The Avenging Lover

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 305, 26 December 1931, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Avenging Lover

By MOYRA E. HAYWOOD.

CHAPTER XL—(Continued.) Rosamund beat the clock in David's office by a good ten minutes the following morning. Excitement had kept her awake most of the night, but getting-up time found her in a heavy sleep of exhaustion. Mollie's hand touched her gently. "It's ten past eight, my dear!" Rosamund sat up with a start, then sprang quickly out of her small bed. "Why didn't you call me before?" she gasped, "I shall be frightfully late!" Mollie yawned and stretched herself. "I've only just waked myself, but never mind, you've got a good enough excuso this morning. Not that I imagine David would eat you if you were a bit late. He's sure to lie in longer himself. I don't suppose he'd get away from Julia's very early."

But Rosamund was already half dressed and making a hurried toilet. "Brew some tea, there's a pet. 1 can't wait for any food."

"Darling, you must!" She shook her head and passed the comb through her golden tresses, tangling the ■strands in her haste.

The tea was ready by the time she had finished dressing, and 6he poured in more milk to make it cool enough to gulp down her throat. Then, with a quick "Good-bye," she was gone, and ten minutes later David heard her light steps running up the stairs to his study. Ho had not slept either, but not from lack of opportunity, as Mollie had suggested. True, he had been practically forced to join the party at Julia's flat, but he had excused himself about one o'clock on the score that he was dead tired. Julia hadn't liked that, but he had been firm.

His tired face lightened at Rosamund's entrance. She looked so charming in her blue jacket, with the little fawn and blue cap set well back on her burnished hair. "Well!" she cried, almost before Bhc had opened the door, "what do they say about it?" David's eyes widened questioningly until he grasped her meaning; then he laughed. "The papers? Oh? Give the poor critics a chance! We'll know the worst soon enough anyhow!" he told her. "But when?" she insisted. "Not until to-morrow?'? The tone of her voice made it sound like a century, and he laughed again. "No need to wait eo long. I expect some of them will have caught the later editions. We'll get some papers presently." That appeased her a little, and she gave a resigned sigh, and was preparing to slip off her hat and jacket when his hand was laid detainingly on her arm. Rosamund looked up, inquiringly, into the deep, serious eyes. They held something which caused her heart to beat so fast that she felt he must hear the sound of its tap against her ribs. "I was wondering whether we might celebrate last night by taking a day off, and having a run to the country? he said, but the hungry appeal m his voice was not necessary to draw the answer he desired. # "Oh!" It was a long-drawn sigh oi delight. "How perfectly lovely that would be." Then, as a sense of duty reclaimed her, "But what about work?'' Work, David assured her, could be shelved for this one day. He loved the country. It was calling insistently. The air would do them both good. And, in addition to these things, he wanted to talk to her. # Rosamund half turned from him. She hoped he hadn't seen the quick flush of her cheeks. "I love the country, too," she said, busying herself with the contents of her handbag: "Then well just reply to these few letters, important stuff, and I'll fetch the car," he arranged, promptly. They finished their task in record time, and very soon Rosamund found herself sitting beside David at the wheel. London's smoke-laden air was left behind. It was one of those glorious days when late summer throws out a defiant challenge to a fast-approaching autumn, and as they sped along the polished, sunlit road, Rosamund got busy with the sheaf of newspapers they had stopped to buy. _ "Hi, steady or we'll be m the ditch! he warned as she brandished the sheets in a feverish haste to find the only news which interested her at the moment. i , "There. That's the lot! Now keep your eyes on the road and lend me your ears. I'm going to read them out to you," she said, having torn the notice of his play from each paper and collected them together on her knee.

