MELROSE'S TEMPTATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 101, 18 April 1908, Page 4

MELROSE'S TEMPTATION

I. is vuur futliur in. Lnrv It-. ili'iir—iu Ijj, ~Lu.f\.'

'I phoned him (u-d.iy, a-kiiiLr fur an appointment, as we arranged, Miggt'sted seven, whieh gives me live minutes yet. Uoigh-ho! 1 wiah it were I i'eel as nervous as a kitten. "Why, Arthur," >aid Lucy Staines, smiling gaily, "there's really nothing to be nervous about, for of course papa will consent. lie has said often that

my happiness is more to him than anything else in the world—dear papa! And when you te]| him how w e love each other he'll be ever so pleased. 1 assure you, dear, there's nothing to be afraid of."

"\ou inak c me think it isn't such a forlorn hope after all, darling. There goes the hour. .Just one kiss for luck, mv sweet oue."

With the warm pressure of his sweetheart's lips on hi- the last of Arthur .Melrose's doubts regarding the issue of the imminent and fateful interview were swept away, and leaving Lucy in the drawing room to await events he crossed the hall aud tapped upon the study door

"Come in." Arthur entered, and the next moment was -baking hands with Mr. Staines, a little, grey-haired, short-sighted man m a shabby coat, whom few, at a first glance, would have credited with him, as indeed he was, one of. the Tnost astute and successlul financiers in England. *

j "(ilad to see you are prompt to time, Mr. Melrose," lie said; then added, in an 'apologetic tone, "Take a seat and let us get to business. I regret I can't spare more than fifteen minutes to-night. Something important, you said?" "To me—yes," said Arthur, seating himself, and conscious all at once that his brow had grown clammy and that he was trembling. With a powerful effort of will he conquered his terrors and made the plunge in simple, manly terms. "

The financier was clearly surprised, but after tli e first startled peer through his speteaeles at Arthur he listened with grave attention. When the suitor reached the end of his tale there was silence, broken only by Mr. Staine's finger> beating a swift rataplan on his desk. But the impassive face betrayed nothing to Arthur's eager, questioning gaze. At length Mr. Staines cleared his throat* sharply.

"Vou love each other, oil ? Well, it's a pity, tor a man may fall iu love a few times (most men do) anil get oiu again scathless. lint it'- 110 fun to such a girl as 1/icv. 1 ought to have foreseen this, 1 suppose; Imt I've been so immersed in business that

Humph! have a cigar before vou go. v lie shoved the cigar box towards Arthur, hut the latter shook his head, while a numbing pain gripped his heart. "Kvcuse uie. Mr. Staiucs: I should like to hear your answer tirsl, if you please." "\ou\e heard it."

"And-and I'm rejected." ' "That's a hard word, Mr. Melro-e. t Lei us say declined." 1 "May I ask on what grounds?'' ' "Certainly; but thai iieces-itate.s me 1 prying a little more rlosely into your t financial position and prospects thau I 1 care to under the circumstances.' 1 ' "My business as a chartered account- t ant. Mr. Staines, briugs me ail average three hundred a year, and it is growing ] steadily." 1 "(Juite so." sitid Mr. Staines, bowing 1 politely. "Xow what docs rumor say 1 of mine'!'' "I'm 100 busy dealing with hard facts. ; Mr. Staines, to waste time hearkening to rumor,'' said Arthur, a little stitl'ly. An approving smile Hashed across the ! financier's face at this. "Well, then, .Mr. Melro.su, here's a little sum for you. .Multiply your income by ten, then triple the answer, and you'll still be short ol my past year's income. Js'ow 1 think you will understand why you arc declined. The man who weds Lucy must be above the slightest suspicion of—er —mercenary motive." "Mr. Staines, : said Arthur Hushing, u if you suspect me of being a mere for-tune-hunter, I swear— —" "Tut, tut; I suspect nothing. 1 know too little of you to form conclusions one way or the other; though I'll admit tliat what I do know of you I rather like. Still, you, as a man of the world, must acknowledge that the reason stated is amply sullicient to justify mv attitude iu the matter.'' He pulled out his wateh. "lla, twenty-two minutes! This wou't do. Allow me to escort you to the door. No; I can't allow you to see her now. I'll do all the explaining that's necessary. And 1 must insist that you hold no further communication with her whatever.'' "Hut I must "' "Xot a word, I beg of yon, Mr. Mcirose. It would only make it morn

painful for ail of us." And, feeling supremely foolish and angry. Arthur found himself hurried past "the door of the drawing-room, which was, perhaps fortunately, closed, and out to the front doorstep, where tli* financier hade him a cold, but courteous good-night.

