OUR STORIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14658, 27 January 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR STORIES.

NEW SERIAL ROMANCE. "TEE STORY OF HILAR? LEGE."

(By Harold Bindloas).

Author of "A Brave Man's Loyo," "In Niger Land," "Ainsho's Ju-Ju," Eto. ; Etc., PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS. flikry Logh, tho son of a wealthy Englishman, who is roughing it in the far West; takeß part in a revolution and marries Lilian under extro- _ ordinary circumstances. iiiliaii Crighton, a very charming Canadian girl who is compelled to marry Hilary Legh, otherwise, Don Ilario Legh, bandit. Robert Crighton, a wealthy merchant, the father of Lilian. James Crighton, a man of weak and undecided nature. Mrs Crighton, the stop-mother of . Lilian, a crafty intriguing woman. (Wilfred Huntington, a land surveyor, ■in lore with Lilian. James Morsloy, the partner and comrade of Legh. Carry Kermody, fte daughter of a Ranch owner; a delightful char<wter.

CHAPTER HI.—THE Y.TSDDING QV LILIAN CRIGHTON.

Jt W«a very quiet m tho little room trbvra Lilian Crighton knelt raising tile wounded soldier's head on one soft White arm, for tho noise from tho streets did nob penetrate its walls, and the only sound wa& his uneven breathing. A partial light come in through the window which opened on tho pat-o, and showed the orimson stains which •till ooz«d Blowly from the bandage and emphasised the grey tingo on ius caeeks. Now, though Robert Crighton W«B a man of considerable property, LM daughter had passed some time 'fcwnlng -useful things on the Cedar Itanohe and other possessions of hi-* ift.-tih* bush, where, aa timber-cutting »■ dangerous work, sho hod picked up « knowledge of rude surgery. So she Wppad off tho dotted rag, shiivered at the signtof the gash on his forehead, «nd wetting her own lace-edged handkerchief bound it up.afresh. The light ♦a. bwely Buffioient for her to acoomsHsh thi», and she was too intent to tiotipe the patient much, while smears of «B»ke and dust beaide tho contraction* caused by suffering disfigured his fl«e,.. Nevertheless, it struck her that nnder favourable circumstances ho ttlghi be diitinotly pleasant to look npon. ,L'!3flmi «e Tery good," 'said Legh, faobly, owning has eyes for a moment. I'XJasty thank you properly, and I'm •ejny •, 1 don't know who you are. Thing* axe all whirling about me, and burning." ■ Then. ,tho heavy eyelids fell, and tjllau said: "You must not try to talk. lie quite still,, and you will soon feel better." .Tho -touch of her cool hand was soothing,' and tho Sufferer turned his bead gratefully in the hollow of her arm, and seemed to lapse into stupor er. sleep again, whilo, when after a time the strained position grew painful, the girl, withdrawing it gently, eubstituted a camp blanket rolled together ._ instead. Western maidens «T* trained to be resourceful and selfreliant, mingle with their brothers on term* ol equality, and often share in their bush sports as well, and it was therefore not surprising that at first she felt no embarrassment. Instead, «he was only conscious of pity, and an indefinite sense of sympathy and satisfaction in the act of protection, which she thought waa merely caused by fellow-feeling for the man's suffering, and may have been mci-e than this.' At ■bw age the .gracious attribute of ■womanly compassion sometimes betrays its possessor into a deeper interest in the sufferer, so, forgetting the lapse of time, she Bat stiU and watched him, trying with inborn curiosity to pick up some meaning from the half-coherent sentences which rose to his lips now and then.

