Clover Hawthorne's Fortune.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14062, 20 November 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

Clover Hawthorne's Fortune.

(By Dr. Lechmero Anderson.) "Author of "Amy's Luck," "The Hand of Justice," Lucious Sully," etc." CHAPTER XI.—BYRUNIA MANOR. " You are not coming back!" exclaimed Corbett, his voice trembling ■with, suppressed excitement. " -M; y I ask what is your reason?" CloTCr laughed happily, but to Corbettfs anxious ears the- laughter sounded mocking. " I ant not atliberty to say yet, bub probably y >u tc3l hear soon." In spite of what sho had said t.> .Phil two days before Clover had uliimately acceded to his wish that tivi should relinquish her post in Mr I?i>.titer's office: it would prevent the awkwardness of a daily meeting with Hugh and at the same time gratify Phil.

"My leaving will not inconvenience yon," she continued. "Penelope can easily manage the work for a dav cr two." "We do not wish to lose you." '.'lt is kind of you to say so," sh--» answered, gratefully; "hut there is a reason why I cannot stay longer." Mr Corbett thought he knew what tbat reason was. "Has it anything to do with your lost money?" he asked, hardly trusting himself to pronounce the words. She saw his anxiety, and womanlike she teased him. "It certainly has led to it. Will yon tell Penelope I was sorry not to see her today, but I shall call lor ler soon!-" Penelope, it may he mentioned, had not come to work that day as the office was to close at noon and would not re-open till the Tuesday following. "I cannot keep you against your wish, bnt I wish you would tell me clearly what your reason is." "Why are you so anxious t«. krmv'r" she asked, surprised at bis pertinacity. *'l will tell you so much—Mr Dallas has. asked me to give up my employment here." At last Corbett felt he knew the -worst. Clover had not learnt the secret, but Dallas bad, and n<;'nt to set the law in motion. "Thank yon for telling me," he answered steadily, but his face was ghastly and belied -the steadiness of his tone.

- Clover felt vaguely puzzled. If he had asked more she would have explained, for she liked Corbet t as a friend, But ho turned abruptly away from her. Moved by a sudden impulse she called him back. "Will not you say before I go? I should not like to think that you were offended with m 6." He grasped her hand wa.-mly. •*■ Perhaps when next we meet you will regret that vou shook bauds with me. but you will never hold mi? in more contempt than I do "myself. Yet I dared not have aeted otherwise." _"I do not understand you." slurried, but nnnhle to meet her wondering eyes Oirbett hurriedly left the room, nor. did she see him again that day.

