THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3119, 20 February 1909, Page 2

THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

M WINTHROP B. HARLAND. Elgin's Secret," "A Harvest of Shame," "The Elder Son," "Lord Ash ton's Heir," Etc.

CHAPTER VI.-Continued. "Some things that a father may write to his child must be sacred," "ehe sad. "You ought to be satisfied •with what he said of you." "With what he says of me here?" Leonard repeated. "Do you mean that in the other letter he said something with which I might not have been satisfied." "You have no right to think so," she said, evading the question with a kiss, "when you know how good he has been from the very first." That kiss disarmed him, as she knew it would; but Miss St. Hilary | had to admit inwardly that her lover's ! quick instinct had not bsen at fault, j The colonel had alluded to Leonard in the letter she kept so carefully to herself. He did not speak disparagingly of the young man; he implied rather than expressed a regret that she was engaged, as, had she heen free, there was someone in his mind for whom he had intended her—a man as- brave as he was gentle, handsome and distinguished. By birth and in social position her proper equal, and who would have been at once a husband for her and a companion for him. Her father did not mention any name, but Dora could not help wondering if he was alluding to the major. And the major was the one man in the world of whom Leonard was not inclined to be jealous. "A splenaid fellow !" he had said, when Lugard left them for his wintry expedition to Raveuskerne; "and so modest, too, over his own exploits. .Now I have seen his name in the papers a dozen times, and if ever a hero lived he is one; yet whatever he mentions an incident in which he was concerned, he speaks as if he had tafcen a subordinate part, or been there as a looker-on. 1 can picture him and your father in battle—they must have been like tw Paladins jf old. 1 have made up my mind that the colonel was of Titanic stature, till Lugard, in his quiet way, remi' de me that a'- hero not be a giant." "Did he describe St. Hilary to you?" Mr Dacre said. "Yes, in a few words. A slender, unassuming gentleman, rather under than over middle height, and who, in private dress mufti, he called itmight walk through an ordinary thoroughfare without attracting a second glance." "You see how easily we mav be t led away by our mental impressions," Mr Dacre observed, "and how disappointed we should be if not prepared. I, until this moment, had no idta what the colonel is like, and I am glad that you have told me." He seemed as anxious for St. Hilary to arrive as Dora was, in her fond, expectant way. He watched the shipping intelligence every day, and one mornins: he placed the newspaper on the table before Dora, with his finger on the line which announced that the P. and 0. Company's steamer Dido was in the Mersey, a finger that trembled for a moment un ier some suppressed excitement — the pleasure, perhaps, that he shared with her—for he was a singularly sympathetic man. "I will send for the major atonce," he said; "he can follow on, and I will wire a word to the Cornwallis, to say " "But," Dora said, with a sob of nervous apprehension, "father has not sent us a telegram." "He has not had time yet. my pet; the intelligence is sent off the newspapers as soon as the ships are sighted. Do not be afraid; we shall hear from him presently." He was right. A messenger came with the flimsy yellow envelope while Mr Dacre was dressing. He was a temperate man, but he filled his flask with strong brandy, almost undiluted, and the chilly air of the morning had take. every vestage of colour out of his face. "Read the message," he said, with a slight shiver. "What a bitter day it is. I have never felt the cold so much." "'Cornwallis Hotel, Liverpool,'" Dora read. " 'St. Hilary to Dacre and Lugnrd. Knocked out. Not ill. Bad voyage. Hope you will come soon."* . ~ ~ r. "I take the next tram," Mr Dacre said; "Lugard can follow me within a few hours if he is not absent from Ravenskerne when I. send my telegram. Your father is evidently shaken by the voyage, but I daresay he will be well enough to travel by the time the major comes down. We may be very late, my pet, so you ■ must not worry yourself if we are. It may even be expedient to let him have a good night's rest before we return, and, if so, I will let you know." "Pray, do not think of such a thing," Dora said. "The major and you can bring him home, if you have to take a special train. I could not sleep. I think I should go mad if he did not come to me to-night. I wish ynu would take me with you—but, dearest papa, do bring my father home to-night." "We will do our best," he said, tenderly. "With plenty of hot water bottles and warm rugs, I dare say the major and I can make him comfortable enough in a first-class car. As for coming with me, you remember what he said, and how much better it will be for him to have the welcome of your pretty face here at home. Leonard is comiig early, so you will not be very] lot-fly." ~ _ ~ "I know, I know," Dora said; "but I wish you would take me with you. It stems so hard, when he is so Ik ar, that i should have to wait so many hours beWe I see him. And ther, if he is ill, I can stay with him vr* nnrsf him. Dearest papa, do let me go with you." j For a moment he wavered, almost overpowered by the passionate en-

treaty; then the hesitation passed, and his countenance set like stone; still he spoke very gently. "It is such a bitter day," he said; "and you would not like to disobey your father on his first day in England. What would he say to me if I let you undertake a journey of three hundred miles, when the wind cuts like a frozen knif", and there is a heavy full of snow impending? And you are detaining me, my darling; if I mL-s a train it will cause a delay of more than two hours." She Ist him go at last, charged wiih a loving message, that brought a choking ssnsauon to his throat, so deeply was he moved. He went to Euston Station in his own brougham, wi f u a sure iVoted , horse, and arrived in time for the tiain that left for Liverpool at ten I minutes past ten; but he had to get his ticket and write the telegram. Bv the time he had these, with an eager crowd in front of him at both places, that train was gone, but the telegram in which he told St. Hilary he was on his way was being transmitted by the operator. The next train went at ten minutes past twelve, and was due in Liverpool at a quarter to five; that was the one he travelled by. His telegram preceded him by many hours. Within thirty minutes of the time it was handed in at Euston it was delivered to Col. St. Hilary as he sat at breakfast in his private sitting room. A large fire was burning, and the Indian soldier was wrapped from head to foot in warm apparel; but he had not brought Maj. Lugard's youth or strength back to his native !<md. The Indian hero's indomitable spirit was contained in a very fragile tenement. Looking at the slender figure, and the expensive face, so sensitive and delicately modelled that it was nothing less than beautiful, it was difficult to realise that he was the brave-hearted veteran of whom his general had spoken as one of those who did most for England in her hour of need. He read Mr Dacre's message witha smile; here was the prompt attention that he liked. "Am coming by ten-ten," the,' message ran; "have tent to Ravenskerne for Maj. Lug^rd." "Then he will be 'here by three o'clock," the colonel said as he consulted a time-table, "and Fred uome hours later. He has an awkward journey to come, but Dora's kindly guardian will have plenty to interest me. • I almost wish I had let her come, but it is terrible weather. Glad as lamto be back in the dear old land, I almost wish I had waited tor a warmer season." He had been restless till the telegram arrived, now he was more resigned ; and he bad no doubt it would soon be followed by on*-, from Lugard. He had a pile of books, and a bundle of cheroots near his hand, and with these he could pass the time away till Mr ©acre put in an appearance. [TO BE CONTINUED.]