CHAPTER XXXI. MR CUDEMORE'S LOVE MAKING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2245, 27 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXXI. MR CUDEMORE'S LOVE MAKING.

Dogged, persistent, and defiant as Mr Cudemore is in his revolve to marry Nid Foxbonmgfb, still he is not altogether quite satisfied with the way his cards are playinsr. To begin upon he had reckoned when Foxborough' s disappearance threw the Syringa, so to speak, in the hollow of his band, that Mrs Foxborough would be at his feet ; that her anxiety to retain the lesseeship of the music hall would render her perfectly subservient to his wishes, and that Nid's hand was to be the price of his assistance he had made up his mind. But Mrs Foxborough seemed very indifferent as to whether she kept tho Syringa or not, whilst as for Nid she was difficult to catch sight of ; still when the pressure really came, when it was actually brought home to her that unless she begged h3lp from him, Cudemore, her anxiety to retain the management of the music hall might be unavailing, he fancied Mrs Foxborough would be only too glad to come to terms. Another thing, too, that somewhat disturbed Mr Cudemore's equanimity was the discovery of Timothy on the second floor. What the deuce was the boy doing up there ? He might say he was only closing the dressing-room door, but the money-lender was quite convinced in his own mind that he really came out of the room. The boy had never come up to that floor before to seek him ; what made him do it this time ? His people always knew pretty well whether he was in or out ; and it was in the sitting-room on the first floor that they looked for him if in doubt. He could never recall to mind any of his clerks, including Timothy, seeking him on the floor above. There was no one less likely to stand his affairs being pryed into than Mr Cudemore, and that gentleman speedily made up his mind that Timothy's services might be advantageously dispensed with. He accordingly sent for that acute young gentleman into his private business room and blandly remarked — ' You are a very intelligent and excellent toy Timothy, but you might retneniber 1 expect my people to keep close to their own business and not trouble themselves about anything further. I engaged you, remember, as second clerk at the liberal salary of fifteen shillings a week, and your duties were confined to the reception of visitors in the outer office, and ascertaining if I was upstairs whether I wished to see them or not.' 1 Well, sir, how was I to know whether you was in or not if I didn't come to see.' * Just so, Timothy, but you weren't required to look under the bed, or into the bath for me, or to overhaul my boots or brush my clothes, Timothy. It was considerate in the extreme, taking upon yourself the duties of a valet as well as a clerk, but you see I prefer my people to confine themselves to what I am paying them for, and therefore, my young friend, here are your week's wages, and henceforth I will dispense with your valuable services.' 4 1 suppose I needn't come no more, then, after to-night,' rejoined the boy doggedly. * Just so, that's it. I shall have no objection to give you a recommendation, and vouch that you are willing and intelligent; a little too willing, in fact, anxious apparently to do everything. Next time, my boy, whatever it may be, take my advice and stick olosely to your own business.' Timothy said never a word, but picked up his money, and with a quiet bow to his employer returned to the outer office, over which lie still held sway. Now, this again somewhat puzzled Mr Cudemore. He expected the boy to plead vigorously against dismissal, to volunteer further explanation! )f his condugt, and Timothy had dono nothing of

the kind, but acquiesced with dogged resignation in his sentence. It was not very likely that anything he could say would have made the slightest difference to Mr Cudemore, but then that gentleman did expect him to say it, and to one of his suspicious turn of mind this afforded grave food for reflection. Mr Cudemore engaged in a good many transactions that though not illegal exactly, were of the kind denominated shady. He was not wont to trust his clerks very much about anything, more especially was he unlikely to place confidence in a boy like Timothy ; he certainly could call to mind nothing of the slightest consequence of which the boy bad knowledge, and yet he felt uneasy at Timothy's easy acquiescence in his dis-. missal. Another curious circumstance, too, was that the mysterious gentleman who declined to leave his name, had never called again. Musing somewhat irritably over all these things, Mr Cudemore seized his hat and determined to call at Tapton Cottage. He was so peremptory in his demand to see Mrs Foxborough on a matter of business that the girl who opened the door succumbed at once and ushered him into the drawing-room before Nid, who was coiled up in a big armchair in front of the fire immersed in a novel, had any notice to escape. 