Slover Hawthorne's Fortune.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14039, 23 October 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

Slover Hawthorne's Fortune.

{By Dr. Lech me re Anderson.)

Author of "Amy'b Luck," ''The Hand of Justice," "Lueious Sully, etc., etc.

CHAPTER VII—CORBHIT LKARNS

THE TRUTH. Four days elapsed before Phil was able to cany out his intention ot visiting Mr. Boulter. Ho iirst saw tor"You havo nob spoken.to.Mr. Boulter! May I ask why?" ho exclaimed indignantly, on hearing from Lano-lins-that nothing had as yet been done. ~ 7 ~ "I-waited to see you." rephe<l -Mr. Corbett. „ , "You knew wliero me. "I might have .written, hut seeing two years have elapsed, a day or two is of little consequence." ' "That may ho your opinion, I Jul retorted brusquely, "but believinp: you are ji "friend of the Hawthornes, I expected you to show-more zeal. This ynortng much to them." Corbett's face, was paler than but -iiis voice 'was steady as he answered,'"! would do much-to aid them." Irritated as Phil was, he.noticed the sincerity of Corbett's words. ""Look here, Mr. Corbett,";he said, apologetically, "I have been- many years, abroad and am accustomed -to have things done promptly. Perhaps X do not understand that caution may have its uses, but if you will not set to, work' I must go elsewhere. What i do von .want with me ?" * . "The information/you gave me was so meagre. I wish, to he clear on every point' before consulting with my principal." "Now. I am here, he had better get the information at-first, hand." . Corbett's voice had .lost mast of its steadiness- as ho replied, "It is most unfortunate Mr. Boulter h.-js gone out of-town, but that need not delay us, Mr. Dallas " as Phil, -frowned—" "I will lose no time in communicating ifeto-him." Phi! conld not help - adm iring' the been pertinent questions.; Corbett put, but when all.was told there was little to go upon* Corbett pointed this, out to him. "It cannot be helped; little or much, the man must he found. If Mr Boulter is frightened to- risk the money on the business you may draw on me. lam not rich, but .I intend to eeer this", wrong righted." - " You may rely, upon Jme to do my best," retorted- Corbett, with equal warmth. "Nothing shall be wanting on our side' to clear this matter : up." " Your hand on that!" cried Phil, moved Ijy a sudden impulse. "Why, man, you. hand is like, fire." You are not well," he added, looking wonderingly at'Corbett's naif* f(ice, and all this time I have been worrying you . with - business." ■ „ , . - "Lawyers and doctors.cannot afford id. be ill," laughed Corbett, as he walked with Phil rthrough . the. outer office, shivering with fear " lest Mr. Boulter might appear, for- he had lied. Mr; Boulter-.had not gone out of town, but at that moment was. at work in Lis room, and Corbett knew it. Panic had seized him.' Until he Jiad spoken to Mr. Boulter, Phil must lie kept pway from. him. A door ftpenpd lieslde them and Hugh To Corbett's consternation heTfnd Dallas „ nodded to one another. Tie dancer of the momentappairid Hml If Hugh were to mention his father all won Id he. lost. To It& joy he passed them" "wirtr a «urt "Good afternoon." to. which. Phil as chsUfi4glyresponded. Near the door fitfgß" turned, and with a Emiie upon hislips spoke to Phil. ,"!t am going to Hawthornes. nave yau. any message ?" "None-," replied Phil onrtlv. " Come r Mr. Dallas," laughed: Hugh; "you need .bear no ill feeling; if anyone has cause to he angry it is: I. You did turn -up at a most horribly inopportune moment." "Hieii it was yon " began Phil. "Good gracions, have I pnt my foot in' it? Did Miss Hawthorne not exgaia? "What a rogne she is," and ugh laughed heartily. ;"I>o yoa.mean my arrivnl was unwelcome to her?" asked Phil angrily. "Most unwelcome to .me," drawled Hugh "What Miss Clover's feelings ■were i leave you to judge. You saw Us on Saturday." "Why did you not explain?" demanded Plgdl Bternly. 7 " 'Pon my word, I think I might ask-',you that question. . You did not give me time." ' "But" you left Miss Hawthorne —" " I had no wish to draw her name into a. street brawl, but let us forget ft: Mr. Dallas. Yon made a mistake aud i paid the penalty. Have you seen my father?" Corbett had listened with mingled fear and bewilderment, but at Hugh's question he interrupted hastily. Standing lightly behind Phil he frowned warningly to Hugh. " Mr. Dallas was bitterly disappointed to hear Mr Boulter is out of town. Do you know what time to-morrow we may expect him at the office?" Hugh was naturally quickwitted, but he resented Corbett's interference. "I did not know that he had left home- —-" he began, but the distress on Corbett's face became so evident that be deemmed it wise to change his sentence, "but he often goes uiiLout my knowledge." . : „ "Mr. Boulter assured-me he vould bi» hera; to-morrow, Mr. Dallas, to you need -have no anxiety abont not teeing -him -then," said Corbett with intense relief as Hugh left them. "Then I will also return then," in- I terrupted- a voice behind them. " Will you mention that I called?" "Mr. Gamble!" exclaimed Corbett, gazing at the speaker with open r.stonjshmenti "I hardly knew you. ' Jack Gamble did npt resent the insinuation. "The business I had with Mr. Boulter ha 3 turned ont prosperously—for me," he added sotto voic. "My one regret-it that I did not oonBult him sooner, but I am interrupting you." . , ~ "Not at all. I was" jnst going, said Phil. " You do not appear to recognise me," he continued, as Gamble and he reached the street. Phil had been no less astonished than Corbett at the improvement- in Gamble's appearance. Perfectly dressed and carrying himself well he had entirely lost the look of broken-down gentility of a week before. - "I must confess I do not,'' he anafter a. keen glance J't- Ph''» "and yet your voice has a familiar ring." . - ■ ' " - "Perhaps my name may serve to recall "me to yonr memory —Phil Dallas." A sharp quiver passed over Gamble's face. Phil noticed it. " I am glad to see you are none the worse for that evening," he continued apologetically. "Evening—which evening?" etammered Gamble huskily. "Yonr name recalled something I would fain forget. I do not think I ever saw yonr face before." " Yet you will find my name <>t. the envelope that contains your will." As Phil spoke Gamble placed his hand quickly upon his breast pocket as if he feared that something was lost, then he laughed heartily. "I am indebted to yon, Mr. Dallas. Yon were my Good Samaritan. You pee I carry my will about with me," and he took the envelope Phil had gigned from his pocket. "If it is so important, why don't jfott leave it with Mr." Boulter?"

