FOR HONOUR OR DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14383, 28 November 1908, Page 2

FOR HONOUR OR DEATH.

THE STORY OF A WOMAN'S LOVS. By DICK DONOVAN,. Author ot "For God and -the Czar," "'From tho Bosom of the Deep," " Stormlight," "Tho Lord Laird," "Without Faith or Pear," " Jane Shore," " Basile the Jester " "In tho Eed Dawn," "The Great White Hand," "The Star of Fortune," "From the Clutch of the Sea," '-Tho Alluring Flame," "Pages from an Adventurous liife. CHAPTER IX.-CONTINUED. As he wended his way homeward he ,was much troubled in his mind by Clara's attitude towards him, no less than by the expression of her wish that he should not go to Lord Dwylwater's. It seemed somehow as if he had been groping in darkness, but his eyes were now open. She had fallen in love with him, or at anyrate was very fond of him. He liked her; she was charming in many ways; she seemed to be. quite different from other members of her family; less superficial, more genuine, warmer-hearted. Was it right that he should allow her to remain under any delusion? Was it right that he should trust himself to the seductive influences of her sweet presence? ■ He was only flesh and blood, and how could he continue to take part- in that theatrical love scene in which he was called upon to hold her in his arms snd kiss her as a man kisses the woman of his heart. Was it just to her, just to himself, just to Olivia Lindmark? He could find but one answer—an emphatic "No!" Had the answer been otherwise, how different his future might have been! But his lines had been marked out, and he must follow them even though they led him to perdition. He was the arbiter of his own fate, but, like many another young and inexperienced man, he was to run blindly on to the rocks ahead and wreck himself. That very night before he weTft to his bed he did two foolish things, He made np his mind that he would keep his dinner engagement with Lord Dwyhvater, and he wrote and posted a letter to Miss Clara Goldschmidt, in which he begged of her to release him from taking any further part in the theatricals, as he had come to the conclusion he was not cut out for that sort of thing. In a sense that letter might be described as a Letter of Doom. It caused him some sorrow and uneasiness, but this gradually wore off, and on the evening of the dinner party he drove up to lord Dwylwater's house in a cab, feeling very brisk and lively. He was no longer a nonentity, he thought, for here he was an invited guest of :a member of the nobility, and for the future he would aspire to the position he considered it .was his right to occupy. Grand and sumptuous as he had considered the Goldschmidt's. house when he had first visited it, it sank into insignificance when compared with his lordship's home, where the senses were satiated with luxury and the boundless ovidence of wealth. The ancestral town residence of the Dwylwaters was one of the most celebrated of London houses, and its pictures and art treasures were said to be of fabulous value : and yet the delicate and anremic stripling of two-and-twenty was known to be in the hands of' the Israelites. It was all pitiable enough, though, alas! but ah old, old story being re-told.- His lordship received Jasper very cordially, as well as apologetically, by saying— "You know, this is only a bachelors' gathering, so I hope you won't be bored. We'll have a bit of grub, and after that try and amuse ourselves in some way. Not a petticoat will show itself in our presence to-night." Jasper stammered out some reply, though he scarcely knew what it was : he was overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place, and the almost regal irrnner in which everything was ordered.' There were 20 guests all told, including Cecil Goldschmidt.- The dining-room in which they sat\ down for the "bit of gmb" v/as a chamber of historic interest, for round its hospitable table even royaUy had been entertained. The ceiling and (he oak panelling of the walls were said' to be

the finest of their kind in London. The walls were adorned with ancestral portraits, and the counterfeit presentment of many a grim and bearded warrior stared from his canvas at the gathering of youths in evening dress—for every man present was under 30. 'flic iiiiiiier, which was superb, was served by an army of flunkeys, and the wine that sparkled in the glasses was of celebrated vintages from (he ancestral .cellars. Jasper exercised more discretion tlian had been the case when he dined with the GoMschtnidts, but lie experienced a' sense of elation as the costly liquor (lowed through his veins, and he felt that lifeat anyrate life of that kind—was worth living. The feast lasted three hours, and then the lorlly host gave the signal for his guests to rise, and himself led the way to what was known as "The Peacock Room," so called from the style of decoration. Here coffee and cigars were served, and card table..