'"Start when H» gets the cabfe —say with full eteam and topsails »t. fhen it wna: "Confound you, gon Manuel—by heaven I'll drive *ne bayonet through him if he goes near that wounded man:" and after •a interval, white fcilian felt the hot Wood niantle in her neok: "MorsleV: we re rascals, both of us, hut that grrl .». Serious face. I must risk ■oraetiMng to save her from the Sin•She understood at feast that he had rtofced tome peril to help her, and it jriw pleasant to Tefleot that she was piping him; then she remembered tflat time was wearing on, and her gitittrt might he, left until morning. Jusing she tried the door, found it would not open, and turned with inP!!"* 1 ?? dfem-ay towards tho window, hut thisi appeared immovable. Then. for the first time fear came upon her, and she tet down with a beating heart V) consider the position. She was tho daughter of a man famous for his cool head and iron nerve, and so the thought of fainting or screaming at random never occurred l to her. Still, the position wa s decidedly unpleasant was by Borne means locked' in at midnight with a rebel soldier of a most ruffianly company, and while she had JrHle fear of hun—for he seemed almost. nelpleife— an© trembled at tile thought ?! T - ■ c ""E ll * happen if anyone missed aim. Estrange to Bay, perhaps warned by intuition, she feared oven more her stepmother's comments upon what Jiow ■oemed her unpardonable rashness. 'lt .was, however, evident that she roust got-<mt immediately without ntti acting, attention which would involve an awkward explanation to the rebel deaperadoes, who might not boJiov« her, and fctruggling h !ir d with a growing terror she again essnvftd to hnjl a mode of egress. Fiitil tliis proved impossible it seamed hotter notiO rouse her companion. It was a little earlier when Bon Jannue) stood smiling oomplocentlv before rm olive-faced man with a whitejcar. across his cheek who sat at «. table Jittered with bottles and papers in what had been the Alc.-'-le's office and was now the rebel head-quarters'. Iheyaro trapped in a camarote of TSin c H tttro NacioiMs," he concluded, ibo feenonta is, I think, a damsel of •wise and will, for her own sake raise no alarm, while I know thwso ISnjrlwh—tlir;y do not fear death ao much us a ycandai. Tho conclusion 13 in the bnnov 4,1 iny valiant under?" _• " Vow have the devil's cunning-, Don Jlaniiei.'; said tho Insurgent-Colonel. ' I dii not lileo this scheme, but it : a v-.ot wjso to neglect the - interests of rterwfenfc Martin. This Ilario, havT« t.»ken allegiance, is a subject of the JT'-piili!ic,.and the English have noth■jJM_- 1 -i do with him, while here the liTi'bsnd- is entitled by law to the p:.!--v".jion of his wife and her pror*'ri-.«. <io we savo the honour of the f'•i!'-i- i fa. , ..iud Don Roberto will pay a hj"«vy. f.iim to freo hia daughter, which «• f.,w>rl. Mr it is not needful that Don {■■■f.rtin should get all of it. Also, . m:m;H Don .Martin win, this English':»n will not for his own sake trouble '."'. E -'."frnnient. Snppofeo there is a *■?■•■*■ I mm the-r gunboat we are back " <•'" mountains, nnd Don Salvador is I"/- i„ m.-ik-s restitution. Yes, I comji.'i'bwfid' the scheme" ''•Your Excellency was always koeaW.t.ed, said Don IWanueL with tho &<»ra>t. approach to satiw ha dtura usubw. . 1

I Thus about the timo ivben Lilian f Crighton abandoned the attempt to , release, herself in despair Captain J Manuel was hurrying towards the i Ouatro Naeaones acoompaiiiwi by a few carefully-chosen men. The aixl, who did not know this, shook ner companion hard by the shoulder, sayin": "You must awaken, and tell nie how to open tho door. It has by some manna fastened itself.'' Legh looked at her vacantia; ant the sleep had refreshed him. and when she repeated the summons he managed to raise himself to his feet, saying, with a puzzled air: "I cant remember how I cai»o hero, but I think vou must have helped mc. 1 thank Vou for your m'splucod charity." "Never mind that," 'said Lilian, with breathless .?agernesj. "Open tho dcor immediately."

