FOR THE SAKE OF GOLD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5970, 17 August 1912, Page 4

FOR THE SAKE OF GOLD.

(All : is ttoscr'vcd.)

A ■■•■ SENSATIONAL IftMANCF, By the Author of "Out of Darkness," "A I'iiy of IleckoninK."

A few minutes elapsed, then Squire B&sset was taken to the library, where i bed had been brought down, and the doctor did all that was in his power,, after sending a man on horseback into Witton for medicine, and also to despatch a telegram to the infirmary at Oldcastle, the nearest large town, requesting that a couple of capable nurses might be sent at once, and a well-known doctor was also summoned. In about an hour the groom" returned, and the medicine was given. Then, seeing that his patient was in a more hopeful condition, the doctor left him in the care of Miss Melita and his valet, who had been many years with the squire, and found his way to the drawing-room, where he hoped to see Sybil, and in this he was not disappointed. "Oh, Jack, how is he?" she asked. "He is a little better ; but it is a serious case. Sybil, what caused the fit?" "I don.'t know. Phil was telling us about a man who had raced after you along Red Path, then ask»rt your name, saying he knew sor thing of your father. Auntie and I were amused,, when suddenly we heard a groan, and dad had fallen forward," she said, unconsciously returning to the familiar name she had used before the squire and she were at variance. Dr. Lucas did not question her any further. He knew now what had caused Bphriam Basset's illness. "Is there any danger he will die ?" she asked, anxiously. "There is great danger ; but I hope we will pull him through. And now Sybil, I must go home for a short time. They will be waiting lunch for "Then you shall have some here," she said, going towards the bell ; but he stopped her. "Sybil, I would rather not be the squire's guest," be said in such a decided tone that she felt it was useless to urge him. "Very well ; but you will come back ?" Somehow she felt safer when he was there. ,It seemed to her as though he could stave off that grim monster who had the squire in his grip. "Of course, I shril soon return. I expect Dr. Lowndes will be here in a couple of hours, ami I must see him. B'.it. before Igo I want a kiss, Sybil. Something has happened that makes me feel free to woo you. I should have named the natter to the squire shortly if he had not been taken ill," he said, drawing her into his arms and kiss, ing her. "Is it something about your father ?" she asked,, nestling close to him. "Yes ; but I cannot tell you just yet." "Not now, at any rate. If you really won't have anything here, you must go home, or you will ho ill," she said, with a pretty air of command :and Jack left her, encountering Phil in the hall, and telling him that his father was a little better. A few minutes later Jack arrived it home, and after a substantial meal there was a consultation, in which not only Mrs. Lucas and 'llarke took part, but also Joan and C'roftstone. "The only thing that can be done s to wait and see the result of the squire's illness. If he dies, and jeff is his heir, he will act justly ; out should Phil be the heir, then you will have to fight for your rights." said Dr. Lucas. "If he recovers, how long will it ~>e before the matter can be named :o Mr. Basset '!" asked the mi her. "A month at least," he rcplie.l. And so it was settled that the natter must remain in abeyance until the squire got better,, Captain Olarke promising to stay in the neighbourhood. An hour later Dr. Lucas returned to the cti-'tle, and soon afterwards the doctor from Oldcastle arrived, who, after seeing the patient, expressed himself hopefully, telling Miss Melita that the squire couldn't be safer than in the care of Dr. Lucas, and he would come over every day until there was a decided improvement. After hearing this Miss Melita did not like to suggest that Pr. Mfwlrs should take the place of Dr. Lufji:; ; so day by day he attended the squire, coming two or three t ; m-'s in the When at last Masscl was pronounced out of :lam:cr, Dr. Lowndes told Miss Melita that his recovery was in a great measure due to the young doctor's constant attention, and Sybil, hearing this, loved Jack more than ever. He hid not told her what they had heard of Basset's fraud, thinking it wo .Id he l-.etUr to let her remain in i nornu'.'e until the squire and he were rwle to come to some arrangement, and Sybil, who felt a great sympathy for the strong man so suddenly struck down, spent as much time ;:s the nurses would allow in L'l ' ' y little the squire regained his 't'/ii! t.h, and as it returned it w s ,;i ; ie evident that he was grateful to !