THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 225, 15 January 1910, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

!AluL KIGHTS RESERVED

—.s. By MAURICE SCOTT, Author of "The Mark of. the Broarf 'Arrow, etc. etc.

PART 17. "Goodness* yes!" replied Selina, "I'm scared to death o* mad folks." "Oh. she doesn't come under that heading yet,'' laughed Dr. Detmold, whoso very frankness disarmed all suspicion, even had Selina entertained any, which she did not.-He. had so skillfully taken her, as it were, into his 'confidence that she had speedily got over her fear bf him, and now he was able to play upon her jealousy of Cousin Alison, as a cat plays with a mouse. "But here is the situation in a nutshell," he continued. "Her ladyship has done me the honour to consult me in this painful affair, and I strongly) advise the patient should' be put under restraint which shall be gentle, and at the same time effectual. To do this Mr. Stanniforth's consent and your own, as the young lady's .only relatives, becomes essential. Will you give it?"

Selina hesitated. She' was unaccustomed to move in any matter without Hermann, and this was a matter concerning him alone. AVas it—would not her own peace be disturbed should the vexatious "third " once more darken their doors? More Ro than ever now, now that she was subject to "delusions." She might develop a fancy for Hermann—might proclaim herself his wife—and Hermann was that soft about her.

"Her ladyship has most kindly offered to defray all expenses," continued Dr. Detmold artfully, "and Mr. Stanniforth's consent will relieve him of all further responsibility in the matter. Should he, from any reason of sentiment withhold it, well he must be prepared to take charge of his cousin, and upon my word, my dear young lady, he would be doing her an injustice. I suppose, madam, you cannot offer any elucidation of this point?" •'•'l—l couldn't say what view my husband will take of the proposal," returned Selina, with a puzzled air. "(But you—you yourself, do you not agree with me that the excitement of public life such as your own, would constitute a very real danger to a person mentally unsound?" "I guess that's correct,:' she re=r replied. "Left to myself I should have no sort of objection to the plan being tried. I suppose she'd be comfortable?"

"To the extent, I may say, of luxury. You cannot suppose Dr. Heriot and his sister —Dr. Hcriot, as you doubtless know is engaged up north, otherwise her ladyship would have placed the arrangements in his hands. Then, in your husband's absence, I should suggest that you sprite the necessary authorization to deal with the case, Mrs. Stanniforth. It is a mere matter of form, you know, and I am sure you find many useless and vexatious forms in existence ■in our older country, which your own, as a more advanced State has shaken off. May I be to use your jiotcpaper? Thank you." His Observant eye had marked an open blotting-case on a side table, from which protruded sheets of the juggler's business paper, with its hold, printed headline:

HERMANN STANNIFORTH, THE

JUGGLER KING

.Could he secure Selina's signature written under that heading, the hapless victim of his machinations would oelieve Hermann himself hact acted in the matter; also the Government inspector would raise no objections as to its validity. And now Dr.. B-otmold was developing the soft, purring benevolent manner with which he had entered on the conference, and his strong personality was beginning tp dominate. Selina, who, though he had only adroitly brought in their names, vaguely and without actual declaration —was thoroughly convinced that Keith Hcriot and Lady Blair had set the matter on foot; and she already felt it depended on herself to agree to this man's proposal and? banish (the obnoxious "Cousin Alison" from her hearthstone once and fpr ali. For no doiibt 'twas for Alison's good jleith Heriot had been as soft about her as Hermann, so it wasn't likely he'd countenance anything to do her harm. But Hermann, -he might be "real mad" with her for taking 30 much on herself.

Why should he ? She was his wife, and entitled to more consideration than a cousin anyway. "Of course, my dear lady, if you would rather not move in this matr tec," put in Detmold artfully, "in that case, T should suggest to Mr,: Stanniforth that he takes the earliest opportunity qf removing his cousin into his own house. Perhaps you'had better leave it to his decision. You will--kindßy describe to him the points I have put before you. It would be impossible for me to ■ travel down tp Bradford in order to see him personally,-"

Selina knew full, well that her powers of rhetoric' were feeble to a degree. The story told by herself would end. but in one way—the return of Cousin Alison to live with her husband and herself: And of all things tfiat was. to'be: avoided. This was an opportunity that would never again come her w ay- - .'-'■■''•

f 'Wait,"- sh(3 -said to the doctor who made a feint qf tearing up the document he had slowly and carefully prepared on one of the sheets headed, "Hermann Stanniforth, the juggler King.". "Suppose I—l signed that —you'd .. want my husband's signature sappose?" ■"Not necess'ar'ily. It is, as I have explained a mere form- Though, .naturally, her'''-'ladyship would take ao ' step without the consent of her pompanion's relatives." "Nq. Then you—her ladyshipcould act oa my consent alone?" "If occasion needed—^yes." "And if—if Alison didn't like it—praan't happy—she could come out igain?' l "At any time you revoke your d'e:ision Mrs. Stanniforth. You would

l>e tin-'.dictating; power. Your cousin; as a person not responsible for her actions must submit to your verdict. You could bring her to your own house at any time you wished to do so," lied the consummate scoundrel, and so plausibly thafc Selina felt the chance was not one to be lightly rejected. "Then I'll sign it,"- she cried, trembling with agitation, utterly oblivious to the fact that she had omitted to ask the name of this man' whose dominating personality swayed her own like a reed nor even the location of the place where her unfortunate cousin was to be placed "under restraint:"

"I—l hope Hermann won't be mad with me," she said nervously, after seeing the paper to which She had affixed her name witnessed by the Jandlady, called 1 in - for the purpose, and then consigned to Dr. Detmold's pocket-book. "There's really no occasion for you to tell him anything about it,, if you'd rather not," said Dr. Detmold as ho rose to go. "Not tell Hermann!"

