LOVE SHAKES THE DICE.

Lake County Press, Issue 2697, 30 August 1917, Page 2

LOVE SHAKES THE DICE.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

VY AMY MANIFOLD,

Author of "An Ambushed Foe," "A Prince of Knaves," "The Shadow of a Crime," "The Hand of Justice," *c, &c.

(Copyright]

CHAPTER XV .—(Continued). •' Turning back into the hall when Lansingham was gone—Sir Anthony paused for a moment, then—with face grimly seWand a masterful look in his grey eyes—he re-entered the great library and looked round in a swift, anxious way. He saw that Lady Castlemayne had disappeared—for a minute he thought Deborah had accompanied her—then, all at once, the strong heart within him leaped and thrilled disconcertingly, as he caught sight of a slender, childish figure crouched in the rug in front of the glowing fire—its attitudo strangely drooping and despondent. "Deborah!" he said softly—and caught at the tiny hands as the girl sprang up and faced him defiantly. "What do you want, Sir Anthony?" she asked in a cold repellent way, wrenching her hands from his as she put tho question. Hot words sprang to the man's lips —but seemed to freeze there as his eyes fell on her simple betrothal ring. "I want you to forgive me for my insolence the night we first met in this very room"—he said almost in a whisper. She flashed a scared look into the stormy grey eyes so near her own. "I was to blame, too'!" she breathed out. "I do forgive you!" Then, ere he could catch her hands again, she slipped past him and made her escape.

CHAPTER XVI.—JOHN HURST EXPLAINS.

Along the winding road leading from Lanwythin to Tavistock, the handsome motor from Fatilconbridge spun at a perilous rate one damp, dull afternoon. Sitting very erect, his firm hands on the wheel, his bronzed lean face all aglow after the sharp rush through the nipping air, Anthony Castlemayne drew tip with a mighty jerk as, in rounding a curve he almost ran over two people standing talking in the shelter of the high hedge, while a couple of sharp little terriers, wet and forlorn, sat close beside the pair, occasionally whining impatiently as a hint to their inconsiderate mistress to hurry on home out of. the rain. "You idiots!" Castlemayne exclaimed in a somewhat impatient and uncourtly fashion as the couple sprang apart and looked up at him in considerable confusion. "I nearly did for you then, by Jove, I did. Audrey, are you courting a cold standing out in this Scotch mist?" Miss Tressillian threw back her head with a little haughty gesture, her brilliant colour considerably heightened, a most decidedly shy expression in her handsome eyes. "Don't be absurd, Anthony," she said in a vexed way. "You know rain never hurts a Devon maid. I had just met Mr. Hurst," she continued hurriedly, her colour deepening, "and was asking him about dear little Deborah." "I see," he responded with commendable gravity, yet with a decided twinkle in his grey eyes. "I was telling Miss Tressillian of Deborah's distressing attack this morning," John Hurst explained with unusual animation, "and saying how glad i we all are that Miss Hallam is arriving to-day. I am on my way now to meet her at the station." Castlemayne nodded gravely. Audrey, scanning him wistfully, was struck with the haggard lines in his handsome face and the shadows under the imperious eyes. "I'm on my way there, too," he said quietly. "Deborah wanted very much to meet her aunt, but she was so exhausted after the sharp attack of pain she had this morning that the doctor forbade her to stir out. My aunt came to tell me she was quite upset at the idea of not being at the station, so I sent up a message that 1 would meet Miss Hallam and bring her straight up to Kaukonbridge. You don't mind. Hurst?" "Nay, why should I ? Hut I'd do anything in my power for the little maid," John said simply. "I don't wonder," Audrey said

evidence of his ears, realized the glorious truth at last. With a burst of glad I laughter he turned and gripped the other man's strong hand. •'God bless you, Hurst," Anthony cried huskily, "and send you the happiness you deserve! I was taking a few mental notes just now," he added slily, ''and I guessed a good deal. Was I right in my guessing?" John Hurst nodded gravely, then smiled in a quaintly whimsical way. "Well," he said deliberately, "I hope so. She's the one woman in the world for me." he added very simply, "and my mother thinks a rare lot of her." "That's fortunate," Anthony remarked with admirable gravity, and turning to his wheel sent the car spinning down the road at a tremendous rate. They were only just in time at Tavistock Station : the train from the North was steaming in as the car drew up at the entrance, and John Hurst sprang hastily out.

