SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9690, 14 January 1910, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

5 BY F. L. DACRE, \ Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," C ? -'Trenholme's Trust," "A Case for the Court," » *) Etc, etc. /

The matter was thus settled, and here was little or nothing more to say. Orders w'.re given for a very early breakfast, a-:d Hilda and Mrs Maxwell retired for a short night s rest. At four o'clock, the next morning they were breakfasting, and at halt pa-jt four a cab rattled up to the Beaconafield Hotel, Mr Molson, with a hand-bag and a large travelling rue, alighting fri m it. Tne lawyer was gratified to find that Hilda and her companion were „ ready, and he gave instructions for „ their luggage to be sent on to the s'aiion. "The station is sb; near,'he remarked 'that it will not hurt us to walk. And I wish to keep an eye upon the luggage, so we will follow it. These hotel porters have a knack of arriving with their trunks only half a minute before the train starts. That would not suit ua by any mear.s, as the five-fifteen is the great newspaper train, ancl a single hitch would cause you to lose the ship.' The porter was sent on ahead with his load. They passed through Euston Square, and Mr Molson pointed out the Lintons' home 'Old Mr Linton was once one of the most trusted men in the profession,' he remarkd. 'Of course it is pretty well understood why he vanished ! Take care!' They heard the sound of horses' hoofs behind them, and a great red van dashed by, loaded with newspaper parcels. Others followed in quick succession.. The express was waiting in the station. The engineer was buss polishing the bright parts of his beloved 'iron horse,' from the boiler of which clouds of steam were issuing with a hissing sounds and scores of men were filling the vans with newspaper parcels. What a pandemonium it all was—the hoarse cries of men, the rapid clatter of horsas' feet, and the heavy runrble of the vans! Atter a while a few cabs arrived with passengers, all of whom Mr Molson aharply scrutinised. 'She is being followed/ he murmured, 'though I half expected 16.' He took their tickets, and placed his charges in a first-class compartment. 'You would like to be alone?' he aaked considerately. ' Besides, I must smoe; 1 will travel in the next apart-

1 merit.' The journey was absolutely un- I eventful, and they arrived at Glasgow at half-past four o'clock in the afternoon. 'lt 93 all rush and hurry/ Mr Molson said apologetically; 'but it cannot be helped. The Anchoria sails in about an hour, so we must not waste a moment. Miss Carrington. While I get a couple of cabs—one for the luggage and one for ourselves you will have time for a cup of tea at the refreshment, room. Once you are oh board you will have nearly two weeks of leisure.' He hastened away, and ten minutes later they were being driven through dirty and desolate-looking streets to the docks. The sky had become overcast, and a fine rain was falling. Hilda gazed at it all with disconsolate eyes. 'The voyage will do you a world of good!' said Mr Molson, looking at her fixedly. "It is not too late, however, to draw back if you wish.' •Oh, no—oh, no!' She laughed hysterically. 'I am only horribly tired!' The fly stopped, and soon they were mingling with a crowd of people. The luggage, pasted with the shipping company's labels, was trundled on board. From the vessel's smoke-stack there rose an inky-black cloud. 'We must say good-bye here, Miss —Stansfield,' Mr Molson said. 'I almost forgot to use your new name! I will wait on the quay until the vessel sails. The stewardess will give you all attention, I am sure.' He shook handy with Hilda, and raised his hat to Mrs Maxwell. Then they passed the barrier, and were standing on the steamer's deck. The steward approached them once more. 'First cabin? Stansfield —Maxwell? This way, if you please. This is all the luggage you will require? Thank you! The .remainder will go into the hold.' ; They went below, under the forward'deck, and the stewardnoss came forward, smiling. Then i;ie siren sounded an ear-splitting blast, and the Anchoria had started on another voyage to New Yoiric.

