Young My Lord

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18023, 19 May 1930, Page 4

Young My Lord

1 =SERIAL STORY=

CHAPTER XXV. A Curtain Lecture. 1 j Even millionaires are not exempt from curtain lectures —Mr Hiram Westgarth was receiving one. I “To say,. Hiram,” Mrs Westgarth ■ | began when she had heard the recital j of the events of her husband’s visit to London, “to say that you have made a muddle of, the whole business would be expressing it very mildly.” Mrs Westgarth adjusted the bows of her boudoir cap—which would have been called a nightcap in other days—and proceeded—- “ Say, Hiram," she remarked, “how did you leave it with Edward?” Hiram felt helpless- and small, millionaire though he was, in the hands of his skilful and very sensible wife. They had long since become accustomed to refer to Lord Cunswick as “Edward.” “I r left him, Roxanna,” Mr Westgarth proceeded, “with a promise to give him a definite answer within a week.” Mrs Wehtgarth rubbed her nose in the manner of old ladies when things are going crooked. “But his appointment?” she urged. “How did you leave that?” “I settled witli him that he was to have it for five years, with ten thousand dollars’ pay.” “That was all right,” commented the lady.' “And now with regard to the old earl’s affairs-—let us go over the facts to refresh our memories. You must admit that from the first time we met Edward, when he came over to play tennis with Mary at Henley, we liked him; both agreed that they would make a very nice pair. There was something open and honest about the boy’s face which took both our fancies.” “There was,” confirmed the husband; “and I believe the boy is open and honest.” “But the worst of it is,” walled Mrs Westgarth, “they don’t go forward. They are just good friends and nothing more.” “More will come of it,” suggested Mr Westgarth, “when she sees Edward about the place every day—when he has taken up his appointment.” “Of course, by suggesting that he was going to ask you for your daughter as well as your money,” proceeded the lady, “you have, in an ordinary person’s judgment, frightened' the lj»oy away from Mary altogether. He will he afraid to speak to her—will neglect her.” Mrs Westgarth stopped, and clapped her hands. “There is nothing a girl dislikes more than neglect,’ she said. “Who knows but that jour bungling, speech ” ■ “1 would have given anything to have recalled it,” the old man groaned. “So would I give anything to recall it,” she'answered. “But, after all, if Mary finds herself neglected, she may . fake a greater interest in him, and the desired result may come about that j way. But to return to the old Earl’s i]

By Colonel H. Curties. (All rights reserved.)

plight, what are you going to do about that? Hiram,” she added in a softer tone, /‘.‘you have got more money than ; you know what to do with.” “We were always careful people, you and I, Roxanna, putting by for a rainy day —” “Putting by for a rainy day I” she broke in. “Why, I-liram, you have put by enough for six deluges.” “I don’t quite know how much myself,” he murmured; “it must be over twenty million dollars. How much more, I don’t, know.” “And you’ couldn't spend half the income of it if. you tried,” she added. “No,” he confirmed, “I shouldn’t know how.” “Hiram,” she said softly, putting her hand on his arm, “do a good act out of this wealln of yours—set the old Earl and Edward up again for the sake’'of the girl. But ” “But- what?” “Be careful the old man doesn’t get the chance of wasting it again,” she said. . Hiram hesitated only a minute. “I will set them up again,” he said, “and you may bet your bottom cent, that I see to it that the old Earl does not play monkey tricks with the dollars.” CHAPTER XXVI. Tense Moments. “This is the worst of all!” exclaimed Mr Custance, with a copy of a morning newspaper before him. “This puts the seal on everything I” The heading “Starnwaite Court” had caught his eye in the column or advertisements of Coming Sales. Mr uustance clasped his hands and read it through. It was simply the preliminary announcement of the coming sale at an early date of the furniture and contents of Starnlhwaite Court. Among the pictures, particlar stress was laid on the fact that one of the earliest.-portraits by Van Dyck, that of Sir Anthony Dainton, would be among those offered. The old lawyer had scarcely finished his scrutiny of the long list of the treasures of Starnthwaite Court enumerated in the advertisement, when Edward, greatly excited for him, burst Into the room. He held -in his hand the copy of the same paper which Mr Custance was reading. “Have you seen this?” he cried. “That scoundrel Maxton is going to sell Sir Anthony!” “You must keep calm,' Lord Cunswick,” the lawyer advised somewhat sternly. “Up to now your conduct in this trying matter has been well nigh perfect, don t spoil it all by losing your head. Sit down and listen to me. This rascal 'Maxton :s trying to do all the mischief he can. lie evidently wants the Court and the lands for himself, and is endeavouring to, Tush through the sale of the furniture as soon-as possible, to get possession of if. No doubt he intends to buy it all. He evidently believes that the Earl is„ powerless to find the money to stop him. But, tell me, have you heard ■ 9/

from Westgarth?" Edward Cunswick was! showing signs of extreme worry; he looked as if he had not slept much. ‘.‘•l have riot heard a .word,” he ,answered. ' .. “But has not the week expired?” Mr. Custance asked, “It expired the day before yesterday,” was the answer from Edward’s pale lips. The lawyer rose and began to pace the room, with his hands behind him; he did not like to tell Edward that he had given up hope, but lie was beginning to believe that _ the American would do nothing. Who, in his senses, would, he argued in his own mind, under the circumstances? The whole thing was a maze of hopeless extravagance. 1-Ie stopped before Cunswick. “Listen to me Edward,” he said. “Don’t mind me calling you Edward, as I have known you from boyhood. If I were in your place, I would go for a long walk. You look as if you suffered from \yant of sleep." ' “ I have not ‘slept properly all this last week,” Edward answered. , VWell,” continued the lawyer, “I. would go out into the country and walk myself tired. Then come back and have a good dinner and a bottle of Burgundy ” He had hardly spoken when the telephone bell rang. He went-over to his table rather annoyed at being interrupted, sat dpwn, and took up the receiver. Then gradually light came into his face. “Just a moment,” he said in the telephone, then beckoned Edward to a corner. He put his lips close to Cunswick’s ear and whispered : “Cheer up, it’s all right 1"

CHAPTER • XXVII. Law And Sport. Mr Custance returned to the telephone and went on with his conversation; it seemed to be very pleasing to him, for his face continued to brighten. He made notes as he proceeded. Presently, when he had finished the garbled one-sided conversation which seemed unintelligible to Edward, he put down the receiver and took up the notes. There was a smile on his.face all the time. “Mr Westgarth,” he announced, “has given Bronner and Fitchett carte blanche to do as they like in the matter, provided the Bill-of Sale is paid off at once. He has placed a largo credit at their disposal at one of the Ango-American Banks. Now,” proceeded Mr ' Custance, “this information ought to have been telephoned to us two days ago, when it arrived, but Bronner, who was on the telephone, told me that he and his partner had been away on important business in the South of England,” Mr Custance chuckled. “I happen to know what that important business was,” he said. ' “Both Bronner and Fitchett are inveterate sportsmen. They are especially fond of racing, so I haven’t a doubt that the important business in the South of England was nothing more nor less, than Brighton Steeplechases, which have been on for the last two days. I live at Brighton, so I know. Why!” added Mr Cuslance, “I might have gone myself if the weather had been fine. I wish I had gone and caught them out.” Edward smiled too. “The last, time I saw Mr West-, garth,” he said, “he complained that English people were ready to chase anything but money. I wonder what lie would have thought of his lawyer’s doings?” (To be continued.) J