Slover Hawthorne's Fortune.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14043, 29 October 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

Slover Hawthorne's Fortune.

(By Dr. Lechmero Anderson.)

Author of "Amv's Luck," "The Hand of Justice," "Lucious Sully, etc., etc.

CHAPTER VIII.—HUGH MEETS HIS MASTER. Shortly after dinner, Phil rose to

go. "It is a lovely evening, if }on are not tired of my company, I will strol. part of the way with you," said lis hOSt. „ T>l 'IWhether intentionally or not, Phil s homeward steps took them through the street where the Hawthorncs lived. As a showy horse and trap drew yp before a door in front of them he grasped Gamble's arm. "There is Miss Clover Hawthorn=?. he whispered so eagerly that Gamble guessed his feeling for Clover was something deeper than mere fniiidship, and the knowledge pleased him. From what Phil had let fall he ii-.dii'.y judged that he was far from poor. "Who are with her?" he psked. "Her brother and Mr. Boulters son," and as Phil spoke the light faded from his eyes. . Gamble could not conceal his astonishment. "Mr. Boulter's son! does he want with her?" ~ " They appear warm friends, said Phil gloomily. "I would like to know her. May I ask you to introduce me?" asked Gamble hesitatingly. "I would be delighted. The mere 'fact that you knew Jim will ensure tout welcome," but as he spoke Hugh's words recurred to Phil. Laughing harshly he glanced significantly towards the* dog-cart- from which Hugh was assisting Clover: unless the present moment be an inopportune one." "You mean he is in love with her?" exclaimed Gamble. "You see for yourself ' began Phil, gruffly; but he stopped adruptly as Clover, seeing them, came quickly forward. "The old story," thought Gamble, complacently, as Phil left his side. Hugh, who had ordered his groom to drive home, made little effort to conceal his mortification at the addition to their party as they all entered the house together, but apparently oblivions of this, Gamble attached himself to him, and skilfully drew Gerald into their conversation, thus leaving Phil and Clover practically to themselves. Phil did not neglect his opportunity. "I saw Mr. Boulter to-day," he began. "He promises to throw himself heart and soul into the work." "If he promises that, he will do it," answered Clover, feeling somewhat surprised, for she had begun to suppose that Corbett considered the task of finding her money a hopeless one. The conversation turned to her office life, and in the midst- of a warm eulogy of Mr. Corbett, she confided to Phil in the strictest secrecy that her companion, Penelope Pert, was deep in love with him. "I do' wish he would marry her, she said, with such evident sincerity that any lurking jealousy Phil had of Corbett "was instantly removed. "Won't he?" he asked, happily. " Mr. Corbett will never marry, his whole life is devoted to Mr. Boulter's service. I don't think I ever met a more typical bachelor." "He does not resemble Mr. Hugh Boulter then," Phil could not resist saying, with a. sidelong glance towards that personage. Clover smiled and shook her bead, then lowering her voice to a whisper, "I wish to explain something to you, Mr. Dallas. May I trust you not to mention it to any one?" Without giving him time to reply, she added hurriedly: "It was Mr. Boulter who spoke to me that evening. He apologised nest day, and he had been so good to Gerald that I thought it unkind to tell you. when you did not recognise his face." "Why do you tell me now?" Clover's colour came and went. "You asked if it was he, and I felt as if I had told you an untruth; it made me so unhappy, but Gerald is so fond of him."

