The Cardiff Times

Synopsis of Preceding Chapters. A diatnibance occurs in a theatre bar between Lancaster, a jonrnalist, and a man named Starth, who, for an offensive remark, is knocked down. Both ate regarded as being in love with Miss Berry, premiere in the new magical comedy, and Miss Berry's father it ia—a man with a bad re- pntation, acquired abroad—who sees Starth safely into a cab. Lancaster, who is not, however, fol- lowing at Miss Berry's heels, is free to give his attention to one of the faces in the boxes, which turns oat to be that of Starth's sister. As he leaves the theatre a stranger, claiming the facalty to read the future in handq and faces, warns Lancaster tba.t if be meets aga-in the man with whom he ban qnarrelled one of them mast die. Starth writes asking Lancaster to call that Starth may apologise, and Lancaster, after duly arming hiinseif with a revolver, goes. The tea which the host offers contains opium, and Lan- caster loses consciousness. Awaking in the dark be stauibles over what pjoves to be Starth's dead body. In a flash he Bees now circumstantial evidence is against him, and dazed and bewildered be paeaea out into the street. lie goes to Jarman a friend living in Essex, who provides him with a disguise, and sbelteis hnras private secretary. Jai-tnan is in love with Mies Starrb, who lives near by, and they call on the lady. She has, however, answered the gammons to tovvn, and they learn from her com- panion that Berry has offered a £ 200 reward for tbe murderer, Jarmau credits Berry with being At the bottom of the whole affair, as he pats it, in a singular phrase—" because of tbe scarlet bat." At the inqnest Berry aays that the knife-wonnd had been made by a. bowie Miss Berry tbat both men had proposed to her and as the revol- ver was in the fire-grats the verdict goes against Lancaster. To Jarmau, Lancaster denies Miss Berry's statement. He never told her, as she IMti. that the revolver had belonged to his father, though it bad. Jarman is reminded of a. similar qiaeat 'Frisco, where a man was shot and stabbed, and whose wife has previously hinted to Jaiman that she would take it as a. kindness if he would murder him for ber. Miss Starth brings home a note thrust into her hand at the inquest, saying Frank. Innocent. Tamaroo." The last word was the last uttered by the man who was shot at San Fransisco. Miss Starth promises to marry Jarman when he discovers the murderer, though her mind turns to Lancaster, whom she had seen in the theatre stalls. She refuses a. man named DarreL, who replies that she shall marry him. Jarman goes to see Miss Berry, and finds her the wife of the wan who was mardered at San Fran- CMCO. CHAPTER IX. The Old Romance. Mrs Anchdr, alias Miss Fanny Berry, was a pretty little creature even when the searching morniog sunlight was full on her face. She had no absolute need of paint and powder to make ber attractive. In a. tea gown of delicate blue, with a head of fluffy golden hair, and a piquant face, she looked-as the saying is—as pretty as a picture, Jarman eyed her sternly. and wondered how he could ever have loved a. woman possessed of each obviously meretricious charms. Her mouth was bard; and there was an unpleasant glitter in her blue eyes which did not bode well for Eustace. After her failure in San Francisco the lady was intensely suspicious of Jarman, deemicg hIm too scrupnloas Eustace saw the inguiric light in her eyes and, having his own game to play, he pretended to forget the past, and to b9 overjoyed at the meeting. Now tbat he knew who Fairy Fan was, he felt quite certain that Captain Berry would answer readily to the name of Sakers, and hoped to see him before the termination of the interview. Mean- while, to abate the arspicioner of the little lady. be made himself agreeable. And Eustace could be extremely pleasant when it suited his book. Mrs Ancbor," he said, advancing with out- atietched bands, this is a surprise." •'An agreeable one, 1 hope, replied the lady with an artificial laugh, but searching his face keenly. Very agreeable. Ihave often thought of you/ Mrs Anchor." Womanlike her thoughts reverted to bis lovs, and she strove to see if sue yet bad bim in her toils. But Eustace did not flush, and the calm expression of his face baffled the reading of his thoughts.. A puzzled look which meant, I-wonder-why-you-ealled," crept into ber ex- pressive eyes, but beyond this she governed her feelings excellently. Bnt Eustace had inter- preted the look. and to rearrange their friendship hastened to explain. I did not see you at the theatre," he said, easily, taking a chair, "so it never struck me that