IZBA’S BID FOR FORTUNE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144086, 3 May 1913, Page 5

IZBA’S BID FOR FORTUNE.

By MRS. HERRIOT GORDON,

Author of “My Last Chance,”' “Paying a Debt,” “Stephen Delemere’s Grime,” etc. CHAPTER Xll.—Continued. Next ' day Ruth appeared at luncheon, and was introduced to Lucy, and soon the two girls became last inends. They were aoout the same age, had many ideas in common and mutual interests which afforded ready subjects of conversation. The barrier of wealth to some extent held them apart, for Ruth at tyncs was inclined to stand on her dignity, and tills the pride of Lucy was equally ready to resent. After luncheon Barton and Ruth were wandering amidst the ffower pots in the old-fasluoned garden. “Do you like a country life, Mr. Barton?” asked Ruth. “Yes, T love the country, though my life has been almost exclusively confined to Loudon.” “I like a visit to London, but would not' caro to .stay there,” said Ruth. “I have a friend—an old school companion —who is married to a missionary who works in the East Bud. I oiben go to stay with them. Those who live in the West End do not know anything about the East. The misery and wreteneduess is terrible.” "Yes,” returned Barton, “there are hundreds whoso lives are absolutely hopeless. Their to-morrow has no sunrise and their to-day no sunset. Their days are all one dull level.” “But there are many good men, and women too, trying to help them,” said Ruth. “Clara and her husband believe firmly that the misery is largely due to drink.” “Yes, Miss Smeaton,” answered Barton. “Bad drink that poisons the blood, and vile surroundings that freeze up all moral principle, and yet such men and women are largely the outcome of the modern race for wealth. Excuse me for talking so strongly, but It is a subject on which I feel keenly.” Ho spoke with a strong feeling and in his father’s blasted career. “But have not the temperance societies done a great deal of good?” asked Ruth. _ , “In individual cases no doubt,” be answered; “but the great mass of misery in largo towns is practically untouched. Enthusiasts have , denounced strong drink for a century or so, and to-day there is more consumed than ever. While your abstainei) and philanthropist, like the Pharisees of old, arc quarrelling as to methods of reform the canker is eating into,the vitals of the race.” Ruth glanced up in his face, but did not speak. - 1 “1 feel keenly on this subject, but can do very little,” continued Barton. “It is difficult Miss Smeaton for uu here walking on the green grass with those .beautiful flowers around us, and the waving trees overhead, to realise that in London there aro hundreds who never get .sufficient food, and whose nightly shelter Is the black fog and the freezing street.” “A very cold covering,” said Gerald, who, with Lucy, now joined them. “Don’t bo silly Gerald,” said Ruth. “Why, can’t you bo serious?” “Life is too short for that. What is your opinion, Miss Barton?” “That by the time you become serious, Gerald, you will be an. old man.” “Or else ho will die in the attempt,” put in Ruth. “Better die in a good cause than become a second edition of Mr. ACterby. Yon know' him, Ruth; the poet chap,” said Gerald. “Mr. Atterby has cause to be serious,” replied Ruth. “Ho has been very unfortunate. No one will buy his books.” “I do not think that tho AngloSaxon raco spends sufficient on poetry to keep six poets in affluence,” taul Barton. . , “Humour is what is wanted at the present day,” remarked Gerald. “Or something that no one can understand,” put in Lacy. “I know a chap in London"who wrote a farce that was so humorous that it had to be rejected.” They all laughed at this, and Gerald continued: ■"‘The farce was accepted by a manager and put on rehearsal, but the,actors laughed so much when it was being rehearsed that he was obliged to withdraw it. So the piece never saw the light.” The four young people now turned and retraced their stops toward tho house, where Mrs. Hessele sat at an open window watching them cross the lawn. She had, with singular rapidity, come to certain conclusions regarding them—namely, that Lucy and Gerald would make a splendid pair, and Fred Barton and Ruth Smeaton, were made for each, other. As they drove back to Clifton House, Gerald turned to Ruth and said—“ You appeared to enjoy Barton’s society immensely.” “Yes, I did,” sho replied quietly. “He improves on acquaintance.” “The ‘wretch’ must have good points,” said Gerald, laughing. “Yon know it was you who made me use tho term. I did not mean it,” she said. “No woman ever does mean what sire says.” “Oh, yes, she does; and no matter what I think of him, his sister will always be tho superior Miss Barton.” At dinner, which was a very formal meal at Clifton House, Mr. Menstrie issued his fiat that Mr. Barton and his sister should be invited to dine with them on the following Sunday, and after dinner Gerald volunteered to rido over -to Dene Hollow with the invitations. “I can’t understand what has come over that boy of late; ho never contradicts me at all,” said Mr. Menstrie to his' wife later in tho evening. “He is really doing some good in the business.” “I always said Gerald was clever,” returned Mrs. Menstrie, complacently. “Has he said anything to Ruth yet?’? asked the old man. “No,” returned Mrs. Menstrie, hesitatingly, “but I have seen certain signs. I can read the dear boy’s heart like a book. We must not, hurry matters, John, dear; it will come all right.” “I have set my’heart on his marryino- Ruth,” concluded Mr. Menstrie, as the young lady in question entered the Gerald had reached Dene Hollow with the invitations, where he lingered for some time, but ultimately mounted his horse and rode slowly back to Clifton House. . Mrs. Hessele and Lucy stood m the

