THE GIRL FROM DOWN UNDER

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 32

THE GIRL FROM DOWN UNDER

BY E. O. BULEY. Author of "The Mad Tremaynes," "Half Her Kingdom," etc.

CHAPTER XX. "The question is," Peter said slowly, "what are you going to do? If I allow you to back Golden Grain, and he loses by any chance, Miss Errington's money will be further drawn upon, I assume?" "Look here, Pete," Wardlaw said earnestly, "Miss Errington is not going to lose a cent by mc, in the long run. If I have to own up, I'll own up; and ask her to let mc have all the money I need to carry my operations through. In six "months, I tell you, her pile will be all back, and most of mine as well. I'm not worried a scrap about that. I only want to be saved the humiliation of owning up; and to get out of Bretherton's clutches in time to save that fine girl from him." "What is his exact plot, then T" "He'll bamboozle ' her Into a' promise of marriage, and I'll not be able to interfere. And when she learns who she is, and what she owns, she'll feel bound in honour to go through with it. With poor Pat helping him, he'll catch her somehow. Unless . . ." "Unless what!" Peter asked, as Wardlaw paused meaningly. "I kinder thought she began to cotton to you, Pete; and then you began holding off. I thought you had a big idea of her, too. It seems I was wrong, or you wouldn't have left the field clear for Bretherton."

Peter's face flushed to the very roots of his fair hair.

"She thinks I swindled you at Newmarket," he said, in a voice hardly audible. "You were there; you saw how plainly she showed it."

"Oh, tcha," said Wardlaw. "She was full of my troubles at that moment. She knew I was feeling my punishment, somehow, without any idea of why. And then I screamed out about your honesty, which I had no need to do, except to impress her. A bone-headed trick, Pete, for it cut the other way. She was only thinking what a noble, unsuspicious old coot I was; and it made her harder on you. But bless you, Pete, Bhe didn't mean anything. I'll bet she's sorrier about her behaviour than you know. Now, look here. You forget it, and come along in the old way. Give Ralph Bretherton something to worry about. You could do it, Pete."

"I leave the pastime of fortune-hunt-ing to Bretherton, Mr. Wardlaw."

"Aw, shucks! I might have known you'd take that view of it. Is the girl any the worse for having a big pile? And is she to walk unprotected from the schemes of a hijacker like Bretherton? Look mc in the eye, Pete?"

Peter Glazebrook did his best to comply with this request. "I knew it," Wardlaw exulted. "You'd have been glad to run round the world after her, if she hadn't a penny to her name. And listen to this. What you think about her is what Joan thinks about you. I've watched her. You can't tell mc."

Peter stood mutely shaking his head. "Have a heart, Pete," Wardlaw urged. "She's one grand little girl, and you love her so much that the money won't hurt. Don't let Bretherton walk away with her."

"If I were to consider what you propose—and I cannot," Peter said, "it would still be impossible. Miss Errington called here shortly before you came, possibly to . . . make friendly overtures. My sister Madgo barred the door to her, and insisted that the time for friendship had passed."

"Holy mackerel!" Wardlaw groaned. "What a pretty mess."

"I still think Madge acted for the best," Peter said.

"Oh, can it," Wardlaw replied irritably. "It doesn't bear talking about. Now, what do you-propose to do, to prevent Bretherton skinning mc again, over the Derby race?" "Will you leave that in my hands, Mr. Wardlaw?" Peter asked. "Now I know what happened at Newmarket I think I can deal with that matter. I only ask for your continued trust, and your complete silence." "Then I'll load my guns for a big killing in the betting market," Wardlaw said cheerfully. "We'll come through it somehow, Pete." He lit a fresh cigar, and walked off quite cheerfully, leaving Peter Glazebrook with the feeling that he had somehow made himself the accomplice of a felony. Peter had not so accommodating a notion of what was honest and dishonest as Elton Wardlaw; but he was able to see the straits into which his patron was cast by Bretherton's unscrupulous behaviour. But, as Peter reflected, his business was to look after Golden Grain, and see that he won the Derby. He resolved to concentrate his whole attention upon that perfectly legitimate object; and to allow everything else to shape itself as it might. Then another idea occurred to ihiih, which sent him pelting after Wardlaw hatless and in his shirt sleeves. "What, now, Pete?" asked the little man, as Pete overtook him. "Come back," Peter urged. "Something has just occurred to mc." Wardlaw turned obediently about; and, when they were indoors again, asked: "Well, Pete?" "It is well known you n*ver bet," Peter began. "I've just beffi thinking it would be a great advantage if you did not appear at all in connection with this big bet you propose to make.". "What advantage?" Wardlaw asked. "Let mc get what is in your mind." "Well, in the first place," Peter began, "if Bretherton discovers that, you might get out of his clutches, by winning the Derby with Golden Grain, hell stop at nothing to prevent the colt from winning. As it is, he may .not {rouble to interfere actively a second time." "There's sense in that," Wardlaw agreed. "Then suppose tho colt does win, and you are able to restore Miss Errington's money. It will be'a great tactical advantage, in dealing with-him, to have him still thinking that you are unable to present a clean balance-sheet. You might, lure,him into taking extreme steps, and so expose him for what he is in Miss Errington's eyes." "You've got a head on you, Pete," Wardlaw conceded. "I'll catch bim just that very way. But how do I manage to get the big bet?" "There's an old friend of mine named Iredale,". Peter exclaimed. "He is rather a racing madman, I'm sorry to say; and it is costing him a lot of money. But if I asked him to back Golden Grain for me,;he'd do it like a shot, and manage the business pretty well." what would people say about ™ a "" Wwdlaw aßked P rett y "hrewdly. lbey'd probably B ay he was inspired SuTtiJSn* 316 00lt «• l think he "will, they'll say afterwards that

