Mrs. Daventry's Mistake

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 50, 27 February 1915, Page 18

Mrs. Daventry's Mistake

yei eaid, *T mnet van you that the jßenehope finances won't etand too much strain. Dow are you going to epend this large earn?" "There are a number of improvements that ought to be made, and I've a scheme for draining the big flat between Beckfoot and the Pike. Anyhow, that's my part of the matter; youra is j to provide the money. You have it, and I thought I'd better let you know it will be required." "Very -well. I mnst see what can be done." Keldar got up carelessly. "That's all, I think, but you had better pay three or four -hundred pounds into the bank at once." Mc ■went out. and Elton looked ac if he had received a crushing blow. It I would t>c desperately, hard to find, three thousand pounds if the money were needed soon, but he must think, and, pulling himself together, he opened a private aeeoujrt-book. Hie expression grew more troubled ac he studied it, but he saw one thing clearly: Keldar's steward must be prevented from carrying out his reckless plane—at least, for a time. In the meanwhile. Flora, returning to Tamside. 'found Mabel in a canvas chair on the , lawn. The girl looked lietless and tired. 1 " It's too hot even to Tead, trat you don't seem to mind it." she remarked. " "Where have you been?" I "To Bell's," sail] Flora, sitting down. "I found Stevenson there." , " Yes"!" Mabel's "tone was indifferent. ' "He eeems to be there rather ofteu. What was he doing?" " Talking to Rose in the dairy." Mabel's face hardened. " Then there's something in what people say." *" You mean in what your mother says. ,, '" I suppose I do." Mabel hesitated. " Tt really doesn't matter, but I thought she might 'be mistaken, and perhaps rather prejudiced against the man." Flora smiled. " Of course it doesn't matter, but I don't like fencing. We know your mother's prejudiced, and it isn't difficult to see her reason." A trace of colour crept into Mabel's face, but Tiora went on. "She's quite wrong about Stevenson." " How do you know?" Mabel's tone was as careless as she could make it. " For one thing. Tie told mc he doesn't go there to see Rose, and somehow I believed him." "He told you!" ilabel was startled out of her reserve, and Flora recognised the note of jealousy. " Yes," she said: " I made him. He's frank, and I have some charm, you know. For all that. I found I couldn't add him to my victims." "Do you mean you tried!" Mabel looked at her with astonishment. " I did. It was an interesting experiment, but he stood the test. In a way, of course, it wasn't flattering." Mabel pondered this, but the listless look had left her face. " "Flora." she said, bv-and-bye, " I don't understand what could have prompted you." "It ■kn't easy to understand; but I'm supposed to be advanced, and I'm not always content with watching the game. When it begins to get exciting I feel I must take a hand in." ''Do you expect anything exciting and unusual to happen here?" ''Perhaps nothing really unusui.l." '" iFloTa answered- ~ with a gleam of amusement. '• Still, if you're observant, everything that happens has its fascination. Men and ■womern are tremendously interesting, par. ticnlarly men." She picked up a book "And bow I want to be quiet; I've had a busy afternoon." CHAPTER VTTI. The sun was setting when Keldar strolled through the fruit garden at Tarnside with Mabel. Though they wencontent with each other's society, neither of the two had spoken for some time. Mabel felt somewhat guilty, because she had misjudged the nian and been too ready to listen to her mother's insinuations. Keldar thought she looked wonderfully attractive with her thoughtful air. Mrs Daventry's ambitions were obvious, and he could imagine her daughter's suffering if she refused to fall in with them. He could put that right; but there was only one thing which would justify his interference, and, while he thought Mabel liked him, liking was not enough. "I'm afraid I've made you neglect your duty," he remarked. "It's kind and rather plucky of you not to send mc "Whyl" He indicated Flora »nd Stevenson, who were making for a door that led to a quiet shrubbery. "Didn't your mother send you to Show jny partnei the chrysanthemums?" "If I had obeyed her it would have left you to Flora. Do you want to