CHAPTER VIII. THE NEW CLAIMANT PRESUMES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 309, 20 October 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER VIII. THE NEW CLAIMANT PRESUMES.

The young Lady Nora was unusually silent as she rode slowly along the load that wound through Glen O'Neiland out upon the coast highway. There was no gayety now in looks or manner, but instead, a soft, brooding tenderneso, a thy happiness, that deepened the exquisite beauty of her piquant little face. Her sunny eye^ bhone with a radiant (rladness now that contrasted stiongly with their gloom of the earlier morning. Shane was as silent as his mistress, and Mrs Kelly, only too delighted ao being peimitted to ride quietly, took good care not to aiouse her young mistress from her reverie. The hounds were clamorous and noisy as ever, but their deep baying now and than was neither heard nor heeded by the Lady Nora. The little cavalcade was nearly an hour in reaching the draw-biidge of the Kildare Cut-off, after leaving Ca-tle Rum. The Lady of Kildare aroused hei^elf at this point and dashed over noisily, the hounds baying loudly at her horse's, heel;:. She was about to tin a into the wide avenue encircling the island, and proceed homeward with her customary speed, when the old bridge keeper moted into her path, intercepting her progress. He was a white-haii ed old man, large of face and of figure. He was one of the faithful retainer? of the family, and the Lady Nora loved him a? one loves the familiar landmarks about a cherished home, as well as for his many virtues. He was a little bent with the iheumatism and with age, and now leaned heavity upon a ma&sivo black thorn crutch. A scar across his ruddy forehead and a discoloration under one of hid eyes caught the attention of his young mistress*. ( What does this mean, Dennis ?' she demanded, in surprise, reigning in her horse. ' You have not been fighting?" The bridge-keeper eanie nearer to her, his features working with grief. ' It's that visitor st the castle, my lady,' lie answered, in a choking voice. 'He knocked mo down with his tist, and struck me with his horsewhip — ' The Lady Nora's blown eyes Hashed with indignat't tire. Controlling her anger with a strong effort, she exclaimed • ' What did you do or say to him to call forth such brutality?' k Only this, my lady : About half an hour after you went away, he came riding down the avenue on your horse Bombay, and he, ' Which way has your lady gone to ride 9 You needn't lie to me, you old beggar, but tell the truth.' And with that he scowled at me — ' ' You did not tell him f ' No, my lady. I refused to tell him, and then he fetches his whip down on me, and he jumps off the horse and knocked me down — ' ' The coward '* cried the young Lady of Kildare in her swift, hnpetuom; manner. ' The despicable coward ( Hosv dared he?' 'But that wasn't all, my lady,' said the bridge-keeper, still huskily. ' Tie got up and mounted again, and said he hoped he learnt me my place. And he said I was to understand that Kildare was na longer under a woman's rule, but that it had a master. And he said he was the master, that ho wa<* the Earl of Kildare, and 1 had got 10 look lively.' A sudden pallor drifted across the Lady Nora's fare. ' He presumes !' she said, haughtily. ' But it is not true, my lady?' pleaded Dennis, terrified at her looks. ' I don't know, Dennis. He claims to be the son of papa's eldest brother, Lord Redmond Kildare. He will have to prove his claims, Don't distress me, Dennis,' the girl added, as the bridge-keeper uttered a groan. ' I have so much to bear already.' Dennis expressed all outward signs of his young mistress. ' 16 can't be true, my lady !' he exclaimed. 'And, anyhow, the matter will be sifted, for Sirßussel Ryan and Mr Michael Kildare have just arrived. Heaven send that this black-hearted villain may be kicked out of this !' The Lady Ncra made no reply, but rode on. Shane and Mrs Kelly, appalled at the news they had oveihoard, slowly followed her. The Lady of Kildare had ridden some three-fourths of a mile, half the distance from the bridge to the castle, when her land steward, or overseor of the estate, arose from a rock by the roadside, lapped by the sea waves, and approached her, bowing respectfully. At the first glance at the overseer's stem, set face, the Lady Nora saw that something was wrong. ' What is it, Mr Mahon?' she asked, quietly. ' My lady, 'said Mahon, bowing, -you told me yesterday fchab you wanted some trees

