The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8268, 23 October 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Author of ** Clyda's Love Dream," ft Nina's .Repentance "Her Soldier Lover," "The Mystery of Woodcrojt," "For JLove of Marjorie," etc.

["The Ironmasters Dattgiiteii " was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTER V.—Continued. 'They no longer exist, old man,' Charlie said, mournfully. 'The mortgagee has forclcsed, and is in possession. Your father baa borrowed, and borrowed; he bus signed papers without thoroughly understanding them, and—well, the shook nearly killed him. Fortunately his mind became a blank as regards much that is vital, of te would have teen dead before this.' Dick stared through the carriage windcw at the circling fields and woods and bills. And the March wind was whistling a savage tune. 'The home is going, too—unless —unless— —* 'Unless what, Charlie?' 'A few thousand can ba raised. I think that 1 can manage it for you.' 'And cripple your prospects! 1 won't hare it—l won't let you do it. Great Heaven! We have been dancing to the aevil over a slumbering volcano for bow long, Charlie?' 'years, probably. Your father advanced twenty thousand pounds towards the expanses of the recent scientific explorations ann observations in China. Everything is gona —the ironworks, houses, laud, and even the home. There is just sufficient to pay the liabilitieE, and that is all.' 'Jugglery,' said Diok. 'Certan, but legal jugglery. I have bad tbe very best advice. You can do nothing. The new owner of the wurks is a jew named Lucas Isaßce—and several of the heads of departments have been retained on a profit-sharing basis—Chris Stanley, the general manager, and Edward Weeks, the head bookkeeper, being in control.* 'Traitors!' Tho word hissed through Dick's toatb. '1 will get to the bottom of tbe villany yet. Anything else?' he asked. - 'Don't spare me; I have a hide like a rhinoceros! 1 'Pour old Dick!' There was a sob In Charlie's throat. 'Old chap,' he leaned toward his friend. 'The home goes witbin a week—Birchdene, and the entire estate. But I will save tbe furniture, and you can re pay me some time.' 'I have no claim upon you, Charlie—it is monsterou9! And 1 have been spending—upending! i daren't think of it.' 'You have a claim upon me, Dink,' Charlie stammered. 'I love Enys, and it will be family affair. You don't mind?' Dick was silent. Had he heard what his friend bad said? It did not seem so. His face head darkened, and was disfigured by a hard and bitter smile. 'Do you think lam going'to take this lying dowh? What an estimate the enemy has made of me—a brainless, good-for-nothing craven ! Or it is more than probable that 1 have not been considered at all. Why should these robbers and cheats worry themselves about a worthless spendthrift?' His" eyes were fierce and contemptuous. 'Charlie, 1 shall fight them to the death, and —WIN!' Charlie Mostyn smiled sadly—doubtfully. 'lt's a bad bit of business, anyway,' he said.

OHAPIEK VI. THli OAST OF IHE DIB. Birmingham at last! The train rolled under the eohoing arcbee, and the familiar eights and sounds restored Diok Tiesaidy's bonhomie. 'lt's good to be home again, Charlie?' ha said cheerily. A smiling footman was at the cariage door before the train had stopped, and Diok shook him by the hand. This completely upset the dignity of the well-trained ser- ' vant, and tears started to his eyes. 'So the servants think that the Tressidys are going to be kicked oat bag and baggage,' he whispered to Mostyn. 'Everybody knows it,' was the sententious reply. Charlie was feeling annoyed. Why wouldn't Diok accept ihe inevitable? The sheriff's men are in possession.' *H'm!' growled Tressidy. 'And what of my curios?' ! 'They have tieen seized, too, because tbey were bought with your father's money. You might interplead, but the issue js more than doubtful.' Diek did not appear to be disturbed. He saw that all his things were put into the luggage cart before getting into the carriage, and theu cheerfully asked Mostyn i f he was ready. 'You will come to Birohdene with tne? This most be a tax upon the time of a bUBy doctor, though.' 'I have got a substitute from " Guy's Hospital, and both my assistants are qualified men. 1 have bad to devote myself wholly tu your father.' 'And lo my father's daughter, chuckled Diok. Then he regarded his friend seriously. cannot give my consent to this match, Charlie, much as I love and esteem yon. You shall not marry a pauper if I oan help it. It spoils min for a struggling professional =an. JEnys has extravagant tastes—wo are much alike in that respect. The Governor has allowed her the earnings of a fashionable doctor for dress alone.' Charlie flushed with resentment, bat eaid nothing. Poor old Dick was talking at random—he was not responsible for hie vaporinga! It was nearly four miles from Birmingham to Blrchdene—the came of the Tressidy estate—aloDg

