RIGHT AGAINST MIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 101, 29 April 1913, Page 10

RIGHT AGAINST MIGHT

SHE DRAMATIC LOVE STORY OP JOHN STRAND, M.P. B.v FAUI. TRENT, 'Author of "The Vow," "The Some Secretary," "A Wife by Purchase," etc., eto. ;■■' : .:; CHAPTER XLII. Lady Cora had just helped her father to coffee, and after he had taken the cup his eyes rested on her reflectively. "You arc not growing any younger."' the Earl said, with intentional brutality. Shcj flushed, but showed no anger at the remark. ; '"Isn't it about-time you got married? I'm an old man. and I do want to see an heir before T die. t was talking to your ancle about it the other day. Yon eonldn't do better than Sylvester. Don't think that I wish to interfere," Lord Aldeburgh, added,' hastily. - - - "I shall probably marry —some time or other,' , she answered, lightly. "You ought to be glad that that business with Strand was soon over. You. had a lucky escape, my dear. The man's ruined. "I'm not so sure of that. But we ■won't talk about him. I believe that John Strand is a deeply-wronged man." shp said, -vehemently. The Earl was surprised and distressed by the outbreak. "My dearj I do hope that you aren't going to be foolish. I had imagined that Ton had quite got ojrer. your mad infatuation." he said, reproachfully. "I know that I shall never be his wife, and Tin hot" sure thai- we should have been happy if• ire • had married one another. His standard, was altogether too KgbV 'Tou are pleaaed to joke—the man's a blackguard," he said, in amazement. "You'd better suspend your judgment. It may be necessary to apply the epithet nearer home," she said, significantly. "For Heaven's sake say what you mean." "You e*w uncle last- night—did he strike you as being a man with an easy conscience?" , . .. " Southwold had dined* with them the previous evening, and, as n matter ol tfact the Earl-had been rather concerned at his brother's appearance; "I believe that there has been a plot to drive Mtl Strand out of politics," she continued. - "Rriblrish—rn-bbish!" he said, irritably. "And..l..believe-that uncle- is a party to it. At any rate, he .knows that Mr. Strand is innocent," she went on, relentlessly. "You're mad:—quite mad—to suggest such a .thing. It is absurd—absurd!" "I've always loved unde, but all the time I've known, that there was something hidden in his character which J. didn't like. But we won't talk' about it any more." As ahe spoke a footman-came into the loom. "Mr. Sylvester wishes to see your ladyship," he announced. • "I will go to him at once," she answered, and then turned to her father. "There may be unpleasantness with uncle, but I intend to go my own -way." ■."3ly dear.. tSink--of--his money. We daren't quarrel with him," the Earl expostulated. But she only smiled in answer, and he became more anxious. "I can leave you next door to nothing," he went on. - :. —iii "I sha'n't starve," she answered, lightly. "Tou needn't worry about mc." When she entered the drawing-room Sylvester thought she had neveT looked more beautiful, and hie poise quickened. "Sony to call so early, but I wanted to see you before I went down - to Lonroshire.*" , he began. 1 am glad to see you. I suppose you are going to contest the seatr" "No. I am going £o support Strand," he-answered, qnietly: ,1 ' Bhe was speechless from amazement, and a deep flash came to her face. '"Yon. axe going to support him? Why!" She aefced, sharply. "Becanse I believe that he is a deeply•wronged man. But you mustn't tell anyone of my intention—especially your uncle. I want to spring it on 'em, so that they sha'n't have a chance of getting another candidate." She looked at him steadily, and there «ss .something in her eyes that he had never before, seen there, and • which eauned bin to draw in a deep breath, and that look was his reward. But he ■would take no advantage of the knowledge he bad gained. He had strength to bide hie time. He was playing for a great happiness, and determined to win. "You are a good man," she said, Bimplv. A silence followed, which was embarrassing to neither of them, for each was ibnsily thinking. "I wonder if'yonr mother would allow me-to come down and stay at the Castle? Does she hate mc very much for the way I treated yon?" she asked, in a low yoice. "My mother will be delighted, to ccc you." ,; — 'Then I'll come down with you. But ■if there's time I should like to go and ccc Mis 3 Arnold. The poor girl must be having a miserable time, and I'm sorry for her." "We'll catch a later train and go to the Temple together. My car is outside." "Then 111 tell my maid to pack. I'll ie back in a few minutes." When Sylvester was alone a pleased smile came to his fa«j at the thought of his enccess. But, to do hhn justice, it was not with the idea of winning ■Lady Cora that he had decided to support Strand. He really believed that the latter was innocent, and he possessed an Englishman's instinctive liking for fair play. He was not dismayed by the interest •which liady Cora still showed in John Strand. It seemed to him that ehe wouM not have shown this interest so epenly if she still desired to win him for her husband. When' ahe returned to the drawingroom she.was accompanied by-her uncle. who gave Sylvester rather a turt no.l ef greeting. 'TJou ought to have been at Loamboroiigh- days ago. Strand is hard at work, and to-night ho addresses a mass meeting. Ii you're not careful he'll beat you again," Southwold said, grimly.

