BROKEN BONDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 303, 15 October 1910, Page 7

BROKEN BONDS.

A THRILLING ROMANCE OF LOVE AND INTRIGUE,

(Copyright.)

By MAURICE SCOTT,

Author of "The Mark of the Broa<J Arrow," "Tracked by Fate,'- 1 Etc., Etc. PART 14. "Apparently," returned John, impatiently. "The writer, a young lady of seventeen, is still, as you may gather, supremely ignorant o: the facts surrounding your sister's unhappy position ; by the same rule that she evidently considers it quite unimportant to affix a date to hei letter. But, incoherent as it maj be, it convinces me of one thingAnna has quitted my aunt's house ostensibly at jour request. Did yot send for her ?" "Great Heaven, no!" thundered Alec, starting to his feet. "My God what can it mean !" CHAPTER XIX. JACK THROWS DC)WN THE GAUNTLET. The two men stared into each other's faces with dread visible in their eyes. Arbuthnot felt the shock none the less that his fears were thus confirmed, while Alec looked stunned by the intelligence. Jack was the first to regain self-control. "Mark me, Strathcarron, your wife must hear nothing of this —yet." "You don't suppose" begar Alec. "Supposition counts for nothing." interrupted Jack. "I might. have taken Janie's letter for granted, and remained on in London, supposing Anna to be safely under her brother's protection. In the same way vou might have rested content to proceed uninterruptedly with the restoration of your house, supposing your sister to bo safely with my aunt in Devonshire. No, Alec, old fellow, some devilish treachery has Deeen at work, and rest assured we'll got to the bottom of it ; but I bar taking any one into our confidence. By the way. can you get me—unknown to her —a pair, or even one of Mrs. Strathcarron s gloves ? I have heard of something quite novel, ind would like to order a few pairs for her acceptance, with your permission. T really am ashamed at trespassing so frequently on her lospitality." "But, Jack Heaven, what can Slave happened to Anna broke in Alec, evidently in great distress. "1 mean to find out, and soon," ivas Arbuthnot's grim reply. " But aot a word of my errand, and don't forget the gloves." Nothing could be done that night out at the earliest opening of the telegraph office .Jack and Alec were a.t the railway station. A wire to Overcliffe, Devon, also jne to a male friend of Arbuthnot's n London, were despatched, and then ;he two adjourned to the Railway FTotel and breakfasted while aw-ait-ng the replies. In time they came—:hc first from Mrs. Aylmer :

"Left here nearly a week ago. I Linderstood she was going to meet, ler brother. Received telegram to ;ay arrived safely, all well. Nothing since.—Aylmer."

" She's not much better than Janie!" groaned Tack, dashing off i second message demanding .he adiress from which "Miss Western" lad wired announcing her arrival. .After an interminable delay—or so .t seemed—an answer came :

"There was no address as far as T remember. Have been expecting her to write. Must have destroyed telegram, as it's not to be found.—Aylmer."

Jack and Alec looked at each other their minds evolving things unutterable concerning the business capabilities of the sheltered woman, and then, a little later, distraction came n a telegram received I'ram Jack's friend in reply to his message. Jack devoured it eagerly. "Vane undoubtedly out of town to all appearances. I went to his •ooins early, as you suggested. Kitind his name-board reversed in hall. iVas informed by caretaker Mr. Vane aad left town. Before questioning the woman I went upstairs, and rang his bell for at least five minutes vvithoiit hearing a sound. He's not there, you mav depend." 'this was even more alarming. Vane at his chambers could be run to ?arth and Anna torn from his clutsupposing him to have entrapped her. But Vane out of reach —Heaven alone knew where ! Alec seemed almost incapable of grappling with the situation. He could only look with something of boyish helplessness at. John's strong stern face. "What can we do ? Detectives, I suppose ?" he uttered, distractedly.

•'Leave it to me, Alec, old fellow. By the way, did you remember the glove ?" asked Arbuthnot.

