FIGHTING HER WAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 983, 1 March 1910, Page 2

FIGHTING HER WAY.

CHAPTER XVlll.—Continued

j The house, which now belonged to Christine, had been subjected to a rigid process of disinfection, and every possible mean's had been taken to iortify the girl's .system against the disease to which she had so recklessly exposed herself. But her wan looks and feverish pulse occasioned Doctor Alcot the keenest alarm on her account, and not satisfied with his own skill, he brought another physician of distinguishsd reputation to examine her symptoms and assist his treatment of them, 'She is c.rily reacting from intense nervoui anxiety, aggravated by physical exhaustion,' was the diagnosis which Doctor Cathcombe made of the interesting case, in whom he rightly guessed that his confrere had more than a professional interest. He proved to be correct. After a week of alternate low fevers and nervous prostration Christine began to recover .her usual health, and could think about forming new plans for herself. The handsome house, with its convenient and expensive appoint ments, that had been left as the legacy ol her deatl fritnd, seemed to Christine more a burden than a prize. She had no idea what she should do with such an establishment. Her income from the flower store would not begin to warrant her in occupying such a home, and her experience was wholly unequal to the task of keeping it up as a boarding house. In her perplexity she appealed to Doctor Alcot for counsel. 'My advice is that you rer.t your house to a competent person to carry on the business which in Mps Ellis' hands was so successful. The house is most advantageously situated for the purpose, and already has the reputation of being one of the most desirable private lodging nouses in the city. Keep your own rooms in it, and get a capable woman to take Mrs Ellis' place at the head of the estaa-j lishment.' .{■■■«„« s 'Where on earth am* I tojind'such a woman?' 'Advertise.' 'And how will I know when a suitable person applies?' 'Poor little girl; I guess it is rather a difficult position for you, but we can try. Remember lam your brother now, and have a right to help you in all your troubles. After all, a fine property like this is not such a very big trouble.' 'What should I do without you?' asked Christine, with her captivating upward glance of grateful appreciation that made his heart tnrob so fast as to eend the blood in a warm tide to his face. Innocent, pure women are like children, who touch ruthlessly the sorest nerves, not knowing the pain they gave. Fred Alcot wished in his soul that she could not 'do without' him, yet he knew all too well that her need of him was far different to what he desired it should be. He hastened to break away from these feelings by saying : 'I shall advertise in the' Herald' of to-morrow for a tenant for you, and will gladly help you to a decision among those who may apply. Do not allow your new responsibilities to press too heavily on your spirits. I , know many women wiio would, thankfully change places with you j as the proprietress of this elegant i establishment.' Lett to herself, Christine bethought her of consulting her dear eld friend, Mrs Goodley, on the question of the proposition Doctor Alcot had made for her consideration. She at once dispatched a messager requesting her to call at the flower store that afternoon, and then, wrapping herself warmly, repaired thither to inspect: the results of Master Franz's week of undisturbed operations. She was a once surprised and delighted with the thrift, cleverness and accuracy of the boy's performance during her absence, and praised him so lavishly that Franz felt as if he had imbibed champagne. When she added to his regular wages a shining ten-dollar gold piece, nis happiness changed into mortification. He exclaimed with much dignity: 'Miss Casilebar, do you think I could suffer you to pay me for simply doing my duty by you?' 'You are a dear little chap, Franz. You did your own duty and mine, too. lam only paying you double wages for duuble work.' 'l'll not take anything for your part of the work, ma'am. Ic was a pride and a pleasure to me,' 'Very well, dear; have your own way.' soid Christine, smiling at his indignation, but resolving to carry ) her point by making Franz a present I that he could not refuse in such toplofty style. \ I Great was Christine's joy and surprise to learn from Mrs Goodley that she would become her tenant for the tioiircing-house. 'You see, my dear, times are not | so easy as formerly, and the children I must be s=ent to school.. I don't mind if I can make a little money outside of my small income, and make a home for you as well.'

BY BOSS ASHLEIGH. Author of "Eleanor's Luck," "The Widow's Wager "Pure Gold," Etc, etc.

was settled at once that Mrs Goodley should advertise for boarders, and reorganise the establishment that had been so eminently successful under the late Mrs Ellis' charge, and in the course of a few weeks all the rooms were once more filled with the best clas3 of lodgers. Christine could not be induced to make any change in her life or occupation on account of the addition made to her resources, she said, in reply, to Doctor Alcot's persuasion that she should give up the flower store. "X cuuld not bear to be idle, and I love my work as it stands. Besides I must put by something for old age or ill-health. A woman who has only herself to depend on must think of the future. No, I will keep my store.'

CHAPTER XIX. THE RECLUSE OF BENNETT'S] house. The gloom of a chill twilight stole in through the dull squan-s of glass that lighted Roland Marlow's law office in Bennett's honse, and warned him either to light his lamp or leave : his labours. A few months ago he would not have hesitated about which to do, but now there were so many to keep on the proceeds of his professional work that the young man had learned to sit patiently at his writing table long after his brother attorneys had closed their doors and gone home. Often he would return, after dinner with his family, who were now boarding in New York, and the dawn would find him bowed over home tedious and laborious preparation of cases thac a clerk could as well have executed, but he could not afford to pay a clerk now, and must only subtract from rest and recreation the time necessary to do the drudgery of the profession. His splendid physique had already begun to show the effects of this severe labour and loss of sleep. SHe was lighter by several stone weight, and his rich complexion had lost its fine, fresh colouring, but a scholarly pallor, a patient gravity of demeanor had perhaps rendered him a still more distingushed-looking man. The 'ojd, careless, dare-devil expression had entirely left his face, and a sweet seriousness came in its place. He looked years older, but the change was all in favour of his attraction for men and women. The former trusted, and respected him more, the latter made him an ideal hero, because of his great beauty and the lofty reserve with which he kept himself aloof from the pleasures and dissipations he had once allowed to engross him. His family worshipped him. Rising from his desk only when he could no longer distinguish the words his pen was tracing, Roland lighted the student's lamp prepared for the night's labour, and refeshing himself with a cigar reseated himself to finish copying a lengthy document before going to dinner. He had just dipped his pen in the inkstand when some one rapped at his door. 'Ah! you are still here? I was afraid I'd find you out. My dear boy, I've got a tiresome case I'd like to turn over to you.' It was Mr Trueheart, a Nestor among the New i:ork lawyers, was who spoke these words as he seated himself before the fire in Roland's office. Roland smiled with good-humoured satire as he said: "I know what that means, Mr Trueheart. You have a delightful way of running down the kindnesses you do indigent young barristers by making them appear like impositions. I've learned the character and also the value of your tiresome castoff cases before now.' 'Nonsense, Roland, you don't suppose I'd give you a case that would pay me for working it up, do you?' 'Of course you would, and often do; but I'm not too proud to accept your help, my friend. God knows, lam thankful enough for it. * 'Now, just stop that, Roland; if there's one thing I do hate more than another, is to see a man make a mountain out of a molehill; but this time I guess you'll wish I'd carried my pig to some other market.' 'ls it a divorce case you've got for me?' 'Ha! ha! Nothing so spicy, I'm afraid. Besides, I'd hate to see you embark in that direction; with such eloquence and address as yours enlisted, we'd have half the women in New York suing jor divorce, then where would you he?' 'Farther than ever from matrimony, without doubt; but let's hear your case.' 'Oh. I can't stop tc state it now; but here's the whole matter in a nutshell.' TO PS CONTINUED