Less Than Kin.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1029, 13 April 1894, Page 7

Less Than Kin.

By Mrs Will 0. Hawkslet.

Jn Five Chapters.

CHAPTER 111. ' ' What on earth does he mean V cried Ena, as soon as the sounds of that stormy exit had died away. Until thafc moment, neither of the two whom Wakelin had left behind had spoken. The vicar threw back his still handsome head, and answered with a sort of fiery dignity which would have satisfied the greatest sceptic of guiltlessness. As to Ena, however she needed no Buch assurance: 'He means that 1 stole, actually stole, that abominable money ! I!' 'My dear father !' with incredulous surprise. ' Yes ; it is an absurd charge !' So absurd, indeed, that now he could actually laugh at the remembrance of it, the excitement of the moment leaving no room for apprehension of any consequences which might ensue. ' I am not sure whether I may not even find myself compelled to prosecute the ivan for slander. I must take a lawyer's opinion upon that.—Who did you say, by the way, wanted me downstairs T The girl displayed a card, which she had been all the time twisting between her fingers. But she looked grave. Perhaps a prevision of the dangers ahead had come to her more quickly than to the vicar, in his indignant exaltation of spirit. ' Only aMr Daintry. " Marmaduke Daintry,"' she read aloud, absently. Then : ' But how wicked of Mr Wakelin to utter such words. Suppose Jane or anyone had overheard them !' ' They'll have every chance in future, I imagine,' somewhat grimly, as the angry sparkle in his eyes slowly faded. «But Mr Daintry ! Why Of course I'll go to him. Surely, surely it can never be Jack come to life again after all these years.' In the curious agitation causpd by this shock, following so quickly upon the first such an occurrence seemed almost; credible, and he never noticed the difference in the Christian names. It, was, however, a person altogether unlike the tall, genial lad whom he so well remembered as his boyish playmate, and equally unlike the grayhaired, stalwart individual into whom time might have transformed that familiar friend, who turned from examining a photograph of Ena as the vicar entered the drawing-room. And Mr Russell actually started as he beheld a rather stout, dapper, remarkably well-dressed man of about 30 coming quickly forward, with a look of the utmost ease and self-possession, to return his host's greeting. 'Of course you don't know me 1 How should you ? the guest exclaimed heartily. ' Never set nyes on me before. And yet I hear that you have a cousin of mine in your own house, treated as your own daughter ! Awfully good of you, really ! Can I see her at once V His mingled calm assurance and eager presumption almost took Mr Russell's breath away. For many a long day he had scarcely even remembered the fact of Ena's birth, or thought of her in any different light from that in which she regarded herself —as his own eldest daughter. No marvel, then, that, instead of speaking he simply stared. But Marmaduke was fully equal to that trifling erabarrasment. 'Don't wonder you're surprised. Never was more so myself than yesterday, when Sir George's —my grandfather he was, you understand—will wa9 read, and I found out that such a person as my cpusin existed and flourished. Lawyers explained, and seemed quite up to the subject. But I'd never heard a syllable about her, not a syllable, I assure you ! Frightfully bad form of the old boy to let her sponge on you all these years, to leave her every stiver he could alienate frora the estate, don't you know V Gradually dawn was breaking upon the clergyman's brain, almost stunned as it had been by two successive blows. ' Sir George Daintry is dead, then V he managed to insert between the last sentence and that which he could see already hovering upon his companion's lips. 4 A week ago; and quite time too. Oh, beg pardon,' with a laugh, both amused and heartless. 4 Really, he was so specially ill-tempered ' IDe mortuis ' began Mr Russell solomely. lOh yes ! Very wrong of me. But to return to Ena. I've come as quickly as trains would bring me, to see her, »nd fetch her home. My mother says that of course it's the only thing. •Proper sphere, aud all that, don't you know V Evidently delicacy was not the gentleman's strong point. But it was a lack upon which Mr Ruseell did not feel himself called again to comment. Instead, he asked a question, or tried to do so. ' Your father' 'Died when I was a shaver. He "^as Sir George's eldest son, don't you know 1 and owing to this clearance, I'm the head of the family now,', drawtog himself up to his full, though not Very imposing, height of five feet six.

