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FROM DARKNESS TO DAWN; STORY OF SOUTH WALES. By WM. BRETT PLUMMER. < Author OF Am?!}, S ^on>" "Down a Coalmine, Another Man's Money," "Rocks Ahead," §c. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY TOE AUTHOR.] CHAPTER X.-tt HELD BY THE Enemy," I to Nat lOon tnade himself at home, and under- took fj, 5 Alice Pentland's affairs. He banVAr't,6 .that a^e had written to her fcbiee* eolioitors', with the ostensible alfio»A *eem? them 8af9ly posted. He her Jiassessed himself of the one addressed to *he Tom Blanchard, whom flay might arrive in England every at 4.1^0lf he were not actually in London Qkl ^entical moment. hotelCe-vf?ely clear cf the P01'tals of the *ith\*r thoroughly acquainted himself con,, op^tents of the missives, and then to hif v them thoughtfully and carefully filaiAa"«»* P«*ket. The one to Mr. first -*er fronted him, and for the obiarit v Brnoe he had determined on his Be had thought the girl jr0\tnr>- 1 ;s^aBe ar^ friendless, and now this hourly ,to ^ive, perhaps c°uld an 2 Alice were lovers Nat but ihirt and there was no doubt 0°nunun^11 he received no iiiati4ri+f.1^lv 011 her, he would certainly ^hereni, ""J6 strictest inquiries as to her Wb,,rL-,ib, ts This rather startled Nat, his he resolved to abandon the nextHr, Ina'^ » hasty retreat; but and iKb hie greed had again stepped in, in tic „ ^ta°fidat<ail risk to try and succeed Wag Wrri<f;,41016 to -do it quickly. The risk face on «! He would put a bold no flnwu affair, aud his confidence would, :S0 5B1ri:jr J™1 through. her nri+ a ?:Qe to his daughter, telling than tr, ae3?),B{Jt Imn laaak for a day or two, and m, "e ready to attend his bidding. deceased officer was his o!rn ^Je P^aoe in four days' time, so 9'iick l8e *^°11 must be decisive and .EI.e rfftm-ned to the hotel, and after care- still n1S0OTerir^ wiieifchsr Miss Pentland was ro ?lon^ found his way into her sitting- vf thegreateet possible exoite- 1ll6n't. hac 'Sear Alice," began Nat, an idea vnni° £ ^U £ £ me' i believe I have found YII,Lir IblOther Alfred-iudeed I do. Calm 3ear girl and let me tell you." anf"rfe J1"™ from her seat at the table, •«»»» PJorBliU U Re Intoned /greedily to him. for J+t' 1 Out just now— saT^v J "Slst«r your letters for ?^U^rtfDCnrr,inoE P*™ through my Ste-W like,y to bring » flnl^, £ Tr* 1 mQ8t have been a fool not to think trf it before." "'F,- lfty"s sakep continue your storv" pMriAfee, -fori, by you/aesisS'l lind inux, yon mil be neither mere nor less than my guardian anged." Vt ell, to make a long story short answered K&% wiifc some degree of heaita- °^* v,S3t to a friend of mine in booth a few weeks hack. He, like me, Jl* ^rer ^d was staying at the time at w Cardigan. One evening i *a^e d hote we noticed a young fellow, !?° tstraek us by his handsome •Ppearanne and bright conversation fI But Alfred, Mr. Percival" interrupted Alico, ^ait mj dear—wait," observed Nat, y taking up the one, ho was very Perhaps, as a child, bnt he may have I( TWi really think it was my brother ?" w tT0^ mu8tl n°t interrupt me, Alice— »0 e ^sh. I know too well how anxious to.meet him, but in this hour of o? T. ^h«n time is valuable, do not, I beg yowself more than necessary. jm* •» tome, my child, be guided by me: -rlnJi!?*1 ^oso without reserve all will, 'ttraea e^' ^'e^> this young fellow fon*»a /^tobe an artist, and we afterwards h» name was Pentland." at | » risen from her seat and, kneeling her* WM 8rwP'ng both his hands in it ig quiet, my dearie, for if I thiuk 'toj*■» y to upset you I shall not Cnish my "iite. turned his eyes from the girl's >-t«^anxioQs faoo, however, and continued -¡l¡ b -U, *'th tall, gentlemanly young inan, l>t \^ht, fair moustache—" Alfred is dark." Youct\rW Yes, of oourse. Did I say fair? me, my child. I meant to say hft 1?4s 61J dark; deep brown hair. Well, well, *t**iii„ dining there that night, and was f<» ^°mewhere in the distriot. After I :°n the idea struck me that he friend be the son of my-my old tn.een a I blamed myself heartily for not the fact to him. Now, I look at am I am sure, as certain as I brot^g man> that he is no other than your reiaen>wn f-^ct his friend, now that I come to ner it, oalled hira by the name of Aljc he.f pr^h tears swimming in her eyes and eXciteirJ^ ^outh quivering v.ith suppressed potij»k u leaned her head, first on Nat's the aQd then fell face downwards on Nioh Vn a fainting fit. the xr?