HELD IN BONDAGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10504, 18 December 1911, Page 2

HELD IN BONDAGE.

OUR SERIAL.

BY L. F. DiAQRE. Author of "Sinbad's Vaßey," A Phantom of the Paat," "Th© Shadow of Shame," "Sir John'* Heiress," "A Daughter of Mystery ," ©to.

CHAPTER IX—Continued.

"Do I look like a severe taskmaster?" he asked laughingly.' j "But there should always be au un- ■ derstanding from the very beginning. I have never yet found shadowy arrangements turn out right." "Well, have it your own way, Miss Janson. 1 know absolutely nothing of the duties of young ladies who go out as governesses and companions. Won't you 'believe that this is a, different affair altogether? I merely want the cheerful society of a (refined young lady as companion for my daughter. The child is growing in intelligence and observation, and 1 miwt not lorgei my duty to her. 1 aim not situated »s other men; I am detached from my fellows. But I .see that you understand, and I like'you the .more for | your devotioiii to MissThorriton ; I like everything alb-out you. No humbug; no. .affectation. It is positively refreshing. You came to me on my lucky day too. Yes, I believe firmly in lucky and unlucky days. And from the moment I 'beheld you the star of my good fortune has risen to the very zenith So it is all settled, and I will send a cab for Miss Thornton at noon to-mor-row. Is it agreeable?" "Yes," Edith breathed. There were tears of deep feeling in her eyes. "And if you would like to come to Cliff House to-morrow or any other time, the invitation is open to you. We have become friends, Miss Janson. •and with, me friendship is a sacred thing." There was no doubt in Edith's miud 'about Patrick Ward's pleasure. His voice, his eyes —all expressed it. He had got rid of a difficult little problem, for like most men, he disliked the responsibility of engaging women servants'. But what manner of nonentity could Mrs Ward be ? Of course he had explained that she was an invalid. Margaret soon irecovered (her normal self, but there was » sad pain at her heart. "I feel like a feather in a gale of wind," she said /'hut I suppose that things will right themselves some days" 'The most fortunate thing that possibly could happen. Mr Ward believes in luck days, and so do I. You need (never have a moment's fear if you believe in your giuardian saint. It hurts me that we should have to part so soon but the relief is tremendous." "Then I shall not say another word." So a cab came next morning and bore Margaret to the Charing Cross railway station, where she was met hy Patrick Ward. Editlh had accompanied lier friend ,to see her safely off. Mr Ward shook hands with the two girls, and pointing to a pretty, darkhaired child, and an Indian woman in native dress, said: , j . 'This is.my little lot." |

Margaret gave a little gasp, and Editli's eyes opened wide, whereat Platrick Ward laughed. "Please • don't misunderstand me. So you thought you had run my ,se-' I oret to earth., The Indian woman is Baby's : nurse, and not Mrs ( Patrick Ward. Oome here, Louise, and bring Dolly. The ayah's name is Lootah, ibut stoe insists upon being called Louise because it is English. She loVes everything English." He added this aside. . "I .actually thought tliat you had mairried an Indian, Mr Ward," Edith said colouring. ' 'You (bad 'been so reticent about your wife." "Mrs Ward is already in the train. Shn? is too feeble to stand about,' was his quick 'answer. . ] ' 'Ah, 'here we are.'' He took up his little daughter in his arms, the ayah looking on with dancing, suspicious eyes.

"Dolly, these ladies wish to be introduced to you-—Miss Janson and Thornton." Dolly condescended to accept the homage of both the girls m the form of kisses. ''And,'' he continued;:'"Miss Thornton.is going to our home to be allways .with Dolly." The child's appraising eyes dwelt "upon•• Margaret's face with that look of unwinking candour that is see only in the eyes of babes. Then she smiled and held out two chubby hands. "Good," Ward said. "She has taken to you .jut once, Miss Thornton. iSQie's a queer little thing for likes and dislikes. fToke her to her mother, Louise. Here comes the porter to weigh the luggage. There's a lot of excess to pay for." . Another ten minutes and Margaret was in tilie train and saying good-oye to Edith from the open window. The hearts of both were too full for much speech. "Write as soon ia« you can Meg. You arc in good hands." She leaned forward and wlhispered: "I think the ayah is jealous a bit. I don't like Eastern people. Good-bye, old girl." The engine gave a warning shriek, the, officials shotited "Stand back;" tfhe train glided away easily on its journey to Deal. Margaret leaned out of the window and waved Iher hand long after Edith had become a mere bhirr, then she dropped back into the corner seat, her -.eyes wet, a choking sensation in her , throat. At the end of the car was the , layah, cuddling little Dolly close to her | bosom. Patrick and Mrs Ward were ! in another car.