lAh no ! Title isn't on my card,' observing Mr Russell's glance. ' Haven't had timo to have fresh ones printed yet. So much to do, you see. And that reminds me — musn't dawdle here all day. By the way, I ought to have a -letter for you so;newherp. The lawyers fancied you might want credentials or some such sort of rot. Though, naturally, I said that was rubbish.' The signature of the note which he finally produced and handed over to its owner happened to be known to the vicar as that of a most respectable firm of London solicitors ; whilst its wording was plain enough to dispel any doubts as to the bearer's identity, as well as with regard to his news of Ena's fortune. Before Mr Russell had reached the close of the few curt, busi-ness-like lines, he understood how completely altered were the prospects of the girl who had been to him as a daughter ; and in spite of an aching in his heart at the idea of what this change must mean for Mildred and himself, had made up his mind how to act. ' Are you aware that Ena is in utter ignorance of her parentage f he said, addressing the baronet, who, too restless to stand still, had during the short silence wandered ofl again in the direction of the piano, and was diligently examining the music scattered about its lid. 'Is shf? ? Oh, well, that's soon put right. Let me try the effect of three sentences,' with another laugh. ' See here: "Ena, my dear," I should tell her, " I'm your cousin, Sir Mavmaduke Daintry ; and your name is the same as my own. You're a rich woman too, and must" Eh, what 1 ?' ' I was trying to intimate,' with some sarcasm, ' that I cannot allow that method of proceeding. Though you appear unable to comprehend its possibility, it is a fact that the intelligence that she is not my child, and is without natural claim upon my wife's love, will come as a terrible grief to Ena. Therefore, I must choose my own time and mode for explaining matters both to her and to Mrs Russell.' Only by dint of indomitable perseverance did the clergyman succeed in getting so far. Four times at least his audience had sought to interrupt ; now he was to be kept in check no longer. 'Oh, but really, don't you know 1 I can't consent to this. Grief to hear that she's an heiress, and cousin to a baronet 1 Bosh ! my dear sir, bosh ! Had too much to do with women to credit that !' 'Where has he been brought up?' was the unuttered thought in Charles Russell's mind. ' One expects some gentlemanly feeling and behaviour from a man of his standing. But this is a regular bear.' Aloud, however, he merely responded, with cold dignity sufficient to quell oven Joseph Wakelin : 'I have told you my fixed decision.' Sir Marmasluke shrugged his shoulders. He could scarcely object further to the wishes of the man who for 20 years had carried out a duty which of right should have been undertaken by his own neglectful family Yet the resolute words angered him. 'Then am I not to see her at all V — gruffly. 'Not to-day. Should you be at liberty in a week's time to return, we shall be happy to receive you. Possibly, if in the meantime Mrs Russell has heard from your mother, you may be able to persuade Ena to visit your home and make the acquaintance of your people. I do not wish to keep her from those to whom she stands in such near relationship. But ' ' Ah, just so ! I understand, 3 throwoff the sullenness which had for a moment clouded his features. 'The mater wanted to write before, but I said where . was the need for ceremony between relatives 1 This day week, then, for Ena. Afterwards, she and I don't you know 1 may have a good deal to do with each other. Good-bye, good-bye.' And absolutely before Mr Russell had quite grasped the meaning of that final hint and smiling nod, the man was in the hall, through the door, and out upon the pavement of the street. When, however, at length the laudable intentions of the Baronet did make themselves plain to the vicar, he smiled. 'Fortunately, we can trust Ena's taste,' he muttered, half aloud. c But what will she and Mildred say to such a parting as this may involve V That was a problem very speedily to be tested, for, as he stood there pondering it, the door of the dining-room unclosed, and the sound of women's voices in earnest conversation reached his ears. In another second his wife and their adopted daughter entered together. So entirely had the latter interview driven away for the moment all remembrance of that which had immediately preceded it, that he looked at the two grave, troubled countenances with wonder. Could they have overheard 1 Did they guess 1 But Mildred's exclamation immediately enlighted him. {Oh my dearest !' she cried, coming close up to him and throwing her arms round him, as though to shield the man she loved from all trouble, ' how dared Wakelin say such an awful thing V It was one of her husband's characteristics that though he could be and often was spiritless and moody without any particular reason, real grief and anxiety had a tendency— -at least in the

