HER WILD OATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20743, 10 December 1930, Page 22

HER WILD OATS.

A SERIAL BRIMFUL OF PATHOS AND HUMAN LOVE.

SYNOPSIS. Viola Blake, who nets as confidential secretary to Robert Furnival, is alone in the world. She has to earn her own livelihood. In conversation with her, Furnival mentions the Bolivar concession, which he lias to deal with. Sho tells him she is keen to seo tho concession signed and in his hands. A man named Corven is discussed between them. Viola acknowledges her distrust of him, and tells her employer how Corven had ruined her father. Corven, however, is on old man, and haß a son, whom they discuss. That evening she is duo to dine at the home of her employer, who had been an old friend of her father's. Following dinner, Furnival takes her and his sister to the Savoy Hotel to watch the dancing. Following this Furnival insists that she join them at supper at his home. Boforo sho leaves the house that night he presents her with a cheque for £SOO, as ho feels Bhe has earned the money, and tells her to go off on a holiday to the South of France. While breakfasting next morning a telegram is handed her from Furnival, instructing her to ring him up before leaving, but, on ringing, sho is unable to get in touch with him. Viola, departs on her holiday, having chosen to travel to Paris by the Southampton-Havre route. Her companion at table is a quietmannered man, whose voice appeals to her. They get into conversation and she learns he travels a great deal, " hunting for concessions," as he puts it. He introduces himsolf as Richard Corven. A little later she sends a cablegram to her employer, asking for "power of attorney to act on your behalf re concession to be Bent poste restante, San Kemo. Writing fully." Now, Viola's fellowtraveller is the son of Corven, the man who had ruined her father. In a provious interview with his father, Richard Corven had angry words. Corven, senior, discussed Richard Furnival, explaining the rivalry between them in connection with tho Bolivar concession. Ho stated ,ho was determined to obtain the concession, and as ho (Richard), has a charm _ of manner that carries weight ho is anxious he should go to South of France and try to obtain the prize. Thus it is Richard and Viola meet on tho boat, each on the same mission. They become good friends, and accompany each other oil a visit ashore at a port they reach. In course of conversation ehe broaches tho subject of the concession, and learns if lie (Richard), is successful in obtaining it, it will mean a lot of money for his father. Violn realises, too, that sho is in lovo with Richard, but determines to win tho concession for Furnival.

