THE NOVELIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 48

THE NOVELIST.

[Published bt Special Arrancement.]

IHE IVORY GOD.

By ANNIE S. SWAN (Author of "Aldersyde," " Gates of Eden," etc.).

[COPTBIGHT.]

CHAPTER X—THE MAKING OF A MAN.

Annie opened the door of the small bedsitting room, which by the kindness of tho Aldertons she had occupied since her arrival.

" Just go in there for a minute, Geoff, I must teJl Mrs Alderton. She's putting her baby to bed." A small hand lamp ready to bo ligthed stood on the centre table. Annie put a match to it, and, nodding happily, closed the door.

Geoffrey looked about him rather vaguely with a half-smile. One of the best impulses of his life had brought him there, but as the door closed on him he realised with a sudden sharp pang the inevitableness of life. The closing of the door by a woman's hand was symbolical of the present crisis in his life. He was no longer free. He realised, too, that it Avas going to be more difficult to do the right thing by Annie than he had at first imagined. prospect of the voyage with her, and the new country with all its opportunity and freedom at the other end, had been pleasant enough; but circumstances had mightily altered. The narrow dimensions of the railway porter's best room, its queer assortment of furniture and nicknacks, the smell of the oil lamrp mingling with the judour of fried onions all brought home to him the actual reality of things. He had to descend to the level of the woman he had married, consort with those with whom she was at home, and for a time at least share the workman's toil and the workman's regard. It gave him an odd sense of actuality, and it said something for the good which lurks deep in even the most wayward heart that he made no desperate effort to free himself. He might nave opened the door and escaped into the darkness, even as the sound of the women's voices was wafted to him from the room above, where Bessie Alderton had paused in her crooning song to her baby, to hear her guest's astounding news. He heard Annie's voice slightly raised in her happy agitation, then her laugh, and the other woman's tone a little deeper answering back. Once he caught distinctly the sound of his own name. It caused his face to flush a little, for his pride was not dead. He must get away that very night if possible from the house, else soon perhaps he should have to sit down to share Bill's fried onion supper. Presently as he was kicking his heels impatiently the door opened, and both the women entered. Bessie Alderton was about thirty years of age, and had been a housemaid in good families. She had a pleasant, kind face, and her eye was quick enough to discern that Geoffrey Faussit was a gentleman, as she had learned to draw the distinction between a gentleman and a working man. She was genuinely pleased to see him, and told him so, though to his relief she did not offer to shake hands or to thrust upon him any kind of familiarity. " I'm glad you've come," she said a trifle brusqtiely. " Poor Mrs Faussit has had a terrible time worrying about you. I suppose- you'll be taking her away?" " Yes, to-night, if you please," said Geoffrey. " Will you get your things together, Annie?" he said looking at her kindly. Annie made no demur. She lived but to please him, to obey his slightest behest. " My boots are in the kitchen," she said, as she made haste through 'the halfopen door. Then Bessie spoke.

" We're sorry to lose her, Mr Faussit. She's been so kind and nice in the house, and such a help with the baby. Just like a story-book, isn't it? I'm so sorry about your accident." She did not say that a little remorse mingled with her sorrow, for both she and Bill had come to the conclusion that the case was one of base desertion, and, having wormed a few of the facts from their guest, Bessie had spent most of the day in urging he» to communicate with or go back to her 'father. But the unexpected reappearance of the husband, his apparent willingness to do all that was right and fitting, had put a very different complexion on the affair. Bessie felt that she owed them both an apology, though it was not one she could easily put into words.

"I don't know how I am to thank you, Mrs Alderton, and vour kind husband, for what you have done for my wife. You can see for yourself that she is not much used to travelling, and I had no idea she was so short of money. You see, I had most of mine in London here, where I was taking out our passages to Canada."