Fairy Fan. who was delighting the British public, was the same as Mrs Anchor of San Francisco." "Nor is she," replied the little woman, seating herself ou the sofe. "After the sad death of my husband, I took my maiden name again." Miss Berry ?" inquired Enstace. Fanny Berry, she replied, nodding. I am over here with my uncia." She glwnced uneasily at the door, thinking he might come in. His name is Banjo Berry. He is a merchant captain, but in 'Frisco you knew tim as Edward Sakers." Oh, I thought-" ♦•I know yon did," she interrupted, petulantly, "and so did everyone else, Bathe is my relative and nothing more. Owing to some trouble con- nected with the casting away of a fruit schooner on a South Sea reef, be was obliged to call him- self Sakers. As I told you, ^ny husband's behaviour became so impossible Tbat I had to leave." You never told me that," said Jarman, serenely bat at our last interview you hinted that I might fight Anchor with revolvers." "I don't deny it. The man treated me ahama- fnlly. I waa a. good wife to him." Miss Berry— as it is best to call ber—aqueezed out a tear. 11 But he—he well, what's the use of going over the old ground ? You know bow jealona he was." "A.nd I know how be loved you," said Eustace, pointedly. What about yourself ?" she responded, flip. pantly. I never lost the right of calling myself your husband's friend." "No," she taunted, you hadn't the pluck to do that. You pretended to love me, yet when I would have given you myself and a fortune you drawback." The price was too high. And you got some- one else to put him out of the way." Fairy t'an rose indignantly. "1 never did." she declared, vehemently. I was in Chicago at tb6 time. When Anchor's conduct became un. bearable I want with my uncle to that city. It was there that we heard of his death." Shot and stabbed, wasnt he ?" Yes. But not my me-not by my uncle, although he was angry at the way in which 1 had been treated. I left Anchor and intended to get a divorce — but circumstaneee made me his widow." Did it make yon a rich woman also ?" asked Eustace, remembering the last interview he bad with her. "No," she said, quietly. "Yon never gave me time to tell you aboat the money. Anchor specu- lated, and lost all his money. However, he knew, through some Indian, of a treasure—a Spanish treasure which was buried in a certain place. I wanted him to tell me the secret but he would not. When be died be took the secret along with him. I am as poor now as I was then, and I shouldn't be acting at the Piccadilly Theatre if I wasn't." Was the death of your hnsband necessary to your learning the secret ?" demanded Jarman, qniekly. Fairy Fan arranged herself on the sofa, and took out a case. which she opened. It wasn't," she aaid, blandly, selecting a cigarette. But L feared I wonldn't get a divorce, and so I wishea him out of the way. You were too scrupulous, although all you had to do was to pick a quarrel vritb him. You were a better ahot than he was." I don't commit murder even for love, Mrs Ancfior." ■'Berry, if yon please. Love," she repeated, lighting the cigarette. You don't know the meaning of the word. Had you really and truly loved ma yon would have rid me of the man who atrnck me." "Did he strike you*" -11 was beaten black and blue. I told you so," abe retorted. Would any woman put np with that treatment ? I hated the man." She chtncbej "ber small fist, and bar face grew angry. >• I would have killed him myself had I been fthle.' Perhaps, as you dtdn t, you got someone elae 19 How dare yon say that, Eustace ?" Jarman winced as she called him by the old name. "I tell you I knew nothing of the matter. If you have come here to denounce me for the murder of my husband, you have wasted yonr time. There is no evidence which can connect me with that srime, or my uncle pither. We are quite at our ease—quite." I never thought of doing such a thing," said Jarman, drily. "My coming here is a pure acci- dent I live in Essex, and rarely come to town. 1 bad not the slightest idea of your identity. It was simply and solely to write you a sketch and make money that I came." Why did you write under a false name ?" Bah. You understand well enough. I am known aa Leonard Grant in this line,ani I'm not proud at the occupation of writing these drivelling things. Yon-so far as I knew—were a stranger to me. I wrote to you under the name I was best known by, to do the sketch. Fan—" Don's call me Fan," she said, petulantly. We] I. I treated you so badly that I don't deserve much at your hands, my dear," he said, with feianed penitence, but for the sake of old times let me call yon by the old name." My uncle