MARCUS QUAYLE, M.D.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 3 (Supplement)

MARCUS QUAYLE, M.D.

BY E. EVERETT-GREEN. Aethor of " Tho Master of Marshlands," etc. COPYRIGHT. CHAPTER XV.—(Continued). "It ifl devilry, neither more nor less," Marcus said. That morning Lorraino I) v. mar esq bad been with him again. Ho had missed her from tho flow of late, but not riding every day himself, ho was not sure that this might not bo chance. When die appeared, nervous, wan, with shadows beneath her eyes, it was to say that she had beer going out a good deal, and that ber hours were so late that she could not get up in time for tho early ridis. •' Adrian rides with me at the fashionable time if I wiU go," she had said,

- but that is not in the least tho same. }h\ will not take ' Bogey' and I do not cars-to £o- *t is hot and crowded.

" No good at all," ho had assured her. "I would try still for the morning hours. Never mind if you are tired. Go lo bod again after you get home." " But I do not wako up, mid nobody call me."

Then sho had timidly produced a little fc jttle. M I think it is the coffee they give me. \ have been trying to get some to bring you; bat it is very difficult. Demetrius makes and brings it. Everything Adrian has in his house is different from what vou get anywhere else. I try not to drink it; but he says it is good for roo. Something in the way he looks at you makes you obey him. And Ido sleep after it. I cannot say it keeps mo awakeKut—but I have been trying for a long time. I only did it yesterday. Thoy are avrAy, just for the night. Demetrius tried to watch me all the timo; but I sent him to fetch something. And I had tho little bottle. I got it That is why I came hvsre to-day. Lady Lindislea called ■nw to go out with her and stop to lunch ; but I pretended to remember an engagement with tho dressmaker. So I came hero."

Tho suspicions of Marcos were all alive and awake. He detected symptoms in his patient that he did not .'like and did rot entirely understand. It was so craftily dono, this interference with the morning ride. No veto laid upon it, but life so arranged that it became difficult, impracticable.

And tow this medicated coffee! What was it that was put in? Something undoubtedly, but that something was one of those ingredients which defy the skill of the analyst in its present development. Well did Marcus know thai such drugs— many of them from Oriental lore did Exist: but he had hoped to get upon some clue, to make some discovery which should at least place •> certain measure of power in his handa And he had failed. Absolute disappointment had followed.

With a ishrug of the shoulders and a grim setting of the lips tho man rose, put oofc his lights, and left the place oi reBoarch.

He knew that he was l>eaten in this field; but he did not intend to be vanquished entirely and altogether. That afternoon he chanced to Be free from any consultations. His time was bis own. The days of late had been very full and busy, and his night had been practically sleepless. He ordeired bis horse, got himself into riding dress, and started forth for a gallop on the tan at an unusual hour.

For his purpose the Row at four o'clock in the afternoon was almost as clear of riders as iu the early morning, though there was not the same exhilarating freshness in the air. Still, he was able to indulge his passion for headlong, raoid exercise, which had its customary effect of clearing his brain and bringing his mind back to its habitual calmness of balance. And! now he began to :ride more leisurely, inspecting one after the other the smart, clumsy-looking motors and elegant horse-drawn carnages as they swept in Jit the gates, wondering, as ever, how persons to whom the choice was open could reject the latter and choose the former at the dictates of and the tyrant monster Speed— the hydra-headed ruler of modern life. Nor did he watch this procession out of idle curiosity only. 11; occurred to him that if he kept open eyes ho might see something of the drama of ono young life which at this moment bulked somewhat largo before his eyes. But suddenly this matter was driven for the moment entirely i'rom his mind bv a sijjht quite unexpected, which sent some quick and subtle thrill through his frame, and lighted his eyeji with a gleam of immense amusement. I

A well-appointed carriage drawn by a pair of glossy bays was making its leisurely progress round the ring. Two ladies were its occupants, and one of these was none other than Dinah Vanecourt.

