THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 222, 5 January 1910, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

■ --AT T. RIGHTS RESEIiVED:

—* — - By MAURICE SCOTT, Author of 'The Mark of the Broarf .. (Arrow, etc. etc. k ..

PART 14. - . "Yes; had I married Miss Vansitlart in ignorance of—But now—now the patient's memory had re- ■■ turned, now slic is in full possession of her faculties" — ' "You- have only own assertion to that effect,"/ interposed the man, pithily. - "Explain yourself," commanded his master. "Harker, ".L have every reason -to " believe you are devoted, to my interests, and if you can see a way out of this infernal tangle you will not be the loser."

"I am aware of that, Sir Talbot. You were good enough to approve a plan I suggested prior to the lady's visit to-day " "That I should repudiate her assertion, deny her claims. I acted upon it at once, with, I may venture to assert, no little success. But if her case be taken up by the, Heriots?"-

"It need not he—cannot be, if you act with decision/ Sir Talbot." "What can I do? She went away nonplussed at my attitude, but she will return to the attack." "Sir Talbot, pardon me if I ask you a plain question," said Harker. "You wish —still—to marry- Miss Vansittart?" "Wish!- My good Harker, unless I do so I am a ruined man, and when you hear the marriage is broken off, I advise you to look out for another situation." "I hope to retain my present one for many a long year, Sir Talbot. I have given the matter no little reflection, and have come to the conclusion that the lady will find it no easy matter "to establish her chains if only you stand, firm." "But that is " "Wait, please, Sir Talbot. Sir Malcolm is dead, and Mrs. GoreRichie travelling.' abroad, no one knows where; "J ho Iferiot family , are evidently unacquainted with the lacts and in the face of the juggler's belief and the doctor's pronouncement regarding the injury to the brain, it would be no difficult matter, should you find yourself subjected .to annoyance —to establish the lact that the young woman is labouring under aji hallucination in supposing herself to be your wife... And in order to protect yourself . and the lady whom you are about to marry, it would surely be judicious to have her placed under proper control.". Sir Talbot uttered an exclamation, and then the two scoundrels engaged in plotting against the liberty of a defenceless girl, looked each other in the eyes. "Could it be done?" almost whispered Sir Talbot, after a pause. "With comparatively little difficulty," returned the- less polished villain. "But need' I appear—openly?'

•"Perhaps not, except by proxy. Will you authorize me to make the necessary arrange men ts?' Sir Talbot paced the room in indecision. He could willingly have killed the. woman .. who stood in the way of his ambition, but the horrors of "a madhouse! And then the consequences to himself, should he ever be found out. Ilarker, too, would blackmail him for the rest of his life.' But that mattered little. The Vansittart purse was wide. "I have heard that, ur.der special arrangements such places afford quite a degree of comfort, Sir Talbot," put in Harker, suavely. "I suppose so. .But the girl is young". Curse her! If she could.-only be bribed or persuaded to keep out of my way, and as she left me voluntarily at that moment she entertained small appreciation for the digpity she is now so anxious to claim" -"Yes, that's tjie w§y with the sex, Sir Talbot," . returned Harker, "Even when memory came back to her, it's my belief, she had no intention of seeking you out, if you'll pardon my saying so. B;jt she's got wind of your engagement to Miss Vansittart, and that, you may depend upon it is where the trpublo conies in. No matter how little a woman may appreciate a man, it's more than she can stand to another woman put in her place." <'I —I can't decide now," replied his master after another pause, another impatient pacing up and down the room. "I'll think it over. There Js npthing to prevent your making ipquirjeg .tfitj* respect to tor-a-rr suitable place antl—Uie ways arid- the means in the ; meantime. In fact my .decision will largely depend on what facilities are available."

