SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9666, 3 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

BY P. L. DACRE, Author of '*A*Lo -3less Marriage," "A Change of Heart," •'Trenholmo's Trust," "A Case for the Court," Etc, etc.

CHAPTER 11.--Continued. "My poor darling! Ah it will he a busy day to-morrow! You want-some new things, sweetheart. I will have a talk with the rec'.or this very night," he went .on ramblinglv; "and we will go sharping to-morrow —you and I. Of course the murder will be out very hut you won't care?" "I? No," she answered scornfully; "I shall be glaJ, because it will wound Miss Morgan and everybody else." "Don't he vindictive!" he laughed, "You don't look a bit pretty when your tetth are gleaming and your eyes flash in that way." "I don't care—only for you—Victor!" Then she added remorsefully, "I will try to be moor).'' "And, when we have had a happy day together, dirlirg, and you are comfortably housed until our marriage btlls ling out, I will run up to (own by the last train and see the governor. He has* old-fashioned notions about professional men steadying down early in Jife, eo that he ought to be delighted. Then I must get a nice 1 ttlc home ready for you, even if I have to take a furnished place at, first. You won't mind that, will you? In America and—other places'—young married people prefer not to tie burdened with the cares of housekeeping: il gives them so much more time t<i epend together, you know." jtiilda did not follow his reasoning altogether. She was satisfied that some one loved her—that some one was ready to make any sacrifice for her, and that that "some one" was the man before her. whom she was gradually arc! surely idealising into a hero. A home of some kind would be necessary; it did not matter where that home might be so that she could work —work, and become independent. She told him this, and he laughed constrainedly. He had a vision of his father's grim facekeen eyed and heavy browed. The prospects df the firm were not too flourishing, and he had been offered a partnership or. condition that ne dropped his "scribbling notions," and settled down to the la*, an'd the law only. "To-morrow morning, at eleven, Hilda," he eaid abruptly, "have everything ready, as I shall be here with a fly to take your luggage to the new abode.. The rector will recommend a place, I am sure." He embraced her passionately, and was rewarded with a look that he remembered fjr all time.

CHAPTER 111. "FOR YOUR SWquT SELF I WOULD GIVE UP THE WHOLE WORLD! From Miss Morgan's house Victor Linton went 10 the rectory. It was rather late in the evening to trouble the old clergyman, but Vicctor felt sura of his help and sympathy. As he approached the house he was relieved to see a light burning in the study, and aa he rang the bell his heart was beating wildly. The servant who answered his summons ushered him into a reception ruom, whence he was calied by the rector into the "den" which saw the making of his Sunday sermons. The Reverend Andrew Jarvis was a clergyman of the old school, generous and sympathetic, with more heart perhaps than intellect. He was a man well advanced in years, but burdened with the cares of a growing family, which had to be fed, clothed, and'edueated upon a mere pittance. He had married late in life a pretty, pink-cheeksd, frivolous girl, who had degenerated into a washed out, querulous woman, and daily made a complaint that she might have done bitter had she married a former lover, who was a linen draper. "Sit down, Mr Linton—sit down" said the rector cheerily, closiiig the study door. "Have you dropped in for a chat and smoke? Mrs Jarvis and the children have gone to bed. I have to do most of my writing at night," he regretfully added. Victor took out his cigar case and held it towards the rector. "Yes—l do want a chat and a smoke, Mr Jarvis. I hopa lam not checking the divine afflatus" Mr Jarvis smiled feebly. "No; I arn not in form to night. Two of the children are suffering from the whooping cough, and the noise racks my nerves. I am afraid I shall have to depend on an old friend for next Sunday morning." He bruke off with a weary sigh, and began to puff at the cigar.