Clotrer guessed that Corbett loved her, and she tried to ascribe his wild anftl passionate words to the knowledge ~t2tat his suit was hopeless. Yet she could not convince herself that this was so, and she thought of asking Phil- to solve the mystery, hut C.'orbett's emotion had been s>> real, that even to Phil she felt she could, not speak of it. The thought of her lover drove everything else from her mind. He wos to meet her at noon, and together they were to choose the furnishings for their future home. The very thought was happiness. Still, ■when the hour came, she left the office feeling strangely depress-d. Corh«tt's farewell had affected her and she missed Penelope's cheery presence Her eyes were moist with tears as she went down the steps, but the next moment her face brightened as Phil clasped her hand. He noticed at once that she was. troubled. " They did not dare to say anything to yon?" he asked, resentfully. "No, I only saw Mr Corbett. and he was kind, as lie always is. I think he was sorry to let me go." "I am sure he was." laughed Phil, his ' momentary anger vanishing." "Did yon see who that was, Clover?" as a hansom rolled quickly past them an(\ drew up at the office floor. Clover had involuntarily turned her head in the direction indicated, and her glance met Hugh's. She shuddered as she noticed the malignant expression on his face as he looked at them. "I suppose you don't regret not having said good-bye to him." said Phil. "He looks as if he had Iwen drinking for a month." Hugh's blotched and swollen face, his suffused and heavy eyes, and trembling Itps, all served to justify Phil's remark. His few hours' sleeo had done him little good. Mr Boulter started with dismay ns be entered his room. He too supposed he had been drinking. "I have been waiting for 'nil anxiously." he said sternly. ' i.'it I did not suppose yon would come like this. Surely with this awful danger threatening us yon might keep your lips from drink." "By. Gad! coming from you. that's rather cool," cried- Hugh. pointing significantly to the ciiplmar'l. " hut T daresay I look rut her hail, j.ply it is not drink that is the cause of it. (Jive tne time." he added hoarsely. " unnerves, are shaken. Gamble's dead!" ""Dead!" echoed Mr Boulter. "For Gcd's. sake- do not jest <\Hh tut '"' "I am not jesting. Tin- man I employed struck him too bard. It was in self-defence, he could not help himself. Redid not mean'to mur—" Hngh.choken on the word and -übstituted "kill him" instead. "Did he escape? Is he suspected?" asked Mr Boulter, hanging upon Hugh's words. "No, and won't be so far as I can see. We got clean off." "We!" gasped Mr Boulter, terrified at the risk his son had run. "Hugh, you were not there?" * Hugh growled something inaudible. " The less said of this business the better for all concerned. It is enough for you to know he's gone." "The receipt," asked Mr Boulter, breafhlesslv, and for a moment the horror of the crime that had been perpetrated fell from him as he held out his hand for the document that meant so much to himjs "You did not leave it?" he cried. in an agony of fear, seeing from Hugh's expression that his purpose had failed. "It was not there to leave, that is all I can tell you." Mr Boulter wrung his hands. ""We are lost, ruined!" he muttered plaintively. "Our one hope is in flight." Suddenlv he paused. "You saw the envelope? It was addressed to me/' Hugh repeated the words which were written on it. "Is there any hope that they may bo acted upon?" ho asked, hardly daring to move for an answer in the affirmative, hut tho light that had sprung into bis father's face had reassured him. "They must! They dare not do otherwise," he answered fiercely. "Of course I may be asked what the note contains, but T will know how to answer that. Once it is in my hand* we are'even safer than if y..u had married her."

•• How do you know he has not given it away " asked Hugh. '• It' lie had we would have hoard of it bv iniw. Tin.' Liiil would lint have been' at work to-day. ■ >he i~ here llnw." "She's not. she left witii Dallas,' retorted Hugh darkly. " lie wn> waiting tor her at the door just now." "That |ir»vi> what I hiivr said.' erierl Mr tioult.r. in a ton.- i.i' ureal -•lntnl. "The c nly other per.-i n he would have m-ih it to was Dalla-, and if' he had it. he would not have kept us long in d-irUii»s." and Mr I'.oulter's lawjih echoed through the room. The laugh :swed Hi!?;!!. lie glanced at his father anxiously, hut > iv<- km' two burning heetie spots up. n his cheeks there was nothing in Mr Boulter's anpearaiu-me. I lie tidings he had beard might well have driven t.'ie blond from his <•! ks, but the knowledge that murder had been done,, instead of cowing, had nerved lu'm. To cover his crime lie would now hesitate at nothing.

"I believe you are right." cried Hugh. "Then" we are safe indeed." "Hushf Say nothing of this to him," whispered Mr Boulter, as he recognised Corbett's footsteps approaching along the passage. "Come in," he called cheerily, in answer to his knock, hut his first glance at his face chilled him.

"What is it?" he asked sharply. Hesitatingly Corbett told him of Clover's having resigned her situation, and of his suspicion that Dallas knew all.

Father and son looked uneasily at one another.

"Spain," muttered Hugh beneath his breath, but Mr Boulter heard him.

"Be quiet." ho said angrily. "I must have time to think," and he made Corbett repeat all Clover had said. "If he knows he did not tell her when he advised her to cease working here; he may wish to keep silence till he has the proof complete, so we may still have time," he muttered. "Time for what?" asked Hrgh. sulkily. "If Dallas has obtained :ti inkling of it, which I don't believe, the game is up—vou have only time to flv."

" What your son says is right." cried Corbett pleadingly. "Oh, Mr Boulter, take his advice and—"

"I will do nothing of the kind. Even if it should be as you say. I will fight to the end. But, leave us, Corbett, you have no part in this, your hands are free from crime." "We are all in the same boat."

cried Hugh, as Corbett left the room

"You must marry her," cried Mr Boulter, turning to his son. "If this is tntc. niir only hope lies in that." '* It takes two to make a bargain."' retorted Hugh, "and as far as I can see I am the only willing one. The brother is on my side. If he bad lieen at home I would have made him spenk to her again. He thought she would have done anything for him. and so she would if Dallas had not come imoii the seem*."'

