THE LORDSHIP OF LOVE.

Evening Star, Issue 12928, 26 September 1906, Page 2

THE LORDSHIP OF LOVE.

[Published By Special Arrangement.]

Bx Florence Hope - (Author of.«ln the Clutch of Nemesis,' A Merciless Woman,' 'The! Trials of v Madge Moberley,' J Tangled •V. Threads,' etc.) [Copyright.] CHAPTER XVIII. TO THE KESCTTE. She jroade a hasty movement forward, and raised a beseeching look to the hardteatuxed man, her brother's employer, astonished eyes at sight of her. tt Why, missy, what is up ?" he said. Oh, Mr Johnson, will you help me ? I want you to lend me to pay- the cabman; I find I haven't enough in my purse," said the girl, thankful to see a way out of her uncomfortable predicament "Where from, eh?" inquired Johnson, hand in his pocket feeling for coins. " Holland Park avenue," replied Ina. _ " Then he was cheatin' you, missy, for the fare's only, a shillin'," replied Johnson, handing the coin up to tho cabby, who, muttering under his breath, drove off at a canter. ''Thank you so much. I don't know what I should have dono had I not met you,' said Ina gratefully. '' And now where are you off to ?" asked Johnson, shifting a pile of books from one arm to the other. "I to get back to where I took the cab, Mr Johnson. I met someone whom I dislike and wish to avoid. The only thing I could do at the moment was to jump into a passing hansom /and give just any address, but now I must return to Mr De Lisle's studio, where I have an appointment. I think I will take an omnibus as I am late," said Ina. "Come along, then; I'll go with you and see you safe on the doorstep. Here's a bus—jump in—there's just room for two. It was a close fit, and Ina, taking as little space as possible, could not help sitting very near her companion, as she was wedged in on the other side by a stout lady who took up the room for two. "A warm comer," said Johnson, affably. "No matter, it's a cold day. Well, missy, I'm glad we've met. 'I like that brother of yours; he suits me very well. Got a lot of book-learning in that head of his that comes in useful for my bnsiness," he added, in a confidential tone. The girl tried not to feel uncomfortable, and to remember that the man was kind and looked upon her and her brother simply as working people like himself, below, him even in position, for was he not a master and Hubert a servant ? But she, who had only been accustomed to gentlefolks, could not help wincing at his familiarity, though it was wholly freo from impertinence of any kind, and she colored when she noticed how she was observed by others in the omnibus, for Ina and Johnson appeared, to the most casual observer, of different worlds. She with that nnmistakeably high-bred look and air of distinction in spite of her well-worn clothes and mended gloves was a lady, by birth and breedinc; he. with his lean brown face, short, stubbly beard, and cheap ready-made suit, low felt hat, and gloveless hands, belonged most certainly to the respectable working class; yefc they were together and companions. '/Yes," continued Johnson, lowering his voice, and leaning his head nearer to Ina's ear. "Yes, ho and I get on uncommonly well together, and there's no reason why I shouldn't keep him with me altogether. He'd be worth a rise, too. in his salary; but don't yon say nothin' about it to him just yet,' my dear; we mustn't raise 'is 'opes too much." i" Oh, but it is of course only a temporary situation ; you see it- is so different from anything he has been accustomed to," exclaimed Ina, hot with annoyance. It was too much that this man should feel he was conferring benefits upon them, and that she was to share this secret with him. "That's just it, but he*s cottoned to the work as if he was born to it. I'm surprised at him, I really am. But here wc are; mind the step, missy—oh, no. I won't say good morning till I see you safe on the doorstep; so come along; keep your twopence to yourself, my dear; I don't want it. That's all right." He walked with her to the entrance lead:ng to the studios, and then parted from her with a hearty grasp of the hand that hurt Ina's slim ringers. "I'm your brother's friend, remember that, my girl; not just his master, but liis friend, and—and yours, too. So if ever you want anything done that I can do for you I'm at your service," ho said as he wrung her hand again and waited till she had run up the 