The Other Romilly

Auckland Star, Issue 123, 24 May 1919, Page 21

The Other Romilly

BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM 'Author of "T\e Hillman." "A Man and His Kingdoni," "The Jfysteriou* lit Sofrin," "A Prince of Sinners," "A Maker of History," etc., etc.

(OOPTBIGHT.)

CHAPTER XVII.— (Concluded.) Phillip had no words, but his face epoke for him. Then they both turned to listen. The newcomer had dragged a chair towards him, and was leaning over the back of it. He addressed Philip. "We met, as you know, on the canal path, that beastly afternoon." he began. "I was jolly well ashamed of myself for having made love to Beatrice, and all the rest of it, and you were mad with rape. \Ve ha<l a eort of tuessle, and yon threw mc into the canal. It waa a nasty dark spot just underneath the bridge. I expect I waa stunned for a moment, but it was only for a moment. I came to, long before I was choked, and when I remembered your grip on my throat, I decided 1 was safer where J was. 1 could swim like a duck, you know, and tliouir'n it was filthy water. I took a long dive. "When 1 came up again—gad, what disgusting water it was!—you were tearing off like a creature poseeesod. That's the true history nf our little fracas.' , '•But afterwards?" Phillip asked wm:deringly. "What happened afterwards '•" "You just tell them all about it," Beatrice ordered him sternly. "Go on, Douglas." "Well, you see." Douglas P.omilly continued, "I was just going to scramble out on to the bank when ivy brain began to work, and 1 ewam slowly along instead. You see, juet then 1 waa in a devil of a mess. I'd spent lot of money, aud. though I'd kept the credit of the firm pood, I knew that the -business was bust, and the one thing I was anxious about was to get off to America without being stopped. I've explained this all to Beatrice, and why I didn't send for her before. Anyway. 1 swam along until I met with an old barge. I climbed in and got two of the choicest blackguards you ever saw to let mc spend an hour or two in their filthy 1 cabin and to keep their mouths closed about it. Fortunately. I had another pocket-book, with sufficient to satisfy them and keep mc going. Then I borrowed some clothes and came out to Amiriea p-teerage. I had no difficulty in getting my money, as I had a couple of pals in Lynn whom I had fixed things up -with before I started. They came and identified :u» Merton Mare. and we all three started in business together as the Ford Boot and Shoe "Manufacturing Company at Lynn in Massaehusptts. Incidentally, we've done all right. Heaps more, of course, but that's the pith of it. As for the body that wan fished out of the canal, if you make inquiries you'll find there was a tramp missing, a nionth or'so before. Elizabeth had begun to cob quietly. Philip, who wa3 holding her tenderly in his arms, whispered unheard things into her ears. It was Beatrice who remained in charge of the situation. "So now. Mr. Dane," she jeered, "what about your little errand , ; I hope tins will be a lesson to you not to come meddling in other people's affairs.'• Dane turned to the man who had brought this bombshell into their midst. "Do you swear that you are Douglas Romiily?" he asked. "I not only swear it but I can prove it, if you'll come along with mc to Muriay'si" he answered. "My partner's there, waiting supper, and another man who has known mc all his life." The detective glanced interrogatively towards Philip. "That is my cousin, Douglas Romilly," the latter pronounced. Dane took up his hat. "Mr. Msrton Ware," he said, "or Mr. Philip Romilly, whichever you may in future elect to call yourself, you may not believe it but the end of this affair! is an immense relief to mej I offer youj my heartiest congratulations. You need I fear no more annoyance. Good-night!" lie passed out. They heard the sound! of his footsteps and his companion's, as I they crossed the corridor and rang lori the"lift. Speech was a little difficult. lt ( was still Beatrice who imposed eon-, viction upon them. "I -was seated in the box," she explained, "'when Philip went round to see, you, Elizabeth. I had been looking down! into the etalls to find Martha, and all! of a sudden 1 ea\r Douglas there. He,, i too. was staring at mc. Of course, 1 J thought it was some extraordinary like-' nes-. but, whilst I was clutching at the curtain, he stood up and waved his handYou bhould have seen mc tear from the. box! You know, ever since they! showed mc that signature at the bank 1 have had a queer idea at the back of. my head. Luckily for him,' , she went; J on. pattinrr hi 3 arm. "he sent home for Jme a fortnight ago, and sent a draft for mv expenses out. You won't mind, will you, if I take him off now?" she concluded, turning to Elizabeth. "They are, waiting supper for us, but I wasn't: goins to let Philip—" "Did you know that Dane was going to be here?" Elizabeth asked. "Xot an idea," Beatrice declared. "I simply dragged Douglas along here, as soon a= we'd talked things out, because I knew that it would be the one thing wanting to complete Philip's happiness. We'll leave you now. Douglas will brink mc back, and we are going to be married in a few days." Philip hold out his hand a little diffidently. "You wouldn't—"' "My dear fellow.'" Douglas interrupted, grasping, "wouldn't I! I'm thundering eorry for all you've been through. I suppose I ought to have let you know that I was still in the iaiul ot the living, but I mis waiting ::ntil things blew over in England. That's all right now, though,' , lie went on. "I've turned over a new leaf, and I'm making raunev—making it after a they don": understand in England. I am aoir.2 to pay my creditors twenty shillings in the pound before a couple ot years ha\e gone, and do pretty well for Beatrice and myself as well. You ! wouldn't care, I suppose.' , lie added, a:; . they stood there with locked hands, "to : offer us just a giass of wine 'jefore we ! start ou:? Beatrice has tbeen riddling mc wirh questions and dragging mc through the streets till I scarcely know \v!.et:ier I am on my head or my heels. ' Philip emptied the contents of the champagne bottle in:o :-ie Never v.at wine poured out more gladly. ••Dou 2 U-," he explained, "this i- Miss EHzaVth Daisian. whom you act th* evening. We were married this afternoon. You can understand, can't you. just what your coming hn? meant for u= I"

