"THE TRUMP CARD.”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14131, 1 June 1920, Page 7

"THE TRUMP CARD.”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

By FRANK MAYNARD, Author of “Forgotten Days,” “A Mill Girl’s Wooing,” “The Ironmaster’s Daughter,” “Queen in Clogs,” etc.

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER Xll.—Continued. With the letter still unopened in her hand, Cicely looked up, and saw Simpson Packard inside the room, his eyes fixed upon her. “Good-morning, cousin, - ’ he said, his glance falling quickly from her face to the letter. “I haven’t had a chance before of addressing you like that, owing to my being laid up with this confounded cold since just after my mother informed me how she had discovered we were kin. Si range how these things happen, isn’t it?” “More than strange,” said Cicely. “I am still wondering if it is true.” “There can be no doubt about it,” ho returned confidently. “And I cannot tell how pleased 1 am about it, ’' he added, approaching her still nearer, and extended his hand. She ignored t-lie outstretched palm, and proceeded to open the letter in her hand.

ed Mrs Packard, appealing to her newfound niece.

“If you really desire my opinion, aunt, I* must say that you can’t improve much on Jennie Jcpson, no matter whom you have engaged,” said Cicely.

Mrs Packard raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Of course, dear, you have only known Jcpson a day or two,” she said. “I think you will'find Hie new girl far superior to her in every way. She has been in a place before, and knows the requirements of her employment. Jcpson merely came straight from the coiton mill. A most uncouth girl.” “I think she .is a good-hearted, sensible girl, aunt,’-’ returned Cicely, as she passed from the room. Mrs Packard clenched her stubby lingers in anger as the door closed, and, addressing her son, said:

“You are still offended with me for what I said to you the other night?” he said aggrievedly. She looked him squarely in the face. ‘‘YeSj I am,” she replied. Packard shrugged his shoulders and turned away with a muttered curse on his lips. Then he faced round. “Then it will bo my endeavour to turn your dislikt) into friendship, Cousin Cicely,” he said.

“She seems to have an opinion of her own, and is not quite the baby we thought she was.” “She’s a bit of the best,” was the sons enigmatical response, as lie chewed the end of his cigarette. “The fact is, mater, I’ve an idea I shall fall in love w’ith her; and if I do, the other man—Welborough, ov whoever it is—wi!’ Come off secoiit} I'CSt*”

She ignored the remark and scanned the letter in her hand. It was from Mrs Taggart’s’sister, informing Cicely that her late landlady was dead; had died suddenly whilst in the midst of her household duties.

• ‘‘You fool!” said his mother, with a scornful turn of her lip. Late in the afternoon tne newly-cn-gauod servant made her appearance and immediately commenced duties, Her name was Annie Harrison, a sharp-eyed girl of twenty or thereabouts.

I ‘’You Lave received bad news, cousin?- ’ said Simpson Packard, as Cicely wavered by the table and the letter ■fluttered from her fingers to the floor.

“ Yes, bad news,” she said, and sinking into a chair sho commenced to weep. Mrs Taggart, the only woman in the world on whom she had relied for. advice and guidance, the one who had proffered all the assistance at her disposal — dead!

Simpson Packard stooped for the letter and read it.

“Ah, I understand, Cousin,” he said. “The old woman you wrote to the other day has shuffled off, it seems. Well, you’ve lost her as a friend, but you’yo found us -as more than friends —relations.”

Cicely’s tears still fell. She looked %p at the man standing a couple of paees away.

“You don’t realise,” she said. “You are not sincere. You are smiling while at the same time you are trying to make me believe that you are sorry for me. And by what right have you dared to read my letter? I said .1 dislike you, and I repeat it. Let that fact govern your conduct towards me in the future. You don’t possess a manly vitrue so far as mv observatian goes. You have no sense of honour; you look upon your follow creatures with disdain. The day you gave me meeting in Manchester you insulted a gentleman to whom I am indebted. That action alone proved your character. My cousin you may be, but I am not proud of the relationship, and you will oblige me by never presuming up on it. If von do, I shall positively hate you.” Simpson Packard stood aghast. It seemed impossible that his new-found “cousin” would express herself in such terms. He tried v to appear hurt, offended. “I can only say that 1 regret having earned your dislike,” he said. “And I notice your opinion of me has been moulded somewhat by what I said to the young fellow Welborough in Manchester. Let me inform you that I ha* o made amends to him for that—• practically apologised to the man —invited him here when it suits his convenience. Are you satisfied?’-’ “Invited Mr Welborough to visit Shadv Nook?” said Cicely.

“Solid fact,” said Packard. “Met him i'l Manchester ,and we’d quite a friendly chat together. It wouldn’t surprise me if he turned up during the next day or tw r o, and if he does I dare wager he looks round for you.” “ Why?” asked Cicely, and she subjected him to a steady gaze. “I’m not prepared to say why, cousin, ’ ’ retorted Packard -with a short laugh, “but if you’ve never had a lover before you may prepare yourself for having one in this Mr Frank WelborOilgli. ’ ’

Cicely turned aside with the ostensible purpose of replacing the letter she had received in its envelope. ‘ • 1 an: not interested in remarks such as those,” she said, facing round, “and, further, if Mr Welborough calls here, I hope to bo excused nun-ting him.” lb i hard cursed under his breath, his audible utterance being: ‘ ‘ Yen ’re a curious sort of young ]:idv, cousin.” ‘‘ You may take that view if it suits you,” she responded. “But, in any case, 1 want von to understand that if ever I have a lover it will not be one of your selection.” Packard junior stared across at her, and she met his gaze unflinchingly. “Of course,” said he, “it is only another of my clumsy jokes. Please take it as such.” “I hope you will not attempt anymore of your ‘ clumsy jokes’ in future,” said Cicely, and turned to leave the room. On its threshold she came face to face with Mrs Packard. “Ah, my dear,” said the latter, 1 ‘ you ’ll be glad —and so will you, addressing her son, “glad to hear I have engaged a new servant in the Jepson girl’s place. She’s a Padharn girl, and Will commence duties this even*

At 8 o’clock in the evening a telegraph messenger arrived from Hardman street, with a “wire” from Mr Frank Welborough, Manchester, to say he ex-

pected to arrive at Shady Nook about 8.4/5, and hoped his call would not be inconvenient.

iug.” “That’s all right,” said the speaker's son: and, unobserved by Cicely, he shot a meaning glance at his mother, which conveyed a reference to Cicely. “What is you ropinion, dear?’-’ ask-

Mrs Packard handed the telegram to her son, and after perusing it he pass-, ed it to Cicely with the remark: “It appears that Mr Welborough will be with us presently. I hope you will allow yourself to be introduced to him. ’ ’ “Why, certainly you will, dear!” chimed in Mrs Packard: “He is a very estimable gentleman from all accounts, and we should like to make his visit enjoyable. ’ ’ “1 am not the hostess, aunt,” replied Cicely. 11 But if it is a part of my duty to assist you in entertaining visitors, I cannot very well object, I suppose.” “Hear, hear!” said Simpson Packard with a smile. “You’ve put the ease very well, cousin.” f Punctual to the time stated in his telegram, Frank Welborough made his appearance at the house, being welcomed effusively by Mrs Packard and her son. As he entered the drawing room his glance, fell upon Cicely, and paying but slight, attention to the words uttered by Mrs Packard in the way of formal introduction, he clasped the girl’s hand fervently, the light of a pleasurable meeting showing in the frank, blue eyes. (To be Continued.)