A NEW SERIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15444, 5 September 1914, Page 4

A NEW SERIAL.

JOHN AW BERT'S DAUGHTER. OR . THE ROPE OF PEARLS. ♦

BY A GORDON THOMSON (Author ot "The Vengeance of Lore,' " Favourites of Fortune,'" A Millionaire's C'ritne,'' "" Uy Right of Birth," etc., etc.

CHAPTER IX

A FRIEND INDFfcD. Dtfspi-te the late hour at wttith *h<?l hu l retired the previous niglit. JlnsGrwit was eurly astir the followtn-4 m .i-niag. She went about her rand duties ffitiedy ><> as not to disturo Kthel, who >till slept sotmdty. antl 'when the girl did app:ur sfa> tottnd a bright tire fiurtvttig in tEie purloitf. and the taihko neaclv taiS for bre-ukkast. Kthel was looking very different trwa what she- dwl the oreviotts. night. Ihe weary haunted: l«e>li had left h«;r lace, .the smile had returned to her ttp> unit the sparkle to bcr eyes. . The breakfast Wii«' a frugal one, but everything was fresh, neat, and clean, while the pwasrttrtt smite- and kiuet uoreLs of Mrs tlreeu did mtteh to make Ethel feel at Itopw.- in her new sttrrviunrlkngs. li v*as certainty a change from the gorgeous furnishings- o? Park Lane, to _ the threadbare carpet and quaint furniture of Mr*. Green's tiny nartour. During the meat Jfrs. Green talked cf the past, oF the work, she dtd. ever and again referring in loving terms, to Ilarrv Ottslow. Ethel in her tnro to'd Mrs- "Green the story of her lite, and explained fully to her eager listener tlu? xvason of her Sight from home, cansed as it had been by tire cruel action of her father, to alt of which Mrs Green Icstened svmpathetieally. - A "father does not understand a gtr! as a. mother dfws, bnt I am gtad you hare- not eomEeomed him in harsh terms. It is not good for children to condemn parents rashly or unthinkingly. It will all come rtght some dav/ r pcvdictetf Mrs (»fivn. '■■ Depend tifwn it, your father will repent of his antE farjrfvp you. Hp wiH drive hero to IS. Thorn Strwt, in his carriage- and take yon away/' -- My father never nor does Be pv« changi. his niintf," said Kthel. -'A roan of such a disposition w very tuvdesirable, dearie," replied Mrs Green, "•if he won't rep.-nt then he ma«t jtiiit tie left with hj» si as. for to repent with » grudge, like forctHl prayers', shows •neither regret nor devotion. But drm't trouble, yotrr head more about him nor that man Branston. You shall stay here antl keep a lonely o-d woman company, and yott and I wilt bo as happy sts the day'is. long. Xow 1 must clear away, for'that embroidery is waiting to he- done. 1 "

While Mrs. was buattrng abont. Ethel sat down by the work-table and tiegaa examining the embroidery. " Might I help yoo with this, dear Sirs. Green ?" she said. ••Now, there," exclaimed that good woman, "as if I would permit you to ■oil yo.nr prett? fingers with it." Ethel smited. " I can do it beautiIntlv; I was tanght at a school in France," and without more ado she set to work, the result being that th« work vriiz ready before the messenger from th»» shop who. supplied the embroidery called to take it away.

Later in the day Harry appeared with 21 handle of magoaincs for Ethel to read. His cheery voice and merry Tangle brought a ray ok* sunshine into th» hntise. Ethel was exceedingly shy and spoke" but little, while Harry atMressed nw&t <rf'his remarks to Mr« Green- Hin stay wast brief, for it was lis* dinner hoar and ho haet to return to J»orfe.

"Just like him; he always thinks of ethers before himself." said Mrs Green after he* had gone. It is mmt likely he swallowed hf» dinner at one roonthfitI T so to speak. «> that he could bring these magazines here, and still not bo late for his work " "And I never so much as thanked tint." said Ethel. "How rude he must think**me-"' Mrs. Green laughed :»t thirf. and when the evening brought a second visit from Hurry, Ethel thanked hint, but in a somewhat diffident manner.

" I hooe Mrs. Green lias, inado yon comfortable." said Harry, which 'remark caused that good woman to turn upon him. "What next, Harry Onslow. I would Jfke to know."* ,vho> sard. " Didn't poor Cnpen that's dead and gone «my timeA without number that _ I was the mnst eemfortabtest woman in the world ?"