go?" "Certainly not. I don't think Miss Foster is anxious for my company." "Then you can stay. To tell the" truth I feel rebellious to-night. one can't always be dutiful." That's so. There's a fascination in doing the things one shouldn't." "I suppose there is," Mabel agreed. "Weil, we had better make the most of this opportunity, because it may not occur again. I'm not always brave." "I don't think that's right," he answered. "When the time for action comes, you don't fail. One can see at by the way you hold yourself and tie snap in your eyes." Then he laughed. "It would have been much simpler if we nad been born three hundred yeajrs ago." "What woirld have been much, ampler?" "Everything. Your mother would have locked you up in the tower, and I'd have come to your rescue with the Renshope speare. Think of the glorious adventure it would have 'been: riding hard across the moors, fording rivers, racing through, the mist that creeps up the valleys on a might like this!" "After all, I might have preferred captivity in the tower. Besides, it was the lairds of Kenshope who led the spears." "True!" he eaid, rather grimly. "I was forgetting. The laird lias the first claim." Mabel coloured, but her voice wae cold. "You're too blunt. We don't say things like that in England." "So I have observed. Well, I'm a bit of a barbarian, with a wild, old-time strain in mc; but I've found it useful out West." He paused, and added, significantly: "And I've a feeling that I may find it useful here." Mabel turned her head, for ihis boldness made a strong appeal. "After ell, you wouldn't make a bad laird of Renshope," she answered, oareleeely. "But aren't we talking nonsense?" "I am," ice admitted. "It's a "way I have; but it's not all nonsense, and 1 can be serious." His face was grave, and there was something in his voice that etirred the girl; tout she did not answer, and they went on in silence. "We must go in," Mabel said by-and-bjr. -_ 1 . ,

than Mr. "Koldar himsrff." Then, he pulled biniwif up, and added: "Ma'happen you'll have trouble in getting the money from Mr. Elton." "If s possible," said Keldar, with a dry smile. "Still, I think Mr. Elton will put up the dollars." Bell, who explained that he wanted to look at some sheep, asked him to call at the farm, where Mrs. Bell would be glad to offer him refreshments; and Keldar strode away downhill. He had reasons for looking forward with grim amusement to a conflict with lawyer Elton. When he entered the big farm kitchen there was nobody about, but he stopped to stroke a collie that tlirust its shaggy head into his hand. While he talked to the animal he heard a footstep, and saw a girl come out of an inner door. She was young, and looked very fresh and pretty in her light print dress. "Mr. Stevenson , ." she exclaimed. ""1 knew it wasn't a stranger when Rob didn't bark." "He"s a sensible dog. It's nice to feel you're welcome. Rose; but I really came for a drink. I'm not sure that sounds quite right; but, you see, I didn't know you were in." The girl blushed, but she did not mind Keidar's banter. Like the dog. which rubbed its head against his knee, she knew he could be trusted. "We've only some harvest ale. You wouldn't care for that." she said. "WouldiVt \:" exclaimed Keldar. "After walking over the fells in this sun I could drink a gallon if you poured it out for mc." Rose said she would bring him some from the dairy, where the cask was kept; but he stopped her. "I like your dairy. It's the cleanest place I've ever seen, and on a day like this it will be nice and cool. Now. give mc your biggest jug; I'm coming right along." She brought a silver tankard that Bell had won at a cattle show, and he followed her into the dairy. It was built of rough whinstone with a roof of heavy slabs, and a single ray of sunlight struck through a small open window into its dim interior. The girl filled the tankard and leant against a slab in a graceful attitude, watching her companion with a smile while he drained it. Then he sat down close by and gave her the tankard back "May 1 have some more? That's the best beer I've ever struck." Rose refilled the tankard and handed it to him with a merry laugh, but next moment there were footsteps in the shadowy passage, and Flora Foster appeared. Keldar. as she was quick to notice, looked up at her without embarrassment. '"Have