SWEET NELL OF OLD ISLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19406, 14 August 1926, Page 5 (Supplement)

SWEET NELL OF OLD ISLINGTON.

BY YELVA BURNETT.

CHAPTER XY. Richard went on foot to his flat, his case in his hand. The moon was up, throwing white, silver-fringed mats here and there between the tail houses. „She erected multi-coloured canopies over roofs and chimneys, or spread a winding sheet of dazzling snow and green across the river. The leaves of the trees, each distinct and cut out against the delicate white gleam, resembled delicate work embossed on soft blue satin. London, given to vulgar commerce and huckstering during the day, lav like a city brimful of gentle dreams. He had chosen by-ways, old, unfrequented, for his solitary walk. He passed between quaint little antique shops in hiding, their shutters up, their aspect that of gentle Victorian dames, nodding in nightcaps of black and rose. They had strayed from another epoch to modernity, and were sighing and lost.

Richard moved slowly and quietly through the summer evening, with angry, sad, bewildered thoughts jabbing at his brain. Nell hau told him, in the most earnest way, and with her cheek pressed close to his, that her love for him, could know no end. At the time ho had been glad to believe her, but now, that fatal impetuousness that he had found in her so often, and had adored, was troubling him deeply. ? Had Forrest aroused in her so much anger and pain that, on reaching home, sho had decided in a heated moment to consent to Lawes' appeal ? In her house, at this very moment, she was making ready, in the samo earnest, whole-hearted manner with which sho had promised herself to Richard, to return to " The Looking Glass." Had not Mirelda said so, quite plainly? Or was there another explanation ? Had she been secretly pining for her.former career, even through the days in which. Dick had believed she shared his happiness to the full ? Had she discovered, with Lion's return, that she could not really give up the stage ? ( He tried to recall every word she had said during their recent during their most sweet reconciliation. He shook nis head gloomily. She had deceived him, for she had said, with every expression of candid sincerity, that she was not at all willing to continue her profession. Something endearing, she had whispered to him of a little home, shared with him, which she had presented as her perfect dream of happiness. "As if I would stand in her liglfE, if she really wants to go back," groaned Richard. " I love her too well to take from her anything on which she has set her heart. I would wait for her patiently, until she is too tired and old to care about acting any more, however difficult the waiting; for she, no matter what she does, is the only woman for me. But why is, she not candid with me? I have caught her on two occasions rehearsing with Lion Lawes—curse him—behind my back ! But for these surprise visits, I might not have been told, I might not havo suspected. What is my duty ?" Richard asked himself, miserably, yet sternly, " I want, J intend to do what is right, but I can't put up with this kind of thing." Alas, he was reluctant to admit to his loyal heart that he was beginning to find Nell whimsical, capricious, Unreliable; yet in wisdom, he must faco the apparent facts, the flaws in the character of the girl ho adored, if he was to be of any value to her. She had pretended to him that her rehearsing with Lion was impromptu, almost accidental. She had told him what looked uncommonly like a lie. Through Mirelda's chance revelation, he had found her out! He was violently uiihappy, confused, distressed. It was difficult to decide how to act, but lie determined to leave her entirely to herself for a few days. Be-J hind the wrath which he consciously fed, there lurked such tragic sorrow that Dick I felt he must cling to his rage, if only so as to use it as a wall for the shutting out of complete desolation. He dared not allow hiniself to make excuses for Nell. He dared not soften to her, nor remembor tenderly her face, her charming harmony of speech and movement. The feminity, the rose-like perfection and scent and sweetness of Nell of Islington must not be dwelt upon by Ricihard to-night, for to conjure her up in her physical beauty, and compare her with the image he had deliberately created, of a false, i shallow, heartless being, would drive him raving mad. He came to the gates and the big double doors of the block in Chelsea that contained his flat. The glittering brass cage of the electric lift hung, unattended, at the bottom of its yawning -shaft. Everything was still as the grave. He was forlornly pleased it should be so. He did not wish to confront anyone to-night, not even the chtjbhy porter, with his surprisingly flaxen! hair and clear, pink cheeks, i His manservant, Carver, did not expect Richard until Monday evening, and he had taken himself off to a local music hall. So Dick's entrance was unattended. He had not yet dined, but he was in no mood to forage round for food. He left his suitcase in the hall, and went, straight on to the simplicity and ease of his smoking d&i, a little three-cornered room that he had looked upon as a comfortable refuge until to-night, when it vielded none. The apartment,"and the entire flat, although tastefully decorated and equipped, lacked the gracious charm and delightfulness which a woman's touch and presence bestow. ■

