"The Marrying of Mariette,"

Wairarapa Daily Times, 17 April 1935, Page 7

"The Marrying of Mariette,"

* (COPYRIGHT.) PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

CHAPTER II (Continued)

Marietto was amused, but there was so much still to see and do every day that she did not trouble to pay calls or weary for the strenuous games youth revels in. ‘ ‘ I can play golf—and I adore swimming/’ she told her aunt. “I can box a little, sing a little, climb well and fence. That’s all.” “Your father’s daughter,” said Aunt Agnes, “and when the otter hounds meet within reasonable distance, we will go out with them, that’s to say if you don’t mind getting up at 4 a.m. ” That was fun, and Mariette looked forward to otter-hunting. She was thinking of the sport and Aunt Agnes’s half promise to take her hunting when the season opened' as she walked home from her painting lesson in Blexton.' An eight mile walk did not daunt her, though a slight fog, coming on unexpectedly, made her hesitate more than once as to the right road. Unfortunately she halted presently at crossroads, and as she peered this way and that, the hoot of a motor horn startled her. Seeing nothing, perplexed as to which road the car travelled, she stepped back, and the next moment was lying in a muddy pool, flung down by the wing of the car. Her cry of distress brought instant help, strong arms lifted her xip and the glare of lamps made her blink.

“Are you hurt?” asked a man’s voice in anxious tones.

Mariette laughed weakly. “IST—no,” she replied,' “it —it is only bruises. My —my left shoulder doesn’t want to be touched. —I c—can stand if you will help me.”

“I’m frightfully sorry,” said the motorist. “I forgot in coming round that sharp corner that anyone at the cross-roads would not see the light.” “I ought not to have been standing in the road,” said Marietto so faintly, that the other opened the door of the car and half lifted her in.

“My name is Jack Anford,” he said. “I live at the Court with my brother and his wife, and I am going to take you there to get a drink of some sort and have your coat sponged. Do you live near?”

Mariette explained; her shoulder xvas aching furiously and she felt faint as well lie bedraggled, with a horrible desire either to laugh or cry. Captain Anford showed renewed' interest when he heard her name. “My brother knew your father, I believe,” he said, “in fact they were great friends. I am only a half-brother. Do come along, and Vivienne.will give you some tea —she was hoping.to meet you soon.”

And, though Mariette felt muddied clothes were hardly suitable for a first call, she did not greatly care. The mists were clearing as they turned in at the great iron gates and instinctively the two turned to look at each other. Mariette blushed hotly, Captain Anford laughed. He was a fair man, veiy sun-tanned, with very blue eyes and rather rugged features—clean shaven.

“Now at least we are introduced and know each other,” ho said, lightly. “Of course you are worrying because you were so unceremoniously landed in that puddle. Too bad! Never mind, if you like, I can hand you over to Hortense before taking you into the snuggery—but my sister-in-law is the kindest little thing, not the least critical.” “If you will explain,” whispered Mariette, “and perhaps Lady Anford would let me wash my hands and face afterwards.” She felt it would be a liberty to seek the services of the maid first.

Wliat a splendid old place the Court was—Marden House was dwarfed by comparison. Captain Anford helped Mariette out of the car, and took her with'him down a passage to the “snuggery’’—evidently not the first landing stage for visitors! The door stood slightly ajar and as the two came towards it, they heard a man’s voice raised in unmistakably angry tones. “You hear what I say, Vivienne, and you should know I mean what I say. You refused to confide in me—you will not answer my direct question as to your secret. I know you have a secret —it was my chief reason in bringing you home from India—yet you will not satisfy me that that secret is not connected with another man.”

Captain Anford pushed the door open hastily. Mariette dared not look at him—she felt she would have loved to turn and escape. He knew she had heard the words, and the faint echo of sobbing—yet what else could they do but go in. Then, aS she hesitated to follow, longing to “sink into the earth,” she heard her companion’s quick cheery tones.

“I’ve brought you a visitor, Vi, a damsel in distress. Fact is, I knocked over the new Miss Carstone in the fog and have brought her to bo repaired and given tea. Miss Carstone —my sister-in-law, Lady Anford.”

Mariette went forward, her cheeks burning. As she did so, the man who had been standing nearest the door, strode out. Lady Anford, petite, brunette, charmingly pretty, succeeded, as only a woman can, in hiding her distress. With tears swept hastily aside, she was actually laughing in the gayest way over her visitor’s muddied state.

