Daughter of Mystery

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10270, 24 June 1911, Page 2

Daughter of Mystery

OUR SERIAL. A

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

CHAPTER XXXV.—Continued. She wrote a short note to Basil Cooper, and sent her maid to mail it. This is the letter "Dear Mr Cooper: I must have.an hour with you to-morrow, and I intend coming in my motor car. Don't tell Ronald; I can surprise him afterward. Sincerely yours, Eva Lorington." Later she dressed and went downstairs. Fortunately there were few people in the house, as the season was practically over. She sat through an interminable dinner with Spartanlike fortitude. Lady Clackford alone afforded her a little mental relaxation. As a rule Lady Clackford was a gossiping bore. "My dear Lady Eva," whispered she "have you heard the latest gossip concerning thaf funny little man—Aub-j rey-Smith ?' A neighbour of yours, I j believe?" j The earl was listening drowsily, and j hetodded. "Never so surprised in my life," he remarked. "Always regardede the fellow as an absolute fool. Reminded me of a linen draper's apprentice; but, by Jove, he's got some brains under his'hat. A hundred thousand from the Government for some invention —some improvement in submarines —and another big job up his sleeve . I have got it from the right quarter that he will have a handle to his name soon." He laughed rather contemptuously. Oh, mushroom nobility is coming on apace —still, this fellow may be worth cultivating. So young yet; nobody knows what he may turn out to be." j "Nothing without Ronald," Eva remarked, with cold decision. The earl shook his head.; "Ronald cuts no figure in this in-] vention. There's a vast difference be- j tween the inventor and the construe- j tor. You might say with equal justice that an author should share the glory of his m%ihtiest creations with his editor. The real truth is that without the author the editor would be out of a job." With a disdainful smile Eva changed the subject. "I suppose we go to the Grange next week, papa?" ' "Just as soon as you like to make your arrangements, Eva." ' 'Next week will do —Wednesday or Thursday lam going to Castle Claydon to-morrow in my car." The earl muttered something under his breath, and addressed himself to a friend on his right hand. He hated the name of Castle Claydon, and the foundries and factories, and the idea of his daughter having te live in the breath of the furnaces after her marriage Next morning Lady Eva awakened

j to a. knowledge, of things, with an aching, weary brain. The night had been oppressively warm, and the humid air presaged an electrical storm. Yet, with all,her weariness there was a fever in her blood, and she was anxious to be up and doing. The day was big with events—events of her own making—and she wa<s determined to see it right through. The morning's mail brought her a single letter from Ronald. She was standing in the portico, hatted and gloved, waiting for the postman. Her motor car was at the door. She took the letter and stepped into the car, and Ihc next moment the machine glided rapidly away. ; "I will take my fate in both hands,"' she thought. "My very blood, r like the sunless air to-day,.is charged with electricity." It was with no feelings of tremulous anticipation that she opened Ronald's letter. No letter of his had ever br,eathedto her the. delight of a lover. And this was no exception; indeed, if anything, it was more formal and business-like than. ever. It ran this way. ».• ':■.■■■■■ "My Dear Eva good news:;, My share in the submarine invention is £50,000. I think I deserve to take a half share but Aubrey-Smith insists upon it, and we had a, legal deed drawji up to that effect. I can console with the knowledge that the thing may not have developed from its state of embryo for years, but for my practical knowledge of mechanics—my workshop and my capital—your capital, I shotild say." Eva shivered. "With a feeling of intense thankfulness I have paid my share to my bankers, and have instructed them to deduct the loan advanced by you, with interest to date. Your money is now restored in full, my dear Eva, so that you may reinvest at your discretion. "I am so distracted 'with, business that I see no hope of getting away from the .works-for a week or two, and by that time you will be back at the Grange. I shall come direct to the Hall, and pay you a surprise visit. I have heard nothing of Charlieiately. Hope his projected mesalliance has fizzled out. He is a very impetuous chap. With love, Ronald Heseltine."

For a long time Lady Eva! sat staring before her with darkened, unseeing eyes. "And this," she reflected, "is the kind of letter one gets from one's future husband!" She crumpled it into a tiny ball. CHAPTER XXXVI. BASIL COOPER'S OPPORTUNITY. The dviv-i to Castle Claydon was hot without its mishaps. One of the tyres had to be replaced, and a good deal of time was lost in the operation. A littlo late'* there was a'collision with a hand truck in a narrow lane; and, to get rid of the threats and importunities of the owner, a vendor of vegetables, Lady Eva was obliged to pay double the value of the damage. All this xvas extremely annoying. To make matters, worse, the threatened storm swept oyer them, and for half an hour there was a deluge of rain, and .pandemonium in the thunder zone. Lady Eva and her chaffeur had to find refuge near Birmingham, and chose a hotel where" refreshments were provided. It was nearly two o'clock when the car rolled into Castle Claydon, and the streets were thronged with giimy sons of toil. They had just been paid their weekly wages, and were in high spirits. They streamed into the alehouses ; they bellowed and hooted, and it seemed that the denizens of the nether regions were back to earth again. "And these are the people Ronald has to associate with every day." Eva shuddere 1. The car turned into the well-remem-bered lane, and stopped at the gate of the vicarage, Basil Cooper was sitting in the ivied porch smoking. At alight of LadyEva he put his pipe aside, and hastened to meet her, a look of mingled anxiety and curiosity in his eyes. "I am sorry that I am late, Mr Cooper, but there has been a chapter of acidents on the way. Nothing serious, as you can see." She showed her, white teeth in a smile, but there was a certain pathos in it. "I won't waste much of your time, Mr Cooper." "The time spent in your service, Lady Eva, cannot be called wasted. Perhaps L can induce you to take tea with me. Ronald is coming at five o'clock." "Perhaps—l don't know. We will have iour talk first. I am not a bit sure of myself, and it is not a bit likte me. If the sensation is new, it is none the less appalling." They were in the study by this time, and he pushed forward the easiest chair in the room. "Open the window, please,*' Lady j Eva said. "I feel suffocated." She removed the fastenings from her" hat, and tossed it upon the table in front of her. "There, that is better." She sighed, relievedly. "A long and tiresome journey," remarked Basil, nervously. "Can I get you something, Lady Eva —tea or coffee?"

"No— no l Please have the goodness to listen patiently and answer truthfully. lam not implying that you would He to me, but you might equi-l vocate." The hot blood rushed to the vicar's face, them receded, leaving him as pale as death. He nodded. 4 'You and .my brother Charlie have been great friends in the past, Mr Cooper?" "Yes." He breathed more freely. "Do you know that he intends to marry a girl to whom you introduced him?" . : I .'. "t?" The vicar shook his head. "I never a-ny lady to Charlie in .nay life." "Think again." "I have no need, to think again, Lady Eva. You have been misinformed." "If I speak'her name it may refresh your memory." Again he shook his head. "It cannot have the slightest effect upon my memory." "Miss Elneth'Tyndall!" She was watching him closely, and J detected the sudden light in his eyes —the twitching of his lips. "I thought so/' Lady Eva exclaimed in triumph. '<You know Miss Tyndall. She told me so herself—and I came here to learn who and what she is. My brother is in love with ber-i passionately, idiotically; and unless a stop is put to it his future will be-ir-retrievably ruined. He must marry money, or the earldom—the property --everything, will go to the dogs. Already half of my private fortune is involved in it, and I cannot find another shilling." (To be Continued.)