SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9680, 3 January 1910, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

BY F. L. DACRE,

CHAPTER XlX.—Continued

"What will this man take to free you forever!" she asked. "But you must leave here —leave the country—or you will never be safe. Would it not be better to throw yourself upon the mercy of the law?" "No, no—l dare not—l, who once wore the army uniform! And there is Victor Linton—he suspects what lam and who I am. These lawyers get to know much! No no! There is only one way—l must kill this internal Indian! I am seeing red again -a mist is before my eyes—red!" He started up and paced the floor. 'Father —father!" Hilda's tones were full of horror. He laughed wildly. "I am raving again—my troubles have turned my brain! And it is this which - maddens me —the terms the last terms which the rajah dictates! ( He wants to marry you, Hilda—he swears that nothing less will satisly J him! Do you not see that we are ■ bound hand and fout by the arch- ] fiend? And human life is nothing to j to him! A poisone3 flower, the very breath of which kills silently and mysteriously —1 have seen it done! If you could pretend to listen to him graciously, to deceive him until I am far away, though it will be the deathblow to my "hopes of earthly peace to have to become a wanderer again—if you could pretend, Hilda!" "I can make i:o such pretense!" she coldly answeied. She stood at the window as if turned to stone her figure sharply outlined against the moonlit panes. "I can make no such pretense, and it is cowardly of you to demand it of me! I should kill the man if he attempted to speak flattery j in my ears! While I pity you, I feel that you are my bitterest enemy. The shadows of your sins tall upon those whom it should be your duty to shield and protect! And, knowing' ' all that threatens you and me and my , happiness, you have persisted in remaining here against my wishes ' you hope to do so still, thinking only of your own interests!" I "No, no" he breathed "I might I have given you and your lover up to the black arts of, Prince All Narain." "Nonsense! I have no belief in his mystical power." She remembered his satyr-like eyes, his seductive voice, and shuddered. "Father, if you will not give yourself up, you must leave the country secretly. I will provide yau with all the money you require, it is a great pity that such worthless men as you are perj mitted to live! Misery for others is ' ever in your train." She spoke with intense bitterness. Carrington interrupted her with an angry ejaculation, for the door had opened silently, and Uartlet was standing on the threshold. "I beg pardon, I am sure!" he said. I knocked twice, and thought that I was.told to come in." He retreated swiftly and silently ; without waiting for any reply. | The captain stood irresolute. I "Is that all, Hilda?" he hopelessly asked. "That is all." 4 He turned and left the room, a strange set look on his white face. "I mieht have "saved my self by the sacrifice of Victor Linton," he thought—"l might have done it but for that infernal Indian's latest terms! Still the c end would have been the same, I have no doubt. What is the use of fleeing—i cannot shake that sleuth hound off my track? Hilda says that it would be better for all if i were dead, and I think so, too." He almost ran against the butler in the darkness of the passage, and was conscious that the last words had been uttered aloud. "So Mr Sneak, you are prying about here now?" the captain growled wrathfully. "If I were master of Woodcroft I would kick you out ' of it at short order!"

"Yes, sir," Eartlett answered. "None of your insolence!'' He raised his clenched fist, but let it drop again suddenly. "I am a fool — I make enemies everywhere! You were listening at the door of Miss Carrington's boudoir, and you heard her say she wished that I was dead —you heard her advise me to flee? Well, I ask you not to tell your fellow servants just yet—it may be worth your while, Bartlet, though I know that it is torture for people of your order, to keep your mouths shut. And don't give me any of your cheek, sir!"

'•lf I have annoyed you, Captain Carrington, I sincerely regret-it!'" Bartlet answered honestly.

The captain passed on; he was in a reckless mood.

"I will go into the open air to smoke and think/' he muttered. "As for the rajah—the deuce take the scheming nigger! Then I will break I the news to my wife—poor crea- , ture!" k

CHAPTER XX

"I MUST BECOME AN OUTCAST ONCE MORE."

