The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8265, 19 October 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Author of •• Clyda's Love Dream," " Nina's .Repentance," "Her Soldier Lover," "The Mystery of Woodcroft," "For Love of Marjoric," etc. ["The Ironmaster's Daoohteu" was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTER lll.—Continued. Be followed her to the equaro "behind the small Rarden at the rear of the bouse. It was surrounded by a very high wall, and enclosed with glass a full inob in tbinkness. The square was lined with spaoione cages, wherein dwelt the pete of Paoliue Keltz. Diok went to the cape of the panther, and the beast tubbed itself against the bars, and purred liko a huge oat. Tho great, lustrous eyes were as soft as those of a woman; the yellow fur glistened like aobur•nisbed gold, ami the beautiful, dark markings shimmered in geutle un-

dulations, with the beast's sinuous movements.

*Ue is growing to love you, Diok!' exclaimed Pauline, delightedly

'Yes,* he said dubiously, 'but the others—l should get rid of them. They are no longer cubs; no wonder that the neighbours are •beginning to kick.' He touched the ■pathera'a muzzle. 'I think this one la nil right.', 'Then you don't mind if I bring Sultana to England?', 'I? Ob, do as you please, Pauline.' 'But I want to please you.* His reply was half jesting, inooherenr, and be mentally deoided to sail for England within forty-eight hours. The next day waei spent at tLe Pateraon Iron Works with Chester )Stark, and Diok Treflsidy was genuinely interested,and impressed byall that be aaw. •If 1 weren't so indolent,' he said, 'or, if my existence depended upon my own energies, 1 might utilize this knowledge.' Then he laughed. 'There would be a revolutiun among our workmeu; and British workman is a .fearsome thing! I

•can se* that the innovation could not well be a gradual one; there must be a clean sweep of the old order of things. '

Ho pondered the question a great deal daring the next dozen hours •or so, and then dismissed it from taia mind. Whore was the use of his worry ing? In the meantime, he pushed forward his plans for going home. His ourios wpre shipped in a freightboat, and a wwok honce he was to tail by the Campania. 'You will make your home at our place when you oome to England,' he said to the Starks, one evening after dinner. «I hardly know how to thank you' for the good time yon have given to me. 1 suppose 1 must now settle down to the realities of lite. * He laughed. 'Bat, after all, what can I do?, What is the good of payingjgeneral managers high salaries, and then having the bother ■ol business details?'

Frank Stark laugtied, and, helping himself to a cigar, begged to be excused.

'l'm going round to Vanderoven's; I hear he's got an automobile he wishes to trade away,' he said. His father nodded without taking bis eyes off Tressidy's face. 'You are very kind, sir, and I will avail myself of your invitation.' 'Don't talk about kindness,' said Diek. 'You tiiaka me feel mean. Here I've been upsetting your hodsehold for five weeks—oh, you Americans know how to be hospitable!'

Chester Stark gazed critically at tbe half-coDßnmecl wine in bis glass; then he went on: 'Panline has sold all her pets except the panther—the worst of tbe lot. I owe you something for this timely advioe, Tressldy. Can't you induce her to part with Sultana? 1 'Why should I, even if I could?' Dick's face had flamed. 'I am rather partial to tbe panther myself. She ia a remarkable reflect ion of the moods of her mistress.' , 'Look here, Tressidy.' Chester Mtark had risen, and was pacing the heartb-rug. '1 don't want to aconse you of heartlessness—or suggest that you are one of the most contemptible things on earth—n male flirt, but I dfi say, most emphatically, that you are making very light of Pauline's love. Can't you see it in her eyes—in tbe tenderness of her vjfooe, in her caressing movements, In every thought and action where you are concerned?'

•I was half afraid—' stammered Dick.

