OUR SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1928, Page 15

OUR SERIAL STORY

"LOVE’S STOWAWAY"

By

JOHN L. CARTER

Rights Reserves'.

(CHAPTER XXII. Continued.) “Give me the name of your friend, whom you say saw those two at Nice.” "Let me think,” muttered Stella. “It was Mrs. Hector Wade.” “Mrs. Hector Wade- has been in Cape Town more than a year,” said Lady Belden cruehingly. "That proves that It was a fabrication. And now, Stella, it was you who were the cause of Miss Briant and her uncle leaving so suddenly. Come, what threat did you hold over that man’s head?” Stella’s face lit up with a cruel glow. At least, she could take revenge. “Oh, so you have changed your opinion .of Molly, I see,” she sneered. "This Mr. Knapp, has bee.u whitewashing her, that’s very clear. But, don’t forget that it was you who wanted her disposing of, you who sent for me to help on the good work.” "I admit all that,” agreed Lady Belden. “I had to think of the Belden name. But, for all that, I would not have sanctioned any deceit, and well you know it.” "Yen really mean that you won’t let me marry Cecil?” challenged Stella. "Even if I gave my consent, he would refuse,” Lady Belden pointed out. “You are right there,” said Stella bitterly. “In becoming engaged to me he was paying his mother’s debt.” Her eves flashed. “Well, and how are going to pay that debt now?” “I expect no leniency from you,” said Ladv Belden. “And what about Molly? I suppose he intends to marry her?” “1 have given my consent,” said Lady Belden. “But, I have not?” flashed Stella. “Well, go on,” Lady Belden calmly invited her. “I don’t think lie will dare to marry Molly Briant by the time I have done with her uncle,” cried Stella. Lady Belden kept calm. “You propose to blackmail my son into refraining from marrying Molly because of some hold you have upon her uncle? Is that it?” “It is. I can send him to prison for fraud,” cried Stella. "What you say may be true,” replied Lady Belden, “but, I do not think that you will make use of this information.” Molly ..stared at her. There was something almost deadly in Lady Belden’s -quite, assured manner. “I don’t know What you mean,” she said uneasily. “Well then, what I mean is, that I know human nature,” said Lady Belden, and for you to. be -an approved and popular member of Society is more than life itself to you, Lady Cleave. Well, if you . should stoop to take revenge by using that knowledge against Molly, I should find it my bounded duty to let the world know" the truth about you. And, by the world I mean our world, Stella, the world of Society.” “You never would!” gasped Stella. “And, knowing me, they would take mv word,” added Lady Belden. Stella gave a little sob. She was broken. “Im going to leave Belden at once,” she said. “See, give Ceeil his ring.” JI W have broken it off, said Lady Belden, taking the ring. And I promise that neither of us shall say a. word to your discredit.” “Can your man motor me to the station, for the five-twenty?” asked Stella in a lifeless tone. “You can tell everybody that we broke it off because we couldn’t hit it, quite.” x,ady Belden felt intensely sorry for her. She was at a loss what to do next. “Please ] tave mo to myge]f „ p]ead _ ed Stella. ‘I was a-fool to do it—a fool! With that-she lung herself down on her bed and burst into sobs. And Lady Belden crept out. a Or A 6 Kiil rp had waited only until Lady Cleave was actually in the ear on her way to the station before propcsmg his own immediate departure. li was useless their urging him to stay. He told them that the puronse of hi a visit was accomplished, and that he preferred to go at -once. Lady Belden and Cecil fully understood. After all, poor George Knapp would find do happiness in remaining under thzj roof of his successful rival. Naturally he would prefer to go elsewhere, if only in the hope that he might be a bis to forget. “What address will find you?” asked Lady Belden, as they stood one at either side of the ear. “The Old Sixty-four Dock, New Forte,” said George. “I intend to sail tomorrow.” There was something in his tone that made them feel a sudden rush of pity. I'.vidently it was George’s intention to strive to blot out the past few weeks, with all their joys and bitterness. There was a look of tremendous resolve on his face. That was why neither of them suggested that they should meet again some day. They were aware that he was determined never to meet Molly again. And they respected him for that wise decision. And so, with a hand-shake, and a brief “Good-bye,” he left them. “Boor old George I’’ said Cecil, as the car turned the bend through the pinetree avenue. “Greater love hath no man than this,” murmured his mother, deeply moved. Cecil was surprised to see that her eyes were misty with tears, “If Mr. Knapp —who knows ho can never be anything to Molly—is able to show such love, we aught to be able to Ire very kind to her,” he lieard her sny, half to hers<*

