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

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2795, 26 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., etc,

PART 21,

She looked full at him as she said:,

" The man who was killed bylightning was struck down with a lie on his lips. He was my husband Barry Stirling, an d personated his twin brother, James, in order, to blackmail Rupert Cathcart. He told me that Barry was really dead when Rupert went through the ceremony of marriage with me and that I had made a mistake believing that James as. he claimed to be, was my husband Barry.

" Rupert believed him and was Convinced that in marrying Lady Annette he had committed bigamy; then, before the interview was over Barry was killed, and went with a lie on his lips to meet his Maker."

"It's you who are mistaken. The man who died in this house was James. I ought to know as he was my brother," said Swift. :

She took no notice of his words, but when he ceased speaking went on calmly:

"I read in a paper an account of the death of a stranger, an American, it was said, at Millwood Hall, and I read between the lines. I felt sure Barry had been trying to blackmail Rupert Oathcart. I couldn't tell on what grounds, but I felt sure there was something wrong, particularly as I had heard from a friend —who had seen him in London— that he was calling himself James Stirling. She had assured me he was really Barry, but I felt that I must know beyond a doubt which of the brothers the man who lay dead in" Millwood was in reality. I had never doubted that the man I had seen at Brighton—whose ceappearance had shattered my happinesswas in truth Barry, my husband ; but there was one way of making absolutely certain, and to do that I must see the body, so I came to Millwood, and stayed at the inn where the body had been taken. I arrived just after the inquest and by a little management I got the landlady to let me look at the body, and, strange to say, she called my attention to the very thing by which I knew I could tell whether he was my husband or not.

" 'It's strange no one claims him. He'd be easy to identify, as his big toe on the right foot is missing,* she' said. .

" She was right, and as I looked at his foot I recalled the accident by which he had lost it during the first few months of our married life. I can bring absolute proof that- he did lose that toe."

"It's a piece of nonsense. You always did try to thwart your husband and get your own way. Now you've taken it into your head to ba quixotic at your son's expense so you invent this tale," exclaimed Swift, who was white with anger.

■■■•■■" I am telling the truth, but knowing that some time there might arise trouble, and wishing to let Rupert know the truth without doubt I asked my friend* in London who had relations in Philadelphia, where Barry is said to be buried, to ask then to search the cemetery and to send me a copy of the inscription oa the grave. When I got it I saw that the name on the gravestone was James, not Barry Stirling. After that these people made inquiries anfr learned that Barry, my husband, had bribed an old servant of his mother's to write and tell me he was dead. She said she knew he wanted to marry some other woman, but the girl'died suddenly. Still, he let me believe him dead, and when he came to England he had assumed the name dl his brother James, who was buried in Philadelphia. When he saw me at Brighton, he had enjoyed my horror, but he had not the slightest intention of claiming me. Still he got tq know the truth about my relationship' to Rupert Cathcart and he also discovered that' I had not perished in the fire. Later, when he wanted money, he came here and told Rupert that I was really a widow when, he married me. I have letters from an old servant in America that will prove the truth of What I say, and I declare that Mr. Swift knows that what lam telling you is truth, but for some reason he has made up his mind that the man who marries his daughter shall be master of Millwood Hall."

" It's a He !" exclaimed Swift whd was white to the lips.

''Here are letters and papers that will prove what I say. Among them is a copy of the certificate of James Stirling's death," said Rachel, handingl them tb Jack Cathcart.

Jack examined them carefully, th'efl he returned them to Rachel, saying J!

" Thank you very much ; there la no doubt that these hear out what you say. But there are very ten people who would have been generoua enough to tell the truth as you have done."

*' Certainly neither Lady Annette nor her son was capable of such generosity; they held fast to the estate when they believed they had 1 no claim to it," said Swift with 1 » sneer. CHAPTER XXXIV, i* ' . " Live pure, flpeak true, right wrong, follow the King. Else?, wherefor born ?"—Tennyson. Jack's face flushed, but Lady 'All" nette turned quickly and looked at Swift with contempt and there was scorn in her tone as she said :

"At anj' rate we are not black* mailers as you are and your "brother was; his price was money, yours that your daughter should become mistress here." " Hush, mother, you forget Stella 1b here/ exclaimed Jack.

" Well, she's not like her iather; I don't include her, and I'm sorry she has such a father."

Miles Ford, who had movdd to Stella's side and was holding) her hand, now spoke gravely : "I don't see that these mutual recriminations do any good ; the truth is known and I ant glad, yes, honestly glad, that y/ ju remain Cathcart of Millwood," he mid, turning to Jack who stepj ,?ed forward and grasping his hand, said in a voice full of emotion : " You must take sotm > portion, of the estate." Before Miles could reply Swift ppoke In ft sneerittg too c :

"' You ate wonderfully feenuious to-day and as thiß business conclave ■has been turned into a mutual admiration society I think I will go," and with a bow that included them all, he turned to his daughter saying :. 11 Come, Stella." She hesitated, and looked at her lover ; her face was pale, and there was a look of horror in her eyes that the revelation of her father's duplicity had brought.

