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LADY DELMAR: A NOVEL OF TO-DAY. [By THOMAS TERRELL AND T. L. WHITE-1 nOOK If. SYNOPSIS. A waif named Jess, about whose parentage there is great mystery, is adopted by a Socialist leader, Alman Strange, and tin old lapidary named Boron, who has escaped from Siberia, and is now await- ing the return of his son and wife from that place. Strange falls in love with his ward, but Jess "Comes across Lord Delmar, a nobleman of loose character, during an election contest, who wins her affections. He intends to lull her scruples by a falsa Scotch marriage and then desert her. Jess rejects Strange's offer of love, and, persuaded ly Delmar, leaves the home of her childhood and elopes with him.After the marriage Jess fell seriously ill. On her recovery, under the name of Mr. and Mrs, Eustance,the two leave Edinburgh for London, where Lord Delmar meets Strange, who does not Buspect him of being concerned in Jess's disap- ,Dearanea. Delmar begins to tire of Jess. At his "¡ub his conduct is criticised, a duel wi h Mr. St. n..t being the outcome. The Earl hears of the ffair and is anxious for Delmar to marry, but his Merest is aroused by the report that his elder toUior was married and left a daughter, who is nt it led to the estates. The Counter takes tha iattlr in hand. CHAPTER. V.-( Continued.) 'it Bernard Smith felt that he was un- able to discuss the matter further at this moment. He had not the slightest idea of the where- abouts of Lady Jessica, or even whether or not she was in existence. The great success he had met with in terrifying the Earl had not prepared him for so sudden a reverse. He had come upon the two copy certificates in an old bundle of papers, and seeing that they were clearly of great importance- having regard to the fact that in Debrett the late Lord Delmar was described as unmarried —he first tried to trace the mother and the infant daughter, without success, then he elaborated his plan for blackmailing the earl. This also was clearly now a failure. He came to the conclusion that he must revert to his original idea, and find the heiress if he could. "I do not think I should advertise, Lady Easiance, there are so many impostor# in the world; you would have a thousand answers, and no doubt be put to a great deal of expense aDd annoyance to no purpose." Lady Eastance was triumphant, but she was very oareful to hide from the lawyer what she thought; the matter was still critical, she did not know how far off he might be from finding Lady Jessica Eustance. Can you suggest any other way in whioh she might be discovered P" li Why should you be at such pains to lose twenty thousand a year?" fó Right is right, Mr. Smith," The Countess wished to probe his information to the very bottom. "Of course, my lady, right is right." Mr. mith, could you assist us in the matter ? You appear to be a shrewd man." Mr. Bernard Smith bad hitherto been a very shady solicitor indeed. Here was an opportunity for him. He might become solicitor to Earl Eustance if he played his cards well. To be engaged on a confidential private matter of this sort was a step in the right direction, and, besides, the chance of finding Lady Jessica was, he must admit, slight. Then, if he did find her, he could make terms with her. You flatter me greatly, my lady. I would do all that man could for your ladyship, but, Tinfortunately, a matter of this sort would involve a great deal of out-of-pocket ex- pense." "I quite understand. Suppose, Mr. Smith, I found the necessary money privately. Of course, it would be a secret even from the Earl ?" "Oh, my lady!" and Smith assumed an attitude intended to convey his assurance on the point. Well, now, I would not mind, by way of assisting in ascertaining the whereabouts of my husband's niece, advancing you jESo a month until she is found" I am sure your ladyship's confidence will not be misplaced." And in the meantime I wish you to under- stand that if the slightest rumour should escape as to this early marriage or the birth of this lady, I shall find it expedient to iiscontinue your, services, and will advertise on my own account. Indeed, I only do this so that should the lady prove not to be alive, the whole matter may remain a secret; if you find her, well and good. 1 will give an order to my bankers, Messrs. C'outts, to pay you on demand E25 on the first of every month. Until you have found her, Mr. Smith, or until I write to you—1 have your address-it will be nnnecessary for you to see the Earl or myself again." The Countess rang the bell and bowed a dismissal. Mr. Smith would have liked to say more., but the door was opened and he was shown out. She listened till he was out of hearing, closed the door, and