County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

(copyright.) OLIVER MARLOWE; OB, GRAPES FROM THORNS. -0- 87 RICHARD SAVAGE LLOYD. o CHAPTER XLVI. Oliver went into the City, and was presently to ba men walking down Threadneedle-street, quite un. mindful of poor little Lettice and her concerns. He was thinking of what were, to him, far more important matters. He passed a knot of men who were collected at a corner discussing some absorbing financial matter, and as he passed he nodded slightly to one of them, a young man who was talking eagerly. One of the others, con. siderably older, laid his hand on his arm and inter- rupted him. Do you know that young fellow that has just passed us, Maynard ?" SOYOM. Why?" "Handsome fellow," remarked a languid gentleman who was propping himself against a lamp-post. They all turned and looked after Oliver. "I know him," said another with a grin, "seen him under various interesting circumstances. Shouldn't care to have much to do with him, though they say he's a charming fellow. A friend of mine lost a pre- cious lot of tin to him at cards once he's pretty well known for luck for so young a man. I say Maynard, don't have anything to do with him in business. He ruins everybody he comes near." Perhaps he's one of my clients," said Maynard, with a laugh; then changing the subject he said, How was Nora when you passed through the House?" No change, rather dull than otherwise," replied the other; "have you been courting her" Well, only to a small extent, juiCOo amuse myself I don't specu- late, you know. I made fifty pounds out of her, but she's a great unwieldy thing, and flops about so that I was glad when the account was closed. Still, there's more in her than Dora, and she's not so skittish as Bertha, who's as capricious as a kept mistress, which, indeed, she is." Well, I suppose she is the property of the clique, body and soul," said a third member of the group: "they've been taking her up this long time past, and have provided an excellent' chef. "Well, if this is business and not flirtation or lunch, I have a great deal to learn," said a young member of the ariatooracywhohad but a. week or two previously been sent to the Stock Exchange as the family could not keep him any longer; what sort of chef' do you mean ?" "Maynard is going in rather for romance," said Hetherington, but I think he means one who under- stands cocking—accounts." And Bertha ?" Bertha is a railway stock, she's younger than Nora or Dora; but come along, Maynard, we are telling this young n= what he'll know all about in another week, if he'll iuncH every day at Baby's or let him interview Mr. Chang, or Baron Plant, or Alfred Addyson, or wicked meedls," The elder gentleman, who had asked Maynard \;rllóîJier he knew Oliver, presently drew him out of this interesting conversation, and they walked a few yards down the street. utDid you say Marlowe was a client of yours?" he said, as soon as they were out of ear-shot. Yes, Mr. Hetherington-why, may I ask ?" Knnrerefi Mavnard.a little uneasily he very soon ex.- pectta toWcome Mr. iiethenngcons son-m-iaw, ana did not quite relish the eye of the inquisitor upon him. He's a wild, rash speculator," said Hetherington, with a shake of his head. I happen to know some- thing about him. You of course have not undertaken My business of his without a good deposit." He paused for an answer, but Maynard merely bowed his bead, lredid not wish te let himself in for any further I condemnation, and he had an unpleasant consciousness of an entire absence of deposit on Oliver's part. The truth was that Maynard was a young stock broker, engaged to a handsome girl with a good dowry, and he was pushing his business hard in order to marry lOOn, and in good circumstances. He was slaving to obtain that fatal idol of the business man-" a good establishment." He was known as a careful, steady- going young man; but of late he had been tempted Into various rather risky proceedings, from this wish to make money more rapidly. One of these was the Accepting of Oliver Marlowe as a client without pecurity of any kind, and undertaking large specula- tions for him, tempted by the large commissions. As yet Oliver had met with his usual luck; and May- nard had only had to pay himself and delight in hit enlarged income. But he felt a slight shiver as lie thought of what his position might be if the luck turned and Oliver was unable to pay up Any of the various matters he had on hand for him would ruin him if he had to bear the loss that it was quite on the cards might "rise from