It made a lump come into Cecil's throat, and he put his arm round her. “Dear old Mums!” he whispered, slipping back into, the language of his childhood. “Cecil, we must go over to the Riviera and find poor Molly,” she cried, “We must start first thing to-morrow.” “Ripping! There’s no time like the present,” agreed Cecil. “Let’s go and pack.” But they did not go io the Riviera. Barely two hours later, as they were consulting time-tables and hotel guides in the study, Braid opened the door. “Mr. and Miss Briant have called,” lie said. ■ “Oh. f lug them in here, Braid,” cried Lady Belden. But Cecil could not wait for that. With a shout of delight he darted past the astonished Braid. He found them in the hall. "Molly!” ho cried. "What dues. this mean’” He took her hands in his, anil forced her to meet his eyes. “Molly! So you've come back, to me I” he cried tenderly. “Blame me, my boy,” said Mr. Briant “Like a coward I allowed Molly to sacrifice herself to save me.” And now Lady Belden entered. “Yloljy, my dear!” she said warmly. And she kissed her. Molly looked at her in some surpriseIt was true that Cecil’s mother had always treated her kindly, but there was something more than just kindness in this kiss. It was as though Lady Belden really loved her. “I won’t listen to a word of apology,” insisted Lady Bolden. "After all, I ought io have welcomed my son’s little sweetheart far more heartily than I did. Had I done my part, my dear, you would never dreamed of rushing off.” "Oh, Lady Belden —please!” protested Molly. “You knew nothing of me but what those horrid newspapers had said. It was hardly surprising that you should f&l you wanted to know a good deal more about me before you regarded me as suitable to be Cecil’s wife.” “I wonder if I might have a word with Lady Cleave?” insinuated Mr. Briant, in a diffident tone. “Oh, that’s all right,” Ceeil assured him. “She left two hours ago.” “Yes, but you don’t understand,” groaned Mr. Briant. “I think we do, perfectly,” Lady Btlden assured him. Yes, mother fixed that up,” said Ceeil. “Believe me, Stella will take good care to leave you severely alone in future—solely in her own interests.” “I can’t say how grateful I am tu you, Lady Belden,” said Briant. Lady Belden beamed on him. “Perhaps you would take me in to dinner, Mr. Briant?” she said. "And Cecil and Molly can follow.” “Molly dear, I’ve got to make a con fession,” began Cecil, as soon as they were alone. "But, perhaps you know already!” She looked up at him, then shook her head. “I don’t know anything,” she said. “But, before you make your confession. I insist that I make mine, Cecil, I want to tell you that that letter I sent was all lies. I loved you all the time, and was ready to marry you. I didn’t cara a scrap about all the scandal in the world, so long as you loved me and I loved you.” “Dear little Molly!” lie cried, taking her in his arms. "Oh, if only I’d known., then. But. it was wicked of you, dear.” “I know it was. I can’t think how I dared to do it,” she said. “And, dearest, if you like, I’ll go away, now, for ever.” As she said that she clung to him the tighter. “But, oh, I don’t want to go!” Cecil drew her closer, ,~,nd for some time neither spoke. “I shall never, never let you go dear,” fie said “Oh, thank you, Cecil!" she cried. “It’s no use our having secrets from each other,” he said at last. “Molly, it | was Stella who really induced you to do it, wasn’t it?” For a moment or two she gave no sign, but then she nodded her head. “Thank God you had the wonderful courage to come back!” he said. “And now, Molly, I’m going to make a confession. My mother was in great trouble about money, and in the end I agreed to bo engaged to Stella.” “No!” gasped Molly. "It was for mother’s sake,” he pleaded, "and I knew you didn’t want me.” “Oh Cecil!” cried Molly, heart-broken. "Forgive me dear!” he pleaded. “You don’t know how desperate I felt at seeing mother so unhappy. And, besides, I believed you belonged to George. Don’t forget that.” ‘ "Oh, but Cecil!” cried Molly. “Ceeil, I can’t believe it! You never really got engaged!” "I hated the idea,” he said, "but, as it wouldn’t hurt you, and it would help mother out of a very difficult hole, and it didn’t seem to matter what happened to me, I gave way.” Suddenly Molly gave a little laugh; ones again her arms stole round his neck, and slie drew his head down and kissed him. “After all, Ceeil, what does it matter!” But then a terrible fear clutched at her heart. "Cecil you don’t mean “No, dear,” he said, -drawing her to him. “I’ve—Stella and I broke it off only to-day.” “That’s why she’s gone. Poor tiling!’ 1 said Molly, pityingly of Stella. “1 ex-

pect she’s very much in love with you.” “Molly dear, do you forgive me-?” lie pleaded, “Oh, Ceeil! It’s you who must forgive me,” she cried. And then he took her in his arms again, and kissed her until she had lie longer any doubt as to his forgiveness. At last Molly heaved a gr-at sigh. "What were you thinking of then dear?” he asked. • “I was thinking of two things,” said Molly. “First. I felt so sorry for poor George!” "Poor old George!” agreed Ceeil. "Still, he’s far happier to let"you go than hold you in captivity. I believe that’s George Knapp all through.” “So do I,” said Molly. "Dear old George I” "What was your other thought!’’ asked Cecil then, Molly looked up at him, and the colour came into her cheeks. "I was just thinking how God simply wouldn’t let yon and me go wandering through life apart.” "No, that simply couldn’t have happened: said Cecil huskily. Anil onee again he drew her into his arms. THE END.