For a few minutes there was silence, and tRe fragrant tobacco smoke ascended in spiral rings. "I've come to say 'good-by' for a week or so, Mr Jarvis," Victor safd at last. "And I want ycu to do something for me." His manner was rather confused, but his clear eyes never left the clergyman's face. "If I can serve you in any way; my dear sir, you have only to command. And you wilt remember me to your father? It is quite possible th«t I have drifted completely out of his mind; we were never very great

chums, and our schooldays were so long ago I don't think that I should have ever thought of him again if you had not (hanead to come to Llanberis. a hard headed, practical fellow he was—'bound to get on,' we used to say.'' Victor shivered. "Hovv chilly the evenings are growing! And yet the day has been as hot as midsummer." He took a long pull at his cigar. "I will not forget to mention you to the governor; indeed. I hav3 already done so in my letters. Now I will plunge right into my business, and I want you to lend me a sympathetic ear." "Certainly, my boy—certaiily!" Mr Jarvis murmured. But instead of plunging into the business the young man was silent again for several minutes. "Well," he continued at last, "it's about Mi.=s tarrfngton." The lector became interested. "I am really soiry for that young lady," he said. "She is a child of misfortune, who needs taking in hand by some one who can control her. It is a crying shame that Sir John will not do something more for her; but he is evidently a hard, un+eeling man. The girl has grown up—just grown up, that's all—like a rank weed. I once approached Sir John —it was my duty to do so—and he has since refused to see me, and has withdrawn his support from the church. Not that I ever saw him in side it, but the servants attended, and Sir John used to contibute liberally. As for the niece, I don't know what is to become of her—a wayward, untamable creature " "Mr Jarvis!" interrupted Victor notly. The blood was racing through his veins. The rector dropped the stump of his cigar. "Sh—h! Dont' sneak so loudly! The children—Mrs Jarvis," he added explanatorily. "Mr Jarvis," said Victor abruptly, "the wayward, untamable creature is to become my wife immediately. I love her with all my heart! I am here to make arrangements with you about the wedding, and one or two other things. Miss Carrington leaves Harlech School to morrow morning, but I have no place to take her to until I am ready to marry her —you understand? I must run up to town and interview my father." A lump rose in his throat. "I want to be married by you in your church either by license or in the ordinary way. In the meantime Miss Carrington needs quiet, respectable lodgings, as we have both quarrelled violently with Miss Morgan." The rector took another cigar, and put the wrong end bttween bis lips. "Bless my heart," he murmured, "what a terrible misfortune!" He glanced at Victor's angry face. Poor fellow!" he added. The young man was stung to the quick, but he cooled at once. "Mr Jarvis," he said quietly. "I shall be obliged if you will make no comments! If lam a young man, I have been well schooled in the ways of the world." "So I believed of myself when I was four and twenty. Well, it is no business of mine! I was only think*, ing of your father, and how I should take it, if I were here. Why not wait another year or two?" "A year or two?" laughed Victor good humouredly'. "Why not suggest eteruily?" "I thought jufct the same once. Well, you know your own business best —if you will you will!" "You are nght there, sir. I love Miss Carrington with all her imperfections, and I think that she bves me. She is a gem among women in thtse days of artificiality; every glance, every word, every gesture, speaks truth—truth—truth!" "Yes," assented the rector. "I like the girl, though I believe that she has set me at defiance more than once." He sighed, and then his heart warmed. "I suppose that it is Heaven's will, and I wish you both every happiness! New as to these nice quiet lodgif gs tor a few weeks! Let ine see. tl'ml Ihere is Miss Lewis, who ketps a fancy croods shop in Llanbens. I can thoroughly recommend her and her rooms." "I know the shop," interrupted Victor. "Then take Miss Carrington there, and say that I sent you. As for the weddin?, you must make your own arrangements; you know, I am sure, that it will give me pleasure to tie the knot. And after?" Victor bit his hp and, frowned. "That depends upon your father?" "You ate right. I am to have a partnership upon certain conditions. If the governor cuts up rough, I shall drop the law altogether; there are a good many thousand lawyers in London already, and I have no great liking for the profession." "And in that event?" the rector asked mildly. 'I shall turn my attention to literature." He blushed like a schoolgirl. "I have already done a little writing, and have met with some success, and the field is wide. lam not absolutely penniless; I ha\e a couple of hundred pounds to start life with." . TO UK CONTINUED.