you come to join in the revels?" he asked. Flora gave Rose a sharp glance before she answered. She was very smartly and becomingly dressed; but somehow Flora always looked smart. The pale green went well with the fine red of her hair; the long feather in her hat had just the right tilt, and added to her piquancy. "Xo." she said; "I came to order some butter from Mrs. Bell, and, hearing voices, I walked in." "You heard mine," Keldar rejoined. "As usual, 1 was doing the talking. Rose needn't talk; it's enough for her to smile. However. I'm glad you came, because it gives mc an opportunity of walking home with you." Flora gave Rose a message and went out with him. As they passed between yellow oatfields into the dale, she turned and looked at him with searching directness. "I expect you don't think mc needlessly bashful?" she remarked. ".Now, I wonder how one ought to answer that. Perhaps I'd better state that I don't think you're afraid to speak your mind." "It is what I meant. Well, do you think it wise to see Rose so often? People talk, you know." "Let them talk!" said Keldar. "I guess they can't help it. but I've never allowed myself to be influenced by idle folks' opinions." "So 1 should imagine," Flora answered, drily. "Still, it isn't what they think of you that matters. It seems to be suspected that there's a reason for your friendship with Bell." "I see." said Keldar, frowning. "Then the talk must be stopped. Roee is a very charming girl, and I'm not in love with her, and, what's more important, she doesn't care in the least for mc. But I wonder why you were kind enough to give mc this good advice." "I thought you needed it. Besides, I'll admit that I take a friendly interest in you. You are rather interesting, you know." Keldar's eyes twinkled. He liked Flora, and none the less because she often seemed amused at him. "I'm flattered, but I'm not vain enough to put your warning down to jealousy." "That's sensible," she said. "I'm expected to marry money, which should make you safe. You're not rich, are you ?" Keldar did not know what to make of this. The girl was daring, and would not stick at conventional trifles; moreover, she was extraordinarily prettp, but while he felt her charm, he was not in love with her. For all that ,it would be easy to make a fool of himself, and he must be careful. He had an embarrassing suspicion that she knew what he was thinking. "I've more dollars now than I ever had." he answered. "Then you're to be congratulated," she answered, with a Jaugh that somehow relieved the strain he had felt "But, after all, I don't think you should be careless about what people say of you. Gossip's sometimes dangerous, and you may make enemies." "Well, I'll be careful." He paused, and added, simply, "Thank you." "I don't need thanks. You're quick, and it's a pleasure to give you a hint. Xow, however, we'll talk about something else. Why were you at Bell's?" Keldar told her about his new plans, and she listened with interest. She liked the man; it was a very bold scheme he was embarking on, and his courage appealed to her. When they reached the path to Tarnside she left him, and. going home, he had a horse saddled and rode to the market town, where he called on Elton. 'It was very hot in the office, and the lawyer was feeling tired after a busy day; but he pulled himself together when Keldar came in, for he had learnt to dread the visits of this man. Keldar ea,t down and carelessly flicked the dust off his leggings. "The estate accounts show that we have plenty of cash in 'hand," he said. "I understand that you invest 'the money. Can you realise some of it?" "How much do you want?" "Can't say yet. A thousand pounds, to begin with." Elton was on his guard, but Keldar saw his expression change. "It would mean selling out some shares at a loss. When do you require the money ?" "Spread out over the next two months; but 1 may spend three thou-sand-pounds before I've finished." Elton sat silent a moment, and Keldar thought he was trying to maintain his Then, the lajt

