THE SMUGGLER'S CAPTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 294, 11 December 1896, Page 3

THE SMUGGLER'S CAPTIVE.

BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS.

Author of' Etnmett's Girl,' 'The Filibusters

of Venezuela,' etc.

CHAPTER IV.

THE DESMANS,

It is not a far cry from New York to the city of Utiea whßn the sv/ifb and luxurious train known as the Empire State Express makes the distance in four houra and twenty-five minutes.

Ufcica is a thriving and wealthy city, boasting of bread streets lined with splendid residences, well-kept lawns, playing fountains, and great overhanging trees that arch the streets and avenues.

In ono ot these line houses on Geneseestreet, the finest street of the city, lived James Danman and his daughter Alice.

Everything about the Denman place, from the low stone wall in front to the arbours in the rear, showed care and artistic taste. The house was large and roomy, furnished with aa elegance thab was in keeping: wish its proportions, and from the broad portice a view could he had a half mile northward toward the business portion of the city, and a mile to bhe south, out aloisg the boulevard that leads to the little suburb of New Hartford.

Jamas Detaman had for some years beea a widower, and the large establishment provided by his wealth wai presided over by his beautiful daughter Alice, of whom it i& UHnecuasary to say much in description, for her beauty and refinement have already been noted. For it was Alice Denman, the beautiful young heiress of the Utics manufacturer, who had been captured by Andreas and Bumpo VVigg, and whom Sinclair had attonipted to save, to his own undoing.

Since the death of Mrs Denmait, Alice had made frequent visits to Now York, where she was always a welcome guest in the house of her father's brother, Mr George Denman, who was a broker on Wall-street, New York, und who lived in astutely house on Madison Avonua.

George Detunan had married a widow, Mrs Clara Guodo, who had a sen some few years older than Aiictf, and there was a atioDg friendship between the young people that was fostered and nourished by Mrs Donman.

Cliarlea Goode was a good-looking young man, and while at home, under the cold eyes of George Dontnen, boro himself with v respectful demeanour. But in reality Charles was a sad young rake, and it was with the utmost difficulty that his mother kept tho news of his escapades from reaching her husband's oars. She paid hi* bills, and while she remonstrated vvifch him on hi* extravagances, s>)io did nob properly reprove him for his conduct, for Clara Uanman held to the opimioti tliab young people phould bo allowed to soa •he world.

And Charles saw it, if ever a young man did, and at twenty-three ho had crowded moro foolishness and vice into his idle life than generally come to men of evil habits and mature years.

It was the pet ambition of Clara Denman's life to see her Eon married to her husband's niece.

No bettor partner could bo found for the impecunious Charles than Alice, for ehe was beautiiul enousjh to i-ati?t'y his artistic tastesl, and would, upon her father's death, and probably bofore, bo wealthy enough 10 allow him ample means to enjoy himself.

So tho vagaries ntic i wickedness of Charles were carefully hidden from Alice, and sho looked upon him as a Itandpf.rae youii£ nan, of sterling moral ivorth, whom sho was (.'lad to huva as & friend, though as yet nothing had boon said ot any closer ties.

Mr James Penman's business frequently called him to Now York, but as ho was a very busy man, and gave little time or attention to social dutie3, he did not make his brother's house his headquarters, but generally stopped at tho Aator House, where ho wa3 in close touch with the men he cume to sco, thus enabling him to tret hi* bimueiis dono eoonor ttmn bo would otherwiso have done.

It was Mr Denmau's habit, when all his bluings was transacted, to make one visit to his brother's house, spending one evenins there, and then hurry home to attend to his many financial interests and to Aiice, in whom his heart and soul were centred.

It sometimes happened that Alice accompanied him to New York and rem'ii»ed behind with her uncle's family wheu faor father returned to Uiiea.

Or sho might precede him lo N>sw York, timing her departure so that her visit would be made, and she would be ready to accompany her father home when he came from his business trip.