Felled and branches trimmed in the park, so as to give a vista, or opening, to the north, and afford a view from the castle of the sea, through the park ?' ' Well ?' ' I was superintending the work this morning, my lady, when up comes that man that's staying at the castle, and orders me to dismiss the men and let tho trees alone. And he said he was Earl of Kildare, and ■your ladyship only a poor dependent.' ' What then ?' ' I knocked him down !' said Mahon. ' And he fought me like a tiger. I drove him oIY, and he went muttering that he phould dismiss me from Kildare — me, who have lived here from my boyhood !' ' You have not given up the work ?' ' No, my lady,' said Mahon, smiling grimly. 'The trees are falling as fast us the men can cut them down wli^ie you ordered it. But the man's earnestness startled me, and I made bold to intercept your ladyship before tho — the gentleman could complain to you of my insolence.' "I have no fault to find with you, Mr Mahon,' said the Lady Nora. Go on with your orders. I have not abdicated yet. This stranger claims Kildare, an tho don and heir of my Uncle Redmond. HU claim will soon be pronounced upon, but until it is, I am mistress of Kildare !' Bowing, she pursved her course to the castle. Ariivcd there, she dismounted at the steps and hastened to her own room, without seeing anyone. Presently a low knock was heard at her door, and the Lady Kathleen entered her pie&once. 'Come in, dear,' said the Lady Nora, wearily, flinging herself upon a low, luxuiioub, silken couch. 'I am alone.' ' You look very tired, Nora dailing '' said tho Lady Kathleen, approaching her young step si>ter, and kneeling beside her, ' Your guardians are hero !' 'So old Dennis told vie. They havogone up to oheir rooms, J suppose?' ' Yes Sir iiussel is looking very ill and very anxious. His lawyer is also here.' '80 much the better '.' said the Lady Nora. ' 1 have made up my miiid to light for Kildare, if I have the faintest ground of hope to go upon. What do you think of my rhal claimant, Kathleen ? He has beaten old Dennis, till the poor old man looks fiiyhttully. Re has quai rolled and fought with Mr Mahon, and asseited his ownership of Kildare in fche most vulgai manner. My aver&ion to him has increased to loathing.' ' And so has mine. You saw Larry ?' '\'es; and — and, Kathleen,' letiuned Nora, blushing vividly, ' he has oiFered me a home at Glen O'Neil. He loves me, and has a^ked me to be his wife. And though I don't intend to many him under some years, for I won't bo a clog and incumbrance to him, yet I am glad to know he loves me.' ' I have known it all along, 'said the Lady Kathleen. ' Did you see Loid Tre&ham ?' 'No; he has gone to Belfast to consult the lawyers, and sec if he cannot break your stiange marriago. ' The Lady Kathleen's face glowed with a great joy. 'He has not deserted me, then ' y she -said. ' And yet it would be better for him if he would. I cannot break thif marriage, Nora. I dare not.' ' Bassantyne ha* not been here this morning v 'No; but I evpect him with every moment. He is liable to come at any time. And that leminds mo that you will have scarce)}' time to dress ior the audience with your guardians and Sir Russel's lawyer. 1 will leavo you. ' She went out. Lady Nora touched her bell, and soon after her maid, or companion, Alleen Mahon, the land steward's pretty daughter, made her appearance. Her ladyship's toilet wa& then entered upon. The Lady Noi-a's pride had been stung by her rival claimant's proceedings, and she was detei mined to show to him that she had not.succumbed toadveisity yet, or wholly given over her belief in the justice of her own claims,. Theretoie she paid unusual heed to her attire. She was. fairly radiant when at last «ho stood before her long pier-glass and nuiveyed her rellection in the mirror Her e-mail feet were inclosed in dainty, highheeled bronze slippero. Hoi diesa was of bionze-hued silk, soft and thick, and with a ncculiai golden gloss on its shimmering tolds. It was worn long, with graceful tunic and sash. Her hair rippled as usual over her shoulders, and just above her fore head a coquettish bronze-coloured bow nestled among her pei fumed tresses. "There, Alleen; I'll do,' she said, wearily. 'My hair, eye&, diess, and slippers are all of a colour. I look like a "Biownie," a= papa used to call me.' She turned from the mirror and went to the window. She was standing there in a sorrowful attitude, when a knock was heard at her floor, and a servant entered bringing a request that Lady Nora would join her guardians in the drawing-room. ' Say to them that I'll be down directly,' she made answer. A minute later she went out to obey the summon**. In the wide corridor outside the door she encountered Redmond Kildare, the rival claimant, who was walking slowly back and lorth, evidently waiting for her. He sprang toward her, offering her his arm. bhe declined the civility haughtily. 