THROUGH THE SILENT NIGHT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18404, 11 August 1931, Page 4

THROUGH THE SILENT NIGHT.

WILLIAM GUIDOTT.)

(By

Author of. “What Delia Dared,” &0., &o. [Copyright.]

CHAPTER XlX.—(Continued.)

Doris watched him, her elbows propped on the table, her chin resing in her soft hands. Her lover was half turned away from her, his grey eyes fixed on the mid-distance, gazing out through the open casement window lost In thought. Doris noted, with something of the pride that was In her heart, that he was very good to look at. It struck her almost humourously that she had never until now really studied his looks very much. Usually looks were the first thing that most girls she had read of were Interested in. But then her friendship, or acquaintance, with him had come about under such extraordinary circumstances, and her first interest had been as to whether he and his friend Jim were to be trusted. She smiled to herself now to think that she had ever questioned it. A deep sense of satisfaction filled her that it was this extraordinary feeling of honesty and security behind the laughing sunny character that had attracted her at first. And now she breathed a silent prayer of thankfulness that love had come to her, for this, her instinct told her, was the love that lasts. She rose softly, and standing behind her lover, slid her arm gently round his shoulders.

Cyril did not look up, but he laid down his pipe and put his hand over tier's very gently, and held it there Then he felt the soft pressure of her lips on his temples, shyly withdrawn again in haste, and he smiled happily. For a few moments the girl stood there behind him, her eyes gazing up the winding village street. It all looked so peaceful and Idyllic, surely nothing could possibly come to disturb them in their kingdom of happiness? But at the back of her mind lurked ever present fear. The blow would fall, it must. There was no way out.

Her hand gripped his shoulder suddenly. Cyril looked up. Doris was staring with fixed frightened eyes out of the window. “What’s up?’.’ he asked.

Doris .controlled herself with an effort. “Look.” Her arm fell from his shoulders.

He got up, and drawing her close, went to the window. “Why, it's only Mrs Leighton?" Doris gave a little 'harsh laugh. “Yes, but look-look behind her,” she said in a low strangled voice. “Don’t you see the man—the pol.ee Inspector and the other?" Neither spoke for a moment. "We must go and meet Mrs Leighton—first.”

“Quick,” said Doris suddenly. She dragged him by the arm. They ran downstairs. Mrs Leighton was half-way up the garden path. "Doris, Mr Kynaston?" she said In astonishment, as she saw Cyril’s arm round the girl's waist. "Where's Marcia? How Is she?" “She’s better," Doris answered. Then her eyes on the gate, she freed herself from her lover’s clasp. "Cyril will explain." They watched her In silence as she went to the gate. The Inspector and a plaln-olothes man were standing there. “I believe you want me. I am Miss Smith,” they hbard her say calmly. CHAPTER XX. Cyril stood stock still in the middle of the narrow garden path bordered with late autumn flowers, and watched them, fascinated. He had no Idea what usually happened under such circumstances, and waited powerless to Intervene. • At the back of his mind there was a sort of idea that the Inspector would produce a pair of handcuffs and slip them over those adored white wrists. The thought was unbearable. He made a quick movement forward, and the inspector little thought that for the moment his life was in danger. He was recalled to himself by a sharp rap on the arm from Mrs Leighton's umbrella. She had been watching him. “Don’t do that—nothing to be gained,” she said in a low voice, surprisingly businesslike for her. “Much better tell me what’s the matter, and quickly. Does Marcia know anything about this?" waving her hand expressively.

“No, nothing; and whatever we do we mustn't tell her, mind.”

