"IN HONOUR BOUND,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 December 1935, Page 9

"IN HONOUR BOUND,”

COPYRIGHT. PUBLISHED B Y SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

BY MAY WYNNE. (Author of “The Marrying of Mariette,” “Henry of Navarre,” “Gwennola, ” etc.)

, CHAPTER YI (Continued). Gay drew a deep breath. “1 am glad Mervyn doesn’t know,” she said. “It would spoil his life to know that his pricelessTnother had done such a mean, cruel thing far more than it would hurt me if Mum had done it! I—well! I suppose I could sympathise more with a moment of weakness. It must have been an awful temptation.” Sir Eric looked scandalised.

“To a right-feeling nature it could or would be no temptation at all,” ho replied. “Any true-hearted man or avoman, boy or girl, must have shrunk in horror from the crime of robbing one avlio had been father and mother both an an orphaned child. There is no excuse possible for Alys Cranton. A Avarped nature like hers must be a blight Avhereever it sheds its influence.”

Gay sighed. “I’m afraid I’m not clever enough to analyse all that,” she replied, jumping up and going toAvafds the French casement. “Anyliorv I’m aAvfully sorry for Mervyn; some bright and shining saint is sure to tell him his mother is a black sheep —and he can’t help it any more than you, Daddy, can. help having a frivolous daughter avlio is going down to the A\”Oods to listen to the nightingale, Avateh the moon rise, and think —Avell! neA 7 er mind Avhat I mean to think about!” She laughed mischievously as she danced back to kiss the man avlio looked so serious and troubled over the relation of a crime five and twenty years old.

Of course he ought to have forgotten all about it by uoav! Gay Avhirled aAvav out into the sunset gIoAV, singing a gay little song, and laughing up her sleeA-e since, in telling her the story of an ancient tragedy, he had quite forgotten to extract a promise from her never, never to speak to or visit the chief actor in the drama and the son avli o kneAV nothing of the sliadOAved past. CHAPTER YU. Lady Frixell Avas out of danger—almost before husband and daughter had realised that one broken rib had been

perilously near her lung. The specialist had spoken highly of Dr. Scott’s treatment, but shook his head Avhen told he had permitted the patient to bo brought homo. Sir Eric, howeA T er, Avould alloAv no blamo to rest at tho doctor’s door. Ho had taken the risk —and escaped ugly consequences. At the moment, the specialist’s only anxiety Avas for her ladyship’s jarred nerves and Aveakened heart.

She must, he said, bo treated as an invalid for tho next tAvo or three months.

Lady Frixell shed tears of weak repining about tho ban on entertaining, and Gay’s spoiled summer. But Gay only laughed. “I can go wherever I like,” she declared. “I have had shoals of invitations, but very fcAv of them intrigue men. I can get along Avith my car, the canoe, sea bathing and general prowling round. I can choose my oavii friends Avhen I Ava.nt them. At the moment the Society beaux boro me stiff. Later, their types may amuse mo. Anyhow, Mother mine, don’t fuss. Your little girl can frh'ol around quito cheerily, leaving Dad to his politics, farming, and Avhat not. I believe he is AAwiting a book on the ‘Q.T.,’ but it Avould not interest me. Fancy Dad depicting a love scene! It Avould be a bit chilly.” “My dear Gay,” sighed her mother, but Gay only kissed her.

“Ain’t I a model daughter?” she queried. “I don’t pine to bo a cinema star, or tho Avriter of shocking literature. I don’t frequent night-clubs or drink cocktails. In fact lam quite flabbA r and Victorian.”

Sho Avas trying on a green beret as she spoke, her eyes dancing with fun. “I am going to call on Susan Aylton,” she added. “I adore calling on her, for she hates me so transparently, and tries hard to hide the hideous fact from herself. She is in love Avith Mervyn Cranton and he has no idea of it because he is fast falling in loa'o Avith me. Again tho same old triangle! But it keeps its pep and go.” Ladv Frixell looked anxious.

“My dear,” she remonstrated. “I thought your father had told you you were not to meet Mervyn Cranton. He told me—”

“So lio did,” laughed Gay. “He labelled Mervyn as a black slieep merely because his mother borrowed the necklace which would have been hers anyhow when her Grannie died. Of course it was naughty wicked, but I simply cannot see any reason why her son should not be friends with your daughter. Is my moral perspective so wrong. Mum? If so. it is your fault. ” To her horror, Lady Frixell began to cry, her distress so very evident that Gay, instantly contrite, laid aside her flippant mood and coaxed, petted, and smiled her back into calmness. “I’d better fade away before Sister Myra comes,” she added, as she rose from her knees beside the sofa, “or I shall hear how I have sent your temp, up again. Ta-fa. Mum! You can feel quite safe whilst I improve the shining hour with Susan.”

CHAPTER VIII

Gay always sighed a sigh of relief when she had spent her “duty halfhour” in her mother’s room. It was part of her role to chatter as much as she could during the time, so that Sister

Myra, hovering near, was ready to pack her off as too exciting for the invalid. With her green beret, well to one side of her red curls, and hands thrust into the pockets of her sports coat, a bathing costume slung over her shoulder, Gay sauntered along. Therei was quite a crowd of boys on the village green, circling round a bareheaded lass who was endeavouring to set them racing.