" When Mr. Boulter gets ifc I shall bo dead," said Gamble Jiarshly. " L have onlv returned to comfort :i week, I have i®*wish to go back to the place you found me in. 1 have done with those days. If I could but l'or«et," he addad, most fiercely, then checking himself he continued, with all trace of recent irritation gone: "Mr. Dallas, we seem destined to rub against each other. There is no use lighting against destiny. Suppose you dine with me. I feet as if 1 would like to know you better, only I warn you I have one friend whose company 1 often turn to."*

" I" thought you were done with tin' old <ja,v.s," said Phil kindly. ".The ol<l-days, bnfc made his hold 011 me greater," said Gamble sadly. "He "drove me down at first—but enough.of this. If we are to he friends it is right that- you should know my faults. You will be conferring a great

favour oil me if -you come," he continued; as Phil hesitated. "Aly flat >s in YVest Kensington." The idea of being near Clover pleased Phil, and taking a hansom the two drove off together. Leaving them, Jet us return to Corbett.

Without giving himself time to lose courage, he walked straight to Mr. Boulter's room. " I have come to consult you upon a matter concerning Miss Clover Hawthorne," he began, trying to speak composedly, but his voice betrayed his agitation, for Afr. Boulter looked up wondeririglv. "She was left a fortune; ——" Mr. Boulter swayed in his chair, his face ashen and terror-stricken as lie gazed at Corbett. "Brandy!" lie gasped, pointing to a cupboard. "Then it is true! You did this thing!" exclaimed, Corbett, too distressed.to notice what- he said, but ill as Air. Boulter undoubtedly was he heard him ami pulled himself together. ' "Another of my attacks," he said faintly, as he sipped the spirit Corbett broucht him. "What were we talking about?" "Corbett was not to be put off. "Tell me it was not you and I will believe yon." he cried wildly. ' "I do not understand you,'- answered Air. Boulter coldly. "What is this storv'y'ou wish to speak about?)' "You wish to hear it?" "You said you wished to consult mo concerning it," but already Air. Bou!ter's.false composure was vanishing. "For Heaven's, sake, man," he said hprriedly, "speak at once. This suspense is" more than I can bear." "Two years ago " Air.. Boulter leant his face ui>on his ►hands so that his eyes were covered. "Go on," he said hoarsely, as Cor- I bett. hesitated. •"Two years ago a gold miner from America entrusted a large sum of money to a lawyer ' for Aliss Hawthorne. Shortly after returning to America lie died." "Is A'alliant—ls lie dead?" "He is dead, but before lie died he itold a friend, a Air Philip Dallas, what he had done with his money and who be had left it to. He hade Dallas see that yon—that the lawyer he had trusted his life gains with—had fulfilled his duty." Corbett paused, but Air. Boulter making no reply he continued steadily: "Dallas has been here to-day to.see you " "Oh, God! what shall I do? I cannot think!" exclaimed Air. Boulter with such agony that Corhett's heart bled for him. "I did not mean to steal it, Corbett. I meant to pay it hack ; the use of the money at that time was more than life to ine. It saved us all from ruin. YA'hat did Dallas say? AY'hnt made you keep him from .seeing me," .:Corbott'.s lips - were f-remblinfc: "I feared this." lie said. "Dallas knows nothing. He wishes you to aid him in his search. He does not know vou are the' man."

