OUR STORIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14325, 15 October 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR STORIES.

IZBA'S BID FOR 108-TUjS'E.

AN EXCITING SERIAL". (By Mrs. Herriot Gordon, author of "Paying a Debt," "My Last Chance," 1 etc.) [The Plot To Date.—lzba Sutherland, a designing young school teacher, intrigues to marry Ralph Derrick, a lawyer, older than herself, and a year later learns from him that the marriage ceremony was a .bogus one. She leaves her child with an old woman named Shura, and Izba in the character 01 an artless young widow, goes forth into the world, determined to push her way into high life. Travelling in a train she meets a Mrs Dunsmore, the widow of an Indian officer who had married her abroad. There is a railway collision in which Mra. Dunsmore is killed, and Izba gets into her cloak and secures her papers and jewels, afterwards impersonating her to the aristocratic Lady Dunsmore. At the latter's house she learns that Ralph Derrick is a relative, and that a clerk named Fred Barton, is heir to the Dunsmore estates. Izba resolves to meet Barton, and become the future mistress of Dunsmore Castle. Other important characters are Mr Menstrie, the paper-mill proprietor, Mrs Menstrie, his "superior" wife, Ruth Snieatou, his ward, and Gerald Menstrie, his only son, who is inclined to "go tho pace," but is for tho time manager of his father's business. Young Menstrie has employed Fred's sister as a typist, and has also found employment for Fred., an appointment which does act meet with his father's approval. In the meantime Ralph Derrick discovers that Izba is really the heiress to the estates of a rich relative, and befceving her dead, gees to the residence of the Lady Dunsmore to make inquiries in regard to tho railway accident. Fortunately Izba is not btought face to face with him, but fearing further complications she cioves into a private mansion, and succeeds m becoming acpuainted with Fred Barton who has lately been distressed at the activity of one, Gait a scoundrelly associate of his dead i? P* 5 chapter introduces Barton and Izba standing together at a brilliant reception. CHAPTER XV. AT CLIFTON HOUSE. JNot a word was spoken by either Izba or Barton, and for a brief moment each appeared to be reading the other's thoughts, when a woman's voice broke the spell, saying: 'How charming, dear Mrs Dunsmore would you mind introducing me to Mr Barton, of whom I have heard so much ' lne expression on tho features of Izba changed quick as lightning, and turning to the. speaker she said" with her politest society smile: ady Templeton,' » i. introduction was made At the same moment the attention of Izba, was clamed by her other guests, and Barton sat down by.Lady,Templei