Hurry laughed, saying. -"Then Ethel timl'd not >U> better than stay with you:."'

Ethel gtant.vd front one.to the other. '*• lt : v.nt will let me, dear Mrs Green."

etie ,*ai<(. "Stay. ind" <d. my (Eeattp. as if ever I could say - Xo," and ynu a doin' of tb«y ftmhroidery a* I Itavt* iic-rer scon." Tr» prove th»> trnth of her imrtL*. Mrs proceeded to. display to Harry com*. of the traits of Ethel's needCp. * Befon* departing. ht* threw out a liitit to Kthel -a.* to tt< v r frtemU making a search for her. Futt she anm-ered. "My father nitt never seari-h for rrip; i refused to obey Itim* anil ho witt IcL-ve met«» my fate." "That is to be a. daughter to a frundlessi "Id woman." said Mrs Green, putting her arm* round Kthel and kissing her.

" Yes. nnUt my brother Fetix returns," she answered. Thus the matter v.-us nettled and Kthet found 3 honv.

Ho the days. passed on and >wvume I weefci, during which the girl gradually j *ctt'ed down to her rterv life and s»ir- f rounding.*. She ornwt •to very | «' f ever with her n>'ed!e, and swion wa* I •tiik to eatm sufficient to lire on. She j became deeply attached to Mrs Green. [ und that motherk- woman looked i-'T a.s, a. daughter. fhtrry caMed fc're-1 • luenttv,, and KcheS began to. took for-' ward to it is visits with a certain amount 1 ot' pfeaistire. _ f "My dear/' said Mrs Orren tut* f fir wlticft sh» hat! received a larger ttua t «if money titan n*tiaE fur her nnrk. '-My j «tenir Kthel, I tuean to givt- a dinner j im-tvv* f ■' Hrtt the s.»gg''.ted Ethel. j k'ii paid." rettirnetl Mrs. Credit. I " and you aiuS | are making sn much | money now t[cut if *.v«» dots't spent! a f !>U[t v we *hali (n'fomp nim !" t And who shall voti invito ?*' I

For a monwnt or two Mrs. Green wa> •ilent. :md fiefore. arwwcrintc Kthel's qw.itum. wtted hersptt' with an air ot dcef "K'rioysnff<. '• Of course there is Mrs. Davis,"" she *r.L " I coitld ask her, hut it is a f"H<j way from Tooting. 'Hif-n thero are her lortaers—aho would worrv- terrLhlv abortc thorn."

Kthel taugheif. Shw 'lUEinettv r*-rinmfw-refl Mr.,. Dn-is, ivho hmt h<Vn to tfj ono afternoon. an-t ha»t the t\n> women in a £tver of excitement, for shortly aEter her arrivat that Ia»!v betcnti to show atari* of a <lrstn» to tirpart, }iw Fwiiiisr .•hottftj faU', hut late for what .-xc.-pt hei- tar no une could cU-arty understand. Wliih* ftririkinic Pi<■'n»'ii *h« w t>rok.» out ever*" niiril.itfs with Mich ♦'xprpssions oa; " Ar- vijtt sutv your clock i* at tiru<\ Mrs (trpfu. i am certain it is behind * why my car will fw« Having W>n iw*uiv»i that tin* wa* at coriwfc time, *hf> would reamuc- h»r tra.-drittkifltc, hut after a littK acain spring to her f«*'t PxetairniriK, •• Tft«ri» now. that's .St. Cube-tot* Church dock <Frrrtini» ftrf.—l ri-uJtv must eft ruv trunks on T" " ~

