LAWYER BELL FROM BOSTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 16, 19 January 1894, Page 3

LAWYER BELL FROM BOSTON.

BY A CELEBRATED AUTHOR

BOOK 111

THE MEETING IN THE CATACOMBS,

CHAPTER XXll.—(Coxtixcjed.)

Bell hurries in search of his sister, and

finds her on one of the balconies, with tbe Honorable Augustus Playfair. Au'gastus looks disturbed.

' Awful surprise, bell —really,' he drawls, ' Lady Glaradale is gone. >Just driving to the station. Going to Naples. Her maid follows to - morrow. Beastly nuisance, leaving Miss Bell without a maid.'

' Naples !' criea Bell. 'Yes ; to see Sir Jerome Elliston'a niece, Scandal in the family. Sir Jerome has discarded his niece because her brother robbed him—they say. Really, it is too sudden, Bell. It's the fault of her cousin, Captain Elliston. He's looking for you.'

The Honorable Augustus strokes his moustache languidly, and Lawyer Bell ejaculates :

' Ha ?' Then he says quickly to Playfair : ' Pardon me, Playfair, I wish bo speak to my sister.'

'Certainly.' The Honorable Augustus leaves the balcony. He is not a bad sort of fellow at heart, and Bell likes him upon closer acquaintance. He cannot help being short of brains, energy and money. He was born to it. ' Evie, I have kicked Iddy Jones out,' cays Mr Bell. 1 Oh, Jack !' ' It's truth. The scoundrel has been stealing our letters. 77c stole the packet, and also a letter to me from Gerald. 1 fancy Gerald is coming to England, and wrote to me appointing a place of meeting. Instead of meeting me, be will mccc a detective.'

Evelyn screams. 1 There, don't do that! I mupt set to work. Tell dad nothing! Depend upon me ; I will set things right.' Bell speaks with energy, but bis voice falters a little. Hs is. in an ocean of difficulties. ' I must go now. Captain Rupert Elliston has been waiting for me, it appear?, for gomo time He may have news.' He starts away, but comes back. ' Evio, what do you think ?~Ludy Claradale has declared her lovo tor me.' ' Never !' Miss Bell stares, aghast. ' She has.' • And you declined her? Horrible.' 'Well, what do you think: Then she flared up and .called me name 3. 1 believe father has been playing the clown, and I shall have a bad quarter of an hour with him. I wonder what he will cay whon he knows his pet has gone.' ' You didn't hurt Iddy, did you ?'

4 Nob much. Only threw him down stair*, after smacking him as babies aTe smacked.'

Bell bnlts away, and leaves his sister in a very doubtful frame of mind. She understands why Lady Claradale has run away in such a hurry—why she has seized upon the first pretext for leaving thorn, without even saying good-bye to Mr Bell, junior.

Captain Uupert is in the smoking-room, and looks worried, but a smiie of relief oversproads his face, when the vigorous American strides toward him.

'I've been here three solid hours,' says the captain. ' and want to have a long talk with you, Bell. You got Vallerio's noto all rierhtY

' Yes, and I am clad that you are here. I wanb to talk to you. What's the time? Seven o'clock," (consulting his Match.) 'I forgot all about dinner ! But no matter ! Let's to business ! I'm in a devil of a mess !'

•So am 1. The governor is mad !' Captain Rupert looks furtively at Bell, thon goes on: 'I can't afiord to quarrel with anybody, Bell, and you most of all, but curse me, if I sha'n't, unless you show me that you are on the square with Valeric! I'm not much good, 1 know, but I'll die for her !'

TheAmericanglancel? at him quickly to see if he has been indulging. No! He is sober earnest, and Bell grasps his hand.