'I wish to cseott you to the drawing room, Lady Nora,' he said. *We aie both about to appeart before a tribunal which is to decide upon our respective claims to the proprielorship of KilcUre. it is fitting that we should appear together, in seeming friendliness at least.' 'I cannot feign a friendship,' !-aid the Lady Nora, coldly. ' And it occurs to me that your faith in your triumph has not been very delicately asserted already, Mr Kildare.' ' I'm afraid I'm no courtier,' responded hci rival, with considerable complacency ; ' but lam honest. I fear that want of delicacy is a family failing. 1 have di&played it in the a&seition of claims, you think, and you have displayed it in your morning call upon a lover, I think.' He laughed softly, looking at her with his half-shut, gleaming eyes. The Lady Nora paled, then Hushed to the hue of the "wild rose. Without a word she swept past him with the hauteur of a duchess, descended the broad stairs, and made her way to tho drawing-room. Redmond Kildare followed her, still laughing softly. He opened the door for her, and she swept into the room without a glance at him. He lollowed her, closing the door behind him. Tnere were three gentlemen grouped around a table near the sea-windows of the drawing-room. They arose as by one impulse at the entrance of the young heiress. These gentlemen were the Lady Nora's associate guardians, Sir Russel Ryan, of England, Mr Michael Kildare, of Dublin, and Sir Russel's lawyer, Mr Wedburn, an Englishman, The Lady Kathleen was seated at one of the windows. Mr Michael Kildare came hurrying^ to- • ward his -young 1 kinswoman, w ith a little J dash of impetuosity.

_ He was an elderly mart, with the family likeness of the Kildares in his features, al- / though not in form. He was a small man, ] with soft, noiseless movements, and a soft, amiable manner. He was renowned for his gentleness, and it liad often been said of him that he would remove a worm from his path ralher than tread upon it. He liked flowers and birds, and all pretty, dainty things, and was fond of perfume?. His love for his niece was proverbial, and he was wont to say that he had never cared to marry while her innoeont affection remained to him. He was called a confirmed old bachelor, and indeed he seemed to care for no woman save Noi a. His face was mild and gentle and amiable, the features being delicate. His forehead was, retreating. He woie spectacles, which gave him something of the appearance of a college professor. The Lady Nora's heart warmed at sight of him. '1 am glad to see you, Mr Michael,' she said, giving him her hand, which he lifted to his lips. ' You are kind to come tome so promptly.' ' As if you didn't know 1 would die to serve you,' roturned Mr Michael, enthusiastically. ' I should have been here earlier, but that I waited for Sir Russel.' Tho baroneb came forward at this allusion ! to himself, and greeted his lovely young ward. Sir Rus=el was a sturdy, honesi/, uncompromising sort of man, with a stern countenance His complexion was florid, his hair and bcaid hay-coloured, Hi& judgment}, "Nora felt instinctively, was more to be ie!icd upon than that of her kinsman. She saluted him respectfully, and tho English lawyer, Mr Wedbuvn, a keenLrained, clear headed elderly gentleman, was presented to her. 'I believe now tliat matters have been put on their proper basis,' said Air Kilclaro, nibbing his white hands softly together. Noia, love, I beg you to be seated.' He placed a chair for her. The young heiress took possession of it. The gentlemen resumed their seats. Redmond Kildare also sat down, a little apart, yet where he commanded a view ot t< c entire group. 'The question before us, gentlemen,' ■said Mr Michael Kildare, 'is to decide in an amicable manner, and to settlo to tho best of our ability, the pretensions of thc&e rival claimants of Point Kildare. Two of us> aie guardians of the young Lady Nuia Kildare, the present proprietress of the estate, and as such aic naturally picjudiced in her behalf. Acting, theieforo, in her interests, and yet as Christian gentleman, who desire to deal justly, we will proceed to business. It, is not neces&aiy for me to say anything concerning the Lady Nora's claims. The foundation is too well known for discussion. We will now proceed to the examination of the young man's evidences of identity, and [ will then tell yon, as a witness who i-s compelled to testify to tho truth ayainst his will, all T know in the matter.' Redmond Kildare came foi ward and laid upon the table his formidable packet ot documents. Mr Wedburn untied the red tape that confined them, and engaged in their clo«e examination, assisted by the associate guardians.