SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9671, 20 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

CHAPTER XII.-Continued

A feeling 01 dread had taken possession of her. Had she really seen a wraith at the ruined tower And did its appearance portend some evil to herself or to the man she luved? The legend ran that way—or something very like it. She opened the envelope and read the message contained therein with wildly staring eyes and throbbing heart. "Only received news of my dear brother's death tu-day. Mrs Carrington and I will be with you to-morrow. "VANE uARRINGTON."

CHAPTER XIII. The next morning opened stormily. The bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine were gone, and a fierce wind swept up the gotue, while a savwge slanting rain pelted the windows unceasingly. Hilda was an early riser from long habit, a d was downstairs in the gray of the morning. Her.face was pale, and there was a tired anxious look in her 1 ark eyes. Oh, how glad she would be when this day was ended, the meeting with her father over, and the people all gone! But in all the gloomy waste there was one bright spot—Victor would be there! The servants were lighting fires in the reception rooms, and, enveloping herself in waterproof cloak, Hilda went out of doors. She was no.dainly, tender iady who feared rain and wind, but a strong, resolute youi.g woman, hardened by a lite of privation and toil. And to her it was a positive delight to be buffeted by the storm, to hear the rain beating down upon her coveted head, to feel the cold drops on her face. She passed through the courtyard to the lawns and terraces beyond, and the servants saw her and wondered. The morning was still gray, and everything looked blurred and misty through the rain. The lake and the old tower lay to the east of the Castle, nearly quarter of a mile away, and were reached by a narrow winding path overhung by sombre trees. Here the undergrowth had been permitted to grow ami spread unchecked fcr many years originally in obedience to the ordeis of the dead baiooet. It was regarded as an uncanny spor. "I was frightened last night," Hilda thought a, little contemptuously of heiself—"frightened by a mere fancy! But it was a dreadiul place! I will have the path cleared and halt the tr< es cut down. If the sun could o. ly shine through sometimes, this depressirg atmosphere would vanisK It raises thoughts of murder! Theie is no gleam in the water; the lake shall be filled in and turned into a garden of flowers!" She was growing hysterical, but controlled hersel* by a ereat effort. "No wonder that tne birds never come here!" She entered the Castle by a side door; the butler was there to receive her, his face inscrutable. He took the dripping cloak away, while the girl smoothed laack her hair and wiped the raindrops frurn her brow. There was not much harm done-but her shoes!

"I suppose I must change them," she thought; "I don't want to take cold!" She turned,to the butler, who was at her aide again. "What is your name?" she suddenly demanded. "Uartlett," lie respectfully replied. "Yes—l had forgotten. Is the lake very deep?" she addtd, half turning away. The builer was visibly disturbed. "Yes, Miss Carrington—very deep and very dangerous. I have heard my late master say that there is fifteen feet of water." "Thank you, Bartlett!" She turned awav quickly, and the butler watched her curiously. "I don't like her," he murmured —"I can't like her! And yet I premised Sir John " The clanging of a hell scattered his reflectiors With the house full of guests he had little leisure, ar.d he frowned. "It was my master's wish that everything should be done quietly, he grumbled to himself. And here we've got no end of great people and members of Parliament kicking up a fuss. All the work of that lawyer, who is on the lookout for fees! I wish the young mistress had put her foot down a bit harder!" Hilda decided to breakfast alone in her own room, and repulsed, al ! moat rudely the blandishments of her chaperon, who informed her that a few of the late baionet's friends desired an introduction. "Noblemen, my dear—and statesmen!" .., "I have no desire to know them individually. My window commands art excellent view of the centre drive, and I prefer to remain here, as I am expecting friends of my own." "Certainly, if you wish it!" Mrs Staples-Lambert made an ugly move behind the girl's back. "I have only conveyed the desires of Mr Molson." "I have no intention of coming downstairs until all the fuss is over," Hilda proceeded calmly.

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "A LO79IOSS Marriage," "A Change of Heart," •'Trenholrue's Trust," "A Case for the Court," Etc, etc.

