THE PRIDE OF LOVE.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19992, 16 September 1936, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF LOVE.

SYNOPSIS. Sir John Fenner, owner of Fenner Hall. Mervyn Fenner, Sir John’s brother. Mervyn and his wire live at Fenner Hall, Mervyn managing- the estate for Sir John. Mervyn hates Sir John’s two sons, because they stand between him and the title. Eric Fenner, Sir John’s eldest son, living in Malta. George Fenner, Sir John’s younger son, now home temporarily from abroad. Betty Wayne, nursery governess to Mervyn’s son Bobby. Betty and George fall in love with each other. Sir John is taken ill and dies. Eric Fenner is sent for, but word comes that he is dead. „ . „ George is now “ Sir George,” and. the lovers become estranged, as Betty insists he cannot marry a nursemaid. And then a be|autirul young woman arrives, announcing herself as Julie, tnc widow of Eric Fenner. Mr Leacli explains that the wife does not inherit. But the son does,” answers Julie, leading forward a little boy. “ This is the son of Eric Fenner.” CHAPTER 111. — (Continued.) Betty looked on and suffered agonies. However, she told herself that this was the only way. Whatever happened, she couldn’t drag George down, but oh, how she suffered! llow ■much she would have given is she could have waked up to find it nothing but a dream —a terrible unhappy nightmare! How much she would •given—years of her life —to know that she and George were to go to South America together after all, j poor, but still happy in each other’s I love —just man and wife—with no thought of a title or social position. But for George this was only the beginning; and she insisted to herself it was right, a beginning in the right way. No doubt he would go Into parliament, and perhaps join the government and do -great things for his country. No, she could never drag him down. George must go forward and do great things for his country and the world. Suddenly Betty heard the buzz of an aeroplane overhead, and, looking up, she saw the machine coming down in circles. At first she thought that this was part of the entertainment. Then she rather doubted it. The ’plane was coming lower and lower, apparently looking for a safe landing. The noise of the engine was deafening. For one moment she asked herself if the pilot had lost control, but no, it seemed to 'be skilfully guided. And now he had flown off again. Now he was returning. Suddenly she realised that it had been the pilot’s intention to settle on the lawn, but seeing it was so thronged with people he had gone off again. He was coming back now flying along the empty eight-acre meadow, just alongside Fenner Hall. Now the ’plane was coming nearer and nearer to the crowded lawn. Betty was hurrying along the hedge. Why she was so excited she couldn’t say, but she was certain that this aeroplane had something to do with George. At last it rolled to a -standstill. It was not twenty yards away from Mr Leach and the little group of principals. Already the pilot was getting down from the cockpit. Everybody was beginning to stream towards the ’plane. Betty hurried, too. What could it mean? Betty thought it was the French colours painted on the wings. And now the pilot was helping a lady to alight; and now this slender, well-dressed woman was hurrying towards the terrace. As Betty came nearer she could see the woman’s face. She was Very young and pretty. She was a blonde, very beatiful, with hair so golden and curly. And what blue eyes the girl had. Her face looked as though it had been chisseled by some inspired sculptor. Betty thought the girl was about her own age, but oh, so much more beatil’ul. She had never seen such beauty, adn in spite of the girl’s heavy flying coat, her figure looked so slender, so virile and graceful. Mr Leach had hurried to the gate which led from the meadow to the terrace. “ Well, madam, to what do we owe this spectacular visit?” he asked as she came up. “ You got a cablegram 'telling you that. Eric Fenner is dead?” slie said. ‘‘That’s true,” said Mr Leaoli, for the first time beginning to show uneasiness. Betty shot a look at 'Ge-orge. He had come forward eagerly with 'the others. ‘‘lt’s true,” said the girl. ‘‘Eric Fenner is dead, but I am Eric Fenner’s wife." Suddenly Mr Leach realised that he had a diSfieult situation*-to handle. “We were not even aware that he was married,” he said. ‘‘l admit he wasn't too eager to let his father know,” she said. ‘‘But you shall see the certificate.” ‘‘Wait one moment,” said Mr Leach. ‘‘Your being Sir Eric’s wife doesn’t help you much—l mean, according to the usage in the Fenner family, the wife never inherits.” ‘‘Oh, I’m quite aware of that,” said the girl, not in the least put out. ‘‘But tho son does.” ‘‘The son?” gasped Mr Leach. The girl then turned to the pilot, who had just come up to her, leading a little boy by the hand. ‘‘Yes, the son,” she cried. Leacli slared at her in utter surprise. “Tlie son?” lie cried again. “What