The latter was Ifstcnrf,. good-natured, elderly, woman, witfta. strong, resonant SS^fT^i^ 1 * tel ? ck <* itself-heard JT:-long way/oftV - days «she great friends" I never aefc-W-of my. father's, early fcsWrhed f ßarton, *an3 in his later him but seldom/ «I fell break with business is assured.' >to/ he 'Slot until 1 possession of the, property. You; Lady ffempleton, jnjs claim is" by no ikp teti, fat* Barton/ By the way, I, iad a. leiter 1 yesterday* froftdeai*-Mrs Hessele, J?mean. teask;.your to spends, weelii mth mf;in3Lpndoi^b e the season/-: *.•-"" ;:-:'? v ! ' '^jf t'/ s '^^* c sj-^;to-"a^ugSe^-iady Templetonr'. ha answered Lady Templeton Ha< no childrerfrfcf; ner own, .but was fond; o f having people about ier^She'talked to Bartoa of hia fager,. of his own past and his future wrth.*syolubility, that admitt-ed of few replies. Before departing jj e accepted an invitation to dina with! fief tmd meet a. Captain Neville who "had Been a friend of and:ihad served iff tha fiam » regiment as GeoTgo Dunsmore. After saying, good-bye to Ladv TeniBarton mado his Way through the orowded dooms and passed out. He not-hail a hansom, but walked trough the quiet streets to his rooms. He wanted to bo-alone; and inthe cool mgat air outsideDegan to review his position. - ' For the first time in his life Barton was dissatisfied'Jritli himself. Ho could not say that he" loved Mrs Dunsmore, cor could he say that ho did not love tier and how to regulate his conduct »n the future where that lady was con earned was a question he could not answer. It impossible to cease calling upon her and to avoid her societv Without causing remark. Then he would ask himsehy was there any reason whv He should hold aloof from her socictyoiid the answer was—after some tion—none • whatever! It was a case of chance and circumstances; and though Barton knew it not he was drifting with the tide and was perilously near succumbing to the influence of the ciarmintr widow The_following week end he spent at Dene Hollow, where his sister and Mrs Hessele were always glad to see him The three were to dine at Clifton House on the Saturday, and Barton was looking forward visit with pleasure Lucy had frequentlv visited there and between her and Ruth a warm friendsnip had sprung up. At first Mrs Menstrie had disapproved of Lucy, but the fact" >"f her near relationsliip to the Dnnsinores and the probability of her brother inheriting the estates had modified her opinions considerably. Still she held firmly to her pet scheme of a marriage between Gerald and Ruth. She was inclined to look uoon the Bartons rs interlopers, and was net at all pleased at the friendship which had spruno- u t> between Ruth and Lucy. She was°st : il more anoyed at the partialitvshown bv Ruth for the society of Barton, and life Singular manner in which Gerald appeared to acquiesce in this. Tho Bartons were doubtless all right but might never come into their propertv, sh» reasoned, while the fortune of Ruth was substantial and sure. The dinner at Clifton House was a success. Barton sat beside Ruth ard Gerald between Mrs Hessele and Lucv Mrs Menstrie would have liked to verse the' order of things, but Wi>s powerless in the matter. >.

Mr Menstrie himself was perhaps at his best when seated at his own tabl° Eurrounded by a few guests or intimate Iriends. He was particularly attentive to Lucy, whose bright face and winning ways appeared to please him. He had riot recognised m her the erstwhile typewriter of his London office for dnnng her brief time there he 'had toldem seen her. After dinner Barton and Ruth disappeared from the drawing-room much to the secret chagrin of Airs Menstrie. She was still further annoved bv Gerald inviting Mrs Hessele and'Luev to visit" Ifir enn=ervatory to view the 'collection r* -.r.-hids and other rare olants it con. 'lamed. 'V'erhaps M : ss Barton is not inter-«.-+i-l i,i orchid*.' she said eoldlv, and \ri± ha disaporoving look. Mrs Hessele heard the words, and enw the accompanying glance. ' T know she wants her son to marrv Huth. but if I rp*A the gicrng ff|tjl'e

