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

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2792, 19 May 1911, Page 4

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

By Hedley Richards, Author of "Time, The Avenger/ 9 "The Mine Master's Heir," etc., etc

PART W. CHAPTER. XXIX,

"We are poor fools, and make sad mistakes, but there is goodness hived, like wild honey, in strange nooks and corners of the world."—Douglas Jerrold.

While Lady Aiwctte was interviewing Miles, Stella and Grace were having a talk. They were seated on the lawn, Grace had been telling her companion about her visit to Scarsborough, but she never alluded to Millwood Hall or asked Stella anything about her visit, and now when Grace had apparently told all, Stella sat up and looked at her friend as she said:

"You haven't asked me how I enjoyed myself at the Hall ?"

Grace's face flushed

"Oh, I expect you'd have a good time, Lady Annette is a first-rate hostess," she said, trying to speak Indifferently.

"Yes, bat I don't like Lady Annette, I think her' a scheming woman " then she stopped suddenly, remembering that it would not do to let Grace know that Jack Cathcart bad asked her to be his wife, or Grace would be lea* iactfned to listen to him than ever, aad she wanted to make peace betweaa them.

"I don't know ttwt I've thought her scheming. What makes ytra say she is#"

"Heaps of things."

After a moment's consideration Stella aald:

"Grace, I'm going to tell you something that I think yon ought to know, but first you must give me your Solemn promise newer**©, tell anyone, not even your father."

Grace regarded her with curiosity.

"Not even my father*!" she said

"No, not a living person, and the promise must be kept as sacredly as avow."

"It must be something unusual, and you say I ought to know, so I'll promise never while I live to reveal what you tell me," and Grace spoke in a grave tone.

"Thai's all right; and now, Grace, I'm going to tell you what prevented Jack Cathcart asking you to be his wife and Why he said that he might some day have to face a gveat trouble." ' •

"Has he told you what it is ?" ex* claimed Grace, sharply ; it was hateful to her to think that the man she loved had confided in another woman.

"No, he hasn't. Grace, have you no more faith in him than to think he would tell me what he kept from you ?"

Grace blushed.

"You .don't know how u«n»ppyl'vi been, and I've thought all sorts of things'." "Then the sooner you make up your mind to think of Jade as an honourable man—who has been very badly used—the happier you will both be."

A bright look came into Grace's face as she said eagerly :

"Then it will all come right ? Jack has been making a mountain out of a molehill,"

Stella shook her head.

"No, there's a very big mountain of trouble for Jack, but you can lighten it for him if you like."

"Tell me how?" and her voice was eager.

"You'll see for yourself when I've told you all; and to begin with, it was my father who told me what Jack's trouble was, and it is he who is trying to spoil Jack's life, though he professes to be very fond of him ; but I'll tell you all." And Stella told the story of the past.

Grace listened with breathless attention, but as she realised what it meant her face hardened, and when Stella ceased speaking she said : ''I understand now why you are engaged to Miles Ford ; as toe Master of Millwood Hall he will be a different person from a ranting parson."

Stella forgot she; was climbing the golden stair ; she 'forgot everything In her anger.

"You are a mean, contemptible girl and you think ev«ryooe is like yoorself," she said.

Grace flushed scarlet.

"I don't'know why you'>are in such a rage ; I only spoke theStruth, but ['m sorry that I use* the word rant-: ing:. Still, you know vety well that the world would count a- Cathcart— if he is one—of Millwood /Hall a very different person from % dissenting minister."

Stella had regained her»self-control, - and she told herself that Grace had only spoken the truth as regarded i'the way the world would view Miles. ."■ "I was vezed because you hinted it was his changed position that mado me promise to be his wife."

"I didn't mean that, but I'm sure it has influenced your father ; but it's a dreadful affair, and I spoke hastily. Don't let us quarreL,' Stella ; I have -bo few friends."

Stella clasped theAoiher girl's hand.

"I spoke in a temper, and I should! have enjoyed bearing your ears just now ; but it's over and done with. If you havent many friends you've Jack ; it. will be aU right now."

Grace looked at her friend in great amazement.

"You don't meen to say that you think I could marry a man who bas not even a name to oiler me. I wouldn't have cared if he had not a penny piece, but this is too dreadful," and she lowered her voice ac she said : "He's illegitimate." "That's not Ms. fault or anyone else's ; it's all arisen out of a frightful mistake." "Yea, it's an. *wtoh thing. Still, he will bear the stigma all his life." "Then help him to bear it. My father says if Jack ■will go to America he will help himuoo in the world, and in a little time you could join , him there." Grace rose, and there was a proud ring in her voice as she said : "A Doyle of Doyle Court cannot marry a nameless mam. lam going for a ride. Will you cone ?" -- "No, thanks," repttwd Stella, coldly, as Grace went into the house. A quarter of an hour later she heard the sound of horses 1 hoofs" going down the drive and ahe knew thai Grace had started. "So she's going to let her prid( spoil her life," she thought; and then took up a book and tried to forgei what had passed. Meanwhile, Grace had taken tin toad that led into Mill we tod, intend

