LOVE'S DILEMMA;

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7, 9 January 1905, Page 6

LOVE'S DILEMMA;

CHAPTER Xirr. "TRENCHT , VYSE. A week had passed since she had consented, to be Lord Carr-Lyon : s wife, but, reckoning by the change in her, it might have been twelve months. It almost seemed as if Kate, the bonnie Kate, whose light and springy step, and bright, laughing voice were so wellknown in Sandiorri, had suddenly been turned into stone. While all the place tras ringing with the tidings of her fortune,"' she was going about feeling as if a great weight were pressing on her heart. She tried to tell herself that she had done her duty, that she had sacrificed herself for her father, and that the sacrifice would bring its own reward —in time; bat «ie could not get rid of the ■weight. It was not because she hated Lord ('air-Lynn, but because she could not get rid of tb<> memory of that other person who had crossed her life's path, as a comet crosses the heavens. All day long —and almost all night—of that week she had been fighting against the memory of Clifford Kaven's face and voice. "it had been almost umnaidenly to thank of him before this, but now that she was plighted to anotherr man there was something shameful and sinful in it, and yet she could not forget him. EvVn now. as she walked along the rfiff with quick and harried step, the ■α-ind buffeting her almost off the narrow path, it not of this grand ball she was thinking, but of the strange young man. with the dark and mysterious past. who had managed so to impress her that hhe could not efface his image from the retina of her mind or drive bis voice from her cars. Hurriedly, almost feverishly, sop passed on, be«diess that the dusk was deepening, and the wind rising, and it ■seas not until she heard a deep roar, as of distant thimder. that she was reminded of the bour. She stopped and looked over the rail at the quarry, -whence the roar of the blasting had risen, then, with a sigh, tnrned and retraced her steps, looking across to the sea as she went, and wondering in which direction the man she was thinking of was sailing. What a shock of mingled pain and Might, it -would have caused her if she had lreo-K-n that he was there, almost at her feet! • * • • • The sun- tbe clear and bright sun, ■which sometimes trits to make us believe that November is an autumn month, shone full upon the rugged hollow of the quarry. Xott and again the click of the picks smote sharply on the air, folio-wed by the rambling of the rock as it Tolled down the slope. The little human hive was all alive, and in the centre, overlooking the whole, stood Clifford Raven. It would have been difficult to recognise in this youn^ and stalwart man- clad in his rough but well-fitting suit ot gray serge, the ■weary, lagging figrure that had sat so disconsolately by the roadside a fortnight ?ince. It vra.s not only the loss of bis beard and the thick locks of hair that made the difference: there was something more than that. Work 13 a finer and more effective tonic than any contained In a chemist's chop, and Clifford revelled in work. It was a delight to him to use the strength of his stalwart, well-knit Jimbs; and, overlooking hi# men. swinging the pick occaaonally. and breathing the pure, sea-borne air. Giiffoi - d wa? almost perfectly happy. Almost! If he had nerer seen Kate Meddon. he would not have had a care in the world. But be had seen her, and her memory haunted him. just as his haunted her. Not once, but 50 times a day, he found himself standing stock >fill and forgetful ot everything round him, recalling hi j r fare, with its large lustrous eye?. He was always thinking of her. the one woman who had touched hi? and made life sweetly bitter to him. But no one guessed what was coing on in tie mind of the young manager. His figure was erect- his eye bright and flashing, and his voice clear and sharp. Although he had only been a fortnight in the. quarry, the men had grown to respect, and like him—all but one. Mr. Wood was easy-going and someTrhal lax. but Clifford Raven was, though not- unjustly so. strict and somewhat exacting. There would be no shirking in the future in Wood's Quarry, and. though the men rather grumbled at first, they grew reconciled to his rule and liked him, Tbey were not at all a had set of men as a whole, but as there is always one black sheep in every flock, there was a black sheep in Wood's Quarry. He was ' oae of the younger men. a fine specimen of humanity, tall and slim, with a dark face and black eyes that seemed to hint at gipsy blood: indeed, he was as often as not called "Frenchy" Vyse. Tl#is man had regarded Clifford's advent and sudden appointment as man- I ager with anything, but a favourable pye. and had withstood all Clifford's attempts to be friendly. He was a good "workmai?—when he chose; but. unfortunately, he was too fond of the bottle, and once or twice Clifford had found him lying asleep in one of the out-of-the-way nooks and crevices of the place when he should have been at work. On these occasions Clifford had spokp ß sharply and distinctly, and, of fours*, PYenrhy Vise had hated him for it. But there was anotHer reason for his dislike. Though he was only a labourer like the rest. "Vyse had ea-st a longing eye upon Nellie, and he had been near the spot from which Clifford had rescued her. and witnessed all that had subsequently passed between them. He had seen the looks of gratitude and admiration which Nellip had cast upon her preserver, though Clifford had not, and Frenchy Vyse had not been able to forget them. They rankled in hie sullen, jealons heart like poisoned arrows, and so it came to pass that Clifford had an enemy already made in Wood's Quarry. Wherever he went, Vyse's dark eyes followed hira with sulleu vindietiveness, and once or twice he had been heard to mutter something that seemed like threats against the man "who had come from nobody knew wheTe to play the slave-driver over honest trorldn 5 men!"

