THE WRATH TO COME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18950, 23 February 1925, Page 5

THE WRATH TO COME.

BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.

Author of "Thd Hillnmn," "The Movijig Finger," " The Tempting of Tavernake," " The Missing Dclora,'' " The Wicked Marquess," Etc., Etc. (Copyright.) CHAPTER XXI.--(Continued.) " Cornelius Blunn and his friends know quite well that if America accepts the invitation of the Pact, all those grandiose schemes which have been formulated and brought to maturity by Germany, and her friends, fall to the ground. Peace is assured to the world for an indefinite period of time. Germany must abandon her hope of revenge. Japan must reconcile herself to the permanent sub-ordination of the yellow races. Therefore, strenuous efforts will bo made in America to prevent her acceptance." " I can quite believe that," Lord Yeovil assented. '' The peace lover will have German-American interests and the Japanese influence to fight. Still, I can't help thinking that the common sense of the country will carry all before it." " I am with you there," Grant agreed, " and yet it is a fact that there have been, even within niy memory, laws passed by the legislature which were in absolute opposition to the will of the people. The voting power of America is a chaotic and terribly uncertain quantity. Our friend, Blunn, will be over there before a month is passed. Prince Lutrecht will bo visiting at Washington. Baron Funderstrom may take a little tour there, too. Headquarters will be moved from Monte Carlo to Washington and New York, and we haven't any reasonable means of coping with all the flaring, misleading propaganda which will bo let loose to induce America to refuse this invitation within the next few weeks. I honestly believe that there is a possibility that the United States will decline your invitation." , , "If they do," Lord Yeovil remarked grimly, "I must resign at once from my position as Chairman of the Pact, and probably from the Premiership of Great Britain. A refusal under the present circumstances would be little less than an affront. You have this matter very much at heart, Grant." "I'm an American, and I am fond, and proud of my country. I pose as being an idle millionaire. You know I'm not. I never worked so hard in my younger days, when I was second and eventually first secretary, or went through so many disagreeable moments as I have during the last eighteen months. I don't fancy my next six months will be any easier. I am going to do my level best to bring truth home to the American people, and to show up the plot which I am convinced is being organised against us. If I succeed, I shall come straight back to Europe, and, if I may, I shall come and pay you a visit." Lord Yeovil held out his hand. The same thought was in the minds of both men. "You have my best wishes, Grant." Grant walked with his departing guest to the gang-plank, and waved his farewell as they backed away into the harbour and swung round. Very soon they were heading for the open sea. He turned in earlv and slept soundly. In the morning he took his bath of warm and then cold sea water, strolled on deck, breakfasted in a surmy corner, and lit a pipe. After an hour or so he strolled aft on his way to the chart-room. As he passed the companion way he glanced in, gripped at the door, stood stupefied, aghast. Still wearing her wonderful cloak, her satin dress and slippers, her eyes weary, but passionately questioning, came Gertrude. CHAPTER XXII. "If you please. Grant," she said "I want my clothes." "How on earth did you get here?" "It was rather difficult. I had a lot of luck. Can I have some coffee or something ? I haven't had anything since I came on board." "When was that?" he asked. "Four o'clock yesterday morning. I'm starving. I was afraid you'd hear me crying in the night." "Come down to mv room. You mustn't let them see you like that." , She followed him down to his own quarters. He shut the door, watched her sink into a chair, and stood over her. "Tell me about it." "After we got home," she began,—"and they made mo plav roulette until two o'clock—Otto was simply brutal. I couldn't bear it any longer, and the thought of your going. I gambled once before in life, you see. I gambled again. I gave Ottilie my maid, all the money I had. She packed a trunk for me and addressed it to you. It came on board with a lot of other things. It must be somewhere about. That was easy enough. The difficulty was lo get here myself. I borrowed a chauffeur's overcoat, put it on over all my things, and a cap