CHAPTER XV.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 205, 28 May 1887, Page 7 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XV.

AT BAY. JLt rbhe Grange the old butler gob lunch ready, and waited for his mistress. He waited patiently until noon ; then ho began to wax impatient ; and when the •clock told him that an hour had passed beyond the appointed time, he called to George Latham, the groom, and asked him to gO'Up to the Abbey and see what was the matter. If his lady was eating lunch there, he ought to know it. George quickly saddled and bridled a horse, and ere many minutes he was at tho Abbey* He went directly to the main -vestibule, and there rang the bell. A porter answered, of whom lie inquired for Lad}' Morna, deeming her now, as heiress and sole representative of the titled family, entitled to the honour he gave her. The dull-eyed, dirty-faced menial knew nothing about any Lady Morna, nor any other lady. T£e finally said that he saw her there, in company with his master, several hours before, but he had not seen her since. Then George demanded to see the master. He was becoming alarmed. There was something in the whole thing — in the way his dear lady had been spirited away, and in fihis keeping of her from home and friends — that looked dark and strange to him. The porter — a man one-third heavier than George, and not more than three or four years older— answered insultingly. " Where is your master ?" demanded ho of the Grange. " It's none o' your business," letorted the man of the Abbey. Then he of the Grange knocked the burly porter down, and strode in over his prostrate body, meeting in the hall Jonas Crandal himself, whom the disturbance had brought to the spot. " What is it, my man ? Eh ! You arc Miss Dale's coachman, are you not ?" I "Yes, sir,'' with a slight, cool bow. " And I've come to find my young mistress." , ' ' Your young mistress is *afe and well, George, and will for the present remain with me.*' " Kallo ! What's in the wind now ? What are you doing down there, you rascal ?" This was the voice of a newcomer on the Hcene— Tom Crandal — who had come in from outside, having &een the groom irom the Grange ride up and dismount — had come in just in season to find t?he poor porter picking himself up from the pavement. The unfortunate menial told how cruelly young Latham had treated him. Tom saw through the matter at a glance. He gave the man a kick, and sent him about his business, and then came on to where his father stood with the groom of the Grange. " I have just told him that Miss Dale is well and safe,'' the father explained to his son, ••and that she will for the present remain with ni." "I'd like to ask you, sir, if this is of the lady's own free will and accord ?" Tom had started to speak, but the old man stopped him. Then turning to young Latham, he said : ' ' I may as well give you the simple facts in the case, and you can make them known to whomsoever you please. Before Doctor Dale went away he appointed me his daughter's guardian."' And he went on to evplain the nature of the appointment, the character of the written deed, together with the extent of the power and authority thus vested in him. In the end he said : " So, for a time, my ward will remain under my care. You can toll your people that she is perfectly contented ; that she acknowledges my authority ; and that nothing will be left undone which can be done for her comfort and well-being. " Can I see her, sir ?" "Not now, my lad." "I have been her groom and driver for—" " Look ye, my friend,'' interrupted Tom, with a smile on his wicked face that struck a dead chill to the young fellow's heart, •' if you know when you're well off, you'll take the governor's word, and — go !" flteorge had discretion. He had seen enough to give him an understanding of the situation, and what he did not understand he meant to understand before he left. Without a word more, and hiding his feelings as well as he could, he turned away and left the hall, going out through the vestibule into the court. In a far corner, near the stables, was a fountain and a drinking trough for animate, and thither he led his horse by the bridle. As he had hoped, he discovered in one of the stables a groom with whom he was intimate— Philip Dexter his name was — a youth of two-and-twenty, with an honest, kindly face> himself and his father before him having been born and reared on the Abbey estate. "Phil, I have a question to ask," said George, in a whisper. " Has Lawyer Blackmore, of Wallingham, been here today ?" "No, — nor anybody that looked like him !" "Did you know that Morna Dale was here— in the Abbey— shut up, I think, by—' "— sh\ I know, George. I heard of it. But don't speak of it here. We don't know who are spies of iiim !" " Only one word, Phil. If the chance is yours, will you stand her friend ?" "Aye,— thafc will I, with all my heart ! Didn't she nurse my poor mother through a long sickness, and pay all her expenses the while ? God bless her ! I won't fail her if j help comes possible to me." "And she ought to have friends among the women inside," said George, earnestly. "She has." " 0 ! find 'em, Phil—and tell 'em how much rihe needs sympathy." "I will, I will. But don't stop any longer. We shall be spotted and reported. " Latham said no more ; but with an abortive attempt at a careless whistle he returned to his horse and rode away— rode down the hill at a pace that called all the women and children on the way to their doors and windows. His story was soon told at tho Grange. The first proposition, from Robert Dabney, the father of Helen, was to proceed to the Abbey in force and take fcne lady away. But other counsel prevailed. George himself having expended the first heat of his wrath on the spot, though the youngest of the household, was one of the coolest ; and in the end he had his way, the others promising to remain q,uiet until h\ return. Taking a fresh horse, and the swiftest the stable afforded, he quickly caparisoned it And was off for Wallingham.

