Doors of Destiny

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18653, 3 June 1932, Page 4

Doors of Destiny

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By CONSTANCE BROMLEY.

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SYNOPSIS. Hope Sterling 1 , a young actress, gets Her first part In a play by a budding dramatist named Brian Charterls. So fully docs Hope throw herself Into her part that ■’be gains a great success and arouses the nvy of Magda Tempest, the leading lady, .(ho treats her with unconcealed disdain, .here Is an accident on the stage; a hammer dropped from above knocking Hope Michael Gelding, an odd-job man at the theatre, had formerly been employed as chauffeur by Harding, Magda’s husband. Magda hated her husband, and teinpteuMichael to tamper with the motor-car, so that Harding, who drovo It, was killed. Then she ffouted her deliverer and drove him to ruin. , Meanwhile Lord stonelelgh, who financed the play, Invited me company to visit his houseboat. There Lord Stonelelgh natters Hope, and tolls her that Brian Charterls Is the assumed name of one who years before had to flee the country for a serious orfence. Madga Is incensed by the attention paid to Hope, and perceiving a weak rail on the boat conceives a plan or revenge. , . „ She Invites Hope to lean against the rail, which gives way and precipitates the latter Into the water. Meanwhile Lord Stonelelgh, who financed the play, Invited the company to his hrusebgat. Stonelelgh pays Hope marked attention, and’ unsuccessfully tried to prejudice Brian charters In Hope’s estlma-. tlon. Magda becomes Insanely Jealous of Hope, and contrives an “ accident ” by which the latter falls Into the water. Just as Hope is on the point of drowniiig Brian appears on Jhe scene and rescues her. He kisses her and proclaims his love. Hope speedily recovers from her immersion and though very nervous, is ready to play lier part on tho opening night or tho new play. Brian’s play Is a great success and Hope enjoys a personal triumph. Lord Stonelelgh flatters Hope but Is sharply reminded that she Is engaged to Brian. Michael' Gelding forces his way Into Magda’s dressing room and threatens to kill her, but the old fascination triumphs, and Michael Is once more Magda’s willing slave. Hope sees Brian Charterls In company with Lady Cynthia In a Bond Street shop, and Is vaguely Jealous of their apparent Intimacy. Leaving the shop, Hope meets Lord Stonelelgh and accepts an Invitation to a supper party. Mrs Bruce, who Is temporarily acting as' Hope’s dresser, warns her against Lord Stonelelgh. Mrs Bruce learns that Lord Stonelelgh has cnveigled Hope Into his flat by trickery. She goes to lil3 fiat and brings hope away.