softly. "You must be horribly anxious, Mr. Hurst. Why don't you call in a specialist, Anthony?" "Unfortunately, Deborah refuses to see any other doctor," Anthony replied, "and, as you know, she does not easily allow herself to be persuaded. I have no authority over Lady Lansingham now," he added curtly, "but you have, Hurst. You should insist on her seeing a specialist." "Nay, she'll not heed me," Hurst said bluntly. "You'd have a better chance any day, Sir Anthony." "I," the other man echoed almost roughly, and with an angry flush. "My dear fellow, you're talking off the book ; I have absolutely no authority over Deborah. I am hoping," he went on hurriedly as the others did not speak, "that Miss Hallam may be able to persuade her to do as the doctor wishes. Are you going into Tavistock, too, Audrey?" he queried a moment later. "If you are, I can give you and Hurst a lift." He. looked straight at the girl as she spoke, to find that she met the twinkling scrutiny of his bold eyes unflinchingly. "Thanks," Audrey replied. "I was on my way home when I met Mr. rfurst. 'Rough' and 'Ready,' " stooping to pat the draggled terriers, "are not enjoying themselves, so I shall get back at once with them." "But you said you'd drop in and see my mother as you had to pass the farm," objected Hurst gravely. "Yes, I'll go," Audrey said hastily, uncomfortably conscious of Anthony's twinkling regard. "Come 'Rough,' come 'Ready'! Are you in the mood for a scramble?" With a quick, free step she moved away, Hurst's honest eyes following her very wistfully. "I think we shall have to bo moving, friend," Anthony said softly, a very kindly light in his handsome eyes. "We've little enough time to get to the station." The young farmer started and turned silently to climb into the smart car, folding his arms and staring straight in front of him as they spun along the dusky road. "Sir Anthony," he said suddenly, turning to the other man, who had been watching him with kindly interest, "I'm really troubled about the little maid." The light died out of Castlemayne's eyes, the feeling of elation left his heart. "1 am sure you are, Hurst," ho said, speaking with an effort. "But you must try not to worry too much, my friend. The doctors will pull her round, and," his strong voice tremble! slightlv, "when once you are married she—-" "Nay, we'll never be that," Johi interposed very gravely. "I know w won't." Castlemayne whitened to the lips. He turned and looked with burning eyes at the quiet man beside him. "You are talking in riddles, Hurst," he said hoarsely. "What do you mean?" "I think you know, Sir Anthony," came the steady response. "Once already I've given you a hint,, but for safety, and that there may be no tangles, 1 mean to speak straight out to you now." The car came to a sudden stop; his companion E.ut waiting in an agony of impatience for his next words. "As I said before, since we both came to Devon," Hurst went on in the same steady tones, "the little maid and I have learned a good deal. We thought, up there in Cumberland, that wo wore lovers, and, so thinking, fell in readily enough with our elders' wishes. Wo know better now, Sir Anthony; wo know that our love is only that of brother and sister for each other—not the love that should sanctify marriage. If 1 thought Deborah loved me that way, I'd have held my peace and done my best to make her a good husband; but 1 know for certain that she doesn'r love me as a nyfe should, no more than 1 have given my true heart to her. I'll play the hypocrite no longer," lie ended grimly. "I shall tell the elders the, truth, and set the little maid free." \ Castlemayne. scarcely believing the

