FOR LOVE OR MONEY

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 212, 7 September 1899, Page 6

FOR LOVE OR MONEY

By ST, GEORGE EATKBOKNE.

ik'tithor of "Doctor Jack," "A Fair Revolutionist," "A Sailor's SweetieaxV "A Chase for a Bride." CHAPTER XXVIII. SttAZETTE MAKES A DISCOVERY. Affairs could not continue much fur.ttier without coming to a crisis. AVhen several strong- elements Struggle to reach a common terminus ■ they are bound to interfere with each other to a greater or less extent, and the final scene is apt to partake noine!What of the pyxotechnical order. Although Dona Juanita had apparently forsaken the land of her birth, she could not cease to entertain the extravagant and romantic ideas that hud been a part of her nature while in Gautarica—that, indeed, always •were and always would be generated under the conditions existing hv that tropical Spanish American republic. She had been a spoiled beauty as a girl, and accustomed to having favours showered at her feet, while the beaux of San Jose vied with one another in an effort to win her favour—we have seen how they'even risked their lives in the hope of meeting the approbation of this proud young Venus. And, the one man to whom her coquettish heart had gone out turned coldly from her. No Wonder the hot blood of her fiery race had leaped like molten lava through her veins, and she had vowed before the shrine of her patron saint that she would win this king of men, sooner or later, or prevent him from filling that empty niche in his heart with the image of another. This resolution, though constantly baffled by various circumstances while tinder a tropical sky, never dried from her heart, and she had more or less patiently waited for the day of reckoning. . No one might say how much of chance there was in her meeting with the marquis, but he had a dim foreboding that, her presence in London had to do with more of desigi than accident, and the conviction gave him much uneasiness. Strangely enough this lay more in the direction of others than himself. He could not forget the eager look ■upon her flushed and darkly beautiful face when she demanded to Vnow Ihe name of the woman who had -jilted him in the past and feurno.d his heint to ice, SO that he could love no one. Somehow his idea of revenge partook of the nature of a family quarrel. He had planned and figured upon the subject all these years and hugged it to his heart as the only thing worth living" for, but the thought of being assisted by youtside influences was distasteful, even repulsive to him. This was perhaps a peculiar condition of affairs, and yet not without precedent. He might with satisfaction contemplate Fedora on her >:nces to him, beseeching pardon far the terrible wrong clone him in ths ,inst; but the mere thought of her 'ailing a victim to the half barbaric fury of the senorita appalled him. The memory of that weird dance on the plaza of San Jojb hid never left his mmd —surely the woman who could take pleasure in witnessing such a terrible dvo 1- between her admirers would not hesitate at anything when her whole nature was aroused Harm to Fedora meant an evil shadow cast over the lives and fortunes of those two little rogues nho had taken such liberties with him when he was visiting under the captain's roof —her ooaition to strike a blow for his wrongs of the pasi might even lead her to consider s-ueh a thing" as persotiiil harm to those innocents. The mere thought sent a cold chill straight to his heart, as though a ha^td of ice had be3a pressed'upon it—ye gods, sooner than have suc-h a terrible thing occur he would sacrifice anything, yes, even the grim ■resolution that had buoyed up his soul these years. Thus her charming children might yet be the bulwark destined, to stand between the captain'? wife and the fulfilment of Jack Overton's vow. . There have been, cases before bow •where the in- tsrference of an outside party has united the warring factions of a family or clan. Besides, another element worked towards the same end, and this the influence of Mazette was having upon the heart of""the marquis. Should lie ever have occasion to realise that he sincerely and truly loved the little miniature painter his lofty ambition looking toward satisfaction for Ms merciless treatment of the past must fall in ruins about his ears. ' Some days had passed since his adventure with the men who sought to strip him of his valuables upon the Streets of London. The marqtiis had been a busy man. He had secured a capable bodyguard iwhose presence might pass unnoticed. Besides, the McGregor had been taken in hand and given a position that called for sterling honesty and a big salary, attended with little work, it being the donor's evident intention to attach the canny Scot to his persojral fortunes in such a way that he would be on hand in case his assistance was needed. And, indeed, the McGregor Had already proved himself to be such a tower of strength that any man might place reliance upon him in. time of jieed without feeling" his conlidence [Was misplaced. Then came the day when the marquis found he could no longer blind one pair of eyes at least. Mazette had remembered. Step by step she sounded the recesses of her mind to discover why so many things about this- new-found friend and patron seemed so familiar. It was a miracle why she had not guessed the truth before, and yet sometimes we are apt to overleap the mark in our eagerness to reach acer-

