Silas Dennington's Money.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10669, 26 June 1912, Page 2

Silas Dennington's Money.

OUR SERIAL.)

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "'Held in Bondage," ''A Phantom of the Pnsi," "Sir John's Heiress," "J'ho Shadow of Glnrr.„. ; ' i; A Daughter of Myiterv," ct3

CHArTER IX.—Continued

J;:;:'; told Grantley next day that .v:V G.aiit hadiioiicccl the likeness hci/.vcn tlh'ij'.i. Cranticy became very pale. m:U l:i,; lips twitched. "i'Vo bee:! careless; we can become .so familiar v. i;h danger that soon jinKUm.'. 1 i\> 1 must keep iViV.'iy from here; we must meet Jess frequently. Now if inspector Bock had ("taught the two j>rofilos when we passed him!" The very possibility of it turned Grautley's blood to ice. "Oh, I've got a note for you from Madge'. Sue doesn't know where you are or what you arc doing, hut I had to tell her that wo were in touch with one another. She knew about your books, and pictures, and things being sent to you. No, I didn't tell her any more; T can't face the whole truth lititil Vm obliged to. Sir Peter prated about the disgrace of the affair, and how it affected him personally. I felt ready to choke him. Now. he's bosun writing for mov ;' thousands .at.the garni: • - : ' ■ ■ ' I don't satisfy him tc s—>il J - :;'"■" back here, nosing about. Damn him, even if he is my wife's father." Jack was reading Madge's letter, his eyes shining, his pulses leaping. He and Madge had always been great (hums. In conclusion she begged of him not to show himself too daringly. Of course, the thing must come out some time, but Grant had told her that there would be comparatively little doubt as to result of the trial when the public,excitement had died awav. Even if Jack was guilty nt causing the cowboy cousin's death. she knew it was an accident, 'jnpk was thoughtful for a little while. Grantley was staring gloomily out of the window. , "That "Id curio dealer has got Ins eve on the place. T should draw the curtains right across tlw window it L were in vour place, Jack." "He doesn't mean any harm; we are "reat friends. I had tea with him last Sunday. You've seen his daughter?" i„i;i-> "Ob, yes. I remember. A ia<i.u.A<. o-irl—beautiful eyes." " "Yes," said Jack dreamily. Grantley regarded him through half Sh "ffm \" lie muttered under his will answer Madge's nice little letter," Jack said. T "Don't send anything \™*-J have reason to know that all my cot- ■ impendence, both at the.office and it home 'is tampered with .by I shall have to sneak m heie attex was a quick step on the St "Here comes Brown, and business," Jack exclaimed.

CHAPTER X

THE CAPTAIN. "Good morning, Mr Brown.'' . "Good morning, gentlemen." , Brown- was plainly elated, and he was looking years younger. Witn liope in his heart a man can do and dare anything. Ho placed his hat on the table, mopped his forehead, and smiled triumphantly. "I've got the printer's estimate, and two papermakers; are running after me neck and neck. I told them that we should pay cash on delivery, and deposit a couple of hundred pounds with them at the start, to show tliat we are solid people. Was that right?" "Quite right. You can go on drawing to the last shilling. You know wiiat I've banked." "It will save prying eyes and ears._ Not but what you can tell people just what you like. Well, I've interviewed three'popular writers of juvenile stories, and they will .bring their copy to-morrow. A rousing school storv. a sea story, and ' v story of London "life. Tie short stuff and miscellaneous matter you can rtake up from American magazines. IV; got a bundle in wy bag. And. there's the editor's page—teaching boys how to be good and useful. You must make a lot up for the first few weoss. ■ What about your adventure story, Mr Castlemaine?" _ "First installment finished. Here it is." i Brown took the manuscript, and glanced through it rapidly, and with a practical eye. "You've hit it, sir—a picture in every paragraph. I'll jot down the subject for the artist. Splendid man | for the job. Tow Yawman his name. He started on. the title last night, and we'll get it engraved in Scotland, or it'll be the talk of -London in no time Don't want anything rushed out in front of us. All the literary and artistic staff will bring their work to-morrow, and they will want to see the proprietor. If they are paid --promptly they will work better, and. on these terms wo can get the very best men from the other publishers, j I want half a dozen cheques. H,:rc j are the particular.:." i Brown billed off with the cheques, and Gtantloy took particulars of the payments. "Five hundreu pounds gone. I'll have a sot of office books opened today by my own accountants'" The next day the door of the publishing office was thrown open, and «. i smart young felloHv, well-known in the ! . trade was behind the desk. He was ' there to answer questions at his dis1. • •'WP'XI

