A COUPLE AND A DOUBLE

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 145, 20 June 1923, Page 14

A COUPLE AND A DOUBLE

[By A. 13. COOFER.)

(SHORT STORY.)

When Diana Denton visited "Owd Joe" E he was only carrying out the tradition bequeathed to her by her mother. Denton, the ironmaster, was as hard as the metal by which lie had made his money. His workmen wen- "hands" to him, machines made fur puddling and moulding and forging. But tin , human heart, especially a woman's, is very subtle. That Diana had occasionally visited "Owd Joe,"' before she met John Barton there, vpjik true. She often reminded herself of it when her conscience, pointing an accusing linger, said: -It John, not Joe, you go to see:" John Barton was a= innocent of collusion as a new-born infant. If anyone had told him that Diana Denton thought him "romantic-looking," he would have laughed them to worn. He was probably dimly aware that his hair was black and wavy, thai his eyes were "a sort of violet." thai his nose was straight am! inclined to run to size, that his mouth was large, and that, lastly, he weighed 11 stone i) pounds and stood sft 11 Jin in his pocks, but the knowledge d>l not interest him. Something in a retort, something which fused and hissed and spat, which glowed like the heart of the sun—something like that did interest him. It excited him because he was a metallurgist. He had been drawn to "Owd Joe" partly by liis kind heart and partly by their mutual love of books. Xow that the old puddler was unable to see to read for himself, it was only natural that .John should drop in occasionally to read to him. The old chap's library was in a box under the bed. It included Plutarch's "Lives," "Lavenero," Lamb's "Esays." and the "Pilgrim's Progress.' , "Owd Joe would say: "Dip in t'lucky hag and read fust vo' grab, lad.' , and that's what John did. One nifiht it was raining when Diana essayed to go home. She had happened to drop in at "Owd Joe's" with soris new-laid eggs, could have called earlier in the day. There was no reason ■why a girl of leisure should pay a visit to "Owd Joe" at S p.m. That she actually did call at that hour had no connection •with Wednesday and the probability of John Barton being there. That, at least. is what she told herself. She always affected great surprise to find "Owd .Toe" had other company; and John—humble soul —accepted her surprise at its face value. But to-night, had she not stayed a full hour, she might have been home long before the etorm came on. Now, in her flimsy dress, she must face it. "I've nowt to offer yo' hut a howd gamp," said Joe. "It's as big as a cirkis tent an' wad cover ten o' your size." "If Miss Denton would allow mc to see her to her door —T —could hold the umbrella—over her," faltered John. "It's very kind of you," said Diana. The upshot was that they faced the Etorra together. "If you—wouldn't mind—holding otj to my arm —iliss Deuton " It "was pitch, dark or lie would nevei ■ have dared to say it; and—perhaps— Diana would never have dared to heai it. But she linked her hand through thi crook of his arm, and tried to make hei little-feet keep pace with his big ones He held the umbrella low. She felt shui in from the world—with him. John felt lie would like to go on ami on and on walking threngh the storn: and darkness rig-lit to the wot! >'s end! But that was the first of lat \r occasions for "seeing Miss home." Why riot? John's lodgings arid Diana's mansion lay much in the sam{ d iection. Besides, on a dark night-twc'fe company and one's lonesome.It was thus that Diana learned of John Barton's half-discovered secret.- She showed such ardent and intelligent interest that the young chemist poured his story into her ears night after night. "If I could -hit •the formula-, ,, ho- said, "it would revolutionise steel. We could beat the world -again." "And you•■willl , ' thrilled Diana. "1 might—if 1 had the means," said John. "Fve- got-to a point where I'm stuck, not for ideas but for cash. With a few hundreds -I- might succeed in a few months;-without, it may be years.' "Ask father," • sa-id Diana." "It's business." "He hates-me-for the part I took ir the - - - *■ "I—l—didn't know you—then," whis pered Diana, her heart sinking. Sh( saw John's face harden. "It was nothing to mc. My wage remained the same whatever happened But I knew the puddlers were not get ting a living wage. Perhaps [ was fool —I sided with them." "But that's—three years ago. Da has forgotten. Call to-morrow nigh I know he'll be in. Tell him whs Tou've told nie. You can do no han if you do' no good." , But even Diana did not realise ho implacable her father could be. "There's John Barton to see yoi father," she said, as she pushed tl young mail into the presence of his en ploycr: Then, although she shut tt dopr upon them, she deliberately 15: tened ■ on;the 'Other side. She hear John's - rather lame explanation of hi experiments, his lack of cash, and hi diffident suggestion that Mr. Dento should put £300 at his disposal o terms to he arranged if his work turne. out a success. She heard her father' hard laugh. She heard him say: "Aye you incite the men to rebel. You mule jiie in thousands a year extra wagesthen you expect mc to help your hare brained schemes; I shouldn't help vox in.any ease; and especially after whin I heard fo : day. You've been seen it the company of my daughter a littli top often. I want jio hired agitatoi even speaking to her. I should have packed" yon." three years ago. T was toe tender-hearted. 1 sack you now. Go! Til see you oft the premise?. John Barton sat disconsolate in his basement laboratory at his lodgings ii Foundry Street. "Owd Joe's' , box ot books was dumped on the brick floor It. was the old puddler'a legacy. "1 give and bequeath to John Barton kindest of friends, all my books." Being now unemployed, he might look over his inheritance. Nothing startling ,"Lavengro. ?, the "Pilgrim's Progress,' Lamb's "Essay's"—ali." 'what's this? He reached to the bottom of the bo? for a book lying there covered will • dust. Evidently it had not been dis turbed for years. "Well, we'll! A stamp album." He turned over a few pages without much interest. Then his face brightened "Diana! She's mad on stamps." Tt was thus that Diana received next morning a mysterious package accom panied by a brief note detailing the cir cumstances of its discovery, and askinj her acceptance of it in memory of "man; lapp'y evenings with 'Owd Joe."-"