Naturally Arthur Ml -"iv at the nummary treatment In- had HToiwii at Mr Sifiint's" lunid>. In hi- heart lie knew thai hN love (or Luey Staines was pun: and holy a* love could he., and that, jjiu'ii the choice between a nation's wraith and her sweet self penniless, Ik* would open hi* arms to her, thanking Heaven for a blessing beyond price. Meanwhile no choice was offered him. | The Staims mansion was bolted and

larred up'.ti him and hi- vain pretoniuns; lint the lovc-lmngei' grew fieiwt - the miserable days passed, and he re- si idvi'd to see l.u'-y again at any cost, tut haw? CYmld lie in honor write to , n-r in fare of her fathers prohibition? j le was mentally diieu-,ing the point in v ii- ulliee when lie was nmg lip. "Halloa!" he called. . "I, that Mr. MelroseV" t "Yes. Who are you "Staine-. Can you eom,. roiiud to my , olliee at once? I have something very ( important to ].ut liefoie you." Arthur's heart l-'apt for joy. Some-1 Iliing very impoitant eould have onl\' I one iiiterpreliiti-.il to a hungry lover, and that wa.- that Mr. Staines had relented. "I'll he in I Ii ion iinmedilely. -ir." he answered; and, ,-ei/jng his hat, darted downstaii-. A bare hall-niile .-eparal-'l the nHires, an-l Arthur rovered the di-laii'-e al a j.a'-e that caused many a pedestrian to siep hurri-'dlv a-ide and stare at him. When he was ushered panting into Mr. Staines' presence, the financier smiled drily as he noted the Hushed, expectant look on hi- face. "lie -eated. and get cooled do«n a I.it while 1 polish niv spectacle-. Mr. Mel- , o-e," he sai-1. "N-.w ," he pro-'eed-'d alter thai operation li.nl been accomplished to his satisfaction. "I require tile -crvices of a small accoiuitaiit. and I have decided t.. give >Oll tl.e lir-l refusal of til.- olVer. "ill liti.l 11 a icry remunerative ,01111111-1-.". D" yo» j -r--T thought." st.uiinicred Arthur. will, tailing countenance, and checked ii:i!i : iil Willi a gulp—' I rncroi that 1

i [ shall be delighted to bo of any servi< - to vou.*' ''Then, that's settled. And, now. suppose you've heard of LambsOn Ur< . thotvr'' "The lea merchants? Yes." "Ndl. I have the option of awjuirin, their business as a going concern, am I want you to make a careful audit o their books and accounts before closin; w 'th it. I may say—in confidence, o course - that the price is to lie iu ca.-li. and lhaL i propose—suppo-e w< can make the thing snliicentlv attrac tive--oflering the euiuvrn to the public at. *ay C2IKMKM). which I have reckon ed will pay all expense* and leave im with a fairly pliuupt credit balance." Air. Staiue- paused and nihU'd his hands, while his shrewd eves sparkled eagerly through his glasses upon Arthur, who was not a Jit tie startled at the magnitude of liie Jigures. And he bad thought in his love-blindness to have impressed ilns man with a paltry three hundred a year. Mr Staines resumed with nlow emphasis: "Tioviding, as I have hinted, that we make the bait Millieiently attractive to the investing public, as liu satisfied we can. In that event I propose to pay you a fee of live hundred pounds, and will recommend you for the permanent accountantship in the company. If the thing falls Hat you must, Ot course, be satisfied with a merely nominal fee. Is that clear?' 1 Arthur bowed. What Mween disap-

| poiutment on the one hand at being presented with such a golden opportuuitv on the oth"r his thoughts were in a furmoil. "1 hardly know how to thank you. Mv, Staines/' hj« stammered. "Ihe sort ot thanks } want." smiled the financier, "is a report that will bring fish into our net—pr—l rather say, give the public the opportunity of participating in our good fortune. Can you ln-gin your audit to-day V "Certainly." lie rapidly scribbled out a note, which he handed over with the remark: "I rely on you, Mr. Melrose, to make this show up well." '"1 II do my Iti-sl, sir,*' replied Arthur, • piietly. but wilj| a curious of discomfort at the financier'* tone. "UiM what if it -hutiMn'th.> added. Mr Slaine* -niih'd a dry, pi-euliar -mil:'. "Don t let us consider Midi a.i

