THE GRIP OF COLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3594, 6 August 1912, Page 3

THE GRIP OF COLD.

By ROBERT HALIFAX.

(Author of “The Drums of Pate,” “The House of Horror,” “A Woman in Their Web,” “Law Society,” etc., etc.) (Copyright—All Rights Reserved.) CHAPTER XXXVI. BE A TRUE WOMAN!

Down suddenly went the housekeeper to her knees, both arms locked about the slight figure, her voice cooing softly. “Now, my dear Miss Sheba, be a true woman ! I know just what is in your heart. Put it all from you, this moment —for ever ! It is the very thing he is dreading night and day—your doubt of him ! For long enough it. has seemed as if the house were a dark room, so to-speak ; now the windows are all thrown open, and the sunlight is going to stream in! Think of him down there! He came all those miles to find himself in that terrible position. I have talked with him like a mother; I have watched his face for hours together; and .1 know. The knowledge has left me with a beating heart, I assure you; because I was secretly fearing—never mind what!. One thing, dearie, while I think of it! When you see him walking up and down with his fingers locked and twisted behind him, it doesn’t mean that lie has, ever worn handcuffs, or anything like that, hut that lip wants to say something important. If lie is not a gentleman, dear, you will never meet one; makeup your mind to"that. And his one constant wish has been that Miss St. John shall nob worry over anything from now”

“But—hut —keep your arms round me a little longer! I, will try, but the thought is there still—the thought that perhaps —”

“Hush! We are leaving that to a Higher Power. It will all bo explained in Hod’s time. Let me toll you this: It was purest delicacy on your account alone that kept him from calling in the police and causing a great s andal. As I told him, to bring Eel cote police here would be like letting bats loose in broad daylight!” “I know—l knew! But—” Sheba made her effort, and slowly rose — “But it cannot be kept a secret- It must be known everywhere that sometiling terrible has happened to us —” “Listen !” the other persisted, gently. The servants only guess at something wrong. They did not—did not see the two men here at one end the same time; no one actually saw that! But they’re under my eye; and they know it. Dr. Lancing went off without the fain rest suspicion, 1 here remained only Sister -Judith; land I asked her, for the memory of tire dead master, not to speak of it to a living soul, until the shadow lifted. The real Air. Spun-? I knew the moment 1 came to my senses. If you think back there was a totally different atmosphere about the two men — a something you cant’ hope to put into words yet. Dearie,’ you’re all ready!”

The waves of brown hair were softly coiled. Sheba had drawn on a different robe, and stood still while Mrs Saxon clasped a row of pearls around her slim throat. She looked an unconsciously sweet phture, and MrS Saxon’s heart, for some subtle reason, was beating very fast just then. -She whispered cheerfully.

“He is <lmvn there in the drawingroom. I—l. half think he knows. I lit a fire, as it turned chilly. I try to keep him in the house as much as possible after dusk. You sec, be asked at once to speak with someone in authority meaning someone who knew the ma-ster on the same level. There was no such person, as I told him ; no seeretaiy, butler, or even a. valet to help linn. Aon were the only person to know. It’s a trying position, dearie, but I know you will prove equal to it. After all, there may' have to -be many changes here, and ’ ’

“Yea, 1 am quite calm now !” Sheba stood at the open door, looking out with clear eyes as at another world which she must enter. There had been something more on the housekeeper’s lips, but a cough cheeked it. “I will see him, at once. He has a right to expect it. A week!” Slio took a sfepy to pause- again. “You—you did not say that Miss Cottrell was there with him?”

“With him? My dear, you have lost touch with everything! As far as I know, she has not left her room a- dozen times this week. It is awkward for lie-r —for all of.us! There is her bill for nearly ten weeks to be niade-out and settled, and wc are not sure yet whether Mr. Loder may have left any special instructions in 'writing. We know nothing. As -far as that goes, there is no reason at all why' Miss Cottrell .should be brought a step- further into the matter- Prom now, I should think, it becomes purely a family and private affair.” “In which I should have no part!” Sheba whispere-cl to herself, as she turned, to lock along the passage. . “You ! Miss St. John, I hope I am never to hear yum say that again. If he chooses to make this his home, of course, yon could not'remain here very' will; but lie’ll be the first to realise that, -or I’m no reader of men’s faces! Besides, we’ll begin to talk about that when—when the proper moment comes. I only sayq let all slip from your mind to-night save the- one fact that

you can trust Air. Wilfred Spun wit-1 your life, if need be!”

“Thank you—thank you, Mrs Saxon. You have been very, very kind to me. Never let me forget it. i’ll go alone.” Quietly', steadily, -Sheba went down the wide .staircase and crossed the hall. All had the same unfamiliar, unreal look down here. All was quiet, with a sort of expectant, waiting stillness. Her sensation was a curiously' strange one as she lifted her hand to tap and enter. He was the master here now ! Ho was in there. She had hoard tho notes of the organ in the corner touched once or twice, as by the fingers of a man who knew nothing of musi:’- Now silence again. She tapped. (To bo Continued Daily).