FOR LOVE AND HONOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14923, 22 February 1912, Page 3

FOR LOVE AND HONOUR.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABRAKGEMENT.

BY HAROLD BINDLOSS, I Author of "A Wide Dominion." "His Adversary's Daughter." " The Kingdom of Courage." "The Mistress of Konaventure." etc. -

COI'YHIGIIT. CHAPTER XXV.—(Continued.) Alison" could see the latter plainly, because, the air- was very clear. He was standing securely on the ledge, looking down on Harry, and it was obvious that ho must see that the rope was unsafe. She expected him to warn the.man below, but to her astonishment he did nothing of the kind; then, looking more losely, she started* as she noticed his face. It was set and white, and there was a look which sent a shiver through her in his eyes. Ho was going to tighten the stranded rope, and Harry would trust his weight to it, confiding in him. The two men were now some sixty feetabove the bottom of the gully, and Harry stood with his hand in a cranny and one foot 011 a tiny projection, while his opposite foot and arm swung out in mid-air. Alison clenched both hands tight as she watched. The man's position looked very insecure, and she dare not cry out, for fear of startling him into letting go and so precipitating the catastrophe. She realised that this would be the probable result, though she was for the moment scarcely capable of thinking. All her faculties were in the grasp of a numbing, enervating dread. The blood ebbed from her face; she felt weak and shivery. As it happened, her horror was fully justified. Arnold had not planned tho thing; indeed, he had only noticed that the rope was stranded a moment or two earlier, but lie was desperate, and his enemy was in his hands. So little waa needed to deliver him from the worst of his anxieties; lie had only to keep silent, and allow the man who could ruin him to trust to the rope. Nobody would cast any blame upon the hitter's companions; accidents to climbers were not uncommon among those fells. A man had been killed, a few months earlier when making a similar ascent. - . ■ . Twisting the rope about a projecting knob, Arnold set his teeth as he braced himself for the expected strain; , but lie no longer looked down— nerve was not sufficient for that. Alison, however, was looking up, and, noticing what he missed, the sight set her heart beating furiously. Harry cast a quick glance aloft, and, instead of seizing the rope above him, sprang boldly from the rock and clutched at another cranny a yard or so to one side. of him. He clung to it with both hands, and in another moment found a place for , foot, after which his, voice rang out harsh and imperative. ~ , _ "Slack up be cried. " Don t heave. I can manage it alone." , Alison held her breath as she watched him scramble up, though she knew he was safe from Arnold : now her father and Vane must have heard the warning shout, it, could not be disregarded without betrying the intention of the man who failed to obey it. He climbed on to the ledge, and she neither saw nor heard what immediately followed. Her sight seemed to fail her, and she collapsed, limp and nerveless, at the foot of the stone she had rested against. Recovering by-and-bye, she became conscious of an intense,- unspeakable relief; for the few moments during which Harry had been m imminent peril had brought her a full revelation. She knew now that she was willing -to take this man on trust unreservedly, because she loved him. Then a sudden, burning anger against Arnold obsessed her. He had cunningly traduced her lover ; lie had not shrunk from a dastardly attempt to destroy him. The latter was almost incredible, but it was true, flie man she had looked up to as a model ot uprightness was a swindler, a liar, and a would-be murderer. . A little later she looked up again, and, to her vast astonishment, saw the lour figures crawl one by one up a difficult part of the chimney. l lt was unthinkable that thev should go on together ; but they were obviously doing so, which made it clear that Harry had taken none of them into his confidence. After all, he would now be on his guard, and Arnold dare. not try again ; but she knew she could not meet the latter without betraying herself, and rising with an effort she turned back down the hill. , She was waiting in the garden when her father and Vane returned, and . once more a horrible fear came upon her when she saw that they were alone. " Where's Harry?" she called out, hurrying towards them as they entered the "'""Ho left us at the bottom of the fell," said Christopher, who looked at her rather sharply: " said he'd go back to the inn, though I understood he wa« coming home with us." . , t ... "Ah!" said* Alison, with vast relief. "Did Arnold go with him?" . " No," replied Vane, who glanced at his companion. "Arnold went straight on to Ruleholine." • " ... , They were not men who readily betraved their feelings, but the girl was quick to notice signs of constraint in their voices and manner. "Why did you let him go on after— the rope stranded?" she asked. Both of them looked at her, and her father answered: " On the whole, it was rather easier than going down would have been." He paused, and added, quietly: "Where were you?" " Among the stones, near the foot of the gully," said Alison, once more burning with swift anger. "I think, by your face, you must have suspected something. What are you going to do?" _ Christopher raised his hand. "Ihe less said on this subject the better. Harry, however, has asked Vane and I to go over to lluleholme this evening, and we have promised to do so." "Is that all he told youT Yes," said her father., grimly. "Harry is not particularly communicative, as I daresay you have noticed.'* He signed to Vane, and turning away they moved off towards the house together. Alison stood still a moment, with her heart beating a good deal faster than usual, and then going in by another door slipped away quietly to her own room. She had been almost insufferably overstrung during the past two hours, and she wanted to be "alone. CHAPTER XXVI. On walking over .to Rulehohno in the evening Christopher and Vane found Harry awaiting them near the entrance lodge, and they glanced at each other when they ,saw* his face, which war- grim and very resolute. Indeed, it struck Christopher that Harry looked a different man from tho 0110 who had set out to climb the Pike with them a few hours earlier. " I thank you both for coming, but 1 must ask you to wait a little for an explanation," ho remarked. " What I have t > say must be said in Arnold's presence." They walked through the grounds, which looked unusually well cared for and beautiful in the evening light with the misty foils closing in behind them. _ Arnold had chosen a very fair spot to build his house in, and nothing that money or the landscape gardener's art could do to enhance its charm had been neglected, but Christopher felt that disaster was hanging oveY his kinsman that night. In a quieter way, the quarry-owner had as high a regard as his daughter for the family honour, and ho was determined that Arnold should not drag it through the mire. When they reached the house they were shown into 'he spacious library, which was growing shadowy, though there would be nearly an hour's daylight outside yet. Arnold sat at a table, and on the whole, both Vane and Christopher were mildly surprised at seeing him, though they knew their kinsman had courage of a kind. , Ho nodded as they came m.. "Sit down," ho said. "Harry requested this interview, and as he hasn't acquainted me with his purpose I'll leave hun to open a;"- ■ ' " _

Harry waited until they were seated, and then, drawing forward a chair, took out a folded sheet of foolscap. "I'm afraid I shall have to speak at some length, he said. "One of you is Arnold's .cousin ; the other his brother-in-law, which is why I have asked you here. You are both just men, and though any prejudices you may have will be in Arnold's "£« our, I am willing that you should decide between us." "I think we can promise to listen with an unbiassed mind," said Vane. " I had one purpose in visiting this country,'' Harry went on. "I wanted to clear my father's name. It is some years since I discovered that he was not to bhirne for the loss of the Calabria." He saw Christopher's slight start and the astonishment in Vane's eyes ; but Arnold listened with an unmoved face. One could have fancied that he had expected this. " I know the task I meant, to undertake would need time and money, and I waited and worked desperately until at last fortune turned, in my favour," Harry added. "Then, I came' over here, and found that the minds of all I met had been poisoned against me. I was a stranger from the wilds, with a tainted record : the son of a man who died in undeserved disgrace. For that I have to thank his cousin." "Statement is not proof," Arnold remarked, with an approach, to a sneer. "Are you in a position to convince anybodythat you were a model of propriety "No," said Harry "the charges insinuated against me contained just enough truth to make their contradiction almost impossible. I owe that to my own thoughtlessness and love of a frolic; I shall not deny them. 1 leave myself in my friends' hands." "I think you can look for justice," Vano informed him. "Thank you," said Harry. "Now I'll ask your attention to this confession made by the Calabria's chief engineer." There was dead silence, except for his impressively level voice, while he read out Salter's statement. Arnold leant forward, with his elbow on the table, as if he did not wish' to miss a word ; Vane sat very still, with on expressionless countenance, and Christopher's face grew very stern. "Is this the truth?": the later broke out, looking at his cousin, when at length Harry laid down the piper. Arnold, who did not answer him, turned to .the younger man. "What do you expect of me?