"WILD GRAPES”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 5

"WILD GRAPES”

New Serial Story

By

Theodora Wilson-Wilson

“They came from John's old home. I He counts on them as heirlooms.” ‘‘Well, it won’t hurt them to be copied. You send one of them along. Nobody -will miss it. Shove it into the Post Office and address it to Mr G. French. We’ll look after it like its mother!” “If I can ” “My dear Marie, you can do any- ' thing you like, when you choose,” and he laughed. “And you may remember that you lent me some trifles of cash lately, well, I-'ve had some luck—so here’s a tenner!” “Gordon!” she exclaimed. “Surprising what turning over a new leaf does. A change for you to be gelling a tip from me. Of course, if you care to send along both the Corots, that would spare postage!” Lady Hammond took the notes, for ' she was maddeningly short of cash, but she neither agreed nor disagreed • as Io the, 'cleaning of the Corots. “But, Gordon,” she said as they I parted, “do urge upon Mr French Io send back Oliver Cromwell before the fifteenth ?” “I’ll tell him. Hut why the , fifteenth ?” “The twins come of age that day.” I “I had forgotten,” and lie smiled. I “Some big show of some sort in the. wind ?” “The usual thing,” she replied. But when Marie had gone, Gordon smiled again. He had once been as good as hoofed out, of a christening ceremony. Why nut get back his own on the fifteenth? j CHAPTER XIV. A Tourney Queen. Although Paula had spoken lightly to Robert about her letter of proposal from Lloyd Manners, she was, in truth, desperately worried. Them was a side of her that was genuinely attracted to this able young barrister, and they had found many pleasant points of contact. And yet Could she delude herself into thinking that she felt towards him as a woman ought to feel towards a man she is going to marry, and allow to become the companion of her life? The ghastly misfit between her own parents gave he«' a warning which she could not ignore. Although in her daughterly loyally she tried Io push aside all blame, she knew that her father and. mother ought never to have married. ■On Sunday morning, when Paula ■had slipped out to church, she Ind prayed passionately that she might not make some dreadful mistake, which would follow her through life. Her Aunt Claudia had once told her that a happy marriage was the highest life on earth, and an unhappy marriage the lowest, and that if the first could not be had, it was Infinitely better to remain a single woman, taking a share in adding to world-wel-fare, unsoured and unafraid. And yet Paula kne\v that, she. did not wish to remain single. She wished to marry, to have children, and take her rightful place amongst the young and proud matrons who spoke of “my husband” and flaunted their wedding rings. Yet Paula could not reply lo Lloyd until she knew what to say, and she let the, posts pass neglected. On the Tuesday, Paula had refused Io play golf with Robert, and told him (o find himself a partner at the Club, and her mother being out she sal, down under the beech tree, earnestly wishing to 'concentrate on this answer which would: not materialise. She was pretending lo work at a dainty scarf. She had seen one at Madame Jasmine’s priced a guinea, and had decided that she ought to be able to make one for herself for lhe cosl of the odd' shilling. ■Money was beginning to worry as Paula had never let it worry before. She was already absurdly “short,” and lhe handsome allowance she received from her father was not due. On other occasions she had cheerfully demanded an advance, hut now she felt blocked. Yet she hoped a quiet afternoon alone would clear her mind, and she resolved to write definitely one way or the other by the next post. Even if she put an end to this period of excitement —and. Lloyd’s courting had certainly been exciting —she. must be careful to acknowledge that the man had offered her the highest honour in his power. And having counted stitches diligently, Paula looked up at lhe. sound of a car crunching the gravel, and in a few moments, her lover came striding across the lawn. There was a strong possessive, attitude in that stride which had an immediate effect on this doubting girl, and Paula dropped her knitting on the grass and rose. “Paula!” and he gripped her hand. “Why have, you tortured me with this dreadful delay?” “Do sit down!” she said, flushing to her ear tips. “I was meaning to write lo you to-night.” “So I am just in time lo save, the postage,” and he smiled into her eyes. He sank down on a wide oaken bench, and drew her down beside him. I “What's the trouble?” he asked • gently. “No trouble—only, you have asked me a big question.” “I did I I intended It to be lhe biggest question a man can ask. But, Paula, I do want you to understand absolutely, before you commit yourself.” “Yes,” and she left her hand in his. “You see. Paula, dearest,” said Lloyd | in his firm determined toric, “you must ■ realise that as a young barrister I j have my way to make. I am fighting I hard, but f have by no means got i there, yet.” j “I know, I know.” admitted Paula. I “But that’s not quite the point—is ' it?” ; “A side issue, but an important one.’’ j and he smiled. “I should be a cur ; to ask you to marry me on false preI tences. I am a risk—all barristers I are.” j “Well, let me have the very worst," ; and her face was certainly encouragi ing. I "I can’t offer you a home worthy I of you yet, but possibly next year, if I 1 get a'scoop. I don’t know. I j can't know. But understanding this, i am here, dearest, to ask a great thine