[ improbable eontingeuev. mv dear sir,"' he >aid. I ii'ii most anxious that it should .show well; indeed it must. Jlut, of course, it'-« entirely in your hands now. Ix»t lue have your report as soon as possible. Now, that's all, I think." lie held out Ins hand, which Arthur grasped and retained while he tried to form a question. "Well, what is it?" "I wish to ask two questions, Mr. Staines.*'

j "H'm—l>e brief, then, pray." | "I shall sir. The iirst is: is Miss Staines quite well and happy?" | Air. Staines frowned. "She's ill , sound bodily health, so far as I can , judge." he said slowiy. Then, with a i touch of petulance. "But I lind her as little amenable to reason as an unbroken iilly.' 1 Arthur's eyes gleamed with pride. '"My brave darling!" he murmured, '"Oh, yes—oh, yes; you gloat over my discomfort, do you?" snorted Mr Staines. The next moment the irritation iu his face gave way to a sly smile, j "As a matter of fact, my dear sir. she i has shown such a pretty spirit in your defence that, if you do your duty by me in this investigation and so prove your shrewdness in finance. I may be disposed to change my attitude." Arthur wrung Mr. Stains' hand with a vigor that made him wince. "That answers my second question," he said joyfully. 'Tm off now, sir, and you may rest assured I sha'n't fail you." With Air. Staines' last words ringing a pleasant chime in his ears and Lucy's sweet face filling his mental vision, Arthur enthusiastically attacked I jambsons' books. Verily the cup of joy was i approaching his Hps. and he was rcsolv- J ed that, if energy and thoroughness ; would prevent the coveted thing eluding' his grasp a second time, he would surely . drink of it. All day he and his clerks examined, cheeked, verified; and when evening came, and his assistants had gone home, he was *till working on. i

But to let matters rest there till tomorrow wiii liol to lie thought of; so lie engaged a f-ali anil hole 1 lie hooks home to his rooms. Seai'eelv luilling lo appease the call of outraged appelite (he had eaten 110 lunch that day, and, curiously enough, had never missed it), he continued lih lalioi's far into the nijjtit. For several davs he worked unstintingly. Only when lie had l'eduo'd the chain rf figure- to a simple statement of a>M'ts and liabilities aud hail arrived at the pxaet profits of the business for tlie live precediii}: years, did lie realise that lie was completely worn uut, but with the pleasant fatigue that comci to a man who has fought hard and won.

Lambsons' had come well, if not preein'lv brilliantly, out of the ordeal, ali i Lucy's radiant' face .seemed very near and real at thai moment. Arthur bent his aching eye., once more upon the figures to reassure himself thai lie wanot dreaming: but no, there, in truth, tliev were. II" gave a sigh of profound relief, and then, for the iir.-t tine since his investigation liegan, he four ) leisure to rellei't on the price Mr. Staines proposed inviting the public to pay lor the busine--, and to make a swift calculation thereon.

•The next moment lie gil-ped, and his phased survey of the figures whs changed into a glare ol blank dismay, while his sweetheart's face grew strangely nebulous and remote. Kor a brief -pace he sat stricken into immobility, staring at the tell-tale figures that said, oh, so brutally! that after all Lauihsons' was not the key that was to unlock the door of happiness to him. unless—was it possible he had blundered somewhere 1 The mere suspicion acted as a tonic. With the energy of despair he proceeded to revise every item.

A few days afterwards Mr. Staines was dictating letters in his private room and wondering between whiles why he had not heard from Arthur, when the latter was shown in, looking listless aud haggard. With a nod -Mr. Staines dismissed the clerk and held out his hand to his visitor.