- '.-■'; "An endorsement of this document, declaring that you have heard it and find it correct." "Suppose I refuse?" " You won't refuse," Harry retorted, drily. "It wouldn't be safe." Vane started, as if he were astonished at this, and glanced across at Christopher, who mode him a sign to be silent. "What do you mean by that?" Arnold demanded. "What I said," Harry answered. "Don't force mo to explain." "If I sign the admission you ask for?" " In that case, you shall have a week or two in which to get out of the country, or do anything else you consider advisable, before I make any use of it." "Then give me the paper." Christopher, stood up. "Arnold," he said, Vane has promised for me that I'd see justice done ; but you can't admit the whole of this horrible thing. For the . credit of the family, you must make some defence." y t: ' Arnold smiled sourly. "I'm afraid it would be difficult, and probably not worth : while, as you'll understand in. a minute or two." He turned to Harry: "Tho . paper I" .■'•'-,.' .:'■■ -;. ,: • ;'■.-.;V.,,' It was handed. to . him, and, seizing a pen, he wrote a few lines across the foot of it, and then flung it on the table. " I must ask you to attest it," Harry addressed'the others.' , - s Vane took up the pen and wrote but Christopher, to whom he handed it, laid it down. "It's too'much / to expect of me," he said. " He's my cousin." So was Captain Jack, whom , he ruined," Vane reminded him. "The i man married my, sisterand the -truth's bitter, but I've pledged myself to decide without favour between him and Harry. Besides, for another reason, I ask you to sign." Christopher did so, and there was a few moments' tense ' silence, which Arnold broke. , ' " You're probably astonished that I've made no fight," he. said. "The truth is, it didn't seem worth . while, because ■ I'm threatened with disaster in another quarter." He paused, and. taking a letter and a. telegram from his pocket handed them to Christopher. "You can read and pass them on to Vane." ; " The letter, which was dated a'few days earlier, was from a lawyer, and demanded on grounds which were concisely stated a. return of certain capital invested in- the mine. The telegram, which had arrived in the last hour, requested an immediate compliance with the terms of the letter, failing which legal proceedings would be instituted. Christopher knitted his brows, but he made no comment until he had handed the papers, to his companion. I : " From this, it looks as if tho flotation of the company was a deliberate swindle," he broke out. : I'm inclined to think you are liable to be prosecuted criminally." . "That,". said Arnold, "is . my own opinion. I "must confess that the -..applicants 'have got hold of several facts which I fancied would never come out." He rose, and stood leaning against the table. Until the telegram arrived I had some expectation of being able, to arrange a compromise, but as this is now impossible I'm in your hands. There's only one thing to do, and that, as . Harry suggested, i& to leave tho country." "None of us will stand in the way. olf your doing so," Vane informed him, drily. ' "It isn't enough," said Arnold. "You'll have to do more than that. I've been practically insolvent for a long while, and tho.-last "pound of ready money-1 could raise lias been spent in ... an attempt to stave off the crisis. Once ] or twice - it) looked as if I' would succeed; but there's only ruin in front of me * to-night. If ' I slay, here I shall, no ' doubt, shortly lie arrested." ; ; • ■-.'■■ ' "What do you want?" Christopher inquired. , • " First, an assurance that Maud will be provided for." I "It's promised," said Christopher; and Harry broke in, "I'll sec to that.' 1 ' . "My claim's first,' added Vane. "You need have no uneasiness about my niece's future." j- ,'■■ ' ■ "Then," said Arnold, "111 have to ask you for five hundred pounds. Considering the disgrace my arrest would bring upon vou, it's a reasonable demand. It should, I think, set me on my feet in, we'll say, South America." . "Yon sball have it,", said Vane and when Christopher and Harry added assurances to the same effect, Arnold looked at 1 them with a sneer. " It seems there's a competition among 1 vou for the honour of getting rid of me, he