times right he never will. Lucy and Gerald were made for each other ' thought the old lady. Aloud sho said: ' Come, Lucy, I am anxious to see the orchids, though I think those I have at Dene Hollow can beat them. ' The conservatory is very draughty, Joan, dear. I always catch cold there. It 13 not wise for you to venture,' said Mra Menstrie. As has been said, Mrs Hessele's weakness was colds imaginary and otherwise, but Gerald in this instance nullified his mothers words. He caught up a wrap which lay on a couch near by, and careniliy put it around the old lady's shoulders. orchids were visited ,and while Mrs Hessele was admiring them Gerald managed to draw Lucy a little apart. 'i on don't care for these stupid flowers,' he said. ' Oh, yes, I do tremendously,' she answered. ' ) nu will have many future opportunities of admiring them,' said Gerald. ' At present it would be much nicer for you to talk to me.' ' It would not,' replied Lucy quicklv. l°u always say such silly things.' ' I know I am a duffer,' he answered S" vc '7i adding with a whimsical smile, all the saine.l have fallen in love. Lucy.' ) 'I think you mentioned that fact to me on a previous occasion, Mr Menstrie, and I would prefer that you did not call mo by my Christian name,' she returned sharply, the colour deepening in her cheeks. ' I will try not to do so,' he answered gravely ' but it will be difficult. The best plan would be for me to spend Monday at Dene Hollow, when you could tench ?ue to forget Lucy and" to remember Miss Barton. Lucy laughed lightly, as thev moved ° a . i. et T l een -, tlls IWS of flower stands ' .Kealiy, uer—' she said, then hastily correcting herself, 'Mr Menstrie 'I mean, you are very absurd.' ' 'So the I'guvcnior" has oftPn said ' he replied m a slow, serious tone 'I dcu-t object to your using my Chistian name. In tact I think it much nicer between lriend.s, you know.' V Lucy gave him a quick furtive glance then said in what was meant to be a very stern tone— 'My using your Christian name was purely accidental.' Uh, l make n 0 objection,' replied Gerald, none in the least. I would not be at all annoyed even if vou made another mistake of the same nature ' Lucy compressed her lips as if to keep back a smile, then said with all the formality she could assume, 'You ought only to talk to the girl to whom you are engaged in such a familiar rashion. 5 'But I am not engaged,' he returned quickly. It lias not quite reached that stage yet with me.' ' Oh!' exclaimed Lucy, mischief EleaiTufe you" ey6S - ' PerhapS She ™* rJ^ o^ f" nd , er a tit if she did,' returned Gerald shrugging his shoulders. She has often said-1 was a fool, and called me silly and all that ' ' *,M %*£?•, a , glanoe at his fa <>e and said, I think she must be a verv sensible woman.' ' ' So-called sensible women are generally very disagreeable; now. I wul say she is not that,' he answered ' I think we will postpone further discussion of this interesting person and rejoin Mrs Hessele,' replied Lucy orchids * WaS Sm admirin S the

«.£ r " httle tte ttree "turned to the drawing-room, and it was with a sigh of relief that Mrs Menstrie saw therr entrance. But her anxietv re Tempted by the beauty of the evening they had wandered through the garden, neross- *he lawn and (Town to the river side. The, situation of Clifton House was ££, «i - on e-„ S - t ? ndin e- as J* did, on the sloping hillside, it formed an outstanding feature of the landscape and commanded an almost unrivalled prospect. Some distance up tho vallev was the paper works from wluch Mr'Menfetne"dretf Ins wealth, the tall cliimnevs Of xvhich wore visible. Sheltered in tho fralley lay tho village of ShettJeburv? Shaded by many spreading trees, clustered round its aged church. -0 a the opposite side of tho Vallev was 4 e ■Rectory, and further nwav'the Schooliiiouse, wher the elopement of Izba had caused so much consternation. From tho terrace at Clifton House the eve fcould roam over a stretcli of countrv I and fertile, prasentinn- all the beatifies pi an English landscape i-JiT ■? Jmd J, , ,s companion spoke but little; it seemed as if they were listenPS l ° * he murmur of the river or the sort sign of the summer breeze amonE the tree of leafy Juno. ihey turned to retrace their Ruth" was looking very pretty; her cheeks were glowing with a rich colour and her dark eyes sparkling. Barton, on the other hand, looked graver and n»°re thoughtful thar. usual, and in addition appeared restless and ill at ease. •'i^-r.""' 1 , 1 clian e° your whole future.' said Birth, referring to his succession to the Dunsmore estates. , Property may not come to me, biu. ir it does it will, I daresay, make a difference m my life.' 'lt will give you your opportunity,' she said, looking m> in his face .- ' T ] Jlnn "' " >v " la * von moan, but i doiibi ir I liavo the dotermination of the courage, apart from the abilitv. to serve my country m Parliament.* he answered. 'I tT " nk you nave both the abilitv ann the courage.' replied Ruth \fter a pause, she added: • Take no the'crow For the suffering masses and do sometnmg to hngnten their lives.' 'Tlie history of past generations tell of hundreds m everv walk of life who have tried to do so" and failed. Could 1 hope to be more successful»' he answered, looking straight into her face. Times am more favourable now than i-liev ever were-: besides, failure in a noble cause is often renllv success ' •Trv.o.' ] !0 replied, then sunk into siirnce.