CHAPTER XVI. Dick cast a weary eye at the telephone. Should he interrupt that infernal rehearsal, ring her up, and tell her exactly what was in his aching thoug'ht? Bah, what use to bare himself to a fresh humiliation? Provide food for Lawes' sardonic amusement, or be permitted renewed excuses and pleas from Nell. All Utterly false. At this point, he pulled himself up, with a sudden spasm of fear and dismay, because a new Nell, a being from whom it was necessary" to defend oneself, had been created in the last few hours. Just as radiant and beautiful was she as the Nell he had loved,. but as emptv in hor beauty as the reflection of herself in the glass." He sat down and covered his face with his hands. Ho must not think of her in this' dreadful ,wsy, as unreliable, wanting in all the good; staying properties that make womanhood so sweet. He was losing his head. He was poisoned with jealousy. Its fangs pierced his very flesh. Things could not be as bad as they seemed. He could not remain in exile from her, day after day, with his dark, cold misery for sole companion. He clutched at an illustrated periodical which specialised in stage news. It had arrived early in the afternoon, and his man, Carver, had placed it on the table, ready to his hand. On opening the cover, he came face to face with a life-size portrait of Nell. It was a replica of a recent likeness she had given him, which, in a heavy silver frame, smiled at him from the mantelpiece of his bedroom. The paper contained more than one paragraph about her.

Ho perused each, greedily, before he flung tha paper angrily across the room, for ho found that while her engagement to himself was mentioned, without comment of any kind, the name of Lion Lawes companioned hers in every instance He had returned from South Africa, so the letterpress informed the world in general, and Richard in particular, and there were rumours and hopes that he might succeed in persuading " Our Sweet Neil of Old Islington, to postpone her retirement, for a brief period, and grant to her devoted .public the privilege of an autumn session at her old theatre, " Adimore had been approached on the matter. There was a brief, but touching resume of his paternal kindness to the actress in the days when she was still unknown..- Adimore had discovered Nell, the genius of '-He old borough. It was suggested delicately that Iter obligation to the faithful and discerning manager was not the kind to be easily banished by so kindly and warm-hearted a girl. " Without Mr. Lawes and Miss Lisbon

(COPYRIGHT).

the Looking Glass will crash to pieces!" asserted the writer pessimistically. Dick was violently suspicious that Lawcs himself, or one of his most biassed supporters, was the a.uthor of the disturbing half column.

He went determinedly to the telephone. He would have the thing out with her. He would speak roughly, yes, and angrily, because of his great love. Here, in his own flat, protected by distance, he would not be distracted by her vicinity, the exquisite, bright tenderness of the face which might soften all his wrath, were he to .visit her on the morrow. He would scare her for once into different behaviour. She could not keep on fooling him in this way. He-raised the receiver. Seconds dragged while he waited to be connected- Then he heard the drowsy voice of Mrs. Markliam Deare who had been nodding over her knitting when his voice startled her. She reached full wakefulness with an' irritating lack of speed.

I "You, Richard? I'was just going to bed. What is the matter ? Is anything wrong? You want Nell? Well, I'm sorry, my dear boy, but she went out about an hour ago. 1 thought it most foolish. She's not at all well. What did you say ? These phones do buzz so. I cap't hear. Oh, you want to know with whom she went ? Lion Lawes, to -be sure. They've been rehearsing, all the evening, and he took her out to havo supper in Soho. Well, I *did my best. I warned the dear, silly child not to go. Already people are beginning to talk. He conies here so often. lam vexed about it, and yet, yes, with you, Richard. Why, in the world don't you put your foot down ? She used to be very, very fond of him. What's that? Did you speak? What do you expect, going like a dear old simpleton for the week-end with • that old termagant father of yours, when you should have remained in town to look after Nell ? Now that she's not acting, sho finds the evenings dull, I expect. Well, if anything comes of her friendship with Lion Lawes, I mean, anything you don't like, you have yourself to blame."

