SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9682, 5 January 1910, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

CHAPTER XXl.—Continued.

"You may soon have occasion to ] recall my words!" Her manner changed swiftly. "We will lunch to- , gether tete-atete-, and you must not go away until Mr Linton comes. No one will interrupt us—not even Mrs Staples Lambert—l discharged her yesterday." "My dear, I thcugt she was a most estimable lady!" "I never liked her!" "I think. Miss Hilda, that you ought to cultivate a little Christian charity!" The rector was uncomfortaole. "Ah, Mr Jarvis, I exclaimed, you woulu not be very successful in teaching me that!" "Why, Miss Carrington? Do you believe me incapable?" "I do indeed! How could you succeed with such a spitfire as myself when you have failed with Misa Morgan and your own wife?" The rector was deeply mortified. How could Miss Carrington show such bad taste? But then she had always been a wilful, impulsive child, and he Knew that Miss Morgan was the most malicious gossip in Llanberis. , As for Mrs Jarvis— He sighed, reflecting that, with all her faults, she was his wife and was silent. \"I am sorry if I have vexed you, Mr Jarvjs," Hilda went on. "I say a great deal that I ■ really do not mean.'* "That is better than thinking a great deal that you do not say," he feebly replied. "Do you think so?" Captain Carrington crossed the terrace dftrectly usder the window/ and the rector waved his hand to him. The captain did not appear to see, however, for he passed on. Hilda was glad that he had not noticed the rector's signal. Recalling the encounter between him and the rajah, she felt grateful to her father for the way in;which he had tackled the Indian prince. But how would it; all.end? | The thought of how the two men had glared at each other was terrifying—there was murder in , the eyes of both! "Captain Carrington looks very pale,"the rector remarked.' "■"Y,es," indifferently; Hilda rose, aud rang the bell. "I am'going to order luncheon lor two to be served in here. , I like this quiet snuggery; it was Sir John's favourite room." "Won't you invite Captain Carrington and his wife? I have not yet made the lady's acquaintance.' * "No," answered Hilda promptly,; "my father has to entertain his friends. I hate the people he brings here!" She shuddered violently. "That is the reason why I am so glad that you have come; your presence is a protection." The speech caused Mr Jarvis-some little perturbation, but he said nothing. A dainty luncheon was served, but Hilda ate sparingly, pausing tojisten to every sound. Several time' he glaned from the window, which commanded a view of the courtyard and the great arched entrance from the main drive. When the table was cleared she begged the rector to smoke. "I know that you appreciate Sir John's cigar." she said; "and, oh, 1 love the smell of good tobacco! Sometimes I have a cigarette myelf. We will remain in this room, if you please, until I have news of Mr Linton," she ;added half pleadingly, half authoritatively. "How. nervous and unnatural the girl is to-day!" the rector thought. "I must have a serious talk with Linton about her. It is clear that she and \ her father are at daggers drawn" An hour passed, and the clergyman began to doze. , The sensation was too delightful to - be resisted, and there was no Mrs' Jarvis present to disturb his peaceful slumbers and bring him rudely tack to a conscioissness\pf xhe wicked world with her complaining tongue.. As for the children, bless them— Then he slept. ,;• The slamming of a door released him from the fancied grip of the ghost] in the ruined tower, and he caught a glimpse of, the skirts of Miss Carrlngton'sdress vanishing through the door-way; then he began to collect his senses, and he yawned. "Three o'clock!" he muttered in surprise. ''And I promised to be back home' at three. Now what is the girl up to?" ( ; Hilda returned with a lettter in her hand, her eyes sparkling. "My messenger had to ride all the way to Nant Glaslyn. and has only just returned with Mr Linton's reply. He willbe here at five o'clock." "I am glad, because it pleases you. my child!" the rector said kindly and earnestly. "Now can Ido anything more for ; there any trouble which I can help you to bear!" "No—no!, If it were possible I should not hesitate to ask you, Mr

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," •'Trenholine's Trust," "A Case tor the Court," Etc, etc.

CHAPTER XXII.

