Silas Dennington's Money.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10657, 12 June 1912, Page 2

Silas Dennington's Money.

'OUR SERIAL.)

BY F. L. DACRE,

CHAPTER I

SPLENDID SCHEMES

The library at Deirnington Court ' was a pleasant homely room. Plemty of light and air; tastefully ajid cheerfully furnished, with lace curtains at the windows, and bright pictures on the walls. Jack Dennington w-as sitting in a big easy chair, a pipe between. his .teeth, .his feet on the curl) of the fender, and half a score of letters on his''knees. It was a chilly 1 morning in -lata autumn, and tho femes of tho glowing fire were leaping in tho grate—leaping to the booming of tho wind in tho wide chimney. Denningtoii went through his letters without amy show of interest, then tossed them into an open drawer. "Must 'bo tho last batch," he thought. "I'm getting sick of the things. What's tho time?" He looked at tho clock on the mantel. "Eleven-tliirty-five, and Mr Edward Brown is due here at twelve. I wonder what soft of chap lie is? I caui make precious little out of his letters, but I have heard that men who are steeped in finance and commerce say little, .and write less." , Tho door epeaied, and a servant announced :

"Sir Peter Tempest and Miss Tempest!" Jack Dennington jumped up to shake hands with a 'tall, dark, faultlessly gowned young woman, and an alert old gentleman, with a high, bald forehead, land 1 a heavy, military-look-ing moustache, as white as snow. The eyes and eyebrows were dark, the features regular, a.nd the resemblance between father iand daughter was remarkable. The Tempests had always been famed for their looks. "Come and sit here out of the draft. Margaret," Jack Dennington said familiarly; then, looking at Margaret's farther, he added: "Quite a surprise visit." "Margaret 'suggested a walk, and we came by way of the old Roman Road, through the woods —without an idea; of getting thus far. Then the chimneys of the Court peepqd at us. and I thought that we might as well do the last half mile, and rouse you up a bit. Jack nodded and laughed.

"Tired, Margaret? Pretty stiff walking, it? You liad 'better stay to lunch now." . "No such thing. It is only about four miles from the Grange to the Court, and I am good for twenty any day When do you expect your brother Grantley home?" "Oh, that's what you wanted to find out, is it?" laughed Sir Peter. "I thought that you had a letter from Grantley this morning?" "So I did, but he never mentioned a word about coming hack." Margaret flushed a little.

"Caii't tell to a day or two. A big job—that Sheffield murder case, but I'm expecting him on Saturday. I "don't intend making a decisive move in this big undertaking of miaie without having the full benefit of his legal mind. I am very glad to be a rich man, but am very sorry that Uncle Silas did not divide the money bei tween Grantley and me. But that can't be altered now, and there's an end to it. He reckoned that Grantley was all right with the world —the elder brother, and a successful lawyer. That was enough for him." Jack thrust his hands into his pockets, and walked over to a window. "About a million pounds, isn't it?" asked Sir Peter. "Just about that—all made out of cattle in Nevada. Uncle realised everything before 'he died, and invested the money in gilt-edged securities. He. tpld poor dad long since that he should leave me all right, and on these conditions Grantley inherited father's small fortune. But there's practical-ly-nothing besides this house and the land, iand it takes a thousand a year to keep it going in the measliest sort of way. Now I want Grantley to rise withVme, and be part and parcel of this scheme of mine."

,"Qf course," said Sir Petor, "but he is so infernally proud. Unfortunately I can give Margaret very little as her wedding portion—except my blessing. We Tempests 'have been living from hand to mouth, and fattening .the Jews for two hundred years." "I should like " began Jack. then he reddened.

"Go on —go on," said Sir Peter eagarly.

"I s'hould like—through Grantley, of course —to free the Grange of its. vampires. You aren't offended, Sir Peter?"

"Offended, be hanged! I kjiew what wias coming, my lad, and it does credit to your heart. What else are you going to do with that -fortune? Don't let it''trail your brain. It's a tremendous responsibility for a young fellow who has never done much besides play football and-cricket."

"Jack has written some beautiful stories," Margaret amended. "Rubbish! I never read anything but a newspaper in my life. Tales re- » present life artificially, and its ■ a waste of precious time to read such trash whon the real thing is pressing upon us on every side. Hello, who's this?"