Richard said very little to all this. He was.much too angry. Fury mounted and swept his brain in hot waves. " Please, don't tell your neice I rang up," he requested coldly. " Can I rely upon you, Mrs. Markham Deare?" " Well, really, it suits me very well not to have to own up that you inquired for her, and that I let the cat out of the bag. It is very far from my wish to tell tales, Richard, but I think you should know what is going on, for both your sakes. You'd better come round as soon as you can, and give Nell a sound rating. She won't listen to me. All you young people nowadays are so wilful, so headstrong. We have to thank the war for all that. When I was a young girl . . . Oh,- are they cutting us off ? I can't hear what you're saying!" " I only said good-night. Thank you very much for answering my ring." " Good night, Richard, and sleep on my advice, which is not to let the lamb out of your sight while the lion prowls." She tittered as though pleased with her frail little pun. Richard went .back tc his chair, unhappy and wroth." However, he had quite mado up his mind that Nell should not see him, nor hear from him, for several days. ,He would give her house a very wide berth. She should have as much leisure as she pleased in which to occupy herself with Lion Lawes. At the back of his mind a faint hope was / lodged. If he were sufficiently patient, and prepared to stand by, Nell might discover, before it was too late, the kind of shabby stuff of which her stage hero was fashioned. When, on that same unhappy evening, Nell returned from supping with the actor, she was almost as restless as Richard. She craved his presence, but had to still the craving, for, so far as she knew, he was with his father and sisters and she would not see him until Monday evening, at the earliest. She wondered whether he had heard the sorry tale that, proclaimed her the robbed orphan of Hugh Archer, arid, supposing-he had been told .it, shp wondered anxiously what he would do.

Mirelda, who could never bo induced to retire while her mistress was abroad, crept into the room as usual-with the favourite slippers and wine; but Nell had already had a glass -of champagne with Lawes opposite to heiy into her eyes. She had met many of her theatrical friends there, for the restaurant was a favourite resort among well-known artists. She had been coaxed to join forces, with people at another table, so she had really had but little of Lion's society. In i order to keep her own troubled thoughts from trooping across the threshold ol her mind, she had consented to go out with the actor, after their rehearsal, which was merely , for an unmounted duologue for a charity matinee patronised "by the Duchess of Yellowclay. Nell, who never stinted her services for the poor and distressed, had some months before promised Her Grace to recite at the matinee and find a male companion for the well-known scene in " Splintered Ice," At that time Lawes was still in South - Africa, but with his return, the duchess begged that he might perform his original role for her entertainment. Nell had agreed with alacrity, but later the date had escaped her mind. She was only reminded that the matinee lay hardly three weeks ahead when, on her return from Richard's home, she found Lion Lawes on her doorstep. This was the true explanation of what had driven Richard mad. Her Grace's matinee was to take place in " The Looking Glass " theatre, kindly lent by Adimore for-the auspicious occasion. Everyone in theatrical circles knew of the matinee. Old Mirelda ima'gined that Dick must know, when she. referred to the rehearsal, -that it was for a very special occasion, and not a preface to Nell's rotufn to the stage. When Nell settled wearily in her chair, the sleepy Persiai sprang from his curl on his cushion, and greeted his mistress with arched back and whimpers of satisfaction. At Nell's order Mirelda set a saucer of milk before him upon the hearth. She lay back in her winged chair, and Mirelda supplied her with a cigarette from the little, old, Venetian box of enamel and gold. Then, for •the third time, the servant was dismissed. Nell refused to go to her bedroom and ; have her hair let down and brushed.

