LILITH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18281, 23 December 1922, Page 3 (Supplement)

LILITH.

RY FLORENCE WARDEN.

(Copyright.)

CHATTER IV. (Continued.)

Miss Vivian turned aside for a moment, glancing out over flio lawn in search of these two smart young Londoners who wore giving so much eclat to her party. She did not, therefore, note tho fact that Mrs. Ames had suddenly grown pale. LilitTi, who lilid heard all that Miss Vivian had said, stopped quickly forward and put her arm round her mother.

Miss Vivian turned to tho ladies and saw that something was wrong. •Til take her outside into The fresh air. if 1 may. ' said Lilith, who was as pale as her _ mother, but more selfpossesed. mi.- couldn't bear nqt to come," she added tactfully, "but she is not. very strong, and she soon irets tired." ft '

Lilith and Miss Vivian led the old lady out into the garden, whore, Indeed the colour quickly returned to her cheeks, and Mis. Ames declared herself quite well again. No sooner, however, had her hostess moved away to sneak to another of her guests than Mrs. Ames, clinging to her daughters ami, whispered: " I told yvu how it would be. I knew Komethmg would happen. Let us got sway before ho sees vs.''

Lilith did her best- to reassure her mother. The shock had affected her too, bur differently. She was now flushed, defiant, and the obstinate look had reappeared round her mouth. •■ What, does it matter? Something had to happen sooner or later," she said impatiently in a low voice. " Let us get away," whimpered Mrs. Ames imploringly. " Trv and bear up a little while. We don't want to attract everyone's retention. We will slip away at the first opportunity, * whispered Lilith. as she led her mother into n walk bordered bv trees which met overhead. Hut alas for hor precautious! At the end of the shaded alley the two ladies came face to face with Miss Vivian, who iris accompanied by a well-drc-s?ed young man, tall, somewhat weedy, with ginger hair and narrow hazel eyes, thin lips and s solf>satisfied expression of countenance. " Ah, Mrs. Ames, I was locking for you." said Miss Viv'an. " I want to introduce Sir George Paradine to you." The introductions took place diilv. and Sir George bowed and shook hands with Mrs. Ames without the occurrence of anything noteworthy. But when Miss Vivian turned to Lilith to repeat the ceremony, it was obvious that, at the very first irlanre. Sir George was startled and deeplv interested! Lilith cast down her eyes, but Sir Georjre gfized &t her with unmistakable interest. interest, however, increased to something like consternation when Miss Vivian uttered the words " Sir George Paradine—Miss Ames."

For a moment be stared at Lilith without sneaking. Then, as Miss Vivian turnpd aside to ask the elder ladv if she felt better. Sir George said in a low voice to T i'ith, with a peculiar expression : "Miss Ames did I understand Miss Vivian to say ?"

CHAPTER. V; Sir Georsre ParacMne looked at Lilith ■with a slicht frown of perplexity on his face. For the moment she neither moved nor spoke. All trace, of colour left her cheeks, and she remained standing like a statue under his caze. 'which became mora steadfast and more searehine. Meanwhile. Mrs. Ames, who had heen leaning on her daughter's arm. withdrew her hand sharply with a faint moan. Lilith appeared searce'v to notice thft movement, or to realise that she was now standing alone. The expression of Sir Georco's face chanced fiom perplexity to one of strong curiositv a:nd a'sort or resentment Mean•while Miss Vivian, who had noticed nothing hut the sudden movement on the nart of Mrs. Ames, turned to her and said : " You are tiring yourself. Come and mt down." She spoke with the gentle irnr-eriousness characteristic of her, and T-ith a Tapid movement drew Mrs. Ames on to a rustic seat which was standing close hv. TTr's left Lilith face to face wiih Sir George Paradine. For another moment thev stood without speaking, and then she towards har mother. Put Sir George cut her off by taking a single step and said : " Fo sorry—l didn't quite catch your name ** Lilith hesitated a moment, summoned her self-oossession. and said :n a low voice, almost defiantly : " My name is Ames." Sir Geo.-crrt Paradine planced at Mies Vivian and her comnnnion on the warden upai.; and then hack ntjain at LilitW. There was suspicion in his eyes, althnnch courtesy kept it out of his tone, a* he vent on verv slowly, hut very distinctly : " And that lady is vour mother. Mrs. Ames?" Lilith was now mitte self-nossessed. hut her cheeks were still like white marble.

