THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 231, 5 February 1910, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

'ALL RIGHTS RESER

By MAURICE SCOTT, Author of '"I'll3. Mark of the Broa< Arrow, etc. etc. ' f- : PAUT 23.

under li :r brutally-expressed direction", and who. still came in and out of 1113 room with the same inanimate face. Barbara's heart ached for the boy. He seemed so young to endure a life of coustaait abuse. She would gladh r have spoken to him kindly, but that he was never permitted near her save in the presence of Nurse Warham, and. (hough once or twice Barbara had . seemed ,-to see something in his. eyes bordering oil recognition, his features remained inscrutable, and she concluded she was mistaken. . Tlie days passed in dreary, rnonotcnous regularity, and Barbara appear.' d to, accept her lot with outward patience if not with inward resignation. She had explored grounds, frequently at iirst,. flying back to her own rooms in terror \vh. n on- e or twice brought into con!act with other inmates, whose ac- ! ions left no room for doubt as to ilv.'ir disordered condition, and whose presence on those occasions had been artfully arranged by Dr. Dermoid in order to frighten her into subjection hould she. evince any desire to rebel. How long she had .been a prisoner 'he did not know. She sometimes wondered if she would remain, watched night and day by Nurse Warham. for the whole term of her natural life, and, if so. how long her reason would stand the. strain. The bedroom to which site "was removed on the day following her arrival was , parallel to her sittingroom, withholding doors between the two apartments.- All the windows were barred on the outside, and all faced by the now dreary prospect ol tall trees, from which the last vestige of summer glory had departed, an i v. hi eh waved their long, leafless arms to and fro in the keen blast o) approaching winter. She was ready for bed oie> night. Nurse "Warham had paid her last round, lit lie knowing how galling it was to the Moray prid- 1 that this woman should be empowered lo intrude oil her patient's privacy'at any hour it pleased her to do so. Hut Barbara had sunk into a condition of passive endurance, if not of apathy, and now. as she s witched off t lie lights, leaving the room in darl-.n >ss only for the flickering lire, which had burned low, she wondered what impulse caused her to draw hack the h 'av.v curtains shrouding •. u ■ of th ' long French windows er.d opening ii to look out into the ili : ense Ilia. I u -ss ol' the ni.e lit. Was it a sudden hungering for lii.- rty ? If so. vlul a cru.'l disillusionment to I'n.l t h'se bars outside the pail".-; ! And why needlessly torture the hapless creatures confined within that wing of the mansion? Who could hope scale that high wall, to face that formidable array of iron spikes at. its summit ? Oil. if Keith on : y knew the place of her imprisonment, he would soon release her. Keith ! Thinking of Keith, time and place faded before the roseate pictures conjured up before lur mental vision, and then all at once she became conscious of something moving in one oi the trees nearest to where she stood. There was not a star in .the sky, and the wind moaned as though to presage a storm, but her eyes had by this time unconsciously accustomed themselves to the darkness, and she assured herself that she was not mis» takenWas it an animal '? It appeared to be crouching, perched upon o)\e pf the boughs, which was even now swayed by tli.s wind. And as she gazed as it her eyes riveted on the small dark object which she could now distinguish quite clearly, it suddenly rylletl it. self into a ball snd seemingly hurled jtself into'' space, and the ivxl instant. she. with ditlieulty repressed a cry as she made out the slight figure of the page-boy, Tim, clinging desperately to tiie iron liars outside the window, and before she recovered from her amazement at his daring he regained his breath, squeezed his attenuated frame between them, and in {i short space 01" time was inside til..' room.

