THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 220, 30 December 1909, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

-AJLI. i:;>::'.v< v.\:<',:i\\ ET% t

JH MM KICK SCOTT. Author w( "Th- Mark r>( the Broad Arrow, etc. etc.

iwirr 12. "Yes. Sir John ha* n proper senst of ifc-ferswc to age mingled with diplomacy. Ite could warccly pay court to yo»i and ignore me. Bui that you are the attraction luring him herr. my d»-nr .\li.ton. is obviou.« to me." smilril her ladyship. ••fh. I am »o sorry. What can 1 i!«»f" "To not worry, dear girl. Sir Jrbn i* a good fellow. but he will tint break his heart. He will pull th.»t wnfortunate moustache of his o frhnrie more fiercely when you reject him. will appear dejected and inconsofal»l.» for days—perhaps even week* —and ih>r. turn his attention to the latent star on the variety stage and trondiip at her shrine; though in justice to Sir John. I am bound to so* h ■ adt*rnt such constellations from a distance." "Then I need scarcely feel flatter* etl." began flarbare. with a flash ol the old Moray pride, checked by the tv mettibra new of her supposed position as the relative «»f a variety entertainer. to soy nothing of her own ►hare in bis performances. Oh. what a cruel trick Fate had played h r-on? which would overwhelm h*r with mortification until the flav of her death! And now. in the rvnMimtu n of her dear lather's |ge». in the realisation of her loneJlnesw. and that an insuperable barrier 00-1 Mwb hj« r and h*r lovet there were times when Ilarbara prayed to die. Life henceforth, to her. (outil lw devoid of charm, destitute «>f bappimw. since only the bitter «t'*nn' ive was offered her of rontiMi tit • il rrpiiun her soul abhorred. i»r pra liiiiniitg her identity, and {«S.-n* Her place by the side of the l very name was repellrn! 1 to her ears. J*h» slra ii d in her conversation Ki>h Sir .lr>hn after that, but he. p«»;hi»s tStttiiiCed. exerted himself atill nipru to I* agrtvnSile and entertaining. Airi on* afternoon, when Irftdy Hfni-r h.td lr-» ii called away, he related. to I'm Iwra's horror —the marvels of the 'knives act ' by a juggler miiitnl Stiinniforth at the J*arlhrn«m. loudly regreting its discontinuance.

"It »»i really the most bloodcurdling thtijg." he went on. "and if 'twere rtiill t>n the programme I tihould try and prevail on Lady libur to tat.e you to sec it; and. do jmi Know. Miss Alison, you strongly resemble th-,» girl who stood while the knives were thrown. I couldn't for the life of me imagine of whom you reminded roc when 1 first saw you. but recalling the juggling business settles thr* point that has worried me more than a little." Barbara felt her colour change, even though she exerted all her selfeon 1, rol. Th" young man saw her crimson cheeks, and mistaking her Sensations hasten-d to explain. "J lies of you not to feci hurt, or construe my w«,rds into an offence," he said, eagerly. "I assure you I meant it as the highest compliment. Miss Stnnniforth—ahe was the juggler's cousin—was very charming, nnd h*r manner and bearing most (Ir-viingtiishctl. There was 'blood ' in every line as she stood there like a mar!>!<:• stn'ue. I suppose it was a rein».;n f "of the superb courage which in«:pi;r. d ?»• I'ilgrnm Fathers, though th j»i-::;'ter"» wife in nit American too id t wiEil horse* eu'ddn't induce her to t'iiM> th> knives. You arc not ofiVn.fwd with me. Miss Alison?" "No." siiiihd Barbara, recovering h r equanimity, "for I am sure you tueanf. to flatter me. The—the entcrtannv nf must have been very unusual."

' Th- woman was unusual." replied Sir .fo". n. pulKn; wi'ipy at his moustache*, and evbl-mly searching in his brain for words in which to express his admiration of Barlwtra herself, an intrntion from which she determined h' must b" turned at all risks. "Ami what Itecatne of her? Why was the performance discontinued?" "That's just what Hester was asking me yesterday." '•lMter?'"

