THE WOMAN WITHSN

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 305, 23 December 1903, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN WITHSN

By ATHOL FORBES.

CHAPTER XLL Mr Langthorne put on a light overcoat. He hesitated for a moment in the hall, then he went slowly upstairs to where his wife and daughter were. ".Chetwynd has just been here. Barkking has been injured, so much so that he has had to be sent to a hospital." "A judgment upon him—Yes, I feel it," Mrs Langthorne repeated, in spite of the look on her husband's face. "But how did it happen, and why should Captain Chetwynd of oil people be the bearer of thri news?"

"It appears ha went to see Captain Cheowynd and fell down the stairs; at least, that is his way of putting it, but I have my own ideas." "Of course, he went there to traduce you, and " "Well, do not let us talk about that now, dear. I came up to tell you that lam going to Chancery-lane. Barking's mother lives there, and she must be told. By the way, Edith, Chetwynd asked after you, and he wants to coma and see you to-morrow." Edith's eyes grew soft with tenderness at the thought of seeing her lover again, and her hands trembled as she put a silk handkerchief about hex father's neck. "I am glad you are going to see his mother. Perhaps you will learn something—who knows? You won't be long, dear?"

"Not longer than I can help, Margaret."

Edith looked enquiringly from one to the other. What did this coming together of Barking and her lover mean? Things were as mysterious as ever, and the weary look once more took possession of her eyes. The mystery was being deepened by each successive mood. Mr Langthorne walked to West Kensington station and took a ticket for the Temple, but at Victoria he got out and hailed a hansom. His hands were hot with fever, and his forehead burned with fire. He felt that he would suffocate if he remained longer in thai underground tuimeL , A cold wind blew down Victoria-street. Hats flapped and struggled, errand boys i whistled and chaffed, vehicles of all i kinds jingled and growled, but he was > oblivious of it all. His hansom moved ! noiselessly and swiftly along on its in-dia-rubber tyres, but he only knew, and i that with a blank heaviness of spirit, : that each turn of the wheels brought ; him nearer to the solution of his trouble, whatever that solution might be. All kinds of thoughts came into his mind. If Barking's injuries had been fatal, there would have been a solution at once. Now, at all events for a time, his tonne would let him rest in peace; then, what would happen? There was Chetwynd, too. He was coming tomorrow. What was to be done there, and what would he eventually think of his treatment of Mm when ho was ' told the inevitable?

He dismissed the hansom at the foot of Cbancery-lane, and walked the remainder of the distance, wretched and miserable. A policeman looked curiously at him as he passed, with bent head, while a beggar who had slouched from an archway to ask alms, turned away, seeing in that blanched face a misery greater than his own. Two women with painted faces mocked at hW A man, who looked like a solicitor's clerk, passed by, and he stopped him to enquire his way. "KeppePH Courtf* He thought for a moment. "Yea, first, —no, second turn on the left." A boy of tender years, with eyes Eke a ferret, sat on r, d~or*tep, --wiring a cigarette. "KeppePs Court—why, you're in it naow." Mr Langthorne gave him a piece ef silver that made the ferret-Era eyas dance again with de'-'gb— "I want to find a person, Bca*lrtng fey name, an elderly * "This way, sir," and the lad led the way at c quick pace, talking as ha went. "Than la t»oi *««- sit. Bars' taguthar:

one is on old woman who never comes out — one knows 'ex name; she is always shouting for brandy." Mr Langthorne's heart beat quicker. There was a familiar ring somehow about that story, and the woman who shouted for brandy, but he dismissed it again as, with a shudder, he recalled the last time he had seen her. "She has a son who lives with her?** s "You mean Dug.-v Oh! he's a reg'lar dook. TE don't live with ncr naow; 'c's too grand a toff for KeppePs Court, besides, the boys 'ere used to larf at 'im. Up them —third floor. Tire, I'll go first, as there seems to he a raow goin' on. Kothink fresh 'ere, sir. It's the old woman again, shaouting for brandy. No one takes any notice now. Why, wot's the matter, sir?" exclaimed the boy breaking off. Mr Langthorne was standing on the first landing, holding his hand to his side. From up the stairs came the sound of oaths, followed by shrill screams for brandy. There was no mistaking the raucous tones of that voice, but it was music to him now; more—it was his life. His heart seemed to swell as though it would burst. "It cannot bel I am the victim of some delusion." " lire, are ycr conxnr*r" enquired the boy. "Hush, my lad. Wait a moment, my boy, my boy," he kept repeating in tremulous tones. It seemed to him ! that if he moved, th** spell would be I gone, and he would hear the voice no i more. j Suddenly there was a crash of glass, I the quick slamming of a door, a shriek | for the police, and a woman in a semi- ; nude state rushed down the stairs. j "Get sir. quick!" shouted the ! boy. "It's a case o' D.T.s," and he ran for an officer. aDDalled at the apparition. But Mr Lstngthorne roused as if he had been awakened from a long sleep, seizing the fleeing woman. Yes: there was no mistaking her. "Daisy! Daisy!" he cried. "Dont yon know mc?" The woman cowered on the stairs like some frightened animal. The voice sobered her in an instant. i "Don't murder mc! Don't hurt mc, 1 John," she whined* "I never meant to harm you." She crouched up against the wall as ;if in exneetation of a blow. It was a ; weird scene in the half light. "Come upstairs, Daisy," he said, kindly. (To be continued daily.)