A Daughter of Mystery

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10230, 12 June 1911, Page 2

A Daughter of Mystery

OUR SERIAL.

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

CHAPTER XXVll.—Continued. "No, sir. The little manufacturers. The men you aro crushing to the wall and forcing to .suicide. The men without your enormous capital —men born and'bred here." The landlord had lowered his voice. "I mention this because some of 'em are making threats,

and may do you personal hurt." "Oh, I'm afraid I'm not the person they take me for. I'm sorry. I never dreamed of hurting any man, and so that is what they are saying about me. A millionaire —a money grubber." He smiled ironically as he ascended the stairs to his own room. "If these people only knew that every brick in this building belongs to my bankers!" He went over to his writing table, and sat down. His temples throbbed, j his eyes were blurred. He was not a j half the success he believed himself vo be. On the strength of his bubble reputation he was obtaining many thousands of pounds' worth of machinery on credit. He had no business arrangement with his bankers. What would happen if they demanded a return of the advances they had made? The thought filled him with terror. Oh, the money, and the street corner talk, and everything else! He opened Lord Lorington's letter, his lips tightening, his eyes contracting, and read: "My Dear Ronald: I am sorry about the little explosion to-day, and Eva. is very unhappy. Shortly after you went away the bank manager telephoned to me here. It appears that you want a further advance. Now, it is only right to tell you that every shilling you have had is money belonging to Lady Eva. Don't think for one moment that; I have been a party to this. Personally I wouldn't sanction the loan of a penny piece, because I detest the name of trade. It was all done without my knowledge, and.is strong evidence of my daughter's wonderful love for you. She is not aware that I am writing this. Arrange to see me soon, and we will quietly discuss the situation. Affectionately yours, LORINGTON. His heart seemed to have ceased :ts beating for a full minute, then it gave one great throb, and the blood rushed to his rbain in a torrent; it boomed in his ears, and blurred his sight. With his eyes still upon the open letter the writing faded away. He thrust.it from him, and staggered to his feet. He reeled across the room to the bell button. No; further stimulant would only add to his mind's terrible confusion. He would not have J had this thing happen even if his soul',s I salvation depended upon it. It was j horrifying—degrading 1 And this was his success—the thing men envied and cursed him for! He dropped to his seat again, and bent his ! ead over the table, his. face resting in his hands. Thus he remained for a long time, his attitude ;sHeyou&ly thoughtful. Silt *here was no grief in his heart; it was thumping his sides in blind, unreasoning rage —terror, loss of self-respect. At last he raised his head. The ache of it was intolerable. His eyes fell upon txhe other two letters, and he opened them mechanically. It didn't matter what they were, or who they were from;, nothing mattered now. Dazed and staring, he was reading a brief note from Elneth Tyndall, He .■did not realise from whom it came until he was half through. She was angry with him for causing, advertisements about her to appear in the newspapers Why did 'Tie' persecute' her in this cruel maiiqeg when everything was it an end between them'P-pHad she not : already given her fiftSl .decision ? Was it manly to be maliciously vindictive ? He gasped for very breath! And what was the third letter? "Let 'em all come!" he grinned. "Why should I he spared? I am evidently the greatest villain out of gaol —I rob and deceive, and harass defenceless women; I ruin honest men and drive them to suicide! I am a pest, a ghoul, and had better reckon with my fate!" He laughed bitterly, while his eyes travelled over the typewritten lines of the third letter. It was from Mr John Foxer, and pride and jubilance dominated all else. He had discovered Miss Tyndall, and invited his client to pay him an early call. The informattion concerning the young lady was of a voluminous character. She appeared to have two lovers, both of whom were men moving in good society. She frequented public places, accompanied by one or the other. He was putting these men under observation, etc, "You're a liar, John Foxer. I don't believe one word of that." He was unnaturally calm now, but the hopelessness in his pale face was pitiable. He went over to the window, and / drummed his fingers on the glass. A [ group of men were chatting on the

opposite side of the way, and at sight of him they obsequiously touched their hats. He was a great man at Castle Claydon. There was talk of a general election, and as the old Tory member for Castle Claydon did not wish to seek re-elec-tion, a strong man was wanted to fill his place. Ronald Heseltine had been brought to the notice of the wire pullers and it was taken for granted that a man of property must be a Conservative. Inquiries were made which went to prove that the Heseltines, of Sussex, had for generations been Tory to the backbone. Ronald knew nothing of these schemes at present, and he turned away from the window with a scowl. Were they talking of him —of his wealth and his wickedness—on every street corner? Completely distraught he wandered at random round the room several times ;then he snatch ed up his hat, and went downstairs, his hands thrust deep down into his trousers pockets. "Your new motor car has just come, sir," the landlord said, briskly. "It's in the garage. A lovely machine." " "A thousand pounds," thought Heseltine.- "More of Lady Eva's money." He walked into the bar parlour, assuming a spurious air of bravado. He had half resolved to sell everything, make all possible restitution to Lady Eva, and vanish from mortal ken. What else could he do ? "I think I'll try your brandy and bovril," he said, to the landlord. "I am terribly thirsty, and must pull myself together. What you told me an hour ago about crushing the little men has set me thinking. I never had any such design. I never understood the real meaning of hell being paved -with good' intentions until now.* I'll sell out, Bladen, and clear." "Won't that be rather silly, sir? The damage is done, and we don't wish to lose you now. You wouldn't get half your money back —not that money is of any importance to you—and the purchasers would follow the policy you have begun. If I might offer a suggestion the better plan would bt, to buy up the small manufacturers, and give them a chance of starting somewhere else."

"Why don't you suggest that I buy up the whole town with my spare millions!" Heseltine sneered.

He swallowed his brandy and bovril at a gulp, and walked! out into the street. He met lots of men with whom he had sciaped acquaintance, and they all looked him fair in the face. Some of them were trade rivals, and others were ironmasters, men who owned vast rolling mills and forges, and were good customers of his. He avoided some, and kept his hands: resolutely in his pockets against all. No handshaking, thank you. He didn't feel equal to it. He was the most envied man in Castle Claydon, and the most miserable. » ■

With a nod here, and a nod there, he passed on, and went straight to the vicarage lane. Without looking to the right or to the left he stalked up to Basil Cooper's front door and coolly walked along the tiny hall to the study. Basil was at work at his desk, but at sight of his old chum he threw down his epn and held out a trembling right hand. "Hallo, Ronald!" Ronald took the proffered hand, nodded, and sat down. s • "I want your advice, Basil. I'm >n a» devil of a mess. I am practically down and out." "God bless my soul! I thought you were-idoing wonders, and I have rejoiced. What's wrong with you, old fellow?" ) ;.:,: ,* "Everything. I've lost my balance ; I'm dazed." , ' 'Ah! I see what's wrong—-over-* work. You are not like a man who has been trained to it; you want a long rest. Have you seen a doctor?" Ronald shook his head impatiently. "Don't jump to, conclusions, Basil! Yes, I want a rest —a rest from which there would lie no awakening! You see if it was only myself I would not care, I'd take my gruel without squealing; but there are others—several of them, and,all women." "AH women!" repeated Basil. He feared that his friend's mind was wandering. "Yes. My mother, Lady Eva, and Elneth"—the last name quivered on his lips—"and Elneth Tyndall." "My dear old chap, I don't know what you are driving at. What have you done that you should be penalized?" (To be Continued).