THE STORYTELLER

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

THE STORYTELLER

(SEL BIGHTS RESERVED).

CHAPTER XXIII. For Jim's Sake. They stood together in the shabby Rectory drawing-room. Hilda Men vale, and the man who, although he ] iad nol, iota o£ love tor *«• heart, yet desired to marry her more man anything else in the word. It was nearly the end of Octobci little more than a month rcmainm,, before the time of grace expired ami Framley Catsle passed for ever from the nrosenl Earl Unless Jidda befive weeks, he would soon ~e as poor and hopeless as he had been-when Mr Perkins paid his memorable visit to

Vogelsfontcin. ' , Time had not stood stdl With at fairs at the Rectory since Jim's homecoming; the boy had had abundance of fresh country air, and ample supplies of wine, cream, and otner invaiui delicacies from the Castle, since, until the first of December, Lord;* ramies had full power to deal ™ L hf entiling there as though it were his own, but even with all this in Ins favour, Jim had made but little progress, ana Dr Dill, looking ominously grave tola Mr Merivalc that only two things could (humanly speaking) save. nis son's life; a long voyage to Australia and back, preferably in a sailing vessel or six months at Madeira. And both were unattainable unless Hilda sacrificed herself ana marrieLord Framley. She had seen a great deal of the young Earl in the last lev weeks, and she was forced to conies., he had shown to great advantage, tic had been the kindest of friends and comrades to Jim; he had resolutely refrained from any slighting re erence to Philip Stanmore, and to Inula neisclf he had been gentle, chivalrous and deferential. She did not love him for her whole heart was Philip a but'she had got as far as thinking her fiancee was a little prejudiced against the Earl, and that the lattci was not the-heartless scoundrel her lover thought him. And now George, Earl of Framley, was making one last effort to secure his inheritance. At his wish and expense Dr Whilmot had been summoned to' the Rectory the day before to confer with Arthur Dill, and their joint report was that though certainly better Jim was still in a precarious state of health. Return to his work in Whitechapel would, mean certain death and only one of the two alternatives, the long sea voyage or the ; sojourn at Madeira, would give him a chance of complete recovery. "He'll never be a strong man," said Dr VVilmot, "but if we can tide him over this winter there's no reason why with care, he should not have many years of life before him." ••Won't it do if we keep liim here'. ' asked poor Mrs Merivale. ''This is a mild climate in winter, and in his own home we could take every possible care." Dr VVilmot shook his head. "If you keep him here, madam, he will fret himself into a decline. He will feel at every turn that he is a burden, he will think that because he is weak and ill now he will never do good useful work in the world. When he first came home, all lie wanted was rest and good food, but he needs something more now, something to hope for, something io occupy Ids mind. On the voyage to Australia he would be continually seeing fres'i things and objects of interest; at Madeira everyone around him would be taking care of their health, loo; an I in either case there would be a limit to his enforced lime of rest, a delinite time for his idleness to cease. JR could feel in each ease that when he 'went back io England' was the earliest moment when he could get back to work again, and he would be content to lie fallow till then. Keep bin: here for I lie winter, and he will jus fade out" of life." And this report had been transmitted to Hilda, word for word, by her father.

"You'll be as much Jim's murderer as your precious lover was the poor old Earl's," was his. concluding com ment. Mr Merivale quite forgot, that Iho beginning of Jim's breakdown was his own act of thrusting him into a post for which he was manifestly untitled. Hilda spent a sleepless nnight, but when she got up the next morning ler resolution was taken. "I want to see Lord Framley guile alone, if he calls to-day," she told her father, and the rector, though devoured by curiosity, could extracl no further information from her. And now they were alone together, Lord Framley eager, excited, anxious, Hilda, pale as marble, with a strange.. rigid despair on her face. "You wish to see me?" George be gan eagerly. "I hope it /s to IjU rne you agree to become my wife." "I will speak first," said Hilda gravely; "you must hear rne out, please, before you attempt to answer me."

Both as Harcourt Strange gnu George Lestrangc, the man beside hoi had been a favourite with women. IP had at one time thought himself irresistible, and .still believed Unit he was. a "fascinating fellow"; so Hilda's! words must have been a blow to his self-conceit. "Listen to me," she began and understand 1 am speaking liie simp!" truth, and mean every word 1 say. I do not love you; more I ban trial I lovci another—no need to speak bis name—with all my heart and strength. "For you, Lord Kramley, i have noteven the most ordinary liking, bid my brother's life bangs in the balance. I love'Jim very dearly, and if be died through any act of mine. [ should never forgive myself. I have'thought over things until I feel nearly mad, and this is the outcome of it;l will marry you, Lord framlcy, if you con , sent to three conditions." ••Name them," he answered, quickly. "Surely you know thai I would eonsent lo anything in the world so that you are mine." "One-half of the money your uncle left me must tie settled on myself, the Interest to paid lo mc every throe months, You musl enter hito a bond to part from me. at the church doo 1 after our wedding, and never attend ll to force me to live with you. Mr Perkins, your uncle's lawyer, musl be the person lo draw up the deed agreeing lo Ibis. I ran trust him Lo carry out my wishes. I shall have lour hundred a year, and I know Mrs Lftoey will lend trio some money until rn> first quarter's income comes in; and ~s Jim and 1 cat! spend six months in Madeira for " hundred and fifty pounds, It Will bo within my means."

