Fiction.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 7

Fiction.

HER FATHERS IDOL, . By MES BASELEY (" Mionon ").. (copyright.) CHAPTER XXI. Hugh Brace's frail little body was propped up in a chair. There seemed scarcely anything of him left. He had shrunk—shrunk to literally nitin and bone. His face, which had always been small, was smaller and tinier than ever ; but in exact proportion as his bod? dwindled his spirit, ever too large and absorbing for tho cramped tenement in which it temporarily dwelt, expanded and •hone. Langley had arrived the evening bofore, and had never since left him. He recognised with deep grief that the brother who had been so dear—dearer than one who had engrossed less attention and care—was fast slipping away into the unseen world, and that no aid or skill could retain him many days. Mrs Bruce had been induced to reßt and nature, over-wearied, was taking its revenge. Though nearly eleven she had not descended.

" I wish, Hugh, you would try and take this little drop of beef tea." said Langley, turning the contents of a saucepan into a cup. " Do, dear, if only to please me." Hugh drew back and motioned his brother —gentle in manner as anj woman though Langley had been—impatiently aside. •• I can't take it; don't worry me, Langley. I will have peace from •trying' to swallow food I detest till I die. Oh, Langley, why did you not find my Nelly—my Nelly Vhe cried with a sudden outburst. '• If I had had your strength, your power, do you suppose I would have slept day or night until I had unearthed her. There has always been my hideous deformity to burden and keep me back, but that will be dropped soon, and I ihall know, too, where she has been." *• Would to God, dear Hughie,that any exertions of mine could have unravelled the mystery that shrouds our darling—your love and mine. I "

"Then, Langley, you—you don't know a word really of where our Nellie is ?" burst in Hugh, with his shrill piping. " I always said you did not. Lots of the people in Slackaby will have it that Nelly was with you |" " A baser slander was never uttered. How could people so misjudge me? Nelly did not even care for me that I "

41 Have you had anything to do with Leah Dawson's disappearance?' asked Hugh, curiously. " Has she disappeared, too ?" asked Langley, in surprise. "She has gone, but her parents know where she is. They had a letter the other week, and she told them she was married to you. Clara Boyd came hero about it. She cried, and so did mother too, but I laughed at them and said it was a tale."

11 As it was, dear Hughic. Slackaby seems to give me an invincible character for attractiveness and charm with its ladies. I can truly say I was quite unprepared for this—stupid gauche old fellow that I am. I never loved but Nelly, and since I lost hor —or rather have never won her—l have stuck to my business assiduously, with hardly a thought beyond. I did try to trace Nelly's disappearance for a few months, but I had nothing to go on, and gave up hope/' " Yeu should not, Langley. She is alive and needs help somewhere." Hugh spoke with a startling assurance that had its effect on Langley. He nearly divulged the encounter he had had in London with Mark on the previous day. One look at Hugh's unduly excited countenance checked him.

"Suppose, dear boy, we talk of other things and forget Nelly just now, as our conversation cannot restore her. I will read you your favourite chapter in St. John, and "

" No, no ; I must talk of Nelly. Don't you see it's the uncertainty of her fate, added to that nasty attack of bronchitis I had—though I should have got over that alone—that has killed me. Not but what I am willing to (Ho if mother would not take on so about it, and if 1 could hear positively where my Nelly is. No, I should be glad to go then, because I shall be as straight and upright as you. and as true, too, as I know you are.' •• A great deal better than I, my poor long-suffering Hugh," said Langley, trying to keep down his irrepressible emotion. "I want to beex-act-ly like you. Perhaps I shall be. But oh lit is hard to die and not know where Nelly has been all thi« long, long time. I'm sure she would not ha e forgotten me and kept mo in ignorance if — if she could have helped it!''