Dr. Laybrook listened to the groom's story in dumb aniazoment. .Not a word escaped him until George had taken leave of Phil Do <ter at the Abbey, and of the household at the Grange ; and when the narrative had been brought to a conclusion he had not a question to ask of what had passed. Without informing his wife of what had happened, the old doctor put on his warm overcoat and fur cap, and went with the groom to call on Mr Blackmore. They found the lawyer in his office — he occupied the same rooms so long the headquarters of Mortimer Rivers— and found him at liberty. Ho was a man of middle-ago— say, about forty ; a large, portly man, kindly and benevolent, prompt and determined in his calling, cool and thoughtful, and ever ready to take up the cause of the poor and oppressed if they had right on their side. Mr Blackmore smiled when his name first appeared in the groom's story ; but it changed to an ominous frown as he went on. He listened to the end without once interrupting. George had told the story once ; so ho gave it now without an unnecessary word, and yet without omitting an item of importance. In the end the lawyer turned to Dr. Laybrook, and asked him* if he thought it possible that Mr Crandal could be in possession of any deed of guardianship. The doctor's answer was quick and emphatic. He knew — or, at least, he was morally certain — that there was no such thing in existence. " You are aware, I presume," the lawyer proceeded, "that Doctor Dale left Jonas Crandal in entire and absolute control of his estate and his business ?" Yes, the doctor knew that, but he had left his child her own mistress. Blackmore bent his head and thought. " I can hardly understand," he said, half to himself, as though thinking aloud, " how the man would dare commit such an outrage, in the midst of a civilised community, and where the girl is surrounded by friends of standing and influences if he had not behind the act something tangible to back him up. But," he added, starting up and speaking Avith spirit and determination, " avc Avill soon know. Doctor, I will fill out a warrant, in my capacity as Justice, calling for the dcliA-ery of the body of the girl, or for the showing of good and sufficient cause for her retention. Meamvhile you Avill go and find Superintendent Morley and bring him here. I Avould rather take him along to serve the writ than any other officer I know." " You will go with us ?" ' { Certainly I will. Seeing the rascal took the liberty of using my name .is a decoy to the poor child, I feel that I ought to go. " It was finally arranged that George Latham should go for the officer, and tell him his stcrv on the way. The Avalking Avas none of the best, and Laybrook was not young. In les^ than half an hour Morley Avas in the attorney's office, having been thoroughly posted by the messenger. He Avas calm and | quiet outwardly, but those Avho knew him intimately could have told that there was fire within. " Oh," he Avas saying to himself, "if I could but legally lay my hand upon that man. If both he and his son Avere not engaged in the carrying off of Ralph Ashmore I am a fool !" He looked over the paper Avhich the lawyer had prepared, aud said it would answer. He Avould have preferred an order for the taking of the body of the man himself ; but he did not say so. They Avere provided with a coach and four horses, from the stable of Dr Laybrook, and were soon ready for the start. Their party — four of them was a fit complement for the inside of fcko coach, without croAvding ; but Morley took a fancy for taking along one of his best inspectors, Avho rode on the box Avith the driver. Arrived at the Abbey, they Avere ushered into the principal drawing-room by the selfsame porter Avhom Latham had knocked doAvn only a feAV hours before. It Avas noAV late in the day into the night; for darkness had fallen while they had boen on the Aray, but that would not prevent their marking judicial im-estigation. The law had the right to arrest a criminal, or to set free a person cruelly and Avrongfully held in durance by a private party, at any hour of day or night. Outside, Avhon Jonas Crandal had learned Avho had come, he spruced himself up, and pnt on his most benignant look, at the same time obtaining from his son a promise that he Avould not sboAv himself ; for Tom had been, at first, bent upon facing the sharks, as he pleasantly designated the whole family of laAvyers and policemen, and " having it out Avith them." But he finally gave the promise his father required. " Gentlemen, I bid you a good evening, and a kindly Avelcome," said the host, in his blandest tones and manner, as he entered the room Avhere