OUR SERIAL STORY HER DEAREST WISH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 120, 6 May 1911, Page 9

OUR SERIAL STORY HER DEAREST WISH.

'•Nearly ready?" asked Air Lang. 1 hey both had handsome houses in Dulwich, and, when u.acticabie and ■ convenient, journeyed homeward toi gether. i "les, I think so,” replied the : senior partner, with a sigh. "I’li just endorse these letters. No news, ; 1 suppose?” J "News'’ had come to mean to j Messrs Belford and Lang tidings of ; their client, Lord Gaunt. Mr bang shook his .bead. "No, none. I’m afraid that it is 1 hopeless to expect any now. He : must have been lost.”

Mr Belford nodded and sighed. "Poor fellow ! Though, alter all, I’m afraid one ought to leel more relief than regret at his death. He might have ended so-so much worse.”

Mr Lang assented with a gesture. "I’ve written to young Lord Naseby ,tlio- next heir—Lord Gaunt, 1 suppose h<? is now ; but I’m doubtful whether my letter will reach him. What a singular thing it is, the love of trace! and wandering running through the family. Oh—and, Lang, that iellow, Thorpe, has been here again to-day!” "Uh! what did you do?”

“Well, I’m afraid it was weak,” replied the senior partner, apologetically; "but 1 advanced him some money to take him out of the country.”

"You did?” "Well, yes. You see, if Lord Gaunt—l mean our Gaunt— should turn up: but that’s impossible. Anyway, the next Gaunt will be glad to get rid of that fellow. He has spent tlie time since the inquest going the round of the clubs that would admit him, and telling the story of his and his sister’s wrongs.” "In exchange for free drinks, 1 suppose?” said Mr Lang. "Er—yes. So I gave him enough to take him to Monte Carlo.” "Whore it is to hoped he will remain,” remarked Mr Lang. Mr Belford endorsed the last letter, rose with another sigh, and took his overcoat from the pe;? behind the door.

"Did you see Mr Gilsby?” he inquired, with an accent on the name which Mr Gilsby would not have enjoyed hearing. "Yes.” Mr Lung smiled. "1 never saw before in my whole life a man sorry at receiving money. And Mr Gilsby was very sorry; there is no doubt of that. It is evident that that man Alershon was bent upon ruining the. Deanes.” Mr Belford shrugged his shoulders with a little weary gesture, lie had had a hard day, and any reference

10 Lord (iiiunt’s affairs reminded him

>.f tlm i rouble ami anxiety the murder in I’riitce’s Mansions had caused him.

••'Uh- whole affair is a. mystery,” lie said, "but it is very evident that, Mr Mei 'lion hated poor Lord Gaunt'" ■‘And, of course, the young lady. Miss Deane, was the reason,” added Mr Lang. "There arc your gloves, on that de-'nl case.” "Oh, thanks, thanks! I feel so worrit'll-are you ready? If so, I’ll turn out the gas.’’ He- bail his hand on the key , a hen they both heard a sli p on the stairs. All the clerks had gone, and the two

principals were alone in the office. "Now, who can that be?” said Mr Belford testily. "Whoever it is, 1 shall not stay. We shall lose our tram.” The rootsteps stopped outside the door, and there came a knock. ■‘Open tlie door, Lang. and tell them that we cannot •stay,” said Mr Belford.

Air Lang opened the door. Thon lie uttered an exclamation and tell back, and Gaunt walked in. Air Belford dropped his hat on the desk, and it rolled unheeded to the floor.

■’Lord Gaunt!” lie- gasped, and he stared and gaped at the- tai! figure and haggard face. ‘‘How do you do; Mr Belford?'’ said Gaunt, quietly very quietly, with that self-possession and sang-

froid which had often astonished his legal advisers and not seldom puzzled

I and annoyed them. “How do you do. •Mr Lang? I am afraid I am late.” ; "Good God, my lord, -do you know I—when did you come? Where- ?” ! demanded Mr Belford.

I Gaunt stood on the other side of ! the table.

’ "One moment,” lie said, “I want to ask you a question. Is Miss Deane in London?”

“Miss Deane?” echoed Mr Belford, amazed at the question at such a moment.

"Yes. Where is she?” . <T Er--er —Miss Deane is—is at home at Leafmore, I believe. But—but, laird Gaunt, where did you come t from r” j “Is site—well?” broke in Gaunt, aii most sternly. ' The lawyers stared at him, "Er—er —yes. That is, she is better. She lias been very ill—” Gaunt’s pale face worked. " —But she is better. She is at j borne. But—but — good God, my * lord, where have yon come from ? I What—why-—” 1 ’From Southampton," said Gaunt, i quietly, vouchsafing the information. ; now that he had heard something of Deeima. i "From Southampton!'’ gasp 'd Mr ! Belford. "Then --t 1?— y• nw (saved? You are- ail'..-.-" ‘Av-.," -aid Gai;";. ..ui<-ily : ;s beltM’e. "I. was p'ek«-! veclit -the Sea Wolf— sad owner kindIl.v turned Hack and hmdeo m-• :t. England,” (To be Continued.)