The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8288, 16 November 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Author of "Clyda's Love Dream," "Nina's Repentance " Her Soldier Lover,» "The 31 ystory of Woodcroft" For Love of Marjorie," etc. (""The Ironmaster's Daughter" was commenced on October 17th.]

. CHAPTER XlX.—Continued. Wearing a solemn face, a red necktie, and a tall bat brushed the wrong way, he was seated in Smethwick Park, two hours after his dismissal, ■waiting for Hilda Craven. The evening was oppressively warm, and the voices of merry children tortured him beyond The band was playing a funereal sort of air, and Benson felt utterly dejected and miserable At last he spied Miss Craven s graceful and willowy figure. His eyes had been fixed upon the entrance gates for a long time, and now his heart leaped within him A dusky red mounted to his sallow beeks, and he dusted the seat beside him with the inside of the tail of his frock coat. , " You are rather late, Hilda'' he said, taking one of her hands. " I didn't come to meet you, as I was afraid to leave the seat. There are so many people about this evening. He was staring at her hungrily. "No time was mentioned, Mr Benson." He winced. "You called me Charlie yesterday," he said reproachfully. She turned her head and looked toward the band. " That's a stirring march. VV hat is it?" "I haven't come here to talk about music, or to listen to it —only the music of your voice, Hilda, She laughed in his face. " Sentiment won't go with that necktie of yours ; it s positively blinding." He looked pained. " Matters are too serious for mere detail of dress to be thought of, Hilda. I have resigned—l have thrown up a position worth three hundred a vear, and possibilities, solely on your account. / "I am very sorry." ' « Oh, I don't regret it," Benson said jauntily. "A man can't sink his self-respect for money. Mr Tressidy assumed the role of a p&triach , called me a naughty child, patted me on the back, and told me not to do it again. X believe he meant well, but it was eminently ridiculous of him ; he is about thirty and I am thirty-one." " Only thirty-one ! said Miss Craven. '' Now tell me exactly what Mr Tressidy said. I understand that I am really the person responsible for your trouble. '• In what way, Mr Benson ? " He ruminated. He was loyal to Dick Tressidy in his heart of hearts, and disliked to harbour anything unkind or malicious in his thoughts. Utterance Avould scorch his lips. «i n w hat way ?" he repeated reproachfully, sorrowfully. "He does not approve of—of, our friendship; he has guessed that we are fond of each other, and —to be plain he called you names. I couldn't stand that, Hilda." Benson squared his shoulders, and looked fierce. " Called me names horrid names ? " she said, with a little gasp. "Yes, but don't think much of what he says. He is blunt and outspoken, and doesn't mean it, Ive seen him cuff a boy with one hand and-give him five shillings with the - other. Yes, Mr Dick Tressidy's too ■ impetuous by half." There was a short silence. Hilda was gazing at the band, her thoughts elsewhere. " I should like to know what Mr Tressidy said," she remarked, at length. " The real words, Mr Benson. I know that you are truthful, and I should hate to think him deceitful, because he has been so nice to me lately." Benson's eyes glinted dangerously and he slapped his knee with one hand. " I believe I see between the lines," he exploded. " See what ? " " Well, he laughed at ■ me, said I was making a fool of myself before tfce clerks, and that you were leading . m 6 by the nose." " Did he say that?" she asked faintly, The colour had left her cheeks. " Yes, but of course he was wrong." " He certainly was wrong," Hilda said decidedly Mr Benson looked loolishly happy, and groped for her hand. She drew it away quickly. " I have no doubt that, we have been seen here together, as I remember nothing having taken place at the office. lam too strict a disciplinarian to permit a lapse in myself I therefore consider that this interference was most unwarrantable—unless"—he added with a snap—•'unless he is a bit jealous. Why does he want to be nice to you ? As for the situation, I can soon get another, and I've got six freehold houses, all paid for. Under the circumstances, I think it advisable to get married almost at once, Hilda, and I want you to give Mr Tressidy a week's notice." - An angry sprang into the girl's face; then her eyes softened wonderfully. " Oh, Mr Benson, I'm so sorry. I only regarded you in the light of a kind friend. Why can't a woman have a man friendwithout his want ing to marry her ? You took so kindly an interest in me from the , first, and putm into a good situation;" There were tears in her eyes and her voice trembled. " And ycu were really leading me

by the nose ? " ho asked furiously. Ho pushed his silk hat oil the back of his head with a despairing movement. "So Mr Tressidy was right, after all. Great God, this is too much to bear." " Have I ever said one word to mislead you, Mr Benson ?" Hilda asked, with strong irritation, have permitted your imagination to run riot. You have taken for granted that which you hoped for. Love! Marriage! The idea is horrible !" The words boomed in his"] ears. Twice had he'made a fool of himself for a woman. Why was it ? Other men had sweethearts and wives, and appeared to be happy enough. '• Why did you accept my little gifts, Hilda ? " he asked. " A pair of gloves and a few bunches of flowers! How could I decline them without hurting you ? I have had scores of such gifts." " From men ? " he sneered. " Yes, from men." Again there was silence, broken only by his stertorous breathing. Suddenly he rose from his seat, slowly—painfully. " Good night, Miss Craven," he said. [to be continued.]