"•I don't think Mr- FMriv nyiFd stav

t<> tiuish her dinner —she would have to Icavi- to catch that car she is «. vnstarttlv looking fur." said Kihel. ' Sarah wa> always th.- satin-. ' wont nn Mrs CJreen, ••even l>> ton- cdie mar- < rred Davrs. wlto is a sensible mail as never worrits about being late or early. I reiuemb- r w !t>':i Sarah was carrioil. sh» (IrfsWKl licist-if the even-. in>r before her wedding day .-<> as to bo "in" time. In>tt-ii<l of ii> bed like r. Christian woman who was to bo a >vtu .-he sat h-Jfore the looking glass all night with two candles burning one on mi'it ,-ide of her. to say nothing of a paraffin tamp on the table. ' After this Mrs Davis nits regarded as ?»eiu"' impracticable, and hthcl siigscsted Mrs Fames another acquaintance, tint Mrs Green devlareil that lady t«o difficult ti> entertain. •"Site is never done talking nor and the angelic playing of "or daughter Eliza. 1 daresay r.liza < il >> ;kiv, though I never heard her; but there i> one thing I can't abcar—when patiisi; sht» kit-p* her elbows on the table. lik»> one who n'.vor sat in genteel company." Various other were mentioned. hut for some reasou or other were all ruled n»t ot court. •1 think I ivi'.t invito George. I mean Mr Frisp; he was a g rent friend of mv dear husband. 1 don't suppose he gets much of a Sunday dinner since Jus ni'e died." said Mrs lirwn. » The Mr Frisp referred to kept a barber's shop at the corner of the street, and in addition dealt in canaries I and other song-birds. _ _ . . | •• He is a dear old man,"* said Ethel, [ adding. after a pause-, " Do you mean to ask Mr Onslow ?" | " Lotd love yon !" exclaimed Mrs I Green. " Kthel. whatever has coine over yon? Mr. Onslow. indeed! do you think I would invite but Harry ? No* one. except myself, thinks of him, poor fellow !'' ! Her last words caused Ethel to colour i sliehtly. and without further discussion th» giitsiis were narrowed down to ! Harry and Mr Frisp. | Sunday having been chosen as being j the in est suitable day for all concerned, I Mrs Green said: ' "Xow my dear Ethel. I want you to I send an invitation to Harry in exactly ; the samp style as you would have done iin Park Lane. I taught beautiful I paper and pink cnvelojics in Regent : Street, so you must write to hiiti and : post the note. Lot us be fashionable ; for once."

"And \lr Frisp; shall I write him?" asked Ethel. '•'Oh. ilftir. ui). there is no need to wasti* an envelu|>e on him, I'm sure. I wEH call in and invite George myself.*' was tin- replv. On Saturday Mrs Green had a lons round of marketing. and late in the afternoon returned ladeu with luxuries for the feast. She was slightly out of breath, and. sinking into a chair, broke ont about shopkeepers in general, and fishmongers in particular. '* I went to Blackett's to set a hit of salmon for Harry, the dear boy, but when he told uie the price it did givo n»e such a turn. Says I, Mr R'nekett, do you take me for -an American millionaire ■* 'No. Mrs Green.* says; he. '1 take von for a sensible woman. That's prime Scotch salmon, caught on the Tay yesterday. * 'From the price, Mr. Blackett.' says I. 'it might hare been caught, by the Apostle Paul in the Jordan.' He looked at mo and says, 'Xe saint ever hooked that fish; it. was taken out of the water by an honest fisherman.' 'That may l>e, Mr Blaekett, which I won't dispute,' says I. . 'lt's the fishmonger that raises tiie prtce on us. You will be for setting up a mutor car on ihein profits.' 'Yes, Mrs Green',,says he. •! am jnst about to order one.' 'That'll ho another penny on the ponnd of fish..' says I. I did not want to let hiin have all his own wav."

Ethel laughed, and Mrs Green having recovered her good humour, set aboat her_ ordinary dnties. Next day Mrs Grec-n devoted herself to cooking. aided by a woman whom she had brought in for the occasion. Ethel had laid the table and tastefully decorated it with Bowers, and what added to the dignity of the display was Mrs Grven*K ancient dinner service', which would have gladdened. the heart of a connoisseur.

The first of the guest* to arrive was Mr Friso. or "George." as Mrs Green termed hint. He was a bright, cheerful. comfortable-looking man, nnd carried in his hand a cage containing a canary bird. This he presented to Mrs Green, saying: '' 'Opes it will bo company for you. Mrs Gre^n; a *ouse as has only women folks is sure to ho a hit lonesome. That 'erecanary can whistle not 'arf; 'e'es a prise bird, don't ycr know?" While Mrs Green was impressing her appreciation of the gift, and assuring Mr Frisp that if there was one thing she admired more than another, it was canaries, Harry appeared on the scene. Mr Frisp greeted him with:

" Helto. *Arry! Ain't ye a torff. Now we are all right," he said. They werv* a small < but- unaffected party that «?ut d>~»wii at Mrs Green's table, and neither Hnrrv nor Ethel knew that this particular duv marked a turning point in their relationship.