"I should like Stella to remain until we go ; 1 want her to know my mother," said Ford.

" Hang your mother, and you too. What have you got to do with my daughter ? Do you think I'll let her marry a beggarly parson who hasn't a name of his own ?" exclaimed Swift.

" If Miles still ■•wishes to marry me after all he has heard I shall be his wife," said Stella, re«olutely.

" Then you will never have a penny of my money, and foolish as you are, I don't think you'll care to lose that. Now, come," said Swift.

" Stella, will you be my guest for a little time ?" said Lady Annette.

".Thank you 1 very much, I will stay," said the girl; then turning to her father, she said: " I would rather not return to the Court today."

Without a word Swift turned on his heel and left the room ; then Lady Annette rose, and, going to Rachel Ford she held out her hand saying :

" You are a good woman and have behaved splendidly. How could you tell the truth, when, if you had not said anything, your son would have been master here ?"

Rachel took the proffered hand and clasped it firmly as she answered :

" I couldn't lie, not if by so doing my son would have become a ling. I grant that when I first heard the story that had been told my son I was tempted to wish he could stand in your son's place, but I couldn't have wronged you and sinned against my own soul."

Lady Annette looked, at her and realised that this woman whose life had been a life of sacrifice possessed a grand nature, and a feeling of shame and unworthiness took possession of her.

"Do you know that Rupert died believing you were his wife and that unconsciously he had wronged me ? He told me to see you and we could settle what was to be done, but I had made up my mind to keep what I thought was the truth secret, and retain the estate. If I had only done as he advised my life would have been much happier, but I felt sure that you would want the estate for your son." Rachel sighed. "It has been a sad muddle, but you know the truth now, and can be happy," said Rachel. Lady Annette turned to her son, asking him to ring the bell and she would tell the footman to bring the tea.

"Yes, and after that we can cotne to some settlement; I'm not going to keep everything," said Jack, addressing Miles.

"Of course, there must be some provision made for you and Mr. Ford, especially as he is going to marry Stella," said Lady Annette, turning to Rachel Ford.

She shook her head and Stella informed Lady Annette that Bhe didn't want to be rich.

" Suppose we have tea and discuss the matter afterwards," said her ladyship as the tea was brought in. While .they drank their tea Rachel talked to Stella and came to the conclusion that her son had made a wise choice.

"Well, now, I've a proposition to make," said Jack, as he advanced and stood looking from one to the other : " You suggested making a deed of gift by which the estate became mine, but we'd both forgotten one important item, viz., that the estate is entailed on the eldest son. So, you see, you couldn't have given me the estate—that fact flashed across my mind this morning, but there's nothing to prevent me sharing the income, and. I propose to divide it with you, then you can carry on some of the schemes on which your heart is set."

Lady Annette's < face clouded ; she was very grateful to Rachel Ford, but she thought her son was sacrificing too much ; still, remembering that had Rachel chosen to keep her own counsel no one else could have proved Swift's statement false, she had the grace to remain silent.

"I cannot accept such a gift," said Miles, quietly but firmly.

" Yet you would have given me much more. Why won't you take what I oiler? If my father had lived—after hearing you and your mother were living—l am certain that he would have provided liberally for you."

"Still, I cannot" take such a gift. You have been brought up here and taught to believe yourself the heir —It would have been a grievous wrong to have turned you,out, whereas I have been brought up to work, and I can serve my Master as. well poor aB rich. As for my schemes, I must leave them for some better man to carry out."

"But Stella ! TYou could give her a better homo. If you won't take half the income, take less," said Jack.

"I shall be happy and proud in any home Miles can give-me," eaid Stella quickly.

"But Stella 1, you won't be able to have more comforts. Mr. Ford's saliary cannot "be large, and you have been used to luxury all your life, then there is Mrs. Ford to consider," said Lady Annette.

"A fig for luxury," said Stella, laughing, a nd Rachel said :

"I have worked for. my living many years and never wanted, and I hope to work to the end of my days, but if I ever feel that work is a burden and rest a necessity, I will ask you, Lady Annette, to; give me of youT bounty," said Rachel quietly.

"Then I think we have decided that matter," said Mites ; then he looked at his mother, sa.ying :

"Are you ready to go back to Millwood ? It's a /good long walk."

"I'll order the carriage, then you needn't hurry," ■said Jack, with alacrity.

"I would much' rather walk ; we drove here, and I shall enjoy walking through the park," said Rachel ; then she turned to Stella, saying:

"I am going to stay a little while with my son. Will you come and have tea with us tomorrow afternoon ?"

"I shall be delighted to come," and Stella's face showed that her words were genuine.