"I quite see that, Sir Talbot," returned the man; "but time is of it is indeed. For the pride of ia certain family which shall be nameless may prevent any information -bef:'ing given, to Lady- B1 air pr Dr. llerjot; but should Mrs. Gore-Ritchie return t'o London, (lone, Sir Talbot—if you'll .piirdpft my freedom pf Vexpression-" -'Yes, confound her! She nailed me before," was tRe surly rej)ly. "And she'll do ;it .again, sir, mark my words. Had the other, members •of the family half that lady's energy we should stand a poor chance. Hut, Sir Talbot; while I make inquiries you had: better put Miss Vansittart pn her guard." ~ her gwarjl? Against, what?" . ; the: possibility of a visit from a poor," mentally-deranged crea-ture-claiming to be your wife." . "Are you crazy? Do you th'nk.l am such a.fool as to lot Miss Vansittart gain an inkling " .. "You can't prevent it, Sir Talbot. And having' failed with you, depend Pfi it, she'll £ell itye story to-your 'bride-elect. And first impressions go T > long way. Once the Vansittartslend a sympathetic.ear to her troubles an investigation will be set on .foot and then 1 ' —

Harker stopped, and shrugged his shoulders, significantly; > . do you suggest that I should do ?'■' "Tell the story of the juggler's Cousin to Miss Vansittart - yourself, in an interesting, pitying form. I can supply you with leading details, given me by the old actor. Bertram. You

might even; describe , her appearance, and explain how the unfortunate girl, as the -result *of an injury to the brain, suffers under the delusion that she is your .. first" wife; whose death and ' -burial you can describe with graphic fidelity." "But - what should , I gain?" "You would take the wind out of her sails. - Miss Vansittartwould lis? ten to her story in quite a different mood, if previously warned against its narration."- , -w .... "By Jove, Harker, that's a good idea!" exclaimed Sir Tafbot. "You bear - out the, notion entertained by some of my friends that you were a ■lawyer before you became a valet. ' "1 am your faithful, attached servant. sir," retuni-'d the man bowing -proloundly with inscrutable face, but A'ouch 'a' ng~ nn other information. ■■< And; Ic'l a'<n\ Sir Talbot Hester drank;. more brandy than v.as his custom.' and pulled fiercely at a cigar, while he. pchden d. over the- infamous suggestion put before him by the man', who had indeed proved himself to be the tliorough-paced scoundrel Sir Talbot had always thought, him.

The plan was not without risk. To assume Bari/ara mad;. confine her in an insanj a.s.yiiim was a project from which he shrank. Not out- of love for her—she had tricked him too shamefully. Had he not believed her dead, regretted her as much as it was in his power to. regret anyone? Had he not felt compelled to appear an inconsolable.mourner-in the public eye, until the, restrictions thereby imposed, became so irksome that he obta'n d a foreign appointment in order to escape them? An;l nowi after all this, she had turn d up again,'"and threatened to work his ruin, utter and complete, by 'insisting''on claims she had of her own free will abandoned; lie hated her—and yet could not make up his mind. Within twenty-four hours I-larker presented himself again, his face bespeaking tidings. .. "Have you arrived at any decision Sir Talbot?" he asked deferentially.

"What have you ascertained?" asked his master, by way of reply. "The existence of a very excellent, in fact luxurious establishment, in a secluded. part of Sussex, It is private and the charges arc high, but the facilities are exceptional. The proprietor is to bo relied on to carry out any contract on which he may •>uter, as long as his fees are paid. And he undertakes to name two medical men. whose signatures, affixed' to the necessary document, would justify his detention, of' any patient whose actions might otherwise be disposed to give trouble. Will you see him, Sir Talbot? Your: motor will spin us down to-morrow morning." , "I will not appear in the matter. -

"You must see Dr. Detmold; he will not uegociate with me. But once given the necessary authority, he undertakes all further responsibility. It is in your own interests, Sir Talbot."

"J —I have not yet decided." "See Dr. Detmold,"*urged Harker. 'Suggest a hypothetical case. It commits you to nothing, but his view of it may influence your decision." A long pause, and then".

