AT CUPID'S CALL

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1922, Page 8

AT CUPID'S CALL

By MAY CHRISTIE 'Author, of "For Love of Betty," "The Marriage of Anne," and "Selene's Married Life."

CIIL—A TERRIFYING DREAM. I Mary had a mind that naturally acted quickly. Although astounded at Bellairs' news, she soon pulled herself together. She wasn't going to let this curious individual notice her chagrin. Five thousand dollars! Her husband —Dick Calardin—had really "let himself in" for such a sum. Dick had no business head. And Eve had played upon his ignorance. Considerably more so, then, had Carrington Bellairs. Again did Mary read the "note." It was -dated just over one month ago, anil payment was now due. The rate of interest had 'been enormous. It was a scoundrel's proposition—hut nothing was to 'be gained by telling Bellairs such a plain home-truth. He had Dick in his power —until that five thousand dollars was paid! "1 understand," said Mary softly, smothering down her indignation, "Miss Rochester—l ought to say now Mrs. Yandaveer —has gone off without paying back the money that your —your firm — lent her? Isn't that ho?" "It is," said Carrington Bellairs. He couldn't heJp admiring .Mary's fortitude. He had happened to discover that Dick Calardin had no money, to speak of— and this bill meant ruination for the newly-wedded young couple. "Of course, Dick didn't understand What he was signing! You knew that?" The man shrugged his shoulders. "That isn't my affair. Ask Eve. If you can find her, that's to say." "Eve had no intention of paying you back this money that she borrowed. You also knew that, of course?" Mary's tones were still quiet, but there was a contempt behind them that Bellairs was quick to notice. No, he wasn't '.oming oil with Hying colours in this matter. "I'm a plain business man," be remarked gruffly. "People's possible 'intentions' don't weigh at all with mc. I can't let sentiment enter into the affair!" "No, of course not." Mary said. She put the note into her pocket. "Don't worry about not getting your money, Mr. Bellairs. I'll see that you're paid - in full." She gave him a cool, curt nod, and left the room -before he could find any further words with which to annoy her. In the hall she met his aunt and bade her a cheerful good-bye. "That's a sweet girl, Carrington," remarked that lady, after Mary had departed. "In a way I'm sorry thai you didn't marry her. She'd make any man a charming wife." "You didn't think so once upon a time," her nephew answered gruilly. "You were none too pleasant to the girl when she was here." He flung himself from the apartment, bis heart heavy—for he had really cared for Mary—and he utterly despised himself for his present Shyloek-like behaviour, now that she'd slipped from his grasp. As for Mary, that damsel returned immediately to Dick. "He's sleeping peacefully," the landlady of the Barley Mow informed her. "Best not go up just now, my dear." So Mary entered her own little room downstairs, sat down upon the bed and gave herself up immediately to thought. Five thousand dollars! It must be paid. How—how was she to raise the money? One thing sure and eerie.in was that Dick mustn't be worried over the affair. His head bothered him too much—for he was making quite a slow, though sure, recovery. Then Mary's face lit up. "I have it," she said softly. "It's my own—the diamond!" Oh. she'd be glad to part with it! It had always seemed to the young girl as thougli the diamond had a sinister influence about it. Through its medium Dick had been nearly murdered-not once, but twice! "11l go to town to-morrow, and sell the thing," she said. "And I won't say one single word to Dick about the matter!" She felt much better now—more hopeful! It was splendid to be able to stand between her husband and linancial bothers! Her bedroom was quite dark, and Mary felt tired out. She lay down on the bed, and presently dozed off. And then she dreamed a curious dream. It was a sunny morning, and she was flying in an aeroplane. I'p. up into the glorious blue! The motion was delightful, soothing yet exhilarating. Leaning over the side, she could sec the Barley Mow and its surrounding fields and" woodlands. How far off the landscape looked from this enchanting height! Oh, to fly on like this for ever! Then suddenly there was a curious whirring overhead. Mary looked up hastily. There, in another aeroplane, was Julian Yandaveer and Eve, accompanied by the Cingalee! Julian was the pilot, Eve the passenger —and Kismet —what was he? Mary could see bis evil face quite distinctly. It looked sinister and mocking. Then, temporarily, they disappeared. Her own machine flew onwards at terrific speed. Mary was quite alarmed. She knew the other aeroplane was following her! On. on! It mustn't reach her! There was the whirring sound again. She turned her head Presto! The other aeroplane- was immediately above her and she could see the Cingalee hanging over the side of it with something large and heavy looking in his hand.

(rash! Crash! Bang! The sound of the explosions rang in Mary's ear as Kismet dropped his bombs. She could feel her machine stagger, sway and half turn over! Waa this death? Had the machine been struck? The sound of the explosions had been terrible. But, no! Her aeroplane was gradually righting itself. She was Hying onwards once again—and safe! That whirring sound again! And see, right overhead, the hostile plane! The sinister Oriental face—Eve smiling — Yandaveer inscrutnhle—Mary could glimpse tho throe distinctly. Crash! A lon.tr pause. Then, crash! again. Another pause. Then, bang! Again Mary's aeroplane staggered, spun round and began to nose dsve to the earth! She screamed. . and woke up trembling. It had been a dream.