"No, sir, I will not. Sir Talbot Hester must produce the lady, the : ; ivisc of till this commotion, ancl al.<o .satisfy mo ho can show a clean bill oi" h alfh respecting her, before lit 1 .sots out to lr.avry my daughter." •'■Will yo:i communicate as much with lvm?" ask: d Sir John. ■"Why, certainly. If I stop the marriage, I'm bound to give a reason." "Grant me one favour. Delay your communication until the arrival of Miss Stanniforth, who is now 011 her way Horn New York," continued the ba:on.l. "JL-'or what reason?" '-'I .am gravely apprehensive lest Ihe knowledge of the dangerous position ; n whiih he stands should drive Sir Talbot Hester to resort to extreme measures with regard to the unhappy 1 <"d y who is now at his mercy. 'j-ry dear Mr. Vansittart, it is of 110 use to n.i'jvje matters," wont on Sir .John Templecombe, earnestly "Those of us who know Hester intimately know that his affairs are in a parlous condition —that only the nim.iunccnu nt of his fort h.-oni;ng marriage with your daughter has he'd oil' financial ruin. Such a man would be desperate. Mr. Vansittart, a little caution now may prevent a crime." "Hut what has the arrival of Miss Stanniforih " "Mr. Yaniittarl," put in Hermann, '"it's now my firm belief that Monica can enlighun us as to the nature of the relationship between the gentleman who aspires to be your son-in-law and my cousin Alison. That there was one I feel convinced." "And the knowledge of it may give us the whip-hand—enable us to force from him a confession as to where lie has con"ea'ed his wife. To set her free and unharmed is our only object. But to accomplish this Sir Talbot ought not to be forewarned." "He shan't, I promise you," said the millionaire. "Until the young woman lands from New York, I'm mum. Shake on it. And command me in any way I can be of assistance to you, gentlemen. Sonny, I'm proud to know you," he cried, gripping Hermann's hand with great gusto. "I say, you're a credit to the Stars and Stripes. And listen, friend. If ever you're disposed to be a manager on your account, the capital's waiting for you whenever you like to take it up." "I am extremely sorry for Miss Vansittart," hazarded Keith, after Hermann had uttered his simple thanks. "Yes, it's her first disappointment, Cora's always had everything she fancied ever since she was born. But I reckon she's got to get over it," concluded Cora's fa'h.'r. "And if things turn out as you say, I'll be more than grateful to you, gentlemen that th'ngs ain't no worse," "It would be advisable .to warn Miss Yaiiiittart also to make no communication to Sir Talbot, wotild it not?" suggested Keith, in whom apprehension for his beloved s safety was increasing every moment. "Never fear, sir. Sir Talbot Hester holds no further corre.spond'iice with my girl, nor she with him, ufllil either h.-. or you have cleared .up matters."

"Allcz ! Ifaop-Ui hj" cried, in a whisper, closing - the window softly and drawing the curtains across, Barbara's alarm vanifch-'d as tJw expression fell on her cars. ! 'W}iy— she exclaimed, "it's—lt!S" r-T ■* 'Sh ! Speak low. Miss Slanniforili," urged Tin}, "Yes, it's me — Bimbo, .you know. I knew you at once, but was too cute to let that she-devil think so. Shi'd have upset any chance I might find of doing you goad tirn, she would. And I've been watching l'or a chance, for u word with you unknowns! to h_>r."

Too late ! J 'o" e\ ! n as Barbara s three frit mis Hi " hotel, well content with the.result ot' their interview. Miss Vansitlart was holding cv lengthy conversation with her lpvei through Die l elephone. f'Say nothing to your father, dearest," were hi.s concluding words. "The. v. hole story is a labricatioi}, find we. will be mtu'ricd happily yet: And Cora believed him. + CHAPTER XXX. ——4 —= —- - '■BKK.VD CAST UPON THE WATERS"-—-In youth Hope is said tq die. harcl, j]([ yet poor Barjiara, crushed ] j.y the knowledge of what she believed to be Selina's perfidy and Hermann's acquiescence., resigned herself tci a condition bordering" on the hopelessness of despair. Dr. Del mold had intimated that, (subject to her mate acceptance of the condition in which she found herself placed,, s-hj might rely or. kind, treatnn.ii 1 ; an.l even luxury coupled with freedom to move about the grounds at will. 'Hut should she offer any opposition to the rules laid down for h'-r guidance, he warned her that his house contained secluded ce}ls frpm hkh egress could only be permittee! under the surveillance of a keeper. "You I: now perfectly well tliiat I'iq not mad,''' she had retorted, iiidigr nantly. "I 1 now that you are a very charming young lady," he.returned, with an attempt at gallantry, "One whom I ,-hould b3 sorry to feel compelled to place v:iuler the especial control of-.Nun-e Warliam —an excellent woman? a!ici r; .on> having had great' experience, 'ii dealing with refractory patients. "Hut you—not being 'mad,' as you suivgest—-will not reader such' an extreme measure a matter of necessity, I leei assured.'Aiul only- when lie had . left Tr.>r alcii • (I d Barbara' realize , the full meaninp; of the "threat, ; ■' It were indeed q,h act pf madness to voiun-'arilv subject' Jjerself to iIU trcafnu nt on the 'par-t of the ' woman • Wavhani, wliyse exhibited themselves lier every act. Shi appeared tp enjoy tlie small gratification ct.f. calling Barbara "my lady" and "your ladyship," and keeping up a running- commentary pf taunting allusions, throughout every service she was called upon to render; It would seem as though she was endeavouring to irritate the unhappy girl into an ebullition of violent temper and just resentment, which would induce her villainous employer to carry out his throat, and to place Barbara completely at her mercy. ' And then, finding her taunts and jeers were treated by their rccipk n*. with a quiet dignity bordering on aLviolute indifference, Nurse Warham would vent h?r spite on the luckless boy, Tim, who fetched and cqrried

