SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9673, 11 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

CHAPTER Vll.—Continued. ' The rector smiled and shrugged his | shoulders. "I don't suppose 1 have the slightest influence." Hilda meanwhile had been approached by the housekeeper, a tall, middle-aged woman in a dress of rustling silk. "Your uncle, Sir John, desires to see you at the earliest possible moment, Miss Carrington," she said unctuously. "I am Mrs Maxwell, the housekeeper. You will pardon me for introducing myself," she added, for the girl was eyeing her coldly. "Will you go to your room now? And, if you would like any refreshments before seeing Sir John " "No—l do not want anything, thank you! I will merely remove my hat and coat." She turned to the butler. "You will wait fur me*please; I shall liot be long. lam going to my uncle's room, but shall make the interview as brief as possible." I The rector bowed gravely; the I girl's composure surprised him. Then, from an alcove, Sir John's own man emerged a silent as a shadow. A comprehensive glance, a word with the housekeeper, and .he vanished to announce to his master that Miss Carrington had arrived. CHAPTER VIII.

"HE DID THE 3IITEREST WPONG THAT ONE MAN CAN DO TO ANOTHER." ■ The late train from London on the night of Hilda Carringtun's journey to Woodcroft Castle brought Victor Lniton back to Llanberife. He was driven from the station to Miss Lewis' shop in the town, and felt considerably chagrined to discover the house in darkness. "Hilda "Mil have received my telegram." he said to himself, "and is sure'to be waiting up to say 'goodnight,'to me. So here goes!' He rang the bell noisily, and it seemed to him a very long time before the flicker of a light appeared ou the glass transom over the door. Then his heart gave a great buund of delieht. The door opened, and Miss Lewis stood before him, a puzzled look on her face. "Mr Linton?" she exclaimed. "Yes, Miss Lewis i have returned sooner than I anticipated; but 1 sent Miss Carrington a telegram." "Oh, I didn't know that it was from you, but I mailed it to her!" "Mailed it to her?" Victor almost shouted. "My dear Miss Lewis, what bad news have you to tell?" "None, Mr Linton. But you are so impatient! And I forgot that you could not have heard of the accident to Sir John Carringtor:." "Accident to Sir John Carring ton 9 " he repeated, with ,a dazed air. "Yes; and he cannot recover. So he sent for his niece to-day, and she is at Woodcroft Castle now. I think that it is a wonderful piece of good fortune for her! The rector will tell you all about it; and you will hear from Miss Carrrington to-morrow morning, I have no doubt." Victor was stunned; he turned away. "Good night, Mr Linton!" Miss ! Lewis called-after him, but he did nut hear her. ; ****** ' At Woodcroft Castle the housekeeper, having taken charge of Hil--1 da's hat and jacket, said, speaking gently and with a smile: | "Will you follow me, Mif»s Car- | rington?"

They passed into a second hall, which was lofty and spacious. Through a great dome of glass a flood of light fell upon the polished oak floor, aid wide staircase. The walls were lined with portraits of dead-and-gone Idwals of Ogof Llech, aud statuary gleamed in every niche. "These are the rooms which Sir John ordered to be prepared for vour reception, Misi Carringtor," Mrs Maxwell said, when they reached the first floor. "For mv reception? But I have no intention of staying at Woodcroft!" The valet came up at ti)is moment. "Sir John would like to see Miss Carrington at once—and alone," he said in a low tone. A momentary feeling of trepidation stirred the gill's heart, and she knew that h p r lips were quivering. She cauj. ht 3 glimpse of herself in a mirror, riow pal.; her face was! And her black locks were disordered But she said coldly: "I am ready." "My dear child, you have nothing to fear!" the housekeeper murmured as the valet withdrew. "Fear? I have no fear! Please do n(t talk such nonsense to me!"— drawing herself up. "I am waiting for you." Mr, Maxwell waa startled and gnsped.an apology, for which Hilda took r.o notice. '1 hen she led the way to her master's room. The valet, who was waiting there, knocked at the door, and a deep voice from within responded. By a great effort, Hilda nerved hers'lf, and a moment later entered the sick man's chamber. The door cloaeo softly luhind her, and she

