A CLOAK OF LOVE.

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13815, 20 July 1918, Page 7

A CLOAK OF LOVE.

|;Y rr.ITMA M CLAY, Arlli.T ■I ' ! M vs'" v Wuorloroft," • ; i.c !'. ■ umi*< Nfi 1.l u-- The Ironnusicr's Dui-liui," "A Woodland M;iid," e'.o.

(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) CHAPTER X. (c ontiuued.) "What a nuisance these railway people are," grumbled one of two young men, v.ho had annexed seats directly'opposite to Kinetli. Halt; a dozen more 'smokers' are wanted, and the train is made up just the same as on ordinary days." "Woodleigh Kaces to-day," his friend yawned. "No use grumbling, Marthant. Half the people will get out at Woodleigh, and tiieu we can light up." "Aii hour's run yet, Lorington. You are an easy-going duffer.'' "That's"all the thanks I set for humoring Dick Marcliant! I've already endured a severe wigging from Eva," and but for you, you ungrateful brute, 1 should have been between the sheets at Lorington Grange now, instead of suffering tortures in a stuffy railway train."

Man-mint s lace turned a dusky red, and he spoke with real vexation. "I didn't know that you were motoring with Lady Eva. 1 thought you were loaling about Birmingham on vour own, or I wouldn't have asked you to look at those hunters." Lorington laughed slyly. "It isn't a bit of use, Marchant. You wanted to see Eva, and you're disappointed. Look here, old man, you can't hang your hat up there. The fancied rift between her and Heseltine exists no longer, and thore'll be a wedding inside of three months. Eva's got a will of her own—and there's an end of it."

Silence fell between the two young men for a full minute; then Marchant

rose. "I must have a smoke, Charlie," he said. "I'm going into the dining saloon.'' Charlie Lorington looked after his friend, commiseration in his blue eyes; then his returning gaze rested upon Elneth's pale face, and he wondered at the suddenly-aroused interest that seemed to send a thrill into his very brain. Perhaps it was the curious light he caught in her sombre eyes. And what giorious eyes they were! Whore had he seen them before? Ah, he remembered. It was in the pictured face of a Madonna. Elneth turned her head and watched the flying country. Lorington's innoccut words had stabbed her like a knife. So this handsome man was Lady Eva's brother. If she were like him, no wonder that the Vicar of Castle Claydou had called her a splendid woman. Afler an hour's run the train stopped at Woodlcigh, and deposited nearly half its passengers. When they were gone things were comparatively quiet. Elnolh and Charlie Lorington now had the compartment to themselves, and he furtively inspected his vis-a-vis. All (Loire for a smoke had gone, and when their eyes met he broke the ice by asking Elneth if she would like to look at tho morning papers. Conscious that she was talking to the brother of Lady Eva Lorington, the woman who

•.vas to bo the wife of Ronald, her voice trembled. "1\";>, thank you, T am not interested in the newspapors this morning." ."Keirher am I," paid Charlie "I wonder where my friend has got to?" lie rose and walked into the corridor, but was soon back again. "They are getting the brcaiTiast. • : liall 1 have a seat reserved for you in the dining-car?" Ha iv,M>ne/I a little. "You don't mind, do you? People can bo friendly in railway trains and aboard ships v.iliout a lot of formalities. Of course, you can have s6::fe*tca or codec brought in here; but " "Oh! I think I'll breakfast in the dining car, thanks. The change will