To Margaret it seemed that she had suddenly been, translated into another world, and tlhe events of her /life were moving with the distinctness arid speed of a Mograph. Her face turned to the window, and dhe sat watching the flying buildings, without really seeing them, until dlio felt a tiny hand thrust into one of her own. It

was Dolly ,and Dolly was peering up into her face with half-inquisitive *ud half-mirthful eyes. "You are crying!' the child said accusingly. "Oh, what a, baby to cry. Shall I kiss you, Miss Thornton?" Margaret snatched up the little girl and hugged her tightly, and thereafter their friendship was secure. Dolly asked a great many pertinent question, and her small mind had already resolved upon many of the uses to which to put her new friend. But here the ayah jealously interposed, ,*nd took Dolly unto herself. The sombre tight in her black eyes flashed with fire. She mouthed at Margaret and Tittered harsh words in her own tongue. "Why are you unfriendly toward me, Louise?" the girl asked. ■ The ayah's lips turned with a scornful smile. "I. don't like you," she answered candidly., *S "You .have a face of misfortune —you are fatal to yourself, and to everybody who touches you. You bring trouble for.my people. How do I know? I cannot tell you, but I know." She abruptly turned her back upon Margaret, but continued muttering for some time. Margaret's face had whitened, and the swift passion of recollection that passed her mind, she half believed that the words of the Indian woman might be true. At one of the stations at which, the train stopped, Patrick Ward came to the window and spoke cheerfully. "Rather a •dreary journey at Dhis time of the year, Miss Thornton, and the trains are always late, too. But we shall soon be home now, and there will be plenty of bright fires burning. It's lucky I reserved our compartments. Did you see that wild rush of golfing men at the last stopping place down the line?"

There were two carriages and a luggage cart at the Deal statical'. Ward had ordered tihem from a. local hostelry. Into one of tlhe carriages he conducted liis wife, heavily veiled. The second carriage was for Margaret, the ayah, and 1 Dolly. Then the drive began, and Margaret took note of her surroundings. They trundled through the streets of an old town, and the return of Patrick Ward seemed to be quite an evenit. The tradesmen stood art their doors open-mouthed and wide-, eyed. Small-lots of loafers were «gatfhered here and there. They were within reach, of the public (houses, and | those who were not seamen affected in part the dress of sailors. Soon tlhey were in the open country, rough, tragged and wild. Bunches of long, yellow grass-, as tough as whipcord ; a few stunted trees, and beyond a rook-bound coast where the waves boomed sullenly. ■ But if the air was cold, at was sweet with the scent of j f|he sea, amd there was the gladness of spring in the breath of the wind. Two or three miles from the town of Deal the country gave place to pleasant uplands, and little woods. Only a few 'isolated houses had been passed on the way, and now tihey \yere faced by a long, flinty hill," and ythe jogtrot of the horses was replaced'; by a walk. ' • *' . Patrick Ward dropped out. of his carriage and dropped back to Margaret's window. "Everybody all right here?" he smilingly asked. "We are nearly at the gates of our little lodge—then home! I sent orders to the tradesmen for food suppOies,\and everything we are likely to want, so anticipate a period of qiviet and comfort.'' A few minutes more and the car-, riages were threading a long, narrow drive. It was half a foot deep in weed and grass, and the trees on both sides had not been clipped for years. The profusion' was picturesque, if rank and inconvenient. There came a halt, and Margaret heard Patrick Ward welcoming her to her new home. I:

CHAPTER X

MRS JORDAK TALKS

It must have been, a daring man who fixed upon the site of diff House. The foundations were built upon a Titanic rock, and the rock itself sprang from a maelstrom of .seething waters. Even at low tide and in the oalmest weather this backwater made loud complainings ; but when the windstorms came in. battle array, mountains of wihite foam leaped to the topmost windows of CHiff House, and beat thunder upon the lower walls. The thickness of tihese same walls was more than a yard and the windows were double, with i stout shutters inside and out. The place was a veritable fortress. It was not very iarge; four living /rooms and the master's study on the ground floor, and eight bedrooms labove. The servants''quarters were in an annex, and appeared to have been added years after the original build-, ing had been completed. The best bedrooms, the library, and the drawingroom looked out upon the sea-. An ornamental steel bailcony was connected with both floors, and it was very pleasant to sit here in the summer time and listen to the song of the sea, and breatihe the health-giving air. Patrick Ward was the first to jutmp to the ground, and he was soon shaking liarids rigM (heartily with tlie two old servants who Iliad been left in charge of the house during his long wanderings. (To be Continued.)