well, they'll say pretty Jiard things against mc. Among other things they'll say that I robbed you." "I reckon they will Pete. Miss Joan will be more sure than even that you are a if that happens." "What does it matter ?'.' Peter asked. *Tfour part for the moment is to say that you've never betted in your lifebut don't aay it too often, or too meaningly." "It's a good scheme," Wardlaw approved. "But isn't it a bit rou»h on you, Pete?" Peter Glazezbrook shrugged his shoulders. "You can put mc right, you know, when we've quite done with Bretherton. Until then, I reckon I can stand it." "I'll put you right," Wardlaw said quietly. "Yes, I'll ido that, Pete." He said no more, but the two men parted with a good understanding. . r CHAPTER XXI. When Joan had set out to make her peace with Madge and Peter, she imagined by Bretherton. She was mistaken; for Bretherton, at all times, kept a sharp eye on her movements. He had seen her setting forth with buoyant step, and had guessed her destination. He saw her return also, whitefaced and with every line of her drooping figure proclaiming depression and disappointment. Bretherton was shrewd enough to guess that the misunderstanding between her and the Glazebrooks had, in some way, become an open breach; The conclusion afforded him the deepest satisfaction. At first he had been puzzled to explain to himself the slight progress he had made in gaining Joan's affections. He had imagined that the conquest of an inexperienced girl like

her would be an easy matter, for a man of his experience and many accomplishments.

Baffled from the beginning, he had set his rebuffs down to Peter and his sister Madge. Madge had been talking; and Peter had no doubt had first innings, and impressed the girl. Later Bretherton arrived at the conclusion that his tactics, in forcing himself upon the two girls on their morning ride, had been mistaken. But the worst blow to his self esteem was delivered on the day when Joan had sent him off to London on a wild goose chase, while she spent the day motoring with Glazebrook.

Bretherton had learned all he wished to know about that day's proceedings, from a few inquiries made at the garage where the derelict car had been salvaged. And naturally he blamed Peter for the whole performance and marked him down as a serious rival. He had no idea, of course, of the very real reason Joan had for distrusting him.

But he now saw an opportunity of removing Glazebrook from his path; and cast about in his mind for some method of making Joan's quarrel with these friends permanent and irreconcilable.

The opportunity came to Bretherton far Booner than he had dared to hope. He was a close student of the sporting Press; and read every word which was written about Golden Grain, and his chances for the Derby. And, two days after Joan's disagreement, with Madge Glazebrook, he discovered something which made his eyes gleam, and sent him' speeding to the telephone in double quick time.

Although Joan held him at a distance, it was not difficult to make an opportunity for a private conversation. Bretherton took his first chance; and lost no time in introducing the subject which occupied his mind. "I see somebody is very confident about Golden Grain winning the Derby after all, Miss Errington. He has been backed in the clubs to win an.enormous stake, with the result that his odds have come down from ten to one to only four to one. It is something of a racing sensation." "But what does it meant" Joan asked, interested at once in anything to do with Golden Grain.

