SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9681, 4 January 1910, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

* BY p. L. DACRE, ? it Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart, ? -'Trenholme'a Trust," "A Case for the Court," *} Etc, etc.

CHAPTER XX.—Conntinued

"Good morning, Hilda!" he said quietly. "It is good to be young and free to do as you please." Hilda looked up at him sorrowfully. This was the first time there had been any real sympathy between them.

"Good morning, father. I have just been thinking that it will be best for you to go away from here quietly, unknown to anybody. Your wife can remain until it is sate for you to send for her. And you need never want anything " She stopped, for he was gazing at her gloomily. "It is kind of you to think of me at all! I muse do as you wish—become an outcast once more—it will gratify Victor Linton at least." "You are unreasonable!" Her eyes were flaming with anger. "What had Mr Linton to do with you?" "Oh, there is no lovt lost between us! I shall never furget hi-i words and his looks. 1 am unreasonable per haps—forgive me! 1 never waiit to quarrsl with you fcgain, Hilda. If 1 en get away secretly- to Arneiica or somewhere—my wife will be left in good hands, I am sure. I have told her the new po&itioD, and she bears it well. The reverse is dreadful for her, poor soul!" He spoke naif to himself. "And, when I have secured a respectable start, you can have the rajah ducked in the lake—if he is not there already. Ha! ha!" He laughed at the gruesome and then began abruptly to talk of other things. "I am interested in Mr Linton's mine," he said; "and we have talked about it a great deal, until he turned against me all at once. I am sure that I wish him every possible succtss." "He will be here this evening," Hilda said; "and then you and he can talk together. lam sure that it will be wise to let him know everything." The captain laughed sardonically. "Ah, here comes the infernal Indian ! I dare not trust myself alone with him! He cannot injure you in this glorious sunshine—l will go." Then Hilda became' aware of the rajah's presence. His head was bowed before her, and his soft voice murmured:

"It is so good to see you, Miss Garrington—as bright and fresh as the morning itself!" Hilda did not reply, but she felt impelled to face him. She felt almost ready to faint. He smiled into her eyes.

"Your father is not in good form to-day. I air. sorry; he is so old a comrade, and wo are so much in sympathy! Can you not be a little kinder to him? I ask it because he is troubled on account of your coldness. Do not think me impertinent, Miss Carrington—l would die rather than offend you—but am I so fond of my old friend, passionately fond of him!" Her loathing deepened, but she could give no expression to it. "Ah, this is the ring which you admired so much upon the blissful day of our first acquaintance," he continued. "Will you accept it, Miss Carrington, as a token of my affection for your father, and of my high esteem for yourself—whose guest I 1 am? It is unique, an heirloom in my family—a charm, a talisman. It will fit the middle fingers of your right hand, and you wHI wear it—a little present from your, grateful friend, Ali Narain—the devoted friend of your father." The ring lay in the palm of Hilda's hand—a snake with flashing ruby eyes. She turned cold all over. "1 have never admired it—l have never seen it before," she said, struggling against his magnetic will. 2 "Ah, surely you forget! It was in the conservatory—under the palms. I told you its history. This gem was originally worn by the ruler of a mighty' nation. May I pass it on your finger —this one?" "No—no'. I cannot accept any gift from you!" She*was looking into his glowing eyes, and he smiled. "1 think you will, Miss Carrington -you are only leasing me." A swift footstep was heard behind them, and Captain Carrington strode up, has face livid with wrath. "Throw the accursed thing away, Hilda!" he cried.

As though awaktned from a dream, she ooeyed him, tossing the ring far into the" grass, and, turning, hurried towaid the housf, while (hi- two .men faced each other.

CHAPTER XXXI.

