“THE FOREFRONT OF BATTLE,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 September 1933, Page 7

“THE FOREFRONT OF BATTLE,”

COPYRIGHT. PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

CHAPTER IX.—Continued

David did not make the mistake of offering liis hand which he felt certain would have been refused, but he managed to throw into his voice the normal cordiality of a man who saw nothing untoward in this visit. “Evening, Teesdale. I think you know why I’m here?’’ Grant was standing, very stiff and erect, beside an armchair. His face was wet from the rain, and moisture clung to his shaggy beard and eyebrows. He still wore an old mackintosh blackened by age and weather. “You’re welcome. Won’t you take off your waterproof and sit down?”.. “I will not. I can say what I have to say, standing. Teesdale, your son is courting my daughter. They want to marry. That’s got to stop. Do you understand? It’s got to stop.” .“Still harping on your daughter, and my —er —sin?” “Yes, your sin. The word has been good enough for centuries, it’s good enough now. You are a sinner. I won’t have my daughter marry your son. I have refused to touch a penny of your money ever since you married Montero’s wife, and I will not have Irma live on that money. I won’t have her marry a son of yours. Understand that!”

“Does it ever occur to you, Grant, that you may be entirely wrong in this matter? I will not pretend that I don’t understand you. You think that I suppressed your medical report on Montero, and sent the man to Yala without informing him of your diagnosis?”

“I think that, and I am sure of it! Ever since you married Paula Montero I have known it. At first I thought the fool might have insisted on going to Yala despite a warning. But when you married this woman of his, I saw it all. I remembered that you were always about with her, whenever you got the chance. Man, I am not a fool. You killed Montero in order to get his wife.. You sinned from lust. Swollen with pride and riches, you took from the poor man even his one ewe lamb. You are a murderer, David Teesdale, and I am here to tell you, so!” The old man was shaking now with a rage that communicated itself to the other.

“Your language is more than accurate. As a modern Nathan sent by Jehova to chastise the wicked you are rather a failure, Grant! Presumably the old prophet was better informed than you are. Before you circulate this kind .of story you should have some proof to support your statements with. There is a law of slander in this country, and sentences can be pretty severe.” “Brazen-faced! You think you can defy me, that your wealth will protect you from the consequences of your sin. They will not, Teesdale. You will be punished for this. Heed my words. I will not have your son marry my daughter. Your seed is rotten. I will have nothing from you, and my daughter shall take nothing from you or your son.”

‘'You are mad,” said David. “Talk sense, man. This ' sins of the fathers ’ stuff’ is out of date, and all the muck that went with it. ’ We are supposed to be civilised men, and reasonable beings. Even if I had done what you think I did, how could this effect Philip? He’s a decent lad, and if your girl wants to marry him —” “She shall not. Listen to me, Teesdale. You have got to stop this thing. I will not be put off. I will not be lied to, and put aside with words. You must prevent this marriage or I will.” “What do you propose that I do?” David asked. “You’re not old-fashion-ed enough .to imagine that we can do what we like with our children to-day? They will marry if they want to marry, and they will not consult us either.” “They shall not marry,” said Grant. “1 have told my daughter the truth, and you must do the same as regards your son. He won’t believe me, but he will believe you. After that, I will see that there is no talk of marriage. You lied to your son yesterday, Teesdale, and you told him that I was a liar. The time has come now when you must confess the truth to your son.” “The truth. I’ve just told you the truth. ’ ’

“You’ve told me lies, as you told your son lies. Now, if you don’t tell him the truth yourself, and make him believe, then I shall take steps to see that the truth is revealed.”

“You! What can you do? You can prove nothing, you fool! Don’t you see that, even if what you said were true, which it is not, you still could never prove your words? Why should anyone take your word before mine? If I am the double-dyed villain and murderer that you make out, then do you think I shall confess my sins so easily? Is that consistent with the character you give me? Only a fool would imagine it! No. I shall deny it, and no one will believe you.”

Shaking with anger, David walked across the room, and opened the door. “Get out of this, Grant! I’ve stood enough of your madness! I’ve stood it, because I think you honestly believe the rot you’re talking; and also you were a good servant of the Company for many years. But now, get out, and tell your tale to whoever you please. We shall see how many believe you!” “We shall!”

Grant moved towards the fire-place .and there was a purpose in his angry eyes, “I warned you, Teesdale, and now you will see that my words were not to be ignored. There is one who will believe, one who will know in her heart that what I say is true. We will see whether even you can lie to her. And if you do, will you deceive her?” “What are you doing?” The old man had stepped forward, and rung a bell beside the fireplace. David crpssed over, and gripped the other’s arm.

“Damn you! What are you doing?” “I am going to see Montero’s wife. I will speak the truth to the woman for whom you sinned. I tell you she will believe, and you will not lie to her! ’ ’ David’s face was white now. He pulled the other roughly towards the door.