" Yes." She formed the word with her lips, although no sound came from them.

For another moment they stood face to fac<\ but the stealthy movement of the g ; r"s eyes s!:owed that she was seeking a way of escape. Sir Georze took advantage of her hesitancy to say in an authoritative tone :

" This heat is awful. Xo wonder it is too much for you ladies. Let us cross over and see if they can find a cup of tea for Ut."

Lilith shook her head without soeaking, and was about to turn awav in the direction of the two elder ladies, when Sir George Paradine laid a peremptory hand on her arm, and said: " Mrs. Ames is all right again. Please come with me." Lilith shot at him a furtive glance, but she obeyed. He at once withdrew his band, and together they crossed the lawn towards the spot where, under the trees, a couple of tables, daintily spread with refreshments, stood in charge of Miss Vivian's housekeeper and two smart

maids Like an automatom, Lilith obeyed her companion's quiet but peremptory command that >-he should sit down. He drew up a chair beside hers, and, looking steadfastly into her face, said: " You are a newcomer here, Miss Ames, Bre you not ?"' As he spoke his eyes moved steadily from the necklace of pearls round her tin oat. to the diamond wrist watch she wore, and then down to the beautifully made bronze shoes. It struck Lilith that be appeared to be taking stock of every item of her dress and ornaments, as if appraising their value. " We have not been here very long." Bhe answered with some stiffness. From under his eyelashes he glanced up at her face again, as if anxious to note her features from every possible point ot View.

"Rotten littl* hole, isn't it?" said h*. Lilith fought for confidence, for rase, as Br." answered: •' I I'.kf it. Of course it's dull for prople who are usfd to town life." He looked up quickly, with challenge in his eyes: "Aren't you used to town life?" he asked ahrupflv. " Yes. but I like the country better. ' " So do I." he said rather drily. "London is just n nest of thieves." He looked away as lie spoke, so he did not spp tho expression of vivid terror which appeared on the girl's face and thfn disappeared as quickly. She conquered herself and asked rather sharp!v: " Do you think that people are any more honest here than they are in town V' He sat hack in his chair and appeared to consider before repiy/ng. Then ho said slowly : " As to that I can't say. Perhaps I ve bee»i unlucky, but hot!) in town and country I've had to rub up against some Ten' queer specimens of my race." He was very silent a moment, and then he said, in the same dry tone: "It is my experience that wherever there is money, there is a whole horde of vultures hovering over it. What do you think?" " I think." said Lilith quietly, " that Bast always be so while money is so un-

K%ttt ute i d t - li {i is \ pity to think i£ il . , mak es ono bitter to nature/' 0 UCh ° f the bad side °' !»»*» one B i^ r ! B,lt unfortunately than oMb° mU^ h mo, ° of ,he lla(1 sid ' e mv ovL ° R° od -«t least, that has been So i P m{? llCe S,nce * ca,nc unexpectedly into a little property." Lilith looked at him frankly. R h„ i? y j tro ? b A e y° ur hea(l » bout that?" she asked quietly. '« If, as vou say vou na\e corao into money unexpectedly, why not enjoy ,t without being bitter" about those others who have no nionev. and who may envy you? Remember what a difference it makes in this world, the possession of money, and don't be too hard upon those who have little or none." I don't wish to be hard on anyone." retorted Sir George, with a certain dry, almost sullen significance. " Rut I don't ike to bo « had.' My complaint is that there are such a lot of vampires, male and female, who are not content with asking, hut who jnust steal." this short colloquy had been carried on in very low tones, and with a strange hardness on the man's side, and wistfulness on that of the girl. There was a silence while Lilith slowlv sipped her tea.

As she did so she was aware that Sir George was still watching her intently. At last he said abruptly: " I can't help thinking that we must have met somewhere. Miss Ames." And again he put a slight emphasis on the name. " 1 thought so from the first moment that Miss Vivian introduced me. But I can't remember when or where it can have been." He looked at her steadily, and affecting perplexity ;>sked abruptly : " Did I meet you in Great Cumberland Place? 1 have'some friends there, and I think it must have been at the?r house that 1 have seen von."

