HER WILD OATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 18

HER WILD OATS.

By PAUL TRENT. Author of "Tho Craven Mystery," " Baxter'# Son," "Tho Vow,' 3 etc.

CHAPTER XVin,

There was the sound of music, for a tea dansant was being held, and they sal down to watch. " Wouldu't it bo fun to dine hero tonight. This looks a cheerful place. Please engage a table," she suggested, and hor eyes wore alight with mischief. Dick hesitated and then began to laugh quietly. " Very well. I promised to back you up, and I will keep my word," he said, and she smiled her approval. " Well, I'm blessed," ejaculated Carstairs, when he saw Dick and Inez disappear from the hotel."

" Mr. Corvcn seems to have recovered vory quickly from his mental indisposition," Viola remarked dryly. " Shall wo join them ?" "No, thank you."

" I don't understand what she can see in Corven. lie can be a beast when he wishes." " Some women like tho beast in a man," she remarked joeringly, but it was at herself that she jeered. "I'm sorry 1 brought Dick with me. I could easiJy have como alone. i suppose I imagined ho would occupy himsolf with you. And I presumed you had the same idea. It seems that wo have been fooled. Well, wo must make tho best of it. We won't let them see that we're disturbed in any way." "S9 you do possess some pride. I feel that I've none left. It seems incredible that I can bo plotting to meet a man and to find favour with him, when he has shown that he despises me, Frank, I've ceased to know myself." " I've askod for my punishment. Women have always spoilt me, and I thought I could do anything with them. You were my first real disillusionment. And now comes Inez. She makes me feel like a worm. I suppose I have been too susceptible, but with her it's the real thing," he said with a sigh. " You thought tho same when I was the object of your adoration," sho mockod him.

" No. I deceived myself. Tho feeling I have for Inez is quite different. Before, I always thought of my own happiness but now I'm thinking of hers. If I really believed that Dick was the right man for her, I would retire immediately," he said earnestly, and was thoroughly honest in making the statement.

•" Then you don't think ho's the right man for her ?" " Do you ?" " I'm wondering if she's the right woman for him. Hero comes Miss Furnival. Perhaps it's just as well. I suspect we wero getting out of our depth." Furnival followed his sister, and he gavo Carstairs a friendly nod, for ho was glad to see him with Viola. " Where's Inez ?" asked Miss Furnival. " Uono for a walk with Mr. Corven," answered Viola.

Furnival frowned and glanced at his sister.

"My dear, don't forget that Mrs. Valdez has left tho child in your charge. I'm not sure that I approve of her being out alone with young Corven." Whereat Viola began to laugh. •• Do you fear ho will run away with her ? She's as safe with him as she would be with you, Uncle Robert," she cried.

You always defend the man. I'd no idea he was going to bo in Brighton, or 1 shouldn't havo come. By tho bvo, have you received that cheque yet?" Furnival asked bluntly. " Yes. It was sent to the office yesterday, but I haven't paid it into the bank. Mr. Carstairs, I have meant to discuss it with you. The cheque was made out for far too large an amount. I shall accept only the amount I paid, with interest at the bank rate," sho announced with decision.

" My partner will have something to say about that, unless I'm greatly mistaken," said Frank. " And so shall I," exploded Furnival. "It was a business transaction, from which you might easily have made a heavy loss. You aro entitled to the profits, and you must take them." " Uncle, we've como down hero for a rest from business and a holiday. I suggest we postpone the discussion until wo aro back at the office," sho said goodhumouredly. Further discussion was stopped by tho return of Dick and Inez," who camo across and joined the others. Furnival gave Dick a curt nod and then ignored him. " I'm going upstairs," Corven cried to Frank, and then walked slowly away. Inez sat besido Viola, and was careful to avoid Frank's eyes, which wero fixed eagerly on her. " How many will there be for dinner to-night?" asked Furnival of Viola.

" I don't know of any others, except the four of us," sho answered lightly. Sorry, but I've made other arrangements. Mr. Corven has asked mo to dine with him at the Metropole. Ido hope you won't mind," Inez said appealingly to Miss Furnival.

" In these days girls seem to do as they wish without consulting their elders. I know I'm in the minority, but I don t approve of boys and girls going out together without any chaperono," Miss Furnival said, with unusual severity.

