The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8314, 18 December 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

f'TiiE Ironmaster's Daughter" was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTER XXXlll.—Continued. Dick read and reread the letter, his eyes glistening, his heart leaping. "May I smoke, doctor," he asked presently. He took a cigar from his pocket. "The first for weeks." "I positively forbid it," said Charlie. "Can't help that, doctor; you spoke too late." "Serve you right if you get a recm lence of the head troubles!" "I shall stroll in the efai-flpn ■■'-'hen this is smoked. I can get along nicely with the aid of a stick. The birds ar,e all singing ' Come.'" "Wilful man will have his way." Charlie saw the fluttering of a dress on the lawn, and he rose from

his seat. "Half a. minute, old chap. There was just a trace of anxiety in Dick's voice. "When am Ito have a full knowledge of what is going on at the works?" "I have assured you that everything is all right." "Yes, but that isn't satisfying. I want it in black and white—l want to see Mr Benson. I know that I have good men in all departments, /and that I can rely upon Benson's discretion. He is like a Scotchman, where he has the faintest shadow of doubt, he backs down. I haven't seen a newspaper for weeks, and Enys has merely read tams and uninteresting stuff previously, marked by you for my consumption. Oh, yes, I've been smart enough to see the blue pencil lines." Charlie '.laughed then considered for a moment. He regarded Dick earnestly, critically.

"I believe that it will do you more good to bo brought right up to date than to be kept guessing—eh? But let me assure you that everything as regards yourself and the works is Al at Lloyds! Much has happened; Liicas Isaacs & Co. are closed, and the mortgagee is in possession." •'What!" Dick essayed to jump up, and the blood rushed to his face. "There you are!" snapped Charlie. ■'l wish I hadn't said a word. What is there remarkable about Isaacs & Co. shutting down?" Dick reflected. •'Poor devils!" he said, at last. "I feel disposed to help them—not Isaacs, but Weeks and ' Stanley. They were old servants of ours, and may have been misled. Mortgagee in possession? I thought that Isaacs was a capitalist?" "A windbag-a mere, windbag! One of the greatest shams who ever posed as a financier. But I will have Mr Benson here'; he knows all about everything." > "Who is the mortgagee, Charlie?" "The bank is in full control, I understand." "Then I must buy the bank out'" His eyes flashed with triumph. "The old works shall be mine again, if I have to pay double their value ! Wire for Benson, Charlie, now." "11l drive to Smethwick, and bring him back with me. Will that satisfy you?" "Three or four hours," grumbled Tressidy. "Hurry up eld chap, and don't moon about here with Enys." He tossed away his half smoked cigar. "No flavour to thething," he muttered, "Send me a new S p a p erj Charlie and clear out." Charlie obeyed laughingly, and a few minutes later a servant brought a morning paper. Dick opened it languidly. The election was over, but he saw no mention of the name of Lucas Isaacs. "Defeated probably," he thought. "Then whats the use of being an M. P. without plenty of money to support a doubtful honour? A lot of these fellows use it as a steppingstone to something else—society, knighthood, and such empty stuff." He closed his eyes drousily. The most trifling efforts tired him. "Yes, have a nap," said Charlie's voice. "I'm going to Smethwick now, Dick." "Good boy! I'll have a sleep. The news is splendid all along the line. It's a long lane, Charlie, that " But Charlie was gone, and Dick dropped into a gentle 'slumber. A full hour of utter fqrgetfulness, and then he awoke, much refreshed. He tried another cigar, and failed. He rose from his chair, and with the aid of a stick walked up and down the verandah. "I couldn't do this yesterday; I shall walk better to-morrow. I feel quite strong." He returned to his 'chair, gasping and perspiring. It was a canvas • - steamer chair, grateful and com- j forting to a man with tender flesh and bones. Then Enys brought some refreshment to him, Food and drink ■ were so much more appetizing to an invalid out of doors, with the blue sky and the golden sun above, and with the music of the summer wind and the song of the birds .in his ears, and the fragrance of flowers in his nostrils. So the time passed, until he heard Charlie Mostyn's cheery voice, and

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