"You said yourself, dear Hughie, that you would know all about her soon," said Langley, soothingly. 11 Yes, but I should like to tell all of you. If I could only have another dream—a vision—one of my revelations, as I call them, I should be satisfied." Once more it occurred to Langley's brain to disclose to Hugh the conversation he had had with Mark Boyd the previous day—for it had taken a great hold on him—but though he was on wings of impatience to trace up the clue, he had but little expectation of discovering Nelly in the dying inmate of a hospital. Still, sad as it would be, it was within the range of possibility that it might be she. Should he tell Hugh? He conquered the inclination. Had his information been definite he would have felt justified in ruffling his brother's uncertainty by disclosure. What was the use of rousing an agitation which he had no authority to quell? ; " Perhaps if you would try and get a little slumber, Hugh, you might dream," suggested Langley. *' It seems more than likely to me that you will have your wish in respect to Nelly satisfied beforo—the end." " Oh, I wish I might," said the poor Cripple, wistfully. «♦! am very tired-so*

weary—and I ache all over. I think I will try." Langloy moved him gently, arranged his position more comfortably, saw that he was at case, and left hira. He meant to take watch that no one disturbed him. He stole back on tip-toe to place a little hand bell near Hugh's side —saw that he was asleep already—aud then returned to the front parlour. He was buried in his thoughts—grief at Hugh's approaching end disturbing him very little more than the news he had just heard —the blight on his reputation. It had been his intention to return to town as quickly as possible on the earliest opportunity, and search into Mark Boyd's report. None were more anxious than he to recover Nelly—as much for Hugh's sake perhaps as his own, not that he loved ter a whit less than formerly, but that Hugh's life was falling a forfeit to suspense on her score ; but if a fillip could have been given the crippled brother had given it, when he disclosed how he—Langley—was accused in public opinion. " Would that I could go—now—at once," he cogitated. " Hugh may last a few days ; be has mother. If Nelly were there and—dying, my first duty may be to her.'' He rose. At that juncture a closed cab stopped at the door. Much to Langley's surprise Dr Heustock, wrapped up warmly in rugs, was helpel out by the driver. To go and give another arm and help to lead him in was the work of a minute. But his surprise was boundless. He had been told the night previous that Dr Henstock was dead. He had even heard the bell toll for him. When he took the sad news home Mrs Bruce, though prostrated by it, had begged him to keep the matter from Hugh, He and the doctor had become such friends—a common tie of endless regret and suspense as to Nelly bound them together, Hugh somewhat, it might be, filling that void in the fathers heart—that Mrs Bruce feared the effect of the shock.

Therefore, after that, to see Dr Henstock out at all, and able with assistance to walk, was a great surprise. " How—is—he ?" gasped Dr Henstock, as he took his seat. " I—am—not too -late ?*'

" Hugh is in a nice sleep just now, Doctor. But ought you to have ventured out ? Your voice is muffled and "

lt I—felt I—l must come. Let me just see him and I will return. Which of us to be first, I wonder ? I shall havo -precipi-tated matters—by this—venture, but I—l love your brother. His affection —for ray—lost darling—has bound —us together. Oh, Langley—why did —not you - find her. I trusted —in you." Almost Hugh's cry over again. Langley felt he must have lacked energy ; yet he thought he had done all that lay in his power. Animated by his recent decision, he said—

" Doctor, believe me, I will in the future leave no effort untried to recover your daughter. I promise you that much solemnly. I have always loved her, but it may have been that my work and a dependence on what you were doing may have partly paralysed me. I am running up to town to—to follow up—a—faint clue to night—at least I shall after I hear your decision on Hugh." " A clue-—about—my Nelly !" said Dr Henstock, hoarsely, his agitation, combined with his thickness of speech, distressing to witness. With the same forbearance and consideration he had shown to Hugh's weakness, Langley showed to Dr Henstock. "Be calm, sir. I spoke thoughtlessly. I am going in search of a clue." "Is that all ? Langley, I bid you watch Mark Boyd and his movements. Hugh and I both blame him—the villain 1"

Mark Boyd ! Langley started. " No," he said, on reflection. " I think you wrong him, doctor. I scarcely think you can be on the right scent there !" Yet it might bo Mark, his actually notifying that Nelly was dying would not prove him guiltless—even if it proved to be Nelly. He certainly had not asked Langley to accompany him to the hospital till he knew his doing so was an impossibility. But with the generosity of a noble mind, Langloy refused to shelter himself under another's guilt till assured there was just cause. "I never liked Mark Boyd/' he said; "but that is no reason why wo should pronounce him capable of as vile an act as man could perform." " Follow him up; watch his movements. I have not been at all satisfied lately. If I could recover I should now concentrate all my energies on him alone. I " "That is Hugh," cried Langley, jumping up. "He is ringing. Can you come, doctor ? Excuse me for interrupting you. Hero is mother."