remarked. " You can arrange the thing between you, hut Christopher deals -with mv hank", and I've a cheque-book here. I've only to add that if I leave very shortly I can get the night train. Christopher wrote him out a cheque, which he pocketed. "Thanks." ho said I'm not likely to cause you any further anxiety. Now. if you'll excuse > me, 111 "o'and give orders to the groom. ° None of them made any answer, and there was "an awkward ■ silence when lie left them without another word. j By-and-bye, however, Harry addressed Christopher. "About that cheque" he said " As the one who brought about the climax, it seems to me as I'm liable." ; _ " No," objected Vane. My idea is that we should divide it, but we'll talk it over again. There's another point—your manner led me to believe - that yon had some further charge against Arnold." Harry met his gaze steadily, and then broke into a little grim smile. " It was a purely personal matter." ~ Vane turned to Christopher, and Harry saw the look that passed between them. "I didn't think you had noticed what i took place this afternoon," theV latter J added. "Now I see I was, wrong, but; it's a subject upon which there is nothing to be said." Christopher laid, a ; hand upon his shoulder, ,-." Harry,", he said, "with all respect. to him, your father was , a little hare-brained, and on your, own admission • you have been so too; but there was re- ' markably fine stuff in him, and there is no doubt that he has passed it on to his sou." Again Harry smiled. "Why should I have spoken? What right have I—an outSx&j. $ Westerner Jxam Oifi $M&~- to

come here and tarnish, the honour of the family ?•' Haven't I done enough—to save my father's creditalready?" Christopher made a gesture of reproval. " Your forbearance does you credit, but you must never call yourself an outsider again. You are one of ns. We are glad, to welcome you. for your father's sake— and your own." fie" broke off abruptly, and then pointed to the engineer's confession which was still; lying on the tabic " What are you going to do with this?" " It requires some thought," said Harry. " It's clearly my. duty to send it to the underwriters; but that's not likely to lead to any exposure. They would, no doubt, have to substantiate 'their claim before they could even figure as Arnold's creditors, and it strikes me as very improbable that they would institute legal proceedings against an absconding bankrupt. ■ Apart from that, I shall probably "give the storv to the Western press— scarcely expect it will reach this country—but we'll discuss the matter again. One thing is certain neither Maud nor Alison must over hear a word of it."

"You're a. generous man," 1 Vane answered, and Christopher smiled at Harry. " Perhaps I'd better mention that Alison was sitting among the stones at the foot of the gully this afternoon," he said. Harry Hushed at this. "Well," he answered,* simply, "I'm sorry." Next moment, there was a rattle of wheels outside, and Vane,-who took out his watch, sighed with relief; "; - •■',.' "He'll get the train," he remarked. " It has been a rather startling and painful day, and I'm glad it's over. -I think we'll tell Maud together to-morrow; I believe she has retired early." Christopher agreed, and then turned to Harry. " Will you come over in, say, half an hour? Alison will expect some explanation as soon as we get in." . * They went out together ; but Harry, ' left them at the lodge, and, walking up the dale, turned back towards Low Wood by another road. It was a soft, clear night, with a half-moon in the sky, and] it struck him that he ha/1 never seen tho valley look so beautiful. As he approached Low Wood he saw a white-clad figure waiting at the gate, and when he reached it Alison stretched out her hand to him. "I am badly ashamed, " she said. "You must try to forgive me." ' *";, Hairy held.her hand fast. "It would be vevy easy, only I can't do so, because you aren't to blame. Your attitude was perfectly warranted and very natural." ;j "I was horribly uncharitable," the girl protested. "You have been , splendidly, generous. I have made my father tell me. * ; Harry smiled. "I came over for ono ; purpose, but long before I accomplished ib I made up my mind to stay for another. You can't be cruel enough to spoil it fop me. If you'll give me a minute I'll try to, i J tell you what it is." ,- ■.' He-did so, and when he broke off and drew her masterfully into his arms she did . not resist. '■','.;'- ! '"- •■ ' ",:,'-. - : j [the end.] ' On Saturday next we commence putts lication in these columns of another fascinating story. The serial is entitled " HELEN OF 'THE MOOR," by Alice and Claude 'Askew, and instalments will appear daily until its completion,.