CHAPTER XXXVII.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 222, 1 October 1887, Page 8

CHAPTER XXXVII.

MR CARPENTER'S SUSPICIONS. | At lost Ruby arose with an air of determination, and proceeding direotly to the ' parlour, approached the chess players, who appeared to be wholly absorbed in their game and entirely unconscious that anything unusual had been transpiring in the adjoining room. She stood looking" down upon the board for several moments without speaking, and hardly knowing how to broach the subject on her mind. "Is anything the matter, Miss "Ruby ?" Edmund Carpenter asked, glancing up at her with somo surprise, for it was an un-heard-of tiling for her to come into his presence voluntarily ; while something in her manner impressed him strangely. " Finish your game — I see you are nearly through — then I will tell you," she answered, without lifting her eyes from the boaid. She drew back a trifle, but continued to watch the game, her e}o» fixed, as if fascinated, upon the white, shapely hand of Mrs Gordon's antagonist, as it made its wary moves, while she wondered if it could have been guilty of the crime of tampering with his father's will. "Check!" murmured Mr Carpenter, as he boro clown upon Mrs Gordon's king with his knights. " Check !" was repeated, as a bishop swept diagonally across the board and confronted the much-tried monarch. He retreated again behind a pawn when Mr Carpenter marched his queen forward and took tho inoffensive- pawn with a victorious "Checkmate!" and the game was done. Mrs Gordon looked up with a sigh. " Well, you are the most successful player it was over my privilege to meet. I call myself pretty good at chess, but you checkmate me two out of e\ery three games," she said, viewing the man wistfully, as if she would like to try again, Mr Carpentor laughed. " I am usually successful in all games ;" he answered, lightly, as he began to gather up tho pieces and put them back into the box; ' indeed, l seldom fail in anything that I really set about doing. "Now, Miss Ruby, command me, lam mo>t happy to bo at your service," he added, looking up at tho young girl, while both his face and tone softened into something of tenderness as he spoke. She thought his boastful words had sounded very egotistical, and she could not help saying to herself that although he might have been always successful hitherto, she believod his luck was on the verge of changing, and all because of a tiny mou&e. But she simply remarked : "Mr Carpenter, I have broken your de-k." "Broken my de^k? Well, Ido not believe you can have done any very great damage to that cumbersome old thing ; so there is no need to look so serious over it. How did it happen?" he asked, indifferently, as he deposited the last pawn in the box and slipped the cover over it. " A little mouse ran behind it, and I attempted to move it out so that tho cat could cacch him," she explained. *'It was not an easy thing to do, and in bracing myself between tho wall and the desk, I broke a panel out of the back of it. lam very sorry n But Ruby did not have a chance to finish her sentence, Edmund Carpenter sprang quickly to his feet when ?ho said she had " broken a panel out of the biok of it," and, with a hurried tread, passed into the library. 110 went directly behind the door, dropped upon his knees, and peered into the aperture where the panel had been, with a face which Ruby, who had quickly followed him, was sure wore a very anxious look. He inserted his hand and felt all about, but only drew out the panel that had fallen within. " Did the mouae get in here ?" he asked. "Oh, no, ho only ran behind the desk, and Timothy caught him almost immediately after I had moved it out." " Did— did you find anything in here, Miss Ruby?" Edmund Carpenter inquired, i fouling about once more in the hole. i Ruby's heart leaped at the question. S Ho never would have asked it, she thought, if ho had not known something aboutthe will boing there, while his anxious, Hurried manner condemned him in her opinion. How could she answer him ? For an instant her lips were powerless to move. She could not toll a falsehood. She would nob give up the will. Then she said, with apparent surprise: "Why! what should I find, Mr Carpenter? Have you lost anything down there?" " No, no ; of course not. Only—sometimes, in these old desks, valuable papers slip out <of sight, and are lost for years," he answered, huriicdly, and turning away from her to hide the flush on his face. " Now I am confident that he kneio something about it," Ruby thought, with a rapidly-beating heart. But she said quite calmly, and as if she were willing to be helpful : "Let me go and ask Mrs Coxon for a small lamp so that you can examine the place more thoroughly. Perhaps you may find something." He turned and looked at her sharply, almost threateningly. The almost unconscious emphasis, which she had put upon the pronoun made him suspect her. She saw it and gazed steadily back at him, '• Oh, no ; pray do not trouble yourself," he said, after a moment, "and do not worry about the desk. There is no special damage done to it. The glue had become old and the panel warped, so that it is not strange it gave way when you pressed against it." Still, as if not satisfied even yet, he reached down again into the hole and felt all about very carefully. He knew it was the very place where the will ought to be unless someone had removed it, and he was growing very much disturbed not to find any traces of it ; but he only drew forth some cobwebs and dust, at which he looked exceedingly disgusted and annoyed. He arose, pushed the desk back to its place, and then sat down by tho grate, looking moody and thoughtful. Ruby picked up her book, seated herself by the table, and began to read again, hoping he would soon take his leave, and then, after Estelle should retire, she could regain possession of the important document. But Mr Carpentor evidently was in no hurry to go. Ho soon began to talk to Mrs Gordon, and kept her engaged in conversation for some time ; bub Ruby was sure, though she did not once look up at him, that he was watching her intently. The clock struck ten, then the half hour, and etill the master of Forestvale sat on. Ruby began to grow very nervous, and wished now that she had concealed tho will about her person ; then she- could have slipped quietly up to hor room and felt perfectly safe about ifc. At last it occurred to her that, if she made the first move, the others would soon follow, and then, after the house was quiet, she could slip softly downstairs again and secure hor treasure. So, with a half-suppressed yawn, she laid down her book, and, vising, excused herself and bade her companions good-night.

