THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143765, 13 April 1912, Page 5

THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

R. M I'HH.VY GILCHRIST. Author of “The Gentle Thcsp - ns,” "Lords and Ladies,” "The Itonucrlul Adventures'.” "Beggar’s 31anor,” "The Secret Tontine, etc., etc. . [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XIV. The young man whom the chauffeur had used so badly soon recovered his senses, and rose to a half-sitting posture, gazing blankly 7 'on the frightened faces of the villagers. Old Jenkins brought out a queer leather flask, and made him'drink some fiery brandy. "Oh, dear o’ me!” said the veteran, in a troubled voice. “Whate’er has come to us all! First a beautiful young lady in such trouble as 1 ne'er did see, and now your lordship’s taken had ! Is it a tainting bout you ve had?” "Nonsensesaid the angry gentleman. "One of those rascals took me unawares—,-l never had suck a tap in my life! Where the deuce have they gone?” - ■ ‘‘That’s more nor 1 or any of us can say,” replied Jenkins. “When we caught sight of yon, there was nobody else about. If they’ve gone, why then, let ’em go. Tlie.slow-murdoring thieves—” I

But Lord Frederick did not listen to more. "Follow me,” he said to the others. "They must have gone in a car. There’s some mischief afoot; the ladv is being carried away against her will.”

Although his head ached siekeningly, he kept well in advance of the others, and coming at last to the rounds found the place where Bretby had stopped to replace the tyre. ‘‘They’re gone,'’ he said to himself, “and 1 don't know what to do. It doesn’t seem a case for the police, and yet— Well, 1 can do no harm, by sending a telegram to her friends. One of Ladv Uelaval’s houses is in Staffordshire— Delaval'Hall, I believe it's called.” ...

He went down the road to where his own car waited, then passed quickly to the post office, where he wrote and dispatched the message; “Have lately seen Lady Delaval with a Air. Bretby. Is anything wrong:-” He addressed this to the house-steward, ami signed it Frederick Worsencroft. Then he went to the “Goat and Compasses,’ a comfortable village inn, to await the reply. It came within the hour ; “For God's sake stop them.—Caroline Cassilis,” was all it said. “By Jove, it’s setting me a fine task,’ - ’ said the. adventurous young man', “still, whether Bretby’s her husband or not, I’m not going to have her abused if I can help it. By Jove, she did look beautiful; a tellow would have a heart of stone who didn't feel sorry for her. It seems a wild goose chase to follow ’em, and yet—and yet, well, I’ve got to do it.” 1 Shortly afterwards he started on a vain attempt to discover in what direction Brethy’s car had gone. The rain had obliterated the wheel-tracks, and after an hour or two-spent in useless inquiries at various villages .on the main road, ho determined t<> visit Dclavnl Hall, and make inquiries concerning the’man’s probable destination. It was mid-afternoon when he arrived there, to be received by Lady Caroline, who was already dressed for a jourShe was greatly agitated, and met him with something of reproach., “I. had hoped—had prayed that you would he able to help us,” she said. “It is a bitter disappointment.” “I am desirous of doing .whatever I can,” ho replied gravely-. “But I saw no sense in running about the country without the least clue. Where has this Bretby taken Lady Delaval?” “It must be to a house in the north of Yorkshire,” said she. “I am going' there at once. The whole _ affair is ghastlv in the extreme. I wish—more fervently than I have ever wished for anything in my. life—that we had not made this stunid blunder. 1 can never forgive myself. And Sylvia, too, is in a terrible" state—the poor child is almost distracted.” “1 would be glad if yon would tell me the story,” said Lord Frederick. “If 1 am to help properly, I must know all. This man Bretby said that Lady Delaval was his wife. If ho spoke the truth, I am afraid that we can do nothing.” Lady Caroline, after assuring herself that nobody overheard, brought her chair nearer his, and took his hand. “It is the strangest tale you ever heard,” she said. “Bretby did marry 'Lady Delaval—but his companion is not his wife.”

“Unless I am greatly mistaken,” said Lord Frederick, “the lady whom I saw was Lady Delaval herself.” “It was my cousin, Anne Edgeworth,” said Lady Caroline. “There's an extraordinary likeness between them.” She wrung her hands piteously. “Oh, I don’t know how to put it. in words’. But Lady Delaval, immediately after her secret marriage, developed an extraordinary aversion to Mr Brctby. and refused to live with him. He went away for a year, then wrote that ho meant to claim her publicly. Her horror of him had grown almost to a madness, and I myself was at mv wits end when 1 met Anne. The resemblance suggested a plot—l induced her to impersonate his wife—so that when he came she might tell him she would never live with him again.” “And Miss Edgeworth,’! said Lord Frederick, “did she agree willingly ?” ■ “I cannot say that she agreed , willingly, hut seeing tho mental agony we suffered, she could not refuse to help us. But I am wasting time; I can only tell you that Lady Delaval posed as her companion, and that Mr. Bretby, deceived as to Anne’s identity, broke into the house last night and took her away- by force.” “You have placed Aliss Edgeworth in a shocking position,” said Lord Frederick. “Tho poor girl is entirely in his power, and he is a man who will stop at nothing.” “You need not reproach me,” said the ladv faintly. “God knows that 1 suffer enough already. I am going to start very soon —-I shall not rest until Anne is‘in my charge again.” “And I’ll go with you,” said he. “Don’t you think the police had better bo informed?" - “I dare not let them know, she replied. “Consider what an injury this would he to Anne’s reputation, if it were known to the world. No, she must be saved, and saved without the storv being made public.” “I shall be most happy to help you, if. vou wish lor my services,” said he,‘ “I agree with you that the fewer who know of the aff,air the better. You arc ready now?” “You must have some refreshment, she urged. “1 will order food to be brought at once. Meanwhile, I will leave you for a few minutes to-tell Sylvia— Lady Delaval—tho news you have brought, though it will only add to her distress.” She wont up to her nieces chamber, where she found the unhappy girl in a state of collapse. “Lord Frederick Woiseucroft is hero,” she said. “He

has promised to help us. I shall not be afraid to confront 31 r. Bretby with him to protect mo.” Hastily she told her the young man’s story; then she went to the hall, and found Lord Frederick standing in the doorway examining her covered oar. “I am glad that you will be able to travel in comfort,” he observed. ‘‘Watkins is an excellent driver,” said Lady Delaval. ‘‘l hope you will leave your own car here and come with me. It will he best to take mine, since we can bring 31iss Edgeworth home in privacy.” Co be continued.!