his visitors sat. They arose, and returned the salutation ; then he waved them back to their seats, with the dignity of a royal master, after Avhich he seated himself. " And now if I may ask," with a smile that exasperated the good old doctor and George Latham, but which caused the hearts of the lawyer and the officer to sink, — "to what do I owe the honour of this visit ?" It had been arranged that Morley should open the casa. " Mr Crandal," he said in his usual cool and easy manner, " I have been empowered, by a legal warrant, formally sworn out and issued, to demand of you the person of a child held by you in durance ; or that you show good and sufficient cause for continuing the forcible restraint. " <• " You allude, 1 presume, to the daughter of the late Doctor, or, rather, Sir Lawrence Dale !" "Yes, sir." " Mr Morley, —and you, gentlemen, —to | the others, — his blandness and equanimity unshaken, — " If you will give me your attention for a single moment, I will satisfy you. Of course,"— with a wonderful smile, — "I use the term moment as a legal fiction. You will understand, Mr Blackmore." The lawyer nodded, and the host proceeded, speaking to him : "My dear sir, you are a lawyer. To you I will put the question. Suppose the late Dr. Dale — he was simply that at the time to which I refer —had appointed me legal guardian of his infant child — that he had given me full and entire authority as such, over '< his OAvn signature— if you had knoAvn such to be the fact— Avould you have wasted your time in coming upon this mission,— for I suppose you have all come on the same business ?" " Before answering your question, sir, I should wish a more explicit explanation of the nature of the deed of which you speak." " You shall have it, sir. You shall see for yourself — you, and your companions — the authority by which I act." He arose and left the room. He probably had the paper at that moment in his pocket ; but he pretended to bring it from the library. When Jbe returned he held in hia hand a folded paper, which he opened, and gave to the attorney without a word, — gave it into his hand, and resumed his seat. Blackmore's heart sank, as his face clearly shoAved, when his eye fell upon that written page. The signature of Mortimer Rivers he knew but too well for the disputing of that upon the deed before him. So/ too, was he familiar with the signature of

Lawrence Dale. And Abe hand of Darnley Wetter he would have recognised afe a glance afe the antipodes. Then he read the instrument— read it critically; studying every expression, and .concluded with a deeply-drawn sigh of pain and disappointment. He handed the paper to Dr. Laybrook, looking first to the ownor for permission, which was given by a nod. " I fear, Doctor," he said, as he passed it over, " that we must return bootless." May I look over wit/h you?" asked Morley. Permission was given ; the light was ample ; and the writing of the old clerk was plain as print. So they read it together— the doctor and the officer,— and finished the rending at the same instant of time. Laybrook gave one more searching glance at the signature of his old friend and confriar, and then handed it back to the attorney, saying, as he did solemnly and resolutely : " I shall contest that to the fullest extent of the law !" " My dear man," said Crandal, in seeming honest surprise, "do you doubt either one of those signatures ? If you do, you could not have known their authors as 1 did. I am sure Mr Blackmore will tell you the deed cannot be shaken. " '* I don't care. I will contest it to the bitter end. If Lawrence Dale set his name upon that paper, with the full knowledge of what was to appeal in connection with it, he was either insane or most wickedly outraged and imposed upon. The case shall come before tho highest tribunal I can find. Let me look at that paper once more." He caught it from the kiwyer's hand before the I owner could interfere. " Aha !" he exclaimed excitedly, pointing with his finger as he spoke. " Look at that ! The name of Lawrence Dale is in | different ink from all the rest. Do you see ? Entirely different. By the heavens above me ! I'd take my oath that name was written with the doctor's own ink, from his [ own stand, in his OAvn library at the Grange !" They looked, and saw it was as he had said. Dale's, name was written in a pale, greenish fluid, while all the rest appeared in such intense jet-black record ink as lawyers love to use. Crandal maintained himself wonderfully. He explained tho matter by telling how Werter and the old attorney had used ink from a stand on the desk of the clerk inside the rail, while Dr. Dale had written outside, and