BEWILDERING BRIDGETTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 81

BEWILDERING BRIDGETTE.

By Madge Barlow, author of "Love Finds a Way," "The Cairn of the Badger," "A Fight With Fate," "The Secret of the Black Bog," etc. The thud, thud of a horse's hoofs furiously a-gallop brought ostlers running to the cobble-stoned patch in front of the Golden Dragon. "He rides for a wager!" cried one, as the big roan horse came thundering on, striking sparks from the road. "No; he stops!' Ihe swaying figure in the saddle pulled up so abruptly that his beast almost threw a backward somersault. There was a rush to seize the bridle and haul the animal oft its slithering haunches. "The Winchester coach —has it gone?" gasped the rider. "Half an hour ago," said a man, champing a straw between his teeth. "Get me another horse!" was the imperious command. "We've none, except those resting and awaiting the next coach, your honor," answered the head ostler. "When does the next pass?" "Ten o'clock, sir." "Five hours! I can't delay! Feed and water my horse, and have him ready in forty minutesT" "Impossible, sir. He's badly lamed." The gentleman bit a whitening lip. "Well, if 1 must tarry, I must," he muttered, dismounting and Hushing scarlet under their curious gaze. He swaggered towards the inn, and turned, frowning. "Did a young and — er—beautiful lady travel by the last coach?" "Two of 'em, sir; both blessed with looks." Venting an impatient exclamation, he entered the open door, and the head ostler winked at his fellows. "I know him," be whispered hoarsely. "Saw him twice before; a fire-eater in spite of his girlie countenance. Satan's own for mischief. He seems flurried, i. sign he's playing tricks worse than usual. And his hat-brim was crushed low on his brows. Still, he carries himself right gallantly, and ' Would if the gallows creaked' under him. There'll be stir at the Golden Dragon to-night, you hear me." Inside, the landlady and the gentleman —he was only a .stripling—talked cf supper, or. rather, she talked and he listened and fidgeted. "Give me anything," he interrupted. "I'm not. hungry; I think food will choke me." And', abruptly, "Have you many in the house besides myself?" His distrustful blue eyes searched her face. "Not a soul, sir." "Thank heaven! But should others come and ask a similar question, xxm say the same —that the house is empty —and make your servants say it. I—l am on a lady's service. Those who may follow are her enemies and mine. Befriend us, and " A musical jingle of gold completed the sentence eloquently. "Rest easy; we won't betray you," she replied, breathing benedictions on his generosity. "Of all our apartments, this c'offee room is safest. The panel to the left of the fireplace lias a secret door, which leads down a wooden stair to the cellars. Press the little knob carved like a flower if aught disturb you, and descend unafraid. I'll fetch candles and close the shutters. The windows show upon n walled yard, and the watch-dug is doing duty at the yard gate." His jingling palm met hers. "Good luck to you and missie," she beamed. "I'll warrant you've ridden far, poor dear." "A fairish number of miles." The brusqueness of his tone warned her to curb her inquisitiveness. She curtseyed and withdrew, wondering what madness possessed the pretty boy to drive him into love-broils at such an early age. When alone, he tried the knob carved like a flower, and the panel slid back. disclosing a dim stairway. Satisfied, he lifted his finger, and the panel resumed its original position. He went to the coke fire, and held fine, slender hands over it, laughing softly, his red mouth parting to reveal teeth of pearl. Hia mood waxed merry. The super-table was spread, but he did scant justice to it* solid fare, picking daintily, dallying over the pretence of a meal to beguile the tedium of waiting. \; : h r rat eyein" in comical dtsmav a bottle of full-bodied port which he was expected to empty, a commotion in the passage startled him. "The coffee-room is public," said a high, angry voice. "I insist on eating my snack" in it if I please. Haste, woman, and don't retard important busine=s by prating of better fires and cosier corners, or I'll begin to imagine you have something hidden in there. 'Bring ale and bread and cheese, and stand aside from the door." Having given the stripling time to escape, the landlady fled, and the angry traveller burst in. He saw a youth fumbling wildly at a panel that refused to bud;e, met a terrified stare that changed suddenly to one of surprise and relief. Taking a candlestick off the table, the newcomer walked across to the other and held the Lo niij ..-".CC, mo OWil c..~ .. in<? lean and brown and alert in the circlet of yellow flame—a- masterful face, hardhammered by life's buffetings ; proud too, perhaps domineering, yet hinting at a saving grace of humour. "Keep vour distance, impudence!" said the lad crisply. " I don't know you, nor do I -wish to." " (But yon thought you might, and were