* were ranged round the walls. Goldschmidt was particularly gracious and patronising to Jasr.er, and j'nanceuvred to get him near 1/ord Dwyhvater, and when an opportunity occurred he said with easy familiarity: " I tell you what it is, Dwyhvater, we shall have to make our friend here a member of tho 'Klvsium. What do you sayP;. . •'Oh, I shall be delighted, dear old chappie; delighted, I assure yon," was Mr lordship's "esponfe. "How will that suit you, Allport?" o.skcd.Oarl. "His lordship is the president, and I'm on the committee, so your election's pretty certain. May we put you up?" Jasper's pulses throbbed.. He felt that lie was going ahead in grand style, and regarded himself at Unit moment as a singularly fortunate mortal, for he seemed to have "got amongst the. gods. He had heard something of the Elysium, and knew how exclusive it was. "Well—l—l," he began, stammeringly, "I—l need scarcely say that I deeply appreciate this unlooked-foi honour; but— but isn't it rather an expensive dub?" " Not a, bit of it," answered Carl glibly. " The" entrance fee is only forty guineas, and, the annual sub. twenty." Jasper's jaw dropped. _ "Forty guineas entrance!" lie exclaimed in amazement, "Yes, that's all," said Carl. For.; some moments Allport was dumb. Then lie spoke up frankly. "Well, everything is relative in this world; and when one has heaps of money forty guineas ecems a small sum. But I should be wanting in honesty if I did not say I could not pay the forty guineas to begin U'ith, and could not keep up my subscriptions afterwards." "But you have good prospects?" suggested Carl. "Well—yes, possibly. Some day I may inherit a fortune, but. at 'present I am only a dependent." " God bles 5 my life! " exclaimed Carl, "a man who is going to inherit a fortune must qualify himself for it; and, besides, lie can. always anticipate hy borrowing— that's what I do. Now look here; I'll lend you anything yon want." "So,will I," put in his lordship languidly. " Carl Goldscbmidt's friends are my friends." Allport wa,> terribly embarrassed. His 'better nature prompted him to say, "Depart from me, ye tempters," but. his longing to be classed with the "gilded set" was very strong. , Carl noticed his hesitancy, and said with an insidious sweetness of tone: "You needn't let it concern you, old man, I'm good for anything you like in reason." "And so am I," added his lordship in his smalt 1 voice, "I'll make my solicitor oha-p send you a 'thou' if you like. I suppose you'll have to give him something—a bill, don't they call it? But I'm blowed if I know; I never bother myself übout these sort of things. The Johnnies ar,e "always making me sign something or another, but I never read the blessed papers. -Why, only a few months ago the' bankers' chaps who keep my money told me I must give 'em some more desds or something, and 1 told, the solicitor Johnnie to see to it,, and what do j-ou think?—lie had the dsmmd impertir-once to object; hut I jolly well soon brought

him to his senses. So, of course, anything you want you can have." Allport could do no more than jerk out his thanks, and say he would think the matter over. So, for tho time being, the subject dropped, and was not referred to again that night. CHAPTER X.-ON SHIFTING SANDS. There could be no doubt about the influence, that Carl Goldschmidt had exerted over Allport. Whether that influence was well ov not remains to bo seen. To use a homely phrase, Jasper was beginning to feet his'feet, and, with thefolly which seems to lie an inherent principle of youth, he was impatient of restraint and wanted to move in a higher plane before be had earned the right to it. He knew that in the profession which his uncle had olio-yen for him' things worked slowly, and he could only advance by very gradual steps. He could not blink the fact that it would be years before he could hope to gain any recognised and money-making position, no matter liow ■hard he toiled. He did not like the law, to say nothing of the severe restraints that were imposed upon lum, but he was content to plod and buoy himself up with hope; though it did seem to him very hard that he should be expected to shut himself off from all amusement, all forms of enjoyment, all society, during the intervening years—the very years when enjoyment could be most appreciated. It, was not to be' expected- that he should reason with the wisdom of experience: his experience had to come. He • argued as most young meii argue. He had no vitiated tastes; he had a strong sense of honour, but he resented being' kept any longer in leading strings. When he came to London and took up his duties he felthe had mode a distinct step in advance over the threshold of manhood, and now as a man he wanted to bo recognised as a niaai ami live a man's life. The opportunity had been put in his way to gain entrance into such a select- coterie as the Elysium Club seemed to him one that ho had every right to avail himself of. He therefore made up his mind to talk the matter oyer with Mr Winton. Therein he displayed, wisdom; but at the same time he should hav« resolved to abide by that gentleman's decision. ■ Mr Winton heard the proposal with profound amazement. His own life had been a very full one, and in his youth he had been more than- a little wild. Nevertheless he was intolerant of Jasper's desire to force the pace,, and he gave him a severe lecture. |i "I do not blame you," he said, "for Associating yourself with Olivia Lindmark, although I have no very high opinion of Lady Lindmark, and I think you and Olivia would make a good, match. But when you express a desire to identify yourself with, a set amongst .which you cannot hold your own without considerable expenditure, I consider it is time to protest. Your Uncle Hugon, I