CHAPTER XI.—Continued.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13749, 11 September 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER Xl.— Continued.

"Amberley," sho said, triumphantly "I've found my chain! That girl, wh( came to see you at the club, ha; brought it back to me — oh! are yoi here, Mr Garret!" She extended i dimpled haiid, "isn't it a comfort, t< have got the thing without any bother! It seems that when the girl knocked vi against >me her umbrella caught th< chain, and I suppose dragged it off She says so at any«rate." "I suggested the explanation, if yoi remember," said Sobtt. "I know you dicL dear, and ] wouldn't believe you. I don't quite be lieve the girl, either, only I thought H better to pretend to do so. You see/ Lady Minnie looked arch, "she told me who she was. Imagine, Mr Garret this Anne Basset, an old flame of mj husband — I don't think much of you] taste, Amberley dear. When I learnet the history of their acquaintance, whai could I do? ] simply had to believe ler. I think she stole it all the same but the idea of putting Amberley's ok sweetheart in the dock was too mucl even for me. To have lost jou, mj dear," she laid her on Scott'i shoulder, "is punishment enough foi any^ woman." ' Amberley winced at the words. There flashed across his mind "toy one of those strange tricks memory plays us, the picture of Anne as he had first seen her She stood before him, her eyes radiant her lips parted in an exquisite tremu lous smilfe, her harids outstretched. Th< buoyant figure outlined against \ht 3lear <of the > African sky, swa^ec bowaras hira. Did 'he regret, did' hi* soul, stifled. with greed of gold, lust oJ ambition, quicken within him, crying aut for the birthright of love, man'} eternal heritage that he had sold;? The moment passed, the vision faded Lady Minnie, her eyebrows interroga tively impatient, awaited his answer. "I'm glad you've found your chain tny dear, and I think your decision ir regard to Anrie Basset is a wise one And noHy,"' he. turned to Dan-, "without any desire^ to be inhospitable, Mr Gar ret, I'm af i|iid I " must leave you. ] have an appointment a little after six.' The interview was over; Dan hac gained the day. With a wonderful sens< of elation he returned to Albemarlc Street, where Anne . and CharririgtoTs shortly followed overflowing with euri osity and suspense. s He gave them a vivid account of the interview witl Scott, and listenetd in gratified 3ilenc< to Brown's, expressions of surpris© anc admiration, Anne's broken but heartfoli thanks. Now that the ordeal was aver Garret realisod how much the fighi had meant to him, how great woufc have been his distress if he had lost He looked at Anne with a new founc wonder and delight. She who yesterday had been unknown, seemed suddenljj bound Up with him, a part of his life Brown left ealrly with a promise tt attack Scott in the Argus if the lattej did not climb down and resign hii chance, of Barstow. Dan was left ii a delicious solitude a deux. Anne sat facing Mm by the open win dow, the sunlight streaming on he) dark brown hair. She was filled witl a vast sense, of gratitude towards th( man who had proved her champion anc deliverer. Yesterday, poor and lonely-to-day she was rich beyond expr^ssioi in the possession of / his friendship Something of this sho strdve to sriy her eyes more eloquent than word.< making itavoc with Dan's peace oi mind. * l I cannot tell you all I feol," slu cried "There's not another man ir. the world would act as you have done Anyone eL4e must have been convinced I was a murderer and a thief."He took her hands, and the rich col our flooded her face from brow to chin "No one could help believing you," he said, "your soul Is in your eyesclear, strong, innocent, beautiful eyes. ; The desire to nut his arms about her, and clasp her close swept over him in a hot gust. Then with an instinctive leverence he drew back. He must wait to win this pearl among women. He desired her he^rt, not her gratitude. Love must sweep her inio his arms, love which had kindled his soul tc flame. Yesterday, beartwhole as a boy, he had admired all women, desired none. To-day the world had narrowed down to ' a fair face, a pair of clear brown eyes' and a mouth — an exquisite wonderful mouth!, His eyes took in the long curve of her throat, the small oar daintily set close to the shapely head. He became a devotee of beauty, and could liave rehearsed the gifts that crowned lif\r queon! She recalled him to earth with n practical observation. /Anne was astonishingly matter of fact. "You've done so much fort me," sh« said, "that, of course, I'm going to ask you- to do even more — that's the way with beggars, you know, they always impose on their benefactors. I want sou to help me get a situation. I can bype and I know something of shorthand." k Dan looked bewildered. Then a flash if inspiration came to him. "By Jove, the very thing I want. Miss Basset, I've been looking for a sypist over since I came to London. You've no idea how my letters accumuate. It will be a charity on your part ;o undertake " he paused. Anne ,vas frowning. "You 'don't want a typist; Mr Gar•ot; it's most untruthful to pretend you 10. No," she/ shook her head. "I am lot to be convinced. I decline the of'or. But," she smiled, insinuatingly, 'if you could recommend mo to any of four friends, I would be grateful." "I wouldn't let you go to any of mv riends," said Dan, shortly. "If you von't come to me, I'm blest if you shall go to any other follow. You see," 10 faced round* "you're not the sort >f girl for that kind of thing. You'ro wo — too — oh, hang it all, Miss Basset, fou're too pretty." "I must do 'something," shr said. 'T can't live like the Win* on the field, f'm determined to prove my innocence, ■>ut meanwhile I shall want food and. lodging — not to montion boots," and she trust out a foot shapely indeed, but ay no means elegantly shod. "Yoti must let me finance you," said Dan. "It's merely a matter of temporary advance, you know. When we Jiscover the blue diamond we'll mako •Jrott sign n confession, and pay heavy lamages. Really it would be a profitable speculation. You could pay mo a zood percentage of interest if you wish. f'tn very avaricious."

