"THE RING"

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1928, Page 17

"THE RING"

SYNOPSIS or PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

CJ By MAY WYNNE. irn| (Author of "Tfco CoUon Hnt," "If Riches I Immh," "Otfcor Moa's Shoos," etc-, oU.) „. T ,^

MAISIE GARNELL la tbe eldest child of the Vicar of Derton-Wlnleigh. Bbe ia aOanced to MUBRAT MALLERTON, a young doctor. One day Maisie la able to assist a lady who baa fallen down tbe aide of a disused pit. Tbe rescued lady la ao grateful that she gives Malale, aa hostage of her gratitude, a ring of great brilliance, bnt peculiar appearance, tbe aetting of tbe atonea forming a strange hieroglyphic. Tbe woman. MR*. BANBERRT, telle Maiala to Imd the ring for two montha, then bring It to Key dell Court, when abe will have the pleasure of giving her the reward it ia her Arm purpose to bestow. She obtains Maisle's promise that she will not wear the ring or ahow It to anyone until the day she returns it to Rfeydell Court. A MR. RODNEY GLASHIER comes to stay at the Tillage inn with bis servant— TO CHUNG —a Chinaman. Malste and Murray take an Instant dislike to these two. Glasbier caiUs on the vicar, and Fo Chung attuaea Maisle's younger brothers and sisters by showing them conjuring tricks. Hs says he could show them the best trick of all if only he had a ring. Coming home one evening Maisle is Ktartled by tbe sudden appearance of Fo Chung, with undisguished menace in his eyea.

CHAPTER in. Maisie would have screamed aloud, but the mesmeric influence of Fo Chung's eyes kept her dumb. She waited for some unknown Nemesis, when a cheerful voice, breaking into song, sounded near, and down the lane towards them came Rodney Olashier. Maisie heard tha Chinaman's low hist of vexation as be turned, still cat-like and quiet in his movements, and sprang away out of sight amongst the trees. Maisie did not recover at once from her scare- Fo Chung—the genial comrade of her younger brothers and sisters—had suddenly shown himself in a new light, and her first impression of fear was redoubled.

Giashier came up, gay m a lark. H« had already established himself as A friend at the vicarage, and had won the hearts of the bairns by a munificent gift of chocolates and the further treat of joy rides in his car. Maisie was the only one who had not been invited to these rides, but that, no doubt, was because she obviously had no time for such pleasures. "In the gloaming, eh,little girl?" said the American, "Is anything the mat* ter? You look white/'

"I wan frightened," replied Maisie. M Fo Chung seared me. He sprang out of those bushes. I don't know what he wanted or—or what he would have done if yon had not come up." Giaabier cludtsd hit tongue in annoy-

"I'm reel «>rry, M he apologised. "What maggot has the old rascal got in his bead? Be ha* been queer for the last day or so. I shall have to epeak to Mallerton on the Q.T. Be does get odd cranks, but he is the most faithful beggar in existence. I wouldn't part with hint for a fortune. Still, I can't have him scaring my friends in this way. Are you feeling faint?" Bis voice deepened sympathetically Be put his arm round Maisie's waist, but she stepped back. Once or twice lately *he had fancied Glashier had been trying to flirt with her. She was vaguely aware that Mallerton had noticed it too. "I'm quite all right, thanks," she said quickly. "And must make haste home. Only, please tell Fo Cliung not to hide in any more bushes." "Of course," he* agreed, "but I'm not going to let you go back alone. I promise I won't bite, Maiee." Be looked down into her flushing face with mischievous teasing, whilst his hand caressed her arm. Maisie bit her lip, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but delighted to see Mallerton's little car come round the corner The doctor had «een the American's caressing gestr.re, and*bis own ntin-tanned features were stern as he brought hie car to a standstill. "Anything wrong?" he asked. Maisie came forward. "Fo Chung startled me," she '.<aid. "I was very stupid. I was telling Mr. Glaehier I was quit* able to return home, alone. Bu. perhaps you'd take me now."

He told her to get in, speaking rather curtly, and they left the American without cerec.ony. Not that Mr. Giashier was the mail to be offended by cavalier treatment. - Already he had shown himself possessed of a remarkably thick skin. "I wish those two would leave the neighbourhood," said Mallerton irritably as he stopped outside the vicarage gate. "I don't like them, and I don't trust them. I have no reason whatever for saying so. But Ido wish your people were not quite so obsessed." Maisie agreed- "That really is the word I" she said. "Obsessed. They think him the moat charming man."

Mallerton leaned forward. "I am thankful you belong to me," he said slowly, "but I must confess, dear, I never knew I waa so' horribly jealous before. It made me mad to see that Yankee with his hand on your arm." Maisie laughed. "You certainly needn't be jealous," she retorted. "I was, as you came up, wondering whether I should be justified in boxing his ears."

She did not wait for her lover's answer, but ran N indoors, -where her "brethren" wart impatiently awaiting for J*fell#**■

Mr. Garnell did not come in to the rather noisy meal, and when the latter was over Maisie's mother beckoned to her.

"Your father is worrying over some, thing," she said. "I don't stand what it is. But he asked me to tell you he would like a little chat with you if you can spare time. I will take your place with the children.''

It was the vicarage rule that the children should spend the hour after tea either in preparation for next day"s lessons or in some useful work. Maisie was superintendent during the time? Bhe gave up her post reluctantly. The mother looked tired enough already!

