RAINBOW GOLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 15

RAINBOW GOLD

By E. C. BULEY Author of " Sea Urchin," *' Calcutta Luck," etc.

CHAPTER VI On Sunday evening, Eve and Dan returned to London by the same car which had taken tlieni into Surrey; but this time Eve etioso to bo driven by way of Newlands Corner and Dorking. Dan was now able to appreciate the beauty of the country through which they travelled, in the long twilight of a beautiful May e'veniug.

" You don't see it properly from a car," Eve told him. "The only way to appreciate this part of Surrey is to hike, as l do sometimes. All behind these roads ont» can go by quiet footpaths, and hardly see a soul, it's wonderful country for nightingales, in these behind Gomshall, too." "Do you like walking," Dan asked. " That's my idea of a real bit of pleasure; just loafing along and looking at the country, close at hand. I must pack my swag over those paths." "if you'd like it," Eve said, "Frankio and I were thinking of a hike next Saturday."

Dan looked at her quickly. She felt hor colour rising, but met his eyes steadily enough, and smiled quite naturally. "I've never been in tho English country in my life," Dan said huskily. " I'd like tho first look-sec with you." "Then that's sottled," she agreed. " But you aro English, aren't you?" "The England I knew was gutters and back streets," Dan said " And Doctor Barnardo's hoino. They sent mo to Australia, you see." Eve didn't know what to say; so sho just laid her hand on Dan's and patted it. " Some men wouldn't have been ready to tell about that," sho murmured. " I think it was fine."

" I thought it was up to mo to tell you," Dan said, with emphasis on tho last word.

" You'll . . . you'll bo astonished by the nightingales," Eve faltered, noting how idoitic th'o remark sounded.

" Yes," Dan agreed. " I'm finding England an astonishing place."

When Mr. Cairns rang up at the door of Truro Villia, Hillingdon, he braced himself for the performance of a rather delicate task.

" Does Miss Gladys Clements live here ?" ho asked of the little maid-of-all-work who answered. " Will you say that I'vo called to see her about a cabled message which she recently received from Australia. '

That message brought not only Gladys herself, but Mrs. Clements, to the little over-crowded drawing room.

The elder lady led tho way, and opened fire with a distinctly militant air. " Oom may you be, if I may ask ?" she began. " Not Mr. Gordon Wetherby, by any chance ?" " No, madam," Cairns said, with a bow to Gladys. " Such is not my good fortune. I understand that this is Miss Clements, whose relations with Mr. Wetherby have become so unfortunately complicated ?" " Is it true ?" Gladys asked, choking a little. " It all seems so heartless and cruel to me."

" If you are not Mr. Wetherby," the older woman proceeded, " will you inform me 'oo and what you are." " I represent Mr. Daniel, Prescott," Cairns began.

" And what's the difference between 'im and Wethorby 1" snapped Mrs. Clements. " If you ask me, this story i 3 all bogey. We seen the photo and we seen the man. Witnesses will swear that he passed in this town, and among my girl's friends, as her true fionsay." " That is not disputed Mrs. Clements," Cairns said. " Mr. Prescott realises, better than anybody, how strange his conduct must appear. I entirely failed to understand it until I had the pleasure of meeting this charming girl face to face." This compliment brought a hopeful smile to tho doleful face of the girl.

" I've no fault to find with Mr. Prescott," Gladys said. " I'm sure ho behaved liko a perfect gentleman while he was here. No girl could want a lovelier ring." " If he's suited and my girl's suited, where does this 'Wetherby come in," Mrs. Clements asked shrewdly. "If 'e chose to stay in Australia, that's 's lookout." " Let me explain," Cairns said. " Mr. Prescott visited Hillingdon for no other purpose than to explain to Miss Clements the business which had detained her betrothed in Australia. By a stupid mistake made by Wetherby with tho pliotographs, Miss Clements inclentified Mr. Prescott as the man she was to marry." " So 'e says,' interpolated Mrs. Clements.

" There was his own picture confronting him," Cairns said) pointing to Dan's picture, which still adorned the mantel. " And the young lady, I gather, had bestowed an affectionate greeting before he had time to disclaim tile honour done him."

"What 'arm was there in that?" de manded tho mother.

"Nona at all; but you'll admit that the temptation to supplant his partner was a very strong ons. Against ike dictates of his conscience, Mr. Prescott seems to have yielded, for two days. Then his better nature prevailed; and ho has been doing his best ever sinco to rectify his error of conduct."

