"Melrose's Temption."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13661, 1 August 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

"Melrose's Temption."

"Is vour;father in/ Lucy'':" - •" Vm 'dear—in his study. - ' •< him to-day,>nsk.ng^or ■** ■ftOToin&*MJt>' 'as'- "we-- arranged. .He - 6U„- %&&<*;- which •give.me.five mmutL fHeigh-nbl'l iiil a kitten, i • , . Lubv Stiunosotlver. he'll be .sureyou-dear, there s lom hotter all, darling There goes thehoir. 'Just one kiss, for-luck, my "wto 1C Tvarm. pressure of; hi* •teaH'7 lips- on -his . the. last of Arthur MdrosVs doubts regarding the. issue of and fateful interview; were Xt away, and Uaving. Luc,-.. m the drawing- room to await events he crowed Se-hali and tapped upon the study door. *K entered,- and the next moment hands with .Mr. Staines, a Mkte grey haired, .short-sighted man in coat, whom few, at a first have credited with hini.as fndeed- he was, one .of the most, astute Lncf successful financiers * **&f tim "Glad to see you.are prompt to time, Mr; Melrose," he said; then added, m an Something ißi ff£"i^W l -|id Arthur,. -ting haJn; all at once tha his *™» and made. Se. plunge in - simple manly terms ' was clearly surprised but aiteTthe first startled peer through te Sides at Arthur he listened; -with SaVe attention. When the suitor reachfflL end of his tale there was silence, broken only by Mr.- Staines nng«i» be.a jS% swift rataplan on his desk.. But S impassive face betrayed nothing to Arthur's, eager, questioning gaze.. « length Mr. Staines cleared hs throat love each other, ehT Well, it's a tritv for a man may fall in love a few SaWW men do)- and get-out again scalhless. But its no. fun. to such a girl ai Lucy. 1 ought to have fcrseen this, I Mppie; but I've been so immersed in Humph! have a cigar 'lfc 'jSeffhe cigar box towards Arthur bnfthe latter shook his head, while a numbing- pain gripped h*> hearL •'ixcuse me,'Mr.-Staines; I should like to hear : your answer first, if you please. "You've heard it." "And—and I'm rejected." "That's a. hard word, ,Mr. Melrcse. Let-us say declined." "May I 3sk on what grounds: " Gertainly; but that necessitates me prying.a little more closely your "financial • position and prospects than 1 care to. tinder the circirmstan«s. as a chartered accountantMr " Staines, brings me an average three hundred, a year, and it is growing steadilv " ""Quite so," said Mr. Staines, bowing politely. "Now what docs rumour say of niine?" .' • • "I'm too busy dealing with hard facts, Mr Staims, to" waste time hearkening to rumour;" said Arthur, a little stiffly. \a approving smile flashed across the financiers face at this. "Well, then Mr. Melrose, here's a little sum for you. Multi-ply-your income by ten, then triple the answer, and you'll still be 6hort of my past year's income. Xojr I think you will understand why yon are declined. The slightest suspicion mo= tive." . "Mr, Staines," said Arthur flushing, "if you suspect me of being a mere for-tant-uunter, I swear .". -.• tut; I suspect nothing. I know too little of you to form conclusions one ■way or'tlte other; though I'll' admit that what.-I do know of voir I rather like. Still, you, as a man of.the world, must acknowledge the reason' .stated is amply .sufficient to. justify my attitude in' ib& matter."- He pulled out hfe watch. "Ha,' twenty-two minutes'. : This won't do. : Allow me to escort you to 'the' door. Xo; • I -can't' allow you -to now. I'll- do all the explaining that's -necessary. And I; must insist that you-hold n6 further commtmication with her. whatovvr." '-But I-intist— —" " - '

"" 2Jbt* a word, I beg of yon, Mr. Melrose. It would only make it more painful foTJia all." - And, feeling supremely fcolis-h and angrv, Artfior- found himself- hurried past the door of the drawing-room, which was, perhaps fortunately, closed, and out to the- front .doorstep, where the financier bade * him a > cold, but courteous goodnight.' > • l

Naturally: Arthur felt sore at the sum mary treatnjent he had, received at Mr. Staines* hands. . In his heart be knew that hfc: love for Lucy - StaiiKS was pure and holy as love could be,.and that, given the choice between a nation's wealth and her sweet self penniless, he' would open bs arms to her, thanking Heaven for a blessing" beyond price. Meanwhile na- choice was offered him. The Staines mansion was bolted and barred upon him and bis vain, pretensions; -but the love hunger grew fiercer as the miserable days passed, and he resolved to see Lucy again at any cost But how! Could he in honour write to her in face of her father's prohibition! He was mentally discussing the joint in his office when he was rung up. " Halloa 1" he called.