that hid my face. I wtlked up and down the docks for an hour, until I saw a chance. Then I eamo down the gangway, slipped along the empty side of the deck, got down the companion-way —I had to hide twice behind doors —but eventually I got to the door of the state room which you said you kept for any special guest, and which I knew wasn't to be used this voyage. I crawled in, locked the door, and lay down, I hid there and waited. It must have been about four or five o'clock yesterday morning. I heard all the people come on with stores. I heard Lord Yeovil come on board. I heard your voices as you walked up and down with him. All the time I lay there in terror. Then I heard the rush of the water and the anchor come up. I heard the engines and knew we were oat at sea. Still, I dared not show myself. I was afraid you'd send me back. I knew there was only 0110 chance—to stav on board long enough. I hid all day. tsrrified lost someone, should look in* the stateroom. At night I felt so ili that I almost gave up, but somehow or other I dropped off to sleep. When I woke I felt faint, and I found myself crying. I went to sleep again, though. This morning, as soon as I heard your voice on deck. I crept up the stairs -and here 1 am. I am here, Grant. You are not going to bo cruel?" He ran#; the bell. "Some coffee, and omelette, quickly, he ordered from the astonished steward. "Serve it here. Let me have the coffee at once." "Don't keep me alivo unless you are going to be kind to me," she begged hysterically. "I couldn't bear it, Grant. Tell mo yon are not going to land me any where. Why are you looking at me like that ?" "I was thinking," he answered. "Grant, you cared for me once; say something to me. Be kind to me." "You must realize —you must know this is a terrible thing you have done." . The steward brought in the coffee. The boy followed behind, a moment or two later, with an omelette and cold meats. Grant turned towards the door. "I'm going to leave you for a short time. You must drink vour coffee and cat something. I'm going to fry and find out where your things are. I will have them put in a room for you and a bath got ready. We can't talk until you are yourself again." "I'll do just as you tell me, Grant. "Then first of all drink your coffee while it is hot." He made his way on deck. For a moment he could scarcely realise that this was the same cruise, the same ship, the same deck he had walked a few moments ago. He tried to face the matter calmly. She had been on board since the night after Blunn's party, the remainder of that early morning, and all next night. By this time every one in Monte Carlo probably know. No one could ever be told the truth. No explanation of defence. She was there alono on the yacht with him. Befoi-e they could land anywhere, two nights would have passed. A sudden storm of anger seized him! What way was there out of it ? He had faced difficult problems beforo. How could ho deal with this ono ? Presently he returned to his quarters and sent fqr his own servant. "Brookes," ha asked, "did you know anything about sk lady, btins on Jjoatdl"

"Nothing, sir, until a few minutes ago when I saw her coming up the companionway." "Have you heard any one else allude to it iu any way?" "No one, sir." "It appears that she sent a trunk here, or a package addressed to me, containing her clothes. Kindly search for it and have it taken to the Empire suite aft. Prepare a bath there and everything that is necessary. Find the lady and let her know. She will lunch with me in the saloon." "Very good, sir," the man replied. And after that! He busied himself for an hour or so in tfi3 minor affairs of the ship. The Captain found him studying the chart. "When should we make Gibraltar. Martin ?" "Sunday mornint? sir, sis'.early ; as. vou like I'll guarantee the coal, though.' "I may decide to put in," Grant said. "I'll let you know." } Gibraltar ! A hopeless place. How could ■ he possibly leave her there among Grangers ? And yet, if not, it must be Madeira, worse still, or New York. Eight days; alone with the woman with whom he had once been in love. There was probably not a soul in the world who would hold him blameless for what had happened. A diabolical trick of fate! He came down the deck a few minutes before lunch time, and found Gertrude established in a long chair—a very changed and resuscitated Gertrude. Brookes appeared with two cocktails on a tray, just as Grant arrived. She took one readily. "I never_ wanted anything so much in my life. You can put mo off somewhere it you want to and make me appear ridiculous." "What