SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9673, 22 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

CHAPTER XV. 1 HIS HIGHNESS THE RAJAH. The funeral was over and the guests were gone from Woodcroft 1 Castle. The newspapers had a great deal to say about the death of Sir John Carrington, tribute being paid to the genius which had been wellnigh forgotten for nearly a quarter of a century, his sudden end being universally deplored, and brief allusions being made to his "charming and beautiful niece," to whom be had bequeathed eveiy shilling. When a wetk had past Hilda's table was littered with cards, but her mind Wbs too disturbed by other matters to permit her to give a thought to oiuinaiy civilities. The tasK of receiving culiera and replying to letters of csndolence devolvfld upon Mrs Stupleh-Lambert, who had Become a most obliging and obedient chaperon. She eas-d her mind, however, by wiiting frequently to Mr Molsoc; aii'l this is a sample of what she wrute: — "My dear Mr Mobon: Sometimes I ftjel rtady to shake the dust of this plage from my and fly back to London, but I -ain deterred by the knowledge that there is little to do, and handsome payment for doing that. But Miss Carrington is certainly an oudity, and I believe that she is determined to marry that young prig of a Limor-, whether he likes it ! or not. the.eeandal Ol it, and | Sir John not yet cold in iiis grave! I "Then there is Captain Carrington stalking about like a villain in a ! melodrama. He has no defined position in the household yet, and his • amiable daughter takes not the slightest no' ice of either of hi'.!: Qi j Mrs Carrijjgtoij. There will be 'ructions' before very long! However, I ' cannot afford ,to quarrel' with my bread and butter, arid what can't be I cured must be endureJ. - riociety here is not worth much at its best." j Meanwhile, Hilda, was btcoming acquainted with her cu-pendants, and her likes and dislikes were shaping themselves. For Mrs Staples-Lambert and her loudly expressed pretensions she had the most .supreme contempt, but the chaperon was use ul in mai.y ways, if not exactly «« a enapir.n. The housekeipsr, jn her rustling silk dress, was a hind, motherly woman —nothing n.ore„ Mr Bartlet, the butler, was something of a mystery; but Hilda lined and trusted him neverthel sh. unce or twice she had ■ caught him regarding her with an interest that was scarcely in kteping with his pos:ti<n; t.e had a l abit, too, of appeari. g in ihe most unexpected places, but on such 01 cae ions j was always ready with a plausible j excuse. i One beautiful morning Hilda strolled in the direction of the lake J and the ruined to«er, where she had I asked her lover to meet her. Victor had been in London for two or three i days, and a little note had apprised • her of his return to Llanbens. Me | was hopeful—enthusiastic indeed, ' having had an interview with a minJ log expert who was himself a capital- | ist—and he was coming to tell Hilda the news. It was warm for October, the sky was cloudless, and there was the peculiar stillness in the «ir noticed in the fall of the yesr, the first time since her arrival at Wuodcroft, however, tlilda was conscious of a feeling akin to exhilaration; her heart was lighter, and the bloou bounde j joyously through her veins, while there was a sparkle in her ayes and a rose tint in her cheeks. She walked down to the grassgrown path that wound round the lake. No ray of sunlight entered there. And how still the water was! Now and again a dead leaf fluttered through the silent air and dropped noiseie33ly < upon its surface ana re mained where it had fallen. "The trees shall be cut down!" she decided. "Or, better still, the lake shall be drained! I hate it!" She shuddered. "Poor Lady Mary! My uncle believed that her spirit haunted the place; but Victor and I are not likely to be interrupted here, and I want him to explore the tower with me."

A water rat scuttled paat her in the grass, and she repressed a scream. The creature paused at a little distance and watched her with cunning e.yes, tuen plunged into the lake with a loud "plunk," the water eddying, and a few bubbles rising to the surface. Hilda tumei away with a feeling of revulsion. It was hull-past ten, and Victor was due at eleven o'clock. She heard a footstep, and the colour came into her face. No—it was not her lover, but the tall, dark figure of Bartlet, whose manner and tone were apologetic. "I beg your pardon, Miss Carrington!" he exclaimed. "I did not know that you were here," "And what do > N ou want here, Bartlet?" Hilda asked in a toiie of annoyance. He appeared to be confused. "I have set several traps here, and laid poison about," he answered. "To catch the ghost?" Her lip curling. "You are an extraordinary servant, Bartlet!" "To catch the rats, Miss Carrington. They have been allowed their freedom for twenty years or more,

