THE TANGLED WEB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE TANGLED WEB.

BY ELIZABETH YORK MILLER

CHAPTER VL It was well'for Meriel's peace of mind that some time was to elapse before it became clear to her what a tragic mistake she had made, Mrs. Begby and her daughter wore urn aware that anything extraordinary had happened. To them it appeared morely that the newly-weds had changed their plana about going abroad, for the honeymoon. . They were going to London instead. They departed together with their lnggago, and at the station Eric arranged for the taxi to take Meriel to itamsgato. s Their good-bye was almost formal. Ho kissod her, but it was quit© a tamo Deck on the cheek. "Be a good gin. Don't forget. And wait until you near from mo again." Then tho taxi slid' s away in to Cheriton Road, and tho man, who hatched it go, stood biting his lips for a moment, whether in sorrow or anger, it would be iinpossiblo to say, before he turned back to the station. Ho had loved and for the time being lost something that was'infinitely precious to him. For, however, one may como to judge Eric Saunders, the fact remains that lie was more in love with Meriol than with her father's monov, and in his own carious way ho proved itTho girl lay back in the cab and closed her eyes. Sho felt faint and' ill now that reaction had set in. Already tho shadow of her secret cast its gioom upon her soul. At first she had felt a relief so intense that sho could scarcely endure it, and now. . . this shadow. Eric hadn't seemed himself to-day. So different from in thoso twilight causeries over the tea-cups, when Angel often left them logothor while she scribbled letters, neglected until tho last moment, or held lengthy tolephono conversations. So different too, from tho Eric of the gay dance clubs and the spanning supper-parties. Meriel forced herself to recall that other Eric and how desperately in love with him she was. He was her husband. The taxi apod over tho great new road, that presently ran very Hat through wido stretches of corn-land, now in stubble, with the Isle of Tlianet, like a hazy mirago, in tho distance. And then it seemed no time before they had passed through the toll gates and reached the seaside town, breasting the hill where the big hotels spread themselves and on, along the esplanade, to tho smart residential section, whero sister Julia lived. Of courso, Julia was surprised to see Meriel, but not suspicious. Extraordinary, thought Meriel, how easy it was to deceivo people. _ She was so self-conscious herself that it seomed impossible no one noticed. It wasn't even necessary to use that story Eric had provided her with about getting carried off to Folkestone by mistake. Julia questioned nothing, but she was bubbling with curiosity in another direction. Tho whole family knew about Meriel's !ovo affair with a distinctly ineligible " man-abcut-town," and Julia was hungry for confidences. "Poor little Merry! But you'll got over it," she said cheerfully. _ " Believe me—you will. Now we'll just have time to run np to tho nursery and say 'hello, twins ' before tea, and then you must tell me all about it."

She would "get over it!" _ A littlo siiivor rau down. Mend's spino. _ She couldn't get over 'it; she was married to Eric. And in spite of all the conjuring of memory, where Angel's drawing room and the Brie-aßrac were concerned, it was tho Eric Saunders of to-day whose portrait had impressed itself on her mind, tho oldish-looking man of dissipated appearance, the man wfio .drank too much and whose ardent approaches had terrified her. • «. • « • •

Lifo at Julia's was pleasant, and each day removed a little further the fear of discovery. Meriel found the twins raoro interesting than they had been at the time of their christening, the girl-twin particularly, since she was its godmother. Ernest Bentley, her brother-in-law, was a thoroughly good sort, and they pos. sessed a host of pleasant friends. But these friends of Ernest's and Julia's—young married couples for the most part —were not tho sort of people who flocked to Lady Pelbury's parties. Angel would not have thought them worth bothering abont, and neither would Meriel a few weeks ago. They were keen on golf and tennis, the husbands were all in business, and the young wives were devoted to their homes and children.

Indeed, Aunt Angel would have voted them dull perhaps, some of them even a little dowdy, but their clean, wholesoino vigour, their sincerity and frankness, claimed Meriel's interest on the rebound. She began to see how false was the life she had found so exciting; how like dust and ashes in the mouth when its savour had evaporated. " Merry's been hit hard," said Julia to her husband ono evening in tho orivacy of their bedroom. " She isn't a bit like herself. I wonder if that Captain Sannders was so awful as Daddy seems to think ?" Ernest made a wry face.

" From all accounts I should say he was the limit. A jolly Rood job your dad knocked it on the head. I say, Julia, do you think we might ask Jim down for the week-end ?"

