A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10060, 4 June 1910, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

CHAPTER XXI. | A DAY OF DELIGHT AND AND UNPLEASANT SURPRISE. There was a letter from Owen Daventry the next morning, arri Percy trembled a little when he recognized the handwriting. It ran' thus:— "My Dear Percy: No news from Manthorpe Park. I hope that this ominous calm will not be fuliowed bv a GtoniJ. I have been particularly busy here tc-day. I put half a dozen men on tiiia morning's job, and your estimable grandfathei-ir.-law'a goods and chattels are all packed, ready for immediate transit, It ia .-m awful lot of rubbish ! I think that it will be tar cheeper to make a bonfire of the lot. You cannot possibly give any of the furniture house room. I suppose that the plants are worth a trifle, though? Wire v?hat lem to do further. Pardon me for bothering you amidnt the sweets of your honeymoon ! "Your affectionate'.'couein, "OWEN DAVENTRY." Percy breathed a Fig h of relief, and tossed the letter into the fire, Mr Dudley watching him curiously the while. Like most persons of feeble intellect, he was both suspicious and cunning. "From Mr Daventry," Percy said, jddressing himself to his wife. "The goods at Llanthorne are all packed ready.for removal. I i f ril« be wise to have them c --on to the Woodlands at once, arcl I will telegraph to Daventry to Inat effect." "No other news, I suppose?" Mr Dudley nervously asked. "1 wish hat Mr Daventry would take the precaution to send the things, to my order, to some othpr town. I ave a dread that their destination ;ill leak out. and that Robert Winters will follow me. If they were sent first U London, say, and then transferred to another railway company, he would be thrown off the track." Hiidred listened with arxiotp eyes and tremulous lips. The very faults and failings cf her grandfather made her cling the closer to him. Clifford appeared to be pleased with the suggestion. ' "Let it bo so," he said leadily "The furniture will no be wanted immediately at the Woodlands; and, as for the plants and flowers, the gardens and hothouses are thoroughly well stocked. I will write an explanatory letter to my cousin." "You have decided upon your future home, then?" Mr Dudley fretfully asked. "I think that my granddaughter, at, least, might be a little more communicative. For her sake I have made an outcast of myself!" Percy bit his lip, and it was only by an effort that he restrained his rising passion. The old man's whining voice was already hateful to him. "My wife and I," he said "coldly.; "are going to London tc-day to buy the furniture; and within a week 1 hope that the Woodlands will be ready to receive us. If you have nothing to occupy you to-day, sir, and would like to see our new home, the agent will let you have the keyß. 1 mav say, further, that I haye bought the place, and part cf the purchase money is already paid." "A mo3t foolish proceeding!" commented Mr Dudley. "Suppose the neighbourhood is unsuitable to the class cf business you intend following ? lam an old man and you are a young one, It is impossible to put old heads on young shoulders. I don't see where my produce is to be disposed of in this dead-alive place, and I cannot compete successfully with the large growers who supply the London markets. Then" there are the surroundings and the working plant to be considered. If I could succeeded in growing blue chrysanthemums, cur fortunes would be made!" Percy left the table and walked to the window. He was filled with anger and disgust. j "Grandpa," Hiidred whispered in tones of entreaty, "wait ifntil you » have seen the Woodlands. The grounds are lovely; and the hothouses occupy almost as much space I as the whole of your garden at Llan- | jthorne!" j He looked up eagerly. j "I shall need some help then," he j

| BY is: [L. DACEE. 5 y Author of— 'l he Doctor's Secret, A Case for the Court, »* Sir John's Heiress, A Loveless Marriage, »* Tree holme's Trust, Etc. /

observed. "I suppose that there are willing lads in the neighbourhood?" After a early luncheon, Percy and Hiidred went to London. It was less than an hour's run by train from Ellesrnere. The yourg wife had never before beheld the wonders of the first city ~ef the world, and she was as pleased as a little child. Furniture, carpets, pictures, and the hundred things needed far the beautifying of their lovely home, bad to be chosen. Ibis in itself was pleasure that she never forgot. From the great famishing house they were whirled through the crowded streets to the shop of a fashionable modiste: and Percy was not content until he had purchased bis beautiful bride sufficient clothing to fill half a dozen large trunks. Hildrc-d opened her blue eyes in amazement and dismay. "I am sure that I have not spent so much money before in the whole cf my lifd!" uhe said, "What am I to do with all these things, Percy?" "Wear them, of course, darling! You, like a choice jewel, are deserving of a beautiful setting!" the happy young bridegroom rapturously declared. "What else can I buy for you?" "Nothing—nothing, dear. This waste, this extravagance bewilders me" He laughed merrily. "Well, we will leave the diamonds until another day. No lady is properly dressed she wears jewels," he mischievously said. "Do you know, darling, thai I am in an tlysium of love, and would lay the world at your feet if it were in my power to do so? I do not think that two young lives ever opened so gloriously before" "Do you honestly believe that, Percy?" she wistfully asked. They were in a private room at a fashionable West End restaurant. "Is there no cloud upon the horizon of our future—not one tiny speck?" She nestled closer to him, and twined her soft arms about his neck. "How can you suggest anything of the kinc\ little woman'?' he said half -reproachfully. "I never knew what happiness meant until now." Hiliired rested her golden head upon his shoulder and did not speak. "What are you thinking about, little wife?" Percy said presently. 'T'hat imaginary cloud of yours?" She looked up, the fair, aweet face flushing at the term "wife," "I was thinking of my grandfather," she quietly replied; but he made an impatient gesture. "I hope that you will no think more of your grandfather than you think of me," he said. "You do not like him, Percy? Ob, my husband, that is the cloud that frightens me!" "I am a gentleman, I trust," he replied, "and a man of feeling; but lam human, after all. Your grandfather is simply thoughtless and irritating. I will not permit him to come between me and my wife!" His eyes flashed, and she grew cold with fear. "He is an old man, Percy, and I have been his all!" she pleaded. "I have tauen that into consideration, darling, but he is both unreasonable and selfish. He is your grandfather, otherwise I would not tolerate him for one moment. There —let us forget all that is unpleasant. What an unhappy knack he has of intruding on us just when we least desire it," He glanced at his watch, and continued: "Half-past six o'clock. To conclude this day of mild dissipation, I think that we cannot do better than pay a visit to one or the theatres. Would you like it, little wife?" TO BE CONTINUED