Air.' Boulter gazed stupidly into Corhett's face.

"Does not know I am the man," he repeated.

"Y'alliant could not recall your name. He left 110 receipt or papers of any kind."

With a cry of ioy Air. Boulter sprang to his feet and grasped Corhett's hand. "Y'ou have saved me, Corbett. How can I repay what vou have done for me Dallas must never know." ' Corbett could not mistake his meanin"- yet he affected to.

"It may he managed, nay, it shall be, but the money must be repaid at once." "You do not know what you are saying. It is impossible."

"Impossible!" echoed Corbett willt dismay.

Air. Boulter laughed bitterly as he answered: "Do you think if I could have lifted the weight of misery that has hung on my shoulders these past two years by the simple act of writing my name upon a cheque. I would have kept my care an hour?" "Is the amount so large?" "More than I can meet. The sum with interest might amount to one hundred and fifty thonsand pounds." Afr. Corhett's face reflected his dismay. "Your credit is good for that," he said, trying to speak confidently. "It may be, but it would ruin me." "Then the truth must come out. Y'ou will„be ruined and disgraced," Corbett whiigsered faintly. At that moment he appeared the more guilty of the two. "I said that he must never know

"Unless the money is returned we must reveal -all. ✓ Our only hope is to throw ourselves upon Aliss Hawthorne's merev."

"Would you betray ino AA'ould you turn against me now, forgetting all I have done for you?"

"I can never forget that what- I am. that all I have, is due to you." cried Corbett bravely. "If only for that reason I would have you do the right.

I have a few thousands. You know that, they are yours." "What could they do No the only thing of use you refuse to give. AY'ell, take your way. Tell this Dallas I am the man he seeks. Hound the police upon me, and know that your hand has caused my ruin. Y'ou talk of duty: ask yourself what duty you owe me." "Y'ou will allow m.e to speak to Aliss Hawthorne," cried Corbett pleadingly. "I can answer for her that she will not be -liard on vou."

"Can you answer for her brother, • r this Dallas?" asked Air. Boulter coldly. "Had it depended upon her alone I might have been tempted to take the advice you proffer." "Even they will give yon time repay the money," cried Corbett, icrsuasively. "And you meant to pav it back. This crime has been killing '011; your life will be happier if you will lei me speak.-" "In Portland!" interposed Air. Boulter, with a ghastly smile. "Before it comes to that I shall be gone."

"If you go, I go with you," said Corbett, and involuntarily be laid his hand upon Air. Boulter's shoulder. - Slowly withdrawing his hands from his eyes, Air. Boulter looked up at C'orhett.

"YY'here I mean to go I must go alone."

Corbett understood, and for the first time his resolution faltered, though he still urged Air. Boulter to let him plead with Clover. Air. Boulter shook his head sadly. "I do not reproach you, Corbett. After the agony I have suffered, I know the straight course is the only happy one. Forgive me asking you to keep silence. 1 know it you could have done so honestly I would not have had to ask you twice. Leave me. now, I would fain be alone to think. YA'hat are you -: waiting for?" he continued, not Hll-

kindly, as Corbett remained standin by his side.

\\heii Corbett. spoke liis voice was shaken. -- L will not, leave you until 1 have your promise that—that you will not- - ' I'liable to control his voice lie loft his sentence incomplete. 011 " ,ro :l faithful fellow,"' said Mr. Ilonlter, and rising to his feet he laid his hand on C'orbett's shoulder. "Don't grieve lor nie. Whatever 1 do will be better than this constant misery, but. at present you have nothing 0o "fear, i merely wish to be. alone, to think."' "You promise that ;-'" '•I do."