— i m I Br HASOIS BUTOLOSS. 1 'Author of "His Adversary's Daughter" "A Wide Dominion," "Blake's Burden," 'The TVastrel," ''For Love and Honour" ] etc, etc. » i STNOrSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS, j On a liner from Montreal to Glasgow . the passengers comprise Nick Keldar and i ti:> nan ncr S-γ pv en son (known as "tbt? \ Honourable Jim"t, also a Mx and Mrs £ Graham, residents on the Scottish Border. Keldar. a uiau of thirty, is returning after C c strenuous career in Canada and .Alaska I f to assuuie possession of the home of Ms j ancestor:-. Uenshope I'astle. Keldar and , tie Urnliams start an acquaintanceship, •which ihev promise to renew later. Arrived c in Scotland. Keldar. by letter, announces tis eominc to Major Paventxy. of Tarnside Sail, who is a Keldar on the mothers • eide. Mrs I>aventry. "a determined I ■woman, who generally pets her way." re- c solves that the whole family— that is. her ~ husband, herself, their daughter MabeJ. • .and Miss Flora Foster, a visitor—should go to Kenshope and arrange a •bouse- ] ■warming" -by way of welcome to the heir r from abroad. Incidentally, it is disclosed , that Mrs Davpntry has matrimonial ambitions for Mabel, ami tne mother's choice, hitherto fixed «on Max Jevon>. the son of , B millionaire soap-boiler, now seems to turn upon Keidar. Major Pavenrry is not rich. _ end there is disappointment that he ha> not inherited Renshope. as he would haTe s done had Keldar not turned up. j On arriving .it Kenshope. Stevenson is welcomed as the heir. and. for politic reasons. KeVdar encourages the mlsappre- f "the Honourable Jim" are thrown into each other's company. Keldar sets himself •to inspect Ihe estate and the aoi*OUt»te in ] roDDectinn wfth it - suspecting mismanage- , jnent and dishonesty. Keldar. still in the <*haractor of his partner Stevenson, is able tn render a service to Mabel Daveutry. and '• .she is attracted by him. or rather favours him because of a feeling of resentment ] acainst her mother for constantly throwing > belief that he is tiie Heir wnom Mabel ' ought to marry. After an interview with ' < (Major Oaventry. and an introduction to Max Jevons (the soap-boiler's hem. Keldar makes a call on Elton, a lawyer, who has hitherto had the management of the Rensnope Estate. Elton's evasive replies to qnestions strengthen mc suspicion that affairs are far from right. In the end Keldar orders tbe lawyer to send on all the estate accounts to Km. CHAPTER VII. Keldar rode home, and when he and Stevenson were talking after dinner the latter asked: "Don't you think you h;ne kept this farce up long enough. Nick?"' ■'In a sense I've kept it up too long. ■When I began I reckoned we'd only be iere a week or two. and it wouldn't matter if folks never knew which was you and -which was I. Now I might find folks unwilling to believe 1 was the right man, and when they were convinced they'd want to know my motive for deceiving them." , "It's probable, and you couldn't blame them for it." Stevenson rejoined. "Hadn't you better drop the thing at once 7" "Xo," said Keldar, "I'm not ready yet. I haven't found out all I want, and if I . took my proper place I'd never get at the truth."' He paused and grinned! "These people don't seem to believe in being frank with their landlord. How much have you learnt about them, Jimmy?" "Very little," Stevenson admitted. "They prefer to talk ot the weather, the grouse, and local politics. But there's a side of the matter that concerns mc personally. Can't you understand that it's embarrassing to have a very pretty «nrl, so to speak, throw-., at your head? I'm only human. Kick." Keldar frowned. "You don't mean that Miss Daventry "' "1 believe Miss Daventry doesn't find mc remarkably attractive."" Stevenson rejoined, with some dryness. "It's her mother I'm afraid of. "Mrs. Daventry, as you may have noticed, i≤ a very resourceful and determined lady, and I don't think the Major would object to mc as a son-in-law. The girl is dutiful, and might yield to skilfully-applied pressure." "She can't,' , said Keldar. shortly, "so long as you stand out. She's safe enough, unless you make love to her." "I suppose that's true." Stevenson agreed." "For all that, she's a very nice girl, and my resolution has its limits. I hen there's another thing, I've a suspicion that Miss Foster is takin~ a interest in you." He searched his comrade's face, but =aw nothing to indicate that his allusion to Miss Foster had had much effect. Keldar merely looked angry. "Jimmy," he said, "I don't think your remarks are quite in good taste." "They're not," Stevenson agreed, smiling. "Still, I felt I must warn you. lour