A PRECIOUS VILLAIN.

Western Star, Issue 2218, 1 July 1898, Page 3

A PRECIOUS VILLAIN.

BY GROSVENOR BUNSTER.

CHAPTER V (Continued.) But young Knatchbull was superior to her tactics. His admiration of her beauty did not blind him to the part she played. He frankly told her so, laughing in his sinister way ; and the girl accepted defeat at once. All the same, she felt a keen resentment, and so resolved upon a woman’s revenge. This was the young lady then, to whom Admiral Arrhison was introduced, and who, by her modest manner and sensible remarks, made the old sailor’s heart warm to her, which pleased young Knatchbull mightily He was s 'deeply smitten by Miss Jennie’s charms, and rather regarded her with the greater complaisaism that was such a mistress of cunning and * ptetence. The yputh was not of the kind who care for special virtue in a maiden. He loved evil, and liked the girl the better for her cheeting tricks. It is not strange, therefore, that young Knatchbull, contemplating the future, should associate Jennie with it. Such a clever pair as he and she would make should, he considered, get along very well in the world. He walked to the ‘ Fairstock ’ with his uncle, after the old genleman had promised to return to Mrs Vallers’ house to dinner ; and as they walked, the boy told the story of his treatment by the German phrenologist, speaking with much indignation, and appealing cunningly to his uncle’s pride and sense of honour. ‘ Fancy, sir,’ said he, ‘ a rascally German with his claws upon your head, and dictating before the whole school that you had a head like a cat’s!’ ‘ The scoundrel!' cried the admiral. ‘ I am astonished the doctor tolerated such conduct. But all the same, there was no excuse for you running away to London, and never sending a line to tell us where you were.’ ‘Why, sir, I was afraid you would be angered, and so put off writing, day by day.’ ‘ Aye, and you have been too busy, eh? you dog. Ha, ha! Well, our family always had an eye for a pretty face. By the way —eh ? that Mrs Vallers is a monstrous fine woman. Such an air, too —Humph !’ The youth cast a side glance at his uncle, and there was an ugly glint in his eyes as the quick suspicion arose in his mind that there was perchance some plot afloat beyond his knowledge. Having failed to make piofit out of the nephew, it w-is perhaps proposed to attack thp uncls, who would prove an easy prey. - But with all his acuteness "and fa>seeing suspicion, he never dreamed of the truth. , Kate Archison received her cousin but coldly. An observer could have readily noticed that there was no love lost between this pair. The young woman read her cousin’s nature instinctively; she knew he was bad, and judged him the better because there was no affection for him to temper her convictions. On his part, he was never at ease in her presence, for he felt that she was mistress of the truth, which with others, he usually managed to conceal.

The admiral spoke in most enlhu siastic terms of his nephew’s kind friends. His daughter listened coldly. « But, sir,’ she said, ‘are these people in society ? Are they known ?’ 1 Eh ?’ and the admiral turned to his nephew. That young gentleman laughed. ‘ Bless you, known ! Yes, all sorts of good people visit them. I have met Lord Dexter there, and the Hon. John Cosmogony, and hosts of army men.’ ‘ And the ladies ?’ ‘Oh, well, it isn’t much of a lady’s house ; still some very good peoplo visit. There is Mrs Parker—you remember, uncle. She ’ The admiral made a face. ‘ Jack Parker’s widow —Humph !’ ‘ And I’ve seen Lady Stoker there, also.’ Again the old sailor curled up his lips. ‘ Can’t say much for her,’ said he ; ‘ ’tis to be hoped the gentlemen have a better standing.’ ‘ Is the play high, Richard ?’ asked Miss Archison. The young fellow reddened. ‘ I know not,’ he answered sulkily. ‘I do not play myself, of course, and take but little interest in cards; but I fancy the stakes are harmless. They play whist and piquet and so on.’ ‘ I think, sir,’ said Miss Archison to her father, ‘you will find that I am correct, and that your nephew has happened upon a nest of sharpers.’ ‘ And I think, cousin,’ rapped out ► young Knatchbull, ‘that you have no right to speak thus of people of whom you know nothing.’ • j desire to know nothing about them!’ ■ But, Kate, I dine there this afternoon, and I promised to carry you with me,’ cried her father. ‘ You must pardon me, sir,’ answered his daughter; 1 I am sorry that you so promised; but I am fixed in my opinion, and so beg you will not insist upon my company.' The old gentleman jerked his gums, and fumbled with his wig, as was his way when put out. ‘Tut, tut ! these prejudices are unworthy,’ he cried. ‘ At any rate, I do not share in them. Why, bless me, Mistress Vallers is a queenly woman ; perfect manners ; a most cultivated and reposeful style. And the girl — so innocent, so modest. Why, the thing is absurd —though, to be sure,’ he went on, smoothing his chin betwixt finger and thumb, ‘ that Capta’i% Jenkins has the air of one who would 1 not pause at a smart action. But still, no; I’ll never believe it—never!’ ‘I fancy, sir,’ said his daughter, quietly, ‘that if you see much of these

