THE DAUGHTER OF A PRODIGAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3216, 12 May 1911, Page 3

THE DAUGHTER OF A PRODIGAL.

BY BERTHA M. CLAY, Authoress of “The Ironmaster’s Daughter,” Etc. CHAPTER VI. VERA’S PLANS. “I fear that I am a great trouble to- you,- Mr Varden,” Vera said, three days after John Russell’s dismissal, /‘but I have no one else to whom I can turn. Tim infinite consolation I have received from' your friendship has helped me to face my trouble without flinching. ’ ’ “I am glad to be your confidant, my dear child, if not your adviser.” The clergyman spoke rather sadly. “I have hastened to obey your letter, you see.”

‘Yes, you are kind, more than kind.” She turned to him appealingly. “You won’t negative anything- I have determined upon, and you must promise absolute secrecy.” He nodded. “You knew that I cannot stay here —this is no longer my home. Everything belongs to Mr C'orston, lock, stock and barrel. He has been good enough,” her lip curled with something more than disdain, “to schedule the furniture upon which he lent his money, and to inform me that all that is not described in the inventory is mine absolutely. How very kind and considerate! The creature is entitled to a halo, I should imagine!” “Only a matter of business, Miss Lynn.”

“But how am I to know that he isn’t claiming more than his due. The man is capable of any roguery!” “You can insist upon seeing the original. Your solicitor would advise you ; but I should not investigate,” he added hastily.

“I have no time to waste about the matter,” said Vera. “A week since 1 felt that it wculd kill me to give up my homo and its associations. Now lam eager to be gone, for I haven’t the courage to face even the servants.” “Are you trying your strength against, the strength of Gcd?” the clergyman said bravely. “I would rather see you hopeful and self-reliant than giving way to useless tears, but 1 can. hardly reconcile your new* Rolf with the lovable and beautiful girl I hope always to remember.” “Lovable!” Vera’s eyes flashed. “Beautiful!” she scoffed. “Have I not been deceived, disgraced, and ruined by the one whc6© natural duty it was to protect and shelter me? Even the man wiho calls himself my lover has gone over to the enemy. He has no real strength of mind; no individuality. He prefers the Corstons to me. Not that I would care to see him again in any case. It is impossible, Mr Varden.”

Her voice was vibrant"; her great brown eyes became humid. The vicar pretended to agree with all that she said, but she broke into a vexed laugh. “You say nothing—nothing.”

“You have bidden me to ask no questions and to negative nothing, Miss Lynn. I will say that I heartily aprove cf your courage.” “Which is first cousin to despair. Comedy and tragedy hand in hand. But how inconsiderate I am —how -selfish! I am so wrapped up in my own bothers that I forget how precious your time is. I will come to the point at once. lam leaving here as soon as I can get away- the things that are mine. There will be several van loads, and J want you to take care of them. You have lots of room at the Vicarage, and I will pay for the removal. I have enough money to go on with.”

“Yes, yes. And then?” “Oh, I am going into a situation.” Her face became tense. “And I am going to change my name—l have changed it. lam Vera Hope'—my mother’s name.” She spoke rapidly now. ”1 Lave been advertising in the ‘Daily Telegraph,’ and the replies have been forwarded to me here from the newspaper office. Oh, I have been very cunning, Mr Varden, and all I want now is a reference'—one little reference from a clergyman.. I have explained that I can give -no other, and my prospective employer is satisfied. See., here is the whole of the correspondence.” The vicar felt.that he was being carried along in the grip of a whirlpool. He read every line of the' three letters Vera placed in his hands. “Urn!” he said at last. “You have advertised for a situation as companion to a lady, and letter the first demands your qualification's. AMr Julian Tredcroft wants a strong young woman to care for his aged mother. She must lie a lady, and fairly well educated. Julian Tredcroft? The name is that of a great financier. And what about your qualifications?”

“Oh, I am strong and healthy, I hope that I am a lady, and my education hasn’t been neglected. lam also adaptable. The second letter asks for further particulars, and the third regrets that I have only one reference, but the writer is willing to give mo a trial.” £< So I gather,” sighed Mr Varden. “I should like to know more about this Julian Tredcroft—his private life, 1 mean. I observe that he writes from Tredcroft Hall, Kinver, and that your stipend is to be twenty pounds a. year, payable monthly. Um! Now, what do' you want me to do ? Of course, Mr Tredcroft lias-- this address?”

“Of course,” said Vera, quickly. “I signed my letters with my new mime. You must answer him nicely when his letter of inquiry reaches you. Say that you have known me for any number of years, and that you can thoroughly recommend me.” Mr Varden was very quiet and very grave. He did not object to the responsibility, hut the affair was not exactly to his liking. He hated being a party to any form of deception, no matter how harmless that deception might be.

“You are hesitating,” Vera said, half forlornly. “If you fail me ” “My child, I must examine the situation. This thing does not' seem to me exactly honest. You are not Vera Hope, and ” “Oh, very well,” she interrupted, defianiV. “I Will not beg another favour of you; I will never trouble you again. Do you think that I am likely to stca. Mr Tredcroft’s money? Do you believe that my intentions are so bad You sav that my name is not Vera Hope, and I say that it is. What legal claim have I upon' that of Vera Lynn?” Her eyes were sombre, and the words flowed passionately from her lips. “There, there. I didn’t want to remember that. You must curb these lamentable fits of temper. I will stand by you at any cost, Miss Lynn, and you may safely trust Mrs Varden and me to be your life-long friends. When I receive Mr Tredcroft’s letter I will answer it to his and your satisfaction, and I will make immediate arrangements to store your belongings at the Vicarage. When would you like them removed?”

“To-day, if possible ; I hate being here on sufferance. I feel that I am being spied upon by Mr Corston and his creatures. Tim man who brought the inventory is still here—a foxy, wickedlooking wretch.” Mr Varden smiled, in spite of himself.

“It is just as well,” said ho. “This man- shall check the goods as we remove them and sign the schedule, Now, what more can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing—nothing. I think that I have put sufficient tax upon you already. It seemed to bo trifle at first, hut the responsibility is growing—growing!” Her eyes shone through a mist of tears. “You will forgive me if 1 have been thoughtless' and unkind?”

Warmly he pressed her hand. “I have nothing to forgive, Miss Lynn. My heart sympathises with you in yotur trouble, and I think that I admire your pluck and spirit. Youi

vitality and fresh young strength, your innate goodness and physical charm, will soon triumph over the adversity which you are determined shall not overwhelm you.” “Don’t pity me—don’t be too kind, Mr Varden,” Vera half sobbed, “or I shall break down. I deserve to be scolded 5 ’

‘ “Nov to finish up matters,” the vicar interrupted briskly. He nodded smilingly and hurried off. It required an effort to suppress his own emotion.

(To be continued to-morrow.)