THE INNOCENT IMPOSTOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 20

THE INNOCENT IMPOSTOR

CHAPTER X.—(Continued) "You must get out of this mess just as soon as we can manage," John continued. "And than we'll get married straight off. I can't wait any longer —"

"Yes, John," she said meekly. "And I'll be best man," Fairhaven chipped in. "You two are not sparing mo at all.' I've never had to play gooseberry like this before —and it's the first time I've heard someone else propose. It was rather blunt, John." "Poor darling, he's feeling rather blunt," Cora said. "John, isn't it tragic that I can't be myself to-night and meet Courtney. Ho might give mo a part—" "Your career is marriage to me!" he said. He turned and .smiled at her. "1 said I would marry you at once, but I didn't say I'd give np the stage," she said "For heaven's sake don't start quarrelling, you two, I could not stand that," Fairhaven said in mock alarm. And then Cora heard her own name; it was Courtney speaking. "Vincent saw a girl called Cora Clifford, an English girl, acting in repertory in New York. Ho says she is just the girl he wants for a part in tho new show —" There was one of those sudden silences that sometimes fall on a company. Cora shot one frantic look at Levorson who had heard and was listening intently. "Hareourt —I understand you know Cora Clifford very well." Courtney leaned across the table toward John and his big voice boomed out the words: "Vine was told that she is a friend of yours. I've been trying to get hold of her to-day. Do you know where she is?" CHAPTER XI. "No," John answered immediately. "It is rather strange that you should mention her. I rather wanted her to take a part in a new play of mine—quite a small part, but I thought it would suit her." "The young lady seems to be much in demand," Courtney said, and laughed. "How much do you bet me, Hareourt, that she prefers Vincent Vine's part to yours? It isn't a small part, is it Vincent?" • "It isn't large, but it's important, a lot hinges upon it," Vine drawled. "Still, if she can't be found, we must look for someone else." He seemed to be bored with the whole subject. ''Oh I she's only touring with some American friends. I telephoned her flat this afternoon, and her maid told me that she would be back in the course of a week or two," John said. "I think you're right, Courtney, she'd prefer to be in your snow to mine. After all, it's the aim of every actor and actress to appear in a Courtney show, isn't it?" Ho smiled. "And when your name's coupled with that of Vine, the combination is irresistible." "Well, are you going to be generous enough to give up the idea of her playing ypur part?" Courtney asked. Ho could not bear to be crossed in the smallest thing. This opposition from Hareourt, small though it wHs, made him keener than ever to secure the unknown actress. "As soon a» I can get in touch with Miss Clifford I'll let her know that you are thinking of offering her a part—and then she can choose Detween the two of us," John said. "And I'll try and get hold of her. If I do shall I tel! her about you, Hareourt?" Courtney smiled, showing his gold-stopped teeth. He had no doubt in his own mind which part Cora Clifford would choose. "It would be very good of you," John said. During this conversation Cora had managed to throw an imploring glance at Leverson. He smiled encouragingly at her, and she smiled back wanly. Courtney now began to talk with the duchess once more, and John turned his attention to the deaf neighbour. Fairhaven looked nonchalantand somewhat bored. then he turned to Cora. "JoveJ That was a narrow one! Can't think how John managed to carry it off. We needn't worry about him any more.. He'll keep his head all right." "He was marvellous," Cora said, and John turned.toward her. "Thank you for those few kind words," he said. "Now tell me, which of us will you choose—Courtney or myself?" "Courtney, of course!" she said promptly. ' i t; " John threw a reproachful glance at her. "Faithless one! I thought you'd say that—well, you're going to marry me, so that will end all your foolish ideas of a career—" "Isn't he conceited?" Cora> asked Fairhaven. "Ho thinks that I need ask nothing more of life than to be with him!" "And he's right," Fairhaven teased her. "1 wouldn't have a wife who worked for her living—and on the stage of all things. I'd hardly see her!" "Two to one—but we shall see who will win!" Cora said. "Our friend at the end there took it all in," Fairhaven said. "He didn't look at all happy over things." "Darling, I do wish you'd give up this business," v John said uneasily, though there was a smile on his face as he spoke, for Leverson was looking in their direction again. "I shall never know a moment's rest until it is over. Come home with me to-night. I'll leave you at my house; you'll he safe there-—" Cora knew that Fairhaven was waiting eagerly for her answer. "No, if I did that I should never be able to help the real one. Without intending to do so, 1 have helped those two scoundrels to cover up their tracks. It is up to mo to do all I can to help her." "I think you're right," Fairhaven said, and looked relieved. "Though 1 can understand your feelings in tho matter, John. But," he added, turning to Cora, "no harm can come to you with John so near to you."