"Yes. At least. I came across this by chance. It's a fairly newone —an old one, apparently. "That'll do exactly, thanks. Don't worry about Anna. I'll leave no stone unturned to solve the mystery, rest assured. Urging Alec b a ck among the workmen, Arbuthnot went to his own room, and unlocking his dressingcase, took out a woman's glove of grey suede, and compared it with that given him by Alec, "Ah," he reflected, "I think I have you, my lady ! With this to start with. I am fairly equipped to play detective, and the clue I seek is evidently to l:c found at Abbotsvale." But it was not easy to draw Mrs. Strathcarron. though Jack found her uneasiness increased rather than lessened the moment he attempted to engage her in conversation ; yet as every hour was now of value, he felt there was no alternative but to attack the subject boldly.

"You have had news of your sis-ter-in-law, of course?" he said very suddenly, and his jaw set itself even more sternly as he watched the colour leave her cheeks.

"News !" she faltered. "Really, you startled me so, Mr. Arbuthnot ! That wretched influenza" "Pardon me, there are worse things even than influenza," broke in Johr Arbuthnot, longing to seize anc shake the truth from the womar. whoso craven terror lest the consequences of her deception should d»

scend upon her own head disgusted aim, convinced as he was that she had played some part in lining Anna from OverciilYc. "I was referring :o Alec's sister. You know where she is, I suppose ?" 11.42. She looked at him with frightened ayes. For a second time, having done the bidding of Felix Vane, he nad left her in profound ignorance of subsequent events. As to what .lad really happened she had not. the remotest idea, and now the notion "mat Arbuthnot had discovered something almost paralysed her with fear. Still, with an instinct of self-pre-servation, she called up all her courage, and determined to lie to the snd. He might, after a ll, be merely pumping- her for information. "No, I have not the remotest idea where Mrs. Vane is." she said—perhaps the more confidently that it was the one question 1o which she :ould reply with some semblance of truth. "Mr. Strathcarron has not ;hosen to take me into his confidence since first he discovered she had left her husband ; and as .1 ronsidered that both he and his sister behaved i n a perfectly childish and ridiculous way over (lie mar-

riagc, I have not alluded to n subject warranted to provoke an miileasant and probably angry discussion."

"Very wise of you." assented Arbuthnot, reading iiencat.li her attempted bravado. Though even he :ould not gauge accurately how much she knew. but. of one thing he felt determined—he would find out. and soon. He led her on to exploit her domestic grievances, which she did without, hesitation : and then, when she had hilled herself info the hope that he was content to rclagatc the subject, of her tiresome sister-in-law into the background, lie sprang a mine on her.

"These are your gloves, 'Mrs. Strathcarron. I think." he said, and moving his seat a little nearer as he spoke. Elise. who was in walking dress, not having yet removed her hat. glanced at them and carelessly assented.

"Thanks." she said. "I'm shockingly absent-minded oxer gloves. I drop mine about- in all sorts of places"

She stopped suddenly, and her fa.ee blanched * at something an expression —in Arbuthnot's cyi s. "Yes." lie said, slowly, "you certainly are, shall I -'ay. a little careless in that respect. For instance," he went on. riveting her with bis {■yes, "I picked up this—your righthand glove—on the hearthrug in the chambers of Mr. Felix Vane. in London"

"Then it isn't mine." she said>, boldly. "I did not go to London at the time Anna was married." "Pardon me," replied .Jack, turning the glove so as to expose the inside, "I allude to a much later period. See, 1 made a note on the wrong side—the date, and where found."

Elise looked green rather than white, yet she "would n ot easily give

"Absurd ! You might make memoranda on fifty gloves, but it would no more prove them to be mine than"

"M a y I call your attention to the fact that here" is its fellow. Mrs. Strathcarron?" interrupted .lack.

