SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9668, 6 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

CHAPTER IV.—Continued.

Marian only knew his doubt and perplexity! What was his duty? For a long time he had suspected that the I practise of Linton, Son and Linton was not to profitable as the firm deJ sired.- It had been "Linton, Son and Linton" for several generations, and , up to ten or fifteen years earlier it had continued to reap a golden har , vest; but just about that time several of its wealthy clients had died, and the practice had fallen off generj ally because of constantly increasing | competition. Victor had never taken | kindly to the profession—he destasted it thoroughly—but he had obeyed the iron will of his father. "lake your letter, Vic; and forgive me for worrying you!" Marian said mischievously. "You are a dear girl!" His mother was looking en smilingly. "Yes,—by George, it is a checK! Five guineas for the lilt It- story I sent in, and an invitation to attempt a novel. And the pubishers wish to see me" —he pulled at his moustache, and hia eyes lighted up—"the die is cast!" His mother and sisUr looked grave; both knew of the deep-rooted prejudice entertained by the head of the house against anything which threatened to divert Victor's attention from th<j Office. "The die is cast?" repeated Mrs Linton victor statted flnd looked d£/ "Yes, niOtlief; I Shall be liappy or even e.intenfc unless I follow a profession congenial to my tastes. I never liked the confinement and the grind of a lawyer's office, to speak of nothing worse; but I have laboured to please my father, and he, to do him justice, has been very blind to many of my—eccentricities." "You will say nothing at present?" she pleaded. "What? Ah, mother, you know that I can't sail under false colours! I must speak at once, and have done with what will be an unpleasant matter—for perhaps half an hour! I don't tnink that the governor will be unreasonable, and he cannot pretend to be taken by surprise. There are dozens of clevtrer fellows than I am ready to purchase a half interest in hifl practice." He read the letter again, and, meeting his sister's sympathetic glance, smiled hopefully. "You see," he continued, "as an author, 1 shall be a sort of free-lance —the whole world my tilting field. I can live in any part of the world which at the moment most appeals to my fancy; and I think that tnere must he Bohemian blood in my veins."

He thought of Hiida, and his eyes turned to the letter which lay outspread on the table. "You will take time to think it over?*' Mis Lii<ton suggested. "I have already weighed matters, mother—weighed them judicially, from my point of view. I have nevtr had a seciet from you, and I have travelled from Wales to-day, to tell you of tbe change that has come into my life." His eyes glowed with earnestness, and a dark flush had settled in each cheek. "I did not come home with the intention of taking up my work at the office—indeed, my luggage is left behind —1 wanted to have a long talk with my father about the future, and to tell you all that I am going to be married!"

Had the moon fallen at her feet, Mrs Linton could hardly have been more amazed.

"Victor, my boy!" "Mother,, tie is only telling ua a wicked story!" cried Marian. "It is quite, true," Victor said quietly. "Why shouldn't it be. You are two years younger thsn I, Miss Marian and yet you are engaged!" His sister blushed.

"Oh, but harry and I have been engaged since we were children! With you it is so different! 'I here has never been any one " "There is certainly is tome one now, and she will be my wife within a week or two! I don't see anything extraordinary in it/' he added irritably; "I am twenty-four years of age, and I must settle down sooner or later."

"But, my dear, it is so sudden !" "1 don't think so." Mrs Linton shed a few tears, and Marian asked a hundred questions. '"What is her name—what is she like?'"' said Victor, with all the fervour of a happy lovtr. "Her name is Hilda Carrington, and, without being strictly pretty, she has completely bewitched me! She hasn't a friend in all the world, and that is why I resolved upon an immediate marriage—so that I could take care of her. She is jounger .than Marian, and she knows next to notnine of real life." j "Why can't you bring the young lady to London, and tie married h re?" Mrs Linton plaintively asked "What will peopla say? The Mayhews are such sticklers as regards matters of pu'sonal honour!" i "Oh, haig the Mayhewal And I hope that nobody will question my honour!" Victor angrily said. 1 "But we must consider your sister's prospects," Mrs Linton pleaded j tearfully. I "If Harry Mayhew is under the heel ot lis p:ojlj, and hasn't grit enough to please himself, I am vastly