6tone steps and was lost to sight. All the way home he was buried in thought, and meditating over a plan that had just struck liim as feasible. Ho had taken a fancy to this pair. The brother had grit in him, he thought, that had never had a chance of showing itself or what it could do, and the girl was just the loveliest thing he had ever set his eyes on. "A model! It's not right; it's not the thing for a girl like that to be gaped at by a set of artist chaps, who are none of them noted for morals. It won't do. The brother mustn't allow it. I'm a snug man. I might make the house a bit dainty for her. There's the parlor that's never sat in, a room as is shut up ain't no use. Why shouldn't she have it for her own? It would save 'era rent and being cheated by the landlady. I'll bo bound they stint themselves in coal and comforts of that sort. I'll give the brother a hint, and show him oyer the house. It's a deal bigger than he thinks. Clood rooms, too, and all my own." The hard faco of the shopkeeper brightened and softened. Ho was a lonely man, and considered unsociable, for ho never talked much with his neighbors or told them anything of his affairs; but it was suspected that he had made money out of his business, and that he was v hat they called "a snug man," with a nice sum put safely in the bank, and also other money eecurcly invested. He changed his mind, however, about taking his assistant over tho house, and before they parted in the evening asked him what he and his sister did on a Sunday. || Do you go to service?" he inquired. " No, we don't go anywhere in the mornings, I am afraid, but talk a bit and write and road; in the afternoons we have a walk, and in the evenings drop in at a church where ive can hear good music or a decent sermon; the former takes one as near heaven as the othci', I think," said Hubert. "Humph; well, supposing you and vour sister come and drink your tea with" me next Sunday; there'll be a nico fire in the parlor, and a piano for Missy to give ns a tune on. What do you say? Will you . come 1" Mr Johnson' 6 face was decidedly anxious as he waited for Hubert's reply. The young man was surprised, also a trifle annoyed, for though he would not object to associating with Johnson himself and taking a Sunday cup of tea with him, it was quite pother thing drawing Ina into the acquaintanceship. Yet what was ho to Bay? He did not want to offend the man who had put bread into his mouth when he was on the verge of starving; but Ina, Ina. his beautiful sistor, to be invited to drink tea in a shop parlor with her brother's master, how could he ask her to do such a, thing? Beside?, their Sundays were such a treat to them, to be free and to be together. "Well, can't you come?" There was a tinge of offence in Johnson's tone. " I shall be delighted, and thank yon very much for asking me, but I cannot accept for my sister until I have seen her," said Hubert. "Is she so mighty p&icular, then?" "I would rather ask her first; she might have made other plans, you see," replied the young man. "Yaw ««U« *s jon like. Ask her, and

tell her I want her to oome and try the piano," said Johnson,, bluntly. But Ina declared sh© "didn't mind tho lea*t little bit when her of tho invitation. Johnson was 'a.very Worthy man, though he did not seem'to'realise tho dil* of station between. them, and sho would 7 be pleased to try.;his piano and give ihicn a song. "Anything for your Bako, Hubert," she said softly, for she always Ml that there was eo much toihako up to him for all that he had'suffered from her past silence. ' Then she told him of her meeting with Johnson m the morning, and of her small debt, consequently also of her meeting with Carlyon. "Carlyon! A man I have the greatest contempt for; a dangerous man; too. I shouldn t like you to have anything to. do with him," said Hubert, with annoyance in his tone. "I hato him!" exclaimed his sister, vchemeitly. "That is rather a strong, expression. Have you any reason for saying so?" replied Hubert, startled bv the "look on Ina's face. Then she told liim—told liim the wholo story of tho night that she had gone out after Flora, her meeting with Carlyon, liis insulting conduct, everything, and sho caw her brother clench his bands, a blozo of anger in his 'eyes, furious that this should have happened to his sister. "And I was so near—l saw