are you saying, madam?” ‘‘What I am telling you is that this is . 1,10 sun of Eric Fenner,” cried the am * wi| h that she picked up the little boy, and held him in her arms for everyone to see. CHAPTER. IV. As the pretty, blue-eyed, blonde creature stood there, making her declaration, every eye was turned upon her. “ T am Julie Fenner,” she went on. ' The widow of Eric Fenner—Sir Eric, of course.” Those nearby heard the astounding news and passed it on to those farther away. George was no longer of interest. Every eye was fastened on this astounding newcomer. Mr Leach literally Iliad to pull himself together. He was anxious to handle this situation rightly, but he felt entirely bewildered. “ But what brings you here iit any case?” he asked. The great blue eyes opened i» apparent surprise at the question. “ Why, your cablegram, of course!” she cried. “Are you Mr Leacli, the solicitor?” Eric Fenner’s widow! It was certainly amazing news and a difficult situation. This v-as the that anyone

By COMPTON IRVING

A Delightful Romance with an Enthralling Plot.

had beard about Eric having been married. “ I think you had better come into the library," he said, at last! Those great blue eyes assumed a look of entire satisfaction, almost of triumph, and the girl smiled -graciously. ‘“Thank you!” she said, following him. 'Her little son, with that glorious mop of golden curls, and eyes as incredibly blue as 'her own, followed her. In 'his agitation Mr Leach had entirely forgotten -George. Strangely . enough George was still seated on that throne. 'He had heard the news, too. Eric -married! Eric with a son and heir! Obviously tihs altered the situation completely, and he was back in tihe old position of younger son; instead of being heir, his nephew was taking that place. 'George told himself he was glad. At any rate he was free now. -Certainly Betty could no longer have any objection to marrying him. He was once more just a very ordinary individual without a farthing to his name, except what he could earn. And still there was a certain re-gret. 'He bad felt that he could do a great deal of good as Sir George Fenner, head of that vast estate, and he had always felt that, some day Betty would -change her mind, ancl •come to see the situation more reasonably. -And now T friends began to come up. “An awful shame, George!” said Elaine Grenham. 'lt did not take a very -discerning eye to see that the pretty creature was in love with George, and his sucjden loss -of rank and fortune would not have made the slightest difference to her, if only be would 'have asked her to marry him. Then there were men friends; and at last George got sick of it all. Indeed, their condolences were as distasteful as their recent congratulations. All he really wanted was to have a few words with Betty. He kept saying to himself: “This must alter things. After all, it may bring everything right.” * In the study Mr 'Leach was -going -carefully through Julie iFenner’s papers. He found everything in order —marriage certificate, the little boy John’s birth certificate, and the death certificate of Eric. There was even the 'beautiful Julie’s birth certificate. •Certainly her solicitors over in Malta had left nothing undone. “ But isn’t it very strange that Eric Fenner never wrote home about his marriage?” remarked Mr Leach. “ It must seem strange to you.” she said- “ I was always urging him to write, but it seems there was a girl over here at home w’hom his father wanted him to marry, and he just didn’t care to break the news to him.” “ A great shame then,” said -Mr Leach, quite sternly. “ That’s what I always said,” cried J-ulie. “Think of tha't poor -creature's suffering, waiting month after month -and hearing nothing.” The look of compunction on her face was very convincing to Mr Leach. “ Are you fully satisfied then tiiat I am really Eric’s widow?” she asked at last. Mr -Leach nodded, and smiled kindly. Mr Leach was only too ready to be convinced. There was something very pathetic about this pretty creature being made a widow so early, and she was as charming as she was lovely. And now he turned to the little boy who was building a tall castle out of some of the precious volumes from the bookshelves. “So this is Sir John Fenner!” he remarked. “ Come here, my little fellow !” Little John came willingly enough. “ I think he’s got his father’s eyes,” said tMr Leach, after scrutinising the boy closely. “ A fine little boy,” he added, approvingly. The charming Julie looked on with obvious satisfaction. It was evident that the child was the one great thing in her life. “ Take care of him,” said Mr 'Leach. “ 'He’s a -fine little -chap, and his father’s only son.” Julie sighed. “ He’s the only thing I 'have in the world,” she cried. “ Well, now, what do you propose to do?” said Mr Leach, ever practicalminded. “ I think I shall leave that to you to decide,” said Julie Fenner. “ Well, I suppose you will live at Fenner Hall?” he suggested. “You mean at once?” she asked. Oh,- I’d love to! You see, I have nowhere in England. I flew straight over to here, of course-” “Very well then,” said Mr Leach. “ I’ll tell the pilot you won’t want him any longer. And then you -must come along with me and choose the bedi room you would like. And you want a nursery, I suppose?” “ Oh, it will be lovely!” -cried Julie clasping her well-manicured hands with ther pink-enamelled nails. And now she glanced -out of the window. “ But what are all this crowd doing here ?” (To be continued.)