The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-12-27 00:00:00

AMBITION'S LADDER,
By the Author of " Atherstone Grange,' "4 Life for
a Love," 4-e. ,
---

CHAPTER 3C XXIV —(Continua).

So it was settled, and though a close observer
might have noticed a slight unclosing of the eye-
lids, not one of the party except Laura, whose
senses were sharpened by the knowledge she pos-
sessed of his character and designs, had the smallest
suspicion that Clarence Woodville, save for a slight
giddy faintness from loss of blood, was perfectly
capable of mounting the stairs on his legs instead
of allowing himself to be carried up by the stalwart
).ardener and Angus Cameron.
But such was the fact, although he contrived to
diOn ce a 1 it so effectually that even Angus Cameron
—who, hen left alone, soon discovered the super-
ficial nature of the wound—was so far deceived by
Clarence Woodville's admirable acting and pretence)
of prostration on the following day, that he inno-
cently aided the deception.
"it is nothing really dangerous," he assured
Mrs. Greerne, who had explained to him the cir-
cumstances; "and if you would prefer Mr. Wood-
ville's removal, I, think it might be managed this
very day."
"Entirely without danger I"
" Well, perhaps not. Fever or erysipelas might
possibly supervene. However, it is for you to
decide."

But Mrs. Gram° would not hear of any risk,
however slight it might be, being incurred. It was
slightly annoying, certainly, and rather embarrass-
ing to have such a charge thrust upon her; but it
was quite out of the question that she should turn
out a man from her house and perhaps be the causo
of his death by so doing.
And thus it came to pass that Clarence Woodville
gained his end without any plotting, without effort
of any kind upon his part, and his only anxiety now
was how to improve his opportunity, and make good
the footing he had gained.
"It won't do to play the invalid any longer," he
muttered, glancing again at his own image in the
mirror. "I look much too confoundedly healthy.
I wonder whether a little powder—but no, the
women would be sure to detect any dodge of that
sort. Make-up is all very well behind the foot-
lights, but it doesn't do by day. Besides, that
young cub of a Scotch surgeon would smell a rat.
Ile told me yesterday pretty plainly that I was
quite well enough to go, and it won't do to let them
get it into their heads that I'm shamming. Come
in."

This in answer to a knock at the door, followed
by the entrance of Jeanie, who came to take away
his tray and ask whether Miss Desmond could see
him.

_
"By all means. I shall be most pleased, tell
the young lady," he answered, and Jeanie walked
out again, carrying the tray, and with her nose lifted
rather high in the air.
"The young leddy, indeed !" she sniffed. "About
as muckle o' a leddy as yersel's a gentleman, I'm
thinking. But it's naething o' my concern."
"You will pardon my rudeness. I hope, Miss
Desmond," said Clarence Woodville, as Laura
entered the room, " or rather, pity the weakness
which forbids my rising to receive you."
"Enough of such fooling," she replied. "I have
been sent by Mrs Gnome to ask how you feel this
morning. I could easily answer her."
. _

" No-doubt, but you ifout."
"Are you certain ?"
"Pretty nearly, my sweet. Only there's no
accounting for the perversity of your sex sometimes.
However, I think I may depend upon you for the
present to carry on your part of the farce so far as
to return my most respectful regards, and very
grateful thanks for their kind enquiries, to my most
excellenthostess and her charming daughter, niece—
whatever she may be—Miss Trenchard."
"You flatter yourself," sneeringly answered
Laura. "Miss Trenchard has never troubled to
enquire after you.'
" Really ! But I don't believe you. Rude, un-
gallant, as the expression may seem when applied
to a lady, my charming Laura, 1 think you tell a
lie. But I shall soon be able to judge for
myself."
" Ah ; no doubt."
"Exactly. I am very much improved, will you
have the goodness to say, and anxious both to re-
turn thanks to Mrs. Grwme and relieve her of my
presence."
"You are going, then ?"
"Really, you say that as though you were pleased,
Miss Desmond. Yes, I am going. But—l shall
come back again without fail—so don't flatter
yourself that you have got rid of me. Now you can
go. Allow me !"
And he rose to open the door for her with mock
politeness, bowing her out and then returning to
his seat to complete a carefully studied toilet which
helped wonderfully to give him an appearance of
feebleness when it was finished.

"1 should like just one whiff," he remarked to
himself at the conclusion of his task, and looking
longingly at the contents of a cigar-case he took
from his pocket. "Just one. But it wouldn't be
safe, I suppose," he added putting up the case with
a sigh. "There's no knowing how the old lady
might take it, and just at present I must be specially
careful how I play my cards. I must insist upon
leaving the house of course, but I'll take care it's not
without a very strong invitation to return. I flatter
myself I can manage the old lady sufficiently well
to ensure that."
And the result showed that he had not mis-
calculated, for his br ken-down appearance the
while he insis ed upon relieving her of the trouble
of his presence so touched Mrs. Greme -that it
was only with great diffi. ulty he obtained her
permission to leap?, and then she could scarcely
refrain from promising to see him again and begging
him to call upon her as soon as he was perfectly
recovered.

"For lam too old to get about myself, now," she
said, "or I should come to see you. But you will
promise me?
"With pleasure, madam. I shall have only too
much happiness in revisiting a house I already love
so well for the sake of those who inhabit it."

He made a comprehensive bow as he spoke, but
his eyes rested upon Eve's with a bold, undisguised
stare of admiration and meaning, which made her
flush and feel angry, ashamed almost, and yet half-
pleased, for she was but a girl, not very strong-
minded, after all, though lovable and innocent, and
it gratified her to be admired.