"Is her brother from home;-- Is his i'lncss so serious that any sudden change for the worse might take placer" asked Mr Boulter with a curious interest.

*" He has a devilish bad cough ,-t any rite." laughed Hugh. " Hut what has all this got to do with my marrying her?" Going over to Hugh's side Mr Uoulter whispered something in his ear. Hugh gazed at him with admiration. "Will you dare to risk it!'"' he gasped. Mr Boulter laughed ironically. "You talk of risking after what you have done. A charge of abduction is nothing to a charge of murder. Why should you hesitate ? It is all the chance we have now. and if it is to he done it must be done to-night. You say you hate Dallas and wish to be revenged. T offer you a glorious one. to win his bride from him." Hugh's eyes gleamed. "If T agreed you must do the work. I have done too much to save you from gaol already." "I stole to save you from poverty," retorted Mr Boulter. "If yon loved me one little as, much as Corbett. does, you would have pleaded with me. as he did. to restore" this girl her money, even if it brought us to bankruptcy. I might have done it if you had. but now having gone so far nothing will stop me —with or without your help this thing must be done. You must niarrv her. That is all vou have to do."'

"If that is all. then I am with yon, but tell me more clearly what you mean to do." "I have not had time to think out the details. We cannot do anything until evening, but till that time yon had better come to the Manor with me. By the way it may be safer in ca«e suspicion should fall on you for what happened last night, to inform Margaret that you slept at home." "She would know otherwise." " Very possibly." retorted Mr Boulter, lightly, "but Margaret will do or say anything I tell her. She has many excellent qualities, and not the least is that she loves her master. Tf I say you slept at home, you may rest assured she will say so too. She can be as silent as the grave. Well for us that it is so. the success of our scheme depends on her: but come, we need not stay any longer." and fatlier and son set out together. Byrunia Manor was some eight miles from the town. Hugh had remonstrated when his fatlier s[iokc of buying it.

"' I like its quiet and seclusion : you can have your rooms in town." Mr Boulter had answered. "The place is cheap. I mean to buy it." O.uiet it undoubtedly was. Situated a couple of miles off the high road, shut in with high walls and surrounded by a wealth of trees, its only entrance was by a heavy iron gate, which it was Mr Boulter's whim should be kept locked. The house, when he purchased, it. was aliiio>t a ruin. but. charmed with its antiquity, be had restored it to something of its pristine glory. In spite of the money lavished "li it. the house was never comfortable: the small. heitvy-mnl-lioned windows made the rooms dull ami dingy, and the stones bad become so jiorotis with ago that the house was always damp. Unwillingly Mr Boulter realised this, and built a small modern wing. Gradually the old part fell into disuse. until for many months the communicating door had been kept locked, and to keep the new wing free from draughts a heavy paddeil door had been placed at the end of the passage. Mr Boulter kept no company, and young housemaids, not unjustly, complained that it was dull, and departed carrying such eerie stories of ghosts and spectres that it became difficult to fill their places. Mr Boulter's retinuo at the date of our story consisted of his old and somewhat deaf housekeeper, a cook, and his coachman, who occupied a cottage within the grounds, "but out of earshot of the house.

For two hours that afternoon Mr Boulter and Hugh sat cogitating upon their scheme.

" I seo tliere is a train for Torquay at nine o'clock," said Mr Boulter, looking up from a time-table. "It is the last one for the day. That should suit perfectly. If you do not, drive fast we will not be home till after ten. By that time the servants will be in bed. Xow everything is settled except to arrange with Margaret." "You don't mean to tell her?" exclaimed Hugh, in consternation. Xet everything." answered Mr

Boulter, •' hut even it I liu'l to toll her all I would havo no fear. However, it is not necessary, the explanation I shall give will he very simple." -"You won't need me." said Hugh rising, as Mr .Boulter rang the bell. "By eight at the latest we must start. We shall dine at seven. I won't need vou till then."

