THE SPOTTED COW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 10

THE SPOTTED COW.

v ßy E. G. KEITH.) Author <f "The Web of Destiny," " Irr.nf Orme," etc. [All Rights Reserved.] CHAPTER 1. As an inn, the place had ceased to exist; but the owner had advertised it as a desirahlc country residence, suitable for anyone who desired seclusion, and Harold Clifford, with his friend Austin Drake, had decided that it just came up to their requirements. The one-time inn certainly had many drawbacks, but the young men were not worried thereby, having made up their minds to spend a few weeks of simple Bohemian life in the country.

A few evenings after their arrival there was a heavy downpour of-, rain, and they made every preparation for a quiet evening indoors. Placing a highlyornamented tobacoo-jar carefully in the centre of the table, Austin Drake drew up his chair and sat facing his friend. Tlio room they wore in was small but cosy, and the wild slashing of the rain as it beat on the window-panes seemed only to emphasise the comfort of their surroundings. " I pity any poor beggars out in this to-night, he remarked. And his companion grinned amiably, as a man can afford to do when he is comfortably settled in an easy chair with a pipe in his mouth.

"They are welcome to your pity, old men, but I hope they will give this place a wide berth.. That's.one drawback about taking over a sometime inn. If some lost soul came begging for shelter to-night you would never have the hardness of heart to drive him away." Drake looked at his friend through the twin wreaths of smoke, and his •eyes twinkled. "Would you, Clifford? I know you pretend to be hard-hearted, but'l would like to see you put to the test. Imagine rorne poor creature- passing by now and hearing our dilapidated- old signboard creaking in the wind. Would you have the cruelty to inform him that this place is now a respectable private residence, and not a haven of refuge for waifs and strays." "Certainly I would!" was the prompt response. "Remember that we came, down here for peace and rest, Drake, not to look after foolish people who have not the sense to stay at home when there's a storm about. It's rather a pity we did not remove that board." "What vandalism!" murmured Drake. " 'Twas that beauteous signboard that first attracted my artistic soul. Poor old spotted cow! Think of the years of storm that she has weathered. Would you condemn her to oblivion before her appointed time?" At that moment the catastrophe happened. An imperative knocking sounded on the outer dtfor, and then the bell clanged with a determined, insistent clamour that very clearly indicated the wishes of the person outside. The two men exchanged glances, one .amused, th'-> other plainly annoyed. '' See the result of your wretched old signboard," Clifford remarked; as ho glared at the door. " Austin Drake, if you mean to turn this place into a home for strays, I shall quit to-mor-row."

' Wait a minute and see if ho will go away," said Drake, making no attempt to leave his comfortable chair. "It isn't very far to the village, only a few miles."

However few the miles, it was soon evident that the disturber of their peace had no intention of going further without first making a verv desperate effort to gam admission. " The bell clanged loudly again, and both men looked guilty as they puffed silently at their pipes. sl!a " hari3 to answer it." Clifford muttered, after the third attack. Tho beggar has seen a light somewhere I suppose. T will' go. I>rake, and tell Inra wo are not catering lor his sort jusf at present. You are too soft-hearted to do it." Clifford unbolted .the door with unnecessary violence; ho wanted the intruder to understand that ho was making himself, a nuisance, but bis efforts were apparently- wasted. As the door opened a hurricane of wind and rain swept in, and with it the unwelcome visitor. He was clad in motoring overalls, and outside a motor-cvele rested against the wall.

" T am afraid we cannot take yon in," Clifford commenced, in a tone that lie failed.to make convincing, since the stranger had already invited himself in

„ ' Nonsense!" was the <jm'ck' retort. This is an inn. and yon must put me up somehow; I ran go rto further tonight, my bicycle has broken down. Ple.-w let n man take it round to the st.">Wp.

Clifford glared at the intruder, uncertain how to act. Little of the man's face- could be seen, but his voice sounded youthful, and in sise he looked a mere hoy. No amount of indignation could prevail upon Harold Clifford to tel! the weary youth that ho would have to walk his heavy machine to the village, but it was with an ill grace that he opened th? door of a room and invited the young man to enter. .After lighting a lamp he went cut, closing: ths door somewhat violently behind him. Austin Drake had been an amused listener to the hrief dialogue that had left his friend vanquished, and lie grinned good-humouredly now ns he came ; "t" the hot! 5 . Clifford only, scowled, and pointed to the bicycle visible through the open doer. "As it amuses yo so much, Drake, perhaps you would like to fetch that thing in. Our self-invited guest appears to think he was born .to be waited upon." "Of course he does, and he thinks you arc a bona tide landlord in charge of a respectable inn. instead of a miserable fraud. Give mo a hand, we will soon get the machine in.. hut old Mother Tubbs will have a fit to-morrow when fihe sees what' a mess wo have made of'the hall."

