CHAPTER IX.—Continued

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 11316, 7 September 1898, Page 4

CHAPTER IX.— Continued

' Why did you think so V he inquired with a slight sneer. ♦ I thought so for several reasons,' said Hilda, gravely. 'The first was because her long, thick hair was quite white- She looked too young and beautiful for time lo have changed its color, and I am sure that some great and sudden grief must have caused the change. She looked very sad, too ; even her voice had a mournful tone in it. Whatever her sorrow has been, papa, it was a I terrible and lasting one !' • You are too young to be a proper judge,' he answered sharply. ' Perhaps so,' she answered, qiietly, but he knew that she did not give credence to his assertion. He paced up and down the floor impatiently for awhile, then turned back to his daughter. • Hilda, 1 he said sharply, ' I forbid your holding any farther communication with that woman. If she sends for you do not go •, if she accosts you anywhere do not notice or reply to her. She is a mad woman. I will not have you • mixed up with her in any way.' Hilda was at the window with her back turned to him . She did not turn around ; did not in anyway notice the imperious command. * Hilda, did you hear me ?' he inquired, after vainly waiting for an answer. ' Yes, I heard you,' she replied, laconically. • Will you do as I bid you V he inquired. Hilda whirled around from the window, and measured the impatient speaker with a cool, defiant eye. 'I am not prepared to give you an affirmative reply to-night, sir. I will consider yonr demand, and lat you know my decision in the morning.' The cool, defiant reply exasperated Mr Aylesford almost beyond endurance. He sprang forward and clutched the speaker by her slight shoulders as if he would have shaken the life out of that slender frame. But at length she wrenched herself free from his ruffianly grasp, and stood beside a chair, panting for breath. * How dare you make such an impus dent reply to your father's command ?' he shouted at her stormily. She stood silent, looking at him. with flashing eyes, her slight form quivering with passionate indignation. At length she uttered a few words in a low, intense, concentrated voice : ' 1 do not believe that you are my father !' was what she said.