" I am quite all right, dear Mirelda," she said gratefully, " and I wish you had gone to bed as" I bade you, before I ca?ne in. You miss all your beaty sleep, you darling thing, and I am being utterly spoilt." i The old woman chuckled a little, with an adoring gaze for Nell. " I guess I ain't out o' the common, wishin' to spoil you with kindness and 1076, Miss hell. There's all the world, ready to take my place.'' She went away reluctantly, keeping faith with poor angry Richard, of whose visit she dared say nothing at all. Nell's thoughts centred in the house on Streatham Hill. Would old Forrest really tell his proud, honourable son of his guilt, or had he been trying merely to bully her into the promise to give him up ? Quite in keeping with his character, such bullying! She congratulated herself on stealing out of the house, when the ij-ate Forrest descended the stairs in Marie's wake, to discover what detained Richard. She had flown on an instinct—an impulse which she still' thought had been wise. At the last moment, and in spite of her challenge to Forrest, she had known very suddenly that she could not stay there listening to the shameful disclosure, watching the gradual change in Dick's face, the humiliated colour stealing up and up under his skin, receding to leave it deadly pale. Probably by going she had frustrated Forrest's plan, and had postponed the revelation. Now she blamed herself severely for having permitted Forrest to learn of her knowledge of his guilt. "I am no fighter," she decided, with a look of rather mournful humour. " I don't know how to hold my weapons, nor how to use them even. It was quite apt

when that wicked old tyrant declared that he had stolen my gun. _ If only Dick will view this matter in its proper perspective, and realise, as I do, that for us to separate for long years, or for ever, because of a sum of money, is an outrage to our love. I have nothing to f.ear; but if he doesn't—if I fail to persuade him and coax him, then—then—what shall Ido ? What will become of us both ? She saw difficulties all round her, and the necessity of stratagem with Richard, but she knew herself for a poor strategist, and a feeble enemy. She was unwilling that Richard should break for good with his father. He could ill-afford to do so. and, provided he were still ignorant of the Hugh Archer episode, she resolved to make no complaint of the treatment she had received from' Forrest's hands. Should Richard chance to learn that she had been in the house that evening, and had departed with so curious an abruptness, she would lay Simply that his father had raised fresh objections to their marriage, which indeed, was perfectly true. She sat, caressing the cat, which had crept into her lap to rest. She thought of Miss Niel, and saw her strange face, but rather hazily, in the smoke of her cigarette. It- realty seemed as though several persons were moving together as by mutual compact to destroy her peace of inind, and separate her from her lover.

There was old Adimore, with his need; Forrest, with his prejudice and sin; Lion, with his genius; Margaret Niel with her \nelancholy complaint. Why had Richard never said a word of this fleeting fancy of his, which had terminated at the end of si.y months ? If only he had told her. She finished her cigarette, crushed the stub in an ashtray, put down the cat, and accompanied by her pet, who slept in a basket at the foot of her bed, she extinguished the lights and went into her room.

Therein, slipping free of soft, silken garment, she heard the London clocks strike one. Various tinkling sounds from different parts of her house repeated the hour more musically. She let down her beautiful hair, and stared at herself without vanity or interest in the glass. On a rush impulse, and when her blood was up,-she had gone into the diamond merchant's .office, declaring that she would give evidence against him unless he consented to her marriage with his son. Had she but reflected! Now, ironically, 4 she saw herself with the edged sword with which she had intended to defend herself from Forrest, turned against her own breast, and now it was

she who feared the revelation of the guilty secret. She had gone down on her knees, imploring the sinner to refrain from the very confession which she had previously demanded. ' 44 How weak we women are. Tears filled her eyes. " I was never trained to be anybody's lasting enemy. I would sooner love everyone."

CHAPTER XVII. Full of hope, Nell knelt to her prayers in a stream ot silver light, and the moon provided' a praying mat for her white*, robed form and little feet; She slept soundly, until in the bright sunny morning, Mirelda brought in her letters and early 'tea. She sought Richard's handwriting, eagerly, but there was nothing from him among her budget. She had her bath, and dressed and went to her breakfast downstairs. Mrs. Markham Deare had her first meal in bed. Nell went straight to the telephone. It was nearly ten o'clock, and Richard's custom was to reach the Hatton Garden office a little after nine. After a brief waiting she heard his voice. No one but a woman in love would have found in it anything amiss, but to Nell it lacked the warm sweetness and tenderness that tells of .endless devotion. It was like a flower, without scent. " I wish you could find time to come along for a short while, Dickie," she said, making no comment on the chill and empty voice. " I know you are busy, and I suppose it is too much to expect you to take lunch with us in office hours, but I want to see you rather urgently." " I'm awfully sorry," he returned, " but it is really quite out of the question. I've more appointments, than I know how to get through." "That* is unfortunate, Dickie," she said, rather coldly. " However busy you are, you've got to have lunch. Where can I meet you, and at what time? You can take me to some restaurant quite close to the .office."

