The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8311, 14 December 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Siltihir of "Clyda's Love Dream,". "Nina's Repentance," •< llev Soulier Lover," ''The Mystery of Woodcroft," " For Love ofMarjorie," etc.

p'Tins Ibonmasteu'k Dauoiitku" was commenced on October 171h.]

CHAPTER XXXIII.—ContinUKD. "I obeyed him only for a few days," continued Hilda', "and the understanding was that I reported to Duke Doverell, who had followed mo from Coventry, lie terrified me by swearing that lie could ruin my father with a word. *01), my life these last few months lias been terrible, indeed." "My poor Hilda!" mm mured Benson tremulously. She was looking straight at Dill Ilebden—resolute, defiant. "I have usually spent Sunday at Mr Stanley's house at Perry Barr. I had promised to have a little outing with Mr Benson to-day, but from the moment of waking was weighed down with an unaccountable depression. I decided not to go out, and sent Mr Benson a note by the milkman." «Yes—yes; I have it hero " He produced the note, and kissed it passionately. Bill nodded sympathetically. "It sounds like truth," he said.

"Truth!" (Ifind Hilda,, with (lashing eyes. "Terrible —monstrous truth ! Duke Deverell called upon my father soon after breakfast; he came unexpectedly; he wasn't welcome. ]Uv father hates and fears him. even as'l do. He has held us in the hollow of his hand. I listened to liis talk, and over heard that which appauled mo. He had mined the works in 11 score of places, and connected every bomb, infernal machine, or whatever they may be, with an electric battery, which ho was to work at will. " The, main connecting wire ran along the wharf from the new works to the old. Destruction was certain —frightful, absolute. "And we stand here idle," interrupted Bill. Even he was trembling. ' Wait—wait! The danger is averted. Let me tell you—lot me convince you that my father had no hand in this; he was mad,\bewildered, horrified. I believe they fought. I heard a struggle. My duty was clear; I must save the works without arousing Deverell's suspicions. I watched my opportunity, seized Mrs Stanley's bicycle, and rode here. I went straight to the watchman's house, because I had heard Deverell's boast that the old man was 'cooked.' I discovered him to be ill and dazed; he had been drugged overnight. He delivered the keys up to me, and I came to tho works " She sobbed now. "And I cut the wire that connected the infernal machines with tho battery. You can see for yourself, Bill llebden, if you—if you doubt mo still." Bill's face glistened with perspiration and his jaw had dropped. "Lord!" he muttered. "The mob seems baby play. This must go to tho police now ! This 11 stir em up a bit."

"No." Hilda's; voice rung clear and determined. "You go on with your barricading; lam going to warn my father. I claim that privilege; he has acted wickedly, hut he is no match for such master criminals an • Duke Povoroll and Lucas Isaacs. I want him to escape—anywhere. Remember he is my father " " "Bill, you must agree to that. Give him a few hours' start——for Miss Craven's sake—for my sake. Mr Tressidy would wish it if ho know." "Think so?" Bill showed his teeth. "All right, miss. I'll give him till evening. lie ain't worth it, though. But I'm going to have some police hidden in the old works to cop Mr Deverell when becomes to work his battery. 1. think I can do without you, Mr Benson, if you want to go "with the young lady. Sbolooks mighty queer." "Give me your hand, Bill. You'll be true to your word'?" "L never broke it yet, sir. If i. promised a man a good hiding he always got it. H I said I'd 'let up' I always did. I know I'm doing wrong, and you know it, too. But it's for the gal's sake. I'm going to the police station, though, and I'm going to have all the force I can get to watch them mines and to wait for .Duke Deverell." Benson and Hilda left the works. They went to a livery-stable, hired a, cab,'and were then driven swiftly to Berry Jjarr.

CHAPTER XXXI V. CHESTER STARK'S STORY. The moment that her righteous anger was spoilt, Paulino was sorry for much that she had said and done. And now Chester Stark was regarding her morn fully, reproachfully. From her whifco face and gloomy (-yes. his gaze wandered to the revolver lying almost at her feet. "Pauline! Pauline 1" he said. "Don't let Frank go, papa!" "He's in his room; he'll tell me nothing. What does this mean?" "Oil, a little difference of opinion." "A little difference of opinion ! Hot words, pistols, bloodshed! It is disgraceful, and I. insist upon knowing the truth. You are shielding one another." "Oh, papa! Don't get angry!

your heart is weak, you know, and I am so sorry." Paulino twined her soft arms about his neck tearfully. "Tho revolver isn't loaded: I only got it to frighten Frank with. "If you deliberately arm yourself with that, there's a lot behind this, Pauline. Now you've got to tell the truth. As for my heart Jboing weak —nobody ever accused mo of that before." "I have heard that it was allectcd and that you might—might sutler at any moment if excited 100 much.". _ "Pah! A bit more of Frank! Stay right where you are, Paulino, and I'll have Frank here." Ho turned to tho door, then looked back fondly—wistfully. "Tell me first why you camo back to New York, hot-foot. It may ease things a bit, Pauline. I believe I know what is in your mind. Is it ;ib your mother?" Pauline drew a long, fluttering breath, and said : "Oh, papa, it is—it is. Frank said something in England—something unkind. Dick didn't care, but I did." [TO Mi CONTINUED.]