AN AMERICAN INVASION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 July 1907, Page 3

AN AMERICAN INVASION.

I "Lord Pender—Mrs Daintry." U was Johnny Hilltop who introduced them, at the house of a mutual friend, on an autumn afternoon. "Mrs Daintry is from Washington," said Johnny.

"Ah! From Washington—yes!" answered l«nl Tender, as he glanced at her vaguely with his kind, short-sighted eyes, us if she were rather an interesting specimen of American flora. lie was a noted botanist.

"Lord Tender is from Herefordshire,' added .Johnny Hilltop.

"Ah I Herefordshire » 1s that so!" answered Mrs Daintry with n clear high voice. Mrs Daintry was a widow, and she rightly considered Lord Tender a Very line specimen of British aristocracy.

TlSre w..0 ,v Second's silence. The botanist stared at a bowi of .l',i>niucsc chrysanthemum*. Mrs Daintry followed his eyes. "Are you fond of flowers'" she asked, feeling it was a commonplace question,

but slightly embarrassed, in spite of her easy self-possession, by the silence of her companion. "Fond of dowers!" he repeated with a start—the perfection of the chrysanthemums absorbed him. "Oil, yes, I believe so. And von

"Not tame garden (lowers," she answered. ''T just hate them! Hut 1 love the wild flowers at home—the skies on the earth—purple and gold and blue." He looked at her quickly, and she repeated "'purple and gold anil blue." They

were good words, and she could not Jeniember the names of any particular flowers. .Mrs Daintry had always disliked the countrv.

"I have a perfect wilderness of wild flowers in Herefordshire," lie said, "but 1 tliink von would admire it more in the spring. We have made rather a hobby of the daffodil. It is Madeline's favorite flower." "Madeline';" repeated Mrs Daintry. "I beg your pardon—l should have said Miss Madeline l.lale, that girl in pink, talking to the pale, wrinkled man with smooth hair." Mrs Daintrv fl across the room.

The girl in pink was about nineteen, slight, tall and undeveloped: something of the wood-nymph in her nut-brown skin, wavy hair, and shy. wild eyes—a wood-nymph in an excjuisite dress. "The pale, wrinkled man with the smooth hair is an old friend of mine," said Mrs Daintry, not honoring the girl with a comment. "He is Mr Seth

Vansittart. A very lovely man." ],ord Pender smiled at lior quaint phrase. lie thought she was delight* fully fre-h and promised to be original. "Seth Vansittart/' he repeated. u Why do Americans have such curious names?" '•What about Albert Kdward John Hugh Kiverdale, fifth earl of JVnder? v she retorted, quoting Debrett. lie joined in her laugh. TUeve was something about Constantia Daintry that amused aud interested him. Many of • her friends, and all her enemies, said she was aggressive, but that was hardly » perceptible in a five minutes' talk. "1 should like to see vour wilderness"

she said, abruptly returning to the original subject. "I'm afraid you yould lind it a'voeioiislv dull," he replied. shaking bis head. "We live a very quiet life, my sister. Madeline. and I." I "'s Madeline your niece':" asked Mr? I Daintry. pic-kin;: up fads as she went I along.

"()h. no. .Madeline dale is the daughter of one of my sister's old school friends." "An adopted daughter ?' hinted Mrs

Daiutry. "Of my sisterV/ Ye*.*' said Lord Pender. Mis Dainlrv observed that be did not accept the wood nymph as hi* adopted daughter. It was a tritie, but Onstautia did not like it. She glanced again at Madeline (lale, and marked the earnest-nes-i of Seth Yansiltart. Tie was looking closely into her face, and the girl, evidently sbv and nervous was lidgeting with her gloves. she suddenly raised her eves, vngwdy conscious of Mr* Daintry's fixed gaze, and saw Lord Pender With a few ijuiek words lo her companion, frankly holding out her hand as she spoke them, Madeline parted from Yansittart. and crossed the room. Lord Pender introduced her to Mrs Daintry. "Von an' to be congratulated, Miss dale!" said Consfantia with twinkling eye*. "Congratulated T' repeated Madeline

in a puzzled voice. "On the discomfiture of Seth Vansit tart!" said Mrs Daintry. "Oh—have I been rude?" exclaimed Mvdelino, with sudden compunction, looking from Lord Pender to the American in the distance.