"Then vou did not regret my interference?" asked Phil, bluntly. She looked at him with utter bewilderment. " I can laugh at it now, but at the time I was terrified," she answered indignantly. "You surely do not imagine that I was sorry you came?" PhQ could not meet her gaze. " I beg your pardon, bnt finding yon driving with him on Saturday I did not know what to believe." "You knew that it was Hugh? " I was sure of it. I never forget a face. You forgave me for what I asked you just now?" he added pleadingly. ' ""What could you have thought of me?" she murmured, so dejectedly that' Phil took courage. " If you would like to know. I fearHer face showed no sign of resentHer face showed no sing of resentment, but she did not answer him. Looking into his eyes she read the hive light shining in them, and her heart throbbed with happiness. - She half rose from her chair as to leave him. "Answer me," he pleaded. "Tell me, if my thoughts were right." "Why should I?" she replied, hardly knowing what she said. "Do not play with me. Ts your answer yes or no?" he asked almost sternly, and leant towards her, perfectly oblivious of where he was, when Gamble's voice interrupted him. "If vou are going, Mr. Boulter, I will go* with you," said Gamble loudly, and rising, he stood with his back towards them, screening Clover's nervous face from the suspicious gaze that Hugh had fixed upon her. "Tell me," pleaded Phil, careless of aught save that he spoke to the woman he loved. Her lips parted. "350," she whispered, so faintly that only acute ears could have caught the monosyllable, but Phil heard it and his face grew radiant. Had thev been alone nothing could have restrained him from cowing out the tale of his love and seeking hers in return, but as it was, them was no help for it but to accompany the others. Intoxicated with the happiness of knowing there was hope for him, he failed to notice the chilling manner in which Gerald said good-night to him, but Clover did not resent it. . ~ "Now we are alone." said Gerald, lying down upon the sofa T "I wish to speak to you about a certain matter, , which I hope 'will be as pleasant to yon as it was to me." . Clover looked at him wondenngly. "What does thus peramble mean, Gerald? The matter must be of great importance." . _ "Most girls would consider an olfcr of marriage so, but perhaps it hardly amounts to that," he added, smiling, as Clover looked at him with a startled expression. Her heart bent nervouslv as she asked herself if tt could be possible that Phil had written to jum. . ,"I suppose vou guess who the gentleman is," he continued, evidently bent on teasing her. "1 am glad t" geo you look pleased; it augurs well for his chances when he comes a-woo-ing. Hugh " , "Hugh!" she exclaimed. " burelj you do not Bpeak of hi™?" , ~, , " Of whom else wonld T speak.- lie answered laughing. ')Are your suitors so numerous that <

"He bad not the impertinence to speak to you of this?'' she interposed again. Gerald mistook her meaning. "You need not he offended because he consulted me. Ho loves you .Clover. and before daring to speak to you, wished to learn if I thought there, was hope for him." •'I should not have expected such thougbtfulness on Mr. Hugh Boulter's part,"shoansAvered scornfully, "blithe chose tho more convenient way: it will spare mo the awkwardness of saying no. I leave you to tell him his offer is declined." . Gerald looked at her with dismay. " You would never dream of refusing this offer. Clover? Think what it means. Ho is rich and will give you everything you wish. \ou will be able to give up vour humiliating work —; " 1 Lave' not found it humiliating, and even if I had, better that then marrv a man I have no liking for. "Why should you dislike him? he asked, surprised at the vehement way she spoke. "But I don't believe you do. You have enjoyed our drives and seemed to find pleasure in his company." T "I enjoyed them so long as I thought he gave us them for you. I would do much to see you strong "Then do this," pleaded Gerald. You say vou love me: think of what all this marriago would mean to me. Apart altogether from the relief it would be to see you happily settled, it might bring life to me. Hugh says I ought to winter in the South of France. If you marry liim I am to go." . ~ . " Did he buy your intercession, she exclaimed, so indignantly that Gerald winced. "He did not require to. " Yet he spoke of this?" "Not until he knew what my feelings were," replied Gerald; but his cheeks were burning guiltily, lor Hugh had mentioned many things that appealed to Gerald's love of ease and comfort. His long illness had rendered him selfish. That Clover should resist bis wish irritated him. "Then you would rather see me die?" he said, angrily. "Nonsense. Gerald; you said yourself how much better you had felt of late." "Have you forgotten that "the doctor told you my lungs were weak, that my only hope of health was to do what your consent would give?" "Buy!" she could not resist answering, but her lips were trembling, for she knew that what she said was true —that his life might depend upon her answer. Probably had she not met Phil she might have yielded, but now she could not bring herself to say the word. "Why should you refuse?" he asked at length. "You are not in love with anyone?"

"Don't urge me, Gerald. I would do anything else for you, but I cannot marry him." "You are cruel—heartless," he answered crossly, "but I will, say nothing of this to Hugh. In a day or awo you will see the wisdom of accepting him."

