“DOORS OF DESHTINY”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7326, 29 November 1933, Page 9

“DOORS OF DESHTINY”

Instalment 13.

CHAPTER XXII. Since the night when he had forced an entrance into Magda’s room, a great change had come over Michael Gelding. He was no longer the drinkcrazcd creature whom Frayne had engaged out of pity. He had become neat in his attire, and spruce in his appearance. Life once more offered 'something to hope for, and he was making a great effort to regain his lost manhood. In spite of her former treachery, Magda, that night, had made him believe in her again. He dreamed that if he could prove himself worthy of her, she would keep her promise to him, but he had sense enough to know that as an odd-job carpenter it was beyond reason to expect Magda to stoop to his level and so he made a vorv to rise to hers. He gave up the drink that had fogged his brain, and he made no effort to obtain the drug in which he had once sought forgetfulness. Everyone was amazed at the change in him, and Mr Frayne, by way of encouragement, promoted him to a better position at the Theatre. Magda was not altogether pleased at the transformation a few weeks had wrought. A drink-sodden wreck was the kind of person to fool; a clear-headed young man, with the dogged determination to mary her, was another. One night, as she was mounting the stairs to her dressing-room, she found Michael in the corridor. "Magda, I want to see you; I want to speak with you alone. May I come to your flat to-night ’’ he asked, a little. appealingly, but with a certain note not to be denied in -his voice. She glanced up and down the corridor quickly. She expected Stonelelgh to visit her that night—Stonelelgh, who had taken to negleotlng her of late, and whose indifference was causing, her many pangs. “Not to-night, Michael, please, she replied. "I'm very tired and my head aches. Come to my dressing-room to-morrow between the matinee and the night show; the dresser will be •out, and we oan talk then," and she passed on, mentally reviling the fate that forced her to accede to the requests of this man. Yet she was sweet enough to him the next evening, when ho tapped at . her dressing-room door, and entered, a, neat smart figure that resembled the Michael. Gelding sho had subjugated to her will ten years before. "You had better turn the key in the look.” she said, “I never allow the staff to disturb rne at this hour, but It is Just as well no one should drop In and find me entertaining the Theatre oarpenter, isn’t it?” He obeyed, and dropped on his kneos beside her, as she lay, a vision of seductiveness, in luxurious comfort on the couoh. "Well, Michael?” she said, half sweetly, half mockingly. lie took her outstretched hand and passionately crushed his lips against its soft whiteness. "Magda i My beautiful Magda,” he whispered brokenly. "It’s so good to see you for a moment alone. Y r ou don't know how hard it is to see others round you, talking to you, laughing with you, and to have to stand in the background, just as a servant I” Magda smiled mookingly. "It seems to agree with you! You’ro improving out of all recognition, Do you know you are growing quite good-looldng. I shall bo falling in love with you, again, Michael!’ "It's you who have ohanged me, Magda,” he said, eagerly. “You’ve given me something to live for! I don’t want you to despise me. I want to be worthy of you. I’m working night and day, dear. All day I’m attending engineering classes—that’s my job, really—and the principal says I’m pretty good at it, I want to get. out of the mire, to rise, for your sake! I’ve not. touched a drop of liquor, or that cursed ‘snow’ ■since you were so good to me.” He pressed her hand once more to his lips, and then went on, in a 1-ow, husky voice. “Do you understand what you've done for me, Magda? Do you know what it feels like to he down in the blackest, depths of Hell, and then to get a glimpse of Paradise? No, of course you don’t, darling; please God you never will. I felt I must see you to-night. 1 wanted you to know I was trying—fighting. It Isn’t easy to give up drinks and drugs, Magda, but you’ve made it possible bec-ausG you’ve given me something better to strive for, because I believe in you. if ever you let me down ” he paused, a glimpe of the old crazy Mike coming back into his eyes. Magda was a little frightened, in spite of herself. She must persuade him to give up the letter before he discovered how empty her promises really were. Caressingly she slipped an arm about his neck as he knelt, beside her. "Michael,” she whispered, her lips against his cheek, “I'm so glad. I shall be proud of you yet, dear. We’ll forget the past.” "The past, Magda I It was that which drove me to drink. It rises up and haunts me sometimes, even in spite of my love for you." She drew his head down until it rested against the warm softness of her bosom. "Forget it, dear,” she said. “Let me forget it, too. That letter—that mad letter of mine—-which you still keep; you must destroy it! Promise me you will?” “ I promise," he answered, his senses filled only with the sweet nearness of her. “Don’t laugh st me, Michael,” she whispered. "1 want to see you tear it up into tiny pieces, and with my own hands 1 want to drop them In the flames. Will you lot me do this?” "I would let you do anything in the world, 'when you love me like this, Magda.” Quickly her brain worked. Stonelei ch. had told Tier ne was leaving town to-day. There would be no fear of his coming to the Fiat, and once the letter was destroyed Michael could have very little 'hold over her. "Come to my Flat after the show to-night, Michael,” she commanded softly,” and bring the letter with you.” “To-night?” lie said breathlessly. “Do you mean it, MagdjJ M&y .