I'or an instant Corbett looked into Air .Boultt t's eyes as if to seek assurance there, hut the hopeless misery that he read in them 'completely unmanned him.

"Oil, sir, I cannot, dare not leave yon. I will do whatever you wish. AY hat is all the world to me compared to you and your happiness! Miss Hawthorne has never had this monev. She told me herself she had never felt the want of it. I will keen your secret, will lie for you, will shield von while 1 live."

-Mr. Boulter's face hail urown strangeradiant as Corbet.t spoke. When he ceased, he sank into a chair, ;uid. covering his' face, sobbed like a child. Corbett knelt- beside him and strove to comfort him. "YOll do not doubt me, sir? You know you have nothing to fear from me. I will bo silent until you bid. me speak. Say you believe me." Pulling himself together, Air. Boulter smiled wistfully. "I would not agre to this unless I saw a wnv to let her have her own."

Corbett listened with delight. "Y'ou reallv mean to repay Aliss Hawthorne," he cried, radiantly, when the sound of a slight creak caused him to look nervously round. To his dismay the door between Air. Boulter's and the typists' room was slightly open.' Air. Boulter noticed the disturbed expression on his face, and following his glance understood its meaning. "Can they have heard?" he whispered.

"Aliss Hawthorne is away. Aliss Pert, may have' gone." and Corbett walked quickly to the door and opened it. Penelope was there, and in the net of inserting a fresh sheet of foolscap into her Pemington. She smiled pleasantly as Corbett entered. "I. thought you had gone," he said, sternly.

had some writing to finish. T did not suppose there was nny objection to my doing so." lie answered, looking surprised at his tone.

YY'ithout vouchsafing an answer Corbett returned to Air .Boulter. "She has heard nothing," he said. "Tell me how. vou mean to repav this —debt "

The plan that had appeared so plausible to Air. Boulter seemed to hang on his tongue beneath Corhett's anxious gaze. He knew Corbett did not like Hugh ,aiul even he could not blind himself to his faults.

"By marrying her to —Hugh," he answered, almost sullenly. "Is there 110 other way than that?" "From what 1 can see Miss Hawthorne will consider it a most delightful way. AA'here was she 011 Saturday? Where is she to-dav? AY'ith Hugh. I tell you, Corbett, she loves him. After they are married you can sjjeak if you will, hnt for God's sake leave it till then. 1 have planned this, have even dared to pray for it; do not try to overturn it. It- is the only way." "The only way," sighed Corbett to himself. He had sacrificed bis sense of truth and honour; he had abandoned all hope of wipning her for himself — but to' let her marry Hugh.

"Does he know?" he asked hoarsely. " Partly. 1 bad to, explain that it; •was 'necessary for him to marry her." - "And. he consented." Corhott could not resist saying it with a sneer. "AVillingly, nay, gladly. He had admired her from the first." Air. Boulter was himself again. Corliett had passed his word ,aud he knew he was true as steel. "When Air. Dallas calls to-morrow," he continued, in a business-like tone, "you need not tell him I have cone from home, but it might he well if we could persuade him to go back to America.' ' From what Corbett had seen of Phil, he did not think this feasible, hut lie said nothing. Feeling utterly dejected and miserable, he left Air. Boulter's room, going to his own by way ot the typists'. Penelope had gone, but lying close to the inner door was a piece of blue silk ribbon similar to what she often wore in her hair. Corhett's hands trembled as he picked it up and slipned it into his vest pocket. ITe would give it. her upon the morrow, and tell her where he found it. Her face would show whether she had been listening or not. Then his purpose changed. "Because I have sunk," he murmured bitterly, "I must suspect each one 1 come in contact with. Penelope would not have descended to an act so mean. She knows nothing. No woman could havp looked me in the face and smiled if she had heard what passed in there," and upbraiding himself for having suspected her lie 16ft the room nor did he speak of the ribbon to Penelope when lie met her next, morning.

Meanwhile. Dallas and Gamble had reached their destination —a dainty flat, in striking contrast to the rieketty nttuGamble, had formerly occupied. Phil's face must have betrayed his thoughts. ■ "Furnished, with housekeeper, all complete," said Gamble, smiling. "The late owner volunteered for service and was deliehted when I took it off his hands. The place is small, but it is comfortable."

