SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11452, 17 June 1899, Page 3

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

CHAPTERS 1 and ll.—^e.vs arriv'ea m England that Mr Anthony MacGilleroy, a thiee times millionaire, has died at the Capo, leavin<* £1000 .absolutely and'the whole of his money to ms niece, Lilian Percival, in the event of the death of a scapegiace named Anthony Fleming, who had escaped after two yeius of the'tefm and was supposed to be still at large. Bx ThjUilovre is in love with Lilian, and is, oii the eve of a long absence from England, on the point of declaring his affection for her wl^en the fateful letters arrive announcing her fortune. A man named Eoyce, a {riend of the family, and Hazard both knew the lecalcitiant runaway. , \,- CHAPTER 111. ! .In, this new whirl of excitement the family [ at Sunnybide had forgotten the very exist- , , ence'of Dr Thurlowe, while he went on his . way homeward, his head and heart filled I with"the, 'imago of Lilian Percival. The * thought of half a year of separation from ', her,-of the width of the world of land and sea between,them, was the only blot on the bright prospect of the voyage before him. Yet it would be madness, worse than madness, to refuse such an offer as Mr Ward's, - to throw away such a chance—the first that Fdrtune had ever offered him.' Life had so far" been an uphill fight to Allan Thurlowe: although, . young and strong as he was., he had seldom bated one jot of heart or hope. But often the struggle had been hard. And he had not to fight for-" his own hand - alone ; a weaker one depended on his exertions. He was the1 ■ only .son of his • mother, and she was a ■ .widow, delicate, and almost entirely dependent upon him, her weakly health necessitating that 'she should live on. the South Coast, and surrounded with' all such coinforts;as he could provide by pinching himself to- the uttermost. , He'had started out on his career full of :j enthusiasm for his profession, than which j it seemed to him there was none nobler, • .j full of faith iri his future, of hopeful visions .! oi doing good, of helping and healing, 1 dreams 'of the success to. s which he would • work his way.*' ' , ~ j Starting duly qualified ito practise, he had si first in sanguine spirit .deemed himself on tho high road to fortune t, but, alas! his talent, energy, good-will,, 'and enthusiasm were all his capital, and partnerships and practices do not grow Hke blackberries on the bushes, to be had for the picking.. Here , asa.poorly-paid assistant to ."an over-worked .. famjly practitioner, there in.temporary employment as a locum tenens;,-he had stru«----i ?led on. Once he had valiantly set up on i *"? ™vn account, with the stock-in-trade of . | a red 'lamp.; a brass plate, and a secondi hand suite of horsehair furniture. During - ! this, stage of his experiences he had learned to-cultivate the,'acquaintance of the wolf • - at-the door, and'how unpleasant is intimate i intercourse with that animaLwhen you have ! -no mutton chop bones wherewith to pacify . ! him' r J " '■' nrTli ?n llad come ihis °n%- Vo£ a post at :<-.\; JUayneld as "atsistant to pld Dr Draxton * j and. although tae salary was low, the young . . doctor had, already won golden opinions in ; the neighbourhood. The oid doctor had i promised, after a year to raise his salary t liberally; and then came -the first bit o"f { real,'luck tha^ had ever fallen in Allan | Uurlowes'way. He had had the good , fortune to pick up the wealthy and eccentric - i old' gentleman,' Mr 'Ward,, Vho had been .; Knocked down'and.seriously injured, by a i scorching" cyclist. , , . - ) Dr Thurlowe's kmSh-'help and efficient i rendermg of "first aid" hid resulted in his . j professional attendance on- the sufferer • and •; his skill and -care- m -that, capacity had ; exklted-W t6 a-'yet higher plate-in the' } favour of Mr Warjd.'-who now offered him , •_ generous terms to .be his companion and' ; medical attendant during the voyage round j the .world. , Not only lys present, but his j future- interests might . depend on this - Matthias Ward was a man not only of wealth, but of influence, and had a reputa- ■ tion. for "sticking." to 'his proteges. He ■ had'suggested already that'Thurlowe outfit to be in a London practice; and hinted •a, Plainly that it might be "managed" ivhen they came back, from their, trip. Yes, this was likely, enough, to prove to Allan Thur- , lowe the tide that, "taken at the flood" might lead him ou to fortune, and to—what ' j else:

