The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8272, 27 October 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bt OWEN MASTERS. Author of " Clyda's Love Dream," " Nina's .Repentance "Her Soldier Lover"The Mystery of Woodcroft," (i For Love of Marjorie," etc*

["Tiie Ironmaster's Daughtkh " was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTER Vlll.—Continued, 'Office bonks! There are not any. Your father wrote for them to be delivered at Birchdene, to be overhauled by an accountant. I sent the accountant —one of the best in Birmingham—but, not a vestage of them could be discovered. Stanley, and Weeks, and the orevv engineered by Isaacs, disclaimed further liability, and say that Mr Treesidy burned them in one of his furnaces, or is afraid to produce then). Now, my belief is that the bonks weie snrrendered, aud stolen.' At this juncture the auctioneer s factotum came in with a leathern bag filled with Bank of England notes, and Mr Dinks himself went to . t«> outer office. 'Ah, good morning, Mr Stanley,' he Baid. 'Morning'! roared a deep voice. 'What of this Tressidy business? (Jot the posters out? Isaacs is getting fidgety. We must have the Tressidy's out speedily. Too triuoh rope already, Dinks.' The auctioneer smiled blandly. 'The money is paid, Mr Stanley.' 'What.! Never!' The deep voice had become hoarse. 'Every penny of it. And, if you'll pardon me, Mr Stanley, I think you made a mistake when you went over to the enemy.' 'That's my business,' snapped Stanley. Nevertheless, his face paled. 'i<'rom a manager—a manager, mind you, who did all the brain work—and who was liable to three months' notice to quit at any time-I have become a partner, and nothing can ever dislodge me from Tressidy's ironworks.' He banged out of the office, and for a full minute stood in deep thought in front of one of the auctioneer's windows, de was a big man—fair, good-looking, but with shifty, pale blue, prominent eyes. He bad thw head of a genius and the obiu of a criminal. 'Bad news for Lucas Isaacs!' he muttered at last, and walked slowly away. 'Where, in the name of wonder, has youug Dick got the cash from? And these tales about him I know that be has the temper of Satan when aroused; I have seen it out, and 1 have seen him thrash the biggest bullies in the works. But nobody oau prote a thing against u 1 *, and Isaacs cannnt sell without our permission—mine and Weeks. I, was hoping that the Tressidya would clear out of this part of the cocntry. Ob, well, if it is to be a fight, I am ready, all ends up!' In the meantime Dick was drawing on bis gloves, while Mr Dinks prepared his receipts. 'As you appear to have had a grent deal to do with our affairs, be said to the auctioneer, 'I want yon to get out all the particulars of the sale of the ironworks, Mr Dinks. It seems to me that we have been hoodwinked all along the line, but I will make a liberal offer for what we have be«sn tricked out uf.' The auctioneer drummed his lingers on the table, and wagged his head.

'lt is useless, sir. Isaacis is dead set on being a big employer of labour. And you heard what Stanley said. Tbey will not sell, and they have a perfect right to use the old name. It went with the goodwill—a sort of trademark. But you shall have the figures by the next mail, certain. If I can do your business—anything in our way >' 'Sou certainly shall, Mr Dinks,' Dick said, almost genially. *' can see that 1 have your sympathy, at least, and I may need your help. If Isaacs and his orew are determined to stick to Tressidy's works—to juggle with the name of Tressidy eventually make it stiuk in the nostrils of honourable men I -will ruin them—beggar them —turn them upon tha streets, outcasts!' Ills face whitened, hia eyes blazed, and his whole aspect was terrifying. 'By God, I swear it! 1 A moment later, be galloped away.

CHAPTER IX

A LION IN THE DEN

Like wildfire spread the news that young Dick Tresaidy had redeemed the entire estate of Birchdene with his own personal money, and frienda were won like magic. He would have nono of them. Ilin father was ill, nud ho was busy. coaJd do a 9 she pleased; society was not for him. lie had not even spoken to Oharlie Mostyn for days, but, whenever ho had an hour to spare it was spent in his father's room.

' It was Sunday again, and Dick bad just finished reading a letter to his father. In the past week Mr Tres3idy bad made remarkable progress. His eyes were clearer—• more steadfast, and his manner of speakiDg was quieter and more collected.

'Diolr,' he said, 'yon must stop humouring me as if I were a child. With increasing physical strength the mists that obscured my mind are surely drifting away. Now, lad, you must be candid with me, as I have been in groat mental pain for days and days. What of our financial position? How have yoa managed to stave off the inevitable?' 'Oh, father, I am overjoyed to hear you talk rationally. Everything is all right—l have paid Lucas Isaacs every penny. The money has beeii oorrowed from the lady to whom 1 am engaged to bo married.' in a few word 3 Dick explained the

position, and his father listened gravely. 'The ways of Providenco are not our ways,' he murmured; then he salt), '1 thank Thee, God! lam now like a bird with unfettered pinious; I have been chained to earth, but soon shall .soar toward the bud. Dick, a week or so longer and your sweetheart shall be repaid every penny. Have I raved to you about my diamond soneme? And have you p tied wlnt appeared to be made vaporings? My dear lad, it is no chimera —no impossible fancy of a diseased brain. 1 have perfeoted the process for making real diamonds, as pure as those rained from the skies; 1 have made some—two very small ones, but etill diamonds. I had just discovered my success when the other terrible news came, and I was stricken down with the swiftness of the lightning's flash. Dick, jou, believe me?' Dink did not believe, and be turned bis anguished face away. The eld man chuckled. 'Then go to yonder sate, Dick. The beys are under my pillow, and the keys of the laboratory hlso—one buncb. Open the safe, and in the right hand drawer you will find the diamonds—the diamonds I have made. 1 Dick's keen eyes searched his father's face. What phase had his madness taken now? He took the keys—he opened the safe, and he held two tiny diamonds, no larger thau a piuh«ade, but with crystalline -form, appearanoe, colour, hardneßs, and action under the influence of light, exactly the same as natural sems. (To bo Continued.)