"I'll leave you to welcome Miss Hallam, old man," Anthony remarked with a .beaming smile as John lingered a moment. "I don't fancy the lady will view me with much favour; I guess she's heard a few queer stories about me," with a grim laugh. "You go, I'll wait here until you bring her out, then, if she is agreeable, I'll tool her back to Faulconbridge. .. 1 might possibly conquer her prejudices on tho homeward way," drily. "It's well worth the at-

welcome to Devon. "Lady Lansingham looks for you eagerly, Miss Hallam," he said quietly, as be helped her into a car and took his own place. The hard face softened. The lady looked at him in a gentler fashion, and yet withal suspiciously. "1 grieve to think the child is ill," she said in formal tones. "It is strange; from babyhood sho has always enjoyed the most perfect health." It must be, as John tells me tho doctor thinks, that the air of the south does not suit her. We must get her away to Cumberland as soon as possiblethere," flashing a -significant glance at tho silent Hurst— "she will have plenty to rouse and interest her." "Doubtless," Sir Anthony said curtly. "Hurst, can I give you a lift back to the farm ?" "Thanks, no," the young Quaker returned hurriedly, reddening as he met Castlemayne's expressive glance. "I have to see a man in Tavistock before I go back, and I'll take the short cut across the moor home." Sir Anthony nodded smilingly, and skilfully steered the car up the slope on to the high road, looking very handsome, very distinguished, all tho while, as Miss Hallam, sitting .bolt upright and watching him keenly, found herself reluctantly but honestly admitting. "Does Deborah seem very ill?" she inquired abruptly, resolutely hardening her heart against the engaging sinner beside her. "I am afraid sho is not in satisfactory health, Miss Hallam," he said slowly as tho car moved on towards the house. "The doctor is awfully worried about her—indeed," a flush mounting to his tanned cheeks—"we all are. But now you are here," turning and resting his brown hand on tho bony one beside him. "I hope things will improve—a< any rate, 1 am sure you will persuade her to see a specialist, as Tregarthen

wishes." Miss Hallam nodded grimly. "Here we are," he said curtly, as he drew up at the great marble steps, and he sprang down, turning then to give his hand to Miss Hallam. "Ha Dennis!" as the big door swung open and the old butler "stepped forward from a ruddy background. "You saw us coming, I suppose?" ! The old man smiled respectfully, beckoned to Ireton to see to the luggage, then led the way across the firelit hall floor to the. library door. "Are the ladies in here?" Anthony 'asked as Dennis took hold of the handle. "Yes Sir Anthony," responded the old man softly. "Lady Lansingham, feeling better, would not keep her room ; but mv lady thought it would be cold for an invalid in the great draw-ing-room, so they are settled in here. Mr. Lansingham is with them, he added very solemnly. Sir Anthony's eyes darkened sudden]v he frowned in a displeased way ' '"We could have dispensed with his presence, at least for to-day," he muttered under his breath. "Announce us, Dennis." he said aloud, an imperative touch in his deep voice. The strange pair followed the old butler into the warm, luxuriously furnished room. ..... On the big couch which had hidden

her so perfectly on tho night of Anthony's arrival, tho little baroness lay wearily back, very wan and ex-hausted-looking, with terrible shadows under her beautiful eyes. Lady Castlemayne sat close beside her, while on the opposite side of tho glowing hearth Horace Lansingham sat, softly rubbing his hands together, and scrutinising Deborah in a furtivo yet intent fashion. Tho opening door aroused them all. Lady Castlemayne hurried-.forward to greet the austere-looking spinster; Lansingham sprang to his feet and stood nibbling at his nails; while Deborah, as her aunt reached her side, stretched up to clasp her weak arms round that lady's scraggy neck, and burst into a passion of happy tears. • "Dearest Deborah, calm yourself," Lady Castlemayne began distressedly, but Anthony's quick hand upon her arm silenced her, as did also the solemn, dissenting shake of the head which Miss Haliam bestowed upon her.

tempt." With a grave nod, John hastened | away, returning in a very short time. with the tall, angular spinster lady who | had interviewed Mr. Rawson in far-, away Lazonby. i i Sho was talking very earnestly to the' young Quaker, Anthony noticed, as, they passed out at the white station jjrat'es—noticed too that her gaunt face wore a very troubled look. "She's fond of the little baroness," ho silently decided. "That's a point in my favour surely ; she is intensely worried about the child—l can see that; so, in all probability, she'll bo reasonable over the present state of affairs, and I will be anxious only for Deborah's happiness. 1 sincerely hope so." His final reflection brought a rueful I smile to his handsome, reckless face. A j minute later, banishing his disturbed j thoughts, he left the car and advanced, j ! cap in hand, to meet Deborah's austere-1 looking aunt. ! "Miss Hallam—Sir Anthony Castlemayne," Hurst said very gravely, his ( frank eyes going apprehensively from one to the othei. With courtly grace Anthony bent over the big hand in an impossible woollen glove, so stiffly extended to him, and, in a few well-chosen words, bade her ■