flung herself upon the lIofa. Saved she sighed, and fainted dead iVay. CHAPTER VI. FATHER AND SON. The Earl breathed once more but it was a jpasniodic sort of breathing. He lived as if ae were on a volcano-silent enough now, but which had given signs that it might, at any moment, spring into energy and overwhelm lie had learned from the Countess the result Df her interview with Mr. Bernard Smith, and he had admitted to her what & fortunate thing it was that she had settled with the solicitor, instead of his having to do so; the end would have been so different. There was a good deal_ to the Earl last then. Delmar had issued his election address, and he had gone in for Home Rule body and soul; he had even become socialistic in his views. He had proclaimed the Keform of Land Tenure as one of his cardinal axioms of faith. He had almost tampered with that (cursed idea, the Nationalisation of the Land, an idea which, as they told the Earl at the Xieform and elsewhere, must break up every great family iu the world, if it were car-1 ried into practice, Then, again, ho was] worried by this ridiculous duel, and by the rumours that were on every tongue concern- ing it. The little house in St. John's Wood, the woman who was called Mrs. Eastance- who was she ? "Where did she come from ? Woman, ye curse of Eustance," was ever in his mind. Was this one a wife like that of his own elder brother, or was it merely an adventure which, with more or less tears, might be brought to an end ? If she were a mistress, what an outrage on the part of Delmar to, allow her to pass under the family name-if a wife, what a mesalliance! The Earl determined to demand an explana- tion. Had he mentioned the matter to the Countess, he would have probably have left it to her; but he thought this was a thing he could do himself. So he dropped Delmar a note, informing him he should call and see him at Piccadilly, upon business of urgent im- portance. Lord Delmar was not taken by surprise. He expected a visit from the Earl sooner or later, and he did not dread it. He felt him- self quite equal to the occasion. If it had been the Countess it would have been another matter. He had inherited a good deal of the power and intellect of his mother, but then it was largely diluted with the weakness of character of the Earl. All the selfishness of Lady Eustance was there, but it was a vacil- lating, ill-balanced selfishness, which is often enough the very worst, and which not infre- quently defeats its own purpose. What Lady Eustance wanted she snatched boldly and held with grim defiance, and the world said nothing. What Lord Delmar wanted he pursued by a circuitous route, and held in trembling fingers, and the world damned him. The Earl was ushered in by Japhet. "I trust I see your lordship better? I have heard that you have been out of sorts lately. You do not look quite the thing yet." Lord Delmar rose from his writing, and advanced to meet the Earl. "1 have a good deal to worry and annoy me." "I regret to hear that. I trust nothing serious." Just tell me what is this rumour of your having fought a duel, and with blank cartridge, too. Really, Delmar, have you lost all sense of decency, and of what you owe to me, and to your mother ? It is perfectly true that I fought a duel, but it is not true that it was with blank cartridge. I heard the story, and immediately challenged Major de Hoskins, and he assured me on his word of honour that there is not a grain of truth in it. It is not my fault that no one was hit; but you may rest assured that the pistols were properly loaded." The earl felt relieved. But what in the name of fortune did you want to fight a duel at all for ? he added. (i If a man publicly insults you in a club, what are you to do-summon him ? No, goodness no, certainly not strike him, horsewhip him:' I did strike him, but that is neither here nor there. Would you prefer to see in the papers :_f Disgraceful fight at Carter's; Lord Delmar and Mr. Wilmot settled their dispute with their fists. Lord Delmar struck Mr. Wilmot repeatedly in the face, and Mr. Wil- mot broke a chair on Lord Delmar's head j both combatants had to be taken to the hos- pital.' And this amplified and well garnished with a summons at Bow-street to follow, for committing a breach of the peace,"and each party was fined 40s. or fourteen days.' Ob, my lord, I am sure you will see that that would have been very much worse as it is, there is no harm in the dael, if it were not for that lying rumour about blank cartridge." Then it is said that all this was about some woman in St. John's W ood." That's true enough, I don't deny it. If that were to be held up as a crime, what man of my age could plead not guilty ? You know very well these