CHAPTER XX.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9306, 23 March 1907, Page 2

CHAPTER XX.

JASPER TRENWITH CONFESSES,

After the hurry and worry of the day, Victor's mind had settled into a state of pleasant tranquility. Within an hour, at the utmost, he would oe speeding back to Lski, and the interview with Jasper Trenwith would have resolved itself into insignificance. He was surprised at himseii now for being scared into so much discomfort. To Mt Trenwith the matter possibly was of vital importance. Very 6mall things are of paramount weight to tnose whom tihey most concern.

Throb-throb-throb ! He listened. The sound floated over the valley, and then was lost behind #he bills. Again it pulsed on the air, louder and more insistent, and Jasper Trenwith's powerful automobile swept Touod a curve in the lane, and came thundering upon him.

The car stopped' at the lodge, and Trenwitu alighted. He walked' directly to Pelham, and shook him by the hand — a long handshake it *was, his eyes scanning the features of ihe young man lingeringly and almost mournfully.

"We have m one another to earth at last, Pelham," he said quietly. "You will spend the night here?"

"Impossible! I must get back to Birmingham within the next hour."

"Hardly." Jaspear Trenwith shook his head, and motioned .to. hie chauffeur to go on. • "To-night, if you must, but you must dine with me, and 1 hear what I have to tell you." He <sghed and looked away. "Then I will take you to Birmingham in my car, if go you must. My secretory sent a note by the chauffeur, so that I knew that you were here."

"I've no desire to be bothered now," Victor said. He colored, for Trenwith was regarding him quizzically.

"I know," he amswelred gently, are to be married; very soon,''

"How do you know that?"

"I have been to Seaaolme to-day, and I saw Miss Craig. Her mother was communicative and curious. As I received no reply to my "telegram, I went after you early this morning, and learned that you weTe after me. Is this your cab? Better dismiss it."

I am to be married to-morrow morning," Victor said, a minute or two later. "At nine o'clock — special license.'

"And you think of experimenting with the simple life in rural shades. I have seen your haven of rest, far from the maddening crowd, and I envy you, Pelham." He spoke Ta<ther sadly. "My life has been squandsTed in the pursuit of vaulting ambition that o'erleaps itself, and at sixty I am a wretched' and guilty millionaire. Come into my snuggery— my den of evil schemes! Dinner won't be long, and you know how simply I live."

Victor followed., curiously, wondeximgJasper Trenwith threw himself into a chair, -after swallowing a glass of liqueur brandy.

'A splendid tonic— an appetizer. Until recently "I never felt the need of stimulants, but since I discoveed that I am possessed of a conscience, my nerves have gone all to pieces. This room" — he waved his right hand dramatically — "as thronged with ghosts of my victims — waiting, and gibing at me for restitution."

Victor -was startled 1 ; then he smiled within himself. Jasper Trenwith was a fine actor, and a subtle diplomatist. To what was this the prelude? The man's face was gray and drawm>, and his hands shook. Again he went to the sideboard, amdi again the liqueur was raised to his lips.

"1 am afraid you are unwell, 5 Victor hazarded.

Trenwith smiled back at him.

"A touch of feveT in my blood. I shall be fit and well to-morrow — I begin to live again to-morrow. I think that I, too, shall go in for the simple llift/hee — t/he open sea, the heathex-clad hills, the shady glens, where the word 'finance' has never yet been heaid. How hot the evening is!" He threw open a window. "And unless you elect to shoot me, Pelham, I may crave your forgiveness — your friendship, perhaps. Who is there?" he added, "Oh, it's only Price, my gardener. I don't want you to work night and day, Sain," he added' good-humoredly.

"This clematis was blown down by the wind last night, sir" Sain apologized; then lied deliberately, and glowered at Pelhara. "I didn't know anybody was in the loom."

Just then a servant announced that dinner was ready.

'"I haite the noise of a bell," Trenwith explained to Victor ; "and menials are so fond of them. Come ; the dinner need not occupy us long, and I will order the automobile for ten o'clock. The night is cool and beautiful, in. the light of a big moon. I shall ■enjoy the spin to Birmingham and back."

Half an hour only -was' spent at the dinner-table, but to Victor it -was a halfhour wasted. Both men ate next to nothing, and hardly a dozen -words passed between them. Several times Victor caaight Jasper Trenwitfo's luminous eyes fixed full upon him, in their depths the anxiety and expectancy which is sometimes seen in the gaze of a favorite dog. He endeavored to interpret its meaning, but failed utterly. This Jasper Trenwith was a revelation to .him.

