THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10924, 13 November 1913, Page 8

THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.

CHAPTER XXlll.—(Continued.) We were still discussing when Muriel came back, and I told her that I had asked Valtoun to remain for a time at The Chase. "Of course I should be only too glad to be of any use," he doclarod. • "I really don't think it will bo necessary to put Lord Valtoun to such inconvenience," she replied. Hia face fell at onoe. "It wouldn't really inconvenience mo at all," ho protested. "But you said just now, Bob, that you had a lot of " I said. '• Yes. but I've been thinking about that," ne interposed hurriedly; " and there's really nothing which I couldn't arrange all right."' "But what could you do?" asked Muriel with disconcerting directness. "Eh? Oh—er—l don't know. Anything, Miss Maltravers," ho stammered. "You'd he dreadfully bored. It's a dismal life here at the best of times, and likely to be worse rather than better." . " lan -was suggesting that " '.'But Sir lan isn't commander-in-chief here. Oh, no, I shouldn't give it another thought, Lord Valtoun. It isn't a bit necessary. Besides, what on earth would you do with yourself? You'd have to moon about with nothing to do, nothing to think about, arid no one to speak to for twentytlii'ee hours out of the twenty-four every day." "I shouldn't mind that a bit," he said. " Besides, thero would still bo tho twenty-fourth," I suggested. She laughed. "And, being a man, he would probably not be where ho was wanted for that hour." "But you yourself asked me if I could stay, "Miss Maltravers." "My dear man, do you really think I like to be reminded of my mistakes," she retorted with a somewhat pitying smile. " Anyway, I'm going to stop. I promised you, and I don't mean to break my word," he declared. firmly with a grin at the reason he gave., " But. I release you from that promise." "Of course I won't stay if you wish me to go. Do you ?" She shrugged her shoulders with a grimace of indifference. " I wished it when I asked you, but things are different now." " That's no answer. I shall stop until you tell me to go." " I'm not commander-in-chief, either," she replied equivocally. It was plain that sho approved his action; and that point being settled, she opened 'fire indirectly on me. " Sir lan is going to remain here, things are different, as I said just now." 7" But he lias just told; me lie is going," cried Valtoun. " Do you suppose he knows his own mind? He said that before he knew that Evala had asked mo to ask him to stop." t "Do'you mean that?" I exclaimed eagerly. * "My dear Sir lan, do you think I tell stories? I have come to fetch you in order that you may give her your ' answer in person. -Will you wait here a moment?" she asked Valtoun, and vent with, me toward the house. "What.did Evala say?" "Do you want me to make you blush?" "I mean about my staying here?", "Of course you do. We had to discuss the arrangements. It will all_ be perfectly proper. Countess Viralmi is a perfect stickler for the proprieties. She's Evala's aunt or cousin or something, and answers for Mrs Grundy in the household. She is the dearest and silliest old lady in the world. Just as short-sighted as a chaperone should be and believes everything you tell her except scandal." " You are playing with me, Miss Maltravers." "Of course I am. I told you I had been serious quite long enough. And whenever that happens, I suffer positive tortures of remorse for wasted minutes." "But I must know what passed be- • tween you and Evala." . '' Of course you must. She'll tell you." "We had reached the house and I stopped. "I cannot go to her unless you tell me what you said to her about me," I said firmly. , "What an uncomfortably persistent person you are, Sir lan," 6ho cried with a gesture of dismay. "I.am obliged to persist in this." " Oh, very well. Evala wanted me to find out why you meant_ to desert her at such a crisis; she wishes you to stay and help her; and she wants to see you. Is that enough?" and without waiting for my answer she j opened the door of tho room. " Evala is here. Sir lan," she said, loudly enough for Evala to hear. , As I went in Muriel's eyes lighted mischievously and I heard her laugh joftly as she 6hut the door after me. .. That*, Evala was astonished I could pot fail to notice; and she rose quickly and looked inquiringly at me. , " You wish to see P" . The question came from us both together, and we both left it unfinished in mutual surprise and confusion. "Muriel ; " Miss Maltravers " We spoke again simultaneously and again stopped, looking at each other in questioning confusion. The silence was broken by a laugh as ftluriel herself came into the room. " As I have done this and appear to t>e the only person with any commoneense at the moment, you had both bet- , ter have some one to blame," she said | with composure and evident satisfaction. ! ' "You told me " I began when she interrupted me. i " I know I did, and I'm going to tell you both more. I told Sir lan, Evala, that you wished me to find out why he meant to desert you at such a crisis, that you wished him to stay here at /The Chase and help you, and that you ' .wanted to see " . " But I," protested Evala. "Do let me finish, dear. You had not said anything of the sort, of course ; but it's all perfectly true. Now, isn't ! it?" , "You had no right " " Oh, bother the right. Isnt it true? You can see it is, Sir lan. Of course, : its true; and if either of you blame me • for blurting out the facts, well, I shan't be the first martyr in the cause of truth. _ She assumed such a grotesque air of resignation that, despite my confusion, I could not repress a smile. .Evala did not reply, but turned away and resumed _ her seat; and Muriel cross-sd and kissed her very lovingly and tenderly. ".Now I am going to tell more truths," she said. '' Sir lan knows the desperate difficulties you are in, dear,