"Oh. so you are going to Canada!" she said interestedly. " Me an' Bill's always talking about it, but it's such a long way off. When do von sail?" " I don't know now. We were to have sailed to-day, you see, and would have done but for my unfortunate accident," he said lightly. " I am not sure what we shall do in the immediate future. Meanwhile I never can forget your kindness. Perhaps after Ave do get out to Canada, we may help to bring about your immigration, too. Meanwhile buy something for the baby with this. I'm aware it's a small return, for there are things in the world that can't be paid for." He laid a sovereign on the iable, with a slight air of the grand seigneur which was perhaps unavoidable at the moment, and

which very much impressed Bessie Aiderton. Speaking about it to her husband when he came home, she said regretfully : "I was sorry when she went, but we could not keep him. Bill. He's real quality. I think it's a lucky woman she is, an' my ain't she set on ' im! I never saw a woman's eyes follow a chap about as 'ers did. Yoif don't git it, my man." " No, us common or garden muck 'as to be doin' wi' somefink less," answered Bill facetiously as he attacked his savoury stew with uncommon relish.

"We don't want no payment, sir," said Bessie, looking doubtfully at the little golden disc shining under the lamp. At the same time, however, she beheld in her mind's eye a beautiful white, satintrimmed .pelisse for the baby, which she had observed in the baby's window of the Bon Marche at Brixton, marked thirteen and elevenpence. The remaining six shillings would buy a ducky bonnet to match, and behold the baby a veritable queen!" " You must take it," said Geoffrey gently, though conscious that it diminished the store which he had no present means of replenishing. Presently Annie, her cheeks pink with excitement, reappeared, and began to nut her things into the Japanese basket, which Geoffrey surveyed with some misgiving. The next act of self-renunciation required of him would be to march about carrying that abomination in his hand. Well, he must grin and bear it. In about ten minutes they were ready to say good-bye to the kind little woman, to whom Annie clung for a. moment in real regret.

" " Mind you write, Annie," said Bessie, with tears in her eyes, while Geoffrey stood hat in hand on the step outside, marvelling at the intimacy" that could spring up between two women in an incredibly short space of time. He waved his hat, and once more thanked Mrs Alder ton; but he was genuinely relieved when at last they were away from the house. He hastened their steps until they had left the cul-de-sac, feeling anxious not" to encounter Bill again. He must by this time be approaching his home. "Where are we going, Geoff?" asked Annie not anxiously, but a little breathlessly, when they came out into the blazing High road, with its long line of merchandise spread on trestles in the open street. "Faith, I don't know, my dear!" he said, with a faintly' humorous smile: " We'd better take an omnibus to the Strand, I fancy.- There are some inexpensive hotels there. When we've got a shelter for the night we must go into a committee of ways and means, and decide what's going to "become of us." "Aren't we going to Canada?" asked Annie artlessly. At the moment she had not a care in the world, and was utterly indifferent as to her destination or final settlement. She had got her lover; he was not only true but kind—what else mattered? Presently Geoffrey hailed an omnibus going to Blackfriars Bridge, and they climbed to the top. It was a pleasant ride, and Geoffrey refreshed himself with a cigarette, and felt a little more reconciled to things in general. They did not talk* much, chiefly because the top of the omnibus was crowded, and their affairs were of too intimate a character to permit of miscellaneous hearing. Annie did not mind the silence. She was simply awe-stricken by the number of things that were happening, by the sudden change that had come over her uneventful life. Already- Catley and all the interests of the only home she had ever known had faded into the dim distance. They alighted on the Surrey side of Blackfriars Bridge, because Geoffrey, keeping his eyes wide open, had observed a small and rather attractive-looking hotel close by. His means would not permit of an expensive place, and a refuge of some kind they must have without further delay. It was now almost ten o'clock, and Geoffrey was feeling the need of something to eat. He had had nothing since he had drunk a hasty cup of tea in an ABC shop before he had visited Soho. His arrangement with the hotel manager was quickly made. They could have a room on the third floor for the modest sum of five shillings, and some cold supper could be sent up.

Annie was delighted, but a little shy—it was such a new experience altogether. They enjoyed their meal together, and she neither siid nor did anything to shock Geoffrey's sensibilities. She was sweetly kind, too, so. obviously grateful for what he had done, that he began insensibly to have a better opinion of himself. There are men of whom responsibility is the making. Just at that juncture in Geoffrey Faussit's moral and mental development the knowledge that Annie was entirely dependent on him, looking to him as an arbiter of destiny, awakened in him all that was best. The odd thing about it was that though his orospects were realy desperate he should feel such lightness of heart. When the tray had been put outside on the landing and Geoffrey rolled another cigarette, he felt that they might now begin to discuss the future. " Look here, dear, let me take off your boots, and get into your slippersif you've got any, and sit down in that rickety old chair. We've got to have a really good pow-pow. Things in front of us are a bit steep, I do assure you." " I don't care," answered Annie unexpectedly and flushing all over, as he began to' unlace her boots. "All that I do° care for is that I'm here with you. Yesterday I nearly died, not knowing what was going to become of me." " I suppose you thought the worst of me, eh?" " No, I didn't," said Annie seriously. "Even when Mrs Alderton said things" I wouldn't let her." " Sounds a bit difficult." he said with a slow smile. " They were most frightfully kind, of course, and some day, when the ship comes in we shan't forget them. But I hope you didn't give the