" Oh, I don't know. Isn't it a little too soon ? I nieun, Merry might not like it a bit."

Ernest grinned sheepishly. " I'm afraid I've put my foot in it, then, bocause I've already asked him .and lie's accepted. . I'll kcop him out on tho liuks oil dav if you like. Anyway I don't see why Jim Tremjett has to let Moriol interfere with his usual habits. You know ho always comes down to us for tho first week-end overy month." So Jim camo and it was not until ho wa3 almost due to arrive that Julia Bentley found courago to broak tho news to Meriel. To her relief, the girl took it indifferently. " But why not ? You needn't make any difference on mv account," she said " i'rn as fond of Jim as you are. It wouldn't do me any harm to brush up my golf either." " That's splendid," crushed Julia. " We'll make up a foursome, for Saturday morning." She just stopped herself in-time from culling it a family four some.

Yet when tlioy set out for the links, that sunny autumn morning, tho hope was it) Julia's heart that Model's youiifr fancy would turn opjain to her old sweetheart. * » • » * «

It had been n glorious day and o close match, with Jim and Mcriel winning by no moro than two up, und one to play. Then homo to hot baths, a little dinnor party, and afterwards dancing to tho gnimouhone and wireless. ■ Merie) wondered at herself. She was enjoying it all so thoroughly. Suddenly, just as she hud seen Eric Saunders with new eyes, so she began to sec Jim Tremlett. Perhaps it was due to thoughtful deliberation on hor part to discover for herself why she had not fallen in love with Jim instead of with Eric. Julia had asked ft few unmarried people to come in that evening, and thore was urn our them a young girl. who appeared to ho on very good terms with Jim. A little pang shot through Meriel'* heart as she watehed them dancing to nether. It couldn't bo. ;eal.ousy. No. on.—it was onlv that J'm was such n dear and onlv tho best was rood enough 'or him. Moriel found herself criticising • his girj, who was reallv finite charming, and wishing that Jim wouldn't dance with her so frequently.

It also piaued hrr that he showed no sign of beinif broken-hearted on his own account. Ho was mornly jolly and brotherly and hadn't betrayed the least symptom of wounded love. "Just as well—" thought Meriel. " I'm glad it's been so easy for him.' 1

A MOST DELIGHTFUL AND THRILLING SERIAL.

But was she gl;»u ? That night she forced herself to think of Eric, on the high seas, now, bound for Cape Ton p. In si * months, or itmight be less, ho would como back to claim her and thoy would b© mniTiou—— or remarried —with bells and bridesmaids. She sat up in bed, pressing her hands to her forehead. " What am I 8 01 ( n P do about it!" she cried softly. On, what a fool I was—what a fool ! Daddy was right when he called me that. ' It was nearly a month later, howover, before the full extent of her folly burst upon her liko a bombshell out of what was in one respect a clear sky. CHAPTER VH. Meriel stayed at Julia's until shortly before Christmas, a festival which was always celebratod by a gathering in the old liouso in Bloomsbury Square. John Raynes could not divide himself among all his family, so it was only right that they should 6ome to him. He was a great be liever, too, in pantomimes and visits to tho zoo, and these recreations were only to be had in towri. Tho children of his son and of his other married daughter, Cecilia, were old enough to share their grandfather's tastes, as did old Tom Tromlett. Meriel, too, had shared them until quite recently. And now, heaven bo thanked, Meriel was herself again. Sho and her father went together to Covent Garden, and bought tho giant Christmas tree and great clumps of holly and mistletoe. They paid a most amusing visit to a shop for tree trimmings and all the comic oddments they could fipd to stuff in the stockings.Merinl was a little thinner than she should be. and thero was something too clear and shining about her lovely face that caused John Raynes some misgiving, but on tho whole he assumed that Eric Saunders was of the past, where she was concerned, and well in tho way of being forgotten Never since tho days of infancy, when daddy had been a sort of god to her, had Meriel shown him such simple affection. It seemed to como from her heart, puro and wholly untainted by any hope of personal gain.

Aunt Angel's star appeared to bo waning, much to hor brother's secret joy. How wise it had been of him, thought John, to lot Meriel have her head to a certain extent. The girl had displayed high spirits to bo sure, but sho wasn't wild, as he had feared at one time. In short, sho had como to her senses, and, John decided, discovered for herself what things in lifo truly mattered and what did not.