Diana turned over its pages with appraising eye.-, but soon made up her mind to return the album. "He had no idea lie was giving mc thirty or forty pounds." she told herself." "Any dealer would give that: and. being out of work, the money would be useful to him. She- opened the book again. Then -he leapt to her feet and ran to the window. "1 can't believe it!" she gasped. "It's ton wonderful to be true!' . As a philatelist and a reader of stamp news, there was no collector in Britain whose name she did not know. There were two at Blackham. for in-

stance, who were the keenest rivals. An hour later Diana stepped into a taxi and directed the driver to "Keston Manor, Stanton Heath." Presently she found herself ia the presence of a shabby old man, seated at a huge writing-table in the middle of a vast room. He was the Earl of Midgley. "What can I do for you?" he sai r l. "Have you ever seen "a pair of blue Mauritius?" said Diana, in a level voice. The old man's features began to work convulsively. He glared at Diana as though she had deliberately insulted him.

I "Did that —wretoii —Titchford —send you here—to ask that question?" he I stuttered. i "Xo, indeed! Has he got one?" asked ; Diana. I The question seemed to send the old man frantic. "Got one! Got one!' , he fumed. "Didn't he outwit and outbid mc at the Gaston sale three years ago for the only pair that has been in the market for* forty years? I was a fool not to; go on. They're worth double to-day. | But that's not all; that pair makes j the Titchford collection—and—and—l'll never have another chance. ] j Diana opened "Owd Joe's" album. | "The pair!" the Earl almost screamed.! "The pair! Child! Tell me—will you. —part with them?" j "I thought you would like to see j them." said Diana. "I'm just going to i Rixdon House—l've kept my taxi —to J show them to Sir Robert Titchford. j I Then, of course ——"' ; I "No! No!" cried the Earl. Yon, mustn't. You really must not. He'll I persuade you—aye. I believe he'd rob you rather than I should have that j pair. I'll write a cheque this moment for fifteen hundred pounds. Don't say no!" "Make it two thousand and the pair is yours." said Diana, and five minutes later the Karl bowed her out with; words: "It's worth two thousand if, only to see Titchford's face when he j knows he's no longer top dog!" As for Diana,-she went straight to John Barton's lodgings. He came up from the cellar, his face and hands j j stained with chemicals, to find Diana in! j his little parlour. "Oh. I've such wonderful news for you!" she exclaimed. "I've sold a pair jof stamps out of 'Owd -Joe's' album ! for two thousand pounds —and you'll i jbe able —to buy all you need—for your experiments —and—and —oh. John!" A minute later her head was on John's shoulder, and his arms were holding her tight. He was saying the most unheard-of things — things she never , dreamed he could say —and she was thrilling to every syllable. ' Two months Inter John Barton presented himself again at the ironmaster's j door. I Diana admitted him. I She tapped on the library door. There was no response. A sudden fear clutched her heart. She opened the door, and then ran forward with a little cry of fear. The ironmaster's arms were outstretched, and his head had fallen upon them. At the sound of her voice he looked " up. But she had never seen him look i so haggard, so tragic! i "Dad," she said, "what is it?" 1 "I'll hay shut down," he said, in a hopeless voice. "I can't —go on. All ; the big contracts are going to Sweden. I ' The Borkel Secret Process has knocked ! i the bottom out of the steel trade." f "But what about the Barton Secret Process dad?" The—Barton! I never heard of euch c a process." "Because you -wouldn't listen.' , ■c "Do you mean that —that T" s "Yes*! John Barton has revolutioni ised the process of steel manufacture!" "Has—child?"

"Well, he has found a formula that will make Borkel the most hopeless hack number —and —he's here to offer it to you —at a certain price." "But —but I haven't the money! , ' "Xo. daddy, but you —have the price!" "What?" "Me—daddy! He wants me —and 1 want —him." "Show him in, Diana," said the ironmaster.