"And I'm in no danger at all as they think I am ignorant of their real intentions," Cora said. "But supposing that brute suspects now?"

"1 shall soon know. He will come up to speak to mo the first apportunity lie gets —directly dinner is over, I expect." "If his mood is at all ugly, you're to let me know at once," John said, and Cora promised. She was not in the least frighten'ed;

her mood was triumphant. Marcus B. Courtney wanted her to appear in one of his productions: Vincent Vine had seen her in New York. 1 wonder in what part? she was thinking. Oh I if only 1 were free now—arid yet there is nearly a month before I am released, unless something happens in the meanwhile. It must, it must! The duchess led tho ladies into the drawing-room. Sho introduced Cora to several other lady guests, and was so pleasant and friendly that the girl's conscience sinote her. It was horrible to be under false pretences, and she felt very mean about it.

Corn's supposition was right, 'flip moment that Frank Lererfion wor free he en me up to her. "Myrtle, who is this man Harcourt? How long have yon known him. Did he recognise youP" he asked all in one breath.

By D. B. UPSON Author of "The Sacred Flame," "The Return of Marcus Wrayne," etc.

f copyniGur>

AMAZING STORY OF INTRIGUE, LOVE AND ADVENTURE

"He's not half so bad as he pretends to be. He is so utterly tired of people who gush over him that he has' mode an armour of rudeness to defend himself," sho answered.

"Nasty little worm!" he growled. "But there is something 1 must tell you. John Hnrcourt told me to-night that his house is being redecorated, and he is staying for the time being at the Majestic. Isn't that strange?" She had resolved that it was better to bo quite frank in the matter. Leverson was bound to find out for himself that John was at the hotel and if she told him first she might dull his suspicions. "That's mighty queer, ain't it?" he asked. He looked at her intently. "What do you mean, queer?" slie asked, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "You surely don't mean that you think that he suspects there is anything wrong?" Sho appeared to take alarm at the mere suggestion. "Waal, he seems to bo friendly with Fairhaven. You say you think that he suspects vou—"

"Oh I no. I shouldn't go so far ns to say that. He would hardly bo friendly with me. Ho would denounce me, wouldn't he?"

* "Then the only thing for me is to behave quite naturally, if 1 wero to disappear out of London, as you suggested a little while back, it might bring"his suspicions to a head," she said.

"Perhaps you're right." He appeared to bo deep in thought. "You said a while back that Fairhaven is friendly to you. How friendly ?"

."What-exactly do you mean?" sho asked haughtily. "Nuthin'," he said quickly. "Only don't encourage him too much. Wo don't want him hanging around!" Sho did not reply and they finished the drive in silence. There was no mistaking tho tone of his voice, Leverson was jealous. "I'd rather win jjis hatred than his so-called love!" Corn,'told herself with a shiver dowu lier spine. (To bo continued daily)

