A Daughter of Mystery

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10254, 2 June 1911, Page 2

A Daughter of Mystery

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "Was He the Man?" "A Phantom of the Past," Sir John's j Heiress," "A Loveless Marriage," "The Doctor's Secret," etc. I

OUR SERIAL.

CHAPTER XXll—Continued. »

In the meanwhile Elneth's duties began at the office of Mr Lawrence, the Chancery Lane lawyer. They were very simple, and the hours were from ten o'clock until five. A smaller office, or anteroom, had been set apart for her use, and she was princpially employed in making copies of deeds and other legal documents. At the end of the first month she ventured to ask Mr Lawrence if her work was satisfactory. She wished to be under no misapprehension, and pity was detestable. "Mr Mobberly lias not complained," was the reply. "Mr Mobberly isn't likely to complain," Elneth protested. "A poor compliment to my chief clerk. You insinuate that he would rather see me robbed than lose a good lodger!" "Oh, no, sir. I meant to say that we are on very friendly terms." "There is no friendship in business, Miss TyndalL Were I not thoroughly satisfied Mr Mobberly would tell you so without any mincing of words. Now, let me set your scruples at rest. Hitherto I have had the engrossing work done elsewhere. Certain people cultivate a bold style of handwriting for particular kinds of work, but the typewriter is slowly but surely putting an end to pen-and-ink copies. I am paying you twenty-five shillings a week. The same amount of work, not including the many private letters you have written, used to cost me three pounds under the old system. We have tried to make you comfortable — s —" He paused, and looked at her questioningly. "Everybody has been very kind," Elneth stammered. "Then everybody ought to be satisfied!" he smiled again. "Don't let foolish fancies worry you. By the way, Miss Tyndall, business is often slack in the afternoon, and when you feel inclined for a walk Mr Mobberly will arrange it. The offices become unbearable in this oppressive weather, and you are not looking first rate." That same afternoon Elneth nearly ran into Charlie Lorington in Chancery Lane. At sight of her his blue eyes shone with pleasure, and he held her fingers almost tenderlv. "Done for the day, Miss Tyndall? I suppose Mr Lawrence is in ? I want to see him badly." "No; he has been at court nearly all day." Charlie knew this quite as well as she did. "Oh, well, it's no use toiling up those stairs for nothing, and I do not feel like walking through the labyrinthian passages of the courts. I will look in to-morrow, if you do not mind mentioning it to Mr Lawrence." "Certainly, Mr Lorington."

gardens. The fragrance of matured spring was grateful to the jaded senses. The tender grass was brilliantly green, the ripples on the lake sang a gentle lullaby, and the young leaves murmured tunefully to the movements of the majestic trees. "I am glad about that guardian," Charlie said, after a short silence. "I was afraid he intended making trouble, and wished to prepare you for it Miss Tyndall." "You have been misinformed," Elneth coldly answered. "I hope," sho added, in sudden fear, "that you kept my secret from the —the vicar—MiCooper?" "Now, do you think it likely that I should breathe your name to a living soul?" he reproachfully asked. "I went to Castle Claydon to have a good time with Heseltine, but found him as bad-tempered as a bear with a sore ; head. \He is building an iron foundry, and can think of nothing else. He has even quarrelled with the vicar after a lifelong friendship;.-" Elneth shivered and paled. A sudden fear had blanched her cheek, and she turned to Charlie imploringly. "Nevertnention my name, or where" I am to a living soul, Mr Lorington. I think I can trust you." "Trust me!" Charlie exclaimed hoarsely. "When I worship the very ground you walk on! Don't be afraid because I am the son of a peer. I'm only a poor devil, after all. You think that I haven't seen you for weeks and weeks, but I have, almost every day. I fell in love with you the day we met, and I shall love you all my life. Now you know that you can trust me, Miss Tyndall." His emotion was so great that he trembled from head to foot, his voice was broken, his eyes were dark with fear. The girl's face had sunk over her bosom; she dared not trust herself to speak. "I had to tell you, Miss Tyndall, and it's a ticklish job for a man who has never had any practice at lovemaking. Won't you look at me and say something? If you don't like me now you will in time. My devotion must compel some return, and I can wait." ! Elneth raised her head and faced [ him, her eyes blazed with anguish. ! "Hush, Mr Lorington! What you dream of is impossible!" "Why should it be, unless there is : somebody else? lam not the man to give in easily, but I love you too well to annoy you with unwelcome attentions. Tell me why I have no chance. That, at least, I am entitled to." "I cannot explain." "Are you bound to anv other man?"