intentions are. no doubt, excellent but I believe the modern young woman is capable of upsetting cleverer plans than yours. Don't keep this foolishness up too long; if you do. 1 see trouble ahead. "It is awkward having these ladies drawn in. The thing would be quite simple it they were not concerned." "That's true, but they are concerned; you can't keep them out. One woman is apt to make a difference when she takes an interest in your affairs, and tnere are three in the present plot. And now we had. perhaps, better let the subject drop." The rank fern, which grew waist-high, gave out a sour smell in the hot sunshine when, one still afternoon. Keldar stood with his tenant Bell in a hollow of the moor. Up the crest of a neighbouring hillside the ling glowed crimson against a cloudless sky. and lower down a long outcrop of limestone flashed in the strong light. The tinkle of a reaper came up from the dale, and a cock grouse cried as it skimmed across the heath. Except for that, it was very quiet among the bracken, and Keldar looked thoughtfully about. '•Well," he said. "I guess something could be done with this land; I've broken worse. But what are these stones I'm Standing on!" "Old dyke," Bell answered. "Tt was pance all walled in to the ghyll, and I've heard tell my grandfather grew good corn here. But soil's gan sour wi' t' watter seeping down from the moor."' '"The water could be run out." "A big job—van that would cost a heap of money." "Sure. I guess the money might be found." Keidar paused, and gave Bell a thoughtful glance, for a curious friendship had grown up between the men. "Xon-. look here. Would this draining pay. and have you the capital to farm the land if I dry it out?" "I might mannish, on fair terms, but Hwould be a venture. So long as you were steward. I'd feel pretty safe."' Keldar glanced carefully round the hollow, and. though he saw difficulties, the thought of reclaiming it appealed to him. "Very well. 11l have a Bhot at the thir.j. and you can take it for granted that whoever's steward at Renshope you -Won't be disturbed." P.oll looked at him in surprise, and, Startled out of liis caution, spoke -what . was in his mind.' Tm. glad o' that. Now ■ and then, you mind tne o , tne old family. them

"A few minutes more," Keldar begged. "I>fß -walk round again." * Mabel yielded; but ac they reached a corner of the path she ebopped. There I were footsteps on the gravel, and ehe I heard her mother's Toice. Forgetting ( the need for caution she looked at Kcldar in alarm. "Back along the grass border," he whispered. "The turf is soft." They turned and ran silently through the gloom, but for a time Koldar could sec no cover. "Looks as if we were corraled. Hadn't we better stop?" "No," said Mabel, breathlessly. "There's a. door near. -. He saw it and leaped across the path. Mabel, following, touched the gravel, which rattled with her foot, and Keldai seized the handle of the door. It was stuck fast until he used all his strength, and after pushing the givl through, he tried to close it. In front was a;i open pasture, and the -wall ran straight behind. Then Keldar realised his tfollj - . Mrs Davcntry -would, no doubt, have been displeased to find him alone with her daughter, but it would be very much ■ worse to bo caught trying to hide. He was sorry for Slabel. The situation might become embarrassing. The footsteps drew nearer behind the wall. One was a. man's, and he recogI nised Klton's voice. Then Mrs Dcventry said: "1 thought I saw eonjebotli as we turned the corner." "So did I," Elton agreed. "Thero was certainly somebody—in a white dress." "The "cad!" said Mabel; and Keldar i laid his Jiand upon her arm, for the voices were very close. "Mabel, no doubt," Mrs Da.ventry replied. "I heard v man's step —it must have been Mr Keldar.'' "I don't think so," sa-id Elton. "He ' was in the shrubbery. This door is not shut." They stopped, and Keldar was afraid ' Mts Davcntry would open the door. "It doesn't matter," j.'lic said, with a touch of haughtiness. "You had better 1 continue your explanation about the ' lease. I agree with Major Davcntry that the rent " 1 They went on. and Keldar turned to Mabel, who, he thought, was much dis- : turbed. "I'm sorry. You must forghe m: for being such a fool." "It was my fault," she answered, in a . strained voice. "I started and showed