Viola therefore despatches to Furnival a cable, followed by a letter, in which she states tho caso, adding she is now ready for n " battle of wits." At dinner that evening she wears a lovely frock, and makes herself entirely fascinating to Corven, Junr., and the latter responds by paying her great attention. They dance later, and Viola grows more enchanted with her companion. During an interval, Corven, at her request, discjsses his father. He confides to her his father's present straightoiled financial circumstances., and says that it is of great importance that his father obtain the concession. He admits he thinks his father will be successful. Viola asks if there is another interested party in tho field for the concession, and Corven says he believes thero is a man named Furnival against them. CHAPTER lll.—Continued. As Viola slowly undressed, sho was again conscious of a feeling of shame arising from the deception that sho was practising. Dick had been so open with her, and ho was displaying a simple faith in her honesty that hurt her. It was not too late to break off their intimacy and to catch tho first possible train for the South of Italy and Senor Valdez. Sho might even throw off all disguise and declare herself to bo Robert Furnival's representative in the fight for tho concession. That would be tho honest and straightforward course. When sho fell asleep, she had practically made up her mind to do this, but when morning came she was not so convinced of its necessity. In Mark Corven she had to fight a man who was utterly devoid of scruple. Then why should sho throw away an advantage that fate had placed in her path ? " Just because his son is a good-look-ing, pleasant young man," sho told herself scoffingly. Her mail was brought to her with the cafe complet, and she tore open a letter from Furnival. I have decided to give you the authority for which you ask. , I hesitated for a while, but I have complete confidence in your discretion. I am wondering what sort of man young Corven is. Ido not like the possibility of your becoming intimate with him. Being the son' of his father, I suspect that there must bo a bad streak, however successfully it may be concealed. I beg of you to be on your guard, and to keep him at arm's length. I have spoken to my sister, and she will gladly join you should you be in need ,of the presence of •. another woman. " What a priceless old darling," Viola broke off smilingly. Tho letter wound up with an intimation that the power of attorney would be posted tho next day, and that Valdez was staying at the Mont Prospect Hotel. There was a postscript to tho effect that it was Mrs. Valdez who had written, and sho had explained that as her husband was suffering from an attack of fever, he would not be able to attend to any business for at least a week. When Viola entered the lounge, Corven was awaiting her, and his face lighted up when he saw her. They decided to have dejeuner in the hotel, and she suspected, immediately that something had happened. "What's the matter?" she asked, without hesitation. " The dago is sick, and father wants mo to go back to London. I want to stay here,'' ho announced. " I think you should do what your father wishes." " I know that, but I don't feel that I can leave you." " Nonsense. Wo shall meet later at San Rcmo. I've had a letter from a friend who recommends the Hotel Mont prospect and you will find mo there—if you want to see mo again." "Tho Mont Prospect—that's where my blighter is staying. But won't you stay in Paris, and I can pick you up as I am on tho way?" " I shan't make any promise. If I'm not here, you will know I've gone on." " Do stay for me," he pleaded. I will not promise. I intend to bo absolutely free to do as I wish. I've been a slave to lime for so long." " At any rate we shall meet at San Rcmo." " Without doubt, if you go there," she answered smilingly. " I suppose I must bo content with that. I shall catch tho afternoon boattrain. No, I won't. I'll fly. That will give me an hour or two more with you." ITis eyes were fixed on hers, and she shivered as sho read tho expression in them. Did she really wish him to fall in love with her ? If so, it seemed highly probable that her wish would be granted. But Furnival's advice was good—to keep him at arm's length. She had heard it said that a lover is made all the keener if ho is not given too much encouragement. " It's a pity you have to go —but I dare say I shall manage to survive it," sho remarked lightly. " I was hoping that you would bo horribly disappointed," ho answered with reproach. " Surely you don't wish me to wear my heart on my sleeve. You must romember that wo'vq only known each other for a few hours." " Can I do anything for you while I'm in town ?" " Nothing at all. I've only just come from there." " Women have tho habit of forgetting things, and—" " Not this woman. Well. I suppose I had better get. along, and finish my shopping. Good-bye, Mr: Corven. Thank yon so much for your kindness," Viola said graciously. "You're not going to leavo me?" he cried with reproach. " You ought to answer your father's call at.the earliest, possible..moment. I will not allow you to make the excuse my company tempted you to remain longer ,thau you should."

(COPYrttGHT.)

By PAUL TRENT. Author of "The Craven Mystery," "Baxter's Son," "The Vow," etc.

