"CHURSTONS”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16366, 3 March 1921, Page 4

"CHURSTONS”

By

PAUL TRENT

(Author of “The Vow,” “ Adam,” etc., etc.) f* *l* d 1 *l**l* *l* »I«»g *l* d*

CHAPTER XXVlll. —Gontinued. So if you could make it convenient to corno verv soon. 1 ' she said appealmgiv. Sheatham came to the conclusion that. Miss Churs ton’s manner tv as t> vtainlv improving, and found himself hoping that the improvement would be a- success. •• t could run down to-morrow, he isanj . 1 nien we might travel together.” “ That will be very pleasant, he answered promptly. He wao not accustomed to women engineers. and he began to wonder if it was quite proper for him to travel with one of (he other sex. However, it was a question of official duty and lie eoulrl j see no objection to what she suggested, so arranged to meet her at the- station, to catch the early morning express. Betty had brought with her the gown she had worn on ihc memorable night with Mark. That night she dressed herself with equal care, and yet when she went down to the lounge there was no brightness on her face. Suddenly she was facing Mark. “ I have engaged the some table, and booked a box at the theatre. Please don't look so angry. Be a sportsman, and let us hare, a few hours’ truce from warfare. Will von ?” he asked anxiousJy. Petty regarded him with amazement. “ I will not mention Ferhampton. nr aeroplane engines—confound ’em. There’s not too much pleasure in our lives—at least not- in mine. Pot us enjoy ourselves and ho happy for an hour or two f should hate to dine alone to-night.” A smile came 1o her face, and sheheld out her hand. “So be it a truce. I. too, should hate to dine alone.” They walked slowly across the restaurant to their table Many eyes followed in admiration the tall, handsome couple and imagined they were viewing a pair of lovers. Mark ordered the dinner, and she listened with amazement. “ Yon hare a good memory,” she remarked. es. There’s not a single- thing about that, night 1 don’t remember.” he answered, and looked straight into For a moment she maintained his glance, but onlv for a moment, for a soft flush came to her cheeks. “ What- shall we talk about?” he , asked cheerfully. “ Anything you like. I am in vour I hands.” “1 wish you were.” rn the thought he dared not express, but his eyes spoke. Each was suspicious that the other was playing a part--they were so very pleasant to- on® another. Tine conversation became light and cheerful. Mark had ideas noon current events, which he expressed clevorlv. Betty had not dreamt that he could be so entertaining a companion, and she was quite sorry when dinner was over, and they were sealed in their box at the theatre. Mark had chosen a serious play, and from where lie sat he could see her face with its rarving expressions. It was a dramatic play deeding with the labour question, in which both were naturally interested. And there was a «trong love interest. Mark was surprised how deeply she was moved by the unhappv situation of the heroinw She .could feel keenly for the love vicissitudes of another woman - that- was certainly a good sign. . ‘‘ Uf course wo ahull have *upoer.” ne announced, when the curtain finally descended ; and she nodded her assent. Upon the way to the hotel Markstruggled with a great temptation Fliv should he not put. his fate to the test and risk everything? She had been so gentle and gracious, and yet he had not- won. She was still unbeaten. Moreover. she might he playing a part. • he was not yet the woman he wanted Vi 31 * V} , •, and he would hide his time Xot that he. wished her to he anv different—it was not. a slave he wanted, but an equal, and he believed she considered herself to he his superior He" attitude in the past had alwava suggested that, except, to-night, and that other well-remembered night X°. bp would bide bb, time. He bad made bis plans, onlv after very careful onnsi deration, and be would carry them out to the end. Tf be should ose her. be would bear bis suffering like a man. “.MV Lc-ndridee. T don't wish to alarm you. but has it struck you your >' a -“ lately been looking Very fradf” Betty remarked gently * quickly 6 I,as n6t corn P lained ” he said 1 imagine that -is the last thing she would be likely to do. You are mth her always and may not have noticed. I see her but seldom—there is a change in her.” IIZ. ol ',? re r, sM- I’ye been blind.” Hon t worry too much. I know you are very fond of her.” " She is all T have in the world,” he answered huskily. £vf“\ knng her to ToTm or bitter still take some one down with you ” ■ rH see about it to-morrow. ' T ' hall know m> peace until niv fears are af rest. Thank you for calling my rov* 6 hotel' I will go back to rny hotel now. Thank you so much for a very pleasant evening ’’ I wish the end of it had been happier, but I felt I must speak, AYhv not see Janet Forbes? She could lecommend n good man to vm M 'Lendridge!’°' *«& *! ni g bt r .“ anli • V °"' 1 Wlll do so - Good said^t^ 1 ' Mr r -ndnd S e,” she CHAPTER XXIX. Sheatham was pleased with the running of the new engine, and as a consequence ‘Ohuistons’ was given an order that would keep them busy for some time. -Betty was overwhelmed with delight and imagined that all her difficulties had vanished. It was Tom Sylvester who struck the first discordant note. 1 ke conditions are very severe, miss The test engine wanted a fair bit of tuning up, ’ he remarked reflectively “ What we ran do with one engine, we can do with, the rest of ’em ” “ Engines are curious critters,” he remarked doubtfully. But Betty was not to he discouraged. To her the world had become a, verv pleasant place. She believed that she could more than hold her own with “ Crosbys,” and had the satisfaction of knowing that her workmen were fully occupied for some time to come. It was a fortnight before she met Mark, and she noticed at once that he looked very worried. “ J have seen Miss Forbes. She is coining down to-morrow morning—but perhaps you have heard from her?” he asked. “ No.” “ &be Have to return in the evening. She is coming to see my mother. I have great confidence in her opinion.’ ” And yet she is a woman,” Betty could not help saying “You have me there. Miss Churston. . - Still, T believe she knows her work thoroughly well. As a matter of fact, it. will be only a preliminary visit. Afterwards she is going to

