The Salt of the Earth

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 183, 2 August 1913, Page 20

The Salt of the Earth

A Story of love *r.d Excitement

lißyTred. JO. White.

CHAPTEK XXXVII. ■OTTTEAGEO-rS FO-ITTJNE." What was spoken in whispers gathered __ -volume, as it circulated, and in a few ~ days everybody knew the story of the ', man who had chosen -to • call- himself ._ Samuel Burton. The older generation ~ in; --ociety-recollected him perfectly well - . and Tegalcd- younger men with stories of ;; his hot youth, and of the black circum- ■» stances he_ left the arany. He - made money"in-his-lifetime in some dark ~ arid mys_erio-_-~_ban_ter -known- to-himself. T and had" ntaintained his" adopted, daugh- ;; ier in '".very-luxury; but the" fact that - he had left her entirely penniless was an - open secret now. Men speculated' in " their idle, gossiping way on what Adela would do, and laughed'over Mark Calla- ." der's disappointment. As for Adela,.no "** octe seemed to7;c."3__q,;'a; "pin; . Qtkers as _; fortunately sit*ujr_*e"d:_as herself hadgpne' - under, and- Society had forgotten them •-• in a week. ~ •'. - ' - But certain people were not in the •~ least likely the unfortunate -" girl. She figured -largely in the -books ._ of" many tradesmen and shopkeepers in __ thfe West End. alarm .a,t".pne_. ;_" Though it was barely'lnncbeon^tiine,' on I * the day following her visit to- Denne, ■» Adela already felt the-sting-of-it. Had Z. -die opened the many demands for iu- _; Btant payment "that' every post had _ In-ought she might';;baye been., at. least ~ forewarned. She had .been annoyed by - seedy-looting men who-had thrust docu- - ments-Tipon her in the streets, hut these .". she had. thrown aside' contempnously. _ When she came down late to lunch she - had to face one harsh aspect of her - altered circnntstances For a man was - waating to see her who would take no denial. tHe- was civil enough, but his 1 manner "was so persistent that she felt her heart turn cold -within her as she j. asked her -business; "Well, miss," the man began. "You see. it is quite a matter of business. I »• don't suppose you will understand what - I mean, but I am here on behalf of I- iMiurice and Co., of Hendon Street. It "", is .just over eleven hundred pounds alto- ."-" gether," t "But I will send you a cheque." Adela said hautily. "Bless you, miss, a cheque won't do. *I am sent here by the Sheriff. But I shall be very glad to take cash, hard - cash. I won't trouble you for a moment after that. I arm responsible to - the-Sheriff; I am what is called a Sher- » ifFs officer, if you know what I mean." Adela was beginning to understand; she had heard of such things before, indeed she recollected seeing a play once , which was-called the "Man in Possession." Gradually it dawned upon her that this grimy person would stay on her premises till the debt was paid. The indignity of .. it struck her like a blow, and she crossed . over to the befl, and rang it pat-sipnately. ;, She rang it again and again, but nobody _• replied. "I expect they've gone," the "man. in possession said meekly. "They probably guessed nry'-msiness. I've been in swell houses 'before, and the servants nearly always vanish like this." ■ . . Adehvstood with her hand on the electric bell. She could hear it trilling • away, in the distance, but there was no response: -The tears rushed' in her eyes, -but she managed to hold them oaek. She was at the mercy of the world; she had not a, friend to hold out a helping hand. "But wiiat can I do?" she implored. She had lost all her haughty manner. "Must you stay here till the "money is actually paid. Can't you take my word ?" The man shook his head resolutely. "More'n my place is worth to leave you, miss,""-he said. --You'll have a week ' or so to find/rthe" indney." "And if I*don't find it?" 