A PLUNGE INTO THE UNKNOWN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16613, 10 December 1919, Page 10

A PLUNGE INTO THE UNKNOWN.

FASCINATING STORY OF POPULAR. INTEREST —-

BY CHARLES B, LESLIE.

Author of “A Wild 'Wager,” “Loved for Herself.” “The Errington Pearls Mystery,” "The Power of the Purse,’' etc., etc. CHAPTER XXlV.—Continued. Francis was both surprised and delighted. ■•That’s' real generous of you, Eva. I was afraid you’d refuse to meet her. And' I couldn’t have forced ymf to, for, alter ail, you’ve a right tit be angry with her lor what she's done.” “I’m not in the least hit angry with her; only intensely curious lo met her. And I’ve a feeling we shall he friends.’' Eva laughed gaily. The touch of shyness wit it which she had greeted her husband vanished. She spoke to the butler in the assured tone of the mistress of the house. "A taxi, Baldwin, at once, that’ll he quicker titan having the car out. And lel! Smith (this was her maid) to bring in.! a hat downstairs, the blue with the ostrich plume. Anil tell Mrs. Parr to hove a bedroom ready, I shall be bringing a lady back to sleep.” “And about dinner, my lady, will eight o’clock ” “Xo dinner at eight. We shan’t be back, we may want some supper later, tell cook.” “It isn't far off, Eva, we can easily be back ” “We. are coming straight hack, dear.” his wife told him, and Francis shrugged his shoulders and was silent. % “See here. Eva,” said Francis in the cab. “I’ve promised M:.-s Wantage not to reveal her address without her yet - , mission. So you mustn’t look where we’re going, and you mustn't peep out of the window when i leave you in the cab.” “I’ll look at my beautiful husband, delightful sight alter my grass widowhood!” Eva squeezed his arm. “Oh, it was embarrassing at Ealing. I’d no photograph or picture of you, and that made my landlady suspicious. .She doubted your existence. I’d explained my lack of luggage as duo lo its being lost on the Continent. But it didn’t explain losing nil counterfeit presentments of my husband.” Nothing hut myample supply of ready money, and the intense respectability of Lord Swayne, my only caller, permitted her conscience to harbour me,.” “Talkin’ about calling, wnat did you come back tor two nights ago : —was it your cheque boon ” “No. j‘ took it as an excuse for the visit. It was just a whim I'd the vapours that evening, the 3one!tnes-. bad got on toy tiervi s, I suppose, so i put on my hat and took the train lo London. I wanted, to come, hark to you.” “Then why in the name of goodness didn’t youV And if you’d waited 1 u not have got i ii.it. crack on I he head.” “I couldn’t know that, dear. I only wanted some reason to stop. 1 was m two moods all the way. 1 passed the door about six limes before 1 tound courage io knock. 7lieu J decided il you were iu, and meU me nicely, I’d stop, but you were not in, and--and my courage failed me I coulun I wutit. so 1 ran away. Bull’d at eotuplished something. ' I'd learned indirectly ahouc you. For I'd heard nothing.” “Then what’s happened since, to give vou enough courage to meet mo. - '" “Why. what Lord Swnyne wrote me. Your injury, and the tact I’ve ' acn impersonated by another womanly Francis fingered it Is moustache. Eva was still keening something hark. His knowledge of her 101 l him that. He was puzzled yet content, for site was obviously iutcr.-cly gnu 1;i triemK with him again. further speculation was cut short by the taxi halting. “Now sit still, and stt ■ — eyes straight.” “Blindfold me if you like,” Site put her face provocatively close lo hint, and Francis lell; he reproached himself as lie ascended the steps of the hoarding house. “Kissin’ one’s wife in a cab in a London square is about, one degree sillier than kis-.it!’ another man’s wife.” ho soliloquised. In tlfc halt the visitor was assailed by an odour from the kitchen, a mixed and powerful odour, hut roast mutton and boiled cabbage predominated. It was in fact the 'dinner hour, and the thumbs of the man servant who admitted Francis were damp wit it soup, testifying to the service from which lie had been called. He, smiled cheerfully. the foreign manservant in Bloomsbury is neatly always cheerful, it is indeed the chiefe.st of his virtues. “Alecs Vantage, oh yes, she no down yet, you vnit, oh yes. lank you ;” and he hurried hack io the dining room. Francis hesitated, hut doubts of how to. get at the lady were ended by sight of her descending the stairs. He hastened to meet her.

“My wife's outside, in a taxi. She wants to know you,” lie burst out, Eva became frightened. “Oh, Lord Boulton, I’m afraid.”

“Nonsense, she wants to be friends. And remember, as you’re situated, tins charge hanging over you, her friendship is worth having.” This was, as JJvn. know, sound advice. And .she was conscious too of an intense desire to stand taco to face with her double. So she said; “Please bring Lady Boulton up to the drawing room on the first floor.” And in that big. ugly apartment, fortunately empty, the boarders being all at dinner, the two Evas met, Lord Boulton the sole spectator. He performed the ceremony of introduction, with a due appreciation of its dramatic nature.

| “Miss Wantage, let me present my ] wife—Eva this is Alisa Wantage, of | whom you’ve heard. By Jove, you j know, what a surprisin’ likeness it is!” But Lady Boulton, instead of shaking I hands, went up to ?Jis.s Wantage and ■ kissed her. “It’s not surprising at all. Frank, and I’ll tell you why.” shy said :to Eva Wantage. “We are twin ,sis- ! ters. Our mother died when we were i babies, but our father is alive; and I’m going to take you to him.” (Continued daily.)