“For His Dear Sake.”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 48, Issue 14625, 27 March 1922, Page 7

“For His Dear Sake. ”

By Euth Templeton. Author of “The Price of Her Silence,” ‘The Tie that Binds,” “Love Farbidden,” etc., etc.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT,

\ ATTSACTIVE STORY OF. STRONG INTEREST-

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTJ-;K VII. —Continued. Lynette made a hasty search, but ■with, no result. The missing envelope did not come tolight—yet it had been there when her father diedl Could it be possible that Mrs Sylvester had taken it? She had spent some time in the study, so Mary had said. Thoroughly used to the. arangements of her father’s papers. Lynette soon satisfied herself that no'others had been touched and felt sure her step-mother must have taken the will away. She gave a hurried glance round the room that was so peculiarly still now—.even the little birds had ceased their chirping, and the sun had hidden itself behind n cloud as though in tunc with her grief. Then something in the fireplace caught her attention. The ashes of the firse still remained untouched, and on the top of them were some black pages of burnt paper. Lynette stooped down and gathered serial ’of them lightly in her palm, disclosing beneath them a tiny fragment, scorched brown, that had escaped being burnt completely. The writing on it was still discernible, and Lynette clearly made out part of her father's signature in his strong clear hand, and what looked like Mary’s name beneath it. She drew herself up and continued to stare at the tiny scrap of paper. If this was indeed all that remained of the will her father had mentioned with his dying breath, what did it mean? The answer" came swiftly to Lynette. if meant that Mark Travers would have no possible chance of recovering the money that was due to him, since John Sylvester had not been able to. repay it in jus lifetime.

Tire truth was slowly dawning upon Lynette. Her stepmother must have read the will, and realising that there would be little left- for her after c\ - crvthing was sold, if Mark Traverswas paid, destroyeiLit. But to make quite sure. Lynette went in search of Mary, and producing the scorched piece of paper, questioned her regarding it. “Yes, I. signed something for the .master last night, miss, after you d all goge —me and the cook, both of us, anil that's niv writin’ sure enough. Cook wrote hers just below.’’ Lynette said no more, her conviction sealed, and determined to approach. Mrs Sylvester on the first opportunity. But ( the cunning woman was prepared for her. . ‘ ‘ Yes, I did burn some papers this morning in your father’s room—some old letters of mine he had that I did not wish to keep now, but I’m not going’ to have my actions questioned by vou, Lynette Sylvester, so don’t you •.think it.” was the indignant retort.