'Then, in that case, you'll be sold up. ..You'll excuse.me for saying it, miss, but you was very foolish to" let things go so far. When you had tbe writ you ought to have gone to your solicitor, and he would have-gained time for you." Adela sighed hopelessly; "she was not sure she knew what the man was talking about, and wondered what a writ was. Was it one of those papers which bad been thrust upon her in the street? Yes, that must have -been it.' As she stood grappling with her perplexity, she heard the front-door bell ringing almost incessantly. -• 'No doubt this was one of her frivolous-friends come to find out how the land lay. With her lip between her teeth'"Adela walked into the hall, and flung open the door. Despite her anxiety she could not restrain a smile as she beheld the diminutive figure of Max Cor- _ _,dy. He was beautifully attired in a grey frock suit. His boots' were glossy with varnish, and he took off an elegant silk .fiat with -.-demonstrative.flourish. "I h'bp'eT "have got here in time, miss," he said. "Yes, I know all about it. This is just the thing that Mr. Burton was afraid of. Now, you let mc come inside, and. I'll soon get rid of your unwelcome visitor. Leave him to mc, and if any questions-aro-asked, refer to mc, for I am your solicitor." Adela was. inclined to let everything pass, and wondered whether She would wake up -presently to find this <an uneasy dream: She stood aside for Cordy to precede ber. He-walked into the diningroom, and laid his hat.upon the table. ' "'Now, my man," he said, in a tone of ineffable patronage. "I am Miss Burton's ...solicitor. I only heard of this business this -morning. Of course, it isn't your fault. The only question is, how :_■_____?'' The man in possession quoted bis previous figures with- unction, but was not in flic least sanguine that the money would be forthcoming. However, in the 'most businesslike way Cordy placed his hand in his breast-pocket, and produced a parcel of notes. These he counted into the hands of the bailiff, along with a sovereign of two, and some odd shillings. Almost before Adela knew whart had hap- . pened her visitor had departed. But you ought not to have done this," she • protested. "Oh, it isn't my money," Cordy said. "It belonged to Mr. Burton. There is a bit more where it came from, but not much. " You see. there would have been "'"_. good deal if the governor hadn't died. I've lost tbe best friend I ever had." "You had known him long?" "Oh, dear, yes. I have been with him all' over the World. 1 have known him ever since 1 was a boy. You need not ..smile, miss, I'm a lot older than you think for. I know 1 look young. Why put mc in an Eton suit, and I would pass for fourteen. That is where I was so useful to the poor old governor upon occasion. I could lookso very innocent." Adela asked no further questions. She had no wish to hear more of the seamy side of her benefactor's life, and indeed , \yould be only too happy to come out of her artificial e_r___tence, and <*o to some quiet spot wi-ete she- -would know peace and enn-fart, ______ _______ ____ku_r •-neant -^el_^^---g-<---_-aiii T^w^n^>riw ..