things should be kept quiet, and not blazoned forth to the world. Here you have everybody chattering about your amours. Iloally, Delmar, it is not decent." Will your lordship tell me what a man is to do when other men, members of his own club, take up the trade of private detectives and amuse themselves by dodging his foot- steps ? Do ? Why- The Earl was puzzled what to say he paused and considered for a moment. Who is this woman?" at last he asked. I trust that you will pardon my not answering." Is she your wife ? Tell me—is she your wife? My wife What could have put such an idea into your head. No, certainly not; she is not my wife." That's a merciful relief, anyhow." May I ask who suggested to your lordship that she was ?" "It is said that she passes by your name; not by your title, certainly, but as Mrs. Eustance." To that I plead guilty; it was a great mistake, I fully admit, but I drifted into it." If Drifted into it! Delmar, a great mis- i take P Allow me to tell you it was an out- rage, a gross outrage, and it must be stopped immediately. D'ye hear, it must be stopped." "I wish the whole business was at an end. I am heartily sick of it all, but then things are not so easily ended as they are begun." 1 am glad you are reasonable. Now, let me hear no more of this plaguy affair; it is time you were married, and married well." My lord, I have no wish to be married." lielmar, you must be married, and you must marry money; niiindlyou, :money, and, that before it is too late." "Why should I marry in such haste? Besides, I know no one with money, and another thing, there is the election. You desired me to go in for politics, and it takes up all my time to fulfil your wishes in that respect." I did not require you to become an in- fernal Social Democrat." Delmar laughed. "I think your lordship need be under no misapprehension on that score." They say you have pledged yourself to that wild doctrine of Home Rule. It's nothing but robbery—disgraceful, disreputable robbery. They want to abolish every land- lord in Ireland. How long do you think we should last after that ? But then the country is going to the devil." "Home Rule? Yes. Home Rule will be carried, whether I agree to it or whether I don't. But, supposing you leave Gladstone alone, what will happen ? Why, he will be surrounded by these very Social Democrats, who would -consent to nothing else than, as you say, robbery. I go in for Home Rule because 1 can't help it; but when I'm in I can impose my terms. If there are many like myself, that is, people interested in the land or in any form of wealth, returned as Home Rulers, we can require a Land Bill as a condition precedent, and we should getit. Then, when the landlords are bought out, what matters it? We can leave these Irish —as Bismarck said of the Parisians—' to stew in their own juice,' and good riddance to them." u But you have actually pledged yourself to nationalisation of the land." I don't think so. I said it was a ques- tion which merited my most earnest con- sideration and when the time comes to con- sider it, I shall come to the conclusion that it is rubbish.. Really, my lord, you scarcely seem to appreciate that in politics it is abso- lutely neoessary to go as far as possible towards promising every mortal thing." You ought to stand out strongly in defence of the rights of property; you tamper with these people. Constitutional agitation, fiddlestioks; it's robbery, Delmar, plain, unvarnished spoliation they are think- ing of, and one day we shall have to bring out the troops and shoot them down in defence of our rights. Gad, it's enough to make a man's blood boil to hear their infernal arro- gance. When I was a boy people touched their hats to their betters; now every man's as good as his master and a good deal better. We shall have to shake hands with our lackeys soon." I've to do worse than that," put in Delmar, laughing, this last week I've shaken hands with chimney sweeps, shoeblacks, washer- women, grocers, oilmen, bakers, by the score." It's this that brings the aristocracy down to the ground, this pandering to the canaille. What need is there for it? What need How many votes would you have if you didn't? The other side do it." The earl did not reply; after all, it was his fault if Delmar had gone in for politics. fl Delmar, to return to the subject, you must think of getting married." II Surely, my lord, we have discussed that subject so often of late." Yes, my boy, but to no purpose now you must really consider it seriously-there are reasons." Reasons, yes. I have heard them often. I am getting of an age to have sown my wild oats! I ought to have an establishment of my own and take my place in society I ought to take care that I leave