Douglas shook Elizabeth by the hand. Thou he held up his plar-s. '"Here's the hest of luck to you both!" he sai'.l heartily. "Very soon Beatrice and I will a*k you to wish us the same. Philip, old chap," he added, as he set his glasr* down and without the slightest protest watched it replenished, "that's a thundering pood play of yours I've seen this evening, but you'll never write one to beat this!" Soon Beatrice and also tonic their departure. Klizabetn held out her arms nlmost as the door closed. The tear-stains were stiff onflier checks. Her lips quivered a little, but her voice was clear ar.d eweet and passionate. "Philip," she cried, 'it's all over—it's all finished with—the dread, the awful days! 1 am not going to be hysterical any more, ami you —you are just frying to "remember that we hare everything we want in the world. Sit down opposite to mc, if you please, and fill my glass. I have niily oik- emotion left. I am hungry—desperately hungry. Move your chair rearer so that 1 can reach your hand. There! Now you and I will drink our little toast." .... It was an hour before they thought of leaving the table. A very perplexed waiter brought them coffee and watched them cigarettes. Then the telephone bill rang. The;.- both stared at the instrument. Philip would have taken oil the receiver, but Elizabeth held out her hand. •'I have an i'lea," she said. "I believe it is from Sylvanua Power. Let mc answer it." She held the receiver to her ear and listeiK d. '"Yes?" ?he murmured. "Yes? .... At what time?" Her face grew more puzzled. She listened for a moment lonjrer. "But. Sylvanus,-' she expostulated, "what do you mean? . . . Sylvanus? . . . Mr. rower?" The telephone had become a dumb thinfr- She replaced the receiver. "I don't understand," she told Philip. "All that he said was—'You will receive my present at five o'clock this morning." "Does he Wnk we are goimj to sit up for it , . , ' , Philip asked. "He L~ the strangest man,' , she sighed. After all, -nine queer fancy awoke Philip at it little before five that morning and drew him to the window. He sat looking out o< or the .-till sleeping city. All sound now was hushed. It was the brief breathing space before the dawn. In the clear morning spring light the buildings of the city seemed to stand out with a ne\\Land marvellous distinctness. Now and then from the harbour came the shriek of a siren. A few pale lights were still burning along the river way. From one of the city docks the hour was slowly tolled. Philip counted the strokes —one, two, three, four, five. Then, almost as he was preparing to leave hiri post, there c:i:nc a terrific roar. The window against which he leaned shook. Some of the buildings in the distance trembled. One, with its familir white cupola, seemed for a moment to be lifted from the ground, am then split through by some unseen haiku. The roa.- of the explosion was followed by the crashing of falling masonry, bong fingers of fire suddeniy leapt up into the quiet, cool air. Kragmento of masonry, a portion, even, of that wonderful cupola, came crashing down int othe street. He heard Elizabeth's voice behind him, felt her fingers upon his shoulder. -What is it? Philip, what is it?" He pointed with steady linger. The truth seemed to conn- to him by inspiration. "It is Sylvanua Power's message to you," lie replied. '"The theatre!" There were flames now, leaping up to the sky. Together they watched them and listened to the shrieking of sirens :>nd whistles as the lire engines galloped by from every ~ection of the city. There was a strange look in Elizabeth's face a ; she watc'.ied the curling flames. "Philip," she whispered, "thank Hod! There it poes, all his great offering to mc. It's like the man and his motto—'A man may do what he will with hk own.' Only last night I felt as though I would give anything in the world never to stand upon the stago of that theatre again. He doesn't know it, Philip, but his is a precious gift." He passed his arm around her and drew her from the window. I '" A man may do what he-will with his own,' " he repeated. "Well, it isn't such a bad motto. Sylvanus Power may destroy a million dollar theatre for a whim, but so far as you and I are concerned—" I She piglied with content. . '"We do both need a holiday," she murmured. '-Somewhere in Europe, 1 think." (The End.) - ':