"You're very generous," slie answer ed, "but I^an't accept your offer. It' impossible. II 11I 1 should despise myself 1 1 didn't earn my living. I'm strong,' she .smiled, showing firm, white teeth "and I've a fair share of sense. What' to stop me?" He looked at her, and his heart re belled at tho thought of the Ion; hours, scanty wage — the pc . cion of th woman worker. "s '.'I can't bear the idea/ he said. "I don't like it," she replied, "bu it's got to be. Come, now, I'll niaki a concession ; as you consider I'm un "fitted for a typist what about a hospi tal nurse?" j Dan> his mind full of guardian angel in white caps and, noiseless slippery caught at the suggestion. There wa something lofty in the notion, it 'wa removed from the dust and dirt of thi workaday world, d> so he* fancied. I was' arranged she should interview thi matrons of tho leading London hospi tals, and secure a position as proba tioner. I On his advice she decided ti remain for the present with Mrs Ber rickson, at any rate until after the in quest on Luke Fisher. "Easter will discovor your addres; whoren-r you move, and will possible or. use fresh unpleasantuoss at a nev place. You'd better stay where yoi are." • *'< She obediently agreed, raid the liouj being late, Dan gave her some supper and- drove her in a hansorri back U Camden Town. He watched outside th< house until from a lauding window * white hand waved an adieu. Then witl a light heart and a great desire to bursi into song, he started to walk home. H( could not ride, his spirit would nol bear the confinement of a hansom. Ht wanted space ' in which to exult in hi; joyousness of hoort.. The night, cool mystic, wonderful, the long road witl its smuo'us line of -Ja*nps, brought tc him an ecstasy. The slars were bencon lights pointing to the future, the Itnd of eternal desire;- even so the eyes of his beloved beckoned lo the kingdom of love, where they two should divcll — the kingdom' was J gained, the palace built, ami his queen enthroned by thr time he. reached Albemarle Street ! Ho entered (he hall, whistling under his breath, and, feeling too happy to go to bed, entered the dining room. Switching on tho electric light he was turning to close the -door, when suddenly he was seized from behind. A powerful hand grasped the back of his neck, a knee struck the middle of his .spine. A spasm' Of agony contracted his body — agony so keen it blotted out all sense but : that of naiu. A stunnim:; blow crashed ohd his head — Dan fell like a log upon the .floor! (To be continued).

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