" Very well, Miss Blake. But before you go, tell ino if I've done anything to offend you. I thought wo were getting on so well together, but you seem to have changed in an instant. I've discovered that your opinion of me means a very great deal. Please take seriously what I'm saying. I would rather stand well with you than with anyone in the world, he said with a gravity that was lmpresYou have a very facile tongue. Perhaps you make a habit of saying that to every girl you meet," she cried derisively. " You know that's not true. You know that I've never been a chaser of women. " I was a little unkind. Good-bye, Mr. Cor veil." , 111 " Please say you will bo glad to seo mo again." , . " All right. I shall be glad. Good-bye again," she cried, and waving her hand to liirn, went away. , , First she returned to her bedroom, whore she sat down nnd wrote to lurmval, relating what had happened., If tho power of attorney reaches me tomorrow, I shall catch tho night oxpresß fo the Riviera. I shall not stop at Nice but ahnll sM straight on to San Remo, for I feel that it will be the better course to get in touch with Valdez at tho earliest possible moment. You ask me about young Oorven and warn mo to be on my fe»uai with him You need not worry yourself unduly so fnr as he is concerned. In many wnyß I am impressed very favourably. He strikes me as being a clean young man. By that 1 do not infer that lie bathes adequately but he is the sort that, one would. trust with an innocent young, eirl and that sort of thin" I am hoping that Valdez. is as equally decent, for J am determined to make an impression on him. T Please don't worry about mo Believe, I can take care of myself, and I am keenly looking forward to tho fun I can see ahead. Thanks for the offer to send your sister to join me. However, I feel sure I shall be ablo to manage alone without getting into too big a mess. Sho smiled confidently to herself as slio attached her signature to tho letter, and tho smllo was still there when she reached the lounge, to find that Corvcn was standing there, hat in hand. " I'm just off to lo Bourget. lin Hying across. Sure you will be glad to see mo again ?" ho asked, and there was such a look of wistful appeal in his eyes that sho weakened. Honest. I shall. Come back as soon as you can." . , „ . "Promise to wait for mo here, ne Even in an hour I don't change my mind. Good-bye." Viola thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon, which she spent m choosing those dainty things that aro dear to a woman's heart. It was so long since she had felt justified in going to tho expense of sheer silk that the touch of the delicato garments gave her a delightful thrill. What should she do with herself that night? It would bo a comedown to dine in the hotel after the experience of tho previous evening. A feeling of recklessness overcame her, and she telephoned to the same restaurant to engage tho same table. However, she was conscious of great nervousness when sho entered the glittering place, but tho smiling maitro d'hotel placed her at lier ease. There were other women alone, but Viola was not quite sure that sho liked tho look of them. Her order was given with composure, and the head waiter was very attentive. "Madame is alone to-night?" ho remarked. " Unfortunately, yes. My friend was called back to London," she explained. " If Madame would care to dance, there aro professional partners, whom I can thoroughly recommend," he continued. Viola had heard of these young men, who earn their living by supplying the place of a ifian, when a woman wishes to dance, but she had never set eyes on one of the species. "■Where are they T" she asked casually. " There are two, seated on tho far tablo on tho left of Madame. They are both excellent dancers." " Later on you may bring one of them to me. But you will kindly pay the feo and place it on my bill," she said, with an impulse that she regretted im-1 mediately. ,' •] However, she found that .the youth with the dark eyes suggestive of cosmetique, and tho marked waist, treated her with marked respect, and was an excellent dancer. After tho dance was over, lie bowed and left her, but for the short timo'he remained she was conscious of his eyes being turned in the direction of her table, until ho was engaged by a fat elderly dowager, who ponderously circled round tho floor, with a beaming smile on her face. " A pathetic mode of earning one's living," was Viola's thought, as she drove back to the Crillon. CHAPTER IV. Pedro Valdez had married an English wifo, of whom lie was inordinately proud, and to whom he deferred in most matters. He was a man of some fifty-five years of age, who had risen by sheer ability, so that ho had become the confidential adviser of the President of the South American republic. It was annoying to bo stricken down by illness immediately after'his arrival in Europe, and it was only natural that he should bo irritated by his confinement to their suite at Hotel Mont Prospect. Mrs. Valdez had been an assiduous nurse, but it was with a feeling of relief that she saw him settled in a chair on the balcony, for he was now convalescent.

" My dear, you havo been so good. Your cheeks are quite pale. You need fresh air and amusement. I shall be all right alone. You will leave mo ?" ho suggested, with a kindly smile. You're quite sure you won't bo bored, Peter ? I met a charming young girl last night. She has asked me to go for a walk with her."

" Go by all means, dearest." " I was wondering if I might ask her to luncheon. She is very pretty, and you do like to talk to a pretty woman." " That was one of tho reasons I married

you." " Thank you, darling. I'm so glad you've never forgotten to say nice things. No Englishman could have imagined that remark. At least, if he had imagined it, he would have lacked tho courage to put it into words," she said laughingly. A well-preserved woman of about forty years of age, sho was still very attractive, and possessed a keen sense of humour, that helped her to tolerate some of the ways, and manners, of her adopted country. It was many years since she had been home to England, and she was hoping that this business trip would result in a visit to the old country.

" Bring your pretty friend back with you," lio said indulgently, as she came to tho balcony to give him a farewell kiss.

Mrs. Vnldcz nodded brightly, and hurried away to keep the appointment with the Englishwoman. It was Viola Blake who was awaiting her, for she had lost no time in pursuing her plans, having arrived the previous morning. Inquiries from a garrulous maid had given her all the information she needed, and it had not been difficult to arrange an " accidental " meeting with Mrs. Valdez, who had appeared in tho lounge after dinner. Their talk had begun quite naturally, and had ended in tho suggested meeting for tho morrow. (To bo continued daily.)