But John Paynes' deductions were a little premature. Meriel was on tho way to such discovery, but she had not yet quite arrived. Her sweet manner toward him was born of remorse. By now she would havo given anything in her power to undo that brief, but, oh, so binding, ceremony, which had made her Eric Saunders' wife. Already he was becoming as a man in a dream to her, and the dream was not pleasant. Ho was leturning to claim her soino day. The months wero slipping away, and she did not doubt but that all too shortly ho would como back. Perhaps, she hoped it would bo so, that 6ho would find her. self in love with him all over again; but whenever she thought of it a little shiver ran over her. It. scarcely seemed possible.

On Christmas Evo they had the usual children's tea party, followed by presentgiving and games, but for Meriel this was not at all a happy occasion. Sister Julia, wise in the ways of her sex, had seen fit to invito tho girl to whom Jim Tremlett had seemed so attentive in Ramsgate. And now, with a terrible pang of self-revelation, Meriel was forced to acknowledge that sho could not hear to see this girl and Jim disporting themselves so enjoyably; that, in fact, she was bittcrlv jealous. Why? Sho could not have iTim herself. She didn't even want Jim, did sho? A choking sensation i-ame into her throat. Yes, she would be a dog in tho manger! Sho didn't want that other girl to havo him, anyway. Suddenly sho saw Jim just as he was, fino and splendid, young to match her own youth, the boy whoso.heart had been all hers ever since sho could remember. And was sho to lose it now ? He found her in tears in the old schoolroom, where they had all been so happy as children; the baby of the noisy pack, always looked after more tenderly by Jim than by tho others, and firmly protected from their teasing. " I say, what's the row ?" he demanded, when ho had tracked her down- " Anybody been beastly to you ?" There he stood, his hands in his pockets, his dark hair rumpled from the exciting contacts of blind-man's-buff, just as it might havo been in the days of childhood, which now,' alas, seemed so distant to Meriel.

" You have," she replied defiantly, rubbing her knuckles into her eyes. " Here, take my hanky. Your face is all smeary." " Thanks. I've got one of my own," Meriel snuffed.

" llow havo I been beastly to you ?" Jim asked.

Julia would havo noticed a little sinilo twitching at tho corner of his lips. 110 wasn't quite'such a boy as ho had seemed to Meriel in tho days of Eric's wooing, " You know,", sho said darkly. " Oil, but I don't."

" Yes, you • do, too. You've beeu flirting all the afternoon with that silly Grace Peabody. I saw you actually bug her when you caught her in that blindfolded game, and onco in musical chairs sho deliberately sat down on your lap when you got the last chair. It simply disgusted me." . , "Oh, did it!" explained Jim. "Well, it's a children's party and —"

" You aren't a child.' " I thought I was—from the way you talked a fow months ago." A quiver passed over Meriel's faou and Jim knew thai he had hurt her although ho was very far from guessing tho reason why, " I'm sorry, Merry. I've just beon waiting—hoping—believing that some day you'd come bapk to mo." He wont close to her put his arms around hor shoulders which suddenly began to heave with uncontrollable sobs. " Darling, you know I could uever love anybody (jut you. No mjitter what happened. Why, if you'd run off with that Saunders, I'd. havo just gone on waiting and believing that some day in some way you'd come back to mo, Thore's nothing you could ever do, Morry, to kill the love I. havo for you. It's—it's just a part of myself. That's why in my heart of hearts I'm so 6uro of you, Why, you're a part of myself. Don't you know it yet, Merry ?" She lifted her head and looked at him in an agony of bowildermont. " Jim—" she whispeved hoarsely, " I can't boar it. I daren't—oh, I don't know what to say!"

" Say you'll marry me. Come, let's spring a jolly surprise on them all. By jovc, can't you seo the old boys whooping it up when wo tell 'em tho hows' Givo me your hand, Merry." But Mnriel put both hands behind hor back. She was as pale as death and so cold that hor chattered. " No Jim —1 can't.V He starod at her in blank dismay. "Have I made a mistake 7 You really moan vou don't, you can't love mo?" " Give me a little time. Jim."

" That's a queer thing to sav. Jnst now I could have sworn you did caro. T never thought you were a flirt."

Tho fount slung a little colour into her palo cheeks.

" It doesn't matter what you think of me." she said miserably. " The worse you think I am/tlio better it will be for yon.'i

(COPYJUGBT.)

" You talk like a blooming idiot. ] wonder if you'll answer one straight ques tion ?"

