"The Luck of the Lindsays,"

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13755, 6 February 1919, Page 7

"The Luck of the Lindsays,"

By MAEGABET TYNDALB.

(COPYBIGHT.)

CHAPTER X.—Continued.

A'few momonts Jator the- door opened, and a. languid but very self-possessed Julia made her appearance.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come to the station/ she said casually, "but I had such a bad headache." She held "out her hand in a manner that was distinctly chilling , . "I hope you had a. pleasant journey."

"Quite,"'was the reply. "But are you not going to kiss me, Julia?" There was a pathetic appeal in Adela 's voice that would have conquered Julia a month or two ago, but which now made on impression upon her, since she believed that Adela had unjustly usurped her dead mother's pla.ee, and that she also kuew more about the whereabouts of the missing stone than she professed. And this state of things had been fostered in no small measure during Adda's absence by Koyer iLain-

waring

In the same casual manner Julia complied with her stepmother's request, and then she asked:

"But where's father* Hasn't he come with you?"

''He will bo here in a, few moments, dear, , ' , replied Adela. "But won't you come and talk to me while I make myself tidy for lunch? I'm sure you must have heaps to tell me about the things you have been doing while we have been away.' -.

"Oh* I've had quite a nice time, thank you," said Julia politely. ''I didn't have half enough clothes, though. T,he Graham girls are so terribly smart, and the Lawsons whom, we called on were the same. Do you think i might have some more dresses ; '

Adela. looked critically at the pretty figure before her, and could not help noticing that Julia had distinctly improved in personal, appearance during her absence. There was a certain something about her now which a month or two ago she had lacked. To Adela the change was surprising and yc-t regrettable. Julia had developed from a .sweet but headstrong schoolgirl into a self-satisiied, remarkably handsome young Avornan. What had caused the change.' Adela wondered, and at the same moment a feeling of dismay came upon her that now she would be able to influence her step-daughter less than she had done in the past when she was only her governess, since it was quite apparent by Julia's manner that she resented being treated as a child any

lojiucr

" We must see about some more dress es, dear, , ' said Adela kindly.

"Thanks, awfully.' ,, and Julia, wandered idly over to the window that looked out on to the carriage drive. She stood drumming on the pane for some few moments. "Why doesn't father come?" she said impatiently, "and where are I'nele Uoger and Donald. ,, '

Adela made no answer, for her quick ears had caught the sound of wheels. .Julia, too, had heard them.

"Here they are. —and at the private door, too," she exclaimed, with a. sudden return to he ruatural buoyancy. "I'll go and meet them."

".No, no, dear, don't do that, ,, ' Adela, interposed quickly. '' Your father will be here in a minute.'' '

''Hut sui'i'ly .1. I'uii iso mill meet him it' 1 want to,"' said .luli.'i in u;).V'ii<!tvl snrjiviso. , walkt'd to the duoi", iu'id hvA ;ilroLU.lv pliK'od J'.or Jiaiiil uvon tlio kuoh. "i'loaso, .')uli;i, I would ruth or you stayed lieny , ' she plomled. "But 1 would rather »o out into tho hall and nioet father, , ' said tho girl, obstinately. There came the sound of footsteps outside the room, then Alec Lindsay's voi'.e was heard giving a shai'p command to a servant, and :i jnoment later the shutting of a door above. "You shan ; t keep me here. You shan't; you shan't, I say!' , cried .lvJia, wrenching iiei'self t'voo .i'rom .Vdelo's detaining hand. "1 hate you; I ha.to you! Let me go!' , Adelii's face was strained and pale ■Mi sac took her .step-daughter by tho <iun md almost pulled her hack into t! loom. .I'ilki was sobbing i-oiivulsively. " I nere's been an accident, laid i";:.----"1 i >s injured—perhaps —killed!'' , .sht! on i. ''Tell me how it happened—you 7uust'—do you hear."' S-jht-her foot in sedden passion. •' Do you hear me;' , she demanded, as Adela remained silent. "What has happened to my father' ,, "So thin <s has happened., dear,"' was tho reply. " Your father is quite safe. ,, '' Then who is it'. f •'' ''.Donald —he "was taken ill —at the station. He will be better in an hour or two, , ' was the low answer. "I don't believe you! ,, Julia's eyes were bright with angry suspense. ''Donald is never ill." '' Your brother has disgraced himself, his family—everything he holds dear in life," said Alec Lindsay sternly, as cit that moment he entered the room, followed by Mainwaring. ' * lie met us at the station in a state of intoxication." " Xonsense: " replied his daughter. "Donald! Drunk! Oh, you're joking!" ''I wish I -were," was the answer, and Lindsay turned to greet Hiss Gunning, whose presence ho had just discovered. Aunt Bessie, who had heard of the incident from her niece, was genuinely distressed, but "wisely refrained from making any comment, and after a few minutes went up to the room -which, in spite of all her protestations, Adela and her husband had insisted upon her occupying, since she would naturally bo very dull at the cottage all alone.