David kept his eyes in front, as his reputation as a careful driver demanded, but the sound of the eager voice made music in his ears. That the critics had been more than considerate to his work was cheering enough, but it was Rosamund's pride in him, and the feel of her happy, excited little movements beside him which made the blood tingle pleasantly in his veins. But delight of hearing and touch was not enough, and he pulled the car to the side of the road, bringing it to a standstill, that he might also enjoy the vision of her child-like effervescence. "Isn't it wonderful, David?" ehe cried out. "Oh! I'm so awfully glad, and proud, and happy." "Are you? Really?" "There's not a happier person in the whole world, I'm sure of that!" she said, and her voice trembled with laughter and tears.

His arm was round her, and he pressed her fair head to his shoulder, and held it there fast for a moment. Then he lifted her glowing face to his, and bent to kiss her lips.

Rosamund had not wanted the elaborate lunch which had been set before them at the smart riverside hotel to which David had taken her. She was far too excited and happy to eat. Now, as she climbed into the small car, and waited while he paid the bill she sighed contentedly at the anticipation of a long, glorious afternoon in his company. Settled in her seat she proceeded to occupy her time by collecting the mutilated newspapers which, in her fervour, she had thrown down carelessly on the floor of the car.

Bending forward, hands outstretched to her task, she stopped abruptly as a portion of the letterpress on the uppermost sheet seemed to leap out at her as though it were printed in blacker type than the rest.

She snatched up the paper and concentrated on a paragraph in the gossip column. Her blue eyes dilated, and then she felt as though she were falling through the bottom of the jfforld.

A few minutes later David slipped into his seat beside her, and the car swung round smoothly under his expert guidance. .."'*.'

"Where would you like to go? Just give the order! I'm at your service!" he smiled; then his expression changed instantaneously to one of alarm. "Why, what's the matter? Are you ill?" Rosamund roused herself, and her voice seemed to come from miles away. "Yes! It's my head. I think it's the sun. Plsase take me home."

There was something in the tone which forbade questioning, and he obeyed her command and turned the car in the direction of London. The ghastly pallor of her cheeks told him that she was indeed ill. He must get her home as soon as possible. "Lie back. I'll open the window to give you some air," he said gently, as he pushed open the windscreen. "There, that better ?"

"Oh! get along! Drive quickly, please!" she cried as though in pain, and then lay back with closed eyes. The silence was broken only by the hum of the car. David was pushing it to the limit of its capacity. Tlioy kd passed Marble Arch before Rosamund reopened her eyes, then alio sat bold upright, and the colour flowed back to her cheeks. "Feeling better?" he asked anxiously. "Yes, I'm all right now. Let me down, please, I want to walk the rest of the way."

Her voice was expressionless, and he began to argue, solicitously. She wasn't fit to Avalk. She must sit still while he drove her back to the flat. Then, suddenly, she seemed to wake from a dream, and cut in with an imperious note which he had never heard before. ,

"Stop the car! I tell you I'm going to walk. Can't you understand?" David understood the blunt order well enough, and obeyed it, but the reason of her strange behaviour remained a mystery. She got out without another word and walked, a little unsteadily, along the crowded pavement. His forehead was furrowed with amazement and worry. What could be the matter? He would follow behind her to 6eo that she came to no harm. »

A voice hailed him, and he turned his head for a moment. When he reverted his eyes, Rosamund had disappeared in the crowd. David gave a puzzled sigh and leaned across to push open the door of the car, Jerry Redmond deposited his lanky figure on the vacant seat. "Well! This is a bit of luck! I've just been round to your place. Hardly expected to find you in though. Guessed you'd'bo having a spot of tea with Julia!" He winked knowingly. "Jove! you are a secretive old devil! Never split a word about it last night did you? Not even to your oldest pal! Never mind! Heartiest congratulations, old fellow! I hope you'll both be very happy, and all that!" David looked at him as though he had come straight from Bedlam. "What the dickens are you blathering about, Jerry?" he asked with weary tolerance.