!1' - c M il6^ 1" llitherto felt that he would be.justified m asking any woman to share I his lot. What'liad be to offer but the ; Bha« .of a hard Kj r bi, and an uphill . struggle/ And "ho- could he,* who'had to -.; strain every nerve to support his- mother 3 in ( comfort, undertake other, duties and re sppnsibilities? It had always, seemed .to .j him tliat it would be an outrage to ask a 3 woman:to tread the thorny path with him *; But; now, if.ths venture of the world-round ; voyage proved a success, if Matthias Ward . stood his friend in deed, and were to help . him as such a friend could, then his horij zon would clear to brighter^prospects, then . —the hope leapt like a flame in his heart's 'OT ,might come when lle -would'feel j that his-fortunes and his future were even \ ™9rth venturing to offer to Lilian Per- | i Allan Thurlowe had never frittered away » nisi feelings in fleeting fancies; he had laid , flown "his- whole heart at Lilian's feet, and 3 s/ie-was. quite unconscious of it He had , never breathed a syllable of his feeling to > anyone, least-of all to her! For one thine • ; he deemed-that he had no right to tieclare ; himselr; for another, his opportunities of j a. tete-a-tete with her were few and far" j between.' Always there were the children [ hanging round her skiits, her uncle calling : her, the servants appealing to her, Mrs ) Vaughan claiming her . attention. The ; household angel, &he was always at some- ; body s beck and call. '; Thus, it happened that Lilian was un- . awaie-of the devotion she had inspired ; ° • V> lS vaSuely conscious that the younodoctor found her society agreeable; others ; had found the same. She knew he liked , her, but she did not dream how much.

Lilian was aware that she war ' looking, but she did not at all realise the full powei of hoi- beauty.. She did not think much about he^elf; she had so many other peop!e to think of, and thought of them so much. She was not one of those conquering beauties who -have vanquisher! so many they are ready to recognise their conquests at a glance. She was slow in interpreting the signs and tokens. There was nothing in the world that she expected less than that men should fall victims to her charms. Indeed she was not of the type to win universal admiration at first glance. Many people1 who preferred a more vivacious style and more vivid colouring passed her by with merely temperate approbation. She made a most favourable mipiession at once upon Colonel Duncombe, who punctually made his appearance at Sunnyside, and was duly introduced, or rather, to be strictly accurate, introduced himself, to Mrs Vaughan and Miss Percival. It had been arranged that Mrs Vautrhan should remain in the "drawing" i-onn? to support, her niece through the ordeal i f the first introduction, and should then, in discreet course or,.time, casually effect a graceful retreat, and leave the executor of Anthony MacGilleroy's will and the possible inheritress of his millions tete-a-tete. The elder lady's presence was really not as necessary as she appeared to deem it, for Lilian was neithei -shy nor nervous, and stood in not the slightest need pt support and countenance.' Colonel Duncom.be was by way of being a connoisseur in beauty, and the friendly interest with which Ke was prepared to regard Miss Percival .speedily warmed into sincere though temperate admiration.' He had admired and criticised too'many failwomen to be very easily impressed; but he decided calmly and judicially! that Miss Percival was really a, lovely girl," and that as Anthony MacGilleroy's heiress she would be the beauty of the "season. Lilian, for her part, was favourably impressed by Colonel Duncombe's kindly and courteous mannei, and his evidently friendly interest in her. The Colonel was. a fine-looking man still, though 'rather more than " somewhat declined into the vale of years." His close-cropped hair was of an even-toned silvery, grey all over, his complexion sunbrowned, his face deeply lined, "but the dark eyes behind his spectacles were keen and bright still. The ice once broken, there was of course under the circumstances much to hear and say.

"You knew young iFleming, I suppose?" the Colonel observed presently.' |!I can hardly say I knew him. I saw him only once or twii-.i as a child., I have only the vaguest recollection ofl a fnir-haired Boy with a terrier puppy. I think I was .more impressed by the puppy than by the boy!"'

"I fancy I have heard he was always rather wild'," suggested tlie Colonel.'

"I dare say. I think I remember hearing somethingNabout his being.a good deal of anxiety to his parents." "It was a most unfortunate', deplorable affair," said the Colonel.'- "I have only a vague impression of the details. 'It was his American habit of carrying a revolver. He shot a man in some gambling row, wasn't it?" • ■ l

' Yes, I believe it began in 'the ' man's accusing him of cheating." "Accused of cheating, eh? Bad business." The, Colonel knitted his brow. He looked indeed as if, this were a worse business than that for w'lich Fleming' had so narrowly escaped the scaffold. '*" I must look up the files of the papers% and read the leports of the trial," he continued: "I haven't had time as yet." , , ' "I cannot, remember the> details distinctly," said Lilian. "I was very young at the time, only a school-girl at the time."