“My dear man, 1 can’t very well, as I don’t know anything; can I?" she replied crossly. “I’m so sorry, Mrs Leighton; I forgot. I was only thinking of Doris. I’ll tell you everything—in a moment." He broke off, for the men were coming in at the gate, and Doris had taken a few steps up the path towards them. "If you will wait here I will be down in a few minutes.” She turned to the Inspector, who nodded and stopped, with his companion. “Mrs Leighton, I’m so sorry I have to go to Brighton now,” she said as easily as she could manage. Cyril looked with frank admiration at her courage and self-control. "Why, my dear?" asked Mrs Leighton. “I—l’m afraid there isn’t time to tell you now," glancing round at the men. "but Cyril—tell her, please.” “Everything?" "Yes, of course. What does It all matter?" Her voice sounded tired and strained, but she recovered quickly. “I must run In and get some things together." "One minute, darling. What are you going to tell Marcia?" "I’ve thought of that. If she's awake I shall say you've come, Mrs Leighton—the doctor did Insist on a nurse or you, you know—and I am going to a room up the village, as there’s no room in t'he cottage. She won’t think anything of that. There’s no need to say anything of—this Keep It from her as long as you can. Perhaps she need never be told.” She laughed a little weakly. "I may be back quite soon." She vanished into the house. Mrs Leighton raised her eyebrows. “Now," she said sharply; “as quickly as you can. If I’ve got to stay to look after Marcia 1 must know all.” Siie listened In absolute silence as Cyril gave her a very short resume of everything. She looked rather tired ami fragile after the fatiguing journey, for she had had Io start In the early morning, but nothing would induce her to go Into the house. Having mastered the details of Hie situation she sank Into a chair in the porch and thought for a moment. "I think she is a perfectly sweet girl," she said energetically, ' “and [ don’t believe for a moment she Ind anything to do with it. It's amazing, but what probably don't know,

Mr Kynaston, is that this moneylender was one with whom my poor husband had dealings.” Cyril nodded. “I do."

Mrs Leighton looked surprised. “Oh, you know that? Then Marcie and Doris have been talking. Yes, it would naturally come out; of course, neither knew it was the same man. A dreadful person, oh, dreadful, and much better dead. I really can't help it," she added apologetically. Cyril smiled. "Oh, I quite agree." "Yes, of course." Mrs Leighton seemed to be thinking aloud. "And so Marcia and Doris met the day after t'he crime. Why, Marcia must have seen the man Just before— I'm glad she got those papers in time. Oh—•” Her mouth closed with a snap, her eyes narrowed, and she flashed a glance out of the corners at the man standing by her, not listening apparently. All his attention was fixed on the expected re-appearance )f Doris on the staircase. Mrs Leighton remained for a moment in silent thought. Only a close observer would have notice that the little gold chain of her purse was being twisted almost to breaking point and that possibly her thoughts were disturbing. Cyril turned round suddenly. I’m so sorry, Mrs Leighton, I am afraid 1 was thinking of something else. It’s very rude of me. What did you say?"

“I said I hoped this could be kept out of the papers," was the calm reply. “But really now-a-days one’s portrait is put in for almost nothing. So horrid for poor Doris. But we must see her through. Y'ou’ve got that man, you say, to defend her, that’s excellent. Of course there'll be a lot of talk, but we’ll see her through, it shan't harm her socially if I can help It. I’ve a good many friends, influential ones too. Oh yes, we can carry that part through all right. The present moment is the trouble." She hesitated. "Well, after all we can but do our best.”

Her eyes lighted on the two policemen and she raised her lorgnette. "Ah that's the man who came to my flat. They must have come by the same train. I wonder if orre could do anything, but no, they are only subordinates."

Doris came downstairs. “I must be off," she said with a brave attempt al a smile.

“Yes, dear, I suppose you must,” the elder lady replied In the same tone, as It she were taking her leave after a visit. "But we shall meet again quite soon." She took her hand and pressed it. "Is Marcia awake?" Doris shook her head. The kind tone went to her heart and she bit her lips. “Never mind, leave that to me, I’ll see she doesn’t guess anything." Cyril stood watching her, his face alight with anxiety and care. Mrs Leighton detached her gold purse and pushed it Into his hand. "Take this, she may not have enough," she whispered. "If you mayn’t travel In the same carriage you must —but I expect you can. No., don’t be silly, there’s no time for that sort of thing you can pay me back."

Then she turned to Doris and kissed her on both cheeks. "Au revolr, dear, I won’t say goodbye. Try not to worry. We all believe In you of course and this stupid muddle will soon come right. If Mr Kynaston really oared for you he'd carry your dressing case, but men are so selfish,” she added with ♦ brightness which sounded almost natural. "And now I must go up to that tiresome girl of mine."