Leaving th-1:: to enjnv it;>- fruit» ci Mrs Given'.-, we must return :•> Par!; Lain- and t'i>!low tin- rmirsp ol events in that ai-isto< ra'.ir locality. CIIAI'TKi; X. THF. WAITING MOTOR CAR. Mrs. Treloar piekod up the Jotter which had disturbed her so. and read it again. It was a brief note in which liraustou requested Marcia to meet him that afternoon at an of the pictures of a celebrated artist., which was being h< Id in Bond Street. ""Contrive so that Mr-, Treloar shall not accompany you—must see you alone, he wrote.

Mrs Treloar read the sentonce ajzain nnd ajiain with a sinking lec-linti; at her heart. f«>r the words to!d her that the two were on very friendly tovms, and hat! evidently been meeting in secret.

'"How blind 1 have boon," she murmured. '■ but it is fortunate this note cnuio into my hands. The villain will lind it no easy niatUr to circumvent mo. There is yet time to save my darling child from this scoundrel Mark Ledbury, who- ealls himself Brnnston. lieautiful and pure, inmx-ent of the dof<!s a man like him is capable of. ignorant of > the awful life that would be her's as his wife—such a union shall never take place. Ethel has escaped hiin. and no matter how miserable her lot may be, it cannot equal _what she would have suffered if married to this man. Deserted by Ethel, he uow seeks to gain the heart of my child. Mareia believes he is what he looks; she knows nothing of the life lie has led. but rather than that her future should be linked to his, I will appeal to John "Wyberl."

Such were the thoughts of Mrs Treloar when .she discovered that Uranston was striving to bring Marcia within his cower, and but for her compact with fiiin she would have related t.o WylKn-t' all she knew regarding liis career. Her own interest, however, always uppermost in her mind, made her hesitate. She.felt that AVyliert was aware that Ledbury was not Uranston, and tlierefoiv must, for his own reasons, be conniving at the imrwsture. and any action she might take would recoil on herself. In addition to this. Airs Treloar had to consider that the flight of Ethel ended her duties as cliaperone, and "VYybert might shut up or let his house in Park Lnne. and thus throw her back on her own slender income. Look at it from whatever point she clioso, .self-interest urged her to be silent for the present, bur to watch Mnrk Ledbury. For some time Mrs Treloar remained seated. Inst in deep thought. Then she rose, thrust the letter into her pocket and left the room, nnd a short time later, accompanied by her daughter, who had returned, drove out.

I'naware of the arrival of UrnnstonV letter. Mareia made no objection to accompanying her mother in making a few aftPmoon calls. Miss C'omfUt. to whom Mrs Treloar paid her first duty visit, was unusually gincious, for curiosity to learn the latest regarding the flight of Ethel and the details of the broken engagement, overcame her dislike and rendered lut civil. "Poor Ethel !" said Mi's Treloar. in answer to a remark inado by Miss Comfitt. "Her flight waif such n shock to ino that my nerves have not recovered even yet." '• I am told that ill- Brnnston bears up bravely und< r his loss-, and the blow hts reputation has suffered."' said Miss Comfitt, regarding her visitor very 1 keenly. "Men are not so susceptible as women," answered Mrs Treloar; adding in a low tone, and with a most, expressive look that meant unspoken volumes, "besides. Mr Hran.ston is above all things a man of the world." " I ftvl convinced that John Wyltori had some deep plot underlying this marriage, and were I certain that Ethel was safe and with friends, I would rejoice that his scheme had failed." replied Miss Comfitt. Then in a low voice, she added, "Has the search for the girl brought nothing to light as to where she has none?' 1 Mis ' Frcloar shook her head mast expressively. and leaning clase toward Mrss Comfitt. whispered: "Mr Wyhert has made no ' effort to trace liis daughter: indeed, has forbidden any atiempt to Ik? undertaken. You know how indexible he is in all things." "Yes," returned Miss .Comfitt, sharply. "John Wvbert puts himself above the Creator: he looks upon the world as his. and regards nun and women as playthings." Mrs. Treloar did not reply for n few mimitos, then she plunged into a long ac.-ount of her troubles, \fith the invitations to the marriage which had to bp 'cancelled., and the wedding presents which had to be returned, to which Miss Comfitt would have been more than human had slip not listened. Meanwhile Marcia finding no male visitor present who was worth trying to fascuiaU', had turned her attention to Nan. She was giving that young wr.man a somrwhnt amusing account of how th«» wedding guests rushed to Park fume to recover the wedding presents they had made to Ktliel. "They drove to the house in cabs. carriages, and motor-cars." she said, "and Mamma was reallv afraid that some of them in their excitement would take awav the wrong articles. They jostled each other in their etigernes-*. " and Mrs. GoreRrowne and Miss Marsh quarrelled over a wretched fruit-dish. which it turned out in the end. neither of them had given." "It must have been amusing," remarked Nan. "Is nothing known of LtheVs whereabouts r"