ing to pass through the town and rr turn by a circuitous way to th Court. It was a long way, and sly. would only get home in time for dinner, but Grace was out of humour with the world, and Stella in particular, who she thought despised her without reason. Stella was an American and viewed things with different eyes, no well-born English girl would entertain the idea of marrying an illegitimate man ; it was utterly impossible. Happening to raise her eyes she saw Jack Cathcart coming towards her, he was riding a thoroughbred chesnut that was his especial favourite. He was a fine man and looked well on horseback, and the sight of him brought the blood to her face and made her heart beat quickly; but Bhe told herself she must not be foolish, her duty was plain, she must let Jack see there couKL never be anything between them ; then as he stopped and raised his hat she saw that he looked pale and grave. "Good afternoon, Grace. I was coming to see you," he Baid. "You'll find my father and the Swifts at home. I'm going for a long ride," she said, coldly.

"I was coming to see you, Grace, not your father or your guests. I have something' I want to tell sou ; so if you don't mind I'll ride with you," he said.

"I don t think you need bother to. I fancy I know what you've got to say."

He looked sharply at her, she had spoken coldly.

"I scarcely think you do," he said

"Oh, yes, yo*rw»nt to tell me that you have no claim,to the Millwood estates and other things."

"Who has totd you this ? Surely the tale-is not public property yet."

"Stella told me, she thought I ought to know. I believe she hoped tt would " then Grace stopped suddenly.

"I understand. She hoped it would lead to out happiness. Stella is a good friend. Well, I was coming to tell you that, and I was going to ask you- if I went to America and made a position and money if you would marry me ? It wouldn't matter there what my name was or that I'd once thought I was Cathcart of Millwood and found I've no claim to the name ; the dollars would make it all right," he said, rather bitterly.

?'But I should know," she answered in a k>w tone.

"And you would despise me," he said, quickly, and his face flushed.

"Not despise you, it is not any fault of yours that you " then she paused.

"I'll help you out, it's no fault of mine that I cannot claim .my father's name ; we'll understand each i other this time, Grace."

"No, you are blameless, and I don't see who is to blame, only Lady Cathcart should not have brought sou up as a Cathcart."

"I think we'll leave my mother out of the discussion ; she may have made mistakes, but she was sorely tempted and a mother thinks more of her son than of justice or right, I suppose. Now, you admit I'm blameless, you know the truth, and I can ask you now what I couldn't when you would have been giving a promise in the dark. Grace, I love you with all my heart. When I have made a position will you be my wife—not here where it would hurt your pride, but in another country ?" "I cannot," she said, in a low but firm voice. "Why not ?" "Because I am a Doyle of Doyle Court. I cannot marry a nameless man." "Thank you ; Miss Doyle ; you have taught me how the world will regard me. Good day," and raising his hat he turned his horse round and galloped down the hill back to the town.

Grace sat quite still, regardless of the pawing of her horse that was tired of standing, and for a second she felt inclined to gallop after him and tell him she would be his wife in spite of everything ; then her pride spoke and told her she would never be happy with a man at whom the world would look askance. If it had not been for the groom, who had been waiting at some little distance, well out of hearing, she would have gone back home ; but she didn't want any comments made in the servants' hall, so she rode slowly forward, determined to let Jack get well out of the way, and instead of going round through Millwood she turned back as soon as she came in sight of the town and got home in time for tea, which they were having on the laws.

"I toofci your place, Grace," said Stella, who had been pouring out the tea.

"Thank you," she said, but her voice was cold and hard. Presently, when her father and Swift had strolled away, Grace turned to her friend saying :

"I met Jack, and the matter is over for ever."

"Settled ! How ?" exclaimed Stel-

"He knows I shall never be his v»ife."

"You refused him ? Oh, Grace, you v ill regret it."

"Not I. Do you think I want to be Mrs. Jack Nobody all my life? I would far rather be Grace Doyle of the Court," she said, bitterly.

"I believe your pride will ruin your lire. I hope you were not cruel to h'm, Grace," said Stella.

"I believe he thinks I was, but it doesn't matter; it's over and done with. Don't look at me like that, Stella. You think only he suffers, when all my life is ruined."

With these words Grace rose ' and hurried into the house.

"Poor girl, she is suffering, but if her pride would let her, she might be happy" ; then Stella went slowly into the house and wrote to Jack.

"Dear Mr. Cathcart,—l feel that I should like to tell you how very sorry I am about the trouble you are in, but to those who are your friends it will make no difference. If I had not met the man I love here I would wish my father and I had never set foot in Millwood. You know I am going to marry Miles Ford ; it was all settled before we knew anything about this. I don't believe what my father told him has added to his happiness and he doesn't know what to do.—Believe me, your sincere friend, "Stella Swift."

"I hope that will comfort him a bit. I'm afraid Grace has been very cruel," she thought.

CHAPTER XXX. •• To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to anj man." . — ShaUespeare.

