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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] "A COMPACT WITH DEATH, 111 1I By W. C. TAR8ET, Author of In the Hands of the Boers," Fighting for Favour," Ill-gotten Gold," The Queen's Lovt>r." PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS. FREDERICK RAYMOND, one of the two men: wbo made the exti?oi-din&ry compact with death. (leath. BLOXEAM. the partner in the com- pKL DR. LAXARD. a master of hypnotic science. vho is a fascinating, but unscrupulous. ■nan. 14 1 LtS. RAYMOND, wife of Frederick Ray- j raond, who, after securing £1ô.0:;0 as the value of the insurance on her late bus- Band's life, falls a read.v vicum to his art. SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTER 1. shows bow James Bloibaic. one 01 the two remarkabla men who mad; & compact with deatu." was about to end us life Lorn a c!iff when he saw a man app.oa(-h. lqt-,k to the shadow of a thicket, he was amazed to find thai the second man. who proved to be Frederick Raymond, was on a similar anission. Rioxhatn stepped up to him. anr in the conversation which followed BIox- J nam said that a doctor had told, him he could not live Ions just when h*' had decided to make reparation to a sister whom he had wronged. Then Raymond confessed that ai the result, of specula- tions ne was ruined, and he had resolve.- to end his life, and so allow his wife to lira", £ 18,000 ae insurance. Upon thn Bloxham makes the extraordinary proposal to impersonate Raymond and take his life on condition that Raymond shou'd dt-?ppear and a?pport Bh?xham a &lter Thi3 plot is carried out. Raymond went awav. and a battered body was found under a cliff. CHAPTER IT.-A few weeks after the funeral of Frederick Raymond the lawyers found that he had left a lot of dihts, and that if thev were cleared by the insurance money Mrs. Raymond would only have aomethnig like PI.OM left. They. therefore. decided to impress upon her to keep the matter of the debts a secret. Mr. Steele, one of th* firm, was deputed to tell her the true itate of affairs, and he straightway visited her, and acquainted her of the financial position. After Mr. Steele bad left Mrs Raymond, having- a headache, ssked htr servant to call a doctor, but as her regular medical man was absent shot consented to a new .:ocu>r being called, and Dr. Laxard appeared on the scene. He at once used hypnotic influence, and com- menced to worm out the domestic affairs of Min. Raymond CHAPTER III.—Mra. Raymond's children, Maisie and Helen; ate "&Isq treated by the doctor. Both had taken a disliku to the medical gentleman, but Maiie, falling j under his hypnotic powers, allows hersejf to be nursed by him. On seeing this Helen creates a scene, in which she declares tier bate for the doctor. CHA PTER IV.-Laxard's mother, a Spaniard, had acquired the reputation in South America of being a witch. His father was reputed to be wealthy, acquired, it was believed, hy transmuting silver intqf sold. A mob attacked the house, and on enter. ins were astonished to find Laxard, senr., Ivinis: dead on the floor. The woman vowed A-en eance upon them, and in a terrib!e oxplosion the whole of the mob were blown up. Dr. L<mard later acquired a practice, He spent much time in his labora6torN and entertained the idea of marrying Mrs. I P.a:vmond, especially ».« she had £ 18.000. and yet he feared it would interfere with hw scientific search for immortal life. lie had succeeded in the discovery of the Bath of louth-a. process which made him a youth in all but age. CHAPTER Y.-feanwbile Frederick Ray- mond. 0,. as he was hereafter called by the world. James Bloxham. after leaving the "'iff mailed for South Africa. His first act in the saioon of the* steamer wt? to eend James Bloxham's sister £ 50. He stayed. without luck, at Johannesburg for six months. and then wnt with another man and some Kaffirs to Balawayo. For soir-e time letter-) arrived saying he was ma kins money slowly, and then the Matabelr. revolt brought business to a standstill. His next letter described him a* a regular Tommy Atkins in the campaign, with the special task of making bom lie out of tlyna- mite. and hurling them at the enemy. CHAPTER VI.