arrange to bring down the best authority. Since you warned me. I have been closely watching my mother. I wonder how I could have been so blindI’ve noticed ” “ You are always with her, that makes a difference.” “I hare to congratulate you. T understand the Air Board have given you a big order,” he remarked abruptly. “ Are you sincere in your congratulations?'' “ Quite.” he said with deliberation. ‘ And yet your aim is to ruin 1 Clvirstons.’ ' she said jeoringlv. “That is why 1 am sincere.” “ What on earth do you mean?” she demanded angrily. “ If yon think for a moment, you will see that, my meaning is quite clear. As a matter of fact, 1 know the nature of your improvement. It. is impossible to keep a secret in Ferhampton. The same idea occurred to me some time ago. t experimented and dismissed it- as not- being quite sound.” “But Mr Sheatham is most enthus,aS That may he. H© is an official, and has not had the practical experience that I've had. But T'U be bound he lias made the conditions very stringent.” Betty looked at liim arid her eyes were troubled. “You are trying to make me feel uneasy ?" •Quite true,” he admitted. “ The engine is all right.” He shrugged bis shoulders and tura- “ I shouldn't like your disappointment to be too great. It is only kind to prepare you for what may happen.” “ You are a beast 1o try to frighten me,” she said angrily. In answer hr. raised his hat and continued on his wav home. He had left work before the usual time, and had intimated, to Crosby that- he would not- be coming the following day. His mother was lying down on the sofa, and Mark went to the kitchen, where he himself made teaMrs Lendridge always said that no tea. tasted quite like Mark’s. He came back to her and sal- down. “ My boy. you are worrying about me.” she said gently. “ Ye?, dear. I am," he admitted. And then they were both silent. “ It- was Miss Churston who opened my eyes. Mother, why didn't you tell me?” he asked with sudden passion. “You had quite enough trouble. And I am a coward, dear. I alwavs hated doctors, and ” “You a coward !” he said scornfully, but she. only smiled. Janet Forbes arrived before lunch, mid after exchanging a few words with Mark went to Mrs Lendridge, whom she examined * thoroughly. “Well?” Mrs Lendridge said quietly. “ I shall bring Sir Felix Hillier down to see you.” Janet said at last. “ The great surgeon." • * Yes. I am convinced an operation will be necessarv.” “It is not— —” “ 1 can't tell you what it is. 1 don't- think Sir Felix will be able to say until ho has operated.” 1 ' But- you fear ’* “ There is no doubt that the condition is serious, but I do not wish you to ihink that it is that- you are going to die. Mrs Lendridge, T know' you would prefer me to speak quite plainly.” “ Infinitely, my dear.” “ I myself do not believe the growth is malignant, but only an operation can decide.” “ I understand. . . T am glad to know' the truth. But I don’t want to die—not that T fear death, but 1 want, to see m.v boy happy and settlftd before I leave him. I am afraid for him.” “ I believe you will live to a good old age.” Janet answered with quiet confidence. After lunch she answered all the questions that Mark asked her, and his face became very grave. “The sooner Sir Felix comes the better. I am so convinced that he w ill opel ate, that. . . "Would you prefer to take her to a London hospital ?” “ No, so Jong as she has an equal chance here. Money must not be considered in any way.” “ I l>elieve she would be happier in her home. There is a room that will do excellently. I’ll bring down a. couple of nurses, and make all arrangements. “Thank you, Janet. You are a real friend. " And I myself will stay here. 1 shall sleep at Betiv’g. By tbo by. I’ll go and