'Half afraid,!' Che ter Stark's voice vibrated with anger and contempt; then h's manner changed. Let me be generous toward you,

Tressidy; 1 don't believe for one moaeDt that ynn intended it, but the result is ell the same. Yon

have bflen together constantly— that ia my fault; as for the other part of it, your conscience will hardly aoquit yon of some blame.' 'Perhaps not, 1 Dick said ruefully, 'bat it flatters a man to have a handsome woman prefer him to anybody elae. 1 hope that 1 haven't out in wbore your son •' He turned an anxious face toward the ironmaster. •In a slight degree you have upset FrauK's futnre s but Prank isn't bothered by sentimental considerations, fie will never shoot himself for a womau, or any otner living being. Nothing but failuro in business would drive him to madness. Dismiss Prank from your mind, and lei us face the problem as it is. Do you care anything for Paulino Eeitz? . 1 am responsible for her welfare, and the responsibility presses bard. Don't you think for a momont that she is a qirl to throw herself at anyone's head. She has refused plenty of fiocri offers; but you came here, ond she appears to have hailed you at once as her spotless knight.' Dick's face had cleaved, and softened. •1 should like to think this over, Mr Siark ' he said. 'Pauline Reitz is five times a millionaire, Tressidy.'

'I don't care a red cent about her money.' 'Perhaps yon think that 1 am pleading her case unduly? Th-* real reason is that 1 am extremely alarmed about her. I know the intensity of her nature—l know that, if she hae given you her heart—if her love is spurned—it will kill her. The revealing hour of her life is now—• its joy, its pain, it irrevocability.' Diok was bawildored. 'You may bo mistaken, Mr Stark,' ho said gcowiag hot and cold at oDce. 'No, Tressidy; she has confessed to me., 'No other woman would have done so, but Pauline is not like other women.' Diok was staggered. The furniture whirled around him; he saw things as through a mist. He helped himself to a liqueur, Chester Stark's keen eyes observing every movement. 'I like Pauline better than any other woman,' he confessed, 'but I have never associated her with love and marriage. Mr Stark, the thing's got to rest bore for the present. I am conscious of some carelessness some indiscretion, but, beforegoommiting myself further, t will have a talk with Pauline.' 'That's fair. Give me your hand, Tressidy. A man with eyes like yon.-s cannot bo otherwise than honest as the open day. At the same time,' he smiled, and looked Dick through and through, 'when roused, you are of the rare bulldog breed., and a tough customer to handle. Now, I have been speaking straight, and I'll say something more whila in the mood. You are living in a fool's' paradise, Tressidy; that century-old business of yours in England is going to the dogs—or to the jackals, which are sapping its yery life. A handful of traitors aro in control—fake balance sheets are prepared, and you will soon bav<i to hustle, my boy—hustle, as we Americans fiustle, and yon will yet thank Chester Stark for opening yours eyes, for wnking you up!' Dick listened, atonishßd, but doubtful.

•You are scaring again,' he said with a abort ldug<\ '* should like our general manager to hear you.' •Christopher Stanley!' Chester Stark's eyes blazed and, a bitter laugh pbssed his lips. •Stanley has no cause to lovo you, either,' Dick said, cheerily. 'Oh, the egotism of you English! it passeth all understanding. Still, the school of bitter experience is a!; hand. Let matters reßt here between us, Tresaldy Pauline is in the parlour. Go to her, boy.' Diok went obedienty enough. Tomorrow ho was leaving for England, and a great regard for Pauline was SDringiug up in him. Ue was flattered to think that a rioh and beautiful woman had honoured him before all other men. She looked up swiftly when he entered the room, the rioh carmine mantling her daik che«k. 'I was wishing for you,' she said. "'Did you not feel impelled to come to me?' 'I supposn so, he answered frankly, and, for onoe, her burning eyes -fell before his. 'Mr Stalk has been telling me—something,' •Oh!' Her voice was faint, and her face whitened* •I do like you, Pauline, and the stjate of ray feeling is a revelation to me. I'm not good at love-mak-ing, but yon understand., ' He took her hand, and on. his own a tear-drop fell. 'Oh, Dick—you shaU love me some day as I love you,' she whispered. 'The passion for which I crave has not yet disturbed the serenity of your heart' 'I don't think men have the complaint as do women,' he answered, smiling into her wistful eyes, 'The poet e«ye that, to man, love is a thing apart, while it is woman's whole existence.' At that instant there was a footstep outside the door, and, a moment' later, Chester Stark entered. 'A cable for you, Tressidy,' he said sharply. These things can't wait, even for lovers. Read it' Dick opened it; then bis hands shook, and he grew white, even to the lips. (To be Continued.l