CHAPTER XII. David Speaks His Mind. "Here you are then. Read it for yourself, that is if you can! Someone's been making a pretty mess of the paper!" said Jerry, as he smoothed the crumpled sheet carefully. David snatched it from his hand and ran his eyes over the paragraph which announced quite definitely the engage* ment of himself and Julia Wayne. His mouth was like a trap and his nostrils were dilated with rage. A burly policeman came to the window of the car. "Now then, move along, please. You can't loiter here. It's a good five minutes since you pulled up!" "It's a lie, a damned lie!" David snapped out angrily, then, as the policeman's indignant voice pierced his brain, "I'm sorry, officer, I wasn't speaking to you. Yes, I'll get along at once." • An explanatory nod from Jerry pacified the man of the law, and the car swung forward with a jerk. Jerry stiffened himself as they narrowly avoided collision with a bus, then heaved a sigh of gratitude for their safety. "D'you mean to say it's not true about you and Julia?" was the sharp retort. "Have the silly blighters been a bit too premature as usual?" he asked. "It's not true, and never likely to be, either.

His friend was all sympathy with his perfectly reasonable annoyance. "How dashed sickening for you!" he exclaimed, and David's short laugh was bitter.

The light had been suddenly blotted out of his sky, and Jerry could find no better word than "sickening" to describe the catastrophe. Rosamund must have seen that paragraph. It accounted for her strange manner. She had feigned illness in order to get away from him. Desperation held him in it's grip. Would she believe him if he explained the situation to her. Then, fresh on the heels of this thought came another. What explanation could he offer of such an obviously authoritative statement? If it had been only a suggestion, the repetition , of mere rumour, things might have been easier, but there was no shadow of doubt about the wedding. He steered into a side street and his jaw set 'in a hard line as he pulled the brake-lever savagely. • "This is where you get out," he told the astonished Jerry. "Oh . . . Right-ho! if you say so . . . but ... he began, but David was in no mood for argument. "Sorry, old friend! I'm in a hurry, got to make an urgent call, so hop down, there's a good chap!" So Jerry hopped down and gazed, openmouthed at the departing car. "Well, if that isn't a rummy business!" he murmured, scratching the back of his ear meditatively. "I wonder what friend Julia will have to say about the matter!" \

Mollie Tanner threw down her case on the small settee, and was in the act of removing her hat when she stopped suddenly at a sound which seemed to come from the adjoining room. A moment later she was sitting on Rosamund's bed with a comforting arm round the girl, whose slight frame was shaking with sobs. "Darling! Whatever is the matter? Hush! don't cry. Tell me what has happened!" "Oh! Mollie! verything's happened. I've been a fool, a silly, sentimental little fool!" Rosamund cried out miserably, between her sobs.

"Tell me!" besought Mollie, "Is it David ?" i

"Yes. He asked me to go out in the country with him to-day . . and . . and he made love to me . . ."

"And the funny old thing is crying her eyes out about that ?" said her friend comically, but her smile faded swiftly as a hot hand clutched her arm.

"Then I discovered that he is engaged to Julia Wayne!" Mollie could scarcely believe her cars, and thought that she was listening to the imaginings of an overwrought brain. She slipped quickly into the kitchen and put on the kettle. This was plainly an occasion for the soothing cup of tea. "There, it,will be boiled in a minute. Now tell me how all this nonsense made it's way into your pretty little head!" she urged, fondling the golden hair. "It's not nonsense, it's true. I saw it in the paper! Look, read it!" Mollie picked up the crumpled newspaper which Rosamund had stopped to buy when she had left David. She had wanted to make sure that her eyes had not deceived her.

