THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143769, 18 April 1912, Page 5

THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

By R. MURRAY GILCHRIST,

Author of ’The Gentle Thespians,” ‘■Lords and Ladias,” “The Wonderful Adventures!” "Beggar’s Manor,” "The Secret Tontine. etc., etc. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XVll.—Continued. The hostess returned, and showed Lady Caroline and Lord Frederick a faded photograph of an ancient building whose wans seemed to overhang the sea. “My late husband olten used to talk of it,” she observed. "It was tniefly used for wild-cluck shooting/’ .Laoy Caiohno would lain have left her loud untouched, but her companion insisted upon her doing a corlaiu justice to the hostess's excellent fare, "i suppose that we had better go on to Beerton Castle as soon as possible, and imagine how awkward it would ho if you nere to faint from hunger, he said. "1 shall not give way,” she replied. "I don t think that I'm a coward. If you insist, however, 1 must not refuse. Yon have been so kind that I am compelled to obey yon.” The rich old wine brought colour back to her wasted cheeks, ns soon as the meal was finished she wished to proceed wit lithe journey, and Lord I rederiek sought W atkms, so that he might examine the map, Inc chauileiir, ano had not conic indoors, stooped, casting tho accumulator with a voltameter, lie straightened himself and touched the nib or his cap. “I'm very sorry to say, sir, that it's nearly run down, and 1 doubt whether there s enough strength leit for another five miles, t ought to have brought a spare one, but what with the Hurry of starting I gave it no thought/' Lord Frederick returned tome house and made his way to the kitchen, where the hostess stood arranging linen to air on a clothes-line. “How far is it to tho nearest town?” he asked.

"Six good miles,” she replied. "I was hoping that I might have the honour oi finding you rooms lor the night.” “We. had not intended to stay,'

said he, “lint I'm afraid that we shall have to trouble you. Have you a trap of any kind?”

“Ay, and as good a horse as'man could wish for.” Lord Frederick went to the private parlour and explained to Lady Caroline that it was compulsory for her to remain at the inn tor several hours.

“I,.myself will drive on to the town and' get tho tiling re-charged,’ he said. “It is unfortunately a rather slow process, and 1 should strongly advise yon to go to bed. The good soul is already making preparations—” The hostess came with word that horse and trap were ready, and after Lady Caroline had promised to retire at once, ho took his seat in the conveyance beside, a shrivelled yonngold man who handled the reins in masterly fashion. As they passed quickly through the darkness, Lord Frederick cross-questioned him concerning tlie past record of liretby, and elided an astounding story. “By Jove!” ho said to himself, “the sooner Miss Edgeworth is out of his clutches tho better. It’s a marvel that the brute was not whipped out of tho country years ago!” At last the little town was reached, and tho garage found. It was a small iock-np place,and some time was ft ?in hunting for the manager. Never in all his life had the young nobleman known the hours pass with so hateful a slowness. It was not until the cracked town-hall clock struck two that he took his place again in the trap, and started on the return to the inn. Lady Caroline, who'had given inst ructions to the iiostess to waken her as soon as they arrived, came downstairs as Watkins was attaching the recharged accumulator, and alter cordial thanks to the woman for tier kindly usage, they set out again upon their quest. Dawn broke soon after they hail left the inn. Tho rain ceased suddenly; in half an hour the green country was veiled in silvery mist. They passed through a town to a bridge—over n river. Lord Frederick alighted to question the toll-man concerning the cars that had passed within the last twelve hours.

“There have been very few,” replied the official. “There was only one big one with two chaps on the front. I didn’t take notice, of who was inside.”

His Lordship returned to Lady Caroline, and the car went slowly across, then after a tedious while reached the open country again. At last, slowing down, they reached the end ot the precipitous lane that descended to the beach. Then AVatkins, who had no f duct for steering down this_ without some knowledge of its condition, suggested that ho should alight and explore. As he did so, they heard the noise of a siren, and suddenly Bretby’s car, with himself and chauffeur in front, swerved round the nearest corner, missing Lady Caroline’s motor by a hairsbreadth. When they had passed I’rctby leaned sideways and- waved Ins hand in a parody of politeness. ‘•I have decided to shelter Lady Delaval elsewhere,” he shouted mockingly. “Pray follow us—the roads are free to all.” Then his car passed out of sight. Lady Caroline opened the door, and came to whore Lord Frederick stood, his face filled with anger. “AA'as Anne inside?” she whispered huskily. “Did you see her?” “1 saw nobody but the two men," he replied. ‘'There was no time—it was so unexpected—they passed too quickly I AVhat must we do now— follow him—or go forward?” ‘‘Let us go forward,” she said. ‘‘Let us make sure.”

The car moved slowly down to the shore; but long before they reached it they know that it would bo impossible to cross, since, oven as they watched, the tide spread and spread over the gleaming sand. , CHAPTER XVIII. An hour after Lady Caroline had loft Delaval Hall in Lord Frederick’s company, Charles Knowsley arrived in a state of extreme consternation. Ho asked for Lady Caroline, and was informed by Carter, the butler, that she was no longer in the house. “There’s great trouble come to us,’’ said the old man, “I’m sure if her ladyship had been my own child I couldn’t feel it more.” “What has happened?’’ asked Knowsley excitedly. “I’ve heard some fantastic' story about Lady Delaval being lost; but it can’t be'true.” Carter took out an Indian silk handkerchief, and mopped bis eyes. “I’m not ashamed to let you see, sir, howdistressed I am.” “Yes, yes,” said Knowsley. “Has Lady Caroline gone some distance?” “I don’t know, sir. There was a gentleman came—a nobleman I should say. Lord Frederick AVorsoncroft his

name. I looked him Up in the peerage, and found he's the second son of tho Duke of Doncaster. Aged twentyfive and unmarried —”

"And Lady Caroline went away in his company?” inquired Knowsley. “She. did, sir. Tie brought Ins car, but they left in her's. Walk ins was driving. Her ladyship thought fit to leave you no word as to when she would be back—for my part 1 shouldn't bo surprised at anything. Everybody in the house is so up-set.” At that moment Mrs. Sor.Vy, who had been watching from an upper window, came down to the hail. Knowsley hailed her appearance with satisfaction; it was possible that she might be able to give him definite information. . ’ "Lady Caroline told me I was to give yon particulars if you came,” she said. “Please to come this way, sir—we shall be private enough- in the gunroom.” (To bo continued.)