"There is no need. I take it he would acquiesce in anything approved by Dr. Hcriot, and these things are mere matters of form. Goodday to you my dear Mrs. Stanniforth. A thousand thanks to you for your attention."

Selina slept little that night in her apprehension of what view her husband would take (if what she had done. And with the. xlawn came a strong impulse'to take the visitor's advise and not tell ,:Hcrmami anything about it unless compelled by circumstances. They had never had a serious disagreement during the whole of their married life, and although her husband was unvaryingkind and gentle in his treatment of her Selina believed him capable of turning "real ugly "-if seriously ptit out.

And the idea grew in strength on her solitary journey to Bradford, and wli n Hermann met her on the platform with his usual cheery smile Selina hadn't the courage to risk a disturbance of their pea:v.

"You —you saw Cousin -Alison Hcrmie?" ventured Selina feeling somo remark necessary. "Yes. Sel'na. 1 yaw h?r," he replied. "And there's a change come ; ,ver her. .s?r:ce we left Lnndon, for uh'ih I i-an't account no way at all."

A ihtnge ! That's what the doc'or h.ul said, lie would like to have wan tl Hermann:. It was true. It va-i true th n. "You nuv.ii that she looks bad, FTermie?'' v n urt d SHina.

"Not altogeth.-r that Selina, allhough the poor girl looks ill'. But her way has grown strange, and she treattd me as though 1. were a stranger in-lead of h t first cousin- She -ays -<-h* wi.-h-s Monica could come over, and I'm going 'o see if it can be managi d in some way." "Monica —to come over —and take Alison back, you mean?" asked Selina asked anxiously. "I fancy so," returned Hermann. "For it's a case of me or Monica, I :an see. Toor little Alison's head's all wrong, and she ought to, bo with, her own kith and fc:n." "Me or Monica!" He was still soft about Cousin Alison and would bring her in between them again, did he. 1-now of Lady Blair's intention of having her placed under restraint ? And' he admitted at the same time her head was all wrong.

Selina pressed her lips tightly for fear they should unwittingly reveal what she had now determined to keep secret. The doctor had saifi that Alison could bo let out at any time that Selina chose and until Monica arrived to take charge of her troublesome sister Selina would utter no word of what had transpired :oncerning her,

CHArTE.R~ XXIV. BARBARA STARTS OUT FOR EDINBURGH. ' The days passed by Sir Talbqt Hester were days of uncertainty, days even of dread, llarker went about his work as usual, making ftq comment, hazarding ro suggestion, though the same thot\ht was upperr most in the minds of both master and man.

For it was llarker who, frequenting the taverns visited by the artists engaged at the Parthenon, ascertained the probability of the juggler's flying visit to London on a certain Sunday, thus rendering Dr. Dctmold's expedition to Birmingham at a time when he would to a certainty find Selina alone far more likely tq bo productive of. success than had her husband been present. As a matter of fact, Dr. Detmold had no intention of risking the interference of Hermann Stanniforth, while he could so, much more readily deal with the wife. Armed with her authority, and an unimpeachable medical certificate v certifying" the ''temporary insanity " of her cousin, he could afford to run all risks, and as he had hinted tp-his. scarcely less, villainous employer, qnee the patient was under his care and beneath; his roof, he was prepared to justify the need for her detention against al 7 comers.

And then, when he had succeeded almost beyond, his expectations, the triumphant schemer returned into his stronghold in Sussex and wired to his influential patron: "The necessary documents are all in order. I heed one pther, signet] by yourself. When that slight formality is completed- no further delay will be necessary, and I. imagine it is needless I should warn you that in such a case as that in which we are at present engaged procrastination is fqlly, and often stultifies one's efforts. I leave it to you tp fix time and place of signature, also to arrange a meeting with my expected patient." There was no name affixed, but Barbara's husband shivered as he grasped the meaning of the message. He felt he could in an official capa-»_ city have signed a .warrant for Bar-* bara's execution far more readily than he could sign that which literally gave Detmold authority to destroy her reason. Again and again he cursed Hankee, whom, he considered, had led him into this trap.

Yet'there was no other way out if he was to marry Cora Vansittart, with a million of dollars on her wedding day and wpre millions tp follow if only he succeeded in ingratiating himself ..with father-in-law.

