SHORT STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 4

SHORT STORY.

HER HUSBAND

RT CUTE R. FINN'

iCopyright.l

M..r..c.vl'oEi! knew quite well ho had been Allowed across the Atlantic to Liverpool, and then on to London, and the astute American busmen man laughed in hi, -'cove. the lb iv. ga;:r." 1>- said to himself. -It's the H.r.t gang." he said to himself. " \nd tho fools actually think that I. who cra'ght to know something about the in* and outs of the trade, am carrying the real gems instead ci paste imitation'." It had suited him for once in a way to come over himself. A wealthy client in Hampshire, was having a set ■>; diamonds from Morton Ford The real cues the e'euW had sent to London through a trustworthy source: but. having to come to Knglaiul. he thought lie w0n..1 see bis , iion? himself, am! let him ><- 'ho sample • 'OUI-5. He was amused "' the fare wi:n which l;.« was tracked down. To be mho the CarJingham diamonds Merc worth a king's ransom, but ho had been ready to give expert international ji we! thieves cu-dii tor more i unniu?. Hut he forgot 'he matter as ho made. arrangements to motor down to the Hamp- .-! ire seat of his ixs*tomor. He wished to renew aoiittaintonce with England as he had known i; when a hoy. How delightful i: was! The red cottages. tho rural scenes, the spreading pastures, and -..-recti woods. He was charmed with it all. The car glided or. i...0 the heart of rustic England. and the man who had amassed a Mrtuno in the States felt as he bad not leit for many a year. And then suddenly he saw his error in taking matter- quite so easily. In a, lonely part of the country 'wo men sprang on to the car. and when Ford called to the chauffoil' i" conn to his help he saw by the iei'ow's face that lie iva< one of the gang. Then Jio (Ford! had been done all round! Ye-, he made a brave resistance for. _although the gems lie tarried were dummies. vet ii'» had hi- kct-h'vk. which contained a considerable stint of money. But it was nor t'.ie «vid thousand dollars he had with him whi ii spurred him on to resist, so much i as the id. that he was not going to bo easily overcome by a few scoundrels. But the odds were against him. As he struggled to get out his revolver, a blow on the back of the head .sent him senseless to the. bottom of the car. His assailant* rifled his pockets, leaving nothing: then ho was ! bundle.:: out of the motor into the ditch, and the car sped away.