be a Utile divcrsini." "Wo may as well sit out the journey where wc arc," ho suggested, v.'.i'V'! the meal was ovor. "It is far! pUara.nter. Wo are duo at Euston in j fur',/ minues." I "I am afraid I have boon rather indiscreet," she said, in her direct way. "And in jus;ice to myself," she continued, with swift hnpetuos- t ity, "I should never have droanit of : being so friendly with you, Mr. Loringinn, only I know seme people whom you know." "Really?" His eyes were searching her face. "I am delighted. I was just dreading that I might never see you again. but I am terribly puzzled. You said you knew friends of mine?" "The Vicar of Castle Claydon." "Y03 —ves." His eves brightened. "Good old Basil." "And Air. Ronald Heseltine," she breathed. "(iood heavens!" cried Charlie. He looked at hia wat hj, has Lily thrusting it back into his pocket. "Euston in ton mir.utoa. Will someone meet you, Miss T/ndail? No? Then I suppose I may gel you a cabs" "X>," she said again. "I am goig to the station hotel—the 'Eustuu' think if is called. I sh-yed there .ice wilh my gt:nid ; an r.nd his wife. haven't ivy friends in London." "Thou you will be going back to '.istle C'a/d in—soon?" asked- Char,o. "The e's sonic eonfouded trouble ..•re." lie thought. ''You are inquisitive."

"1 big your pardon. If I am rude ! is only because I feel deeply interred in you. 1 can tell you are in ; line sort of a bother—you look so hito and worried. Ycv. are acquaint- ! with some of my oldest and dearest . u mis, and that a'one gives me a ghi to help you if you will allow "Don'l speak so kindly or I shall :vak d.'./n." Her weariness was ■. erponcring. After a few moments' 'i.'Ughl she continued: "I have quar•!!ed with my guardian, Mr. Loring!i. and 1 have i me to Loml.ui on ..:.:,'::i<:;.;— to comr. !; a lawyer." "Oh. who is he.'" "I d hi M know—l mean I must fin ! oi.e. I I: ive really run away from ' .is;!e (.'la' d ):;." Charlie L< tiagfon looked up alertly, lie belie., d Ihn! the mists wore ■•iee.iii! t Le v\ a < reiie\>d a;:d his heart g:.., a -:■. al llnob. J 'll intro-

(luce you t<> n man I knew. I'll write liis name :tnd address on the back (if inv rsu 1- ' Arthur Lawrence, Clovelam] Chambers, Chancery-Lane.' Do you know Chancery-Lane, Miss TyndalU One of tin' turnings off Fleetstreet. Vou had lioter go in a taxi wl. n you are ready for the interview. Will you go to-day or to-morrow?" He asked the question carelessly,

and made a mental note of her answer. To-morrow would be best, of course. it would allow of an appointment being made by letter—and oilier things. "'lt must" be good-bye here," Klneth said, when Charlie had piloted her through the crowd to the end of the platform. "I'll deliver the bag at the hotel," he answered, firmly; "and I want to suggest to you that n good time for an appoiutinent with Mr. Lawrence is eleven o'clock. Now, is there anything elese 1. can do for you." " No. no, Mr. Lorington. You have been extremely kind. .Now you must go; and never breathe a word of this meeting, or the brief friendship will prove to be a personal misfortune." "Never that!" Charlie said vehemently. "Well, good-bye." lie surrendered the bag to a hotel porter whom he signalled, and shook hands with Elneth. How her poor little lingers were trembling! He held them a few seconds longer than was necessary, looked deeply into her eyes, and again said good-bye. A long rest strengthened and refreshed Kbioth, and, mindful of Charlie Lorington 's advice, she went to CiianciTv-lane in a taxi-cab the next morning to keep her appointment with the lawyer. There was no hesitation now in Elneth's movements. Her heels clicked along the hardwood floor of the corridor, and without a tremor in her voice she asked the commissionaire to direct her to Mr. Lawrence's oflice.

"No 32, next floor, miss. Lift's just going up." But liineth preferred to walk the one flight of steps, and a few minutes later was being ushered into Mr. Lawrence's private office. He rose to greet her, gravely, ceremoniously, albeit there was a twinkle of curiosity in his eye. He was a clean-shaven, perfectly-groomed man of thirty-five or so, of gentlemanly bearing and suave manners. A well-to-do lawyer of the modem school, his surroundings were almost luxurious.

"Be seated, Miss Tyndall," he said; adding, with a faint smile, "I received your letter, enclosing Mr. Loring-

ton 's card, and am entirely at your service."

lie did not say that he and Lorington had spent the previous evening tog-'.her, and'that Lorington was at that very moment smoking and dreaming in an adjoining room. "My business is very'simple," Elneth said, a faint flush mounting to her cheeks. "I am under a cloud; 1 don't know who or what I am, and I want you to help mo." The lawyer uodded encouragingly.