Barbara's heart leaped joyfully, and hope arose anew. Verily "bread cast upon the waters often return :d after many days." This was a poor drudge formerly connected with an acrobatic troupe, purposely half-starved in or-d;-r to stunt his physique and render him able to squeeze through space impossible.tp ordinary human beings, and who. while trained to a pitch of dexterity little short, of marvellous, had been cruelly ilMrofite<| by a hard taskmaster, from" whose brutality Hermann had more than once protected him. Barbara, too while awaiting at the wings her "lum" to face the knives, had often given him a kind w.qrd, which he now evidently remembered wi I'll grat i tude. "Why, Jljinbo," she said, "whatever brought you here •?" . "My legs, Miss Stannifortb,," he replied. :/I cut run from llk troupe qyje day when I see a chance; but. because I was 'prenticed I had t ( ; keep clear o' the towns for feai they'd, find me and take me back.' 1 haci a hard time q,t lirst jjpettiji' odd jobs an' no character to back me, till I wandered into Sussex an' got tp.ok on here to work in the garden, an" then.,., the doctor thought I'd lx niorii useful inside the house." "J'oor Bimljo J'- said Barbara. "I am afraid you have but fallen out. o the frying-pan" intq tho lire." "-No," iic said ; "hard words break lio holies,.' an' I keeps dark about me beijV a trained acrobat, 'cos I can 'squeeze' into pltyccs they never, thinks about, Aiv I'll he even with aid .M oilier Warham before Car berry C!range is aone with me, Miss Stan* liiiorth." ''Carljcvry Grange 1""The name p'- this house—Dr. Detmold's private asylum. How ever did you come here, Miss Stanniforth ?" he asked.; "I tell you what, the doctor and that she-cat, Warham, e x re a precious pair of villains.. it § my belief they're and wife." "Bimqo," said Barbara,, "I - brought here by the y^est