Sylvester was annoyed at this enieonnter, for, although he had decided to spring a disagreeable surprise on the iPrime Minister, he hated to tell a deliberate lie. After all, it might be better to come into the open at once.. "Tm ,»ot ra-candJdaW for North Loams'... to support Mr- Sylvester,"

Southwold was astonished. Strong man as he was, his face showed his consternation, and he fell back into an arm-chair. "Have you both' taken leave of your senses?" he asked, weakly. "We believe that Mr. Strand is incapable, of th«: things with which he has been charged," Lady Cora answered, deliberately. "I (sin understand a love-eick fool like yourself believing it," he said, bitingly. "but-you—" and he turned to Sylvester, "you ought to have more sense. You've no rcasou to love the man."' "There is no need to insult your niece." Sylvester answered, coldly. ■ Southwold looked helplessly from one to the other. ■■ "If you do this the man will probably be returned. Your countenance." -will make people believe in him. and he'll come back with increased power." "I sha'n"t be sorry,"' answered, quietly. And then Southwold turned furiously on Lady Cora. ■■ - "This is your work. YouYe still infatuated with the man, and you hope to win him through gratitude- Listen to mc, Cora. ..If you do this,;, you shall never have a penny-piece of mine." "This threatening only turns my suspicion into a certainty. I don't want your money." "But your father does. If 1 stop the allowance I'm making hini :, "Then we should have to cut down our expenses and do without it." Southwold had reached the end of his resources, and sat back in impotent anger. He could' have taken his niece by the shoulders and given her a good shakini. For once the mask had fallen from his face, and Lady Cora shuddered as shr> saw him as he really was. She had loved her uncle.' and yet ehe could eel no pity for him. "Come away." she said to Sylvester, with a sob. and clutched him by the arm. CHAPTER XLIII. '■' Lady Cora's fooling yoii," Southwold cried, in a fury. " She doesn't care a bang for you. She's only using you to ■help herself with Strand." "That's a lie, Southwold," Sylvester answered, quietly, and drew Lady Cora from tiie room. There were tears in her eyes when they entered his car, and he" saw that she was deeply moved. " I can't understand uncle. Just now he seemed to mc as though he were capable of any wicked action. I don't know what to do. All my life he has treated mc as his own child, and now I'm going against him," she said, with a sob. " I always liked him. Aud yet I think as you do, Cora. He has always been so reserved and so sure of himseJf. But just now we saw something that he has always kept hidden. My dear, I believe all the more in Strand. 1 have a dim understanding of your uncle's point of view. He places his country above, everything—even his own honour. He is a victim of ambition, and I am sorry for him." They lapsed idtb silence, and it. was a relief to both of them when King's Bench Walk was reached. Joyce came in answer to their knock, and could not conceal her surprise. " We come as friends —ac friends of Mr Strand," Lady Cora said, impulsively. '"Then you are welcome," , Joyce answered, simply. When they were in the sitting-room it was Sylvester .who did the -talking, and Joyce listened to him with beating heart, and shining eyes. "You will do this? Then may heaven bless you," she said; brokenly. " I want you to.come to Loamborough with us,'" Lady Cora answered, and then she'took the ' girl ' into her arms and" kissed her tenderly. " I should love it, but there's uncle. Shall I ask him? May I tell him exactly what you have said to mc 1" she asked, eagerly. When they had. given their assent Joyce hastened away, and Cobden listened attentively to all that she had to say. "' Yes, you -muot go. Joyce, my darling, I'm hopeful for the first time. Sylvester is a man in a thousand, and his word will go a very long way. Your news has made mc feel better already, and there's no need to worry." He paused for a moment, and a 'look of exultation came to his eyes. "With Southwold's niece on our side, and Sylvester too—what he says will go in Loamfihirc. Kass mc, darling." "You are sure you don't mind my leaving you ? " she asked, anxiously. "No. You will be helping John. Your presence will give hkn courage. By heavens} we will beat Southwold yet," he cried, triumphantly. Since John had. left town Cobden had been growing stronger, and the doctor had promised him that if only he wouW avoid excitement he would be able to leave his bed in a day or two. But the excitement of good news seemed to have done him more good than harm. Joyce went to her room, and as she packed her trunk her heart was overflowing with gratitude towards Lady Cora and Sylvester. She realised how hard it must be for both of them to •oppose Southwold. and she recognised ■their honesty of purpose. .And "the thought that in a few hours she would again see the man she loved brought a flush to her .cheeks. If only his innocence could be "proved? Yet there would still remain that stain on his birth: But she would chase 'from him all niorbM for, after all. that was a thing which was beyond his control, and in itself was no disgrace. Tt was the parent who would suffer odium, and not the innocent child of shame. When these charges were refuted and he stood before the world a man without fear and without reproach, ihe would be able to continue liis career, and- he might make his name famed through the land. And what "would it matter that the name was one of his own making, and given to him by chance ? AM the more credit to him for having risen sn spite of everything. (To be continued daily.)