Clifford grumbled at first, but after a short'time he entered into the humour of tho thing, and assisted Austin to prepare a supper for their guest, although he refused to play the part of attendant.

When the door opened to admit Drake and his well-laden tray, the young man rose rather wearily from the chair on which he had been seated. Ho had removed his goggles and partly unbuttoned his coat, but his.face.was too thickly begrimed with ' duet for Drake to gain much idea of his appearance.

"I am not very hungry," he said, in a peculiar, hesitating voice. " I am tired. If you will show me my room T will go* up at once, and after !• have removed my wet things I may 'feel more inclined to eat." " Better remove them down here," Drake suggested. " Let me help you off with your coat, and I will get it drv for you by the morning." " Thank you, but I would rather go to my room at once," the other answered stiffly. "You can bring the tray up and leave it there, and I will put my wet things outside for 3'ou to •akc down: If I am giving any extra trouble I will pay for it." Drake's grin expanded to quite an alarming extent as he .preceded his •/nest up the stairs, and led him into Clifford's room, which that worthy -oung man had reluctantly yielded up. The stranger's arrogance tickled his •rnse of humour, and he was well aware that neither he uor his chum -as in exretly fashionable attire. Their •lesire for comfort had resulted in a 'tind of shabby fronted raiment, which Drake was quite ready to accept as an xplanation of their guest's superior nr"i'"*r.

'•' Tlv re you arc." he said, throwing •.pen the door. " T think you will find •vervthing you want here: if not. Mi:> ball. I will bring up your supper ivheu you aro ready, and you can lot me have your wet thinos."

There was a moment'? pause before any response came, and Drake realised that tho young man war regarding him with a puzzled dissatisfied frown. " Have you no maids in the house?" he asked, suddenly: "it seems to be a very peculiar inn." " Yes, it is a bit peculiar," Drake admitted. "Ton see, we have very few visitors here now; the maids have gono to bed." " Then please bring up my supper now; 1 shall bo ready for it in a few minutes."

In spito of this assertion, the young man still remained in the same attitude when Drake returned, with the tray, of which be relieved himself .with a flourish that brought .- him ■'-■: a disapproving glance from a pair of dark eyos. Ho felt vaguely uncomfortable as he departed again; the stranger was certainly a rathor overpowering youth. The two friends spent the remainder of the evening in peace, and no summons came from their guest. Clifford went up once, and returned with tho waterproof coat and boots, which bo had found outside the door, after which their peace was quite undisturbed. Neither Drake nor Clifford was ready the next morning to play tho part of attendant to their guest. In true Bohemian fashion tkey prepared their breakfast: then Clifford mounted tho stairr. and knocked loudly on tho door of his room.

"Breakfast is ready!" he shouted "Will vou be down scon?"

" No, I will have it served here," a voice responded, curtly; but it was not the abruptness of it that made Clifford stare at the closed door witli startled eyes-r-it was so feminine, so unmistakably feminine! Without attempting to argue the matter Clifford descended the stairs again, and surprised Drake by preparing a tray to take upstairs. He would say nothing of his suspicion till be had seen their guest a<rain, since he had no d?sire to be laughed at, and he bore his friend's sarecstic remarks in silence. In response to his knock—more subdued this time —the same voice bade him entor: but even the warning he had received did not prevent him from staring in surprise at the occupant of his room. Undoubtedly it was a woman ; the abundant hair, drawn, into rather tight coils at the back of a shapely bead, proved ' that fart. Tlip girl was seated when he entered,. and she regarded him quite calmly at first, till his startled, almost dismayed, expression seemed to penetrate through her self-possession. A faint flush stole into her cheeks, and -he raised her head defiantly, as if-.indignant at his presumption in.. looking at her . thus. Feeling in his turn overawed. Clifford quite humbly approached and placed his tray on tho table before her. then turned tail, and literallv 3cd from the room, to seek, counsel with his friend below.

If the jyirl upstairs bad norma! bearing the shout of 'laughter with which Drake received the news must easily havo reain-;-'' her ears. was annoyed at this levity, and he made quite' a hurried breakfast, then went out into the hall. Drake smiled with quiet appreciation of the situation as ho hoard sounds proceeding from that quarter; but wh»n he went cut ten minii-e- 'ater, and found Clifford busy examining the motor-cycle, he rcr.do r no effort to help, having, indeed, little knowledge of the subject. Aiwtin Drake- was denied a full view of hif! guest, for when she at last came slov/ly "down the stairs her fr.ee was once more hiddsn by the peaked cap mid turned-np collar. She pushed up tho goggles from her eyes when he came to meet her, but his curious glance did not bring the colour to her cheeks, as Clifford's had done. With quiet selfpossession she inquired the amount of her indebtedness, and Drake found it impossible to tall her the truth, to admit that *.l:e house was no longer nu inn but a privato residence where she nad mad" herself very much at home. Instead, he mentioned a sum which appeared to satisfy her. and <-ho paid without question, then left the inn and bent to examine her motor-cycle, which the two men had thoughtfully placed against tho wall outside.