"Goodnight, Miss Btoby,."' Ekfeoamd! Carpenter responded, his keen eyes searching her face eagerly ; •' but- 1 shall' dowbfcless be here to greet you. in. the*. raonnißgr, for it is raining so hard I dbnot. intend! to return to town to-night. Pleasant- dsieama and a refreshing sleep to you;."' Ruby merely bowed in< rsply, a» sbft passed from the room ; but there>waß<something in his tone that gavej her. a^feeling o£ uneasiness. "He suspects me," she thought,, affshe slowly mounted tho stairs, while she reasoned that if he knew tho will. had beea there in the interior of that desks and, Gould not be found now, he must be sure tnn.il she had discovered and concealed, it.; and she knew that sho should not dare gx»downto the library for it while he remained! in the house. When sho awoke in the morning it; was still raining, and, being darker than U6ual, she had slept later than she was mi the habit of doing. " I wonder if he has gone yet ?" was. her first thought, as she glanced at her clock and found that it was nearly eight. Sho arose and dressed, occupying- more time than was her custom, so thatr if Edmund Carpenter had not gone, he- might have plenty of time to take his departure before she went down. At last she stole quietly down stairs, and thought she would just glance- into the library before passing on to the diningroom. But, as she turned the handle' toi the door, it resisted her efforts -it was locked. For a moment her heart stood still,, and she was sure now that it was to-be "diamond cut diamond ;" but with o> resolute setting of her little chin, sho told hersslf that she would not yield one inch of her vantage ground until she was convinced that justice would be done. She went on to the dining-room, where she found Mrs Gordon dawdling over a late breakfast, and looking as gloomy as the weather, while there were evidences that someone else had broken fast there that morning. " Is Mr Carpenter here* yet ?" sho asked, as she bade her sister good -morning-. "Yes; ho said ho had some important writing to do to-day, and begged the exclusive use of the library, which, being his own, one couldn't, well refuse-, though it's tho coziest room in the house on such a day as this. What a dreary morning !" Mrs I Gordon concluded, with a regretful sigh, as she viewed the descending torrents without. " Ye 3 ; and I am sorry enough, for I intended to £0 to town again this morning. I wonder if Thomas- wouldn't take me as it is f Ruby said, wistfully. "Of course not, in such a pouring rain. What can you be thinking of ? It would be very imprudent, and you've nothing of importance to take you there. " "I wanted to go very much," Ruby answered, with a grave, preoccupied air, and wondering how she could manage to see Mr Conant, or Mr Rugglcs, or someone whom she could trust. " Ah, good-morning, Miss Ruby," said a voice behind her, and in a faintly sarcastic tone, she thought. " I regret your disappointment, bub perhapj / could execute your commissions, if you would intrust them to me, as I shall be going to the city by-and-bye." Ruby flushed .slightly, but &he replied composedly, as she helped hei'3elf to a slice of toast : " Thanks, Mr Carpenter ; but I am afraid that my dressmaker would not accept you as my substitute." " Oh, then it is merely tho making of a dress that makes you so anxious to get into town. I imagined that it might be something of vital importance, you seemed so much in earnest about the matter. But surely, Mi&3 Ruby, you can curb your vanity for a day or two, rather than brave such a storm." " Certainly, the dress can wait, and I can wait also," she answered, indifferently. "Did you wish for anything in the library very particularly as you came cbwn," the man pursued, coming nearer, where he could look more fully into her face. " I regret that you were fastened out. I could not find it in my heart to lock any door against you." " Surely, Mr Carpenter does not need to apologise for acting as he pleases in his own house, under any circumstances," Ruby said, coldly, adding, " Estelle usually goes thero to rend after breakfast, so it was natural that I should peep in to find her on my way down." *• Ah, that was it then," he returned, blandly, but with a peculiar smile. He had spent .tho long night in the library. He had scarchod every nook and cranny of that quaint, old-fashioned desk, and knew that his father's will was no longer there. He knew, also, that it could never have get away without hands, and he was satisfied that Ruby Gordon had the document in her posses&ion, or had concealed it in some place where sho could get it whenever she wanted it. She had noticed that she watched him closely when he was upon his knees behind it, searching in thatapcrtuie to find the long-hidden document. He was furious with himself afterward for having betrayed so muoh anxiety in her presence —he might have waited until eveiyone was in bed, for he could see that sho was arguing that he must have been an agent in its concealment from that very fact, while her eagerness to get to town on this stormy morning proved to him that she had something of more importance than dressmaking in her mind. But she was very cunning and plucky. The more he betrayed his suspicions, the more cool and self-possessed she and h© admired her accordingly. He was determined, all tho same, that he would extort the truth from her before the day was out. He was a desperate man, and ready for desperate measures. She had not seen fit to make any reply to his last remark, but went on quietly with her breakfast, and an awkward pause followed. It was broken by the entrance of a servant, who handed Mrs Gordon a telegram. She broke the seal in an agitated manner, and read it with a blanching face. " What is it, Estelle," Ruby asked, observing it. " My sister Emma is very ill — dying, they fear— and they have sent for mo to come to Harrisburg immediately," Mrs Gordon replied in trembling tones. "You will go?" " Of course, I must, in spite of the storm ; but — what will you do, Ruby ? Will you come with me ?" ;~ £T2X Ruby looked thoughtful. : '-.;,* V3 ™ \ She did not wish to go to Harrisburg. She would not stay there at Forestvalo another twenty-four houi'3, and there seomed to be only one thing for her to do. "Mr Carpenter, do you know where Mr Rugglea sliOps when he is in the city ?" she asked, turning to Edmund before [replying to her sisteiv A peculiar light flashod into the young man's eyes as he mentioned a house with which she was nob familiar. " Will you allow Thomas to take a note to him for mo when he carries Estelle to ohe station ?" she asked.