Although she remained self-possessed. Sir George saw that he had mad© a good shot. But Lilith only said : "You hnvo confused me with somo other person. I have never met you before, to the best of my belief." But he persisted: "Or at -\ flat in Victoria. Street?'* Lilith shook her head.

"Neither there nor anywhere else." she said, as she rose rather abruptly. "My poor mother! I .wish she had n°t come to-day. 1 knew the beat would he too much for her, and I must get her home as quickly as I can." It was quite true that Mrs. Ames looked mole and more like a waxen figure as she sat besido Miss Vivian, speaking as little as possible. She looked up with intense relief when Lilith approached her. took a. rather hurried farewell of their hostess, and tottered across tho lawn, leaning on her daughter's arm, with her eyes half closed, as if scarcely conscious of what was passing round her. Miss Vivian, who. quiet as she was, had observant eyes, found an opportunity, when the two ladies had gone, iff speaking about them to Sir George Parndine. " You know Mrs. Ames and her daughter, don't you?" she asked in a rather sharp, suspicious tone. "Never met them in my life before, said the young man languidly. "What made you think I had met them?" 'T suppose it was something in your manner. Anyhow you and Miss Ames gave me the" idea that you wove not straneers. She's a very nice girl, don't vou think so?"

"Charming." acquiesced Sir George in tones of conventional boredom. " Handsome, too." "Especially when she takes the trouble to dress properly, as she did 'odav." agreed Miss Vivian. "To see her as' she goes about the village with her dogs, ono would think she was » nursery governess instead of an heiress. Sir George looked interested. "An heiress, is she?'' repeated he. "I am rather suspicious of heiresses. They generallv turn out io have two hundred pounds in the Post Office savings bank, don't vou know." Sir GeorGre smiled to himself as if he had said a good thing; but Miss Vivian, v-ho objected to his criticism of her quests, turned away in some displeasureSir George wont'in search of his friend Colonel Seafieid, seized him by the arm and said : '• I've got something to tell you; about the damndest odd thing that ever happened to me. Let's get away as soon as we can, for I'm bursting to let you know all about it."

"All right, Baid the colonel, who 'was a gruff old sportsman, fonder of his gun than of ladies' society, and only present at Miss Vivian's for the sake of his friend.

"The wretch '."

The words came ever so faintly from the lips of Mrs. Ames as she took her seat in the victoria, and leaning back with her smelling salts to her nose, closed her eyes as if in acute pain. She was trembling violently and the need of self-repression being no longer upon her a look of torturing anxiety appeared upon her face. As for Lilith, the expression of her face had now changed. Although she still looked agitated, there was a sort of re'iief in her eyes. She gave a little sigh, but made no "comment on her mother's ejaculation. Mrs. Ames seemed to become abruptly conscious that her daughter was not supporting her as she oudit to do. Sho opened her eyes and whispered : "What did lie say to you ?" " I'll teli you presently mamma," answered Lilith very quietly. Then during the remainder of the short drive, the girl grew calmer and calnfer, while the elder lady grew more and more agitated, and apparently more and more suspicious of something lacking in Ker daughter's sympathy. The carriage drove up to Old Court by way of the lodge gates at the western end of the grounds: and Mra. Ames, descending slowly, with the help of Lilith and Simmonds, went upstairs to her room. " I want you. dear " said she to Lilith, in a tone of lingering affection. " Come to me when you've taken your hat off." Lilith Iwwed her head in assent, but her mother watched her, uneasy and dissatisfied, as she went out of the room. Mra. Ames saw that (here was some sort of struggle in store for her with this girl who looked so trcntle and could be so obstinate. Indeed this might bo said of both ladies. Little Mrs. Ames, for all that her hands and feet were so tiny, and her voice so sweet, had an astounding tenacity of purpose. While Lilith of the child-like blue eyes and shy, girlish manner, could hold her own in a contest of wills. It was with unwilling steps that, having taken off her hat, she returned to her mother's room. On seeing her, Mrs. Ames, who was lying on the, cretonne-covered sofa at_ the foot of hor bed, sprang up with surprising vivacity, and sal erect, holding out ono little trembling hand in affectionate welcome ' My dear, my dear!" she whispered. looking up with" her soft brown eyes full of tears, " come and comfort me." Litith did not repond very warmly. Approaching her mother slowly, she asked in a guarded tone"What do you want with me, mamma?'' But Mrs. Ames would not answer until she had got her daughter seated on the sofa beside her. Then, thrusting her little hand under Lilith's arm, and nestling up to her. she whispered in a peremptory tone : ." We nilist go away from here. We must go at once." But, Lilith frowned and shook her head. " What would be the use of that?"

