DOCTOR AVERILL'S SECRET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 76, 2 April 1897, Page 3

DOCTOR AVERILL'S SECRET.

#? BERTEA M, CLAY.

Autshor of • One Woman's Sin,"Tbo Burden of a Secret,' 'Love in a Mask,' •The Woman Between Thorn,' 1 Lord Lyone's Choice,' Etc., Etc., Ebo. CHAPTER IV. LORD SODTHCOME'S PET SCHEME. Haroourt hardly knew whether to feel gratified or not by Doctor Averill'a unexpectad change of front. It was inexplicable ; and he regretted that, while the doctor was in so good a humour, he had nob asked to be shown over the somewhat extensive grounds thab surrounded the gloomy old mansion.

The events of the preceding night seemed like a dream, bub Miaa O'Connor's mournful soog still rang in his ears. He still heard her sweet voice, with its notes of real terror, her wild appeal for help, and trembling tears. He remembered hia own promise, and be felb like a traitor toward the man whose hand he had jußt pressed, whose bread he had been eating.

' One or the other is in the wrong,' he reflected, 'and I am bound to keep my word to Miae O'Connor. Why did she nob contrive to meet me somewhere ? She spoke of such a thing as an utter impossibility, and yeti she was flitting aboub the garden. And then am I supposed to reach the window of her sleeping chamber like a thief in the night? If ehe wishes to leave Doctor Avorill'a house, ib appears to me that the daytime offers the best opportunity. She spoke of being a prisoner—' He broke of reflectively, and passed his hand wearily over his throbbing temples.

'1 will think ib all over to-morrow,' he concluded. ' My brain is in a perfect whirl. 1

Arrived at the railway station, be Bent off a telegram to bis uncle as follows :

* Shall reach Southcome ten-thirty. Pleaße send carriage. Harcourt.'

' This will bo a surprise and a relief to his lordedip,' Dudley reflected, ' and i muab bo prepared for a little of hie cold displeasure. This comes of being the poor relative of a rich nobleman who dangles bis wealth before one's eyes with a be-a-good-boy sort of air and this shall be yours. Well, I've had my nose to the grindstone long enough and made so precious little by it that I can afford to pub up with a fow of my lord's eccentricities. Hia money is his own absolutely, and I've no notion of a barren citle. So long as I can retain my self-respect I am agreeable to pander to the foibles of Lord Southcome.' Id was twenty minutes past ten when the train showed into Southcome station, and Dudley Harcourt stepped to the platform. There was no one to meet him, and he remembered that) his telegram could ha ye hardly reached Southcome Park yet, bo he resolved to sit down in the waitingroom. He did nob feel capable of further exertion. It was nearly eleven when bia uncle's carriage dashed • up. The horses were pleamiDg, and their bits were white with foam. A tall, orisLOcratic gentleman alighted quickly. His lips were tightly compressed, and a frown contracted his* browe. His short moustache bristled ; his head was thrown haughtily bnck. Despite his sixty years, bis etepwas iirtn, his figure erecb. j. 1 Uncle!' exclaimed Dudley, advancing with outstretched hand, ' I am sorry to give you bo much trouble and anxiety. I met with an accident at Kilburnie laet evening, and there was no means of Communicating with you.1 The pale, drawn face told its own story, and a sigh of relief left Lord Soutncome's stern lips.

'I am glad of this, Harcourb,' ho eaid, briefly. ' I regarded your absence aa gross disreapecb toward myself. I came here with the full intention of Bending you back to London.'

'Indeed?' the young man replied, warmly. ' Then, my lord, if will perhaps be better for both if I return by the nexb brain !'

'May, Dudley; I judged too hastily. I regret ib now, bub ib ia beat to be frank wich you. I hate to be trifled with —I abhor deception in any form, and I was naturally much incensed by what I con' Bidered your inciting conduct. I now own myself to bare been wholly in the wrong. I bave nothing more to «ay. You must) tell me about your accidonb during sur drive home. I can see that you have suffered severe pain. Come !'

Lord Southcome took his nephew's arm, and a minute later the carriage was being whirled to the Park.- Dudley was not disposed to be very communicative, and merely Stated that he had letb the train at KiU burnie by mistake, adding :

' I had bo wait a long time for another train, and wont for a stroll. In vaulting over a fence, I severely lacerated my hand, which bad to be dressed by a local doctor.'

'I hope that there has been no bungling,' his lordship observed. 'To lacerate the tine ligaments of the haud is a most serious matter.: Evett in war a man often dies through a trifling wound in the hand. I have seen many such experiences in India. I shall telegraph for a surgeon at once, Dudley. 1 'Thank you,' he replied. 'I feel more need of rest than anything else just now.'

The motion of the carriage nearly sent Harcourt bo sleep, and Lord Southcome refrained from asking him further questions.

Arrived at; the Park, my lord's valet was in immediate attendance upon the young barrister, and an hour later Dudley was eajoying a refreshing sleep in hia own samp buoas apartments. It was late in the atternooa when he awakened, and tho valet appeared to assist him to drees. ■•

' The surgeon is waiting, sir,' he said. 1 Will you see him here ? My lord is extremely anxious. 1 Dudley smiled to himself, bub he could nob readily forgefe that Lord Southcome's action earlier in the day had been exceedingly arbitrary. The surgeon re-dressed the wounded hand and considered that there was no danger. Ib had already received most skilful treatment, and would be healed within a few days.

Dudley dined with hia uncle. A dinner was an impressive and stately ceremony ab Southconae Park. There were no other guests in the house; but; his lordehip became almost enthusiastic about hia plans for the future.

