THE STOLEN INTERVIEW.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 10

THE STOLEN INTERVIEW.

•j . T whs hurrying into the smokingv room of the Great Fritz Hotel when I

nearly cannoned into George Hopkins. “HuHo; Softool!" he exclaimed, boisterously,,- "have been hunting for you -all over the place. I've got a message ■for-you, from Signorina Julia Campo.” "Whoi on earth is Sighorino Campo?” said. I: - ' ' "You. -don't mean to say you have •never even heard of the famous singer?” “Yon forget,” said T' coldly, “that I've spent the last six years practically in the wilds." “Yes, I- know; but that is just why the Signorina wants to know you. She think© a man who has lived a hundred miles from civiliation must be interesting, particularly when he has .piled up the dollars! So T advise you to look out, if you're staying time at the Great Fritz Hotel.” “I'm only here for a week, then I'm off to DuUminster.” “You don't mean it,” said Hopkins. •“Won't the DuUminster spinster© buck ■ up when they hear that John Sefton, the millionaire, is returning to his native heath! • Pity, isn't it, that your old chum, Mdry Carlisle, is married ”• ‘What?” I echoed. . ..“You don't mean to say you didn't know?”

I shook my head. .“Thought everyone had heard about old Stefbbings’- infatuation for pretty Mary. By George!” he broke off; there's the Signorina just crossing the hall. Isn't she a ripper; eh, old man?” “She eertainly is very handsome,” ©aid I, mentally contrasting the Italian's massive stfcauresque beauty Avith the wild-Tose loA T eliness of Mary Carlisle. “But not yo<ur style, eh?” said Hopkins, Avith a laugh. "Well, curiously enough, she has a way *cf upsetting a chap's preconceived potions about Avhat is beauty, and Avhat ain’t.” Hopkins Avas/right. Signorina Campo proved to be one of those seductive women; Avith whom, nine out • of ten men promply fall in loA r e. I had loved Mary Carlisle all my life, end, .married or not, I found it impossible not to go on loving her. Hoaa t the Signorina guessed this I can't think, but ©he did. I never mentioned Mary's name, of course, but before*- I had known the Signorina a Aveek, she laughingly assured me that she could have drawn the portrait of ,"la belle petit© Angiaise” Avith her eye© shut. • “Bored ” she added, with a curious flash of her fine eyes; "no, I am not Ihnred, as yon call it; on the contrary, I am intensely-interested in ’ her. Per- „ haps /some diay,” she added, smiling, •'‘you will introduce me to her—for, of course, vou hai T e come home to marry her!” . , i ” ' “

“She is married already,” I said quietly. The Signorina laughed lightly. "I see,” she said cuielessiy; “then it is to be an up-to-date little romance, in which the millionaire friend of Mad-' am© and the little ladv herself - haA r e charming roles, Avhile the husband ” ■“Stop!” I interrupted. . “How can you suggest such a thing in connection with— Avith any good woman, let alone Mary !” ••■- > .

> '* f Ah, then Mary is her name ! She mmi; indeed be as chamiing ras she is Innocent to inspire sn'%. ftrhteous -in-. or perhaps 'Monsieur considers it essential to his present role?” - "I-don't'know what yon are driving' trf;, Signorina,” said I, bluntly, amazed- - at the obsions e-neer in the. woman’s voice. boot:- V'i :,ir ■ I do hbtitindensband •" she echoed, - with "a little jeering laugh; "then per-* *'t hjaps vom -would like me to explain • * "Thanks; I think not,” said I, cold-;

"Ah, I see.” sneered the laignorina,' cooatemptuously, as she passed .on her. ’. way to the lift. "You prefer to hear the explanation from pretty Mary her^ / seM!’? v' ' ' 1* - 'Then she disappeared, leaving me to seek the smoking-room, 03d ponder over her last remark, Wl/en I turned in . somewhere in . the small hours, I had i' - decided that if: I wished to «t- eteer : a perfectly' ©traiakt course in this hiy avoid Alary 2;-C!hriisl&. / ? /; ! - 1 / ' • : ! *’ j r | •v>/ : vV in’’’*- | - Jtoweyer, promptly disposed ofjthSsN ,mse ’ rew>lufich, for'. as'X passed through?. ££!&&s&■' Fritz Hotel the; ,' /followiipf tjie first person .1 -saw t 1 1 :. c -' 1 i*- V< \ %. . s rflcvk’o ibs SA . w At? ?„;>■ -ij ~ %

waa Mary herself 1 She had just finished interviewing the hotel secretary, and was moving away, when I clumsily trod on the train of her own. She turned swiftly at the sound of my murmured apology, and, as our eyes met, she caught her breath in little 'gasps. “Jack!" she murmured huskily, then stopped, and pulled herself together. ‘I had no idea you were in England, Mr Sefton,” she added, with a little smile. '-•“l've only been in England a weeic, and had no idea I should meet any of my old Dullininster . friends so soon, I stammered, stupidly. ’'' “You used' not to be so anxious to avoid old friend®,” she said “Nor am I now, but —but —yom see I I have never met your husband.” “My .husband?" gasped Mary; . then ehe -laughed, as she added quickly, “What on earth made you think I was married, Mr Sefton?” . :