transactions so extensive. But be could not get out of the position now, so he only laughed slightly as Hetherington said, "I doubt whether there's another broker on Change who would have done much for him even with a cover. I don't believe he's a penny to his back, but what you may have paid him." Well, I'm much obliged to you for the caution; 111 pull him up tight," said Maynard, With an inflexible air. A difficult matter, Mr. May- nard. Oliver, as we know, has strong objections to anything like your elegantly described proceedings he will entirely decline to be "pulled up tight;" you must get over him as best you can. 1 CHAPTER XLVII. Maynard sat in his office, not many days later,think- ing, and his thoughts were occupied with Oliver and his affairs, He expected him and much wished he would come. Rumours of apolitical crisis had sent down certain stocks which Oliver owned and Maynard was deeply anxious to see whether he could pay the consequent debt. He had not forgotten Hetherington's warning, and he did not like to look at the prospect that lay be- fore him if Oliver's luck turned. He was dwelling gloomily enough on this subjec when he heard the quick step come up the stairs, and ft w001 °Pene<^ a<lmit his objectionable client. No money for you to-day, Mr. Marlowe I sup- pose as you are always posted up in these matters, that you know the stocks have gone down. There'll be two thousand pounds to pay before next settling day." Indeed," said Oliver, tranquilly. It is rather a. bore, but it'll come all right." I sincerely hope it will; please let me have the money as soon as possible." I can't do that, Maynard, for I haven't got it at the moment," said Oliver, with undisturbed demeanour. "Notgotitt" exclaimed Maynard; "you must get It then." I can't do that either. Moreover, joy dear fellow, it isn't worth while to pay the expenses of borrowing money until it's needed. We shall be all right agaia before the settlement." It doesn't look like it," said Maynard, sulkily, biting his pen. Looks are very superficial things. Pay this, my leu follow, if necessary, and I know you'll be repaid, and ntakeenough to make your risk worth while. Don't M atrald my information is so good that I can swear with certainty that the thins is safe." Can you T sata Maynara, aumousiy. Certainly I can," said Oliver, seeing he was gain" ing ground, He's always been right before," said Maynard to himself, "and always succeeded. But I don't like it; it'll leave me precious little in the bank to go on with; and such another business would come near to smash me. I don't like it," he concluded aloud. "Perhaps not; but you'll be foolish to refuse, I as. sure you, Maynard. I am perfectly confident of our success," "You feel sure your information is reli- able? Absolutely. No doubt can be cast upon it." He then began discussing some other matters, and soon after left the office, resigning Maynard to his own re- flections, whieh were not pleasant. He was secretly afraid of Oliver's resolute eye and determined temper; he did not want to offend him or lose him as a client. Moreover, he had a belief in Oliver's "information," which was borne out by his remarkable success. Still he did not like the risk; he was by nature caii- tious, and he did not like it. CHAPTER XLVIII. Oh! Lewis If Margaret were but here, how different everything would be." There was a pause after this exclamation of Muriel's. They were sitting by the open window looking out upon the beautiful sea. They had been out; and a. faint glow was in her cheeks. Health was returning, with Lewis's help. She was more like her- self again, and yet different. She was more womanly, 4efter, tenderer, even in the lines of her face. 'Do you think," said Lewis presently, "you would e<er have given all your heart to me while she lived? You scarcely had room for any one else." "0 Lewis! don't! That sounds as if we gained something from her leaving us. And yet—everything is so strange and contradictory-ifshe could be here,Iknow she would tell us that it was so—that she died because it was better for everybody that things are always ordered so. She would tell us that-but oh Lewis, it is very difficult to believe it." She can never really die to us," said Lewis, very gently, her influence lingers about us. I can call soma thought of hers to my mind so often when I am in need of her. But it is hard for anyone to think this to have been for the best. 0 Muriel! how could I be so mad as to answer him on that morning? My God, I suffer for it every day of my life Why did I not keep away -away from the