"It is a little paradise," said Phil admiringly. "I wish I could find its duplicate. Hotel life grows wearisome."

Gamble laughed. "The one below is tenantless. Of course you would have to furnish it."

The prospect appealed to Phil

"I will see about it to-morrow," lie said.

"You forget your engagement with Air. Boulter."

"Aly business there will not take long. AY'hat sort of a lawyer is lie " "Sharp as a needle. Don't trust hint further than you can see him, though. If you will excuse the question. Y'ou "He is the only 'man that could care?" "No, rather the opposite. To loolc for it. But 1 must confess what you have said surprises me after hearing vou acknowledge your business with him had turned out prosperously." "He as the only man who could effect it," answered Gamble carelessly, feeling afraid he had said too much. "1 don't know much about him; my warning applies to lawyers in general. ' "By Jove, 1 should not require your warning," laughed Phil. "A lawyer stole the money 1 am looking for." Gamble's cheroot fell from his fingers. The exertion of stooping ioi it caused his face to redden. Throwing the weed into the grate, he stood with his back to Phil while lie selected a fresh one from a box upon the mantlepiece. . "Did lie decamp with it ? ' he asked. "He kent it, that is all I know; but it is a long storv. It would not interest, vou." "Indeed it would," interposed Gamble, toying with a silver match-box. '•Y'ou will probably hear more than enough of it, if 1 am to be your neighbour/' said Phil, lying back in his chair. "Before he died, Jim Valliant, a friend of mine, .and, like myself, a gold-miner An exclamation of dismay escaped Gamble's lips. Phil gaed at him in astonishment. "Did you know Jim?" he asked, springing to his feet.

Gamble had 110 lack of courage, but his customary sang-froid deserted him. "The name «ou mention is that of a. friend of mine," lie answered unsteadily. "I. did not know that be was dead. It must be. the same man, for now I think of it, J often beard him speak of you. You are Phil Dallas be called his chum ?" Phi! could hardly breathe as he waited for Gamble's reply to his next question. "Do you know what he did with his money? Did he tell you the lawyer's name:-'" Km- a second or two Gamble hesitated as if in thought, fltcn be laughed mirthlessly. " I hardly like to say it, Mr. Dallas, but the little ho had he seemed likely to get rid of it sneedily." " You mean— " cried Phil. "I told you of a friend T have,:. Tim Yalliant, it also made a friend of him. How otherwise could be have associated with me?" " I guessed this," said Phil sadly, "but tens of thousands are not spent on drink, at least not in the few months .Tfm was at home." "(!e spent freely, recklessly. (lis heart was broken —he did not care whaf become of himself." "Then he said nothing of what he had done with all bis money?" Gamble met. Phil's gaze unflinehing!y. ' ~ "Nothing," he said firnilv. "This is the first I have heard of if." "1 canot understand it," exclaimed Phil, with deep disaopnintmcnt. "ft seems imoossible he should have told you of his sorrow, and of his life with me. and not have mentioned this. Tr T did not know he had monov T would almost believe bis story was the creation of a disordered brain." • " I could believe that easily. Poor •Tim ! He was nearly . mad with srrief" but you have hardly told me anything of his st-ory." Gamble listened with intense interest to Phil's brief outline of what had occurred, but he was thoroughly upon. bis guard and allowed. no sign to escape him, only at the mention of: Clover's name he changed bis position; so that his features were in the shade. The temptation to reveal the reeret; was strong upon him, but as hegl a need around the comfortable room, the recollection of what he" would have to leave made him drive it from him as: impossible. It would kill him to go back to penury, and, besides, lie'felt bound to keep bis word to Boulter, iniquitous as their bond was. "You consider Boulter a good man to employ in this matter?" said Phil. "I know 110 one who could help you more," remarked Gamble, and it was characteristic of the man that lie could not resist laying a somewhat sarcastic emphasis upon the words, "hut he will never find it for you."

'|So everyone xayls," replied Phil, conscious of the satire, "and yet T feel confident that I will run it down : even while I talk to you the sensation is strong on me that the clue is almost in my hands."

Gamble shifted uneasily in his chair. " it may be mere superstition," continued Phil, "but the fit-range wav in which I lirst met Clover —I mean Miss Hawthorne, then my becoming acquainted with you; who knew my friend, appear to me more than accidents."

" ft may be possible." said Gamble, "but dinner is served. Forget your worries for the preset) f-. If fate has ; taken the matter in hand there is no; u?e for you and 1 to try and resist:

(To be Continued.)