porch and watched him as he rodo down the avenue. “He is a handsome boy,” said Mrs. Hesseie, - “and as good as he is handsome.” “A 7 es, he is good,” replied Lucy, faintly- ~ “I have known him from childhood, went on .Mrs. Hessele, “and the woman who gets him for a husband will bo lucky indeed.” A short silence followed, and then Lucy asked; _ “Isn’t he engaged to Miss Smealon “Oh, dear no, thero is no engagement, only a desire on tho part ,of his parents, who are her guardians, 'to see them married. A very laudable desire in itself, but one that may not bo gratified.” ' On returning to town on the follow-, mg Monday, Barton was busily engaged in business upon that day, also on the Tuesday, but early on Wednesday lorenoon ho left - tho office to make preparations for his visit to Mrs. Dunsraorc. As tho day of his visit approached, ho kept speculating as to_ wtiat Airs. Dimsmore would be like—if she was old or .young, and also what his reception would be. Now that the. time for the visit had arrived he round himself more particular about bis personal appearance than ho had over beau in bis lite before. Nor was Barton alone in this respect, for Izba was looking forward. with impatience to tho coming interview. At length the eventful Wednesday dawned, and Izba was seated in her drawingroom waiting the arrival of Air. Barton. A little apart sat an old lady plying her knitting. Sho was Mies Hunter, who acted as companion to Izba, for sho was outwardly very strict whore the proprieties wore concerned. Izba Pad learned many things during her stay with Lady Duusmoie, but above all had acquired the art ot dressing, well. She had long since laid aside her widow's weeds, but to-day decided to wear a dark circs:;. She selected black relieved hy a single streak of white, with whit? roses in her hair and at. her breast; her clear sparkling eyes and pale complexion, with checks stiff used by a delicate tinge ot pink, rendered her what she really was, a strikingly handsome and .dangerously fascinating woman. Tno stakes for which she meant to play were high, and she would allow no minor obstacles to block her path. Married to the hoir-at-law of flic Dmismore estates, even if her deception was discovered, Izba believed slio would he .safe. Her great dread was lest Ralph Derrick should meet her liclorc the prospective marriage took place. There was always the danger that at one of her receptions Ralph Derrick might walk into her drawing-room. Her thoughts to-day were on Barton and the coming interview, and she kept on conjecturing what sort of appearance tins young man would present. Sho trusted ho would not drop his h’s. would not squint or talk horsey, slang, have a red nose, or any other objectionable feature. For the sake of Jiis income Izba would put up. with a good deal, hut all ih? sain:' hoped .‘.he would net have to swallow too much. At length :i servant opened the d-mr and announced Air. Barton, and Fred Barton, with as littlo idea of Izba’." character or designs as libs the fly who walks into tho spider’s web, entered tho room. , (To be continued.)