“The Shadow Of The Verneside.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 278, 24 November 1936, Page 9

“The Shadow Of The Verneside.”

NEW SERIAL STORY . . .

* Bv

FENTON YORKE.

“ What about your veil?" she asked- “ Nancy Is repairing the lace for me ind Is bringing it at one o’clock, replied the girl. „ Lady Julia turned to question tne maid. , ... For the first time in her life Joy s heart was filled with bitter hatred of these two who had wrecked her happiness. Could she but have known aow they were even now keeping tne ( truth from her. . . But she did uu know. ... “ 1 shall be back in time to go win you to the church, Joy.” said Lady Julia as she left the room. The time passed and still the old Irishwoman did net come. Where could she be? It was after one and Joy was beginning to grow anxious. She could not go to church without her veil and she did not want to keep Sir Philip waiting. She sat waiting, looking tired and listless. She was still suffering from the shock of her discovery yesterday, and had passed a sleepless night. Half-past one! And still Nancy did not come. The girl walked oser to the window and gazed anxiously toward the gates. There, running quickly under the trees, the white \eil fluttering In the breeze, cai*e Nancy Hubbard. CHAPTER LXIII. The Blow. “ The great day has dawned!” cried Jerry Murison as he and Verne sat down to breakfast on Wednesday morning. Verne was eating with feverish haste and jumped up whilst Jerry was only half way through his meal. “ Don't sit there all day, Jerry. It’s after eight already,” he said impatiently. “ My dear boy,” said Jerry laughing, “ we’ve all day to finish our business before we catch the six-ten this evening.” “ But there's so much to be done 'n the meantime,” said \erne, picking up his hat and stick, in a fever of Impatience to be off. In another ten minutes they leit the flat together on their way to Jerry's club in Piccadilly. The clock had just struck nine as they ran up the steps. “ I’ll wait in the writing room while you finish your business," said Verne. "And don't. dawdle, for heaven's sake!” Jerry strolled through to the rotunda. As he passed the open doors he could see that a big purple Mercedes had driven up and was standing empty Deside the curb. An admirer of good oars. Jerry itood a moment looking at it. He noticed the amethyst cushions and fittings of the interior and the hea\j cut-glass vase of flowers whose silver pointed base gleamed in the sunlight. . . “ Some car! ’ he exclaimed to an acquaintance, "I wonder whose it is? The white flowers look like a wedding eh?” “Oh that's bale's car; Lucky beggar! His wedding comes off to-day.” “To-day!” exploded Jerry. ] thought it was some time next week?” “ 1 beliexe the wedding is being hurried for some reason or other, 1 don't know why, and is to be at two o’clock to-day. Captain Cartwright has just arrived to act as best man, and they are to start lor .Somerset as soon as he's fed and dressed.” Jerry turned back towards the writing room with heavy step. How on earth was he going to break the latest news to Verne? it looked as though their game was up. Maurice rose as his friend entered the room. “ Sit down a minute, old chap,” began Jerry, pushing him back into the chair. " There's been a little miscalculation somewhere. . . ” “What’s up?” asked Verne quickly. “Have you seen anyone? Elfric.” “ No, Dale, he's In the dining room now and he's leaving for Middle Carleton in half an hour.” “Has he seen me?” "I don't think so. But things have been rushed at the Hall. The wedding "Good God! They’re not married. Murison?” The colour left Verne's face and his breath came short. “Not yet. But the wedding is at two o'clock to-day.” Verne shot out of his chair. "Don’t stand there talking, man. We must do something. We must act at once!” He snatched up his hat and stick and dashed towards the door. "1 hat s exactly what we’re going to do, old chap. Jerry's V'dce was ■ cool and collected, You just keep < Hand on yourself and follow my lead.’ CHAPTER LXIV. The Stolen Car. While' Jerry was talking his quick brain had thought out a plan. lie and Verne crossed the wide hall and glanc ed into the dining morn. At a tabic near the door sat Sir Phillip Dab talking earnestly to a man in uniform “ You've a good half hour yet. Dale,” they heard the captain say as they passed. •Jerry ran quickly down the steps a* the side entrance, Verne following. “We’ve got the devil's own luck,' wclalmed Jerry. “ i hope it's a g., 1 amen.” The big purple car was still there. The chauffeur was not in sight. On the front seat of the car lay a voluminous motor coat and the iriver’s cap and goggles. Jerry -thraw the coat on Verne, saw his** adjust the goggles and cap, puling it low over his eyes, and the lwsprang In. The car ran smoothly down the quiet street ami out into the busy thoroughfare beyond. “ You drive her as though you had known her for years,” said Jerry admiringly. “It’s not the fi p Bt time,” said Verne shortly. “ I remember when old Dale bought this car. He got me to run it about because he was in some doubt about its speed. Not much wrong with her, eh?” The humour of the made him chuckle. Already there was a couple of miles between ‘jm and the owner of the Mercedes. “Don’t crow too soon, my boy,- said

