FOR LOVE OR MONEY

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 211, 6 September 1899, Page 6

FOR LOVE OR MONEY

By ST. GEORGE EATHBORNE.

Author of "Doctor Jack," "A Fair Eevolutdonist," "A Sailor's Sweetheart," "A Ohase for a Bride."

CHAPTER XXVII, IN DUE TIME,

No doubt the Kilkenny cats hud a | very sahibrious time of it when t'liey indulged in their little engagement but Buch. an enccsjwter could not bear j comparison with the scramble in j which the marquis engaged when I these three London footpads set upon J hini. Being something of a boxer, he met the attack of Jehu and his companion with several blows straight from the shoulder that rather staggered them. | and might have done much more only | for the embrace of the other chap, who hung about his neck with a persistence never equalled since Sinbad had the. Old Man of the Sea saddled upon his shoulders. All the while this party was shouting" and swearing at a rate to make a tiooper blush, doubtless fearful lest their legitimate prey escape them after all. In the confusion they doubtless hoped to make way with his valuables and then, springing into the vehicle, vanislh from the scene before the dilatory officers of the law arrived. People rushed out of houses and dci.s by scores.. A street brawl possessed elements of interest for those who lived in this neighbourhood, whether honest1 or yicious, and their voices were added to that of the man who had ridden behind. . Oh, it was a jolly disturbance taken ns a whole, and one that must satisfy any man's desire for action—the marquis was learning a lesson, and hereafter Avould never be found upon the streets of London without an attendant within call in the shape of a stalwart detective officer. Since he was in the affair, and could not very well surrender as yet with honour, he continued to fight against the combined strength of his three assailants. The fellow on his back was interfering with his blows as much as he possibly could, and as a result the others were enabled to throw themselves upon him. Thus the turmoil grew more intense —the marquis gave as good as he received, indeed, much better, and as yet made no sign of surrender —his iiature was pugnacious, and it was repulsive to him to knuckle under to such infamous rascals. Matters were in this mixed-up state, and the final result in doubt, when a new element was precipitated into the game. An outsider hurled himself upon the struggling mass, and by an exercise of tremendous muscular strength tore the man loose from the gentleman's shoulders, though he clung with such pertinacity that he carried away the collar of the marquis' coat. The newcomer gave him a toss thatsent him down a nearby area, where a crash of glass and startled screams announced his prompt arrival. Then this unexpected ally turned his attention to the others —the marquis, freed from his tormentor in the rear, had opened his batteries upon them afresh, and was dealing out his blows with reckless abandon when lie saw one of them snatched bodily from his feet and tossed through the open door of the four-wheeler as though he might have been a mere sack of oats. Upon this the last of the trio, who proved to be no other than the driver, uttered a yell of fear and, scrambling in haste to his seat, laid the whip on his horse and clattered down the narrow street. v Thus the field was suddenly cleared of enemies in double quick order, and the manner of their disposal seemed to greatly amuse the muscular, redbearded giant who had come fo oportunely to the assistance of the beleagured marquis, for he roared with laughter. "Gang awa' wi' ye baith, and dinna' forget the puir de'il who lies in a muckle yonder. Man, they were mair thn ye could weel handle, but it did me good to be of assistance to ye, and that's no lee, he exclaimed, assisting to brush the gentleman off. The marquis at sound of his voice was stunned, but he recovered iii time to cry out: "Donald McGregor, by my life it is_!" "Aweel, ye seem to know me, sir, though I confess the honour is all on your side. Still, there is something familiar in your voice I dma ken—it's yerra curious." The marquis by this time had managed to g-et told of his lionesfc Land, and was squeezing it with much emotion. "Ah! McGregor, you're always doing something for others. The last I saw of you, my dear fellow, was when I offered myself as a target for Captain Livermore's bullet, and declined to murder him afterwards." The man from Scotia uttered a roar, and insisted upon embracing the other, much to the amusement of the crowd that had gathered. As he was a true Caledonian, of course, in his excitement he ejaculated "hoot awa'" and all the similar expressions necessary to denote surprise and-delight, but his voice was a true index to his heartfelt feelings. This extraordinary meeting was one of the most pleasant things that had occurred to the marquis since striking London. He had in a fashion made search for this old and tried friend, but as yet had been unable to get track of him, so that the encounter came as a most agreeable surprise. It was evident that the McGregor had not prospered to any great extent, else he would .not be living in this low quarter of the city. "Tell me about yourself—what have you been doing—where do you live — how did you happen to be along here in just such a nick of time?" The McGregor laughed as these (questions were showered upon him. He was the same free and easy fellow a,s of yore, and as they walked

along he slipped an arm through hia companion's arm, just as he had been wont to do in days of yoro when they two were figuring where they would raise the wind for the next meal.

