“Judy Says No!”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 10

“Judy Says No!”

SERIAL STOKY

(BY

WINIFRED CARTER.)

CHAPTER V. — A« she came to the gates of Harmer’s Rest she saw a new sign swinging in the wind. It was newly painted, and the words “Travellers Res proclaimed to the world at large that the newcomer disliked the word Harmer’’ and so had blotted it out. i o house of his was to be called any longer “Harmer’s Rast.” Underneath was another sign, Aew Laid Eggs," “New Milk," “Dairy Produce ’’ She thrilled as she saw it. He did not mean to let the grass grow under his feet. She admired him for that He was going to prove to hie cantankerous old grandfather that there were other jobs in the world than waiting for dead men’s shoes. She opened the gate and came round to the back door, and rather timidly she knocked, but there came no answer She lifted the suitcase and put it on a seat, and sat down beside it. She was very tired; shopping had been an exhausting experience. Her interview with her grandfather had worn her out. too. And presently as she sat. there. Judy fell asleep. And as she slept, she dreamed that her grandfather was there, and the mother she could >o faintly remember. And they x\ere talking together. “I would have given her a fair deal, only she ran away. I told her to wait. I told her to sleep on it, but she hadn’t the patience., I would have been fond of your girl. There was something wistful about the old man, and Judy tried to attract his attention, holding out her arms to him, and saying that she was sorry, that she, too, had been to blame, for losing her temper, and fleeing from him in wrath. But though she cried out imploringly the old man did not turn his head. And presently, still in the dream, Judy realised that she was on earth still, and he had died, and so, however much she longed to be friendly with him. her chance was over.

Nicholas Harmer came back to the lonely cottage. He was late, for the secondhand motor-cycle he had bought had got an oiled-up plug, and had generally made him regret its purchase. As he came to the door the moon spilled Its mother-of-pearl rays on the figure of a girl as she sat huddled up on the bench outside. His heart began to beat oddly fast. Could it be that Enid had come to tell him that she could go on no longer being estranged? He bent down in sudden hope—but It died as soon as it was born. This midnight visitor was not Enid—she was that quaint little maid at Harmer House. She was Judy I Going Back. “Why, Judy!” he gaspea, -wnaiever are you doing here?” And then he saw that though she was asleep she was crying in her sleep, and he forgot his own troubles instantly. “Why, Judy, you’re crying' Wake up and tell me what’s wrong! Perhaps I can help you.” She lifted her drowsy eyes to his, and stared at him in amazement. “Why, where am 1?” she exclaimed. “You're here at ‘Travellers Rest.’ My house. Nou were crying.” With a rueful twinkle he drew out his handkerchief, but he refrained from drawing her attention to the fact that once again he was drying her tears. “I was dreaming,” said Judy. “And oh, it made me so unhappy.” “But you needn't be unhappy any j longer, you’re awake now,” he said, comfortingly. Up above the moon shone down on that strange scene. Judy leaning up against her portmanteau, and Nicholas Harmer sitting beside her, one arm round her waist and the other dabbing at her eyes. Judy heaved an enormous sigh of relief. “I was running away,” she told him. “1 was being a coward. I'm going back now. They wouldn't blame me when I got back, but they would be disappointed to think that I'd been a coward.” “You've got grit!” said Nick, admiringly. “I’ve got to stick it out,” said Judy, with a look of purpose in her beautiful eyes. “I’m going back.” “I'll carry your suitcase,” said Nick encouragingly. “I agree with you, that having pul your hand to the plough it’s good to go through with it. And I say, things won’t be so bad for you after this.'’ “Why not?” said Judy, looking at him wonderingly. “Well, I got hold of old Rapson; I put in a. word for you. She didn't know you, but you'll find that things are easier for you after this. She's a real good sort, and she’ll do anything for me. - ’ .Judy looked confused. Had she better tell him the truth now? No wonder Rapson hadn’t recognised her from Nick’s description. “Now, before we start off I’m going to give you some liot milk.” “I couldn't let you bother,” quavered Judy. “Rubbish!” said Nick, cheerily. “My cow has given me so much milk today, and I’ve not sold any. I’ve got to make a milk round or something. I shall be glad if you will drink a gallon.” Judy dimpled at that. He had opened the door and xxas diving into the dairy. Now he brought out a big brown pitcher. “Hot or cold?” he questioned. “Cold, I think,” said Judy, realising that the fire was out. “I’ve got a primus,” he told her. “They’re jolly sporting little beggars. You can heat milk in a few moments.” “We've one at home,” said Judy. “All the same, 1 do like cold milk.” “Then I’ll tell you what, we'll not bother with your suitcase to-night. I’ll bring it round to the servants’ entrance Io morrow. I’ve just got my motorcycle right, and you shall sit up beside me.’’ “I've done that before with Gilbert,” 1 said Judy, her eyes dancing. “But it's only a step.” “It’s half a. mile from this door to the servants’ entrance of Harmer House.” said Nick sternly. “And you're tot iroiiifc to trudge It at this time of