Sick at heart, Hilda stood looking from the window, conscious of nothing but her own misery, until she

Author o£ "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," ••Trenholme'a Trust," "A Case for tbe Court," Etc, eto.

was startled by the striking of the clock.

Nine? She could hardly believe that it was so late. The moon had risen over the ruined tower. Though it wanted seven or eight days to the completion of its glory, it gleamed brilliantly in the purple sky. Below, the world was almost as light as day, save in the murmuring mystical wood. Hilda had opened the window slightly, for, though the night was rea ly cool, the heat had seemed stifling, the thoughts which crowded into her brain having raised her blood to fever heat. The fragrance of cigar smoke floated upward, and she became aware that her unhappy father was walking beneath her window, his hands thrust deeply into his pockets. Another figure crossed the lawn and joined tlie captain, and Hilda heard the rajah's | droning voice. "Ah, my-friend, I have been look - ing for you everywhere, bat in the ' right place!" he said. "Is this the | proper way to treat ycur guest? You j left me, how long since?—two hours I —to request the charming Hilda to give us some music, ana. 'o, this is where and how I find you!'" "my daughter absolutely refused ! Captain Carrington spoke withristraint.

"How unkind!" murmured the Indian. "But pussibly she wishes to dream of her lover, whose kisses are still fresh upon her lips. It does not matter in the least, Carrington—tomorrow she will be pleaaant to me." "Not she! She loathes you !"

"You are pleased to £>e candid, captain. But most people get to like me agains their will in time—yourself, for instai.ce!"

"I?" Carrington turned furiously upon the other. "You know that I hate you!" J "Because you fear me?" The Indian remained unmoved.

"My fear is dead, and I shall kill you if you cross me tco often !" He turned fiercely away, and the rajah laughed mockingly. "There is one consolation in this, captain—you have the quality of being candid with me, but we shall be good friends to-morrow! lam quite decided, and your daughter shall be a princess—on that lam determined also."

The two men walked in opposite direction. Hilda's heart was cold with dread: her first thought was to write to Mr Molson, but she decided at once that she could not do that. Her father's position was an awful one; he must be given time to escape, and then the Indian could tell his story if he chose. But, in the meantime, must she endure the Indian's presence at the Castle, and utter no word of protest? She was surrounded by her servants, and yet the man terrified her. For her father's sake she would have to endure him, to listen to his fulsome speeches, and to meet the light of his glittering, snake-like eyes. But Victor was near, and to Victor she must make a full confession, though she shrank from the ordeal — from the infliction of further pain upon the man she loved. She knew that under his sunny nature there lurked a passionate temper —swifter than her own, if less vindictive—and, If he came into conflict with Prince Ali Narain ' The thought sent a chill through her heart.

She retired to her bedroom'unattended. She had been so accustomed to do evertyhing for herself, that she required no help. In obedience to her summons, the housekeeper brought her a glass of wine to steady her shaking nerves.

"Is that all, Miss Carrington?" Mrs Maxwell kindly asked. She saw with concern the deathly pallor of her young mistress' face. "Yes —thank you', Stay, the room seems so cold! There must be a touch of frost in the air. Will you please have the fire lighted for me, Mrs Maxwell? ' I shall read for a little while." In a few minutes the fire was crackling cheerfully. The housekeeper said "Good-night!" and Hilda sat down before her fire. Do what she would, the handsome, evil face of the Indian prince constantly flitted belore her vision. How ridiculous were her fears! Until now she had always been so independent and so brave. But, as the constant dripping of water wears away the hardest stone, so that constant strain, the vague fears, her father's terrifying secret, had gradually worked her up to a pitch of intense excitement undr an apparently calm exterior. Until midnight she sat gazing into the rfia, undecided; the morning found her in the same irresolute state of mind. She breakfasted in her own appartments, and then was tempted out of doors by the perfect beauty of the morning. Captain Carrington joined her on the lawn, his face looking drawn and gray. He seemed to have aged greatly during the night; neverthe- ) less, there was a fierce light in his j eyes. I TO BB CONTINUED.