"It would be better to tell him at once. I have given you my decision; nothing will alter it". He must not visit here as a suitor for my hand." "Hugh shall come whenever he chooses," retorted Gerald sullenly. "Be sure you make no difference to him. By the way, what were you and that fellow Dallas speaking of? You appeared greatly interested in what he said."

"Only about the lost money," murmured Oliver. "Oh. G'crnld, if iie would only find it, you would be able to get the change you need." " You liavo only t osay 0110 word to let me have it. If you wait until the money is found, you may wait until I am dead," said her brother bitterly. "I wish you would not speak so unkindly," and she put her hand caressingly upon his arm. " You know 1 love you, Gerald." "I will believe it when you prove your words," he exclaimed, roughly "freeing his arm, and rising from the sofa he was about to leave the room when his face grew ghastly. He laid his hand upon a chair to stead himself. With a faint cry of dismay Clover sprang to his side and placing an arm round him assisted him to a seat.

" I have done too much to-day," he said, unsteadily, but already the blood was returning to his face. Tn his heart Gerald felt glad that Clover had received an object lesson that what he had said, about his strength was not idle words.

Her features contracted sharply as she realised this truth. The desire to gratify his wish was strong upon her.

"Sooner than have you remain so delicate," she began, trying to speak firmly, "I would do as you " but Phil's face rose before her, and she utterly broke down. "'I cannot, I dare not concent to marry him! Do not ask me why." Gerald's heart leapt with elation, only to sink again as her sentence changed. "There is something behind your refusal, Clover," he said, gently laying his hand upon her hair as she knelt by his side. '' Tell me what it is?" But even as he asked the question a suspicion of the truth flashed on him. "You are in love with Dallas!" She hid her face on his knee and he knew lie had guessed aright, but it did not soften him. "I am not fit to talk more of this matter to-night, but what I have learnt has not affected me. It would be madness. You must marry Hugh," and with all trace of his indisposition gone he left the room. It was the first time any estrangement had occurred between them, and Covler felt his anger bitterly. Gerald must go away. Were he to stay after what had happened and his health to fail, she could never forgive herself. She thought of appealing to Phil, but her pride would not let her ask him for money, besides had he not said himself he was not rich. Her wretchedness would have lieen intense, but the thought that Phil loved her, that he would tell her of his love, comforted her, and her eyes grew bright with hope. She would tell him of her trouble; in some way he would find the means to let Gerald have his wish. Meantime she must look out for another situation: to continue at Mr. Boulter's was no longer desirable, but until she obtained other work she must continue at her post. For the first time she bitterly regretted the loss of the fortune Jim had left her. but again her thoughts returned to Phil and she forgot her linhappmcss. Leaving her. let us follow Hugh, and Gamble. Phil had parted from them directlv ho reached the street. Elated with his own thoughts, he yet could not help experiencing a. vague feeling of wonderment at the strong frinedship Gamble had conceived for Hugh. He could hear them chatting merrily as he walked away. " Glad we have got rid of him. said Hugh, when they were out of hearing. " I caunot stand that beggar." " I should not think he was unite your style." answered Gamble drily. "But evervonc does not seem to be of the same opinion; he seems to be a strong favourite in the house we have just left." ~, ~ . "Hawthorne does not like him, rctort~l Hugh, flushing angrily. "I did not refer i.. I.iiii," replied Gamble, smiling significantly. "If you mean Miss Hawthorne, she has no special regard for him. I ney onlv tolerate him because he knew a friend of theirs. Dallas lias brought

home some cock-and-bull story about his bavin}; left Clover a mint of money. Hut I forgot, you also knew the man. Do you believe there is any truth J" " I have no reason to doubt the tale. Valliiint was not given to lying, And from what I have seen of Dallas be appears to have a weakness for the truth. "An inconvenient virtue ,' sneered Hugh. '•Some men get over it m their vouth. 1 have only managed to overcome my partiality for it i" the past week of two." Gamble spoke with .seeming levity, but there was a. tone of bitterness that contradicted it. He quickly changed the subject. "I shall be pleased if you will pass an hour with me, my rooms are just at hand."