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "A Lo 'eless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," •'Trenholme's Trust," "A Case, for the Court," Etc, etc.

mistaken in him!" retorted Victor. } Marian kifscd him on the cheek, i but Mrs Linton sighed. "ft will be all right, mother," Victor went on tenderly and confidently. "I shall tell the governor I everything in the morning; ar.d I J hope that he will take it kindly, because nothing that he can say or do will influence me one iota now. Of course, I shall feel very much grieved if we pait in anger; but the world is before me, and, as I am making my own bed,l sha'n't grumble if it prove 3 a thorny one! I will be equally plain with you about Hilda Carrington; I can't bring her here, because she habn't a decent change of clothing; and she has her feelings, like other girls. She is the daughter of a Captain Carrington, who does not care two pins what becomes of her, and the niec,' of Sir John Carrington, who is as little devoted to her. A lady? Of course, she is a lady by birth, i but she is poorer than the proverbial church-mouse! As proud as Lucifer, too! Now you understand her position, and, as soon as 1 have pulled myself together ia bit, we will come and see you—or you shall come and see us." He stared gloomily at the fire. "I think I shall look up Harry Mayhew to-morrow, and tell him what's in the wind.'', "Yes, do!'' Marian said quickly. "And invite him to the. wedding as faGSt iiiail —you will Want somebody!" "I will, by Jove !" "Then he will be able to tell .'lie &U about it, and about Hilda! I wish that I might go, too!" "That is impossible, Mab." And, having kissed his mother and sister, he retired to his room. CHAPTER V. "TWO HOMELESS WAIFS ON THE WORLDS' WAYSIDE." "Say nothing to the governor," were Victor's last words to his mother; and Mrs Linton had no desire to rouse the storm which she foresaw. for she was naturally a timid woman, and very much afraid of her iron-willed husband. But she said too little and looked too much, and the old lawyer scented trouble of some kind.

At an early hour the next morning he knocked at Victor's door.

" When you are ready, I wish to see you in the study," he said.

"1 will be with you in ten minutes, father."

The old man made no reply, but tramped down-stairs, his brow stern, and his lips set more stenly together even than usual. He tntered the stttdy and waited, drumming on the table the while. The feeble sunshine stole in at the window, and lighted up the grizzled head, revealing the lines on his face, and makng him look older than his years. Victor saw all thiF, i.nd his h. art smote him.

"Uood morning, dad!" he said cheerfully, but there was a tremor in his voice. "Mother says that 50a have not been so well as usual." Mr Linton pointed to a chair. - "Sit there, Victor," he said bruskiy; "and for the present we had better dispense with any question concerning my health. If there is anything wrong with me, it is worry, mental worry!"

"I am sorry——" "Sorry? You are the chief cause of it!"

"1? ' Victor's face was very pale, but he looked his father resolutely in the eyes. " What has my mother told you?" "Nothing! But do you think ttiat I am ao poor a that I cannot tall when mischief is in the wind? To be plain there has already been too much philandering upon your part, and we must have an understanding, once and for all, here and now!" He struck the table with the palm of his hand, "Your holiday has been unnecessarily prolonged. You were out of sorts, I admit, but the recuperative powers of a slrojg and healtny young man would be very poor indeed to take all these weeks to clear the dust and cobwebs of London from his brain!"—with a contempuous sneer. "Rut I have given way to you. pandered to your laziness —that is the correct word, I am beginning to believe—and am determined now that I will end it. Wait a moment —hear mo out, and then I will listen to what you have to say! Let me impress upon your mind, Victor, that the old firm of Linton, Son and Linton is going to the dogs for lack of proper attention on the part of thi principals. lam not able (0 stand the polluted air of the courts as I did ten years ago; and, though Simpson is very well in his way, he is only a clerk, after all—we are losing the confidence of our clients. 1 want to give you your due, Victor, and let 110 man say that lam unjust! You are clever, brilliantly clever, but ytur work is dor.e spasmodically, A steady plodder, with half your brainy, will cut the ground from under your feet unless you awabe to the fact that life isn't a bed of roses! And where ! am I to look for the cause? To this i mania of yours for scribbling a lot of set seless stuff which none but schoolsirlH would waste their time in reading!" TO BE CONTINUED.