"SPINSTER SUSIE”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 October 1936, Page 9

"SPINSTER SUSIE”

CHAPTER II (Continued). <<Yes —I carried her up to the road, then she fainted. A policeman wanted to call an ambulance and take her "away —” ““You didn’t let him?” “No; she Avas not the sort of Avoman to—to be taken aAvay in an ambulance by a policeman. ” ' “What sort of Avoman Avas she I ?’’ Reuben Avliispered breathlessly. It was nearly as difficult to explain to the brother as- to the sister, there was so much that Avas feminine about him.

“You’ve read the Bible, Reuben?’’ Reuben nodded. “Oh, yes, father reads it aloud every Sunday.’’ . “She Avas the sort of Avoman Christ loved. ’ ’

Reuben Avas puzzled. “Christ loved.’’ He thought a long time, and Collisson allowed him to think.

“Christ loved sinners,” he said at last, colouring and looking away, ashamed as all men are Avho quote the Book that they’ve heard read—once a Aveek.

“Exactly. Well, I put her into a cab instead of an ambulance, and I drove her here, as there Avas noAvhere else to drive her. And then I found that she had no home to go to, no one to go to.. So I brought her upstairs; she’s in there” —he nodded towards the door of the inner room. “That’s why you found me like this. When Doris called for me I Avas talking to her, she Avas telling me her story, my servant Avas downstairs, so I didn’t know your sister Avas here until I ! heard a knock at the door, and as I came out of that, room she looked into this one —saw me turn the key—saw the woman’s hat. ... Do you folloAV me?” ‘ ‘ Yes —but—didn’t you tell —her ? Was she angry?”

“I didn’t tell her—because she knows the Avoman; tlie shock might have been too great. But I’ll tell you, Reuben, for you’re a man and you’ll understand.”

“Stop that,” Reuben cried hoarsely, jumping to his feet. “Don’t jest—at me; I’m not a man; I’m a fool, a coavard, I’m —look at me; can’t you see AA r hat I am?”

He stood trembling before Collisson; the demon Avas shrieking in his breast again, but with a less strident voice; the blood Avas starting in its race through his veins again.

Collisson planted his hands firmly on the deformed man’s shoulders.

“You’re a man, a brave-man —I know it. I’ve seen it in your- face, and I’ve seen too many coAvards in my day to make any mistake. But you’ll want all your bravery iioav, so pull yourself together. Look me straight in the face and listen to me.”

Reuben obeyed: he felt so strong then that had Collisson commanded an herculean task he would harm tackled and accomplished it. Ilis bent body straightened, his twisted lips met firmly over his teeth, his leg no longer trembled.

“You knoAV that Doris told me the story of your sister Susie?” Reuben’s body quivered in his grip, and his eyes lightened. Collisson’s eyes Avere very blue as he looked deep down into Reuben’s, then, and the hands that held Reuben Avere A r ery strong. “Old man,” he said gently, “I A\-ant your courage uoav— got it? That’s right. Susie’s not dead, she’s in there —she is the Avoman.”

CHAPTER 111. Reuben, laughed and Coilisson glanced at the door leading to the inner room, and then at the door leading to the hall. But he waited patiently without speaking until the nervous, laughter had died from Reuben's lips; he still kept a firm grip of his shoulders, and liis eyes: on the big, frightened eyes staring up into his face. “Not dead? In there? What d’you mean?” Reuben stammered at last. “You’re not fooling me—” “No, I’m not fooling you. Your sister Susie is in that room, there; she is the woman I found last night and brought here. ’ ’ Reuben swayed in Chippy’s grip; he led Mm to a chair and made him sit down.

“Would you like to see Susie?” Collisson suggested after a while.

“Yes—but—but I feel afraid.” “I’ll tell her that you are here, and that you are coming into see her.” He took the key from his pocket and unlocked the door and slipped into the room, leaving Reuben in the den. As soon as the door had closed on him and he was alone, Reuben rose to his feet, limped to the window and threw it open and leaned far out. I-Ie wanted air; fresh, clean air. A feeling of suffocation had come over him; he thought the air of the room was foul, but the air in the courtyard seemed just as heavy and unclean. A nameless fear had seized him; he wasn’t quite conscious wliat he feared, but vaguely it seemed to be a fear of humanity, of all human tliiugs and people and deeds.

Susie should be revenged, and he, too, would be revenged for the trick life had played him in giving him such a shapeless lump of clay to carry through the world.

“She is ready to see you.” Coilisson’s voice broke on his thoughts. “Sure she wants-to see me?” Coilisson’s reply was a reprimand; Reuben felt it, and without another •word he walked to the bedroom door, his back bent and distorted, his shoulders humped, his mouth twisted and ugly, and his big eyes veiled with their lashes.