will not like it. He will be here soon, and should he hear you call me by so intimate a name he will be angry. He is very, very particular, Jarman privately thought that an ex-skipper, who had cast away a schooner and had to change his name for that reason, had no need to be so scrupulous. But be did not believe in the rela- tionship, and suspected that Fairy Fan was tell- ing glib lies. However, it suited him to accept tba story she set forth, and he swallowed the scrupulous Captain Banjo Berry along with the other fiction. I'll call yon Miss Berry when he comes, but till then- He looked imploringly. She gave him a coquettish amile. Very weH, till then, Eastaoe." Jarman knew perfectly well that she was cal- culating to make use of him, and wished her to think so. Should she accept him as a colleague in the swindle which sue and her so-called uncle were perpetrating, he might more easily pene- trate the secret of Starth a murder. Then tell me, Fan, was it ever discovered who killed Anchor ?" How vou harp on that, Eustace. Yes. an old partner of bia, whom he cheated in connection with a min ng claim, ahot him. And who thrust the knife into his heart ?" '• A Chinaman. He found the body, or, rather, he found Anchor dying, and intendej to rob him. When Anchor opened his eyes and tried to sing out for the police Lo Kaong knifed him The Chinaman has been hanged, but the man who fired the shot got away. And now don't let's talk any more about the matter it gives me the horrors. I'm doing very well here, and I hope to make a lot of money. Then I shall retire." And marry again ?" Fairy Fan ahot a second provocative glance. Perhaps," she said- I "H'm," Jarman resolved to startle bet. So Walter Starth was not to your taste ?" He wofally filled to bring about the desired result. Fan was too old a band to be startled. You've been reading the papers ?" she said. Jarman nodded. I saw that both Starth and the man who is supposed to have killed him loved you." They did, and I refused both of them. Nice -0- "I don't commit murder even for love," replied Jarman. boys, but a couple ot paupers. If Tmarry again,1 I marry money, Bqt why doyeu aaetb* word supposed* ? Frank Lancaster murdered Startb, sure ehoti&b < So the jury say, but And so I say. I know exactly how it hap- pened. Starth thought I was going to marry Lancaster, and they had a. row. Then Frank, who always carried a. revolver, shot him." "And knifed him afterwards like your friend, Lo Keong, did Anchor." That was strange," admitted Fan, thought- fully. I don't believe that such a nice boy as Frank would do such so brutal a thing and it's cdd that my husbaud should have been treated in the same way." A coincidence, I suppose," saia Eastace, indifferently, knowing that Fan was watching him closely. What's become of Lancaster ?" "I don t know. I wish I did. He ebouli hang." I thought you likwf him, as a nice boy." So I did," she replied but I liked Starth better. Oh." Jarman found it difficult to bslievo this. She eyed him suspiciously, and he would have explained himself further, but that Banjo Berry, followed by a youDg mau, entered tbe room. 'Uncle," said Fan, rising, and anticipating Eustace, who do you think Leonard Giant, who wants to do the sketch, is ?" Vvell. this is very carious," said Berry, shaking Eustace by the hand in the warmest and most friendly way. Jarman, of 'Frisco." That's me," responded Eustace. "How are you, Sakers ?" Berry winked. Don't need that name now," said be. There's no chance of my getting run in for piling up that old schooner at iamos. I'm Banjo Berry now. M'own name, and it's a hummer in the Sooth Seas." I've been explaining all that to him," said Fin, impatiently. "I say, Mr Jarmtib"— Eastace observed the punctiliousness do yon know this boy, Natty Denham ?" The boy, so-called, wtis a callow young gentle- man of twenty-five, tiark hairej and brown-com- olexioned. He had a pleasant smile bat rather a vacant expression, and in Jarman's mind waa sized up, not exactly as a fool, bat as a youth of rather weak intellect. He thrust forward a slim hand, and gave Eustace a nerveless handshake. 