BY P. L. DACRE, Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," ■'Trenholme's Trust," "A Case for the Court," Etc, etc.

and the place literally swarms with them.'' • "I am sure I ought, to be obliged to you, Bartlet! But I am capable of taking care of myself. Catch the rata, by all means!. But would it not be better to engage a man who does that sort of thing for a living?" "Perhaps it would," assented the butler. His eyes dropped, and he waited for his dismissal. Hilda's eyes were fixed upon him in a clear, unflinching gaze. "How long is it since you entered my uncle's service, Bartlet?" she suddenly a3ked. He hesitated. "I ask," she explained, "merely because you haven't the manners or the appearance of a servant. Not that I have had much experience," she added. -Wj Barilet's countenance changed instantly. "I have been here several years, M isa Carrington. I was originally Sir John's secretary and valet, but Ihe position became a mere sinecure, and, the butler leaving, I stepped into his shoes. I may add that I enjoyed Sir John's confidence until the and he made me a promise to see that no harm befell you —if it was in my power to prevent it, Let that be my excuse for having your interests at heart. I was devoted to my master, and I am devoted to my mistress.."- > ■> Hilda felt rather confused. Was the man speaking the truth? She looked at him apprehensively, no had a good face, keen eyes, and a firm mouth; he was almost handsome. And his age—was it forty, or fifty, or sixty? It was difficult to tell. ..-"And ffcafc fs J/GU watch me, feaftletj antt floisriH the rata? I think thai 1 llkb and I am sure that I trust Jrou." She laughed constrainedly. "And now I shall feel that there is always a policeman about the, Castle, looking put tor enemies." There was the sound of carriage wheels on the drive, and Bartlet retired, with a swift glance at his young mistress as he went, while a i-ti'aiige smile passed over his face. : Whet! he ntered the courtyard a station fly was ciawlingup to the entrance, and Ciptain Carrington was t-tanding on the broad white steps, greeting a newcomer. A hand was extended from the open ; window o£ the carriage, and Carrington gripped it with a great show of pleasure, though his face was drawn and pate. "I am delighted, your highness! By Jove, who would h?ve dreamed of such a surprise?" A couple of footmen obr-yed the captain's tignal, the carriage door swung open, and tall, slight man stepped to the ground with an easy air. He turned to give some directions about his luggage, ai.d Bartlet saw that he was an Lust'lndian .of renipfkably hari&ome appe ranee.- As the biitler glsdsd iorward in his swiff, noiseless way. Captain Carrington regarded him with u scowl.

iiro you are wantccl, Bartlet, '' he ««id angrily. "Noj"sir," the butler responded meekly. He took the newcomer's nat and cane, not a muscle of hio tac v- liX' ing. Hil a, listening by t the lake, was rather nullified to hear carriage leaving ayain, while thtre was still no sign of Victor. Htd iie forgotten the appointment? she was turning to retrace her steps when two hands were placed over her eyes from behind, and a well-loved voice whispered: "Gutss who it is!" The next moment two arms were about her, and a warm kiss was impressed upon her lips* , "Did 1 startle you, darling 9 You are trembling like a leaf. Hang it, what a dolt I am !" "I am so glad that j?ou are here, Victor. But lam horribly nervous this morning. You came ao unexpectedly !" "And yet you were waiting for me!" "Yes: I have been waiting for half an-hour." "In this gruesome spot! I would advise you to give it a wide berth; I always associate it with death!" "And it fascinates me," Hilda said. "I cannot help it! Ido not mind, though when you are with me. Now for the good news!" The co'our returned to the girl's cheeks, and her dark eyes flashed in a way that s_-t the young man's heart throbbing wilr.ly. "How much you care for me, Hilda he said softly. "I never hoptd for it so soon. Oh, if this wealth had not come'between us, andyiu were still my naughty little schouinirl!" "Nothing can come between is. I liked you as a kind friend then; I love you as a man now, with a love that you cannot understand! If I had my will, ana you were not so proud—so stupid—the wedding should take place at once, in defiance of everybody! I have told people so." She blushed vividly, but her eyes never flinched as they met his. "Now tor the good news, Victor! The sound of your carriage coming up the drive was music in my ears." TO BE CONTINUED.