A tfny clock chimed me half-hour after eight in soft and silvery tones. TrenwLfch, startied, and ran hiß long fingere through Ins hair.

"What a terrible incase clocks make," he arematkeja. ' Fve bad every loud-sfcrik-

ing clock in the house stopped. Even the ticking of this thing oppressed me yesterday. I see you have finished, Pelham, so we will go back to my snuggery. I want the ghosts, to hear that the old Jasper Trenwith is dead !"

He laughed, and Victor began to nave doubts of his sainity. It was no unusual circumstance lor an abnormally clever brain to suffer a sudden collapse.

Trenwith led the way to iiis snuggejy, and, having closed the door, threw back thfe curtains which draped the one wide window. A flood of moonlight bathed the room, and from the woods came the rich song of a nightingale.

"Peace!" exclaimed Trenwith. "The peace of the angels! No artificial light is needed, my dear Pelham. We can smoke and talk, and I can see my ghosts better in the beams of the moon. I am not afraid of them now.. Have you observed that my house as everywhere fitted with the newest appliances for filling the Tooms with blazes of light ? Ga6, lamps, and electricity. The halls, the landings, and the bedrooms are the same. I have been so hideously afraid of the dark until now."

"I have not observed- it," Victor said, rather /ironically. He was watching Jasper Trenwith aiarxowly. "You are about the last man with whom I should associate fear. I hope you haven't laired me here for the mere 6ake of talking arrant nonsense. I shall miss the last train."

rte jumped up, and Trenwith at once became serious.

"Our arrangeeKtnit stamds, Pelham; we leave here at ten in my a/utomibile, and I wall drive you home. Before you go, I want to shake you by the hand, and feel that I am am. honest man. Help yourself to a cigar, and listen. Don't answer my questions if you don't waoit to, and don't murder me if you can help it!"

He struck a match, and held it to the tip of a cigar; he puffed untidy the tip glowed red, and Victor saw his face in a fiery circle.

"Pelham," he continued, "I hated you until t?wo days since. You know why?"

""I can guess."

"And there was nothing in it? There could be nothing in it, and you marrying another woman. What a hideous mistake ' Do you know that you are, a poor arPeiham?"

Victor was startled.

"I have anticipated it," he answered evasively; then, with a faint sneer: "That is why I am seeking the simple life. Things may not b& utterly hopeless at the colliery, though," he added tentatively.

"I am tafraad they are. Your money is gone — every penny, and thousands of pounds' worth of debts incurred. Mr Owem is reckless— nand the machinery and plant " Trenwith made a deprecatory gesture. "You take it coolly."

"It can't be as bad as all "that. ' His heart tunned cold within him. "I suppose Harry Owen has hiddeni the truth from -me. What sort of a wedding-present is this you are giving me, Mr Trenwith?"

"You are hopelessly insolvent — .mined! The old mines are worked out, and the deep seam you, are after — isn't there! Even "if it) were there, I could flood the new mines, and' wash you out, lock, stocky and barrel, if the Chase is sold, there won't be half enough to pay youir creditors. They would take your rural cottage, too. Can't you realize, man, that you are tottering upon the keen edge of eternity !" Victor spramg up, amazed and ■horrified.

"How do you know all this?"

"Because I am the smiling fiemd who has wrought it — I and my creatures ! I hated you, but -you were too strong to be merely despisedj and I resolved to ruin you, as I have ruined others. I always found) a means to an end — gold ! The ground bailiff, who has xured on ivlr Harry Owen, was in my pay."

""You scoundrel! you rogue!"

Victor was almost speechless ; his fury choked him. He clenched his hands, aaid his eyes, blazed wrath and liatred.

"I must go, or I may kill you!"

"I told you that you would want to nvurdesr me!'' He smiled ruefully, and reused a .detaining hand. His luminous eyes became moist, amd his voice trembled with emotion. "Rogue and scoundrel I have been, but my soul shall be purged of every stain, though I become a beggar in the land. Here is my check, Pelham, for an amount which will cover the loss I have made for you — and' a litdjle present for the bride!"

He thrust a blue velvet case into Victor's hands, and Victor stood dazedj and bewildered utterly. He looked at the check; then he opened the case mechanically. A blaze of iridescent fire seemed to fill the room, in the glittering sheen of the moon. It was a diamond necklace — worth a small fortune in itself.

"For the so f *-eyed, the amiable the lovable, bride," Jasper Trenwith said gently. "Will you take my hand now, Pelham? It is\ clean as regards yourself. Thank Heaven for *his. Another ghost is laid !"

(To be continued.)

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