I' Her manner was rather constrained, and this n'eeting with Charlie Lorington had sent a stinging pain into her ■ heart. He was so much like his sisi ter, and he reminded her of Ronald 1 too! He was walking with her now, | laughing and talking. As they turned into Fleet Street he came to a halt, and asked if she intended taking the omnibus from there. "No; I usually walk from' Blackfriars Bridge, and go home by a street car. I live in Streatham." "May I walk a little way with you. Miss Tyndall?" He spoke with eager anxiety, and his voice trembled a little. "I am in no hurry, Mr Lorington. I lodge at Mr Mobberly's, arid as He rarely gets home before seven, I look in the shop windows, or spend half an hour in ong of the parks." "Then I may walk with you? Where shall we go to? What do you say to St. James' Park? It is delightfully cool there." She was going to refuse, but, after a moment's hesitation, said: "If you like. I don't wish to appear ungrateful, Mr Lorington, and you were very kind to me when I was in trouble." "Kind! How you women do ex-

"No." There was a certain hesitancy in her voice, but he did not observe it. He laughed a wild sort of laugh. "Then I don't care! Forget what I have said, and let us be friends, as we were before." "Very well," she said faintly. "Perhaps you will leave me now, Mr Lorington." Her face was pitifully white, and her lips were quivering. "Not yet," he said resolutely. "I am going to see you to Westminster Bridge, and put you into a street car, fir«t," he said. And he had his way.

aggerate things!" He laughed joyously. "I wish I had the opportunity of doing something more for you; it would be a real pleasure to me, I assure you." Elneth shrank from this sort of talk, and her manner showed that she was displeased. She could hardly define her real feelings for Charlie Lorington. She disliked him for being Lady Eva's brother, but he was attractive to her because he was Ronald Heseltine's friend. "You're not afraid of going about alone, then. Miss Tyndall?" Charlie said, as they walked in the direction of Charing Cross, along the Strand. "Afraid! Why should Ibe afraid ?" Elneth asked. "Oh, I was only thinking of your flight from Castle Claydon. You appeared to be so terribly upset about your guardian, or something." "That is over and done with," she told him, airily. "My guardian called upon mo in London, and is now abroad." "It's good he is! I was up at Castle Claydon last week, and heard that the Rookery was untenanted. Confound it all, what a crush! A million country cousins knocking about, I should imagine. Let's have a cab to the gardens, or we shall be tired out dodging our way there." Without more ado he signalled to the driver of an empty taxicab, and within fifteen minutes tliev were enjoying the refreshing sweetness of the

, CHAPTER XXIII. ELNETH'S INDIGNATION. The weeks slipped by, and Elneth had settled down to her new life. It was very uninteresting—very mechanical, but it meant independence and a home. Six days of each week were spent at the office, and then came Sunday, like a fresh green spot in a desert. The curate had his dinner or tea —and sometimes both —with the Mobberly every Sunday now, and it was plain that Miss Tyndall was the attraction. The habit of leaving the young people to themselves had grown upon Mr and Mrs Mobberly, and they had no manner of doubt that a romantic love was in progress under their very eyes. "I am not quite easy in my mind about it," Mr Mobberly said to his wife. "Nobody seems to know who Mr Stanley is, and, although I admire his intellect, I don't think that he is possessed of much heart." "But what of Miss Tyndall's friends and antecedents?" Mrs Mobberly reminded her husband. "She hasn't had one letter since she has been with J us, and, is a most mysterious young j woman. I am sure that she is brood- j ing about something. Have you not- J iced how pale and thin she is getting?' i "Yes,! have," admitted Mr Mobberly. "You see, she is quite unused to being boxed up all day in a London office, and the occupation cannot be congenial to an educated young lady. As a rule girl typewriters are the daughters of poor tradesmen. Miss Tyndall is a lady by birth, and highly cultured. She is far too good looking to be in an office, too . The way she is ogled by the cads about our building makes me regret that I am not a six-foot Samson! She seems to be nerfectly unconscious of it, though. Mrs Mobberly was greatly disturbed. (To be continued.)