preparing to vanish. I can guess why easily as I guess whom you - are.” A start and a nervous suction of the breath were not lost upon the speaker. His voice rang sharply. “Jack Varney, return to your chair and answer a -few questions truthfully, if you value your health,” “Jack Varney submits to no stranger’s orders.” “ I am acting for your uncle Jocelyn and Ralph Adshaw.” “ In deference to my uncle Jocelyn, I may endure you.” The landlady’s jaws dropped when she set refreshment before the lean brown man, and saw the bonnie youth seated opposite him instead of being in the cellar among the cockroaches. Appearances told her a storm was brewing. “Might I ask the name of the person who acts for Ralph Adshaw? And how r he recognised a Varney who never saw or heard of him?” “ Master Jack, my name is of small moment. As for the second query, I was aware Bridgetto Varney had a cousin of the same age, resembling her strongly, and indeed you are so like a portrait of her which mildews in the damp of Varney Chase that I spotted my quarry at once. I’ve ridden on your trail, hoping to catch up with you and her this side of Winchester.” “.Ah!" A gleam of intelligence flashed into the saucy blue eyes. “ Adshaw arrived twenty-four hours ago to find the Chase panic-smitten, and his promised wife and her rake of a cousin missing.” “Ah!” said the lad again, perking ,a truculent chin. “She was promised to him by her undo the day he quitted England to push a soldier’s fortunes in the Low Countries. Bridgette was to*;, and he twenty-live. Now she is nineteen, and Ralph claims her.” “She cares Jess than the weight of a pinch of snuff for his claim. A nice thing, to gift her without her leave!” “No trifling, boy! Where is she?’’ “I shall not tell you.” “But you know?” “Certainly I do.” “Has she gone ahead of you in the coach, leaving you to baffle the pursuit?” “Ride after it, fellow, and make discoveries.” “Sir Jocelyn declares Bridgette has no relations in the town to shelter her”—interrogatively—so to whom could she go?” “A friend often sticks closer than relations, and Bridgette’s friends are legion." Jack Varney’s smile was amused. “Look here, Jack-a-dandy,” said the other, whimsically tolerant of his perversity, “she is to be married to-morrow, and the guests are bidden. She must come homo.” “And marry Adshaw? Never, while i live.” Varney sprang to his feet, choking out the words, his slight frame shaking. “It is the Chase he loves —her money —not her. He cannot Jove a girl he has not seen since she was a child nine years ago.” “He watched her grow to womanhood in liis heart, and his love is a life’s passion. True, he is poor. Fate used him ill. But between the Varneys and the Adshaws money counts for nothing. He lays no great value on it. Boy, be generous. Bridgette is using you as a pawn in the game, no more. She hasn’t n partide of affection for you beyond the cousinly.” “She tells me different.” “Pshaw! Ralph will make her love him. He’ll woo her with such warmth of tenderness, such ardour, such sweet audacity, that she will listen for the sheer wonder of it—and yield; yes, and flutter to his bosom like a bird to its safe nest.” Ho lifted his brown face, and his dark, luminous eyes shone into the scared blue ones—fascinating, magnetising, seeming to draw the soul of quaking Jack out of his body on a point of thin live flame. His lids drooped. A shiver ran through him. He felt that wayward Bridgette indeed stood in peril of loving divinely—not Adshaw, but this hanger-on who did his errands. “Therefore,” went on the rich, dominating voice, “seeing your chance' in fair rivalry is nil, you will accompany mo to Winchester and lead me to Bridgette, and let mo plead Ralph’s cause.” “I won’t go. I can’t. My horse is lame.” “Mine is fit to carry two.” “That doesn’t say he’ll carry me.” “If I have to heave you up- to the saddle he shall.” “Are we Varneys shuttlecocks to be. tossed about ’twixt you and your