>. Lucas. At last, about live weeks after his seizure, lie was a' la to oiEi-ciisc with the nurses : end nsiime some of his old habits. 1 "Fow, Jack, I'm going to have ! lie waiter settled," said Mrs. Lucas one day after she had seen Basset drive past. "You cannot, mother. Any agitation would kill him," replied her ton ; and Joan begged her to wait a little longer. "Very well. I don't wish to injure his health ; but he had not any rity on me. Look at the weary years of uncertainty I have had." 'Mother, he has suffered. Think of the terrible blow it must have 1 een to a man like the squire to be helpless as a child, and even now he is a wreck," said Joan. "Yes, he has been punished, and he deserved it," replied Mrs. Lucas, coldly ; but she let the matter drop. At the very time that Mrs. Lucas was talking about him, the squire was seated in a pleasant sittingroom which overlooked the ' garden, and beyond It the dark hills could be seen. This room had been devoted to his use as soon as he began to get about, and he was deep in 'thought wbe waited (or Us UWyer. Ita

previous day he had done some writing, and it had tried him so much that Sybil had playfully assured him she shouldn't let him have pen or paper again until he was quite strong. "Mr. Jackson, sir," the butler announced ; and Squire Basset turned to greet Ms lawyer, who had driven over from Witton in compliance with his request. "Glad to see you so much better, squire." be said, in a genial ■ tone. "Yes, .I'm better, but I'm not the same man. And now about' business. I sucrose you've brought -that will I mr.de a little time ago?" "Certainly ; the .-.no in <vhica yen left aU to Mr. Philip." "Then give it to mo,'' said the squire ; and after looking at it. to satisfy himeelf that it was the document he wante.', lie filing it on the ' fire and watched it burn. "You have brought all you require to draw up a new will ?" the squire naked, turning again to the lawyer. "Yes. Am Ito make it now, or merely receive infractions and bring it at a later date for signature ?" asked Mr. Jackm!. "It must be completed, signed, aod witnessed before you leave here. I have had one fit, and I may have another any day." "Then I will begin at once," replied the lawyer, taking pen, ink, and paper, and looking at the squire for instructions, which were slowly nnd deliberately given. An hour later the will was completed, and signed by the squire in the presence of the butler and housekeeper. "Take it back to your office, Jackson, and keep it safely," was his parting injunction. "I'm thankful it's done," thought the squire: Then he touched the bell, and told the servant who answered it to tell Miss Sybil that be wished to speak to her, and leaning back in his chair he waited fur her. "What is it, dad ?" she said, as she entered the room. "Shut the door fast and come here, Sybil." She did as he told her, then seated her.-'if near Ivm. For i moment lie ke..itutcd, then he too': a In; parchment envelope out of his In, :ml. pocket, the contents of wi'ich apraaiv:' to be bulky and he bunded it to her. She was surprised to see tint it was addressed to Geolfrey i-'avset. " Sybil, I wish you to I-r.k that paper up safely in the must secure place you have, and when I'm dead give it to Ge > ;'ie;--:n.t on any account to P-bJ!>. t" anyibing should happen to Gc.d.'rey, and he should not live to came home, Cm you nust open it, and act according to the instructior.s it contains." "But, dad, Gefi is coming home, and you will be able to give it to him yourself." "I think I shall not live to see him. I may be mistaken, but I have the impression that Geoffrey and I will not meet again in this world. Should I be mistaken, I shall be able to do myself what I have instructed him to d). Meanwhile keep it secure. It is of great value. And, Sybil, I do not wish you to name the matter to anyone, not even to Dr. Lucas." Sybil raised her head with a start, and the squire smiled faintly. "I have not been blind ; but Dr. j Lucas has done much for me, and he is a goml man." "Oh, dad, Jack is going to speak to you when you are stronger. You won't refuse ? And it will be all right with Geff now ? You will consent to him marrying Joan ?" she said, breathlessly. "Softly, Sybil. I shall not make any promises just now. If I regain my health I have a good many tilings to put right, but I want health and strength to do what I have to do. Child, did you ever hear that ' the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small?' It's quite true, and there's little but chad left," he said, with a sigh. 