"Wire Dr. Detmold I will call on aim to-morrow," said Sir Talbot ffestep. CHAPTER XX, SIR. TALBOT HESTER'S BRIDES KLECT, Cora Vansittart was, as. she had Oeen described, pretty, with the wax 1011, milkmaidy style of prettiness that might be depended upon to disappear with youth. She was twenty two, and had never wanted for. any" thing that either money or parental iqvc, or both, could procure for her. And the ease with which her needs, nad been forthcoming had developed ■x self-indulgent nature that .looked out on the world with wide-open eyes —surprised when talcs of suffering often endured by less fortunate women reached the ears from which "Poppa " Vansittart had' done his Qest tq screen them. He disapproved i|f newspaper reading for women, arguing they were none the better :'or learning the wickedness of men :rpm the sensational reports ol ;rimc which the yellow journalism oad brought into being, even on. this side of the herring pond- Consequently jvery paper—save those strictly renting to frocks and fashions—had to pass a censorship on the part of 'poppa " before reaching the fair Cora's hands; and aCs she was. not much of a reader, and imbibed her vnowlcdge of life from her own limit;d . powers of observation, she saw loth'ng suspicious in the story told a t by her lover of the "unfortunate little music-hall performer, who lftijouref! under tjie delusion she was nis wife." Cora herself was very much "'in love with Sir Talbot, and admiring him as she did, it was not inconceivable, in her mind that other women should admire him too. But a music-hall performer.!

That was a Beat tpucji Sir Palbqt's fpr : Cqt;£(, Vansittart ;a'me.' of tfte stpek that hailccj all "show folk" as '.'rogues an«l uonds."- ■ "Goodness, Talbpt, what wiU yo.U do ?" she cried-

"I don't, quite know; darling, I did my best to assure the.poor creature she was wrong impression, but thought it advisable to \varn you lest she should come to you : with her story " 'was-the arch-' hypocrite's reply, while he mentally congratulated himself on the possesr sion of a man-servant wiUi such aq accurate grasp of charade^ —as c.vie ■lenced by Miss Vansittart-s next sentence.

"Oh, I'm so glad you did! Be;ause if you hadn't I might even nave believed her, she il o"okfed : ■.very- mad. Did-she look'crazy .at- all, Talbot?"

: "Scarcely that. She • appeared •mentally distressed, as if the brain was labouring to balance itself, in ' spite of its injured state. I felt the deepest sympathy for the poor , soul, Cora darling, and "hadn't the heart ;to be stern with her, as, perhaps, I 'should, have' -been. "Yes, I reckon you are a bit ten-der-hearted over her," replied Cora, khpugh in all goo# faith. "But now took here, Talbot dear. There's no -jse wasting sympathy where right:lown help is more to the point. If -■she persists in her declaration, you will have to have her shut UP*'- 1

*' 'Shut irp!' V "Who' would \ hav» thought the little woman had so much practical" common-sense?Whj. hesitate when she was an - advocate of Harkcr's proposition? "There are places -in your old country - where they" treat diseases ol the brain, I re.ckon," she'continued;, "and rather ..than be. annoyed it's best Ho put ,her in one of themsomewhere where she'll be. well looked after, and cured if such a thing be possible. It's the-kindest thing to do for us all. She can't, be happy rampaging round in the belief she is a dead woman come to life again, and there's no doubt that as long as shi's at liberty hot' possibilities as -regards"disturbing our peace of mine are somewhat extensive." Sir Talbot - simulated hesitation, and replied as if reluctantly: '"You are quite right, l.'ora dear. It will have to be done, but only asa last resource. I am hoping that (inn, though .not unkind rebuffs-will convince her of her error."

