The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8287, 15 November 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

CHAPTER XVlll.—Continued, /

The girl obeyed him, with unfaltering steps, albeit her mouth twitched at the corners ever so slightly. Mr Benson was following, ■ but. the master signified that he wished to be alone with the typewriter. . He pushed forward a chair for the girl, and addressed her in his quick, business like way. "You remember what I said to you last evening, Miss Craven? I must have some one at the head of the lady clerks' department whom I can trust implicitly, and I have selected you. There is no question of espionagef as you feared; I would not insult you by suggesting anything so degrading. When I want police work done, I shall apply to the police. I have been robbed, cheated —by an expert thief, for the third time, and at . the instigation of Scoundrel & Co., next door. The thief is one of my thirty-odd clerks, and he has committed a penal offense." He laughed savagely. "To what'length some fools will cro! To put an end to this state of things, Miss Craven, I wish you alone to be responsible for the typing of all confidential documents—to be responsible to me, and to MiBenson." "He looked her' squarely in the eyes, and what lovely eyes they were! The beautiful face was a trifle paler than usual, but the lips were firm. For a moment she seemed uncomfortable before his gaze, then she blushed and smiled. " I am so gratified that you should consider me worthy of so much confidence, Mr Tressidy," she said. "Of course I shall increase your salary," he answered, somewhat taken aback. " You are at the head of your department. You can tell Mr Benson. That is all for the present."; Miss Craven withdrew, and when he glanced at her a few minutes later, she was busy at her machine—unviuHed, serene. " A consummate actress, and either ono of the best or one of the worst women in existence,"he thought • " And poorßenson is the merest puppet in her hands. There is an indefinable magnetism in her presence —in her very glance—in the poise of her head. I must enquire into her antecedents more closely." Just before leaving for home that afternoon, Benson almost rushed into his office, his face flushed with pleasure and excitement. " The stolen plans, sir—they're all right, after all. Miss Morris found them in a waste-basket. They must have slipped off the desk, and inadvertently been kicked out of sight." Dick examined them carefully. " H'm ! The vital points may have been copied." He smiled to himself. • Benson shook his head. •' I don't think so, sir." " Let us.hope not." Again Dick smiled enigmatically. " I wish to say, Mr Tressidy," Benson stammered, " that I fully approve of your confidence in Miss Craven." " I knew it would please you, Mr Benson," was the dry response. ." But I wish you, to remember one thing. Your position here is one of great responsibility, and while I appreciate your high qualities—your cleverness—your integrity I am afraid you are too susceptible to the influence of a certain woman'.' " Mr Tressidy, this is personal." Mr Benson reddened furiously. " And privileged, sir, when I see you making an ass of yourself before my clerks, and in a business place in business hours. I "won't have anybody pull the wires here but myx self, and least of all a pretty woman —and an adventuress ! " Dick's face had become stern, and the mouth squared. Mr Benson gasped. " And yet," he stuttered, " and yet you'-have —you have " " Yes, I know that. I have," was the sharp interruption. " Now, Mr Benson, I beg of you, be discreet. Hilda Craven is not for you. She is a woman to fly at higher game ; she is leading you by the nose." " "I protest—l will not, have you talk to me in this way," the head clerk said, with dignity. "I am your servant, and if I neglect my duties you can discharge me." " If I oboypd my intellect I should kick you out, but my conscience is tender." " Very well, sir ; with yonr permission I will resign " " J3y all means, Benson. Go now, if you please, and don't show your face to me.again until you acknowledge yourself in the wrong. Good tlay." . , The head clerk was excessively pale. His hands shook and his lips quivered. He essayed to speak, but it was impossible; then ho walked back into his own office. He could hear his emyloyer whistling cheerily, .and it maddened him. Ho gathered together a few of his personal belongings, and thrust them into a black bag He shut it with a snap, and groped into a closet for his hat. Then he advanced to Miss Craven, who was watching him curiously. "I'm going, Hilda," he said tremulously, '' The governor has cou pied your name with mine, and I have resigned. Where will you meet me this evening ? In the park ? I will .tell you what he's s:ud."

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Aviltr of "Clyda's Love Dream," "Nina's Repentance," " Her Soldier Lover, "> "The Mystery of Woodcroft,» " For Love of Marjorie," etc. f"The Ironmastek's Daughter" was commenced onJOctober 17th.]

Her eyes darkened, and a flood of red carnation dyed her neck and face. CHAPTER XIX. HILDA CRAVEN'S CONFESSION Charles Benson was no beauty, and he was fully aware of his physical defects. He was very tall, with stooping shoulders, and a chest as flat as cardboard. His neck was thin, and his head phenomally large; his face was cadaverous, but the eyes were decidedly good. He was a clever fellow, though—an old-young man—and had been severely trained in the office of Tressidy's old works. A first-rate draftsman, a magician with figures, and possessing an unexplainable capacity for managing men, Charles Benson was worth a large salary to any firm. He was only thirty—but he looked forty—a bachelor, living in mean apartments, and religiously saving three-fourths of his earnings. Once in his lifetime he had made advances toward an outspoken girl. She was the daughter of ihis landlady—buxom, bright, careless. His intellectual" senses were dulled, and he "spoke" to her. The reply is not worth recording, but it shrivelled the soul of Charles Benson. He examined himself in a large mirror, and registered an oath. That oath he was now forgetting. [to be continued.]