—Dr. Laxird did not, r-llow the grass to grow under his feet in hie inten- tion to marry Mrs. Raymond, and he took the opportunity of proposing to h?r. His efforts, however, were not attended with the desired sv.ecese, Mrs. Raymond steadfastly refusing to give consent, saying she would never marry again. CHAPTER N- 11. i) r,. Laxard eventually forced Mrs. Raymond into marriage. He soon endeavoured to rule her daughter Helen, even going to the extreme of lash- ing her with a whip, winding: up by hav- ing her locked in her room. Helen was then sent away to school. CHAPTER VIII (Continued.) After Helen's marriage Maisie, with her heart fluttering at her own bravery and duplicity, lJUd informed the doctor that between the hours of six and ten she meant to study instead of practising. "f am going to try if I can compose any- Lhing worth," she said, hlushingly. "That's right, Maisie," he said. encourag- ingly. "You go ahead, my dear, and you'll succeed From six to ten, you say. your hours are to her" "Oh, you wretch!" she cried. "Yes, father." she answered. "Could you give orders that I'm net to "Not to he what?" he asked, smilingly. "Not to he disturbed." she said, with a L,a,p. thinking to herself all the while, Oh, if he but- knew." "Certainly, I will," he replied, and chuckled to himself as he thought. "This will play into my hands beautifully. I needn't stop my studies to watch her. She'll be all safe shut up in her room. Tt would have been a bore to have lost good hours every day. and just when I'm so near the great discovery." "A week or a month and the secret will he mine," he said to "himself, as he left Maisie and went to the laboratory. "A month at the most, and I'll-be in possession I t. The reward of my work and patience is near to me—near to me. T mmortal-immortal The envied of king* and sinking down in his chair he gave himself up to the delightful dream. As for Maisie. as soon all she was sure that he had retired, she supped out of the house and went along the seldom-used Fern walk to Rosebank. Helen was on the look- out for her, and embraced her fondly as she carried her off to he drawing-room. "Oh, Maisie. I'm so glad you've come," she said. "I've got, such a treat for you, dear. I'm sure you'll be delighted." "hat is it Heloen:" Maisie asked laugh- ingly. "You know quite well I can't take any present, because father-Dr. Laxard— would be sure to it and ask questions, so it must be something to eat or drink, mustn't it?" I "Yon silly!" said Helen, laughingly. "You third: we do nothing but, eat and drink here, because we're not geniuses, like you. But dear. We have Frank Heron here." Not Frank Heron, the young composer;" asked Maisie, her eyes glittering at the thought. "The very same." repliied Helen, delighted dt seeing Maisie's pleasure. I "Oh!" said Maisie, a long-drawn breath, "do wail a moment. Helen. I-I lean t so in yet. dear. 1-1- "Nonsense!" replied Helen. "Why. he's just a great hoy and nothing more. A per- fect madcap he is, and All's as ha-d. The two of them liars been playing pranks all about the house to-day till I'm in terror of my life." Maisie stared at her wonderingly. "How can you talk like that, Helen?" he said, quietly. As though the com- poser of 'Nirvance' could be anything like thai. t "Judge for yourself, then." cried Helen. brr.squely. 8.9 she threw open tbe door. "Oh, you wretch!" she cried, as a, huge down r; i llow fell on her head from above. Looking up, Maisie saw a dark. mobile laughing face peering over the half-opened door, and a hand stretched out ready to let fall another pillow on Helen's head. Their eyes met, and slowly the laughter died out of the dark face. and the pillow was hurriedly withdrawn. "Hist. All", let Tie down," she heard a voice say entreatin-rly. "Give it her hot. Frank." AIf panted. "You silly oaf!" iaid Frank, in an excited whisper. "Let me down, you idiot What's up?" asked Alf. leisurely. "Stop kicking you owl." he added. "Let DJe down." "Say please, pretty." cried Alf, as he stepped into the middle of the room. with' Frank Heron still standing with his feet on Alfs shoulders. "Now. look at them!" cried Helen trium- phantly to Maisie.. "Maisie." said Alf. delighted. "Hurrah! I You've managed to come, after. a.ll. Now we'li hare music fit to make the angels envy us—you and Frank together. Hurrah! hurrah!" he added. dancing abont. holding Fr&nk'a feet R6C1! re¡ on his ?houlderf. "T/e; me down, you silly lout cried Frank, hastily, bi face growing hotter a? he Maisie still gazing at him in won- derment. nice where you are." said Alf. chuckling. "What do you think of him, Maisie?" There was an ejaculation, a leap, a scnme. and a vigorous scrimmage on the fioor, from which Frank Heron arose breathlessly. Mrs. Metford. your husband should h: up," he said severely. as bad as he replied Helen. severely. "Now. do try and behave yourself while Maisie's hare. Don't yon ftee you're frightening her out of her life? Let me introduce Mr. Heron to you. Maisie. My sister, Frank." "Maisie. my dear." cried Alf, as he arose, shaking himself. "Aren't you going to kiss vour brother-in-law?" Not hy any means. Master Alfred." said Helen, catching him hy the ear. "Maisie's far too pretty to allow her to get near mar- riert men. You just content yourself with "lie, sir." "Cruel fate!" cried Alf, burying his head in his hands. "This is the new humour, Maisie." said Helen, explainingly. "This is where you are supposed to laugh. "Oh!" said Maisie. suddenly starting from her seat in alarm as a violent whirring