THE LUCK OF THE LINDSAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12596, 5 November 1926, Page 4

THE LUCK OF THE LINDSAYS

(PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.)

BY

MARGARET TYNDALE.

[COPYRIGHT.]

YNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS I and ll.—Adela Gunning - returning home from her French conent school with her chaperon, Mrs Beniett, when they meet Stanley Gordon, iho latter's cousin, in Paris. He ren- • !or» them some service, Adela is attracted to him, and they arrange to meet ngain. They notice Alec Lindsay, the Scottish millionaire, on the steamer. Arriving home at Thornybnnk, Adela remarks to her Aunt Bessie that her fa•(her looks worried. Stanley Gordon calls and invited Adela to a “shoot" lunch uarty at Yeraker Court, where she meets f.ady Violet Gilderoy, whom she dislikes. Gordon asks Adela to tnarfy him, and jhe lo6ks forward happily to the future. She is awakened that night by footsteps, and the sound of a loud report. She rushes down to her father's study, and finds him lying dead with a smoking revolver by nis side. CHAPTERS 111. and IV.—Stanley Gordon tells Lady Violet Gileroy that Luke Gunning haa committed suicide. She suggests that if Mr Gunning was flnaniciafly embarrassed Gordon had better break off his engagement to Adela. A week later Gordon calls on Miss Guning. Adela tells him that her father has left her practically penniless, and thftt she will have to earn her own living. He tells her thnt he also is poor, and coolly leaves her, promising to write. Adela waits day after day for a letter or a message, and at last writes herself offering to meet him. Not till after the 6ftle of the furniture at Thornybank Manor does Gordon reply. Then he writes, and without mincing matters, he gives her np because ehe is poor. Adela is brokenhearted and disillusioned. By the same post she receives a reply to an application for a post as governess from Aleo Lindsay. CHAPTBRB V. AND Vl.—Adela Gunning meets Gordon with Lady Violet Gilderoy, and he ignores her. Then after the sale ehe removes to London with her Aunt Bessie. Adela goes to interview Alec Lindsay, who tells her that he wishes her to undertake the- education of hie daughter Julia. Adela accepts the position, and goes to live with her aunt in ft Cottage near Cheetermere Priory. Adela and her pupil," Julia Lindsay, S; row very. fond of one. another. < She earn of the existence of a mascot stone, the "Luck of the Lindsay's.” The new governess takes a dislike to Roger Mainwaring, young Donald uncle and tutor, who, she fearß, is leading his young charge astray. CHAPTER VIII.—A SURPRISE. At haff-past' four on a June afternooi, Alec Lindsay’s big motor-car drew up with a jerk before the steps of the hall door at the Priory', and he sprang out with a lightness which was almost incredible, considering his physique. He had just arrived from town, and was dusty and tired with the long ride, but ah he went up the stone steps He ■ unconsciously hummed the air of a popular song he had heard on the previous evening; “Where is Mr MainwaringP” he asked, When ten minutes later a servant brought him some tea. “In the tennis courts, sir,” wee the “And Midii Gunning P’ ’ ■ “There/ tho, sir, with Mr Donald and Miss Julia.” , “I see—thanks. Oh—er—Thomp. son, you might ask Miss Gunning to come here, will you. No, you need not interrupt the game if she is playing. but just give her my message.” “Very good, sir”; and Thompson, with the solemn gravity that befitted his ten years’ faithful, service in the Lindsay family, went to do his master’s bidding. He found Adela sitting under the trees at needlework, pausing every now and then to watch the game that was in progress between Mftinwaring, Donald and his sister, and a young man from a neighbouring house, “Mr Lindsay will be glad if you will go to him in the library, miss,” he said, as Adela looked Up from her work with an inquiring glance. “Very well,” she answered, gathering up her work a trifle nervously, as she wondered what had happened to bring Alec Lindsay home that day. when he was not expected until the end of the week. Had he discovered the whereabouts of the stone P she wondered, as she crossed the lawn a few seconds later. She sincerely hoped that he had, for although it was now some months since the stone had been missed, nothing had been heard of jt. And the very fact that all inquiries and investigations had proved futile, only made Adela the more certain in her mind that Reger Mainwaring was to blame for its disappearance, She did not go as far as to think that he had taken it in order to raise money on it, but she did honestly believe that he had removed the stone from the ease purely with a malicious intent, in order that she might be annoyed by the attendant gossip, if not actually dismissed from her post, since she was a person upon whom suspicion might easily fall. Noiv the theft of the stone had lost interest for those whom it least concerned, but Adela had never ceased to hope that in some way she might discover a clue ns to its whereabouts.

