A PLUNGE INTO THE UNKNOWN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16614, 9 December 1919, Page 8

A PLUNGE INTO THE UNKNOWN.

FASCINATING STORY OF POPULAR INTEREST

BY CHARLES D. LESLIE.

Author of "A AVild Wager,” “Loved for Herself,” “The Errington Pearls Alystery,” “The Power of the Purse,” etc., etc. CHAPTER XXIV. IN GROSVENOR. PLACE. “Frank—lve come back.” was her simewhat unnecessary statement, but the tone of it. convoyed more than tho bare words. They had parted in anger, now she spoko softly, lingering on his name. Sho moved forward, half shyly, more like a girl to her sweetheart than a wife to her husband, and her two hands went out to him. Ho had entered the room not quite sure of himself, his grievance mingling with his joy that she was But before ho was aware, his bauds had covered hers. Then lidding her at what might strictly be described as hall arm’s length, he said : “So i sea but what I can’t see, Eva, is why you went away. I’m frightfully glad you've come back and all that: but you know, you haven’t treated mo well- ” “I’ve been a pig,” confessed Lady Boulton frankly, “a horrid pig.” Her husband neither assented nor dissented. Probably he never heard her. Ho had made his protest as a self-ro-specting man, and now the inevitable followed. It was one of those big brief moments in life when words aro of minor importance. Francks, in short,

gathered his wife into his arms, and gave her a hug painful in its intensity; and Jiva endured it like a stoic, lor there are pains which paradoxically give pleasure, and this was one of them. And for a long-drawn minute a silence and a peace that passed understanding held sway in that room. It was Francis who resumed tho conversation. “If you’d told me I’d really upset you by philanderin’ with the Gordon woman, instead of walkin’ out of tho room, I’d havo dropped her like a shot. Fancy bein’ jealous of hcrl” “I know. I’m sorry.” “And then doin’ tho vanishin’ lady trick next day I I’ve worried about you till I believe I’ve started some grey hairs. Why you might havo been dead for anything I knew I” “It was very wrong of me.” “Yoii'ye come back for ‘keeps’?” “If you’ll have me, dear.” “And you won’t run away any more?” “Not unless you change into something utterly different from the angelic husband you’ve always been.” “That’s a frightful relief to my mind. And now, my lady, give an account of yourself. 'Where have you boon?” “Your poor head,” irrelevantly said tho lady, now seated on the broad arm j of the big saddle-back chair, into which I sho had impelled the owner. “I thought to find you in bed. I was told you’d had a fearful blow two nights back. Oh, I can feel tho lump!” “Yes, you’re on the spot. Take care, it’s still sore. Nub but what it oughtn’t to he hardened to knocks, polo playin’. But I’ve never been put so thoroughly to sleep before.” “You poor boy!” Her arms wore round his neck and a. khf? soft ns a rose leaf fell on bis wounded head. “And how did you get it, and whoro were you set upon?” It was half way between here and Mrs. Tourmaline’s house. I was runnin’ round at one in tho mornin’ goin’ to look for you there.” “I’m fearfully mad with Madge. Fancy her engaging a girl to irapersonato me at the Society meeting! Is sho so wonderfully like me Frank?” “She’s tho imago of you, Eva. I’ve been in her company this afternoon, sittin’ nearly as close as wo are—it was uncanny talkin’ to a girl I’d _ never sjtoken'to before, so like you in faco and figure and all that; I’m about tho only man who’d know for certain sho wasn’t you. I’ve somethin’ more to tell about her directly, but I want to know where you've been, exactly where you hid yourself.” “1 haven't been far away. Ealing.” “Ealing! What possessed yon to go there ?” “I hardly know. 1 had to go somewhere. I went round tho corner to Hyde Park Corner Station. When i 1 approached tuo booking office 1 hadn't an idea whore Td take a ticket i to. but a lady iu front of mo said Ealing,’ so 1 said ‘Ealing.’ And the train took mo there. And 1 found a quiet road, Windsor Road, where some of the houses said ‘rooms to let.’ So 1 tonic the drawing-room lioor, bed- ■ 1 room and sitting-room, of one of them. 1 called myself Airs. Ballon, and .said my husband was in the Malay Peninsula.” “Whatever for?” “Well, ho had to ho somewhere further off than Grosvenor Place, so I thought I’d send him a good way. You wouldn't have had mo kill you, Frank, would you, or take off my wedding ring? 1 said he was growing rubbar.” “What did you do there . “Yawned a great deal, ate a- great deal, took long walks, read novels, did ; some sowing—yes, I actually did. And i every day and night was forty-eight ; hours long. I thought it would bo a : rest cure, but I believe it aged me.’ “There’s something more to tell, isn’t there?” | “I suppose you mean Lord ; Swayno?” “I do mean Lord Swayno. He had ' your address, which even Airs. Tour--1 maline hadn’t; so you wrote to him, I : and be wont to see you. Now I ain’t 1 i imputin’ anything wrong between yon ! and him. But your writin’ showed * you were close pals. You’ve a right j to havo men friends just as I’ve a right to havo women fri-uKls, though yon went for mo for callin’ on Airs : Gordon and bakin’ her to the theatre. 1 But I do object to tho secrecy of your j friendship with him. I thought you hardly knew tho chap. Why wasn’t , I told? Lord knows I wouldn’t have ■ objected. I know there’s nothing 1 wrong, but it looks ugly. Eva. and—” “Mv dear Frank, it docs look ugly. ; I grant that. But I’ve a full and 1 perfect explanation regarding the my- ' story of mv friendship with Lord : Swayno. Only I must ask for a little time' before I can explain. Now be an angel husband and drop Lord Swavno for the present.” “Well, I ain’t an unreasonable man. and if you say so I guess it is so. I know you run straight, hut I boon you’ll enlighten me before long. I’m not curious ns a rule—look here, Fra I’vo a queer story to toll you about your double.” Forthwith he plunged into tho history of Eva Wantage, from his setting eyes on her at Portland Place, two days before, to his parting from her that afternoon. And he told of Arnold Berlyn’s wooing, and why ho had broken tho engagement. Lady Boulton gave him tho closest attention. “I’m sure she’s innocent,” he concluded. “And I’m going to stand hy her. and clear her, and force Arnold Rnrlyn. who’s a really good chap, to seo he’s made an ass of himself, and go hoggin’ her forgiveness. And T want you to supnort me. Your friendshould would help her even more than mino. You’ve been callin’ me an angelic husband, now will yon ho an angelic wife and " “Of course I will” she interrupted. “T. too, am sure she’s innocent. I’ll have her to stav here. Lot’s go now and fetch her.” Sho slipped off the chair to her feet, and rang tho bell, {Continued daily.)