Picking up a newspaper Hugh went to the smoke-room. It was the lirst paper he had looked at on this eventful dav. and he wished to sec what account it gave of the murder-of the previous night. The paper shook in his grasp as with feverish haste his eye ran up and down the columns. expecting every moment to see the words he feared to find. ••What can it mean?" he muttered. " They would never miss a thing like that." and he glanced at the date of the paper to assure himself lie was not looking at an old issue. The paper was an early afternoon editionMr Boulter had brought it home with him.

The thought that Gamble might be alive diil not occur to him, and he knew the body must have been found as soon as morning dawned. The idea that the police might be keeping back particulars until they had their hands upon the perpetrators idled him with nervous terror. He began to frrce out his chance of proving an alibi. He thought of his father's suggestion of proving that be bad slept at home, but two things rendered it useless: his visit to the gambling club, where he was well-known by name, and where his phenomenal success was sure to have drawn attention to him: and secondly, the fact that he had oceuoied bis bed in town. Both could easily be proved against him. He was sit ill painfully pondering when his father entered.

"Everything is arranged; the rooms are perfect: no one will hear her there. T told Margaret she was a ward of mifie whose brain was slightly turned. She will not believe a word she says. I have made sure of that by giving her an inkling of the form her madness takes."

Hugh's thoughts were more concerned with himself and his own safety. "What do you make of it?" he asked, placing the paper in bis father's hands. "It says nothing about Gamble's death."

Mr Boulter was quick to grasp the truth.

•' Your man bungled when lie struck the blow. Gamble is alive. Probably by tin's time lie luis told everything; 'ami our scheme may be ton late. We must try it, but it' we fail our only hope: js in flight." Hugh's relief was intense. " What a fool I've been/' be cried, snapping his fingers witli delight. "For the past twelve hours I've thought of nothing but seeing myself dangling on a hangman's rope. And yet I can hardly believe it. I heard his skull crack beneath the blow I struck." - "You struck!" exclaimed Mr Monitor, steadying himself by grasping the back of a chair. "You thought yourself a murderer!'' "Hare I not told you so. 4 "' answered Hugh callously. " After what I have endured I can face anything: I. am at your service, ready to win my bride."

" Too late!" "It is not too late. If he is alive he is in bed with a broken head. [ have no doubt they found him where we left him and thought he had hurt himself by falling downstairs when drunk. He may die, for all I care, if they put it down to that." Mr Boulter had listened horrorstricken. "We will know this evening if your supposition is true." he answered drily: "we need not dis;ut-s the matter now." -Meanwhile Clover and Phil having completed their purchases had gone to view the flat.

" Gamble will not lie pleased." *aid Phil, " if we ilo not call on him." and in spile of Clover's protest he insisted on her accompaliving: him. " T cannot understand it,'' Gamble's housekeeper told them nervously, "Mr Gamhle went out last evening and he has not returned. "What do you think T should do? I thought of speaking to the police.'' The recollection "of what Gamhle had told him of his predilection for drink came hack to Phil. Tn his thoughts he ascribed his ahsence to that cause. The housekeeper answered as if she understood him. •' ITe merely went out for a stroll, sir. I feel sure some ill has happened to him," and she spoke so concrnedly that she affected Phil. "If you leave it to me, I will see if I can find him."

After seeing Clover safely home Phil set out on his nuest. A liberal tiu set telephone hells in motion, hut neither in police cells nor in hospitals could they find any trace of Gamhle. "From what you tell us," said a police sergeant, .smiling. ••'there is little doubt ho will turn up safely, hut I'll tell my men to keep "a good lcokout for him." and he carefully jotted down Gamble's description. Just as Phil relinquished his search for Gamhle. a carriage drew up hefore the door of Clover's lodgings and Mr Boulter alighted from it. Alter a muttered word or two to the coachman he went quickly upstairs. His heart- throbbed painfully as lie waited for the door to open. Clover answered the ring in person. "Mr Boulter!" she exclaimed in astonishment, recognising her visitor. "May I come in?" he said. "I have something I wish to tell you." It flashed through Clover's* mind ihat he might have discovered so:n<about the lost money, hut a glance at his face dispelled that idea. Mr Boulter's features" were strained and haggard. "Your brother," he began slowly.