Broad street, and skirting Harbornefand when they were nearing home Diok recoguizod several old friends of the family taking an airing in the brighc March sunshine. 'Sir Thomas Wyman!' he exclaimed; nudging Mostyn. 'My god father. Tbe old chap has aged wouderfully in years.' Sir Thomas was gazing at the approaching carriage, and Diok pullert the check-cord. The carriage came to a halt, but the old gentleman turned his back upon the ocoupants with an air ot disdain. Dick's face whitened, then he laughed oddly. 'I forgot that my father is a ruined man, Sir Thomas. Pray accept my apologies.' 'After that he looked straight ahead, and noticed nobody. Two ladies endeavoured to attract his attention, but he bad bad bis fill of human charity for tin; day. 'lf my father or I had been guilty of actual wickedness, I shouldn't feel aggrieved,' he said to Charlie. 'Sir Thomas and my dad were bojs together; but, pshaw! 1 am beginning to learn tbe realities of life at last. The later the lesson the deeper the sting I' ' When the carriage turned into his own splendid avenue he had recovered his good humour, and chatted almost gay with Charlie Mostyn, and Charlie wondered—wondered 'lt's good to be home again. Nowhere in my wandeiings have I seen a stately old pile like Birchdene. I never knew ho.v beautiful it was until now.' He leaped from the carriage the instant it stopped, and clasped a tall, fair girl to his heart, Tbe men-tiervants discreetly found occupation elsewhere. 'Enys I' cried Diok. 'Why, 1 believe you bavo urown a foot wrrile I have been away I Wow lam off to dad. Where is he?' Enys returned his err brace, halflaughing, half crying tbe while. She was remarkably fond of her brotheiy of whom she was a feminine replica. The same cla9sio features, only smaller, more delicate, and more refiued; the same blue-gray eyes, the same,' crisp brown hair, in every strand a touch of sold. Dick broke away, and, contrary to the warning of , Charlie Mostyn, clashed up-stairs to bia father's room. A nurse appeared in the doorway, but he brushed past her, and in a moment was 2 pressing his lips to the elder man's brow. ■ 'My boy! my boy! I hove counted the days, the hours, tbe very minutes, since tbpy told me you were coming home. ! I have been ill—very ill.' His "eyas contracted, and he whispered: 'You know why, Dick?' 'There has been trouble dad, but try to forget it.' But Mr Tressidy waved his band impatiently. 'We have been robbed, tricked by a gang of clever tbeives! The shock would bava killed me outright, but for the knowledge that I had you, my dear son, to whom 1 could impart tbe result ot a life's labours.' His eyes were shining now, and a low, exultant laugh, passed his lira. 'lt ' 9 is* only a question of money, my boy, <5 and that shall be a plentiful tbe pebbles on tbe seashore! Bend down your head—closer —oloser, so that none else may hear, Ob, it is great news—wonderful news. It tells of diamonds and bow they may be made—it tells of the splendid fortunes of tbe houße of Tressidy. The seoret is ours, Diok, yours ana mine! Think of it—heaps and heaps of diamonds—millions of diamonds!' He raised himself upon one elbow. 'I shall get better now, 1 shall be up and about again soon, but * will put the process into writing, Diok, so that you may make no mistake, and, you can begin at once. Everything is waiting in my laboratory; the pure iron, th« carbon crucibles, the electrio furnaces, arid the lamp uf Aladdin is here!' He tapped bis forehead, and laughed childishly; then his eyes blazed with unnatural fires. 'You'll do as I bid you, Dick, for my sake, for your sister's sake, for your own sake! They have robbed | me—ruined me—nearlj killed me, but the honour and the fortune of the Tressidys is safe now that my boy has come home.' Ills sense of hearing was pretenatuially keen. He placed a finger to his lips. (To be Continued.)