Mrs. Ames drew back impatiently. " You are not going to cavil, are you?" she ciied. " You know it's impossible for us to stay in a place where we should he always running the risk of meeting that man." " Do you mean Sir George Paradine?' asked L'ilith with provoking coolness. "Of course I do. Tell me, what did the wretch .say to you?" " Nothing in particular," said Lilith in the same tone of subdued stubbornness. "But he- knew you?" hissed out poor Mrs. Ames with an agonised look. Lilith bowed her head in assent. " Oh, yes, he knew me. He spoke about a, flat in Victoria Street, and about. Great Cumberland Place. Besides, he said quite decidedly that he had met me somewhere." " Was ho aggressive, resentful, offensive in any way?" "No. He was curious, very curious, and evidently a good deal puzzled. And there

was just a suggestion in his tone now and then that I had better be civil."

Mrs. Ames was on her feet by this time, unable to tit still.

"And you talk as if we could stay hero?" she lisped out in a broken voice.

Without looking up, Lilith set her lips firmly, and then asked:

" Why not, mamma?" 'Urs. Ames uttered an impatient exclamation.

•' Surely you c on't suppose tho wretch would keep his mouth shut," she cried, her voice still cracked and tremulous. "Ho will he chattering to everybody, whispering, hinting, making it impossible for us to remain here."

"I don't see that at all. It would be such a mean thing to do, and rash besides. Even if he were inclined to gossip, you caa't take it for granted that people will believe him."

" People always belive the worst," cried Mrs. Ames in tones of despair. " No. 1 will not risk it. Wo must go." Again Lilith shook her head. " I am not going away," sho said promptly.

Mrs. Ames looked alarmed. " You are not going to leave me, aro you?"

Tho words were breathed rather than spoken aloud.

Lilith looked straightforwardly into her mother's face.

"I .am not going any farther on this wild-goose chase after a spot where we cannot see anybody, or hear anything to remind us of—what has happened," sho said. '"We can't get out of tho world; wo must risk meeting people wo would

rather not meet, and starting gossip we would rather not hear. If we went to any other piaco there would be just the same danger for us, and I'm tired! of it all. Oh, ever so tired. I've been living on the rack; I want to be quiet. I won't go away." Mrs. Ames wa3 silent for a moment, and then she thrust her little face close to her daughter's. "You've taken a fancy to this place?" she said in a peculiar tone. "I suppose I have," said Lilith slowly. "And you are willing to take the risk of meeting this brute, Sir George, again ? Remember, sooner or later ho will come to explanations with you, and that will bo very uncomfortable for you, even if ho does not gossip." "Will it?" said Lilith indifferently. '" don't think it would matter. I could probably get him to look at the matter t'rom a new point of view. It seems that there is nothing of the ogre about him." But her arguments had no effect upon Mrs. Ames, who, however., said very littlo more to her daughter, but remained unhappy, agitated and thoughtful. Presently she turned away with some abruptness, and paid: . " This afternoon's dreadlul business lias been too much for mo. I feel very ill Will you ring the bell for Simmonds? I think I'll go to bed."" Indeed the fragile little lady seemed to have reached the limits of her strength, and Lilith perceiving this, at once lost all trace of hardness and obstinacy and devoted herself to her mother. . , , , When she and Simmonds had undressed the old lady and put her to bed, ,she bent down to kiss her. Bill Mrs. Amea 3oized the opportunity to clutch her by the arm, and whisper: "You will go away with me, won't you? It would kill me to leave you, but it wouTd kill mo to stay here." "Mamma, mamma, don't tease me. I have done the best I could, and I always will. Bui 1 won't set out on my wanderings again.' For good or ill, I 11 stay and face the worst here." Mrs. Ames was wise enough not to waste her efforts when she saw they were useless. With a little angry; gesture she pushed away her daughters hand and turned on her pillow. Lilith went quietly out ol the room. When, rather ashamed of what might have looked like petulance, she returned to the room to inquire after her mother, -lie was surprised to find Mrs. Ames sitting up in bed, propped up by pillows and looking very smart and pretty. Vith all the taste of an ancient beautv, the little white-haired woman had put on a cap which was a mass of lace and peach-coloured ribbons, and a jacket to match, and on her h tie folded hands tho jewels of her finger rings sparkled m the candle-light, •JRw smart you arc. mamma.' cried Lilith. in surprise. "You must be much better, since you have recovered your coquetry." . , , ,■ Mrs * Ames smiled faintly and rather nervouslv. There was a littl* spot of pink colour in her cheeks, and her hands moved restlessly. ... . _• „ Lilith did not stay with her long; she felt that the tension between them was still arute, and that her mother was not in the mood for tenderness or confidences. The girl went down into the grounds and, sauntering slowly down the drive, was startled to see, riding through the open eate, Doctor Mallory on his grey mare. She sloped short in utter amazement as the young man descended and mined Ins hat. ~'• , . . . . "Doctor Mallory!" she whispered in astonishment. "You are surprised to see me.' lie said. "Didn't you know that Mrs. Ames has just sent' for me?" Lilith did not answer except by a feeble shake of the head. But, she knew her mother sufficiently well to be suspicious and alarmed at this new move. CHAPTER. VT. "It, was kind of you to come', after what happened," said she. " ilow could I refuse? " It was Btrango to those young people themselves to find how quickly they had got on a confidential footing. It seemed