But how differeni a Dinah from tho one he had known so long;! Dress, hat, feathers, parasol, gloves, all partook of some subtle harmony of colour, of which tho dominant effect was that of heliotrope in many blended shade?. Detail Was nothing to Marcus, but the whole effect was much. It seemer to lift his old-time companion out of her former workaday world and set her iri some altogether different sphere. Her companion was a dainty picture cut of some old master's canvas. Marcus found himself wondering why more old ladies did not wear antiquelyfashioned brocaded dresses and hats tied under tho chin by broad biack ribbons •—the effect was so absolutely charming. "Mrs. Moyle, of course'," he mused, as he orought his horse as near as possible to get a bettor look at tho pair. " Rocer told me how glad they all were that she had taken up with someinnocuous old lady, and was going to help her decorate her house. I wonder now!" .Scarcely had the idea presented itself Before he was out of the saddle. Entrusting his horse to a man standing near, he approached the :now stitionnry ''arriaaro on foot, and in a moment Dinah had seen him and gave him a charming smile of welcome.

* Just the very person I most wanted <*> see, Dinah," was his greeting. " But I never thought of such a chance as this, knowing that you were away from town, staving with—Mrs. Moyle." As ho snoko this name, ho inclined his head towards Dinah's companion, and just raised his hat for tlio second time. Tho picturesque old lady with the cloud of white hair about her face responded by a charming smile. Marcus did not see that she pressed Dinah's arm as though to repress the answer wihich might bo forthcoming. The dainty bead was inclined towards him in a very friendly fashion.

" Mrs. Moyle ia flattered to make tho acquaintance of Dr. Quayle," she said, and nlease, to say all you have to say i<> MiHs Vaneeourt. Tf it is of a private nature, I will put her down, and take her uo when we next pais. Dinah, my dear, suppose you take a turn with Dr. Quayle and her what ho has to tell you. 1 '

Nrxfc moment the carriage had passed nn its way, and Dinah was beneath the trees- with Marcus Quayle. "What, a very charming person! Yon fire, having a good thno with her, T fiboiild think. Where- did you knock up against her first?" " At Daricmcro Manor, where I went to look what I could do. But never mind that now, Marcus. Tell nie what you wanted to pee me for. la it anything about Lorraine?" " Have you heard anything from her?" "I had one letter two days ago. I gathered that she was being racketed about too much, that her nerves were, fin edero, and that sha wii* growing afraid nbout something of which she did not clsarly speak. It brought back those things to mind which first you told mo of her, Marcus. He bent his head; his face had grown grave. "I don't lite what goes on in that, house, Dinah. I tell \ou so frankly. I've been making inquiries about MarM, I've met him at the club. f He s always watching tho tapes. He's the reputation of being an uncommonly hold

and lucky plunger. Bub the markets are gettiug more and more tricky. Rumour says that he is often hard hit. But ho holds on. And as far as I understand tho situation, is trustee to his wife's property. Ono hears ugly stories of fraudulent trustees." " I know. It, is—it must be —an immense temptation."

And tho day of reckoning comes ■when the trust ends and the heiress comes into her own. Thexo comes in the clement of danger. That might chance to bo a very" bad day—for tho trustee."

" Which could only bo avoided in ono way," said Dinah.

Ho saw that sho had grasped the in wardness of tho situation, and ho added, very seriously: — "And tho next in succession, in tho event of any fatality, is Marmol'a own wife. There you have tho case in a. nutshell."

'" It is serious," sho said. Hlt is very serious. Dinah, if yoUi were in town, at your own home, I was going to have asked if you could get tho girl away on a visit. A kind of thin end of the wedge which might possibly lead to a greater breaking away. But ono Jiafl to begin theso things in a gentle and natural fashion- "

"But, of course, I will, Marcus. It would be capital. And it is much better that I am not at homo. Darkmere is a delightful place, and such a good excuse for asking her now that everything is so lovely there. I will try to see her beforo wo go back. Wo might earn' her away with us when' we have dono our shoppings and choosings." '• My dear Dinah, you are going ahead full steam! But are you not reckoning somewhat without your host —or hostess? What will Mrs. Movie say to all this?"

Dinah's flashing smile with a touch of mischief lighted up her grave face. "Mrs. Moyle shall speak for herself when the carriage comes round. You do not quite understand yet, Marcus, what kind of delightful personage Mrs. Moyle can be!"