. tcrested. 'i Throughout the day Magda was in a j, condition almost of collapse. As a « fact, she had been genuinely attached d to Lord Stoneleigh, but the problem g that was weighing on her mind now * was her future position at the theatre. ! How far could she continue to hold her j place as leading lady? <j Towards evening her nerves were in * such a state that she telephoned to her i doctor to ask for a sedative to enable r her to get safely through the evening performance. Within a short time he called round to see her. i “You’re surely not going to play tonight, Miss Tempest,” he said, after he had taken her pulse and noted, with keen professional eye the overwrought state she was in. j. “I must, I’m the leading lady and I can’t let the audience down because of my own private worries." ’ “That’s nonsense,” Dr. Wells said. ' “I’ve had a talk with Mr Frayne on the ’phone, and he himself does not consider you should play to-night. Grace ; Delamere is free and is willing to play ‘ your part.” “Grace Delamere! Why, she hasn’t | the ability or the experience to take my place!” “Well, Mr Frayne ought to know about that, and it was his own suggestion. He felt sure you were not in a fit state to play." But Magda was obstinate. “I shall be all right if you give me a sedative, or a tonic, or whatever you think is ; best," she said, and so he gave in to her and prescribed a mild concoction containing bromide, and shrugged his shoulders at the vanities of the feminine sex. The play went badly, for Hope’s understudy was terribly nervous, and Magda herself gave the most unbalanced performance of a leading part within the walls of that theatre. Mr Frayne came to 'her dressingroom after the show, and brought Dr. Wells, who had been sitting in front. “It’s no use, Magda,” he said, “it’s very brave of you and all that, but it simply won’t do. I cannot allow you to play until you are fully recovered. Dr Wells agrees with me that you need to go away for a rest and change until this affair has blown over. Miss Delamere has been in front watching the show and she is going to rehearse , to-morrow and believes she will be all •right and able to play to-morrow night.” Magda began to cry weakly. “I won’t give up," she said. “Miss Tempest,” remarked Dr. Wells quietly. “You talked about your duty to the public to me this afternoon. Why, you’re insulting your public, giving them the sort of work you gave them to-night. Yes, I’m •brutally frank! I have to be. You must take a rest, and at once. What about going down to that little bungalow of yours beyond Ilindhurst?” Magda shook her head. "It’s so lonely. I should go mad down these by myself." “Ask someone to go with you. Take a woman friend, an amusing one; or make up a party. And if you’ll invite me, I’ll run down for the weekend and see how you are getting along." Magda glanced up at her good-look-ing doctor. • He was distinctly attractive, with the pleasant manner of a successful ladies’ praotitioner, and his •eyes were full of sympathy as she met itheir gaze. 3he had known him ( several months but it was the first time the 'idea of a flirtation with him had entered her mind. “Very well,” she responded meekly, Til take a holiday. I’ll go down to the bungalow, and try and forget, r I daresay I can get some of my friends j to come down and save me from bore- \ dom of my own society, and you’ll come and cheer me up from Saturday to Monday, won’t you?" “Indeed I will," said the young doctor pleasantly. “Now let your maid arrange everything for you, and 1 try to keep as tranquil as you can. I should go down by road if I were you; you have your own car, haven’t you?” Magda nodded. It was a present from Lord Stoneleigh, a beautiful landaulette, in which lie and she had taken many drives together in the now dead past. “Then that’s settled I and you’ll * find a few days in the country will work wonders for you. I shall expect you to come for a five mile walk with me next Sunday 1” The next day was spent in making preparations and in packing. Magda rang up her friend, Mabel Underwood, who promised to run down with her brother for the week-end. The cookhousekeeper, who ran her London flat, left by the noon train to get the bungalow - ready, and Magda, to Frayne’s disgust, could not forbear sitting in front that evening and watching her rival play. This was most unfair, as she had received very little preparation, but it was like Magda to want to criticise her rival, and Frayne could not forbid her the theatre or refuse her the privilege of sitting in one of the boxes. , She had given the chauffeur instructions to bring the car round to the stage door, and with her maid, she set out to drive to the bungalow j as soon as the show was over. By this time she was quite looking forward to her holiday, though could she [ have foreseen the end of that journey f sire would never have taken it. * t (To be continued.)

CHAPTER XXXlll.—(Continued.)