' Eiliston, I can forgivo you anything for that speech,' he says. 'There is a lot of good in you ! Now, what is the matter? I hear that you have sent Lady Claradale aftor Valeric. What does that mean when she begged for secrecy ?' 11 knew you were right, Bell—l knew it !' cries Captain Rupert. ' I am a weak, wicked brute, myself, but I know when I meet a man !' He almost sobs. He fumbles in his pocket, and brings forth a letter, which he hands lo Bell. 'I got this from her—from Valeric—today,' he says. • Read it, and then, you will understand.' Bell reads, an'! Ms face is a study. 1 Dear Cousin import,—lam so unhappy. I wish 1 had not left Rome after all. i)o not fail to let me know of your movements becaueo I must write to you. I shall not stay here long, it is so hard to nuree one's misery before people who wish to be sympathetic. 1 trusted Lawyer Bell—God help me ! I loved him, Rupert, and he has proved himself to be false, and cruel. My heart is breaking. Write to me, Rupert. Your unfortunate cousin, Valeric Elliston*.'

Mr Bell wonders if he is the plaything of ten thousand mischievous demons. He jumps half across the room, shakes his list in the air, and defies the whole world. Bub there is small consolation in this. Is he going mad, or is everybody else already mad ? What can Valeric mean ? He hao been called a cur, a coward, a dog, a bully ! He doesn't care a rap about this ! He has been called false ! False ! by the woman he adores. Metaphorically, he is crushed, limp, lifeless. 1 Eiliston !' he whispers,1 * fetch mo a drop of brandy, will you ?' Captain Rupert summons a waiter promptly. He is alarmed by Bell's wild aspect. The brandy is supplied, and the American gulps down a copious draught. He never remembers drinking so much Cognac before, but it warms his blood—it fires his brain.

' Thank you, Elliston,' he says, presently. ' The weakness following a long illness has nob quite left me, I find. My head reeled dizzily, but it is all right now. This letter has quite unmanned me coming on top of so many ouher difficulties. I can only say that it is a wretched mistake. By heaven, if I only knew who is responsible for this misery. 1 would have tio mercy upon the person, man or woman,' He glances at his watch, and setiing that it is forty-five minutes past seven he remembers his appointment with Monsieur Carnot. The potent spirit has entered his brain, and he is reckless enough, for anything now.

' For the moment, EUiston,1 ho begins, rapidly, 'we must lot this matter lio, terrible though it be. I will wribe>to Valeric in a little while. I will run over to Naples. I will find out the demon who is trying to undermine our happiness. I have wanted to .see you all day. I urn mixed uDin what threateus to bo an ugly piece of scandal.'

' I have heard something of it,' confesses the captain.

Bell looks nt him in astonishment.

' One of the guests here, a friend of yoius, told ma iv the presence oi Lady

Claradale. He introduced himself as a close friend of tny father's. Hoskina he calls himself. A New York sport. This is one reason why I half doubted you, a fow minutes since.'

' And Lady Claradale has heard this?' groans tho lawyer. A spasm ot pain crosses his face. Lady Glaradale will be ia Naplos that very night 1 He strides furiously up and down the room half a dozen times ; then stops short, and once more looks at hia watch.. Ibis near eight o'clock. ■ ' The Spaniard accused me of writing love nonsense to his tvifo. It is a lie. He slapped my face and I knocked him down. My knuckles have blackened both his eyes, 1 hear. He now wants to tight; a duel, or force me to apologise. I shall not apologise, and I don't want bo tight a duel, but 1 am mad enough even for that now.1 ' It is his duty to apologise to you,' Captain Rupert declaroe. ' Leave the affair to me, old fellow. I have pulled off a score of duels in my time.' ' His representative will be in my aparb-, merits ac eight.' 'It is nearly eight now. Can you fence ?' • No, but, I can shoot!' There is madness in Bell's eyes. • I can split a bulleb nine times out of ten on, the blade of a knife at twenty paces 1' •Capital!' The captain speaks gleefully. ' I will make him back down if you care to trust mo to represent you.' ' I do, unreservedly. You are a soldier. You know something of these matters.' Captain Rupert assumes a busineßß-like air at once. He is a strange mixture of cowardice and bravery. He has no moral courage, bub personally would cheerfully face death in any fashion. ' I will do my best bo make the Spaniard cab his words,' he says, «vith confidence. 'If I can prevent a fight, I will—for Valerie's sake. She loves you !'