the practical Jerry. “We haxe £ I stiff run before us if we are t 0 ' Middle Carleton by one. And m . Dale will not waste time when he dis covers what has happened. You may depend the beggar knows of your return. Lord! Verne, we are up against a powerful opposition this l ’ me . laid a restraining hand on the other i ar '"bon’t speed her up too much till ne get clear of the town," he cau--1 tioned as Verne directed the car at a reckless speed through the traffic It was months since Yerne had drlxen : to Somerset, yet this morning he tock the turnings as though by instinct an never missed a short cut. i The baronet was deep in a eulogy 1 of his bride s incomparable charms. I “ I say Dale," drawled Captain CartI wriglit," Isn’t it about time we were ! Off? Allowing for accidents we shall i only Just get there In time asi it s. It will not do for you to keep the girl i waiting, especially if she is as elusive I as you say.” I The baronet’s man helped him ini | a light dust coat and followed his i master down the steps. | " Where's the car?" thundered Ur ' Philip, turning to the man. „ •• 1 left it here only a moment ago, lied the chauffeur glibly, as he met Ills master's Infuriated gaze. •• Nonsense, man, you’ve been drinking. Go and see If it is at the I main entrance." , ; Sir Philip began to pace up and I down in extreme agitation. I " Lord, Dale, what a slew you are in! Supposing you—do keep the gin | waiting five minutes, she won't run I away!" . i " Don't Joke. Cartwright, snapped i the other. “ You dont realise what this delay may mean . . .1. . , I there may be foul play here. God. I What's keeping that fool?" A string ' of abuse left his lips as he, hurt led • round to the front of the club. , I There was no car to be seen. The I chauffeur too had disappeared. Sir I Philip cursed him roundly. I " He's got some sense, that fellow. He's funked meeting you after losing the car and has cleared out," said Cartwright. “Well, what's to be done?" spluttered the baronet, his usual dignified self-control gone. He had staked much on this girl. If he should lose her now! I “ Another car. T must have another I car!" He gave a frenzied signal to r passing taxi. "To the nearest garage," he cried to the driver as he got in. Cartwright followed, apparently Immensely enjoying the spectacle of the immaculate Sir Philip Dab in the role of the baffled bridegroom. CHAPTER I.XV. A Race For Love. Maurice Verne never forgot th drive out of London on that fatcl'i Wednesday morning. The thought of Joy being thrir into a hateful marriage while he w. ■ held up by every dog, bicycle an I water cart that crossed his path w.. ■ torture to him. It took all Jerry coolness and tact to hold down Verm ' suddenly developed speed mania. i " There is only one thing can rif us now," said Jerry. “If you hob her down we'll just get there in time if you don't we'll be stopped by th police and never get there at. all.” Vernes driving became more an nmre reckless. “ If you don’t drive more carefull, you'll attract attr lion. D.i’.e Is sun to have given the alarm by now am every station along the route may hav a description of Hie car. Are yni quite sure you know the way, oilman ?” They were passing a school and th children were just arriving. Vein clapped his foot down on lhe brak ferociously as two little boys joine< hands and ran across the road in Iron of the grinding car. The hind wheel.swerved to the curb and rebounded, jolting Verne's hand from the wheel. "Well done!” cried Jerry as Verne quickly regained control of the car. “Little devils!” ejaculated Verne “ There seems to be a conspiracy on to prevent my making speed.” The streets and turnings seemed in terminable. " Lucky the car was in such goo* shape,” remarked Jerry. "We call thank old Dale for that, anyway.” “ Yes,” said Verne, “ She's runnin t perfectly.” He was driving now with the exhaust out and the accelerator Io the limit. " Anyone who tries to stop me i now will have his hands full,” he said i grimly. After a hundred harassing little delays they gained the open country. . Verne lay back and let her out. What was Dale doing now, he wondered. Was he following madly in | another car, or had he telephoned tc II Verneside, to have the bride locked * up till he arrived. All sorts of mad ideas filled Verne’s mind as Hip big cat flew along the white road which fluttered before them like a never-ending ribbon, winding up inclines and divine again into valleys. Little villages kepi popping up continually. “ For heaven’s sake, Verne, be careful of these villages,” Jerry warned “ They give me a most uncomtortahlf feeling. Above all things we mus keep out of the hands of a countrx constable. They are noted for theii stupidity, and once they get a motorist fairly in their clutches. . ' . ” There was a grunt from Verne They were approaching another hamlet but so far had not slackened speed A policeman stood holding up hlf hand. Suddenly a look of dogged determination crossed Verne’s face. He let up the brake. “ He's not going to gel me alive,” he muttered. The clutch went in with a raucous sound. The policeman had barely time to jump aside when the car whizzed past him and shot out into the country road beyond the group of cottages. “ Damn that number,” said Jerry “That little slow-down was fatal, I’m afraid.” “Well, we’re still going,” chuckled Verne. STo be continued!*