unnecessary to exchange explanations. They walked side by side, in siisner, towards the house. Arrived at the wide gravelled space at the end of the drive, Lilith stopped short. "I wonder what she wants with you !" said Lilith with a, frown. '* Isn't she ill?" " Yes, and no. She is always delicate. very delicate, and to-day she—well, she overtaxed her strength p, little." " I hear you were both at The Grange," said Doctor Mallory. For a moment Lilith seemed to hesitato whether to tell him something more. But after a moment's hesitation all she said was: " Yes." There was an instant's pause before he raised his hat and said : " I must see what I can do for her," Lilith's eyes followed him with a steady, anxious gaze as he went into the house, where Bletchley opened the door as ho wont up the steps. Simmonds was waiting to escort the doctor upstairs. Mrs. Ames was looking nervous and selfconscious when Doctor Mallory was shown into tho room where she was sitting up among her pillows. She bowed graciously with a rather quivering smile, and said in a tone of apology : " It was kind of you to come. Doctor Mallory. I was afraid you might decline to come, and if you had, I could scarcely have blamed you." The mixture of dignity and humility with which she spoke these words disarmed the doctor, who was prepared to be somewhat stiff and reticent. Ho bowed.

" I am very glad you have reconsidered your attitude towards me," he said simply. " I was much surprised by it at first. Wo will forget it. And now I hear that you have been overtaxing your strength. Nothing very serious, I hope?" " I am always more or less ailing, Doctor Mallory," with a plaintive air of appeal as she held out her tiny wristDoctor Mallory felt her pulso and asked a few questions. But he was not at all surprised when a sudden change in her manner showed him that it was something more important than the state of her health which had caused her to send for him.

By this time her gracious little ways had produced a very pleasant impression on the young doctor. " Doctor Mallory," she said rather abruptly, when ho prepared to go, " I have a little confidence to make to you." " Indeed!"

"My daughter Lilith has been your patient too." " For one short visit," said he.

But the little old lady looked steadily up at him, with sagacity in her soft eyes. •' You have seen her since? "Oh yes. 1 have met her once or twice," he answered as indifferently as he could manage. . 'Mrs. Ames continued to gaze at turn steadily : . c ., ~, , •• She has confidence in you. bhe would listen to anything you might say." " T have n<>' reason to think that, said Doctor Mfillorv, taken aback. Hut Mrs. Ames went straight to the IM>il)t : . n ~ • i want you to use your influence with

her." , , , '• Ye*. I want you to persuade her to leave this place with me. There is something in the air here which does not agree with me : I feel an oppression 1 cannot describe. It may be partly imaginary, the result of loneliness, of living in a big, gloomy old house, shut in by trees. Anyhow, 'imaginary or not, the depression I. feel would become melancholia if I were to stay here." (To be continued on flfcturdw next.)