FOR AN EARLDOM. BY CHARLES QARVICE, j&ttfftw of "The Maronis," "A Martyred Lore," "A Woemn'e Semi, - "She Loved Him," etc.

] This moruing Clifford had his mmd I too occupied even to think of Kate, for j a large, order for stone had come in the i day before, which was wanted in a hurry, and men had been put on, and all were to work overtime. H> had been hard at work himself since daira. and was now going the rounds to ses what quantity of stone had been quarried. With his quick, bright g'ance he leaped from rock to rock, measuring the heaps mentally, a word with the men now and again. Suddenly he seemed to miss one of them, and, looking round, asked the foreman who was near him: "Where is Vyse?" The man looked up and wiped his brow. I "I don't know, sir. seen him for this tot hour. Anybody seen Frenchy Vyse?" ! The men who were within hearing rested on their picks and shook their heads, and one or two smiled as they resumed their work. Clifford's brows came together. "Darn that Vyse!" said the foreman. "Tic's always skulking. Good workman, too, sir. when ho likes. I expect he's on the drink agen." "I can't stand that at any time," said Clifford, quietly, hut loud enough for the others to hear; "certainly not now, when we are all pressed for time. I have given my word that the order shall be executed I in time. You all know that, aud you I know that I have arranged that you shalJ have extra pay." "Aye, aye, sir; that's 50. ,, said the men. in their sto'id fashion. "You'll find Vyse in the east working, sir," one man added, in a lower tone. Clifford turned away without another word, and went to the eaet working, and there , , wrapped in peaceful slumber, with an empty bottle by hie side, lay the missing man. Clifford had been used , te drunken miners, and knew how to deal with this gentleman. He stirred him up with his foot, and did not waste his breath in words until the man roused completely and sat up, staring at the rude dispeller of his dreams with a half-audible oath. "Vyse, if I were you I should be ashamed of myself," said Clifford, sternly. "This is not the first time I have caught you skulking. What have you to say for yourself?" The man rose and shook himself, eyeing the stem face viciously. "You have been drinkiag," said Clifford, pointing to the bottle. "For shame, man! Where would the quarry be if all of us followed your example? You know I want this work done, and I have pledged my word that it shall be done, and yet yon lie here like a helpless pig " •'You want this work done! You've pledged your word!" retorted Vyje, with a sharp sneer. "'Anybody 'ad think this was Raven's quarry instead of Wood's!" Clifford looked at him steadily. "I am not going to gratify you by quarrelling with you. Vyse," he said. "Come. I've had te deal with your kind before noir. You are a good workman, and rather a e!ever fellow; don't spoil it by being a fool as well. You know as well as I do that I am answerable for what goes en here, and that I'm not the sort of a man to stand by and see my employer robbed!" "Robbed! Do you call mc a thief?" snarled Vyse, -with an evil glare of his black eyes. "Any man who steals his master"s time is a thief, my friend," said Clifford, quietly. "Mow. think that over as you go bark to your work; and remember, too. that this is your last chance. The next time I find you playing this trick it will he the last." The nan was sobered by the grave stern voice, and stood, staring sullenly. "'Oh, you'll sack mc, will you?"' he said, sullenly. •"Most certainly," Said Clifford, calmly; "as I would any man who behaved as you do. But I should be sorry to do that. We understand each other. I think?" "Yes, we understand each other." Vyse muttered. "You've been my enemy ever since you came to the quarry, you interloper !" "I'm no enemy of yours or any man's." said Clifford, as quietly as before. "You have only two enemies. Vyse—yonrself and that!" and he picked up the empty bottle. Vyse started, and a dark red stained nis dusky cheek. "Give mc that bottle!" he growled. "It's none of yours." Clifford laughed at. the childishness of the request, and then quickly raised his hand to thro™ the bottle away. As if maddened by the gesture, Vyse raised his pick and took a step forward; at the same moment Clifford j beard a cry of terror from behind him, I and the nest moment he saw and felt an arm thrown across his breast. Looking down in amazement, he encountered jthe pretty face of Nellie Wood; it was as white as death. The pick dropped harmlesly in Vyse's hands, and with a smothered oath he strode past them, his ryes fixed on Nellie with a wild glance. "Miss Nellie!" said Clifford, and he half put his arm round her waist to j support her. for she leant against him almost as if she were going to faint. With a little spasmodic shudder she dropped her face in her hands, and so j they stood while one could count I twenty. Then, still pale and tremb- j ling, she looked up at him, and drew i a long breath. "Oh, Mr Rarea. what—what was he going te do?" "Who—Vyse? Nothing. Miss Nellie," he said, with a smfle. "But—but " she said, with a shud--der. "lie was going te strike you! He had his pick raised!" She locked at him '•"Was it that that frightened you?'-" j he said, laughing to reassure her.' "He I was only going to put it over his shoul- j der. He is rather theatrical in his movements; that is all." She looked at him fearfully and doubtfully, and shook her head. "Nβ, that was not all! Oh, Mr R&v----"n!" ehe paused and pressed her hand to her bose-m; "that man—he in a bad, violent man—you will take care, you will be careful?" "Cone, Miss Nellie," he said, smiling, "'you are distressing yourself without j any cause " "No, I am not," she saM. forgetting her natural timidity in her earnestness. "I know Vyge; he is the most dangerous man in the quarry ; I have | heard my father say so; and—end he doe* aot like you!" "Do you think so? Wiry?" said ClifJori. snriEpg still, and letting his brad