"I shan't have it out to-day, Nell; I've ordered a tray to be brought up to my room."

" Sandwiches and things ? May I not come over and share them, Dickie? " "I am afraid dad would object!"

" Then you know that he has turned against ns, dear?" she queried, and her voice shook and became discouraged. There was a pause at Dick's end of the instrument. Then he said in a way that froze her.

" He believes he is acting for the best, no doubt. He thinks it most unlikely we will be happy together." His speech sounded as though he were inclined to agree with his sire. Nell fell into a panic. " But you must find time to run over and see me. You must, Richard. I insist! It—it is more necessary that you should keep an appointment with me than all your other t appointments. You will go out to Streatham Hill, about six this evening, I suppose, and, and, I can't wait until Monday." " I am not going home for a long time., Nell!"

So he knew, he knew everything, and he was going to let his father's roguery come between them and destroy them! He had parted from his parent on the preceding evening, Avild with anger and shame. He had refused to enter the house again. He was in the office merely so as to wind -up his affairs. She suddenly remembered that to-day was Saturday. Usually on Saturdays Richard left the office about 2.30, and spent the afternoon with her in a punt on the river, in golfing or driving If he intended to leave Hatton Garden for ever, it was quite reasonable to suppose that all this time would be taken up there until the evening. Was he going to put her to the agony of a long endless waiting without a word of explanation ? She cried out to him in accents sharpened by pain and dread! " You must see me to-night. Don't refuse me, Dickie, don't hedge. I shan't take no for an answer! "

His curt reply was like the cut of a whip. " What has happened, what has upset you ? " " 1 will tell you when you arrive. Will you dine with us ? " " It is quite out of the question," he excused himself decidely and coldly. " How very strange that I should have to coax you to come and see me, Dickie ?" He made no reply. " Unless you come round at eight. I shall expect you at eight, or—or come round to your flat! " " Don't do that," he said sharply. " Very well, I shall turn up at eight." " Aunt will be at her club; we shall be by ourselves."

Eight," he agreed stonily. He went away without ringing her the usual kiss. "He knows, he knows!" cried Nell, pacing the floor. " And lam to pay the

price of his father s guilt and Dick's false shame ? I—l who love him so well! He is angry that I never told him, when we first met, that my real name is Archer. How could. I tell him ? How dared I after what liis father had done ? " He, should marry her, in spite of the wretched money stolen so basely from her father, by his father. She would cling to him. refuse to let him go. He was hers, completely, utterly hers! What a long, long day of suspense and fear and agitation! An endless day of bright sunshine through which Nell's ffowers sparkled with a kind of childmerriment, breaking into gentle motion, cutting capricious, delicate capers in sthe light, soft wind. A perfect-seeming day, but with this bitter hurt lodged at its heart. One might find lovely fruit like that, with a maggot at its core. The sweet peas in the central bed disported themselves like little girls in sunbonnets of mauve, and cream, and gold and flame. Eyery rose looked cool and sweet and satisfied. Matronly Williams stocK and hollyhock vied with the wallflower, and pansy and larkspur. There was music everywhere save in the heart of Nell of Islington. She would not go out into the town, the pendulum of her mind was too shaken. She had no wish to risk meeting anyone she knew. She cancelled an invitation to lunch on the telephone. She refused to see Lion Lawes, who rang her up, requesting an extra rehearsal for the very hour in which she expected Forrest.

Mrs. Markham Deare's concerned watch left her ill at ease, irritated. " What is the matter, my pet? " Noll shook her shoulders, turned with smiles of feigned content and surprise. "Why, nothing, Aunt Carrie!" " But, my dear, how restless you are!" " It's very hot! "

" The garden is cool, but I must say the streets are bakiug. In England we have no summer, only heat waves! " What a relief, when, in the early evening, the good lady went off in Nell's car to dine and play cards. In a state of tremulous excitement, Nell put on the frock which Richard liked more than all her others. She took much trouble with her lovely hair, but Mirelda was not allowed to witness or assist in her dressing. To the singing of her canary, Nell came into lifer drawing room. This room was to help her with Dick. She called to it, commandingly, to do so, for so fraught with- harmonious memories was it, for him and her, that it could not fail to send a compelling message to his heart. (To be continued on Saturday next.)