-Is that Mr. Melrose?" fy«e. Who are you:"-. _ • "Staines. Cau tou come roundto^nj; Artto" te 'ts could only *»« +Mnz H?P ortan ; Kunzrv lover, and that w» *f >£ taniedi B tdy,«r, he

downstairs- separated the cffices, A bare distance at a „T Arthur covered uw pede6 tru«i to S*p..ktmiedly «f** ed a pWing into Mrbe was iHb«£ an^.i I I*** n -"£» he proceeded ed to his »f« rfact,on ' iiant} and I have %** of u C °rte first refusal of decided to give you tr. the offer. Do vou accept t their *»«.«**■* Se.care. STcia) 000 in cash, and that I propose— the concern to the 'ScUie at £200,000, which I have reckoned will pav all expenses and leave me pith a fairly phrmp credit balance.

' Mr. Staines ,paused and nibbed his hands, while his shrewd eyes sparkled e'ugeriv through.his glasses upon Arthur, who was not a little startle*!, at the magnitude of the figures.. And he.thought in his love-blindness t» have impressed, this man with a paltry three hundred a year. Mr. Staines resuming.'with tlow emphasis: "Providing,. as I have hinted, that we' make the bait sufficiently attractive to, the investing 'public; ' as .I'm • satisfied we can.- In that" event I' propose to'pay vou -a fee of five hundred pounds, and will recommend you, for the permanent . ac-countant-shin in the company. If the thing falls lint you must,' of course, be satisfied with aTnierely nominal fee. Is that clear?*' . . . . ' Arthur bowed. What between disappointment on tlie one hand at being presented with such a golden opportunity oa the other his thought,.were in a turmoil. "1 hardly, know how L to thank, Mr. tjtaines,'" he stammered. .;.*' • " The 6ort of thanks I want," smiled the financier, "is a report that will bring fish into our net— ex— l should, rather say, • give the. public . the opportunity of participating in our good fortune. ' Can you bigin your audit to-day ?" '•Certainly." He rapidly scribbled out a note, which he handed over with the remark: "I rely oa you, Mr. Melrose, to make this show up well." "•■ ,- • > •' I'll do my beet, sir," replied Arthur, quietly, but with a. curious of discomfort at the financier's tone. "But what if it shouldn't?"'he added. ■

Mr. Staines 'smiled a dry, peculiar smile. "Don't let us consider such an improbable contingency, my dear sir," he 6aid. I a'm most anxious that it should 6how well; indeed it must. But,' of course, it's entirely in your hands now. Let me have your report as' soon as possible. Now, that's all, I think." He held out his hand, which Arthur grasped and retained while-he tried to "form a question. "Well, what is itT "I .wish- to ask two questions, Mr. Staines."- -..,,.- . • "H'm—be--brief, then, pray." ' "-I. shall ..rfr. The-first:is: ~ is. Mies Staines quite' well and- happy ?" Mr. »Staines frowned. . ''She's in sound bodily health, so far as I can judge," he said slowly: . Then, with.a> touch of petulance, "But I'find'her as little-amenable to reason as an unbroken, filly." Arthur's eyes gleamed' with • pride. "My.brave darling!"- he-murmured. • - '•Oh, yes—oh, yes; you gloat over:my discomfort, do. you?" snorted Mr.- Staines. The next moment {her irritation .in his, face.gave way to. a sly smile.-'.-"As•'■a matter, of fact, my dear sir, she ias shown such' a pretty spirit in ".your defence that, .if you do. your-.duty by "me in this, investigation and so. .prove-your shrewdness in finance, I.may be disposed to change "my attitude." Arthur wrung .Mr. Staines' hand with a vigor that made . him wince. '.'That answers my second question," he said joyfully.. "I'm off. now, sir,' and you may re&t assured I sh'a'n't fail you."

With Mr.' .Staines' ; word»s ringing a pleasant chime in his ears, and Lucy's sweet face filling his mental vision,- Arthur enthusiastically attacked Lambsons' books. Verily the cup of , joy was approaching his lips,' and he was. resolved that, • if ■ energy and thoroughness would prevent the coveted thing eluding his grasp a second time, he would . surely drink oE'it. All day he and'his dorks examined, checked verified; and when evening'came, and Tiis assistants" had gone home, he was still working.on. But to-.let matters' rest there till tomorrow was not to be thought of; so he engaged a cab and bore the.books home to his rooms! Scarcely halting to appease the call Of outraged appetite (he had eaten no lunch that day, and, curiously enough, had neven mfcsed it), he continued, his labours far into the night. For several days he worked unstintingly: Only when be had reduced the chars" of figures to a_ simple statement of assets and liabilities, and; had arrived at the exact profits of the business for the five' 'preceding yeans, did he realise ' that he was 'completely-, .worn put,. hut~ withi vthe-.pleasant fatigue, that comes to- a ."man who has fought hard and won. . • Lambsons' had come well, if not precisely brilliant, oni ■of the- ordeal, and Lucy's radiant face seemed very near, and real, at ment. . Arthur-bent his aching eyes once' more, upon the. figures to reassure him-, self that he was not • dreaming;- but no,' there, .in truth,-they were. He gave a, sigh of profound -relief* ,a'nd then', for the fhst time since- his investigation began, he found leisure', to reflect' on'the price Mr. Staines, proptsed inviting" the public to pay for- the' business; and to make, a thereon,

The next moment, he gasped;- and his' pleased survey of the figures was" cbangr ed into-a glare of blank dismay',- while his swwetheart's face grew strangely nebulous and remote. For a brief space: he sat stricken into immobility, staring at the tell-tale figures that said, oh, so brutallythat after all Lambsons' was not.'the'key that was to unlock the door of happiness to him, unless—was it possible he had blundered somewhere? The mere suspicion acted as a tonic. With the energy, of despair he proceeded to revise every item.