Between them they huriedly helped Dr Henstock into the kitchen. Hugh did not at first see the doctor, or indeed any of them. His gaze was firmly fixed on one corner; his eyes strained there eagerly. " I've seen it all, Langley. You said I should, but it is not quite—quite clear. Look! there she is! Can't you see her ? The clouds are very dark all round, but my gaze pierces through. Ah, Nellie! why did you not send for me ?"—his tone growing very piteous—" I was only a poor humpy, but I could have helped you. Oh, oh, Nelly, look! How gorgeous, how brilliant. Over your head, see, see they " —ho gasped —"they are beckoning! Oh, how beautiful!"

An exquisite expression of rapture passed over his poor faded face, and lighted it up with a lovolineas it had never befoio possessed. " I am —coming!" he said; and with a little sigh of content his head fell back on his chair. Silence succeeded.

" He is dead! No, no, w t o can't, we must not grieve," Langley said, with a deep-drawn sigh, as he went to his brother. " He has entered on a rest that moans even more to him than to any of us." Dr Henstock stooped and kissed Hugh's brow. Mrs Bruce was in an agony of grief. " If, if I had only not left him," she said. " Don't you reproach yourself with any kindness left undone," said Dr Henstock. "Hugh was sorriest for you. You have been unceasing in your goodness to him.

Help me back into my cab, Langley, and — and como to me to-night before you—return to town."

" Hush," whispered Langley. But his mother, poor heart-broken woman, did not hear.

" I will be sure to come," ho said. And he went. Mrs Baines showed him upstairs. Dr Henstock was in bed. " Read that, ho said, in tones of anguish, and tell me what you think of it. It has just come." It was Mark Boyd's letter. Langley's countenance changed several times as ho perused. " Doctor," he said, laying it down, and speaking with conviction ; " that is not an honest letter somehow. There's a ring of untruth in it—no address —Nelly buried under another name. I must see what can bo done. Ho shall bo found, this Mark Boyd. Dr Boyd will give his address. Don't distress yourself unnecessarily. I don't place much faith in what this," laying his hand on tho sheet of paper, " says." " You must go at once and find out the meaning of it," said Dr Henstock, eagerly. " I rest all my hopes on you. Not for one moment do I rely on a single word that unscrupulous villain writes. He has a motive in it all; but because ho is unscrupulous and stops at nothing my fears for my poor girl are all the greater. Death may not be the worst that can happen to her. Oh, for strength for me to punish her betrayer whoever he may be. If I could only throw off this bronchitis that like a leech clings to me and sucks out all my life blood!" "Dear Dr Henstock, keep as calm as you can; it is your best chance. I will go and make my movements straight to my poor mother. I would not have left her at this juncture could I have helped it j but friends will stay with her." " Aye, tell her it is my request. If sho would come and read to me it might comfort her. We could talk together of Hugh. Langley " throwing him tho envelope—" go to Hendon first." " I don't regard the post-mark of this as much clue, but I can follow it up if you wish," said Langley. " No, no; I remember hearing when Mrs Boyd lay dying," said the doctor, "that sho craved so much for her recreant son that he was telegraphed for to every place from which he had ever written. In the midst of it he turned up from somewhere near. So ho said. But go —go, Langley. My heart —my brain are on fire about my poor Nelly. If—if sho is dead, may I live to avehgo her, is my prayer !" " Poor, afflicted father," thought Langley, as he sorrowfully pursued his way; "you never will havo that prayer answered. Death is w r ritten on your face. But thank goodness that you trust and don't doubt me." CHAPTER XXII. " Through th' back door is it that we're gooin'!" exclaimed Mrs Smith. " Stop a bit. I mun git breath. She's a weary load." In putting tho coffin down to rest- —Mark quite as glad to do so as she was —the lid tilted to one sido. Mark swore. Mrs Smith shivered. Though a woman of iron nerves, and incapable of feeling—save for herself—sho was conscious of a strange shudder going down her back, that she was aiding in an ill-omened deed, despite her craving for money. She felt strongly inclined to relinquish her promised guerdon and leave Mark to perform his own gruesome task. " Now, then, sharp!" he cried peremptorily.