used ink from a stand set apart for clients. However, Laybrook and his friends made a note of the circumstance. ' ' Mr Crandal, will you permit me to see Miss Dale for a few moments ?" The doctor arose as he asked the privilege, appearing to believe he would not be refused. The guardian returned him a look of blank astonishment, seeming at first too greatly surprised for speech ; but finally he Found his tongue. " Doctor Laybrook ! lam astonished at you ! Think of it : After so long a time 1 have resolved, for the girl's good, that my authority as guardian shall be put into, force. Naturally, she was, in the out&et disappointed. She is beginning, however^ to understand the neoessities of the situa tion. She recognises, and freely acknow ledges, her father's hand on that instrument' and she will very soon be entirely satisfied j especially so when she sees that I will do al for real good that lies in my power. Suppose, now, you should see her this evening. I know the scene that would result. I know that you would not hold your tongue from denouncing me and my act. I see it in your face, sir. lS r o ; I will not let you, nor any of you, see her to-night. A clay or two hence, if you will come, you shall confer with her ; but in my presence. That is, I shall claim that right, though I may waive it if I see cause. " After this the visitors conferred apart for a little while, the old doctor being urgent that something bhould be done ; but both Blackmore and Morley were decidedly of the opinion that they could do nothing under their present authority. Said the lawyer : " You may obtain an order from the High Court of Justice for our county calling upon the man to answer your charge. That will prevent him from spiriting the girl away before the next assizes.'' "Must we wait for that?" asked Laybrook, nervously. Blackmore explained further, and the old doctor at length understood ; but he was resolved, nevertheless, that if by any means he could get the dear girl once more beneath his roof, not all the guardians of all the world should take her from him ; and he said something of this to his friends, and, unfortunately, in his harrrowing excitement, he spoke so loudly that Jonas Crandal overheard him. "Mr Crandal," said Blackmore, in the end, as the party were ready to tlepart"we are forced; for the present, to recognise your authority as guardian of Morna Dale ; but you will understand, and take notice, I warn you that you will be cited to appear, with your ward, before the Superior Court at the next assizes, and answer to the objection then and there to be brought against your claim. You will remove the body of the child from this judicial district at your peril." But little more was said, and, finally, with a smile that drove poor Laybrook almost frantic, so blandly and so coolly significant was it, Morna's guardian bowed the visitors from his presence. Then he followed to the outer door of the vestibule, and watched them while they entered their coach and were driven away. " Tom !" he said, in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, at the same time casting a furtive glance around — he had his son in the main hall immediately on his return from the vestibule—" Tom ! Is the lugger at her old berth ?" "Yes. Downer was here this morning." " Then see : We must take this girl across the Channel before morning. She is mine now, to dispose of her as I please, in •pite of all the warnings of all the lawyers in the world. Will you mount a swift horse and ride to the cove, and have the lugger '• ready ? You'll be back shortly after midnight ; and "before the break of another day we'll have the girl safely on board, and on her way to France. 0, do not fail." " Let me alone for that. In faith, old man, I've taken a wonderful fancy for that little beauty. I'll not lose her now, if, I can help it. I shall go over the Channel with her f ' "Of course." " Good 1 Look out for me by half an hour after midnight, sure." Father and son separated with this, and ere long thereafter, when they had got safely out of the way, Philip Dexter, the young groom of the Abbey stables, crept out from a deep arch under the great staircase, and sped swiftly away. (To be Continued),

An Illiterate Nobleman.— Lord William Pawlett, though often Chairman of Committees of the House of Commons, was a great dunce, and could scarcely read. Having to read a bill for naturalising Jemima, Duchess of Kent, he called her "Jeremiah, Duchess of Kent." A gentleman writing to desire a fine horse he had, ofltered him any equivalent. Lord William replied that the horse was at his service } but he did not know what to do with the elephant.