Gav recognised Susan and strolled up

“What’s the game?” she asked, and a dozen voices told how Miss Aylton was racing them round the flag pole for the prize of sundry toffees. Gay beamed at Susan, who looked hot, and not too pleased to see the newcomer.

“Just this one, boys,” said she; “then I must go for mv swim. Someone is waiting for me.”

“Meaning Mervyn!” murmured Gay, as the boys tore off. “Is this your hour for a swim? I prefer the early morning, but I was going for a dip. We can come along together, eh? Here come the heroes!”

(To be Continued)

Panting, perspiring boys camo clamouring, each naming himself tho Avinner, but Susan Avas an impartial judge, and gave her toffees Avith care. It Avas irritating Avhen Gay spoiled tho triumph of justice by tossing a shoAver of pence in the air for a scramble.

They left the boys, no longer laughing, but ready to fight and grab for coveted money, Avhilst Gay droAAmed the other’s protest by giving an invitation to tea.

“Pity avc can’t ask —” slio began, then changed her mind. “No,” she said, “don’t come to-day— avo’vo got a eroAvd of dallies. We’ll picnic in Roland’s Bay to-morroAY, and look for Roland’s Cave, and such like stunts. I’ll bring tho hamper, and Mervyn shall join up. That do?” Susan felt quite mean, because in her heart of hearts it did not “do” at all.

She clung desperately to the old suav about tAvo being company, and three none.

Mervyn evidently did not share that opinion. He Avas Avaiting outside the front door at llollyAvell, patiently listening to Aunt Ann, a severe, greyhaired spinster avlio AA’as in tho thick of spring Avith various draAvers, blankets and coverlets spread out for a sun bath.

Gay Avas intensely amused. Sho looked on Aunt Ann as fair prey, and Susan Avas often torn betAvcen a desire to giggle at tho clever AA r ay in which tho other girl sharpened her aatLs on her severe relation, and an innate loyalty to the latter.

Mervyn beamed at sight of the girls. “I’ve been doing your job for you,” he told Susan. “Why, oh AAdiy, are all tho draAvers taken out, Avaslied and aired? We neA*er do that sort of'thing at the Grange.” Susan grimaced. s “Slioays our superiority,” said she, “but make haste or I shall be pressed into service, and I liaA’o had three days of it. Gay is coming Avith us for a bathe. Let’s race to tho beach.” They raced —and Susan came in last. She had had the surprise of her life. “You can run,” sho said to Gay.

“Atalanta,” added Mervyn. Gay laughed. Sho -kneAV she Avas going to enjoy herself, and she meant to pay Susan out for having gone off hiking Avith Mervyn yesterday. “You had better not go very far .out,” Mervyn advised her as- they all ran doAvn to meet the lazy Avavelets. “You can get a good SAvim this side of tho rocks, and the sands stretch as far. No stones to cut your toes!” Susan Avas already striking out, she looked back to challenge Mervyn.

Gay stood, a slim little green-clad figure, Avateliing and applauding. But she kneAV she Avas spoiling Susan’s pleasure, and it amused her. Evidently these tAvo thought her a novice, and left her to splash around in tho shalloAVs!

Gay turned a somersault and dived, then aAvay she Avent, for all the- world like a little greenmermaid. “Where is she?” asked Mervyn, as ho and Susan returned in trimph. Susan looked round and gave a little exclamation of astonishment.

Gay Avas Avaving to them from one of the farthest bounding rocks. “Great Scott,” gasped Mervyn, “lIoAA r did she get there? Hi! Gay. Come back, you sinner. I—”

lie paused. Gay standing—poised beautifully—then dived doAvn —on the farther side of the bounding Tock.

Two terrible minutes. No! One minute, perhaps! —yet an eternity—but no Gay —no sign of any appearance. Susan Avrung her hands—Avhilst MerA T yn Avas SAvhnming tOAA'ards the rock. Susan had seen his face before he Avent.

She kneAV the truth now —the fear at her heart Avas confirmed.

Mervyn Avas in love Avith Gay Frix ell.

Susan ahvays looked back on the next feAV minutes A\dth a shudder.

Whether she prayed or not sho never kneAV. All she Avas aAvare of avas the tension —the horror —tho desperate fear —that in diving in search of Gay, MerA'yn Avould strike his OAvn head on those treacherous rocks.

She closed her eyes, but it was intolerable. Her world was reeling, and she knew what she had never known before—that life without Mervyn was empty—worthless. And she knew Mervyn loved the girl who had eomo into his life less than a month ago. Then —a cry—a squeal of elfin laughter, and Gay was swimming shorewards with Mervyn beside her. But Mervyn was not laughing; and, when they reached the sands, he merely glanced from one girl to the other before going off to dress. Susan and Gay walked to their tent —a red and white one with flapping sides. “What did you do?” asked Susan in forced tones.