"Sir T*lbot Ureter. Wo were together in a slnge-nox on the last eight lht» knives were thrown To all appearances there was nothing unusual. Slanniforth took the girl oil very miickly after her call; but shalways seemed to shrink from the applause. But I have heard rumours of an accident, and that the authorities prohibited tho performance."" "And—Sir Talbot Hester—he is a friend of yours?" she asked in a »trainrd voice. "Well, in a *vny. Though I hold friendship to be rather a sacred thing, don't you. Miss Alison?*' "Very, indeed. Sir John.'* "I—l should esteem It a privilege to be admitted to the—happiness of possessing your friendship. Miss Ali*on." he stammered. The girl looked at his simple, hon--*st face, with its big. blue, straightforward eyes, and told herself she might need such a friend. Was the thought intuitive? At any rale, his goodwill deserved serious recognition.

"Sir •John." she said earnestly. "I should like to bo your friend—to ttold your friendship a sacred posses*ion."

He eagerly took the band she extended towards him.

"Li—if you could rest content to 3«tept only as much—or as little—as I van bestow." she faltered. "My toe is chequered in its course. I am ,or»i|>-U.d to ask an unusual amount of < oofidencc and trust from those «h,> would befriend me."-

"I would sacrifice my life to serve you." he said, simply. {-*? will ask ntilling, only to love " "No." interrupted Barbara, firmly. "We may he friends Sir Johnfriends, but no more." "Dp you mean that?" he asked,' nuskily.

"I do." She tried to steel her voice. He released her hand and she law his face pale as he tugged at his moustache. "I'm sorry." he jerked out preirntly "But I take your offer—let

Ms l.v i: i'-wl». J'ai not a briilion' 5-.ii;>. jnn ih r.-'s no'hing 1 wouldn't ,|.) tij mtvi; you."

"I am sure of it." she answered. "But now- let us talk of something ••ls.c. By the way, returning to your h mine of the Parthenon, was your fri«nd. Sir Talbot Hester " "I think he comes under the heading of an acquaintance." broke in Sir John. "Wo arc both members of the same clubs, you sec. I mean, he is not my friend m the same lightthat you and I " "Of course not." returned Barbara, onxiotis to divert him from- the subject, well knowing that she was playing with Arc. "And was he as interested in the young lady who faced tha knives as yourself?" "X-o. I hardly think so," returned Sir .fohn. reflectively, "though hj? was struck all of a heap at witnessrng th- show. 1 remember it was the irst trght of his return to England, ifier twelve months" absence in the ektsl." "Vmi mint join d him as inquiring about her." "rrntinued Barbara, anxious now to know if her husband had evincid any sign of recognition. •Must casually."' replied Sir John. "Hester's too absorbed just at prc-s-n«. in Irs approaching marriage, to feel any in'ercst in anything else." "His marriage?" Th' room suddenly spun round, and Barbara held on to the arm of hrr chair. ••\Vs. He's engaged to marry Miss C'o-a Vnrsittart. the daughter of old Aimer Vnndtinn, who can't count his million-. It's a ripping fin" marrin.ee for Hester, whose affairs have troiis- wrong of lute." Bn-Intra sat there, not daring to utter ;> oiind. Then he had not rerogni/'il her—lt,' believed h-r d ad. Sir .fohn. fevl : ni very sorry for himself over his rejection, was. foriutt alely. staring at the carpet, and by way of making conversation, rambled on: "You may remember that ghastly railway collision at Hungcrford Bridge about eighteen months ago? Sir Talbot anil his bride were in it, and .-he was killed. She was poor, but tielonged to one of the fine old families: but his present marriage means dollars, though I am told the Vatisittnrt girl Is pretty, and quite y.jtffig. too" Was this true? Was Sir Talbot Hester—liki> some hideous monster depicted in the myths of old—demanding still another sacrifice at tho hands o( womankind?

A young girl, pretty, rich! He was marry'<ng her for no other reason if Sir .fohn spoke truth.

Was he in ignorance of the fact that she who had been Barbara Moray still lived—that the woman on whose finger he had placed his ring in th" Westminster church was yet in existence, and that consequently, his marring" with Miss Vansittart would h*- illegal, their children for ever branded with an undeserved Yes ; the fact that Sir Talbot had asked another woman to marry him proved his unquestionable belief that his first wife lay buried deep in tho Moray vault.