'Oh, dad, you've made mistakes, but you're good at heart," said Sybil, leaning forward and clasping his hands. "Child, you don't know. I've been a frand most of ray life. When I was a little lad I was honest and upright. I'd a good mother, iihe'd a bard life, but never a.better woman lived. I thought of her a great (leal when I lay in bed, not Knowing iliat I should ever recover, and it scrmed as though she was speaking to me, and telling me what t had to do." "An; for her sake you will forgive Get! and let him lie your heir ?" she 'ssl.cd, looking beseechingly at him. ' v e. . I never wanted to send l.im a>.i«. i; ! other matters led i.o it. iiuwci'P", i h,ae made a new will, and Geo ■"rev will be master here when I eiiii goae. At any ,-atc, he will have the chance. And now, bybil, promise that you will not repeat anything I have said, and that you will deliver thai packet into the hands of my eldest son." "I promise faithfully," Sybil replied. "That is well. Now take it and lock it up ia the safest place you have," he said, in a tired voice. CHAPTER XV. THE EFFKCT OP A LKTTRH. It was a bright, sunshiny afternoon a day or two after Squire Basset had made a new will, and Mrs. Lucas was thinking about him, and wondering lwnv soon Jack would agree to her having an interview with him, when Captain Clarke was announced. Mrs. Lucas welcomed Lucas was thinking about him, and wondering lwnv soon Jack would agree to her having an interview with him, when Captain Clarke was announced. Mrs. Lucas welcomed Mm cordially. She bad a strong liking for this man, who had brought her news of her husband, ami who had taken ia f inite pains to have the wrong w"'c!i he knew bad been perpetrated, set right. Moreover, he agreed with her that it was time steps were taken to make the squire give her what was rightfully hers. Her son and Joan thought it would be better to wait a while, and in her heart she accused them of being too lenient to the man who had robbed their father. "I came to tell you ma'am, that I've the chance of a ship early in the New Year, and as it is a good ship I should like to have it ; but, of course, you'll want my evidence when you come to settle with Mr. Basset." 'Of course we shall. How long will you be away ?" ""A - matter of twelve months." "I couldn't wait* that long. I must speak to the ' squire ; before then,"-said Mrs.'Lucas, decidedly. , "I don't think you'd be wise to wait,' ma'am, ' and, you tee, I

mightn't c<n:e back. 11 wj .- :, .;; a ltak, or there was a hi;: ••.i.on;\ it's likely I should go ti Davy Jones's locker," he said, with a smile. ''Oli, I do hope you will core-back saf.ly," she replied, so earnestly that Clarke felt gratified. "It's kind of you to say so. ma'am, hut the question is, shall 1 be able to go ?'j 160:1. "Of course you must go; but I'm afraid my son won't be pleased il the matter is named to the squire at prea.'.it. When do you go ?" she added. "I ought to be in London on January the 7th, and to-day is the 2:itl; ; of December, so there isn't much ' time to lose." ' "No ;" and Mrs. Lucas relapsec' into thought. Presently she said ; i "I dare not trust myself to meet Mr. Basset until he is stronger. ] J am afraid I should forgot everything but the injustice he has done* me. and say things that would excite him," "Then ask the doctor to see him. He'd be careful not to hurt him and I don't suppose it will be a very great shock, as your sin said it was hearing about me coming here that brought on the fit." "Jack said he thought so, but he might be mistaken, and I am quite sure I couldn't, induce him to name the matter to Mr. Basset at present. Therefore I only see one way out of the difficulty," said Mrs. Lucas. "May I be so bold as to ask what that is ?" said Clarke. "I must write to him a calm, not unkind, letter, pointing out that he has injured me, and asking for reparation. Of course, I must say that I have evidence of the wrong he has done." "Yes, that will do, and I hope he will soon come to terms. I should think he would. The doctor thinks this illness has made a better man of him," said Clarke, as he rose. "Very well ; I shall write at once, and post it myself. Mr. Basset will receive it in the morning," said Mrs. Lucas, as she shook hands with her visitor and accompanied him to the front door. Then she took hei writinjr-desk, and going to her bedroom, she locked the door, and having placed the desk on a small table, took some thin sheets of foreign note-paper and began to write : "Mr. Basset.