Harold Clifford felt quite a thrill of satisfaction as the girl regarded her machine with what was. apparently, an air of concern. The trifling repair he had effected would enable her to proceed on her way without trouble, and, after a brief examination, she bream? aware cf the fact. With surprising asility, considering the heaviness of the machine, she set it in motion, and sprang lightly into the saddle, while the two meif watahed in unwilling admiration till 'he disappeared from sight. "Well!" said Drake, reflectively, as he turned back into the inn. " I don't approve of it, and I would not like a sitter of mine to do it but rhe has plenty of pluck. Clifford. What a pretty little adventure. We will certainly leave the old signboard up for the present." , CHAPTER TT. When Cynthia Grenfell had set out on her mad escapade she was full of the wildest spirits. Her brother had dared her to do it. and his absence from home for a few days had made it pos.=;ibb for her to borrow his clothes and his machine. She had been on it once or twice before for a hundred yards or so, and was well able to control it. To a girl of Cynthia's daring temperament tho ride that followed was perfectly delightful, but she rather overlooked the power of the machine, its speed, and the countless miles that flashed by her. When at last thoughts of home and dinner came to her mind, she found herself in a strange country with but little idea oT the direction in .which sho should go. She turned at onco. however, and bravely started back, but darkness began to creep down, the ram started, and, as a final catastrophe, the machine refused to go any further. In this rather desperate position the welcome memory came to Cynthia of a signboard she had passed some time before on the road, a signboard that had impressed itself upon her memory by it:; hideous and inartistic portrayal of a spotted cow. She pushed the heavy machine along with more confidence, and soon had the relief of seeing the dim light that proceeded from , a window at the side of the old "inn. The chilliness of her reception daunted Cynthia. somewhat: she realised for the first time that her appearance was very much against her n« a respectable person, especially in the oyes of stupid country folk, and Clifford's failure to recognise her sex was almost a relief. Her experience of inns was certainly limitpd. yet she had-ex-pected something different from this, and hut for her utter weariness of body would perhaps havo worried rnfcre aboutit. The room placed at her disposal was at least a very comfortable one, so she made the best of the rather awkward conditions, and passed quite a peaceful night. Cynthia's greatest shock certainly came with Clifford's unceremonious summons in the morning. She quite forgot her supposed identity when answering him, and when his abrupt retreat proved that she had betrayed herself, further concealment seemed unnecessary. She was greatlv' 1 vexed by the rudeness of his stare, but all her troubles were forgotten when she discovered that her machine had miraculously recovered from its ill-humour, and was ready to carry her safely home again. As Cynthia and her brother lived alone, no one had been worried by her absence, the two servants being used to her erratic movements. Sho told her brother as much of the adventure_ as seemed fit. and left the rest to his imagination. In a few weeks she had forgotten all about it. which would not perhaps have seemed verv generous to iVake and Clifford, who both retained, a verv lively recollection of the episode, j even after they crew tirrcl of their tenancy 'of th? Spotted Cow, and gave over it" possession to the owner. Clifford's memory was so fresh three

months later, that he found it impossible not to recognise Cynthia when ho met her at the house of a new acquaintance one afternoon. Certainly she ap•jeared altogether more charming than on the former occasion. Her whole appearance was decidedly feminine, although Clifford, in thinking of her, had alwavs imagined that she would be mannish and somewhat objectionable, both in manner and dress. Ho fully intended to recall himself to her memory but. somehow, when he found how unconscious sho. was of his identity, ho could not quite gather the necessary courage. On thinking it over, too. ho camt'to the conclusion thft she might resent their having deceived Her, and, as he very mi.'ch wanted now to continue their acquaintance, he decided to practise discretion. Although Cynthia had a vague idea at first that she had met Harold Clifford before, the impression soon faded. His increasing attention afforded her some pleasure, rind he was really a presentable man, although she had failed to discover the fact during her brief stay at the Spotted Cow. He followed her everywhere, and she accepted his devotipn with great impartiality, without in any way committing herself. Clifford was kept in a stat© of suspense regarding her true feelings, and while lie was still hesitating before testing his luck, the denouement earned

Clifford had seen no barm in introducing his cousin to Cvnthia, and the two girls seemed to find much that was congenial in each other's company. But one afternoon, as ne strolled up to where they were sitting together, he overheard words that filled him with dismay. His cousin was speaking, and Cynthia listened with a very peculiar expression on her fr:?.

