THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143767, 16 April 1912, Page 5

THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

R. MURRAY GILCHRIST,

Author of “The Gentle Thespians,” ‘‘Lords and Ladies,” “The Wonderful Adventures!” ‘‘Beggar’s Manor,” "The Secret Tontine, etc., etc. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XV.—Continued. The car moved forward with a jerk, ploughing soft wot sand that beat with heavy thuds against the body. The speed decreased until it seemed as though on the point of stopping. They were crossing a tract covered with at least six inches of water. The two men occasionally glanced at each other furtively, each wondering concerning the other’s thoughts. At last, when it seemed as though they had traversed several miles, tae car stuck fast, and both descended from their places. Brotby went to the back and pushed with all his might, whilst Ij’Angellier attended to the steering. Once more the thing moved. The water had by this time risen as high as their knees. Anne found that tne rug beneath her feet was sodden. “Looks as if w© were to be bested,” said Brctby. “Wo shall have to leave the car here—it will be raised before the tide goes down again.” The other muttered an imprecation. In one tiling ho was honest, and that was in the love he bore for the car. “Nay, we’ll not five up.” he cried. “Twenty yards more or so and the bank begins to rise. It would be folly to spoil th© beautiful Mercedes.” “All right,” Brctby rejoined. “I’m ready for another try, but my shoulder is almost out of joint already.” . In another five minutes the swishing of water ceased, and the wheels laboured through soft sand again. Neither resumed his place until they had reached the end of a stony track that wound for some distance slightly above high-tide level.

"By Jove!” exclaimed Bretby, “we couldn't have had a narrower squeak. It's a miracle that the engine didn't stop.” He clapped L’Angollier on the shoulder. "Well done, my fine follow,” he said; ‘TTI take care yon have a fine douceur for to-night’s work.” “That is as monsieur thinks fit,” said the chauffeur. “Ah, here, we are at tho gatehouse. It will bo good to get indoors, to drink w ine and to rest.” Bretby alighted, passed under a tumbledown archway, and opened a heavy gate of oak studded with rusty iron. The car passed through, and was turned into a shed.

Bretby opened the door of tho car, and motioned for Anne to alight. “We are at home, my dearest,” he said, “and we shall stay hero until you're in a more rational frame of mind. I regret that I cannot offer yon very palatial shelter, but I’ve no doubt that you’ll bo comfortable enough. Adaptability, Sylvia, is the virtue you need most; I shall therefore regard your tuition in adaptability as my chief amusement.”

She did not move; he shook his head reprovingly. “I detest violence, Sylvia,” he said, “but, really, you will compel me to use extreme measures. Don’t you realise that, here you are entirely in my power? If it is your wish that L’Angellier and I should carry you indoors we are quite willing. I may remind you, however, that you will lose dignity in any struggle.” '. There was nothing Tor her hut'to obey. She left the car, ignoring his proffered hand. Bretby detached the tail-lamp, and moved towards the open. “It is a fairly stiff climb up to the Castle,” he said. “Let me offer yon my arm; the path is very stony.” After.waiting in vain for a reply, he walked on in front. L’Ancellier came to her side, cap in hand, his full lips curved in a sardonic smile.

“Your ladyship had best follow,” he said. “More, it is advisable. He is heroic, magnificent, but there are limits even to his patience.” “For God's sake, help me 1” she cried wildly. “Help mo to escape. I am' not rich, but I’ll see that you're well rewarded.”

“I decline with a thousand regrets,” replied the cheuffeur. “Your ladyship is surely unwise to tempt me. See, Mr. Bretby is waiting now.” “Be quick!” she heard Bretby cry. “How much longer arc you going to stay fooling there? L’Angellier, if her ladyship finds herself unable to proceed, be good enough to carry her.” The man moved towards her; she shrank back; then, with a heart beating furiously, she began to stumble up the hill. The path soon terminated at the end of a flight of stone stops. Ascending these! they reached a small lodge, whose door Bretby unlocked. Beyond this a stairway with vaulted roof rose sharply to a small open courtyard, and crossing the irregular flags, they stood in tho shelter of a carved stone portal. It seemed as though they were expected, for the door hung ajar, disclosing a great square hall, with rough groined ceiling. Bretby pulled a bollchain, and then bowed very formally to Anne. “Yon are welcome, my dear wife, and I trust you’ll find the seclusion to your liking. A thousand regrets that I have no comfortable woman ser-, vant here to receive yon but I am sure that old Garnett, whom 1 hear coming, will prove as useful as any maid.” CHAPTER XVI. The clanging of heavy boots was audible; in another minute a stout elder-' ly man entered. He had evidently been dozing, and had not tarried to don his coat. Anno looked into his face—for one instant only—and realised that compassion from him was not to be expected. He was short-statured and pallid, with a horrible red mouth; his jowls hung low on either side of a square pugnacious chin. A fringe of beard, coarse as horsehair, looped from ear to car. “Here is your mistress, Garnett,” said Bretby, “but of course you remember her at Somercale. She has not changed much in appearance, although she is naturally very tired with tho journey.”

“Remember her ladyship, ay, that I do,” replied the follow. “Just as beautiful as ever, to be sure.” His voice was thin and wheezy, like that of an asthmatical crone. As ho came nearer Anne, she shrank back towards the door, “The rooms are ready?” said Bretby. “Show tho way; your mistress will be glad of a rest. So shall I, and so will L’Angellier. He and I will come down to the kitchen, and see what food yon can offer us.” He turned to Anne. “I bid you good-night, my dear.” She did not reply. Garnett lighted a candle and opened a door opposite to that by which ho had entered. Y T our ladyship will please to follow me,” ho said. Co be continued.)