"Of course." Colonel Duncombe- smiled. '"And now you are—of age?" ' * " Yes, I' was' twenty-one in 'January. I have not .got the reports of the, trial," she added, reverting to the Colonel's ..previous words, " but I have a newspaper cutting about his escape in. my scrap-book—would you like to see it?". • - ■

' I should—if.it would not be troubling yon too iiuich-?',1 •'' ' Lilian^fetched, 'her, scrap-book, a smart, red _ moiocco-bound silver-monogrammed volume, a birthday present from her uncle, containing a heterogeneous collection of interesting cases, admirable .sentiments, recipes'fo.r the toilette,' reviews of'popular novels, poems and quotations, poetry predominating—some of the • earlier extracts copied' out in a school-girlish h&nd, which m later entries matured into that cleai ,aud characteristic cahgrapby' her uncle iound so useful m his woil:. "' Theie were two i.ewspaper cuppings to which she directed the Colonel's attention. They were dated about three ye'ais before, and ran as follows • — ' S

Much excitement was caused at Weymouth yesterday by the report that a, convict Mi effected his escape from Portland < Prison)' It appears that whilst working in one of the outdoor gangs, two of the convicts, apparently acting on a preconcerted plan, took advantage of the using fog to bolt simultaneously from their party. The order to stop -was instantly given, and the warders in charge fifed several shots. One of the convicts, Thomas'Kettendge fell wounded, was recaptured, and lies an a precarious "condition, the other man, Anthony Fleming, continued his flight, apparently uninjured, and was soon lost to view m the fo^ £ hue-and-cry was raised, and -search paities scoured the neighbourhood, but up to a late hour last night his capture had not been effected. Anthony Fleming will be remembered as the man who two years ago was sentenced to death for murdei, but whose sentence was afterwards commuted to 20. years' penal servitude, on petition to the Home Secretary representing that the fatal,shot was unpiemeditated, being fired on impulse m haste and lieat of quarrel.

/ > ■ /:^ ' (Dated sdrae diy'ti' later.)' V::'/ ■':'. ■-f.-A .'iumoiir .was.' curreßt^yesterday 'tkat.thfe . escaped■; convict. .F.lemmg - had been:-cajitiirea' He >is|-however;, still'at. largfe, :the 'report, being founaea von ; the"iact/.thsi;: the police, hacl-dis-coverea, a...main v --jn '.• convict;'garb.-'.-He;,' proved ; however, :to,'.be , a muoh--";older:'rinan/:tlisiji'-tbe missing prisoner; and; his'.accoiint qf.Hitnself is accepted .'as;i:satisfactory : by.'the'*■authorities. His. statement.is that,' being oi*tile tramp:ami tired out, "He; sat down to. rest,'fell asleep, and was awaljened. by tlie.'cqnyict, who, beiriCT'.a powerfully-built.': young man,'; compelled^ him by.threats to exchange; clothes. ".He has described the garments- he gave the'convict,' which iVis hoped may'prove...a;clue. v : '.-./.a-;- ■-■'•;-■

But. the clue had 'failed. From that point the story was silence. Nothing more had ever been heard of the missing man. "Terrible business!" observed the Colonel, shaking his head.

