Silas Dennington's Money

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10678, 5 July 1912, Page 2

Silas Dennington's Money

'OUR SERIAL.)

BY F. L DACRE.

CHAPTER XV.—Continued

"Well, he was getting on in years, and there ranch money in tin* Cambridge professorship. Six thousand pounds' worth of stock in a freehold house isn't to ho sneezed at, Mr Castlemaine. He didn't know it was double priced, and ho reckoned on selling out in a year or two. He'd got the idea that ho had only to stand be. hind the counter and take in money. As a matter of fact ho takes about cnought to live on, and the realy salable articles are nearly all gone. You bet those suffragettes and their agents are on his track every day of his life." "I see," said Jack. "Poor eld chap. Enough to drive him mad." He became thoughtful for a few silminutes; then he laughed, and banged his shut hand on the table.

"You have done me an inestimable service, Wayman." "I'm glad of that, sir. You could not go on courting a girl forever when chore wasn't a ghost of a ohnno* " "Of course not! H." : uir lunch."

Both Jack and the ar'is-t v. tro well satisfied with that morning's work. It was nearly one o'clock when they left Gatti's restaurant, but an almost amazing amount of business had been done in the space of an hour or so. The new ladies' paper had been discussed, and the title decided upon. It was Tom Wayman's suggestion—Wedding Bells.

"Been in my mind for years," he said, "and I've got the title finished — even to the engraving. lovliest thing I've ever done in that line. You will want plenty of romantic love interest, fashions, cookery, and all that stuff. I'll find you a woman to write 'em up from the fashion journals. But the stories are tho main thing, and the illustrations. Gods and goddesses—and villains as black as Old Nick's bodyguard. Oh, yes, tho-'captain's' all right, and knows a lot of good people to do the work, but she wan't a lot of watching. She'd give the whole show away for a fiver. And you mustn't forget to give a lot of prizes—pianos, suits of furniture, gold watches, and so on."

"I thought that out," Jack said gleefully. "Bring the block of the title to-morrow, and send along the writers. Not an hour to waste. We'll put the first picture in hand, and if you want a-cheque on account " Wayman looked up eagerly. "Don't tempt me," ho said, pretending to be overcome. "If I had ten pounds at the moment I should feel like a Rothschild, a Pierpont Morgan, a Rockefeller. And I only want it to satisfy the hostile cravings of a beggarly, how-legged tailor." Jack laughed. "You had an advance last week to settle with the cormorant."

"But, my dear Castlemaine, I bought a silk lint and. a revolver. A fellow can't make money stretch like elastic! Shall Igo back to the office with you?"

-"No; I'll give you the cheque tomorrow."

"But the supper party's to-night, and I don't want to disappoint the lady," Wayman said, with unblushing candour. "I intended all along borrowing something from you or Brown to-day. Had you failed me. I should have gone to the Fiend of Fleet St." "And who the devil may he he?' "A Jew who lends small sums of money for a few days to authors and artists. He doesn't go to tho expenso of an office, but we know just where to find him. Twelve o'clock at the 'Punch'; two at the 'Daniel Lambert,' and so on. Oh, he's.remarkably accommodating. Ready cash against an order on your employer to pay if you don't. It's illegal, but a man's ready to sign anything when he's pushed for the dust, and kicks like blazes when the money has to be repaid. If he loaned me four pounds to-day, I should have to give him an lOU for six, to bo paid on Saturday." "You aro an unmitigated ass," Jack said pleasantly. "Well, come along, and you shall have the cheque." This took place outside the restaurant, and Wayman went back to tue office like a man walking on air. As . for Jack, he felt that ho was entering an enchanted garden. He saw n way in which to deliver Theodore Grant from his thraldom, and that meant freclom for Rosamund."

Miss Jinks, alias cCaptain Aubrey De Vere, was in .the waiting room. Jack knew it from the perfumed air of the office. He popped his head into the room, said good morning, and muttered an apology. "I won't keep you waiting five minutes longer, Captain De Vere." * He ran upstairs to write.the cheque; leaving Wayman in conversation with his friend.

