Clover Hawthorne's Fortune.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14015, 25 September 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

Clover Hawthorne's Fortune.

(By Leebmero Anderson.) .'CHAPTER I.—CARIBOO JIM. Smart's saloon was crowded. The niiries" at Devilsgulch were silent, for Cariboo Jim was going home, and the "chums" had gathered to see him off." • Jim had made bis pile. Alter twelve years' bad luck bis claim. "The Miner's Star," had turned out trumps and yielded up its heart of gold. Gold! The dirt they washed was nedrly solid gold. " More dust than dirt,"' they said at Devilsgulch. "No, boys,'" said Jim, when they pressed him to stay. "I've made enough. My share in the claim's for sale. Who bids?"' There" was' not one man in Devilsgulch rich enough to buy Jim's share, so three or four clubbed together and bought" him out. '". It's a big price, boys," said Jim, "tilt the claim's wortli it. You'll get your money back. I leave on Thursday. I'll see yon all at Smart's. Mv treat."

When Thursday eame the miners met at Smart's, and Jim treated all who came. Smart did a roaring trade, the " deaders" might have been counted by dozens on the floor. Every man there had a friendly word to sayto Jim,for he was liked in Devilsgulch, hut Jim himself was dull. ""Cheer up, Jim," said his friend, Phil Dallas; "don't look as if you were going to a funeral. What ails you?" "I don't know," replied Jim sadly. "It seems strange after pining my heart out all these years to go home to her, that when the time lias come I should feel miserable, but it's a fact I do. I suppose it's leaving von, old man. You won't come with me ?•"

"Not yet. I have not got a sweetheart waiting for me. 1 mean to make a royal pile before I quit, then ni.be home and look you up. But there's the coach!" and Phil pointed to-' the window through which the coach with its team of four spanking greys was seen. "Now, Jim, a Farewell , drink at my expense for luck. Here, Smart, champagne round; 1 stand this treat." "Boys," said Jim, raising his voice as-he held his glass in the air, "it's time •to say good-bye. Now I am leaving you I feel how dear you all hare been to me. I wish you all good luck. I drink to all of you. 1 drink to Devilsgiilch," ami Jim tossed his liquor off and then threw the glass upon the floor. Instantly the example was followed by \fifty men. The floor was covered glasses. It was the miners' wish for link. "Good-bye, old chap! Good-bye, Jim, old man!" they called as they clustered round the coach. "Good-bye, Jim," said Phil, as he grasped his friend's band. " Tell your girl from me she's got the straightest man in Cariboo." "If yon only krew her, Phil, you would not wonder 1 d played straight," whispered Jim. " nhe's watted for me nearl* twelve years an' never missed a mail. I'd have been worse than a brute if I'd l>een anything else but straight." "Good-bye, boys, all," be called ns the coach rolled off. "Three cheers for Cariboo Jim and the girl he's going home to marry!" cried" Phil, and the cheers echoed along the mountain sides, shaking the very cones upon the pines. "Poor Jim," muttered Phil as be went into the bar; "he did look miserable. I wish his glass had broken." he continued snperstitionsly, as be picked up the tumbler Jim had tiirown dowri "I don't like it, it's uncanny," and he dashtxl the glass into a thousand fragments. "It's broken now anyhow, lie said Witt a forced laugh; "I hope it will bring Jim luck." . Jim's coach rolled on to Westminster.