"Let me explain, M said Mrs Daintry quickly. "Mr Yansittarl is one of the cleverest advocates in the United States, land 1 have never seen him nonplussed I be fore"

"I didn't notice it," said Madeline, heartily regretting her brusque good bye. "But I wanted to speak to Lord Pender. Do you think I have offended IMr V'ansittart?" "I'll go and ir.ake your peace!" laugh ed Mrs Daintrv.

"She treated me as if I were a naughty child!" said Madeline, looking after Constantia, gravely, with her dark brows drawn together. "She doesn't like nie Adam." "My dear child!" exclaimed Lord IVnder. "Why on earth should she dislik- j you? Does Mr Vansittart dislike you.

I too';" no." Said Madeline, calmly, "lie ithiiik.s I'm very lovely." Lord Pender smiled at her maltcr-oi-ifaet tone. "How do you know that';" he asked affectionately. "Because lie told 111 c so," said Madeline.

Lord Pender thought of .Airs Daintrv's cross-examination, flushing, intimate smiles, and sudden interest in his wilderness of flowers.

"I think tin-" Americans are too ex citing, inv dear!" he said.

"I agree with you, Adam," answered the girl.

111 this was the first act of the comedy, named bv .lolinny Hilltop "An American Invasion," played to a finish. It left Lord I'emier vaguely haunted by Die sparkling charm of an American woman; Madeline dale definitely jealous; Seth Vansittart piqued and captivated; ami Oon;(anlia Diimry with an ambition.

Constantia was fond of the word 'ambition." Sometimes it had spelt succe .-.s in her career—notablv when it was her

ambition to lie known as a fascinating

woman—and sometimes failure—when L he wished her late husband for instance, to double his millions and make a name

in Congress. Her ambition, after tlie discovery of Kngland, was io marry an Englishman. Klu* was a woman of sen-w She thougV. ;<tver the IVnder probability for several i days—seriously, anxiously—and. having made up her mind, turned desire into action.

"f am going to stay at Pender Cou.t in April." she said to her old friend Setli YausiUart. "'ls that so? Great scheme!" anI swered Yansittart, looking at her, admiringly. lie was good-natured and successful man, but his face habitually wore the deeply troubled expression of (he American who is trying to enjoy himself instead of making money. '•Why do you say 'scheme,' Van?" asked Mrs Daintry lightly.

"[ use my eyes, Constantia. I have | observed your method of treating out bo-lanical friend. It does you credit, i shall be the first to congratulate you—nnd him."

"What do you mean, Van?" said Mrs Jpaintry, blushing in spite of herself.

Yansittart intently studied the embroidery on the kimono sleeve that was nearest to him, before he answered, with a hiut of a smile on his thin lips. "Divination bv sympathy, Constantia. "Madeline dale is simply exquisite."

"Dear old Van!" exclaimed Mrs Daintry. ''Are you serious?" "Am f ever anything else?" he asked.

The lady was secretly annoyed at bis shrewd guess of her inmost thoughts. Vanisttart, cold and reticent iu so many Ways, wan singularly frank in discussing Ini* admiration of Madeline.

"1 intend to marry that little girl," be said.

"If she will have you, Yan," observed Mrs Daintry. '•Oh, she'll have me." said Mr Vaiisittarl calmly. ''lt is as certain—sure deal —as —as—your engagement to Lord Penj dev." "How dare you— —" began Mrs ])am* try. rising indignantly. "Pardon me! Presumption of a* old friend, (Vmstantia. Is it such a terrible thing to have said—straight now, is it*" •it was very impertinent*, Van. but I forgive you."

'•Thanks—l knew you would!" said h«r friend.

Lord Vender's house parly, in April included Mr Setli Vansittart. Mr Daintry had suggested his name, and, although Madeline dale had frowned, he was dulv invited.