11 How do yoa do ? he llaid. talking very fast I never met yon in 'Frisco, but I saw yon otten. I'm Chicago m'seJf, and came to this old country along with the captain and Miss Berry.' "You never met in 'Frisco ?" asked Fan,, addressing Jarman. No. I heard you talk of Mr Denham, though." It seemed to Eustace that both Fan and her uncle were rather relieved bv this admission,and he wondered what connection this fool could have with the game the two were playing. He fancied that Denham was the pigeon,and Berry and Co. the hawks. It also struck bim that if he could get Natty to himself he might find out something, always supposing that the young fellow knew anything. Later on, after a desultory an i friendly conversation, Natty give him an opening. I say," said be, you live down in Essex ?" Yes. At Wargrove." Natty nodded to Fan and the captain. I knew," be said. Can't understand how it slipped my memory." What slipped your memory, Bub 1" asked Berry, sharply. Why, that ha "-be nodded towards Eustace —" was in Essex. When Starth took me down to see that pretty sister of his. he said something about Jarman. I remember now." Why lidn't you tell me, Natty," said Fan, in so cooing a voice that Eastacegaessed she was thoroughly angry. I forgot. Can't remember anything," rattled on the youth. I say "-suddenly turn- ing to Eastace-" awfal about poor Starth. Eh?" 11 Ob. give it a reat," cried Berry, savagely. You've done nothing but jaw of that since it happened. Jarman, wasn tit you who introduced him to Lancaster ? Quite so. H'm. I guess Lancaster a an alrpighty friend of yoars. Eb ?" I Well, he was," drawled Jarman, seeing that his reply was awaited with much interest "but now-—" Eustace shrugged his shoulders. i don't much care to consort with criminals." "Right, air. You don't happen to know where he's skipped to ?" Certainly not. lIe legged it sharp to escape the police." He won't escape me," said Berry, grimly. I'm going to get that young man lynched, you bet. I loved Starth jallt like a son." Jarman laughed. Yet Starth wasn't a lov- able man," he said. 11 Ob, there was no and of good in him when you got at it, "replied the little skipper, solemnly. "Besides, we had a scheme 00 to obtain money." What sort of a scheme ? Never mind," said Berry, He's dead now, and the scheme's up a ttee." I suppose Miss Starth's cut ap 7" said Dan: ham to Bustace. •\Naturally. Her only brother," I guess she needs a heap of consolation," went on the young man artlessly. It's just in my mind to go down and see her." Jarman was not at all pleased at this proposi- tion, and was inclined to reply in the negative. But a bright thought struck bim-a very daring thought of the natare of blnlf. Denham was a fool, and not at all ofcaervaut. It might be that if he came down and saw Mr Desmond O'Neil he might be able to dispel any suspicions which might afterwards take sb..pe in tbe minds of Fan and her uncle. With this idea he gave Natty an invitatioa. Come and stop with me," he said, cordially. There is no one with me but my secretary, an Irish cbap called O'Neil. Yoa'd get on well with him." Natty seemed inclined to accept, bit looked at Berry for instructions. The Skipper nodded. Go by all means, and haw »«?oo<3 time." "0. You never ask me," said Fan, reproachfully, to her old lover. I'm afraid a bachelor establishment is not quite a paradise to ladies," said Eustace, laugh- ing but if yon will spend the day I'll be very pleased. When will you come down he asked Denham. Berry answered, "He can come on Saturday," said he, as I'm going to-morrcw to see an old friend for a couple of days I'll be back in the morning—Saturday morning, that is. I don't want Fan to be left." "Is it Balkis you're going to see 1" asked Denham. Jarman nearly uttered an exclamation of surprise, for Balkia was the name of the negress in the portrait which Lancaster had seen in Starth's rooms. Berry didn't seem pleased at Natty's speech. and Fan frowned. But they both laughed indulgently. It isn't Balkis," said Berry, but a marine officer I'm seeing in connection with Lancaster. He's left the country, and I think I know the ship he's skipped by." That's clever of you." said Jarman, risin« to take hia leave. If yon catch him, Captain, you'll do more than the police." Hoh." scoffed Berry. Your police are fools. Most people in this o'd counrty are. I can squash the lot of them. Lancaster, too, you bet." Eustace laughed when on his way home. He was pretty certain that, having already made a false start about Lancaster, Berry wonld not squash him. Jarman hoped to gather a great deal from Natty's prattle. CHAPTER X. A Queer Mark. Frank was not at all pleased when be heard that Denham was coming down to the Shanty. The experiment was too risky, as there was every chance that the yonng man would recognise" him, in which case he would at once pat the revengeful Berry on the scent. But Jarman did not look at the matter in this light, and explained himself after sundry questions. Have you met Denham often ?'* he asked. Yes. He was always dodging round the Berry establishment." I thought he lived with them ?" No. He has dig: ngs some way off. Berry, so he told me. is a kind of guardian to him." "Does a man regbire a guardian at the age of twenty- three ?" 