THE SHUTTERED HOUSE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 29 May 1919, Page 8

THE SHUTTERED HOUSE.

EXCITING STORY OF SENSATION AND LOVE.

Bty WILLIAM GCJIDOIT,

Author of "Through the Silent Night,” “W(hat Delia Dared,” etc., etc.

CHAPTER XlX—Continued. Ho caught her hand. “We can go straight on. John will keep every tiling safe here. That drunken Blythe is under lock and key. I can leave tho reckoning until I nave Keen you safely back home.”

Hib voice rang out clear and strong on the damp air. Neither saw a dans figure liudaled against the pillars of tiie empty house next door. A;s the car glided away Mrs. Blytho gave a terrified gasp, . and. started to run down the street. She had heard what ho said, and know the game was up. She had no money in her pocket fol cell or ’bus. Panting’and in diro teiiw her one thought was to got to tho Concert Hall and tell Isolde. Sho disappeared off into tho gathering darkness..

"I’ll tell you what wo’ll do,” he said laughingly. ‘We’ll go to that little restaurant near here, where wo had tea alV.cr our first adventure together.’, 1 fjis ffioc lighted up, and he looked at hiS companion with a deep glow in his eyws.

/ill glanced down at hor gown, and thim lifted her hands to her hatless luyid. She gave a sudden laugh of genuine amusement.

“Wo were tramps then, and history repeats itself. Just look at your coat, Robert. It is in tatters. Whatever have you done to it?” Ho joined in her laughter as ho glanced down at his coat, stained as it teas with tho damp from tho wall he Lad climbed, and the pocket hanging in a torn flap from its contact with tho handle of tno dresser drawer in the .‘kitchen.

"I don’t care, and you’re not going to, cither,” lie said, as soon as he could speak. “We’ll just put a good face on it and make believe wo are at tho Kit/.. it’s wonderful what one can do in London and I’m not going to let you wait a- moment longer for a square meal than 1 can help, so hero goes.” Tho car shot quickly on its way, and Jill snuggled down under tho rug. Her face looked pitifully white and thin, but her courage was splendid. “Oh, don’t speak,” she whispered. “Just lot mo sit here and dream it’s ail over, and there’s tea and toast, ,r she added, with a brave attempt at her usual brightness. “And nice warm chicken and crisp potatoes,” he added. * Jill made a face at him as tho car drew up. They had walked to the restaurant before She could hardly believe they could hare arrived so quickly. She was soon installed in their old corner, and Robert watched with pang as the starving girl ate her much needed meal. Ho gave a sigh of relief when he saw the colour steal into her cheeks. Jill leaned back as she sipped her tea.

“Are yon fit to talk now?” he asked her, with something ginning out of his eyes that made Jill’s droop in confusion.

She nodded. He looked r.t her

. AVhat has Clarice Thornton to do with all this?” he asked quietly, as lie lit a. cigarette. Ho saw the colour surge painfully over her face, and then fade, leaving it very white.

bhe looked up at him. ••Clarice Thorn ton is Isolde d’Avroche,” she said .slowly. She reaw the sudden stiffening of bis body. Ills fingem crushed the cigarette to a .sbapele.-4s mass. He sat quite still a moment, and then tossed it away, and with steady hands lit another. lie leaned forward after a moment. '‘Tell me everything from the beginning,'’ ho said firmly.

With downbeat head and hands clasped in her lap Jill began her story from the time she. Isolde, had laid claim to him as her lover. Sue shined falleringly ever this. Robert sat with a hard look on his face.

She' mentioned tho photograph. But when she spoke of Baris a sudden, fierceanger shot from bis eyes. He turned and laid his hand on her clasped fingers. •‘lt was a lie! She made it up--all of it .Till,' he said in a low voice. "You do believe me, don't ynn f ”

She smijed bappdy at him. lie had po need id tell her that now. She went on to describe how she bad recognised Isolde's voice", and aroused her. Then of Isolde’s suggestion to meet next morning.

But why did you run away, dear?”

Robert’s voice was wonderfully gentle. His band still rested on hers openly. Jill averted her face. "It was all so difficult,” she said slowly. “I —l thought—that you cared so mud) for her, you would hardly believe what I told you--if 1 did speak. And as she told me you had been friends for so long—eight years .she said—l thought that nothing could be much worse, even if you went on loving her—if you never- knew anything I moan—l did it lor tiro best.” Her np quivered, and her eyes filled with tears.

‘■Don't l Jill, you don't know yet bow she spoke of you (o mo, and lold me you had run oil wilh someone and stolen the jewels wc saw.” "if” J ill was now gazing at him with wide-open, blue eyes. "But how could she persuade you about the jewels. You were there—with me, when we first found thorn.”

Robert withdrew his hand. He spoke between his clenched teeth. ”1 know. Bub her scheme was so diabolically clover.” Then he told her about the purse, and the small piece of the jewel fomid in it.

“And now I suppose you will despise mo for being such a fool and so credulous,’ ho added bitterly. Jill’s hand gently touched his arm. ‘‘Dear old Robert,” she said, and then suddenly her chocks became scarlet as slio found her earn! imprisoned again. "I much, can IP” she went on hurriedly. “You see I believed all sorts of dreadful things about yon.” They sat quite silent for a while', content.

Suddenly Robert recalled himself and squared his shoulders. “I forgot—there’s Blythe to be settled with, and poor old John, my chauffeur, you know,” ho explained. “He’s still keeping-guard.” Ho got up quickly, “Come, darling.” Man-like ho had taken everything for granted. Jill now belonged to him. Ho thrust his arm through her's and held her closely. “You arc coming back with me to the house; you won’t mind, will you? You can stop in tho car outside.” "Oh, no, I don’t mind, now,” Jill began and stopped in confusion. Her heart beat so much that it almost suffocated her. The word darling had thrilled her through and through.

“Now,” ]io repented, laughing aloud for joy, as bo hugged her arm tightly. “Very well jump in, and we’ll go hack.” “We’re happier this time, though, aren’t w,e?” ho added presently, glancing at hor as he steered swiftly through the traffic

Jill nodded, hut she did not answer. Her eyes filled, her heart was too full of happiness for words. (Continued daily.)