"Jim home!" muttered a fair-liaired cirl and her white and strained features portrayed the agitation ol her mind more forcibly than her words or the rustling of the flimsy telegram she held "Jim coming here to-day! On. what shall I say to him?' "What's the matter, Clover- said her brother coming into the room. "Matter! Gerald. Jim's come Jfcme—Alice's sweetheart, Jim.' " " Poor Jim," replied Gerald quietly, '••but I don't see why you need look eo scared about it. Of course it will be sad meeting him now she has gone, but Alice would like us to see him and be kind to him." „ But—Jim—doesn't know, stamClover. ~ •'Doesn't know what?" asked Gerald eurionsly. . "That Alice is dead. "Jim doesn't know that Alice is dead"' he repeated incredulously. "Clover, what do you mean? lm* have been writing to him regularly for two years back. Jim must know. "fie does not. Alice would not let me tell him she was dying, bhe made me promise I would go on writing "in her name when she was> gono She thought that if Jim knew that S£ wa" dead he would loose heart, and Kl never make enough to come ll you never did this?" to, Alice made me a„ it I meant to tell him by dedo "' i. * w—l did not like to hurt S3 SnX* Wt «d tottered as SL wl?n k anuick stride Cerald reached he f.t le brave, Clover," fh^him^o^^h^r^li 1 2? S b*S/' said Cjo-rchrf, haps t had better see mi laimo a Clover where * £»«* ontpretl the Jim f»B^,. aS t i the girl's drawmg-rooit ~ tnen , a , t fa'i why tWt angrily, »*£? is n ot .11?' vou speak? »n e fWcr speaking - "Jim," saul L £**' hnv \ 0 tell bravely- "1 do " UTmv fault writyon, i k T nt \iic P^«"" ln "• to lot you know For a moment he felt re" , ipl , feared that she_»a r seeing c 't.lf there was more to o'rUr'to TtSou " She conld not, know she ivas ill, r p P , le ignoring the to ° v „„. She "VtMt I n wif nofc "« tell Vou, Jim " Sd ClovJr'nidher hands, upon b« a^;^ eD So Alice is ns Clover "did not speak, "and you-you have purred with me and kept me lovjn, on, "believins she *as here and

longing for inc. When did sho die?" ■Two years ago last- May." "Two years! And tor two yoars yon have "been writing to mo each mail, "laughing at mo as you coined the honeyed phrases you dared to sign her name to. Curse yon! ll' you had been a. man Did Gerald know:" he asked madly, his eyes gleaming with insane fury.

•' Gerald only knew to-day." said (lover, .speaking calmly, although her heart beat tremulously as she looked at him. " Alice loved you dearly, and made me suear to do it for your sake. Ob, Jim, if von curse me ymi curse her also. l" did it out of love lor both of von."

"Alice bade you do ii. Why?" said Jim, speaking more quietly, but he grasped Clover (irmly by tin- wrist and gazed straight into her face, as if to wring the truth from her. "Alice knew you loved her. You had been so unfortunate in Cariboo, she wished you not to mourn for her. She thought you would never get rich enough to come home. Say you tnrgive me. Jim," said Clover pleadingly. " I forgive you. Clover, but did Alice leave no message for me if 1 came home and round her gone?" "Only to tell you she loved you till the end, and that you would understand she did it for your sake."

Jim understood. Many a time he had told Alice in his letters that her love alone kept him from despair. Her love manned him no matter bow bad things might be Her love kept him from drink. from gambling—everything that was vile. Her love and it alone. He understood the message she had lelt. "I loved vou, Jim." . With a great sob lie rose from Ins C . "Forgive me. Clover, and think of me sometimes as your brother Jim. and taking her in bis arms be whispered, as he kissed her on the brow. "For the love you bore to mine. The next moment he had left the room.

Two months after a half-mad miner entered a lawyer's office in London. ; •• What caul do for you, .my man r asked the lawyer condescendingly.

"I wish to'settle my money on a g, ""Your monev?" said the lawyer, looking curiously at the rough unkempt man, and wondering- d he was mad or drunk. "How much have you?" ," £140,000." "£l-1(1,000?" gasped the lawyer incredulously. "Yes. Don't you lx-lieve me?" said Jim. "There! Will these'convince you?" and he produced a bundle of documents.

glancing over them the lawyer saw that they were genuine; and his tone instantly changed. " You wish £l-10,000 settled on Miss

"Clover Hawthorne. But here are the particulars, I wrote them down. See you (ix it tight on her."