Pho Mir, was suikine in the west in a ll ;" , ';: , „ s:n,,l ' n Klor y- F'M'nK the towers nf Clifton House and faintlv the <rently waving trws around them " The thmijihts of Barton had wandered far away from the woman at his side n ™ ™ scene around him. Ho was thinkmsr of Izba and the gav ]jf e K i, e led in London, when'' duty and every, thins else was subordinated to enjoyment. Married to her. his life would he rap round of pleasure, with all that fellows in its train. To youth possessing wealth, such a life is usuallv allurine. more especially when its 'moving spirit is a iroinaii, young and beautiful as the day. On the other hand, the pure ideals which Unth had soupht to hold tip to Barton were hard of attainment "and would hj» barren of pleasure. As the tn-o moved slowly on beneath the trees, sneh thoughts and many others rushed through the mind of Barton. AVith a laugh that sounded strange! v discordant, ho turned to Ruth and said : 'Our discission is rather premature. T am still only manager of Mr Menstrie.'s London office, and my future mav nover give _me opportunity of making such a choice.'_ ■ T feel certain von will yet have to choose.' said Tluth. 'Should that time come, love. Miss Smeafon. will lie the arbitrator. Tt shall decide.' lie answered, as they slowly ascended the steps to the terrace. The two stood in silence on the terrace for a few minutes, as if watching the fading glory of the sunset glow on the summer landscape : then they joined the others in the drnwiiig-ro.ini. Tliey met on the following day at church, and on the invitation of' Mrs Hesvele the whole partv drove to Dene Hollow for luncheon, but Barton and .JlutL^d-noijsaiejEitifiiEaaixerK'Jioa.

DERRICKS LUCK—FACE TO FACE .WITH HER PAST. Meanwhile a slight stroke of luck had befallen Ralph Derrick, for by the death of his relative, Mr Hinckley, he had inherited a, substantial legacy. •Never did money come more opportune than did this legacy to Derrick. As had been hinted he had embezzled large sums entrusted to him for investment, and now had great difficulty in paying the interest to his clients as it fell due, and thus preventing inquiry and exposure, He had expected to inherit a much larger sum, but Mr Hinckley's death had been sudden and had occurred before Derrick had explained to him the fate of his grandchild. The bulk of his fortune had been left to charities, but in addition to the legacy bequeathed to Derrick, a largo sum had been set aside for the benefit of his grandchild which, in the event of her deatli being proven, was alao to revert-to charities. Derrick was not only disappointed, out almost furious with anger. He told himself that if ho had onlv married Izba honestly she might have been alive now and the fortune his. Also, if ho had explained to Mr Hinckley the result of his inquiries, namely that Izba Sutherland was his granddaughter and that she had been killed in a railway collision, bo might have largely increased the paltry legacv which he bad left to him. Derrick. Ho felt that he had certainly bungled matters terr.bly, and, if he had only known, it, far worse than even he could imagiue. Money matters were hamissuig him en every side, his cl.ents were becoming suspicious, and he knew that some day for him to pay their dividends would be impossible. Such was the state of matters with the lawyer when his tool and confederate Gait, deserted him. To tell the tnitb, be was rather glad to be rid of bait, lor ho knew more about his affairs tnan was convenient to Derrick. As yet the lawyer was not aware that Gait had abstracted the Dunsmore i papers and sold shorn to Mrs Dunsmore.

Derrick had deposited tlio papers in a. receptacle m h.s safe, and bolieved tliat ho alone knew the secret of opening rt or of us existence. In this, iiuivover, Gait hud outw.tted him, as pioyious events have shown. Barton having relused all dealings with him, Dcrr.cfc had not found it neee.-sary to examine tho papers, and was therefore unaware that they had been stolen. I hat these papers were valuable he Knew but to approach Lady Dunsnioro regarding them would bo useless when suddenly his thoughts turned] like Craft s, to Mrs George Dunsmoro. It now for the lisrt time occurred to aim that he had never met Mrs Dunsmore noj even seen her, although he had often seen her name mentioned iu the fashionable intelligence of the day He knew she delved a large income from the estates, which would cease on the advent of a new heir. Derrick therefore determined to visit Mrs Dunsmoro and discover, if possible, if she was prepared to interest herself in the future of the property or in the new heir. calf e w Ci ?. Ed n ?' to make a forma l can, out through some acquaintance obtain the entree to one of Her receptions and so discover how the land iaj Ho meant to bo very careful and diplomatic and would in no way commit himself to any course of action. , a?,, n ? b the f ? llo ™2 day he met a Mi DeLamcre, who was one of Mrs Dunsmore's constant visitors Uter some conversation he learnt that* Mrs Dunsmoro held a reception that very evening, and that Mr Delamero meant to bo present. He therefore arranged «ith that gentleman to caU for him at I %fV V S ' n nd tO S they would rtnve t„ Mrs Dunsmore's residence in i. ark Lane.

