When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9565, 11 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XVII.-Continued

"MY DEAK BOY: News for you 1 think that 1 may say good news. Helen Howard ant 4 Florence are in town—indeed, under ihis roof. They came quite unexpectedly an hour fitter noon. Both pretend that they have some shopping to do before returning to the country. Miss Casson will join them at Rainhill Court next week. Miss Howard was disappointed upon learning tnat you were out for the day. This id a little precaution. You must give your business the go-by to-morrow, as the ladies will want a cavailer, and I am too old for that sort ot thing. "Your affectionate father, "RAINHILL." Armitage tumbled the note. His father's tactics were now as clear to him as the open day, and Florence He found it impossible to sleep. He longed fur the morning, yet dreaded the perplexities which were inevitable when it came. Day broke, and soon the servants began to stir. The clocks chimed the hour of six. It was a glorious morning. Duncan went down to the library, andjvas amazed to find Cecil Howard there, idly turning over the leaves of a magazine. The young lawyer looked up with a bright smile, and impulsively held out his hand. "Hello, Duncan! I heard only last night that my sister was in town. I expect that she and Lady Annandale will keep you pretty well occupied in Regent Street to-day? I have no time for that sort of thing, it id grind, grind, grind with me." "You are quite an early bird!" Armitage remarked. "Yks —I have been burning the midnight oil. .. Very important case in the Chancery Court to-day; and a young man has to make the most of his opportunities. I took a 'refresher' in the shape of a cold hath, and then came along here from my chambers. i take great delight in wandering through the London streets in the early morning. Besides, it is my only chance to see you and Helen until after the long vacation. I must be back in chambers before un."

•'You are getting along finely, I understand?'

"Fairly well, thanks to Lord Kainhill!" Cecil fixed his eyes upon Duncan. "You are not looking overbright, old man!"

I "No—l have an Hbominable headj ache! It will t>oun pass away." I Cecil drew nearer to his friend. [ "I came to congratulat.' you and Imy dear ■sister upon your engagement. And his lordshp has given hiajjleasid consent! I almost feared that the news was too good to be true. I have been anxious about Helen for u long time. I Knew that she cared for you with all the depth and strength ot her intense nature; and no one prayed more heartily than I that Lord Kainhill would send you abroad. You understand why! And, when)you told me at the regatta that you had spoken to her, I was one of the most miserable of men. 1 never doubted your honor, Duncan, old man—don't think that for a momet.t. 1 feard Lord Rainh.ll's anger and „disappoinment; arid, in that event my people would have interfered. The governor is not the sweetest tempered man on earth, and the old breach would have been widened. And you and poor Helen would have been the sufferers. When I heard the news last night, I sang for joy; it lightened my labours. And here I am to wish you both eternal happiness!" "Thank you, Cecil!" Armitage said feebly, i'nen he turned fiercely upon his I'rienci, exclaiming: "Man, ao yi.u want to drive me mad!" He turned away abruptly and looked out into the street. Cecil Howard was amazed. "I hope that you two have not quarrelled so soon," he said anxiously. He laughed constrainedly. "Of course, it is no business of mine now; and I wonder that you do not resent my interference. Your temper was hot enough in the old days. Forgive me, old man!", "What utter nonsensejyou are talking ! There is no quarrel. I have not seen Helen since I came away from Henley. 1 was out until late last night. With the exception of one or two servants, everybody had retired." "I have chosen an inopportune moment to offer my felicitations," Cecil Howard said. e "You are upset over something, Duncan. If I can't be of use to you I will be off." Armitage did not and Cecil rose lingeringly. - The sun peeped over the houses on the opposite side of the street. A caged lark sang blithely. "Wou't you stay for breakfast!" Armitage asked. "No; 1 can't spare the time. I thought that 1 would speak to my sister; |but not now, since you ha\e some trouble. We shall all meet in a very short time at Rainhiil Court." Cecil's gaze never left the face of his friend. "I may run this way to-night. I will not promise, though. Good-by for the present, old man. You can tell Helen " "I shall tell Helen nothing!" Armitage interrupted. "You will know all about it soon enough!" He held out his hand impulsively. "You will

V BY OWEN MASTERS. J 1 1 C Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman G >P Wins," "The Heir of-A visford," "One Lupas- 3 / sionod Hour," Etc., Etc. /

' try to think of me as best you can, Cecil? For the sake of the ol days, lam sure that you will! lam but an atom on the breast ot a might sea. Fate plays us some st-ange tricks. Now go!" He spoke with a strange calnness. You will dine here this evening? You must! I will tell Lord Hainhill tha"; you an coming.'' Cecil Howard stood irresolute, perplexed. He laid a hand" affectionately upon his friend's shoulder. "Are you and your father in conflict? I understand the feeling 01 filial duty against unjust oppression. My governor has almost driven me to madness at times. It isn't about Helen?" "No, no: Helen is the desire of his eyes! She is an angel! Heaven bless her!" Cecil gripped his hand, then went away. For an hour Armitage sat staring at the pages of an open book. He saw nothing. The print was blurred, confused mass. He had no thought of reading. Yes—he was in ccnflct with his father— actual conflict—and he was wondering how he should open the attack. His lordship was playing a double game, at the in- . stigation of Florence—Florence, in whom he had trusted so implicitly! He could not find it in his heart to blame her very much. She was intensely fond of him, and believed that she was doing her duty. The clocks chimed eight. Lord Rainhill war not a late riser, and Duncan's blood rose to fever heat. He heard a slight movement in the hail, and the sound of the butler's gentle voice, then the library door was timidly opened. Us looked up, and saw Helen Howard's Hushed face. A ray of sunlight rested for a moment on her shining hair, turning the strands to shimmering gold. Her morning costume was of palest blue: a tiny knot of pansies at her throat almost matched the colour of her eyes. -"Duncan," she half whispered, "may I come in?" "Helen!" The revulsion from anger to tenderness fmade his brain reel. "Helen, little sweethearthow lovely you are!" She sprang forward with a glad pry, and*he folded her in his arms. He kissed both glowing cheeks. It was Helen, the playmate of his boyhood! "I knew that you would be waiting somewhere for me, Duncan," she said softly. "I was going to the conservatory, but the butler told you were here." I TO BR OONTINI/KD. 1 , Mr M. A. McFarlane; Tobacconnt, Maryborough. Vic, writes: "Myboyhaa been tronUed with bronchitis for sckK time, and tnough I had export opinUM and tlieir prescriptions he still seemed to be getting worse. I was really afraid that he was developing consumption. At length I concluded to give Chamberlain's Cough Remedy a trial, and can say the result was wonderful. From the very first he commenced to pick up, and is to-daj quite healthy. At the least symptom of an attack I now give him a few doses, and it always checks the comj plaint at once. Have also given Chamberlain's Cough Remedy to my other children when attacked with croup, with he same good results." For sale by all chemists and storekeepers.