-?0Tl did ring the bell to summon Exhibit reSS' dear, no Nor did he ftcover^Q^ Particular fear as to her eventual '^iuklifi 8imP1y smiled exultantly, °PftHed tu ^6r f°rehead with some water, • window, unfastened her collar lifted her into a chair, and e had till she came round. rKot l°ng to wait, for in a few minutes b Ce re-opened her eyes, and, as if half 4tl<i to k°- ^er weakness, rose and offered her }(]x lln apologetically. L^^Shter86 ^&Ptain Percival. Soldiers' fut J v 8 not often given to weakness, reside Ve ^e.en sitting up late by my father's of aild it is the re-action, added to the perhaps, finding my brother, that You P" lUe to give way. Excuse it, will • » iv., IJ5ydea8 affected. "Don't mention 'Qkin» r" did not care to call the servants,' th^/+lU .WouW, perhaps, be better in my QIJ heirs, although I am only a rough, J^^hters So d'er; but soldiers and soldiers' Jth ea understand and sympathise 11 T wii?I ,er" f°r a glass of wine and v not *ai5 Some on the sideboard. Pardon °^r«elfp'> lnS you before. Will you help have « i or, ? bn+0 nauch need of wine," responded ^r*ge. i y°u have. It will give you w '6 °^er you some." tv » ?d, and he filled two glasses. thR c°% -Nioholson, settling himself for ^haT?°r« I 6 srace> the more I look at you £ o °on?inced of what I have said. A if andfind Alfred?" Waf/°^ will ?» j you oome, too f" I (I Yes, if you wish me. Indeed, I shall be glad to have a companion to my thoughts. I thank God I have found a friend, for I am almost too weak and helpless to think of anything myself now. As an old brother offioer of my dear father's, I place myself in your care. What you think best I am willing to do." Nat drank his wine at a gulp, and paced the room as if in deep thought. Suddenly he stopped, and faced her. If we go to him now he can return with us, and, more than that, will be in time to attend your father's funeral. There is a train to the West of England leaving Paddington at eight o'clock to-night. Do you feel too tired to undertake a midnight journey ? To see my brother ? No I would travel night and day, and especially now that I feel I have a protector by my side. I am desperate, Captain Percival. I am lost—bewildered. You have by chance found me. I thank Heaven for it and you for your kindness. When do we leave here P Only say and I shall be ready." H We have but two hours to spare." I shall be prepared. I bless you, oh, I bless you so much more than you can think for bringing me such welcome news. Do you still feel sure it is my brother F" I am almost sure, child." She was kneeling at his feet, kissing his hand. I am alone no longer, dear old friend of my childhood, although I was too young to remember you. Still, from this time you shall be my guardian—my protector." She still retained his hand, and moved with him to the door. In an hour I shall be ready for the journey till then farewell." The express from London is due iu Car- digan each morning at six, and almost to the minute Nat and his presumed protege alighted from the saloon carriage and stood together on the platform, shivering. It was a drizzly, raw morning—foggy, dark, and intensely cold. They made at once for the Old Black Lion Hotel, which opens in time for passengers by the early train. Here Alice was shown into the cosy coffee room, while Nat went off, ostensibly to inquire the exact whereabouts of the mythical Mr. Pentland, but in reality to have a long drink of brandy, replenish his travelling flask, and order a closed conveyance from the stable yard. He returned to her shortly, and together they partook of a hurried breakfast. if I have found out where Mr. Pentland is at last," Nat ejaculated during the meal. From what they say he is engaged sketching along the coast, and is putting up at a small farmhouse with such an unpronounceable Welsh name that I really feel incompetent to repeat it, but the landlord here has given instructions to the stableman, who quite understands the plaoe he means, and will drive us direct to it." How far iaitr" inquired Alice. "A matter of six or seven miles, my dear; so I am told. We shall get there in a little over an hour-that is, if this mist or fog "B. -a The door opened, and Margaret WormJey stood in the room. clears away, for I believe it is a roughish bit of road aud not much frequented. Now, do try and eat a bit, my girl. You really must not let yourself give way like this." Alice had pushed her plate from her, and