Lech, M-ko fumbled with h : s hand in his pockets, said at length: "I cannot—l do not understand where the key has gono to. Porhapj I can prise it open." "You must," said Lilian. "Oh, he quick. I hear footstep's. You have your bayonet." Legh drove the point of the. triangular blade into the crack of the door, then dragged it clear, and stood gripping the weapon by the socket while a tramp of feet drew nearer ami voices filled the putio. '"Somebody will be sorry if there's villainy in this. Stand there behind rop, clear of my arm I" ho said. ' He was weak and shaky, hut he | stiirened himself, and Lilian drew back in the shadow clenching her hands in desair, while doors ware flung open oiio by one until a voice said in. C.istillian: "That one seems fast, i Swing back your rifle, Jose, and break : it in." Yi hat had happened wa? simply this: The Captain Manuel entering the patio turned out tho guard there, and followed by his own men marched 'strn'ght to James Crighton s room, urd.-rng the latter to dress at once. "Tho Senorita Crighton lias escaped, and ono of my sergeants is missing too. It Sj perhaps what you English call the coincidence," he said, smil'ng suggestively. Crighton stopped forward with threatening ft-:i" but on» of tho soldiers barred his. way with a riflebarrel, and mastering his wrath Crighton added: "Sho is no doubt with the Sonora." '"l'uecie ser!—l do not think so. How could she get through a. locked door?" said tho officer 'in English, i "We see that presently—-veremos a ver," and the united party proceeded to Mrs. Cnghton's room, and rousing that lady, who lay asleep fully dressed in a canvas chair, found no other person there. Then, whilo James Crighton grew alternately oold and hot ' with an indefinite fear, Don Manuel opened several other doors until ono refused to yield, and he ordered a soldier to break it in. The rifle-butt descended crashing upon tho lock, the planking creaked, and a stern voice said m Spanish: "Stand back for your life!" After a glance at his superior the soldier swang the weapon again; with a sound of splintering timber the door swunjr open, and Crighton gasped: 'Good Lord!" as his eyes fell on the tableau inside. With a lace-edged handkerchief and dainty scarf—Lilian's scarf—covering half his head, haggard and desperate,, Legh stood revealed gripping a bavonet that glinted in the light, reuciy to P"? o '. with tho point. Behind him, nali-visible, Lilian cowered in the shaoow, and the rebel captain said in Ca3tilhan, with a sueor: "A romantic picture!—is is my evil fortune to show >t to you, but a soldier has always his duty. Lay down that weapon, Sergeant Ilario, before we fire on vou." Legh's eyes glittered dangerous 'as, gathering his failing strength, he ; walked coolly towards the officer with h-B hand dra.wn back. "If vou repeat i that suggestion Ml drive tins through jour treacherous heart," lie said. For a moment it seemed as though a tragedy impended, but a muscular 60ldier smote the -wounded man's right arm suddenly with the rifle stock, there was a very brief struggle, and T 1 ? a e ain «t the balustrade and held fast with a pair of swartlvy hands gripping either wrist, " Great heavens!" said James Crighton. " Lilian, what are you doing hereP" Letting her hands drop to her side, ™»? girl stood upright with a face as white as dfeath, looking her uncle in tn e *yes jib 'she answered: "I saw this Boldwr, to whom we are indebted, drag himself here apparently dying. He called for water, and I brought him some. Then the door was fastened mysteriously— and that is all I know." _ Mrs. Cnghton seemed about to lapse into a fit of hysterics, hut apparently thought better of it, and Don Manuel said: "I dare not disboliovo the benonta, but, as an officer responsible for this company, I judge hv tho facts, iho sergeant of the guard is absent from his post, he onl'v has the keys of these rooms and we find the Senorita missmg. She is beautiful, 1 understand rich, also—what will the Colonel conclude p That they were escaping together, most probably." "You infernal scoundrel!" broke out Hilary Legh. "Let go my wrist—confound you!" and with nu effort ho wrenched a hand free, and one of the men who held him reeled across the balcony. The- other, however, retained his grasp, and when ho was once more secured, Crighton, who seemed to strugglo with somo sense of horror, asked sternly: "Havo you any explanation to" offer of the locked door mystery?" "I am afraid it is insufficient,-' answered Legh. "I came back hero, po'soued or drugged, and though I remember little this lady took pity on nve and brought me water. By accident or treachery wo were shut in. Do I Jock able ix> escape with anylwtly, send would any Kngish lady glance twice at such a ragged specimen of rascality as me? What she »did ' was out of puro compassion I simply." I "Always infernal Bcoundrello!" sa'd