"It is .indeed. Poor ■ fellow, I have always been very sorry for him," said Lilian, with a pitying sigh.* " His disappearance, the uncertainty as to whether he is alive or dead, makes'it a very a'nxipus and painful position for me, for you, ,foi, us both." " It might be an anxious time for me if •1 regarded the matter as an-unccrtainty," she rejoined, " but I feel sure that he is not dead—that he has escaped somewhere abroad." " If ho is in any country with which we have an international extradition law, he would not dare, to reveal himself. And even if he is domiciled in a country beyond extradition, I do not see what step's he could take to claim the property," said Colonel Duncombe, thoughtfully. "Of course, it is an anxious and responsible business for mo. As trustee and executor to the will, I represent his interests, but, if you will allow me to say so, yours, too, as well." " Indeed, I am very glad, very grateful, that, you should say so," replied Lilian, raising her lovely grey eyes trustfully to the Colonel's, which, as I have observed, were in no way blind to beauty. "By heaven! a girl^ fit for a fortune!"' he said to himself. Although he fully recognised . that the chances were that Anthony Fleming was alive and abroad, ■he began to' hone that some fatal misadventure had occurred to the 'unlucky young man. Mrs Vaughau was quite of his mind. Already, in the course of a few hours, she was quite beginning to regard Fleming's existence, if indeed he still cumbered the earth, as a grievance, an unwarrantable interference wiUi dear Lilian's prospects. Already her imagination had painted for her glowing pictures of the brilliant possibilities on, which .Lilian refused to dwell. "And what 'good could the money do him?" the elder lady demanded, as 'if in magnanimous consideration for the truest interests of the absent and erring Anthony. "The poor fellow is dead ,to .'the world! I don't see what use or profit life can b& to him, lurking in hiding and exile, with the sword of Damocles ovei his head!" In her eloquent sympathy and compassion for the poor lost sinner, she refrained from adding aloud the rest of her thought, that this unfortunate. once mercifully released from the burthen of life, the barrier would be broken down that now, as it seemed to her unfairly, reared itself befru een Lilian and fortune well-nigh " beyond the dreams of avarice."

CHAPTER IV.

When Allan Thurlowe next called at Sunnyside he was not long in hearing the tale of o Lilian's legacy and the strange tenour of Anthony Ma'cGilleroy's will, for Mrs Vaughan loved telling news only next best to hearing it. But Dr Thurlovre was, in one tiling, an unsatisfactory listener— that he did not echo her inmost heart's desire, that Anthony Fleming might be safely and comfortably dead and buried! The golden coronal of Fortune on Lilian's brow would only, set her further apart from liinu

He liked Mrs Vaughan— most men did; but this day the time that he spent tete-a---tete with her, listening 'to the languid but" fluent stream of conversation that babbled gently and somewhat discursively from her lips, seemed very long to him, waiting and wondering when Lilian would come in. She came •at - last, Mrs Vaughan greeting her with the gratuitous information that '"she had been telling Dr Thurlowe all the news, whicli Lilian did not need to be in-.j formed, as she was quite sure that, given a -new'listener, her aunt would not fail to' dilate on that question, which seemed already in a day or two to have become quite ail old story.

Lilian smiled as she welcomed Dr Thurlowe in friendly fashion, but she evidently did not wish to encourage discussion on that, subject, of which'indeed she had heard quite • enough^ ■ and, to dwelling on which Allan-Thurlowe was in nc way inclined. For to him it was ho fair prospect that the news of Anthony Fleming's death would open. If Lilian Percival were to prove this great heiress, how could -he ever dare aspire to h'er'hand? He would in literal truth have gone through fire and water ?dr, her,- would have rushed through flames or plunged into a surging sea if she had been in danger,-without getting "his life at a pin's' fee," bufc\the barrier oi gold was one he might not. storm. He, was glad, selfishly glad, tliat there was no report of Anthony Fleming's death, that indeed ,the chances seemed all in favour of his life; yet the mere possibility of such a fortune falling into Lilian's lap brought the vision of -the consequences to him and his • hopes so near that it seemed to set her far apart —loomed like a shadow between himself and her.

There she sat, not a step's length from himj her hand touched his as she handed him a cup of tea, yet somehow on this day he felt her distance rather than her nearness; he had a curious foreboding sense of a gulf that might open between them. Now it was but like a line as fine as a hair, yet it might widen even to the width of- thft world. There she sat, fresh and fair and sweet, in her simple yet graceful black dress, its only ornament a ruffling of soft lace at the white' throat and the slender wrists, a knot of primroses and violets carelessly pinned on beneath her brooch.

He could feast his eyes on her .face, drink in the sweet tones of her voice and laugh, as they sat round the tea table talking the commonplaces of everyday chit-chat, as they had so often done before, yet now he felt something like' a cool breath blowing between them, the "shadowy forecast of imminent paiting,-parting that might prove but the beginning of a wider, longer severance, parting—ah! there was the bitterest sting of it!—that she did not feel! When he, came back from .his voyage round the world, might lie dare hope to find her as he left her? Would she .still be free, an unclaimed prize, open for. the winning? 'And.'would-he deem himself free to' woo?