house altogether? I knew my presence maddened him, and yet I let myself be led into such a position-oh, it is horrible to think of H I don't think you were to blame, Lewis at least the whole of the real blame lies with him. It was foolish altogether—the whole position. I was in fault too. and that has lain on my heart all this time—for if he had known about-about us, he would not have supposed you loved Margaret, as he thought! My dear chUd Has it been this that has troubled your tender little soul so long? I am glad to know it, but I ought not to have let you talk about it yet-poor child, how agitated you are Have you really been thinking this all this while ? Lashing yourself, and laying all the blame on yourself." I had the key to it all," sobbed Muriel. "Now, dear Muriel, listen. If he could doubt Margaret's truth, do you suppose he would have hesi- tated to doubt any one else ? No I might have been engaged to ten thousand women, and it would have made no difference in his suspicions. Don't you see that ? No, Muriel, I don't think we need really blame ourselves at all; he killed her by a persistent misun- derstanding of her noble character. He would have been jealous and brutal under any circumstances, if tic rinir tmd aneulOYr of a oause. r Olliy erred in being the instrument—and after all I do not complain. He may misjudge but he always would, and we can bear a special testimony to her truth and purity." And you think it must have happened .under any circumstances ?" "I cannot say that, but it seems so natural as to have been inevitable. His nature scorched hers, he killed her by his contact-that is how it seems to me as I look back. Circumstances were but the instruments; he could not understand her, and she must have suffered from that all along it was but the last straw which was the blow too much." I am glad you think that," said Muriel. It helps me." Muriel mine," he said, taking her hands, it is as I said before, you bring me out, you make me something different from myself. You see I have re- lieved my own trouble in relieving yours. But it is so; we have neither of us Margaret's strength or goodness but we can help each other, and there may come a day when we shall have partly overtaken her, and shall be fit to meet her again." They sat silently by the window after this, looking out on the sea; until presently Muriel spoke again. "I wonder sometimes," she said, whether that was why Margaret was taken because he was so cruel. She must have been miserable with him." Yes; it doubtless saved her an infinity of pain and yet her influence was so strong over him that she might have made him a different man. She loved him so Oh, she did! said Muriel, 11 I could not understand how anyone could love so intensely. I don't understand now, she went on, shaking her head. Never mind," said Lewis, laughing, that is a question which only concerns me. By the way, may I speak to Sir Joshua before we leave here ?" Yes, before we leave here I" You little witch you think that is an indefinite time There he comes, with some letters; perhaps there will be something in them which will decide us." He laughed as he advanced to meet Sir Joshua, ani Muriel smiled. He had taught her how again. She bad forgotten the art for a. time. There was a letter from Lettice, which he caught sight of instantly, and opened first. "Oh, what is the matter?" cried Muriel.happeningto look up as he neared the end of the letter, which was rather brief. My mother —— Not dead cried Sir Joshua, catching sight of his face. "Yes! and Lettice, poor child, alone! Slie urges me not to go home. But I ought-I must—she ought not to be alone." Quite so-quite right," said Sir Joshua, "but is not this very sudden ?" "I knew she was very ill, but not so ill. I think Lettice must have made the best of it. But she says she did not expect it herself. Poor child, it is: very sad for her." He stood absorbed in thought, while Sir Joshua and Muriel exchanged glances. "You had better go home at once," said the former, laying his hand on his arm, you know we were only waiting for something to decide our movements. Muriel is well enough to return we will follow you to-morrow, and then Lettice can come to us. We owe her a debt which I am sure both Muriel and myself will be most glad to pay. It would indeed be ungrateful to leave her alone at such a time." "I thank you," said Lewis, sitting down and re. reading the letter. "It is a very short letter, and I don't quite understand her." I dare say 3he did not feel able to write much," said Muriel. She says I need not