V It depends what it is." "Well, then—do you still imagine yourself in love with ' Captain ' Saunders?" , , Meriel's flush deepened until it stained the whiteness of her throat. She did. not know how to answer, for to say that she was still in love with Eric would bo an untruth, and to say that 6ho was not would be disloyalty to the man who was her husband. Hor husband! What an extraordinary thing that she was a married woman—liko Cissie and Julia. Only nobody knew.' And a married woman had no business to bo talking like this with Jim Tremlett Sho had to get away, out of it somehow; sond .Tim back to that silly Peabody girl if only to stave off this menaco to her own conscience. " Can't you answer ?" he pleaded. " Perhaps I was wrong." " Perhaps, when I said that I felt you wero a part of mo, Merry, just as much as my own heart is, I took too much for granted. What 1 mean is, I do feel that way and I'll go on to the end of my days without changing, but I expect thero havo been cases of hopeless love. Only it seems to mo, thoy'ro unnatural. Morry, givo mo a chanco. I won't worry you, darling. I think I can bo patient a little longer—forever, if you say so." " Oh, Jim—Jim—You aro breaking my heart," sho cried. He gathered her in his arms and sho lay passive, hor head on his shoulder, her : eyes streaming with tears. " You blessed darling, you do love me! Why all this fuss over nothing ?" " It isn't over nothing," she " I gave Eric my promise. I said I would wait for him until ho came back." There, was something ominous in those words. Meriel was noted for a peculiar and sometimes stubborn sense of honour. In deceiving her father she had kept to the letter of her code if not strictly to the spirit. She bad broken no promise. She would nover do that. Jim Tremlett was a little awed by what sho had said and released her. He was also considerably puzzled. " What if Saunders doesn't como back ?" ho said. " It wouldn't make any difference." " How lbng do you expect to go on waiting for him?" " It might be -to the end of my days. I don't know." " I can't imagine anything more insane Do you hear from him ? When doos he expect to ' como back V " Not for several months yet. He had to go to Capo Town becauso of his uncle's dying. He canH come back until, he's settled up his affairs there. No, wo don't write. I can't explain fully to you, Jim, but there was u very strong, a very solomn pledge between us." I see," Jim said thoughtfully. The truth was ho didn't see at all, but ho was trying very hard to control tho blaze of fury he felt towards Eric Saunders. That old protective instinct for Meriel which had caused Jim to waco war with her brother and sisters in tho schoolroom days when they tried to tease her, was up in arms now against this villainous interloper who had dared to trifle with her young affections. " I think wo ought to go downstairs," Meriel ventured.

" Yes, I suppose wc ought," Jim repiled. His quietness hurt her. " You're not angry with me, Jim ?" " T don't know whether I am or not," he replied with a rueful laugh. " I'll tell you later when I've had more time to think it over." CHAPTER VHI. Had any girl ever got herself into such a tragic position bofore! Human nature being what it is, Meriel found it impossible to conceal from her own heart the nature of tho mistake sho had made; but worse than that, sho could not conceal from Jim nor from the searching eyes of her father that she was, in love with Jim. Whenever Jim spent a week-end at Kamßgate thero was sure to. follow a cheerful gossipy latter from Julia in which tho hated name of Grace Peabody was mentioned. ■' Meriel declined the invitations offered by Julia. It was too much agony to be under the same roof with Jim and try to hide her jealousy of tho Peabody girl. Dark days, indeed; and tho dark months, too. January and February passed. March brought rain and cold winds, but it also brought crocuses and the first daffodils. Tho baro_ branches of tho trees were swelling, and in tho woods wero catkins. John Raynes bought his, unhappy little daughter a beautiful two-seater car, and made himself her companion for country jaunts. He wished ho knew what was bothering her, and Meriel was well aware of his solicitude. If only sho could tell him, confess everything, but sho had promised Eric to keep silent. Tha calender stretched out and as spring ad vanced it seemed certain as each day dawned that sho would hear from Eric. Tho telephone sent her into a panic every time it rang. The sight of a messenger boy strolling through tho square, turned her deathly pale. Sho had lost all appetite and was painfully thin. But as it'eamo summer, again and thero was no sign from Eric, a faint hopo grew in Meriel's hart. Y r et how could sho cherish it?

" Yes, daddy, I just think I'm going to settle down and be an old maid," ehe said with a brave smile when John, with assumed playfulness twitted her. "Wo can't all leave you in your old age. Somebody must stay at home to look after you, and there's only mo left. It's my job." " Thank you. I'm quite well able to look after myself," her father protested. " Old age, indeed! I never heard anything so absurd."