Then, at whatever cost to her.self t Barbara • ou!d not stand idly by and allow the other woman to enter on an unhallowed contract. And though almost rather than face the man who was h r husband, would Barbara have readily faced Hermann's knives with the certainty that one would he sh-nthid within her heart, the honour of the Morays demanded she should intervin".

Through her act had Alison Stanniforth gone to her doom; by her net also, must Cora Vansittart be saved from disgrace, and Sir Talbot Hester preserved from the commission of a crime. CHAITKII XVII. Slit TALBOT HESTER TAKES AN UNEXPECTED ATTITUDE. "A lady, asking to sec you. Sir Talbot." Sir Talbot Hester, then engaged in writing to his bride-elect, looked up quickly with a frown. "To see me? Who is the lady? She must have given her name." "No. Sir Talbot. She requested to be shown in to you 'unannounced' —a request to which, with all respect I declined to accede." The eyes of master and man met. Hurler had served Sir Talbot Hester for years, and was devoted to his interests. He was a tall, thin man, with a colourless face, light unpleasant eyes, and a deferential manner, which, however, scarcely suggested the trained domestic, though to his employer bis services were invaluable. Some of Sir Talbot's insuggested that Harker had formerly been a solicitor struck ofl the rolls, or an army man cashiered out of the service. But noting was definitely known, concerning him, even by his jijaster. though Sir Talbot always felt that should he at any lime require the services of a thor-ough-paced scoundrel, who .would stick nt very little that might be safely attempted with but slight risk of discovery, in his man Harker, he possessed such a tool ready to hia hand.

And imu u singular expression on llarker's face struck him as demanding attention. "Bo >oii know the lady who asks to see me?" he demanded. "I am not* prepared to assert as much as that. Sir Talbot, but"— "You have seen her l>efore. Why ore you beating about the bush ?" "There are some cases in which it is unwise to mention nam*s, S'r Toll.til. Th- old adage that walls have ears ' Is not without due significance. I would respectfully recommend your bearing it in mind during the interview which I venture tp suggest joii would find it advisable to grant. Sir Talbqt." The ban-net wheeled round in his chair. The man's words were full of portent, and conveyed but one meaning to* his master's mind. His wife, llarbara. had tricked him in some way. ami was.now intending to step in and prevoot his passcssion of the Vansittart .millions. By Heaven, she jhould noil "Where is the woman?" he asked, abruptly. "Jn the lounge. Sir Talbot." "1 hod better see her, you HatKee?" "I have ventured to form the theory thnt the lady's statements if carried elsewh're, may cause you considerable annoyance if not sariou« diMippointment, Sir Talbot," %v*r *h • '■ \-U-

"And how ilp tl u-rv am I to help their 1/Miijr carried elsewhere? Will you t'-il me?" Harker uttered one word almost ina'idibly. "By —, I'll try it! Show her hero at once." The room was his study and library combined, and now he crossed to a sideboard and Iviped hii:i--i! to a liberal supply of br;ind\. with a view to .steadying hi 5 ; n t\■••-. What if he were i"j-:l:1i:• ivd r-.l a shadow? What, if the woman should be a stranger, coming to beg his interest in proem intr an appoint-ini-nt. «>it her for herself or for someone whom she was— i'shaw! Harker was no fool, an l Harker had been with him at the time of his marriage. Dared he net on llarker's advice? Why not? It was a bold game truly; but. even if defeated, would it not be admitted he had acted in all good faith. He returned to his desk, and appeared absorbed in some voluminous (•ovcinnu-nt papers as Harker turned the handle of the door.