A few days; afterwards Mr. Staines was dictating, letters in his private room and wondering between whiles why he had not heard from Arthur, when the latter was shown in, looking-listless and haggard. With a nod Mr. Staines dismissed the clerk and held out hi 6 hand to the visitor.

" Why, Mr. Melrose," he said anxiously, "you look quite ill. I hope: I didn't ask tco much of you when -I said-I'd like to have the report as soon as possible?" "Oh, not at all," said Arthur, with an effort at cheerfulners. "It is all ready I and correct to a penny. Here it is." ;"This," he said, looking up, '"is even better than I had hoped, my dear sir, The average profits for the past. five.years are £17,562 9s 4d. Capital—really capital!" •■"'.-•;. Arthur could hardly believe his ears. [ "I think-you are making a mistake; ..sir," he said. "Seven—not- seventeen- is the correct figure." "Eh?" cried Mr. Staines, psering close. "So it is. " What a ridiculous error! I'll have to see my optician about this."; "And the worst feature of it ," pursued Arthur, "is that the average, 6iich as it is, is distinctly misleading. The profits have declined steadily during that period. "The' business looks dear and risky at the price you mentioned. Don't meddle

with it, sir." "You forget," said the financier, slowly, "that I intend to act- merely £6 intermediary between Lambsons'. and the public, and if we pull the strings in a tactful wav, the public wont fail us." "But you spoke of £200,000," gasped Arthur. ""None but madmen would subscribe for shares at slch a capital. .' Mr. Staines peered, hard at Arthur, smiling peculiarly. Then suddenly he bentforward and said, in a low, tense

voice: — " Supprs'mg —only supposing—that the average had been seventeen; 'what then?" The dark suspicions as to Mr. Staines which had been steadily growing in Arthur's mind now materialised in a flash, and he stared at the other in speeches horror. 'Mr. Staines seemed disconcerted.He averted his eves and said, carelessly : "Bv the wav," I told Lucy this morning I'" d probably bring yon to dinner r this evening. Will "you come?'' -.. All the forces of good and evil in Arthur's nature were at war then as the tempting bait dangled before l\£ eyes, and for a brief space his destiny, hung by a hair. Mr. Staines calmly mrrsing his chin darted a swift sideways gjance at him that plainlv invited speech, and all at once Arthur's troubled face grew set and stern. " Xo," he said, curtly. , "Ah, a prior engagement, perhaps; I JiUcy will be vexed."

'" NV more'than I sir," jisaid Arthur, in a x voice-- he : ..- vainly. • 1 ried, ; to keep ; calm. ";But| since 'fiwen isn't- seventeen,• and never: can ! b5,;..1 have .no: option in the matter., -I have' simply ,to. say"—here' his ,tbne .hardened; .-fierc«n€es>—"thab if Lainbsons' is ever offered to the public I'll ise'e-to it that'they don't go,into the tiling blindfold, r wish 'you good afternoon, He turned to go, . but ere •he reached the. door,, AJrl Hfaines had rushed ,in front arid •seized-.his-, hand", in ■ an . impetuous grip. "-. , .' , i ••"I beg your -pardon a thousand time;?, myvdear .fellow," he , cried', .very red in the ■■ face.. '-. "I'm aphamed.." of my self—l really am; bub.you. came, through it nobly. ! Oh; no, you musn't'.go! ' I tell you it was all-a;farce —'pOn my soul it was." '..,'".A" farce?" repeated,.Arthur, numbly. "It is. no farce to me, sir. ...'But do you mean that?" ' - ;

_ .'.'.1..d0..'- And I see now ..that it was a cruel thing t0.,d0,' but it was wholly for dear Lucy's'sake that I tested you. Forgive me; Melrdse." ..: Arthur laughed -unsteadily. "It was a near thing with'uie," he said. ■:"! " I_khpw ;:.T saw. it all, ,-and I'm proud of you,'; Arthur...: I must make you some sort of reparation, though. What do you say to! a partnership on the day you wed Lucy? : Come home with me, and we'll discuss it over a glass of. wine after dinner. Say you will, my dear boy." Arthur's heart w|as,too full for speech, bijt the vigor of the • hand-clasp was eloquence itself,, and in the midst of pain Mr. Staines gave vent -to a distinct chuckle; '