The Dancing Girl

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 107, 11 June 1914, Page 2

The Dancing Girl

A SUMMER ROMANCE

By ARTHUR APPLIN, author of " Lovers Three, tr " Se|lisiide Rovers,*' 'etc,

CHAPTER ll..(continued). '' THE GIRL ON THE STAGE. 'vVWiir you introduce me to yotir iiriendsl" Claudine raising her wonderful black eyes to Diek's faee. At that moment Annie loathed the dancer with all her soul. Instinctively die knew that she was her rival. She iaw what might have escaped a mere *&n.

and then shed her silver light. The promenade was deserted, as also the beach. . . ~.■ - '■■,•:. . :> . Annie took Dick's arm and led him down a flight of steps on to the sands* She commenced to shiver, and crept close to.him. The waves were still breaking on the shore; they gleamed very white. against the dark night. There /was silence save for the sound of the /' Supposing you had been drowned this afternoon," Annie whispered. ''Oh, I shudder whenever I think of it." "Then don 't think of it," Dick laughed. "But the darkness and the loneliness make one think," Annie .said, softly. "She drew him down, closer-to the sea. "Don't they look cruel and hungry?" she whispered, pointing to the white waves. " Supposing .they. had taken you, Dick-r-whateyer should I have done?" Dick looked down at the woman by his side with a kindly smile, but as his eyes met hers he suddenly understood. Men are very slow to understand, especially nice ones. Dick had not the faintest idea that Annie was in love with him or wanted to marry him. Now he saw something in her eye which startled him and warned him. He tried to find something to say, but, embarrassed, he could think of nothing, and he remained silent. Silence and moonshine and solitude are three of woman's most useful 'weapons when she is fighting for a man. Annie had led him down to the : seashore for the purpose of fighting for him. Events had moved quickly during | the Jast twenty : four hours, and she knew.it was probably a case of now or never. ,She. had early recognised a rival in Sallie, one, she could, easily overcome. , . ..:.:■• i La Belle Claudine was a very differ- [ ent proposition, for not only was she j beautiful but she was famous. Moreover, there was the glamour of the stage and the mystery which surrounds the footlights. And she had opportunities of exhibiting her youth aud beauty which were denied to girls like Annie Berrill. She gave Dick's arm a tender little squeeze.' "I dori't think I could have lived if you had been taken from me this afternoon." ,' Again a silence, more prolonged. The waves laughed, as they ran along the shore. The r moon gleamed a moment, casting a longer silver path across the water. Then it disappeared, and darkness surrounded them. The silence was more prolonged. ' < Dick's eyes were wide open now. He realised the difficult, pppition in which he was placed, but he did not .know how to get out of it.. He .was tender? hearted, he was chivalrous, and/the soul of honour. He wondered whether he

.' Dick was already l under the dancer's #p_ell. i And no wonder, for the simplicbif heir' dresia accentuated the. slim of her figure. The dead-white &in } th& black eyes, and the red lips were strangely fascinating. Her low voice had a curious little harsh note Jbfr'it that caught and held the ear. bowed distantly, and her eold, Mute e£es sent a direct challenge to the dancer,' which, however, Claudine ob•Wously didn't notice. She passed into the"'street still holding Dick's arm; t!heh; before entering the taxi cab, she turned; ''■ ;; " :,:

"I hope we shall meet again. I owe yoii a debt I can never pay, but I want you to remember if ever I can be of any service to you, you will do me a favour l>y letting me know." At that moment.the stranger in evening' dress stepped forward, pushing Dick aside and, helping Claudine into the cab, he sat beside her. *'l Should have introduced my friend;" 'she said, apologetically. * 4 Captain Carviek.'' Garvick nodded curtly, and told the ehauffeur to drive on. ,

Dick stood on the pavement and waited until the taxi cab was out of Sight. Then he turned and started, as a ; man awaking from a dream. , f l I -hope I haven't kept you waiting long,** he said, looking at Sallie and Annie.

"It was worth waiting for, to see and speak to her," the former replied. But Annie tossed her head.