of you. Will you become engaged to me while my life is in the balance? May we be engaged before the birthday? and announce in The Times ” “No, no, not The Times!” she broke in. He captured her other hand and spoke movingly. “You and I, dearest, are going in for the life venturesome, together. I'm no man to talk poetry. But, Paula, believe me, you have for so long now been my secret Tourney ; Queen. The fact of your friendship, ! your comradeship, has kept up my 1 courage, and nerved my whole nature. Of course, I realise that I am asking an amazing thing, when I ask that the Queen of the Tourney should give her faithful knight the crown, before he .has won through.” There was silence between them, and Lloyd was in no hurry. i Presently he put his arm about her. | “You will give yourself to me? There is so much we have in common. Even If you cannot love mens i I. love you, the love will come. We 1 shall be very, very happy.” ! “You are sure?” i “Sure —certain !” I “Still oh, Lloyd, lam afraid!” I “But what do you fear?” | “Myself, most —and you, a little!” and she turned and looked into his face. For answer he kissed her passionalely, and a squirrel, squinting down from a branch overhead, nodded and ■ scampered off as though he knew all I about it. Lloyd Manners, recognising that he had won his way, became the joyous lover, buoyant with success and happiness. He was, In fact, a. trifle overpowering, as Paula felt it. She wondered whether other engaged girls felt as odd and uncertain as she did. But as the church clock struck four, lhe idea of tea ■came as a welcome interval. “I was going to have a private tray out here,” said Paula, “but let’s go into the library and have something decent.” “Delighted,” he answered her. He would have agreed io anything, and as he entered the house he realised himself completely as the prospective son-in-law. Lloyd Manners was genuinely fond of Paula, and to have won such a girl, apart from worldly considerations, was success, and it was wonderful to be sitting in that sumptuous library, an acknowledged lover, with such a beautiful girl as Paula making tea for him. Lloyd had a natural love for books, pictures and art generally, and he found plenty of subjects in common with Paula. 1 “Those are. a marvellous pair of I Corots,” he remarked. “Those old. Dutchmen could paint.” i “They came along from grandfather. Great treasures!” i “Rather!” said Lloyd, as he rose . to examine them more closely. And then Robert barged in. He had ' managed to secure a golf partner, an | undergraduate, from Clare, named i Stephen Smith. ■ "Had a good game?” asked Paula, i “Found a Clare man,” he answered. ! Then he laughed and gripped Lloyd’s j hand. ■ “So it’s 'come off, old man! You’re | lucky—jolly lucky! You’ve caught a ■ good one, though . T ought to stamp lon you from sheer Jealousy. I’ll adI mil. that Paula has done well too!” “Thai's nice of you, Bob,” said I Paula, as she leaped up to kiss him. i “We’re twins!’’ Robert explained, i “You mustn’t hug hurt feelings to i your bosom. Lloyd, if she and I claim i special privileges.” i “Fve not stepped in, my dear chap, : to drag off Paula from her family.” ! The three had been good chums bei fore this engagement clash, and they I were merry enough until Lady Hammond arrived. ■ There was introductions, congralu- ' lotions, and all that usually happens ■ when an engagement is announced, I and Lady Hammond brightened up, ' and was brisk and alert, and said I exactly the right thing. I “You’ll stay to dinner, of course!” ' she said. I And Lloyd agreed, only apologising ’ for his want of evening clothes. ■ But Paula appreciated that her own i personal crisis would occur when her i father returned, and the moment she hoard his car she rushed out to paeet him in the hall. “My dear, you look very charming,” he said affectionately. “Because I'm so happy, Daddy,” and she drew him into his study. “Kiss me Daddy,” she commanded. “My dear, toll me,” and he kissed her readily. ! “Lloyd is here, and we’ve done it!’’ For an instant a wave of anxiety crossed his face. Then It vanished. “My precious Paula—engaged!” “You don't mind, Daddy?” “Ivo been expecting it. My eyes are ‘sharper than you give them credit for.” “And you do like Lloyd?” she urged, then as though not wanting an answer, i she added: “Of course, he makes no j pretence nf being rich or anything like i that. The wedding won’t be for ages and ages—until he has made good. lie has made up his mind to become a famous K.C., and, Daddy, I the funny part is, that he thinks that II shall be able to help him.” | “Well, I’m glad, little girl, that the ! wedding is not going to be to-morrow. ! I can't spare you too suddenly.” "Daddy, you are all right now?” she asked, reading a meaning into his words. “Yes, yes. I have quite got over Saturday. Don’t give it another thought. I have done a very hard day’s work, yet I am perfectly fltl” “You are sure—'-sure, darling Daddy?” "Quite sure!” He spoke in such a satisfying tone, that his daughter believed him. It was Late that evening when the Twins shut themselves up in their den. They were both subdued after the evening’s excitement, and for a few minutes they lolled in silence. “You know,” said Paula at last, in rather a wistful tone, “you’ll have to try pretty stiffly not to'be jealous Lloyd.” “My infant, I'm not jealous of him. This had to come.” » (To be continued.) <