Hnlf-aii-hnnr later Jim issued from the lawyer's office, :i pleased smile on }iis lips. "'Xow," lie muttered, " nnce f have paid my passage hack I don't think I'll break loose again. .May heaven forgive me, Al!" "Jim's back, Phil." said "the Dook," one of the chums at Devilsgulch, gulch, a few weeks later. "Not Jim—.my chumr'" cried Phil. " Yes. He's back dead broke. Walked into camp this morning. Must have heen having a lively time. He looks half-crazed." " But —hut he went home to he married. " Did he? Anyhow he's back, and the girl's nut. with him. I guess she plaved him false." '"'No, I don't think that's likely," muttered Phil. "Where is he!'" " Gone up to his old shantv on the clifi." "Jim. what's wrong?" exclaimed Phil as he went into the cabin and found Jim sitting on an old chair, his face bent forward on the table. Jim took no notice.

".Tim," repeated Phil, laying Ills hand caressingly upon his shoulder, " look up. old chum." Suddenlv he started hack, his face nale. " Heavens! lie has shot himself, the girl has played him false. But what is this?" his eyes fell upon a note addressed to himself. " Dear Phil. —She was dead. I came hack here to work with yon. I intended to an straight for her sake, hut I find 1 enn't. I have to drown mv sorrow witii drink. Bury me beside the mine. If ever you meet a girl called Clover Hawthorne in the old country, don't tell her how I died. I left evervthing I have with a lawyer in London to settle upon her. My brain is in such a wlii'l f caruiot recall his naire. It will he all right, still von might make a nnint of «.-eping that she got it. Do this for vn»r old chum—Jim."

Vhil Dallas reverentlv placed the niirh illegible scrawl in his pocket book.

" I pmmis", Jim," he said gently taking the dead man's hand in his.

CHAPTER lI—THE LADY TYPEWRITER.

" Applications for the post of typewriter, sir," said Air Corbett—->lr Lauohne Corbett as lie preferred to he called —laying down a uulky parcel of envelopes of all shapes and sizes upon the private desk or the head of tlie firm of boulter and Son.

" Don't leave them here, Corbett," replied -Mr Boulter, looking up lor a moment from the deed he was studying. "Get someone to look over them and select the three most suitable, then tell them to call to-morrow anil 1 will lix on one. It is a lottery in any case —one might as well draw a letter out of the heap by chance. What do yon say, Corbett, shall I try the experiment?" and as if impelled hy a sudden whim he drew an envelope irom he bunch and handed it to Corbett. "There, that matter's settlc'd. I wish this one was as easily disposed of," and he turned again to his work. A tall, well-dressed, good-looking man, somewhat on the wrong side oi fifty, Mr Boulter's profession was stamped upon him. Apart altogether from the tact that he was ck-an shaven, the high, broad forehead, the deep set iron grey eyes,the slightly aquiline nose, and the somewhat Heavy square chin all revealed the lawyer of resolute will and keen judgment. Accustomed to judge quickly, he acted with equal decision, seldom swerving from anv course lie had resolved upon. Clients instinctively guessed their secrets were safe in his keeping, and the natural result followed that his business increased. Still, until within a year or two Ralph Boulter had neither been considered a rich, nor even a successful man, financially. Many even of his intimate acquaintances were astonished when the Bank of the Empire failed that he had not only been able to pay all the calls, hut also in the same year to build a new office and increase his staff. The mere fact that he had effected this increased the confidence his clients felt in him, ami when an effort was made to re-arrange the Bank's affairs Ralph Boulter was unanimously chosen chairman of the newly-established board.

Although he made no complaint, the strain of these days had aged him, the firmness of the straight lips was less conspicuous, the furrows on his nrow deeper, and on the rare occasions his manager had detected a frightened, haunted prpresdon en his face.