Elneth drew a long, deep breath, and then she told him clearly and concisely the story of her life, right up to that vory morning. Mr. Lawrence listened sympathetically; then he put a few questions to tho girl, cleared his throat and smiled. "You want to know who your father was, who his people are, and to be rid of Paul Morosov? I have a brother at the War Office, and I will find out all about Captain Ralph Tyndall. Obviously that is the first move."

Elneth's eyes were shining hopefully, and a vivid red had sprung T nto hor face. "How long must I wait, Mr. Lawrence?" she asked. "How long? Oh, a few hours. I will go to the War Office before lunch, and a search shall be made immediately. My brother will do anything for me in that way. I think I can safely promise to send you a report by this evening's post, Miss Tyndall." Elneth rose, her face almost radiant. "Oh! thank you—thailk you!" she said. Mr. Lawrence put on his hat, and escorted Elneth to her taxi. He shook hands with hor, and there was a genuine warmth in his clasp. Ten minutes after she was gone he , and Charlie Lorington entered another taxi, aud were driven to the War Office.

CHAPTER XT. Next morning the sky was overcast, and the rain was falling in a steady hopeless sort of drizzle. A fow minutes before eight o'clock Elneth left her room. The hotel breakfast-gong boomed sonorously, and she decided to go down to the breakfast-room. There would be warmth and life there. At the head of the stairs a table had boon placed in the centre of the spacious landing, upon which the morning's letters were alphabetically arranged. A boy in charge was responsible for their distribution, lie glanced up at Elneth, and upon hearing her name grabbed up a haudful of "T's."

" ,\i >;■::; Tyndall? Xo, miss. Oh, yes —one." Elneth took the letter and hastily opined it. Ves, it was from Mr. Lawrence, but its very brevity made her gas ■" ; b '!w->t>" III'" •it II » i; • "Dear Miss Tyndall,— As I have to pas.s your hotel on my way to the ollice, I shall do myself the pleasure of calling upon you at ivn o'clock tomorrow morning. Kindly wait for me in the library. —Yours faithfully, " Arthur Lawrence." Elneth sat down at one of the tables, and a waiter took her order, at the same time placing before he'r the morning paper. She pushed it on one side. She had no heart for reading. Two gentlemen at the next table were talking with considerable animation, and she could not help overhearing them. "1 suppose it's true, although only one paper has got it," said one.

"I'ndoublcdly. A Grand Duke, two soldiers, and several civilians killed outright. Fortunately the boinb-throw-er is one id' the victims." "Rissin has no one but herself to thank. S!i.- is barbarous to the core —a su.nding nuiiare to the whole V.'Ol 111. ' ' "Yes, and we are harbouring the chief of her Nihilists in this country. ft is an open secret al Scotland Van! tlict the most fiendish plots of the First Section are hatched in London." Ilkelh reinenibered Paul Morosov's threats and shivered. She pushed the newspaper further away. She was afraid of it now. The tastefully-arranged tables, the dainty china, the brilliance, and the sweetness of everything induced an appetite, and she lingered over the meal until nine o'clock.

The ruin had almost ceased, and a mist was blurring the buildings over tin- way. The road was deep in slush, and the horses' hoofs bespattered the pavements with greasy mud. * From the breakfast-room Elneth went to the library, and to her infinite relief discovered that Mr. Lawrence was already there.

"1 am much earlier than the time appointed," he said, taking her hand. lie opened his brief bag, and took out some papers, while Elneth watched him with anxious eyes. "Hit down, if you please. Miss Tyndall. Ah, hero we are! These notes are made by my brother, and I am very sorry to bring you .disappointing news." "Oh, I was afraid that you wore promising too much, sir," Elneth said, her voice trembling. "My dear young lady, there would have been no disappointment had you put me on the right scent. It appears that no officer named Ralph Tyndall has ever served in the British Army, so that we were put out of court completely." Elneth stared at him blankly. "Then I may havo no right to the name I am using?" "Wo won't say that. Your father was very probably a Mr. Ralph Tyndall, who assumed the title of "Captain.' There are hundreds of men in England who are called 'Captain.' but who never wore the uniform of either the Army or the Navy." Elneth made an impatient movement.