Bretherton shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "It is beyond mc," he said. "1 gave up all hope of his winning the Derby, as soon as I saw his finish in the Guineas. He failed to stay the mile out; and Epsom is a more testing course, with half a mile further to go. As soon as I read the news of his shorter price, I rang up London, and got out of the bet I had made on the colt, before the Guineas." Joan said nothing in reply to that, but i looked at him very doubtfully. "I heard a queer thing from my commission agent," Bretherton went on carelessly. "I happened to ask him who was responsible for all the money which has gone on the colt. He told mc the man's name in "confidence." "Well?" said Joan breathlessly. "I don't mind telling you, but I shouldn't say too much about it here. It's a chap named Iredale, a bosom pal of Glazebrook's." "Then Mr. Glazebrook thinks the colt will win, after all." "So it would seem," Bretherteqi replied. "One naturally supposes that Iredale got his inspiration from our young friend Peter." The insinuation conveyed by his manner and tone was not lost upon the girl.. Perhaps the betting was done for Mr. Wardlaw t" she suggested. Bretherton shook his head very positively. Our host has never bet a penny in his life," he said. You may be assured he is not risking any of his money on Golden Grain." But why was he so distressed at losing the other race?" Joan asked. "One would have thought——" "It was not betting," Bretherton said, and his manner carried conviction to the girl. "No, Mr. Wardlaw is a self-made man, and a man of indomitable resolution. When he sets out to do anything, he is unable to brook the notion of failure. He had set his mind on winning the Derby, and that defeat at Newmarket was a sore blow io him in consequence. But youVe heard him say that he never bets T" x Joan had; she had heard Elton Wardlaw make the remark that very morning. "Does not this look . . well, unusual!" she r sited Bretherton laughed lightly. If it had been anybody but our friend Glazebrook, I might have thought it very odd indeed. As it is, if the colt wins, and the story gets about, they will certainly say he was pulled in the Guineas* so that the trainer might have a big win at long odds in the Derby. Of course, we know Glazebrook is honest to a fault, almost; but that is not what many racing people would say." "And you . . . and you . . . ." "Personally I have no further interest in the race, except my natural desire to see Mr. Wardlaw win it. I took the chance to escape from a liability I had incurred, because I honestly think that Iredale, or whoever it may be, is certain to lose his money." Joan was just in the frame of mind to think badly of Peter Qlazebrook. Bretherton's shafts had been cleverly planted, in a bosom which was rankling

with a human resentment against Peter and his sister. Joan was not perfect, and she wanted to think badly of these two people who had spurned her overtures of friendship, even while she despised herself for wanting. "Mr. Bretherton," she said, impulsively, "You were with Mr. Glazebrook when he was in Australia. Didn't something happen there to him ? Something about bookmaking and then not being able to pay?" Bretherton opened his eyes at that. Things were turning out better for him than he could ever have hoped. "Miss Errington," he asked, "where on earth did you hear that?" "That hardly matters, does it?" Joan asked. "Australia is a small place, in one way, and things like that get about. It is true, is it not?" "Oh, come," Bretherton said, "I happen to know all about that. It was nothing like the serious matter at which you hint. As a matter of fact, we got hard up; because something went wrong with our remittances. Glazebrook got the idea that he could make some money by doing a bit of bookmaking; a silly notion, as I warned him. But he would risk it in spite of mc. It appears that he made some blunder through lack 6f experience and had to run for it." "Don't you call that serious?" Joan asked, wondering whether Bretherton knew who had assisted Peter to run for it. "He meant no harm, and when I heard the story, I went to some acquaintances to whom I should not have ventured to apply for ordinary needs. I got the money, and Glazebrook %vent back to the place, and settled everything up. It might have been awkward for him, if he hadn't. But I can assure you that no wrong of any kind was intended. I'm sorry the story should ever have come to your ears." "But don't you think you ought to warn Mr. Wardlaw? Does it not look as though Mr. Glazebrook were tricking him, to gain ends of his own ? " " Miss Errington" Bretherton exclaimed, "You musn't get anything of the sort in your mind. I never hinted that such a thing was possible. I only Baid Peter Glazebrook was foolish, because people are sure to say untrue things, if this colt wins the Derby. Personally, I'd no more doubt him than Mr. Wardlaw would." Before such magninimity Joan felt rather ashamed. " You should know better than I do," she said. "Believe mc, I do. I should never have mentioned this, if I thought you were going to run away with such notions. I beg of you that you will say nothing to Mr. Wardlaw. He would not hear a word against Glazebrook, as you know. And it would look as though I did not share his trust; and that would be misleading entirely." But the conversation had left Joan with a good deal more to occupy her mind. It had inflamed her suspicion, and had entirely removed the good/ impression of Peter which Mrs. Gordon's letter had created.

After dinner that evening, Joan wandered out into the grounds, feeling the necessity for solitude. She was very miserable, but bitter in her misery. She heartily wished the Derby was over; for after that event Patricia planned to take her to London. Joan had not seen London yet, and she was now longing for the excitement of theatres and dances, which Patricia promised.

As she wandered through the forest paths, she found herself thinking more kindly of Bretherton than she had been able to think before. Men were different from girls, she reflected. Madge had thought the worst of her; and here she was thinking the worst of Peter and Madge; but Bretherton had been loud in proclaiming his belief in Peter's honesty, in spite of all suspicious circumstances.

At the outlet of a woodland path Joas stopped still, alarmed by the sound of voices in that lonely place. She stooped behind a tree trunk, peering this way and that to dis.cover who the intruders might be.

Presently they came into her sight; a woman, walking by the side of rather a small boy. Joan looked cautiously from her hiding place, to see if she knew them; and having effected an identification, slipped back into the thickest part of the forest.

For the woman was she whom Bretherton had called Mabel; and the little boy was the lad Tony; the bright-eyed apprentice of whom Peter had spoken in terms of warm praise.

(To be continued Saturday Next.)