I drop from her waiat, where it had re- | maifled until now. Her head drooped, and a faint colour came into her cheeks. "I—l don't know. But lam sure of it. I have seen him—watched him— when he has been looking at you, and you have not known it." "Have you?" said Clifford, rather sirprised. "But I think it's only fancy on your part, and in any case don't j make yourself uneasy atjout him; the pear fellow means no harm." j "I—I—am not so sure of that. You > will be careful—watchful, I mean?'' she said. "It is such a solitary place, this j quarry/ and she glanced around with j a little shudder, "and you are so brave | that you are sure to be careless —and I he is a bad man, Mr Raven." In her earnestness she drew a little neaTer te him, her eyes—deep violet now. and very beautiful—seeking his imploTingly. ;, "Oh! come. Miss Nellie," he said, lightly,- "now you are trying to make mc believe you are afraid of him. Don't you think any more about it. By the way," he went on, as they walked out of the working, "I am glad to have an opportunity of thanking you for all your- kindness to mc." A swift blush suffused her cheeks, and she g'.anced up at him. then looked aside shyly. "My—my kindness, Mr Raxen?" she murmured. "Yes." said Clifford. '"It is to you I we the comfort I enjoy at the cottage. It is wonderfuil how pretty and homelike you hnve made it for mc, and I am very, very grateful, believe mc." "Who told you?—ah! Jim." "Yes, Jim was the culprit," said Clifford; "but I shou d have guessed wuo had acted the kind fairy to an unknown stranger and wandereT." "Stranger! You forget," she murmured, almost inaudibiy, "you saved my -ife!" "I'd quite forgotten it, and hoped you had. too," said Clifford. "Why, that was a fortnight ago, and I only did what any man would have done. "I have not forgotten it," she said, simply. Clifford looked down at her with a pleasant fraternal smile. He might have noticed that pretty face with its wonderful ey« and golden hair; but one other face—Kate 's-made it impossible for him to admire any others. 'Ton must be careful how you go about the quarry, Miss Nellie," he said "The men are rather careless with their blasting, and you might be hurt whenHe stopped. She glanced up at him. "When you arc not near to save mc, ,he said, in a low voice. "I hope I shall be always near to save you." he responded, speaking in the -entle tone habitual to him when he Addressed a woman, old or young, plain )T pretty. . , The colour stole into her face, but she •nade no reply, and they walked on for few minutes in silence; then, for the «ke of saying something, he said; "Are you fond of reading, -"Miss Nellie?" "Of rerrtirt"? Yes, oh, yes-" '■I asked been use I have had some hooks sent clown from London. Will ■-on let mc lend you some?" Phe looked at him gratefully. ••Tnsnk you: yes." "11l get them from the cottage." he aid "] br-T-e you will find them interWill yon sit down and rest til come bnrk? Wait. I think that rock's ret." and ho slipped off his coat and pread it on it. She sat down and watched him as he Tent, now striding along the level, now nrintring from rock to rock; watched 'liro with a strange and subtle light in '<er eyes. To Nellie, sitting there, he seemed -omething more than human, with bis 'andsome face and sweet, gentle voice. had nevrr met and spoken with a 'PTitleman before, ami everything abnu* him had the novel glamour of his class; inri he had saved her life! She watched him, her eyes growing soft and dreamy and infinitely wistful; and Frenchy Vyse watched them both with an expression of jealous ferocity. Clifford catae striding