LOVE, THE CONQUEROR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17570, 22 June 1925, Page 14

LOVE, THE CONQUEROR.

NEW “STAR” SERIAL.

By

CARLTON DAWE

Author of - iS " Th«- Temptation o' Selma. * r r 3 “ Ruryale in London.” “ Vtr- ■ i Sinia,” "A Tangled Marriage,” i

CHAPTER M(Continued.) “Geographicallv, Australia is # at the other end of the world, but.” meaningly. “the cable annihilates space. ’ He paused, smiling. “I set inquiries afoot." “Glegg 1 ” “For your sake, my dear Mallaston, as well as for my own: not to mention vour daughter,” he added in a tone full of intimate confidence. "Mv daughter!” “Naturally a father’s eyes would not be as keen as those of a lover. Sir Derek locked perplexed. “Du mean that my daughter—— “1 mean that our esteemed triend mav cherish a very laudable ambition to associate himself with a family of distinction. It. would not be the first time that an adventurer, coming out of ndwhere, ingratiated himself with honest people. Listen to me, IVmliaston,” he continued impressively, “ the reports cabled by my agents convince me that this man Darling should* be regarded with the. gravest suspicion. That silver mine, of which so much has been made, is an extremely nebulous proposition, and I see now why he refused to discuss it with me. lie knew it was no use attempting to bluff Jamie Glegg. And as regards the fellow himself, nobody seems to know anything about him. though suspicion is rife, and more than one discreditable act is laid to his account. Indeed it is said that his sudden visit to this country was something in the nature of a flight.” “ From justice:” “What else:” Sir Derek was clearly bewildered. With Glegg’s accusing tones reverberating through his brain it was frankly impossible for him to think out the situation. It was not as though Darling had come to them with credentials, while the man himself had won esteem -through sheer force of character and personali tv. Glegg must be misinformed. Derry could not- have been so easily imposed upon. “ T can’t believe it. Glegg.” “ You mean you won’t: What object could my agent have in cabling me a tissue of falsehoods?” “ There seems to be nothing definite about it all; no definite charge.” “Investigations are proceeding, and f have every reason to believe that the result will not improve Mr Darling's case. Frankly, MalJaston, I think you ought to get rid of him. He is no lit associate for your daughter.” There was something more than an expression of opinion in Glegg’s tone, something that sounded very like a command. Sir Derek, trembling with a rage he dared not express, turned white to the lips. The red ogre watched him closely, a sinister gleam in his eyes, a curious smile on his lips. It was his first real exhibition of power, and it pleased him to mark the twistings and writhings of his victim. Yes, my dear Mallaslon. I think Hall Grange is hardly big enough for a man of Air Darling's peculiar antecedents.” My dear Glegg, the man is my guest, my son's friend.” “ But not mine.” Plainly he looked: Is a quarrel with me preferable to one with him? Presently he would say it. "He is leaving on Monday,” said the old man feebly. “ T would suggest that he leaves before.” The claws were bared now. How long before they would fix themselves in his flesh: A shudder swept that thin frame. Then of a sudden courage. and dignity beamed in the sunken eves. V, hat you suggest is quite impossible.” Then the bully drew in his horns: it. was possible to drive even weakness to a resistance which might have unpleasant consequences. To precipitate matters vWthov.t gaining his end was never a part of James Glegg's policy. He had won l-y waiting, seizing his opportunity as it. came along, and never relaxing his grip. Moreover, lie had another card up his sleeve, a most important card, of which this old fool did not even dream. CHAPTER XIT. GATIi EKING CLOU DS. Father and daughter sat verv still, and for a time neither spoke. With horror she had listened to his faltering confession of failure. lie had come tu her red-hot from his interview with Clegg, and in much confusion had sought to unravel a twisted talc. At first she did not quite grasp what he was so pitifully trying to tell her. Speculation, money, mortgage, Glegg. were all mixed in inextricable confusion, punctuated by incessant protestations of regret. But out or it all she seemed to gather that they were in financial difficulties of a most serious character, and that in some wav Mr Glegg had presided over, or beer, instrumental in, their misfortunes. Let me get. it all quite clearly,” she said, knitting her brows in concentration fi thought. “Your speculations have failed?” He nodded. "Tt was on the advice of Mr Glegg you speculated ? ” Yes: but he has been very considerate.” ”So it seems. And now?” “ But for him I should scarcely know , which way to turn.” What do you mean exactly ky that. father?” \ou wouldn't understand intimate business details,” he stammered. “ [ thought I'd better tell you. But it'll be all right; don't worry yourself. Wc have a friend in Glegg.” j "A friend who induced you to speculate in unprofitable schemes.” lb- says they're bound to r ; ghl themselves. that they must.” "And if thev don't?” w- mustn't think of such a thing.".

