HER WILD OATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 18

HER WILD OATS.

By PAUL TRENT.

CHAPTER XXlll.—(Continued.) , Inez came over to Viola, and took the receiver. "What did you say!" she askod sweetly. "Is that you, darling? I want to come for the kiss."- " To-morrow, perhaps—" She broke off when she saw that Viola was laughing quietly to hersolf, and replaced the receiver with a bang. " Now, you may explain the mystery. I hato to be kept in the dark, and I can scent excitement. You may as well lot mo sharo in tho fun. By the bye, had you any difficulty about the licenses ?" she demanded abruptly. "So you guessed?" Viola said in surprise. "I'm not quite a fool. Tell me tho rest of it. I'm feelinp; all wound up." Viola explained what had happoned, and her plans for the morrow, and now and again Inez gurgled with enjoyment. "You've only got to fix up your Undo Robert, and you won't havo much difficulty with him. You may rely upon my backing you up for all I'm worth," she said with enthusiasm. Viola waited till dinner was over and the cigars wero alight. Mrs. Valdez preferred to stay with her husband when it was explained that a certain amount of business was to be discussed. Furnival watched Viola affectionately when she began to explain her plans. Valdez was chuckling quietly to himself a3 they wero developed. "I'm going to take the words from your mouth. Provided that tho Corven and Furnvial interests are amalgamated, you are going to suggest that I grant the concession to Mr. Richard Corven, personally," ho said dryly. " That was in my mind, but I don't know how you guessed it," Viola answered wonderingly. "To a student of psychology it is quite simple. You want to make amends, and you think you've found a clever way of doing so. Well, you have, and if Mr. Furnival agrees, I shall be glad to be a partner to your little conspiracy. For my side, I shall be quite content. I shall be protected by joint interests." " Will you have the concession made out in Mr. Corven's name ?" she asked eagerly. Valdez looked questioning at Furnival, who nodded. "Very well. It shall be done. I should be interested to hear the remainder of your scheme." She blushed and hesitated, but only for a moment, and then she told them what she proposed to do when Dick came in the morning. For a time Furnival looked serious, but before long he was joining in Valdez's amusement. But Viola became very serious when she was alone in her room with Inez. " It's a dreadful gamble, dear. If I wasn't convinced of his love for me, I couldn't go through with it," she said in a whisper. " I've always known that he cared. If he hadn't been in love with you I would have had him at my feet in no time. By the bye, Frank seems to have displayed considerable judgment in handling a delicate situation," Inez remarked demurely. " Thanks to your training, my dear." " Yes. There's something in that, but you wait to see tho result of six months of the necessary discipline, and you'll marvel," Inez said complacently, but there was a tender look in her eyes. • CHAPTER XXIV. When Frank had learnt that Dick was sleeping, ho called the valet and gave orders that breakfast must not be served at tho usual hour in the morning. " You must not disturb Mr. Richard on any account. Let him sleep just as long as possible," he explained. However, ho himself was up at an early hour, and waited for a sound from his friend's room To his delight it was nearly ten o'clock before ho heard Dick, in an angry tone, order his bath. Then ho went in to him, a friendly grin on his face.

" I thought I would let you ' hog ' it as long as possible. A good night's rest has dono you all the good in the world. By the bye, you needn't hurry in your dressing. I've arranged that we shall go straight to Berkeley Square. They know what to do at the oflicc, so you need not worry," he said casually. " You seem to bo taking an infernal lot on yourself," grumbled Dick.