"Mr. Arbuthnot, you are singularly naive," she retorted. "Women's gloves are manufactured by thousands, I am not the : o'e wearer of six-and-a-qtiarter grey suede'' -

"You are the sole wearer of greysuede gloves in and around Abbotsvale, Mrs. Strathcarron." " How do you know ?" she said, contemptuously. "In these enlightened days maids dress as extravagantly as their mistresses—often more so."

"Mrs. Strathcarron. will you give me permission to oiler a prize to any one of your maids who can button on a six-and-a-quarter glove of any make." Elise felt concerned a s she thought of the strapping. brawny-armed Scotch lasses, to whom, as yet. the ambition to emulate great ladies by indulgence in cheap frippery was still unknown.

"And these, if 1 am not mistaken, are a. special line" continued Jack, mercilessly. "Darby shires, I'otiduitstreet.' " Elise was between lears and rage. Yet why should she own up ? Vane would never give her away.

"There is another significant fact," continued her aceuser. "The date ;>n this glove corrcspondends with that of your hasty visit, to London —on the supposition ot your sister's illness—conveying to me ample proof that you—being in town at the time, seized the opportunity of communicating with Mr. Vane" Tears came, but they were impelled by anger.

"It, might, convey as much to von," almost shrieked F.lise, "but. to no one else. After all, it's only vour word against mine. You mighthave bought Hie gloves, even" "I obtained this on' the left from .vour husband less than hall an hour ago." broke in Jack, quicklv. Her face changed, aad she looked nervously at the door. "Alec' you have told him? I mean you'have bee n trying to stir up trouble, between us '?" she asked. "No. Mrs. Strathcarron," answered Arbuthnot. grimly. "Had I done so. you would have heard of it ere this. I procured the glove by a I"' e " text." " 'A dog that will fetch can also carry.' " quoted Elise, spitefully. "If vou'ean concoct a pretext to deceive niv husband in one instance. whyshould cither he or I believe you to be sincere in this present far-fetch-ed notion voii have taken up?" "Have 1 your permission to put Alec's faith' in me to the test?" he asked. "Do you not, think, were I to explain the circumstances of my finding this glove, he would require, from von an explanation of your visit to the rooms of Mr. Vane ?" "Very likely," returned Elise, with an affectation of indifference. "Men usually stand by one another. If it pleases you to sow dissension between husband and wife you must do so. 1 can only answer Alec as I answer you. You are under a delusion, and I do not see how even he has any right to accept your unsupported "statement against my denial." "And you would deny having visited Mr. Vane in his chambers on the occasion to which I refer?" asked John, puzzled how to deal with this woman, anxious to shield her, if possible, for Alec's sak£ x

"Most assuredly I should !" she retorted.

" .Mrs. Strathcarron, " —and how John spoke cani'stly, almost appeal- • ngiy—"beware how you imperil \ our husband's love and trust, together witli his sister's happiness, at. the bidding eif a man such as Vane." "Bah ! Yo-.i are prejudiced '" she cried, rising to quit the room and end the discussion. "The root ot the matter is that you covet your neighbour's wife, and lose no chance of traducing him, Mr. John Arbuthnot I"

CHAPTER XX. THE BREAKING' OF THE STORM. For the moment, John felt silenced. That would it was evident be the infamous construction put by every one on his conduct —that he had no other motive in protecting Anna from ;1 man whom he believed to be a scoundrel than envy and jealousy, together with a dishonourable love for "his neighbour's wife." His aunt, knowing him from his boyhood, believed in his integrity, in the unfailing rectitude that would enable him to conquer any temptation to allow his deep-rooted love to break his bounds and bring dishonour on the head of the woman so dear to him.

Yet even Mrs. Aylmer had warned him (hat others would view his actions different'ly. Knightly and chivalrous as might be his intent, from none save noble minds could he expert belief in the disinterested nature of his motives.