you, heard your voice in tho cab at the comer of the Edgware road, and wondered about it. .Since then so much has happened that it has slipped my memory, though many a time I have thought to ask you about it when we were not together. The cad! tho insufferable coward to insult a defenceless girl! Good heavens! I hope you won't run any risk of meeting him again. Ina, you must stop these studio visits; they won't do. You are too young and too pretty to go about alone so much. You must give it up, dear," said Hubert, anxiously. " I can't do that yet.; it wouldn't bo fair to Mr De Li?le. He is getting on so well with his picture, and is absorbed in it. I must sit to him until it is finished; but I will bo careful, more careful, and you mav trust me to keep Mr Carlyon and all such men at a distance. Yon need not bo afraid, Hubert," replied tho girl. "Well, I shall be glad when these studio viate are over. You must not engage yourself for any more, Ina; I ain't have it, little sis. Oh, I wish I could take caie of you. and give you a safe and comfortable homo—the sort you ought to have. Tho sin of th? past will always keep mo back, I suppose, as I deserve—as I deserve. It is my punishment, and a bitter one it is ?' said the young man, his voice breaking with emotion. But Ina's arms were round him in an instant, her soft cheek pressed against his own. " Don't! don't! The past is done with—blotted out We are just two hard-work-ing persons like many others, bent upon making what wc can out of life. I'm going to forget the past—bury it quite—and you must do the same." She clung to him for a moment; then, afraid of showing too much feeling, drew away and ran across the little room to her cupboard, where sho kept her own belongings. "There, Hubert., is the shilling I owe Mr Johnson. Please give it him to-morrow with my best thanks, and tell liim I am looking forward to Sunday and tea and music." She actually forced herself to burst ihta a little fong, so anxious was she to dispel her brother's depression, and Hubert listened in amazement. "I didn't know you had a voice like that Why, Ina., then it was you I used to listen to at Copse Close. Several times I heard that lovely voice singing foreign songs usually, and I wondered which of the visitors it could be. Sis, you ought to bo able to make money by such a talent. It is wonderful!" cried her brother, and Ina laughed at his praises and was glad. CHAPTER XIX. MR .JOHNSON" MAKKS A TKOPOSAI. "It seems funny, doesn't it, Hubert, to be going out to tea? I wonder what Mr Johnson will give us—buttered scones, or perhaps muffins. I've made up my mind to enjoy it. whatever it is." said Ina, as she picked her way ovrr the muddy street. Their host was standing on tho step of the house door that was round the comer looking out for them, and after shaking hand 6 led them through a narrow passage up a winding, dark staircase to tire parlor, the door of which he flung open with pride. There was a musty-fusty smell, a smoky fire that wouldn't bum, and a general air of depression about tho seldom-used room that wag anything but cheerful. "A fine apartment, isn't it. missy? You didn't know I had such a, room, now did you? Lustres on tho chimney-piece and a gilt clock with a strike, easy chairs, a Rofv. and a pianner. You try it. Oome, pull off your gloves and give "us a tune. I'll be bound you can play." said the master of the house, putting back tho lid of the walnut wood piano and drawing forward a music stool with a crochet antimacassar to protect the seat. " Oh, but let me look at the room first,, Mr Johnson. It's a good size, isn't it?" replied Ina, anxious to say something in favor of wliat she considered the most painfully tasteless room she had ever been in. _ "That it is, nus*y. You sec, it goe, right- over the passage and part of the shop. I wonder why that fire won't bum. It strikes a bit damp, I fancy. You see, I don't often light a fire here; it's just a company room. I'll hold a newspaper over the grate and see what that'll do," said Johnson, rising up his Sunday paper and kneeling on the rug. Ina, went to the piano and ran her fingers over the yelbw keys that brought forth unmusical sounds from the neglected instrument. Here and there was a note gone dumb, then ono that was a discord. The thing was old and worn out. Nevertheless, wishing to please her brother's