputee at the first, but the thought of wiiat hie could do if he had the Millwood estate and revenues had taken hold of him; Bven in the night he had weaved . schemes for helping those who didn't

seem able to help themselves. "If it was in the divine scheme of my life

that I came here, then Providence

means me to take what is legally . mine and use it for the benefit of

others—of course, acting fairly to

. those who lose so much." Once he had told Jack Cathcart that money —because of what it would enable him to do— would be a great temptation to him. The temptation had come, and every hour he w&n more inclined to assert his claim

Not for an instance did he blame

Jock; he had been weak, to retain the estate, but the temptation had been great. Suddenly he realised that he was not looking at the right or wrong, but thinking what he could do if he

was Cathcart of Millwood. Ah, temptation had come to him, and found ; the weak spot in his armour—the longing to be a power in the world. Yes, there was ambition in it, hidden under the cloak of philanthropy ; the blood of the Cathcarts was in him, and with it came the longing to be first in some way. • "God help me!" and Miles Oathcart fell on his knees and prayed, a

prayer that was a great cry, and as all remained dark he wrestled as Jacob did, but still there was no light, and when he rose he felt as thougi the God whom he served had left him to fight his way through the vallejof temptation. "I will leave things as they are and live and die Miles Ford," hf thought ; then like a flash of lightning he remembered Swift's words that in a generation or two tin'

whole matter would crop up " -

and there would be trouble ; y*■:-•> the estate would be wasted ia la costs. "No, it would be coward 1 to do that ; the matter must bo set tied now. If the estate is mine 1 can make a deed of gift by which it will become Oathcart's, and Jack Cathcart can remain Cathcart of Millwood, as he had been brought up to believe he was. It could all be managed quietly, only the lawyers need know. It was surely the right thing to do. It would be cruel to let the world know the undeserved stigma that attached to Lady Annette and her son." For a moment he felt satisfied ; then a desire to claim the estate again took possession of him. What could he not do with the revenues from it ? And the battle began again. He wanted to be generous to this son of his father; yet he longed to own the Millwood lands. Suddenly he remembered his mother, who had for years believed 3he had unconsciously committed bigamy and wronged her only child, and thought of the burden she had bore 30 cheerfully. Yet he knew her well enough to know that the awful mistake she believed she had made in marrying Rupert Oathcart while her Irst husband liwed must have been a lifelong sorrow to her. Surely she ought to have some voice in the .decision that had to be made. She might object to him remaining Miles Ford, when he was "in truth Miles Cathcart, and Bhe might want to take her proper position as the widow of the man she loved, an<i he pictured his mother with her quiet dignity ruling at the Hall, or an even more pleasing picture was that of her moving abou^ among little children, mothering them, and training the little untaught street Arabs to become ?ood men and women. She would be in- her element, and Stella and he would live in London and interest themselves in schemes for the good of the poor and outcasts. Could he? Would his mother wish him to give up such a future ? And Stella, she would be more in her element there than'as the wife of an Bast-end preacher.

Like a flash of lightning the words, "He that exalteth himself shall be abased," crossed his mind, and kneeling down, he said : "God of Love, guide me," and in that instant it seemed as though a voice said :

"Take counsel of your mother."

Rising, he went to a side table, on which his writing desk stood, and taking pen and paper, he told his mother the stories Swift had told him, and asked her to advise him and tell him her wishes. Then, having directed the letter, he took another sheet of paper, and wrote :

Dear Stella, —Can you meet me op the moor about eleven o'clock tomorrow ? I would come to the Court, but your host and hostess would not like it, so I must ask you to meet me where we spent that happy hour the other day. Much has happened since then, perhaps your father has told you, if not, I have a strange tale to tell you, something about which I should like your advice. Dearest love. —Yours for ever,

MILES

"Does she kmow ?" he thought, as he directed the letter ; then taking it and the one for his mother, he left the house and went to the post-office, then returned slowly home.

Near the house he met Mrs. Ray, who stopped and asked him how it was he came so seldom to see them.

"You know we like the minister to come in a friendly way and have tea j with us ; you see, it's a bit lonesome for Julie and me, though Aunt Sophia is with us again. Still, I'd be glad to see you any day, and so would Julie, she's not been quite so happy lately. A young fellow's been bothering her to marry him, but she is not the girl to love one man and 'marry another, and I happen to know she's given her heart to someone else, someone I fully approve, and a gentle■man as would make her happy, and Pd be glad for. him to have the care of the money her father worked for," she said with what she meant to be an encouraging smile.

"Miss Julie is wise only to marry where she loves, and I'm sure I hope she'll be happy ; and as you've told me this I'll tell you I'm engaged, I hope to be happily married before long. Of course, I'm telling ypi Id confidence."

Mrs. Ray looked aghast. "Well, I never !" she said, and her face clouded.

"Did you think I was going to be an old bachelor ?" he said ; then, wishing her good-day, he entered the house, and Mrs. Ray, hurried home. "Poor woman, she'll tell her daughter, it's better she should know," he thought.

"What do you think, Aunt Sophia? t!ie minister's going to be married ; ho told me himself, just when I'd br,en trying to let him know as I shouldn't object to him as a hustand for Julie," said Mrs. Ray, sinking into an easy chair.

"Well, you're a bit of a fool to hive said anything of the sort," reI.lied Aunt Sophia.

"However shall I tell Julie, she's jvst wild about him," exclaimed Mrs. r.ay.

"I'll tell her, but not till after tea, and'don't you humour her ; she must tc let to see she's made a fool of h-.rself ; it'll help her to come to her senses," said Aunt Sophia.

