JUDY SAYS "NO."

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18339, 27 May 1931, Page 4

JUDY SAYS "NO."

Serial Story

' Author of “Lass O’ Laughter.”

CHAPTER IX.—(Continued.) Tho Photograph. On tho day of her next singing lesson; Judy stopped at . the leading photographer’s in the High.. Street spellbound,,because right in the centre was a photograph of Nick.'- Without a moment's hesitation, she went In and interviewed the proprietor, and made her artless request. . ." . “What I want is a whole lot of photographs of men,” she’informed him. “Also that one of Mr Nicholas Harmer." ■ ■ ; He looked a little surprised at. her request. “I really only want to borrow them but I’ll pay you well for the loan of them,” said Judy beseechingly. “If it’s anything that’s going to' harm that young Mr Harmer. it’s no good asking me. He’s a favourite of mine. Got. pluok,” said the photographer. “I’m having my milk and eggs front' him,” - h'e, added, with a touch of defiance that endeared him to Judy for always after. “I’m glad, v and what I am doing I hope will help him," said Judy softly Quite won over by. Judy’s violetblue eyes the old man gave her what she asked for, so that Judy went back into the car with a paoket of photographs In her bag, and.a secret glow at her heart. But although one part of her mission had been attained there was the difficulty of getting up to the farm. She did -not Intend to enlist Clive’s aid. As a matter of fact, Clive had beoome just a little bit too importunate. She was always dodging him nowadays; she was too busy to think of sweetheart^. When she gothome she found Lord Kenway 'there. Lord Kenway was, naturally enough, full of the Carnival which was giving an anticipatory thrill to the heigfi•bourhoo'd, and seeing that it gave him a good excuse for calling, he was not slow in taking it. Her grandfather had given him permission to take her to Kenway. Court to see if she approved of the lighting arrangements of the grounds. The many coloured lamps were being put in position when she arrived. “Lit up .they will be beautiful,” she said. “Oh, Lord Kenway, it’s going to be the most wonderful dance. I’ve never' dreamed anything could be so beautiful. Grandfather has' given me a perfectly scrumptious frock. Of course, I shan’t" look anything like Enid, hut I shall look quite nice.” Ho wanted to tell her -that she, would surpass Enid, a thousand times. It was 'then, that her idea came. ■ “Going back would you call at Mowbray's Farmi?” she said anxiously. “Oh, .Lord Kenway, I wonder if I could confide in you?" “Why, of oourse, Judy," said Herbert Kenway, wondering what had overcast the sparkling little face. "You know my cousin, Nicholas Harmer?” she said. “Yes, Judy, quite well." “Yet you believed everything that was said against him?" “Well, as for that I was convinced that Henry Harmer would not have been misled.” *■ • ' : 1 “And yet I come here and I don’t believe any. of -the story,” said Judy. “Although I never even knew him, 1 was sure Nicholas wasn’t that sort of man. I am going to find out, but I must have someone to help me. First, I enlisted Clive’s aid." He gave her a half-jealous look. It had not been difficult to guess where Clive Crawford’s hopes were. If no one else had guessed, Lord Kenway knew that he was in love with Judy, or ,if not in love, determined to win her. Well, he was not the only, one in the field, thought Herbert Kenway, looking at the earnest face gravely “That’s why I want to go to Mow-, bray Farm. -There is someone I want to see there." "Of course, I’ll take you. There’s nothing I would not do to help you; Judy, ih any project upon which you had set your heart." "You are a dear,” said Judy, with a sigh of relief. She was rather . serious as the smoothly-running car took its way to Mowbray Farm. “Stay here for me," she said, half shyly. “I won’t be long.” Then she set -off to find Marion Jackson. The girl was in the dairy, churning. She looked up and flushed in confusion as she saw Judy. “I have come to see you," said Judy. “There is something I want to ask you. It is very important.” "I am. sorry miss,” said the girl sullenly, “hut if I stop my butter won’t come." r. "I am quite willing to wait,” said ■ Judy, and she sat down on a stool with every intention of waiting until the girl could give her her attention. Marion stopped -churning abruptly. “What do you want?” she said sulkily, the smouldering eyes glowering under dark brows.

CHAPTER X. “I want you to look at these photographs and itell me which one is Nicholas Harmer,” said Judy, spreading out on the stone 'Bench beside the great pans of milk the photographs she had obtained from the photographer.. Quite noticeable to anyone who knew him intimately was the photograph of Nicholas Harmer. “Now look at them carefully and tell me which one is Nicholas Harmer,” she said firmly. The girl looked frightened and shook her head forbiddingly. Judy seized one. “Is that Nicholas Harmer?" “No," said the girl uneasily. “Or that?-or that?” said Judy. “Or that? or that?” “No," said the girl. She was too slow-witted to realise she was being cornered. “Then there isn’t a photograph of Nicholas Harmer among these" said Judy swiftly. “No," said the girl. “And if there was I wouldn’t say so.” “Yes, you would," said Judy, “because this thing about Nicholas Harmer isn’t finished. You can’t say the sort of-thing you have said and expect. to get off so easily. You have never met Nicholas Harmer in your life. Why did you lie about him?” The girl began to cry. Judy rose in her wrath.