Bui jt was impossible to probe Meriel's reticence.

John Raynes in desperation went to Jim, and that interview had a most momentous result as regarded Meriel's future.

Tho Trcmlctts, fntlier and 6on, lived more smartly if loss commodiously than tho Roynesfis m one of those splendid block of service flats. Each had his own sit-ting-room although their suites connected, and John Raynes took some trouble to enbure that Jim and ho should be strictly ulono. Old Tom Tromlett, by this time labouring under the pleasant delusion that the young people were botrothed, must not be worried by a consultation over tho fact that they were not. " It's this way—" snid Jim, when John explained tho reason for his seoret visit—- " I fee) 6ure that Merry does care for me. Somehow a follow knows how a girl feels without being told. But that confounded Saunders has got some hold on her conscience. Sh«* promised to wait for him." John Raynes pulled at his pipe till the sparks flew. " If over I can lay hands on that cad I'll wring his neck for him." he said furiously. " My iden is.' Jim went on, " that Merry vvi\nt.s to be able to say she's kept, her promise. That's all it amounts to. What she doesn't 'seem to realise is that there isn't the loast likelihood of his ovor showing his-face in England again, tie ran away bocausp he was frightened Ho didn't like your digging up gossip about him. l'hore was probably a lot that hadn't been- discovered and ho hollod for fear it would be (Setting Merry to give him that promise was a subtle form of revenge on you and mo. He's just left her high and dry, and hor faith would be touching if it were in a better cause." " I never thought of Merry being afflicted with more conceit than the average girl," said John, " yet it looks as though sb® were. Why, the man hnsn'fc even

