HELD IN BONDAGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10496, 6 December 1911, Page 2

HELD IN BONDAGE.

OUR SERIAL,

BY L. F. DACIRE. Author of "Sinbad's Vaffley," A Phantom of the Bast," "The Shadow of Shame," "Sir John's Heirless," "A Daughter of Mystery," etc.

CHAPTER II —Continued

"Good gracious, what is coming now?" breathed Margaret; then she laughed rather hysterically. "Do you want superlativo references, Mr Aston My life in Cast Jo Clayford is an open hook. But of what use can I be in a. great household like yours, unless you require a private secretary. I inn quite ready for all these terrible questions." Aston had not appeared to be listening, and his thoughts seemed to bo far away; then the cloud passed from this face, and again his eye*, dwelt upon Margaret with peculiar intent;,ess. "Miss Thornton, have you a lover -—a sweetheart?" Margaret stared at him with wide eye:;. "Goodness, no!" "No thoughts of marrying?" 'I never seriously dreamed of such a thing; I 'never had the. chance; but you seo I am only twenty-three years of age. I think I understand. You don't want my work to bo interfered with by-'foolishness of that kind."

."I'm glad to hear you say this, Miss- Thornton— very glad. Everything depends upon your being absolutely heart-whole.- Let me hear you say it again. You have lio lover, and you have never had one?" ''Never!'' She 'blushed hotly. "Of course " "I am satisfied," he interrupted.

He stood up, towering above her, his face transformed, and a torrent of passionate words flowing from his lips. "Miss Thornton, Margaret, I believe in your truth as I believe in myself, and I offer you the greatest honour man can give to woman —the name of wife —the mistress of his heart—his 'home—his all! lam not o ]d a difference between us of twenty years or so, and that is no barrier. lam a rich man—an ambitious man; I can give you everything that your heart can possibly desire, and I !have long loved you with the passion that only such men as 1 understand." He stooped over, and took ono ot !her shaking hands in his own; he pressed it to his burning lips, and she .shrank back, dazed and bewildered. "You are surprised, Margaret; but, oh, my little one, don't look at me as if you were horrified." "I never expected this, Mr Aston." ! Her voice -was a whisper.

that rits mo ,to earn my own living, and I know also, that rather than .stay hero, my rightful place usurped by the daughter of the village plumber, I would walk the streets, homeless and barefooted. I am thoroughly sensible of your offer, Mr Aston. A luxurious home, and a return for the injury to my outraged pride. Do you think it wicked of me to have bitter feelings for my father?" "It is only natural." The word* were uttered mechanically. His mind was occupied by other things, and his heart was leaping. '"Then you will be my wife, Margaret?" "Yes," she answered, her tone almost matter-of-fact. "And as soon as you can make it convenient, Mr Aston.. I should like to get away from here before the new Mrs Thornton gets home." It was George Aston's turn to bo amazed,but his face betrayed nothing. The victory had been cheaply won, so 1 he wag hardly satisfied. "I understand you exactly, Margaret. You accept my offer because you want to be revenged iipon the plumber's daughter, and make sure of a home for yourself. But you give, me little in exchange. May 1 hope that you will try to love me by and bye?" "You have my heart in pawn," she said. The future will be all-re-vealing." "And I shall be all-exacting," he warned her. "We'll, the matter seems to rest entirely between us two, and we can be married here or anywhere iii ten*#r twelve days. I will applyfor a special license to-morrow. No bother —no fuss."

"Yes," -Margaret said thoughtfully. "I would rather be married here —in our own church. I can be ready at anj' time." "It shall be as you wish." "You are very kind." George Aston writhed within himself.

