SERIAL STORY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 286, 9 December 1914, Page 3

SERIAL STORY.

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; — -* I (By PAUL TRENT;. • Author of "The Vow," "The Foundling," "The Second Chance," etc., etc. j CHAPTER VH. Bentley left London at an early hour of the following morning, and although. Mr Carson had not actually given las consent to the engagement, he seemed to have modified his attitude. "Leave it to me, dearest: wo shall be married in a month," Ethel had whispered to Clive, when they parted. Glyn, too, was confident that Mr Carson would withdraw his opposition, and so Bentley departed in avcontented frame of mind. He had Hoped to be able to return at the end of the week, but his work took him to the extreme north of England, and he was instructed to remain there until the following] Friday. __ Immediately iipon his return he """paid a visit to the offices of the Company. Stevens seemed quite pleased with the work that he had done; but there was, still an awkwardness in their .relations that Clive did not attempt to remove. He did not like the man, and wished to confine their re*- ' lations solely to business matters. But he was compelled to ask a favor of him. "I wonder if you could find me cases near London, during the next week or two?" "I suppose that means a girl?" ' Stevens remarked with a grin. m "1 expect to be married in a week or two," Clive '.answered quietly. "The devil you do! Marrying on your expectations? Or perhaps you have private means! You are by way of being a bit of a swell, aren't you?" Clive was annoyed, but he remained silent. "Or perhaps your, intended has money. '. I hope so, because you needn't expect to get much more out of the Company." ■ ""You""haven't yet answered my question. Can you arrange so that I may work near London for a week or two?" . "No; I can't, and- 1 shan't. You'll probably be away for a. month,'" Stevens -said rudely. "* "It is necessary that I shall bo near London. I don't care to approach Mr Sylvester—but- " In an instant Stevens' manner .changed completely. Cliv.e had not yet discovered in what fear the general manager was.held even by the more highly placed officials. , "I suppose that's a threat, and I'll clinib down," Stevens said with an effort, and there was dislike in his - 'eyes, winch ho did not attempt to conceal. ■ "Does that mean that you will arrange it for me?" "Yes, it oes, your lordship.' 3 '; "I am very much, obliged to you, Mr-Stevens." But Clive knew he had made an enemy who could cause him nruch discomfort. However, he did not worry, for Stevens could not injure him, as long as he did his work efficiently. A letter had come from Ethel asking him to call in the afternoon, &o he returned at once to the Temple in order ;to change his clothes. During his ab- • sence he had been troubled, for he had not yet bought Ethel an engagement ring. It went against ,the grain that the symbol of their love couldi not be what he wished. Although he had lived with the strictest economy, there were many things to be bought, so he .had not much money to spare. ,It chanced that lie was rather early, so h-e -walked along "WJardonr Street, before going to the Carson's house. In the window of a shop, in which were displayed antiques, he noticed acquaint old ring. It was without a stone, and curiouisly car,v«d; an<d the proprietor said that he could have it for little more thaji tho value of the gold., ' Clive noticed that there was a single word engraved on the inside— : "Always." "I will have it," he said with sudden decision. Half an hour later he placed it on Ethel's finger. "The best/I could manage," he said a little sadly. "I lovo it I and, Clive, father has given his consent. He wants you to go to him. Yea will be saeiaikle, ae&r," ■' she' pleaded. Mr Qarson did not believe in half measures, and he received Bentley with a hearty grip of ihe bsajtd. ; "We'll forget ail I've said to you," he began briskly. "Gladly. But I quite understood your position." "I've even agreed to your being married in a weeic or two. But there are one or two things to be discussed. I propose to allow Etlnel Jure imiidred a year, and I shall furnish a house for you." : "I don't think we ought to accept that." "You've just got to accept it. My firl's not going to skimp and contrive, ou can. just put your wretched pride in your pocket. Ethel is my only child, arid I know what poverty inejtns." "I must talk to her."- . r "You can do as you like, but she's already agreed to take it. liook here, my boy, if you make a fuss you'll , Only # upset her, and you owe her some consideration. I'm going to make a settlement on her and any children. Then bhe'll be independent of both of us." - i "I don't see that I can object; but • it is not pleasant for me. I -would like to "have been able to give my wife everything." "Very praiseworthy. There's something else. You'lit want monoy during the next few weeks. I've written you out a cheque for two hundred and I fifty pounds." } "I can accept nothing," Clivo cried '. giastily. [ "You'll have all sorts- of things to ! buy. And then a honeymoon costs money, and I wish you to do tilings wxjlJ. Surely you would rather receive it .from me than from Ethel!" "l"m sure she will be content with what I can afford to provide. You must remember that I shall have to I be working all the time." ! "I can't say any., more/* {growled Mr Cars&n, and-he vicrbaafy- tore'the ' i cheque into small pieces. ' Ethel was unfeignedly pleaded that I Clive had consented to the settlement. 1 She had not thought that he wr^'- 7 1 nceept her father's cheque, nor had . shfl wished him to do so. f On Monday morning Bentley went . to the office, and before leaving he ! was caifod to the.-office of the general I manager, who receded him pleasantly j enough. » "I was playing golf with. Mr Carson * yesterday, and hd tells me. that you are ecoing to marry Ji<s ' i Mr. Sylvester saH suavely.'^., " , ■j ■ ,• v - ■-•-■.• ■ -•;■. j rfFin?£' allow jus "to o'ffev'you- wj«

