When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9553, 28 July 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

§ BY OWEN MASTERS. 2 ? ? (, Author of "Captain Enilyn'd Daughter," "Iho Woman {, V Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "One Impas- J / sioned Hour," Etc, Etc. /

whit have you to say to me? Quick —I want you to take me to Zilla." Seton smiled. He laised his cunning eyes to the ceiling. "Mr Arimtage, it's no use beating about the bush with you. You are a gentleman determined to have your own way. To be plain, sir, my daughter has cost me a great deal of money, and just as I am turning her to market value you step in and spoil my chances of getting a fair return. Of course we are both highly honoured, but I can't live on the love of two young people. If you take Zilla from me, I want adequate compensation." Duncan laughed bitterly, and, Seton's eyes sparkled maliciously. "You may laugh, sir, but I mean what I say. You are not the only gentlman who fancies my girl! I could mention half a dozen highfliers who would give their heads for one of Zilla's smiles. They may not he so eager to hear their own wedding-bells as you are, sir; but their money is good, all the same.'' Armitage as silent. His fury and loathing made him sppeechless. "You scoundrel!" he cried., "You pitiful wretch! Can it be possible that you are her father—the parer-t of that good and innocent child? 1 could slay you as you stand before me—a convict—a blackmailer —a curse to humanity ! Not one penny of my money shall ever find its way into your hands! And, now I know you for the unnatural vidian that you are. I shall take upon myself the responsioility of Zilla's future. Begone, you cringing reptile!" He raised his right hand in fierce denunciation. He would have seized the trembling wretch who cowered before him had not a gentle hand been placed upon his shoulder. "For my sake, Duncan!" He turned, to meet Zilla's sorrowful eyes. He saw the waxen pallor of her sweet face, the quivering of the pale lips. "For my sake, Duncan! I was standing the doorway; I have heard all, and I think that my heart will break." ~ Two strangers walked into the room, and Duncan whispered: "Hush, my darling! Come with me. You are in my care now." She went with him helplessly, unresistingly, ene trembling hand resting on his arm, her footsteps faltering and unsteady. Not onca did she look back at the crouching figure of her father whose eyes followed her movements with a ghoulish glare. "Courage, my poor Zilla!" Duncan said. He knew that the hotel people were watchinfg him curiously. He heard scoffing laughter and light jtsts. He felt that 112 hated mankind. | TO HE CONTINUED. 1 ,

CHAPTER Xl.—Continued. | ' "I might have known it. You , i were always fond of each other. But j the affection of neighbours and play- ; : mates is not often enduring—the : love does not often ripen into the j < master-passion, which means so much j < to all true men and women. You will j i let me know when lam to see Gen- ■ eral Howard. J shalll not rest now J i until all crooked things are made I ' AtcaAi*ht-~-He laid bis hand affection- j I ately upon Duncan's shoulder. "And j I in the future, my boy, we are father | ' and son, our interests are identical. < You are a handsome fellow—years age a man more than 1 had dreamed ! -and like your mother. But you are tired: youmust rest. 1 have had ' your room prepared." I "Than you, father; but I have < business urgent business this l morning. And my luggage is scat- : tered abeut. I wili send for it, and i this evening we will have a quiet un- ' derstanding 1 have so much to tell 1 ycu, and lam half afraid. I almost wish that you were not so kind —I 1 almost wish that you where the coldhearted, unsympathetic man from ] whom I expected nothing but con- i temptuous opposition." He laughed < constrainedly. "You will think that i I am mad," he added. i "You are half afraid of what, i Duncan?" His father's face was < grave. "Nothing dishonourable? i No—a Rainhill could never forget ; his name! We will share our eon- ; fidences when you please, my boy. When may I expect you home again?" Home? Duncan was staggered. < He had not spent a night under the same roof as his father since leaving college. His father's coldness and indifference had irritated and estranged him. His warm, impetuous nature had cried out for love. "This afternoon," he answered. " I will be here in time for dinner. Some of my things are at the 'Grand,' some at the 'Grosvenor,' and the rest at Flo's place." He glanced at his watch, and re. membered Zilla and her father. There was a vague horror at his heart. He fjared and hated John Seton; he loved Zilla—poor Zilla! "Very well, Duncan —I shall expect you. Do not disappoint me." He cast a swift, kfen glance at his son's flushed face. He saw that bis brow was moist, that his lips twitched. "And you must write to Helen to-night. I will not have the child tantalized by fears which have no substance." "Yes—l will write to Helen," Duncan promised. "Dear Heaven," he thought, "I fear I shall go mad!" He reeled to the door, and Lord Rainhill watched him with deep concern. "You are not well, my boy," he began. "Some one shall go and look up your luggage for jou." "No—it is all right, father. This interview has meant so much for me! 1 have dreamed of it by night and by day, and the reaction " "Yes, yes—l understand. lam affected myself." They shook hands, and Duncan went out into the street. He saw that his father was watching him from the library window, and a savage laugh escaped him. "Oh, yes—l will write to Helen to-night!" he muttered. "Now for Zilla, the witch who has enslaved me, body and soul!"

CHAPTER XII. ARMITAGE'S BITTER DENUNCIATION. On leaving his father's house after the momentous interview, Duncan Armitage leturned to his hotel by a circuitous Way,. He was not aware of it until he found himself in Oxford Street. H 3 had been trying to think as sane men in the full possession of their faculties think and reason, but the effort was a vain one. When he reached the "Grand" the hotel clerk informed him that a "person" was waiting for him in the smoking-room. " 'A person?' " he repeated frowning. "1 should have said a 'man,' sir. I know that he is not a gentleman. He sings for pence at wateringplaces. His name is Seton, I think. I hardly cared to admit him. but he had one of your cards." "It is all right," Duncan curtly said. Then his voice sank to a whisper. "Is he alone?" i "Yes, sir." Duncan said no more. He went straight to the smoking-room. Jonn Seton was pretending to read a morning paper. He glanced up furtively, and a smile of welcome broadened his dark face. "I am glad that you have come, Mr Arimtage. When the flunkey | said that you were out I feared that I must have misunderstood the arrangement made yesterday." "Where i 3 Zilla? Where is Mis? i M Seton?" Armitage interrupted. "As this is purely a business c meeting, sir, I thought it wise to 1' leave my daughter at home. Be- c side?, Mr Etheringlon " "I have nothing in common with a acoundrel of Etherington's type," said Duncan fiercely. "Do not breathe his name to me again. Now