A 1 rail. or vjuilt

(By MARION WARD) Author of "His Pair Lady," "Love's Thorny Path." etc.

"You must be ' beside yourself!" broke from Lord Framley. "You, a girl of nineteen to impose such conditions on a man who loves you!" "I am perfectly wine- though. I have had trouble enough to.make me mad. Lord Framley, wo have each something Io gain by this semblance of marriage. It gives me the money to save Jim's life; it secures to you Framley Castle and its revenues. "I for mv part, give up the hope of ever marrying the man 1 love; you lose the power to bring home a Countess to rule over youivhome, but it is i who sacrifices most." "I don't think you need call it, a saorificc to' marry me,", said Lord Framley bitterly. "I can give you a princely home and make you a peer- " Only it happens I care nothing for wealth' or grandeur, and 1 do care with all my heart for Philip Stanmore. 1 have told you my conditions and you can take your choice, and accept or refuse them. For Jim's sake I wii marry you, but nothing in the world will induce me to be your wife exeept in name. On the wedding-day I shall leave Framley for ever, and 1 shall hope and pray never to see your face again." "You will give me time, you will let me think over your extraordinary proposal?" , "Certainly, five weeks of the. time of grace remain—hut you must make your decision within a fortnight, because it will lake a week or two to make the necessary arrangements, since Jim and I must start for Madeira directly after the wedding." '•You can't go to Madeira any day of the week." "No; we must'be married on Saturday, quite early in the morning, and then Jim and I can get up to Southampton in lime for the Madeira steamer."

"You shall have my answer in a week," said Lord Framley, "but from my very heart I wish you had not used your power to make such bitter

terms." . "And do you think it is not bitter .0 me to give up all chance of marrying the man I love, to forsake him in his hour of sorrow'? No, Lord Framley, to save Jim's life I can give up my own hopes of happiness, but not even for his sake would I be your wife aught but in name. I don't mind my lover knowing I have sacrificed our future to save my brother from death, but he won't have to feel that I have benefitted by giving him up; I will not touch one penny of the Framley revenues, I will owe nothing to you." Framley was so angry I hat he went home without stopping to tell the rector of Hilda's "extraordinary terms." lie had in truth a great deal to think of, and he wanted to alone while he pondered over it. < The strangest thing was that once away from Hilda the scheme began to commend itself to him. He did not love her; her nature was too pure and innocent to please a world-tossed, sin-stained heart like his, and he had wanted to marry her first, for the sake of Framley, then for the triumph it would give him over Philip Stanmore. But as he thought over her terms, it suddenly occurred to him that they secured'his two great alms, and were really very fair. This shadowy marriage would give him undisturbed possession of the Castle and estate, R would also part Hilda irrevocably from Philip Stanmore.* Then if Con this point his mind was never quite at rest) his marriage with Rachel were legal and binding, there was far less danger to himself in this nominal second union than in one on the usual lines. Supposing Rachel came to' England and recognised him, she would sec no woman at his side tilling- her place. Even if she insisted on revealing her claims on him, .lis position would not be utterly desperate. He felt quite sure that Hilda would never prosecute him for bigamy, and since his daughter Babara was three years old, she would be the ultimate owner of the good things he was renouncing. It would ~k: hard, indeed, if he could not get himself appointed her guardian with a liberal allowance for expenses. Yes, 'he more he I hough I over things the more reconciled lie grew to Hilda's \ ohm.