congratulations. Although you have* been such a, short time with the Company, I suggest that you take a week's holiday. <3ne doesn't have many honeymoons in a lifetime." "You are very good, sir." "Of course wo shall dock it off the. three weeks to which you will be entitled in the summer."' \'A "That is only natural, sir." "By the by, how do you get on with Mr Stevens?" the manager demanded ■ suddenly, I "As well as I can. I'm not sure ! that he likes me," Clivo- answered after a pause. "I want you to avoid any friction. I know that he is inclined to be diffi- • oult at times. Your appointment was; exceptional. It has jiaturaJly caused some jealousy. You will do your best?" "Yes, sir." However, Stevens was in a better temper, and was evidently trying to lie pleasant. "Mr Sylvester told me you nre , marrying Miss Carson. My .. word, you're a lucky man!" he said with a chuckle, "Do you know her?" Clive asked. ' "No. but I've seen lier, and she's a peach." During the ensuing week Clive was able to meet Ethel almost daily. The wedding had been fixed for the Monday, and' there was a good deal to bo done. The lawyers were drawing up the marriage settlement« a draft of which had been submitted to Bentley^ j but he returned it unread. ,' 'On the Tuesday" before the day fixed for the ceremony, Clive went to Stevens' office to obtain fresh work. ""I've a different sort of case tor you. These three are not old stagers, but you've been- so successful with those, that we want you io try your hand. You've got to settle them as cheaply as possible. They are all totally disabled,' and each is entitled to a pound a week. You can take agreements up to three hundred pounds on each case. Perhaps I'd better introduce you to one of the ittspectors. _He may J>e able to give you some tips." , Stevens took up tihe telephone re- . ceiver, and a moment later' a young man entered. "This is Mr White. White, let me introduce you to Mr Bentley." Clive liked the look of the inspector, and shook hands heartily. "Now you can go. I'm busy,'' Stevens said curtly. It was the first time that Clive had been in the room &et apart for tbo claims' inspectors, and there were several men writing at tables. "Let's go out and have a wot," White suggested hospitally. "Not itist now, thank you," ChVe answered "What ran I telf-youP" "Just answer a few questions. T think I understand, but I want to make sure." White was thoroughly good-natured, find seemed to have his subject at his fingers' end. "It comes to this—lv© got to get rid of the cases just as cheaply as possible—without any consideration for the men?" Clive remarked thoughtfully. "You've gpt the idea-.'* - "Suppose^ thfe- ntarp.was- s**S<*Ußiy. injured, antf is. entitled" to, say two ' hundred pounds. Perhaps he doesn't "'* realise how badly ho is injured", and maybe he's willing to accept, say, twenty pounds. Tt is ,my ,duty to ' take an agreement for that" amount?" '' "I shotikl jolly well think so. More than that, you must hurry back here. 1 get the twenty 'Jimmy o' Goblins' j from the cashier, go back to the 'nan, 1 pay it owr, and tret the receipt." "But what will the man do when j £he moneys gone?" ± "Starve or go to the work'us," White answwerl cheerfully. "Tt <!(H«n't f>e«n to- tvorry you- + much." J h2i9t ?. W' t I'm us>«* to ft. I* I "

thought too mudh about it/ . . WeH> f •I don't think! I've got to earn my \ miserable screw. Ido my best, for promotion depends upon, what I save the Company by my settlements." ..."It isn't a very nice job," Clive said with an effort. "You'll get used to it. At fii^t one feels rather like Judas; but tlie feeling passes off. Is there anything more you want to know?" "I think I've learnt enough. Thank you very much." "Sure you won't have a wet? There's a, pub round the corner 1" "No, thanks. Some other time." Clive took up his papers, and left the office. He chose the top case, and looked at the address, which was in Stratford. "It is a dia.bolical business!" ho muttered. It was with difficulty, that he concentrated his attention upon the medical report, for all the time Whites words were recurring to him. Starve or go to the workhorvse — truly the responsibility was terrible. (To be continued.) . •