•'Xo." replied Marcia. "and to 1 11 the truth, no one seems io enre. Mr Wyhert, of all concerned, is the most indifferent to his daughter's fate." Xan was silent, and Marein, after a few minutes, continued—'•Very few girls iron id refuse to marry Hugh Hranston, who is both good-looking and rich."

•• But timt does not ahvays bring lini;]>iness _ alter marrinpo,'' retuned Ann. lieyond wcnlth and IJOctition is required." "A very lonuuitie idea, no doubt: nut .you must admit money hriii}i> comfert.' said Marc-ia. ' and comfort produces ha|>pine>s while poverty menus pineluntt, which loads to discontent and misoi-v. Still Xan stuck to her point, and Mareia nskfd: you marry a poor man s " It I loved him T would," was the reply. ' Oi course toii cannot he expected to reali.-e what riches mean." returned jiarciii. Xan smiled, and after a brief silence "Is it not po?s'hle Hint Mi- Felix . .-V .rt may have provided a home for his sister.-* Slu- had not heard from htm lor months, during wliuh t:ine he might have returned." "He is still in South America, and tar-, know noth n- „f what has taken p.aiv; In.r t„ teli the truth. 1 think Mr \\ylH-rt is secretly afraid of his son. 1 iisi*ii to liko l*e.ix a vcrv at deal and »lo m. even yet ; but li s notion of th'lius in "euor.il are very much out of date, and iio ,s strict. If it. .were not •1' I 11 ■ hehevo 1 could, as vou term it. iall in ioi-»- with him."' Mania spoke slowly. f or in her heart, she was contrasting Felix with Ihi K h Hranston. and that not always to the latter's advantage. .Van fl-ished s:f K htly at tile words ot the beautiful girl at 'her s"de. Inuard.y she was i<.nj"cturnii; if Felix did. i r wmild. tare tor Maiva—she had <o many advantimis over herself For a im.im.nt her hrart >ank with n her. then she icimnibried the last lett-r she I>a<l received fn.m j m, and despt - lii> s;ij;t:ie. oia- mur.. hope, that eternal talisman. liamslud the -loom trom her mind.

Hotli with siifiit for a Kttlc; thon .Mjin iii wliisi. t houi;ht> had takon another clTfction. said: I tin i«ol iiinliM\~t:iiiil how von can on.hir.- t'.'u- ~f Mss Omtiu. Tii.. awful h'."Mr-h.,-

t>( ts mak'> ui t . .shudder. The. • aii she is wear,so.day might. have .x-t-n stored in Xoali".- Ark. U looks of a.I tilings like a ln i -hive. made <i, : !aco and not ui;h ;■ few tluw.'is slink in I:ere and there :>s ii to attract t'iio I>»VS. Nan laughed. -Mi.-s. Comlitt. has been very yood t-> me." .-ho said. "\St-11. von must- admit that, the j:ead-div.--s sh>.- ( all it a cap?} she is is most ludicrous.* 7 ••Orig'.'ia!. raliar."' suggested Xan. on do stick up for your friends," said Mare.a. :i>ng to join her mother, who was I'.rejiarinir to depart. Mrs Ireloar. lielon; leaving, invited Xan to sn-'iid a (lay in Parle Lane, and Miss C omlitl naving gvt n lier consent, the mat-tor v.ai arranged. Mrs Trelna r next drove to the residence of illrs Gore-Browne. bo»vin" it most unlikely that Branstou would ii.trude his unwelcome presence at an ofterncon tra-pariy: wh'de Marcia. unconscious of the intercepted letter." was all acquiescence. (To bo continued.').