Why not put the thing in train and have doivs with it. Detmold was right. Procrastination was folly—and worse. It might even spell ruin. And yet he could not make up his mind—a state of indecision from which a conversation with his intended bride on the subject of their approaching wedding day effectually moved him.

"You've not seen the crazy woman again, Talbot?" she asked him. "No, darling; and I don't think I need have alarmed you on the subject. Evidently my firmness of manner was not without its effect," he replied reassuringly. "Ah, that's so like a man contented to live in a fool's paradise. It will be a' lively how-d'ye-do if she makes a scene in the church as she threatened -to do." Sir Talbot had not seen Miss Vansittart since - poor Barbara's unsuccessful attempt to obtain that lady's sympathy, and he now looked at Cora in startled surprise. "But,my dearest Cora, you cannot for a minute believe"— Sir Talbot was seriously alarmed. Confound his own weak vacillation DetmoUl was right. Delays were fatal in these instances," an:l once Alvaer Vansittart's suspicions wore aroused he might insist upon an investigation. He would communicate with Detmold without further delay, and now he looked anxiously for his fiancee's reply. "She could not have impressed rou as being responsible for her actions," he went on, depreciatingly. "Well, that's not so easy to say," replied Miss Vansittart. "I mean rou had prepared for her. I knew I was talking 1o a woman whose brain was. off its balance. She looked real ill, and if she had only talked sense I should have felt real sorry for he.r." "Thank Heaven he hael prepared aer for Barbara's visit," Sir Talbot was reflecting-,, "otherwise " "But though not pretty, she's attractive you know, Talbot, and th 3 iincl of girl men would be sorry for, md kind-hearted about. And as all Diir guests couldn't possibly know the circumstances of the case, she Might obtain a sympathetic hearing, and a certain amount of credence " "My dear Cora "

The man was white now—almost green. What an egregious ass he had been not to take the bull by the horns, and, after all, Barbara had brought it on herself. Why need she save meddled?

"I said credence —from people who didn!t know," continued Miss Vansittart, in whom, notwithstanding tier lack of knowledge, the practical strain ran uppermost. "Talbot dear, it's always as well to look on both sides of the hedge, and I'd quite as jo on that young woman with her pathetic face, was prevented from making a disturbance at our wedding tf it can by any possible moans be prevented." "It can be prevented; it shall!" he replied firmly. "My darling .whys did you not tell me sooner that you aad been subjected to annoyance?""Oh, I thought it was time enough wjien I saw you, Talbot. Though I was just as glad poppa didn't come across her. He might think she was an old sweetheart' of yours—but sho isn't, Talbot—is she?"-

"My darling! How preposterous! Except on the stage of the musichall, I never saw the woman until the day J-hj presented herself at my rooms with the staggering declaration that she was poor Barbara come to life again. JJut I must pro* tect myself darling, and also you, painful as the duly may be." T 'Yes; I warned her she might find herself shut up between th> four walls of an asylum, unless she left off troubling me or you, or both of US,— said his bride-elect. i''You—you warned her of such a possibility?"Cpnfound women's tongues! Such a warning would render his task raoro Simeuit, "Yes, and she looked pretty .sick about it, I tell you. I shouldn't wonder but the fea.r qf an asylum has kept her quiet, If we could only get her into, the keeping of this sister of hers, now " . Miss Vansittnrt could hardly be considered heartless, but she was supremely selfish. The possibility of what the "crazy' woman " for such she considered Barbara—might suffer, was, in her mind, of less importance than her own wedding should pass off without a disturbing note as one of the most brilliant functions of the season.

£on leaving her, &lr Talbot motored down to Oarberry Grange—the name of the once historic old Sussex mansion, turned in later years, to such base" uses as a private asylum for the insane.

The baronet "winced at the terms dictated b3' Dr. Detmold, which left him no loophole of escape, and the document expressing which would, if ever produced, blacken his name and reputation in every country wherein chivalry to wpmefl was esteemed a Virtue.

, "Why should I take all the risk?'•' demanded Dr. Detmold. "As long as you perform your part of our agreement this document js so much waste paper.. Does it occur to you that iho juggler, Stanniforth, on discovering the girl's retreat "

"He must not discover it," declared the baronet. "He shall not, if it can be prevented," replied the doctor. "But humanity is fallible. Should he discover it by any means, he might insist on a further m.cdical examination. And then., for my own .safety T should have to take steps to oi_,</iate, or rather, prevent, an adverse opinion running counter to your wishes. Do you understand me? Tlvn I. think the terms I propose are perfectly fair. And pardon me if .1 remind you, that my time is of value, and I have already devoted a great deal of it to, your- case. Of course if you wish to withdraw " . The sentence, though lightly uttered implied a threat, and with Miss Vansittart's request for an uninterrupted wedding ringing in his ears, Sir Talbot seized the quill lying ready to his hand and dashed his signature across the which held him responsible for the sumoosf s one thousand guineas yearly for the safeguarding and maintenance of the woman known as Alison Stanniforth as long as she should be confined within the . limits of the asylum known as'Carbcrry Grange, and un-j der the immediate personal supers vision of Dr. Leo. Detmold. (To bo continued^