Marcus felt, however, that lie was getting very near it as lie stood watching the speaking face whilst Dinah told her tale, " Yon remember my telling you abont Lorraine Dumaresque? Dr. Quaylo tolls mo that she- is nervous and rather out ol spirits. I thought how good for her a little Darkmcre air would he. But. naturallv, Dr. Quavle reminded mo— 'What'will Mrs. Movie say' Have I been too bold in thinking of such a solution?" , T "Ah, how charming! Dr. Quayle, l delight in voung people, and love having them about mo. Of course, you must send your patient down to us. Dinah has told mo, too, of certain maimed— oi' healed—creatures you keep till you cm find homes for them. Ix>t us have them all down to Darkmcre together. Dinah, my dear, you will like to entertain them, I am sure." "Love it, Responded Dinah, with dancing eyes. " Marcus. I shall see or write to Ix>rraine and Mrs. Manned myself, and try to get it settled. We will have her down to Darkmero, Mrs. Moyle and L Bee if wo do not manage it somehowl-

CHAPTER XVI. "The stars in their courses are fighting for us, Lady Lucy, Tho Maxmols want to go out of town for a snort time. They do not like leaving Lorraine alone, and she is not asked with then). Darkmcre is boo remoto to bo dangerous to her. She will meet on'iy ladies there." The girl laughed ail ahe looked full into the mobilo face and bright eyes of her companion. I diil not happen to mention the fact that there was a lonely, romantio, disinherited knight/ living in seclusion at our gates. We will leave Lorraine to find that out " Dinah, I believe that, despite all your terfk of the status of women, you are just as old-faabioned as any of ua old matchmakers in your real opinions about men and women." " Of course I am. It was always, from the beginning of things, admitted that woman was created to be the helpmeet of the matt. That is her place in the scheme of creation. That is what amongst the Northern nations—do you know tho history o1: the Norso races? —has been her acreditod position. Tho mother of the race, tiie helpmeet and true mate of the man. If bo takes the risks of the battlefield, she takes that other of bringing into the world the future warriors and their mate*. Even in the East, where the subservience of the woman is so talked about, her powers are enormous, her rule undisputed, though so often unseen." Lady Lneinda smiled upon Dinah, but kept her own opinions locked away behind the bright windows of her wise old eyes. "" So you are tho old-fashioned woman of tlio world! Is that it?" " In my opinion, yes. But how patient you are with all my boring talk! Let us go back to Lorraine. She may go to Darkmcre when we return, and I am going back in consequence on Friday. Tori ght I must leave you to go and. see after my boys, and spend ifc at home seeing after them and the household 1 have deserted. Then I will call for Lorraine and bring her here, and we will all go down together. And, pray, how am I to introduce you after what has occurred? Are you to remain Mrs. Moyle i;n perpetuity?" They laughed together. Lady Lucinda looked as mischievous as a girl. Dinah found in her a most delightful companion. " Mrs. Moyle will do very well for London. Perhaps your little friend may have met Dr. Quayle and'heard'the name from him. What wise man was it that warned us of tho ' tangled webs w e weave' when wo set ourselves—how runs it.?—'to deceive?' You want a tremendous memory to inako a, good liar. Your brothers think that Mrs. Moyle is tho lady of the manor of Darkmero—" "Well, ispho not, :in a manner of speaking?" "What kind of a manner though, my clear? And'now I h;;.ve assumed tho name and stylo of that manorial personage for no particular reason except to save explanations and inconvenient questions. Well well, let us play our little comedy through, and take pretty Lorraine into our confidence as much as wo think fit. Ho you want her to find a husband in my poor, badly-behaved laddie, who shuts himself up '.ike a hermit, and will not bo Ikemptfcd out of his shell?" " It does not sound a very practicable scheme, does it? But there is no knowing what might happen if two romantic pcriionages were brought together. Sbo may Jove'him because she needs must pttjy his misfortunes, and he may love her because nlio pities him. Surely, there are precedents!" , , . . " And if ho thinks that she is to be pitied, that Bhe is in some way in danger ~-. Did you hint at this?" " Yi». Her position is very peculiar, .as I was explaining to you. And I can ,see by -what Marcus says that be hi suspicious and uncomfortable about tho whole situation. If you had seen Mr. Marmol, you would understand. There ia something uncanny about tho man. And Lorraine fears, 'whilst her dog hates hirn. Well, let ua get her down to Darkmcre, and wo will see what happens. Only if Erskine Eysham will never come near his old home or meet me, it is not quite, easy to see how he and Lorraine are to bo brought together." Lady Lucinda nodded her head sagely. "Leave that to mo, my dear. The selfwilled laddie is not going to have everything all his own way. And there is Quarry House." , " You are a darling," said Dnmh, stooping to kiss the small, piquant face. "If I wew> only a man I would marry you tomorrow." " Provided I had any disposition to put my neck beneath the yoke of your will, my dear." , , ~ , They laughed together as do those who love. " They were enjoying mightily 'tins little breathless interlude of shopping, selecting, designing, and devising, with a view to the rehabilitation of Darkmere Manor. They had quarters in a quiet little hotel known to Lady Lucinda., and went about sin a well-appointed carriage hired for the* week by Dinah, to save her companion all fatigue. And now, their purpose mainly accomplished they were to return with a second interest added. And if " Aunt Lucy " had