But she obeyed without protest and found her father at his desk. "You don't look fit for letter writing," she declared, "let me be your secretary, Dad, for once. Is it—bills?"

He passed his hand wearily over his brow. He and Maisie often plotted to keep such skeletons of the cupboard from the mother.

"It was bills," he replied. "A fortnight ago I was dreadfully worried. I ... I had a writ served. It was about those suits of the boys. It ought to have been paid. I was feeling overwhelmed that afternoon when Mr. Glashier came in. He instinctively guessed my worry and there and then offered me a loan. He had the money on him. It was a moment of sore temptation, Maisie, and —well! I took the money and paid my bills. This afternoon Glashier called.* He is shortly leaving the neighbourhood. He spoke most generously about the debt and offered to wipe it out altogether. 'I won't call it a gift though,' he said, "but payment for—let me see—some knick knack ... or trifling possession to remind me of my friends. A ring, if you or your wife possess such a trinket.' I smiled as I told him my wife's few jewels had long since been sold. He seemed vexed and asked impatiently if you had nothing of the sort. 'I should prefer a ring,' he repeated, 'the value is of no account.' When I told him you had not got one he still seemed doubtful. 'Ask her,' he urged, 'possibly she has what I want stored away in some treasure drawer.' I promised to do as he asked, but—"

Maisie leaned back against the wall. She did not wish her father to notice the sudden pallor which had overspread her features.

So vague suspicions were confirmed. The American —if not his servant—knew something about that mysterious ring. "Of course I have no ring," she said, "of my own. I have nothing at all." You . . . you remember we even had to sell Aunt Millie's silk shawl."

He did remember—and groaned over it.

"JThere is only my watch," he said, "it' ttas my father's. Of course I shall miss It terribly. But, whilst this-night-mare debt is owing I hardly feel it to be my own. If Mr. Giashier calls tomorrow I shall offer it to him."

Maisie had nothing to add. She felt thankful that Mr. Giashier was leaving. He came next day to say good-bye. ( Maisie met him-by the lych gate of the churchyard.

"I'm glad I've found you," he said. "I'm off to-morrow. I'm too busy even to stay to tea, but Fo Chung fe§s accepted your brother's igvita-

tion! I have seen your father, poor chap. I'm going to cry quits, but frankly I'm a bit disappointed over the ring. I quite thought you might have had one."

Maisie stood very erect. "I do not own any sort or kind of ring," she said, "though my fiance is giving me one."

Glashier showed his teeth in a slight smile.

"Congrats," he murmured, "it's odd, but you never Mom the least like an engaged girl. But don't get angry. This is good-bye and it is unlikly we shall ever meet again. Only—your father is awfully bucked about that snip of money, and quite abrurdly cut up about not being able to show gratitude. So i' told him—right out—that if you would grant me a favour I should be more than repaid. He asked me to tell you he hoped for his sake you would grant it." The man's shrewd eyes never left the girl's face. He had forgotten his debonnair manner and spoke significantly. Maisie felt the helplessness of a youthful diplomat who know* himself overintrigued. "What is ft?" she asked. He perched upon the gate and lighted a cigarette. Reverence was not in him, and he sew no sanctity in hie surroundings. "You're some girl," said he in his remarkably frank way. "And though you ought to be moulded right over living in such a hole you ain't. That's fact. Your people might hive located Noah, but you're up-to-date in some ways. Well,.there's no good beating about the bush. You know I didn't come here fishing. But what do you think I did come for?" He bounced the question, but Maisie had her back to the wall. "You'd better tell me," she replied quietly, 'Tm no good at guessing. ,. He looked at her oddly. "You've heard of Mrs. Silas Banberry?" he asked. Maisie nodded. "Yes," she replied. "H'm. That's &H right. You've met the lady?" "Yes." "Did you think her odd, Miss Garnell?" Maisie hesitated. "I would rather not answer questions on the subject," she said. He shrugged. "Poppa's gratitude doesn't count then?" "Ye—«s. But—" "Look here," said Gtaahier, 'Td better tell you the truth. I'm a relative of Mrs. Banberry's and I waut to locate her. The—f act is—her brain has gone wrong. She's—mad, though no doctor has been able to certify her. Mad enough to cause a lot of trouble. It is necessary I should find out what she has been doing—and where she is."

His gaze never left Maisie's face. He\ saw the colour come, and go on the pretty cheeks and was aware that his unlooked for statement had impressed her.

Maisie was startled. The idea that her would-be benefactress was mad had never occurred to her, but immediately die found confirmation for the theory. It had • been a remarkable affair, that rescue of a blackberry picker from Salters' Pits, and the sequel—the loan of the talisman Ting, the request for secrecy, the promise of reward*—had all been queer play-acting which might euily bjf the word insanity.

Yet Maisie was old-fashioned in her ideas of honour and the eacredness of promises. "I cannot nerp you," ehe said, honestly, "without breaking my word. But I—l will write to Mrs. Banberry and tell her that you are here. Or I will go and see and tell her I am going to tell you what you want to know. I had pro* raised to go—in tvro months' time." She regretted the last words before they were well out of her mouth, for she did not like the look of triumph which flashed across the American's face. The next moment he was smiling. "Ah," said he, "in two months' time. Was it then that you promised to take back the ring?" (To be continued daily.)