When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9568, 14 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XVlH.—Continued. She read again, and a dull and awful despair settled upon her. Her father had been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in a daring iewel robbery to Regent Street. He was spoon of as a daneerous, disreputable character, who had already served several terms of imprisonment, and now at large, on ticket ot leave. He haa lately adopted the life of a strolling vagabond, and formed a troupe of minstrels, who visited seaside resorts and racetracks. The minstrels were constantly under police surveillance. Seton had one cnild, a daughter, who had suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. Her disappearance gave colour to the suspicion which rested upon the prisoner, the police thinking it probable that the girl had decamped with some of the booty. The paper fell from Zilla's hands to the floor. The pain in her head was almost unbearable. She realised that her father was in peril, and that she could in a great measure assist in exonerating him. She did not be lieve for one moment that he had any hand in the robbery. But his past! A tieket-of-leave man! Oh, Heaven! Mrs Chatto tapped at the door. "Are you ready for -breakfast, Miss Seton?" she pleasantly asked. "1 heard you singing, so know that you are better." Zilla did not reply. She tottered to the door and opened it. Mrs Chattto scrutinized her face anxiously.

"A cup of coffee, Miss Seton? Why, how weak you are! You oughtn't to have got up so soon. What will Mr A..rmtag3 say to me?" "Oh, 1 am much better, thank you!" the girl said hysterically. "Where are my things, Mrs Chatto —my hat and jacket? lam going out for a little while."

"No, dear—you must not go out yet. The sun is dreadfully warm." "I insist!" the girl answered. "My father is in great danger. He wants me." Her eyes shone, her lips turned pale. "H 6is in tne lock-up at B'jw Street, and I am suspected of being his accomplice. I am not ashamed to tell you, because ic is all untrue; and you will read it in the papers."

"Wait a little while, my aear. Let me send Charlie for Mr Armitage. He will know how to advise us for trie best. You are ill, excited: and it may be a mistake—what you have heard ab'out your father, I mean."

Zilla stood irresolutely, leaning against the do;ir Ifnr support. "A mistake?" she asid scornfully. "You think that my mind is wandering! It will be in ali the newspapers, and tne police will find ma nere. Oh, Duncan, D,un:an, what sorrow have 1 brought upon you?" She sobbed helplessly for a while. "Let me give \ou some tea or coffee, Miss Seton," pleaded Mrs Chatto. "Then Charlie shall go riant away for Mr Armitage."

There was the sound of wheels outside, and of the plunging of a spirited horse. Mrs Chatto ran to the window. A thunderous knock sounded on the door. For a moment the woman' 6 kind heart almost stood still with fear. She saw a foam-flecked black horse, with silver-mounted harness, an „,elegant closed carriage with a coachman in livery, and in the gloom within the Vehcle a man's face.

Mrs Chatto turned toward the girl and held up-V finger warningly. Silently she kissed the girl's hot cheek, and then went on tiptoe to the door. The imperious knock, was repeated. The very framework of the door &houk. A dog howled dismally.

demanded with an assumption of anger. Tne duor was wide open now. Mrs Chatto's voice failed her; her limbs trembled. A man was standing before her—tall, handsome, imperious-looking. His black eyes seemed to pierce her. "A Seton is staying here—your name is Chatto?' [His voice was deep, but there was a touch of anxiety in the intonation. "Take me to Miss Seton. I have news of her father!' Mrs Chatto gave a sigh of relief. "You are not from the police, sir?" she faltered. "No," the man replied haughtily. "I must see Miss Seton at once! Quick, woman!" He turned and flashed back a glance of triumph at the occupant of the carriage. A pair of satyrlike eyes responded to his own.

I Mrs Chatto signed to him to come within. Curious neighbours were gathering about the door. Zilla was standing in the pailour. Her breath came with difficulty. She had heary every word—she had recognised the stranger's voice, but had fogotten his name. Her whole soul as in revolt. He was Duncans enemy—he had once been his friend. She remembered her lover's reference to their friendship. The bond between them had been strong, but they had drifted apart. Yes—now she remembered his name—it was Clarence Mountarbon! As she faced him he removed his hat—a bitter sneer on his lips—and bowed.

"You know me, Miss Seton 9 It is well. I come from your father, though I scarcely know why I should interest myself in you, unless it is because my friend Armitage has

\ - BY OWEN MASTERS. 5 / 1 (f Author of "Captain Emlyn's Daughter," "The Woman (, Jf Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "One Impas- 3 / sionod Hour," Etc., Etc. /

something at stake. There is a bond between people of our order which nothing can sunder." His black eyes flashed. Zilla felt horribly faint. She hated this handsome young man. "You have come from ir.y father?" she whispered. "I have—at the quest of Mr Gus Etherington." Zilla raised her hands in a manner indicative of horror. "Nay," said Mountarbpn, "personal dislikes and considerations must be put aside for the moment, Miss Seton! Mr Etherington's is p.cting nobly as your father's friend. If your father is not discharged this morning when brought before the magistrate, Mr Etherington will find bail to any amount to obtain his release. He ia actuated in so doing by the knowledge that Seton is innocent of any complicity in the affair. It is in your power alone to remove ail doubt in the matter-, and to show how ridiculous are the theories of the police. I speak freely because I gathered from the remarks ol the lady of the house that the news of Mr Seton's arrest had reached you." Zilla's eyes were fixed upon his face. He moved uneasily. He had thought her very pretty, but believed her to be without heart or intellect—a mixture of simplicity and cunning. He saw now that he had been mistaken.

"Who,sent you to me?" she demanded. "Who told you that I was here at Brixton-at this house?"

"Mr Seton knew, 1 suppose." He shrugged his shoulders carelessly. "Your flight was no secret. He wants you now. Etherington volunteered to bring you to him. Etherington is waiting in the carriage at the door. He and I are friends. He knew of your dislike to him, and asked me to come." Mountarbon glanced at the clock on the mantlepiace. "It will soon be nine o'clock, and your father will be in the dock at, ten. Your evidence may save him much announce, and your appearance will give the lie to the allegations the police have made against you. For the sake of your lover, Mr Duncan Armitage"—with a bitter sneer in his voice—"f„r his sake it is your duty to preserve your hitherto stainless character."

"You are .\ gentleman, Mr Mountarbon," Zilla said, "but I do not like you." Her brain reeled, there was a rushing sound in her ears. "You have been the friend of Mr Duncan Armitage. He has likened that friendship o the brotherhood of Damon and Pythias. You yourself have boasted of the honour of men in your own order. I will trust you because I must." I TO BE CONTINUED.]