Morton Ford came to hiin*eif to and that ho was lying in a pretty room with a slop ing roof; he saw there were flower- at tire window: the scene mistily recalled to hiscattered senses _ something which was a Ions; '.vat hark in the old davs before he left the Old Covntry. 11,, closed his eves again, and there must have been another long lapse. When he knew something of what was passing round him aiu, he saw a uirl seated by the bed on which he Jay. She saw that he was looking at her, and rising from her chair -ho placed her cool hand on hi* forehead. "You are letter?" she said. That was all. There was something quiet and authoritative about her manner which seemed strangely foreign to Ford. who had been accustomed for many years to order and be obeyed. . Ir, was too tirine to think much about it, and ho went to sleep again. But why was he there? lie tried to think it all out. but the effort, was too much; that was the next time he woke tip. Ho was astonished to see that, a man was standins: by the side of the girl, r'ord heard this stranger say: '"Your husband i- much better. He ought to be able to be up for an hour or so in a few days' time." Her husband! Ford felt disposed to laugh. He had never married to his recollection. There must bo some mistake. He began to feel sorry that the pretty girl who resumed her place by the bed when the other had gone should be deceived in this -way: hat when he made an effort to tell her how erroneous it all was she laid her hand on his lip-, and shoOk her head at him. When ho came back to things again the girl was talking to a woman, telling her to do certain things, and the woman seemed quite ready. Then tho woman went, out of the room, closing the door gently. Ford watched tho pretty girl. She was still at work: it struck him now that her rlnsrers were never idle. Did she always work? He said something and she bent over him. The girl leaned over the bed. ''You must be very quiet yet." she said. "You had a very bad accident, you know.". Here again she was in error. Accident '. It was not much of an accident, como to think of it. for in a rush the truth came back to lain, and he knew how it was knew ho was travelling down through Hampshire with those paste jewels. "What does it mean?" ho asked feebly. "Why am I here?" "I found you close by her**," she said. Her voice, was very soft, " You were very badly hurt, and wo did not know who you were; but don't talk now. You will know all later." It was days later pro lie heard all. The window Win open, and there came in tho -on.; of birds. The girl was sitting there in her old place, and he saw that' her hair was light brown—almost golden, and that her eye, wore tender and full of pity. "I am much better now. lie said to her. " Tell me all about it, please." "There isn't much that you don't know." she said- "You wore, lying rloso by here, and Tom and ] —" "Who i, Tom?'' lie asked quickly. The girl darted him a look. "Tom? Oil, Tom's only the bov who hflps in the garden." " And who are you?" "lam Blanche Morant, that'.- all. There is nothing special about inc. I work for my living—dressmaking, as perhaps yon have seen; and then there'? just a few pounds a year from what was left. Rut it iof you, .-ir, I want to speak. There was nothing cm you to let us know who you wero and where, you came from. And your {•ktill was fractured. It, was months ago. And wo got you her", and the doctor I fetched said you must not bo moved. I think that's all. And then it was awkward" -she crimsoned—" people asked who you were, and—" "You said I wa< your husband?" he interrupted quickly.' "You heard that?" "Yestho other day." She noted the look on his face, and was silent, •"It. was only a joke." site said. "The people about here arc so odd, and the doctor seemed to ex poet that was it. I see you am angry, bid you will soon bo veil, and able to go away." " Whv should I. want, to go awav?" asked Ford. "Of course you will want to go awav, back to your friends.' " [ have not got any friend-," ho said quietly"Why. what a bad man you must have boon she cried, .1- she ro>e and bustled round the loom. "Do come hack here,'' he said. " I can hear very well," she replied. You havo Is'en paying for all this?" Ob, there was not much to pay. You see, the doctor made it, light. Ho knows how wo all have to work to keep things going." "Tell mi.' more- about yourself," he said. "You are not really interested," she said, as she -at. down again by the window t.ntl I picked up her work. Ho watched her thread a needle. " 1 saw how you looked when J told you what 1 had' said. Perhaps I it. ua.. .1 mistake, but I was in such a way, i and when the doctor said to me, ' Mi. ja your | husband?' J wa- ,-nipid enough to say "that ■><< i wire. I .mi \ cry sorry, of course; but wo -an easily make, thai right." ".Hoc. urn we?" he asked. ; _ She toloured up and bent, intently over I her work. 'I h.t, he was affronted?" Natu- I rally he. would be. .-he fho,,ghl. She tried to pass 11 nil, though ih„ manner in which lie had take,, her word- ,:„,-,.,| ]~.,. unnov . tincc. He should h.v.o lejt it <~ her. <\jfter 1 all. «!iv -hould he be hurl? True, 5i,,," was only a country -ire-maker. |,„( sho made drosses very well. She thought, with a I 'faint smile on her pretty fare, of the pm-t before she was left alone and |K>ntiiies.- l, v the death of her uncle-, who had die,] tragically on making the discovery that he Was mined by a haul; failure. ; •She laughed lightly, though li-r ho- ~ j heaved. "You asked me how we could make it all right." she said " Yes." "Well, it. is simple enough. You ami I are nothing to each other. But tell me, how did the accident happen? You said something about being in a motor-car. But if you wore in the car, why did it go on anil leave you helpless in the ditch where Tom and I found you'/" "There was no accident." ho said. " No?" She turned startled eyes in his ■ direction. Really, he was not bad looking, rho thought; but he did give himself such airs. i i

His explanation was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor, and afterwards the old woman came into tho room and talked. It -was when he* was able to be up and troll into the garden that ho broached the subject again. j "Perhaps you are not interested," he I said: " but I wanted to tell you how if. ! happened." ! He was leaning on her strong young arm. j •"Then tell roe." she said brightly. "I I am all attention.*' j Her manner jarred. The old tenderness ;■ seemed to have gone utterly. I "' I was travelling down from London with certain things of imaginary great value, and was suddenly attacked." • "And it was six weeks ago." she cried. "What a pity we did not know, and then the police could have caught the men." Ho sank down on a rustic bench, underneath a bower of crimson ramblers. She stood there, facing him, looking, ho thought, mere beautiful than before. " Perhaps it doesn't matter," he said "Tito thieves did not get as much as they thought, and I am rich enough to bear the loss. I\~> you care for jewels':" She straightened herself up. " Xot at all," sho replied. " And now 1 must. go. I have a lot fo do this morning. Hero is the newspaper. You can amuse yourself while 1 am away. And had you not better send to your friends^" " When I tell you I have none." lie cried. She flung off back to the house, whore she slipped on her hat and long fawn cloak. At the post office she bought the bread for the next- day. and the woman behind the counter handed her a letter which had come in by the second post. Second post letter' were not delivered. The girl opened the missive as she walked to the grocer's. The expenses of housekeeping had terribly increased since she |tad had a visitor. She gave a cry of delight. a« she read what the letter contained. It was from the j firm which did "business nnoer the designation of "Madame Louise,"' and asked Miss Morant if she would accept a position in the London house. _ Blanche knew whom she had to thank for the chanceher old school friend, Mary Carr. who had given her work and spoken about her to many of her friends. But it was mow than the opportunity or" which the girl was thinking. Jt was " the means of potting away from the prying country place, where now life would be well- j nigh insupportable owing to what had oc- i furred. She said nothing about the letter. As she walked down the pretty lane homo she j was making her plans The cottage could bo got rid of at any time. Most of the things in ir were hire*): the others were (.heap, and not worth the cost of removal. She was free—free to go to London and take up the new work, and the idea was grateful to her.