—Sir, I have had several ■ interviews with Captain Clarke, who nearly twenty-five years ago was mate on board the Sea Gull, of which you were captain. He tells me that my husband on his death-bed confided to your care a luantity of valuable diamonds, which you solemnly swore to deliver to me. ■We have ample in,of of the truth i of Captain Clarke's statement, which has been corroborated bv Ned Jones, Gull. This im versation whic rd the Sea rd the conhas been proved that a man whose appearance exactly tallied with yours at that time went, to Amsterdam, where he disposed of a numbei of valuable diamonds. "You will see that we have a cons'dirahle amount of proof—sufficient, I think, to satisfy any jury that you had appropriated the diamonds—but for the sake of my old Friend, who was your wife, for the sake of Geoffrey and others, who belong to you, and whom I love —I would rather the matter was settled guictly. You must tell me the sum you received for the diamonds, and ;ive me proof that the amount you state is correct. Then that sum must be refunded, and interest paid for the twenty-four 'odd years that fou have used it. I believe the than you paid for the Croftstone estate, and I shall stipulate that I have the chance of taking it, with all the improvements you have made, instead of a sum of money. I consider this is perfectly just, as, had T received the diamonds, the estate ivould never have passed out of my family. "That you did not take any trouble to find me, but deliberately ignored me and my rights, when accilent threw me in your way, leaving me in doubt as to whether my husband was alive or dead, are things [ can never forget. ' But for the sake of others I shall be silent, if ;veu now, at the eleventh hour, you let justly. I have tried, knowing that you are still an invalid, to ivoid saying anything that you my deem cruel. And now I trust that the matter may be quickly settled. 1 can come to the castle, or, if you prefer, you can communicate with ne through my Bon.—Yours truly, "Mary Lucas." When the letter was directed and stamped, Mrs. Lucas put on her Diitdoor things and set off to post the letter at the village post-office. It was about a mile from Bridal. House, but she enjoyed the walk. ': 'etlur was she sorry to learn when she got home that her son had cull?d, hut hearing she was out, had iriven on to Witton. "Did he say how Mr. Basset was?" she inquired, when Joan gave her this information. "lie said he was going on well. I should think he will be quite strong by the time Geoffrey lands." " Very likely," said Mrs. Lucas, a v :-''ul.:y ; and Joan noticed that d cn'iic: that she was very quiet, !') 1 a"i;>earcd absorbed in thought, which was true, as she was busy sps:H:itinc as to how the squire would att. I.!ut she decided not to tell .io;m \. iiat she had done until she rtcn-.-n! ;,:i answer to her letter. i-'.-.u're Basset had always been an ca ly riser, and now that he was I" coming less of an invalid he had Si i r resumed his old habits that he came downstairs at ten o'clock after 1 rcakfasting in bed. Dickson, his man, assisted him to the sit-t'u:;-room he used, and having placed him in an easy-chair, gave him his letters. Then Sybil usually made her appearance and spent half an hour reading one of the daily papers to him. Of course, she had only d ns this since he had been well enough to listen and enjoy the reading. Now it happened that on the morning when Mrs. Lucas's letter lay oi. the table waiting for him he was rather later than usual, having had a bad night. "I don't feel quite so well this morning," he remarked, as Dickson settled him in his easy-chair and pushed the table, on which lay the morning : papers and a letter, in front of him., "Is there anything you require, 6ir 1" the man asked. j "No, you can leave me:" and as the servant left the room Basset took up the letter, and was surprised to see that the address was in a woman's handwriting. j ' <To be CcmUmwd.)