"She'll get a firm one from me," returned Miss Vansittart. "I'm as kind as most people, but it's no use being' chicken-hearted Hz a case like this. I'm sorry for her; too; but if she. had a cracked thigh-bone she would have to be carried, to a hospital, and kept there till shj could walk, and -having a cracked brain she ought to be sent to an asylum, and detained there until she is able to accurately gauge her name and position." Sir Talbot observed that "poppa" was', not. the only; member of the Vansittart family who made it a rule to ;omc straight-- to the point.. In the present -instance it. had its advantages. Cora might, give Barbara such a check as might effectually deoar her. from furl her interfere n-e. But what if his rich wife turned aut a tartar? She was curiously unsophisticated in the ways of the ivbrkl in which she lived, and yet in some ways evinced a shrewd common sense evidently inculcated by her 'at her'. But she had taken the story as he aad told it, without a grain of hesitation in regard t 0 its truth, and that., at least was•• something to be thankful for. Good for Harker ! And, as a re.suU of this diplomacy, Uarbara, wh n after many futile attempts she lo'Uid herself in the.presence ol' Miss Vi-sHifurl, read antagonism in that. lady's dolllike eyes an J fell .she would meet less .•onsid'eratior. than she, on her own ivcdd'irj-day had dealt out to poor Alison .SUtnniforlh, whoso wcjliiite'rveniioii had brought aboui" such far-reaching r< suits.

Miss Yansiltalt had remain-d seated in the handsome hotel drawingroom, the windows of which looked out upon the embankment. Shj had placed' herself conveniently near the bell-knob, when a young footniaji, touched by Barbara's pale face and pathetic eyes, had u-lured her into the room without announcement. This was the mad woman, without a shadow of douht and the poor thing looked as though her head had all gone wrong. But she was fascinating, if not exactly pretty. The short red haii was magnificent, and her eyes just wonderful, and there was something about her figure and bearing which' Cora Vansittart had intelligence enough to tell herself she lacked and which neither" modiste nor professor of physical deportment could give her

The woman was attractive, and a man was but a man, and the sooner slu was discouraged from setting her cap at Talbot the better. No wonder he was so soft about her; that sort of thing had to be put a stop to, though 'twas honest of the poor fellow to tell the truth.

"You want to speak to me?" she said, trying to eye her visitor sternly—a little nervous, it must be confessed, lest the woman's insanity should develop' a violent form, and consoling herself that pressure en the door-bell would bring assistanco, should such be needed. "If you please. I have asked for you before repeatedly, but have be;n denied admittance," replied Barbara, on whose frail constitution—frail because broken down by suffcringv=-thc long continuance of nu n'.ul anguish was beginning..tq tell heavily. "I—l way I sit down ? I have been ill and $m not strong." "Certainly;" awl for a moment Cora's womanly pity triumphed over her fears, and she pulled round a» easy-chair. "Can 1 order you"— "Nothing, thank you;" and though Barbara had availed herself of the seat, her face flushed proudly. "Miss Vansittart my mission is bo<h d-li-cate and painful, and I find it difficult to begin. You—you are, according to the reports in the society journals engaged to be worried to Sir Talbot Hester?"

Cora her head in acquiescence, and a pitying smile wreathed her rosebud mouth. She rather guessed she was going to marry Talbot. "Poppa " 'd take good care of Ihdl. ''Such a marriage would only bo mill and void," declared Barbara, gathering courage, b\it undoubtedly nervous at the unmoved attitude of the girl whom she had expected to .be perturbed at Hie itjea, • "Is that sq?" drawled Miss .'Van* sittart. " "-Cwould he interesting to know why,"

"Because Sir Talbot's first wife, who was Barbara Moray, still lives, Miss Vansittart. And I am she!" Barbara had certainly anticipated an expression, of surprise, dismay, even of unbelief, as a result of this statement, but no —

Miss Vansittart sat cmito ealmly, the suspicion of amused smile hovering oft ho»< lips," her eyes wid.' ppefl, and practically. expressi onless. "1 reckon yoii are. labouring und.>r a delusion young woman," she replied after* a pause. "Lady Hester, Sir Talbot ! s wife, was killed in a railway accident. You . -arc Alison Slannil'orth; a music-hall perforhiev 0

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