Keen faced Inspector Gatesby across Ihe smalt table in his -oHloo. "Listen to me, Inspector. Did you malto any attempt to examine the ivy growing oyer the balcony, down which .Mrs Bruce, in her evidence, stated she saw a man escaping?” ".My men searched every inch of the grounds,” -declared the Inspector ironically, “and not a'sign of anyone having -been about the place could they And.” "But they didn’t examine the ivy?" "Where was the use?" "Well 'you might have found this," and Keen laid the length of bootlace upon the table under .the Inspector’s eyes. Gatesby took It up and looked 'at it a moment In silence. “I don’t see that this proves anything," lie said sceptically. “You . see that ft is a piece of lace recently worn?" suggested Brian. Inspector Gatesby handled it thoughtfully "Apparently," he owned grudgingly, “Probably belonging to one of the gardeners." "None of them has had occasion to do any work on that balcony for weeks past, and further, they all wear leathern ties in their boots,” struck In Stanley Keen. Inspector Gatesby remained silent. "We have discovered that.a stranger with a broken shoe lace called at the little general shop In the village yesterday -morning," went on Keen, “and ■purchased a new pair. Also, that he put one In -hi3 boot there and then, and declared his Intention of walking to London.” "I don’t see that leads us anywhere," protested the Inspector hotly. “Not even when a man chooses to walk lo London, when there are plenty of trains; and that man,is not without money, as we happen to know?" "Not even then," -said Gatesby. "Then you don’t want to he convinced,” cried Keen, nettled. "But it proves some strange man did climb, to the balcony of Stoneleigh Towers on Sunday night, and that he broke a boot-lace In scrambling down again in a -hurry. Also, that lie has his own reasons for going to London by -road instead of by train.""If you discovered so much, why didn’t you go a bit further and follow him?" “We tried to, but we were too late to -catch up with' him. Possibly if you had discovered what we -have, immediately on taking up investigations, you might have caught him.” “Well, you can put forward your theory at the proper time and in the proper place," said Inspector Gatesby. "It has nothing whatever -to do with me. If you private detectives -ohoose to butt in and meddle In -matters that concern us, that’s your own look out.” ".Mr Charterls sought my assistance, and I' suppose j-ou won’t raise :-objections in the way of my seeing Miss Sterling right away?" said Keen calmly. The Inspector rose. "I will take you along to the -county gaol -now,” he said; "but you won’t get much further until llie hearing of the resumed inquest on Friday next.” “We shall see," replied Keen laconically, rising and taking Brian by the arm. Together they left the police station and found Mrs Bruce waiting outside. At sight of her Brian turned to Inspector Gatesby. “I would like this lady to go with us," he said. "Miss Sterling ought to have the company of some woman whom -she knows during her period of incarceration. It is not right -that she should he denied the society and comfort -of one of her own sex." "I’ll see what can be done, -sir,” replied the Inspector, "and meanwhile there Is no harm in her coming along.” Brian himself assisted Mrs Bruce into the seat next -to him, while Gatesby and Stanley Keen made the best they could 'of the accommodation provided by the “dlclcey’ ’seat behind. Tne car ■set off once again, this time in Die direction of Leigh County Gaol, where Hope awaited tho coming of the man 6he loved.

CHAPTER XXXIV. As Brian's car drew up in front of the county gaol, the occupants saw'Dr. Jefferies leaving Hie premises. Instantly Brian's thoughts rushed to Hope. Was site ill? Springing from the car, he ran towards the doctor and caught him by the arm. “Miss Sterling?” he gasped. “Is she ill?” Hr. Jefferies hesitated a moment before replying. "Site -U suffering greatly from

shock. I am not sure where it may lead unless her mind is relieved of r suspense witiiin a few days." I Brian’s .spirit groaned within him. t "What can we do ?” c "Well, the first thing is to appoint ■ some kindly soul to be with her—not a trained nurse—that would only dee press her still more, but someone who can talk with her and distract her e mind. Has -she no -close friends?” 3 Brian shook his head. "Miss Sterj. ling has -many friends at the theatre, ) but they cannot get away from their ; work.” As he spoke his eyes lighted ! bn Mrs Bruce, who was coming to- . wards them with Stanley Keen at her i side. "What about Mrs Bruce?" he said. : "She worships Miss Sterling, and i would do anything for her." Just then Mrs Brucs drew near and addressed the doctor in anxious tones "How is Miss -Sterling, doctor? Won’t -they let me.be with -her? I will, o-are for her as I would for—for my own child." The poor woman’s voice broke, and the tears- fell unrestrained down her worn cheeks. Brian looked at Dr. Jefferies, who turned and laid a hand gently on Mrs Bruce’s arm. "My -dear woman,” -he -said "we do want someone to look after .Miss Sterling, but it must be someone who will not weep, or -fail to cheer her spirits in this awful time of waiting.” Instantly Mrs Bruce dried her tears and seized Hie doctor’s arm appealingly. "Only let me go to her, sir, and you will not have cause to complain. Indeed, all I desire is to be by her side. I will cheer and comfort -her. I know I -can.” Dr. Jefferies looked thoughtfully at the woman’s sad faoe, with its aristocratic features, and gentle eyes. Through the lines that pain and suffering had painted there he saw a great spiritual courage shining forth, for he knew enough of human nature not to he mistaken. "You shall go to her," he said quietly, “but remember, -she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.. You can do much to restore her courage -and her spirits if you will only hear in mind that this is the greatest service you can do her. Talk to her and keep her mind from dwelling too much upon the horror of that night.” "Oh, I will, sir, I will,” exclaimed Mrs Bruce, thankfully. "Only let me be by her side, and you shall"see how I will care for her." Stanley Keen was presented to the doctor by Brian, and the two men shook hands warmly. “Your name is well-known to me, Mr Keen," said Dr. Jefferies cordially, ‘.and I hope you have some theory ' that may upset this absurd charge?" .‘Very little, so far," replied Keen - regretfully, "hut I am not -without , hopes of developments within tho next day or two. I would like to talk with Miss Slcrllng.” ’ “If it were anyone else, I, should refuse,” said the doctor, but it may do wonders for Miss Sterling to know that you are working to release her. M,ake the interview as short as you . can. Goodbye! I must get off to my - other patients.” He turned to Brian; "It will be enough to say that I have sent Mrs Bruce to attend on Miss Sterling," he ’ said, “and I shall look in and see her again this evening about eight o’clock.” Dr. Jefferies got into his car and drove off, while Inspector Gatesby, who -had been Inside to make some enquiries, now ve-appeared to conduct the little party to the room where Hope was detained.

