CHURSTONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17483, 29 May 1920, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHURSTONS.

'/'■'.?.'. BY PAUL TRENT. ■■;' 'y* Author of " The Vow," "Adam,"; etc.. etc \ ' ' COPYRIGHT. X '"' ,'' ;" :>'•■'■.'■;• ; SYNOPSIS. v '. .':''■'■ • «• At the tinft the story : opens, James Churswn, a pioneer in the manufacture of aeroplanes,, and .owner of extensive works, is conferring with his matter, Mark Londridge, as to the best measures to take in regard w a certain- contract, which he fears.may w • given to a new and dangerous ■ rival, Julian Cnaby, a former employee.- Chnraion compliments, Lemlridge on an improve* morn he. has made in a new engine and hints at promotion;;; At the end of the interview. Crosby himstslf is announced and tries to make terms with Churston in regard to the contract, threatening to ruin the older man if ie refuses. ~..v ~-.„. '• . Crosby's suggestion is that he should be allowed; to wok Churston's daughter iJetty !P damage, and, if his «nit, prove successful, jnat me , two firms : should amalgamate, indignantly spurns the idea, >frid goes away unsatisfied, while Churston flurries.. home in order to welcome his daughter, who has just finished her university education 'and is returning-home for good, • while he awaits Betty's arrival his attention is attracted by the hum of a oiplano, which makes a rapid descent on his own lawn. To his amazement the intruder proTos to be. his own i daughter, who has flown from Hendon and chosen this dramatic method of arrival. After the first greetings »« over Churston is delighted to find how wonderfully his daughter has developed since his last, sight of her. But his interest and admiration quicken almost into bewilderment when ho learns that Betty has actually made a thorough study of the manufacture and flying of aeroplanes, has passed all the examinations possible, and won th* necessary diplomas,in order that she may become ad active partner in her father's business. Further, ! sno announces her intention of going to the office every day, and. protests vigorously that the suggested ■ partnership for Lendridge should be given' to her instead—all of which is received by her father with dismay.

CHAPTER 111. At half-past five the following morning Betty jumped from her bed, and stopped the buzzing of the alarm clock that had awakened her. After a bath, with the chill aft the water, she dressed in a dark tweed suit. A spirit stove was boiling water, and she made tea with practised ' hands. Her. movements were deft and quick, and soon she was ready. A few minutes later she was seated in i small- car, and driving rapidly towards Ferhampbn. A beautiful spring morning, she drew in a deep breath, feeling that it £j was good to be alive. ~ The car was placed in the garage, and I she walked slowly through the works, s stopping now and then to exchange greet- 1 lugs with men she knew. Her eyes were 1 roving about, noting everything, and all -? she saw spoke of good organisation. The I experimental shop was reached, and she I turned the handle of the door. - "Of course it's locked," she said to - herself, and knocked sharply. 5 In answer the head mechanic, Sylvester, § glared at her. 1 "What is it?" he asked gruffly. § "I' want to come in," she answered i pleasantly enough J ''Well— can't, I'm busy." : "I'm Miss Churston— I wish to § come in," she repeated, and her voice had ? a note of, command. '' r "No one's allowed in here without | written permission." i * "But I'm Miss Chuntton." "I can't help that, miss. I've got my orders." "But they don't refer to me," she expostulated. "I'm sure my father—" "They are Mr. LendridgeV orders, and . I daren't disobey them, not if you were the queen herself." "Very well. I'm glad to see you know how to carrv out your ordeni. I will see Mr. Lendridge." Betty was annoyed, but there was a smile on her face when she reached the office. • • "Is Mr. Lendridce here'.'' she asked. As she spoke Mark strode into the office. She glanced at the dock. It was a Quarter-past seven. "Mr. Lendridge, I should like to go into the experimental shop. Sylvester "won't admit 'me without your permission. H= didn't quite understand—" "Sylvester bad his orders. Very important experiments are being carried out, and it is mv aim to avoid every unnecessary interruption. * Of course if yon wish to $n there" --~,. -. 1., "I do wish it, and I shall he glad if you will accompany me." , ~;, ' MarV scribbled a lino on a piece of pap*r. , _ "This will admit yon. I am sorry I can't accompany you, I have work to do." ''I understand- ... I suppose you find, it necessary to make up for lost time." she answered sweetly, and again j :' need at the clock. 1 Mark wes about to remark that he had [not just arrived, but had been working I since six o'clock. However, he abstained I —why siloed be account to this girl for ibis a'ct'oni'.! He went on with his work, I but half an Iww later he found it necesj sary to consult Sylvester. When he opened the door with bis pass-key he had foreotlen about Betty, and he was surprised 1 to find the mechanic in conversation with I her by means of paper and PencilThey were so engrossed in their talk, that j neither noticed his presence—the roar of 1 the engine was gradually dimming. ! "Yes that is certainly a great improve; !ment"'he heard Betty remark, and she I then went on to ask questions, which dig. played a surprising technical knowledge. | A grim smile came to his face a he interrupted them. k ' "Sylvester, where are the last blue prir-ts?" he asked sharply. " In my desk, sir," Sylvester answered, and then addressed himself again to Betty, who completely ignored Lendndtre. - Mark took out the prints and proceeded to examine them, but he found himself listening to the conversation of the others. Yes, the girl was showing a real knowledge and he wondered greatly. But it was to be hoped she. was not going to make a nuisance of herself by spending much time at the works. She would only hinder him, and he would be compelled to be« polite- to his employer's daughter. As a woman, she did not exist for him, and Betty quickly became conscious of this state of affairs. Hitherto it had been her chief difficulty to avoid the attentions of men, and this was certainly a change. , . So she turned to Mark and asked him a question. . . ~ "Is that the best engine in the

market?" ~ '. ~ " l beg your pardon," he said quietly, and looked "up from the print. _ She repeated her question in an even voice. , . .. . " I hope so. But this is a time of constant improvement. I know of none to match the new ' Thurston.' "She's certainly the best Ive seen. The nearest to her is the new ' A voce, she answered with decision. " You have see 1 the new Avoco . " Yes, doing her bench _ tests. Mr. Bloman is a friend of mine." •' I haven't heard the result of the tests," Mark said eagerly. " Neither have I—in detail. But you may take it they're not a 9 good as ours. This has been a pleasant surprise for me. . " You seem to know something about aeroplane engines," he said politely. "I've been studying them for several

"He looked at her with sudden curiosity. " He looked at her with sudden curiosity. " The ' Wright' prizeman was an t. Churston." „. . , ~ • •• I did compete for the 'Wright' prize, but I didn't know the result had been published," she said with a smile. F" It was in yesterday's Flight. The name attracted my attention. But J understood you were studying literature "' history." father, but I have been •■So did mv father, but I have been studying aviation. .1 thought I should find it more interesting. " Doubtless you have found it a pleasant amusement. "Your knowledge will enab.e you to discuss flying affairs more intelligently with your father." I " 'blank you - • • hut I'm not much of a hand at talk. 1 prefer the practical side of the business ... now I must hurrv away. Dad hates me to be late for "breakfast. Thank you, Sylvester. You have been very patient. Good morn-

'"the nodded to the mechanic, and left them alone: ~. „. . ~ "She's smart-is 'Miss Ciurston, Sylvester said admiringly. " "hat are women coming to in these days? -She fair took my breath away when she started talking. She might have been in the business for years. There s a touch of the guv'nor about little missy. "Women,are nosing into everything, sir But I must say I should., t like to be 'bossed' by a female, 'Sylvester said ; with a grin. I do be continued on Saturday next.)