He might have been awed a little had he known he was thus taking liberties with the Marquis of Montezuma, the American nabob and Croesus, of whom all London was ringing; but it took considerable to disturb the ordinary serenity of this bluff Scotchman, and. after all, he might have treated the knowledge with disdain. It was the man he knew, and about his position in society he cared little. His story was told in a few sentences—he had taken a wife and started lin bravely to increase the population jof 'Her Majesty's people with a pair lof twins as a beginning, but beastly [bad luck hud swooped clown upon him, and he was having a hard pull at present, though nothing could crush his jolly spirits. This pleased his companion more ithan words could tell, since it opened la way for him to assist his old friend. "Worry no longer, McGregor, for there is a bright future ahead. I am in a way to put you in a position where money will flow into your pockets. God bless you for a true-hearted friend. There is my card—call on me at ten to-morrow, and you can have anything you ask. Meanwhile take this for a temporary loan—not a word against—l won't hear a murmur. Go home to your wife and babies, and remember me in your prayers —I need it. Such luck to meet you after searching in vain—it must have been an especial act of Providence." Thus he .rattled on while the other stood there almost paralyzed, grasping the roll of bills that had been thrust into his hand, and unable to believe his senses. "If it is pay for the service. 1 could nee tak' it from me aiu brother, tho' I must confess it is unco' pleasant to feel the slippery things," he said sturdily, but with a touch of Scotch prudence. "Eosh! Bou'i let me 'hear any more of your 'Xash.' my bey. There are thousands of times as much where that came from. Fortune has tumbled headlong into my lap since last we met, and I am resolved that my friends shall share in my good luck. I might as well tell you now, as you'll discover it from the card. When you come to the hotel to-morrow send up your name to the Marquis of Montezuma." Whereupon the McGregor was actually compelled to lean against a house foi: support, so wonderful was the intelligence thus communicated. "It beats a'," was all he could mutter. By degrees, as they walked on, the marquis gave him a little sketch of his marvellous adventures, and the Scotchman was enabled to gradually grasp the situation. He accompanied the other until they arrived safely at Deelborn Viaduct, where a 'bus or a carriage could easily be secured. After his recent exciting experience the marquis could hardly be blamed for taking the former means of conveyance, and making sure it kept to the beaten tracks. When safely landed in his hotel he resolved never again to be caught napping in such a reckless way—the acquisition of millions may be a delightful thing, but-it brings new cares and responsibilities, and the bon honimie life of an artist is no longer possible when one is transformed into a modern Monte Cristc—there are too many hawks abroad for such freedom. After all, it had been an event) ul day, and brought both joy and re S The marquis had a strange feeling as though iiiat for which he had yearned all iJ.iougli those dreary years was about to be snatched away from him in his hour of victory. The little germ was working, and in due time it might leaven the whole lump—a few more such rude shocks as he had received when those two little cherubims captured him in Fedora's house would certanly complete his discomfiture, and if he had hoped to continue cruel and relentless he must take no chances in that direction. , Yet occasionally a wistful longing would break out in 'his heart, a yearnin«- to again feel the gentle touch of ■ those pure little chubby hands upon his face and hear that cooing infantile voice murmur coyly "Dodo love 'oo " It was war now to the death, war in which all the baser elements • in the man's nature were marshalled - in battle array against the better. And the struggle would be fierce and ' to the finish, since the time had gone 1 by for half-way measures. Nona could say what the result ' might be, since mucii depended upon ; circumstances and the turn of a single card—perhaps the day might be decided by the appearance of some outside factor in the arena —Senorita Juanita in her sturdy resolve to yet win the marquis, even as she had determined under other skies when he was President of Gautarica; or it might even be that gentle priestess of art, Mazette, toward whom his thoughts seemed to frequently turn of late—fortune held the scales, and gave no warning of the way they , were to appear.

(To be continued.)