see her no the. way to the, station. What news of the fightP” , * Mark told her lhe position. “ From what T hear and know. r firmly believe the new engine will prove to he a ‘ wash-out,’ ” he wound up. “ Poor Betty. . . . But J suppose you are feeling very pleased." “ J suppose 1 am. but ” “Weakening, eli ?” “ Not by any means, hut you were quite right. When she suffers, 1 shall suffer.” “Series you right.” she answered lightly, hut her eyes were kind. “ Answer me one question : Do you think my mother will live?" lie demanded suddenly. “ T believe so." she answered after a pause, and he understood. Janet went from the cottage to “ Churstons.” finding Betty in her office. “ W’liat news?’’ the latter asked quickly. "There must be an operation. Will you put me up for a. week or two? The Lendridges’s house is small, and there will be the nurses.” “ The longer you stay, the better I shall be pleased.” Betty answered heartily : and soon afterwards Janet went to the station. Bel tv stopped work at an early hour and drove round to call on Mrs Lendridge. Mark received her, and they were both nervous. “ l am so sorry to hear about your mother. May I see her?” Betty be- = “ I will ask her.” Mrs Lendridge insisted that the visitor should come to her room. Betty crossed over to the bed, and kissed her affectionately. “ i am so glad you hare come. Mark shall make us some tea. No one makes tea like Mark. .Mv dear. Janet has told you?” “ Yes.” ‘ Mark will worry terribly. You will be kind to him?” “ I don’t think I can help him.” “ Yes, you can. Better than any one else. I want you to promise to bo with him. while they are operating. And afterwards ” “He won’t want me.” “ If it is the worst, you can comfort him as no one else.” “ But he dislikes me. We are enemies,” protested Betty. “ Please promise me.” pleaded Mrs Lendridge. “I can’t force myself on him.” You can make some excuse.” ,l T can only say. T will do my best.” Betty answered at last “ That contents me. It means more from you than from most, women. My dear, I want to live so very much. 1 long to hold Mark’s son in my arms, and then I can die content.” “You may have to live to he very old to see that.” “ I don’t think so,” Mrs Lendridge said confidently. “ Is he thinking of marrying? 1 did not know.” “ Mark will marry the woman he loves. just as soon as he can.” “ The woman he loves,” repeated Betty, and soon afterwards went away. She was very thoughtful as she drove home. The woman that Mark loves, of course, it must be. Janet. There was no one else. How blind she had been,

not to see it before. Janet- was doing everything for Airs Lendridge. She had frankly confessed her admiration for Mark. And Mark liked Janet. It would be a very suitable match, ami yet— For the first time in her life Betty was conscious of being acutely jealous of another woman, and the feeling was very unpleasant(To be Continued.)

Twentv-soven ex-New Zealand soldiers and thirteen ex-Imnerial men are out of work in Christchurch. Reporting to the Repatriation Board yesterday, Mr AY. Goss said that during February 103 applications bad been received for employment and ninetyseven men bad been placed. The number of men out of work was twentyseven. including four clerks, four light employment cases, and three disabled. Ex-Imperial soldiers unemployed totalled thirteen, including two clerks, iwo drivers and nine miscellaneous. Twenty had been placed during the month. The employ ment officer was anxious to get work'for clerks. Difficulty- had been found in getting jobs for disabled men. As far as numbers were concerned the unemployment position was not bad. Mr T. M- Charters said that special cases were granted sustenance and some of the men were receiving pensions.