She drew back. "What if she baint really deard, master ?" she said.

" Snivelling! What you ?" ho exclaimed, angrily. " She's dead enough. You may believe mo when I tell you that if I could bring her to life again I'd give—give more than I am worth. We're on the eve of discovery. Her revival might save my neck. Now do you believe me? Ho interspersed his assertion with a few oaths, more effectivo to his hearer than any quantity of arguments. Mrs Smith stooped ready to help again. " Do put on th' lid !" she said, stepping back, " I con't abear to see a deard face. Ah, that's better nor seein' 'ers, which hikes reproachfu' loike." " Your nerves are suffering from want of sleep, evidently," said Mark, sneeringly. " Delay a little longer when every minute is of consequence, and we shall be caught. What are you perking your ears about now ?"

She was listening. She drew nearer to him and spoke significantly — " Mr Barry, as I'm a livin' ooman, theers a cab, and it hev storped outside our gates." "Go to Jericho," he yelled furiously. " A cab stopped here in the dead of night. This is a paltry excuse to delay and ruin me."

" It's nigh five, she said, hurredly. " I'm sure it wur wheels, and they storped. There now," as a loud knock resounded at the gate, " who's right ?" Mark looked round like a stag brought to bay. His first idea was flight. A cab stopping just then could only mean discovery. " Are you gooin' to open th' gate, or mun I goa." " Neither of us; let them knock."

"Wadn't thot bo very unwise," she argued. "It may be nowt pertikler as is theer; to refuse admission wad luko bad. And they need no see—this !" She had not lost her head as he had at a critical moment.

" Suppose as it should a be that ere f urriner ?"

" Dagmar! Very unlikely. But go, they'll have the gates down. Use your woman's wit, but don't admit anybody. Good gracious, all Hendon will be awake soon if that row goes on. They think we are asleep. Curse them whoever they may be, coming at this hour. Twenty minutes

later and the world might walk in for all I cared, so long as I got clear away !° Mrs Smith had gone, and was back by the time Mark's sentence was ended. "It is that furrifter, and she vows if 'er aint let in as her'll goa to th' polico station. She's wild." Mark knew what Dagmar could bo. He was at his wit's end what to do for the best.

"Tell her that—that Nelly has run

away! " Yo* may goa and toll 'er what yo' loiko, I'll hev no more to do wi' th' business."

In his extremity Mark resolved to go and seo Dagmar. The moon at the full lighted up the Russian's weird face. She looked like a tigress as she was detained outside. " What have you come at such an hour for ?" he demanded ; " disturbing people out of their sleep!" " You know why I have had to come later than I intended," she cried. "You fooled mo again about Jacobi. We'll settle that by-and-bye. I've come for Nell}', and Nelly I'll have. She'll help me to find my Olga, and if sho don't she'll — Hear, I say," breaking off hurriedly, "let mo in!" " You are too late, Dagmar. Ton my word you are. Nelly took something in her head against"me and ran off before bedtime. How she managed it I can't say, but at last she's done it."

" I don't believe a word you say. If she has gono why prevent me seeing so with my own eyes ? There are two men coining up the road, I'll tell them what you are doing in refusing my request, if you don't let me enter!" It was a ruse of hers. It took. Mark felt convinced that the two detectives, of whom the friendly policeman had warned him, were on the look-out. Of the two evils he chose the less, he would let her in. She could look round the house without seeing aught of Nelly—the coffin being outside the back yard. Ho must propitiate her. But how ? He cursed his evil luck that she should have arrived just then. " Look here, Dagmar, if you don't believe me, I will let you see for yourself, if you will help to deceive those two men when they get here." Sho laughed, amused at the success, and promised. He let her through the gate and locked it again, though she told him that was unnecessary, she should be back directly. " Y r ou need not follow me about, the place is not so largo that I can got lost in it," she said. "Nelly! Nelly, child," she called aloud. " Where are you ?" There was no answer. A chill of dread passed through Dagmar. Had she come too late ? But as yet she had no fear that Mark had harmed his victim. Sho knew him to be vile—unscrupulous—shaky; that he should deliberately encompass another's death she had no suspicion of, though it was a dreadful blow to her plans not to find Nelly at once. " Some women in your shoes might be afraid to act as you are doing," observed Mark, moodily biting his nails." She pointed to the dagger at her breast. " No; I could never be afraid of you," she said sarcastically, and her meaning made him wild. He was not man enough with sufficient nobility of character to rouso her fear. " You have outwitted me for the time, but I'll find her."