night. Drink your milk, thcie’s a good girl, and then we’ll be getting off.” Over the rim of the big china mug Judy's eyes looked at him dtWiously. She wanted to tell him the truth, and yet she didn't want to. Srhe didn t want him to hate her. and think that she was a deceiving creature. Some day he would have to know, but she didn’t want to tell him to-night; she felt, somehow, as if it were beyond her. ■So she put it off. So presently she found herself perched up behind him on the old motor bicycle. And now they were speeding along the road, she clutching him by the belt. When she got to the servants’ entrance she slid off; that swift ride had brought the colour back to her cheeks, and as she stood there in the moonlight, smiling ingratiatingly at him, Nick felt again that odd little sense of comradeship with her. “Now, don’t you run away again," he said, “until you’ve talked tilings over with me. Promise?" “I promise."’ said Judy meekly. “Please don’l bring my suitcase round, I’d rather fetch it myself. I think —” "1 know, fou think you’d get into trouble it the staff knew you’d been enlisting me on your side. I understand. It shall wait there until called for.” Then, with a smile that Judy found Immensely heartening, he waved his hand to her, and watched her go up to the servants’ entrance. Then he started up. When Judy heard the chug-chug-ging ot his engine as lie went down the road she crept back, pushed her way through the bushes, and then very softly came up to the big door. Scarcely making a sound, she tip-toed through the house and up to her own room. She saw with relief that her note was still on the dreseing-table. Evidently her grandfather had been too proud to send to see why she had not come down to dinner. So be did not know that she had run away at all. Quite soon she had tumbled into bed; quite soon she was sleeping, unaware that her escapade was known to the whole house. An Unpleasant Dinner Hour.

Mrs Crawford, Enid, and Clive hac been kept waiting impatiently foi Judy’s appearance. Old Harmer, looking as black as thunder, kept his eyes fixed on the clock. He was intense!; angry with Judy. No one, for man; years, had stalked out of the room as she had done. To add to her mis demeanours she was live minutes late for dinner. Presently Rapson was rung for, ans told to go and remind Miss Judy tha tiie dinner gong had been rung. Rapson came down looking ha! scared. “Miss Judy’s not in her room, sir," she said. “Then where is she?” roared the old man. “I’ll go up,” said Mrs Crawford. “Perhaps she has forgotten the time." Not for a moment did Mrs Crawford suspect what had happened, but when she entered the bedroom and saw that Judy’s suitcase had gone she instantly jumped to the right conclusion. investigation proved that she was right. Judy had run away! She had gone back home! Without noticing the note on the dressing-table, Mrs Crawford hurried down. She was secretly triumphant. Glad that Judy had run away, the stupid little creature! It was all to the good. Now it would be Clive’s turn! She felt quite sure that old Harmer was too proud to ask tiie girl to return, even if he wanted her. She burst into the dining-room, hastily conforming her features to dismay. “My dear Henry, bad news! Judy's run away! She’s taken her suitcase and all her things. She's gone back home." Just for a moment Henry Harmer flinched. So she had gone I The best thing life had brought him during the many empty wasted years. Then the pride that Mrs Crawford had relied on came to his aid. “Let dinner be served!" he said. It was not a very pleasant meal. Enid did not trouble to say a word. She was thankful that Judy had gone. The girl had been a veritable thorn in the flesh. Clive was doubtful about his own feelings. If only Henry Harmer would turn to him now, then he didn’t mind. Marriage with Judy had become an almost pleasant prospect. Mrs Crawford was thoroughly satisfied, a glow ot contentment wrapped, her round.. With her usual sangfroid she chatted throughout the meal, regardless that the answers of Henry Harmer were monosyllabic. The moment that dinner was over he retired, and then his miserable thoughts were given full rein. Life stretched in front of him bare and dreary. He was an old man, and yet he might have many years to live, and he had hoped to have Judy about him until his days were ended. Judy, with her sweet, laughing ways! Judy with her defiances! Judy with her quaint, wholesome philosophies of life, and her courage where injustices were concerned! Look how she had faced him about the trap I And now, for ever, he must, do without her! He had begun to watch for her, to listen for her step, and her gay challenging laughter. What did it'mailer who she married? What did it matter it she picked up a tramp! If Judy wanted him there must be something decent ami good about him. Her instinct would not lead her astrav The irony of it all was that she had openly confessed that she was not In love with anyone, it was for some vague mythical person she ..as fighting . He groaned in anguish of soul. He did not sleep much during tiie night and when morning broke he tossed restlessly, wondering if lie could swallow his pride, sufficiently and write and ask her to come back. Quite early the door, opened, and a tousled, tawny head came solemnly round the door. “Are you awake, grandfather?” (To be continued.)