Young My Lord

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18025, 21 May 1930, Page 4

Young My Lord

CHAPTER' XXIX. A Letter form Mary. Edward received a letter from his American patron confirming all that Messrs. Bronner and Fitchett, his lawyers, had stated. “ Complete the signing of the five years, agreement,” Mr. Westgarth said 11 and oome out here for instruction’ in the duties I .require of you. You will make what arrangements you like about retiring from the army, but I shall want all your time. Bronner and Fitchett will supply you with money as soon as the five years’ agreement is completed.” Mr. Custance patted Edward on the shoulder when he saw that letter.^ 11 Now, go ahead,” he said, “ and forget all your old troubles. Make hay while the sun shines. As soon as Bronner lets me have the agreement, you must come here and sign it. I promise you there shall be no delay on my side.” ' Edward went off gaily, and his battalion, having been moved to the Tower, went and lunched at the Mess there and broke the news to his brother officers. . ' They were all sorry to: lose such a popular sportsman as Cunswick —one of their best cricketers—and wished him good luck in' his new life. But some such move had been anticipated by several of them when the old Earl’s misfortunes became known. The inevitable guest night as a send off, was planned for the next week, and there was the subtle perfume of champagne—even at lunch and in the Guards too-; when he left the somewhat grim old mess room. : “An even tenner he marries the American’s daughter in six months,” observed Sir Greenway Fairbanks as he stood on the steps of the mess. There was no one there to take his bet, for nobody heard him. Walking across the parade to the gate, Edward became aware of a pattering sound behind him and, turning, discovered Beano in charge of Brown, hfs servant, who was bringing him a letter. Beano gave expression to muoh joy on seeing her’ master, pnd with a little dart towards the . gate, suggested a walk. Edward looked across at the crowded traffic of Tower Hill and the adjacent streets, and shook his head, to Beano’s evident mortification. Clearly, her master did not consider the neighbourhood a safe one for dachsunds. “No, not, to-day, Beano,” he said, “ but I will compromise with you by a walk round the ditch.” ' He took the letter from Brown and opened it. To his astonishment it was from Mary Westgarth. He just glanced at the signature, then thrust it into his pocket; he decided to reserve the reading of it for his walk'with Beano.'" ' ” ~ ’ “ You can come back for her in half an hour, Brown,” he said to the servant, and then he and the dachshund went off for their walk, f

—SERIAL STORY —

By Colonel H. Curties.

(All rights reserved.)

... When they had reached the broad Tower ditch, Edward took out Mary’s letter and read it.- Her handwriting, which was orderly and neat, like herself, was not unfamiliar to Edward, as little trivial notes had passed between them at Henley, on the subject ol tennis and golf engagements. “ Dear Edward,” Mary began. Mother and I are vfcry pleased to hear you are coming to help father in his work; it will be a great relief both to him and to us,' as we very often fear that he is overworking. He also tells us tlfat you are coming out here to stay with us. That will also be -very pleasant, and I hope we shall have some games of golf together ai Mont Agel. There is also someone else who will be very glad to see you here again. I need hardly tell you that it is Verna Weston; she was delighted at the news. ...” Edward only stopped to drive off an unwelcome butcher’s dog who was paying attention to Beano, and then began to consider the last sentence ir Mary’s letter. Why should Verna Weston be very gald to see him? Certainly he had not paid her any unusual attention Then he thought of Mary and her letter; it was just the ordinary letter from a girl chum, and that was all. He gave a sigh as he folded it up. “ She is the one girl in the world,” he meditated, “ who is as far off from me as the North Star by the force of circumstances. Her father is doing us a great service, and I intend to work hard to pay him back. If I don’t succeed, away go the estates, and I go to the far West of America, or Klondyke. There is no middle rOad. I could never marry Mary, even if she would marry me; there is always the bar of the money between us. If the estates belonged to Mary, and I was a beggar, I should be living on her charity. No, better a rough life in the Far West and to lose Mary, than that.” Nevertheless, his thoughts had drifted in the direction of wondering if Mary Would marry him. Ever since he had seen her standing in her white dress by the roulette table in the club at Monte Carlo, she had seemed to him a girl apart from other girls in these days, but not for him! The appearance of Brown in search for Beano, reminded him that his walk in the Tower ditch —once a brimming moat Hilled from, the Thames, now drained and used as a gravelled drilling over and conveyed the same conviction to Beano. Beano’s opinion of the Tower as a station for British troops—and their dogs—was decidedly adverse. With the exception of the butcher’s dog and a few rats—totally inaccessible for purposes of sport—there were absolutely no divertisements for a well-bred dog at all,. Then there was the loss of Mrs. Brown’S' 'ample lap. It was 'only ai intervals ■ of three or four days that Beano was led. ignominiously at the end of a chain by Brown—homeward .bound—across London to Westminster

whore for a brief happy period she was nursed by Mrs. Brown in front of the fire; then back to the confounded Tower again, as she came. As Edward turned away to the gate of the “Fortress,” he left Beano meekly . following Brown with; her tail down. CHAPTER XXX. The Blackmailer. “Mark my words, you scoundrel” —Maxton, in his rage, rather spat out than spoke —“ you come here no more. At any cost I will prevent you. You have got what you want, now go.” The “Baron” Vermouth only smiled at him 'indulgently; he showed unmistakeable signs of recent over-indul-gence in good, living. “ Monsieur is a lcetle incorrect in his statement. I asked for one thousand pounds, you have only given me five hundred. You still owe me five hundred,” t “That you will never get!" Maxton snarled. “ I was a l’ool to give you what I did, instead of handing you over to the police.” Vermouth put his head on one side and inquired amiably: ' “ And the date of your wedding, Monsieur? Is not the day already announced in the newspapers? I am told so." Maxton was in a furious rage with all the world; his ; lawyers had informed him on the previous day that they had received a writ from the solicitors of the Earl of Starnthwaile commencing an action to upset his claim upon the Earl’s property. “Get out!" he cried. “You shall never come here again.” Vermouth shrugged his shoulders., “If I do not come here, Monsieur,” he said, “ I shall go to the house of Milor the father of Miladi Stella, is it not in Portman Square that he has taken a house for the grand wedding ceremonies ?” ( “Get out of this!” Maxton cried. “ before I kill you.” Once more Vermouth shrugged his shoulders. " Pardon,’ Monsieur,” he said, “ but men like youu do not km people—they only talk about it.” He made Maxton a low; bow, then opened the door and disappeared. Left to himself, Maxton paced the floor, gnawing at his fingers. He seemed like a wild beast deprived of its prey and ready to rend and tear any flesh that came near it. He could have howled with disappointed rage, and the visits of Vermouth were like the thrusts of sharp, goads, which drew his very life blood—money. (To be continued.)