tain goal—so with Mazette, who had not dreamed of such a marvellous thing until suddenly the astounding truth broke upon her, as the avalanche of the Alps descends upon the unwary Swiss traveller. The marquis was taken by surprise when, upon entering the little studio, he found Mazette in tears. "Come, what has gone wrong'?" he exclaimed in dire dismay, for, like all men, he felt his litter impotence under such conditions. She came toward him, smiling through her tca.rs —there was upon her face reproach, delight, and keen artistic disappointment. "Why did you not tell me before?" she asked, as he took her hand in his. "Tell you—indeed, if I only knew what you meant I would only be too glad—that is, I —then you have discovered all?'' for it dawned upon him that she was no longer blind. "Oh, Jack, how dreadfully cruel of yon," as she dropped her head in order that he should not see the tears of mortification. "To conceal my identity all this time—yes, in one sense it was, but I had a.n object in it all, I assure you," be declared sturdily. She looked up troubled. "What does it all mean—l hope, I pray you are doing what is right— that is—" and there she stopped confused. " .Upon which he laughed almost boisterously and possessed himself of her other hand —they were such good friends, such old friends, there could be no harm in this natural and innocent action. "Have no fears, little woman—my patent of nobility was issued in the regular way at Madrid, for the usual round sum —I am the genuine article, the Marquis of Montezuma. As to my wealth, yon have heard that I possess amazing gold mines in the New World. I assure you, my money has all been honestly acquired and also taken from mother earth, a present from the old Montezumas of Aztec time." "But —are you really as rich as they say, Jack —it is hard for me to believe it?" "No wonder," he laughed again, "remembering as you do what my chronic condition used to be in those old days in Paris. But, nevertheless, it is perfectly true, Mazette—l have money to burn. I doubt whether the wildest guess has hit a mark beyond my limit." •'I am glad for your sake, Jack, and yet —it is a terrible humiliation to me." "In what way—you astonish me." "Consider," she went on bravely, having succeeded in freeing her hands,1 "what I have been foolish enough to believe while accepting your pay for these things—stop, let me finish, sir, before you apologise— you gave me to understand it was the quality of my artistic work that necessitated your paying such extravagant prices, and now it is cruel to learn that all this time while I indulged in air castles connected with my future I have in reality been a mere object of charity." "Charity,", he exclaimed, "that is a cold word, and can never cover any dealings between yourself and the Marquis of Montezuma, littlo woman. Why, I owe you and your good old aunt more than I dare ever hope to repay. Who was it stirred my better nature on countless occasions—whose modest home always opened to receive me so warmly—why, the memory of you alone has saved me from despair when tempted to believe the whole world a sham and every woman in it false to her heart. Don't talk to me of charity—there is nothing I own in this world but what I would gladly devote to your benefit. ,Why, I haven't even begun to pay up 'the'appalling debt I owe you." The warmth of his words made her flush at first and then grow pale. "Jack, tell me the truth —was it you who wrote this?" and she held up a piece of paper with a ragged edge, upon which had been scribbled: "Accept this from a friend—hope for brighter things in the future—trust in God." His manner betrayed him. "Yes, you confess it. Oh! Jack, can you —will God ever forgive me for having sunk so low as to attempt to end our misery with our existence?" she moaned. "Don't mention it to me again— that is your secret —God has forgiven, and not a living soul shall ever "know from me. I shall never cease to thank God that He led me to my old attic studio that day to renew my vow and look upon the scene where my ambitions died. Now let us turn to brighter things. You fear I do not appreciate your work —why, they are marvels of delicacy and er—so natural that one fancies he looks upon the originals." Then, as their eyes met, both laughed. "I am forced to confess that your family is the most remarkable one I ever saw," she said. "And the most amiable looking, don't you think so? Well, it cost me considerable labour to collect such a prize lot of homely people. You see, I didn't wish to appear vain in the selection of close relations. Tell me ! you forgive the little deception, Mazette, knowing as you do the spirit that animated the deed, and make up your mind that if I choose to pay any amount for a miniature you shall not demur. Men like the Marquis of Montezuma are expected to be unique, and my hobby you know is miniatures. No one must dare to rim contrary to their wish—that is the privilege of a Croesus." "Well, I beg of you, if I must obey orders, to make a change and select something on a different order." "Ah! you are tired of reproducing such homely old rogues; nor can I blame you. Who cares to see an ugly face on ivory? I have one in mind that I wish done, but you must promise the very best work on it pos-. sible, as I am determined to pay five hundred pounds for it, and should you refuse, some one else will get the job. Give me your solemn pledge." "It seems—extortion." "Your pledge." "And you say if I decline " "Some one must accept." "Under such conditions it would of course be folly to. disappoint you, Jack." "Then you accept?" "Well —yes." "Positively?" "I shall do it. Bring me the picture. lam sure it must be some lovely lady. Surely it cannot be — Fedora?" She had uttered the name almost without thinking. He laughed bitterly. "Hardly. You remember that I ut- | terly destroyed my masterpiece of her, nor do I ever wish to possess anything to remind me of that accursed episode in my past life. Bather would I live

