MR DRUMMOND'S SECRET.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2683, 21 September 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

MR DRUMMOND'S SECRET.

CHAPTER I. The Reader is Introduced to the Drummond Family. Mr and Mrs Drummond were a family of good standing in Dublin. They lived in the snburbs in a handsome bouse and had resided there for 15 years previous to the beginning of this story. Where they had lived before or why they came to Dublin was cjuite unknown to the neighbours. They were evidently well off in this world's goods; kept their servants and their carriage, went to church regularly, subscribed liberally to the charities nud promptly paid their debts. When asked where they had resided before, Mr Drummond would reply " in the North," and did not volunteer any information on the subject, but rather seemed to avoid it ; so the curious had to be satisfied with that vague reply, " in the North." Whether it was " North America," " North Wales," or the "North Pole, 1 ' they could never make up their minds, though the Irishmen know by Mr Drumtnond's accent he was a son of Erin, others thought he had a touch of the American about him. Be that as it may, the family were respected by all who knew them. Mr Drummond was a fine handsome man of about 45 or so, full of fim and good humour, and one of the most easy men going. His wife was a bright-eyed woman, with a kind face, but a little haughty looking when in repose, and she seemed to have more pride in her than her husband. There were two daughters, Kathleen and Bertha. The former was five years older than her sister Bertha, who was just eighteen. Kathleen was tall and dark, like her mother, and rather good-looking, had it not been for the haughty expression she generally wore (in that respect she was like her mother, too, only "more so"), which marred the softness of her face ; but when she sn.iled then was the time to see her. She was charming, and people said if Miss Druinmond would always wear a smiling face she would be the handsomest woman in Dublin. Bertha was a complete contrast to Kathleen ; she was a bright, merry girl, full of fun and mischief, of medium height, brown curly hair and grey eyes—real Irish eyes, not a bit like either Mr or Mrs Drummond, or Kathleen, and people wondered to see a girl so utterly unlike her parents—not the faintest resemblance to either could be discovered —but be that as it may, she was a dear, bright-eyed little fairy, the sunshine of the house, and by far the more taking of the two. Kathleen was .staid and grave for her years, proud and self-possessed; the gentlemen were rather afraid of her, with her haughty u übnnding manner, and predicted that it would be a brave man who would have her, and that if she ever was a wife her husband must not look at another woman. Such was the gentlemen's opinion of Miss Drummond, but they were mistaken for once in their verdict, for proud, haughty Kathleen gave her love unsought and unasked. Poor Kathleen, thy pride may keep tbeo up for a time, but it cannot stand to thee long when thy heart is sore! One day, late in the afternoon, Kathleen was seated in the drawingroom, intent on some fancy work, when merry little Bertha came skipping into the room and cried, " Come, Kathleen, come, not gone to adorn yourself yet— don't you remember that Mr O'Connor, the clever young lawyer, is coming to dinner to night."

" Yes, I know ho is coming ; but what of that, we often see strangers; but, as to my adorning myself," rtio added boldly, " I assuro you I shall do no such thing."

" Oh ! there you are on your hiah horse, KuU.y," said Bortha, (,'nily. "'Well, if you won't adorn yourself for him, do so for mo. I lovo to see you looking beautiful."

Kathleen's face relaxed as she looked at hir sifter and said, "if it is to please you, Sis, I will wear anything , you like."

"I rue for you, Mavoorneen," Raid Bertha, putting on a brogti". "Como with mo honey," as she linked her p.r.n ia Kathleen's and marched lien , upstairs. Kathleen was more uubcndiiig to this littlo sister than to anyone else in tlio house, and as for Bortha she thought no 0110 was bo good or so handsome as her stately sister, and she could not imagine how it was that all tho jfinl.lomcn were not in love with her. " I nm sure I should fall in lovo with her, ,, she thought, "if I was a man." While thus thinking blio was busy rummaging over Kathleen's wardrobe in soarr.li of a dress to please Imr. "Oh ! liore wo are," she exclaimed aloud, "this black luce looped up with red roses ; you look lovely in it."

Kathleen laughed and said, " what nonsense you talk Bertha, if I wear black will you wear that white dress you had on the other night, it was so becoming to you—"

''Was it," said Bertha, "Then I will wear it, it's a comfort to think anything is becoming to me (with a little sigh), I always feel in tho shade when you are by."

" What rubbish you talk, Bortha, your eyes are blinded about me."

" No, indeed, it's truth I'm telling you Katy, but my ! won't this handsome young lawyer be enamoured with you

;o-iiiglit."

"Not very likely," said Kathleen, drily, " gentlemen don't get enamoured with me so easily as you imagine any more than I do with them, and this Mr O'Connor is not likely to prove an exception to the rule. He is much more likely to fall in love with you than with me, Bertha/'

"Then it won't saymneh for his taste,"

declared Bertha complacently,as she gave a few finishing touches to her own toilette,

(i it's to be hoped he won't fall in love with us both, for that would bo awkward, reminding one of the old rhyme.