Pender Court, the great house which was so usually So quiet and sleepy, was strangely altered in that eventful month of April. The earl was obliged to cast aside the habits of the recluse and play the part of host. The big rooms echoed with the sound of laughter; there was no time for thought or study; the orchid houses were neglected, except as show places for idle guests; the simplicity of bis life gave place to luxury, and lie ! plave'd his part well, although {fc bored him. If it had not been for Mrs Damtry he would have grown to hate those busy days -busy in sharing empty pleasures—but she dominated and held liim captive.

Oonstantia saw the realisation of her ambition, slowly and surely, drawing near. Selli Vansittart's methods differed from Mrs Daintry's. Before he had been in the house forty-eight hours Madeline Gale knew that lie loved her. Mr Vansittart. when he chose, could speak with tiie directness and speed Ih.it only an American possesses, and he laid his heart and his fortune at Madeline's feel in less than live minutes.

Madeline was astounded. She looked more like a wood nymph than ever in the ilickering shadow of the trees—they were alone together at tile edge of the lawn-and her dark eyes wandered helplessly over the sunny grass to the distant meadows. Vansittart oppressed her. lie was so terribly in earnest; his face was so keen and eager, and sKc shared the feeling of many a lmrrassed jury, powerless in the grip of the popular advocate's personality. If she had not loved Lord Pender—loved him as a child, as a girl, as a woman—Vansittart would have won her without a struggle. "Please let me go!" she pleaded.

He appreciated In r inc-onscious compliment. Although he had not even touched her hand, she spoke as if he held her bv force.

"[ c;in never tlu that!" ho answered. The weeks that followed were full of storm. Lord .Pender was troubled, for Madeline liail her wild gaiety, lie thought she was overawed by the unwonted pre-ence of visitors, and il paini'il liini to find tliiit she carefully avoided liiin. she seemed to have forgotten his old >jn'i-ial name Adam —ami once when Mis Oaintry playfully used it, he was conscious uf being horribly jarred. Constantia did not repeat the indiscretion.

Vansitlait's pursuit of Madeline was I persistent and untiring. He privately confessed to Mrs Dainlrv that the affair interested him as much as ail involved eriininal case. lie could not say more. He was everything in turn—fender, pasiouate, argument alive, humble—but alwav eager and sliewd. Kven Lord Vender, unobservant as he was. saw that his American guest was desperately in Iov» with Madeline. When .Mrs Daintry mentioned it he laughed, and changed the subject. The lady thought that he was indifferent. The wood nymph, for a few unhappy weeks, thought so too.

One morning before tlie visitors appeared on the scene, Lord Vender met Jier.ni the hall, lie laid liis hands on

her shoulders, and she looked up at him without speaking. They were both thinking of the old, quiet days that seemed so long ago. Ife studied her face—thoughtfully, questioningly—and her eyes filled with tears.

"Madeline—my dear girl," said Lord Pender, and he suddenly bent down and kissed her cheek. "Mush!" said Madeline. At that incite .Mrs Daiutry came downstairs, as radiant as a morning rose, and Seth V'ansittart appeared at the door of the breakfast room.

"1 shall be in the daffodil garden this afternoon, alone, and I want to talk to you." said Lord Pender, in a nervous whisper. Madeline's eye met his, and she trembled. Seth Yansit.tart's visit to Pender Court ended ill Mny. He left Mrs Daintrv still in possession. They met again in the late antuinn, on board the Oci'ania. bound for New York. They wore a both a little embarrassed, and the lady's first question dfii not, display her usual tact. "How is the exquisite Miss (.'ale?" she asked. "I haven't Ihe least idea, C'onsiantia," answered Vallsitlart, with a slight com- j

pression of his thin lips, "but I presume you know she's going ( 0 I>,> married. She told me herself—in confidence."

; Mrs Daintrv tried not to laugh. "Poor old Can!" she exclaimed, "you 1 surprise me! How mad yo* must feel to have boasted—well, never mind. Who is the favored rival?" < "Surely you can guess-Lord Pender," ' he answered quietly. ! "Oh!" said Mrs Daintrv.