(By ARTHUR W« MARCHMONT.)

Author al "When I was Caar," "The Queen's Adrooata," tftu RIOETB EssSßyss.]

and he is longing to help you in any way. Ho knows, too, that Count- Lugo does not. wisli him to bo here, and that when you arc betrothed to him, lie may mako it very difficult, for him to revmain, and that you can't ask him. My him's and he'« and his's are a little mixed, but you can easily sort them out. Ho will give his holp in all loyalty to you, Eva in; and as you told nie yourself, there is no one else whom you can trust so wholeheartedly. No. don't pretend to protest, dear," she said, as Evaia tried to interrupt. " Things aro much too serious for any pretence. Lot tho truth havo a- chance. He lias proved his loyalty beyond question; ho knows moro of tho dangers in which you stand than anyone, and ho can protect you better than anyone. And it would bo stark-staring madness for you to let such a friend Jeavo you at tho very moment of moments when you most need tho help of a staunch friend, a level head, and a strong hand. Thero, my lecture's dono ami. ! you two must settle the rest for yourselves"; and with that she hurried out of tho room, disregarding Evala's call to her to stay. For a space we wore silent. I was intensely gratified by Muriel's interposition, but scarcely less embarrassed and quite at a loss what to say. A long silence followed, and, as I could not see Evala's face, I could only guess at tho cause of her obvious agitation. "I think Muriel is right. Sir lan," sho said at length, her voice low and hesitating. "You will let me?" Sho turned then. She was very pale, but her eyes were shining brightly and sho spoke with forced deliberation. "You understand the—tho position? I told her that with me thjy. needs of my country must bo my one thought, my only consideration. " It is not yet decided what shall be dono as the result of my brother's return here; but I havo little or 110 doubt that our efforts here will bo continued. In that case, my formal betrothal to Count Lugo will take place almost, at once." "I understand, Countess. I ask only to be allowed to help you in such way as you may decide is best." " I am sure, of you," she said with a sigh and a smile. "1 will try with all my heart to .deserve your trust." "My duty is to my country. You will not- blame me "for. that?" Her eves were full 011 mine wistfully as sho spoke. "I could not blame you and will never forget it," I answered. She held out her hand. _ " It is for our causo I need your friendship." "It is for that cause I pledge myself te be true to you," I answered as I carried her hand to my lips. "I know how loyal you are!" I _ looked up and as our eyes met again: '"I will try to be as loyal as if you were free!" I murmured. "All, if I were!" she sighed involuntarily. For the moment the hot words inspired by the passion I felt for her rushed to my lips, but I crushed them hack, trembling like a child with the effort it cost me. She saw the struggle and understood, and a passing glint of doubt mingled with the sympathy in. her eyes. "No word of it shall ever pass my lips," I whispered in answer to her look and. ought. * "I thank heaven for giving "me such a friend," she murmured. "Till you send me from you!" I declared. In this way my pledge of fealty was given, and I was pressing my lips to her fingers again to seal the pledge" when there was some commotion outside, the doo> was opened hurriedly, and Prince Osca entered. (To be continued.)