" You advised me to becomo more responsible in my ways, and it's my way of carrying out your advice," Frank ' answered cheerfully. Ho showed tiie highest spirits during breakfast, and Dick was obliged to smile at his follies, although his mind was engrossed by the coming interview. Ho realised that Furnival's offer was a magnificent one, and all tho time he was wondering if it were not due solely to Viola's influence. His pride was in arms nt tho thought, but ho realised that he no longer had freedom of action, and that ho must submit with the best possible graco. Before they, started for Berkeley Square he noticed that Frank was packing. " You're not thinking of leaving mo?" Dick asked, displaying great concern, for ho quickly realised how much ho valued the company of his friend. " Not exactly, but I may bo taking a little trip. I advise you to throw a few of your things into a bag," Frank answered lightly. " I don't understand you this morning. I believe you're up to one of your devilish pranks," Dick cried suspiciously. " All you've got to do is to leave yourself in my hands, and do exactly as you're told," Frank answered airily. When they reached Furnival's house tho footman, without a word, conducted them straight to the library. Dick stopped short when ho saw that several peoplo were present. Valdez came forward and gavo Trim a warm greeting. Furnival followed, and then Viola hold out her hand.

" Dick, we are all glad to see you," sho began quietly. " First of all I'm going to say a fow words. I acknowledge that at San Remo I did tako a mean advantage of you, and I formally ask for your forgiveness—that's all that I really wish to say. Mr. Valdez, will you explain your intentions?" "What's all this about? I'm completely mystified," Dick answered, with a touch of roughness. "Bo patient, my boy. I ask you to believe tnat everyone hero is your friond," Mr. Furnival broko in earnestly. Valdez cleared his throat and then took a document from his pocket. There was a twinkle in his eyes and ho was enjoying himself thoroughly. " Well, Mr. Corven, I havo a task in which I tako tho greatest delight, liero is tho concession for which you made so strenuous a fight. If you glance at it, you will find that it's mado up primarily in your name. All that is necessary to completion is tho insertion of tho date and tho affixing of your signature," ho wound up suavely. " I wish someone would explain. I fool that I'm dreaming—or is it somo dastardly practical joko ?" Dick asked dazedly.

"I silwiiys liked you pcrsniinllv, and 1 wished to givr> you (lie concession from tho outset. It wasn't really this young.

(COPYRIGHT.)

Author of " The Craven Mystery," " Baxter's Son," " The Vow," etc. A SERIAL BRIMFUL OF PATHOS AND HUMAN LOVE.

lady who beat you," Valdez said, I with a glance at Viola, " but almost as soon as I landed in Europe I heard of your father's financial troubles. I was kept fully informed by our people in London, and before very long I realised it was impossible to treat with your firm. It was only natural I should turn to the rival firm, so charmingly represented by Miss Viola. I assure you, on my honour, that she, personally, had nothing to do with your loss of it." , !' You have probably heard that Gnnstead has absconded, and we are again face to face with ruin. May I ask why you havo given me this document V 9 Dick asked curtly. " I think Mr. Furnival had bettor answer that question," Valdez answered quietly. . T "The position is very simple. A have had soveral talks with our young friend, Carstairs. I have presumed that ho was speaking for you as well as for himself. I understand hj& had put before you tho terms I offered." " Yes, sir, and they are so generous (.hat I hesitate to accept them," Dick broke in hastily. Tho motive for hesitation does you credit, but it's hardly a business reason. I think that tho terms will bo of advantage to myself, and if I'm content, I see no reason why you shouldn't be," Furnival remarked dryly. " I presume that the concession depends upon tho firms of Furnival and Corven being amalgamated ?" Dick asked after a pause. " That is so," answered Valdez, and Furnival nodded in agreement. " Then I have no alternative hut to accept, and I do so with the deepest sense of gratitude. My friend Carstairs came to my help when I was in sore need, and it's impossible for me to let down now that a chance of salvation is offered, Dick said, with a sign of emotion. '! Hurrah! Mr. Furnival, may I gest some ' bubbly' wine to celebrate ? ' Frank cried joyously. Whereat Inez intervened. "I suggest you do your celebrating in the drawing-room. I want a word with Viola and Dick," she announced, and going to the door threw it open and watched them straggle out. Then she came across to Viola and kissed her. "That's all right. By the bye, Dick, I want you to grant me a most tremendous favour. May I remind vou that I've played your game right through, and although matters didn't go exactly as I wished, my intentions were excellent, ' she said demurely. . " I grant that, willingly. If it s anything within my power, you may rely on my doing it," he answered with a nervous laugh. Well, yon see, I chance to be fond of Frank, and I've sworn a solemn oath that I won't marry him till you marry Viola, and that it's got to bo a doublebarrelled affair. I'm rather impatient to fix up with my man. Indeed, we've got special licences to tie the knot. I'll leave you to fix tho exact date with Viola. I may say we have arranged with a dear old parson to perform tho necessary rites this afternoon. Now, I'll leave you to it," she said with the sweetest of smiles, and then turned fiercely on him. " Dick, if you dare make a beast of yourself, 111 never speak to you again, she cried and went away with a slam of the door. Dick stood motionless for a while, and then slowly turned to the woman who had so bravely sacrificed her pride for her love.

