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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10662, 18 June 1912, Page 2

| CHAPTER IV.—Continued. j "There isn't a doubt in my mind I about the genuineness of this claimant. Jack has the same conviction, too. And, Madge, lam in honour boahd to share my father's money with my brother, lie has jio profession-. His writing? He's only tak- ' on to that Lately, and hasn't any real, experience. A man must serve -a long apprenticeship to journalism beforo he can win public favour. The amateur in all callings gees down before the professional who Ims stage craft at Lis finger ends. Now, Madge, wihat n.bout it?" Ho looked into her clear eyes without fear, never doubting. "I am sorry for Jack," she softly •answered. "So unselfish—so noblesouled! Grant, the arrangements you are making couldn't be better, and Ave might he married soon. I am wenrv of waiting," she added with a shy smile. "My true-hearted girl," ' GraiitJev • whispered, his voice shaking withemotion. There was a short, happy silence, then he went on: "I know how your father will take ably; but he must do as we do —make the best of it. He could let t'he Grange for a big rent, and live quietly until his debts are paid. I could ar- j range ivith his creditors. Perhaps you . would like to have him with u.s " "Heaven forbid!" interrupted Madge. "He wouldn't like it, even if j he consented, and I know that T shouldn't. We don't want a third person in our little Eden. Grhftt." "I don't think I should like it, either, but one has to even up the advantages with the, disadvantages in this life. Now I must go, darling. Jack is coming bv the six-forty, and this is Iris last night in England for a while. I'm not up to the mark, either. Worry always lowers mv vitality, and I'm a bit feverish. All right to-morrow." They exchanged a warm embrace, I and their kisses had a newer and hap.pier meaning. , , ' In the midst of them Sir Peter I •burst into the room with ia. loud guf- i fan'.

"Good Lord, Grant, you are forty, if you're a day, and Madge ,is thirty! Chuck it! .I've.given you .a half hour, cooling my heels in the hall. We shan't have time for our game if you don't " "I'm off," .interrupted Grantley. "Got to meet Jack. Sorry to disappoint you, Tempest. You know I made no promise to you." "Go and be hanged!" Sir Peter swapped, but he smiled with it, and walked to the hall door with Grantley. "By George! Snowing hard, isn't dtp Good night. Tell Jack I shall run over to the, Court.in the morning." The motor oar moved away, and there was not much speed to be got out of the machine, as'.the snow was falling in blinding, Swirling clouds. When they reached the lodge at the gates of the' Court there was ha.Jf a foot of snow on the ground, and the car had been travelling at a snail's pace. "I'll get out here, Tonks/' Grantley said. He had caught sight of an advancing figure an the lane, and believed it to be Jack. "My brother is coming, and I will wait for 'him. Not a cab to l»e got at the station, I suppose. Take the car to the garage."

, The machine crept away, and Grantley stamped his feet furiously, calling out. "Hurry up, Jack. What a blizzard of a night." But when the man pulled up in front of him he saw that it was 'not; Jack, but the cowboy—Jake Murdcck. "You! I'm sorry ; I mistook you for my brother." ' 'Which proves that we cousins ar<> alike. I've come for my answer,"' Murdock said offensively, whilst his breath reeked with whisky. "My brother is away—in London, 'but I can tell you exactly what he is goitts to do." "Save your breath ; T don't cotton to lawyers. I'll see Jack, and I'm going to the house to wait for 'him." "You will do nothing of the kind. My Ibrotheß is starting for New York to-morrow —- "Get out of the way, mister. The house is mine by rights, bought by my father's money, and I'm going to stop here until Jack comes, if it's a month." • '

"My good fellow," Grantley answered calmly but determinedly. "Dennington Court is my property, and has nothing whatever to do with my brother or any one else. If yen persist in annoying me, I shall have you removed." Fury leaped into Jake Murd'ock's eyes, and he bared his teeth in a snarl. "D'you know that you-re standing with death at your elbow ? D'you know that you're looking into the little mouth of a magazine pistol? Now you see me walk right into that house, and th© ma;n that says no'll get plugged clean through, by God!" He made a confident movement to pass Grantley Bennington, who at once closed with him with the activity of a cat. Grantley grabbed the pistol arm, and jerked it up, and they fell struggling in the snow. Oaths followed from the lips of both combatants, and then there was a snappy, vi.cious report., and Jake Mnrdock's muscles relaxed in death. The bullet had passed upwards through his chin —through his bra in, and carried away