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m m W-.W o M)-W mmmmmm $& mm s games [ALL RIGHTS RmJŒVED]. *I I For Love and Honour 1 m ?? —————— m 8 By HAROLD BINDLOSS, g I Author of "A Wide Dominion," His Adversary's Daughter," "The$ £ £ SE Kingdom of Courage," The Mistreas of Bonaventure," &c. -M US *»* _Eæ_E.æ_æ SYNOPSIS or PRECEDING CHAPTERS: I Harry Elliot returns to England after an ab- jwtice of eight years. He had gone abroad to ,84.e a friend from the consequences of a poach- ing adventure. Tom Grayson had struck down ■a neighbour of his employer, and in order that Grayson, who was about to be married, might not lose his situation Harry disappeared. On the night of the affray Harry had been seen by Alison Elliot, the niece of Arnold Elliot, a ship- owner. While abroad, Harry sets himself to clear the name of his father, a ship's captain, who had gone down with his steamer on the Pacific coast. It is believed that the skipper was not sober when he lost his ship, but Harry's in- vestigations lead him to conclude that his father was sacrificed by Arnold Elliot, and that the ship was lost for the insurance money. He meets Tom Grayson, to whom he confides his dis- coveries, and states that if he finds Salter. tho engineer of the steamer, he will be able to learn the truth. CHAPTER III. Bright sunshine poured down on Rul. liolnie, which was an ostentatious and rather ugly pile of limestone buildings, and flooded its grounds, which were artistically beauti- ful. Beneath the gentle slope they covered a tarn lav shining like a mirror among emerald meadows, and further up the valley the crags rose in a great black rampart. On the after- noon in question groups of people, gaily and plainly dressed, of different walks in life, strolled to and fro, or clustered round the pavilion, where entertainments were going on. They were all invited guests, and though -the feeling is not invariably experienced on i«uch occasions, most of them were willing to pay homage to their host. Arnold Elliot was 18 just magistrate, a lavish entertainer, a sub- scriber to local charities and the otter hounds; and, as Winter sometimes inquired, What more could anyone expect? Winter was acting as general assistant to Alison, who had her hands full that after- noon for Maud, Arnold's only daughter, was « helpless invalid. The latter sat in a wheeled chair, with a costly shawl about her shoulders and a smile on her pinched face, in the big orchard houee, and Alison stood beside her while the guests wandered in. A tea- tabl6 stood on one -side of the house, rows of benches filled the other, and the grim old Scotch gardener kept guard at the door. *• Ye will endeavour no to break or trample flown mair than's strictly necessary," he en- joined upon the newcomers.. Graham's crosser than usual, Maud re- marked. It's a pity the marquee wouldn't hold them all. But here's old Mrs. Imrie and her granddaughter. You might look after them." Alison, who first crossed to the table, pro- ceeded through the gathering press to the side of a wrinkled old woman, who was accom- panied by a young girl. She held a plate of bread and butter and one of cakes in either -hand, and Winter followed with two cups of tea, part of which he upset. "How's Imrie to-dav? Alison asked. Gradely bad with rheumatics," was the — It was loneeome trapesing off with- one feel at home, Miss -Out litill I but you IIUha- • hea^. A Udell." She paused, aud Rhook n. h. A man's a gradely worry, even when he a 1 liot ailing. Looks as if you were none for get- ting one." She's particular," said Winter. I dare- say she's right. I'm afraid really first-class men are getting scarce." "They niver was plentiful," answered the wrinkled dame, who remarked to a neighbour in an audible aside, "For all that, yon two wad mak' a canny pair." Alison, who must have heard this, looked very composed; but Winter beat a retreat, .and the girl next accosted a tired woman dragging a child by the hand. Only one she said. Where'a the rest -of them, Mrs. Turnbull?" They're with Jim," wa.s the answer. "I left him to look after them. I've been on my feet eince six this morning." Jim's got none of them." a neighbour broke in. He was talking with blacksmith. I by his lone." -Tho woman looked anxious, and Alison beckoned Winter, who was lurking near. I "Go and find Mrs. Turnbull s babies at once." she ordered him. How am I to know them? "One's a black face," said the woman s neighbour. "Other's torn his pinny right up lic,. -? g ,?l b oiir. from bottom." The mother would have struggled towards the door, but Alison guided her firmly to- wards a seat, and Winter disappeared. He came back with a pair of urcnins, one of whom was weeping vigorously, and Alison sent him off again with' instructions to bring a cake with lemon-curd in the middle. She gave it to the child, and then smiled at its JDother. mother snpe bread and butter would be I 'best," she said. But once in a way a lIttle -of what he likes the most can't do him much I a r--q. For all honr she went about spreading com- r,d then ni a oner in- terval Winter rejoined her.. What about the poof smart folk 10 th" -marquee?" he asked. "Thev must be feel- ing neglected." Alison laughed. It's not likely, but if it is so the change will be good for some of ■t iem. It isn't often these others get waited oil. And that silly Vane called you a lory So I am," rledared Alison. "I like the old ideas, and the old ways." She laughed as tihe added. "For that matter, presumptuous as it sounds, I believe I'm only attempting to <lo what the Elliots have always done in this dale. Giving voungsters buns with lemon-curd in the middle?" Winter suggested. "After -ill, the great thing