A few weiska before the adventure related in tho previous chapter, Alice had loir, Utioa to make her uncle and aunt a visit, expee infj 10 return with her iatber when ho made his regular summer visit to New Yoi k.

iVli-8 Denman had resolved that this time matters between Alic*; and Charles should be bronghc to a satisfactory conclueian, and bent herself to make fehe giri's visis a happy one. And Charles quite outdid himself in entai -tuining her, And remained at home ao many ovgmnga that hi* oompiinion?i at, the club and less reputable places wondered if he wore dead. Among the pleasures of Mr* Denman was chopping. Si-.e was indefatigable in thoin(iufi ry of squandering herhusband'e money, and her hnraoß find victoria were do be seen at least three days in a week before some of the ItirgOHfc find most fashionable store.*. Ones day, during1 this lasf visib of Alice, she and Mia Donman were out shopping, this time it being the real thing, both wishing to buy eoine:hint; they lidded. As thoir carriage stopped at die curb betoro a large <uore, nnd they stepped acro«s tJio walk to the entrance, they were met by a large, handsome and overdressed woman, who came out of the door they were goinj; in. This woman shot a quick, admiring gliiHoe at Alice, bub the half t-milo on her ib.ee soon changed to a sneer when she saw tho face of Clara Donman, Jvlr.s Danman'a faco was white and set, an».< *he bit her lipa in evident annoyance. - ' How thafc woman stared at. me, Aunt Clara!1 Paid Alico. 'Such v flashy thing, DO'>.' 'You must not mind that, my dear,' rep'.irtri Mrs Denman. ' You nre too be-iutiful to pas-< unnoticed on she streets of New York.' Tho passing woman, when she could without; being seen by Alice or Mrs Denmau, turned and watched them until they had disappeared inside the store. 'So tha'u'a the heiress, is it;?' she said to herself. 'Luck seems fo hang to Clara Dentnnn'i* cloak. It will ba isnother feather i for her if fhe grots that girl for her son.' She swept across the n'siik, ontered a carriage that was waiting, and was driven away. 'My eyes!' said a young man who was walking up the avenue with an older man, ' what a atunrsor ! That's a woman for you. Do you know her?' The elder smiled. ' It would be difficult to find a man about town who did nob know Madame La Tour,' he said. • French, eh V said the younger,'

• Odlj' in name. I bolieveshe married a Frenchman by the namo of La Tour, but whether she did or not, the took the name, and no one in New York has ever seen mon3ieur. Dead, probably. She's American herself, and she's a bard one. You've been ab the House tliab Jack Built, have you not?1 1 No, nor do I know what you moan,' said the younger. ' I recall a nursery rhyme about a house that Jack built, but it is not included in my calling list.' 'You'd better nob include this one. Madame Lv Tour is the proprietress of the wickedest, most luxurious gambling house in New York City. Sbe owns the property, and at the time aho bought it she had a lover named Jack Dinbriar, who ruined himself trying to satisfy her expensive taste?. The house was called tha "House that Jack Built." I don't suppose there is anything in the lino of wickedness that is not done in Madame La Tour's resort, either under tha glare of the electric lights and full swall of the music, or in darkened rooms, the wails ef which never tell their secrets.1 The young man shuddered. ' Your Madame La Tour is nob a pleaßant woman when one hears of her. What a wretch she must be I 1 ' She i 3 called the wickedest woman in tho world,' paid the elder man, 'and so far as I know, *-he has ho rival for tho title.' Entirely oblivious of tho adverse comment her appearance had excited, Madame La Tour lolled back in her satin-lined carriage, her jewelled fingers clasped over the handle of a French parasol, the diamonds ab her throat and ears gleaming and glistening with kardly more lustre than was in her eyes. The carriage stopped before the door ©fa large mansion on First-street, and Madame La Tour alighted and entered the door. Whatever might be said of the inside of Madame La Tour'a house, the outside was as circumspect and modest) as one could wish. From the appearance, ib might be the residence of a quieb family of wealth and retired tastes, though the location was, perhaps, rather against this suggestion. Madame La Tonr passed through the broad hall, paying no attention to tka scenes within the adjoining roomi, and went straight to her own luxurious apartment, where she threw aside her carriage cloak, gloves and hat, with its waving ostrich plumes, and began pacing the room, evidently in deep thought, though the expression on her face wbb more of passion than of study. 1 So,' she muttered, clenching her plamp, bediamoned hands until the nails almost cut into the flesh. 'She rides ib over me again —the hypocrite ! Every time I meet her she makes me feel her scorn. And what is ehe any more than I ? She is worse, for I am no hypocrite ; and she will cell her soul for gold, and wear a saistliko smile in her husband's presence, as if bo evil ever entered the sacred products of her womanly soul. Bah ! Don't I know ? Who is sht that she should look upon me with scorn ? 1 could tell a few tales if I would. Oh, how I hate her. Oh, if I could but cub her to the heart, humbe her pride, ruin her ambition! With what; pleasure would 1 see her grovelling ab my feet for mercy ! Mercy? ha, ha ! I would give her mercy aa pha now givea me love. Scorn for scorn, hate for hate ! My motto—-vos, my motto. What can Ido to S.nrt her—the wretch ? Ah !'

