When Love Rules The Heart.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9573, 20 August 1909, Page 2

When Love Rules The Heart.

CHAPTER XL—Continued. |The cab moved on again. There was no doubt in Armitsge's mind that Zilla had been decoyed away with the connivance of her unnatural and rascally father—decoyed by Gus Eetheringtun and Clarence Mountarbon. Seton would barter his very j aoul for money. Etherington greatly admired Zilla, and Mountarbon had ( stooped to the lowest depths of dishonour for the sake of petty spite and revenge. Lord Rainhill, too, had played a double part. Arm'tage clenched his teeth . and his eyes flashed. This was the worst blow of all. BuL Zilla must be found. Then "for vengeance! He dismissed the cab in the Strand, and proceeded on fwt to the office of a private detective. Briefly he stated his case. The detective listened irnperturbaily until he had finished, then he jutted down a few notes on a pad. The affair was absurdly simple. He pocketed a handsome fee in advance, and thought that his client was a very foolish young man. "When may I expect to hear from you?'' Armitage demanded. "To-morrow. There will be no difficulty in shadowing a man of Scton's notoriety. He is constantly under We may catch up with him at once. If anything important occurs, I will send a telegram to your club. Good day." Armitage spent hour* going again and again from one to another of the West End Clubs,where he thought there might be a chance of meeting or hearing news of Etheringten and Mountarbon. In his lury he forgot the degradation of an open brawl. He found neither of his enemies, however. It was late when he reached home Home? He was resolved to leave it for ever. The butler approached him with downcast eves. "His lordship is in the library, Mr Duncan. He desired me to tell you that—-" "Enough!" Arimtage interrupted savagely. The butler shrank back. Had Mr Duncan been drinking? How wild and haggard he looked! He saw the library door close upon the young man, then he came forward again to listen. There was a sad smile of resignation on his gentle face. He* wished to hear no secrets. He was here in the int rests of his master. Mr Duncan's looks were so cold! Lord Rainhill was seated at the table reading when his son entered the room. He looked up with a b'and smiie, though nio thin lips quivered ever so slightly: His coJ i blue,eyes were almost expressionless—his face was paler than'usual. "Duncan, my buy!" The young man waved his hand impatiently, and a scowl disfigured his handsome face. The sunny light was' gone from his eyes —he looked old. Lord Hainhill rose languidly. "Duncan," he said slowly and in cutting tones, '"until you know how to conduct yourself in my presence you hart better retire!" 'I shall retire immediately after I have satisfied myself that you have been acting the part or a hypocrite, -s-ir," Duncan recklessly returned. "You cannot pretend that my language is unfilial in the face of the bitter wrong you have done me and the only woman I can ever care for." "You are insane!" his father sneered. "Take care. My endurance is almost at an end!"

"I care lor nothing!" the youth answered. "You have made me desperate! Until now I have feared you. Both fear and respect are gone, and, if it be true that you are guilty of I believe you are guilty of, 1 am afraid that you will always merit my contempt. I will be brief. Nay—do not interrupt me. This may be our last meeting on earth. When I have dore, say what you will." Lord Rainhill resumed his seat. He was well-nigh speechless from wrath and amazement. "Go on !" he hoarsely said. Duncan took several turns up and down the room. "Sir," he said, "a short time agojl met a girl who changed the whole course of my life—a street singer, but as beautiful as a dream, lovable beyond words. I came to you with the story upon my lips. You greeted me with an assumed affection which made me dumb, lest I should pain you. But my midsummer madness had already reached your ears — sister Flo' with a fierce gesture. "Your cunning—diplomacy, I think you call it—was too subtle tor me ■*: Your kindlv advances both amazed and gratified me; but your schemes will, fail, bringing bitterness to one whom I 'ove as a favourite sister—one who was the dear playmate of my boyhood." t His voice was husky, and tears fell upon his hands. Lord Rainhill moved uneasily. "One minute, sir—l have nearly done, and then 1 will say 'good-by.' Your spies have doubtless informed ypu tnac Miss Zilla Seton and 1 were to be married to-morrow, by special license? You have/given such men as Gus Etherington and Clarence Mountarbon audience to consult upon my affair. 0 . These men have decoyed Misa Seton from the temporary asylum where I had placer 1 her- in the hands of good and honest people. If any harm befall her, the guilt will be upon your head. lam

2V BY OWEIT MASTERS. 3 7 Author of "Captain Einlyn's Daughter," "The Woman \, * Wins," "The Heir of Avisford," "One Impas- 3 / sioned Hour," Etc., Etc. /

going now, and I think that there is murder in my heart. I swear that if I can find Etherington and Mountarbon I will shoot them! You will be the real author of any evil which may be done This is all the consolation 1 can offer you upon the non-success of your treachery!" He turned round with a bitter laugh. In an instant his father was beside him, all his cool hauteur gone. "Duncan what would you do? If you have no respect for me, remember our name—your sister—MWss Howard, to whom you plighted your troth long before you ever saw this singing girl—this child of a convict father! I have tried to save you from yourself. I have even stooped to a species of dishonour; but I know that Miss—er—Seton is in good hands—in those of her father! I wish to hide nothing and I consider that fortune has favoured me at every turn. Mrs Francillon saw you yesterday, discovered Misa Seton 's address, and communicated it to me. I promptly telegraphed to Etherington, who had already been here, with the convict's authority, for his child. My conscience acquits me. If I have done wrong, if I stooped to dishonor, it was for your sake; and some day you will regret having so cruelly misjudged your father!" v

There was real anguish in Lord RainhilFs tones.

Duncan looked into his father's pale face, and for a moment his heart smote him.

"Good-by!" he said. He passed the butler iri the doorway, and reeled into the street.

CHAPTER XXII. ENEMIES FACE TO FACE. The day of Zilla's departure from Brixton had passed; it was nearly midnight. Armitage went to his club, hoping against hope. There was* no news from the detective. It seemed an age to have to wait until the next day. How could he endure the wretched hours? Hih father and he were upon even terms. He smiled grimly, but a weary sigh passed his lips. He sought a quiet corner of the : smoking room, and lighted a cigar to s try to soothe his tingling nerves. An' evening paper lay on th-3 table before him. N and he raad the full ac count which it contained of Jonn Seton's recent adventures with the police. The man had been fully charged beiore the presiding magistrate at the Bow] Street Poll e Court with paticipating in a darirg jewel robbery. Absolute proof of his innocence had been reduced, and he had been discharged. Poor Seton! He was an old offender, however—his record was unclean. But the reference to his daughter was cruel in 'the extreme! | TO BE CONTINUED.!