-Why. .Mr. Mclro*'," he .said anxiously, ''you look quite ill. I Hope 1 didn't ask too much of you when I said I J like to have the report as soon as possible!" •'(111, not at all." said Arthur, with an effort at cheerfulness. "It is all ready, and correct to a penny. Here it is." The financier laid the statement »u the desk, carefully adjusted his glasses, and glanced over it: and a look ol—was it relief that Hashed ucl'oss his face': ■•Tliis.," he said, looking «P> " ls cv, .' n letter than ,1 had hoped, my dear sir. The a vera"o profits for the past live year, are CIT/ilii its -Id. Capitalreally capital'.' Arthur could hardly helieve In* ear*. -1 think yon are making a mistake, sir." he said. "Seven—not seventeen—is the correct ligure." "Eh''" cried Mr. Staines, peering tlose. "So it is. What a ridiculous error! I'll have to see my optician

about this."' I "And the wor-t feature of it, pui- | -iii-il Arthur, "i- tlial ll"' average, sut i t a- il is. i- di-tim-Uy misleading. I j 1,1-olit- have declined steadily dim"? , that period. The - luok- j and ri-ky at the price you mentioned. Don't meddle with it 1 '- , I "Y»U fin-get." said the financier, slow]v -that I ""intend to act merely as intermediary between and Ibe public, and. if we pull the strings in a tactful wav. the public won t tail ••]i„t von -poke of CilHUmO," &*\>f \rtlmr. "None but madmen would subscribe f.ir -bar.- at such a capital. Ml- Staines peered hard at Arllmi. sniilii," peculiarly. Then suddenly If' I ticnt toward and said, in a low, teiule

only -iujipositij; —tluit tin* average had lift'" seventeen; what ,• The dark ,ii-pivii'iis as Jlr - Staines ' which li «<1 been ,tendil.v fjruwM'K "J Al ' 1 tlnir', mind now materialised in a Ii ,„,1 he ,la red iit tin: other i» spccchlc- I liorr«.r. Mr. Slain.- .swim-l disvonic,t----,.,1. ||i' avi'it«'il lii- eye- and said. o.n l - I r'-liV ll»' «'.iy. 1 t"W Llu '>' lllis ii,.r IM probably bring ,V"» '» I thi- i'veiiin<;. dl ,vi'» conic.' . \II tln- [owe, »l good I Vl ' „,I,U, «,i,. al uar then as lb- |,. llM ,li„- bail dangled '"'lmc !' an,l lnr a bricl S'ace l'il,v ~ hair. Mr. SluiiK's. calmly imisiiir hi, chin. 'larled a swifl sideways glance j,t liiui llwl plainly invited ,pocch. and all at <>ll>'|' Allliui's troubled lace g' TU set ainl .-ti'i'ii. I"' -aid. I'tirllv. -\|i, |,vim engagement. |ii'l'm;i|i-: I.iiiv will In- vexed." "S'u Mi'iri' than I »ir." said Anion. in voice hi' vainlv Irii'il I" keep 'a' l "; I m'Vcu i-ti'l M'icnii'i'ii. ami - lK . vr! . 1,,.. | Ikivp 11" Opt Hill ill ( tl"' I 1 ,n liicv. 1 Wave simplv tu -ay 1 I 11,nr hardened into fierceness -lb*. jf i,,,,,!,-,,,,-' i- ever otfered lii tin- piU- •• r„ I'll In it tll-lt they 'Wt g" lilt' ■1 Il„. tiling blindfold. I wi-li yon good aftcl'iiooii; sir.'

He turned to go, but eve he reached the door Mr Staines had rushed in front and seized his hand in an impetuous gnp,

"I beg your pardon a thousand times, my dear fellow," he cried, very red in the face. ••j.m ashamed of myself—l really am; but you came through it nobly. Oh, nu. you mustn't go! 1 tell you it was all a farce—'pon my soul it was." "A farce?" repeated Arthur, numbly. "It is no farce to me, sir. But do you mean that?" "I And i see now that it was a cruel thing to do, but it was wholly for dear Lucy's sak ( > that I tested vou. Forgive me, Melrose." Arthur laughed unsteadily. was a near thing with me," lie said. I know; I saw it all, and I'm proud you, Arthur. I must make vou some *«>rt of reparation, though. What do >ou say to a partnership on the day you . ueU Lucy? Come home with me, and well discuss it over a glass of wine jiltor dinner. ,Say you will, my dear boy."

Arthur's heart was too full foi speech, but the vigor of his hand-elasj Has eloquence itself, and in the midst ol pain Mr. Staines gave vent to a distinct chuckle.