was leaning back in the chair with her face buried in her hands, Oh, I know you are kind and gentle and a great help to me in my trouble," sobbed the poor girl, and you know I thank you for it, but I do feel so alone now my dear father has been taken from me. I am only a woman, and I dread the thought that the gentle- man we are seeking may after all our trouble perhaps only prove by a coin- cidence to be an artist of the same name." 11 Well, don't look on the black side of it. Cheer up, my dear, and let us rather hope for the best than fear the worst," You are very kind and thoughtful," mur- mured Alice. I will take your advioe, and try to do 10." The conveyance is ready, sir," intimated the landlord, putting his head in at the door. Come, dearie: now, then, wrap your rug round your shouldeis, and let us be off." The bill was settled, and they were soon I jogging slowly along an uneven country road in an old-fashioned lumbering brougham, j They passed olose to the splendid ruin of St. Dogmael's Abbey, but it was scarcely visible I t, y through the cloudy haze that clung thickly I upon the drawn-up windows. Alice leant back upon the warm cushions wrapped in meditation; and for the first time the un- comfortable thought crossed her mind that, perhaps, she was unwise in accompanying this stranger (for so he practically was to her) on such a wild-goose chase. It was merely a chance, after all, and if the gentle- man they wer" going to see should not turn out to be her brother, they would not only have undertaken their journey for nothing, but she had into the bargain wasted muoh valuable time that would have been far better employed in consulting her late father's solicitors in London. Added to that, possibly Tom Blanchard was in town by this time. It was, however, too late to think of all this now; she had acted upon the impulse of the I moment, and whatever the consequences were she must abide by them. It was getting lighter now, and her eyes fell upon the somewhat burly figure of her companion, who, tired out and overheated with frequent applications to his brandy flask during the night, bad dropped off into a sound doze, and was shaking with the constant jolt- ing of the vehicle as it jerked over the heavy stones, like a human jelly. His mouth was half open, and his fat, coarse hands, clasped across his chest, his bloated face, now he was asleep, j looking repugnant in the extreme. It was the first time she had really over thought of analysing his features, and as she scanned j them now she tremblingly came to the conclusion that she had been over-hasty in confiding in one she never remembered seeing before. And then she chased these ideas away in the remembrance of how kind and considerate Nat had been to her on every possible occasion. Besides, what benefit nnnlrj he derive, what object could he attain. in wishing to deceive her P With this fixed in her mind, she turned her eyes on him again. It was almost daylight, and she could observe him more distinctly. He looked so positively repulsive in the early morning dawn that the distrust once more crowded upon her, and, quick as thought, she determined, if possible, to escape, instinctively feeling that she was a dupe and his story a got up one. Merciful Heaven She remembered him now. Where had she seen him before? Yes—where was it she had seen him ? He looked different then, though- Halloa !—hey Why, what's the matter with you, dearie? Has anything happened to frighten you?" interposed Nat, starting up suddenly from his snooze in the corner. "N—no—nothing, indeed. What makes you think so?" You look so pale, my child, but I suppose it is the long journey. Don't worry, we shall soon be there." "Tell me tell me, Captain CAptaiii Percival—have I ever seen you before F" Seen me before ? Eh I" replied Nicholson, smelling a rat. Of course you have—as a child, though I doubt if you'd remember it, my dear." No—but have I seen you lately ? Within the last few days, for instance ?" "What's the matter with you, Alice ?" u Oh, God help me, I don't know." She paused, and then recovering herself demanded courageously, "Tell me—and tell me the truth— Were you ever at Boxwood Dale f Nat opened his eyes to their fullest extent, drew on his left glove, and, looking her full in the face, said with emphasis- "Boxwood Dale, my child? Never in my whole life. I've passed through it on my way to the North many times, but never once