made you do it?" "I have tried to explain," she answered, "Am I allowed to lunch with you ?" "By all means. The buglo has just gone. Let me help you out." They entered the beautiful little saloon,' "I didn't think I should be here again so soon." "N,either did I," he answered. "Your little friend, Lady Susan, really won the trick, didn't she?" "She did," Grant assented. "She brought that youthful navigator of mine to bis . senses. I think if it hadn't been for her, your husband and Blunn would have got l-understrom back and that invitation to America would never have been sent." "In which case, I suppose von would not have been on your way to America now ?" "I certainly should not." "And you would have been spared this terrible thing which has come upon you!" "The voyage would never have taken place," he remarked stonily. After luncheon they took their coffee on deck. "What are you going to do in America ?" asked Gertrude. "I shall find work there." "You certainly will," she agreed. "I believe you are going back with the right idea. All that speech of Blunn's was sheer and unadulterated bluff. Germany will do its very utmost in the States to get the Senate to refuse the invitation from the Pact. They have, more power than you would imagine." "You have reason to- believe this?" Grant asked. "I know it," she assured him. "They talked before me freely enough—Blunn, Lutrecht, Otto. I was only Otto's wife. I shouldn't be likely to dare to breathe a word of which my lord and master did not approve. Oh, they are fools, the way they treat their woman-kind." "Have you any idea as to the means they intend to make use of ?" "Propaganda, first and foremost," sh« declared. "They are all prepared. Whom they cannot convince, they will buy. They reckon that the* bill for assenting to the invitation will pass the House of Representatives, but that they will fight it inch by inch in the Senate. They will go any lengths to stop it." "I know what thai means," Grant muttered. "I know what a political fight in my country means, alas'" "I might be able to help," she suggested timidly. "I have seen something of life in Berlin." He made her drink her coffee, and afterward lie down and rest. He, himself, spent a restless afternoon. The situation tormented him. Some of his old tenderness for Gertrude seemed to revive. He was running a risk of ruining his own life and perhaps Susan's for the sake of a sentimental impulse of pity. He kept to himself most of the afternoon. At, dinner-time the strain began again. She wore a simple but beautifully-fitting black net gown, and drank more champagne than usual at dinner-time. Afterwards they sat out on deck in a sheltered place. They smoked, drank coffee, and every moment conversation became more difficult. Suddenly she caught at his hands. "Grant," she murmured, "can't you pretend? Don't keep me away at arm's length like this. We're alone. My heart is dry. Iviss me," Her arms were around his neck, her lips close to his. A sudden coldness came over him. • He remembered how he had fought against the desire to kiss Susan. It wasn't fair. "Grant, kiss me." He obeved, coldly. "Gertrude," he said', "it's a horrible thing. You know that once I was glad enough to kiss you." "Is it that girl?'* she asked. "Yes," he answered. Her arms slid away from him. "'She is so young," she murmured. "Such a child, Grant. You could leave her alone and she wouldn't be hurt. You need more than that." "Gertrude," he confessed, "I'm a fool about her. I can't help it. She's just herself. The way she looks, her voice, her laugh, her little'mannerisms, they just sit in my heart, and there doesn't seem to be room* for anything else." She rose suddenly to her feet. "I have a fancy to walk, Grant," she said. "No, don't come, please. I would just like to walk alone." She drew a fur wrap around her shoulders and turned hastily away. Time after time, she passed his chair without a glauce, and each time she was a little paler. At last he stopped hex: "You are tiring yourself, Gertrude. Tako my arm if you want to walk any more." "Yo'i are right," she assented. "I will i;o down. Good-night, Grant." "I'm a clumsy brute, Gertrude, and I've never been able to forget the years when I thought you the most beautiful thing on earth." "But you don't any longer!" she cried. He turned away. She listened anxiously to his receding footsteps. Then threw herself on the sofa with a little , moan. Later she heard him come down the gangway, on his way to his own quarters, and* heard him open and close , the door of his own room. I (To be continued daily.)