"But . . ," the older girl began, and stopped short. There seemed nothing to say in face of the straightforward announcement which she had just read. Then she put down the paper resolutely and took the girl's tear-stained face between her hands. She was still crying as though her heart would break, and Mollie decided that she must show a bold front. "I don't believe it's true!" she lied, boldly. "The papers get hold of all sorts of insane rumours. Why, some stupid guesser probably weaved a romance out of Julia's speech last night!" But Bosamund was not to be convinced so easily. Ever since she had learned the unhappy news, memories had been crowding back to her, each one bringing fresh proof of David's attachment to Julia. By this time she had thoroughly persuaded herself that his only object in paying her such attention as he had done during the past few weeks, was to put the actress on her mettle by rousing her jealousy. Shame enveloped Rosamund's being as she remembered how easily she had allowed herself to be made a "go-between," with never a suspicion as to his real intention. In the light of present knowledge she could well understand Julia's defiant, possessive attitude last night. How she must have revelled in the anticipation of her rival's coming humiliation. And David's restlessness too! There was no need now to put it down to "first-night" nerves! She threw herself down on the pilloCs in a fresh paroxysm of grief. "Oh! what a silly, scheming little idot he must have been thinking me all this time, and I "was fool enough to imagine I could make him care!" she moaned. Mollie left her for a moment and then returned with the tea. "Here, drink this. You'll feel better." But it took all her efforts to persuade the girl to raise the cup to her lips. "Nothing will ever make me feel better!" she gulped. "Now I can see'why he offered to release me from my post. Why ever didn't I take the chance? Now I shall have to write and tell him I'm not going back, and . . . and he'll guess the reason. Oh! Mollie, I'm so desperately unhappy!" Mollie bit her lip at the thought of Rosamund's plight. She realised as clearly as the girl herself the only construction David could place on her sudden resignation from his service. Her arm slipped round the prostrate figure and raised it to a sitting position. "Darling, do you love him so much?" Rosamund's cry was fierce with

anguish. "No, no, I did, but that's all over." The depth of her blue eyes gave the lie to her words and Mollie 6tood up and thrust her hands into her jacket pockets with an air of determination. Certainly the evidence of David's callous behaviour seemed black enough, but her level head was not to be convinced till she' had sifted the matter to it's roots. Besides, try as she would, she found it terribly difficult to credit him with 6uch utter baseness. Somehow, he had never struck her as the kind of man who traffics lightly in love affairs. The tea had calmed Rosamund, and she was more ready to listen to her friend's advice. "You do trust me, don't you?" Mollie asked. "Why, of course I do!! There's no one in the world I trust more than you and Guy, you know that!" was the earnest reply. The older girl's brow furrowed a little at the mention of Guy. He was a dear, of course, but she saw that it would be wiser to keep him out of this, at any rate until she had had time to investigate. Things might very easily become still more complicated if his impetuous nature got to work. "Then leave everything to me, will you?" she smiled encouragingly. "Yes, but . . . but what are you going to do ?" asked Rosamund, a shade doubtfully, as she watched Mollie's preparations for immediate action.

"First, I'm going to ring up Guy and ask him to come and sit with you, so jump up and bathe your eyes and make yourself presentable," she urged. "But . . . where arc you going?"

"I'm going to see David," then, to silence the protest which trembled on the other girl's lips, "it's perfectly all right, darling. I shall explain that you are ill and not fit to carry on with your job, so you needn't worry your head about writing that letter!"

"Mollie?" The tone was ■ insistent. "Yes?" "Youy won't say . . . anything Mollie came to her side and gently covered the moving lips with her fingers. "I promise not to utter one syllable which will add to your unhappiness," she said as she stooped to kiss her flushed cheek.

She had reached the door when Rosamund's queer high-pitched voice detained her. "You can tell him I never want to see him again, if you like. I give you full permission for that!" she cried. It was a pitiful attempt to be defiant, and Mollie shook her head gravely. "And give him the satisfaction of knowing exactly how much he has meant to you, eh? Not likely!" she said. As she went upstairs there was the light of exploration in her eyes. It was not her intention to waste words with David. The announcement of Rosamund's withdrawal from her post was all she had to say. It was then up to him to do the rest of the talking. Meanwhile David's car stood patiently waiting outside Julia's flat, while it's master engaged in the call which had amazed Jerry Redmond by it's urgency. (To bo continued daily.)