written to her. She aoesn't i-eally know where he is." " Perhaps—" Jim said slowly, " lie's dead. From the look of him I'd say he'd be likely to drink himself into the grave in less time than "this." A queer, secretive expression came into John Kaynes's eyes and ho threw the sidewise glance of a conspirator. v " Couldn't we kill him? he asked softly. ■ ' ■ „■ . , Jim started. This worry over Meriel was sending poor Johnny off his head. " Well, sir, I hardly think—" "As easy as easy," purred Meriels father. " Good heavens, why didn't it occur to mo before. Once baunders is dead, Merry doesn't have to bother about her stupid promises any more. It would bo an act oi simple mercy* Yes, J im j you and I must kill Eric and I'll start the good work to-morrow." " Well, sir, I shouldn't be at all sorry to hear that ho was dead in the ordinary way, but—" .... " And you shall hoar it, Jim, I promise you that you'll hear it to-morrow. " Going to murder him by wireless. Jim asked, still considerably alarmed but thinking it best to Jiumour this .gentle lunatic. . , _ John wagged an impressive forefinger at him. " To-morrow the Atalanta docks, doesn't she ?" . Quite well aware of this, the Atalanta being one of the .Rnynes and Tremlett Lino s cargo steamers in the South African service, and his duty it was to be on hand representing the owners when she hove into Tilbury Docks, ... , " Captain Pears is among my eldest and most trusted friends," Johnny Raynes went on. " What more natural than that I should get him to do a little favour for mo?" . , , .. " Such as—murder?" queried the mystified Jim. , « Well—yes. You see it would work ont something like this: I'd have got Pears to do a little scouting for me in Cape Town. You'll remember tho Atalanta was thrown out of her schedule by that trouble with the dockers. Pears i had ton days to loaf about in. That I ought to have given him plenty of time to look up this person, Saunders, and discover that 'he fellow had died. " Oh!" exclaimed Jim with enthusiasm and relief. " That's not so bad. " I think it's jolly good," said John, rubbing his hands together gleefully. " Hut wo mustn't let him dio a martyr s death. That would never do- Something quite unheroic What about measles ? Jim chuckled " 1 second the motion, he said. " Carried! There remain only a few details to work out. I'll ask Pears to dine with me to-morrow and you ro invited, too. Wo" 11 leave your father out of it, because he's inclined to be garrulous and might turn it up, as a joke some day, which wouldn't do at all. 111 have a word in private with Pears and get him to givo mo a sort of written report on how he traced it, and all that. A bit of ' documentary evidence ' will do no harm. Merry will understand that I made tho inquiries because I was worricdabout her. There's logic enought in that." There did not seem to bo many Haws in this benevolent plan, beyond the fact that it must of necessity be pure invention. Jim was on the point of suggesting that perhaps it would be better to get Captain Pears actually to do some scouting when ho reached Cape Town again, and hope for tho best—that's to say, for tho worst —as regarded EJrir Saunders. But what a lot of delay that would mean. Also, tho report might not be at all satisfactory to those conspirators who wanted Merid s happiness to fit in' with their own. John 8 idea was really noble and daring and worthy of his sea-fearing ancestors. You must bo a bold buccaneer when it comes to handling destiny. John looked at his watch. It wasn' 1 nearly ten o clock yet he had rushed away directly after dinner, leaving- Meriel alono, pretending that she was settling down to a novel. He know that she would be sitting thero in the big drawing-room with tbe book on P and her mournful, musing gaze fixed on the infinite. T . „ . ~ 41 Gome back with me, Jim, he said. " Merry will be glad to see you, although sho'll try to hide it. The childa puzzle if ever there was one," Jim did not need persuading, and twenty minutes later he was with Meriel. The sight of her pale fragility smote him to tho heart. Every time ho saw her now, oven although but a few days might have intervened, it seemed to him that she had grown more ethereal until snrelv it would not be long before a breath could blow her away. Any qualms he may have felt for John's daring scheme fledl before this sad-eyed wraith of the beautiful girl he loved. He Bat beside hor and took her little hands in his, holding them tenderly in his warm clasp. ' "Darling, I wonder if yon Know how unhappy you're making me?" he said. " I think if you did know you'd have a little pity on us both." Meriel'* lips quivered, but it seemed as though she could not speak. "Do you rerocmbor Christmas Evo when I found you in tho school-room and asked you if you'd answei a straight question ? 1 She nodded. " Yes—l remember, she whispered " I asked you if you still cared for that man and you didn't really answer. But now I'm going to ask you something else. Am I wrong in thinking you care for me ? I Bftid I'd be patient and wouldn't worry you, but that was months ago. I have been patient. Now will you say, dear, whether or not you care for me ? Because if vou do, I cai go on being patient. There was a. wild, trapped expression in tho girl's eyet, 11 she told the truth and admitted thai she did love him with everv fibre of her whole being, what could such a confession lead to but the most cruel unhappiness ? Yet they were unhappy now—both of them. *< Dear—" ho urged, " if Saunders came back —" . " Don'L —don't!" she cried, J»o, no, 1 could nover go to him. You wouldn't let him take me, Jim ? Swear you wouldn't I don't have to go to him, do I—whatever ho says? I mean, I promised to wait, but I can't give him myself, can I. when I—l almost bate him." Jim was shaken tc the depths. Ho took her into his arms and held her close. She hadn't answered bis question in so many words, but nevertheless sho had answered it. He had been right. She did love him, and this other man was simply an obsession who by some diabolical means had taken possession of her brain and destroyed its balance. The sooner Eric Baunders died of measles, the better for everybody. But, of course, he was " dead " now! By to-morrow this time they'd know all l about it. In tho circumstances it might havo seemed surprising to Meriel that /Jim Tremlett did not press her further; that ho did not- again beg her to name their wedding day. For. surely, sho had botrayed hersolf to tho uttermost, Lady Pelbnry had eont out invitations to one of her more dignified dinner-parties, a concession to her husband's business interosts and at tho last moment an important woman guest had failed her. To fill in tho gap sho rang up her nieco and Meriel responded It would be helping out Angel, for whom she had great affection, and perhaps the change from tho quiet life she had boon leading of lato would do something to ease tho great load of worry she waß bearing. " Come early," said Lady Polbuvy over the telephone, " because I want to havo a little clmt with you bofore the others arrive." ~ M.eriol's heart stirred uneasily. Angel was about her only link in London with Brie. Sho. wondered, . . . "la it any-

thing particular?" . , " Not so very—only I haven't seen you for such qgos, Merry. Somebody told me the other day that you were gotting horribly thin." Mori el smiled Aunt Angel herself was far from being a sylph, but wouldn't she have lmted being pitied for her fatness! " Oh, r'm all right," Meriel replied cheerfully. "It's this hot weather, I suppose." . It would bo quite an event dressing for so special an occasion, lately it had seemed to Meriel that hor social lifo in Aunt Angel's sense was a thing of the past. Only twenty-two, and tho lighter sidu of life well behind. (To bo continued on Saturday