' I have led a roving and unelees life,' he said, ' and it ie my duty to make definite arrangements concerning theadministrabion cf.my estates. You are my nex£ of kin, Dudley, and although your mother did not consult my .wishes when she married a poor half-pay captain, I can Bay honestly that ho was a gallant and noblo gentleman.'

' Ho was your friend, I believe, my lord,' Harcourfc interposed.

• And brother officer,' added Lord Southcome. 'In (those days I bad very little hope oi bearing my present title. Half a dozan lives were between ma end the earldom of Southcome. I fear now that. I haye done little credit to the honour thrust npon me, and ib is my determination to make amende. For this simple reason I have senb for. you, Dudley, If we come to tertna, you will be my beir, and as auch you may reasonably aspire to the band of the

noblest lady in the laud. My ambition ia to make our name one of the most powerful in England.' Dudley listened in Bilence. - ' I inte»d giving a grand ball, and I will tell you at once thab nothing wonld pleaso me so much as a marriage between my beir and Lady Constance Hemming, daughter of the lafce Barl of Leighton, one of the proudest and moab beautiful girls in England.' Dudley flushed warmly. .' . 'My lord, I fancy thab Lady Constance Hemming would scarcely feel flattered if ehe could hear you,' he Baid, a little dryly. ' Pooh-pooh ! You are a good-looking fellow. lam agrooably surprised. Yonr father was tbe handsomest man in his regimen b. You take after him. So far I hove had little opportunity to judge of yonr mental acquirements, bub you do not appear to have achieved much in your calling.' i * i have earned my living,' Dudley re-" torbod. •Still,' continued Lord Sonthcome, »a gentleman is not expected to make eloquent speeches, paint pictures, and write books. There are plenty of men of genius whom ib is a charity to make way for 1' He laughed a little unpleasantly, adding : 'Come, Dudley; we will walk.through the conservatories, or in the ground, while I talk to. you.' 11 am ready, my lord. I think ib is best that we have a thorough understanding at once. I cannot consenb to occupy a false position, neither can I bind myself to be an obedient nonentity. I would rather return to my profession and my independence,' Dudley said, with spirit.

An impatient frown momentarily contracted the brows of Lord Southcome; then he took the young man's arm, and together they strolled through tbe splendid hall, up the grand staircase to the picbnre gallery, wherein reposed treasures of art which a king's ransom could not buy. From the spacious gallery my lord conducted his nephew to tfao tower, from which a magnificent view of the surrounding country could be obtained. Thousands of acres of forest, and field, and blossoming garden lay basking in the golden light of the setting sun.

' Look this way, Dudley—ib ia all mine. Look that way—it is all mine—and may be yours,' my lord said, proudly. 'It is a grand inheritance, of which a king might) be proud.'

11 wonder you have nob married, my lord,' Harcourt observed.

He looked about him with glistening eyes, and thought of Laline O'Connor.

' Do not touch upon that subject, please,' Lord Southcome said, haughtily. Then he burned impulsively coward his nephew. ' And yet, why should you nob know —you who are to bo a son to me ?'

'Withhold all confidences, my lord, I beg,' Dudley interposed, hastily. • You might regret making me your confidant.'

"No; I iike your honesty, and, after all, thousands of men love unwisely—though few are faithful to the lirst, fond, enduring, passion. Dudley, I never married because the only woman I over cared for bad no lova for me. She married another, and my life has never been complete. Your question is answered.'

His lordship turned away, and Haieourb followed him. From the tower they went to the conservatories. The cultivation of the choicest blooms that it was possible for money to buy was one of Lord Southcomo's hobbies. '

Harcourt had never seen anything to equal the conservatories ab Soufcbcoine Park, and my lord was highly pleaßed by his sincere praise. s

At last he turned to bis nephew, saying:

, ' That is all, Dudley ; I have only to add "that the revenue amounts to .fifty thousand. pounds per annum. Think well over what) I have said to you, my boy. I have do wish to force your inclinations, but I have set my heart upon your marriage with Lady Constance Hemming. My reason will be apparent sohiedsy. Ido not ask you to decide hastily. Wait until yon have eeoa her lndysbip. She and her chaperon will be hear in two or three days' time. I expect several other lady guests, whose assistance in tnakiag arrangements for tho ball will be invaluable.'

'I will do my besfe to please you, my lord,' Dudley said, respectfully and kindly, • bub I can make no promises. Sou would regard me as one of the most contemptible of creatures if I forgot my manhood and became a mere cipher for the Bake of worldly gain. I should be totally unfit to be the master of this proud domain. I should bo as hateful in your eight as in my own.'

' Again leb me express my admiration for your ppirtfc, Dudley, but do nob let obstinacy obtain a mastery over your common sense. All this is very well in heroics, bub is ib nob a libble bib stagey. Excuse me, but I shall speak very plainly, and I expect you to do the same. Unless very substantial reasons are forthcoming, consequent upon yoar1 refusal to comply with the peb dream of my life I.shall leave the bulk of my wealth elsewhere, and die a disappointed man. This is not threat, Dudley ; you know me too well already for that.'

M think I do, uncle, and I am beginning to esteem and like you,' was the warm response.

Lord Soufchcome turned to look at bis nephew, and his eyes became riveted on the silken neckerchief which still supported Dudley's injured hand. Then his f»ca turned deadly white, and he trembled from head to foob.

•By Heaven ! be gasped. * Where did yon get that—fcell me—quick ! On the border he had seen a name worked in letters of silver silk. Ib was that of Laline O'Connor.

( To be. Continued) .