HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3220, 18 June 1909, Page 2

HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

BY HENIUETI'A B. KUTHVEN. Author of "His Second Lovo " " Corydon's Infatuation," " DariDg Doia," " An Unlucky Legacy," Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER XXVll.—Continued "Gently, gently!" Laurence cried to the mare. "You are frightening this little girl cf mine ! You must keep a firmer hand on the reins, Lois, and not let her start and caper whenever she takes it in her head." Lois looked straight before her, and made no answer. She was still rebelling inwardly at the snappish speeches addressed to Hal. "Do you like the women who have foisted themselves on my father?" she was asked. "Of course, you know whom I mean; Miss Braysby and Lady Marcia?" "No, I don't care for them!" was the curt repsonse. "You might express yourself more politely," she was told. "You dislike, them? So do L We must get rid of one if not of both. Lady Marcia is tolerable, but not the other If she were made to undertand that she that outstayed her welcome it would be an immense relief to my father." "He knows I don't like Miss Braysby," Lois responded. "I hate reciting lessons to her, and she can see I do; but she's artful, and won't go." "And so you are condemned to her society against your will! How you must miss Ambra!" "Dreadful!" said Lois. "She was gay!" Laurence winced, but prudently avoided commenting on the vulgarism. "You should leave unturned to get her back. Your grandfather would listen to your entreaties. She is longing to return to you. Come. 'll hold out a further inducement. If you will procure the recall of Miss Neville, I'll contrive to rid you of the spinster." Lois rode on, silently revolving in her thoughts what she had heard; and Laurence watched her with smiling satisfaction. He believed that she would act on his suggestion, and might also be made useful in smoothing down his lather's wrath if he succeeded in persuading Ambra to consent to a cladestine marriage. After all, the girl was turning out better than he had anticipated. He tapped her shoulder with his whip. How well she looked on horseback! He began to think that after a lengthened intercourse with Ambra had toned her down he should be able to tolerate her. £ "You have considered the question long enough, haven't you? Is it a bargain? Are yen going to win a pearl necklace for your birthday by doing as I suggest?" Lois' reply was prompt enough now. "If I wanted a necklace my grandfather would give me one, and it would be for love, not to tempt ine to go against his wishes. As for teasing h m to let Ambra come home again, I couldn't do it, much though I'd like to see her."

"You are a remarkably dutiful young lady," sneered her auditor. "A most prudent young person! Much toOp cute to do anything by which your interests may suffer. As long as the general lives to hold the purse I stand second, and am to be treated accordingly. Who would not have a daughter, and such a daughter!'' "What do you mean?" demanded Lois, turning in her saddle to look at him "If I say I won't do it. it's because I shouldn't like Ambra to be your wife!" "Say Miss Neville, when you speak of her; such familiarity from you is impert nent!" she was told, with a frown. " And so you would not like me to marry Miss Neville — for fear, I suppose, that such a marriage might rob you of a part of your inheritance! Where did you get these disgustingly worldly notions?" "I haven't any notions, and I don't want your money," she retorted, stung by his tones as much as his words, "but 1 like Ambra—yes, I'll tell her that if I choose; she's only a girl like me—and I wouldn't see her made unhappy if I could prevent it." "You talk like an idiot. Who wishes to make her unhappy." my mother with your, unkindness!" cried Lois, all her long pent-up wrath boiling over; "you deserted and killed her, and she was as good and pretty as Ambra, for granny has often told me so." Before she could say more, Laurence white with fury, was interposing. "Hush! are you mad? There are people near who will listen to, and perhaps repeat, your si'ly speeches. You don't care! But I do; so hold your tongue, and look to your mare. tighter—tighter still—do you hear?" "I will not!" was the sulky response. "Hal says she has a very tender mouth, and I must use her gently!" "Don't talk to me, but do as you are bid!" cried the angry and despotic Laurence. "Do you think you are to jog along like some old woman going to market with eggs?" Determined rot to merit this reproach, Lois shook the reins and away went the creature at a mad gallop, in which the rider lost her hat, and her magnificent hair streamed loosely about her. To the fearless girl this was delightful. Glad to escape from her father—glad to feel the quick motion of the mare, and the wind fanning her hot cheeks—she laughed a loud

in her delight, and had nearly made the circuit of Rotten Row when Laurence contrived to overtake hei\ "Do you want to break your neck?" he.panted. "I thouhgt they said this brute was properly broken in? Flog her well—flog her into subjection—or i will!" "No!" said Lois, backing away from him; "you [shall r.ot hurt the poor thing. It was my fault. Hold off!—she shall not be flogged!" In snite of her protest down came the whip on the head and shoulders of the mare, and in an instant her rider was off her saddle, struggilng bareheaded to prevent any recurrence of the cruel blows. There might have been an unpleasant scence between the father and daughter but that Laurence's horse swerved, and before his master could recover himself the mare had whisked away, and was trotting quietly back to her stable. "This is your doing!" Lois was told. "You have made yourself ridiculous, and me, too. By Heaven I could find it in my heart to go home at once and leave you to get there how you can." "As if I could not walk!" she answered scornfully, while gathering up her skirt. "You can go on if you choose, I will follow." "With .i mob of boys at your heels! I dare say you would enjoy the publicity of it," snarled Laurence; "but I should not, so you'll stay where you are." "To be scolded, and grandfather frightened and upset at seeing the mare come home without me? Not I. lam going home as fast as my lege will carry me." "I tell you. you shall not make a spectacle of yourself!" and her wrist was seized so roughly that she could have screamed with pain if pride, indomitable pride, had not prevented it.

Another contest was ensuing, for Lois was as angry as hf.r father, but that a gentleman rode up with her hat. He was a fair, freckled, stout youngiellow, a Lincolnshire baronet and an ardent lover of all outdoor sports. He was rarely seen in the park, as the amusement of riding quietly there was too tame to please one of his tastes and habits; but he had been following the movements of the fair equestrienne with an immense amount of interest and admiration. "Mr Haydon, the traveller, isn't it?" he inquired, after a stare at Laurence. "Introduce me to your pister that I may give her this myself. lam Rollo Kawlings, Baronet, of Thorpley Grange. You've seen me at your club, I dare say. I kif 7 you by sight well enough." | TO BE CONTINUED.]