Bell blesses him for these words. ' And my honour is just as precious for Valerie's sake,' he says, fiercely. They leave the smoking-room, and the American is conscious that he is being watched by many eyes. The men he meets look at him curiously — amusedly; the women admire but shrink from him. The scandal is out. He is more determined than ever to prove his innoceuce. As the docks strike the hour of eight Monsieur Carnob knocks at his door, and Captain Rupert opens it to him. The Frenchman bows. His quick eyes noto the young man's military figure. The walk, the posture, the trimming of hair and moustache betray the soldier. The Frenchman is pleased. He rubs hie hands. This means business !

Captain Rupert has all the Englishman's prejudice and contempt for foreigners. An Englishman calls every man who.is not an American, or an Australian, a foreigner, aud tolerates them accordingly. '1 think we are waiting for you, 1 he saya, bluntly. ' Your name is Carnot ?' • Monsieur is right. You represent Monsieur Bell?' ' Yes, come in.' All smiles and bows, the Frenchman obeys and takes a seat. There is to be, blood after all. He knows that these Americans and English are as stupid as bulls. Mr Bell goes to the other side of the room and glares defiance. He is thinking of Valerie's horror when she heara of this new charge against him. He in thinking of the curious faces he has just) passed in the room below—of the annoyance to his parents and sister. Of the universal ccntenipt that will be showered upon him unless ho vindicates his honour ! Captain Rupert looks at him, and takes his cue. ' You act for the Spaniard V he demands. ' 1 represent Senor Alphonso Velazquez, is the response. ' These English are prigs,' he thinks. 'Ah !' continues Captain Rupert. | Well, what are you going to do? My principal has been insulted, and wants the ugly charge made against him retracted. He will prove that his handwriting is nothing like fcbat in the letter.'

Monsieur Carnot shrugs his shoulders. That is none of his business. It is not the letter that is now in question, Ie is the assault upon Velazquez. Sonor Velazquez demands on apology, or ' lie shrugs his shoulders again, and Ca. 'tin Rupert adds : •FiShb! 1

' Out, monsieur!' • Very well. We shall use pistols, and bore your man through the head first shot.' The Frenchman smiles. He is glad to hear it. Ho says that his principal is on© of the lirst duelists in Spain. 1 All right. This is his last fight. See me to-morrow at noon to arrange time and place.' Monsieur Carnot is satisfied, and withdraws. He is in high glee, tie feels that> he lias conducted the matter ably.

Bell looks after him gloomily. The dye is cast. It is not a nice feeling to have to shoot a fellow-creature, and he resolves to merely wound his adversary. Ho will not kill him. It is too horrible. - Then he thinks of himself, of Valeric Eiliston, his parents, and his sister. Some way he does not fear the pistol of Senor Velazquez. He is only a Spaniard. He is ah! »ld man, too, and his hand will -not be steady. 'Not a word of this to a living soul,' be cays to Captain Rupert. 'In the event of an accident, I shall put my papers in order to-morrow. If I can trust you, Elliston, I shall place a great obligation upon your shoulders. It is your duty io undertake it.'

Elliston looks at him curiously. ' You shall know all to-morrow !' Bell' speaks significantly. ' And it rests with you to undo a terrible wrong to the liinng.' The captain looks put into the night, and gnaws his moustache. Shall he make his confession ? Not yet—not until after the duel. The knowledge of his perfidy, his cowardice, might unnerve the American.

Captain Rupert returns to his hotel and hears the abuses of his father with indifference. He tells him that Valeric is at Naples, and that it is his own fault. Mr Bell has had nothing to do with her ilight. He is still at the Hotel La Spagnia. This consoles the admiral in a measure, and he curves his own mad temper. He knows that Valeric is in good hands, and telegraphs to Lady Somera. The reply is satisfactory. The captain assures him that all will be well some day. He snarls ferociously ab his son, and is conscious that the young man is no lont>er afraid of him. Be is further subjugated when Rupert paye a long over-due hotel bill, amounting to a formidable sum. He has been afraid that his stay at the Piazza Llnghilfcerra would be indefinite, for he has sickened all who have hitherto ecnt himmonev.

( Jo be Continued.)