CHAPTER XII.
Clutha Leader, Rōrahi XVII, Putanga 841, 29 Hereturikōkā 1890, Page 7
Mō tēnei niupepa
CHAPTER XII.
When Mr Clayton learned from his daughter of Frank Holmes having been thc.ro and of the efforts ho was making in Faune's behalf, he was touched by the young man's generosity. This was greater than ha knew, but he knew enough to appreciate. ii... It somewhat altered, however, an opinion he had half formed — which events had forced upon him — that Holmes.was himself in love ' with Mary. Mr Clayton had never had a firm opinion as to this ; for
if Holmes were a lover, why did he suffer "himself to " be""cut'out~ by .Faune when the fipld was open to him 1 It indeed seemed on the %hole, .to . the banker, that as regarded his daughter and Frank Holmes —who had both had ample opportunity ,of : knowing each other's sentiments before Faune came upon the seene — there was a failure of love on one side or the other, or both. Faune's success seemed to "have been easily won ;! and if Holmes loved Mary, he would hardly be so zealous a defender of his rival now.
And this brought Mr Clayton to consider the situation that would arise in the event of Faune being acquitted. It occurred to him this evening to mention it to his daughter, because that telegram from Holmes stating that the mooting with"' M ' hi the Park had no reference to the murder, had inclined him to a more favorable view of the prisoner's case. When he told his daughter about this matter, he found that she had already heard of it, and learned from her the important deduction which Frank Holmes had indicated — namely, the explanation of Fauno's leaving Cadogan Place so early. :
' That is very important, Mary ; it takos away one of the most sorious links in. the case against him. . I am beginning to fc'oel that he has heen the victim of very unfortunate, appearances 3
' I hope so, papa,' she replied, without seeming to share his confidence.
'In tho case of his acquittal, Mary, of course a good deal of reparation will be due to him '
Mary Clayton said nothing, and in truth her father found it difficult to get at his position. Assuming Faune Lo be acquitted no stain could bo presumed to remain on his character on account of the awful charge. Should he not be entitled, then, to resume his former social position and to receive the warm congratulations of his friends 1 Only one thing barred — this was the matter of the cheque Mr Clayton as yet knew only a part of that transaction, enough, however, to cast a deep shadow on Faune's. "honor. But, unconsciously, ho was still under the influence of the young fellow's manners, and if his daughter's wish was to resume former relations the banker's sense of reparation duo to the unjustly accused man would probably cover over the transgression of the cheque, and — assuming Claude Faune to be proved guiltless, and to have no worse offence against him than the affair of the cheque which might be open to mitigating explanation — Mr Clayton in his present frame of mind saw no reason why former relations should not be resumed, if his child's affections were at stakes.
Ho shrank, however, as yet from approaching that subject with- her ; there was not sulliciout certainty. lie half resolved it would be advisable to consult Frank Holmes iirst. Poor Frank >
When his daughter came to say goodnight to him Mr Clayton was startled by her looks. 'My child,' he said, caressing her hand, ' you are making yourself ill. Have courage ; all will be well in time. Why do you not go out fora while every clay 3 Shall .1 take you for a drive to-morrow V
' Thank you papa. No ', I will not take you from your business. Perhaps I may go by myself.'
' Shall I send Frank Holmes to tako you out ?' he asked, after a pause.
' If he can spare time, papa, I shall be glad,' she answered ; aud Mr Clayton promised to ask him.
(To be Continued.)