Lanoline Corhett treated the proposed method of.sclec-ting a typewriter as a joke. •■ We would soon require to change our staff if such a method were to come into vogue." lie muttered as he carried oil' tho hatch ol' letters to his room, and with malice aforethought placed the envelope .Mr Boiilter had chosen at (he liottom of the heap, determined if he found three suitable applicants not. even to look at it. Hut suitable applicants ap pea red to lie scarce, and when he at last reached the final one he muttered. '•Curious that this is the very one I would have chosen." He was about, lo scribble a note requesting the writer to call when, noticing the address, lie saw that it lay (in his road home. "It would he a pity to bring her to the oflice if she should prove unsuitable. I'll call and see her as I pass," In l decided. No kinder hearted man than Lanoline Corhett walked the streets of London, and yet no one would have fe't more surprised had he known that that character was assigned to him. '•Lawyers and managers have no feelings," he was fond of remarking when he was compelled to rchuka a delinquent clerk for carelessness or disregard of rules. "I cannot overlook any similar fault, so don't do it. again, to please me, there's a good fellow." and the sentence which hada begun so sternly usually ended with a kindly pat upon the'derk's shoulder. Some three or four and thirty. Ins bovish face made him appear mgn ten years vounger, and this, coupled with a modest, retiring manner, made strangers often entertain a poor opinion ff his ability, but Mr Boulter knew that few men" of his age hail the intimate acquaintance with the law that Lan - line Corhett had, and valued hurt ao cordingiv. A sincere friendship, that almost amounted to reverence on C-or-bett's nnrt, existed between the two men. "Corhett as a lad had risked his life to save Ralph Boulter's only son from drowning, and in gratitude Boulter had taken him from the workhouse and had him odneatod until he was fit to enter the office. Corhett thought little of his own deed, everything 7 of the band that had rewarded vim The would cheerfully have g.von his life at Mr Boulter s bidding ll£ ad noticed the nervous, haggard look upon his mastotr's ace and £««*!£ l.nd something to do with hw »™ Html., who be knew was fast and < ' pated, and that h.s «»e»ses ■ deeply into the firm's profits, for A»r Boulter denied bis son nothing. Such "a brief outline of the man who to iave an unknown girl from * I°"K "°£ i to the eitv, Perhaps to end in disappointment, had determined to call and ' That'evening he carried out Ins revive and, finding that Miss Hawthorno was at home, was shown into a littlo parlour, where a young man, whoso worn face and bright burning eyes proclaimed him an invalid, was lying upon a sofa. Seated on a chair beside, him a young -girl was writing, evidently to his dictation. , '•Mr CorboU. from Mr Boulters, began Corliett by way of introducing himself. On hearing his words- the young ladv sprang to her feet. ''You have come about the situation:-'' she cried, her eyes sparkling with excitement. , . Mr Corhett stood nervously in tho doorway, uncertain what to say, this girl was so unlike what lie bad expected, lint confused as ho felt, he would have been prepared to swear in any Court of Justice that never in his life bad he seen anything more dionutifnl. Hither over the medium height, with slight, graceful figure and; small head crowned with a wealth of auburn hair which framed-a lovely -f acOj-w th delicate, clear-cut features. Not. alone to her beauty did Clover Hawthorne owe her attractiveness, for the bright sunny nature which sparkled through every smile would have made a plain face winsome.

"Situation! What situation?" exclaimed tins invalid, looking at. her with amazement.

"Oh, Gerald, I do not like to tell you, hut I applied for an appointment I saw advertised. You are not angry, dearl-" and Clover's voice grew pleading. "f do not understand," began Gerald Hawthorne, then noticing Mr Corhett still standing;: "But won't you sit down? I did not catch your name." Spoken U> hy a man Mr Corliett recovered his presence of mind. •' I come from Mr Boulter, the lawyer," he answered explanatory, '" to offer your " and Mr C'orhett's heart throbbed nervously as he hisitated. "Sister," sai<l Gerald. " Sister the post of lady typewriter for which she applied."