" Why should'nt wo all go to the Metropole. It's tho liveliest spot in Brighton. What do you say, sir," rank asked, turning to Furnival. I lie table wo havo engaged will only do for two, with any comfort," Inez said demurely, and now sho shot a spiteful look at Frank.

" Of course, if wo'ro not wanted—" the latter said huffily.

" I've heard rumours of two being company, a;.d—still, I realise I've been selfish. Mr. Carstairs, will you run and explain things to Mr. Corven. I'm sure ho will telophono and alter the arrangements. After all, I should like a dance or two to-night, and tho poor dear can't with his broken arm," Inez said with a sigh.

1 m not sure I want to join vou," Frank said gruffly. " What's all this nonsense. I will telophono and engago a table, and the whole lot of you will dine with mo. Will ,vou kindly explain that to your friend ? If 110 doesn't like it, ho can stay away," Furnival remarked dryly. 1' rank walked away and wont up to their sitting-room, where Dick was restling, and tho two men regarded ono another with an unusual feeling of embarrassment.

" I'll ring and order cocktails," said Frank, and ho did so, aftorwards lighting a cigarette. " Old Furnival is in a bit of a stew. He doesn't like the idea of your taking Inez off alone for dinner. So ho wants to make a party of it and suggests that you and Inez sit at our tablo."

" What did Miss Campion say to tho scheme ?" Dick asked lazily. " Nothing, that I heard, but of course she'll agree. You must remember that sho came down with them, and I preKumo that she's their guest. It would bo a bit ' off ' if sho left her hosts, on the first night, and without their permission."

" Would you have tho samo sentiments if you wore in rny position?" Dick asked dryly.

And Frank was forced to laugh. " I suppose I should have seized the chanco if it had been offered to me. However, that's not likely to happen. She's shown mo very plainly that I don't exist so far as she is concerned. What havo I done to offend her?" ho asked ruefully.

" Hadn't you better ask her?" " Dick, old chap, do you mind i)f 1 ask you a very personal question, i'ou needn't answer it, unless yon jwsh,"

(COPYRIGHT.)

A SERIAL BRIMFUL OF PATHOS AND HUMAN LOVE.

"Thank you kindly. What is it?'* " Are you very keen on Miss Campion ?" "Why do you want to know?" " Well, I am mighty keen, and I thought if you wero not you might keep in tho background a bit and give me a chance," Frank said nervously. "You wished for something of-the same thing when you were pursuing Miss Blake so strenuously. Frank, I find it a triflo difficult to take you seriously." " You haven't answered my question. Are you keen on Inez ?" ' " 1 think she's a very charming girl, and I think we'd better leave it at that. You can convey my compliments to Mr. Furnival, and toll him I don't propose to join his party. That will be carrying out your request—to an extent —for you will have Miss Campion to yourself, so far as Miss Blake—confound it, I mean Miss Furnival—will allow," Dick said dryly. Frank remained silent, but ho did not seem to bo altogether pleased. " After your professions of love to Miss Furnival, don't you feel a little uncomfortable to know that she is watching you perform the same tricks for the benefit of another woman ?" Dick said, with a touch of malice, which ho quickly regretted. " Sorry, old chap, I've got tho devil in me to-night, I didn't mean to be offensive."

Tho cocktails were brought in and gulped down, and Dick told the waiter to repeat tho order. " I don't like leaving you to-night," Frank said apologetically. " Don't you worry. I shall find a way of amusing myself without much difficulty,' ' Dick answered with conviction. In the meantime, Viola had gone to her room and after having had a warm bath was beginning to dress when there was a knock at the door and Inez came in. She was wearing an evening gown, and carried a cigarette in her hand. " May I sit down and talk to you? I dressed quickly on purpose. By the bye, do you dislike me?" she asked cheerfully. . "On the contrary, I'm inclined to like —what I know of you," was Viola's prompt answer, but her manner was distant and cold.