master?” cried the lad, clencliing his fists. ‘‘l give you the lie, you braggart. Ride to Winchester, and you ride alone—to failure.” “Nay, to success. To-morrow Ralph shall sing: It was a lover and his lass, With u hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino. “Again I give vou the lie,” said Varney, faintly. “flow you look at one. Take your wizard eyes off me, or I’ll do worse.” “Do it.” Seizing the untasted glass of wine he had poured out after supper, Varney dashed it full in the brown man’s face. It streamed down to his shirt-ruffles, dying them purple. Aghast at what he had "done, at the silence that ensued, the lad turned grey as ashes. “I have only the usual response to an act of that sort, and here it is,” said the other, rising and touching his sword. “I see a weapon dangling gaily by you? side ; the Varneys are expert swordsmen. Strip and fight.' If I win first blood 1 Removing his coat, he advanced to the middle of the room. A picture of cowardice, Varney shrank to the wall, his hands flung forward in protest and appeal. Stung by the liquid scorn of the davA 1 eyes, he groped for his sword. It quivered in his nerveless clutch. He lunged weakly as his opponent closed in on him. A stroke sent his sword spinning upon the

bar© boards, .something pricked hi. arm hotly j something' vvunu “tuixT' wetstained his sleeve. “A mere scratch to ttach ;you manners. Master Jack. I tear you are a milksop, and no credit to your name or to Bridgette s taste. Faugh I Had I dreamt you were a great blustering bkbyl I would not have bandied even words with you. I go to get my horse.” i ' He opened tiie door, and was!.stepping into the passage when a dull sound arrested him. the lad had tumbled on the floor in a dead faint. Surprised, ho strode back and reached for the wine bottle. The draught swept through from the passage, extinguishing ’ the candles, and, with his shouts for a- light and the clamour of a fresh relay of travellers making an impetuous raid on the coffee room, there was trouble in the narrow doorway. ‘‘Whoever ytm are, confound you I” shrilled a testy old gentleman, butting viciously into the brown man s waistcoat. ‘‘Sir Jocelyn!” ‘‘Ralph!” A taper applied to the candles revealed three cherubic rosy ancients, the exact counterparts of one another. ‘‘Brother Peter and Brother Kick,” said Sir Jocelyn, “come to figure at the wedding, and sore grieved at Bridgette’a naughtiness. Scarcely had 1 finished telling them the mournful tale when a letter arrived from, a schoolmate of hers in \\ inchester, saying that she was expected there to-night, and would be detained until our pleasure was known. Wo mounted in haste and set out, trusting to meet yon at the journey’s end and allay your anxiety. She is not in Jack's company, praises be.” “K'o, sir, because he is lying in yonder corner.” “Eh? Is it a man? Bless me! Ralph, what’s happened?” “Jack's horse went lame, sir, and ho had perforce to-wait for the late coach j so I stumbled on him, and we quarrelled.” The old gentlemen gaped and rumpled their grey hairs. “We had a mock bout with sworila, and I scratched his llesh as a kitten might, and frightened him.” “Frightened Jack ! The Evil One himself couldn’t. Why,’ we found him several hours past, stupid drunk in a hayloft, babbling that ’twas a bitter shame his pretty cousin would have none of him.” “Sir Jocelyn; 1 assure you' he is lying yonder, swooning, or pretending to swoon.” “I’m not pretending, you—you brute!” If a bomb had been hurled into the midst of the uncles they could hardly have been more amazed. Sir Jocelyn darted to the corner. A squeal of rapture soared to the rafters. “ Tis Bridgette. My lamb! My sweet, flower!” She sat coolly surveying the quartet, her glittering hair, loosed of its ribbon, falling in a shower of gold about her neck. Ralph recoiled from the gaze of the blue eyes, abased, horrified, wishing the floor would yawn and swallow him, suffering tortures at- the sight of a ved speck on snowy lawn. The uncles kissed and gloated over her. “In male attire,” gurgled Sir Jocelyn. “Oh, He, Bridgette!” She shrugged her shoulders. Ralph cursed his blindness in not noticing sooner the girlish delicacy of them. “And to ape wild Jack, and provnka Ralph to a sad loss of temper, and causa him to fret for it concmnedly,” bloated Uncle Peter. Uncle Nick was trying to bind his handkerchief around her arm. She jerked her elbow, and he joined her on the floor abruptly, where he remained.