Madame La Tour's face turned pale, and she pausod in-Uor walk and clutched aI) her dreoc, ao great was her emotion, ecstasy, surprise or whatever it might) be, bhat had come with her sudden thought.

' The very thing: I' Bn<s ea'd- ' Clara DonKian's entire ambition—her soul, hor life—ia hanging upan tho marriago of her son to that beauty and heiress from Utica Money for m& : diaappointmewt and sorrow for her. And I need a new attraction now. Tho very thing. And Andreas is the boy to do it for me. Dear Andreas ! I wonder how 1 would have survived the loneliness of Ufa bad Andreas not loTed me? Yes!' and Madame La Tour's face became purple with rage, and ?ke shook her tisfc at; an imaginary enemy—' Yes ! Clara Danman, the scorned one is lorod, awd lovos ! Ib is sob for the hypocrite to havo all the pleasures of life. You may think yourself happy ia the love of your deluded husband, but bbink of the sleepless nights you have spenb trying to think of ways to blind his eyea—to kaep from him all knowledge of your own indiscretions and tho fine doings of your lovely eon. But lam loved by a man who knows roe—knowa all—and who loves me. That is love ! IV hen lama wife, perhaps I will not bo the object of your scorn. Bun I \ I'll always be what 1 am, wife or ho wife. Men must be amused. As long as there is wealth in New York to bo squandered in pleasures, gambling, opium-smoking, the dance, etc., etc.—why should I not; have my .share of it ? Madams La Tour «r Madame Wigtr, ib will bo the Bame. I shall alway* be the wickadest woman ia the world, except—Clera Denman.' The manologue was interrupted by a knock at the door. ' Come in,' said Madame La Tour. The door opened, and a black servant entered with a tray, upon which lay a card. 1 A visitor for Madame,' ke said. She carelessly took the card, looked at it, and smiled. 1 How opportune !' she murmured. Then, to the servant: ' Tell him to come up,' A heavy step sounded on tho stairs, and Andreas Wigg entered the room. • I wanted you,' said. Madame La Tour. She stood in the centre of the room, a spiendid creature, with her panting bosom, glistening jewels, flashing eyee, and skin of velvet, not yet ruined by rouge. An enraged tigress—a heathen goddess. Anything that id beautiful and bad, she looked and wat1. 4 Ada, my darling,' said Andreas Wigg, stepping quickly to her and kissing her. ' Am I your darling V she asked, fondling him. ' Can you doubbit? Why do you ask?' he answered. * Because 1 waat you to prove it.' ' Have I not proven it matsy times, my untamed one?' asked Andreas. ' Once more! Onca more 1' eha said, half hissing the words. 'What do you want now? A diamond necklace, a new span for your carriage, a new gown ? ftama it. It is yours/ ' None of these,' she said. • I want a girl stolen from her friends.' ' What', another so soon?' ' There is a girl now stopping with George Denman, on Madison Avenua. [ Her father ia J&raes Denman, of Utica, I and may bo expected to visiß New York oh busmess very soon. That, in his habit. v Ib may help you. If you love me, bring me that girl.' 1 And why that one, star of my life?' Madame La Tour laughed. ' Because, she said, * she is wonderfully beautiful, young and innocent, She will be a valuable attraction. Bub there ia another reason. By putting her where I will put her, I will hurt the woman I hate taoit in the world.' ' Alt, and who is the woman you hate so devilishly, my beautiful tigress?' 'My sister, (Jiara Denman, who scorns me because f atn net a hypocrite like her.' 'Oh,' paid Andreas Wigg, gmiling. ' Well, you shall have the girl.' {Ib be Continued.)