good people, you will modify your opinion. I am sure if your nephew chose to speak his mind he would own that my instructive aversion has some justification.’ ‘Faith, cousin,’ cried Knatchbull, coarsely, ‘ I know you well enough to keep my mind to myself; since, though I spoke it, I should not move you from your obstinacy.’ She fixed her large grey eyes upon his face. His own, in vain, sought to return her steadfast gaze. ‘ If you know me, cousin,’ she said, slowly, ‘ you will know that I also know you.’ ‘ Tut, tut!’ cried the admiral, : why are you two always snarling at each other? Kate, my dear, I feel a twinge. Get me my drops.’ As the young lady retired, her cousin arose.

‘ When do you return, sir ?’ he asked.

‘ The day after to-morrow. By the way, your stay ashore will be short. The ‘ Fantom ’ is taking in stores and fitting at Plymouth. Marton writes me that she sails on Tuesday fortnight for the West Indies. We must see to your outfit and so forth.’

‘Very well, sir,’ said the youth. ‘ And now with your permission I will take my leave. I shall see you at dinner,’ and with this Master Knatchbull took his departure. His uncle sat for some moments in thought.

‘ Nojiser.se !' he muttered at last; l it is all woman’s prejudice. That crea.furean adventuress ! Pooh, pooh ! Tidiculous ! ridiculous !’ CHAPTER VI. The dinner passed off very well. The admiral was delighted. The respectful attention with which he was treated appealed to his vanity; the variety of well-cooked dishes and excellent wines did the like service for his stomach. When the ladies arose, he was in high good humour ; and in the good old-fashioned way arose upon his gouty legs and bowed profoundly. ‘Well, aunt,’ said the younger woman, when they were alone, ‘what is the move ?’ Mrs Vallers laughed constrainedly. ‘ I don’t think I could do better, Jennie. lam tired of this life—so are you. As to my cousin, frank, 1 daresay' he would be glad enough to have a rest. They tell me the estate is a noble one.’ ‘ There is a daughter. ’ ‘ Yes ; there I smell danger. But our wit should carry us through. Now for to night—no cards. Send everybody who calls, ‘ packing.’ A nice cosy, comfortable evening, with music and conversation, will be the order of the day.’ ‘ I understand ; but what of that bear—the nephew ? If he sulks he may spoil everything.’ ‘ I think not,’ answered Mrs Vallers. We must be careful not to show our hands. He joins his ship in a few days. Trust me then to keep alive the admiral’s appreciation of my value —already aroused, I think. But, hush—here they come !’ There were no other visitors that evening —the servants were instructed to deny their mistress to all called. Those worthy people Took the hint. They felt assured that some game was on hand in which it was not desirable they should participate or interfere. With the loyalty of their class in such matters, they made no protest, assured that in due course they would come in for a share of the plunder. In this they were mistaken. A deeper game than they thought was on hand —a game which was to deprive them of a very profitable hunting-ground, and withdraw from the regions of tricking and swindling, people who had long found their lives flat and stale, even though profitable ; for, indeed, such people always have some yawning for respectability, and wish to remove a career of dishonour and therefore constant anxiety.

The evening then was spent so quietly that young Knatchbull was confirmed in his suspicions that there was a design upon his uncle’s pocket. He was not displeased. He counted upon his share of plunder. ‘You know, Miss Jennie,’ he whispered, as he bent over her at the piano, ‘ I must have my share—or I shall most certainly spoil the little game.’ She raised her eyebrows and shrugged her pretty shoulders. ‘I do not understand,’ she said scornfully. « oh, yes, you do,’ he replied coolly. ‘ You know very well that a trap is being made for my worthy uncle. Now, he has heaps of money. If you good people can wheedle some of it out of his hands, well and good; but I take a fourth, or blab.’ She did not answer, but played a dainty mournful air. Her aunt looked up, so did the captain; Knatchbull smiled. He knew that a signal had been given. As he looked at the girl, so seemingly unconscious

of all guile, his admiration broke forth in words.