Lunch that clay was a very dull affair. Julia had retired sulkily to her own room, and refused to leave it; and both Lindsay and his brother-in-law ■were silent and preoccupied, though from totally different causes.

In spite of the somewhat tight corner in which he found himself, Maimvaring had too much confidence in his own powers to think for one moment that he would be forced to leave the Priory. That Donald would Dot give him away, ho knew, since there were certain forcible reasons why he should not; but in spite of his self-confidence, Mainwaring was forced to own that in his brother-in-law's wife he had found more than his match.

But lie believed that the information ho had received that morning from Stanley Gordon would prove- a most effective weapon against the second Mrs Lindsay, and at the- thought of the huge possibilities for retaliation -which the possession of Gordon's letters would mean to him, Mainwaring secretly hugged himself with satisfaction. When luncheon was concluded ho watched Adela walk with her husband out into the grounds, and knew instinctively that she on her part had determined to open fire immediately. But he comfort-

PUBLISHED BT SPED lAIt.ABEANQEMBNT.I AN ATTEACTIVE LOVE STOEY OF INTENSE INTEREST*

(To be Continued.)

Ed himself with the thought that his turn would come a little* later on.

Adela and her husband sat down under the trees, and although for a time they talked generalities, the incident of the morning nevertheless lay uppermost in their thoughts.

"1 feel i shall never recover from the disgrace," said Alec, when he could restrain himself no longer from mentioning the- matter. ''1 have been asked to stand for parliamentary election for this constituency, but i have made up my mind to refuse. After what has occurred it is impossible."

Adela did her best to persuade him to alter his decision, but Lindsay was linn.

"Don't you think it would be better for Donald if you sent him to a public

school, Alec' , " she asked, after a moment. "As he is, he will grow up totally unfitted for anything."

"1 have been considering The matter," replied her husband gravely. "It would undoubtedly be the best thing to do. I have made up my mind to give him another chance, but only one. , '

"In that case, if Donald goes away, you will naturally not require. your brother-in-law any longer," said Adela, unable to restrain her pleasure at the promise of victory over the evil inliiieiice that was slowly but surely ruining Donald ; s life. But her husband's reception of her second suggestion wn<, to say the least of it, discouraging.

".Hut tlu-re will be plenty for Mainwaring to do in. other ways," he said,

"He. relieves me of an immense amountof worry connected with the estate, you know."

"But why not let me help you, instead-?" suggested Adela, a note of eagerness in her voice. "I have plenty of time at my disposal, and shall welcomethe extra work."

•'I am afraid that is impossible, Adda." answered Aloe Lindsay slowly, • • although it is extremely kind of you to think of it. 1 am so accustomed to M'ainwarmg's ways that it would take ii. tremendous amount of time and energy for me to h:.i\e to explain everything to you. •'•" A del a. made no reply, for she was struggling with her keen disappoini- " When do you propose to send Donald 1.0 school.'' , she risked suddenly, when her voice- was suiliciently under control. •'.hi the autumn, I think." "But why wait, so long?" '•Because I shall be too busy to make the necessary arrangements before then. Besides, it is hardly fair to Mainwaring to dispense with, his services its tutor in such a summary manner. Personally, I have no complaint to make against him. He has assured nio that Donald did this thing entirely without his knowledge. ,,