CHAPTER IV. SHIRLEY BENSOS COMES A-WOOING.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 6

CHAPTER IV. SHIRLEY BENSOS COMES A-WOOING.

SiiiTiLEY Benson was the only son of a i wealthy Pennsylvania shipbuilder, and, a= he had been born with a silver ppoon in his mouth, he wan very much better than the i majority of mankind at least", in his own opinion. Shirley Benson's father and Dr. Bere?forr] had been schoolmate?, and the friendship contracted when they were boys was continned unbroken up to this time. While nothing had been openly paid about it - not oven in jesb— there was a tacit understanding between the two friends that, when the proper time came, their children should be united in marriage. So it came about that Shirloy and Miriam had known each other since they were child ren ; and, of lite ycnr-i this intimacy had ripened into love— at least on Ihe part of the younj? man "Ho, Meestcr Ben?on," called out. Han? Maun, when the young man opened the gato leading up to the house. " Glat to see j you're pack a'retty." " And [ am glad to b<s back." paid Shirley Benpon, walking on and ignoring the sturdy coachman's extended hand. 11 Pooty nice oop here in de hot votter," said Han?. " Yes. Al" well, 1 suppose ?" f * Oh, pooty goof," replied Hans. " Bud de beoplo hafe lot* oaF ogsitement mit findin' dot man, unt all dem dine? l.ke dot." fe "Yes, 1 heard about it," said Shirley Benson, quickening his pace, as if anxious to shake off Bans, who persisted in keeping by his side till they reached the hou?c u Dot det man's brooder— l nefer saw so nice a young fhontletnena as he vas— he been avay no more a3 two hour?." " What what his name?*' asked Shirley Benson, coming to a sudden halt and facing Hans. ! " Led me see. Oh, yea, Vel, dot young phentleman's namn vos Meester Glarenee Ash worth. Meea Miiiem she cry mit him ; und if id don'd vos aboud de trooble, I dinks he like her pooty goot." Having said this, Hans laughed and dieappeared in the bushep, while Shirley Benson went on to the house with a scowl on his face. Minnie, tlja maid, conducted the visitor | into the spacious, old-faehioned library, where the doctor poon appeared and gave him a cordial greeting. " flow did you reaoh here, Shirley ?"' *' Drove over from Kingston." " Did you come alone ?" "Yea; that is, I brought Elector along to care for the team and my things," "Where did you leave Hector and the team ?" " At the village tavern " m " Oh, that will never do," said the doctor, rising with the energy of a man accustomed to having hie own way, and touching a bell. , In response to the summons, Minnie's pretty face appeared in the doorway. V Didyou ring, sir ?" she asked. - .."Yes. Tell, Hans to go, down to. the tavern a$ once, and bring up, Mr Benson's team and his pervant. We have plenty of room (or both," said the doctor.

Minnie withdrew before Shirley, Benson could uttet the weak pioUstfoirmng on Mb ihinlip^. The next insKn.to 'his "attention was attracted by the ruttlo if a dress at the other end of the library. The colour came to his cheeks, and a glad light glowed in bi3 rather ; hard eyes, as ho turned and . B aw Miriam approaching With extended hands. " Welcome to Willowemoo, Shirley," ehe said, as she took his hands with a fervour that might hnvobe3n enly sbterly, though Shirley Benson wag not tho man to interpret iD in that way. *' I iim glad to be back again, and to find you all well,' he said, as lie placed a chair for Miriam. Tnen followed the formal, but in this case interested inquiiies about relatives and friotHs. Wlri'e the youn<j people were talking, the w.i^gon wilh shirley'eservant came up from i the village, and the doctor left the library to eive UanB somediiections. "I f WiUowemoc is throwing off its •irowsioess, and making a noise in the world," said Shirley, when tho doctor had gone out. '■ Do not ppe.ik sn ligliily about that trrrih'o event,' eaid Miriam with a shudder. " I. supposo it is sorioua enough to those directly itiioretteci ; bur, if nno were seriousover all tho serious event? that came under his notice, lifo would be a gloomy pilgiimage indeed. By tho way, is there any clu< to tho murderer?"' " iVot the slightest, Shhley," 11 Funny, is Vt it?' "Ifc luay be, but renlly, I cannot say etrange or mysteiious '' " Either word won't! bo better," she interupted, '•Well," hj continued, "it is str.ingt that a .nan should hive been murdeiol up here in that way. .Such crimes am u?u.ill\ commit te i for mn.i yur fur revtnge ; bui . hU man was nut rob bid, 1 believe?" "Ko ; his money,' pipers, and watch were found on hus prison," said Miriam. " I knew Frank A.-Ij worth before ho went ! to TnHiu Let mo ?ee; That was when I was eighteen and had entered the Freshman class at Ya'e. Clarence Ash worth vva3 a Junior at that timo. 1 don't; think Fiank ever had an enemy He was rich hefuro he w t nt to India. An old uncle. >«ho-e pet lie n-a?, left him lots of money ; and I have heard that ho mado a great frviono in TnHia IJo conducted his b.nhl.cr, anrl ha* ion? cn-ed for his mother ; so that it is ?afo to s*y he wr»3 a decentish -oit of a follow," euid Sliirlej*, with the manner of a man quite at home with his subject. 'Yes— for two year*. About tho timo he graduated I got t ioU , you may remember, and had to go home." Shirley Benson had been quietly forced fo Ie ive by the faculty for inefti jiency and bid habit? ; but Muiaoi did nob know this, and he was not a»:;ious to tell her " Wa* Mr Ash worth a go-d student ?" she asked. " Yes ;he was very bright— in that way Bo took tho class honours and that sort of thing, and then spent two years at Heidelberg. Still, none liked him." " Why not?" {l Well, you see he was spoiling with ambition ; and. then, ho had a perfectly horrible temper. 1 ' " You "-urpiitO tx.o. " '• [Te woilud hard, for he was as poor a? \v\t, at that timo, and. he believed that when he'd finished his education he'd have to work for himself ; but his brother's death will leave him a rich man." As Shirley Benson said this 0 smile played about his thin lips, and he archeri bis straight eyebrows in a way that added a horrible suggestivenees to his' words. "Mr Ashworth may be made wealthy by his brother's death," said AJiriam, " but ho did not impress me as a man who wor shipped wealth. ' '*• Tt strikes me," ho caul, with a start, "that you are much interested in Mr Clarence Ash worth." "Could I help being interested?" the asked, in surprise. 11 Certainly not ; and .opart from the sad mission that brought h ? m hero, Ashworth is handsmTie, talentc 1, and that sort of thing, I recall that at college ho was a lady's man. But I say, Miriam." " What J3 it. Hurley?"' " If you don't mind we'll change the sub ject. " Mr Ashworth is evidently nGt a pleasant subject, Shirley ; I shaU leave' it to you to introduce another one." Without appearing to notice.the_coldnes3 of Miriam's manner, Shiiley Benson drew his chair neater, j.ni tskrr] : "Do you know why I am here at this limn, Miriam ? ' " T am not gooJ n! euerdng," phe replied " You do not need to guess, Miriam," he paid, in a gentler tone. " You hive a good memory. Can you not recall what you promised at -iur last meeting ?' " [ can." " And ih ay.is— " " That I should have a 'yea' or a 'no' ready for you when we mot again," she ro pHed.