"Certainly," he replied, heartily. *' Thomas is at your service in any way." "Then I will £a to Redville, Estelle," Ruby said, speaking to Mrs Gordon. " I will write him to come for me to-day, and if ho is not ready to return I will go and spend the intervening time with Florence. Now come and I will help you get off, for, of course, you wish to start as soon as possible." She pushed back her plate and arose as she spoko, and preceded her sister from the room, Edmund Carpenter's eyes following her with a sinister, triumphant expression. (To ba Gontinued. )

! A very wealthy young woman questions her confessor. "Is ib a sin, father," she asks, " to take pleasure in having people , call me beautiful ?" " Certainly, my child, ii is always wicked to encourage false1 hood."

A now bracelet, outwardly of a most ' chaste, innocent and beautiful design, but \ inwardly a ravening wolf, has just been invented, and thrown on the market. It has a wicked little secret spring that reaches out and nips a fellow by the cuff the moment he touches it, and holds him there until "pa" can come into the parbur, and, gazing sternly upon the affectionate and perturbed tableau, demand of the young man what are his intentions.

A fashionable young lady says she always enjoys the voyage because she makes the acquaintance of so many swells.

WHAT IS THIS DISEASE THAT IS COMING UPOH US.

Like a thief at night it steals m upon ut unawares. Many persons have pains about the chest and sides, and sometimes in th« back. They feel dull and sleepy ; the mouth *»as a bad taste especially in the morning. A sort of sticky slime collects about the ceeth. The appetito in poor. There is a feeling like a heavy load on the stomach ; sometimes a faint all-gone sensation at the pit of the etomacb which food does not satisfy. The eyes are sunken, the hands and feet become cold and foet clammy. After a while a cough sets in at first dry, but after a few months it is attended with a greenish coloured expectoration. The afllicted one feels tired all the while,' and sleep does not seem to afford any rest, After a time ho becomes nervous, irritable, and gloomy, and has evil forebodings, There is a giddiness, a sort of whirling sens* Lion in tho head when rising up suddenly. The bowela become costive ; the skin is dry and hot at times ; the blood becomes thick and stagnant ; the whites of the eyes become tinged with yellow, the urine is scanty and high-coloured, depositing a sediment after standing There is fre quently a spitting up of the food, some times \\ ith a sour taste, and sometimes with, a sweetish taste ; this is frequently attended with palpitation of the heart ; thevision becomes impaired vith spots before tho eyes ; there is a feeling of great pros tration and weakness. All of these symptoms are in turn piesent. It is thought that nearly one-thhd of our population has this disease in some of its varied forms. It has been found that medical men. ha\^ mistaken the nature of this disease. Sohw have treated it for a liver complaint* other* for kidney disease, etc., but none of tb4 various kinds of treatment have been atteP ded with success, because the rtzaedj ohould be such as to act harmoniously upon each one of these organs, and upon tha stomach as well ; lor in Dyspepsia (for this ia really what the di&easc is) all of these organs partake of this disease and