On that particular evening Izba's spacious room, were crowded with what is termed the elite of society and as a matter of course Barton was present; indeed, none of her parties "ere complete without him He was standing close to Izba in the music-room almost lost in admiration of her besjity. She was wearing crimson satin toned down with magnificent black lace and studded with jewels JTj ■ l '. r f d .. a 'J d I "ill sing to you, she said m a. low voice W 6 t Slishi } y at tlle 'sound of her soft whisper, then led her to the Piano. Having selected a piece of music she bestowed a bewitching jmile on Barton, then began to sin". lell me, ohl tell me, roso of the morn, What whispers tho dew On thy breast? J Tell me, oh! tell me, blossoming thorn <?nf? y fl V °- VS t0 the wiml Df tlle "-est) boft flowing r.ver, seeking file sea. What saith tne moonlight sleeping on thee i 'Love!' said the rose, 'and the hawthorn of Mav,' And 'Love,' said the river, 'for ever and ave!' Tell mo. „h'l tell me, blush on thy cheek, J What makes thee red as the rose? lell me, ohl tell me, for I know vou can speak, Sweet smiles, what your meanings disclose?) Eyes of my dear ouel stars of mv night! J What is vour secret beaming with light! •Lovoi' said the blush, 'and the smile that line wore,' And ■ Love ' said the dark eyes, ' true love evermore. Izba smiled sweetly on Barton as he led her from the piano, and together tiicy wandered into tho oonsorvatorv. _ ' It is very good oi vou to i>raise mv singing,' said Izba, her dark eyes on her companion, 'and I trust you do not consider my parties stupid.' ' It is imposs ble I "could think accompany stupid if you were present"' returned Barton, gallantly, and his blue eyes rested admiringly on the handsome woman at his side. Strange to say. he thought of Ruth, and began in lis mind, comparing her charms with those of Izba. But it was like comparing the gaudy sunflower with the modest daisv. or the gorgeous blossoms of the passion flower with the pure and queen-like lily. Izba smiled on her companion, and his clear eyes returned her look. In moving along she touched a rose tree, and its blossoms fell in a shower at their feet. 'Fortune is strewing your path with roses.' said Izba. ' Yes, 1 returned Barton, ' I almost fear to gather them.' ' "WliyF' asked Izba, with another flash from her dark eyes. ' Lest they vanish and become thorns as many of the pleasures of life do,' he answered.

' Not so, Fred.' she replied in her sweetest smile; 'if you do not gather them to-day—take what fate has !• placed with n your reich—by to-mor-row it may be too late.' : At tliis moment a number of guests streamed into the conservatory, and abruptly cut short their conversation. The interruption was a relief to Barton, for he felt that his relationship towards Mrs Jlunsmore was baing hurried on to a crisis with extraordinary rapidity. He answered the words with a smile, and together they returned to the drawing-room. For a brief moment the two halted near the entrance to the conservatory, and T/.ha observed Mr Delaince approaching her, acompanied by a stranger. The stranger was a stoutly birlt, man, of about forty vears of ago, had Mack hair, dark sombre features, and deep set eves. t/.ha paid no heed to Mr Delamere; her gaze was rivited on h'« companion. There was no mistake. She was suddenly leought face to fae-» w ; th her past'. The stranger was Ralph DerTa .he .pfliVtmued* :