" I don't see what all tho fuss is about," Mrs. Clements said. " You can see for yourself that the girl is satisfied with what she's got. Wetherby can eo and 'ang 'imself."

" There are other considerations, dear lady, besides those of personal inclination," Cairn said suavely. " Mr. Wetherby and Mr. Prescott have mutual business tics, which are very important. Mr. Prescott is very clear about his duty in matter, which is to withdraw." " Then who am I supposed to be engaged to?" Gladys asked, a littl 0 tartly I ve worn Mr. Prescott's ring, and introduced him to my friends." " 1 understand that you have letters which contain a promise of marriage," Cairns replied. " Obviously tho writer of thoso letters has first claim upon you." "And he's in Australia!" said Mrs. Clements scornfully. "> I say that a bird in and is worth two in tho bush—especially tho Australian bush. And if you ask me, I d say that Mr. Gordon Wetherby and Mr. Prescott wero such close partners that nobody knows tho difforenco between them."

" Believe me, you aro in error," Cairns assured hor. "J r he cable you received from Australia tells,_ I gather, of a letter from Mr. Wethorby; which will explain all."

"Hugh!" sniffed tho elder lady. "You don t say who you are, 1 notice; or where wo can find either you or this man Prescott."

There is my card," Cairns said. " And as I act for Mr. Prescott, any communication for him can bo sent to my address."

" I'd like to see him," Gladys said tearfully. " This is all a mistake. I'm suro it could be put right if I could only see him for a few minutes."

" I'm afraid that's not possible," Cairns replied. "In the circumstances. . He got no further, for Gladys dissolved into copious weeping. With a handkerchief to her face sho stumbled out of the IUUIII.

" I call this fishy," her mother declared. " I go straight to a lawyer, understand." " That is just what I should advise," Mr. Cairns agreed. " You may give him my assurance that my client is not Mr. Wetherby; and that Mr. Wetherby will explain his position without any loss of time."

Ho drew a long breath of relief as he escaped from the house.

"The end of this," lie murmured, mopping his brow, " will lie a settlement out of" court. And I'll have to take a blank cheque in my pocket to effect it. My only doubt is—who must sign the cheque * £ .♦ * ' *

(COPTMGBT)

A THRILLING STORY OF ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE

Clad in loose flannels, with a, tweed cap on his head and a big knapsack slung over his back, Dan Prescott waited on Victoria Station. 110 was a full half-hour before his time, in his eagerness to start on the promised ramble. On his face tlicro was such a look of boyish anticipation tliat women turned to take another look at the bronzed man, who looked like a schoolboy on the first day of his holidays.

Ho cast many an impatient glance at the clock before the hands pointed to the set time. And hero was Eve, advancing to greet him, with an air that was noticca.blly constrained. " I'm. the bearer of bad news," she said. " Frankie's brother has turned up from Nottingham; and as she only sees him once in so often, she has had to let U3 down."

His face fell; but his roving eyes took in every detail of her costume, including the short tweed skirt and stout shoes with low hceis. Dan felt an impulse to insane audacity, " What station do I book to?" he asked, as though the absence of the other girl was a negligible matter.

" Box IIill," Eve said. When ho came back with the tickets sho said:—

" Aren't you taking a good deal for granted ?" "I reckon a man's got to, sometimes; or else miss a lot of fun," Dan said. " Honest, though, it's quite all in order, isn't it, Miss Gilchrist?" " Honest, I meant to come in spite of Frankie's absence; if you were man enough to ask mo." They found an empty carriage, and as tho train started, Eve heard Dan chuckling. "What's amusing you?" she asked. " Frankie's brother is a good sort," Dan replied. " He turned up at just the right time."

" I'll tell her what you said," Eve threatened.

" No, don't do that, Miss Gilchrist," Dan begged, serious all at once. " She's been awfully good to me, and I enjoy her company. " Only three's a cvowd sometimes."

" You think of all sorts of tilings, don't you ? '' Evo mocked. " It's a wonder that it hasn't occurred to you that you treat your friends with a lot of formality." " I—l don't."

" Some of them," Eve went on. " I hear you calling my friend Frankie. Don't you know my namo ? " " I wouldn't dare," Dan muttered. "Say it," the girl insisted." I'm not going to bo ' missed ' by you all through a long day. Say it." " Eve," Dan said. "Thank you, Eve." " She never would be missed," chanted Evo gaily. And then, with a return to seriousness. " You make it a bit hard for a fellow, sometimes, Dan." " After the way you've treated me," Dan said, " I should be ashamed if I seemed to presume in "any way."

