When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9544, 16 July 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER Vl.—Continued. "An appointment at eleven?" cried Lady Annandale. "And what are we to do, pray, Sir Knight of the Rueful Countenance?" Duncan was silent, and Lorna Casson favoured him with one of moat bewitching smiles, j "Wait, my dear Florence," she J said, "until Mr Armitage has dij gested the commands of Caesar." Duncan tore open the letter as he left the room and read it in the hall. It ran as follows: "My Dear Duncan: 1 believe that you are coming to town on Saturday to see me, and I must request you to allow the arrangement to stand. Take formal leave of your sister Florence, as in all probability you will not see her again for a couple of years. It is my wish that you go abroad at once, and I hava selected as your companion and guide a most estimable and experienced gentleman, whose advice c9nuot be too highly valued. I shall leave you entirely in his hands, with the knowledge that you will be safe from any youthful folly, i'ou are twenty-four years of age now, and the Rainhills have always married before their twenty-seventh year, I wish to impress this upon you, and also the fact that I must approve of your choice of a wife, or my severest displeasure will follow. I need say no more upon this point. You know that I am a man of my word. You will please arrive on Saturday in time for luncheon. "Yours faithfully, "RAINHILL." Duncan tore the letter into[a hundred fragments, his eyes flashing with rage. "And this man is my father!" he muttered. "He must be without a heart! I shall be at your town house as arranged, my lord, and I am afraid that there will be a lively time!" He thrust his hands into his Docket and smiled grimly. Then he seized his hat and strode out into the glorious sunlight. It was nea-ly eleven o'clock, and Zilla would be waiting tor him. He was utterly reckless. As he crossed the lawn, Lady Annandale opened a French window, and called ta him. He dud not heed her. He was thinking of Lord Rainhill, of his own future, of Zilla. "I will quarrel with my father," he thought fiercely. "I have wanted to do so for years. 1 will talk to [him as man to man, not as serf to master. The bondage has nearly driven me mad. Life is given us to enjoy. Oh, for freedom —lreedom! Thank Heaven. 1 am beginning to breathe the air of freedom at last! I He will disinherit me as cooly as he would cast aside an old hat. I shall not be poor. 1 have a couple of thousand a year; and the world is before me." The clocks were striking eleven when he acendesd the steps of the "Royal " A big man barred his way in the vestibule, a scowl on his dissipated face. "Ah—your name is Armitage, I think, and you are the son of Lord Rainhill?" he said sneeringly. "That is my name, Mr Etherington," retorted Duncan. "You know me, sir"? "by reputation." "And that?" "Is of the basest!" Duncan gazed calmly into the angry face of Etherin<zton.; "Are'you satisfied?" "I am determined to end your game here, Mr Armitage. I will write to your father; I will call upon your sister. You are a young fool, sir—l am a man of the world. The little Zilla is safe enough, and I will not be balked. Do you hear me, sir? lam a guest in this house. I saw you with her last night. The Setons are waiting for you now, but it will be the last time!" Duncan smiled contemptuously and passed on. He heard Etherington raving to one of the hotel clerks, and his cheeks glowed. The man would be guilty ot any infamous lie. He clenched his hands. For a minute he paused to recover himself at the door of the private room that he had engaged, then he knocked. He heard the sound of a light, quick step, and the next moment Zilla was standina before him! chapter vii. the fairy prince of her dreams was whispering passionate;love. With a beating heart and burning cheeks, Zilla stepped back a couple of paces. She saw Armitage's hall inquiring glance round the room, and the glad smile that broke over his face. "Good morning, Miss Seton!"he saide. "I hope I have not kept you waiting?" He hesitated and flushed. The expression in her eyes disconcerted him. "I believe Mr rieton and I arranged to meet here at ehven o'clock." He glanced at his watch. "Yes —I am sure of it." Again a vivid blush mounted to the girl's pale face; but she looked into his eyes frankly, bravely. Her lips quivered. "1 knew that the hour was eleven, Mr Armitage," Zila said; "but papa said that it was halfpas.t ten the time when you were to meet him. Then he suddenly remembered an important engagement with one of our patrons, and deputed rne to attend to your business. 1 hope you are not vexed!"

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fa Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman 4 V Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "Ono Impas- 3 / sionod Hour," Etc., Etc. /

Duucan frowned impatienly, and cast a quick, searching glance at Zilla. 'lhen his hear misgave him, and he was filled with a rush of tenderness of pity. She was looking up at him half shyly, half earnestly. "I am a scuundrel," Armitage thought angrily, "to doubt this child for one moment! Her sweet face is that of an angel. But that mar. to be her father! "Our business?" he said aloud. "I had myself almost forgotten the nature of it. There are so many inquisitive eyes here, Miss Seton —the servants, ynu know. Shall we take a walk in the town? We can talk better there." The rose blush in her cheeks deepened. "If you wish it, Mr Armitage—if you are not ashamed to be seen with a wandering singer." "Ashamed?" he cried impetuously, "if you have the time to spare, we will go for a 10113 walk. I am interested in you—pardon me for saying so—and I want you to tell me about yourself." Zilla hesitated. I only wished to talk with you upon the business you suggested to my father. Mr Armitage." she repied a little coldly. "He told me that you had kindly promised to use your influence in our behalf with the management of some of the great Londo theatres. I know that I only want a chance. Oh, this life is so terrible!" "That is just it, Miss Seton," Duncan said quickly. "Come—we cannot talk here! The hotel people ft ill notice us. It was wrong of your father to go away." He left the room and walked out into the summer sunlight, with the sweet girl singer by his side. He was aware that many eyes were turned upon them—he knew that many cruel things were being said. He f.aw the glow in her soft cheeks, the sparkle in her dark eyes. Poor, lonely little girl, in her shabby dress and well-worn jacket! The streets were thronged with fashionably attired men and women. "Hulloa, Armitage'!' said a deep voice. "Whither bound?" ;z.^. A tall, dark young fellow was standing oefore him —a man "born to the purple"—a lithe figure, an aquiline nose, haughty, flashing black eyes. He was attired in white flannel and wore a jaunty yachting cap. His air was careless, cynical. "You at Heiey, Mountarbon?" Duncan said, flushing. "I am busy this morning. Shall be glad to see you at Lady Annandah.'s place. This lady- -" Mountarbon scanned the shabbily dressed girl. | TO/ PK CONTINUED. 1