wc can only hold on things are bound ! to boom.” i “According to Mr Glegg?” 1 “In the nature of things,” he insisted. Why was a man obliged to attempt explanations which no woman could possibly comprehend ? “To me the nature of things looks ' ominous. This man, inducing you to i speculate in worthless stock, has swindled you.” "My dear.” he looked round nervously, "you mustn't say these things. Absurd and quite uncalled for.” “Why should I hesitate to say what I think?” 1 “Because we are in his power. A dreadful admission, but the truth.” “To what extent:” A frightened look sprang to her eyes; her lips turned cold. ■ “Mind you, J don't say he would—in fact L know he wouldn't—but if he wanted tu he could ruin us to-morrow, sell the roof from over us. That’s why we must be careful, civil. You never know what will turn up.” “Mad gambler to the last,” she said bitterly. “I did it for the best.” he pleaded. “Who was to know that everything would go wrong? It’s iust downright ! bad luck.” j The parrot cry of the ruined gamester! Though she had known uf these * ' transactions with Glegg and had always deprecated them, she never dreamt that y affairs had become so hopelessly in- i volved. 6he knew, of course, that her s father’s intimacy with Glegg had a basis 1 other than that of friendship; that his < professed admiration for a man who n many a time must have made him shudder had not a very noble incentive I behind it. But this was 'an ac.know- C T lodged convention! of life, the recog- t nised gospel of grab, the getting of 1 something for nothing. And out of such j mad hopes men like Glegg prospered. “And this man he will proceed to ) extremes?” Her face was very while , now. her voice hard, but the sickness of ■ death was in her heart.. “t do not anticipate any such dcvel- f opment. Naturally his various loans, r to tide over matters, have been strict- j ly in the way uf business. How else i could I accept money from any man?” She saw that he was hopeless, foolishly hopeless, and was almost afraid - to question him further. - "You did not think of Derry, or me?” ; “ f ventured solely on his account, i i and yours. Who eise was there to think j 1 of: I wanted him to come back to .an j 1 unencumbered estate and take his ! 1 proper place in the county. For myself i there was no thought: my life is lived, i J It would have been splendid if he could j c have come back to us strong and free j v of financial embarrassment.” I i He brightened at Tie thought. Slur I j recognised the enthusiasm of the gambler even with the game going against , “And now he will come hack to—nothing.” “-No, if. : yea are unduly pessimistic. Things will pan. out. all right, , , believe me. Glegg s really a, good fellow at hot loin; I have his assurance j of support." 'And how much is that worth?” A mi were always a hit prejudiced.” Keenly he locked at her. *1 was afraid.'* Of what?” “Of what lias happened.” He also was afraid, but did not j dare show it. In spite oi Ms solemn • protestations of belief in Glegg's prob- j iry there was an undercurrent of fear. ] That last interview had shown him a ) new and. more sinister Glegg, one who I « •night, under • revocation, prove :x- | c ' rcmel.v jefractory. H was not to bis interest to search for spots in the sun, • though there were times when they made their presence apparent. In this sun v l>ieh sho.no upon his house lie was quickly delecting ••.any unsi.s- |•<_*( fed 1 >!<• mislies. (T«. be continued.) " I