The Romance of a Business Girl.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10716, 21 October 1912, Page 2

The Romance of a Business Girl.

OUR SERIAL.)

BY F, L. DACRE

C'HAi'TiOli V. (Continued.) Serena turned from these unpleasant th night-* to Jim Carting's letter. She kniv.i i';om whom it came, because tho name of the iirm was in the corner of the envelope. Sho broke tho seal with fingers that trembled ever so slightly, because her mind ijad tioi'-n tortured by little irritable doubts and indecission from tho moment s.ho had opened her eyes that morning. She was not blind to tho admiration she had inspired in Curling. It {-hone in his eyes, and ivus breathed in every utterance. Sueli a man as he was not to bo compared with Captain Mayhew. Then she read her letter, and was 'glad of tho respite. He was unable to come'until the next evening, mid in tho meantime she would write to j him a firm refusal —a refusal based: upon a careful consideration of his very kind offer. She would tell him that she had decided to go into her uncle's office. She was far more conversant with the work of a lawyer than that of an engineer . But the letter was not written, »nd when Jim Carling arrived at Serena's lodgings, he found her waiting to receive him, her manner rather constrained, though welcome beamed in her beautiful dark eyes. : She took In's big hand rather shyly, and the color mounted to her face when she felt his fierce grip. He haidly knew what to say, but he was sure that she was looking' sweeter, lovelier, than he had over thought her before. He did not know at what pains- she had been to make herself appear attractive in bis eyas. Sho had fancied that the arrangement of her hair was not suitable, and had returned to her room to make a new ooifure—and the result in Jim's eyes was ravishing. If Jier dress was well worn, he did not detect it, for it fitted perfectly, .and the soft lace fichu round her shoulders was perfection, ho thought. After all, she was only ;>. daughter of Eve. "When you have done holding my hand. Mr Carling " Serena began, her face flushing. "I was thinking," he said awkwardly. "I'm like that, Miss Fleming—always making blunders." He laughed. "I've mixed so much with men—■ draftsmen, engineers, and mechanics —'that I have imbibed their rough ways." "Oh, you are. not rough. Will yon sit over there? That',s the biggest and easiest chair in the room.' 1 ' "Thanks —yes. How warm it is .tonight." "You have been hurrying, perhaps.' j "I am rather, late. Maybow waylaid me with a long story about his wife. Ho thinks he has tracked her. Very wrong of her to serve him like this." "Did ho say where he believed her to he?" Serena asked faintly. "No, I didn't stop to iiear all the story. I promised to meet him at my cousin's place in Kensington row. She invited us to afternoon tea —just the two of us." Serena looked up with eager curiosity. "I have heard of Lady Laura Mackinder, and believe that she is responsible for much of this mischief." "I don't know," said Jim. "I rather like Lady Laura. She is a magnificent woman. Patronising art and [ the sciences, and interests herself in the housing of the poor. Not a bit like the majority of the swagger people in her set. No > she isn't the woman to stoop to any sort of meanness. Of course, .she worries, about her cousin, and sides with him that is only natural." • "Against his poor, ill-used wife?" Serena gazed at him a. little reproachfully. She didn't like to hear him extol the virtues of Lady Laura. She had beard so much of Lady Lauda from Phil. Never once had her ladyship condescended to acknowledge Lewis Mayhew's wife, and Phil was certain that sho had been the moving spirit in alienating Lewis' affections from her. "t don't care tuppence about any of thorn," Jim growled. "I mean their differences." "I care a very great deal," she quickly answered, tho light of battle leaping into her eyes. "And I hate the name of Lady Laura." "Oh!" He spoke in a tone of pained surprise, j "Yes, I do." 1 "Well, Miss Fleming, T can't sm\ what all this has to do with ms. T am Here on our business —yours and mine. I could not possibly como yesterday. I hope you aro not angry with me on that account."

Author of "A Fleet of D roams," "Silar Dennmgton'a Money," "The Shacio w or ;-;ha:m:,'' "A Phantom of the Past," H i. iu in K->ud:ige etc.

1 '•[ haren't troubled to think about j it," Serena retorted untruthl'ul'y. ] "And, iu any ca.;c I am afraid th .t ; you arc wasting vi.ur time, Mr Curling." She meant lie:' speech to lie indifi forent, brave, but there was a curious I little tremor in her voice, a note of appeal. He stared at .her hard, and then broke into a laugh. "Girls are queer creatures! So you would upset the bond of intimacy which is established between m; >because you don't like Lady Laura, 2Tnckinder? Stuff 'uid nonsense!" If the words read harshly, he spoke Ihem I with wonderful teaderness "We are j two people who want to talk about ourselves, Miss Fleming, and that is why I am here, and what are you waiting for?" "I have waited here to tell you that I must decline to —to " "I am not going to offer you any employment in our office," he instantly responded. "The very Idea of it is grotesque —repellant." Serena faced him, then her eyes dropped, and she 'breathed ohokily. " Idon't understand you, Mr Carling." 'I think you do," ho softly answered. "Men and women have been falling in love ever since creation dawned, and it will go on for all time. I knew that you were meant for me when I looked at you clearly in the Corner Shop, and your eyes betrayed your own feelings. I know that you haven't any other lover, or you could not have met my gaze in that way." "What way?" she asked rebelltously. "Good .gracious, anyone would think that " "Nobody would dare to think anything to your detriment. I know my own mind, and where is the use of shilly-shallying; I love you, and lam going to marry you some day." "I won't —I can't listen to you. Tt seems that you have been deceiving me ; you had no vacaucv at the office." She remembered Phil's words with a wave of anger. "I don't think that T tell lies in that way. Miss Flemimr. We are making the changes I told- you of. but T eould'nt let you slave at the desk for ten hours a day." IShe looked hinv straight in the eyes, her color deepening, and then fading away until sho was very white. "What do yon want me to say?" she stammered. "I don't think that T have left you in any doubt. I love you, and I'm going to marry von.' You have already said most things with your eyes. Eves talk in a swifter and more certain language than the tongue." "T appreciate vour kindness." "And from thi/= night our court--shin starts. Miss Fleming. T am not goine-to embrace vou. but let me >v-" r --<.- your hand, and T shall be content for j a. day or two." Serena was bewildered. This man bar! real of her. and her heart re- , upended with wild beatings. "I can give you no answer, Mr Carling. I must see ray uncle, and tell him," she said, hastily, and confusedly. "I must find some work to do, too; I am verv poor." He wis hoi dine on" of he hands now, and «lho realised her feebleness of bodv and will in the grip of this masterful man. (To be Continued.)