“Who are you to give orders in this house?” he cried. “Get out of this, Grant, or I’ll have you thrown out.” The old man held liis ground. “First I will see the woman you

BY MARTEN C UMBERLAND. (Author of “Behind the Scenes,” “Loaded Dice,” “The Perilous Way,” etc.)

sinned for, Montero’s wife, the fair Bathslieba,” he said. Even as they struggled, David, white now, as much from fear as anger, Paula’s voice was heard just outside the door.

“Are you there, David? Is Dr. Grant still with you?” Paula came into the room. She looked with some surprise at the silent, angry-faced men who had now broken apart. CHAPTER X. For a moment Paula dominated the situation. Old Grant, despite his anger, was checked by Paula’s beauty and feminine elegance. In her long, black evening frock she had loveliness, combined with breeding and dignity.. As Paula advanced the doctor executed an awkward bow. “Good evening, ma’am!” he said. “Good evening, Dr. Grant.” Paula looked inquiringly at her husband’s strained face.

‘ ‘ There’s nothing wrong, is there, David?” she asked,

“No, there’s nothing vrrong.” The old man took a pace forward. “Nothing 'wrong, eh? You say that, Teesdale? Very well.- Now are you going to tell her or am I?” The doctor glared at David. Paula looked from one man to the other. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” She looked at Grant, but David was the first to speak. He spoke eagerly.

“Dr. Grant, my dear, has got some wild idea in his head. It concerns your late husband. Really, it is so preposterous that I hardly know —

“Go on, David.” To hide the trembling of his hands David thrust them into his pockets.

“Grant imagines that I sent Montero up the Amazon without first telling him that the doctor’s report was opposed to his going. The fact is—” Paula swayed slightly, and her face paled. David moved to her side, but she caught the back of a chair and motioned him away. “Imagined!” barked Grant. “My report was not merely opposed to Montero’s going to Brazil; I said plainly that if he went he’d be dead in eight months. Forgive me, ma’am, but I must speak frankly. That was my report, made clearly and emphatically. This man suppressed that report and allowed your late husband to go to his death. ’ ’

Paula sank on to a couch. , “Cosme was killed by Indians,” she murmured faintly.

Old Grant stepped forward. “That’s not the point. The Indians meerly anticipated natural events. I’ll stake my professional reputation on the fact that Cosme Montero in that climate would have died within eight months. The real point is that Teesdale never gave him his chance. Teesdale suppressed my report.”

“That’s a lie!” cried David. “It’s the truth!” shouted Grant. “You sent Montero to his death —and why? Because you coveted his wife; because for years you’d coveted Montero’s wife, and you were ready to go to any length to accomplish your desire. You have sinned as that other David sinner, and your crime cries aloud for —”

Paula rose to her feet and checked him with uplifted hand. “Please, Dr. Grant. I quite get your point. I don’t think it’s necessary for you to explain ally further. My husband —” “Paula!” cried David. “This isn’t true. I warned Montero. I told him what Grant had said. Montero had no’ confidence in the doctor’s report, and I told him that was wrong. I said I thought Grant a goqd doctor, his report a correct one. I wanted to send young Higgins to Yala. Montero would not hear of it; he wouldn’t listen to me. He insisted on going, and, in the face of his determination I —” “That’s a lie!” shouted Grant. “Would any man go out like that, knowing that death was before him.fT see through you, Teesdale. You gave him some feeble kind of warning, but you did not pass on my definite and uncompromising report. You said enough to ease your flabby conscience, but not enough for any honest man. You coveted the —”

“Eeally, doctor —” Paula came forward, and made a protesting gesture. Her face was ghastly white but she held herself very erect.

“There is no need to say any more, doctor. I understand perfectly what you wish to convey; there is no need to repeat it.” She crossed the room, and pressed the bell beside the fireplace. Both men watched her tensely. David’s face was grey with emotion, and he spoke in agony. “Paula! You don’t believe this? Tell me you don’t believe this!” “The truth always prevails,” Grant said. “The rich pinner may have his day. But sooner or later retribution comes.”

“Paula,” cried David. “Speak! Tell this fanatic —this blind fool, that Paula turned to the doctor gravely.

“Dr. Grant,” she said quietly.. “I believe my husband. I am convinced that he did not allow Cosme Montero to go to his death without giving him warning. ’ ’ “Paula! Thank God!” David’s face was alight with joy. The old doctor glared for a moment, and his face became crimson. “You believe him!” lie shouted, “when you know that for years he has loved you, although your were another man’s wife. l T ou believe that Montero would have gone deliberately—” He broke off as Paula raised her hand. A servant had come to the door. “Good-night, Dr. Grant,” said Paula, evenly. “Webster, please show Dr. Grant out.” (To be Continued.)