some one to inherit the title and the estates; I I ought-" "Stay, I will state another reason which I have not given you yet, but which you re- mind me of. Suppose that it should turn out that we have no right to the estates suppose they belong to someone else and suppose at any moment I should find my- self penniless what then ?" One might suppose a good deal more equally improbable." "This is not after all so improbable; listen, whilst I tell you. Your Uncle Everett was married, and he had a daughter, and that daughter in all probability is Jiving to-day; do you understand me ?" What is that you say—married and had a daughter t" 11 Yes. I. have seen the certificate of the marriage and of the birth; go and ask your mother whether what I tell you is not true." u But where is this daughter ?" Goodness knows; in the world somewhere, to turn up at any moment, and to launch us into ruin; do you see why I urge you to marry, and to marry money I Yes, I see." Delmar was overcome for the moment; the revelation had been sudden— far too sudden to be pleasant. "After all, nothing might come of it," he said doubt- fully. I cannot tell; your mother agrees with me that you should settle in life at the earliest possible opportunity. There are wealthy women about now; there are several Americans loaded with dollars who are angling for English titles; there should be no difficulty in your way. Go for a trip in the States. Remember, Delmar, you are not one who will thrive on poverty." Lord Delmar shuddered he thrive on poverty I Not he; he considered poverty a good thing-quite a noble education-for other people; but for himself it was a diffe- rent matter. This daughter might never be found," he said half to himself. He remembered that, to take the advice of the earl, he must settle with Jess and get rid of her. He shrank from the ordeal; he hated scenes and agita- tions, and tears, and all that; so he tried in every possible way to persuade himself that the danger was not so imminent as it appeared to be. "Let me add to what I have already in- formed you of, that a solicitor called upon me the other day, on account of this very matter, and that it was from him that I obtained the certificates." "Why, it's as clear as noonday," cried Delmar, He was t"ying to levy blackmail, and the certificates were forgeries," Your mother took it in hand, and she says they are not forgeries." Then, there is danger indeed. I'm afraid so." As soon as the Earl had taken his depar- ture, Delmar settled down to think out the situation. There was food enough for much I unpleasant reflection; and it took a long while to digest it all. Jess was uppermost. Her sweet, suffering, pleading face was constantly before him. By day and by night it was a standing reproach. How should he break with her? What should he say? How he wished he had left her alone left her in her innocence, even to a Sooial Democrat. It was plain, as the earl had said, that he must marry, and his wife must have money; he must sell himself in the open market. After all, he had had enough of love, it brought nothing but misery with it. Then all at once he thought of Elsa; he remembered that he had heard nothing from her for over a year, a good deal over a year; was she dead ? He would look at his agent's accounts. He unlocked the door of his secretaire, and taking out the book, cast his eye up the columns. Last quarter the 250 was not drawn, nor the quarter before, nor before that; for eighteen months not a penny had been touched. Then he turned his thoughts back over the time. Yes, he remem- bered the last occasion he had received a letter from her; what an impression it had made upon him how it had scared him, Delmar, M.P." How very absurd to take fright over a mere coincidence. Yes, there was another letter, a blaok-edged letter, and it was in her mother's writing; he remembered be had destroyed it. What a fool he was! Why did he not keep it ? What did that other letter contain ? Why was it black- edged F Perhaps, it was to announce her death -her death-a shiver went through him; it was a bad business; if there was a future— or a God—he would have to account for it. Well, it was no good brooding over all this. He did not settle his own destiny; was it not settled for him long ago? Women, ye curse of Eustance." What was the use of struggling against fate ? A sudden idea occurred to him. He would see the countess and take her advice; he would go down on his knees before her and confess his iniquities; he was sure she would help him. After all, she was a woman of the world, a woman of sense, and not given to piety. He took up his hat, atid,iveiit to put his new-formed resolution into practice. CHAPTER VII. SHADOWS. Alexis Boron bad given over