" Well, now, you have looked everywhere you can clear out," he said, sneeringly. " Thanks, that does not suit my plans. lam not going till after breakfast. Mrs Smith may be more communicative than you are. Dismiss my cab and pay him. I will rest on this couch." Mark stood in irresolution. But for the knowledge the detectives might be even now on the watch, he would have tussled with Dagmar, so great was the strait in which ho was placed. He could perhaps succeed in wresting the dagger from her, and be able to silence her tongue for ever. But he dared not risk it. After all Dagmar, quietly resting in the house, might bo a matter of no consoquence. If thoy could only get their work done quickly. He hurried out to Mrs Smith.

" She is in the house and pacified. Let us hasten along. This "—pointing to their burden—" once buried, and I can defy her."

Dagmar listened for the rolling off of the cab wheels. A suddon suspicion seized her. How stupid she had been, she had given Mark the chance to effect his escape; it was of vital importance not to lose him now. She rushed out. No! the cab was there. The driver seemed sleeping, and so did the horse.

" Has the gentleman gone out this way ?" she asked.

" Noa, mum; Iso seen nobbudy." Dagmar, her suspicions on the alert, peered about. She saw no one. She was on the point of re-entering the house when she caught the sound of voices. It staggered her to know from whence they came. For the moment she did not connect Mark with what she had heard. Rather did she expect that it might be Nelly hidden somewhere outside. To look down the drive from the front of the lodge she had to round a corner. A shriek escaped her as she did so. Whatever were Mark and Mrs Smith carrying ? Was it Nelly ? Had she fainted ? To run wildly after them, shouting at the top of her voice was her next movement. But the emotion she betrayed, great as it was, the agitation, flurry and excitement, were all as nothing in comparison to Mark's. He was beside himself. A panic seemed to seize him.

"Go back, go back!" ho yelled, furiously. " You cannot come spying here." He pushed forward with all his might, scarce knowing in his panic what he did. "It's noa good," observed Mrs Smith, curtly, " her's a coomin' tearin' on, and I con't go no faster." "We are here," cried Mark, frantically, as they dropped the coffin by the improvised grave. " Wait here whilst Igo and detain the—-fiend."

" Much obliged, but the fiend declines to be detained," declared Dagmar, eluding

his grasp and dancing each side of \\a infuriated and outstretched clasp. "Oh, heavens!" with a sudden shriek, "vhat is this I seo. You've—you've murdered her. Is that the treatment you doled out to my Olga ? As there is justice in the world you shall bo called to account for this. If I've lost her, living as a sword over you and your badness, her death shall be my weapon of torture." "*-

Mark glared wildly around him, but spoke not. Thought was too busy in his brain.

" I did not kill her," he exclaimed at last. " She was taken ill—she had a doctor—and died."

Without saying a word more ho flew down the drive. Dagmar let him go; his presence there was of no use. On, on he went. At the gate he found a man waiting. The moon had suddenly retreated, it was nearly dark, too dark to distinguish faces. Mark's position was desperate. Though he supposed the watcher to be a detective, he resolved to slip by him. Ho looked upon it now as his last chance of safety. Unlocking the gate hurriedly, he bumped against the new comer. " Why the deuce did you not let me in sooner ?" grumbled he. " How is she—my patient ?" "You, Revelstoko!" yelled Mark, furiously, " have you come to gloat over your work ? She's dead—dead; you will have the hangman to pay!" He bade the cabby drive to Willesdon, and jumped into his seat wildly. The cabby rubbed his eyes in surprise. It was not the faro ho had anticipated; but what matter, Willesden was a good run and would pay.

" Double your fare if you get there in timo to catch the workman's train!" shouted Mark.

