“CHURSTONS”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16360, 24 February 1921, Page 5

“CHURSTONS”

By

PAUL TRENT

(Author of “ The Vow,” “ Adam," etc., etc.)

CHAPTER XXn. Petty looked round for a taxicab that was' disengaged, and quickly obtained one. Then she waited impatiently for Mark’s return. It was an amusing little incident that he should be behqiden to her for so quick a return of his plans, for the loss of them might have caused him some inconvenience. At last he appeared, and deposited her dressing case in the cab. “ I am very much obliged to you—especially as I have an appointment at the Air Board in a few minutes. I should not have liked to e confess I had lost the plans I was going to submit to them- Thank you once more. Good-bye,** he said quietly. Betty having given the name of her hotel to the driver jumped into the cab. “ You certainly were very careless. It was the last sort of thing I should have imagined you doing. Goodbye,” she said to him. There was a flush on her cheeks as she drove away, and the flush remained there for some time. Jt was nearly one o'clock when she reached the hotel. There was no hurry, for her appointment was not till three o’clock. She lunched 'leisurely in the restaurant, and looked around with interest at the fashionably dressed women, contrasting her severely plain costume with theirs. Not that Betty disliked pretty clothes; but she had other and greater interests in life. However, she determined to do a little shopping when her work Punctually to the moment she sent in her name to the official with whom she had the appointment. It was fully half an hour before she was sent for, and Betty hated to be kept waiting by any one. At the sight of her pretty face the official rose. “ I hope 1 have not kept you waiting,’’ he said apologetically. ‘•'Just thirty minutes. Fortunately, time in London is not of so much importance as when I am at Lome,** she answered sweetly. “ About your 250 engine. I am afraid we shall have to postpone giving you the order.” “ I thought it was practically settled we were to have it,” she said swiftly- “ It was not definitely settled. Things move so quickly in the design of aircraft engines. This morning I saw the plans of one that would appear to be a distinct advance on any yet produced.” ‘•You mean Mr Lendridge’6. You have only seen the plans. They haven’t an engine on the bench.” “But they will have—very soon. 1 think it advisable to wait a while, before ordering.” “ And iii the meanwhile my works will be idle. I was relying on this order.” “ I am very sorry,” ho began apologetically. “ Perhaps you can see your way to giving mo at least a portion of the order. My engine lias passed all the tests you required. Hitherto you have seemed pleased with it.” “ That is true. But we naturally want the best engine in the market. T have thought yours to be that, until this morning.” “It will be some little time before the Lendridge engine can be on the bench.” “ Not very long - . . so Mr Londridge assures me. By the by, I was very surprised to hear ho had left ‘ Churstons.’ Your father, whom I knew very well, had the utmost confidence in him. Of course it is no business of mine.” “ That is just what I was thinking,” she interrupted him dryly. \ No man likes to be snubbed, even by a pretty woman, and Betty had not improved her chance of obtaining an order. “ That was rather a rude remark,” sho went on hurriedly. . “ But you will understand my disappointment, Mr. — Mr ” 14 My name is Slieatham,” he said a trifle stiffly. •* If you could give me a portion of the order, which will keep us going until the Lendridge engine has been tested.” “Yes, I think we can do that. But I cannot give you my final decision at the moment. If you can come here the .same time to-morrow.” I shall l>o very pleased ’to do so.” He rose ns a sign that the interview was at an end. and she bowed, smiling at him pleasantly. “ Tun afraid T showed my disappointment too plainly. Please forgive mo.” she said, and went away. Betty drove to the West End and visited a fashionable dressmaker, where she chose a smart evening gown, which required little alteration, and which could be delivered in time for dinner. Next she chose a cloak, and the incidentals that go to make a woman’s evening toilette. Back at the hotel fche wrote a couple of letters, and afterwards sat down in tho Palm Garden for tea. Her eves chanced to light on the lianas of n pretty girl, arid sho noticed their whiteness, and the manicured nails. “ I do work, bnt that’s no reason 1 shouldn’t make the best of myself,” she told herself and went tc the manicure room. Afterwards she visited the hairdresser, and when she left there it was limo to dress 'for dinner. The new gown suited her admirably, and she took the greatest care over her toilette. 'Pile least vain of women, she closely scrutinised her reflection in the long mirror. Yes, she was quite good-look-in o- Indeed, some people might even call her beautiful. Upon descending to the restaurant, she remembered she had neglected to engage a table. The nlaco was crowded, and the malt re d’hotel approached. “ T am afraid yon will have to wait a fc’Tr minutes, madame- A table will soon he disengaged,” he said apologetically. Betty was conscious of the many curious eyes that were fixed on her—she did not know that they all held admiration—and was about to go to the lounge to wait there, when a innii addressed her. It was Mark Lendridge, and he was smiling pleasantly. ‘‘Tf von would not mind sitting at my table, I am alone,” he said engerly. “ T shall be delighted,” she answered impetuously. His evening dress suited him • and she wondered why she had never noticed how good-looking he was. And he was thinking he had never seen so radiant a vision. And so they eat down to face one another. “To-night we are jjiß't man and woman,” she began hesitatingly. “ There is no Perhampton,” he said quietly. ‘ * And no such thing as uu aeroplane.” “Or its engine.” They both paused and looked at one another. “ There is something in this sort ot life,” he said, and glanced round the restaurant- “ For a day or two.” “ And in appropriate company.'* “ Then you think 1 am appropriateto thi3.” “ To the manner and appearance born.” “I’m not sure T take that as a com-