" If that's your attitude, I shall dry up. I came for a heart-to-heart talk. Shall I indulge in it, or would you prefer ma to clear off," Inez asked sweetly. " You will please yourself. I should imagine that's your habit," Viola stated with a wintry smile. "I do wish I knew how to be disagreeable in so pleasant a way. It s a gift that is especially English. I've come to discuss these two boys. Apparently they've both been your lovers, but at the present moment I don't understand the position so far as you are concerned. I'm always very careful to leave alone the men belonging to other girls. Thero's nothing of the pirate in my disposition. However, I can't go so far as to allow you to moiVpolise both of the only presentable men that are around us. However, I'm not very greatly concerned as to which of the two is the Simon Pure. Make your choice, my doar Viola, and I'll abide by it."

Inez spoke with engaging frankness, and looked expectantly at Viola for her answer.

" You can have them both so far as I am concerned," Viola cried with sudden anger. " T3ut I'm quite content with one at a time," Inez answered mildly. " Surely you can appreciate the reasonableness of my attitude. But perhaps you want them both," she added mischievously. "An English gentlewoman does not usually discuss such matters. Shall wo talk of something else, if you think that conversation is necessary," Viola said coldly. " Well, you can't say I haven't given you your chance. I always like to play the, game. Afterwards, don't accuse me of not having done so. A bien tot, my dear," Inez said airily, and lounged gracefully from the room.

Viola's eyes were alight with anger, for she felt that she had cut a sorry figure during the little encounter. What had become of the quick wit on which she had always prided herself ? Now she could think of many things she might have said. What was the object of the girl? Was it the one she had stated, or was there an underlying purpose ? There could be no doubt that sho was very fascinating, and of the type that would appeal strongly to the average man. Did she mako such an appeal to Corven ? AsViola asked herself the question, it was revealed to her that it was common jealousy that had blunted her brain nnd caused her to behave like an unsophisticated schoolgirl. With a cry of anger sho threw aside the gown that sho had intended to wear, and chose one that she had bought in Paris, and which she considered to bo the most becoming of all she possessed. Then sho proceeded to mako a most careful toilette, bringing art to the aid of her natural beauty. Finally sho put on the string of pearls that Furnival had given her, and viewed the effect with a degree of satisfaction. " I'm just as good-looking as she is," sho told herself defiantly.

In the lounge she was greeted by Inez, who came forward to meet her.

" What, a perfectly gorgeous gown, my dear. You aro positively ravishing. What a pity I chose such a simple little thing. Perhaps it doesn't matter, for wo shall mako more effective foils," she said, and slipped her hand under Viola's arm.

Many eyes were turned on them ns they joined the Furnivals and Frank Carstairs, whoso attention was concentrated on Inez. When they entered the restaurant of the Metropole, they received the same silent homago from the many men present, and they went to their seats amid a chorus of whispered comments. , " Impertinent young jackanapes," muttered Furnival, as lie chanced to liear what ono young man whispered to a friend as they passed. Viola's eyes wero wandering round in an attempt to spot Corven, but ho was not to be seen, and a deep sigh escaped her. Inez was watching her with twinkling eyes. " All right, my dear. After dinner I'll telephone to the Albion and ask him to come round here. Then we'll go ' fifty-fifty' in lii'm. Am I not generous?" sho asked smilingly. "Why isn't Corven with us?" Furnival demanded abruptly of Cprstairs.

"Ho wouldn't come, sir,"- answered Frank.

" I doubt if your invitation was exactly prossing, and Mr. Corven has some prido," Inez joined in gravely. v The dinner could in no way be termed a success, for the conversation became forced and laboured. Only Inez was herself, and sho appeared to bo in the highest spirits, teasing Carstairs with her liiting wit. After coffee they sat in the ballroom, and Frank asked Viola to dance with him. Sho accepted at once, and they moved toward tho floor. As soon as they had gone, Inez muttered an excuso and disappeared, but returned in a few minutos, her eyes alight with excitement.

" No. I shan't dance with anyone to-night," sho said, when Frank asked her for the next ono.

" Then lot us sit it out together. I haven't had tho chance of a word with you," ho said reproachfully. „ She regarded him cooly and critically. " You are quite a decent dancer, but I doubt if your conversation would amuse mo. Moreover, Mr. Corven is coming to tnllc to me. You may give me a Benedictine m the loungo whilo I am waiting for him," she said, and when she moved away he fell; compelled to follow her. be continued daily.)