“CONSCIENCE,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 March 1925, Page 7

“CONSCIENCE,”

ELIZABETH YORK MILLER Author of ' The Brass Box,” “Carry On,” “The Sins of the Fathers,” etc., etc.,

(PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.) FASCINATING STORY OF LOVE AND MYSTERY.

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER XXIV.—-Continued

“T won’t believe that Alex is dead,” Janet said stoutly. “As you say, it’s the sort of thing Alex would do if —if he and Lorie had quarrelled, and he didn’t think it could be made up again. J know how much he eared for Lorie but perhaps he doesn’t know how much she cares for him. And and then, there are the babies. Oh, I can t tell her; I can’t.” Tenison sat in troubled sileuce, while Dennis stroked Janet’s hair. She had broken down at last. “Who will tell her, Janev, if you don't?” Dennis asked gently. “Somebody must.” “'She'll want to see von,” Janet said, turning to Tenison. “I can’t —not to-night,” he replied wearily. “I haven’t got the pluck to be the bearer of such news to-niglit.” “Nor I,” said Janet.

•Dennis walked back with her to the Castle, They clung to each other helplessly, their love strengthened by common pity for Lorie. “Dennis, we'll never be separated, will we? Jf Mr Tenison wants to take you with him when he goes exploring again, he must take me, too.” Dennis pressed her arm hard. “Yes, Janev. Life’s too short for separations. No matter what happens, you and I stick together, and nothing short of death shall ever part us. Perhaps even that won’t.” “Perhaps not,” Janet said huskily. -‘.Old couples very often follow each other. I’ve noticed it frequently. But only when they’ve always stuck together. ’ ’ CHAPTER XXV. Lorainc came slowly down the wide staircase, the loveliest thing imaginable in her loosely cut gown of white velvet bordered with dark fur. Motherhood had enriched her beauty and given warmth to her lips and eyes. On her breast sparkled the true lover’s knot that had been Alexander Flagg’s homecoming gift. From her neck hung the long string of pearls with which lie had “bought” her. She had other costly ornaments, but these two were all she ever wore since Flagg had left her, and her hands were guiltless of rings, save for the narrow wedding band. Her lovely hair, shining like gold satin, was piled high, giving her a matronly look, and behind it the fur of the upstanding collar made an effective background, Janet, who had just entered, was afraid to meet her sister’s eyes. Lorainc was smiling; she always seemed wistfully happy after playing with little Alexandra and Jim, as the twins were named.

“Hello, .Taney, where’ve you been?” she called down.. “We missed you at bath-time. ’ ’

“Went for a walk with Dennis,” replied Janet evasively. “Why didn’t you ask him to stay to dinner ? ’ ’

“He couldn’t. I mean, he had some work to do.”

Nonsense. What a silly excuse.”

Lorainc had gained the big hall by xhis time and something in her sister’s manner struck her. b>hc ran swiftly towards Janet and caught her by the shoulders.

“ What are you keeping from me, Janev? Has Dennis heard from Air Tenison? What is it? Tell me at once. ’ ’

Janet faced her miserably, and tears trickled down her cheeks.

“Oh, Lorie, I said I couldn’t tell you to-night. And, anyway, it may not be true. I don’t believe it’s true, myself, and even Air Tenison said it’s just the sort of thing Alex would do if lie thought you couldn’t ever care for him. ’ ’

Lorainc’s blue eyes widened in hor ror.

“Janev, you’re not trying to tell me that Alex is dead?” she whispered. “They—they’re afraid so,” Janet replied. .She led Lorainc into the library, where they had taken to sitting every evening lately. “I must see. Air, Tenison! ” Lorainc gasped. “Where is lie? Why didn’t he come to me himself?”

“Lorie, he’s completely worn out. I can tell you all he knows.” Loraiife sat bolt upright in a highbacked chair, holding herself rigidly. All the warmth had gone out of her face, and she looked as cold'as death itself.

Please tell me,” she said quietly

When the story was finished she gave a great sigh. “Have vonr dinner, Jancv. I don't feel that I can eat anything just now ” “Nor I,” Janet said.

“But I want to be alone, Janev. Do you mind? Leave me alone until J. send for you. Don’t let Crawley come in—or nnybodv. ”

“I can’t leave you alone. You’re not yourself. How do 1 know what you'll do?” Janet pleaded.

“Indeed I am myself, and I'm not going to do anything more dangerous than think. Don’t you understand that I must be alone?” Janet obeyed reluctantly.

After her sister had gone Lorainc went to one of the tall windows and drew aside tlie curtains. Then she opened the window and stepped out on to the stone terrace. Vast as the room was, she felt stifled.

The night was lovely, not very cold, with a full moon just coming over tlie horizon. The stars were like scattered bits of ice against indigo velvet. A sad little wind drifted about the towers and turrets of Droone, a little wind that moaned softly and whimpered in the corners.

He must be dead. The plain proof lay in the fact that Wilfred Tenison had come home. He wouldn't have come had there been any doubt.- Dead —Alex would never know that she who had broken his heart had come to love him with every atom of hors. But, perhaps, after all, he did know, now. Who coin'd snv?

And the babies—the little boy for his pride, and the little girl for his joy—they would never know their father. When tlicy grew up, could she find the courage to tell them that it was she who had virtually slain him? Bhe shivered. It was colder than she had thought or. the tcrace. •Site slipped inside again and fell on her knees at the chair beside his desk, her hands pressed to her face. The tears did not come; she felt too stunned to ween; she could only kneel there shivering, her whole body shaken by chill.

A curtain tassel 'flapped against the window pane with a sound as of ghostly fingers, and Loraine gave a cry and sprang up. “ What’s that?”

She .-deed quaking, with her hands to her heart. Seine thing white, indistinct, had appeared against the glass for a brief in-s;a-r;. She could have sworn it was the image of her husband’s face. A\ rts he, then, so near to her? She ran to the window, calling breathlessly: “Alex, Alex, my love —where are von? Come to me—come quickly!”

His ghost —where was it? The terrace was empty save for a swirl of dead leaves. Yet she had seen his face, blurred and indistinct it is true, but so vividly real to her that it could not have been imagination.

“Alex! Alex!” Her voice mingled with the sad moan of the wind.

“It’s all right, Lorie—don’t he frightened. ’ ’ God in heaven —his voice! She fell back, dragging at the curtains to keep herself erect. ■‘l'm sorry I frightened you. I did no: mean von to see me.”

She shrank away, her lips parted in fear, as footsteps sounded, and out of the shadows emerged the bulky figure of Alexander Flagg.

“Cheer up. I’m not a ghost, if that is what you thought.”

He stepped in shutting the window behind him and" pulling the curtains to get her.

(To be Concluded.)