"Then we shall expect you," she said, as she rose and, going to Lady Annette, said "Good-bye."

Her ladyship stood up and looked

gravely at the woman who hart nonr so much for her and her son, done whs-t she would not have been capabli of doing.

"You are a good woman, and I 3hall feel grateful to you as long as I live," she said.

"I couldn't have done otherwise

"I don't believe you could ; it is natural to you to be good," and she added in another tone : "I shall keep Stella with me for Borne time ; she will be better here than at the Court while your son is the bone of contention."

"When they are married the contention will cease," replied Rachel.

"You will come to see me again ?" said Lady Annette, as they shook bands.

"I think not; it is painful to me to come here, but you will always have my good wishes," then as Miles shook lands with her ladyship Rachel turn--3d to Stella, kissing her tenderly. CHAPTER XXXV. "If a woman did turn man out ol Paradise, she has done her best ever since to make it up to him."—Sheldon.

The next morning Stella received a letter from her father, and, opening it, she read :

"Dear Stella,—l am going to London to-day in order to secure a house ready furnished. I shall take one of the best I can get, as I mean to launch you in society, and no doubt you will then marry so well that Millwood Hall and its owner will appear small and insignificant. Major Doyle has promised to ask a sousin of his, who married the Earl of Spennithorpe to be our sponsors. I don't think from what he said that his grand relations have much to do with him, but he hinted they would be glad to be of service to a millionaire with a beautiful daughter ; so as soon as the house is secured he will write to them, and in return I shall invite Grace for a few weeks when she may also find an eligible husband. Put all the romantic notions in which you have been indulging out of your mind ; remember that what is called love is a myth, that money and position are the real things—the things that ensure the world's favour and all substantial good. Prepare yourself to become in a week or two the mistress of one of the grandest mansions in London, where my wealth and your beauty will enable you to become a queen in society. Before I close, one word of warning. ( Should you be obstinate and keep to your silly notions of marrying the nameless ranting parson then I will blot you out of my life; you shall never have a penny of my money, but ft shall not go to charity. I will marry again and have children to whom I can leave it, who will be trained to believe that money is the one good thing in We. This is no idle threat. —

Your Father." P.S.—You will return at once to Doyle Court.

As Stella put the letter down Lady Annette said:

. " I see your letter is not very pleasant reading."

" No, my father says if I marry Miles he shall cast me off. lam sorry but I cannot give up the man I love for the sake of money and a position. He is going to take' a house in London, and while he is looking for it he wishes me to stay at the Court."

Lady Annette's face clouded ; she was really fond of Stella. "Is it necessary that you should do so?"

'• I don't want to go. Grace dislikes Miles."

"Then stay here ; it cannot make any real difference to your father," said Lady Annette, and co it was settled.

About three o'clock that afternoon Stella dismounted at the door of the little house where the minister lodged and the groom took her horse after being told to return in three hours ; then as Stella turned to enter the house the door was opened by Miles, whose face was radiant with happiness, and they went upstairs to the sitting-room where his mother was waiting to welcome Stella.

She looked admiringly at the beau« tiful girl, who was charming in her riding habit and little cloth cap.

"I was hoping nothing would prevent you coming," she said, as she kissed her.

" I don't think anything could have done. I wanted so very much to see you and Miles," said Stella with a happy laugh ; then her face became grave as she added, " I've had a letter from my father this morning. I want you both to read it." And she took out of a cunningly-contrived little pocket in the skirt of her habit, her father's letter.

Miles read it; then handed it to his mother who, after reading it, looked gravely at Stella saying :

"My dear, you ought to weigh this matter well. If you become Miles's wife you will have to give up most of the things to which you have been accustomed ; you will be the wife of. a poor man ; your housekeeping will have to be on a most economical scale; where you have had well trained Bervants to do your bidding you will have one untrained maid who will probably try your patience sorely."

Before she could say any more Stella had risen, and, throwing her arms round Mrs. Ford's neck she kissed her, saying laughingly :

" Are you trying to frighten me? because it's no use ; I've thought of all these things, and I know they will count as nothing to the real happiness I shall have," and she Bpoke the last words in a whisper.

Rachel embraced her

" My dear, I was trying to show you the shady side of your future life but I didn't think it would weigh with you," she said.

Miles, who had listened quietly to what his mother and sweetheart had to say, now spoke :

" Stella, I needn't tell you that you are the one woman in the world for me, that unless you are my wife I shall not marry. Still, my mother has done right to show you what you will lose, but I will try to make it up to you by surrounding you with love. Will that compensate ?" b* asked, looking down at her. %

(To be Continued.)

Irene.— " A girl shouldn't marry a man till she knows all about him."

Evelyn.— " Good gracious ! Ii she knew all about him she wouldn't marry him."

She.— " Why is it that a woman never looks at the man she's marrying when at the altar?"

He.— "I do not know, but I do know she keeps her eye on him well after the wed^inw."