“It used to be Jaclc—six years ago,” I whispered, ignoring the rest of her sentence. - o'

“Ye—es, but I was only a schoolgirl then, and—and six years is a long time, particularly when one hasn't seen a person or had any' news,”' “That was not my fault," said I; “your father was naturally ..of the opinion that an impecunious -mining engineer had no right to correspond with the heiress of Maxivorth.” •••■•- :

“Poor father!” murmured Mary, with a quick little sigh. “When he died, and the DuUminster Bank smashed up, av© were only too glad to >sell Maxworih." “You sold MaxAvorth ?” I repeated, stupidly. . “Yes; didn't you knoAV?" ; . "No,” I replied hastily, "but tell me about yourself.” ... “There is nothing much to tell,” said Mary, simply; "mother and I live in a tiny little house' in DuUminster High street, and I give singing-lessons.", "Singing-lessons—you ! Why, the idea is ridiculous!” I exclaimed. hotly. “On the contrary,” said Mary, smiling, "I assure you I really do it rather well."

“But I don't understand,” said I. . .“No, of course .not—hoAV should you, when, a® a matter of fact, I haven't told a single soul except mother why I came to London. Well, then, I came up to toAvn to . see Monsieur Achille Fournier, Avho happens to Avant a neAV soprano. Monsieur Fournier happened to hear me sing at the DuUminster Festival a month ago, and Avired me to come to. town at once. I ha\ r e an appointment with him to-night at eight o'clock.” “Eight o'clock?" I repeated, consulting my watch; “then perhaps I had better order dinner for a little before seven ?" '

“Dinner!” echoed Mary, laughing, “why, I dined hours ago; one must, you knoAv, when it is a case of wanting to sing one's very best.'' “Of course,” said I; "I remember Signorina Campo telling me that." , "Signorina--Campo!” echoed Mary, “do you mean to say you actually knoAV her ?” “Yes, why?" v . • “Because Signorina Julia Campo i® the one Avoman in the Avorld of whom I am afraid.” “Afraid ? Great Scott! Why ?”

“Because Monsieur Fournier has given me to understand that it is a choice between the Signorina's voice and mine What a beautiful woman! Who is she, I wonder?" Mary broke off, as a rustle of silken skirts savept round a screen behind us, and Signorina Campo Avallced sloAvly toivards the door. She glanced curiously at Mary as she passed, Avhilst I turned to Mary, and said, smiling: - • ' > • ; • J “That- is ■ your one rival, the Signorina Julia Campo.” "In that case,” said Mary, simply, "if her voice is as beautiful as she is herself, I shan't have a ghost of a chance with Monsieur Fournier. lloavever,” she added, Avith a brave little smile, “there is nothing like trying,anyAvay, so I'll just run aAvay and put on my warpaint and ——” "Right! ■; I’ll have a motor-brougham Avaiting ” I ivas beginning, but Mary had already., taken refuge in the lift, and Avhen I turned I met the cynical dark eyes of Signorina Campo. w “I -congratulate you, Monsieur,” she said, smiling. - - '■ Hl* ' : Ah hohr "later, ‘ having dined very hurriedly, I was seated in my room writing ’d ' couple of letters, Avhen a avalter appeared. • * “If you please, sir,”' he said; ‘“the young lady from No. 144 begged hie to say that she is obliged to leave to>vn to-night for Yorkshire, and A\x>uld be unable to keep her appointment Avith you, sir.” “Are you quite sure that Avas the lady's message?” said I, staring at the waiter in blank amazement.

"Quite sure, sir. The young lady made me repeat the message twice. ’ "Thanks; it’s all right, I quite understand,” said I; but when the sleek waiter had disappeared, I sank into my chair, and* resting my chin on my two hands, stared hard at a worn and battered photograph of Mary, which had, accompanied me in all -my wanderings* "It’s all very well to say. I understand, Mary,” I remarked, bitterly, addressing the girlish face framed in tumbling . masses of >; brown hair, "but I’m hanged if I do,. all the same !” In silence I stared at the faded photograph till the gathering summer dusk blotted out the girlish features; then I rose to my feet, and was just groping to find the -electric light’ when I heard a little tinkling tap against the glass of the open French window, as some small object fell on to the balcony from abov-e. I pressed the button of the electric light, and, stepping from tliß window,. saw .something, shining jin a .corner of the narrow balcony.. I picked- it up and examined it curiously, then caught my breath, as I recognised in the simple little ring ~of . twisted gold my first present ’ to Mary* Carlisle! .... .. . Having kept the trivial, little .trfuket so long; it seemed ia, curious thing' that Alary should hay»'-'thrpwm*-.ii • hway. the day' of oui"-.-fir£t .meeting 'after so..mapy years. But if .'Ma-xy had already. left they hotel, r how*- was it:, .-possible ■ ' I di<3i not'- .wait to analyse ,iify ■ sudden