She turned in the doorway and called out to them at the gate. “We must have that wedding quite soon, musn’t we?"

Cyril waved his cap. “Rather,” he called cheerfully. Mrs Leighton watched their progress up the village street. So did the curious villagers, who came to their doors to look at the rather incongruous quartette, the inspector in his uniform, .with the obvious Londoner, the chaining looking young girl whqm they knew by sight already, and the good-looking young man. They were making for the station, and the yokels craned their necks and whispered. The woman watching in the porch shivered a little, although the sun was ■warm. She was not imaginative as a rule, but it hurt her to hear the birds singing so loudly and to see the peaceful old village so quiet and indifferent to the tattle tragedy of life which was being enacted in its precincts.

A voice at her elbow' startled her. “The young lady Is awake. She seems a little better, ’m."

She pulled herself together and flashed her fascinating smile. “Thank you so much. "I'll go up now. I’m so glad to hear you think she Is better. My daughter has had to go oft to Lown with Mr Kynaston. There's hern a horrid accident." The landlady’s face took on a look of concern. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, ’m. I wondered what the policeman was doing." (Mrs Leighton gasped inwardly, but saved the situation. “Yes," she answered vaguely. “My brother-in-law has a rather big position in London connected with the police" That would do for the villagers, she thought. “And now I must go up. Will you show me the room? Thank you so much." On the stairs she paused. “By the way, there's no need to worry poor Miss Marcia." I “No, ’m; you can depend on me to be as silent as the grave. Least said soonest mended, 1 always say." "So true," murmured the little lady. "Well, Marcia, darling, here I am,” and she went into the bedroom. CHAPTER XXL At the station the detective and inspector after a few words separated, and only the former waited on the little country station platform for the London train. Cyril was much relieved that they now no longer made I a group in any way noticeable. The detective seemed a very decent chap and anyone watching them would have imagined that they were three ordinary travellers carrying on a rather boring conversation. Doris looked down tlie platform and heaved a little sigh. The brown tinted autumn leaves were strewing the ' far end. where the high branches almost overhung tlie line. it was all so peaceful and quiet in this little village. with the swisli of Ihe waves coming up over the beach and its lovely air from the sea. And site must leave it. For what? The thought I stifled her, perhaps a narrow cell an I I perhaps for—she dared not think, j Cyril put out ids hand and took i hers gently. j “Don't worry. I know it's easy to j say that, but try."

She looked at him gratefully. How quickly he had sensed her mood. There was a silent sympathy between them which seemed to have no need of words for expression. She turned to the detective and asked if there was any objection to Cyril's travelling in the same carriage, and she was very glad when he shook his head and assured her that there was not the least in the world. That at least- was something. She would not have this tedious journey alone. No Journey would seem long with her lover by her side. She was thankful for the easy tact with which Cyril went on talking. But at the back of her mind was always the fateful question. If she were committed for trial would he ho faithful to her? And if she were condemned? Surely human love and trust would not, could not stand this strain? She ought not any way to keep him to his word, but from that she shank in terror. Her happiness had been so short-lived. She breathed a silent prayer that she might keep it longer, and looked up to find his eyes gazing into hers as if in answer to her cry.

The journey up to town and across London, the interminable wait for a train at Victoria and their Journey down to Brighton she could never In after days clearly recall. The train had stopped at every wayside station for the first hour or so and people had got in and out. She did not look at them. Only she was conscious that quite openly like any country lover Cyril was holding her hand, ignoring completely the covert glances of his fellow travellers, 'and the magnetism of his touch gave her strength to be calm when they at last reached Brighton.

It was getting late. The detective looked at her with some sympathy. “I’m afraid you're very tired, miss." Doris shook her head. It reaily didn't matter. She forced herself to speak indifferently and was amazed to hear how successfully her voice accomplished it. “We are going straight to the police station?"

“Yes, miss." He called a taxi. “I think we had better go alone perhaps," he added to Cyril. Cyril nodded. “I suppose there Is no reason why I shouldn’t take another and come along, Is there?” ho hazarded.

“None at all, sir, but I don't think you will do much good, If I may suggest it. I will do all I can do to make things as easy, so to speak, for the young lady as I can."

(To be Continued).