for the recluse at Ilcron's 800 l some dream for tho future which did not concern itself with Lorraino Dumaresq, at least she would throw no hindcranco in tho way of Dinah's plan. She had lived long enough in the world to stand by and leu events take their own course. She was ready that Dinah, with, tho courage of youth, should strive to dircdt tho current. She bad learnt to stand and wait.

But Lorraine stood before her, a delicate quivering, ecstatic creature, fniil as thistledown, fragile as a summer wild rose in tho hedgerow, her eyes alight, her colour coming and going in a fashion indicative of nervous tension, her heart went forth at once to Dinah's protege and friend. If Erskine could see her now! If he should realise her sore need of a staunch and rightful protector, might not all tho slumbering chivalry and romance of his nature awaken to the call? Might not ho feel that here was that quest for which ho unconsciously waited? Thoy travelled down with tho brindled dog in their carriage. Ho took the fourtjh window seat, and gazed forth with eager eyes at tho flying landscape, crossing tho carriage at intervals to change his point of view and express his entire satisfaction m the present, state of affairs.

They were met at the junction by tho largo landau and a pair of horses in the pink of condition. " Bogey's" joy at racing beside these splendid, high-stop-ping horses was a sight to see. Lorraine leaned out! of the carriage again and again to cheer him on and laugh at his rapture. of delight in finding himself thus free from hot, hard pavements and tho roar and confinement of tho streets.

" It's almost cruel to keep him in London ; but ho is such a darling I can't bear to part from him,"

" No, don't part ever from ' Bogey,' " Din;i.h advised ber, with more emphasis than she had perhaps intended, for she caught a quick, half-frightened gleam in tho girl's eyes, and smiled back reassuringly. "Ho would pine to death without you, Lorrio," Dinah told her, and received a, bright little smile in response. "I believe he would, the darling!" Darkmero Manor looked its best upon this glowing Juno evening. The gardens were all a riot of roses. The meadows were alive with haymaking. Tho music of scythe and tho whirr of the motor of tho mower made a background of sound for the intermittent bird songs and those other delightful and indeterminate sounds of rural life. The old house was not greatly changed as yet. Probably it would never show any startling changes of aspect. But tho well-being of aspect which comes from cleansing, repairing, fresh paint where paint is needed, new woodwork where old has crumbled to decay, fresh tiles for broken ones, now gates, sagging wires stretched, bent irons straightened, all tins was coming more and more into evidence. Nothing drastic and disturbing. No gangs of "men from London or any neighbouring largo town, hut local workmen engaged to do necessary work in a quiet and unobtrusive way. From day to day no wonders were worked, but at the end of a month a considerable added air ot prosperous improvement. Lorrainne's delight knew no bounds. She and her dog raced up and down, hither and thither, to and fro, just as they would. Hero was freedom, here was peace. Here was escape from tho silent espionage of Adrian from the silky authority of Demetrius. The girl felt and looked 'like a fairy creature come into touch with her true home. She could .scarcely respond to Dinah's call, yet when she had sot her face, for tho house sho came fleet-footed as Atlanta " Dinah, darling, where is Mrs. Moyle? A whimsical light shone in Dinahs