“But this is not a letter of yours,. Mrs Sylvester,” Lynette returned with quiet 'diunity. “This is my fathers writing, and I have every reason to believe is part of his will. Mrs Sylvester snatched the piece of paper form Lynette, and before she -could stop her, had thrown it into the dining room lire. '■ “You mind your own business,’ she snapped angrily. “What your father has left is mine now to do with as J. please, and the sooner I see the back of you the better I shall..like it. At a loss to know how to act, Lynctt.e turned away, but during the next lew days she (thought ceaselessly of the incident connected with the destroyed will. Owen called, twice at the I Hall, each time, asking for Lynette, but sue was not about at the time, and Mrs Sylvester, anxious to avoid .a. meeting between them, said nothing of his visit. And Owen, knowing only too. well'-the dark time through which Lynette must be passing, railed at .the fate that kept them apart. His pleadings- with Pauline .Silver the night of the Hedileiwieks’' ball to give him his freedom, had been in vain. She resolutely ref used to "ive him up, believing him to be the real Mark Travers, and the man she loved. TT , , , Owen could do nothing. He dared not approach Lynette, because if he did Pauline would instantly come forward and denounce him as her faithless-lor-er and he dared not declare himself an impostor and Owen Travers, since there was a warrant out for his arrest. He was deep in thought over the .maker, casting about in his mind for a wav of escape so that lie could let Lynette know that he cared, when she was announced and shown straight in. His heart swelled at sight of her. In her simple black, clothes she looked more frail than ever, her eyes showing dark against the dead whiteness of her cheeks. Owen clasped his hands firmly behind his back, or in another moment he must have taken the pathetic little form in his arms and erushetl her to his breast at the dictates of his love. “Lynette, I’m sorry,”- lie began, but the look in her lovely eyes stayed him. He could see that as yet she could not bear mention of her father’s death, called twice.to see you, but you were out each time.” “I did not know you had called, she said; ! 1 and I have not been out of the house since— since the funeral, but I could hot delay coming to see you any longer, Mr Travers.” Owen winced at the iormahty of hci tone. ”1 wanted to tell you -that father left a will, in which lie had arranged for most of what was due to you to be paid back, but unfortunately it got burnt’. ’ ’ Briefly Lynette detailed all she knew, and Owen, reading beneath her words her distress at the thought of his loss, suddenly flung discretion to the winds. / “And you have been worrying jftui dear little head ever since about that wretched money, Lynette ?’ ’ he said, coming a step towards her. 0.» 1 is nothing —tlie money is noaung-M would givja dozen times that amoiuu to qflV e vou from a moment’s pain. I can’t sec you look like that, so de-sper-atelv worried and anxious, when you should lie happy and care-free. I love vou Lvnc'ttc—ton thousand times moic now than on the night when I, told-you X would only ask for your friendship until you felt you could really care tor n]C —ami you have changed towards meX have known it for weeks past now rav love has begotten yours.” F rgetful of everything he er'shccl her in his arms, smothering her lovely upturned face, her hair, her eyes, hei cheeks, with passionate kisses. “You love me. Lynette, and whatever happens you will go on caring in the future, darling- —nothing will make any difference to your love?)’ She nestled contentedly in his sheltering arm,, feeling that sorrow or pain would never hurt again now that she no Jpnger doubted his love. “Yes, I love you, .Mark,” she whispered softly, “and you are right, it is only since that night that I have grown to care. Something about you seemed different —what it was I could

not tell, but I know that, so long as I Jive, I shall love no one else.” Ho held her tighter then, as though lie could never let her go, then the momentary madness passed and he put her from him, his face filled with sudden pain. “I have no right to talk to you like this, Lynette,’’ he said heart-brokenly, “and the worst of it is, I cannot even ex nl a in. I can do nothing, only let you go—and put you out of my life for ever. ’ ’ ••Mark!”- The word was almost a, cry, and Max Seaton’s (threat the night of the •Hedderwicks’ ball came back in a’rush-to Lynette. He had said lie held a secret or Mark Travers. Was that -the barrier between them now? CHAPTER VIII. ■ Airs Sylvester’s dislike, of Lynette had full rein now that her father was no longer there to (take her part. Since the day when- Lynette had mentioned the will to her she had taken a keen (1 (flight in making tilings as uncomfortable as possible for the lonely girl. Both the maids wore under notice to leave, and Mrs Sylvester had made plans for herself and tlie, (two girls, with,, so far, not a thought of Lynette. As she came into the room, her stepmother looked up sourly. Grace and Honor were busily engaged in making vet another new blouse.

“I suppose you know we’re going to leave here?”' Mrs Sylvester’s voice was harsh and strident. “We're going at the quarter-day. I can’t afford to keep up this place. I never did like it —it's too countrified for me and the girls.” Lynette felt a lump rise in her throat. For the past five years she had known no other home, and she loved every stick and stone of the dear old Knoll. There she had spent such huppv. happy days with the father who had been everything to her until the coming of his second wife: there she. had. dreamed dreams of the future which it seemed was destined to be full of storm-clouds. ' Seeing she made, no answer, Mrs Sylvester looked up sharply. “I suppose you’ve got some idba of what you’re going ito do?” she said. Lynette shook,her head. ••j had no idea you were leaving so soon.” she replied, lier voice shaking with emotion. “It’s -come as rather a shock to me. I—l’m awfully fond of the Knoll.” (To be Continued.)