work for several days, the laboratory knew him not the interview with Paulette bad filled his mind with other things. At times no reproach was too bitter for the ungrateful girl who had abandoned all when temptation beckoned; at others, angry ven- geance held possession of him, and he was occupied with the darkest thoughts; then he would think of the sweet angelio face that had been so much to him, filling in a measure the void which had been left in his heart by the I loves that were dead; and the tears would come, tears difficult to wring from his aged eyes, but very bitter for the pain with which they were shed. Yes, she might be an ingrate, she might be frail, she might have fallen, but she was Jess after all was said and done, and Jess he could not push away. Alman wondered what had come over him but there, he had a past, this poor simple- minded French Jew. And Alman respected that past, and asked no questions when he saw that the old man's mind was travelling back over the troubled years that were gone. A cheerful word now and then, a little more tenderness in his manner, nothing more. Boron had resolved to find Jess, or, at any rate, to assure himself as to who occupied the house which Lord Delmar frequented in St. John's Wood. He had consulted with Pau- lette he had begun to entertain a profound respect for the old dame; and she, since the night when he bad confessed his error, had forgotten every trace of resentment. Deccan-road, Marlborough-road," he said—they were examining a map of London; but it might not be Deccan-road. It will not take long to find; see, the Deccan-road is not very great then. if it is not there, we can try the neighbourhood." But we do not know the name, le maitre we shall have to watch we will take it in turns, you and I, and I will ask the police." You are fond of the police, eh ? and the old man grinned. QiCil est drole at ancien," she replied. But you are right, ma belle, all the same the police keep their eyes open," which showed that he entertained a foreigner's opi- nion of our civic force. If we could find a postman we could find out something." "Of what use if you do not know what name to ask for ? He is not Lord Delmar in St. John's Wood, you may be sure; at any rate, the first thing will be to make inquiries in this Deccan-road. Already I can hardly pronounce the name in cold blood." When shall we begin ? To-day —now—directly." Then le maitre went to dress himself for the expedition and when he came down again he was a noticeable figure 'enough. Short, stout, but straight in the back, clean shaved, his head covered with a silk hat, broad-brimmed almost like a quaker's; his pleasant grey eyes, which looked at you so benevolently, half hidden by a pair of gold spectacles, and behind his hat, and showing under the brim a fring of white hair, scanty, but venerable. Then his high stiff standup collar, which it was Paulette's especial privilege to prepare with all the skill of the French blanchisseuse; a black scarf tied in a loose bow round his neck, a black waist- coat ornamented with a gold watch chain, foreign and out of date in its manufacture; a frock coat which hung loosely upon him, and boots brilliant in the gloss which the old dame, with so much labour,had put upon them. Such was he as he made his way out, sup- ported to some extent by the blackthorn stick, which was his constant companion. He went by omnibus; he could not recon- cile himself to the underground railway; his lungs would not stand the ordeal. It did not take long to find the Deccan- road, and he ocoupied himself by walking up and down and examining the houses on each side, or as much as he could see of them. All the houses in the Deccan-road stand back and have small gardens in front, and trees are pretty plentiful. A wall, from seven to eight feet high, however, stands in front from one end to the other on each side, and protects residents from the intrusion of inquisitive eyes. The road was rather longer than it ap- peared to be on the map, but then the houses were not closely packed together. The people who lived in the Decoan-road were not so poor but that they could afford room to breathe. Boron made his examination of the ex- teriors, but that gave him very little infor- mation. It was no use knocking at the doors; he did not know whom to ask for. There was a lame lad who swept a crossing about half-way down the road; he might get some idea from him. He walked back. Do you want to earn sixpence, my boy What, run a herrand ? Not I, gov'nor; I sweeps this here crossing; there was a nipper here as used to run herrands, but he's gone." "No, I don't want an errand, I want to know something about some one who lives in this road; do you know the people