"The Luck of the Lindsays,"

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13754, 5 February 1919, Page 7

"The Luck of the Lindsays,"

By MAEGAEET TTNDALE.

(COPYEIGHT.)

PTJBMSHED BY BPEOIAI. ABEANOEMKirE.,

CHAPTER IX.—Continued

'•'And that one is—sufficient'?" Mainwaring's eagerness was not pleasant to see, coupled with such a diabolical purpose. Gordon nodded; he did not dare to reply verbally, although he could not have explained the reason why he should not have dono so. He did not acknowledge .even to himself that he was somewhat ashamed. •'Look here, Gordon," said Mainwaring suddenly, "I've known you off and on for some time, but my acquaintance with you doesn't furnish me with the law to th is attitude on your part towards —tlie second Airs Lindsay. I. have my own reasons, but what are yours.'"

Gordon threw away his cigarette and lit another before he answered.

"Erankly, Mainwaring, I want money; that's the kernel of the whole matter. At the Lawson's a fortnight ago 1 met your niece, .Julia—between whom and yourself there is little love lost, I gather. Well, we'll saw I fell in "

"Oh, dry up!V sneered Mainwaring;, "Say you realised her position as Alee Lindsay's daughter, and we'll arrive at an understanding a great deal sooner."

Gordon looked disposed to be angry, but suddenly Mainwaring leant, forward aud laid his hand upon tho wooden arm of his companion's chair.

"Is that your price " he asked

Gordon shrugged his shoulders in response, but .Mainwaring took it for an affirmative.

"It's pretty big, but anyway, I'd pay as much any day for a chance of getting even with Mrs Alec, and here's my hand on it. I'll see you to-morrow evening and we'll talk over our plans. Look out! " he added in a warning whisper to Gordon, who thereupon slipped to the seat, at the further end of the bar parlour, taking his empty glass with him; so that when. Donald entered a. moment, later he imagined his uncle to be alone.

"Have a, drink, old chap'?"' asked Mainwaring carelessly, as Donald sat down beside him.

"/No, thanks —not to-day," said the, boy hastily, although his eyes wandered' furtively towards Mainwaring's empty glass. He felt in his pockets for a cigarette, to find that he had not one left." "•Here," he said to the girl, who a: this moment, entered with another whisky and. soda .Mainwaring had ordered, "just firing me some cigarettes, wdi vuii .' ' " '"Yes, sir--anything else?" A smile of amusement came into the girl's eyes, and a. moment, later Donald heard her giggling with a potman in the outer bar. "He's a. green un, I bet," Donald heard her say. "'lmagines he's come into a Sunday school instead of a pub.'" A slow flush of aiiuer mounted Donald's face as he heard the words. " Here, bring me a whisky and soda," he said sharply, when she returned a moment later with the cigarettes. .Mainwaring said nothing. indeed, he did not appear to have noticed the incident, and bo-aii to talk to his pupil on indifferent subje-ts; but the spirit v.-as strong and indifferently good, and .-ooi.i .Donald was ia that lamentable -tat-' when "a.dsy" was the mildest The clock en the whito'.vashed v.a!' *:.;.! Mainwaring that they must be baaing if they wished to meet tin* twelve o'clock express from town, and taking Donald firmly by the arm he d*.w liiin towards the open door. "No, no, I'll stay here," said the ban. "You go on; I'll catch you up. I—want some more cigarettes," aud lie dropped heavily into his seat again. "You'd better come along, old chap," urged "Mainwaring mildly. "'Your— mother —will be disappointed if you are not at tho station to welcome her." "I toll you l'Jl come on directly," said Donald. 1-or a moment his companion eyed, him thoughtfully, trying to make up his mind what to do. Taere would be trouble lie knew, if the boy were not at the station, yet iv the present state of afVa'rs he was hardly in a lit condition -a i>e by his parents. The spir.'t must have been stronger than Mainwar-in-j" thought; it was A'cry likely that iv sh.it-r maliciousness the barmaid had aiven the boy a, laracr quantity than h<* find asked for. In any case, Donald.was ..iulit to meet his father and mother. It was three minutes to the hour. What was he to do' Mainwaring wondered uneasily, since it was obviously unsafe to leave the boy alone, and he could not take him to the station in a state of semi-intoxication.