CHAPTER XXXV. On Monday at the Crown Theatre the sole topio of conversation was Stoneleigh’s tragic death, and the detention of Hope Sterling -on suspicion of being concerned therein. A rehearsal for her understudy had been 'hastily called, and the members of the company stood about in little groups, discussing the murder in hushed, awed tones. “It’s 100 awful,” Mrs Benton exclaimed, “to think of that poor man being stabbed to death in his own Castle!” “It's more awful still to think they should suspect Hope." cried Maidle. “She’s is the sweetest, gentlest, tiling, and wouldn’t hurt anyone, not even 'her worst enemy—if she has one. They must all be a pack of fools. Can’t they see with half an eye that Hope’s no more capable of murder than I am of—of climbing Nelson’s Column ’’ Which remark, delivered with great emphasis, raised a faint titter. Still, Maidie, it’s rather queer he should have been found dead in her bedroom 1” someone said. “Stabbed with her property dagger! How do you explain that?" “I don’t I though I’m quite sure there is an explanation and a dashed good one. If 1 knew I might be earning a fortune in the detective service, instead of shedding the light of my presence on this beautiful theatre. One tiling I’d stake my life on—Hope’s innocent!” “Yes, I’m sure of it, loo," declared Tony, and the opinion of these two was really shared by the whole theatre. No one for a 'moment actually thought that Hope could have committed sucli a foul crime. Magda, who was reduced to a state bordering on hysteria by the shock of Stoneleigh’s death, was much too upset to attend the rehearsal. Indeed, Mr Frayne, who knew of the longstanding and intimate friendship which had existed between the late Earl and herself, had called in the morning at her flat and sugegsted that her understudy be allowed to appear in her stead that night. Rather to bis astonishment, she refused. “No, no, I'll play," she said. “I don’t want to disappoint the public." Frayne could not help a slight feeling of amusement. It was clever of ■Magda to pretend she was still indispensable to the theatre, but, as a matter of fact, her popularity was not what it had been; indeed, the absence of Hope was likely to affect the business much more than Magda's would have done. lie wondered whether ■Magda realised that, without Lord Stoneleigh's backing her value to the company was quite problematical. Perhaps she did, as she appeared io be very loth lo give her understudy a chance. “Very well,” lie said quietly. “Miss Sterling’s understudy is going on from to-night, and will rehearse with Ihe company this morning, but of course, 1 shall not expect you to come down. In Ihe meantime, jusi rest ail you ran, and try not to dwell too much on tiiis horrible al'fair." lie pressed her hand kindly, blit left her with the feeling that Magda's grief for the Earl was not entirely disin-