"I HATE THE PEOPLE HE BKINGS HERE!" After her interview with her father, in which he explained to her the power Prince All Narain held uvc-r mm, and told ,her how he feared being brought t-j justice for his treachery, Hilda was thoroughly frightened. There would be no hesitations on her part now to tell Vic-

tor everything, no matter how humi lifting the revelation might be. The moment she reached the castle, Bartlet was in close attendance upon her. He eyed his young mistress ke nly, his compressed into a thin lint'. By a great effort she composed herself sufficiently to speak distinctly. "Bartlet, I wish you to send a letter for me to Mr by a mounted messenger It is very urgent. I will write the letter at once; and, if Mr Linton is not at his address at Llanberis, he will be at the Nant Glaslyn mine. You understand?" Bartlet inclined his head. Hilda went to her boudoir, where she was safe from interruption, and penned the following note: — " Dearest Victor: Remember your promise to come to the castle this evening! U" come then —or earlier if yo*i can ! 1 am impatient to hear guuii, i ews about the mine; atid I have something tu tell you. lam always in some sort of trouble, and am ashamed to be b)thering you attain so auoc i dismissed Mrs Staples-Lambeit last evening, and she made quite a scene. I don't believe lhat IJiave a real friend in the world, excepting you! I was hated at school by the mistress and the girls, and I am disliked now by my servants. lam beginning to wonder if I am really wicked and hateful! I know that you are filled with anxiety about your father, about the mine, and about the people surrounding me, but I am obliged to add to it. Oh, I feel so miserable ! Let me know what time I may expect you; and send me a nice llttla letter by the bearer of this. —Your devoted "HILLA." Twenty nrmutes later the messenger sped away, Hilda listening to the clatter of the horse's hoofs as he went. It was four miles to Llanberis, and, if Victor should not be there, the messenger would have to go on to Nant Glaslyn, and she would have to wait several long hours. The R6v. Mr Jarvis came *n to luncheon—at least, that was his excuse for coming—and Hilda was delighted to see him. "I was sent for by one of your tenantry," he explained. "Widow Watson, who lives in the red house behind the hill. You don't know her? Of course not! How should you so soon? She fancied that she was going to die—saw signs in the trees'or somethting of the kind. She was cook here some twenty years ago, and actually believes in the ghost of the last lady of the GJyder Idwals!' -

Mr Jarvis laughed loudly. Then, breaking off suddenly, he gazed quizzically at Hilda's pale face. "What nonsense!" he said. "lam frightening you, Miss Carrington?" "No; I think that 1 am beyond that now.''

"But you do not entertain any belief ki ghosts walking in the grounds at midnight? You were always so matter of fact, and —pardon me! somewhat masculine in your manner.'"

"I don't know what to believe,' Hilda said, flushing faintly. "Have you seen the wraith of Lady Mary Idwal?" "I have seen something—a trailing figure in white, like gossamer—gliding over the eastern end of the lake, under the walls oi the tower." "Good gracious me! If anybody else had told me I wouldn't have believed it!" exclaimed the rector. "Bless me I am quite upset! No wonder you are getting pale and thin ! We must exercise the spiritual visitant " "a"You are laughing at me! Pray let us drop the subject! Yes—you shall lunch with me and tell me the news. How are the babies, and Mrs Jarvis?" .", "The babies? Growing and crowing! And Mrs Jarvis?" He sighed. "She is not very well; and she does not like Llanberif. Miss Morgan is as usual. Miss Lewis is always asking questions about yoi'." "I will cull and see her—to-mor-row perhaps; it is not good to slight one's friends." "I sea Mr Linton every day,' said the rector, abruptly changing the subject, "and I know all about his schemes. Lucky fellow!" Then he added, "You have guests—l hope that I shall not be in the way?" "Guests?" with the old scornful curl of the lip. "Uninvited and a nuisance! My father's friends follow him to Woodcrofc Castle." She wiped a tear from iier cheese. "Mr Jarvis, with all my good fortune, I am a moat miserable girl! I don't mind confessing to you. because you have always been so kind to me. My life has always been one of toil and worry, but in a little while I must inevitably face tne crowning trouble of my life—the result of a terriblecrime!'" "Miss Carrington!" exclaimed the rector, "what do you mean?" TO BH CONTINUED.