cretion, and talk to Mr CastJemoin j thro-.-gh a tube i mining up the wali, ! aacl through the coiling to the room ! above. j The authors brought their copy one ;at a time. First came the sea-story {■'««'>. ftixl he pored to he an old j i.'iiViil ohicor; jict-rfoljowi't] ii:e author oi the: .school tale, and ho was » hi w.\cr who ,m -forrcd any kind 0 f v.or,c to gnlliiwf in court. Thev were expensive moii, |,ufc their work was good. Last of the trio was the writer oi- the London-life serial, and the card sent up here the aristocratic and Iwh-zmw&ng name of Captain Aub- i vcy ijo \ ere. "A lady, sir," the smart voung r.tiui called up. Hi;; name was Watson. v "Soml Captain Do Vere up first, Watson," Jack' replied. Then he waited, rather enjovino- the novelty of talking to these-writers of lichen. They were gentlemanly fel- , lows; they were on the-staff of his paper. JN" O doubt lie was making lifehmg friendships, and the occupation was delightfully congenial. There was a gentle trnp on the door, and a lady of uncertain age postured into the room. Every step, cre-ry movement was a pose, and the air was immediately permeated with a powerful and (to Jack) a sickening odour. It was exhaled from her dreS of the most extravagant fashion—from Ik>v silver-stranded reticule, in which was an assortment of things —a pocket handkerchief, a purse, an apple, and a bundle of papers and letters. She was tall, with regular well-powdered features, large, deep•sefc blue eyes, lojig and lingering m Uioir gianeos, and hair as golden as a sovereign IVesli from the, mint. 1 "L.vtlia Languish, by Jove!" Jack" ' inought, "j. told Watson to send up the captain first. What the deuce is tms, .1. wonder:'" Ho pushed his chair back and stood up. "Hoally, this can't he the editor's (room?" exclaimed the lady, with j what she firmly believed was a winning smile. Her voice was like the } clanging of a bell. ' "I am the editor, and this is my, room," Jack said, blushing. "j) 0 you . wish to see me? An appointment made by Mr Broivn, perhaps? Be seated, madam." "How perfectly charming! Most of ! the editorial offices are uglv, carpetless dens. And so-'you "are Mr Castlemaine?'' She bestowed upon him a lingering look of bewitching interest. "What an ideal young editor! \ou are young, Mr Castlernaino, in spite of your grey hair " > She sank gracefully' into a chair sweeping her well-cut skirt gracefully to the side. "Yes, Mr Brown came upon me with : .a rush, and I've been ;working at AuVh'pressure to oblige you. Fortunately, I L had the scheme ready, intending to sell it to the Pandora Press; but I. was immensely pleased to hear that a new competitor was in the field! I think it is good for everybody.'' "Just so; but I'm afraid'that- MiBrown forgot to make any mention of a lady contributor." . She laughed merrily. { "Don't you know who I am, Mr Castlemaine? I'm Captain Aubrey Do Vere." "Oh, indeed!" "And my particular line is life—as it is. The name was given to me by, the editor of Society Snaps. In editorial circles Captain Aubrey Do. Vere is well-known and appreciated. Here is my copy, and I hope you wiil : (. like. • Of course, you will publish quitea lot of papers as time goes on, andf you must not forget the captain. I ; understand from Mr Brown that you; 5 have got plenty of money, and that? is the one thing essential to make things hum. Push —push; advertise-' —advertise! and be always doing something fresh. Do you object to my resting here for a little while? You men can drop into saloons and that sort of thing, but women are so dreadfully handicapped in life's battle." "Rest as long as you like," Jack said heartily. "But there are plenty of restaurants where ladies are welcomed." "That means tea, and I never drink tea in the morning. May I have a teeny little smofje? I can't do with-. out my cigarette." She bored into the reticule, and produced a silver cigarette case, and was soon puffiing contentedly. "J will brink my copy regularly, Mr Castlemaine, and T will revise the i I proofs here, too. When may I call for my cheque?" "The cashier will send all payments by mail, madam," "Call me, captain, please, or Aubrey. Madam is so harsh and formal." "Well," stammered Jack, "captain, as you wish it. I was going to add that the manuscript would be quite safe by registered mail." (To be Continued).,