stroking her fingers,. .“It s nothing a gnat sting 6 ~ 4he -jncimujed.-y > yea faintectr dear-iei’ : “Uasi't 1 fa-hit rife I jvtrAt to?’ “Ut Cjiif.-o,■ Bridgct-te ; oi course.” “_AnUyou’ll- forgive Rafpn?" purred bit Joceivn. -“ha.iil I?”—arching haughty brows. f‘ ’Tic you rpsaks. ” ••Xhe Jadv >necds forgiveness as much as 1,” Adshaw chimed in, his face downcast and haggard. “For my own part I am sorry, and cut to the heart, i ask her pardon. She hates me, and I—l love too devotedly to press my suit further and mar her happiness. The wedding will not take place; "she is free ’of me. It was a dream that lured me home. Bridgette has awakened mo with kind cruelty. I am rather staid and elderly. She did •well. I’ll love her no less, and I’d spill every drop of blood my veins hold to erase that red scratch of my ma.king. “Tut, tut!’ muttered Sir Jocelyn. “ Our flower is noble enough bear the blame which belongs to her. We’ll leave you together, and a talk may clear away misunderstandings.” “ Bridgeite is dove-soft,” quavered Peter, feigning confidence. ~ “She would do anything for me, sighed Nick, gently pinching her pink ear. Their blandishments had no effect on the fair rebel. “ Land me your hand to rise,” she said, when they trailed into the passage, a dejected trio. “I believe you have released me, she continued, scanning Ralph under thick eilken eyelashes. “ I had no option.” “ The honour of our house is at stake. The Adshaws shall never cast it in my teeth that you rejected me.” “If you could —if you would—if I might win favour and forgiveness,” he cried incoherently, his pulses leaping. “ Forgiveness you’ll have provided you grant Bridgette* Varney her revenge. This” —tapping her arm —“and the deception you practised on me, Ralph Adshaw, particularly the deception, will rankle unless speedily you and I are quits. To-morrow’s ceremony must be performed.” A gesture checked his muffled note of joy. “ To a certain point, on reaching which I will publicly spurn you with a round emphatic ‘ No.’ ” “ Girl, would you humiliate me before my kin and yours?” “Is pride stronger than your boasted love?” . ~ “ You would make love contemptible. “If you owe me -no reparation refuse consent.” \ “ Perhaps if Bridgette paid her just dues she would share my penance,” he gaid, grimly. “My brain grqws confused as to whether, she or I require humbling most. What matter. She is Ralph Adehaw’s dearest, and her will is law.” “I swear 111 say ‘No.’ It isn t a whim of the moment,” she replied, binding her hair, and netting him a prisoner in its mesh of gold. He caught a curl, and crushed it to his lips. “Heaven knows I’m a fool,” he groaned. “But better to be Bridgette’s fool than the world’s wise man.” Beneath the stars a party of five took rein for Varney Chase, two in front and three deluded old gentlemen bringing up the rear, blissfully congratulating themselves on a peaceful finale to a tempestuous episode. Ralph was silent and preoccupied, very care-worn. The girl’s eyes were fixed on the silvery shimmer overhead, and her red mouth smiled mischievously. Sad to relate, she kept her oath. And thus she did it. When in the face of a brilliant gathering, Sir Jocelyn’s chaplain liaving received Adshaw’s “ I will,” turned to her with the question “Wilt thou have this man?” Bridgette pursed her lips. “ No,” said she. The Varneys and Adshaws stiffened in their pews. “I—er—moan that I will,” she added, briskly. “Faith, I’m here for nothing else.” “ Daughter,” the chaplain remonstrated, v a second ago your response was negative.” “Oh, bother!” murmured Bridgette, stealing a sly glance at her stalwart, bewildered bridegroom. Aloud she said : “A slip of the tongue is no fault of the mind, your reverence. Please to proceed.”