am sure, would not permit it; but if you like I will write and 1 ask him what lie thinks." " Oh, no, please don't do that! " pleaded Jasper quickly, " There you are, you see. You are persuaded that your uncle would object very strongly. What did he say about your-love-making with Olivia?" "I haven't, told him about it," answered Jasper, colouring deeply. " You haven't told him! " "No." Mr Winton frowned his disapproval. "Then it will be my duty'to do so; and until I hear from 'him and see what his views are the other matter must remain in abeyance. Of course I will put the best face I can on the business, but under no circumstances will I tolerate your doing anything which is contrary to your uncle's wishes." In accordance with this decision Uncle Hugon was mitten to, and in the course of a post or two the reply came to Mr Winton. "I suppose it's a natural thing for a young man to fall in love with a pretty fjiri," Mt Hugon wrote, "and from what you tell me. the girl of his choice is well connected and an, heiress. But I want it to be distinctly 'und-eretocd that tlio lovemaking will only havefmy sanction providing it is made .unmistakably clear that the boy Ins no means of his own. There must lie no sailing under false colours. I need scarcely say I 'intend to provide for him if he keeps in the straight-path, but I do not think it is to his disadvantage to he led to believe that his future 1 depends upon -himself. I believe the lad is too high-minded to do anything that would sully bis honour or the honour of his connections. I am prowl of him; but'a youngster must not be allowed to runtoo freely. Unfortunately, I am laid up by my old enemy, the |ooii(, or I would have gone to town and called on Lady Lindmark. But I know I can rely upon your keeping a sharp eye on Jasper, He must stick to his duties unflaggbgly. He must live strictly within the allowance I make him; and, above all, I will not tolerate nis mixing with people who are likely to tempt him to spend more than hei can afford. A little rational amusement I do not object to, tout it must be kept within very strict limits. London, as I know, is full of temptations for a young man, but Jasper must resist them 5f lie wishes to retain my goodwill. I am, of course, fully mindful of his interests, and I don't, wish him to t-akst any stop, or do anything at this early stage of his career, that will spoil his' life and shadow his future." Mr Winton did not show this letter to Jasper, but-he_ told him what his uncle's views and desires were vrith Tegard to Olivia, and he further gays him to understand that he mustn't for a moment entertain the idea of becoming a memher of the Elysium Club.Jasper was bitterly disappointed. It was a distinct blow to his hopes. Looking at- the matter now from his point of view, it seemed to him that he was being treated, not as a young man old enough to take care of himself, but as a boy who had not outgrown his bibs and tuckers. This was unfortunate for his peace of mind. It made him unhappy and discontented with his lot. It was bad enough to be separated from Olivia, and it was particularly hard upon him, so he thought, that he should he deprived from seeking hi s own pleasures. • ' As Goldschmidt was expecting his answer about- the club, he sailed at the house to see him. . Ho had- not been there since the night he parted with- Clara, when she begged'of him not to accept Lord Dwylwater's invitation. Although he considered' he had done quite the Tight thing in writing'to her as he did, he-was not particularly anxious to' meet her, as he feared she might upbraid him and make cutting remarks. Of course he told Cod that he had spoken to Mr Winton about the club matter, and that he would' not hoar of it. Holdschmidt laughed in the sneering way peculiar to him, when he wished to express contempt for anything. "Well, of course, you will do as you think proper," he remarked, " but I know what I should do were I in your place." " What would you do? " "Why, just exactly as I liked. I would be hanged if I would allow anybody to control me in such a- manner. Why, if my own governw tried it on I wouldn't, stand it. It isn't as though you were a boy. And if you ask my opinion I don't think your people have any right to prevent yon making headway. You see, it's coveted privilege to belong to the Elvsium, and comparatively few can enjoy it, for it's so exclusive. You feel you're somebody w-heti you're a member of a dub like that. It brings you in contact with a lot of good fellows, and giyc s one a recognised position in society. Your people must be bally well blind it thev can't see that. Of course, if I hadn't felt a strong regard- for you, I should never have made the proposal I did. j And then, as you know, Lord Dwyhvater, I who is my most intimate friend, offered to help you also. He's a splendid fellow; he's ityot pots of money, and is most •liberal with it. You "couldn't have a better fellow behind yon, and it seems to me he's taken a fancy to you." Of course this specious argument told with Jasper. " Then do yon suggest," he asked sheepishly, "do yon suggest that I should join the dub without the consent and knowledge of Mr Winton and my uncle?" "I don't suggest anything," answered CarJ with a sliruf; of liis shoulders. " I only say that if I we'o in your place I ,r ouW do as I liked."