11 Denham's twenty-five. He's almost the sarne age as I am, although I look older," said Lan- caster and I should think, seeing what a fool he is, that he will require a guardian all his life." Then you think he's more fool than knsm ?" asked Eustace, raminating. Frank nodded emphatically. I don't think bt's a rascal at all, whatever the Captain may be Denham's just a silly, good-natured asa. who would give his head away. He has a weak will, and is quite ander the thumb of Berry." Did you fraternise with Denbam ?" "No. His cackle got on my nerves. But he knows me well enough to spot me should I betray myself." "T.aenyoa must not betray yourself," said Eustace, decidedly. "So far as looks go, be won't know you. I would defy even a detective to penetrate your disguise." Denham may twig me by my voice. I don't think from what 1 saw of him that he ia so observant. Besides, I can give yon some- thing to roughen your voice. YOIl can say you have a cold." Frank stared at his friend. Yoa seem to be np to all the tricks." Jarman nodded. I thought of being a detective myself once, and I did practice for a time. I have all the materials for disguise here. I told you so when I made you up as Desmond O'Niel. I can get into the skin of a character with ease, and that's what you have to do. You are not Frank Lancaster, remember, but Des- mond O'Nei). from County Kerry." But I say, Eustace, why do yon want Den. ham down here ?" Well, I want him to report to the Berry lot that there is no concealment about me. They may suspect that I know something of your whereabouts, and I don't want. eitber one to drop down upon me. Denham is a fool, and what he sees be will report to them in his artless fashion, Consequently, Berry and Fan will trust me. I want to got in with them and learn what they are up to." Do yon think Denham can tell you ?" No," said Eustace, promptly. I don't. Whatever the game is. that boy is in the dark. He has much too loose a tongne for Berry to trust him with bis secret." But what's Berry bothering about him for ?" That is what I want to find oat. Denbam may know something. For instance, be men- tioned the name of Balkis, as I told you." What's the use of that ?" asked Frank, gloomily. "This much. Starth had her portrait, and Berry ia in touch with her. I want to letro why Berry ealls at an opiam shop at the docks, He's going there, I'm sure, to see Balkis." The two were standing by the window chatting in this way. As Eustace repeated the name of Balkis, there sounded a low moan, which made the speakora turn. Miss Cork, with the table- cloth over her arm, stood nt. tbe open door, her thin- Itw L, 46: white, as the linen she .bore. Apparently she had entered silently, as was her wont, tq lay the table for luncheon,, and had overheard the name. Like, a statue she stood) her vacant eyes fixed on Jarman. What's the matter ? be asked.. Miss Cork's lips moved. "Balkis," she said in a. whisper. "What about Balkis ?" Do yon know the name?" Balkis." said Miss Cork again. Then she threw down the clot hand ran back to the kl tcben Eustace followed and found her roaauiug in a chair. Rather brutally he shook bar. What's all this ?" be asked. Miss Cork wont on moaning. I had a child she began, then shut up and not another word ccnid he get out of her. After many fruitless inquiries Eustace returned to the Bitting-room to explain. 1, 1 told you I didn't trust her." said Frank, whose fears took shape at once. She is a silent, secretive woman. I am sure she wit) get me into trouble- Why shoald she know that name ?" I can't say. And now she talka of some child—her own, BL,ti.- says. But yon of-adn't be; afraid, Frank, she's as true as steel." I don't trust her," said Frank, doggedly. "WBere did yon piok her up ?" Jarman, driven into a corner, replied reluct- antly, In a London court." A police-court ?" inquired Lancaster "then when he received a nod went on, Then she's dangetous. What do you know of ber past ?" Nothing. She never speaks of it. The poor wreteb was taken up for vagrancy, and afterwards was handed over do the missionary. I knew the chap, and be told me what a. capital cook the woman was, and how she needed a good home to put ber right. She came to me as Miss Cork, and I have bad no reason to regret having played the part of a good Samaritan. But it's strange that the name of Balkis should apset her." Won't she explain ?" No. She's a very obstinate woman when the fit takes ber." But the fit apparently did not seal Miss Cork's month on this occasion. A soft knock