"I was just going home," she •napped. "You must have found her yery ! attractive, Mr Hardey.'' ~,-'.{l; .did,.',' ;he said, frankly. . And jlniyfl felt; hot tears rush to her eyes. ;*Tbe supper party promised to be a fftUpft ■'■' Sallie was thoughtful and iifeitt,/and'Annie sulked. But Bob, begiriitirig to realise the situation, worked BrdVely'io put matters right, and with ffc«H advent v.of I coffee. and „ cigarettes loosened, and Annie,, findshe'had Dick entirely to herself, became sligh^ afift'Dick were lodging in the but, of course, they walked B'oniewi'fch; £he two girls, and Bob tactfiUJT. lingered behind with Sallie. It Waff Jennie's opportunity, and she took &,.'* % " : [",'.,'"." ' . 'Wheii the esplanade was' reached, she iqggeateoyHhat they should go and look atthe sea. The wind had dropped, and a. Jew fleecyi white clouds sailed high in file sky, through which a full moon, now

had said or done anything ta make this girl think he cared for her. Perhaps he was to blame for boldly confessing he was in search of a wife. He moved forward a few steps. Annie still clung to his arm. Then he felt something' wet and warm splash on to his hand—a hot tear. She was crying! Pilled with remorse, he spoke without thinking. • "Why, Annie, what's the matter? What have I done?"

"Nothing," she sobbed. "Forgive me. We should not have come down here to : night. ' It has ; made me realise " ■Her sobs broke out afresh.

"Cheer up, little girl," he said, kindly, patting her cheek with his hand. "Here I am, safe and sound. Now, if I had;pegged out ' '-*' "Oh, don't!" she cried, flinging her arms around him. "I can't bear it, I can't bear itf" Dick held her tightly, waiting until she should recover herself. He glanced round. They were quite alone. Bob had probably seen Sallie home and returned to their rooms. He did not know What to do. He liked Annie well enough, and he reminded himself that a little time ago he had actually thought of proposing to her. She would, probably prove a suitable match for any man, but he had realised in time that he did not love her.

Love meant everything to Dick Hardey. When he had said he wanted a wife it was not quite true. He wanted love— he wanted romance..

That very afternoon romance had suddenly cast her mantle' round him. Love was probably as far off as ever, yet even as he stood on the deserted beach, holding Annie in his arms,, a vision of the beautiful dancer rose before his eyes. Again he saw the slim white body sinking in the angry sea, the long black hair floating like seaweed in the green water. .'' Come, look at me, Annie; you mustn't give way like this. Your mother will be wondering what's happened to you. It's time we were getting back." ..•..■••

She raised her eyes then and stopped crying. At the same moment the moon came out. Her hair had become loosened, and it gleamed golden against her cheeks. She looked very pretty, very desirable. He felt her heart beating against his own.

Hardly knowing what he..w?3 doing, filled with a sudden pity, he down to kiss her forehead. Before lie knew what had happened, she stood on tip toe, and their lips met] Annie's arms were about his neck; he felt her breach on his face. "Oh,' Pick, my darling!'' she panted. "I love you so. I am so hq.ppy, for now I know you Jqye me, too." Then twice Dick tried to. sj>eak. ,The third time he succeeded, but the waves drowned his voice. Annie, could not, or did not, hear what he said. In silence they walked back to the promenade. In silence they reached Annie's lodgings. Dick held out his hand. "Good night!" /; ' "Good night, dear, "Annie replied, and she blew him a kiss. The front door closed. Dick Hardey did not move away, but remained standing on the.top of the stone steps staring up into the sky, his face set and, stern. Five minutes passed. With an effort' he pulled himself together, ; and walked quickly back to his,rooms., ".,..'. feob was'waiting for hjm, and greeted him boisterously. ,< "I t was wondering had happen-

tjtl to yqii/jald faan. . 3 : bykUj6y .'#«(** "j* success to-night!" Dick flung himself into an arm-chair and sat with his hands clasped tightly together, staring into space. "What's up?" Bob said. He laid his hand on Dick's shoulder. The latter gave a strangled laugh. '' I am—in love."

"Good heavens!" Bob said. There was a moment's silence. "Well, you will win her" all right, old man, with such a commencement." He broke off suddenly. "You don't think there is anyone else? She's not engaged?" Dick shook his head slowly to and fro. * '' No, but unless a miracle happens/*! am!" And he buried his face in his hands. CHAPTER 111.

THE JEALOUS LOVERS; ■■<■■. Annie Berjrill slept well that night. Dick Hardey didn't. He lay awake lflmr after hour, wondering whether Annie would really consider that she was his affianced wife. At one moment he laughed at the idea; the next he trembled with apprehension.

