The Romance of a Business Girl.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 16 November 1912, Page 2

The Romance of a Business Girl.

CHAPTER XYll.(Continued.) | "A v.ii'j. cf the right sort wants to be s.-r.etning more thai a plaything. You never gave Phil any money, or consulted her about anything. If she rebelled, yon frowned at her, and absented yourself for days at a time without deigning to make an explanation. Do you wonder that she placed the worst construction upon your conduct? Whatever she has done, you have driven her to do." "It's true enough," he answered, shamefacedly and bitterly. "So she has told you?" "Everything. And then there were the detectives chasing her aboutvillainous looking men. And you ttxrun't nice yourself when you cairn pn.wling about hero." "li.-.sh tl*; I (w---vo it. Perhaps she- will never forgive me! • You are quite right; it would he suicidal to follow her to New York. We must wait for her reply to your letter/ Is Jim coming back to-mor-row?" He was falling into the easy use of Jim's Christian name. "No; ho is delayed in Paris until Monday. Horrid, isn't it?" "You two are so fond of one another." "1 am rather romantic and passionate, and Jim is my first and last sweetheart. He is so different from other men." "Yes," admitted Mayhew. "Lady 'Laura and I were drawn to him at once. 1 never met any fellow like him. He can be unconventional without disturbing one's sense of niceties of life. What are you doing with yourself. Miss Fleming?" "1 nm going to see friends at Richmond alter lunch, and J may call on Lady Laura first." "i)o," he said quickly. "Little peacemaker! You won't think me rude and inquisitive."

"Not in'tho len.st.'' Soon iiftcr that ho loft, and within !in hour of his departure Serena was seated on the top of an electric car, hound for London. She had suddenly

W btRIAL.)

resolved to pay Lady Laura 1111 early call, on the chance of a talk and a lunch at Kensington. If Lady Laura was at home, Serena knew that she. i would be welcome; and if she was cut, Seiena would get some light refreshment at a railw.iy station resturant. She completed the journey to Kensington by motor bus from the Thames Fmibaukment, spent two hours witli Lady Laura, exactly as , she had planned it, then took the

tr.iin to .Richmond. \ Now her heart began to beat a trifle more quickly, and although the. daywas very warm,, sho occasionally cxpeiieneed little thrills of shivering. When the train glided into the .Richmond station, she had recovered her line courage, and down the platform she walked —haughty and resbL ate. "How far is it to The LaurelsMrs Maxwell Hone's place?" she asked of the official who took her ticket. "A f.irish walk, miss—on the hill, close to the park." "Thank you."

As Serena had never eon to Kiclimi/iid before, she hadn't the faintest notion which way to turn. A cab settled the difficulty, and in fifteen minutes she was being deposited in front of her mother's house. It was a pretentious-looking house, lying well hick among the trots, -with two entrance gates, and a drive in the form of a half There was a beautifully kept lawn, bordered with Hewers, and the whole was protected by an ornamental •cyst-iron fence, six or seven feet high. The fence was painted vivid green, touched up with gold. The effect, to one 6f aesthetic taste, was rather staggering in the glare of the sun. A smart young footman opened the door of the cab, and when Serena •stepped down she saw that her mother was advancing to .meet her. "The idea of coming in a twopenny ay, when J could have sent the motor to you! Pay tho cabman, Giles," she said to tho footnnn, "and give him a drink. Now, Serena, old girl, I'm going to kiss you, and scold you for not bringing your things. But tiint doesn't matter ; we can go out and buy something fit for you to wear. Come along, my dear, and welcome home,"

She led the way through the spuciou.s hall into the reception room, the furju'sluiigs of which were worth a small fortune. Everything suggested unlimited money. "A bit better than that dingy old lodging house," Mrs Hope said, pinching her daughter's arm. "Now then, where's tlio kiss? I'm going to d - ) my duty by you, and you've got

BYF.LDACRE. Author of "A Fleet r f D reams/' "Silar Bennington-a Money," "The Shadow of Shame," "A Phantom of the Past," H eld in Bondage eto.

to do your's by mo. Of course, Ar- ' il.vi'b nith.v upset, but he's got ic put up with it. You are my first ! child. .15cc:iiK' it was all his father's money ho doesn't like you sharing it. Thv. saucy young monkey!" i Serena held her cheek for her moth- ; er's lips to salute. [ ' Now come upstairs and see your bedroom, then we'll have .some tea. I suppose you want tea? 1 ain't partial to it —never wa-s. 1 like a drop lof champagne. There's nobody at home but me, so you can take things ' easy. Arthur cleared out when he j knew that you were coining. A bit ashamed of himself, and he don't like facing yon. What did he say at ' the Corner Shop to up-set you, dearie?" j '"Oh, that doesn't matter in the ! least," Serena answered, her cheeks burning. The thought tint the man was her brother was terrifying. "Well, you see, he didn't know that you were a lady then." j "Every woman is a lady to an honest man." j ''Oh, law! What notions you have to be sure. Just like your father. I lie actually deserted me because he found me sitting. on an old sweethearts knee. Was there ever such nonsense. Why, I'd done it hundreds of times at the theatre with lots of j Johnnies. There's a lovely bedroom for you—the best in the house. Shall j I ring for ray maid to help you to take off your things?" : 'No —no!" "It's perhaps a.s well till you've gat a new wardrobe. We'll go to Oxford Street to-morrow, and lit you

.out." ' "Not to-morrow," Serena .said linniy. "I have important work to do—uo engagements to keep. J >h;ill g:j. l-ack to Duhvich at six o'clock." .! The silence- was intense f.:r a sp:u-:\ Her mother's face underwent a .swift and it w:-s almost a miracle tiiat the eruption was stayed. She s filial her raw fury, and hurried from j the room, reserving the outburst for' J another occasion. The time wis hard- I iy ripe yet.

I Lsitor Serena made a pretense of tak'ng tea. with her mother, inwardly sickened hy the smell of strong ! liquor. Mrs Hope attempted to he I kindly and gracious. •"Now, you see, old girl, how good ] ain to let you hive your own way ill everything. When is it going to" 1 he 'quid pro que,' as your lather used I to say, though I never had many of '■his quids in thoso days." I '1 shall go home at six o'clock.'' ' Serena said, "and T will turn matters I over iu mv mind. Tt will lie of little ufo coining here, in the w:iy you sug- ;;■->;•!:, hocau.se T am to he married Mien." "Oh. indeed! And where does your mother come in? Never mind, old ! girl; we won't discuss it now. When ''are you coming again? Make it StinI day ind you shall see how wo oiiioy | .i-irselve.-j at The Laurels."

Serena hesitated. To her SuncTiy was a tiav of rest—ji day of dovotion. "Very well,'' .she sivd doubtfully* 'And come onrly. ?n.v dear.'' "As soon us von like." "Then I'M *<cnd the motor early. Bo ivv.dy r-t o'clock. Xow for a good-bye kiss." CTo he Continued.)