CHAPTER XI. HEATHER MAKES A REQUEST.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 27 July 1909, Page 1

CHAPTER XI. HEATHER MAKES A REQUEST.

It had become necessary for Kentish Thrale to reckon with Barry Owen as a serious adversary. Hitherto the millionaire had not troubled very greatly about him. It was his philosophy only to deal with obstacles as they arose. Ho felt confident of his capacity to beat tho engineer when matters came to a crisis, as he felt confident that, when the time arrived, he could control Duchesne and use him. Now, howover, it seemed as if he must go out of his way to do battle with Owen. Thrale was puzzled to account for the latter s motive in taking up the quarrel. That the engineer loved Esther he suspected, but Owen's persistent enmity was not, in the millionaire's opinion, to be accounted for by love alone. He decided to take the war into the enemy's camp and call at Corain Street. First of all, however, lie gave Heather full instructions as to the garden party at "The Chaw." It was the fagend of a long season, and town was emptying fast. With her thoughts on tho blue waters and white sails or Cowos, Heather was inclined to rebel, and it needed* some diplomacy on Thralo's part to carry his point. Her opposition irritated him, and his temper was not improved when Lord Wiginore tackled him as to the rumours that were flying about the press in regard to Thralc's companies and Thrale himself. , , "There always have been, and there always will be attacks on a successful man and his enterprises," he said, slowly. "As for answering the attacks, I've made tho most effective answers possible — by raising all the capital I want." Even so the old lord's comments stung him to take action. Ho informed Heather that she was to send for Cliiford Sharpe, and mako him write a series of articles on "The Mining Magnate and His Enterprises," said magnate being Kentish Thrale. • "I don't see how I can ask him to do that," she objected. "Surely, it's for you to speak to him, not me." "It's for you to give me all the help you can," he replied, sharply. "Sharp* 1 worships the ground you walk on, and would eat his hat if you told him to. A word from you will do the trick. "My dear boy, he's not so eas) to manage as all that." "Smile on him, let him squeeze your hand " "Why not let him kiss me at once-"' she flamed. "You wouldn't care!" "I'd break his neck!" said Thrale, grimly. "But it won't come to that-— \ou'ro too clever. Do this for me, darling, and we'll go to Cowes directh after we've entertained the crowd at 'The Chase.' " He tilted up hor chin and kissed her full on the lips. She flung her arms about his neck and oiling to him tightly. "I love you so! I love you so!" she eiied. "If you ceased to care for me 1 should die." He swung her off her ieet in a c!om> embrace, kissing her hair and e\es and soft red lips. He left her quivering with emotion, his touch thrilled her to the finger-tips. Hut the joy of the moment over, the sting of his request that • she should persuade Sharpe. commenced to throb. It wasn't nice that her husband — the man she loved more than her life — should suggest and approve of his p wife using her fascinations on another man. Sharpe was as tow to the li^ht of her smile; it would be a difficult

matter to keep linn at arm's length. Her husband should havo known it — "ho -should not lia\o asked her to do this thing. All the same, she decided to do it. She put on a soil. flufi\ tea-gown, all laoe and thitton, made iv tho fashion Sharpe admired, and fastened a pale yellow lose in hoi hair and at her breast. He always brought her yellow roses. Heathoi'b mariiage had given Sharpe a wiench. H<" had known her some two or throe years, and worshipped her with a romantic devotion. Ho had worked hard at his profession, and had entertained hopes tliat one day w hen ho had lung the boll and aolne\od a big .success, ho nii^lit ask and she might iinv herself >v linn .Sincei her marriage he had seen her ineie often than pro\iously, and his attachment was deeper. Ho lived but to meet her, woikiug in fitful fashion only when necessity compelled him. \iiil it was ot this man in this mood th.it Heather had to ask a ta\oui on hoi husband's behalt ' (To be continued.)