Don Manuel. ' i'oii jlagliish -iav« s. limited vocabulary. Tie that man securely, Joee, and two of you remain rnth has. Senor Cnton, it is necessary I leave more soldiers in charge of your party until 1 consult my chief. It is a parnful incident; I am sorry-" He withdrew, leaving them securely locked in this time wrth a. Gentry at every door, and Lilian Crighton lay in her cha?r with fingers twisted together and face frozen into a, look of stony horror. It was jroad daylight when tho rebel captain returned with the Consul, but tho merchant who upheld the honour of Britain had small comfort to cifor, and said while Don Manuel remaned without: "I have heard the insurgent's version, but while you havo my sympathy I can do practically nothing. 1 have threatened to bring warships in. but they laugh and tel! nie somebody cut tho cable last night beyond the next coast station. You pee they never expect to hold this place—only !<>./t it—leaving President Salvador respun.sibl.-. i smuggled out two messengers, but can't, depjnd nn them, and can only counsel ynu to make tho bobt terms possible. If they tool; .Miss Crighton back into their hill strongholds nobody could get her out." Ho disappeared, and Don Manuel entering sad: "The Colonel takes a serious view of the ease. It is death for one of our soldiers to desert his post, and the Senorita lias rendered herself liable to summary pmi shraent for tempting him to hid:' her nptil she could escape with him. The Colonel resonts nil foreign interference with hi.-, campaign. But he desires tho gocd will of your nation, and, regretting tho 3fcain on the honour of so d'stiugiiislied a family, will remit the death penalty, besides the Senorita's imprisonment, and consent to their ! marriage for—because wo are short of fund-:—the sum of six thousand i pesetas down. This ho requires as a surety ngain.vt any further intrigue, ! and it may be returned when there is | ponco Bjrnin." | "Confusion! Marry her to that raseal!" said James Crighton, who did not suspect that a demand for a vorv much larger sum would follow the wedding; and tho officer answered gravely: "It is a personal uuoition j I do not know the value yuu English 'sot upon your name. The marriage I need not imply mr.ro than a empty [ceremony, i submit it to the Scnora's consideration.''

Mrs Crighton said nothing for a timo. though sho thought a great deal. Lilian, her father's darling, stood badly in her way, and for this slip dis-1-kcd tho girl, whoso nude »u«rd : an's witj wero quite unable to cope with a. case of this kind. She was al.-.o badly frightened, knowing the men she dealt with, and, divided between panic and the sudden temptation of self-interest, determined to graso at tho firrt means of escape. At the worst it would appear sho had acted under compulsion to secure her step-daughter's liberty. So she. answered: "It is rcn- dreadful —but I daresay this officer would seo the jnau disposed of. I fear ha is right." "Good Lord!" repeated James Crighton, striding up and down tho room. "Confound it, Pacienza, you don't think "