But before his visit ended, Fortune, as. if to reproach him with his graceless distrust of her favour, smiled upon him and vouchsafed the opportunity of a few words with Lilian apart. ' When he got up to take leave, Tiny playfully ran away with his hat: Lilian gave chase to regain it, which errand took her as far as the garden gate, where Dr Thurlowe availed himself of the chance of lingering, inquiring with interest after the flowers and the pets. Then Tommy must run to fetch his new guinea

I pig to show-the doctoi; Tiny and Dot, i not to be left behind, flow after him to get I the kittens, " that the doctor might see how they had grown," the doctor and Lilian spoiling round the lawn tete-a-tete 1 meanwhile.

. As Lilian . bent- over it . favourite tulip bordei, the little "bunch; of spring flowers she wore became loosened, arid as she moved on it fell at her .feet. " Oh, never mind!" she said, when he stooped to pick it up, yet as he raised it she instinctivelyput out her hand:: it seemed ungracious to rejec^ the poor damaged posy,'.that in a moment more!.would? have been trodden be.aeath their feet, when'lie had taken the trouble to rescue it

But he was tardy in giving it back to her. Ho was carefully gathering together he fragile blossoms which, shaken and disarranged iv their fall, were drooping apart. She noticed for the first, time how deft and delicate in their touch were those strong sinewy hands of his. The poor po.sy was put together again, yet still he did not lestore it. He looked from it to her its late -wearer, half hesitated a moment, then, "May I keep it?" he said, with sudden boldness.

Lilian glanced up surpiised as she answered lightly, "It's not worth keeping." "I think it is,",he rejoined, briefly and seriously. " And I may have it, may 1 not? '

" Oh, certainly, if you like," she s lid flankly and smilingly, but the colour deepened in her cheek. Allan Thurlowe was not one of the, men'from whom one naturally expects compliments, either implied or uttered. He took out his pocke.book and carefully bestowed the posy between its leaves.

"That's going , round the world with me," he: said quietly; '■'•'. \ ". '• '■'■'." /What a traveller it;.will;.be! " she rejoined,'and .her .gaiety:; of >tprie .masked just' •a shade, of epibarrassmenf now.. .Her eyes turned. away to the' tulip- border, yet she was conscious,;of the look'iir his; and the consciousness; albeit;'embarrassing, was not wholly, unpleasant|v;it- caused her a little thrill; half,- of curiosity, .half of shrinking; But at..this point the.'; sound-qf scampering feet and:■ shrill '-yoices.'-heralded.:'the return of tie chikh'eiv racing; each''other ; Tommy and ,his -guinea: pig .well- to the fore, Dot puffing, and panting.;arid cuddling; a tabby kitten';in..- ;the\Vrear^a.nd>Dr.'l Thurlowe'V opportunity'-was-,pver.for;the,dav. :.'■ . :.-■■'

The story of the possible change in Lilian Percival's fortunes flev fast. 'News,was scarce at Mayfield. and the story of the South African millionaire's will wa^ pounced upon as the choicest morsel that had come that way for many a day; no tea-table was complete witliovl the" serving of the story, dressed and -garnished in various st3')es ''according to iasfe" Now and again the divers speculations and conjectiues a& to the potentialities of the future reached I)r Thurlovo's ears; and the more ho heard of the subject the more deeply impiesfsed he was with the' conviction that now was not the Kme for him to ',' speak,", though occasionally common sense and reason, vanquishing for the moment a lover's self-tormenting 'scruples, represented to him that after all this "now," when Lilian's inheritance of the MacGilleroy millions was a mere chance contingent on the death of a man who was in all probability alive, was a better time for such speech than if the'golden apple had already fallen at her feet

The day was " now " ;^ when lie returned from'his world-round vpyage it might be the " never" ; yet still he was withheld from declaring" himself by the shrinkmcr from seeming to seek her on the eve of-her possible accession to a fortune which—it .appeared to his' over-sensitive mind—would set her far and for ever beyond his reach.

Meanwhile Colonel Duncombe and his legal advisers did not let the grass "rowunder their feet. No time was lost in setting investigations on foot with a view to tracing Anthony Fleming's movements since his escape from Dartmoor. Advertisements were widely circulated offering handsome lew.irds for information giving any clue to his whereabouts, and promising that such information should be regarded as confidential; but so far the inquiries met^ with no response. , Detectives were engaged in the-endcavour to trace the missing man, but the-time that had elapsed .since his disappearance rendered it a difficult ir-atter; there was no track to follow.; all clues had grown cold. Still, as those concerned and interested agreed, they .could not expect to sifccced. at ■ once in then search In time, no doubt, ■some information would turn up Wherever he might be, dead or alive, something of Anthony Fleming must surely be known to someone, and that someone might rise to the bait of the reward.