ia that you've made them hilnpv." ha By?and-bve the orchard-house began to grow ?empty, and Alison sat down near Maud, who «mi led at her wistfully. "This is one of the days when I envy you ver 110 much," said the latter. "That a -very wrong of me, isn t, it?" Alison regarded her with great tenderness. You have been among them all the after- noon, and I have an idea that you're worse than usual." Onlv a very little, and, after all, what does a little pain more or less matter? I can 4SMile, in tpite of it." Many of tia wonder how you keep so bright. Maucl shook her head reprovi.ngly. It ought to be easy. Even to a cripple there are so many good things in life; Graham's late tulips, for exjunple. What a glorious blaze o? colour! I never saw them finer. It has been a wonderful spring all through—and for that I'm glad." Alison turned her head, because she feared lier eyes were hazy. It seemed very possible that her dearest friend would not be there to «ee them when the tulips lfowered aga,ii. Maud, however, laid a gentle hand upon her arm. I know what you are thinkin-hllt what if you are right! she said. 'lhere's ..till the summer; and even t)1a.t is not the ■end. In the mea lwhile everybody looks liappv and your laughter's good to hear. Why -should I be dolduJ Winter leant upon her chair. Oh!" he ,.a- you would be wonderful, only that I know there are women like vou." He glanced At Alison, who smiled. "But did Alison tell you we were talking about Captain Elliot's son the other night? I mean the fellow who helped to cut my head. Did you ever see him? No." said Maud. But I have heard so much against him that I feel inclined to take Ma part. I suppose that's the reason I some- times think he mayn't have been so much in the wrong." You would find excuses for anybody, and I expect there generally are some," Winter remarked. As a matter of fact, I really never blamed the man." But the things he tl-id f)biccted Alison. We haven't heard his defence," Maud pointed out. There can he no excuse for some r-etions." Alison persisted. I shouldn't like to think that applied to rnanv. It would be very hard en more than one of us. But they'll be having the speeches -soon, arki you had better make an appear- 41". c c. I'll Wl1.;t Lere a litils." Alison and Winter obediently moved away; the gardener followed the guests to see they did not trample on the grass edges or try to cross his bedding-out borders; and Maud was left alone. At first she was glad of this, because her head ached after the bustle but by-and- bye a ray of hot sunlight fell upon her, and she found that the tile-edgings prevented her from moving her chair. Then, remembering she would be expected to attend while some of the speeches were made in the marquee, she smiled rather wistfully as she realised that she had been forgotten. A little later a man with a bronzed face and a soft grey hat glanced into the orchard house. Can you tell me where Mr. Elliot is? ho inquired. Maud replied that he was in the marquee, and the man said he would go across to it. Then an idea seemed to strike him. You don't look comfortable there with thH sun upon you," he added. Can I move you? I wish you would," Maud answered, and she noticed the gentleness with which ho manoeuvred the chair. He glanced down at her when he had wheeled it into the shadow. "Do you wish to stay here all alone?" he asked. No," said Maud, with a smile which had a certain pathos in it. "I really want to go to the marquee; but you see I'm a fixture un- less somebody comes to my assistance." That's soon put right," and he wheeled her carefully out of the door and through a shrubbery. Then he stopped where the path divided. "To the right!" said Maud. "I suppose you have -some business with Mr. Elliot? Hardly business. I would like to see him. though I don't know yet if he will feel any pleasure in seeing me. I presume you must be Miss Elliot? I have heard of youY Maud studied him unobtrusively. His man- ner was rather abrupt, but there was nothing she resented in it. She liked his expression, and he had taken gentle care to avoid jolting her. You must have come from the town." she said. Even so, it's curious you didn't hear that Mr. Elliot would be busy to-day." I've come & good deal further. Perhaps you'll show me somebody I can give this card to when we reach the pavilion." Maud glanced at the card and started. "Oh!" she cried, "you're Harry Elliot." That's the fact. I really can't help it." "Why do you put it that way?" Maud was forced to smile. "Well," said Harry, "I'm inclined to think you can't have heard of anything particularly in my fav<J*ir." Maud made no answer, though she vaf ) pleased with his whimsical candour, and as they approached the entrance to the big mar- quee the overflow crowd outside it opened up. The girl, however, signed him to stop. Thank you," she said. "T won't go in- side. It seems hot, and mv part is only to be seen. You will find a servant you can give the card to if you go in. I'd sooner stay and take care of you. if I'm permitted. After an, I'm some kind of relative. v- < ,'fQ Mwnteni and tfAlrry, atftftfliiig near her, could see over the of the Ic-r,Nvd in- side a man on a platform at the further end of the marquee. The last words of a spcec'i he had been making were followed by an out- break of applause, and Harry had no difficulty in identifying him as his father's cousin, Arnold Elliot. He was a handsome, middle- aged man, immaculately dressed, but while he was smiling at his guests there was a certain cold formality in his manner. One could have fancied that he took the applause of the assembly as his right. When he sat down a little, fussy man got up. It's my pleasant duty to thank our host tn your name," he began. "As you are aware, he's generally in London when we hold our show, which is why he gives us this annual treat earlier on, for the encouragement of cottage gardening. Mr. Elliot, I may remark, la a gentleman who encourages everything." Except 'rC*5 trout-fisfejeg," said a Voice in a low aside. 