"What's in the wind, cherub?" the captain said sweetly. "Cloves," said Tom, sniffing the air. "What have you been drinking so early?" "Something more Ativan your poor, weak brain could stand . You've been out with the great Bashaw? What's the conspiracy?" "Sudden death!" "Not the paper?" Wayman nodded sadly. "Your rotten story has killed it.

CHAPTER XVI.

Author of ;< Held in Bondage," "A Phantom of the Paci," : '-'' John's Heiress," "Ibe Shadow of Shams." "L daughter of Mystery," c-tc.

MADGE AND ROSAMUND

J Meeting of creditors next Tuesday." r The "captain" paled under her pain and powder. Women are always anticipating disaster. "Fire and fury!" she snapped. "Why, the thing's only just started, and I counted on making a hit while the money lasted. He'll have to pay to the end of my contract. It's your washy-looking pictures that have done the mischief. You're only fit to disfigure the pages of a factory-girl's novelette." "What are you talking about, Jinks?" asked Tow, in mild surprise. "By the way, in what year did Queen Victoria die? Nineteen hundred, I believe ? Good heavens.' And the -hack of your neck's been in mourning ever since." He made an adroit movement to escape a flying book which she had hurled at him, passing behind the enraged lady and waltzed into the publishing office, where Mr Castlemainc was waiting for him with the all-important cheque. "Much obliged. Title to-morrow, and you are bound to like it. Plenty of effect; bold, ornamental lettering on a white ribbon, supported by Cupidb with wings, and crowned with garlands ofhWers." "Get out!" said Jack. Ho was beginning to really like the fellow. At that moment a telegraph boy stepped into the office, and gave the publisher a telegram. It was addressed to Mr Castleniaine. Jack opened it carelessly, but when he read it the colour forsook his face. This is a copy ofit:— "Dear Jack: Grantley is very ill. lam coming to see you by the first train. Madge Dennington." "Good Lord!" he muttered. "What a take clown! I wonder how much she knows? She may be here at any moment. 1 see the telegram has been sent from Ashfield station. Brown won't have to go to the Court now." He remembered Captain. De Vere, and stepped to the waiting room. j "I can only spare you a few minuI tes," he said. Sorry, but the rush is {tremendous. Another time we will ( have a comfortable chat. I want you I to write a story for a ladies' paper—-middle-class stuff; plenty of gush and go. Brown says you've done some successful things for the Family Herald and kindred publications. Now fire away." The captain was immensely relieved. , —.. "By Jove!" she exclaimed; "I'm glad of this. You shall have the best story I have ever written. I feel that I would like to kiss you." "We'll defer that operation," he . laughed. Authors and artists wore strange folk. She rose with an anciently bewitching smile. "I believe that you have paid Wayman off." i "I'm not aware ofit." "Then you ought to. Get rid ot him —kick him out. He's a mischievous beast. Why, ho made me believe that you were broke." "Pooh!" Jack laughed, and shook hands with the captain. "Sorry to hurry my most valued contributor. Next time I mayjbo free to talk matter?, over with you." Good-day." As she quitted the office and floated up the street, people turned to look after her elegant figure, smiling broadly the while. Between her shoulders was a card upon which was printed boldly: "THIS JOB LOT CHEAP." I Tom Wayman again!

"Oh, Jack! My poor, poor boy!" This was Madge Dennington's tremulous greeting, and she had hor arms about his neck before Teddy Brown, who had shown her up to the room, could politely retire. "Madge, old girl. I am jolly glad to see you again ; but how white and thin vou are." He held her from him, his eyes searching her face. Madge was looking at him, too. tenderly, wistfully. "What an absurd disguise, Jack! It spoil's vour good looks. It's shameful!"

' "Here—sit in that chair. It's the most comfortable in the room. I bad arranged to send Brown to the Court this very day to see why Grantley hasn't turned up at kY chambers. How is he?" "Ill —very ill. No sleep at night, and his nerves all shaken up. The doctor says he must go away -at once; a long sea voyage is the one thing needful. Wo are worried to death. Jack ; everything has gone wrong. Grantley bad. to mortgage the Court—fifteen thousand pounds, and my father has had twelve of it. Debts of honour, and he threatened to shoot himself if Grantley didn't find the money. Don't vou think that he's ncted abominablv?" "Infamously!" (To bo Continued).