“Now tell me the name of the man who has been making love to you. I know exactly what happened. You sec 1 come from a place where I have been the one to find out all about love affairs. There lias been a man making love In you and your father discovered» you, and you gave the

(By WINIFRED CARTER.)

wrong name, and got Nicholas into terrible 'trouble. What is the name of the man who really .made love to you?" . » But Judy- 'could not make Marion. Jackson speak. Already she was scared, afraid that one of those photographs might be Nicholas Harmer himself. “I. shall And out,” said Judy, sternly. “1 ana going to keep’at this until, It Is found out, and then you will get Into trouble, Now i promise you 'that if you will tell me the truth now you shall be shielded. 'lt’s your chance. Up to now, you have cruelly spoken against an innocent man. And when ■the truth comes out, as come out It will, you will have to leave here- It will be too hot to hold you. Take your chanoe and tell the truth now.” But Marion Jackson had dissolved, into sobs and would not speak. And at last Judy saw that the girl really would not speak. She must be thankful she had discovered as much as she bad.. Back in the car she turned to Lord Kenway. . • "Lord Kenway, will you, do something more for me?" “Why of course I will,” he said, only too eager to obey her least behest. , "■ "Well; do you know a Mr Ventris? "No, sorry!” said Lord Kenway. That floored Judy. Mr Ventris was the man, to whom Nicholas had paid the card debt with the forged cheque. "I could get to know him," suggested Lord Kenway. "Oh, you dear! Will you! Do you think you could invite him to J,he Carnival Dance?" ' “As to that I can do it without knowing him personally,” he agreed. “And wilt you?” , - "Certainly." "You are a real friend,” said Judy gratefully. • They lapsed into silence. “Can you tell me why you want him?” he queried. "No, I don’t think I can, but I’ve got an idea and I want- to carry il through without anyone knowing.” "I see. You shall then." Her eyes sparkled. Oh, if she could really do it. It would be something worth while to achieve. After that she was thoughtful. Once or twice he stole a glance at her faoe. lie hated to see a. cloud dimming the sparkle of that enchanting face. ' “What is it?" he said. “You look so in earnest that I hardly like break in upon your .'thoughts.” “I am puzzled,” said Judy. “I would like to tell you all about It, but I can’t, not yet. 1 want to get all my facts marshalled together, so that there is no possible chanoe of things going wrong. I am not unhappy, though. What has happened just now has lightened my load." “Can I run you anywhere to-mor-row?" "Singing lesson," said Judy promptly. , “I*ll take you. How are you getting. on with him?” \ "Signor Parnovltch says I am doing quite well. There are days when he rows at me all the time. And then another day .he’ll shrug his shoulders and say,: ‘Not so bad.' And last time he actually said: ‘Good!’ and I felt as though I had got ten marks out of ten.” They, had to pass Harmer’s Rest as they came in the big gates of Harmer House. Nicholas was out ploughing with the tractor.. "f was amazed when I first knew who -had taken Harmer’s .Rest,” said Lord Kenway. “I admire him for It," said Judy defiantly. "I think it’s splendid -of him not lying down under all the things that are said against him. Some day It will be proved that he Is as good is you are.” "I helieve I rather admire him," said Lord Kenway. “Anyway, he’s got a staunch little champion in you, Judy." "But he won’t speak to. me,” said Judy wistfully. “He is ever' 1 so angry with me. I believe he thinks I came with the deliberate intention -of steal-. Ing his place. But it is unfair, for [ knew nothing about it until I was here.” • f expect he has been wounded at the way he has been treated. I wonder if he would come to the dance?” Judy’s face was scarlet. “Oh, Lord Kenway, do ask him. He will be masked do no one need know It's him,” she added ingenuously. Lord Kenway laughed. “If I said a thing like that to Nicholas he'd snap my head off. He’s got his pride.” “I know, but don’t you see, it would give him a chance to dance with Enid, Explain that to him. Oh, she’s not happy, how could she be? ■ If only she would follow, the dictates ol' her heart!” “You think she means to marry. Bourne?.” , : “I do, said Judy , miserably. “And it’s dreadful because he’s old and she does not love him. And she does love Nick." “I’ll drop in as I go back and I’ll ask him," said Lord Kenway, and was rewarded by Judy’s grateful smile, i Judy Nearly Says “Yes.” When Judy 'got in, feeling grea!! heartened, she discovered that sh< had a visitor. “A young man,” Miss Judy," sai: Rapson. “He’s been here nearly all the afternoon.” She had not the slightest idea who it was until she opened the door and saw Gilbert. The -mere sight of him brought back the recollection of the happy days at Blayborough Vicarage wiCh such overwhelming poignancy that had it not been for tier "grandfather, who was in the room, she would have flung her arms around him. “Gilbert! What a lovely surprise l " she cried, between laughing and crying. as she gripped his hand. Then she turned to her grandfather, who was watching them coldly, "Tills is Gilbert, our next door neighbour. One Of the very best!” ; “Oh, sit down, Gilbert, and tell is; all about Ilium,” she cried, lurnlny back to him. “How is my darling Patricia?” (To be continued.)