CHAPTER XXIV. Lord Framley has a Shock. Cord Framley surrendered all along Ihel line, and agreed to Miss Morivalo's three conditions, even to the one which gave the task of arranging the legal terms of their compact to Mr Perkins. The wedding was fixed for Saturday, Lhe twenty-seventh of November, and lhe lawyer had taken .berths for Hilda and her brother on lioard the s.s. Scoi, sailing from Southampton on that day. He had a private (tncrview with t'u'J bride-eject, at which (if only Lord lY.mley had known it) he lid his best to incile lier to revolt. "My dear," he said very gravely, -you are little more than a child: you nay have fifty, sixty years of life before you. Do you realise that you are planning to make them lonely and lesolate?'" ' "1 can't help it, Mr Perkins; I cannot, let Jim die." •■Why didn't you speak to me? As .executor of the late Earl's will 1 could have advanced you some money, to be ■epaid when you came in for your legacy, it wasn't necessary lo blight your whole future (and another's) to give your brother a chance of life." "I have promised now and it is

ton late, to draw bark, Mr Perkins. \)o nol tempt me. to break my word." "What ahoid, your word to poor s'lanmnre'.'" ".Philip released me from my promise before lie went away." ••And you arc set on this mad marriage?" "I have given my promise. I can't draw back. Mr Perkins, don't break icy heart by talking of what might have, been." So the legal deeds were drawn up , (! i,l the preparations wen I on apace. , i; ,jy Hilda spoke and moved, like a ,•,.,';iiure in a dream, and nothing would induce her Lo'remain even for live minutes lelc-a-tetc with her fl-

Porhaps Lord Framley resented Pus marked avoidance of his company, perhaps there were other reasons which made him anxious to get away from Kranioley: 'at any rate, about I hat lime he went lo Brighton for a few days. There was nol the slightest cotieealmcnl about his journey; he told Hilda frankly he fell hipped, and thought a visit lo a lively place wou.d do .him good, adding that be slioul:!

be staving at the Metropole, and she was to write there if she wanted him. anxious to get away from Framley; at any rate, about that lime ho went to Brighton for a few flays. There was not the slightest concealment about his journey; ho told Hilda frankly that'he felt hipped, and thought a visit to a lively place would do him good, adding that he should be staying at the Metropole, and she was to.

write there if she wanted him. But the strangest thing happened. When he readied the gay Sussex town, as he stepped leisurely into a fly, leaving his valet to follow with the luggage he saw his wife standing on the platform, with his child clinging to her hand. Ther was no room for doubt, and Lord Framley knew he was not mistaken. Rachel's typo of beauty was rare, and as for Barbara, the strong likeness to himself, visible even in tier baby days, was still there, only- grown stronger and more startling' in the ten months of their parting. Lord Framley felt every drop of blood in Ids veins curdle, but he never lost his presence of mind. The fly he had chosen was open, and had a'smart, alert-looking driver, and George turned to him with a confidential glance. "I am going to the Melropole; but, first of all, I want to see where a fel-low-traveller of mine puts up. The

Jady is finding her luggage now; when she. gets it, I want you to follow h cr fly at a safe distance, mind —and see where it goes." The man grinned appreciatively. "Bight you are, sir. Just tell me when you see the lady, and I'll not lose sight of her." There was a delay of perhaps five minutes. Then Rachel and her little girl got into a carriage, and the porter piled their luggage on the box. They were n<jar enough for George to hear his wife's reply to the porter's question —

"Where to, ma'am 1 ?" "Tell him to drive a good way up the East Cliffc, and I'll stop him when I see a house I like."

It was Rachel—-Rachel looking younger and far more beautiful than she had done in the last of. those dreary days at Vogelsfonlein. She was dressed in soft black silk, with a small black toque, and he wondered for a moment if she thought him dead and had put on mourning for him. But no, her garb was not like a widow's; far more likely she had lost her fattier. Y"es, of course, thai was it- old Skinner was dead, and had left his daughter a legacy; that explained her general air of prosperity. Rachel stopped the fly before a quiet private hotel, and went in to make enquiries- Apparently they were satisfactory, for she and the child appeared no more, and the luggage was

taken in. Lord Framley drove off to the Metropole in a frigid. It was one thing to commit bigamy when his first wife was in Africa and might be dead; it was quite another when she was living in England, handsome and prosperous. No man knew Hie value of appearances better than the Earl of Framley; if a Shabby, poverty-stricken woman had suddenly claimed him as her husband, it might have been easy to assert, it was a case of blackmail or mistaken identity, hut he could hardly do that with a lady who looked in every respect his social equal. What in the world was he to do? Not only had- he to fear Rachel's recognition of himself—not now, perhaps, but at some future time — but Philip Stanmore might meet her at any moment, and, in revenge, tell her point-blank that her husband had committed bigamy. "1 must get the whip-hand of Rachel," was the Earl's final resolve; "she must be in my power, so that I can enforce her silence. There is onlv one thing for it, I must have the child. After all, she is Lady Barbara Lestrangc, and she ought, to be brought up in accordance with her rank; but I'll let Rachel have her bark ! when I've made her understand my

