The Romance of a Business Girl.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 20 November 1912, Page 2

The Romance of a Business Girl.

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I (.'HAPTKR XIX. (Continued.) "You look a* fresh a-s a (lower, o.'d girl," she romimicd; then gleefully : ">]v v.Trv], v.x.'u't yc'u kiux'k 'oo! Jusi iike 1 was at your ago." "Knock what?" Serena asked, more for the >.i.ko of saying something tluwi a wish to continue the conversation. 4 'Why, the Johnnies, n<f course. jXow ibn't* bn .squeamish. l'v« got a frightful big head ou me tins morning. A rwrty irx-tored f.roni town i.:u"-xj>«*U'dly, ti'.id there was 'the* very iicvi! in 'mil, J think, nr. the finish there wasn't a sober servant in the ihouse." "I've noticed their familiarity,'' Serena, said. Again her mother's face reddened. "Out with it. If one of 'em's boon -howing off to you, I'll twist his or her blooming neck. It's the fault ol my guests; then- make too free* with them, anc? treat them like one of themselves. I'll leave the handling of 'em .to you by and by. Serena, would you mind getting a decanter and a siphon of soda out of the sideboard? Nothing does -my head 1 good like a nip of brandy. Thank you, dear. What it is to have a daughter 1 ; Now .help yourself to something." "Oh, no, thank you." "A drop of port or sherry, and a biscuit,'' wheedled her mother. ' .But Serena shook lier ihead with. , decision. "Very woll; be awkward and unsociable. Did you bring your things —your clothes, I mean?" "No; I shall not settle upon com.-, nig here until I have talked matters cv"r wi+h Jim —with Mr Oa.rling." Mrs Hope swalljowed some brandy nf-. a snilp to hide the furions working of her features. She coughed and spluttered, laying a hand against her henrt. "Frenuentlv I get a riasty pain lately—worrying about my husband, poor dear, and one thing and ahother. As I was going to tell you, Serena, there's quite a swell lot coming this afternoon. Lord Woodmore, son of the Earl of Dulchester, and several other Johnnies, only he's roy star; and the new prima donna at the Haymarket, and her following. Arthur's sweet on her, but the silly chump might know that she would fly at higher game than him. She's very- handsome —and her name's Sylvia Dale." Serena glanced up quieklv, and with interest. "I'have seen Mis?. Dale," she said, j "Sho s.ing,s*divinely." | "Mv! I didn't know that von went '' • * ♦> {to hi roll wicked places as theatres. j "My uncle took me the other night, and the girls—my cousins." "Oh, just him." Mrs Hope elegantly ejaculated. "Well, she's coming here to-day, and lots more, so you'!' have a Chance to see what life is behind' tho scenes of a private house, j She'.s dead set on Lord Woodmore, and I'd like to see you cut heT out. One glance from those eyes of yoiirs. and he'll fall submissively at your feetWhy, they'd fetch a bird off a tree!" "1" won't listen to such talk," Serena said, aJi angry spot rising on her cheek. j "La!" laughed lier mother, "you J will soon get used to me i my girl; t j mean no harm. What 4t.ro men and women for but to play up to one another? Don't pretend that you are proof against tho attraction between the two; sexes. Why, ymv became ' spoony on a chap in no time, because he flattered you a bit. This starch-ines-s -of yours is all my eye! /Hello, Arthur', darling,: how are .vou feeling this morning? Here's your, sister — the girl you was mashed on wliea she sold coffea and saindwiclios at tho j Corner Shop." | "Oh, I say, mother, be decent. Thai's all over, and I are good friends —made it up this morning.' 5 Arthur lounged into tho room, with a, confident glance in Serena's direction. "Had your breakfast, dear?" his, mother asked. "The same as usual," he laughed ironically. "Better have a pack me up." "No; I'm going to chuck that sort of thing. I want to be more like other young men. Saw half a dozen of them this morning biking into the country, ajid looking all ,!right, while my head was splitting. I feel like a wet rag BOW." His mother glared at him. "City clerk on thirty bob a week. Been to Sunday ain't you? Your courage will soon fail you, Arthur. Your father used to have spasms of similar virtue. I'll go and get dressed. Sir George Lander is coming to lunch. Come upstairs with me, Serena; I'rd got some things to show

by f. l. qacre Author uf "A Fi«et of 1) t-iiLar s Vl'juey," "iiio fijliauu ./> ■</,_ t.'h r * tosj ot tiift 1' oki in Bandage etc.

(To be Continued.)

'I h i "v.h; tigs'' which ili-s Hopo lisul ;• iivr daughter were diamond a.-:.-] yenil jjockiaa**, rings, ana broand otaer periKmal adornments ii■ rt; ■; h! together in the drawois of a 'Ot <aft\ '' AII gift« at ono timo or another," s!.m .-..nd, "and you c;m liavo your !'!< k, dear. They'll all ho yours s'oji.o • ,L' you are a yood girl." i;.v are very beautiful," Serena said. "Vki]) yourself, ohild. "'"Vit—uot yet. You aro. very kind.

"'l/i.T, hut you aro a fool! King tlx itoll for my maid. No don't; I iuuiTi'i: got the heart to bo ni.s.ed in-.-r now. There's only Sir George Lander coming to lunch, that I '.imw 'if, .aid ho doesn't m-utter. I shan't dio..! till I'v<> had a sleep this afternoon. WhaPt aro you going to do?" "I'll find a book, and go intu the garden until lunch time." "Bust t.he books! Weil, ploftw yourself," her mother rasped, "you make 'me ifaoomf<{rt&ble> ' 'with,': your funny ways." . She let Serena go at that,, scowling at the girl's retreating back. Books were not plentiful at The Laurels. There was a fine room, misnamed the library, but the * bookshelves were almost bare. Sporting and theatrical papers were scattered over the tables; also a few so-ca'ded realistic novels, and a quantity of French prints of a doubtful character. So Serena wont without her book. Lunch time came, and with it ono guest—Sir George Lander. He wis a tall, clear-shaven man, past middle life; he was dark ; with heavy eyebrows, and lean as a, grayhound. There was a hard look about his lea tilery, haggard face, and when he spoke ho declaimed, vigorously beating hi-; hands together to give forco to whatever ho might bo saying.

Sorena was introduced to him. a? Mrs Hopo's daughter, and he gar? her a loßg and comprehensive s' are. He had evidently heard the story oi Mrs Hope's first marriage. He was deeply impressed and after iunoh told his hostess so.

"She is a handsome girl," he said, "a very handsome girl, but out of her element here. Never had a worse timo in my life. Daren't speak in her chilling presence. What are you going to do with her?" "Marry her to Lord Woodmere. Both will have monov, and she'll bo a countess somo day. Woodwork's ■ father is hither shaky." Sir George shrugged his shoulders. "You will have to consult her arst, I'm thinking." Mrs Hopo went up to her room; Sir George had forty winks in the library, and Serena returned to her vat in the arbor. Arthur said that ho was going for a walk with a couple of black retrievers. He wasn't long ; however; the day wa« too warm for much exertion, and he found his way to Serena, hoping she didn't mind. Sho was really pleased, and told him so, whereupon he sat down at tho foot of a tree, leaning his bat.-K against the trunk.