The more he thought about her, the more convinced he became that he bad never really loved her. And then, quite against his will, he found himself comparing Annie Berrill and the dancer, La Belle Claudine. Comparisons are always odious. This one was almost grotesque. It was like comparing-a nice, well-groomed sleek country horse to a thoroughbred racer. But Annie's rest was troubled by no comparisons, nor-was it broken by any unwelcome dreams. She was supremely happy. She had won the man she wanted —but she had only done it just in time.

It was a narrow squeak. That made victory the sweeter!; It was late before Annie woke next morning; the sun was high an the sky. There was not a cloud to be seen>: the sea. was calm. She made up her mind that she would go,for a swim and wear the fascinating : Freneh bathing-dress which she had bought on purpose , to captivate Dick Hartley. She did not hurry over her toilet. She had so much to think about and she was at great pains to make herself look more attractive ,than ever. Though Dick was hers, by all the laws of courtship the bargain had yet to be sealedAnd, moreover, she intended the dan eer-woman to know that she was not the only pebble on the beach at Westbor ough-on-Sea! Annie had not told her mother'what had taken place, intending,not' to do ac until Dick purchased the engagement ring. .But when Mrs Berrill chided her \Laughter, for being so late the previous evening Annie could not resist the temp tation to break the good news. Mrs Berrill" gave a shriek of joy and then shed a few silent tears in hes daughter's arms. For she was a widow and poor! . Annie was her- only oft" spring; her extravagant tastes anthabits had. always been • a source pi worry to. the fond mother* i,And.thif Little holiday to Westboroughtwas cost Lng more than they could affdrd.. Few the best rooms procurable had beer taken and everything done extrava Hantiy in the hope that Mr Dick Har ley would eventually foot the bill.

Mrs Berrill wanted to know 'exactly how it happened and -wh£t Dick had said. Her daughter blushed and plead ed that she did'not remember.' She; did not want to remember. Not that she was ashamed, for she considered she had' merely' done '^h'fiti ; ?every l> wfiiriatj would do in the! circumstances. • ■ ' •

After breakfast she put On her hat. and. mother and daughter sat at the open window waiting for the lover's' arrival. No arrangement had been made but, as Annie, said, he would be sure to call for her. -

The promenade became crowded; The band commenced to play. Happy couple; ran down to the beach hand in hand; there was a rush oh : the bathing machines until, to her dismay, Annie saw that every one was occupied. 1 Yet Dick did not come. She-begaii to grow impatient. Twelve o'clock struck. She glanced surreptitiously ai at her, mother and saw ?>'doubfc slowly growing on the features *of that good lady. !■-.-. •.;.. -■■-•. "I hope you haven't made a mistake. Annie, dear;'.' Mrs Berrill said at last. unable to contain her anxiety. "You are sure he meant it—you know how im pulsive you are, dearie?" Annie stamped her foot angrily. "Am I sure he meant it, indeed! If you had seen the way he kissed me—^—" >' She broke off suddenly • with a startled cry> and xose to her feet. "I know what's happened* He's illl" "Love-making • never made young men ill in my days," Mrs Berrill said, mournfully. "He's caught a chill—saving that wretched woman yesterday.' I must go round to his rooms at once, mother." ;

Mrs Berrill had no intention of letting her daughter go alone, so together they hurried along the promenade. Mrs Berrill was breathless , before they reached her future son-in-law's. loggings. Annie rang the bell and. knocked violently.' ' "Mr Hardey?" she cried, to,the, astonished servent-maid. . , ~. ''' He went out early this .morning, miss, on his motor bike. I heard him tell his friend he wa.s not to expect him till he saw him. Gone off for the day, I should think."

Fox a moment..Annie's heart stopped beating; she could scarcely believe her ears. Then, recovering herself, asked, for Bob. She had a terrible suspicion that, perhaps, Dick had repented of the bargain—which in her heart she knew she had forced upon him. She intended clinehing matters by tactfully telling his pal what had happened, by letting everyone know, by putting it in the newspapers if necessary! Her conscience pricked her and she was frightened. . To her dismay the servant replied that Mr Bob. Dunckett had also gone out —with a young lady. Seizing her mother's arriv 'Annie turned away! : she was afraid lest the servant saw the disappointment on her face. She knew how quick •nromen are. to read their sisters' secrets.. ''.'Mrs'Berrill'tried to comfort her daiighter clumsy suggestions for Dick's . neglect of her. , '

"""I expect he felt a bit shy and. queer when he awoke this morning, my, dear. A nice man feels that way whqn he proposes to a girl. You wait until tonight, and don't worry. He was afraid to face you in the sunshine, thinking of the" kisses he took."'

(To be continued to-morrow.)