whole show away—who we were, and how we happened to get married, and all." " Oh, no, I had more sense. 1 only just told her i had married you against my father's will, and that I had run away, out i didn't even tell her the name of tne place where we came from."

"Right 0. Well now, I only told you a little bit of the bad luck I had at that beastly hole in Soho, and as you've got the right to hear it all, I may as well unload. I'm stony broke, Annie, there's my stock, lock and barrel."

He emptied his pockets on the soiled green cover which was on the centre table and counted it out.

iuve pounds twelve and sixpence, my dear, that's every penny you and I have in the world."

"But that won't pay our passages to Canada. Perhaps you mean that's; all we have left now you've got them?" Geoffrey shook his head.

"No, I mean exactly what I say. They didn't only knock me about that night, but they stole everything I possessed." Annie looked horrified. "But didn't you tell the police? They'll find them, and get your money back or some of it at least."

"The man who took it was a Dutchman, and he's gone back to his own country. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack," he" said somewhat evasively. "Besides I haven't the time nor the money to spend on the search."

"Then what ere we going to do now? Will we not go to Canada?" "We can't unless we qret the Salvation Army or some other philanthropic society to send us out/' he said grimly. She sat silent a little, not in the least dismayed, only puzzled and a little saddened.

"Are you sorry I have come, Geoffrey?" she said wistfully. "Don't be. I can work, I don't mind work at all, and—and we'll get on, I'm sure we will." Geoffrey felt something thicken in his throat.

' 'All right, little woman, we'll get through somehow. But nothing can be done till Monday. We've got plenty of time to sit tight and make plans." "Couldn't you get some money from home, to be paid back when we get out to Canada, and make some." He shook his head.

"I'm done with them at home, Annie, I've been chucked. It'll be a queer thing if I can't shew them that I can do without them and their cash."

She smiled at that, well pleased, for she had sufficient grit and common, sense to understand that in a ■ man like Geoffrey Faussit such an attitude was hopeful. And she believed in him, why not? Had he not fulfilled all his promises, was -she riot there with him alone in London, his acknowledged wife? Permitted to share his fortunes good or ill. All a woman's faith and love were shining in her eyes, giving to her womanly personality a new charm.

Never had she seemed more beautiful or desirable in Geoffrey Faussit's eyes, and in his heark there arose the great resolve. He would justify her faith, first of all, since that was his bounden duty, then shew to them all what stuff the waster was made of. "What will you do then, on Monday?" she asked, not abie to follow the trend of his thoughts, only conscious that they were favourable to her that his eyes on her face were tender and kind. And what else mattered All the world over love is all to a woman, and when her heart is anchored, she is immune from the minor assaults of fate. An idyll of the stars was in full play there in that dingy hotel bedroom where a man and woman, one very faulty and erring, the other commonplace, were lifted up above circumstances the most sordid, to a clear and heavenly place where all things were possible. "I'll set out on Monday and get work, and then we must find a cheap lodging somewhere just within our ( means, and until we can rise to a home." "Oh, yes," she answered, and pride and longing vibrated in her tones. "It'll be mighty slow for you at first, Annie; but just as soon as ever we can we'll go out to Canada. I'll start making inquiries on Monday, too, and never slacken off till it's decided one way or another. But the first thing to make sure of is our daily bread, while we re waiting. I don't want you to wish you hadn't come to me, my dear." " I would never wish that, whatever happened," she answered in words which burn. " Thank vou, little woman. That puts heait into'me. And never a word to anybody, but just you and me working together to—to prove ourselves to the world, eh? It's a new idea me I want you to understand that Ive chucked the old life, it's a new man vou've got entirely." " It's the only man I want, she murmured through her tears; then after a minute she added, " If we're in lodgings, Geoffrey, couldn't I get something to do, too? I won't know what to make of myself all the day when you're out, and I've been used to" work—l'm miserable when I'm idle." But at this he sternly shook his head.