" How happy could I be with either."

"were t'other, dear eharmer, away; but no, indeed, Katty, 1 have no chance while you arc by," said Bertha, gaily, bowing before her sister with mock solemnity. "Mr O'Connor will say tonight when he goes to bed, "I came, I saw, I was conquered ; the beautiful Kathleen lias stolon my heart," and you will find to night you have lo<t yours."

" Don't be so ridiculous, Bertha," said Kathleen, laughing in spite of herself, " I never saw a man yot that was worth a second thought."

" Then you'll sec one to-night." I have quite nude up my mind to have Mr O'Connor for a brother-in-law. Come, Kathleen, and meet thy fate, thy destiny, prophetic weds, said in jest. The merry girl little thought how true her words would come, as she- took her sister's arm, and they descended tho stairs together.

" Come '. my girls you aro late," said Mr Drunimoud, " I am expecting O'Connor every moment. I thought he would have been here before you came down."

" It's a good thing for me he has not, though," said Bertha, for the contrast between us would have been so great (Bertha wag always making these little derogatory remarks about herself, half in fun and have in lament). " Comparisons are odious," said Mrs Drummond, smiling, "you both look very nice." " Thank you Mamma," said Bertha, bowing low. " Is my little girl bent on a conquest to-uight that she is done up in all this finery " said her father, touching the dress.

"No papa, I put this on to please Katty. Conquest indeed ! 1 have no hopes of that until you got her oil your handsfwith a deep sigh), but oh dear ! I wish he'd come, I'm dying so see him, aren't you Kathleen,"

" Not particularly " said Kathleen who had been quietly seated at the table reading, while the foregoing conversation had been going on. " Well I do " said Bertha, "for what between the want of my dinner and my desire to see this young lawyer, I'm fairly beside myself " as Paddy would say." " I shouldn't trouble so much about him if I were you Bertha," said Kathleen drily " I am sure he is not worth so much euriousity—but there," she continued as the bell rang, " Yon wont have to wait much longer.' , "Or you either, mavourncen" said Bertha in a low tone as she slipped behind her sister, "look up Katty, look up, and meet thy fate." "Bertha," said Kathleen, frowning round at her sister; "do hold your tongue," for Mr O'Connor was entering the room.

When her father introduced him to Mrs Drummond, and then turned to Kathleen, who stood with her haughtiest expression on her face, being annoyed at Bertha's fun, she coldly bowed, and did not vouchsafe Mr O'Connor a second glance, and ho thought mentally, " what a handsome, ill-tempered girl." Then Rcrtha came forward with a demure face, and was duly introduced. Mr O'Connor turned to her with infinite relief, and thought " what a pretty little srirl ; can it be possible than those two are sisters? if so, I never saw two more unlike." After a few casual remarks about the weather (what would people do if they had not the weather to converse about?) dinner was announced, and while the family are partaking of it I must tell the reader something about the guest, CHAPTER 11. LAURENCE FITZGEKALD O'Co.WNOR. Laurence, or Larry, as he was commonly called, resided in Dublin with his mother, who was a widow. He was the youngest living of a family of seven. Three brothers and three sisters were born and had died before Larry came into this world. They had all been puny, delicate children, and none had lived over two years aud then only by the greatest care that their fond mother bestowed on them. When Larry was born he was pronounced by the nurse to be a " broth of a boy." A fat, healthy little chap, born to live a 100 years, the nurse would say. Well, the new baby evidently had no intention of pining away and dying like his brothers and sisters had done, for at ',', months old he had kept up his reputation for being "a broth of a boy," and the quantity of milk he drank a day was astounding, but I am afraid he was a greedy boy. He had to have a cow of his own ; a real merry one was procured for him, and always went by ths name of Master .Larry's cow. Now, no sooner would this greedy young Larry take a good drink of the merry cow's milk than up it would all come again the way it went down, and too often to the detriment of his mother's silk dress and papa's black coat, but much young Larry cared indeed for mamma's dress or papa's coat. Then he had a fashion of clutching hold of his father's whiskers with his two chubby liauds, and making frantic efforts to cat ii is nose, thus making his father believe he was starving. "I don't believe you half feed this child, Biddy," he said to the nurse one day when little