noise began immediately under her. "Please don't be frightened. Miss Ray- mond," said Frank, springing up with a fa<-e crinvson with "hame. "The fact is that I—I—that itS. AI1-" "WeJ l. I—I put this Irt.tte thing here on the seat in order to frighten Mrs. Metford. I didn't know—we didn't imagine anyone else was coming. I'm awfully MOrry-" Masie buret out into a fit of laughter suddenly. "Helen," she said in a whisper, "don't let them stop because I'm here. It's awfully funny when you know it's fun. I've never "een anything like this before, yon know. Tell them to go em. It's a new world to me- this. Indeed, it wtss a new world for the little maid. Hitherto her life had been spent in :i seclusion so utter that, no joy had entered into it of an everyday nature. Always a serious child, and taken up with her love for music, she had grown into a. grave-eyed beauty, with a face as sweet as an angel's, but without the ready laugh and smile that was wanted to make it quite human. That was all to come yet. and this night of her lirst meeting with Frank Heron began the I training.. After half an hour's merrymaking Maisie was persuaded to sit down to the piano and play and sing. It had become ao second a, nature to her that she had no thoughts of "hynes3. Indeed, it was much easier to play to strangers than to speak to them. Frank Heron, after the first bar, had dropped his iaughmaking, and gradually drew closer to the piano. Nearer and nearer to her he got untiP he could see her face as well as hearken to her voice. And there he stayed until she would sing and play no more. It is your turn now, Mr. Heron," she I said, shyly. After that! he cried. No, no, Miss Raymond." "Please," she said, Go on, Frank, you silly," said Alf. "1 never saw you so sticking before." Do be quiet, AU," retorted Helen. '.Frank, do play and sing something of your own." Very well. then, Mrs. Metford," he answered. Only it's following good wine with bad liquor. I'm telling you." Maisie's heart was filled almost to overflow- in?. She loved music with a great love, and here, wonderful to her. was a man with a voice like an angel's and a touch like velvet. making music to her of his own composition. It, was a new world for her—and what a I glorious one she thought it. And now together," said Alf. pleadingly, as Frank stopped. "Do sing something I together, please. I'm just dying to hear a duet. Helen and I have been looking for- ward to hear you two sing together for a long time. Now we have managed to get you both in one room, don't disappoint us." And so to please Alf, Maisie and Frank "In Cloudland Rare" from "The Nirvana," and made that charming duet so enchanting that Alf would have kept them at it for another hour. "But I must go home, Helen." said Maisie, suddenly, as she heard the clock strike ten. A look of anxiety, even fear, crept over her face. and Frank, gazing at her eagerly, wondererl at it. "Mav T have the pleasure of taking you home?" he asked gravely. please, no." she said tremblingly. 'Please. Helen. I must go alone." "Of course, dear." replied Helen, comfort- ingly "Frank is only asking the usual question. You'll get doing just as you like, dear. Everybody here it just your slave so lon a¡,¡ you'll promise to come regularly." 111 come as often as I have the courage." said Maisie. "Good night, good she added as, all in a flurry, she ran from the roonl. "Without a farewell kiss," Tried Alf, reproachfully. "Hullo. Frank!" he added. "Got the mumps that you're looking so glum ?" "Oh, do shut up!" "That's a polite hint. I suppose." retorted Alt. "Come. old man. unfold your tale of woe on my confiding bosom. You won't, won't you? Then tell me what you think of 1 my sister-in-law." "1 say. Alf, how much does it take you to I keep up this house?" said Frank. "Oh, about £1.000 a year. I suppose," replied Alf indifferently. "And I've only £300," faid Frank despon- dently. "What do you mean?" aaked Alf. "Oh. nothing." retorted Frank, Hushing red as he saw Alf 5 eyes on him. "You're !lch a brute to ask questions that I thought I'd pay you back in your own coin," he added lamely. When A If told Helen of his strange query he was annoyed that she should immediately I burst ioto a perfect storm of laughter. "But what is it?" he asked. "Oh. don't you see. ciiucJdehead ?" she retorteiL i m blest if I do." he answered. ¡ "My plot w working. Alf." she said. "He's in love with MY" already." ¡ "Xonsen.,e j "You wait and see." replied the match- maker. "A" for Maiaie. there's no saving I' how take it, but 1 think she likes him. Alf. Oh. wouldn't it be lovely if they loved one another?" "Non.«ent»e. Heien. I forbid you to tamper with Providence, naid A)f sternly, but 8teepjl- "Bab retorted Helen, snapping her I lingers at her lord and master disdainfully. (TO BE CONTINUED TO-MORROW.)

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