' You're my wife, and my wife mustn't work. After we got the home together — well, we'll see; but some dav you'll have the. right kind of home, and servants to do your work, and nothing to do but look sweet and pretty for mv sake," he added facetiously. "Meanwhile what I've got to do is* to get this beastly plaster off my face, and make myself look respectable before I seek a job." He surveved himself with a kind of good-natured scorn in the cheap walnut mirror above the mantelpiece, and rolled himself another cigaiette. Suddenly he sat down in front of her on the edge of

the rkkety table, which swayed with his weight. " Look here, Annie, I want to make a clean breast—J want to tell you' about the last night at Branetborpe. ' "Well?" she said faintly, and a sort of still and waiting look came on her face. " When my father and I had the row that day at the works, I went home and packed my bag, and went off to Newcastle swearing I'd be done with the whole show Then the devil entered into me, and I began to ask myself why they should have so much there and I nothing. And I let the thing take such hold of me that in the end I went back like any common burglar for the sole purpose of helping myself, you understand?" Annie listened, half-frightened, and for a brief moment the gladness died out of her face.

"I got into the house—that was easy, for there isn't a . bolt or a bar whose trick I don't know, and of course the dogs, the natural protectors of the house, knew me and didn't utter a sound. It was my father's curios in the drawingroom I was after.' You've heard me speak of them?"

" Oh, yes, often." " Well, I got there all right, had my bag well filled, and was just about to quit when I was disturbed." * _ " By Mr Faussit?" exclaimed Annie in horror.

"No, by Miss Anerley. It seems < she was stopping in the house, only I didn't know it, and she had heard something. Anyway I don't know, but there she was, and she just put her foot on the bag, and prevented me taking anything—in fact, Bhe made me put every solitary thing back in its place." " Oh, Geoffrey, how wonderful and how brave."

" It was, for I tell you at the moment I was a pretty desperate and reckless man. What did she say ? Heaps > of things. It's the things she said working in me now, Annie, for every word was true. She gave me money as a loan —the money that has been stolen, —and I pro-, mised her to live honestlv and pay up. But I was not quite honest even then, for I took something away with me in my pocket, worth two thousand pounds—the pick of the collection. I got clean away with it, and she never knew." "And where is it now?" inquired Annie, her eyes round with astonishment and consternation. "Faith I don't know! The Dutchman pinched it off me along with the money, and I wish him joy of it. It'll bring him to grief as sure as fate, as it brings everybody who touches it." "How creepy! What was it?" "A hideous little ivory god with diamond eyes. It seems it was stolen out of some Indian temple, and that's sacrilege, to take anything out of a church. Anyway Van der Groot has it, and he's likely to curse the day he ever had it. He offered to buy it, but I didn't want to part with the thing just then. You see, I thought that whatever it was worth to him, it was worth more to me. It wasn't for the money he knocked me on the head, but for the image; and now he's got it, but as sure as fate it'll bring him to grief, as it brought me. So- now you know the full extent of my sins. I'm a thief as well as a wrong un, and I broke my word to Clare Anerley at the very moment I promised to try and redeem myself. Have you any guarantee about me, my dear, and isn't it a pretty dismal outlook?"

She got up and moved to his side, and lifted her sweet face with an exquisite gesture of trust and love. " It's going to be different now, Geoffrey, and I don't care. I would rather be here than anywhere, and—and God will help us." Geoffrey threw his arm about her, and drew her close. He had tested her. He was well aware of her Puritan upbringing, and the narrow groove in which her life had run, of all her instincts and prejudices. And he had tested her to the uttermost! But love was stronger than all!

'You'll never regret it, my darling," he murmured, with a new passion in his voice. ,5 " We'll climb up together—we'll do wonderful things," he added with very little conception of the magnitude of the task he had set himself. ' We'll conquer fate."

" I am sure you will," she murmured nestling to him. "It'll be the high adventure, eh? Who would ever have thought life could be so interesting?" "It is Heaven," she answered, and Heaven was in her eyes. (To be Continued.)