thought', but, dashing upstairs to the next floor, tapped sharply - at the door of Mary's sitting-room. There answer. “It iB I, Mary—-John ■ Sefton, I said, quickly, and was preparing, to tap again, when the chamber-maid came hurrying along the corridor. V • “I'm afraid it's no use, sir. the young lady left quite early, and is not returning till to-morroAv. She locked the door herself, and —-” ; ■ > "Then just unlock it a moment, will you?” said I; "I want- to: /leave— er—or—a little present for Miss- Carlisle.' The woman' hesitated a moment, then turned the key in the lock, and hurried away. Stepping quickly inside the room, I beheld a woman stretched out on the floor at my feet. • , . , "Good God! it's Mary!” I exclaimed, beginning to hack Avith frantic haste at the bandages Avkicli confined her month. Then I united a broad sasli that secured her arms, and, taking a tiny flask from her open dressing-bag, poured the contents doAvn her throat. The'Taw spirit had the effect of steadying, her nerves. She tried to rise, blit fell'heavily back against a couch; and I gave a groAvl of rage as I discovered that the slender ankles wore so tightly bound together that; the broad tape' had. cut iuto the girl's tender flesh. I Avas springing toAvards the bell, when Mary laid a trembling hand pn my arm. “You—you Avon’t leave me,' will, you— Jack?” she whispered, breathlessly. At the sound of my hyn name, uttered, almost unconsciously, I gathered the little white-robed figure, in my arms, and kissed her on ' the lips. It was several minutes before I could bring my thoughts back to earth , sufficiently to say; . -. “And .now, darling, tell mo how it happened.” “Iffiere—there, is,, nothing much ito tell,” said Mary,, tremulously. “I had just finished dressing, and was standing with my back to the windoA\ r draAving on my gloves, when suddenly I felt my head drawn Violently backward. There. was a. sickening smell of chloroform, and —and— l don't remember anything more, till I found myself lying on the floor, gagged and helpless. When I was able to collect my thoughts, I romembered that my _ room Avas over yours, and tried to think of some Avay to attract your attention. Then I remembered your Ting, and, with a good deal of difficulty J, I managed to Avork it off my finger * and drop it through the windoAV. And all- the tipie I was mad with' terror, for fear Signorina Campo should come back—"

“Signorina Campo!” I exclaimed. “Good Heavens! child, you must be mistaken. She doesn't even know you, or " . "■,-/' “But Monsieur Fournier does,” said Mary, quietly, “and I fancy the Signorina knew of my appointment Avith him to-night, and determined to take my place.” “But even professional jealously hardly accounts for so outrageous a crime as this; she must have had some other reason?”

“I think she had,” said Mary, softly, “but— but— l don't think it Avould be fair to tell you that reason—uoav.” “Why* not? Remember, \I am your future hxisband, Mary, and therefore >3 . •

“Hush!” whispered Mary, laying her hand on my niouth; "someone is at the door! Quick! turn out the light!” I pressed the button at my side, and at the same moment someone turned the key in the lock, and began to grope about' in search : of the electric button. I slid my hand over it, and Availed till the . Bignoa-ina's fingers,, groping along the wall, - touched mine, Avhen I silently seized, her Avrist . and held it in an iron grip. She / gave a little cry of mingled stirprise and fury, Avliich changed to a mocking little laugh as the room Avas flooded with light, and she glanced from Mary to myself. “Ah, pardon!” she said; “I am afraid I interrupt the most charming tete-a-tete.”

.“Don't you think, Signorina,” said Mary, in - her quiet voice, “that you might noAv be content to go aAvay and 3>

“It's not a question of choice, on the Signorina's part,” said I, coolly; ‘the police will settle that matter for her.” ‘"Jack, dear, don't!” Avhisperecl Mary; “can't you see how she is suffering ?” "Seiwes her right!” said I, vindictive-

ly. Mary said nothing, till, as she gently pushed me from the room, she whispered, softly: _ , "Promise me you will leave me to deal with the Signorina ■’ w "No I’m liauged if I will, 1 interrupted. "She’s as dangerous as a tigHalf an hour later I saw the two women came out of the room together, and make their way towards the lift. Then a strange thing happened, as the door of the lift swung back: the Signorina bent towards the slight whiterobed figure at her side. "I think I understand now, she said, softly,, -"why men love such women as you! Good-bye!” "Good-bye,” said Alary, softly; and, raising her lips, she ' kissed the older woman’s cheek, _ ! . , . , Then Signorina Campo stepped into the lift and sank opt ;of sight, leaving Alary and me together. "She starts for. Paris to-night, Jack, dear, to begin her engagement with Alonsieur Fournier at once,” Mary explained, coolly. "Glad to hear -it,” - said I, "though personally,. I should prefer to have had her locked up.” . * w «

Alary and I were married on the seventh of the following month.—" The Reader.”