Jas]ier fell to pondering, and he played with his slight moustache after the manlier of a man who was halting between two opinions. Deceit bad always been so foreign to hiY nature that lie'could not bear' the idea of doing anything that was not fair and square above board. Blithe saw vdi'y clearly that if he was to become a member of the Elysium Club— and he wanted very much to be a member—he would have to lend himself to deceit, for he feJt it was absolutely hopeleas to expect that lie could convert either Mr Wanton or his uncle to bis views. He struggled hard with himself: it was a stern fight, and his belter nature, was defeated. He turned at last to Carl, and said; "I should like to become a member of the Elysium, and in tho event of my being elected, I will accept your [generous offer of a loan." " Oh, you'll be elected all right, if Dwyhvater and I put you up." "Very well, then, I'll accept, the loan." "AJI right, old man. Supposing I lend you a hundred, eh?" "Yes, if you'll oblige me to that extent." "It will pay your entrance fee and first year's sub., and leave you a trifle for cigars. Aud if you want any more, Dwylwaler will lend you as much" as you want." " I'm more than obliged to you for your kindness," said Jasper, by no means feeling very cheerful, Then, anxious to learn .something about Clara, he asked: "By the way, how lire your sisters?" "Oh, I was going to ask you what was,up between you and the kid. Marguerite told me you were to take part in a play they were going to produce, and roheai'sed the part two or three times and (■hen chucked it. It seems to have given Clara a fit of the bines, and she was in bed for two or three days. Did she ruffle your feathers up the wrong way, or what? " Jasper was quite staggered by this information. It was like a blow;to him. Not for a moment had he dreamed that his action would lead to such a result as Clara falling ill. "By Jove, I am sorry " he exclaimed in genuine earnestness. " Didn't they produce the play, then?" "Not a bit of it. The kid refused to act the part, and so the whole show bust up." This was news indeed, and it -concerned Jasper very deeply. "You see, the fact is," Carl continued, "you've mads an impression on that girl. She's a sentimental, maudlin young fool: not a bit like the other members of the family. I don't know who she takes after, I'm sure. Of course, I thought it was nothing more than a flirtation, unless you were going to play false to Olivia Lindmark." Jasper was so moved that, his eyes actually dimmed, and his emotion was betrayed in his voice as he said: " Believe me, I had no intention of even flirting with your sister. She's a most delightful girl, but it would have been dishonourable of me to have done more than make myself agreeable." " Oh, don't let it worry you, old man," said Carl, irritably, " the child's a fool." Allport could not help a feeling of disgust with Carl for the unkind way in which lie spoke of his sister. It seemed to him unnatural and heartless—to say nothing of its being altogether unbrotherly. But he either was, or pretended to be, a callous and cynical young man, who prided himself mi his lack of sentiment. Jasper was also somewhat disgusted with himself, as he thought he had been guilty of bad manners, if not of cruelty, and something like a revulsion of feeling occurred. He mentally asked himself if h« wasn't playing a double part that would ultimately bring trouble upon him? It was on his very lips to cancel the arrangements about the Elysium Club, but his heart failed him, and lie inquired if Clara was in instead. He was desirous of apologising to Clara, " No, she took herself off to an aunt, a regular outsider, who lives in Gloucester," came the startling answer. "Clara's the only of the family who lias kept up any intercourse with her." Jasper began to reiterate Ids expressions of regret at the serious turn matters had taken, when Carl cut him short by exclaiming, petulantly: "Look here," Allport, don't let it'worry you! I know Clara of old. She's got a lot of stupid notions in her head, and if she happens to be thwarted in anything she sulks. The whole fact of the matter is she had taken a sort of passing fancy to you, I suppose, and wanted you to play an Marguerite's drama with her; and because you didn't do that she. was huffed, She'll be all right as soon as she get's over the sulks, so let the subject drop. She's a regular little ass—that's all I've got to say." Jasper Allport could hardly conceal the irritation which Carl's rude references' to

