"The Courage of Love,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 January 1932, Page 7

"The Courage of Love,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

Life at the farm was one delightful experience to Diana. As strength came back to her, and she became accustom-

ed to the charming old-fashioned house which was dear to Hugh Waverley, Diana gradually got back all her former strength, even her sense of happiness, although she still fretted quietly over the fact that she had been cruelly deceived and her father was indeed se-

parated from her by death. It was such a delightful life. There were so many things to interest Diana. She loved animals, she loved the littlo chickens, and even the little pigs. She had become great friends with Hugh’s father, and would ride with him on a pony which he had put at her disposal. And even when Hugh was instrumental in bringing Bill Thorp to stay at the farm for Christmas, Diana had grown strong enough to talk about his motherland all that had happened after she had been carried away. She even shed tears for Agatha Thorp, because, as she said to Hugh’s mother, she had looked into the heart of her aunt the last time they had spoken together, and she had seen that it had been as capable of being kind and gentlo as any othcr woman’s heart might be. Where he cousin Susan was concerned, Diana was indifferent, although of course she thought it a very good thing that this girl, who had been so unkind to her always, had managed to meet with a man who had married her, and had taken her out to Canada. But it was a real pleasure to her to have Bill with her, and it may be truly said that the boy had never been so happy in his life, as he was in those Christmas holidays.

Diana was almost herself again when she met Cyril Gresham Townley. She had heard through Hugh, and his moth-

er, the story of his illness, the story of how ho had been shot down, and how devoted he was to the memory of her father. That made a great bond between them, and when lie told her that her father had desired that lie should be a guardian to her, the girl at once accepted him.

So it was to Gresham Townley that Hugh had to go when Dr. Bravington agreed that lie and Diana could be married. And Diana’s guardian gave warm and hearty assent. And when the day came that there was a very quiet, simple wedding ceremony in the church where Hugh’s father and mother had worshipped for years, it was her father’s oldest and best friend who gave Diana into the care of her husband.

There were very few people in the church, but among them were Miriam and Edward Garrett, who were already married.

The money and the paper promising to pay more which Pelly had given to Francis Stanton, had been handed back again by the young man, and these had been conveyed to Gresham Townley. When he was well enough, he had interviewed young Stanton and his wife, and he had already learnt to know the worth of Miriam, and he took upon himself to give to each person a certain sum of money, because he knew that this would have been Diana’s wish. As a matter of fact Garrett and Miriam were engaged by. Gresham Townley to be in Diana’s household when she married: the one as housekoeped and general manager, the other as chauffeur. But before they settled down, Hugh and Diana went away from all that had been associated with the girl’s recent unhappy experiences. Following her guardian’s advice, in which lie was joined by Hugh’s father and mother, it was decided that the young couple should spend their honeymoon in travelling. "The finest thing in the world for you both,” Dr. Bravington said. 'You have to get away from ugly remembrances and painful thoughts. There’s nothing like travel for re-establishing both mental and bodily strength.” Though she was such a rich woman, Diana’s tastes were very simple ; nd when she hnrd E-.at the Thatch Km-so was t- be id bv the tru**<>-»., h.-.r

Hi ’s estate, she at one turned ty her husband, and told him that she wanted to buy it.

“I know I wasn’t very happy there until you came, Hugh,” she said, “but still there was a charm about it. And somehow I think Aunt' Agu’iia would be glad to know that it belong to me instead of going into the hands of strangers. And we must always let Bill regard it as his heme. Besides, ” Diana added, “you will go back to your work at the Abbey, and that is going to take you a very long time, so the Thatch House will be just the place for me. ”

“A tent would be as beautiful if I had you with me,” Hugh said. They were sitting out on the deck of a big liner which was carrying them through the Mediterranean, bringing them in contact from time to time with places about which they had both read, and thought, but had never -supposed they would see. There was another journey which Gresham Townley had told Hugh before they had gone on their honeymoon they would have to take some day. “Diana must go out to the West,” he said. “There are people there who loved her father, and who are wanting to meet his child. Her property is so vast, too. I think she ought to be put in direct contact with the knowledge of what belong to her and all the responsibility.” Hugh had laughed, and then lie had sighed. “I wish —oh, I wish there wasn’t quite so much money! ’| he said. And Gresham Townley laughed at this. “Well, wait a little while, my dear man. You will grow accustomed to the fact that you have man led a rich

BY MADAME ALBANESI. (Author of "Love’s Harvest,” "The Road to Love,” "The Way to Win,” etc).

wife, and later on, when your children come, it w'll be a matter of great satisfaction to you that you and Diana can do things for a young family which would be very tliffu-ii t for a working man such as you are.” "I am a little afraid of money,’' Hugh Wuvedcy raid. "ion see how happy my i. it her end met her are.’ They are prosperous, bat they have never had wealth. And wo know only too well that if it oadn’t been for all this money, this property, this greatness, Diana would never have suffered what she was called upon to suffer. Yes, I am afraid of money,” Hugh Waverley added. “It is a destructive clement; it can change people’s natures! ”

But Diana’s guardian had only laughed. "No amount of money will change your wife’s nature,” he said. "She’s not only James Ladbrokc's child, but she is full of beautiful qualities, and she loves you, just as you love her.” Hugh repeated this conversation to his young wife as they were sitting holding each other’s hands and looking at a glorious sunset. The sea, the wonder of the sea, the blue of the sky, the joy of travelling together, could make their hearts beat and thrill, but over and over again, when they were talking of what had happened, in soft whispers, Diana would confess that no joy had equalled the extraordinary joy that had come to her that da ywhen he had driven her away from the market square to Eexbury, And on his side, Hugh would tell her of the exquisite happiness which she had giveil him that night when they had stood together for just a little while in the garden of the Thatch House in the twilight, until a voice of Ellen had come calling Diana back' from i world of dreams to reality.

There was so much to talk about, so much to plan, so much to fill their hearts, so much to draw them, if possible, more closely together. Hugh would go on working, and Diana would work with him. But there was more in life than their own aims and ambitions. Already their minds were full of schemes and plans to bring comfort and happiness to others. It war d bo' a sacred duty to put courage (the courage of love!, into the lives of ail those who needed help and care. (The End.)

THE TAXI-CAB MURDER. When the taxi-driver came out of the entry of the fiat building two police officers were awaiting him. “Is this your c-ab? one of taun asked. “How long has it been here, unattended? ’ “Only a short time.” replied the cabdriver; then he stopped short and gazed inside. “Why, there’s someone inside,” he added. The occupant of the taxi was strangely quiet, and one of the officers opened the door and looked in. Puzzled, he shook the man suddenly, then felt his pulse, and eteped back, horrified. “He’s dead —murdered,” he said, “and it strikes me you know more than you’re telling!” Don’t miss the full story of our splendid new serial. “TEE ORANGE TAXI.” By Charles D. Leslie. It teems with unusual situations and tense drama, and will commence publication in our columns on Monday next.