I grated on her horribly. Even his look lof undisguised admiration filled her with disgust, "You had better go," she said quietly. "I am most erncerely obliged to you, though I am afraid you have wasted your money. For there axe others who will hunt mc down like -wolves. I daresay that's one at the door at this moment.-' Cordy darted off to answer the ring, and returned with a woefully changed countenance, looking like a boy who has been detected in an unsuccessful raid upon an orchard. He was followed by a man who, in many respects, was the counterfeit of the person who had, not long since, departed Max Cordy dropped into a -chair, and groaned aloud. "Here's a pretty business," he exclaimed; "here's a pretty business. Oh! miss, why ever didn't you take someone into youfooConfidence. I am afraid there is nothing for it but a trip to Holloway." "I didn't know," Adela faltered, "but what does this mean? What does this man want? Surely, it can't be any worse than the last affair." In the depths of his chair, Cordy with anguish. .1 "You tell her," he said to the man. "It's your business, and I haven't the heart to do it." "Well, you see, it's a Committal Order, miss," the intruder said hoarsely. "There is nothing to distrain upon here, and somebody else is already in your cottage at Maidenhead. It is about nine hundred pounds-altogether. If yon can't find the money,' I am afraid 1 shall have to get you to come as far as Holloway Gaol! w-itb mc." - • It seemed almost incredible, something beyond the wildest dream. Yet the man was speaking quietly and rationally' Adela recollected that a similar thing had happened in the case of one of her I own friends. It had been the theme of a spicy scandal at the time, and had afforded an outlet for many a frivolous j jest. Adela was now conscious of the grim reality of such an experience. She shot a mute glance at Cordy. who tapped his breast-pocket, and shook his bead tic spairingly. There was only one thing to be done, and every drain of pride in Adela's nature revolted against it. She crossed to her desk, and hastily dashed off a note, which she handed to Cordy. "Take that to Mr. Denne at once," she said. "You must find him. There mo immediate hurry for this? If 1 can get the money in an hour or two. 1 suppose you can wait?" The bailiff had some of the milk of human kindness in his nature, for he acquiesced readily in the suggestion. "JoTothing I should wish for better, miss," he said, civilly. "Nobody dislikes this kind of thing more than I do, but a man has to live. Only, I must remain here till your messenger conies back, and it will be my duty to see that you don't go out of my sight." Adela murmured her thanks. She had fallen a long, long way since the morning. She had been bitterly annoyed and wounded to find that her servants had deserted her, but she was glad of it now. The fewer the people that witnessed her humiliation the better. She handed the note to Cordy, who took up his hat and vanished. The stranger, after a cautious glance found the room to see that there 'was only one exit, picked up a paper, and walked out into the hall, jntimating that he should prefer to sit .there. "That is very nice of you," Adela said. ,"I. hppe .it .won't .be for long. I expect a friend, who will cash a cheque for mc." The minutes crept on, the hour ot lunch arrived, but there was no sign of Denne. The clock struck two, and yet he failed to put in an appearance. Then Adela's courage failed her, and she felt she was alone indeed. CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE LOWEST DEPTH. There ra* no bitterness in Adela's heart. There very seldom is, even in the most pessimistic of us, when we have sounded the lowest depths of human misery. Disgrace and humiliation hung over her head, but she was past all sense of dismay, and felt that she would have to follow the bailiff wherever he chose to take her. With a calmness that surprised her, she contemplated the certainty of sleeping in gaol that night. sShe refused to believe that Denne had turned a deaf ear to her request. Probably her messenger could not lind him; or he might have been engaged in some all-engrossing business that could not possibly be delayed; or he might have been summoned to the Continent at short notice, as, she understood, was often the lot of capitalists. She had not struck the psychoiogicaj moment, as one so often does in such urenmstanees. Meanwhile the clock hands were moving towards the fatalhour. Never had time appeared to fly so quickly before. Adela could not recollect, even in the old days, wbeu she pursued pleasure with all the keenness and zest of youth. that time had slipped away as rapidly as it was passing now. She rose and went to the hall. There was no occasion to wait. Denne was not coming, and the sooner the business was over, the better. "I fear my friend has been Oetalned," Adela said. '"I mustn't keep you any longer, I suppose." The man declared that an extra halfhour would not make much difference to him, for which relief Adela thanked Mm, and withdrew to her bedroom, much disposed to end the matter there and then, and depart with the man. Whilst these thoughts occurred to her the front door of the flat opened, and her maid entered She apologised, more or less incoherently, for her absence. "It doesn't matter," Adela said wearily. • "I shan't require you after •this afternoon. I believed you had taken alarm and run away like the others. Why did you come back?" The maid looked at her reproachfully. "I daresay it is natural you should think so, miss, but I hope you don't suppose I am quite heartless. I had to go lout after breakfast, and omly learnt what had happened by accident. I am not going; nothing would induce mc to leave you in your distress. Take a rest while I fetch you a cup of tea." The tears tilled Adela's eyes with a rush. She was uot so hard and cold as she thought she was. In her heart of hearts she was grateful for this kindness on the part of her maid, for whom, after all, she had never had much consideration. Well, it was good to find that some people could think of others besides "themselves. Adela dropped weraJdy mto a chair, overcame with a strange feeling of dizziness. Sne waa h t ad t0 foot - and w °adered whether she was dreamin-r or whether it was really Douglas Denne who was bending over her chair, and begging her to tell him what was the matter. It was Denne in the flesh as Adela saw pla-nly w hen her head and There was a, look on his -_.cc, ■w-.__faoj.gave.. ier _&__.__ __ ope aad *-■ ;