for the future, which henven may perhaps soften a little for one who has suffered so much. You ask for the picture I desire reproduced—there it is." He snatched a photograph from a little stand on the mantel and tossed it before her. Mazette flushed scarlet again, for it was her own portrait he had selected. "Oh!" she exclaimed.

"Xot one word in protest. I hold you to your solemn pledge. It is my desire, and as I said a moment agO, the will of an American nabob must not be crossed by prince or potentate." "Then I must obey," meekly, yet trembling in spite of herself as a curious thought tugged fiercely at her mind, which she dared not allow free admission. "Of course you must, and please do not fail to do your very best work. Perhaps the subject may not inspire you, but remember how earnestly I desire it."

"You are a different man from the Jack I knew in the long ago," she said, to hide her confusion.

"A Taturnlly so. Consider what I have suffered—enough to make me a hater of mankind."

"I did not mean that. Yon were most wretched and in despair —now yon are wealthy and happy, I trust." "No, no, not that. A man cannot recover so quickly from the deadly state into which I was precipitated. But—say that I am contented."

Some who knew the wonderful resources of the Marquis would have marvelled at these words—who could be otherwise than content when the sole possessor of riches that a Soloman might even have envied?

They talked of old times, and the many memories they had in common — since the flight of years how precious these recollections became — a halo seemed to surround each incident in those days of yore, making romantic what at the time had been exceedingly prosaic happenings. The Marquis had relaxed, and for a time apparently forgot his troubles. Mazette had no difficulty now in recognising her old-time Bohemian comrade, for some, of the familiar spirit kindled up afresh under the influence of this awakening.

Really he enjoyed the half hour in her society more than he might have cared to confess while still huggingthat determination for vengeance to his heart—while that grim spectre haunted his life he could never be wholly happy.

And when he said good-bye he must needs take both her hands in his and press them—as such an old familiar friend should have the privilege of doing, though it startled him a little to see the blush that Hashed athwart Mozette's cheeks.

The Marquis of Montezuma whistled softly as he ran down the steps from the studio. Tt was the first time in many a long- day he had felt so light hearted and cheerful.

As the lower stairs were a little gloomy he almost ran over :v lady in the act of ascending. Of course an apology sprang- to his lips, for his awkwardness seemed to have alarmed her. The next instant the Marquis uttered an exclamation of astonishment in which there was also a trace of alarm, for, as he turned to the lady he found himself looking- into the beautiful but dangerous face of the Senorita Juanita.

(To be continued.)