"And I have been coming here so 'long. How well I must have guarded my feelings. For a full year it has I>ee« heaven for me to be in your presence—under the same roof— 'to hear your voice—if only for an hour or two. I have no friendship for your father; he and I have nothing in common . My visits here have been for , von—always you." ' "I never dreamed of it," she said 'faintly. The colour was returning to her face, and she looked him straight in the eves. "I don't think I even liked you, Mr Aston. To bo perfectly truthful,'l was rather afraid of y6u and avoided you. A clergyman's daughter, placed as I am, has remarkable experiences. My father is too poor to pay a curate, and a. great deal of the outdoor work devolves upon me. I have heard of you among the workers, and you are well hated everywhere. A hard and cruel man they call you. And once I saw you beat a horse unmercifully. It was I who wrote to the Prevention of Cruelty authorities."

"I will go now, Margaret," he said gently. "And in; ,the next twentyfour hours you can turn this matter over in your mind. I shall not consider it binding upon you till I see you to-morrow!"

A momentary flash illumined 'his whole face; then, he stooped and kissing her hair, whispered: "Good-bye, Margaret!"

CHAPTER 111

He smiled in his grim fashion. '' "Ajnd I like you the better foi it. Margaret. But I must defend myself in your sight. I would not do so to any creature living. As for the hatred of workers—bah"!" He snapped his fingers. "A man has to bo master in. his own. house. Those who do their duty have no reason to fear me. The ordinary working man, is a thief—a parasite, and glories in robbing) his employer in every way. If I pay a man for fifty-four hours of his.time fifty-threo and a half are not enough, and ho goes. I have imprisoned a dozen for smuggling, the property of .the works. Bits of steel, small ingots of copper and tools—stowed away in their pockets. My conscience is clear there. As for the horse—the thing was a jibber—a red brute, with the temper of Satan. And he kicked me here." He raised bis chin and revealed a. soar three inches long. _ "That had to be stitched up, and it is a miracle that my iaw was not broken. I shot lum for that. There can only lie one master inhere I am. You dont understand these things. Margaret. A man's work is so different from a woman's." "Perhaps 1 have misjudged you, she said gently. "Now you can see that I am quite cool and calm and can realise the magnitude of your offer." "Your very coolness makes me fear, Margaret. ' Will you take a day or two to think it over—to consult with your friends?" "I'.'have no friends. My father has seen fit to insult and humiliate mo, !\m\ I have »o respect left for him. I should like him to feel that' I ignore him altogether." "Your aunt?" lie asked.

A.TFER THE WEDDING

''ln. luck, aren't you, Potts?" the landlord exclaimed, jocularly. 'What a. sight for sore eyes! Medicine?"

"A negligible quantity. She will remain undisturbed in the same old groove, while I am an out-oast. I believe I see the real man in you now, ■but I cannot promise to care for you till I know you better.' Like most girls, I have had my ideals; hut I am old enough now to know that such things exist only in the imagination of children. I know that I am not possessed of one. single qualification

"A double case of do-me-good, Mr Lansdowne. Anybody join me?" There were three others in the saloon bar —a retired station-master, the rate-collector, and a, well-dressed man whom nobody knew. Strangers were not uncommon at Castle Clayford. Lot of business men preferred to put up at the Red Lion rather than use .the big Birmingham hotels. It was only a short ran of three miles, and there was comparative quiet at Castle Clayford. (To be Continued.)

The wed bag day came and two hcmrs after the ceremony was performed all Castlo Clayford knew of it, and all the' tongues in the village were busy publishing and re-publishing the story of; the amazing marriage. No bridesmaids, no carriages, no ringing bells—no anything! Everybody felt angry, suspicious,aggrieved. Mr Aston had driven to the church in his big motor car, accompanied by his secretary, and Miss Thornton had walked there with old Emma Jones, the housekeeper, and those were the only witnesses of the ceremony. Potts the butler said that the newly married couple had parted at the door with only a handshake, and .t'hui the mystery deepened. As soon os Potts could get away from the church he made his way to the Red Lion as fast as his rheumatic legs would carry him. A bright new sovereign was safely tucked away in the corner of his waistcoat pocket, and the forefinger and thumb of his left hand never tired, of -caressing until it lay on. the mahogany counter of the Red Lion.