Lirry was more than usually voracious over his parents nasal organ. " Indade thin, sir, does he look like being starved, it's meself that has given him four quartz of the merry cow's milk this blessed day. I never seed such a child to drink milk as Master Larry is, no, not in all me barn days. Starved, indade, if it's starring the child ye think I am, ye better git another nurse, sir." " Oh, no, Biddy," said Mr O'Connor, hastily, seeing Biddy was a little offended. "Of course, you, know better than I do what's good for the boy." Well, young Larry grew and thrived, and at twelve months old a second Kerry cow had to be procured for him—so much for his babyhood. When he was 14 years old his father .suddenly died of heart disease. I'oor Mrs O'Connor was almost

heartbroken, at the sudden loss of hei

husband, but Larry was a good son, am did a great deal to comfort his mother ii

those first dark days of her widowhood and when Mr O'Connor's alFairs were set

tied up the widow had a much smallei allowance to live on than she expected,

However, like a sensible woman, instead of repining over the inevitable, she at onco set to work to reduce her expenditure by taking a less expensive hoiiso, etc., so as to save all tho money she could for finishing her son's education. By dint of strict economy she was able to do this, and when Larry was old enough, sent him to Trinity College. He had always a desire to he a lawyer, like his famous ancestor, the " renowned Dan O'Connor," of whom ho held an exalted opinion. Larry passed successfully through his examinations, and at the time of our story had been practising at his profession some three years, and had got a tolerably good stand for tho timfi. His mother was very proud of her son, and he, onliis part, was making up to her for her self-denial in his youth. He was a fine handsome young fellow, and a general favourite, especially among the fair sex. Mr Drummond first met him in connection with some business, and had gradually got better acquainted with him, but neither Mrs Drummond or her daughters had met him, so one day Mr Drummond had asked him to como and dine, and a favourable impression be made on all the family even Kathleen who rarely was heard to extol any man, admitted that he was above the ordinary run of men. This was all the satisfaction Bertha could get out of her sister that night after Larry had left, to her repeated enquiries of " What do you think of him?— fs he not handsome?" etc, but to Kathleen's undemonstrative nature, he was only an agreeable man who tried to make himself pleasant to everyone he met. However

time went on, and the Drninmonds and O'Connors became great friends, The

hdies had duly called on each other, and been invited to dine at each other's houses until they had become firm friends. Larry spent a g00 , .! i>10.113 , of his evenings at the Drunimoiid'.-,, till it neciiine whispered abroad that Larry was after one of the Miss Drumtnonds, but which one no one could tell. He divided his attentions so equally between them ; if ho frought Ivithlfien a bouquet of choice flowers, or a ticket for the opera or a concert, he brought the same for Bertha, His affable manner had quite broken down Kathleen's haughtiness, and sho would talk and laugh with Larry with as much ease as with Bertha. Time went on, and still Larry gave no sign whom he was coming to see, or whether he was coming to see either, Iu the meantime Kathleen had been falling deeply in love with him, though he had never given her a sign that he cared for her more than he did for Bertha. Perhaps it was that Bertha was always declaring to her sister that he came to sae her and her alone. "He only puts up with me because I am your sister, so he has to be polite yon know. ,. As for Bsrtha, she was fond of him in a sisterly way, accepting all his attentions in a most unconcerned manner, thinking no more about him than she did of any ordinary acquaintance that she liked.

" My dear," said Mrs Drummond to her husband, "don't you wonder whyMr O'Connor comes here so often."

" No, really does he," said Mr Druminonil looking up from his newspaper.

" Why, he has been here four times this week already."

" Bless my heart, so he has. Well, my dear, I suppose he likes us or he would not come so often, and I am saro we all like him."

" Yes, yes," answered his wife, " but I sometimes think he has a fancy for Bertl.a, but he is so attentive to both of them that I sometimes think it is Kathleen."

"Don't trouble your head about the matter, my dear. If Larry wants either of them he'll not bo backward in asking I'll be bound, and if it comes to that there is no one I know I'd sooner let have one of them, ' said Mr Drummond.

" Nor I either," said Mrs Drummond, heartily.

"He's a clever young fellow," continued Mr Drummond, " and will make his mark in the world. Yes, if I'm not mistaken, it would have done your heart good to have heard him conduct that case in court yesterday. I went on purpose to hear him plead." " Yes, his mother was telling me that he was very busy working up a case ; she hoped he would gain it, as it would add to His reputation if he did, but I have not heard the result."

''Oh, he gained it, cleverly too, he knocked the opposing lawyer's arguments into a coclied hat."

"I am glad of that," said Mrs Drntnmond, ''for Mrs O'Connor's sake ; she will be proud of her son." '■ He's a good son to her I believe," said Mr Drunimond, " but no more than he ought to bi\ Mr Clifford was telling me List week that when Larry's father died there wa3 not much money left for his widow, and that she at once gave up her line house and all the luxuries she had been ai; ustomed to, and saved every way she could so as to complete her son's education."

" Well, if that's the case. I should rejoice to hear of Mr O'Connor gettina on aiid being able to give his mother back in her old age those luxuries she gave up for him."

"If he keeps on like he is going I think be will soon be able to do that," said Mr Drum mo ml.

Mr O'Connor's practice began to increase as lie became more known. Those that had any dealings with him spoke highly of his quickness, his sense of honour, and about his reasonable charges ; qualities sometimes lamentably conspicuous by their absence among the fraternity to which Mr O'Connor belonged.

(To be continued.)