"I have given the matter a great deal of thought, Miss Tyndall, and to get to the bottom of it means time, skill, and money. You have no other evidence? Nothing tangible?" "Nothing." "Merely the verbal statement of this man Morosov!" "That is all." "Well, don't get downhearted." "I am not," she answored, truthfully, "only disappointed. If I have to go to India myself I will discover the truth." '' You have only Morosov 's word for that also."

"But I remember being in India. I was only a little child " The lawyer rose and gathered up his papers. "You are not quite friendless, Miss Tyndall," he said, kindly. "You s all hear from me again to-morrow, and in the meantime I beg of you to do nothing." " But I have to face the future. The little money I have won't last long." Mr. Lawrence sat down again. "You told me all about this yesterday, and I have been wondering what you can do. Govornesses are a drug on the market. Companions are badly paid, and you are not the sort of girl for the work, either." He bent his head towards her, one elbow on the table, his face resting on his hand.

"Why not let me be your employer? I have been advertising for a lady typist for several days —confidential work.''

The blood rushed into her cheeks. "Are you telling the truth?" He picked up a newspaper, and turned to a column hoaded '' Situations Vacant." Down this he passed the point of a finger until he found what he wanted.

"There you are, Miss Tyndall. I think this is my business address." She read the advertisement, and then glanced at him eloquently. "But I have never used a typewriter in my life!" she breathed at last.

"You can learn in a week. Easy as playing the piano." "Yes —after ouo is proficient. You are very good, Mr. Lawrence. Before I decide I will take lessons at one of the typewriting schools. Give mo a week.''

"Very good." He rose hastily and shook hands. The next moment ho was gone.

The mists cleared away bofore noon, and tho spring sunshine poured from a sky of blue flecked with fleecydooking little clouds. Elneth went for a walk, and even in her perturbed state of mind she found some pleasure in looking into tho windows of the great London stores. She lunched plainly at a restaurant in Oxford Street, being under no obligation to waste money upon the expensive meals provided at the hotel. While she was handing in her check to the girlcashier near the door she noticed that a man was standing beside her, and she caught the gleam of a pair of mocking black eyes. She remembered that she had seen the same man an hour earlier at the window of a jewellery shop. He had seemed to be offensively near to her then. With a sudden tightening of her heart, she left the restaurant and walked rapidly to the Oxford-street end of Tottenham Court-road. The

pavements wero crowded with shoppers and others. Loth though Elneth was to admit it, she knew that she

was in a panic of fear. She had seen

100 many .Russians to l>e deieived '" the man, who had evidently boon following her. Observing an idle taxi, she beckoned to the driver, and was whirled back to the hotel. With shaking hands she jKiid her fare, and was proceeding to her room when a tall man rose from a lounge in the lower hall, and stood before her. It was I'aul Morosov, pale To ghastliness, but with manners unimpeachable. In one hand he held his hat, in the other a thick malacca cane. »l

"Elneth, my child," he said, gently,

"don't start away from me." lie paused to moisten his lips. "I must talk to you somewhere. I have told the people hero that I am your father —as, indeed, I am," he added gaspingly. Elneth was too startled, too horrified, for speech. Her father! She motioned him to follow her, and went upstairs to her sitting-room. Paul Morosov turned the key in the door, and sat down panting for breath. Elneth faced him, her brain in a riot. "Now," She commanded, fiercely. "And don't imagine that I am afraid of you or of any of your associates. I have heard of the murders in St. Petersburg, and 1 hold you in the hollow of my hand. My father!" she sneered. "Is this your latest concoction?" "It is true, Elneth." "And who is Captain Ralph Tyndall?" "An imaginary person." "Then I have no right to the name'?" "It is your mother's." To be Continued.) —