"I think* I met you going into our office to-day," said' Hugh, as they sat in Gamble's dining-room beside a table on which decanters and glasses were arranged. "Do you deal with us?" "Your father nays me a small annuity of some four hundred pounds," answered Gamble, passing a decanter towards Hugh. " Will you try this —" "Four hundred a year!" gasped Hugh. It was the sum his father had said he paid sonic man who knew their secret.

"Is there anything peculiar about the sum I mentioned, that you reiterate it in such a tone?" asked Gamble, sipping his wine but keeping a watchful eye on Hugh. "Not at all," answered Hugh, recovering himself with a manifest effort. "Itis a very desirable income. But you startled me. We don't do that sort of business. Only one man gets an annuity from us, and you certainly aro not him."

"What makes you so positive? .1 certainly receive an annuity from the firm of* Boulter and Son," and as be spoke be drained the glass, refilled it, and with a gesture invited Phil to do the same.

Hugh's great friendship for the Hawthorncs had puzzled him, and he was determined to discover the reason why Hugh wished to marry Clover. In "order to make him speak freely, he plied him with wine, and trusted to his own seasoned head, be drank along with him. Wine seemed to have- little effect on Hugh, but he flushed as Gamble repeated his question.

"Every lawyer has one or more clients who have secrets, and we pay this man to bold bis tongue, for one of these. I do not know his name, but I will speak to my father to-morrow. He keeps nothing back from me," be added, now nigh * convinced Gamble was the man his father had referred to.

" You may save yourself the trouble. Do you know how I earn my salary? Do you know the reason why he pays me?" Hugh laughed rudely. "To hold your tongue." " Yes, but you said the secret was a client's one " For Heaven's sake," interrupted Hugh, nervously, "do not speak so loud. The less said of this the better for all concerned." "Aye, for the firm of Boulter and Son and Gamble. I see you know all about the crime. Personally, I did not think vour father would have trusted you with it. Well, we are partners, ns you see. Suppose, we drink to the firm. There arc two of the scoundrels present." . . Hugh glared angrily, but deeming it better to humour him, he raised his glass and touched with it the rim of the one Gamble held out to him. "To the devil and his friends," said Gamble mockingly, "or perhaps you would prefer to toast Miss Hawthorne. The wine is too good for the toast. I mentioned. Let us pledge her though goodness knows she seems worthy of truer- friends than you or I. Now you have got the money, why do vou wish to nprry her? Is there another fortune in the wind ? Perhaos Phil Dallas may wish to leave his in your father's care "

"Confound it, sir. You have sharo cyrs and as sharp a tongue, but what my motives arc docs not conic ' within vo'ur contract. Fulfil it. and you will be paid; my private concerns have nothinu to do with you.' Gamble surveyed him with a contemptuous smile upon his lips. "You speak strongly, Mr. Boulter; rudelv, I should say." Then starting to his feet with sudden passion: "Aye, and unwisely too. for let me tell you,all this evening I have been fighting against my better "self, which has been urging me* to betray the secret I swore to Vour father I would keen so long as he fulfilled his Dart, and by G -' sir, mv better self shall win, unless vou tell me what your motive is. Keen silent, and I shall speak the word that ruins you, as surely as it draws me down along with you!" Hugh's face grew pallid. "You would not be such a fool." he gasped. Gamble's temper was fast over mastering him. With a furious gesture he drew the envelope containing the receipt from his pocket and tlirew it face downwards on the table. "Ho you know what that contains? The receipt for the monev your father received from Jim Valliant two years ago. All I have to do is to change the address it bears into Miss Clover Hawthorne's, send it to her, and your father lies in gaol to-morrow. As accessories to lu's crime you and I mav wear the handcuffs too. Now! why do you wish to marry her? Answer or net as you choose. You understand the issue that hangs on it." " Because. I love her, that is the only reason I have," answered Hugh, sullenly; "and 1 mean to marry her." "Marry her you shall not. You may love her —I can half believe you do. Pah! I take back my words. You, who stole her money, can have no love for her; it is something else that tempts you, it is something else that makps your father wish you to marry her. It is to get rid of me. He wishes to keep in safety the thousands he has stolen iiy marrying the heiress to bis son. You need not deny it " as Hugh was about to speak. " Tell him from me that if the day ever comes she consents to marry you, that day will find this envelope, not in her hands, but in Dallas'! Ask yourself whether he is likely to prove himself a lenient foe to the father of the man who has defrauded the woman be loves." "Dallas has nothing to do witli this," growled Hugh. "It only concerns her."

