A GIRL TO LOVE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9075, 27 April 1908, Page 2

A GIRL TO LOVE.

CHAPTER VI.- -Continual

"I shall be quite: ready for experiment within a f .••/.' day;;, Mr Trenwith," he said. "And 1 don't think that my creed of overlaying progression will "utter any chock. At any rate, I shall never my efforts to inspire the despairing with hope." , "Oh, we shall have arehangelie perfection everywhere soon !" laughed Jasper Trenwith, rising to leave. "Good-bye." Ha shook hands with both men, but his eyes seemed to linger upon Harry Owen's face. "An excellent suggestion of Tren-

with's," Victor said,. ' "I'm sure that I shall enjoy the novelty of the change. Let' me see, Harry, what are the duties of an invoice dork?"

• "I shall have to fit you out properly," Harry answered, with a dry smile. "Pine linen and clothing won't do." He glanced keenly at Victor. "Are all your friend.; agreeable?"

Victor shrugged his shoulders. I "I have nobody to consult except yourself, Harry. My books are the only friends I acknowledge. You don't look ynurself, old fellow. I hope the business is all right? Do you know, 1 was afraid of a quarrel between you and Mr Trenwith yesterday." "I hate the man," growled Owen. "Be charitable towards all men!" Victor smiled indulgently. "For my part, I think that Trenwith's offer is a very fair one with regard to the colliery. He was willing to buy us out, or to amalgamate', and now he is ready to abandon his rightful claim." ' ' "Don't you believe anything of the sort, Victor. I know the man. He is a gigantic sponge, and sucks in everything and everybody; he is a •human octopus, with a thousand tent- / acle3, and feeds upon the heart's blood of human kind. The business? Oh, that's all .right;*l'm going on with the new shafts, and I'm going to make money for you and for myself. You said yesterday that I should share in the general prosperity, and I have drawn up a document'to that effect, which I want you to sign before a witness." Victor looked surprised. "You shall have half of the net proceeds, Hurry—l have told you so several times." "Just so, and I have put it linto black and white. If you disappeared —died, or anything like that"—he laughed awkwardly—"verbal promises would-be thin air. You are far too thick with Jasper Trenwith for

ray peace of mind. I have put in one 'little, clause—you cannot sell the colliery without my written consent. That is for the protection of both.'' "I trust you absolutely, Harry. What an abominable fi3t you've got. Read the thing to me. Yes—yes, that sounds all right, and covers the .interests of both. If the butler witnesses my signature?" Harry touched an electric bellbutton, and within five minutes the ■document, signed and witnessed, was safely in his pocket. He heaved a great sigh of relief, and Victor smiled rather wistfully. "Yes, I was afraid," Harry confessed. "The mine is everything to me; it is my one chance in life; and Trenwith is capable of anything." "Poor Trenwith!" Victor laughed. "I hope I shall soon see your own sunny smile back again, Harry. Don't be afraid of this ogre of your own creation."

(To be continued.)

. "Afraid!" was the fierce rejoinder. V'lf he crosses my path now— -— Victor, has he, any reason to wish you out of the wsiy?" , "Eb-~what?" Victor rose from his lolling position in a big easy chair, and gazed at his friend critically and i incredulously. "I'm perfectly sane, old chap. Let .me ask you a question. Have you been making love to Miss'Leighton?" "Good heavens-no!" "L-in't she rather partial to you, Victor?"

"I think she likes my society, but I have never givon the lady a thought—in that way." "You are nn enormous ass, Victor. Misa Leighton i 3 engaged—or, rather, a marriage between Nathalie Leighton and Jasper Ternwith has been arranged, and you have caused the lady to jihe." Pelham's face coloured with gilt and confusion. "What an ugly word to use, Harry. H'm! Miss Leighton is very beautiful and very charming, and it appears that I havo been innocently indiscreet. I'm sorry—confoundedly sorry; and the sooner I make a move the better. Harry, old chap, how did you discover all this?" "She tol:l mo so herself, yesterday. We were chiklen together. Victor whistled, dismayed.

CHAPTER VII. "WHY NOT?" Pel ham was all-absorbed by this r.ew fancy of hia, and made his preparations for leaving*. tho Chase with a pleasure that was almost childish. Jasper Trenwith called every day, aw] at the end of the week Victor announced that his house was in order. "If the experiment becomes distasteful," he said to the financier, "l can abandon it at any hour—unless I am bound to give you the usual notice," he added, laughing. "What id expected from clerks? A week, or a month?" "That depends upon the agreement. Still, I don't think that your esignation will dislocate the firm's

By BEttTHA fl. CLAY. Author of " Thvow.i on this World." " Her Mother'.* Sin," Beyond Pardon," " ?!u< Lost Lady of Haddon," " I'oru Thorno," '• An Ideal Love," etc.

machinery," was the bantering reply. "But if you do make up your mind to quit; without' notice, don't give the managing clerk a chance to slang you. Thai; fellow's tongue is a .milu long, and saturated with vitriol! As hu is not in the secret yoM must look out for miarp words."

"I will bear everything with humility and fortitude. His virulence will merely bo a sample of what the real workers have to endure, and I hate a life of tedious and dull insipidity." Jasper Trenwith shouted with laughter.

"Have you said good-bye to Sir Charles and Miss Loighton?"

"Not yet Anions other things, I've had to ciioo.se a couple of cheap ready-made suits from a bundle of extraordinary dimensions, and. Harry Owen assures me that they fit wherever they touch. But what can one expect for twentyseven shillings and sixpence? Scribble that letter of introduction, please, as 1 .shall present myself at the nut and bold factory early on Monday morning."

"I will write to the managing clerk to-day," Jasper Trenwith said, chocking back his laughter. "Forewarned is fomirmed, I will tell him to deal gently with you, or there may be a case of assault and batWy! I shall, perhaps, see you at Pendinas this evening?" "Perhaps," Victor answered ovasively. "bir Charles may pay me a visit, and if he does "

"Well?" "Oh, in that event I sha'n't go to Pendinas." He felt a little confused, and his confusion did not escape the sharp eyes of Jasper Trenwith.

Victor was conscious that he had done this man an unintentional wrong but he had not an iota of sympathy for him. Considering all the circumstances, it was monstrous that Jasper Trenwith should force his attentions' upon Nathalie Leighton, and when Victor reflected upon it his face flamed with indignation. But it Was no business of his; no doubt Miss Leighton knew how to take care of herself.

These were histhoughts while Jasper Trenwith was speeding along the drive, and Victor resolved to go to Pendinas that very afternoon. There was a tender place in his heart for Nathalie Leighton. What man could remain absolutely cold in the light and warmth of such a woman's preference?

It was four o'clock when the *ld butler at Pendinas took Pelham's hat and stick, and showed him into a reception room. Sir Charles was in the library writing, and Miss Nathalie was somewhere about the house. The butler would find her.