One of the windows commanded a good view of the drive, and a dapperlooking, middle-aged man iwas stepping briskly towards the house. His liaiif was grey, and 'he wore a patriarchal beard of the same colour; his

(To lie Continued)

Author of "Held in Bondage," "A Phantom of the Past," "Sir John's Heiress," "The Shadow of Shame," "A Daughter of 'Mystery," ictc.

dross was smart, and spoko of the ' groat city of London. In ono -hand he ' enried a leather brief bag, and an umbrella was tucked under his arm. ; "A Mr Edward Brown," said .lack. ; "I'm expecting him; due at twelve No, don't go, Sir Peter. I've been i advertising in the daily papers for • financial agents with something to ; sell, and this is one of them. Sta.y | and hear what he has got to take ; about. It's all in the family." ! Another minute, and Mr Edward Brown was entering the room. He j glanced from ono to the other, and ' Jack pointed to a chair. "Sit down, Mr Brown. Excuse my look of appraisement, but I am satisfied. The fact is, you are the ninth financial interviewer, and all the others were! of Semitic origin, despite their very English names, and as niin» is an all-British scheme, I kicked.' if you are a Jew, you are wonderfully disgu'red." Mr Brown laughed, his shrewd grey eyes twinkling. He was quite at bis ease now. He set his bag on the table, unbuttoned his coat, and sat down. "Teddy Prown, Mr Dennington, bred and born in Staffordshire. J't: English all through, but I've had lot;-; of dealings with Jews, and they ain't so bad. A Jew rarely breaks hi: i word." Sir I'der sniffed, and Teddy Broun opened his bag with a questioner, glance at Dennington. "It's all right, Brown," Jack hawened to say. "Sir Peter Tempest and Miss Tempest—both very dear friends oi mine, and interested in everything that I do. Now, fire away." Mr Brawn smiled broadly, and his pale, serious face changed to smiling ] cheerfulness. He could make neither top nor tale of the business yet, but he contented himself with the reflection that his expenses had been paid, and there might be a chance of something doing. From his bag lie extracted a handful of paperfs, docketed <md taped, then thrust them back again.

"In the first place, Mr Demiington," he said, assuming a businesslike air, "am Ito understand, from; your advertisement and correspondence, that you wish to buy something big?" "Colossal! Now, look here, Brown. I've taken a fancy to you, after my experience with the other financial agents, and we'll get to the point at once. I've just inherited a million of money, and I am ready to sink half of it into a business that will help me into Parliament—without years of wait, ing. Don't offer me gold mines, rubber plantations, patent pills, or anything .outside of London. I want to be a power at home, and I want the world to know it —quick!" Mr Brown closed his bag with .a speculatively at Jack Dennington. There was no mistaking the young fellow's sanity and energetic enthusiasm. A,nd it was backed with ready cash.

"There is only one thing I can suggest, Mr Derinington—a newspaper." "The very thing!" said Sir Peter. "And the services of a man " like Grantley Denningham would be invaluablo to. a newspaper office. Boun d to have a libel case every two or threo days."

Margaret Tempest looked sincerely happy. "Grantley Demiington," explained Jack, "is my brother." "I know him by reputation, sir," Brown was smiling now. "I intended suggesting ■something in the publishing line myself," Jajck went on. "I've a predilection that way-redone a good deal of writing, and but for this windfall would have earned my living by my pen. Npw, what is there in .the market for said?" "Nothing." "Couldn't we tempt the owners to sell,", said Sir Peter grandly.. Brown shook bis head smilingly.

"There hasn't been anything worth its salt for sale for twenty years. A bid was once made for -the Telegraph —two millions sterling—iand refused. No, if you have a newspaper, you will have to start one yourself, Mr Bennington." Jack jumped up, and paced the floor, liis whole face glowing with .animation • He went to the sideboard.

"Wliat'll you have to drink, Mr Brown? Whisky and soda? Help yourself to a cigar. There's a choice of two or three brands. Oh, Miss Tempest revels in tobacco smoke." "Start a paper —that's the thing," cried Sir Peter. "Aggressive policy —hot and strong, and utterly unscrupulous along as you serve your party. Give a score of aeroplanes for national purposes, and you'll be in ,the House of Lords in no. time, Jack." . "It's a risky business," said iur Buown, "but money talks. I lia v e had a. good deal of experience with publishers, and can put you in touch with the men you want. You are in dead earnest, Mr Dennington ?" "It's .as good as done! I'll have the bigest publishing business in the world —something for everybody -- everv taste —every class ; and if the public doesn't know what it wants, we'll teach it." "Brave!' said Sir Peter.