at the door told of her return and she presented I Miss Cook suddenly came back. I herself quietly. Picking up the cloth she pro- ceeded to lay the table, and without looking at tbe men proceeded to exculpate herself. the men proceeded to exculpate herself. I ask your pardon," she said in her whisper- ing voice. "I ask you pardon, Mr Jarman, and yoars, air, but the name Balkis- Here she stopped, and laid her hand on her heart. I had a child of that name." Ah," said Jarman, sympathetically, while Fn&k still looked suspicious. And the name brings sad memories te yon ?" Miss Cork nodded. I am a married woman," the said softly. but my husband left me to ataive—with the child— <nd—tmd——" And the child died ?" No," she barat oat fiercely. The ehild was stolen." By whom p" Miss Cork stopped, and her fingers worked convolsively, as though they were clutching at a throat. I wish I knew—1 wish I knew," she aaid savagely, and the expression of her lean face surprised Jarman, who had always con- sidered her an apathetic woman. Perhaps his looks warned her that she wis betraying too much of her unknown past, for she pulled her- self np with a. faint titter. I'm a. Billericay woman myself," she began, when Jarman eut her short. That's nonsense," be said, sternly. Ie Yoa Enow yon are not." I've said all I have to say," said Miss Cork, quite irrelevantly, and if you aren't pleased, Mr Jarman, I"ll go." I don't want you to RO, aad I ask you nothing," he replied. My child was called Baikis," went on Miss Cork, and she was stolen five years ago. rve been looking for her ever since. She will be seventeen years old by now1; and. I lost her five years ago-yes five years ago she kept on repeating. "I've been looking for her ever since." t A strange name, Balkis," eaid Jarman, watching her. My husband was in the East. It came from the Eaat, that name. I'm a Billericay woman myself, and She giggled, then shook her head, and withdrew swiftly. ) The two men looked at one another. "Sba'e quite insdr and h&zwow avid F-antaoi, II M Quite mad and dangerous," replied Frank. I don't trust her." Confirmed in this opinion by the strange '¡ demeanour of Miss Cork. he watched ber closely. She muttered to herself frequently, and kept counting on her fingers. Sometimes she would utter the name of Balkis and laugh. Her laugh- ter was not pleasant. Denbam duly arrived and speedily made him- self at home. Thanks to some herbal decoetion given to him by Eustace, Lancaster welcomed the visitor in a boarne voice-a regular Leatling's note. Natty did not rezogmee in Mr O'Neil, the dark secretary, the fair-haired Frank Lancaster. By this time Frank, introduced by Mrs Perth, had made the acquaintance of his divinity. She j likewise never suspected any disguise, and was quite at ber ease with the new secretary. | Frank's heart beat bttrct when she offered him her hand, and be could hardly see her face for a mist before his eyes. Now that he heard her voice, and saw her gracious manner, be felt more in love with her tbaa ever. It was a ,trantle feeling, and one that he had not experienced in his wooing of Fairy Fan. But, from the misery be suffered, there was no donbt that it was the genuine passion, and no counterfeit. Mildred was very amiable to him, and they were together a great deal. MrsPatth had taken a fancy to Frank, whose manners she pronounced perfect, and talked mnch to him. She even dis- cussed the death of Walter Starth, and the probability of Lancaster being the assassin. But by this time Frank had schooled himself into hearing the case talked of, without moving so much as an eyelid. In a couple of weeks he became quite an accepted fact in the life of Rose Cottage, and, indeed, of the village. Even Mrs Baker had ceased to ask him questions. Several letters addressed to Desmond O'Neil, with the Dublin postmark, bad arrived, so Mrs Baker was quite satisfied that became from the country wbence she procured her butter. One afternoon Frank, now quite at his ease in his disguise, strolledover to the cottage to ask for afternoon tea. Efe brought a book of poems in his pocket, for Mildred was fond of hearing him read. Frank could read admirably, which is a rare accomplishment, and often he would declaim poems to Mr» Perth and Mildred. But on this occasion there was no chance of enjoying Browning, for Jenny Arrow from the Rectory was present. She was a kittenish damsel of eighteen, with a freckled face, a turn-up nose, and a gay, vivacious manner. Also she had a vein of romance, tind cherished an unrequited affection for the dark secretary. She confided this to Mildred. Doesn't he took a romance, dear said