"u<»nt to Torquay yesterday: ho 'liki not bear tin; strain of the iournev well—"

"Ho is not dead?" cried Clover, laying her hand upon h.-r heart. lln smiled sadly. •• Xo. but. very ill, in coughing he has burst a blood vessel"' "How do you know:-' "Why did they not wire to mo?" she exclaimed, haddly knowing what slie said. " I i-annut say. Probably your brother was frightened the news would startle you, and knowing the regard Hugh has lor both of you the teleurnm was sent to him asking him to break the news to von and bidding you to start at once." T : nfortunately Hugh was not at home, and it lay unopened for an hour or twoi. Whenever be -jot it. be sent me to you. You have just time to eatoh the night express. Jly carriage is at the door, I will drive you there. Don't mind about money, 1 will give you what you need." ■•'Nou are very kind,"' murmured Clover, "but what am I to do? My landlady lias gone out and left me in charge till her return."

" You can leave a note to tell her what has happened." An open writing ease lay upon the table. Taking a pencil from bis pocket Mr Uoulter wrote rapidly: "Have just had a telegram from my brother. He is seriously ill, I have to go at once."

"Now. put your name to that, she will find it on her return/' be said banding paper and pencil across to her.

Clover hastily scrawled her signature. "If you will excuse mo. I will not delay you long," she said, and going to her room she hastily placed a few necessaries in a bag. Hut quick as she was Mr Uoulter grew impatient. As Clover left her room she found him standing in the passage, watch in hand.

"We. have little time to spare," he said. "Anything else, you may require can he sent after von."'

"Have I nob time to write a note?" she asked, longing to leave a line for Phil.

"Even as it is, I hesitate to saythat we will bo in time. Your brother will feel- "

"I am ready," sho answered, leading the way to the door.

Not until Mr Boulter had closed the carriage door behind him, and they were being rapidly whirled away, did Clover notice that tho carriage blinds were drawn closely down. She thought litt' j of it until the darkness grew oppressive. Raising her hand she pressed back the curtain beside her, to peer into the street. A ray of light shot into the carriago and fell upon something in Mr. Boulter's hand which glistened. "I cannot bear the light when driving," he said in a tone of irritation.

Suddenly a penetrating odour filled the carriage. "What a peculiar smell!" she exclaimed, in a sudden panic. "A small medicine phial I have in my pocket lias broken. Allow me to open the window at your side," and as sho leant back upon her seat lie made as if to stretch in front of her.

"Quickly," she gasped, "it is choking me," but before the words had left her lips a cloth, wet and stifling with chloroform, was pressed upon her face. Cribbed in her corner she was powerless. She tried to cry, but all sound was lost in the heavy folds. She gasped for breath and tried to tear the cloth from her face: her struggles hut caused her to breathe the anaesthetic more deeply. Soon they ceased and her body grow limp and motionless. His pressure upon her face relaxed, but still be held the cloth so that she breathed the vapour. At last assured that his victim was unconscious he slowly removed it. His own brain felt reeling, and for an instant his head fell forward, but recovering himself with an effort he dragged a. window open, and leaning his head outside the earrage drank deep draughts of tlie fresh, pure air. His coachman heard the sound, and turning from his horses for an instant looked down at him. It was Hugh. "Is it done?" ho whisoered. " Yos, but drive quickly until we are outside the town."

"Withdrawing his head, lie poured a fresh quantitv of the iwtcnt drug upon the'* cloth, and covering the wotted portion with a towel, held it in readiness for any sign of returning consciousness, but Clover lay sleeping placidly. The air in the carriage ..was still charged with the heavy vapour. lie opened both windows wide and allowed the current to now freely through. Nothing was heard save the steady beat of the horses' hoofs upon the hard road as they sued swiftly homeward. "With nervous haste he pressed the cloth to her face again. The miles felt to him as if tliev would never pass. Twice he thrust his head frojn the window and urged Hugh to speed. * "We will bo home before the servants are in bed, 1 ' growled the latter " You will ruin everything by haste." "I cannot bear it. I fear to have her death upon mv hands." At length the sound of crackling gravel proclaimed tli!>t they had reached the avenue, and a. few; minutes Inter the carriage drew up before the door of Brvrmiia 'Manor. A woman. who had evidently been awaiting them. open<>d it silently.

"She is asleep, Marcaret: help me to ca r dv her in," and lifting Clover's -n----">nimntp bodv in bi« arms, Mr liouitor bore it into the house.

(To be Continued. 1