But although no one could accuse Elise Strathcarron of being the

possessor of a noble mind, yet none the less her shaft had struck home, and now .lack' went out into the woods to smoke and think what next to do. Even her imputation that lie "meant to stir up dissension between husband and wine" had stung him. and discounted any advantage he had reckoned on in having detected the fact of her visit to the rooms of Felix Vane. If only she had not been Alec's wife 1

Reflection brought little comfort in its train his trump card —the identification of the glove—had failed him. Even if he appealed to Alec on the possibility of his wife's treachery Mrs. Strathcarron would deny everything, and Arbuthnot would lie unlet" the stigma of having sowed dissension on the domestic hearth without advancing one step in the direction of tracing poor lost Anna. So far Alec's faith in. his wife had been only shaken, and with Anna's restoration to health and the assurance of her safety it had been to some extent regained its balance. Even Alec was drifting to the conclusion that perhaps Elise should not be criticised too harshly, because she was temperamentally unable to participate in his own and his sister's devotion to their birthplace. To let Alec know- Anna's story of Mrs. Strathcarron's midnight visit to the west wing, followed by her sudden expedition to town and his own discovery o» her glove in the sitting-room of Felix Vane, would. Jack felt, certain, utterly destroy all future harmonious relations between husband and wife. Alec would not credit even though he could not break down her defiant denials. Was he. .lack asked himself, justified in rendering Alec embittered towards the woman with whom lie was bound to Pass the remainder of his life ?

lie decided he was not, and then, after n long tramp over the moors and lunch at a wayside inn. he ?trode back to Abbotsvale in order lo takn leave of his host and hostess. He had resolved to travel back Ui London without delay, and to engage a first-class private detective to trace Anna's movements from the ;iine of her leaving Overcliffe.

At Abbotsvale workmen were all over the place, and the one habitable apartment was crowded with furniture from dismantled rooms, among other things Alec's high, old-fashion-;d bure a ti. its often front exhibiting niles of papers and letters heaped together in the wildest, disorder, in the midst of which heap Alec was ourrowing as Arbuthnot entered the ,'oom.

Mrs. Strathcarron was seated near the window. and turned a defiant rlance on Jack a s he apologised for nis absence from lunch. He eoocjudod she i'elf satisfied of his inability (o prove any tiling against her. and lommeneed to thank her for her hospitality and to announce his coming departure.

Her eves betrayed her satisfaction. nor belief that heiadmitted himself beaten even while ler false lips expressed regret for the shortness of ilis visit and the discomfort inevitably accompanying the presence of workmen in an inhabited house. "If I could only have persuaded Alec to take me to London while the place is in such disorder!" she said. "Surely- a, foreman or some ■uich person could superintend." "Not to he thought of." put. in Alec "from I lie other end of the room.

'Any news. Jack? Going to-night . :>h ? One minute, and I'll lie with you. F.lise, do you happen to have seen any telegraph forms ? There were some here, I thought." "I should think you've churned them up." she said, with an affectation of indifference, while Arbuthnot watching her troiii behind the pages of a newspaper lie had taken from a side table, thought he saw her change colour. "If you had any. they are still there —at least. I mean I have not used them. I have had no occasion to send telegrams lately." she finished up. turning away her head. Jack's suspicions were aroused. Why should Mrs. Strathcarron make so 'elaborate an explanation to such a simple query ? Meanwhile Alee was ransacking drawers and pigeonholes, muttering half-audible plaints of "never being able to find things where lie had left them." his mind at the moment filled with Hie possibility <U' Jack having in some way heard news of the little sister se dear to him. In fact, even us he mechanically searched drawer after drawer the question of Anna's safet.y oceupied the first place in his reflections. "Ah. here they are!" he exclaimed at last as he unearthed a packet of blank telegraph forms from the sea of litter, and then, pushing back the heap sufficiently to allow him space On which to write, he sat down at the desk. "Just half a minute, Jack," he called out. "I must send oft* thii wire." (To be Continued)..