CHURSTONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHURSTONS.

BY PAUL TRENT. Author of " Tha Vow," " Adaia." etc., etc. COPYRIGHT. CHAPTER XXYH.—(Continued.) Betty blamed herself for hating mentioned the new engine until its success was a certainty. If it failed, Mark would be iu a position to triumph over her. At i&st the day of the trial arrived, and it wag perhaps the most anxious moment her hio, when she approached the engine on the bench and examined it eagerly. Yes, her idea had been strictly carried out. If failure came, it would not ba from unskilful workmanship. Sylvester, Sf- m impassive, turned the propeller. Betty was thoroughly used to the loud reports, which gradually became closer &nd closer as the speed' of the engine increased. Soon the noise was continuous an<i deafening, so she took up her scn'o,nS block and pencil to communicate with Sylvester—it had become impossible lo hear tho sound of tlieir voices. They were both standing near the gauge, which showed the drawing power of the engine, and they watched the dial with an anxiety that was painful. Th© engine was rotating at its maximum speed, and Sylvester shook his head sadly. " It is fairly good, but will not do," he wrote. " I'm very disappointed," Betty said in a low voice. So am I, but we're not don© yet," he answered cheerfully. 1 hoy began to discuss a possible imand hope returned to Betty. A successful inventor must grow accustomed to disappointment. Infinite patienc® vras necessary for success, and. she could be patient with such an object in view. lou 11 make the alterations as quickly as you can, Tom," she said wrathfuliy. T \ ou ma y r ely on my doing that, miss. All be bound Mr. Lendridge tinkered about wth his engine for months," he answered encouragingly. " Then you don't think my improvement is h°peless.'' 111 be bound there's a lot in it." All that Betty could do was to wait, which to the young is one of the hardest I tasks. On the Sunday after this trial, j she was surprised to receive a call from Julian Crosby. Janet was resting, so Betty was alone in the drawing room when he came in. " I hear your improvement is a ' washout,' " he began cheerfully. " I thought you were paying a social call," she answered frigidly. " I came for a friendly chat. 1 suppose you don't mind touching on business matters on a Sunday." Ive no wish to talk business with you on a Sunday or any other dav." Ive really come out of kindness. 1 want to stop you from wasting a very great deal of money. If you try to fight us it can only end in disaster for you. When we last had a chat, I admit I was trifle afraid of ' Churstons.' But now I_ ve Sot Lendridge I don't care a snap of the fingers for your firm. Still I believe in a peaceful life, and I'm prepared to be generous. I'll discuss an amalgamation with you. Or rather still—" He rose and looked down at her. " Miss Churston. Betty. . . . Once I asked you to marry me. Ido so again. I really love you." "I gave you your answer before. If is still the same, but if you ask me again lam afraid it will be more forcible. I've no intention of marrying you or any other man." You'll sing a different tune when ruin comes to you," ho said angrily, for her disdain touched his vanity. At this moment Janft strolled into the room, and gave Crosby a curt nod of greeting. "Ruin . . . who talks of ruin?" she asked dryly. " I do. You are a friend of M'ss Chursfcon's, and why don't you give her some good advice. I have come here as a friend—"

" Just now you professed to corns as a lover," Betty interrupted him scornfully. " Beware of turning me into a bitter enemy," he said, and it required an effort to keep his temper in hand. " Friend or enemy, it's all the same to me. Anyhow, Mr, Crosby. I don't see it's necessary that there should be any social relations between us," Betty said coldly, and moved towards the door. Crosby laughed maliciously as he went from the room. He told himself that he had been a fool to pay this visit, but should have waited until victory was his. But he had thought it quite unnecessary that Betty should dissipate her handsome fortune. If she had any sense, she would understand that she had no chance of winning against " Crosbys." As luck would have it, he chanced to meet Mark, and the two men strolled along together. As a matter of fact the latter had been dreaming of Betty, and remembering her as she was oil that memorable night in London. " I've been calling on the fair Betty," said Crosby. " I suppose you mean Miss Churston," Mark corrected him stiffly. " I called her Betty—and I meant Betty. I suppose I shall call her that when she becomes Mrs. Crosby." " You don't mean to say—" "Oh ! No ... I shall have to wait until the pressure begins to ted. At the moment she is quite unreasonable." " Then in the meantime, I would suggest you call her Miss Churston." Mark spoke peremptorily and looked straight at Crosby. " I don't see it's any concern of yours." " Her father was my greatest friend, and I prefer to see his daughter treated with respcct . . . that's all." " Verv well, but there's no need to be nast\' about it. From all accounts she didn't treat you over well, and you appear to be only too anxious to make her pay for any harm she ever did you," Crosby said savagely. " I'm not sure she ever did mo any harm. Anyho-tv, I prefer net to discuss her with you in any way—apart from her firm." " Lendridge, you're a man. Are you. by any chance, touched in that direction yourself ? She might, be a fascinating little devil, and at one time you were with her a good deal ?" " If you mention her again I will punch yonr head," Mark said fiercely. His fists were clenched and ho saw " red." But it would be fatal to his plans to have a violent quarrel with Crosby, so with a supreme effort he succeeded in controlling himself. Crosby had been a little bit nneasv, but came to the conclusion that Lendridge was not really serious. " Have it your own way, old chap. But there's no reason why you should get so infernally excited over nothing. I won't talk about her again. . . . This is my way, by-bye," drawled Crosby as ho turned away. " Poisonous little beast," Mark said savagel}'. It wag hateful that Crosby should spaak so lightly of the woman he loved, and there and then Mark determined to break with his employer at the earliest possible moment. As he neared home Sylvester came towards him. and the two men regarded one another doubtfully. " You told Miss Churston," stated Mark. " Yes. I thought it was the straight thing to do," Sylvester answered doggedlv. " Quite right. I hear you are experimenting with a new engine. " Yes," answered Sylvester, and there was suspicion in his look. " I'm not going to draw yon," Mark said with a laugh. " You'd find it clifScnlt. Frankly I always distrusted ' Crosbys.* " " You label m© with ' Crosbys.* " " Well, aren't you with him, sir V Sylvester remarked innocently. " Yes, Sylvester. Let me tell yoa one thing in confidence. I can trust you not to repeat it to Miss Chnrston. I would give all I possess to be able to be back with the old firm." Sylvester still looked suspicious, but suddenly smiled. " I believe you'd be happier with us, sir," he said good -h u mou red ly. (!S& b-u ccmtisujßd ©a. Sstaxds-s^