back with half a dozen books. "There you are. Miss Nellie. I hope they will prove interesting." "Yes; oh, yes. But —but are you sotyon ran spare them?" and she lookc' I half frightened. "Quite sure," be said, with a smil"You see, I am almost too tirrd to w' much at night, and I am too hungrt.o rend away my dinner hour."' "Why do yon work so bard?" ss*>muTTßured. "My father. , ' —she paused"my father did not mean that you shwt 1 j work like the rest. He knows that— | that you are " her face grew searle* —"«r« a gentleman " "Too rijuch of a gentleman. to takmy without earning them," he said, with a smile. '"I don't work too hard, Miss Nellie- I assure you. I liJcwork" —unconsciously he opened hi? ••best —"it is one of the good thing? civilisation has left us. And it is a pleasure to work for a man like youi father " '•Who's taking my name in vain?* sai ,-1 Mr Wood, coming upon them suddeniv. "Good morning, Mr Raven. Hallo. Nellie; thought I lost you!" and he =rniled as he took in the pleasant picture they made. "All going well. Mr Raven?" Clifford grew business-like directly. "All well, I think," he said, stepping up to him. "We shall get out this big '■ order by the specified time. I've* , -t. thr : men on extra wages; they are Pou«»o]. lows and understand the i" i i.. arc in to compete the orde * "Ah. yes!" said Mr Wood; "ah, yes! j they are all right, most of them. By j the way, you want to keep your eyes jon that Vyse." } Clifford nodded. "He's treacherous and dangerous. HeY one of our best men. and can do as much in one hour ss some enn do in two; bu , he wants looking after, ye know."' "I know." snid Clifford. 'And you're pretty comfe-rtable?" said Mr W^od. "Quite." said Clifford, and he was going to add "Thanks to Miss Nellie," but he stopped. ; "That's right. And satisfied?" "Quite," snid Clifford, with a smile. ' "Right; and so am I!" he retorted ' with a twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, by the . way. I have had a lot of cards sent mc for 'these goings on at Lyrleote." ' "At LydeoteT" said Clifford. Tes; the old place they've been transmogrifying. We supplied the stone, yon know; before your time. They're going to give a feed to the workmen, and they've sent mc cards. Tt's for the four-tePTi*-li; T snnnose tbe men can go?" "The fourteen* h? Yes. the order will he out by that time." K Rijfht! T dent know whether that sort ©f thing is in your way at all; if so, here is a ticket," and he extended a piece of cardboard. Clifford smiled and shook bis head. "Thanke; no, I ehouldn't care to go." i "Better," sefd Mr Wood. " Tie to be

J a grand affair. Dinner, an , dancin', an , I fireworks, an , all that. Ifs all on acj count of this Lord—Lord—somebody or other; I've forgot his name. He's been altering this "Lydcote," you know. But it seems ac if this merrymaking was od •account of his getting engaged as much as anything, for all I can hear. He"d better wait and pet married first. 1 should think. Lord—Lord—"urn. it's i clean gone out of my head.' , "Thank you, I shouldn't" care to go, v said Clifford. "Better. It will amuse you."' said -Mr Wood, still holding out the ticket. j Clifford shook his head and laughed. j "Why shouldn't you go, Mr Raven?" I naid Nellie, softly. ,- It will be a change. i Mr Raven scarcely ever loaves the quar ry. father." 'How do you know?" queried M Wood, shrewdly. She blushed botlr. and hung her hear!-1 "But there, perhaps.Mr Raven is to: high and mighty- "' ClifFoifi held out his hand. "I'll take the ticket and go." he said with a smile. And so another link in the chain of fate waf forged. (To Daily;)