CHAPTER XXIX. HANDSOME CARRINGTON TRANSFORMED. Captain Vane Carrington was not dead—far from it. The blow which Prince Ali Narain struck him had glanced from his head to his shoulder, but such was its force that he had dropped senseless. The next thing he knew was that he was in the water, and he began to straggle for life. TO BE CONTINUED

CHAPTER XX.VIII. Continued

After breakfast she sat at the wii>dow,which commanded a view uf the street below, not unmindful of Mr Molson's warning. She looked toward Euston Square, and wondered which of the houses was the home of the Lintons. There was only the lonely mother there now, for Victor had told her that his sister and her husband had set up housekeeping in quite a humble way on their own account. But Marian visited her motJber every day. 'I had looked forward so to knowing Marian!' Hilda thought, with a Bisjb. 'Victor was never tired of speaking ot her goodness. And how he loved his old chum, Harry Mayhew. Marian "s husband! But life has ended for me!' The the street becatne bluned to her eyes, and the noise of the passing vehicle seemed far away. Would the morning last forever. Ana what was Victor doing at that moment? Again the vision at the lake bide rose before her eyes. Victor's had been the hand to give her father his death-blow. Even that thought might have been endurable had the blow been delivered in selfdefence 5 but hud he not afterward cast the body of her father into the lake? Horrible—horrible'. He must have been insane with fury! Hilda's blood seemed to turn icy cold. Even through the mist which veiled her eyes, as she saw and recognised the form of her lover on the opposite side of the way. He was striding along at a rapid pace, lo iking straight before hiiu, and jostling people aside in a manner which caused them to look back and mutter threateningly. . In a moment he was gone! Then Hilda held out both hands, and,"murmuring 'Victor, Victor!' slipped from her chair in a swoon. **#♦** That day seemed almost interminable to Hilda. Mr Molson came again to the hoteL in the evening. The lawyer looked self-satisfied. He had Jiad a stormy interview with Victor Linton, in which he had proved' himself master of the'situation. Miss Carrington had not been to his office, he had told the young man, and, if she did come, he did not consider it incumbent upon him to apprise Mr Linton of her movements.

'Probably she has very good reasons. for breaking off the engage- | ment," he had added. 'And I don't think that you have reason to grumble, considering the benefit you have already secured from the acquaintance—if we may call it so.' Victor was amazed, even in his anger, at this impolitic speech. Mr Molson disliked the young man thoroughly, because he had defeated him once or twice when they had been opposed to each other in court. It had been a bitter experience for the sedate family lawyer to be chafed in I public by a mere youth. Linton had given up the law now, but Mr Molson would never forget or forgive. 'What do you mean, sir?'" Don't you see that I am beside myself with anxiety? Miss Carrington ' Mr Molson held, up a hand. 'ls evidently repenting of her choice! I know nqthing more, only that you have to thank her for financing your precious coalmine. Growcott never had a shilling in his life ! Ask him. If you succeed, I suppose that you will repay the loan to me? Good morning!' Angry, amazed and mortified, Victor Linton had departed. Mr Molson used his own discretion, however, as to what he told to Miss Carrington of the interview. 'As I expected,' he said, raising his eyebrows, 'Mr Linton called at my office in quest of you. I told him nothing, and he went away in high dudgeon. I was too busy to pay much attention to him. I have done a,great deal upon mv own responsibility. Miss Carrington—l have booked your berths —yours and Mrs Maxwell's—for New York. The ship, the Anchoria, of Glasgow, sails to-morrow evening at six o'clock. Have I done right? She is not exactly a first-class vessel, and is rather slow; but you will find the accommodations excellent. One of my lady clients speaks very highly of the Anchoria." 'I ara entirely in your handa for the present.' 'You are satisfied then? In ttiat case, we must leave Euston to-mor-row morning by the very first train—-five-fifteen, I believe—very early, but, in the circumstances, we have m choice. I will go with you as far as Glasgow, and see you safely on board the ship." He glanced questioningly at Hilda. 'That will suit me exactly,' she said. Mr Molson produced from his brief bag various papers for her signature, and in exchange gave her notes and gold to the amount of five hundred pounds. 'I will remit money as you require it, any way you desire —shall Jwe say by banker's draft?' he said. 'And I will send you a weekly or monthly report as to the business at Woodcroi:.'