“My dear,” she said,’ “come straight upstairs. Jack, ring for tea, and, tell Neville he must como back and bo introduced. He has the smallest touch of malaria again, but a dose of quinine will put him right. Now, Miss Carstone, como with mo.” Mariette obeyed, admiring, yet perplexed. Lady Anford chattered' and asked questions all tho time Hortense was sponging away mud stains, and was utterly deaf to Mariette’s plea that she would rather go home. “My dear,” she confided as she went downstairs, “I am only too delighted you came. My husband was talking nonsense, and he will just see the absurdity now you overheard. I shall explain after you have gone. Men are so much more curious than women—now, come along and save the situation. Of course T know at once we are going to be friends.” Mariette was was startled at receiving such confidences from a stranger—and, in a clearer light, noted the rouge and powder on the pretty Lady Anford was not a- young wo-

BY MAY WYNNE. (Author of “Henry of Navarre,” “Gwonnola,” “The Barn,” etc).

face. man—or a happy one. That was her conclusion. But what xvas the secret which evidently rose as .a harried between husband and wife? A sudden pity stirred in her for a woman whose, life was haunted. Yes, she had seen it for one moment in the hazel eyes. As they reached the snuggery again hearing voices within, she turned to her companion. “You are so kind,” she whispered. “I —I hope I shall be a—friend.” Lady Anford halted. “I need one,” she replied as softly—then entered the room, where the two men awaited them, laughing gaily. CHAPTER 111. If Lady Anford had. been clever in hiding her embarrassment the same could not bo said of her husband. Sir Neville greeted Mariette with chill politeness but hardly spoke to her. He sat apart, sharing his tea with a cocker spaniel, though lie looked up on hearing his wife ask Mariette about St. Ives—and her father.

“I wish I had known where Keith Carstono had settled,” lie said, abruptly. “We were close friends at one time,. Miss Carstone, but soon after he left the neighbourhood I went to India and only heard of his death yesterday. ”

“It was very sudden at the last,” replied Mariette, adding impulsively, “I am so glad you knew Dad.”

Sir Neville did not respond, and Captain Anford struck in by asking if she played golf. Lady Anford laughed and chatted, but there was tension in the air and Mariette was not quite at ease. Evidently the quarrel—or argument between husband and wife was still unfinished and the atmosphere was electric. As soon as she could swallow the scalding tea Mariette rose to go. “Aunt Agnes will be anxious,” she said, shaking hands with her hostess. “Do you know her, too?” Lady Anford laughed, mischievously. “My husband is better acquainted/’ she replied. “We have only been home from India the last sLx months, and I am afraid lam terribly modern in thinking ealls belong to the Victorian age. Actually I have only met your aunt twice, so I shall have to make up by seeing much of you. I don’t call this anything more than an introduction. Come to lunch to-morrow and see the garden; I confess my happiest hours are spent there, and I hope you arc an enthusiast.’’

Mariette accepted—half reluctantly—fancying she noted a slight frown of disapproval on Sir Neville’s face; but she remembered the eloquent look in Lady Anford’s eyes as she s-mke of friendship and instinct told her that this invitation was no conventional courtesy. “I am going to see you home,” said Captain Anford as she bade him good-bye, “the fog is dense, and I think it will bo wiser to walk—it is not very far.” Lady Anford applauded, she was evidently good friends with her brother-in-law who followed Mariette from the room. “You will have to take my arm,” he said as they stepped out into the fog. “I have my electric torch.- By George, it is thick! I believe I ought to have taken you straight home to Marden House.” Mariette did not reply. It took all her attention to keep her balance and not trip over some unseen object. “It will be clearer in the road,” said Anford, cheerily, “the Court lies in a hollow.” He halted, taking out his torch and flinging its light around. As they waited, Mariette caught the sound of snapping twigs as though someone had plunged hastily into the bushes lining the drive.

“Is that you, Simmons?” called Anford sharply, but no answer was returned.

“Probably one of the garden boys,” said Anford carelessly. “Come on. Miss Carstone, the sooner you are home the better.”

Mariette’s teeth were chattering, the change in the weather had been sudden. They were close to the gates when she uttered a short exclamation and drew back. To her right tho figure of a man had loomed large out of tho fog. and she was startled at sinht of a face thrust close to her own whilst a hand rested lightly on her arm. The fog was so thick that she conl-t onlv make out a pale face, with dark eyes, passionate, desperate in their expression. She heard a quick intake of breath and the Unknown had vanished. “What is it?” she heard Anford ask. hastily. “What made you cry out, ? ’ ’

Mariette laughed shakily. “I suppose he heard footsteps and turned in from the road. He iust looked at me —as if he expected someone else—then melted awav into the fog.” (To be continued.!