pliment. Dcn*t you think the women look as if they thought of nothing but amusement?" ‘ * Appearance only—many) of them have done grim work- Appearances are often deceitful. Who would imagine you could handle a hammer and chisel with skill f** “ The reference is forbidden,** she said laughingly. “But my bands don't pleasu me." “Your hands are all right,” he answered roughly. Betty gave him a quick look beneath her lashes. “ I was thinking of doing a theatre,” he went on. “ Dop’t let me keep you.” ** I should like to take you with me.** “I am—the enemy. At the Air Board to-day *’ “ .1 thought there was no such thing. Will you come with me? If so, I’ll engage a box.” “ Extravagance.” “ Quite justifiable. For years I’ve spent nothing. Will you come?” “ Yes, with pleasure.” And then they were again silent. Mark found it difficult to keep his eyes from her face. If only she had been content to be as other women! Suppose that they were now meeting for the first time—would ho have had a chance of winning her? His blood flowed more rapidly at the thought. To win this glorious woman—to hold her in his arms—to kiss her lips, and to feel her heart beating against hisHad he a chance of winning her in spite of everything? He was a man, and she a woman to be won. But the winning would not be easy, only by one means, and that was by bending her will to his. She must be made to realise that he was her master, and he would do it. There would he much bitterness and suffering for both of them, but the reward would be worth it. To hold her in his arms—her eyes full of love and longing. To seo her proud neck bend, as she surrendered herself. That day should come, and lie would not falter in his purposeCHATTER XXIII. For a couple of hours Betty really did forget that such a. place as Ferhampton existed They laughed and chatted together gaily, paying much more attention to each other than to the happenings on the stage Mark proved to he a delightful companion, and she had had no idea that his nature possessed such a side. Moreover, his eyes expressed evident but respectful admiration. Both were sorry when the performaTl“ I’ll drive you back to your hotel. I can go on in the taxi,” he said when they came out of the theatre. “I believe I am rather hungry.” “ Let us go somewhere to supper?” he suggested eagerly, and she smiled her assent. _ . Both were loth to end their enjoyment. , , , “And to-morrow,” be suggested, when it was time to go. “ To-morrow is already hero —with its Air Board.” “And ‘ Churstons ’ ?’ “ And ‘ Crosbys,* ”he said with sudden gravity. “To-night lias been a dream- Ihe reality is here.” “ Yes—the reality. _ A , “We are fighting a grim fignt, she went on wearily. ~ “We must fight. Tt is our fate. “ Yes. We must i hfc. And I intend to win.” “ And I,” he said quietly. They looked at each other. Her eyes were as steady as his, and equally lull of purpose. “Yes, I shall win. T have Inst your brains, but you are handicapped by Julian Crosby. lam a free woman, and that is where I have the pull. “ Are you quite certain you are free?” h 4 nsked tensely. “ Yes,” she answered aenantiy- “ Quite?” he repeated. “I will fight you with every weapon in rnv power, and I shall win. 1 can’t ° S “ You are very confident, and very proud of your strength. Tt is your strength T want to break. ’ No man will ever do that. 11 Not quite your strength—rather your will I want to make you more of a woman. I want to see you uish a woman’s weaknesses. ’ Bettv laughed, and there was no mirth in the sound. Gone was the softness from her expression. Her lips were firmly pressed together, as she turned SW “ Good-night—and thank you.’’ <i j t j s X who am indebted- You nave shown me a side of yourself of which I had dreamt.” ~ . T , . , <i And you a side of which I had not dreamt. 'Good-bye. . , „ “ Just now T said Good-night. “ \nd I reneat ‘ Good-bye. “ Good night, darling.” ' „ The last* word was whispered, but her nniek ears almost guessed what he said and her face became suffused with “i.,,,. But it ouicklv vanished, and she became very white. She did not utter another word, but turned away and wont to the lift. ~ , . “ I believe T touched her. he said exultantly to himself, as he drove a " As * soon as Bettv reached her room, she hurriedly began to undress, but paused abruptly and pressed nor fin e . to her eyes ‘.as though she would keep back the tears- . _ - , Why was she crying? Was it heeause of his insult?—he had called her darling Tt was the first time she had heard a. caressing word from a man. None had been given a chance of approaching her. She had given him r.o chance, and vet he had dared. Darling! It was ai lover’s word, and the man who had uttered it was her enemv. True only in business, but »t was business that mattered. The wellbeing of “Churstons” was the one object'and ambition of her . life. Had he been playing with her? Was ho punishing her for the past? She had insinuated that lie had been flirting With Julia Movie. Had she believed it at the time? Tf so. tho same lips that she believed to have called Julia darling had addressed the same endearing word to herself. what a fool she had been to sit at the same table with him ! It wa* probable ho had been only 1 amusing himself, and vas now laughing nt her simplicity. They had almost toon engaged in a flirtation. She had never been on such familiar terms with anv man. It was fortunate there was very little chance of their mooting again, at anv rate, under such circumstances. But tho evening; had been very pleasant; she had enjoyed every moment of it. Once more the disquieting thought presented itself. What was the real nature of her feelings towards tills man? Bill sho dislike him, or ... . “I hate him.” sho said vehemently. Betty started at the sound of her roice. But if lie should come to her as a hilpplian't, and not as a master, would she still hate him? A burning flush came to her cheeks, as she realised what was the answer to the question. His ! face was stern, but could soften. His i eyes might plead for favours and not demand them. He might woo and not i try to conquer. And she trembled at the thought. Suppose he took her in his ar/ns, and kissed her. [ “What is the matter with me?” she asked herself angrily. “My thoughts are those of a “sentimental fool.” When in bed sleep would not come, #fid it was Mark who kept her awake. } In tho darkness slie could see his face, tnd r fleeting expression of his eyes that she remembered. Jt was almost as \ if he cared for her . . . and of course that was Impossible when they hated one another and were enemies. 44 Of conree I must hat© him,” she told herself, and with that determination she fell asleep. > (To bo Continued.)