Clover's eyes were dancing with happiness . "Thank you so much. Mr Corliett, I will trv to please you." " But you know nothing or the. typewriter," "stammered Gerald, more and more bewildered. " Hush, Gerald, you will make Mr Corbett think 1 am' an impostor," ehc. said, trying to speak lightly, hut her voice and her eyes had grown strangely soft. " " " I am rure T never would, exclaimed Corhett with more decision than sepmpd justified. "Oh man of much faith!" cried Gerald laughingly, "but come, Clover, rereveal this mystery." Clover hesitated and grew confused, Corhett guessed there was some secret she did not care to explain before a stranger. "1 am afraid T must go," he said. "Then Miss Hawthorne. T may count on your accepting the situation? The olfice hours are from ten to live, on some occasions perhaps a little later. We are in no hurry for a day or two if your brother requires your services." "Gerald is better now, he will soon be himself a train. I should like to begin at once." "Then to-morrow at ten. I will be there to let you see your work." and without daring to lift his eyes Mr Corbett hurried away.

" You will not lie angry with me, Gerald," began Clover; "but when you were, away in the .hospital'. 1 thought over matters, and concluded it was only right 1 should do something to help us, at any rate until you were strong again. They would not allow me to see you. I had nothing to do, so I took lessons in typewriting. It is ever so easy, far easier than the piano"' and Clover's lingers played involuntarily over ait imaginary keyboard. "When you came home and the doctor said you must do absolutely no work for a time, I was so glad that I had mastered it, but I never expected to get a situation so soon. You will let me go, Gerald. 1 would like U> work." Gerald Hawthorne, turned away his head. " You are a brave girl, Clover, lie said hoarsely, " but ii" you guessed howit pains me to be such a burden upon von."

•■Don't, say that, Gerald, when 1 am so olcased to be able to do anything. You will get well all the quicker that, you know we will not starve," and she slipped her arm round his neck. "Then when you are strong again I will be able to type your MSS for yon," and Clover spoke smilingly, though. her heart was sad, for the doctor, when Gerald left the hospital, had not only innisted on cotr.plcte rest, but recommended change of air, a change they were totally unable to give him. He smiled at the picture she drew.

"I thought of-writing to ask Jim to help us," he said. Her face fell. "Poor, dear Jim," she said sadly. "T cannot understand why we have never heard from him. T thought he might have gone back to America, and wrote, but there has been no reply. I am afraid he musb hate me for what I did," and Clover's lips trembled.

"Perhaps ho may have written to the old home. Wo may not. have got, his letter."

" No. I wrote from here, T fold him what had happened. 1 wished him to think of me as a. sister, dear Alice was so fond of him."

Gerald pressed his sister's hand. ''l am glad you wrote," he said. Thus ;t wais decided that Clover should go as ladv typewriter to Mr Boulter's office. Gerald Hawthorne's father had left him besides the small property of .Maydew Mall a few shares in the Bank of the Empire. The interest, they paid was large, and Gerald never thought of selling them, lie had noticed for a month or two before the. smash that the shares wcro tluctuating wildly in the market, but he gave no thought- to it. When the crash came it found him totally unprepared. The property was sold and the few thousands were totally swallowed up. Beyond a few hundreds pounds that Clover had, nothing was left to them. Having no training for anything else than a gentleman farmer, the disaster fell heavily on Gerald. His one hobby had been literature. Writing with a fluent pen and on matters that he had at heart, several of his articles had found a ready market. The work attracted him, and with a brave heart he had set out for London determined to win fortune with his pen. " A givod crutch, but a bad staff," so Gerald Hawthorne found the profession ho had chosen, but he was made, of resolute stun',, and in ."m'te of frequent failures he persevered. At last, almost as the door seemed opening, and his articles began to command a price, his health failed. He fought against it, but the disea.se was not to be conquered : tvphoid fever of a malignant type had set its clutches upon him. For ten weeks he bad battled with death in the hospital. How Clover spent these weeks of anxiety the reader already knows. A verv sweet and dainty clerk she looked as she entered the office, sham to the hour, next morning. Mr Corhett was already there and hurried her through the large outer office to a small inner one. "This is vours." he said pointing to one of two typewriting machines noon a table in the room. "The other or>e is Miss Port's: she hafc not arrived." and he glanced at his watch. "Well, it is little more than time." "Miss Ponelone Pest at your service, sir," cried a laughing voice behind them. " Gove mo credit for being in time for once," and smiling amiably to Clover the young lady sat down on her chair and assiduously commenced to dust her "Remington." "Let me introduce you to Miss Hawthorne, Miss Pert," said Corhett, cheerily.