Morton Ford v.-.%> >tili ini th.- pardon when -no returned; the newspaper "as on his knee, and ho was smoking ;i cigarette. She sat down in the lounge chair which •teod on the little verandah. " You have been very kind," he said. She crave a merry lanjrh, , " Oh, we are all kind'" she replied. He looked at her in a puzzled way. It seemed to him as if she had put up a ring fence round herself, and did not intend to permit, any more trespassing. •"Are yon angry w j r me:'" he asked lamely. The sir! raised her eyebrows. 'Angry; Why in the world should I he angry?" she cried. "1 am only glad that r.T.i are so much better. Doctor Grant will be very proud of you. He said it. was the worst case of fracture of the skull he had ever met*'

Ford nodded. • " ,^ 0 "' have you been -pending tho morning? ' .-lie asked. "'I hardly know. I suppose I have been thinking— of all vour kindness to me. and of how I could repay it." _ Blanche folded her arms and gazed at the speaker rather mockingly. "But you must not think anything of that kind, sir," she said. " It- was very little, after all. You have repaid all tho"troublo by getting better." . He did not seem to hear her words. And I have been in vour house for weeks, tended by you and—" "I would not think about that kind of thing if I were you," she said masterfully. I lien she had gone. He felt crushed and humbled. He listened as tho sound of music came. Then the piano lid went down with a sharp tap. Sho seemed to 'be very busy. How beautiful she was The woman brought him out his lunch; there was a drowsy hum over all the garden; a shout came in from the lane and then, somehow, as he heard the old housekeeper talking to someone at the door, everything was blotted our. He, was roused by the touch of a hand on his shoulder. It was only Mrs. Brown. "It is getting late, sir." she said. "You had better come in The mistress left a letter for you. sir." " A letter for me?" ' "Yes, sir. she said it would he all right." Morton Ford followed the old woman into the house. Lying, on the table, with its cheap red cover, he saw a letter addressed to him. He dropped into a chair and tore it open, to read: — "Dear Mr. Morton Ford.—l have to go to London. You are so much better that you will be able to leave when you choose. Mrs. Brown will keep the cottage going until you decide to return to the people who are not your friends.Yours sincerely Blaxche Morant." " She has (.'one!" " Yes. sir. Tho mistress told me it woidd be all right. She paid me for another week, and asked 1110 to look after the place until I heard." "Where has she gone?" Mrs. Brown regarded him curiously. ' I don't know, sir. Doesn't the letter say". Perhaps she will write again." Morton lord did noj sleep that night. So he had been played with. Then he told himself that ho was an niter scoundrel. Ho loved her—he knew it now, if ho had not known it before; and she had gonegone out of that countryside as if ho had beet: nothing to her. And she had told the litth world down there that, ho was her husband. He woke as from a long dream. I "1 am going to town to-night mv.-elf," I he said. j He walked to the post office, and with j the money he had borrowed from Mrs. Brown, who gave it. to him without demur", ho sent, a long despatch to his bankers in London. 'Ihe result soon showed itself. In a few hours' time a stylish car reached the cottage, and in it was a quiet-looking man who spoke with extreme deference to Ford. Before the latter left ho took Mrs. Brown's band. " Hero is something for you." he said, as ho pressed a bundle of crisp bank-notes into her hand. "It is a small mark of my gratitude for all you have done. Now I want you to do something more for me. Send me a telegram the moment vou hear from ■ from your mistress. Do not let Iter know. I offended her, and I must see her again toon. She will be sure to como down here again." "Of course, 1 will do that for you, sir," said the woman. She was thinking of the small fortune which was hersFord picked up tire 'broken threads of Jus business life in London. He set the police on tho track of the gang which had tried to rob him of the precious diamonds; but though the police were successful ho hardly gave the matter a thought. All his energies were devoted to finding tho girl whom he loved. It. seemed a fruitless .search, but at last the long-hoped-for message came from Mrs. Brown, and he set. out for the, Hampshire village. At the cottage the woman camo to I the door. "She is inside, sir." said Mrs. Brown. "She is. a. finer lady than ever now. and sho is giving up the place altogether." Ford went hurriedly in. Blanche was standing by the table Ixtforo an open drawer. She gave a cry as sho saw him. I " You?" she cried. , He caught her hands. "You said I was your husband!" "it was a joke !" j "Could it ho the real thing? I love you, Blanche. Life- is nothing without you'are there. I have tried if, and .1 know.'" There was something genuine, something pitiful, something which touched her heart. "You can't mean if!" she said wistfully. ' li 011 were angry then, and—" Ho raised her hand to his lips. "I did not know. Forgive me. I have thought and thought of you." "Am I to believe that?" she asked draw. ing a little away. •' It is the truth. Sha'n't we make the story these people accepted just tho truth''" She gave a little gasping cry and was in tits arms. " If yon really wish ir," ,ho -aid.