"Please, ma'am, ( here's a gentleman!" Sarah, .the " new girl"' at," 'the Vaughans (a country maiden in cour*p" of training), imparted this information iii a sepulchral whisper'a* she thinst-a card-into her mistress's hand. Mrs Vaughan''looked at the card with a puazlecl, nnrccocnising expression. '

"Mr Stephen Royoe," ?he said. "I don't know the name " She cast a glance of appeal a - her niece, as if to consult her • and Lilian by a warning look directed her aunt's attention to the door .leading into the hnll, which Sarah had left open behind her. The hall not being of palatial dimensions, o visitor waiting theie would not bo out of hearing of voices in the drawingroom Mrs Vaughan took the hint '• Ask him to walk in, Sarah,"' she said "T wonder who it is," she added in a hasty cautious whisper aside 1c Lilian, as Sarah lumbeied out of the room.

" Perhaps some old friend of uncle's," suggested Lilian in the same subdued key. But when the gentlemin entered, it was evident he was not an 'old friend' of Major Vioighan's—-unless, indeed, they had been acquainted when Mr Stephen Royee was in pinafores and petticoats. He was one of tho&e fair,' cloan-sliaven men who often look younger than their years, but certainly those yeaiscou'.J not be sufficiently far advanced for him to be anything like a contemporary of Major Vjughan's

"I have the o£ speaking to Mrs Vaughan?."; he., said, with, a self-possessed smile -;:and bow. : ■'■" I must apologise for calling without a formal introduction, but, finding -myself; iiv this .neighbourhood, as a friend.of an. old.friend of Major Vaughan I have taken, the liberty." ."

_"No introduction i.s necessaiy for any friend of my husband's,"' Mrs Vaughan

rejoined graciously, for the moment mistaking his phrase. " I have not yet the honour of Major VcUighan'b acquaintance," he explained. "It is, my old friend, Mr De Lacy Rawlins, who is, I believe, an old friend of your husband's? " j" Mi De Lacy Rawlins,? Oh, yes," iecognising the name her sweet'courteous smile, but without any unnecessary entliusiastic waimtli, for although the MaioY and the gentleman mentioned had indeed been acquainted for many years, the acquaintance had, never developed into any very close intimacy. Still De Lacy Rawlins was <i man who was "all right," and Mis Vanghan s-miled graciously on his friend, who continued his explanation. "I am staying at West Mayfield, and knowing where I was coming', De Lacy mentioned to me that I should be a near neighbour of Major Vaughan's, whose name was, T need not say, already familiar to me," he added politely. "He, De Lacy was going to givey me a letter of introduction that I might have made my appearance duly accieditcd, but he was suddenly called abroad. I trust I have not tres-' passed too far on your good-nature?"' "Oh, not at all," Mrs Vaughan pro-

tested. " I am sure my husband will be very happy to see you. Lil, dear, will you j use tell your uncle that a friend of Mr De Lacy Rawing—ilr Royee," glancing again suueptiliously at that gentleman's card. | "is here," and "would like to 5-ee him?" j Mr Royce's eyes followed Lilian as .she I i went on this errand. Indeed, while his I face was turned to Mis Vaughan, and his words addressed to her, he had stolen more than one quick comprehensive side glance at Lilian. ; "Your—daughter?" he said, with an-in- | terrogative pau^e between the words. ! " ily I neice," she leplied, forgetting to mention^ her young relative's.''name," an omi<-!>ion which bhe was soon obliged to repair, -when Lilian returned with a messago from her uncle that he would be with them in a minute or two—Mi Royee accidentally addressing her as "Miss yaughan," theieby compelling the introduction. ' " I think," he observed presently, " that it must'have been a relative of Miss Percival's'whom I,had the pleasure of meeting when _ I was in South Africa—Mr MacGilleroy?'' - ' - ' " Did' you know my uncle Anthony then?" asked Lilian^with interest.