"Will he?" Charlotte queried doubtfully. "Ho has a good deal at stake, remember. The little baroness has caught his wandering fancy, and bo's cute enough to know that, if lie would charm her he must play the part of the good boy. Can't you think of any way in which she and the pious aunt could he disenchanted?"

Lansingham stared thoughtfully at the impatient speaker, then shook his head despondently. "I don't seem to have au idea," he said at last in vexed tones. "Come out for a walk, Charlotte, this room is positively stifling, and seems to addle my brains. Out in the fresh air I may have an inspiration."

(To be Continued.)

For a minute there was silence, broken only by the girl's low broken' sobs. Then, with a brave effort, Do-, borah conquered her emotion, and look- j ed round upon them all smilingly, yet very wistfully. | "What a baby you must think me!". she cried ruefully. "Hut 1 was so glad, j so very glad to see Aunt Miriam. I feel somehow safer now," lifting a frail hand to stroke the rugged cheek so

near her own. "Stronger, too." Miss Ha Ham looked at her solemnly, her keen eyes noting tho waxen pallor of the fair young face, tho bluish tinge round the sweet mouth, the lassitude of the slender, childish figure. j "I'm glad I came," sho said bluntly. I "I'm here now to watch over and guard you, my lamb." Unconsciously as she spoke she looked across at Lansingham—in an accusing fashion, as it seemed to his uneasy conscience. Anxious to be gono, ho rose quietl. and made his farewells. "My cousin certainly looks rut down," he said gently to Anthony, who had accompanied him to the door. "I am afraid there is something radically wrong with her." "Wo shall soon know if there is then," tho other man responded quietly. "Miss Hallam means to insist on her seeing a specialist." "She is quite right, quite right," Lansingham cried warmly, then walked away down tho smooth drive with his faco as white as death, his brain in a whirl, and his craven mind possessed by a great and deadly fear.

CHAPTER XVII.—A NEW HAND IN THE GAME. 1 On a wild, inclement evening, made intensely disagreeable by a bitter wind ' and driving sleet, a woman, stepping out of a Plymouth tramcar in one of the streets of the old town, drew her I cloak tightly round her, and, bending I her head against the strong wind, stepped quickly along until sho came to the small public-house known as the Western Tavern. "You're late," a voice said impatiently from the porch as the woman paused. "You should have been hero half an hour ago. I'd almost given you up." Charlotte Brown laughed softly as she followed him into the room in which their last interview had been held. "I didn't think I'd get here at all," she said coolly, loosening tho thick gauze veil she had tied securely over her close motor-cap. "Lady Lansingham had another severe attack of pain this afternoon, and the whole house was in an upset." Lansingham looked at her in a furtive fashion, gnawing at his nails as he did so. "You got my cipher letter then?" he said slowly. "Yes, and acted upon it. 1 doubled the strength of my lady's coffee, as you suggested. I had to go carefully, for that psalm-singing aunt is a very dragon, and I can see sho has taken a dislike to me. Luckily I had got on the light side of Lady Lansingham before sho came." The man nodded gloomily. "I suppose Sir Anthony was very much concerned over this last attack," he observed, pacing restlessly up and down. "Indeed ho was! Quiet as ho is, one can always tell when he's put out. Miss Hallam had a long talk with him which, fortunately, I was clever enough to overhear." Lansingham looked up with a scowl.: "I thought she did not approve of him," he said sharply. "She didn't until she met him." Tho scowl deepened on tho man's face. "He is no saint," ho sneered. "If. the old lady were to hear of some of his , escapades in the past she would be finely shocked. Since the death of that weakly boy cousin of his ho has certainly essayed to pose as a reformed charactetr; but we know him well en-J ough to be sure that it won't last long. | He'll break out again after a while, I you'll see." • I