They drove off, and then for the first time Dr Revelstoko, alias Reg. Volmer," remembered that ho was dawdling. He had never been to bed; his appearance was disorderly and neglected in the extreme. He and some of his had been having a carouse. In the midst of it compunction at one act that might not be fatal had sent him hurrying down to Hendon. Determination not to commit a crime to hide a heinous fault had suddenly seized him. Unfortunate delays on the road, inseparable from night travelling undertaken on the cheap, had much chafed his spirit. Yet delays that after all repaid him. For whilst pacing up and down a little platform ho came across a dilapidated and old advertisement on the walls. It was partly torn, but he saw enough to send his brain whirling. Reward .£IOO for the discovery—Henstock. It should be his. Just the sum that would clear him out of the scrape under which Mark held him in bondage. He wrote the address down in his pocket-book. But dead—dead already! Could it be possible ? She must have taken the dose exceedingly early, or else Mark must have added to it. Hag. Volmer ran his fingers through his hair distractedly as he stood and knocked — knocked at the door. Receiving no answer ho entered and searched around. He was much amazed to seo no signs of Nelly. Her clothes were there. Ho searched her dress pocket. Nothing of consequence was in it. The air of the whole thing puzzled him. It looked bad—mightily bad! Mark had said she was

dead; if so where was she ? To have got a corpse away in so short a time seemed almost an impossibility. He went slowly downstairs, puzzling his head for an explanation. Mark's hurried flight seemed to bespeak one of two things —either he had got Nelly away first or else that his tale was false.

" I never, never seed such wuk in a' mi born days. Shifting on a coffin out to please one party, and a huggun on't back to please another!"

Reg. Volmer drew back hurriedly, but on reflection went forward and met Dagmar and Mrs Smith with their strange burden. "If she's dead, and I suppose that there is no hope that she is not, panted Dagmar Votoski, quite out of breath with the weight and novelty of her occupation, " she shall have decent burial anyway. l—and who may you be, young man, who are prying about hero ?" She broke off shrilly to demand information.

0 Why, this be Dr Some-at," exclaimed Mrs Smith, seizing him by the collar; " the un who guv'd the poison. Ah, yonj? man, yo've coomed joost at th' right time." Keg. Volmer jerked himself loose, and stooping down, hurriedly felt Nelly's brow, hand and pulse. His face grew perplexed. "She is dead, safe enough, is she not, sir ?" queried Dagmar, anxiously, scarce heeding his shabby appearance or Mrs Smith's accusation, as she recognised his desire to trace the faintest symptom of life. " She is cold," answered he. " I can detect no pulse. But lift her up out of this and on to the sofa and I will see."

He himself to»k an active part in his orders.

"Get hot mustard and water ready at once," he commanded; "hot bran bags,and lose not a minute !" "Seems as if he could not tell she's dead," said Dagmar, hurrying far more than Mrs Smith to obey his behests. "Us theer way," coolly declared Mrs Smith. " They trios to mek f owk think 'em so clever. If ever he brings 'er back to live he'll be clever indeed. Did yo* see him 'owding his watch to 'er mouth ? Big dunkey! Just as if he could impose on mi i' thot way!" Dagmar bustled about with a will. She was singularly handy, especially so con? sidering she was a stranger to Mrs Smith's hiding-places. But Eeg. Volmer preferred the latter to wait on him—perhaps because he felt freer to order her about. Every remedy was resorted to unavailingly. Even. Dagmar advised Mr Volmer to cease. She did not marvel much at his persistency when she pondered on Mrs Smith's accusation—

" The one who gave the poison!" Then she blamed herself for heeding any observation such a creature could make,

Mark had given it, no one else. Probably he l&d sent this young man to try as a last hope (when discovered) to see if there was the faintest spark of life. "Life is not quite extinct," said Reg. Voliner, slowly. Then Dagmar understood the cause of his perseverance, and she set to rubbing with all hor might to restore propor animation. "I am anxious to bring her round," observed Reg., confidentially : "not only to save my—my friend's neck, but also to receive .£IOO for hor." Mrs Smith pricked up her ears. " One hundrod pounds," she said slowly. "Oh, my! I mun have some on thot. Good gracious," starting aside, " whatever wur thot ?" Tho cause of her alarm we will leave till our next chapter, as this has already been sufficiently long. (To be continued.)