that live about here ? Know the people what lives about here ? In course I does; what d'yer thinks I sweeps this 'ere crossing for ? Is there a lady in any of these houses, rather tall, with a pretty face, about twenty years old, with light hair and blue eyes p" There be several o' that kind; one o' my best customers be one on 'em." Boron considered for a moment-he could not describe her dress. "Have you seen one with a tall gentlemen with a dark moustache—a straight, well- dressed man, who always oarries a cane about with him ? Ye're a 'tec, I suppose ?" A what ?" A what you knows well enough I ain't a-going to round on my customers. Look in a d'rectory if yer wants 'em I ain't a-going to assist perlicemen nor rtecs, not T. I've got my own business to mind, and you mind yours," and with that he limped off to attend to one of his customers who was making use of the orossing he was an old hand, was this one. It occurred to Boron that the boy was right, he might consult a directory; he re- membered that in the Post Office Directory you could look up a street and find the names of all the persons who resided in that street, or, at any rate, who were householders; that might give him some assistance, he must make a beginning somewhere so he went to the nearest public-house, which was in the Marlborough-road, called for a glass of brandy and the directory. It took him some little time to find the Deccan-road, but at last he was rewarded; his astonishment was unbounded when the second name he came upon was that of Eustance. Eustance! Why, that was Lord Delmar's name. Surely, surely, he had not been so mad as to take the house in his own name; it must be some other person however, be would go and see. He went back to Decoan- road and surveyed No. 4; There was nothing to distinguish the house from any other house. A butcher boy went by. Can you iflform me who lives in there ?" he asked. Mrs. Eustance," answered the boy. Boron gave him the sixpence which he had offered to the cripple. You can tell me what she is like, I sup- pose you bring meat here ?" Yes, sir, I can; I see her sometimes. She be a young lady with light-coloured hair. They be rich people, they be; they don't want no credit. We don't see much on em, but Mr. Blake says as they are very partiklar customers." Have you ever seen a gentleman here?" is What, a tall gentleman, with a black moustache, what wears patent shoes ? I seen him once; the servant said as he was the master." "How long have they been here, do you know that r" "Let me see, this here house was empty for a long time. I oouldn't tell exactly, ba- oause I didn't notice, but it ain't much more nor a year; they didn't dea. with us from the very first, so I can't say for certain." Thank you," and the boy whistled off contentedly, tossing the sixpence as he went. Boron stopped and thought for a moment; he hesitated. He must see this Mrs. Eustance, even if he were mistaken. What if Lord Delmar should be there? It mattered not; he was not afraid to meet him; he at least had nothing to be ashamed of. He rang the bell. The maid who answered the door evidently did not expect any visitors, for a look of dismay spread itself over her face when Boron, without waiting for an invitation, pushed his way past her, and took up his position in the path. This was no time for ceremony, but something in the girl's face made him pause, and say with gruff gentleness— Excuse me, the sun is overpowering out- side Mrs. Eustance lives here ?'' Yes, sir." She is in." lie stated the fact, he did not ask the ques- tion. She began to think her mistress must have made an appointment with the queer old gentleman. Will you walk this way, please, sir? I will tell my mistress." She led the way to the little drawing-room, and left him there. Alexis Boron had passed through many trials during his life of sorrow; he was old now. The path was all uphill, and he had nearly reached the summit. When his weary feet traversed the last step his soul would be freed from its bondage, and with the wife he had loved and wedded he hoped he should enjoy immeasurable bliss, live on through un- counted years, in the Heaven which he felt she already inhabited. He had suffered much since her death—dis- appointed hopes, vain ambitions, formed part of his lot, but no pain since that awful day when he had learned of his loss had seemed like this. It was as if the foundation of his belief in goodness, purity, and truth, was shattered. He had thought fondly of the time when Jess would return. He had raked his brain till he had grown weary; he had advertised in all the leading papers; he had wandered about the streets; and then gradually, bit by bit, it dawned upon him that she was dead. (To be continued.)