"But tie reading of the will, dear Miss Carringion!" "It will n">t be news me, as my uncle told me its contents; and I dedine to be startd at by gossipers or fortune-seekers, A great many of the people invited have no right to be here at all." She gazed serenely from the window at the scudding clouds. "I believe that the weather will clear before midday. When Mr Victor Linton arrives I want him to be shown to my boudoir. You will not forget to tell Bartlett?" The chaperon stared aghast. "But, my dear this day of all days! Will you not take the advice of a woman double your years, a woman of long experience? You have had no opportunities. Dear, dear— I cannot arpue! Were you my daughter—l should command!" She was almost angry. Hitherto her word had been law to any girl who had been placed in her care. "But I am not your daughter," i smiled Hilda, "and I wish from the bottom of my heart that I was nobod v's daughter." "What a silly speech,'' thought Mrs Staples-Lambert, as she went in search of Mr Molsen, to acquaint him i with the course that the erratic Miss Carrineton had resolved to follow. Even while she was crossing the main hall a carriage drew up, and a gentleman and a lady alighted. The gentleman was soldierly-looking and handsome, though he was well past the meridian of life. The lady was stoutyoverdressed, and fussy. "Vane," she said, in a highpitched, querulous voice, "see that the footman brings in my wraps with out exposing them to the rain! How horrid that there is no covered way ov a day like this!" The man addressed as "Vane" issued his commands in the tone habitual to certain military men when addressing civilians, and the footman flew to do faia bidding. Bariktt stepped forward in his noiseless way and took the gentleman's overcoat and cane, at the same time glancing at him inquiringly. "lam Captain Carrington; and I suppose that you are expecting me — eh? This place wants mananging, I can see! Castle <iull of people—eh? Take me to a private room, and send my daughter to me! We will have luncheon in half an hour, where we are not likely to be disturbed." Bartlett gravely conducted Captain and Mrs Carrington to a small anteroom. J ! "If this will suit your purpose, sir, until your apartments " "Apartment?" The captain muttered an imprecation. "How is it they are not ready? I telegraphed last night! Half you people will be discharged on very short notice! Send my daughter -Miss Carrington—to me at ones!" The butler straightened himself and looked dignified the;) slowly retired, "Mutinous old fool!"' muttered Captain Carrington wrathfuily. "He leaves to-morrow! My dear, I wish that you would not pant and perspite so much! You look positively vulgar. .1 must have a drink !"■ we walked to a sideboard, and was in the act of swallowiiig half a lumberful of r.eat brandy, when Bartl tt reappeared. "Miss Carrington is in her boudoir, sir. end will see you there—alone, if yuu pleas.'." The butler's ejes were lowered. ihc eaptai.'i choked back his rising wrath. "Is my daughter indisposed?" he 1 asked, the words tremblhg on his i lif.s. He turned to his wife. "Remain liere; I shall not be gone long. I will soon knock things into shape, even if I risk a scandal. I have not been inquired after or consulted in the slightest degree! The Castle is full of people who occupy the best rooms —my rooms—and make all this fuss about a dead man who would kick out the whole crowd if he could have his way! I telegraph home, and my communication is entirely ignored! And my daughter puts on airs'. Now, then, you fellow, show me the way to Miss Carrintgon's boudoir"—he mimicked the word—"and don't you come across me too often!" "Verygood, air!" The irat'e captain passed Mr Molsen and Mrs Staples-Lambert in the hall, an ugly scowl on his handsome, dissipated face. The servants were amazed. "Captain Vane Carrington''" remarked the lawyer, just above a whisper. " What unparallldd impertinence! And what a wreck the man has become! Sir John was rignt; the captain has been hiding in Ei gland somewhere." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, Miss Cairington c?n take care of herself if it comes to a qutstion of temper!" He spoke to Bartlett, who was descending the stairs again. The but ler's plumage was considerably ruffled. "The captain's wife is in the small reception room, sir; and "their luggage must be taken somewhere," he said tentatively. TO BE CONTINUED.