The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8273, 29 October 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

["The Ikokmahter'h Daugutkk" was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTER lX.—Continued. '' There Dick stood with the tiny Stones flashing in his band. 'Do you believe me now, Dick?' Mr Tressidy's voice quavoiod, and great beads wore standing on his faoe. g 'Father, can 1 disbelieve, with the gems between my fingers? lam amazed—bowiMored!' •It is true—true!' whispered tho old man. 'Gloriously tine! Lot me touch them, Dick. Sometimes 1 have teen terrified lost it should be a dream—a dream within a dream. These nre not of much vnlus—only proof that my lifelong effort have been crowned with success, but wait —wait.' He lay for a little wh-le with gradually closing eyelide, aud then dropped iutc one of his long slumbers. 'I have not seen him lonic an happy for >eitre,' Dick thought. '1 wonder—l wonder ■' Ho put the diamonds back in the safe, and restored the keys to their biding place. *|'lf the diamonds have been made by my father, mid if they are of auy value, the possibilities are great—wonderful—colossul! But nre tLey of any value? 1 dare not question bim—i!; would kill him.' Diok was at work in tho library early next morning. 'His plans were drafted and ho resolved to perfect them before Pauline Keitz came to Birobdene. He bad not heard from her by better yet, but he kne«v that be would do so by the next mail, whion was due on Weduesdny or Thursday. His cable for a hundred thousand pounds had ba«n promptly attended to, and just double tho amount asked for had bean credited at his bankers. How lightly rich Americans deal in millions of dollars! He saw the fine hand of Chester Stark In it all, but it was Pauline's money, uud ho was going to marry Pauline I Before him lay a mass of figures from Mr Dinks, and a letter which conveyed several items of importance. Every Monday morning tbe new proprietors of Tressidy's Ironworks held u pow-wnw, or council of war. Tbe meeting usually took place at eleven o'clock in what bad once been Dick's private office. .He looked at the figures, and added ten per cent. He would even go to twenty per cent, and if they wouldn't soil, well— He paced the floor, and, reflected, aud within five minutes he was decided! what course to take, Be picked up Mr Dinks' letter, and read a paragraph strongly underlined with a blue pencil. 'The old {Tchalnworks adjoining Tressidy's are for sale at a stated price. These could be pulled down and modem buildings erected. You can buy through this office, but a fauey price is being asked.' Dick's heart, bounded, and a winked light flashed, into his eyes. '1 will make tbe usurpers a liberal offer, he said. 'And-if they won't listeu to reason, 1 will hunt them to ihe death—as remorselessly as 1 would a pack of wild beasts!' At ten o'ulook be mounted his horse, and rode at a gentle cantor along the drive. There was spring in the air, and the trees were putting forth tiny shoots and myriads of green ouds. The birds were twittering busily, and the bright blue sky was fleoked with billowy little clouds as white as snow. Both horse and rider were thrilled with tbe magio of the spring morning. The air was sharp, clear, exnilaiatlng, and all nature was giving praise for the thraldom of winter was gone. Dick Treesidy felt his heart leap, and his blood coursed , through his veins like streams of fire. There was a smile on his lips, and a flash in his eyes; he knew that hu could bring the world to bis feet; be had tbe oourage to do and to dare anything. At tbe lodge gates he met Charlie Mostym For some days there had existed a slight coolness betwen them. Uharlie had disapproved of Dick's heartless way ot talking, aud Diok had called him a sentimental meddler. Now Mostyu began to admire and respeot bia old obum. % 'Good morning, Charlie. Going to see your dad? 1 think you will find him all right.' 'He is too anxious to be about. I am afraid of a relapse.' 'I hope uot.* Diok spoke cheerfully, and confidently, 'lam going to Smothwiok.' •To Tiesaidy's Works? Surely not.!' - 'Yes—l intend bearding the lions. I will buy them up, oifswamp them.' 'lt is a case of tbe lion bearding tbe foxes!' Charlie laughed. Diok touched bis horse lightly, and said 'Ta-tal' From the scents of the country be beaded toward Birmingham with its belohing obimneystaok, ita pungent air, and hum of life. Two miles below Birmingham throbbed tbe heart of the iron trade, and the blue of heaven was b'dden by a pall of lowering black smoke. The clanging of machinery, the whirring of miriads of wheels, the throb, throb of the steam-hammers—all this was music in his ears. He rode slowly through tbe narrow streets, lined with grimy houses, responding here and there to the salute of some workmen who ' had knonw bim in his Their faces shone with delight Tbe young master bad been a rare friend to them in times of need, and those times of need were usually created by their own indiscretions, One burley fellow anvanoed tn the horse's bead. J, 'lt is Bill Hebden,' Diok said. sir! Out of work. Them

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Author of "Clj/Ua's Love Dream," " Xina's Repentance," "Her Soldier Lover,"' "The Mystery of Woodcroft," "For Love ofMarjorie," etc.

guys at the works hare got uo use for me. "What Bill," i snys; "go bank to the old governor, knowing what you know! No," 1 says, "I will go hack to the ring fiist.'' ' 'Too old for the prizo ring now, Bill,' smiled Dick. -We huso had moru than one dust-up, eh?' Bill nodded rerainiscently. 'i will liud you work, Hill, in h weed, 'and here is h sovereign for present use.' Bill was overjoyed. 'At; tlie old plaoe, sit?' 'Either there or next door.' Dick shook "hands with Htibrien, aud the two flbts closed tipou each other iu grips ot steel. 'I would die for you Mr Diok,' said Bill, chokingly. Diolc laughed, and went on his way. It was rlea aat to find a loyal heart. All at once his brow dnikenod. IIa!f-n-dozen men, mounted on swingma platforms, were repainting the name of Treesidy ou thu side of n row of buildings. The leUers were of huge proportions—black on a white ground. 'That is a direct challenge/ Dick muttered. He rode to the entrance of the works, aud passed through (he groat gateway, juat as he had done when his father was master of tbe plaoe. Coolly he dismounted, aud signal led to a lounger to hold his horse. He had done tbe same thing a hundred times before. He saw the eyes of bnlf-a-dozen clerks watching him from the office windows—ourioußly—expectantly. The world had been gossiping of late. Dick walked to the outer door, and turned the kuob. He passed the inquiry clerk witb a nod, aud strode to the big private room at the end of the corridor. 'lbis had o!ice been his room. The inquiry clerk had followed him. 'Good morning, Mr Tressidy,' the man said nervously. 'Shall I take your card to Mr Lucas?' 'No!' growled Dick. 'ls be here?' The poor clerk gasped, for Dick's hand as on the [door-knob. Another inatnnt he was in the room, and facing Mr Lucas Isaacs. (To be Continued.)