employer, the girl s truok the opening chorda of aa old English ballad and her lovely voice resounded in the plaintive words of 'The banks of Allan Water.' When she had finished the last line there was a little pause of silence, and looking up she saw Mr Johnson standing beside her with tears in his eyes and the blackened newspaper hanging- from his hands. ' My! You can sing! It just rr WS , straight through one's heart! " he'said when he found voice to speak. « d^ he " sho SSD S 'Barbara Allen' and Auld Robin Gray,' and quite unconscious of her power, turned tho man's head completely. " It's fine, fine! " he cried, when she rose from the stool and smoothed the antimacassar into place. "You mustn't tire yourself," said Hubert, touching Ina's hand; "you'vo given us a great treat," he added. "Well, and now, before we go downstairs to tea, I have a proposal to make " said Mr* Johnson, taking up his position on the hearthrug with his back to the struggling fire that was making spasmodic efforts to burn. Ho bent lids brow* and looked from the brother to tho sister as he sadd : "How would you like to come and live along of me? There's plenty of room for you—a bedroom each on the floor above this, and the parlor for your own use, including tho pianner, rent free, all for nofchin', a trifle for your board—wo won't quarrel over that—and you'll be a deal letter off than stopping'with these landladies what have no consciences, and cheat right and left." Ina caught her brother's eye, and made tho slightest, almost imperceptible shake of the head with a little contraction of lier forehead. "You are very kind, very generous, Mr Johnson, but I am afraid it wouldn't do," began Hubert, somewhat at a loss how to word his refusal of so magnificent an offer without giving offence. "Now, why not? Come, may, yon'd like to come, wouldn't you, now? " turning to tea, who stammered out something about kindness but impossible to accept. " Nonsense! I say it's all nonsense. Tin *J, j y msm ' a " wido ' w "w without chick or child. I've taken a fancy to you two, and Id ir lac lTT to ha,xa you here ltnder m 7 own roof. What'* there to prevent you coming, eh?" "Several things, Mr Johnson. You see, I am only a temporary assistant." "Temporary be blowed. The other isn't oomm' back. .He's took worse, and they don t sir© no hojje of his *ver bony better,

poor chap! Pm doing all I can for him, and'U go on doin' it as long as he needs it, to don't think:you> are doin'. him anv harm. The fact is, Cheater, my man, I'm thmkhV seriously of taking a'.partner,' and the partner I want stands here in this very room. It's yon, sir—just you." Johnson laid his hand with a hearty slap on the young man's shoulder. "It'll be a good thing for you, Chester, w> think it over and talk it 6ver to-night, with Missy. I don't want an answer in a.hurry. Take your tunc over it,, and now* como on down to tea, for it's all ready and the kettle singin' on the hearth, 111 wager, for tho girl has learned to be up to time, and ki'.ows I like punctuality. Besides, she knows that as soon as sheSre set the tea she can go off for her evening out, see?" Johnson himself led the way. and, unnoticed behind him, Ina nipped hold of her brother's arm. • " No! no! no!" she whispered, " don't agree!" The little room behind tho shop looked cosy in contrast with the parlor, and there was the liome-like fooling of a room that is always in nse. The round table in tke centre was covered with a clean cloth, the tin teapot shono like silver, the buttered scones looked tempting, and the muffins reposed on a covered dish in front of the fire that threw out a warm, red glow. Ina squatted down on the broad fender and held her cold hands to the fire, for she was numb, and the warmth was delicious. "There! see now*! don't she make herself at home? Dear me! anyone might think she'd lived here all her life," remarked Mr Johnson with a broad smile, delighted at the girl's easy, natural waya. They stayed until the church bells began to ring, and then, knowing that Mr Johnson attended chapel, the two young peoplo took their departure. ".Oh, dear! What an impossible man! and how kind! What are wo to do?" cried Inas as soon as tbey found themselves out in the street. "Well, of course, you cant go there to live, and wo must endeavor to refuse hie offer without hurting the 'good man's