Stanley Gordon, seated at the further end of the bar parlour, saw Mainwaring's dilemma and signed for him to leave the boy alone, and that he would look after him. Mainwaring lookod distinctly relieved. He turned quickly upon his keel and walked out of the"inn. He reached the station just as the train was signalled, and was the only member of Alee Lindsay's family to greet him as he and his wife stepped from the train.

Adela felt it was a bad omen.

"But where'are Donald and Julia'?'' a?kcd Lindsay in surprise, seeing that neither of his children was there to greet him. "They're not ill, I hope?" "Oh, no," said Mainwaring with a reassuring smile. "Julia had a bad headache, and Donald—has very likely i'orgottcn the time." With a gesture of impatience Lindsay turned to give orders'to the porters about tho luggage, and Adela and Mainwaring walked slowly down the platform towards tho exit. A moment later Alec had caught up with them, and was about to help his wife into the waiting car when he stood stock still, as if petrified by what he saw. Coming down the wide country road before them was a tall, youthful figure who staggered unmistakably as he walked, while a crowd of the village children, followed his movements with much interest. As Donald caught sight of Adela and her husband ho lurched forward with a run. i "So very shorry I'm late,'' he said huskily as he attempted to kiss his stepmother. "Pact wash that I- " Alec Lindsay's face had grown grey with horror and dismay, and Adela, as she looked at this pathetic, figure of degraded youth, felt her eyes grow misty with smarting tears. "Oh, Donald!" she cried in great distress. "Oh, Donald!" The boy looked at her m drunken imbecility. "Here, wait one moment," said Alec Lindsay sternly, as sho was about to help him into the ear. "I can't let him come with us. You had better go on and Mainwaring and I will bring him along in a fly, oi something, and •como round the other way, ao as to ay-

AN ATTEAGTIYE LOVE STOUT OF INTENSE INTEEEST.

Such was Adda's* homecoming. GIIAJ.'TER X. ADELA'S DIFFICULTIES.

(To be Continued.)

■•id the village. The only thing we can do is to hide his shame —and our own— as best we can."

The arrival at the Priory was a trial ■o tho young bride's equanimity. .At the lodge gates the outdoor servants aud. tenants of the estate, had assembled to welcome the new wife of the owner of < 'hestermero. Bunting and flags floated in. profusion everywhere, and. as the

ear turned in at the lodge gates, there w.-is ;: little (hitter of excitement among t.h*. assembled crowd and much cheering. .But the expressions of welcome began to die away when it was seen that Mrs Lindsay was tin* only occupant, of the car. She looked so beautiful, however, and smiled so kindly in response to their greeting, that if. was renewed with tenfold .fervour. As had been pro-arranged the chauffeur brought the ear to a standstill just inside the gates, and the head gamekeeper came j'orw;! **it to make his \ igorously reliears- ■ :.! sneeeh of welcome. "Wo hope that you will both be hap_\i!■-:;. heat u'.i.v the side of the car to ivr. }■~ tier ie'anug ni' his somewhat juln- ;>!:.; vvovi.'s. '"And yon, sir," lie added. a-: :o-'iii:g to liis speeeli, -"aiay you be -—■■ ■■!■.*•'!), Kia.'am —■ —" He stopped saddoipy \n confusion, realising that lie ■■ouH not very well address a. master who was mysteriously absent from the ••ar. Seeing the old man's embarrassment. Adela. held out her hand. ".L quite understand," she said gently. ••'! am sure my husband and I thank you all very much for your good-will' to us. He was unavoidably detained at the station, and will be very disappointed, I know, to have missed your kind welcoiae." fcr'ho signed to the chauffeur to move .vi, unable to endure the enquiring glances of mo people collected round .inside the. Priory, however, the wclcoanj way not so warm, for the servants were less iadi/ied to be delighted at tiio thought of n Tiew mistress. They had had their own way so long that they resented any radical change in their management. Aunt Bessie was waiting to receive h-vr niece iv the library, however, and hers wa.s perhaps the most affectionate and sincere welcome that Adela had received.