CI'ITIS." The man had done many cruel

things in his life, but hardly one quite so heartless as that, he contemplated now. He meant to steal his little daughter and drive his wife half distracted by her loss; then, when Rachel had tried every way of recovering her lost treasure and failed, lie would go to her boldly and say thai Barbara' was with him, that he would never give he! up unless her mother signed a paper acknowledging that her marriage with him was invalid and lie was free to contract another union. Men like Lord Framley do not stick

t much, and as he could not hang

about I In; Genoa Hold to watch his wife's movements-for himself, lest she should recognise him, he gave the job to his valet. That functionary firmly believed Ilia!. "Mrs Strange" was an old love of his master's, and bad sufficient evidence against him to win an action for "breach of promise of marriage." As he understood it. Lord Framley simply wanted to know the lady's movements, so that he might instruct his lawyer to come to terms with her, and as he was promised a ten-pound-note for ris work, he did it with great goodwill. So Lord Framley knew the day and train bv which Ids wife was to leave Brighton, and also that her address was entered In Hie hotel visitors' book as Laurel Collage.. Pcugc At that point the Earl professed Inmselt satisfied, and directed Charles, Hie valet to return to Framley Castle with his luggage, saying that he himself would follow in a day or two. All along the Earl intended to kidnap Babs at London Bridge, though he was by no means sure how he could manage Ids work without a scene. Rachel's leaving the child for a few moments in the ladies' waiting-room piavcd into his hands. Instead oi trusting to a cab (whose driver mi"hl have an inconvenient memory), lie quioLly carried the child down the steps of the subway lo the electric railway, took a ticket for the tram first 'leaving, and started on the journey before poor liaehel discovered her loss. The little girl made, no fuss at his proceeding.. Babs was a. wonderfully happv sunnv-nalurod little, soul, and Uiough she, did not remember her father, When Framley told her she

was bis little girl, the childish brum rcmem bercd that the little playmates she had bad at Copsleigh and the Genoa Hotel had mostly possessed a father, and so no doubt this lall man piled, the relationship to her. She was vcrv tired and most anxious lo be at home "in the little house" Her mammy had told her so much about, and al first she asked'at every station "when mummy was coming," but 'in a few minutes she. dropped asleep, much Lo Lord Framley's relief. The list of stations told him Lhat the train went no further than Clapham Common, so.he decided lo get out at Kenninglon, but he bad not m the least planned his next step. He could not lake little Barbara lo FramIcy Castle and introduce her as Ins

"niece," because all the neighbourhood knew lie bad never bad brother or sister; besides, the valet might make awkward revelations. lie had succeeded in his aim, he had stolen Barbara, and so, as lie imagined, got the whiphand of her mother; but what in the world was he to do with his prize now be had secured her?

And the question was solved for him in a very simple manner. The train was very full, and the woman who sal next Lord Framley carried a large newspaper parcel, which lack of space, forced tier to hold so that Hie. hack of it was indirectly under his eyes. Almost mechanically those eyes took in the sense of the advertisements, and one of them seemed to have been composed on purpose to suit Ids needs.

"Nurse child. Respectable married woman offers a good home to baity over twelve months. Sole charge permanently if desired. Write to Airs Day, l-'i, Omega. Road, New Cut, Lambeth."

Cord Framley got out at the. Oval Station and hailed a cab.

"Stop at, the nearest, post-office," was his command; and when it was obeyed, he went in. and sent, off fids telegram: — "If Mrs Day can take, girl of three to-night for month or longer, will she come to Vauxhall station at once? Will wait there with child outside re-freshment-room till eight." "Cord Framley reckoned Mrs Day could not keep the appointment under an hour, so in the meantime lie took Barbara to a confectioner's and gave, her a very nice tea, to which that, small person did full justice. When if was over, she began to fret for her mother and to ask to go to bed, and almost beside himself to know what to do to still her cries, her father, bethinking himself of the spirit flask in his pocket, poured enough of its contents into ftie child's Inst cup of milk Io ensure her soon becoming drowsy; then he decided that Mrs Day must soon be due at Vauxhall, and look another cab to the rendezvous.

She was there. In his African days Harcourt Strange had rubbed shoulders with a good many strange people, some oi them highly undesirable: so perhaps he was not surprised lo find the woman his telegram had summoned untidv, unkempt, and with a decided smell of gin pervading her breath. The child was too young to pick up any evil, was the, thought which silenced his scruples, but. he never reflected I hat, poor lit lie Barbara was not 100 young to suffer from hunger, cold, and neglect.

lie gave Mrs Day three sovereigns on account, and promised to call at Omega Road the following week. Mrs Day stayed in the Omega Arms till closing lime, and then stie was lurried oul to stumble home as best she could, wilh Rachel's darling in her drunken arms. . (To be continued next Saturday.)