'Miss Foxborough,' exclaimed Cudemore, ' this is indeed an unexpected pleasure,' as he advanced to take a hand which was not extended to him. Nid had sprung to her feet and greeted him with the most formal reverence ; and how stately the little lady could be when she stood upon her dignity, must have been seen to be believed. Cudemore was a bold, reckless roue, and wild about this girl, and both Nid and her mother knew it, as only women do know these things. A chit not out of the schoolroom knows intuitively when a man is at her feet. But to do Nid justice no young lady was ever less proud of a conquest than she, whilst we already know Mrs Foxborough's opinion on the subject. ' Let mamma know at once, Ellen, that Mr Cudemore is here,' said Nid, imperiously. 1 Yes, Miss,' rejoined the parlour maid, and she knew at once from her young mistress's authoritative tones that she had done wrong to admit the visitor. ' Pray tell Mrs Foxborough that it is nothing pressing, and that my time is hers,' exclaimed Cuderaore, boldly, as Ellen returned to leave the room. Very anjrry was Nid at the man's manner, but still he had got into the house, and must be treated. with some sort of courtesy. So he motioned him to a chair. ' If you knew, Miss Foxborough, how I have longed for this opportunity." 'Mamma, I'm sure, won't keep you waiting long,' replied Nid, with wilful misapprehension, albeit a little defiantly. ( It is you I want to speak to more than your mother,' he replied. Young women are not blind, and there is no need for me to tell you how passionately I love you." • You couldn't expect me to listen to such language at this time under any circumstances,' rejoined Nid, nervously. ' You seem to forget, sir, the affiictioa that overshaddows us, the gloom that hangs over the house.' ' I speak Nydia, because there is further misfortune threatening you. Your mother will lose the Syringa unless she listens to my counsel.' • Meaning,' cried Nid, springing to her feet wiih her cheeks aflame and her eyes ablaze, 'that my miserable self is the price you propose for such assistance.' • You're not in the least miserable ; on the contrary, you're devilish pretty,' he replied insolently, ' and never looked handsomer than you do this minute.' ' I'll not stay here to be insulted,' exclaimed Nid. ' Were my father alive you would never have dared to make that speech to me ; as it is you shall rue it bitterly.' • I've not heard of your father's death,' replied Cudemure, coarsely, as he placed himself between her and the door. ' But if yoa are threatening me with the vengeance of the red-haired admirer, I tell you I am not much alarmed.' 1 He's a man, sir,' cried Nid furiously, ' which you are not ! He's a gentleman, sir, which you are not ; and were he in the room you would be on your back on the floor this minute !' 4 Bah !' replied Cudemore contemptuously. 'Listen to me Nydia. Herbert Morant is a broken man. He has no money ; he never will have ; there are some men who have no faculty for making it ; he" is one. Marry me and you shall have carriages, diamonds, and all that woman's soul rejoices in.' ' Some women, perhaps," rejoined Nid, with a contempt bitter as his own. 'Go into the market, Mr Cudemore, and buy for your seraglio if you will, but never insult me again with what you are pleased to term your love. You don't even know the meaning of the word.' 'I understand it in my own manner,' laughed the money-lender, • and a more tempting- little morsel was never put before an epicure than you. Don't be ridiculous, child. Do you think your Sentimental idealism of that passion will long survive darning socks and cooking mutton chops for that red-headed calf in a second floor at Pimlico. I offer you again a good house, a French cook, and your milliner's bills shall be paid and not looked at. What is it you see in him to out balance this ?' Nid drew herself up to the full extent of her small stature, and then said, 'He is simply a gentleman, sir, which you neither are nor ever will be. He loves a woman, and doesn't propose to buy her. I've never been so insulted in my life. Let me pass.' 