"Yes, Harold and his friend, Austin Drake, are always doing silly things, and this Spotted Cow was his latest idea. Harold bad a. notion that he was a genius in embryo, and he thought if ho went into secliitypn he could make his name as a poet. So he and Mr Drake (who thinks he can paint pictures) took over this inn for two months and settled down to enjoy rural life. Tho place was miles - from anywhere, and I expect they were soon tired of it, although Harold will not admit as much. ' Fancy, they lived ' there by themselves, with only one old woman to come and clean the bouse up for them every morning. Can you imagine that as a proper existence for a healthv mnnr''

Cynthia bad listened with breathless attention to the tale, and at the end J2,"i'_f. bright with indignation, met Cliffords. She remembered him quite well now. and the first recollection that came of that almost-forgotten adventure was of the outburst of merriment that followed Clifford's hasty exit from her room that morning. Her cheeks grew hot as she thought of it all. and remembered the demands she had made upon them in her belief that they were ordinary innkeepers. Her glance seemed to wither the unhappy young man; but Grace Clifford's presence made it impossible for her to vent her anger in any other way, and Harold could not have spoken if his life had depended upon it. .He waited silently till Grace

rose to speak to another friend, then he slipped dexterously into the chair she nad vacated, before Cynthia could protest. '. :

'•Cynthia," he pleaded. "Do not look at me like that. It was not mv fault.'.

ion should have told me." Cynthia answered, coldly. "You. must' have known ! mistook the place for-an inn. If I had known I should have gone on to the village." "It was pouring with rain.'and vou could, not possibly have walked all that way, he protested. " Besides. Cynthia we thought vou were a man. Really, you know, it is not usual for girls to in riding about like that." Hero PloroJd had blundered. The knowledge that she was hopelessly in tne wrong did not improve Cyrithia'f temper; sho looked at her companions contemptuously for a moment before replying.

"'T. am *quite av.-are that yen gave me shelter under protest.'' she said' elererl.y shifting her ground. < ; If vou had shown a little morn sympathy for a fol-loTi-rbeing in trouble I should have had less hesitation in trusting to you. 1 hope you are satisfied with what vou hare done. What a scandal people Will make of it when thoy hear!" " Who is to tell them if you say nothing?" Harold asked, seizins; on his last hope. " Besides. Cynthia." darling, it roally doss not matter. I love you. I want you to bo my wife,, and then, why we will fpend our hor.eymocn at the Spotted Cow." For a. moment the expression on Cynthia 5 face softened, but she was not yet in a moed to bo impressed by his passionate declaration, and wilfully misinterpreted his meaning. " Am I to take your proposal at .such a moment as this as a threat, Mr Clifford? , Of course. I quits aporeciate my position. HI refuse to marry you, you can tell your cousin all about that night." "Cynthia!"

; Without turning her head. Cynthia [sat in silence. She knew her words ' had lKon ungenerous, but it- pleased her to inflict the pain. Really, she felt sadly humiliated and vexed." She had dono an unworthy thing in a sp : rit of mischief, never dreaming that anyone would know, and the consequences that threatened now-appalled her. whilst it hurt her pride to feel that the man who loved her must needs be making allowances to himself for her behaviour. '''Cynthia!'' The. word came again with less reproachful cadence, and Harold placed his hand suddenly over hers. "Don't you'' know that you can trust me? Both Drake and I swore Ave would never say a word, to anyone about your visit, and we meant it. Don't let it make any difference to us, Cynthia, darling." "Yon must have thought me a horrid, fast person," Cynthia said, capitulating suddenly, and speaking in a strangely husky voice. "T only did it for fun, and you do not know how awful I felt that night in a strange house alone. And in the morning it wns worse, with only Bob's clothes to wear! You really must have thought me a- very objectionable girl, Harold." ' "I thought you the most charming rdrl 1 had .ever' met, and, of course, I knew it was just a lark, or something of the sort," he answered, glibly untruthful- " You really owe :r.o some long-delaved thanks, Cynthia. I took a lot of trouble putting your machine to rights, no that you would not have to walk it all tho way to the village." "Really?" Cynthia was quite ready now to be cajoled into good humour. " T was surprised to find it all right, because it absolutely refused to go tbe niidit before. And I was so glad, Harold": I felt quite awful at the thought of having to go back by train, or else walk that lieavv machine for miles. If you are really sure that you will never think horrierl tilings about me because of that ride " Harold was r.o sure that he did not writ*for further concessions. Fortunately, their position was well-screened bv bushes, and he was able to make oiiite certain of Cynthia's forgiveness; but she was very emphatic in her refusal to' spend her honeymoon at the Spotted Cow. _^