raquire a remedy that will act upon all at the same time. Siegel's Curative Syrup acts liko a charm in this class of complaints, giving almost immediate relief. The following letters from chomists of ttanding in tha community whore they live show in what the article is held. oohn Archer, Harthill, near Sheffield t— I can confidently recommend it to all whfl m^y be suffering from liver or stomach complaints, having the testimony of my customers, who have deiived great benefit from tho Syrup and Pills. The sale is increasing wonderfully. Geo. A. Webb, 141, York-street, Belfast: --I have sold a large quantity, and the parties have testified to its being what you represent it. J. S. Metcalfe, 55, Highgate, Kendal :— T have aXunsys great pleasure in recommending tho CurAtivo Syrup, for I have never known a case wiach it has not relieved or tuned, and I have fctfld many grosser. Kobt. G. Gould, 27, High-ptree4, Andover: -I have always taken a great intert in your medicines and I have recommended them as I have found numerous cases of cure from their use. Thomas Chapman, West Auckland :— I find that tho trade steadily increases. I sell more of your medicines than any othtf kind. . „ , i . A N. Darroll, Clun, Salop : -All who buy it are pleased, and recommend it,. Jos. Balkwill, A.P.S ,Kingsbridge :— The public seem to appieciate their great value. A. Armstcad, Market Street, Dalton-ia-Furness :— lt is needless for me fco say that your valuable medicines have great sale in this district— greater th-i >\uy other I know of, giving great sati-' , ion. Kobt. Lame, Muiktham:— l can well recommend tho Curative Syrup from having proved its efficacy for indigestion myself. JMockheim. Arbroath, Forf are hire,

Sopt. 23, 1882. Dear Sir,— Last year I sent you a letter recommending Mother Seigel's Syrup # 3 have very much pleasure in still bearing testimony to tho very satisfactory results of the famed Syrup and Pills. Most patent medicines die out with me; but Mother Beigel has had ft steady Bale ever sinoe I commenced, and is still in as great demano as when I first began to sell the medicine The cures which have come under my noticfl are chiefly those of liver complaint and general debility. A certain minister in my neighbourhood says it is the only thing which has benefited him and restored him to his normal condition of health after being unable to preach for a considerable length of time. I could mention also a great many other cases, but space would not allow. A near friend ol mine, who is very much addicted to costive ness or constipation, finds that Mother Seigel's Pills are the only Pills which suit his complaint. All other pills cause a reaction, which is very annoying. Mother Seigel's Pills do not leave a bad after-effect. I have much pleasure in commending tpain to suffering humanity Mother Seigel's medicines, which are no sham. I! this letter is of any service you can publish it. Yours very truly, (Signed) Wm. S. Glass, Chemist. A. J. White, Esq.

15th August, 18S3. Dear Sir,— l writ© to tell you that Mr Henry Hillier, of Yatesbury, Wilts, informs me that he suffered from a severe form of Indigestion for upwards of four years, and took no end of doctor's medicine without the slightest benefit, and declares Mother Seigel's Syrup which he got from me hai laved Ilia life. Ycura truly; (Sijperl) N. Wifßß, Ur. Whitfe Chemisb Cain*