" Viola," he whispered gently. " I know it's beastly for you, dear. But things will be all right. _ Your_ pride needn't suffer. Besides, I killed mine for your sake," was her tremulous answer. " Darling, I've behaved like a cur. Can vou forgive me?" he asked in a low voice. " Forgiveness will never bo necessary between us."

" About our marriage—to all intents and purposes Fm a pauper," he protested quietly. It might have been in answer to this statement that Frank appeared, waving a telegram in his hand. "Everything all right?" he asked anxiously, and having satisfied himself by u look at them, he handed over the "wire. " They've collared Grinstead with most of the ' swag.' This makes a difference, doesn't it, old man ? We shall have plenty of money for a decent honeymoon. I m going along to telephone the old padre. Ho impressed on me that we must be 1 here before three o'clock, so we'll make it two for safety's sake," said Frank, and promptly vanished. As soon as the door closed. Dick held out his arms, and with a little cry of happiness Viola sought his embrace. At that moment, there was no need for words, for they had forgotten the misunderstandings of the past, and, with lips pressed to lips gloried in the knowledge that they were united again. " My darling, I love you beyond everything," he whispered fervently, and then ho found that her eyes and checks were wet with her tears, and ho pressed her to his breast. " Sweetheart, I will make up to you for the suffering I have caused," ho cried passionately. " You will never allow the past to interfere. Dick, I have hated myself, and latterly I have been so ashamed, for T havo wooed you flagrantly. I couldn't have done it unless 1 had been convinced that you cared. It was so horribly afraid that you would let your pride keep us apart. I could see our happiness vanishing, and I had to make a fight for it. Now, I don't mind a little bit. Look into my eyes, dear one," sho said tenderly. And then Dick realised how great a gift was his, and they lapsed into silence. " Viola, you may do with mo as you wish. lam in your hands, body nnd soul," he said, as the door opened and Inez came in, accompanied by Frank. "Well, what about it. Can you be ready by two o'clock 1" Inez asked cheerfully.

" Ready and very willing. Como now, Frank. You did your packing this morning, and now you can help me to do mine," answered Dick, and then ho took Viola in his arms again and kissed her very tenderly. " 1 swear I will try to bo worthy of you," ho added under his breath.

The wedding ceremony was of the simplest description, and Inez was the -most serious of tho four that stood b<s-

foro tho altar. After tho register had been signed, she look Frank by the arm and drew him away.

" In spito of this business about obeymg, and that sort of thing, you realise that your training is only just starting ?" sho askea with a touch of

anxiety. "Yo gods. I realiso nothing of tho sort. From this moment I'm the 'boss,' and tho sooner you understand it, tho better for tho pcaco of our domestic life," lie answered with a laugh. Hut tho look they exchanged had no suggestion of strife, and sho smiled to herself.

Dick slipped his hand under Viola's arm as thoy left tho vestry, and she began to laugh nervously. "Darling, have I been ft brazen-faced hussy 1" sho asked in a whisper. " I shall bless your courage till my dying day," ho answered with conviction. HIE END.