Iris sister caused him, and he felt positively relieved when a caller was ushered in by the servant. It gave lrim an opportunity of departing, Carl's parting words l)3illg: "I'll,put that matter through with all speed, and let you know the result as soon as I myself know it. I've no doubt it will be all right." When Allpovt quitted, the Goldselimidt mansion, his peace of mind l|ad gone. He could not possibly cheat himself into a belief that his conduct was in accordance with the high principles he professedprinciples that Mr Hugon had been at great [wins to develop. But he had Toadied a point in his career when his nature had suddenly warped. He had been dazzled by the glitter and glare of tinsel, and it had mentally blinded him for the time being. He felt the need at that critical stage of someone in whom he could place confidence, upon whom he could rely. He would have given anything if 'he could have written to, and have talked with, Olivia, Lindmark. But he dared not break the compact he had entered into. Then,,-again, he was sorely troubled by Clara Goklsciimidt's action, for if it meant anything it meant that he had offended her deeply. But in this case he found some consolation in the thought that in writing to her as he did lie had done the most honourable thing he could do. She was .fascinating, and he did not want to be fascinated out of his allegiance to Olivia, At the time he penned the letter' he had not' gauged the depth of her feeling for him. And even now, as he thought it all over, he failed to realise to what extent her regard for him had grown;' Another thing that puzzled .him exceedingly was to understand her motive in desiring him not to go to Lord Dwylwater's dinner-party. Had he had a riper judgment and wider experience of human nature he would not have been .puzzled. He would have known that a, woman draws conclusions by instinct, and very frequently she is right when the man with his laboured and logical deductions is wrong. If Clara had not been concerned about Jasper's webfare she would not have tried to persuade him from going to DwWwatcr's. "With a woman's quick perception, she had gauged the calibre of. her brother's associates, and had come to' the conclusion the Jasper was differently constituted, real and sincere—an unsophisticated youth,\ in fact. Her brother had described her as •being different from the other members of the family, and in doing eo he unintentionally paid her a--high compliment. Uoldschmidt senior was a very worldly man, whose every waiting thought wa6 devoted to increasing his fortune. In business he was clever enough. Out of his business he was a dull clown. He never read books, and had the vulgar love of wealth and ostentatious display. His wife was his shadow; his will was hers. She adoi-ed geegaws and show, and her one desire in life was to be considered somebody. The children, by an immutable law of heredity, displayed the weakness of the parents. They were flippant, conceited,, superficial, self-assertive,' and] selfish. But, as as generally the case in most large families, one differed—that one was Clara: she was a type apart. Ataraxia- was very marked in her ( case, and ehe was a distinct study in atavism. From some ancestor she had inherited qualities of mind of a higher and much superior. kind to her parents and her sisters and brother. She was the only member of her family who showed any art tastes and distinct love of books. She'd none of the vanity which characterised the others. She was thoughtful, studious, observant, with'something of philosophy in lier nature. She was a warm-hearted, lovable girl—sensitive, emotional,, and geneious. In consequence, of all this she had been regarded by her family as "an oddity," and had been very much sat upon and kept under. Her' brother, in particular, treated her with what amounted at times to brutal levity and indifference, often, doing outrage to her feelings' and deeply wounding her sensitiveness. Qi course, Jasper knew nothing of all this. Had he known he would have been less puzzled to account for her falling ill, and going away by reason of his letter to her. Nor did lie dream, in his wildest drcamJßgs, that Clara Goldselimidt was to influence his future. Life in a very remarkable manner.- In a few days after he had gained informntion about her illness and absence slue had become a mere incident in his memory. His thoughts were concentrated .on other tilings. Even his conscience had hardened to the extent that it was lees sensitive to the deviation he had made from the straight way. He persuaded himself, or tried to make himself believe lie had done so, that his fault or faults were, after all, only venial ones. The onus rested- with Uncle Hugon, whose puritanical notions 1 were weJl, calculated to make «. pleasure-loving young man go astray. ■

For three weeks Jasper hoard nothing from any member of the Goldselimidt family, and he began to chafe impatiently. He was led to wonder if Carl had befooled, him, and he had made up his mind to call upon him, when he was relieved and delighted by receip* of an official intimated from the secretary of the Elysium Club that he had been elected a member, and the intimation was accompanied by a request that he would be good enough to forward his cheque for sixty guineas—being forty guineas entrance fee, and twenty guineas for the year's subscription, payable in advance, • The shadows were deepening, although he himself was persuaded that Fortune was smiling her sweetest smile upon him. (To be continued.)