Love Calls Twice

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 5

Love Calls Twice

j NEW SERIAL STORY j

by ELEANOR DEERING

A Fascinating Love Story.

CHAPTER XXil. (continued) He looked, and recognised the Deanes’ chauffeur. With a start of surprise, he straightened up and stepped towards the front door. As he reached the steps, Ray Deane climbed out. Deane looked grave, but he smiled pleasantly enough. “ Hallo, Mason! Glad to have found you. Can I have a chat?” “Of course,” said Bill, his heart beating faster than usual. “No trouble, I hope?” “Trouble?” “I mean Mrs Harbor?” Deane smiled again, swiftly. “Thank heavens, no! I telephoned the specialist before leaving town. Everything’s going on smoothly. It’ll mean a long convalescence abroad, but there’s nothing to worry about. It would have about broken Joyce, I think, if anything had gone wrong.” “More than likely.” Bill did his best to appear normal, but he could not understand the reason for the call, and he was impatient to find out. Besides that, however, was surprise at the way in which Ray Deane spoke: Bill Mason was yet another acquaintance of Ray’s to discover the change in him. “I’m glad it’s turned out all right.” He rang for some tea, and ushered Ray into the drawing-room. He needed no telling that there was something on the other's mind and for the life of him he could not imagine what it was. Ray lost little time in broaching the subject of his visit, however. “I’ve just had a long talk with Clare Langley,” he said, eyeing Bill steadily. “And I think she’s told me pretty well everything that’s happened. And—l’d like to redeem that mortgage of the Gables, Mason.” Bill kept his lips steady and his voice calm, despite the way his ears were drumming. “Right ho! that can easily be fixed. I—l’m afraid I’ve lived up tj my reputation for butting in, Deane.” He could not properly understand the expression on Deane’s face, as the latter smiled slowly. “Words are clumsy things,” said Ray. “I just can’t conceive how anyone could have cone wiiat you aid, without the slightest hope of rewarct You told me you loved Joyce: so did Clare. And, by God, you’ve proved it!” Till forced a smile. “Well—l’d hoped to help her. I did all I could ” “Probably if I’d heard about it all before you’d acted, I’d have just cut myself from the older folk,” said Ray. “But now—l’ve had a pretty big lesson in thinking of others.” He smiled suddenly, widely, and extended his hands. “Thanks all I know, Mason. I—l half wish Joyce felt differently, but ” Bill’s smile was set as they gripped hands. “She doesn’t ” he said, not guessing at the real truth. “An’ all I can say is—look after her, old man.” CHAPTER XXIII. Joyce had slept very little on the Saturday night, and she was tired out early on the Sunday evening. Ray had not yet told her of his visit to Mason, or his discoveries about i Bill’s action. He felt that Joyce I had more than enough to occupy j her mind, and that there would be ' ample opportunity of telling her ! what had happened later on. i He left the cottage soon after nine j o’clock. Joyce saw him as far as the gate, and watched him disapI pearing along the road—he had sent J the car home, and was walking to the I Gables. A wave of tenderness envej loped her as she saw him go. He j had told her that he had settled—or arranged to—Clare Langley’s affairs j and she was glad that he had beer able to make himself so generous towards the other woman. She must make him happy! After a somewhat dull week-end the Monday dawned bright anc warm. Joyce opened the windows ; of the room—she had been sleeping i on a divan in her mother’s room—i and saw the older woman, after £ j good night, was still sleeping easily She stared down on that lined face I for a few seconds, and then crepl outside, to wash. May Sawyer had arranged for £ woman to come in during the mornings, and to do the cooking. Joyce had asked Ray to send a message tc ; the Canon, explaining what had hap- ! pened. She was sorry that she hac i to take time off from her work but ! with the marriage oniy a week ahead I she knew she would not be able tc ' put in more than a couple of day: j with Canon Greyson. | About mid-day, she saw the Rector approaching. I For once the Rev. Daniel Sawye: seemed to know exactly where h< was going and what he wanted tc : say. He was smiling warmly, anc pressed Joyce’s hand. “My daughter tells me that tin progress is good—l’m so pleased Joyce. But there’s no need at al for worrying now. And I’ve beer in to Winchester—l had to see th« Dean, and called on Canon Greysoi on the way.” i Joyce suspected that he had mad< | a special journey for her, but sin 1 said nothing. “Told him, also, about your earl: marriage.” smiled the Rector. “H< ! sent this letter, my dear. Now, an I allowed to see Mrs Harbor, or . , *T think she would love to se< : you,” said Joyce, taking the lette: ! and putting it on the table. “bln I seems heaps better this morning thank goodness!” She led the way upstairs. MiHarbor was leaning back on her pu lows. She looked pale and wan but there was a sparkle in her eyes and her voice was strong. Joyc I knew she could trust the Rector no ' to do too much talking, and hurrie< 1 downstairs to read Canon Greyson letter. .. It was brief and written in tn old cleric’s flowing hand. But he heart warmed as she read it. “My dear Miss Harbor, So very sorry to hear of you mother’s illness. I hope sincere!, she will rapidly improve. And a: my best wishes for your mar riage. I am making arrangement immediately so that you nee worry no further about your wor here, but if you could call for half an-hour one day. I should like t sa.v good-bye.. X A. M. Greyson." lie cie Continued)