ey "Mrs Aloyle is in the housekeeper's room. I will take you to sea her pre. gently. And Lady Luanda Rossiter has gone home in the carriage straight to Quarry House." , , ~ " But what aro you arc talking about/ Who is lady Lucinda? " " Marcus Qunvlo dubbed her Mrs. Moyle, and" she took the bate. That is Lorraine, dear, sit down and try to bo sober for a few moments, as I have to give myself away to you, and trust you with a secret, which I fear will soon cense to no a secret, as one person after another has to be told." . " _ " I will never let it out," cried .Lorraine, all eagerness in a moment, I simply love a secret. Do tell mo, Dinah, dear." , ~ . , _ T " Well it is just ™ ns,i " car * am mistress of Darkmero. It came to mo with a. good deal of money, quite unexpectedly, from a relation of my mother s. At present I am not, letting any of my own friends or relatives know anything about, it. I want to get myself established first." „ " How perfectly splendid, Dinah J xnn are like me. You have half-brothers, as I have a half-sister. .Somehow, it isn t finite, quite the same thing as whole ones, 13 ''Not at all. H they had been my own brothers wo should have shared this property with ono another. But as things are it has nothing to do with them. So thev think that I am helping Mrs. Moyle (who is the dear, old housekeeper here) to renovate her house. That IS why Marcus Quayle took Lady Lucinda for Mrs. Aloyle when he met us in the park driving. And Lady Lucinda rose to the occasion and answered to the. name. Really she is just a dear friend of mine-though wo have known each other for so short a time—and she lives at Quarry House, rust over mv border, and near to another house called Heron's Pool." " What a pretty name ! Who lives "That is just the ono uncomfortable ingredient in this otherwise rather delightful dish ! The dispossessed owner of Darkmere, whose father, by unwise speculation, lost his son his heritage, lives now at Heron's Pool, as this small portion

of tho cstato was freed from debt by the sale of the rest and he has chosen to set himself down there, living the simple life upon a small income." "Oh! Dinah I How romantic I .What is his name? "

" Krskino Kysham." " How pretty! And what is bo like? M "I have never seen him. He declines to meet me. Lady Lucy calls him a ' difficult laddie' Sho loves him dearly, but sho says he must bo led, not driven. I must wait for the introduction till his highness plc;uses to descend from his high horse."

" All, Dinah, don't laugh at him 1 Can't yon understand? " "I understand only too well, dear, beginning to love Darkmere as I do. Now run along in and soo your room. I have ever so many letters to write before post time."

Lorraine obeyed, hor heart filled with joy. She seemed to havo stepped into a charming story of romance and delight. Sho must do something to —. But hero she stopped short. Was it not Marcus Quayle whom Dinah was going to marry,

CHAPTER XVH. Lorraine, liko Dinah, was up betimes upon her first morning at Darkmere. Tho gentle scratching of her dog aroused her from a blissful, dreamless sleep. " Bogey " plainly decided that theso precious morning hours were too beautiful to waste, nis mistress was entirely of tho samo mind. Soon they wero racing each other in an ecstasy of delight over dewy grass and through rustling sedges. Water drew " Bogey" liko a magnot. To swim, to splash, to fetch sticks, to gambol and shako himself, then to leap from some

vantage spot with a mighty thwack right into clcep water, was the very joy of his heart. In vain did his friends inform him that " he was not hy nature a water dog." " Bogey " soon set them to rights ahout that point. Ho could swim as tireless as he could run, and when Lorraine look the path which fringed tho lake, the dog accompanied her, partly running and bounding partly swimming with powerful strokes and occasional little snorting sounds of rapturous appreciation, till at length they both arrived at the lower end, where in a region of woodland mystery the lake discharged itself in a trickling stream, and presently woods thinned to a region of marsh, where water fowl fished and fed, who rose in flocks at tho approach of " Bogey," and sailed away with a mighty creaking and flapping of wings and many strange unearthly cries. It was all curiously fascinating to Lorraine, whoso young lifo had often been

spent in rather remote places during tho summer months. Tho slanting rays of early sunlight made magical eilects over these strange spaces. The air was crisped by a crystal ino freshness -not perceptible at other hours. Her light feet drew her on and on, as did the eager gambols of the dog. She saw more willows and alders farther ahead. Surely another lake might lie there. Heron's 800 l 1 Something seemed to speak the word aloud, and the girl's delicato face flushed, whilst her eyes sparkled. Perhaps it might be. Who knew? Not she at least. If she trespassed it would be unwittingly. Brighter and more bright .crew tho golden hazel eyes. _ Suppose she should chance upon tho disinherited knight, here amongst tho lonely sedges of the pool? She knew her Keats; she could picture him " alone and palely wandering." iMost likely ho might be thinking bittor things of some " Belle Dame sans Merci " who had driven him forth from his kingdom. But suppose in tho end she were to reinstate him there? That would surely be the fitting sequel to the story, which would then take on (he glowing hues of romance. Only, as before, nt this point came tho thought—what of Marcus Quayle? Were not he and Dinah lovers, though, unconfessed? _ She could not marry them both. Which of them would sho choose. It scarcely occurred to Lorraine to doubt that whatever she desired in this conjunction sho could have. (To bo contmuocl on. Saturdar HOxt.)