feelings. As to the partnership, if he considers me worth it, I wouldn't mind accepting the poet; it would mean a homo and comforts for you, Sis, for the business is <-( good one, far better than I thought at first, and I could improve it, but —there is one thing against my accepting the offer, tempting though it is " " What is that?" cried the girl, clasping his arm closer with the hand resting on it. " My past!" " But he knows nothing, Hubert!" " No, but if I enter into any kind of contract with him, he must know. I must tell him the truth, tell him that black storv of my life " "Oh, no! no! Why should you? It is done with, blotted out. Why bring it up again. He would turn you out into the street; we should be adrift once again, for he would tell Mr De Lisle too, and all these men are hard and orueL Tbey would cast us off he did. „Ab, no, Hubert, do not tell him,'' cried the girl, with tears in her broken voice, tears of anguish and fear. "But, Ina, I must; indeed, I have been thinking about it for some days. You see, sis, I feel now that I must run straight whatever happens; but there is no need for De Lisle to know. Your business with him has nothing to do with itf, and I don't for ono moment believe that Johnson would breathe a word of what I tell him.. He would respect my confidence even if he objects to me as his assistant. So. dear, I have made up my mind to tell him everything. I can't accept his hospitality with this secret making a gulf between us. He shall know me for what I am, and can then decide whether he can still take my hand in his in friendship." Ibe girl beside him shivered. She had no faith now in the charity and forgiveness of pither man or woman. Yet, tliough she. endeavored to persuade her brother to still guard his secret, she was prouder of him than sho had ever been in her life before, and she felt that he was getting back Jus self-respect, the pride of rectitude and honesty that had ones been his before his fa)L That evening Hubert-' brought out his manuscripts that had laiu i.-Je for so long,and locked over the contents of the book on prison life that, he was writing, and hoping to get published. It was almost- completed "I believe I could finish it to-night. Then, Ina. I will take it to Johnson and show him the title page, and point to tbxwa words: 'By one who has done his time.'" said Hubert, " for I can't rest now till I've made a clean breast to the man who has befriended me. I made the mistake of secrecy and concealment with Hatheriey. I will not fall into such a mistake a second time," Ina shook her head, but thought it better to say nothing, and sat listening to the scratch, scratch of Hubert's pen as it went swiftly down the long page of foolscap until the sound got on her nerves, and she said sho would go out, as she would be in time for the latter part of a i«rvice at a Roman Catholic Church close by, where the muskwas a great attraction to her. It was so near that her brother "did not think it necessary to accompany her, and Ina flipped out alone. J'he gorgeous ceremony of the service, with the altar a blaze of lights and decorated with flowers, appealed to the girl's artistic senses, and she fell on her knees in a dim corner of the church with a feeling of rapture as the organ pealed' forth its rich harmony of sound in grand chords and the choir of voices rose in the glorious hymn of the 'Tantum Ergo.' As the voices died softly irto silence sl>c became aware of violent weeping dose beside her. A girl on her knees with her face hidden in her hands was shaken by sobs that she strove in vain to suppress. She and iua were the sole occupants of the bench at the bottom of ihe church, a iittle to one side. Evidently the beauty of the music had touched some chord in the girl's heart, and caused her to give way in this manner. Wrung with compassion and pity, Ina moved nearer to her, and laying her hand gently on her arm, murmured softly : " I am so sorry for you, is there anvthlne I can do?" The girl lifted her tear-stained face with a start, and as tho two girls looked into each other's eyes they caHght back the exclamations of astonishment that almost passed their lips. ' Flora!" whispered the one. "Ina!" cried the other, clutching at her cousin's hand and clinging to it, as if it were a staff of comfort to her in her sore distress. (To be continued.)