."I had that honour." ""'And had you seen him lately?" " Xo, 'it" must have been about five or six years ago. : "All, that would be before poor. David, ■ his son, died."' I "Yes, I remember the son, a-handsome I young fellow." '- "Have you been much in South Africa?" asked Mrs Vaughan, languidly interested. " I was there some months on" a trip." I have been in a good many parts of "the world' on and off. I'm -a. bit of a j^lobe-' trotter." Like most men who have, travelled, Mr Royee had plenty to say, and generally an agieeable manner of ■saying it. He was a, mari quite lip to the. average of good; looks: too; he had a soft, prepossessing smile, a pleasant voice, rather Jow and equable in tqne, bub with a certain crispness and determination in its clear ring. His fair tawny-hair, of the same'shade as his Vplltrimmed moustache, was close-cropped; Iris 'eyes" were of a 'deep blue—long, almondshaped eyes, with a peculiar habit of flashing keen sideway glance,", which seemed to 'take in more than his direct look. ... , - When he sat'talking lightly * and easily, those« quick and- searching- glances were taking note of everything in the room, fiom wall to wall, especially of Lilian Peroival. He made himself very agreeable to his' hostesses, and by the time Major Yaughan made his appearance on the scene the stream of conversation was flowing full .and. free. The shade of distance, -something between stiffness and shyness, in the Major's manner on first making with a stranger rapidly melted away. Mr Royee, having smoothed the path by casual and agreeable allusions to various mutual,acquaintances, adroitly directed the coiiversatioti towards -the subject of the Major's "work"_ (pronounced with a respectful emphasis" that gave the effect of a .'capital W.),, and the good man rose to the bait., His pale dreamy eyes kindled as' he dilated on "the' scheme of his '' His-torical-Dictionary of. ,the British Empiie," which liad "occupied;, him already for 10 years, and bade' fair^to monopolise at the very least another decade. "It is" arranged1 on a new system," he explained, with boyish eagerness and delight- in a sympathetic listener, " carried out along tlnee lines—biographical, geographical,, and historical. It will really meet a need, for see! -Say you want to read ilp_ some' obscure' -episode" of the huofi'ithe building of our Empire, and ■,y>wu-!q},not ■ remember exactly what date 'or periqd. to,,';.]pok up in- .any ordinal, volume-of histery.-wln mj boob, you merely 'tiim^tQ^lMie? initial of. -the ' person or place 'oiiiefly-concerned': and you find fullest in'f&matiou'Slf'a ,battlef'yuu will find the whole history of the campaign of which it ■was; parj^ jviui" directions 'as to its bearing on,the'J3uilding;o£ the Empire.- And would ■j'ini'JbeJjtetfe&'my .dear £,ir, that some penny-aT-lining', jackanapes; pome scribbler on the s'Weekly^Mpon,'"described, my work as 'a sort-ofjglorified/Haydn's"'Book of Dates!' ' : "Is\jjt'.possible?" exclaimed Mr Royee, his, übreatli \ taken away: ''But there's no kn t o*ing';wJi£(fi 'fellows like that will say! And^ aiter',all, v theii ignorance should only move you to" pity! They are not worth a moment's annoyance." The Major beamed in the genial atmosphere of Mr Royce's appreciation.. He"had seftom mjit with; a: more sympathetic spirit. Besides,, Mr Royee seemed-'to know, or to have met-,;- or to' have an intimate* friend who wali'on most intimate terms with, almost every personage of interest at home' or abroad. Presently he guided the conversation back towards his meeting in South sAfrica," with Anthony MacGilleroy, and'-reminiscences of the old millionaire's appearance and manner, the sad loss of his. only son, and so to the subject of his will. He soon asceitained that the family knew nothing of Anthony Fleming's movements since his escape; he was veil assured by the.- unmistakable sincerity of their every 4°Sk (andyton^, and "Mrs Vaughan's jindis: jijHjse^ 'emiosify In.jtjie matter,^ that *nd) 'ignorance"1 coii'ld be 'more""" complete and genuine than theirs on the subject. - ' He took his leave at last with much empressement, and had indeed apparently enjoyed^his- visit so. much that he desired to "remember it in detail, for as soon as he was out of sight of the gate ,he' produced a pencil and note-book, and jotted down I sundry memoranda. \.v«,- ---" They're evidently quite in the' dar^^as. ] to what may have become of Fleming/ ie «aid to himself. " But unless I'm much mistaken, in my "knowledge *of this wicked world, once the story is set abroad they won't be left very long without some news of some kind or another!" \ , , , (To be continued.) ''.