The door swung open, and Susie spoke:

“Reuben? Reuben?”

BY A. APPLIN.

(To .be Continued)

The voice surprised Chippy. Susie had not used that voice Avlien she spoke to him. It was another voice, of another Avoman, perhaps the A r oice of ele\*en years ago. It startled Reuben too, for as he heard it his expression, his Avliole bearing, underwent a transformation. It Avas not a misshapen lump of clay that Avalked into the bedroom, but a man. The bedroom door closed soft-ly-—trvo names Avliispered breathlessly hovered for a second on the air.

“I think I’ll have another bath.” Chippy gave expression to the thought as soon as the lift had shot out of sight, bearing Reuben and Doris doAvn to the main hall.

Muggs heard and inclined his head; he was bereft of Avords; he turned to go, then remembered the hour. “lloav about breakfast, sir?” he whispered. “The time’s getting on — Avill you make it lunch, sir?” “By Jove,” Chippy grinned, “we have been starving her. Oh, what an ass I am! ”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I didn’t like to . . .” . Muggs stammered. * ‘ Hurry up with that -shaving water, ’ ’ Chippy commanded sharply. “Order a fresh breakfast to be cooked, for two. Tea, coffee, fish, omelette, devilled kidneys, fruit—hurry!” Muggs Avheeled sharply and started off at the double. Chippy’s voice arrested his flight and brought Mm round Avith a half turn. Another problem had presented itself to the retired warrior.

“Have we got—a—bath in the place, Muggs ; a movable bath, you know?” “We’ve got your old folding rubber bath, sir; if you remember, the last' time we used him he leaked a bit.”

“Rout it out, clean it up; then take it to my room,'leave it outside the door with some cans of hot water and towels and things; and be smart about It.” “Yessir.”

Muggs doubled to some purpose n w; aetion was a relief to his pent-up feelings; he Avelcomed it, revelled in it. It was almost like being in action again; he imagined his arms and legs to- be a “company,” and as he worked he issued quick commands to them, and when a leg-slipped or an arm failed to act quickly enough he cursed the offending member in quite his old style: “Noav then, you! What you’re doin’—you ain’t shellin’ peas, you knoAV. This ain’t no school of cookery for flappers, you—”

The breakfast table looked different Avhen Chippy entered the dining-room Avith a clean face, a clean shirt, and a morning suit. He Avondered' what it Avas, for a moment, Avhen he discovered that it was floAvers.

Muggs had produced floAvers and put them in vases, and the silver simply gleamed sunshine. The Avindows were Avide open and the air Avas SAveet and cool —for London.

“Shall I bring breakfast in, sir? It’s all ready. ’ ’ Chippy glanced at the clock. “Yes; but call it lunch! And Muggs, lioav did you knoAV—Avhere did you learn —I mean, you seem to knoAV the sort of things Avomen require—and like.” Chipp Avas stumbling. “Hoav is it?” Sergeant Major Muggs Avas frankly embarrassed. “Hinstinct, I s’pect, sir.”

‘‘ Nonsense! You— neA T er been married, have you?” ,

“No, sir—yes, sir—the fish is a grilled sole, sir. Shall I tell the lady breakfast is ready?”

‘ 'Muggs, look me straight in the face!”

Muggs obeyed and knew the murder was out. He thought he had found his master out last night; but this morning his master had found him out. “You're married, Muggs?" •kfuggs said nothing; lie merely groaned. “Where’s your wife-—dead ’ “No, sir, livin’ ... I’m very sorry, sir; I married off the 'strength,’ and then when I got my discharge and you offered to take me, I was afraid to own up. I knew you hated married men in the force, sir, and I was afraid . . . so I jest kept it dark. ’ ’ Chippy turned his back on his ser: rant. “Bring in the sole,’’ lie said. Chippy and the fish waited a few minutes for Susie. Of course, Chippy didn’t know that woman reads the clock quite differently from man. She* reads the time without the minute hand. At last he ventured to open the den door and shout that breakfast was ready. And then she came.

He avoided looking at her at first; tactfully gave her a chair at the head of the table and asked her to pour out coffee.

“If you prefer tea you’ll find it in the little silver pot on your left. Coffee is one of my vices—strong coffee.’’ “Have you any vices?’’ she said, appreciating the thought that had made him give her cups and saucers in which to hide her embarrassment.

“I hope so,’’ Chippy replied gravely. “I may give’ you a little sole—grilled? They grill a sole quite decency here.’’

“I’m not hungry,’’ she faltered. “I realy couldn’t eat anything.’’ “Oh, but you must eat; I insist. Why, I’m sure you’re starving’’ —he was con- 1 scious, without looking at her, that her face had changed colour; he kicked himself and continued quickly: “You have had no breakfast, and now it’s lunch time; of course, you must eat, and we’ll both start with sole.’’