«>«BiMnaaaaMhßa>MinHW«Maa>naßß^aa first moments of trial — to brace him to meet the burden with courage, Often as it fell to Mildred's lot to support him under protracted worry or in imaginary woes, his was the stronger soul afc such times as the present. And now he stooped smilingly to kiss the upturned face, passing his arm tenderly about her waist as he did so. 'My darling, don't worry }'ourself ; it will all come right,' he answered. 'I am confident thafc the money will even yefc turn up. If not, we must make it good.' 'But your reputation,' urged the wife. ' A clergyman is so at the mercy of the people, One breath of scandal and he is ruined for ever !' It was too true, and he recognised the fact. Yet he still smiled. ' Milly, this isn't worthy of you. My dearest, remember that I am innocent, and that, • therefore, my reputation has a better Guardian than myself. As I said to Ena a little while ago, if necessary I should not hesitate to bring an action for slander against Wakelin, and that would, 1 am convinced, abundantly clear me.' * Only it was so unlucky that you should have paid Clarke ! And tben, too, you specially told Wakelin to let you have gold, not a cheque, for T. happened to hear you speaking of it to him in the hall. Everything is against you !' Charles Russell sighed. In the first excitement ancl anger with which he had met the charge, he had not estimated the force of these details, as now, for the first time, he was. conscious of doing. ' Well, if necessary, we must confess the truth, love, and humble our pride to own thafc your single gold bracelet afforded the ways and means of pacifying Clarke ! As to the cheque, now that I have closed my banking account cheques are most awkward matters to manipulate. Only last month I was vowing never to accept another for any large amount.' ' If only other people can be induced to see and understand as' we do !' He had seldom beheld his wife so overwhelmed. Ancl all the time he was conscious of another trial for her lurking in the background, acquaintance with which could scarcely be postponed. Mr Russell's heart felt heavy as lead. •We must trust that they will,' he answered, with a cheerfulness he certainly did not feel. ' But, my dear, there is something I have learned to-day which I must tell you. No, Ena, don't go. It concerns you almost more than it does ourselves.' How the intelligence was finally broken perhaps none of the three ever exactly knew. To watch the look of pain deepening in Ena's eyes as he unfolded his tale, to feel the heaving of Mildred's bosom as he pressed her to his side, and still to be obliged to continue his story, made that hour one of the hardest in Charles Russell's not very easy life. But the words were uttered at last. Ena bad been made to comprehend that though the love which had always surrounded her still remained, her claim upon it had vanished. She saw herself, rich indeed in the public esteem, but deprived by one stroke of father, mother, sister, and brother. And the whole of the little world in which hitherto the girl had lived and moved seemed suddenly to be split and rent to its foundations. With a sobbing cry, she sank down, on her knees before Mildred, who was sitting on the couch, and buried her face in that familiar lap. A poor consolation seemed the promised fortune for all that she was losing ! 'Oh mother, mother,' she wailed, ' don't forsake me like this !' Such an entreaty could meet with but one response. In another moment she was resting on the same breast where, long ago, she had wept out her woes, and Mildred's tears mingled themselves with her own. 'My sweet child, we shall never desert you. Your father left you to us, and we have always loved you. Do you think anything could separate us now V she whispered i*eassuringly * whilst her husband took a short walk to the window, and then brushed his handkerchief over his eyes before applying it, with ostentation, to its more legitimate use. 'And jusfc as Dick is on the way home, too. Oh, mother, what will Dick say V Mildred shook her head. * Poor Dick. ! It will be a sad return for him altogether, I'm afraid. Troubles never come singly ; but to-day has brought more than its share, I do think.' ' Though one can quite suppose that some people, with more sense than we've got, might regard Ena's legacy as a mitigating circumstance,' spoke up Mr Russell from his station across the room. But notwithstanding the rail lery, he did not turn his head, or for | the moment expose his own countenance to inspection. ' Legacy ! What's a legacy V from the ungrateful 'recipient. ' Who can suppose that money would make up for all that this has taken from me 1 Oh dad, you will care for me still V And so the scene went on, until gradually they had talked themselves into at least a partial realisation of the state of the case, and some slight resignation to its obligations.- --' Eor that you ought to accept Mrs \Daintry's invitation, and visit her, lthere's no doubt,' the vicar declared.

' Mrs Daintry ? Oh; the baronet's mother. What a trial for her to miss being my lady,' remarked Ena with a laugh, which, though biit the ghost of her usual gay ripple, at least told of returning spirits. 'And how do you like Sir Marmaduke, father \ You did not mention that.' A difficult question to answer with combined truth and civility to (lie absent. Happily, however, whilst he hesitated, Mr Russell was spared, the need for reply. With a fling the draw-ing-room door was thrown open, and Bijou danced in, dragging a tall, well-set-up young man by one hand, and stnding ber announcements ahead in her shrillest tones. ' It's Dick,' she screamed. ' I was digging weeds up in my garden, and found him, and he's come home to. stay. He says so !' Even Ena's troubles and Joseph Wakelin's suspicions were forgotten in the delight of that meeting and greeting. And Dick's protest that he wasn't a weed himself, whatever Bijou might consider him, was smothered in his mother's embrace.