CHAPTER XXVII. "Howe'er it be, it seems to me, 'Tis only noble to be good. Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood. —Tennyson.

Swift was strolling up and down the lawn in front of the Court smoking a cigar, the major had left him in order to write a business letter, and the former was glad as • it gave iiim a chance to thdnk over the occurrences of the preceding day. Suddenly his reflections were disturbed by Stella, who came towards him, saying :

"Father, I have had a letter from Miles, and he sajys something has happened since hei saw me, and he thinks it possible you may have told me. What is it ?""<

Her father laugbied lightly

"Really, that'B more than I feel inclined to tell you. Is your lover too lazy to write about his own affairs ?''

Stella's face fluslied, and her tone was indignant as dhe said :

"I expect Miles thought whatevei it is could be bettor told than written, but as he has* asked me to mccl him on the moor at eleven I shall soon know. Still), father, I thin* you might answer the question you refused to do befoce,l left the Hall." "What question \f * It seems to m<

spoke in a mocking tone

"You know verj' well what question I mean. Why don't you tell me whether you have consented to our engagement ?"

His tone changed and was cold and hard as he answered :

"I have given a conditional consent. If your lover chooses to fall in with those conditions, which Avill be greatly to his benefit, then I will consent to the marriage, otherwise I 3hall forbid it."

"I should be sorry to marry without your consent, father. Still, as soon as I am of age I shall become Miles's wife."

"Then you would never have a penny of my money."

"There are better things than mere money," she said.

"I have not discovered them. Let me tell you money means power, socially and commercially, there are not many doors that gold will not unlock. Be wise, Stella, and advise your lover to take the good things that are offered him, and in the long run you will have my million of money."

"Miles will do what he thinks right and I should not love him as much if he let money influence him."

"You are a pair of fools," said Swift, as he turned to meet his host, and Stella went into the house to get her hat, as it was nearly time to go to meet her lover on the moor.

In the corridor—just outside the bedroom —she met Grace.

"I was coming to see if you felt Inclined for a ride," she said.

"I should have liked it very much, but I have had a letter .from Mr. Ford, asking me to meet him on the moor this morning," replied Stella. quietly, and feeling considerably amused at the look of horror that came over her friend's face.

"You don't mean that man, the dissenting minister ?" she asked in a tone of dismay.

"Yes, I do. He said he couldn't call here, because he knew it would aot be agreeable to you or your father."

Wonder and dismay were plainly expressed in Grace?s face, and her tone was haughty as she said :

"He was right, we should have been annoyed, but, Stella, why do you go to meet him ? I know American girls are more lax than the English. Still, it is a mistake for you to make a friend of such a man."

"He's not my friend only, he's my lover, before long we shall be married, "'said Stella ; and her voice had a ring of pride in it.

Grace looked at her as though she thought she must be mad. At last she ejaculated :

"Does your father know ?" "Oh, yes. We would not do anything sneaky.' 1

"You don't mean to say he is going to let you marry that man ?" said Grace.

"On certain conditions. I really don't know what they are, but I shall hear from Miles."

"Stella, I believe you must be mad. Do you know that man has a little pokey chapel, and preaches to the tradespeople and very poor ? People in society wouldn't receive you."

"I don't want them to, I shall be quite contented with my husband's society."

"You think so now, but you would be verj poor, unless your father allowed an income."

"I don't think I should mind that. I've quite a genius for trimming hats and I'm sure I could make my frocks, and I'm a born cook, so you see all these things show that I was meant to be poor," said Stella, in a merry tone.

"And you would give up everything for such a man ?"

"Yes, and feel honoured that he had chosen me," said Stella, proudly.

"Stella, dear, I don't want to vex you, but Mr. Ford is a man of the people. He has no ancestors, no social position," said Grace.

"Oh, yes, Adam was his ancestor, and as for social position and pedigree I haven't much to boast of ; my mother belonged to an old American family, but I don't think my father's people were much, or I should have heard of it, so you see we shall be well matched."

"Your father told me he was deicended from the late Napoleon Buonaparte, on his mother's side," said Grace.

"Did he ? It's news to me, and I should take it with a grain of salt. You see, he's very ambitious, and likes to be thought someone, but really, Grace, I cannot understand why you set such store on a long pedigree. I wonder what you will do when you get to the next world where the only distinction will be goodness."

"Oh, that's a different matter, the next world will not be like this in anything," said Grace, a trifle impatiently. Since her rupture with Jack Cathcart she had lost some of tier sweetness and disposition ; in the 3unshine she would have expanded, trouble and disappointment were hardening her, and matting her irritable.

"Thank goodness, it will not. I fancy that character will mean aristocracy there, just as.blue blood does here, only Heaven's ■ aristocrats will never ignore those ' who are below them." Grace looked really shocked. "Stella, you are wickedly unorthodox. I suppose that man has tainted you." • Stella's eyes flashed, she might be climbing upwards, but a good deal of this world and its passions still held her down, and she exclaimed vehemently : "Grace, I should like to shake you. That unorthodox man is a saint and a true gentleman. lam prouder of him than I ever was of anyone in my life, and I think it is a great honoui that he should have chosen me. I don't want to quarrel with you, but if I am to stay here you must not speak' rudely of Miles Ford." Grace looked startled. "Really, Stella, you are a bit ol a spitfire. All the same, I don't want to vex you, so I won't mention Mr. Ford in future," and with thesf words she went downstairs, and Stella turned into her bedroom. As she put on her hat she came tc the conclusion that the disappointment about Jack Cathcart had soured her friend. "But it just serves her right, and she should have stuck to him, no matter what he had done if she loved him. v (To be Continued.)