Mrs. Crighton, pressing a handkerchief to her perfectly dry oyes, ! nnswered: "I think Lilian has. Ac-tea ! most imprudently in trying -to escapn j —and that Don JXanuel is right. These rebels are dangerous men, and to prevent her imprisonment we must humour them in everything," "You havo half-an-hour to deoido in, with free access to the prisoners, before the provost-marshal's justice takes its course, which will imply the execution of. the man and the Senorita's arrest. Our Commaudante has even tihot women," said the officer, who went out. Then Mrs. Crighton said: -I know these people; it was a useful hint he gave. Sis thousand pesetas is not much.'' "' Six thousand pesetas ho consumed!" said James Crighton. "It's mv poor niece I'm flunking of. I wiwli I had Robert's sense. He would know just what to do, and ho'l! never forgive me," and lie strode to the empty stable where Legh was now confined*. AYhat he said was rather forcibly than ■clearly expressed. Legh understood, the gist, and answered -wearily: "Heaven knows i! am innocent of any cause of offence, ' but you aro absolutely in au mi- j scrupulous villain's power, and if there ' is no other way I am witling to play'' my part in this burlesque—it can be nothing el&s. It would perhaps have • been better for all concerned if thev had poisoned me outright. Did I sa'v I sent your message last night?" "I'm inclined to agree with you," said James Crighton. " " The message never went—another detachment of i I you friends cut the cable." ' i Lech smiled bitterly as he answered: ! | " Weil, we must make the best of it. ! but remember they have some object iii | forc-'ng on us this —arrangement, It is curious, however, that I might havo been safe in England now but for another wedding, and it's a curious experience to b? wounded, po'soned. and' then married against one's wishes in the same day. Would it l>e presumptuous _ to inquire as to the lady's station ?" " Yon- take it mighty coolly, yon rriswlMy freebooter!" * srcid " Jaines Crighton, furiously. ' '-T'ndf-r other circumstances I would gladlv shoot von j first. She is Hobert " Cr'.ghton's j daughter, and in lior own country that ! is enough. Also"—he was going to say an heiress, but did ed through her mother with or.e of the j first fnmilos in Canada, and has b?eu ; taught overyth'.ng a ladv ouirlit to jknow. .And now sire's to be sa-riibed >.-n—{..ood heavens! why don't Mine of ■ those lools kill you?" | His voice was strained and huskv his eye.3 bioodshol, but Legh. stepp'iig him w:*h a fres.ture, said ' quietly" '-.Neither the lady nor her family will have anyth ng ' to fear from" me. Ludcrstand this ceremony is forced upon mo, and, it may be i. consolation, it :? quite probable she will shortly bo a widow. I do not think we need prolong the interview." No time was lost when the decision was notified to the insurgent authorises, who were anioxus to levy heavy blackmail upon Robert Crighton and the wedding was fixed for the morrow. It is true the priest of Son Pablo protested against being called noon to unite heretics, but Don Manr.eriiinted that most of the Sin-vc-rguenza were agnostics who might sweep clean the of San Pablo, in which there were jewelled vessels, unless he restrained them. This the good padre knew wo,-! perfectly possible, while Don jllaniiel further added that the marriage was n work of merr.v. as it would Save the bridegroom's life! So on the falloviug day. with the Consul as witness, there was a brief ceremony in the. crumbling church of San Pablo which had probably never received a Stranger wedding party. The bride was sm pale as white marble, and never raised her eyes. (Mrs;. Crighton contrived to weep ;i oopiouisly, and her brother-in-law swore viciously under his breath throughout the oeremony, while the bridegroom, whoso haggard face was but halfvisible, seemed to find it difficult to hold himself upright. But it was quickly finished, and when, as with some difficulty he signed '.she 'slip the Consul laid down. "Hilary Edmund Legh: birthplace, Thornton-Dene. Eugland," the Consul asked: "Are you connected with the mine oTrners of that name?'' he answered eoldly: "I am." A guard of the Sin-vergucnza waited ;% the plaza, and Don Manuel said: "I jus-n allow Serjjeat Ilario half-au-hour I for congratulation, and to arrange lior leaving hj& brids with you. 22ie»