She found Alec Lindsay standing by the library window, seemingly engrossed in thought, but as she shut the door he swung round to greet her with something less than bis usual gravity of expression. “You sent for me Mr Lindsay,” she said, getting a little embarrassed under his gaze. “I—l hope there is nothing wrong?” “Wrong? Oh, no—why should there beP” he asked, with a faint smile. “You did not, of course, expert me so soon, but 1 wanted to see you rather particularly, and decided not to wait until the end of the week.”

“You have heard something about the stone, then ?” she queried eagerly. “Oh, lam so glad! It has been simply awful all these months to feel that everyone suspected •me of taking it, even if they did not sny so.” “I for one have never suspected you,” said Alec Lindsay kindly. “Do you think for one moment that if I had I should have consented to let you go on teaching Julia P, What further proof of my trust can I give you, Miss Gunning?” “I have always felt that yon and Donald believed in me, Mr Lindsay,” replied Adela earnestly, her shyness quickly disappearing in the face of his frank outspokenness. “But, somehow, I think that Julia distrusts me; she has heen so different those last few months. My influence over her is waning fast, since ” “That is very silly of you,” he interrupted her gravely. “Julia is young and thoughtless. lam sure she would not willingly hurt anyone’s feelings, especially yours. Miss Gunning.” i WI . I could believe you,” said Adela. with a sweet earnestness that was very nUrnetim. “But. you haven’t told me about the stone—how you j

came to hear of it.” “I have heqrd nothing about it. No. it was not because of the stone that I came home to-day.” “Oh!” The disappointment was very palpable both in hOr voice and her serious grey eyos. “Oh, I atn so sorry—l shouldn’t have spoken about—about Julia —if I had known.” “I am very glad that you have, because I felt instinctively that you were troubled about something; arid now -that you have told me what it is, you need worry no more.” “There would be no need, if the stone had been discovered,” said Adela sadly. “The very fact that I have inadvertently confided my trouble to you, Mr Lindsay, doesn’t take it away—the stone is still missing.” “Well, at any rate, no bad luck has come upon our house as yet, in spite of the superstition,” he said rallyingly. “So please forget all about it, Miss Gunning. I believe ih you, and that’s all that matters.” “Thank you,” ahswared Adela, with a smile, and impulsively put her hand in the one he extended to seal the compact of their better understanding of each other. The sound of merry voices came in through the open window from the lawn, where an exciting game was in progress; but Adela did not hear them. She only knew that whoever distrusted her, this strong-faced man with the grave yet kindly glance, had said thnt he trusted her, and that was enough to make the future sweeter and more hopeful than it had been for a very long time.

“But I haven’t told you my reason for coming down,to Chestermere in such a hurry even now,” Lindsay, after a minute or two, looking down somewhat nervously at the slim fingers he still lmld in his. “The fact is. Miss Gunning, I have a very difficult question to ask you—can you guess what it is?” Adela shook her head and smiled. “I will tell yod.” he answered quickly. “You are very fond of mv children, I know. You realise my difficulties in managing them through being so frequently away from home. In spite of what ydtt ; have just told me, I know perfectly well that you have* a greater influence over Julia than anyone else; you may he of incalculable use to her. I am telling you this first of all because I know that with you the prospect of doing good to others is the greatest inducement that I can offer.”

He paused a moment, but Adela made no comment, and he continued

“But there are perhaps other things that t should mention. Your .aunt will be well provided for; the luxuries she has been accustomd to in the past she can command again—if only—if you will consent to be my wife.” Adela gave a little gasp of asonishment. • That Alec Lindßny liked her she of course knew well j that he loved her and wished to marry her had never for a moment entered her head. But before she could recover from her surprise, he went on: <f lf you will be my wife, there is no pleasure, no advantage that you shall not enjoy.” “Those are not things that attract me, Mr Lindsay,” replied Adela gently. “I beg yoiir pardon—l should have known, 1 * he fcaid* with grave contrition. “You are not like other women.”

For the momfeht Adela’s emotions were so varied that she could think of nothing to say in answer to the man before her. To be Alec Lindsay’s wifel Oh, what had she done to deserve such good fortune! But a moment later another view of the matter presnted itself to her. He had asked her to be his wife, to be as it were a mother to his children, and yet he had not sail that he loved her I With the thougt a. vague 6ense of dissatisfaction came upon her. “What you ask is impossible,” she said, after a moment, unable to think at all clearly.

i He drew himself up with a sudden hauteur, and released her hand. “I had forgotten,” he said almost coldly, “that someone may have a prior claim. Is there—anyone else?” “Oh, no.” . . . , The simple riegative satisfied him; but He put another question for form’s sake. “There is r>o one else whom you-* prefer?” He had difficulty in choosing the right form of expression, for it was never easy for him to show his real feelings. No,” said Adela quietly. “Then wnat is your—objection?” - Beneath the gaze of calm '‘brown eyes she grew troubled. How. could she tell him the secret of'her impulsive refusal to marry him? Adela was frank with herself. She knew that during the last few months her warm regard for Alec Lindsay had ripehed into something deeper, and yet her pride bade her refuse him, because he liad proposed to her in such an almost business-like manner. That, she knew, was her only objection to his pro* posal. But did he love her, in spite of the oddneßS of his wooing? Adela longed to ask him, and yet she daro not.