Ho rose and bowed as the slight, graceful figure entered the room. His heart beat quickly, but he was by trade a diplomatist, and able to control his facial muscles. , Barbara! Changed somewhat truly older by more than the months that had elapsed since she .stood beside him at the attar, but Barbara, all the same! And not only Barbara, but also the woman who had faced the flashing, flying knives on the stage of th; Parthenon Theatre of Varieties. What, in the name of all the Morays, so proud of th -ir descent and lineage, had brought one of their number to such a pass? Barbara looked at the man whom she believed possessed the right to claim her as "his goods and his chattels." «nd comparing him with Keith, or even with poor Sir John Templecombe, a world of rebellion awoke in her heart, and supplied the courage which a moment before had been lacking. Sir Talbot placid a chair for her, and th-n returning to his desk asked, very politely: "What can 1 have the pleasure of doing for >o»». madam?" Barbara was unprepared for this greeting. Kv« n though h- might not have reroi'iii/.i-d her on «h« stage he could scarcely fail to do so when they cum" face to face within the limits of a small room. She had expected an exclamation of amazement, a torn ii' of rcproa«.h.*s at her duplicity: but iinw .she might be the most utter stranger to the man who looked steadfastly into Ivr eyes—his own betraying trot the slightest sign of recognition.

"I must a'-k you to be as expeditious as possible," he went on, suavely. "1 am summoned to the Foreign Office this morning, so the time at my disposal is somewhat limited."

Barbara looked at him in bewilderment. Yet surely he must know to whom he was speaking. She was plaml at a disadvantage by his manner —as he intended—but gathering all her courage, plunged into tho lists.

"I should imagine the mere fact of my presence here is sufficient to proclaim my motive in seeking jou," she said.

Yet it conveys nothing to me considering I have not even the pleasure of knowing your name?" he returned. "Do you expect me to believe that?" she asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "My dear young lady, it is absolutely immaterial to me whether you credit my assertions or otherw-ise. Such is the fact, nevertheless: though now it is beginning to dawn on inc that I have seen j-ou somewhere before, and if I mistake not it was on the stage of a theatre of varieties, in connection with a rather remarkable juggling performance. And to judge by the answering expression on your face, my memory, serves me rightly. 'But even then I am unacquainted with your name, and am at a loss to imagino in what way I could possibly be of service to a young person pursuing such .an avocation as your own?"Barbara's cheeks blazed with mortified indignation. There was cold and studiid iusult In every word; evidently ho meant to punish her for lu-r desertion of him on their wed-ding-day.

"That you see me under such circumstances is my misfortune, not my fault," she replied, with as much dignity as she felt capable of expressing. "But you cannot seriously r.\|»ect me to believe you have no olh.-r remembrance of me than the one to which you allude." "You ir.fer a former acquainU.n e. May I ask you to be more explanatory?" and Sir Talbot prcservi d an even greater calmness of demeanour.

He saw the hot blood coursing over the girl's face and brow, watched the graceful movement of her hands, and knew how the Moray pride within her was battling again.st the indignities heaped upon it

But his callotis heart hard-.n d, and whatever oi Jove—or its semblance —he had felt towards hei was I« ng since dead. A"ow she but stood bctw-eeu him and immense wealth that would bring power in. its tram, and looking at her thus, he hated h«T while he smiled. "Boes it mouse you to ignore that I am. unfortunately for myself, your wife?" she flashed, in rising anger. "My— There you must pardon me if I say this is no lilting subject for jest, madam," he replied, gravely. The lady who bore my name lies buried amid her ancestors " "She does not," cried Barbara. holly. "Your wife who was Barbara Moru\ lives, and 1 am she !" "And may I inquire by what e\eittful happening the "lady who claims to Im- not only Lady Hester, but <n • of the Morays, a member u i ;l family .second only to Royalty. is I consorting with a < n tlu stage of a music-liutl." Th.' retort sninir. Barbara. win-:ed as thoueh lash'-d by a whip. "Through an ;i■■<-id..-ii! ." sh.- cried, fighting to keep \r.rk rhe T-ars ilia* scorched her eyeballs. I v v a -, knocked down in ?. f:. ; , ii.y h ;ii injured, so that far a lime all r.•<■,,!lection of the past left m■•. For months my memory <i ;■, blank; I could not ev n : ■ :r. ; own name. And durir.cr ■.;-.;;■ • , ; .« the juggler, H.-r:r..-.r.: - .:i. : h came to the h<. :-]•'.' ui •■. -.vr.i.-h ! ha'i been taken, and I'-O-v. ■; ::..• -o b. his cousin. Alison Si; n:.:: ■■'■: h."To be Continued.