" Then that's that. You look different to-day, somehow." " I feel liko a kid again," Dan confessed. " Or like a chap in Aussie, going off with a good partner by train somewhere. Maybe they're off shearing, or fencing or something. Maybe Just looking out for something to turn It just gives you tho feeling that something is going to happen; something different." " Tell me, Dan," Eve said. " Why did you tell those tall tales about Australia to Mr. Burdon ? "

" I'm not a liar," Dan replied. " Unless people ask mo to be one. Medlicott as good as told me I was lying; so it was up to me to let him know what real lying was."

" Tho result being that Mr. Burdon is so sceptical about you and the mine that he may not supply the capital which Mr. Medlicott expected," Eve remarked. " I didn't coma to England to pitch the tale," Dan said, his jaw setting. " Medlicott has no right to make a show of me. And when he does, he has to stand by me, and not try to be funny." " Well, but how's. the mine to be developed if —" " Look here, Eve," Dan said earnestly, " I wish I'd never sold any part of that mine. I wish Wetherby and I had gone back, to take out the gold in sight, and develop it ourselves. We could have managed somehow. But it's done now, and I cannot go back on it. But if Mr. Burdon, or anyone else, chooses to doubt me, I'd rather he stayed out. His loss, in the long run." " I'm glad you are so confident about

" I'm confident enough to take the responsibility for any money lost, so long as I have my say," Dan answered. " But I'm dead sick of that mine. Lot's talk about something else."

Eve wondered what Dan would say if he heard tlio allusions made to him by tho department of Medlicott's organisation, which resented his introduction there. Social contacts was also jealous of Evo, for it was known throughout the office that this girl, though a newcomer to tho staff, had been visiting with Medlicott and Dan, on tho footing of a guest. It followed that all tho insinuations wore directed at Eve, though not addressed to her in such a manner as to permit any reply. Somebody had christened Dan the " film hero,'' and the appelation had stuck. By that name he was referred to by the whole staff; and Evo smarted under tho implication of imposturo. Even Medlicott had a way of referring to Dan as though he were a very artful fellow instead of tho simple and straightforward person he appeared. So that Eve was glad of a little reassurance, and drew it in full measure from her companion's manner as well as his words. She was glad, too, to change tho subject, and to point out Epsom grandstand and tho other places of interest which they passed on tho train. Presently they were on their way afoot, climbing through the beech trees to the edpo of Ranmoro Common, where Dan got his first view of Box Hill, with Dorking nestling to tho right of it, Thoy walked over the springy turf like velvet, keeping step with their feet nnd their thoughts. And presently their feet wero on the Pilgrim's Way, while Dan marvelled aloud at the wonders of a rural paradise set so near the edge of London. They came out of the woods on to the edgo of a hill, that overlooked tho whole valley of tho Ravensbourne. Field and pasture sloped away from them, bounded by orderly hddges, and sloped upwards again to the line of high ground that runs from Leith HiJl to Pitch Hill. Eve sat down on tho soft turf, and stretched her arms.

I am hungry," sho said, with an inquiring look at the knapsack which Dan loosened from his shoulders.

How on earth did you come to think of everything that I liko best ?" sho asked presently, when lunch was laid out on a big sheet of clean paper. " Chicken, ham, potato salad, tomatoes, ginger ale! Aro you one of these darned luxurious mountain goats?"

" I don't know what they are," Dan said, producing paper drinking enps and ginger ale. " I went into a place called Gunsberg's, and ordered a picnic lunch for giyself and two ladies."

(< " The joke is on Frankie," Eve decided. Between us, we ought to manago her share, don't you think ?"

" I hope she's having a good time with her brother," Dan said generously. " She deserves it. V "I suppose you are wondering how a girl can cat such a lot and keep so slim," Evo said presently. " Men do, I know; but you aro too polite to .say it." Dan shook his head, but sho saw tho shadow fall upon his face. Though Evo did not know it, her words had raised a spectre to mar Dan's happiness. The suggestion she had made was one which recalled Gladys Clements, whose indulgence in sweet things of all'kinds had idled him with just the surprise that Eve had indicated. {Tar he - tnmtiazLe^,:jA^