'Not without a kiss, my beauty,' cried the money-lender, his brutal nature stung to madness by her last speech ; and as he ppoke he caught the girl in his arms and impressed three or four passionate kisses on her cheeks. 1 You brute, you beast,' cried Nid, more vehement than lady-like in her language. Help, mother, where are you?' As she spoke the door opened, and Mrs Foxborough entered. ' How dare you, Mr Cudeirore," she cried, all aflame at the sigfht of Nid struggling in his ombrace. ' You coward to dare lay a hand on my child.' ' I apologise, ' replied the money-lender, as he released tho girl. My passion, I own, overcame conventionalities'. I apologise to you; I apologise to Miss Foxborough, though her attractions are enough bo turn any mana head. Skill, remember ia oxtcnuation, I have offered her mairiago and n-suporb establishment/ 'Which Imvo boon indigimutly rejected,' cried Nid, impetuously through her tears. ' I would hoouoi* oum my living by sweeping iloors than bo his wife. ' • Listen little lady. I've tried to win you by fair promisor Hiioh as men most dazzle women's oyoa with. Now hear the other side of the question. Marry me or out your mothor goos of tho Syringa the day tho forolosurn of tho mortgage oan be enforced.' 'And out sho will go,' rejoined Mrs Foxborough norooly, 'and reck little about it. In tho inoantimo I'll trouble you to leave this house and never set foot in it, nor lay hnnd on its kneoker again.' ' Good,' returned the money-lender in a low voico that trembled with passion. ' You are right, Mrs Foxboriujh, to turn from your door the one man who might perchance oleav jour husband's character,

You hold it in great esteem now, when you are a little more enlightened perhaps you may change your opinion.' 1 My poor husband, I have no doubt, I shall never see more/ replied Mrs Foxborough proudly, ' and you can hardly expect his wife and daughter to listen oarmly to insults to his memory. You hate already by your brutal insolence frightened this child to death,' continued Mrs Foxborough, clasping the excited and beautiful girl closer to her embrace. ' Leave the house this instant, or I shall call in the assistance of the police, and, mark me, I neither desire nor, will continue to manage the Syringa while it involves meeting you in this way.' ' I will spare you're invoking the assistance of the police,' replied Cudemore, brutally ; " they have had rather more than their fair share of surveillance of this house lately. You will regret your rude rejection of my offer before many weeks are over, believe me.' Mrs Foxborough's sole reply was a contemptuous motion to the door, and with an ironical bow Mr Cudemore took his departure. ' I couldn't have believed a man of education oould be such an utter brute," Bobbed Nid, who pluckly as she had been through the oontest, was now broken down completely. Again she passed her handerchief across her face and at last murmured, "Pah ! Mother darling, I must go and wash it, the stain of his filthy kisses is on my cheek still, and every one an insult— though, thank God, not treachery — to Herbert.' 'Go and lie down a bit, pet. You are a little upset, and no wonder, at such a trying scene. One word more, darling. I wouldn't say anything about it when I wrote to Herbert if I were you. It would only lead to unpleasantness for him, which I'm sure you don't want, and I'm quite able to take care you shall never bo so insulted again. Trust your mother sweet, and call in Herbert A'hen she fails you.' ' As if I didn't always, and as if she ever did fail me,' cried Nid impetuously, and having given Mrs Foxborough a hug, the girl ran off to her own room. ' Confound it,' muttered Mr Cudemore, '• I've made a pretty mess of things. I always do lose my head about a woman ; that child looked so pretty to-day and riled me so awfully I conldn't resist taking the sauciness out of her. Besides, who oould guess the little fool would mako such a fuss about a kiss. They don't usually so far as my experience goes.' Mr Cudemore'a experience had been gathered in a somewhat meretricious school were the prompt, audacious, and especially the weulthy lover was highly appreciated.