"My -poor child," he said tenderly. "So it has actually gone as far as this? Why didn't you tell mc"? Why didn't you send for mc before? You might have known that I should come at once. Your messenger __a3 been looking for mc eveiyw-iere, and only caught mc by the merest chance ut Charing-Cross Station. -I should have been on my way to Paris in another ten minntes." Infinitely soothing was the warm, caressing tone of Denne's voice. Adela lay back in her chair with a comfortable sense that the direction of affairs was being taken out of her hands, that she would be saved from an unspeakable humiliation. Now, she realised how acutely she had dreaded the possibility of the journey across London with the man outside. But full as she was of her own misery, she found time to think ot Denne and his own perilous position. "I did not know what to do," she said, with a faint smile; "I am not used to this sort of thing. I sent for you when 1 was in trouble, but 1 thought, perhaps, Mark had begun " ••Callader has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet, but I have given him a counter-stroke that will give him something to think about before he takes ■the next stop. You need not have any anxiety about mc. And now, as to your own affairs, 1 got what 1 could out of your queer little mcesenger. I know something of Max's history. He is a gracefe.-!? scamp, but is as devoted, to your interests as he was to those of''Mr Burton. But, in the first place, let mc persuade your visitor to depart. J called into my banker'-., and got some money as I came along. 1 hope he hasn't been •rude?" , "On the contrary, in his own way. he lias been very civil. But, what have 1 done that you should be so kind to mc?" But Denne had vanished, and Adela heard the murmur of voices outside. By and by Douglas returned, and took a seat opposite to her. She beheld him through a mist of -tears. Covering her face with her hands, she burst into a fit of passionate sobbing. The breakdown did not last long, but it seemed to ease her wonderfully. The pain bail left her head, and (he hard, cold feeling at her heart was gone. She dried ber eyes, and a faint, unsteady smile flicked around her lips. "You are very, very good in me, - ' she said. "But 1 fenr you have only postponed the evil day. It terrifies' mc to think how many more are in a position to treat mc in the Maine way. 1 don't know whether yon will believe mc or not. but it is only during the List few hours | thai I have realised what a wretch 1 am. You need not shake your head, for it is quite true. I am just as dishonest | as if 1 had forged a cheque, or picked a pocket, i have known for «nme time how 1 w;ik ■.'mated, anrl vet J have gone I on dealing with my tradesmen in a most hrirtlriss fashion. 1 will make over to them all I possess, and earn my own living after I have had a few weeks' rest. I am utterly worn out, but if you can think of any suggestion ' "l have a plan," Denne replied. "Yon had better run down to your cottage at Maidenhead. 1 know there is bother there, too, but 1 will easily put that right, and then 1 will .-.end my o-olieitor here to meet the claims against you. You do not care to be beholden to anyone, 1 know, but necioSi'ty is sometimes disagreeable. But what can you do. Somebody must help you, and, as you are aware, in the ultra-smart set" to which we belong, it is no novelty for a rich man to assist a friend to whom be is attached. You must recollect ncores of instances. Let mc quote a few."' "You are laughing at mc," Adela protested. "Indeed, I am doing nothing of the sort. You must leave this in my hands, and, besides it is only anticipating events. You see, if you were my wife, 1 should have to pay your debts, and if you were my wife, you would not. make the slightest objection. 1 won't hear another word. What you have to do is to keep quiet, drink your tea, and not worry about anything." Without further words Denne walked out of the fiat, and closed the door behind him. While Adela was trying vaguely to -think matters out, there came a ring, and the Duchess of Southampton bustled in. She appeared to know everything that had happened. "I don't want any explanation, child. I have had one already. Besides, I met Douglas outside, and he posted mc up in the latest details. My dear, I was quite used to this kind of thing when I was a girl. My poor dear father lived in an atmosphere of County Court bailiffs and executions. He never found himself inside a debtor's prison, for -the simple reason that he was a Peer, who -in those days were mercifully exempt from such md-ignrties. It is lucky for you that you have a friend like Denne to look after you. Why do you b'.ush in that absurd way? The roan"is in love with you, and you are in love with him, and when Callader is out of the ruur.ino-', as he soon will be, you can tmaj-ry him without further delay. Meanw-hjle, I I will take you to Maidenhead to-morrow, \ and stay with you a couple of days. At any rate-it will prevent the snobs from talking. That is one of the real advantages of being a Duchess." "You are all far too good to mc," Adela said. "Have you seen anvthin'oof Mark?" - *** "I met him at lunch to-day. He doesn't look particularly happy, though he knows that he is practically Marquis of Kempston. I forgot to tell you that I have been all through Burton's papers, and they are now in the hands of the Callader solicitors. There is not the slightest doubt that poor Samuel's story was true, but it needs corrfirmation. iii a few days the public will know who is the new Marquis of Kempston, and how you have suddenly blossomed into the Lady Adela Callader. Mark doesn't know quite what to believe as to the stories about your benefactor's fortune. In his suspicious way he fancies he has been hoaxed. He was coming round to see you this afternoon, and have it out, but I told him some diplomatic lie about your being at Maidenhead, because I wanted to see you first. I don't think you will have any trouble with Callader. He will refuse to carry out his promise when he finds you are not an heiress." "Tie will not have an opportunity," Adela said. "In no case could I marry Mark, and I am not in the least afraid of him for myself. It is what he is likely to do to Douglas Denne that troubles mc. I have tried to work it out in my own mind, but I can't think. Every time I try to think my head gets all confused and muddled, and I shake like an aspen leaf. The feeling is coming over mc now. Don't be-alarmed. I shall be better in a minute or two. It is so unlike mc to be miserable." There was a look of anxiety on the Duchess' shrewd, kindly face as she glanced at Adela. The girl was lyin-" - back in her chair, with a white, set face, and a strange trembling in her limbs! The Duchess rose from her chair, and went into the kitchen where the maid -was ait tea. *2 want y4m *■*-" fetcll Miss Burton's «octc_-_i_ttbo_i_-»r____l am a_iaid___tie>_s im*"-

Adela was still sitting in the same position when the doctor came. He shook his head gravely. "Nervous breakdown," he said. "Take her into the country immediately." : (T6 he continued Saturday newt.)