"I saw that man Ford yesterday I'm afraid he is going to give us trouble." said Liady Annette to hei

aon, ac she laid the paper down. Breakfast was just over and they were in the morning room. Jack was standing in the window, thinking about the future, when his mother's words roused him and he turned round quickly saying :

"What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid that he intends to ;laim the estate ; you see, I was ansious to know what he intended doing, so I called to see him yesterday afternoon."

"Called to see him !" exclaimed Jack.

"Yes, I thought I would take the matter in hand, and I will tell you that I am certain he is a Cathcart. He is remarkably like one of the portraits in the picture gallery ; moreover, he is like you and your father, Intolerably obstinate. I told him if he would go away and forget what Mr. Swift had told him I would give hini twenty thousand pounds, but he refused it."

Jack uttered an exclamation of annoyance, but his mother went on :

"After that I; offered him thirty thousand, but the wretch told me he wasn't to be bought."

" Mother, how could you do such a thing ? You are offering to bribe Him out of his own money. It was a positive insnlt aad ridiculous," exclaimed Jack.

"Nonsense, you are in possession, and that is nine-tenths of the law, and I told him I only made the offer to save the cost of a lawsuit, because he would be sure to get some lawyer to take up the case on the ;hance of him winning," said Lady Annette.

" There will be no need for that. I Intend to give it all up to him. I've been waiting to hear from him ; now I shall go to him and tell him I'm going away next week, and he can take possession. I intended waiting to trj' to make your future easy, but you've made it impossible for me to itay."

Lady Annette looked seriously disturbed.

11 You mustn't do that, Jack. Mr. Ford told me he wasn't decided what to do, that he was in communication with his mother, and should do what he believed to be right. Oh, we parted quite comfortably."

" Yes, he is a good fellow ; all the 3ame you have given him the impression that I want to retain the estate and I shall undeceive him," said Jack as he crossed the room.

" Where are you going ?" asked Lady Annette.

Jack paused, with his hand on the door handle.

"I'm going to see Ford," he replied ; then opening the door he passed out without taking any notice of bis mother's remonstrances, and in a little while she saw him riding' through the parki.

On arriving at Millwood Jack put up his horse at the Golden Fleece, then inquired where Ford lived, and soon reached the house. In answer to his inquiry Migs Robson told him the minister was in, and as she led the way upstairs Bhe began to wonder why all these grand people were coming to see Mr. Ford. Were they seeking spiritual advice, or what ? Then as she tapped on the door she said :

" Our,minster's a grand man, sir."

" I'm sure he is," replied Jack, heartily, then, as she announced Squire Cathcart of Millwood Hall, Jack entered, and Ford—who was busy writing—laid down his pen, and rising, turned smilingly round! with outstretched hand to greet his visitor. \

Jack grasped his hand and the two men stood silently gazing at each other, then Ford spoke :

"If what Mr. Swift says is true, we are half brothers," and his handclasp tightened.

" Yes, but I'm a poor sort of brother. I don't blame myself for the years I have lived at the Hall and thought myself master when I didn't know the truth ; but I learned it the day I first saw you, the day of the storm, and since then I've been a cheat and a fraud, but it was an awful temptation. Do you remember me telling you, the day we met in the wood, that I was sorely tempted not to pay a debt that my father had contracted ? I was alluding to the giving up the estate to the man to whom it really belonged. You told me a man had» to do right and leave the issue, that if you were in my position you should choose the right at any cost."

" Ah, but I understand better now, since Mr. Swift told me I was a Cathcart. I've been in the depths ; I've realised what temptation is as I never did before."

" Why ? What has been your temptation ?" asked Jack in surprise. " Didn't I tell you money would be a great temptation to me ? Well, for a day or two after I heard what Mr. Swift had to say I was doing battle with myself. I longed to seize the estate and money. Schemes for the good of my fellows crowded into my mind, schemes in which I was a philanthropist. I was always the central figure, until it dawned on me that while helping others, I wanted to pose as their benefactor."

" Why shouldn't you take your own and do with it as you will?" said Jack.

"Sit down, and we'll talk matters over. To begin with, I felt as though you'd more right to the estate than I had : you'd been brought up to believe it was yours. It was an awful mistalfe that deprived you of it, a mistake made by my mother. She ought to have been quite sure that the man whom she saw was in reality her first husband before she took flight and let your father believe she was dead, and I feel very loth to claim the estate. At the Bame time I knew my mother ought to have a voice in what was done, and as Mr. Swift reminded me, if we didn't settle the matter there might be litigation between our descendants, long after we were dead. 1 should like—if my mother is willing— to formally claim the estate, then execute a deed of gift by which it would become yours. The affair could be arranged without publicity; only the lawyers need know," said Miles.

"Do you think* I would take it from you ? I've felt ever so much happier since I knew I'd done being a cheat and a fraud," exclaimed Jack.

" Yes, but this would be a different thing. Of course, I would agree to take a few thousands. I should like to settle a couple of thousands 01 Stella, and with the rest I could help the needy. That is my plan, but ] didn't tell your mother, because to s certain extent I must be guided bj my mother's wishes."-

Jack shook his head

" I couldn't accept the gift."

(To be Continued.)