Jenny, when, from the drawing-room window, she saw Frank approach. Don't you love him, Milly 1" Mildred laa-bod- I have had quite enough of love," she said. That Denham boy worries my life ont. Then there's your brother Billy." Oh, Billy's an _*S6," said Jenny, contemptu- oasly. He falls.in love with everyone he sees. I suppose vou wil^tnarry Mr Darrel ?" "Certainly not, said Mildred quickly. "What Put such an idea into your bead, Jenny ?"' The young jauy "uaaea sagaciously, Uh, I know," she said it a not to see poor pa that Mr Darrel cotnes down here. Ma saw that. Ma says he's ia l°pe with you, and, being rich, you're sure to marry him." "I should never marry for money, Jenny," aaid Mildred, thinking of Eustace. I. Mr Darrel will never call me his wife." Oh. but he's so very rich." "Then marry htmyotn-aetf." I would rather tnarry Mr O'Neil." Mildred 1aagbed again, but all the same, for somerreason inexplicable to herself,felt annoyed. Here is Mr O'Neil yon'd better propose." Mildred, it,reveal my love-ob, how I shall bate you. Bat Mildred, watching the approaching figure of the man she knew merely as O'Neil, did not reply. She vvas wondering why she was so attracted by n'ni. ae was not particularl- good-looking, nor had he shown any marked prey ference for her society. Indeed. she had laughed with Mrs Perth over the attention which O'Neil paid the old lady. But there was something about the secretary which made Mildred's heart beat as it never beat in the presence of Jarman. Perhaps, Although she never knew, it was a case of telepathy, for Frank was always moved beyond his usual self/when in her nresence. Bathe ne\er repeated it by his manner. Mildred, how- ever, was not sufficiently a psychologist to analyse her feeling, so did not search too closely into the reason of her sensations. Still, she coald not help wondering why she felt annoyed by Jenny's silly remark. I think jou had better take that Denham boy," said gjldred to Jenny. He bothers me greatly, and be s the kind of donkey who would fall in love with anyohe." "I don't regard_m^ielf aB anyone," said Jenny with dignity. ^Jendea, he's not half so nice as Mr O'Neil." Mildred acknowledged this with a sigh, and welcomed o'NeIl with a blush, which he marked and wondered at; «. Where fs Mr Jarman," the "He has goneb^fiinfwith Billy and Denham," said Frank, steojppg outside and looking in at, the Window. 'I done my work and came to be rewarded." With wbat "Cfkes and ale ?" asked Jenny, languishing. With wbat "Cfkes and ale ?" Mked Jenny, be rewarded." With wbat "Cfkes and ale ?" asked Jenny, languishing. "Their modefco; ja;. the'.shape ot afternooti'tsa., "Let's hays It'ofttsiqe on the lawn. Oh, Mitdrod.do," Miss Starth assented. hMrs Perth ia lying down," sho said, and as the root*, is ratbar hot. we amy as well have a picnic on the lawn." Forthwith she ordered the tea, which was brought out by the One servant of the establish. ment. But Jenny had to lay the cloth ana Frank was told to place a. table under thenobieeim. In few minutes they were all seaitfid, Miljred and Frank in chairs and Jenny lying gracefully on the lawn. Every now and then she looked np adoringly at the secretary, who took no notice. But Mildied did. aDd so Strang became that absurd feeling of irritation that she would wil- lingly have slapped Jenny. After a depultoiy conversation, Jenny asked when Denham was returning to town. Billy will be sorry when he goes. He's awfully fond of Mr Denham. Thp adventures that man's bad in America are extraordinary." He comes from America, doesn't be ?,,asked Mildred, idly. Jenny nodded. And Billy says he's been a sailor, he thinks" 'i He doesn't look much like sailor,' said Frank contemptuously. He has been wrapped up in cotton wool all bis life-" Oh, no, ho husult, indeed," said Miss Arrow, eagerly. He has lived in Mexico and amongst the Indians not the Red Indian!, you know, but amongst those Cortez found." The Aztecs,' said Mildred. My dear girl, there are none left." Oh, yes, there ftra Mr Denham aays so. Billy calls him Natty, because that's his name, and he and Billy are going to explore for hidden treasure. There's lota of it in Mexico." Denbtun's been reading romances," said Frank disbelieving!?- No," insisted Jenny, he's had all soits of adventures. Whv, when he was juat a baby, he was carried off by these Indians." How do you know ? He says so, and they tattooed him on the left arm, Billy savs." Frank sat-up suddenly- On the left arm ?" he asked. With what ?" With a scarlet bft The queerest thing Bill -isys Oh, what's the flatter Frank, proioundly ™ovedi had fallen back in his chair. (To be continued.)