“Your objection is evidently a very serious one,” remarked Lindsay, with a return to his former ‘ kindliness. “May I not know what it is.” “No, no, I cannot tell you,” replied Adela in distress, as a warm blush began to creep into her checks. “It is such a personal—l mean I couldn’t possibly tell you. Perhaps when I know you better I may, but not now.”

“But why won’t you marry mo, Adela?” he persisted. “Because I feel that I am too inexperienced to become your wife,” she answered, as another yiew of the matter came to her.

“fs that the personal reason?” he queried, with a smile. “No, not exactly, but it is a very good one for my refusal.” “But I have already told you that your influence in my home is a thing to be reckoned with. I want to feel that my children are in good hands—that in my absence I can leave them to your care. Of course, Roger is a good fellow, but he*s not a woman.” His appeal had struck the right chord in Adela’s nature. He was not then asking for himself, but for his motherless children, artd no true wom■nn can resist such an appeal as that. If she became Alec Lindsay’s wife she could object to Roger Mainwaring’s presence in the house, and he would be compelled to go. TTer bold upon Julin might be regained, and Hon aid would be freed from his tutor’s evil

influence. “I will marry you,” she said suddenly, sweeping all other thoughts aside but the well-being of his children ; and then, with the infinite gravity of his Scotch forbears, Alec Lindsay bent and kissed ’her. “I promise you that you shall never regret your choice,” ho answered gently. That night at dinner, ho broke tho news to his family. Main waring showed no surprise even if he felt any j but he was secretly forced to confess that he had been outwitted, after all; that instead of succeeding in driving Adela Gunning from the Priory, he had perhaps been instrumental in hastening events which would make her mistress of it. Donald expressed his entire satisfaction, but Julia was silent. Although hurt, Adela made no comment on the fact, lioweter, and did her best to be bright and entertaining throughout the meal, which passed both pleasantly ahd quickly. Aunt Bessie, too, was delighted at the good news, for she had been the first to realise that Adela’s love for Stanley Gordon had been an ardent but nevertheless very girlish affair after all, and now that her niece had at last found the man who was fitted to be her mat*., Miss Gunning was only too ready to extend her approbation. * In the days that followed the announcement of her engagement, Adela was forced to own that Alec Lindsay, it not an ideal iover, was as kind and considerate as could possibly be desired. He brought her many presents, and mapped out every detail connected, with their honeymoon with the most careful regard to her wishes. “You Are so good to me,” she said ono evening, when the date of their wedding was not far distant. “I am very grateful.” “Your gratitude can never exceed mine,” he answered softly as he bent to kiss her hand, and as he did so, Adela told herself that ehe would make this big, strong man love her for herself alone, ana for no other reason. That he was very fond of her she realised only too well • she believed that with time and patience she would accomplish the rest. On a bright spring morning Adela. and Lindsay were married in the old village church at Chestermere. but few people had been invited to witness the ceremony, for Adela had wished her marriage to be kept as quiet as possible, and Lindsay, who disliked ostentation in any form, was only top ready to fall in with her wishes. Adela had thought to be married in her travelling dress, btit whether for any other reason than a mere whim. Lindsay had requested her to wear the dainty veil .and orange wreath , that so well becomes the fair young bride. With her heart light with hope because of the radiant promise the future seemed to hold for her, Adela passed down f he stepß of the Priory to the waiting car that was to carry then! to the first stage of their honeymoon. Donal 1 clung affectionately to hef arm, but Julia, having said good-bye to her Step-tiiother in the drawingroom, did not make any attempt to see her off. Miss Gunning for the moment was hot to be found, and Adela felt a strange throb of fear as ehe noticed that Rbger Maintvaririg alone stood at the top of tile steps to wave her farewell. From that vantage ground he seemed to dominate the whofa house, and to Aaelft’s strained imagination the fact seethed significant of his malignant Influence over Alec Lindsay's family. Something like a Sob rose * in her . throat, and for an instant the magnificent elms that bordered the drive vanished from her sight in a mist qf tears. Then the car was brought .to-A sudden standstill, and Aunt Bessie’s ’ sweet facb was looking tip at her niece, while a bunch of freshly-cut rolses—• red almost •to blackness— was thrust into Adela’s hand. “Red rases for love,” whispered the old lady in the girl’r ear, and then Adela realised that there was at least an antidote to Mainwftring’s evil influence. With the knowledge she faced tho future with ttew hone, with revived belief in the fact tnftt although for a time evil may seem to flourish, good must eventually overcome all things by the power of its own truth. (To be continued.)