you that I was afraid. But 1 think Klton knew. Wasn't tie a curt" 5 "He was." sni.l Keldar, grimly. "If , it's r.nv oonrfort to you, he shall pay for 1 this." ■ They crossed the pasture, but had to go some distance round before they rearficd a pate opening on to the lawn. In the meanwhile, Mrs Davcntry and the lawyer had reached the terrace in front of the house, where they stop-ped, and , Elton looked up as the two figures came 1 across the grass. It gave him an opportunity he could not miss, even at the j risk of offending his hostess. "Ah!" he t said, carelessly, "'I was rijfht about the white dress. Miss Daventry and Mr 1 Stevenson. We must have missed them." Mrs r>aventry controlled her imligna--1 tion. Tlie man meant something, and might be useful. "So it seems: 1 wonf der whether you get on well with Stevenh son in business?" I, "1 don't; I hope I'm not indiscreet in t admitting that I find him rather over d bearing." Mrs Daventry understood this as a :. delicate hint that he know and symd patliised with her dislike of Stevenson. "I have felt that he doesn't quite know his place." "That's my own opinion; he oversteps his authority. , " "But you can appeal to Mr Keldar r where it's needful." 1 "lie's difficult to approach, and Stevene son writes his business letters." ' "But Keldar signs thorn." c "Not always. Stevenson sometimes 1 does so, per procuration. In important matters I demand Mr Keldar's signa--8 ture." Elton paused, and added, in a d different tone: "The curious thing is '' their writing is much alike." c "I haven't noticed that," said Mr* r Daventry, beginning to feel excited. 0 "Then if you have a note of Keldar's, 1 or could get him to write something, 1 S think you would be interested." '- They -went in, and when the others = joined them in the drawing room Mrs Daventry reminded Stevenson that he * had promised to write something in Mabel's autograph album. c "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," he remarked, good-huinoiiredly. "I'm incapable of anything original; but per- '■ haps this will do. It suits the country. , ' He wrote the well known lines about 1 the "'wine-red moor," and had paused r awkwardly with the pen in his hand, when Flora, who stood close by, moved * and touched his elbow. "How clumsy of mc! You have blotted 3 the place where your name should have gone," she said. "After all, as the verse l > is certainly not original, you had better 4 be modest and writ* -Borderer in the corner." n Keldar gave her a quick glance across the table; but she was smiling at Stcven- '• son, and he noticed that Elton's face was eager aa he studied the book. 4 "Sorry I've made a atese of it," Stevenson remarked, and as the others '' moved a-way Elton took a letter from his n pocket. y "Did you write this, Mr. Kcldar?" h-e Packed Stevenson. * "No." eaid Stevenson, but corrected d himeelf. "After all, I may have done." 'He held it to the light. "Letter* seem 1" rather email, but I 6ometimes uee a fine stylo pen." c "No doubt that accounts for tt," Elton d replied, careleeely, and turned away. <■ He took his leave soon afterwards; but I- Mre. Daventry followed him into the hall, d "Are you satisfied with your exp'iig ment?" ehe asked. 1- "On the whole, though ite unfortunate Mies Foster was co caTeless when we 1- reached the most interesting part. He c gave her the letter he had shown Steven- ' son. "It'e Tattoer curioue that Mr. KelI dai didn't eeem sure of hie own writing; t you'll ccc how the note ie signed." "Ah!" eaid Mre. Daventry, looking s hard at him. "What do you imply from f that?" "Aβ a lawyer, I know the folly of t jumping to conclusions; but I think the c matter requires investigation," Elton 1 answered, "with a emite. .. He went away, and when the others I* had followed and everybody ,was fast asleep, Flora, wearing noiseless clippers and a dark dreeeing gown, came eoftly I down the stairs. At their foot ehe efcop- ' ped and listened. The house wae v«ry 1 quiet and the daTknese confusing; but ■she made her way to the drawing-room. The autograph album was on the table, , and, picking it up, ehe went back cautiously, and hid tire book at the bottom of her trunk. s "It can do no harm there," she eaid, c with a satisfied emile, ac she got into bed. y But Elton'e 6uspicion6 were now thor- , oughly aroused. (To be continued next Saturday.)