Jarvis. But who" Lie blow falls you will understav'-V "What a;; U.gnatical speech!" He paused a for her to reply, 'then, as she did nut do so, he cqnj tinued.' "If I can be of no further I assistance to y< u I must go. It is J sermon d.iv tc-jay," he txplained, j with a rueful smile. "I shall see Mr I Linton to-morrow, and I hope to hear 1 good news." I He shook hands with Hilda, his ! kirdly eyes fixed on her face in bej wikkrrne;it. ; ! i "There is a great deal of good in i you. my child—truthfulness and unlimited capacity t»f self-sacrifice for jfchose whom you can learn to love; 1 but you must strive to be kindly and ; forbeaiirig. to "cultivate Christian fortitude and forgiveness- and then, with all your advantages, the world wiil become beautiful to you." lie left the room, but lingered in | the great hili taking to Bartlet. He I desi td to say "good day" to Captain j Caa-ingidri, but did not wish tu ! tnruii Nimself"upon him.- However, | the captain was nowhere visible, and i Mr Jnrvis went out into the courtI yard. ' | He looke.l back at the window of j Hilda's snuggery, and saw that she was reading Vicor'a letter. She had j eyes and .ears for nothing else.

"MY UNHAPPY .FATHER IS COMPLETELY IN HIS POWER."

Soon after the rector's departure Hilda retired to her favourite room, ,the boudoir This room was situated directly over,.,the small library, or smoking room, where Sir John Carrington had lived almost exclusively. There was a small window, set in a deep embrasure, which, from its height, . commanded a perfect view of the windiDg carriage drive beyond the wall that bounded the couityard. From this window could be seen the ruined tower, the battlements of which peeped above the top of the trees. Hilda sat on the broad window seat and waited. Victor was coming, and the enemy would'soon feel s the weight of his righteous wrath. If he were forewarned, she need not fear the result of his meeting with Prince All Naram. The'lndian's black arts —in which she half believed—would avail him nothing against Victor's anger and strength. Yet she trembled! '.'••.-'' The housekeeper brought her some tea, and was unobtrusively "attentive; while Bartlet, as ever, was He had taken Mrs Maxwell partly inr to his confidence, knowing which way her sympathies lay, and was a woman of sound sense. "There is trouble brewing for the young mistress,''he said. "Sir John foresaw it all, knowing what a bad lot the captain was, and that Miss Carrington was the captain's daugh-: ter. His last words to me were a request that I would watch over her, and Mr Linton knows that she .is 'practically under my care until they are married." ■■'••l'wish/that they were married!" Mrs Maxwell answered. "It needs the strong, hand of a man about a place like this. And the young lady hasn't yet taken the trouble to interest herself in anything." "Time for that—time for that!" Bartlet said sharply. "The business affairs ""are in good hands, and tne most : particular couldn't find fault with your rnapagement, Mrs Maxwell. You mustn't be surprised at anything; and you must keep your own counsel. There's a shady lot at Captain Carrington's heels, and there'll be more of 'era before the drama's done. I know, and I tell you this because I feel I can do so without fear 1 of its going any farther. I trust to,you to'keep an,eye upon Miss Carrington." Mrs Maxwell .was greatly impressed. 5 '!l never believed you to bean ordinary butler, ,Mr Bartlet; gentlemen do take to strange calings at times! I could never understand it myself—you, who was Sir John's secretary, and used to talk to him in French like a native!" . ) l il had my reasons, Mrs Maxwell?" Bartlet said sententiously. "Now you will keep your eye upon Miss Carririgton'' when I am otherwise engaged?" .;..•■." ; "It will be a pleasure, poor lamb even if she does snap my nose off sometimes!"' : Hilda, however, accepted the housekeeper's attentions gratefully, and even thanked her quietly and earnestly when her wants were anticipated. ' "You are so kind and so thoughtful, Mrs Maxwell '."the girl said. "But really, I do not require anything more at present. If you insist upon looking after me in this way I cannot say 'nay!'"—with one of her very rare smiles—"it is oo pleasant to feel 1 that I have some, one near who is truly friendly!" Mrs Maxwell was delighted. BE CONTINUED.