"He's a playwright —he saw me act once —1 was in my stage make-up when he met me —he did not recognise me. but after Courtney had spoken he said that 1 somehow reminded him of Cora Clifford." She laughed. "I eun tell you I was pretty scared for a inoment when 1 suddenly heard my name mentioned b.v Courtney. 1 didn't know what to think." "And this Fairhaven —what about him?" Frank Leverson asked jealously. "Ho still thinks I have altered somewhat; he said so again to-night. I told him he should interview my maid about it; she would probably be able to tell him the reason for my changed appearance." "Did Ije take that explanation?" Leverson asked. "He smiled and said that he had noticed before that some girls managed to make themselves look entirely different, but I am sure he is convinced that I am genuine now." Frank Leverson looked worried. "1 think we'd better get outa London. These two men might make trouble." "Oh, no! I'm sure they won't, and if I suddenly disappeared after saying I was going, to stay for some time, that might arouse their suspicions," Corn said. "Don't you think so?" "Maybe!" he said non-commitallv. "Would you introduce me to this Harcourt fellow?" Cora could not very well refuse, so the two men met and chatted together affably enough, though it went against the grain ivith John to be friendly with this man. If he had had his wish he would have taken him by the throat and thrown him out there and then. To Cora's great joy she was introduced to Courtney and he talked to her about the States, and asked her if she were interested in the theatre. She replied that she was, but that she had not been to many theatres in New York. "But I'm going to lots in London," she said. "Guess I'll have to make up for lost time when 1 get back to America. I'm just crazy about the London shows, and I'll say that your films are wunnerful, too." "My time's fully occupied with the stage. I know my limitations," he said playfully. "Limitations! Guess that's the first time I heard you have any!" she said flatteringly. Then they overheard Vincent Vine's bored voice. "No thanks. I'd rather not. She's too

rich, and rich people are impossible." This was spoken to Fairhaven, who had evidently asked Vino if he would like to t>e introduced to Miss Myrtle Simpson.

Courtney looked embarrassed, and tried to talk about something else, but Cora interrupted him with a laugh. "Say, that guy Vine has made a pile himself, hasn't he? Guess he's joined the impossible class!" Her drawling voice carried and the sally went home. Courtney laughed aloud.

"I'm sofry, Miss Simpson, you musn't take any notice of Vine; it's rather a pose of his —bad manners!"

"I haven't taken offence! It isn't often that people are rude to me. It's a refreshing change—most of them are over —gushing," she said, and shortly after that Vincent Vine himself came up and asked Courtney to present him to Cora.

"If only I were myself!" she thought longingly. "What a chance, what an opportunity!"

Frank Leverson stood in the background, listening to her talking to these two men with a world-wide reputation. John also watched her from afar and Fairhaven chuckled as he told how Cora had scored neatly over Vine. "She's clever, that girl, and in my opinion she's a marvellous actress. One would think that she had , spent her life studying American heiresses and their funny little ways —not that there is anything wrong with the real girl," he added hastily. Cora was clever enough to move away from Vincent Vine before he had the chance of deciding that he was bored with her. She turned to Leverson. "] think I'll go now—l want to do some reading before I go to bed," sho said. She took her leave of the duchess, bowed graciously to Fairhaven and Harcourt. Courtney came to see her off. Ho watched her walk across the hall, admiration in his eyes. "It's a shame you're so rich!" he said. "You're born for the stago. You walk perfectly, Miss Simpson and you hnve that most important of all things, 'presence'."

In the car Cora turned to Leverson. "Don't you realise what it means to nie to hear that Courtney wants me to appear in his new show? It was a terrible temptation. I longed to tell him who I really am. 1 suppose there's no chance of your releasing me now?" "Not the slightest!" ho said firmly. "You can put that outa your mind right now."

"But wouldn't it be possible for you to announce to the papers that I am going for a motor tour —I could drive away from the hotel, change back to Cora Clifford and go and seo Courtney next week.' 5

"Oh, yeah?" he said. "What about your promise to stay as Myrtle Simpson for a month?"

"But couldn't you release me from that promise?" "Nope!" he answered. Joseph had been right; ho was falling for this girl. She was wonderful the way she had talked to those two clever men. "Gee! it was cute, the way you answered Vino, a nasty piece of work if ever there was one."