"Penny Pert to her friends, and Four Fardens Pert to her born Toes, tho knighti* of the quill in there," and she pointed with her forefinger to the outer office. "Then 1 hope, you will be Penny to Miss Hawthorne," said .Mr Corhett as ho left them to themselves. " I'll never be more than the hapenny to him," said Miss Pert almost dolefully, " I don't believe he knows a pretty girl when he sees one," and she pouted his distinctly pretty lips into such a clear grimace that Clover could not. resist smiling, but not feeling that the remark called for answer she ask?d Miss Pert'what work she had to do.

I'cnelope gazed at. her ill astonishment. "Bless yon, don't he in such a starvation linrry for work. Sit down and let us bo happy while we can, they'll hriiiK it f° r " s sharp enough." And, indeed, as she spoke, .Mr Corbett returned carrying a heap of manusseript. '• Will you copy these?" he said, placing them hetween them, and acting under J'enelope's instruction:; Clover began her work. Anxious to make no slip, her hand was so entirely engrossed ii]Kiii her work that she did not hear the door open, nor know that Mr Boulter had entered, until he laid his hand upon her shoulder. .

'• You work husily and well," he said pleasantly, as he glanced over one li the sheets she had completed.

"The experiment of random selection seems to have turned out well," he thought. Her only fault' is that she is far too pretty a girl to he about an office. She will have everyone of their heads turned, from Cprbett downwards —no, I debar him," and the corner of Mr Boulter's lips twisted slightlv upwards. " Corhett is womanproof." Uis nresence flurried her, and she made a slip. Before she noticed it a second mistake occurred. " Don't be nervous," he said, " there are none here," and he laid the sheet he had taken up beside her. "By the ivav. what is vour name:'" ''•Clover Hawthorne, sir," she answered without turning round, relieved to think that he was going. A curious gasping erv caused her hands to stop their work. With an exclamation of dismav the two girls saw .Mr Boulter totter to a chair, Jus face ashen, his hand pressed upon his heart as if in nain. He would have lallen to the lloor, had not Clover been quick in rushing to his assistance, lie looked at her with affrighted eyes. "Fate," she heard him mutter, then pullin"' himself together with a manifest effort, he drank the glass of waterPenelope held to his lips. It seemed to revive him, for his face slowly recovered its colour. "Thank von," he said, trying to speak firmlv. " 1 have not, been very well for a dav or two. 1 must have walked too ouicklv to the oilice this mornimr; too quickly—yes, that must have been it. Don't say anything about this." And without asking for assistance he stumbled rather than walked into his private room. Penelope's face wore a curious expression as she went back to her work. Sbo had noticed Mr Boulter's carriage drive to the office door; she had seen him alight and stand to give the Coachman some instructions before he drove away: her keen cars had heard him mutter: "Fate." Mr Boulter's indisposition had not been due to overwalking. Ah'oadv Penelope had convinced herself that Clover was the cause .if it Qnieklv as the keys of her instrument worked her thoughts went faster. Suddenly she stopped and looked nuestioningly at Clover. " Ever seen him before?" she asked, waving her hand in the direction of Mr Boulter's room. CF-ver shook her bead. "Never had anything to do with him in anv shane whatever?" "Never." answered Clover. "Why do voii ask?" '•'Strange," muttered Penelope. (To bo continued.)

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