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

stood almost breathless, wondering what would happen next. A large bedstead of carved oak occupied a darkened corner of the room; it appeared to be almost completely enveloped by heavy curtains of crimson silk. "St vqu have conde3:ended to visit me?" said the deep voice that had answered the valet's knock. A white hand thrust the curtains aside, and Hilda saw the gleam of two black eyes. She shrank back involuntarily, and Sir John Carrington uttered b regretfgul sigh. "Come here," he said gently, "and sit down beside me! I am an ogre no longer: and I could not hurt you if i would—i am dying! My spine is broken, the doctors say: and they ought to know. I thought that I had merely suffered a severe sprain; but it does not matter—l am glad to go. Won't you come and sit nere, and let me take your hand?" he pleaded. Hilda was regarding him wonderingly and pityingly. "But we are enemies!" The sound of her own voice startled her. '"Enemies?"' The heavy brows were lowering and the black eyes flashed. "No, no, little elf! I have not troubled to know you sooner, for many reasons; and I may have misjudged you—l believe that I have. You are a true Carrington, I think, though not a daughter of your father. Ah. now 1 can see your face better! You are not so good looking as you might be if you would curb your spiteful temper," he chuckled. 'Have you sent for me to make fun of me?" Hilda demanded. "Have I not endured enough already at your hands? I have no desire to be good looking to please you." "Call me 'uncle,"' he said, unmoved. "I will not! There is no offection between us." "You are acting a contemptible part, little elf! I am helpless, or I would rise and box your -ears." His deep voice softened. "Hilda, I have no desire to make fuu of you; I have sent for you to Woodcroft Castle Decause that is your future home. You will be mistress of an estate worth a quarter of a million, and with a rent roll of ten thousand pounds a year!" Hilda's face became deathly pale. "You have willed all this to me?" she tremulously asked. "I have," he replied "When?" "After receiving your impudent letter this morning. My lawyer has not yet left the castle, and the will is here, under my pillow. Whether I destroy it or not depends upon yourself. My previous will is still in existence, Miss Carrington." There was a momentary silence. Hilda's heart was throouing. "I meant every 1 wrote," she said at last; "and 1 will not Rive up my independence for all the wealth, in the world!" "The poor are never independent. I ask you to give up a life of penury in exchange for thirf; and, in doing so, 1 atone in a measure lor my previojsjdislike of you." "la that all?" she asked faintly. "No; the mistress of Woodcraft Castle must make a suitable marriage, if she must marry at all." Hilda's eyes flasned. "Further discussion is needless. I would not give up my lover for a kingdom! ' "A penniless young lawyer—a struggling scribbler?" "Uncle"—the word trembled on her lips—"my lover is a man—that is sufficient for me! In a little/while we are t;i be married; I am wearing his gifts now. He cared for me when" I was lonely and needy.: he rescued I me from a life of oppression and I misery; but for his love 1 might have become a soured and evil-minded woman! I don't want your money; but, if you are so ill, 1 Will stay with you un.til--ur.til the last, if you wish me to do so." Sir John did not speak; his chin had sunk lower on his chest. He groped for the girl's hand, and Hilda saw that there were tears in his eyes. "Little elf," he said at length, "you have won my heart! You are a Carrington through and through. My will stands; and J shall be glad to see your manly sweetheart. Where is he? Send for him. 1 did but try you; | and my long injustice toward you comes homj to me riow with a bitterness that is tempered only by the ' knowledge that things will be made right at the last. You must not leave me. I may live for & week, but 1 may ba dead to-morrow"—gazing at her wistfully. "Now, lam going to t< II you some things concerning my--3 If, and to ask ysu one or two quet- ' tions. You must bear with me patiently." Hilda felt his clasp on her hand tigthen, and her heart warmed 1 ward him. How utterly lonely his life must have Leen! "I will stay at the Caaile, as ycu wish if, uncle," she promised. "1 ; can tell the rector to ssnd on my j thii-g* t.-night." "The rector?" He. trowned. I "Mr .Jar»Ms brought me here; and I ht! is vvv.itng downstairs," Hilda said ' gently. > TO 1!E CONTINllhl)