(By Constance Bromley)

Her eyes held tinspeakable promises. , "Yes. After the show, at my Flat. I’ll send the maid to bed. Now you must go, Michael; my dresser will be here in a few moments.” 1-Ie caught her to him and kissed her passionately. Gently she drew herself from his embrace. "Until to-night, then," she said. CHAPTER XXIII. Magda herself opened the door of her flat to Michael, some hours later; such a different specimen of manhood to the Michael Gelding of a short time ago! His shoulders were erect, his head held higli, his clear eyes shining with the brightness of hope. He followed her into the luxurious apartment she used as a boudoir; a room furnished by Stoneleigh, that spoke eloquently of the indolent, pleasure-loving disposition of the woman who inhabited it.

Eagerly he clasped her in his arms, and held' her, unresisting, against bis throbbing heart. "My wonderful sweetheart! My love!” he murmured in broken tones, while his lips found hers in the unutterable sweetness of kisses he had ached and hungered for so long. She did not chide him or resist. There was much of the feline about Magda Tempest, and she tolerated his wild embraces much as a pampered cat yields to the caresses of a master it does not love.Presently’ she drew him down beside her on the sofa, while she let him ramble on, happy in his fool’s paradise. “You’ve brought the letter with you, Michael?” she asked, at length. lie smiled and drew from his pocket an old crumpled piece of paper oovered with her rather distinctive writing. , . , Eagerly she took it from him, and ran her eyes over It. “What a foolish letter to have written 1” she said, as she lit a candle on the table beside her, and held the •offending missile over the flame. It. blazed for a seoond, and died out a charred fragment, which she dropped into the hearth. "It's finished, Magda. It belongs to a past that’s dead. I’ve paid for mv sin, many times over, God knows. You, -and only you, matter in my life now I" , , . .. In sheer thankfulness she let him hold her close against his heart, and even responded to the passion of his kisses* Neither of them heard the key inserted. in the front door, and It was only when the boudoir door suddenly opened that Magda raised her head with a start, to see Lord Stoneleigh standing on tho threshold eyeing them both with a contemptuous smile. "I seem to have chosen an unfortunate moment for my oall, Magda,' he remarked quietly. ‘ With an Impulsive movement she thrust Mlohael asido, and crossed the room to where Stoneleigh stood. “Jasper!” she said, “I thought you were going away to-day? I didn’t expect you to-night.” "So It appears!” he remarked coldly. “I am leaving town to-morrow — some business takes me to Leigh Towers.” He moved to tho fireplace and dropped languidly into an easy chair. "So this Is how you amuse yourself in my absence I I oan’t say I commend your taste.” Swiftly Magda made a move of appeal towards him. “Jasper, dear,” she begged, “don’t be angry. I’ll explain everything—l can explain 1” All thought of Michael was forgotten. Stoneleigh was there, the man she loved; the only man who had ever been able to rouse one throb of real feeling in her selfish heart. “No doubt,” he answered. "But I’m not sure I want you to, Magda. You’ve only forestalled matters a little, that’s all. I called to-night with the object of discussing a dissolution of partnership. You’ve simply saved me the necessity.” “Jasper, you don’t mean that! You can’t 1" she cried. “You know I love you—that you’re everything to me 1" "Don’t you think we might get rid of this —gentleman’s presence first?” suggested Stoneleigh. Michael, who had been listening in amazed silence, threw baok his head. “I don’t know by what right you are here, or how you entered this flat, but your manner is insulting. Miss Tempest is free to choose her own visitors. How dare you force your way into her horns at such an hour?" Stoneleigh stared at him for a second, and then burst into laughter. “Good heavens, man, are you crazy?" he said, contemptuously. “By what right do you imagine I have entered this flat, except as the owner of it? This charming lady,”—bowing towards Magda—“has done me the honour to accept my hospitality here for the past two years.” “It’s a lie!” cried Michael, hoarsely. “Magda, say It isn’t true!” She seemed not to have heard him. Stoneleigh looked at Michael with amused scorn. “Why, surely I’ve -seen you before?” he said. “You’re employed at the Grown Theatre, aren’t you?” "I am,” said Michael, sturdily. “Well, your employment ends from 10-night. You need return there no more; your salary will be sent you. Magda, kindly ask your visitor to be good enough to leave us. I want half-an-hour’s conversation with you.” Fury blazed in Michael’s eyes. "By heavens.” he cried, “I’ll not be got rid of by you!” Swiftly Magda turned on him. "Be silent, you fool!" she said. “Haven't you done enough harm? Leave my flat!” Miohael stared at her in stupified wonder. "Leave my flat!” she cried again, hysterically, and threw herself in Stoneleigh’g arms. “Magda,” said Michael, “you don’t mean it? You’re not turning mo out for him I You can’t mean to do thatl" (To beContinued.)