‘ Miss Harker—let me call you are the prettiest girl I know, and I swear the cleverest; and I, too, am clever. There is not a dodge to which lam not awake. Don’t you think, Jennie —dear Jennie —that if we joined our fortunes ’ ‘ls this a proposal, Dick?’ whispered Miss Harker, with a side glance at her clumsy admirer. ‘ Yes —yes. I am for the navy, but 1 don’t think I shall take to the life. This—’ and he made a sweeping gesture with his hand —‘ is the life for me. I would trade upon fools. With you, Jennie, for my wife, we could have no end of sport.’ ‘ Meet me to-morrow in the library, at eleven,’ she answered ; ‘ and now, please, sing; the admiral will notice your attentions,’ The wily young man, for once, was misled by his self-conceit and egotism. He took it that the girl’s answer was favourable, and he almost pitied her that she had fallen so readily before his attractions. As he sang—he had a rare baritone voice—Miss Harker detected the ring of arrogant complaisance in his voice, and she smiled.

The admiral stayed until past ten o’clock, when he was taken to his hotel in a cab, very much more impressed by the charms of his hostess, and with a singular feeling of resentment towards his daughter for her obstinate unbelief in the respectable character of his entertainers.

‘There was not a sign, Kale, of any impropriety. There were no guests but myself and Dick—no cards only music and—and —why, really, I was quite angry that you should be so prejudiced.’ 1 Please papa,’ answered the girl, ‘we will not further discuss this matter. After all, it does not concern me. We leave for the Hall to-morrow, and ’ , «Why, as for that, Kate,’ answered the old gentleman, ‘ I do not know There is Dick’s outfit to look to, and other arrangements, and, in short, I think we shall have to stay a few days further in London.’ His daughter looked up quickly. Then she answered : ‘ Very well, papa ; and I think the sooner Richard joins his ship the belter.’ ‘Why, so do I,’ said her father heartily. ‘ The boy is smitten by that girl— a monstrous pretty creature she is. But that sort of thing is not for a lad who has to make his way in the world And now I think I will go to bed, Kate. Good night, my dear, and don’t quarrel with your old father because he does not share views in respect to these good people,’ She kissed him affectionately, and saw him to the door of his room ; but she could not see the old fellow as he lay tossing on his bed, thinking of the bewitching widow; nor could she guess his thoughts as the lady’s beautiful face and winning ways recurred to him. ‘ Heigho !’ he muttered at last, ‘she would look well at the head of my table at the Hall. Such things have been; and Kate will marry sooner or later. I shall be left alone in my old age. ‘Why shouldn’t I. Humph!’ and then he fell asleep.’ His nephew that night also lay long awake, thinking of the victory which he deemed he had gained over pretty Jennie Harker, and picturing to himself a roseate future, as his gross nature conceived happiness to be. But the next morning when he met the young lady in the library, according to appointment, there was an expression in her face which aroused apprehension. ‘Sit down Mr Knatchbull,’ said the young lady, herself seated. ‘ I asked you to meet me in order that I might at once set your pretensions at rest. You were good enough last night to make a certain proposal to me. Well sir—l shall not say that I am astonished at your impudence tis a quality which, as I judge, has little limit; but it has carried you too far this time. Why, sir, if you were possessed of millions I could not but hold for you any other feeling but that of the deepest aversion.’ Knatchbull gasped from sheer amazement. c why —why —’ he cried, ‘ do you deny that you have encouraged me ?’ ‘ Not I,’ and she laughed. ‘ I did so that I might humiliate you, even as you have humiliated me. You are very young, Master Knatchbull, to be such a rascal —and so cruel. If you thought for one moment that I did not read you ’ ‘By the Lord !’ he broke in, ' there was but little difficulty in reading you. It was plain enough to all but the fools you helped to swindle, that you were no better than ’ ‘ Let that pass,’ she answered—' 1 don’t blame you for your coarseness. The pig loves to wallow. You cannot help your nature.’ ‘ Look you, Miss Jennie,’ cried the youth, his heavy face, flaming with passion, ‘ you speak in plain words—so will I. I did but judge that you cared a little for me, being, as I am, as you say, a rascal yourself. Well, lam deceived. You have deceived me. One to you. On the other hand, let me tell you I shall spoil your game with my uncle. You shall not make profit out of the old mwa—oh, dear no!’ To Be Continued.