stopped there. What is your reason for asking ?" "Oh, I am silly, I suppose. It was because I saw a man there who who looked like you. I only caught a passing glimpse of his cruel- looking face in the crowd as they lifted my father into the hotel; but this man's eyes peered into mine, and seemed to enter into my soul. He had a peculiar fascination for me at the time, and I could not help seeing him. I heard his voice-it was like yours. In pity's sake tell me, you are not deceiving me ?" Miss Pentland," rejoined Nat, if it wasn't for the great personal regard I have always entertained for your poor dead father, I should feel inolined to drive you back to the station and leave you to make your return journey to London alone, or go where you would. I have never been so mistrusted in my whole life, and when we have found your brother, I shall weloome the knowledge that you will have a protector in him that you may perhaps place more reliance in." And Nat's gloved hand went up to his eye and wiped an imaginary tear therefrom. With that warmheartedness and sinoerity that generally characterises a true woman's nature, all her old confidence in this villain returned tenfold, and really grieved at what she now considered her selfish, unbased ungratitude, she, poor girl, humbly begged his pardon, and he, after due expostulation, conceded it. They were now pulling up the ascent to Monacfr-twr, and in a few minutes more the rusted hinges of the ponderous gates had creaked and the brougham was in front of the tumble-down porch. The mist had by this time nearly cleared away, and the sun was struggling to shed a warm glow around. In the distanoe the bright, clear water of the bay was visible, and as the far-off murmur of the breakers from the beach below fell upon her ears Alice Pentland felt that at last, indeed, happiness had oome, and with a beat- ing heart she awaited the reply to the clang- ing bell that would place her head once more on her long-lost brother's breast. The summons was answered by a burly looking fellow, with a yellow coloured head of hair and sleepy eyes, who seemed not quite to understand their queries, but led them upstairs into a small room at the end of a long, dimly-lighted passage. As they traversed the corridor, with IS at bringing up the rear, a woman's face peered at them curiously through a door, and an interchange of glances passed between her and Nat. The room into which they were shown was cheer- less and bare, with a few old and very soiled engravings in black frames hanging round the cold-looking walls, as if vainly attempting to liven them up. The ceiling was yellow with age, and the apartment was lighted by a solitary, small, thiokly-framed window, sheltered by heavy faded ourtains that ju»t allowed the occupant to catch a glimpse of a distant rocky headland with the foam lashing against it. It was now quite bright outside, aud yet within this room it was dull and dark. II I wish someone would come," Alice said, tapping her foot impatiently on the floor this suspense is cruel to bear." As the words were uttered the door opened, and Margaret Wormiey stood in the room, What is it you want ? she inquired, in a cold, hard voice. Nat took up the position of spokesman. You have a gentleman at present staying here," he commenced, placing himself with his back to the light, and looking her full and meaningly in the face, by the name of Pent- land." I have." H We want to see him," You o&nnot." Why f" For the simple reason that be is out." II When do you expect him back inter- rupted Alice. Well, he may be five minutes, miss, or maybe, two hours." Ii lJm-gone sketching, I suppose," queried Nat, with a sidelong expressive glance. I suppose so. Will you wait for him?" Certainly we will," responded Nat, we'll wait if he's three, or even four, hours, eh, dear ? He's this young lady's brother, and-" The door had closed, and the woman was gone. Nat and Alice sat still and silent for a few seconds, then the former, jumping up suddenly, said, Ii By Jove, my dear, I had better tell that coachman of ours that we are likely to be some time here, or possibly, as I have already paid for the conveyance, the fellow may not wait. I'll be back in a minute." With this Nat quitted the room, the door clicked behind him, a key was turned silently in the look outside, and Alice Pentland was alone and a prisoner in the old farmhouse of the Monad-twr. (To be continued,)