thc Colonel desirra an interview. r .\vo words with you lirst, Sei£:ant ilario." Tha -time had almost elapsed, and Le.?rh leaned heavily on the cepiug the pirl whom he supposed wiis now ate wife, when the rest- listeued to an oiiieer with a whito scar on ills cheek on the roof of tie Ougtro Nacioneis. " ioti caai majje tout mind easy- on my aocouint, Madam," said lagh, "If it is crvil to say sa, no one regrets what has hanpened; aioro than I do; mat, as I have ono or two powerful enemies whom I havo jnst. defied, it is very improbablo you will over see raa again. St.'li, I cannot say good-bye without thanking you for your fatal P'ty. and should like to think you will forgivo me tho wbollv uninteutionetl injury." " I cannot bear anv more," said the g rl with a dry sob. "" I believe I hate vou. God forgivo me for almost desiring you dead." "Mr. 1.0gh," said Crighton, in Engli'h: "1 begin to *eo "through those devils' villainy, and you havo a chance oi proving yourself as good as your word. Tt appears in this country a husband can claim possession of" his w:i'e and her property, and this gentle- "■•>.] hints you intend to do so, while for what is practically a very ' heavy ran-om he might be'induced' to prevent you." Lcgh glanced from him to Lilian, who made no sign, oulv waited as if in an agony of snspeiisi?." then turned to the rebel officer, saying clearly: 'T have married this lady under compulsion, Sencr, and now decline: under any consideration to recognise her further. I shall also appeal to vour biihops and cardinals to declare' the ceremony illegal." "Mai rayo!"'broke out the lender of the Sir.verguenza, stamping h : s foot. " Diid-erstand. I raise my hand and you are shot. The lady is charming, is she not?" "What has he said?" asked LiTaa. breathlessly: and Crighton answered grimly: "He has thrown away a chance of blackmailing one of" thchiggeit merchants on tho Pacific slope and check-mated those crawling Greasers' plan, besides probably Signing his own death-warrant. There is good Enjrlsh blood in him." "My decision is filial," said Logh to the general. "I repeat. I voluntarily relinquish all claim upon tlvs ladv's property or society." "It is possibie'you veil! regret it." .-ad t'no officer, who conferred with Don Miinuel, and tho, rest kept silence until Logh, who rtaici! out across the shimmerinK waters, btokoited Cric.liton. .••ayinj;: "There i.s the solution of your d-fricuity. My tm.ssago got through." ' " S'.viugiut; round a headland, with a trail of black smoke at the funnel and snowy topsails set, a fmall. whitepainted gunboat rolled towards Las Xieves harbour as fast as steam and .sad could drive her across the flaming swell, and Crighton's heart throbbed at the sight uf the red St. George's cross on the broad white ensign. One message had not miscarried, and the power that rules the ocean had stretched out a strong hand to help him. She came on, returning no answer when big guns thundered a salute from the hill batteiy. for her Commander only acknowledged duly constituted authority, and ran h s ancient vessel fearlesslv close in, while Crighton could tet ae'arht patches of marines' uniform moving along her dock and groups of blue-jackets standing motionless beside the long brown gmis. Then the topsails sank down together as by magic, a creaming welter surged forward from the stern, there was a .splash at the bows, white boats dropped into the water, and tha gunboat swang round with inadequate weapons turned on tho button- which could have blown her into atom's. "You're, fixed!" said James Crin-h----ton. marching: triuniphantiv tin to the insurgent lender.

" I yuess all of roil know what will iollow_ any fooling with that flag." "We will resume the discussion. S<mmy' said the latter, with frigid lx>l:teno4s. '-Meantime, for vr.ur own safety, do not leave tlie i'on'dn.. The Sergeant Hario is a subject of this liopublK—he will follow.'' He wont dow>i the stairway, beckoning L-egh, who turned for \\ moment and bowed to Lilian, then followed with two guards behind him. Within au hour a man in naval unij for;n. another in white dujk. and the j Cosul entered the Cuatro Nacioncs. and Jam-es Crightou dare scarcely meet I his brother's eyes when the' latter i said: "I heard the rebels were actu--1 ally on tho offensive, and turned back for the coast. Met the Commander : just More he got your message—first news I had of trouble •in La/s'Xicves. Very glad t-o see you safe, but what's the matter with you all?—and Lilian's looking like a ghost.'' Robert Crighton was speo<-h]c3 3 with fury when ho heard the "story, but on recovering Irmself placed one arm round his daughter's shoulder.' "Th'.'s lis a heavy blow, my girl, but we'll straighten things out yet," he said. - " The.-three-condemned rascals to set this trap for you! Well, well, we'll got the mockery of a marriage annulled, and as for the man I knew Don Martin Sufficiently well' to feel j tolerably sure he'll shoot him." "Pleated to have been of service to you, Mr. Crighton!" said the naval 1 officer. "After inquiries Ido nut nee that wo can interfere on behalf of Legli, who has evid-cntiv signed unv his rights as a liri.V-i'. W iiil-ng in a cedula under the laws r Mill's cemiiry ; hut my commander ordered m:- not to return without you. I will give you , twenty ,minutes to get ready." j They were i-.?sdv in the rime, and presently, wit-h all safe on board her, the gunboat- nteamed out- to pen, while Lcgh watched her smoke trad vanish frein an iron-barred window. (To bo Continued..l