hurry home, as it is useless now, that everything is easily arranged, and she has a f'iaiul who will help tM—she does,, not say who? ■?7?E3 eaa x ser- 11 Some lady in the neighbourhood," suggested Sir Joshua.. But why did she not tell me who ? We know no one intimately. But that does not matter much. I suppose she does not think about my mother's affairs having to be wound up." "I suppose," interrupted Sir Joshua, there is some money for her-yes, you must go and look after her interests." I am afraid," said Lewis, hesitatingly, "there it but little." Then he added quickly, I should like te speak to you alone a few minutes, Sir Joshua." Muriel, with a half-smile, rose and left the room. I feel," he went on, •' that I ought, in honour, to speak to you now, although it seems so inappro- priate a time, in more ways than one. I will first of all make a necessary explanation." Not unless you are really anxious to," said Sir Joshua, kindly, "I can see this news has upset you so that you are scarcely fit for other matters. Why not leave them ? I think it would scarcely be right," said Lewis, with an effort to speak calmly, I owe it to—to us all -to speak now; first of all, I wish to tell you that my affairs are in a rather desperate condition. To speak plainly, I am over head and ears in debt; and in order to keep going at all, I have borrowed on both my own reversion from my mother's little property, and on Let" tice's. I have not robbed Lettice as of course I shall repay her, having indeed a little already laid by for the purpose. The money is only under my care, as of course I should have insisted on Lettice's living with me and should not have allowed her to touch the money at present. But all this means that I have been careless and foolish, and that-I must go home and work hard for her and myself. If I can get time from some of my creditors, a year or two of genuine work will clear me, as I have a good connection. But I am alarmed for Lettice at present, as she has no money. I feel now that I ought never to have placed her in such a position. Therefore I will make all haste possible to go to her." You are right, my dear boy. I am sorry to hear you have been so foolish. I strongly disapprove of debt, for no man ought to contract it; but it is difficult ta blame a man when he confesses so candidly—though it is a sad pity about Lettice, a sad pity." "Believe me, Sir Joshua, she shall not suffer I am not dishonourable." "My dear boy, I know that, I know that. God ijlesi me, Lewis, I'd trust you with anything. I only said it's a pity," I know it, and I will do my utmost to make amends. But I have yet the most difficult part to say After such a confession what will you think of me when I ask you for your daughter Muriel ?" Good heavens exclaimed Sir Joshua, who wat rather taken by surprise. Why, I thought—that fel- low said-upon my honour, I never expected this He buried his nose in his pocket handkerchief in order to get a brief respite, for he found himself on the verge of blurting out some awkward things in his sur- prise. You are thinking," said Lewis, firmly, of Oliver Marlowe's accusations. It was difficult for me to con- vince you that they were unfounded, as you retained the memory of my early love of Margaret. She had refused me long before and I had learnt that she had done right in refusing me. I was all but engaged to Muriel; would to Heaven we had spoken out! What remorse it would have saved us both, although we try to hide it from ourselves!" My dear boy," said Sir Joshua, rising, and walk. ing about in his agitation, I had no idea of thfx-nu idea — no idea I You shall have her, Lewis you shall retrieve your fortunes. I don't doubt you, I don't doubt you for a moment. My dear, dear boy, if she loves you, you shall have her. I'll never stand in the way of my poor girl's happi. ness—I've seen too much trouble to do that There, we'll talk more about it afterwards. Be off now and pack your bag, for your sister needs you. We'll come on to-morrow. I'll make Muriel be quick with her packing. Look here, Lewis; here is a blank cheque. fill it up, and pay some of your debts, and make Lettice comfortable for the present. I insist upon it don't you know that that picture I have of yours is of great value—and what value 10 me Heaven only knows It will increase in vitne, and lvpity me at any time anything you oho.so t.ir.m. ,N- o ev be quick And so, by the f..iw of eiicuins'tauces," Lewis only gained favour I v i. r. i->>v,)l»i.ion- which he had feared, knowin Sir .1 4.<M\S o.uaoc«r, might lose him all he had befoi