THE LADY OF NORTH STAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12717, 12 August 1919, Page 8

THE LADY OF NORTH STAR.

By OTTWELL SINKS.

CHAPTER. XXlV—(Continned)

“ It's like a cleansing to have a good woman’s approval. You can't know, Roger, old boy. Yon haven’t been deep in the mire—but there it is.” He allowed bis cousin and Joy •to examine his wound, and they found the arrow broken, off in his side. The corporal looked at the girl and shook Ms bead. There was little to be done, except draw out the arrow, and bandage the wound as well os they could, and when that was done the' injured man was visibly weaker.

Corporal Bracknell busied himself with the preparation of a. meal, leaving Joy and his cousin together, and not till after the meal when Dick was dosing had he any opportunity of further speech with Joy. Then walking in the shadow of the trees he Miked with her.

“Dick has told me why you came,” he said, going straight' to his point. “I am very grateful.” “I was afraid that there might be tronhle between you,” she answered frankly. “ We had already met 'twice, before

you camo,” lie explained quietly. “On the iirst occasion Dick spared my life; and on the second, though the'meeting began stormily enough, we parted complete friends.”

“ I am glad of that, more glad than 1 can tell.”

“Not more than 1 am. But there are things I want to ask you. very badly. i know how you came to go to Dick’s cabin, hut I do not know who those men were who kept both Dick and you there in a sta-te of siege. Hare you any idea?”

As asked the question Joy Gargrave's face grew very thoughtful. “It was Dick’s man who fastened the door on us. Thar was part of a plan inr kidnapping me, winch Dick had arranged, and at first I thought that he ”

‘lt was not Joe. Vc found him shot. ’ interrupted the corporal. “1 do not think it was ho now. At first Dick was inclined to that idea, ami then lie thought it might be my boy, Jim: but 1 pointed out that thelatr.er would scarcely attack Babette. and she was attacked whilst walking outside thejiut,. yon know.” He looked at her and saw that her eyes w« f o full of trouble. She wa« keeping something back, and after a moment be pressed her for the truth, “You have suspicions. Miss GarTel] me cxactlv what you

“I scarcely like to.” wa* the reply. . . ia t' i have is no more than a suspicion, and it is almost too horrible for words.” ,

‘■’Yell me.” he urged again. “ 1 will," - she broke out impulsively, “and God forgive me if I do him

wrong! I think ray cousin Adrian was responsible.—Mr Itayner, you know, whom you met at North Star.” thought so.” “Yon thought so?” she cried. “-Then you know lie was up here?” f did not know, but T guessed. 1 was on his trail when i met vour hoc Jim.” “ And ho was on yours. Tam sure.” said Joy quickly. “He followed you hen you left Dick's cabin. I think he meant to kill you. He knew that you suspected him or that attack on Dick at North Star ” !< I suspected him of worse things than^that.” “ Yes, I know. Dick told rao. Oh, how terrible it is!” She hid her face in her hands for a moment, and then as she lifted it, he asked, “ Have you any idea why he should do a thing like that, or "why ho should rnako an attempt upon, you ?’ ’

“ Yes.” she replied .in a. shaking voice. “ Babeits, who is very frank, says ho wants my money. He would have married me. knowing all the time that I was married, to Dick. He even, threatened me when I would not accept him, and events bare compelled me to the belief that. Babette is fight, and that ho will allow nothing to stand in his way. not even iny life.” Roger Bracknell nodded his head thoughtfully. “T think von are right.” he answered slowly.' “ We must he very careful. If there is real warrant tor our suspicions, then Adrian Raynor will he a. very desperate man ‘‘.l am sure of that.” she interjected left North Star bn onr arrivalDid I tell you that he was there when

We came back ? No ! Well, be Was. ami I ordered him away, andaa soon as I could I came to look for you——” ’'lt was good of you to bo so anxious r . m , v welfare,’"' be broke in quickly. They bad turned and were walking back to the fire, and in the light it shed He sa.w her face grow suddenly crimson. She looked towards the recumbent figure of Dick Bracknell, lying towards the fire, then hack, again to himself. ‘/That was but ■natural/' she said quietly. “You were . working forme, and when I knew tl\at a danger unknown to you threatened you, I felt that I must make you aware of it. Yoii understand ?” “Yes,” he answered quietly. “And / an only me ®t Adrian Rayner we shall be able to prove or disprove all that we suspect. You and Babette and myself Know* him and Sibou knows the man wno was responsible for vour fathers death. If Adrian R-ayner'and he should prove to be-the same, then khe matter will be beyond dispute.” vv‘!T cs >” agreed slowlv, “Yes. Hut it will be very terrible.”' They approached the fire, just as Dick Bracknell moved and opened his eyes, lie looked at Joy, and she, reading‘the unspoken request in his eyes, went and seated herself by his side. (To bo continued,)