"Has ho not," sneered (iambic. '"He holds the dead man's instructions to see that the money was paid to her. Until it is ho will not resign his task. But we will not argue. Your father will be a better adviser on this point than I. Tell him what 1 have said. You mav assure him also that I have fulfilled 'inv promise," and he held the. envelope, so that Hugh could read what was written on it, but his lingers covered the part where Phil's signature was scribbled. His anger had left him. and he smiled amiably as he replaced it in his pocket. With an oath upon his lips Hugh sprang to his feet, his face livid with passion. "Give, me, that," he cried, " or T will " "Sit down again if you are wise, interposed Gamble coolly. and to Hugh's dismay a tiny revolver stared him straight, between the eyes. "The day I came into my annuity I treated myself to this. One never knows when life may become a. burden. If T weary «>f if, now crime lias sullied it, I have an easy way of ending it. You nearly tested it' just now. If I have In fulfil my threat, Jack Gamble's name will not be found enrolled in the book of criminals. Have you the courage to choose the. same path? I suppose I

may place this in its nest again," as Hugh sank helplessly into his chair. " Mau to man," continued Gamble, placing tho revolver in the open drawer beside him. "I would not have feared to meet you twenty years ago; I don't know that I. would ■ fear to meet you yet wcro tho stake a. less one-sided one."

"I had no intention o? attacking you," stammered Hugh, shamefacedly, and stretching out his hand ho helped himself to brandy. "No. you merely wished the note. You had a curious way of asking for it. A very burglarious one, if I may express it so, but we need say no more about it. I mean to keep it until I die," and he tapped his breast pocket significantly. "What if you should lose it? It is not safe to keep it loose about you. Supposing anyone should find it, what would become of us? Do you always carry it with you?" Hugh's eyes were gleaming, and fearing that his face would betray his anxiety for the answer, ho wiped his brow with his bandkerchief as if the room were hot. "Where could it be safer? I ,will not lose it. Thieves shall not find me unprepared. Are you going already?" as Hugh rose to his feet. "I must thank you for the pleasant evening. I hone that you have found it so." "You would beat the devil" exclaimed Hugh, with sincere admiration in his voice; "at all events you have beaten mo."

" The same thing." "You are pleased to flatter, but I don't see why you and 1 should <i"arrel, our interests are too closely allied for that. Who knows but that little annuity might become a larger one?" "Or disannear altogether if you marry Miss Hawthorne. In the meantime I find my income quite sufficient for my needs'; if I change my mind then I will come to you." Gamble sooke with such apparent heartiness that Hugh imagined he was yielding. "That's right. The sooner the better. I will say nothing to my father of what has passed to-night." "Why not? It may ease his mind to know this is safe with me," and again Gamble touched his pocket. "Indeed it may be necessary for you to explain why your matrimonial intentions have experienced such a sudden change. When such perfect confidence exists between you, it is only right that you should let him know what has transpired." Hugh affected, to smile. "I "have not promised anything. In fact what you have said has but made me the more anxious to have them carried into effect. Of course I recognise it will be necessary to carry you along with me. With a lover's ardour I look forward to your increased prosperity." / Gamble smiled complacently as I Uigli left the room. Turning'to a devonport he took a sheet of paper and, making no attempt to disguise his writing, wrote two words boldly—- '' CONSCIENCE MONEY."

Taking a twenty pound note from a pigeon-hole, he enclosed it a'oncr with the paper in an envelope, and addressed the letter to Miss Clover Hawthorne. "Boulter shall increase the sum. he murmured as he *lropi>»d it i'i the post. "If I shelter him, he shall w"' through the nose. One comfort T shall bnve—that it is in mv wiwer to see that she does not want." (To bo Continued.)