CH".—MARY'S FLAN. She jumped up from her recumbent position and turned on the light. In the mirror she could see her own pale face. It looked ghost-like. "Oh! what an idiot I am!" She rubbed her eyes and 6hook herself. "I must have, eaten something at tea —some kind of fancy little cake —that didn't agree with my digestion." She tried to laugh. But she had certainly received a fright. She didn't feel like laughing. Twice, she'd dreamed that hateful dream r Did dreams have a meaning?— point a warning?—as co many people claimed they did. If that were so, then danger threatened—from the Cingalee, and possibiy froni Eve and Yandavecr: The Cingalee was their catspaw. He would do their bidding. She drew the blind and locked her 'bedroom door. Then, cautiously, she removed a loose plank from the flooring and drew out a little cardboard box. With fingers that trembled uncontrollably she raised its lid and lifted out a small, hard object wrapped in tissue paper. Yes, it waa there intact—the diamond! Surely her dream had been a warning! It would be wrong to ignore it! It hinted plainly that more trouble lay ahead. Kismet was watching her. Even now he might be lurking in the neighbourhood. True, the police were on his track—or thought they were ! But the Cingalee was jii6t as slippery as a snake, and just as silent! They'd never catch him! To-morrow she would go up to town and sell the diamond Mary held it tightly in her hand. "I'm" frightened! Horribly frightened!" she whispered. "Kismet will follow me— he may even try to murder mc, as he did Dick!" And then she told herself she was a coward. After all. what did her safety matter in comparison with the clearing of Dick's debt? "But if I were haif killed the diamond would lie stolen from mc, and the debt never would be wiped out!" -Mary pondered deeply. It wasn't sale to have tlie diamond in 'her own possession, that was sure and certain! Then a 'bright thought struck the girl. "I'll post it up to town to-night by registered mail. I'll address it to myself at my New York boarding house. I can squeeze it in among a lot of business papers, so no one will suspect its presence—or ils value! Then, to-morrow, 1 .-hall call and get it and take it to a lirst-class jeweller to be valued!" Mary drew out her watch. The post office closed at eight o'clock. She must hurry if she was to catch the mail. She hunted in her trunk for certain business papers. Found them at last. They were merely carbon copies of some work she had been doing—unimportant now. They would do! She found a large, stiff envelope, just the right size for the papers. She folded them and put them in. And then she slipped the diamond, carefully wrapped in cotton wool, between the heavy sheets that lay inside the envelope. She fell the envelope with her fingers. It»was very thick and solid. One could not guess the presence of the diamond, or of any small, hard body. "Splendid!" ejaculated Mary, all smiles now. Then her face fell a little. For how was she to get this packet to tlie poet oflice without the risk of Kismet turning up and snatching it from her grasp? For a foolish moment she thought of telephoning Cnrringt'jn Rellairs and asking him to come and help her. Then immediately she repudiated that idea. Bellairs was Dick's enemy. He was angry witli her, too. He wouldn't help at all.

It was even possible that he might steal the diamond. He was none too scrupulous. Mary knew that well. No, sJie mustn't notify the White Dodge of her intention. Even to telephone would in itself be dangerous. The wire had ears! Out in the courtyard of the Barley Mow she heard the rumbling of a cart. She drew the blind and peered outside. There stood Steve and Pete—two burly far tnhands. An idea struck the girl. Perhaps ihe cart was going towards the railway station. The post office lay directly on that route. She flung her coat and hat on and slipjied out. Tho cart was loaded with turnips and potatoes. Yes. Steve and Pete were driving their load to a farm quite close to the station. If Mrs. Calardin cared to ride—they grinned a little sheepishly -they'd be glad to have her come with them! They were rough, kindly, simple fellows. They helped her to climb 'ap on the cart. Clutching her precious envelope, she ascended. The trio drove away with a great clatter. The cart was spring'ess and uncomfortable, but Mary didn't care. With two great giants such as Steve and Pete she'd be quite thoroughly protected against all the Kismets in the v n i verse! They dropped her at the post office. Mary went inside and registered her letter. She saw it go into the evening mail for New York. She heaved a great sigh of shier relief. "To-morrow morning I'll go up to the city, and dispose of the diamond for the best price," she told herself . Within an hour she was back in the shelter of the Barley Mow. That night she sat beside Dick's bed. He was a little restless, and he loved to have his young wife near him—to lie and look at her—to know that she was really his! "Mary, tell mc truly what the doctor says. Shall 1 be better soon? I feel so useless, such a burden to you " "Hush, sweetheart!" Mary put her hand across his lips, then stooped and kissed him gently. "You're the dearest, most wonderful husband in the world! And the doctor says you'll bo all right very shortly, if you stop worrying, and just do aa he says —keep quiet—and happy " "As thought T could be anything else but happy when you're beside mc!" Dick said softly, clinging tightly to her hand. iTo Ik-- continue;" daily.)