11 Welm proad to be hts neighbours* the I orator went on. There's always be@}\ an Elliot in the dale as long as I remember." Or your grandfather either," a voice en- couraged him. Or my grandfather; but I think I may say we've never had a finer one than—ah, the present specimen." An outbreak of applause followed, and Harrv saw Maud's amused smile. "Well," the speaker added, "I think that among the many fine things Mr. Elliot has done there was nothing better than the found- ing of the Horticultural Society, and it's .my pleasant duty to inform you that he has again presented ue with a gold medal and silver tankard." This Announcement was followed by great I applause, and after supplying some particu- lars about the forthcoming show. tl;° yroMr sat down breathless. In the succeeding inter- val Winter came up, looking hot. We only missed you two or three minutets ago," he began, and Maud included Harry in her answering smile. Isn't that an unflattering confession?" she asked. Mr. Elliot took pity on me, all brought me across." Mr. Elliot? exclaimed Winter. Mr. Harry Elliot," Maud repeated. "I fancy you have met him." She saw Harry's eyes twinkle, and then glanced at Winter, who gazed at the man in a slightly embarrassed fashion, until he broke into a laugh. Met him? 7 think I did. The only time I had that pleasure he broke my head." he said. and held out his hand. We must try to resume our acquaintance on a more peace- ful footing, Mr. Elliot." Harry shook hands with him. I have wanted to thank you for not setting the police after me. It was rather generous—every- thing considered." "They went; I couldn't stop them," said Winter, grinning. They always will, you know. Anyhow, it was a relief to liear you had got away." Maud raised her hand. "Irvine's 'begin- ning. Take Mr. Elliot's card, Winter, and give it quietly to James." Another man stood up on the platform. Our secreiary." he declared, has taken most of the wind out of my sails, but neither the one nor the other of us can properly ex- press our gratitude to our generous patron. We respect him, as our fathers respected his. He has given us a hand when we needed it; his grounds are open to us. We've never had as just a magistrate he has led our sports as well as our charities; and, as our secretary told you, first and foremost, he "StattM the Horticultural Society." There was more to the same effect, though they are not as a rule effusive in the North, and then Elliot rose. He was pleased, for he was one who valued his neighbours' esteem, and, what was more, he had, in this cafie, de- served it. Even ir. business circles he was held in respect; but money is seldom easily won, and there had been times when lie had ventured out upo 1 exceedingly thin ice. He had, brtsoever, crossed the deeps in safety, and now he took his leisure, leaving a good deal of his business to his manager and secre- tary. As he stood up, smiling, he felt un- usually content with himself, and tumultuous followed his few well chosen word- vy nen ue sat aown a man nanaea mm a cara which bore the inscription H. Elliot, Hastings, Vancouver City. Elliot sat still while the company left the pavilion, and gazed at the card with a har- dening face. He had no doubt as to who H. Elliot was, because he had traced the young man to Canada eight years earlier. After that he had heard no more of him, not even when the Calabria went down taking her skipper with her, and Arnold had been con- tent to have it so. That disaster was an episode which he had desired to forget. Now, however, Mad Jack's son had come home, and Arnold wondered with ni!L-iv:!igs whether he came to trouble him. r< fs: Ig him- self, he advanced ui;b oiMsiivTelti-I hiiid to- wards the bronze-faced man who ihi.id wait- in in the emptying marquee. << Harry, he said, holding out his hand, this is a surprise. Too are the last person I expected." He *jvricied that the newcomer hesitated before e shcok hands with him. but he did so, and there was nothing to be gathered from his smile. It looked as if Mad Jack's harum-scarum son had grown into a cool, col- lected man. I came across as soon as I could manage it." said the latter. You see, I'm in busi! ness on the other side." tie spoke quietly, without marked reserve, .ut Elliot somehow felt uneasy. "What kind of business? he inquired. "Mines," said Harry. Will you be here any time?" I don't know as yet. I've one or two things to do, and can't say how long they'll take me. Besides, I want to enjoy myself among the fells. I've been pretty busy so far." This was far from explicit; but it suggested that Harry had attained some moderate de- gree of prosperity, and Arnold did not know whether he was glad or sorry to hear of it. It is, as a rule, less difficult to purchase the goodwill of a man afflicted with financial difficulties. We shall be glad to have you as long as you can stay," he said. Of course, you have sent your things up?" Harry laughed. ThIlre at the Golden Fleece. Finding old Bell still there, I hired all the spare room in the place. I couldn't be quite sure you'd be pleased to see me. I left rather under a cloud, you know." Elliot smiled. Oh II he said. it's for- gotten, and I've no doubt Maud will ineist upon your coming here But come out on to the lawn. I can't leave mv euests." (To be continued).

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