TOE DAUGHTER- OF A PRODIGAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3217, 13 May 1911, Page 3

TOE DAUGHTER- OF A PRODIGAL.

BY BERTHA M. CLAY, Authoress of “The Ironmaster’s Daughter,” Etc. -CHAPTER VII. JOHN RUSSELL- MAKES A PROj MISE,. * * ' * The vicar never diet anything halfheartedly. Although the weather was sizzling hot, it* was lie who engineered her departure from Glastonlee a couple of days later. It.was his closed carriage which was employed in the early hours of the morning to drive to a busy railway station -half a score of miles away. The train came in briskly, ancl as it was some minutes late the officials bustled in both passengers and luggage with scant ceremony. Ver a discovered herself in a well-packed compartment, where- her intrusion 1 -was resented by several highly proper personages, male and! female, if tlie-ir glances were correctly interpreted. Th carriage seemed to be- insufferably warm ) and she was glad when the engine gave vent to a warning shriek, and: continued its journey. Mr. Varden strode alongside, clinging to the handle of the carriage door, and talking. V-era was unable to distinguish a word, but nodded’ from time to time, r • •

“Good-bye,” lie cried, finally, and dropped behind!, his hat in his hand-'.

That was the last Vera saw of him for a long, long time. i.Sho made a movement towards the open, window, but the train plunged into a tunnel, and the opportunity was lost. She experienced no regret at the moment, but rather a relief that this last human link with the past- was shaken off.

Just forty minutes later Vera w-as standing guard- over her belongings at a junction, feelin gvery hot, very faint, and very flurried. Before a porter could be made to comprehend that -his services were needed, Vera discovered that someone else was advancing toward her from the booking hall. A second glance assured her that that someone was John Russell. Her first sensation was one of mingled dismay and- anger. He had presumed to prey upon her movements and t-o follow her. He had travelled by the same route from Glastonlee. Resolutely she turnedi her back upon him, the hot, furious blood’ surging to her brain.

“Vera!” There was amazed incredulity in his voice. She swung round and faced him.

‘How dare you?” she gasped chokingly. “I am as much surprised as you are, Vera, I left Glastonlee yesterday, and my mother and I are going to Wellingham. She is in the waiting-room over there.” Ho jerked his hand over his shoulder. “We are moving to Ardley, to be near to my work —the furniture is on the way. I had l no idea what you were doing. Mr Varden has been absolutely dumb.” He gazed at her yearningly, hoping that she would 1 make some sign. “You are completely done up —I can see that,” he continued. “Lqt me take you to my mother; you two- used to bo such good friends. I’ll look after this luggage, and you needn’t be afraid of me. I shall never appro a cii you until you bid me to, although my love for you can know no; change.” “The gulf between us is stupendous, John,” the girl answered weakly. “But I will trust you; you know how to keep a promise. lam going to Weirbridge, and if you will, help me with these things.” ; Gently lie took her arm. “Come and rest, "and. talk to my mother. I will see to everything. You : can travel with us' to Wellingliam,. where you will have to change trains. I didn’t know you had friends in the Midlands. Here you are ! Mother —here’s Vera —going northward, also.” He left the two women together for a while, and his steps were swift and buoyant. -This chance meeting had pleased him mightily. Surely the finger of Providence was in it ! He went back to Vera’s luggage and smoked a pipe. This was going to be a pleasant journey after all. He; looked at the clock. Only eight minutes till the train was due to stai’t, and the passengers were hurrying to their places'. Russell went in. quest of his mother and Vera, and his heart leapt when he saw that they were sitting very near to. one another, and that their eyes were beaming love and confidence. • Then- he laughed like the over-grown boy that he was, and they followed him into- the train.

There was not much opportunity for conversation, and l Russell contented himself with furtively watching the face of the woman who was all the world to him. But lie was resolved to make things a little plainer between Vera and himself before the final parting:- came, and then it was for her to decide. He revelled in the fact that that particular train ignored tlie convenience of travellers to- Weirbridge-, and there was- a- wait of more; than an hour at Wellingliam. So lie was very hopeful, and began making his plans. A nice little lunch at an hotel; and! a little serious -talk ! His mother’s presence would not matter — that dear, simple, and placid old lady. Everything turned out pi’eety much as he had) schemed for—until it came to that serious little talk, and then he I quite forgot his level and diplomatic' speech.

“You are not angry with me now, are you, Vera?” he whispered. “My mother can’t hear. She’s a little deaf, you know—and' very tired.” “No, lam not angry, John.” His ■pulses quickened, but she anticipated him, and continued : “\ou ha\e been kind to me, and lam grateful. You lfavd given me your promise, and I shall hold you to it; I know that I can trust you.” “Vera,” he answered huskily, “I want to put myself right in your eyes—as right as I can. You know that I borrowed money from Mr. Corston, but it was upon good security—there’s no shame in that. Then more was wanted, and he came to me with it in, his hands; I did not ask for it, and he met me straight and fair. He. offered me an equal partnership in a colliery; his money against my brains, and I am here to •manage' that colliery, and make a fortune for you!”

He had become enthusiastic; liis eyes were shining, but Vera only shivered'.

“There are insurmountable reasons why we should never meet again—why we can never meet again. You know what they are, John,; and you are allied to the man whom I believe to have robbed ray father, and me of my home. I loathe his very name, and some day — some day ” Her eyes were ablaze, and her face was as white as paper, von understand?’’ T’m afraid) I do,” said John Russell. (To be Confined.)