treachery ; none of my frunds know where I am. Could you send a letter, or even a telegram for me '?" "To Mr. Stanniforth ?" "To him —yes, and yet J. don't exactly know where to find him, Bimbo ; ho is on tour.'-' . "That's a pity,"- returned the boy. "I'd like to do a good turn to Mr, Stanniforth." "You can," urged Barbara, "by helping me. Send a telegram to Lady Blair, Blair Athol Lodge, Regent's Park, London. Wait ; I'll write it." "Is she a illation?" asked the boy. "JST-o. Why ?" "She couldn't do no good otherwise. Old Dot's precious careful to have authority, as ho calls it, for all his dirty work. An' if friends.'was to come an'. see you, he'd tip old Warliam the wink, an' she'd give you a dose that 'ud turn you into a blithering idiot before you went to the reception room. I've seen 'em do it more'n once." Barbara's eli.-eks blanched withjiorror. "The only thing I can see for me—(lie njxt time I'm .sen!: out —is to cut my lucky an' try an' find Mr. Stanniforth. He's the on'y one who's got the right to tackle old Del.," suggested Bimbo. .And he (Hermann) had consign'd her to the cruel fate by which flu was menaced. How could she own as much, cvm to this poor waif '? "I will write a letter, Bimbo,"' the said, "which I would beg you on my knees to send for me by some means. Lt is- to a doctor" — "The doctor who come behind at the Parthenon," he said, eagerly, "on the night when the knives"— "Yes, yes ; he. Can you wait now?"' "If it is short. Miss Stannii'orih. I'm supposed to bo in'bed." Barbara switched on the most shaded light, and, taking pencil anr paper, wrote rapidly : "I am held a prisoner in an asylum for the insane known as Carberry Grange, in Sussex, near Crawleigh. You knew «nd loved me as Alison Stannii'orih, and that is why I ask your help in effecting my release. But I am Barbara Moray, and fear that it is by the cruelty of my husband, Sir Talbot Hester, that I am imprisoned here. I pray you, though I have be< n guilty of deception, help me, for my life and my reason are equally in danger.—Barbara." As she enclosed and addressed the envelope to "Dr. 1-Jeriot, care of Lady Blair," Tim suddenly snatched it from hu\ and tinned out the light. "Get into bed, quick !" he whispered. She obeyed him, not an instant too .soon, as she was hardly under the clothes Vrhin the lock "clicked," and Nurse Warham entered the adjoining sitting-room, carrying a shaded elec-tric-lamp, with which she proceeded to look round both apartments. Barbara lay motionless, trying to breath regularly, but opening her eyes in a blaze of indignation as the woman flashed the light into lior face. "'Why do you disturb me ?" she asked. "You are exceeding your authority." "Am I'?" snarled Nurse Waiham. "I could have sworn I heard voices in here, my lady." "Indeed !" returned Barbara. "I should advise you to reassure yourself on that point." She turned in bed as if-to compose herself more comfortably, and after searching every corner of the two rooms, tVu in! ruder withdrew. Barbara waited breathlessly until her footstep.-; had died away, and then whispered : "Bimbo ! Bimbo, are you lh-re ?"

There was no answer. Evidently the trained iv-Tubut had deftly eluded even NTui-se Warhiun's vigilence, and slipped out unseen, carrying tlie precious letter. And Barbara offered up a heartfelt thanksgiving aifd then slept for tl\e first time beneath that roof i» pea.ee.

CHAPTER XXXI. + A DIABOLICAL, PROJECT. Dr. Detmoki was scaled in a room known throughout the house as his "siuily," iiiiti into which 11011 c dared penetrate save under llio supervision of either iJvur.sc Waihum or himself. The room was handsomely furnished, ar.d contained an- extui ;ive library ranged in shelves along ihe wall, 'and a largo bureau, before which the was sitting. There was an elaborate arrangement of electric lighting throughout the study but at present, save for the powerful zon.! thrown on to the bureau and taking in the figure of the man seated before it, the best part of the room lay iv> total darkness. Suddenly a glare of brilliant red was thrown across his desk, and, rising, he went to the telephone suspended over it and unhooked the receivev. '■'•Hello f Are you there ? Is it—it is Bet mold en.me in agitated tones those of Sir Talbot Hester. "Yes. And you are Sir Talbot?" "All right, don't mention names. There's trouble browing, and 1 want to wain you. Be prepared for a visit from that interfering 1 Scotch doctor and that meddlesome young ass, Sir .John Templeeomhe. 'My fiancee tells me tVicyH'e down to Edinburgh and pick: d up an old photo of my wife —which, it appears, m»By bears some resemblance to your patient—and on (hi; stwngth of it they hi\vo carried ih - yarn to Papa VansiUart I understand'.'''.' "Wlint view doea the young lady take, of the matter ?'i asked Bet mold Seeing his "ens thousand guineas" per annum fading into the distance. "Staunch as a little brick. Bo . i: n't Relieve word of it. She's u'l right ; Would even run away and marry me 'should the old man cut up rough." "Thin J think the difliculty may be got over," spoke. Betmold through the 'phone, confident that his study was sound proof as far as the outside world was concerned. "Boos this fellow TToriot know where your—shall we say friend —is located ?" "Not at present. I don't see how they can have the faintest clue. But one never knows. Should they turn up, what line would you take ?" "That Miss Stanniforth has been .consigned tc> my care by her relatives ans that no medical authority, past or present, could possibly pronounce her sane. T shall take steps to ensure that the young lady's appeal* fmice bears out my assertion." To be