BROKEN BONDS. A THRILLING ROMANCE OF LOVE AND INTRIGUE,

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 290, 31 August 1910, Page 4

BROKEN BONDS. A THRILLING ROMANCE OF LOVE AND INTRIGUE,

(Copyright.)

By MAURICE SCOTT,

Author of "The Mark of the Broad Arrow," "Tracked by Fate," Etc., Etc. PART 3. "Euston, sir. Any luggage ?" Felix Vane aroused himself with dilliculty, rubbed his eyes, and stared first at the porter, then at Anna's hat and fur coat lying on the seat opposite, though Anna herself was nowhere to be seen. He pulled himself together. "There was a carriage ordered to meet this train" "Yes sir, ; name of Vane. 'Twas ere, but you bein' asleep, a.n' no one claimirt' it, I fancy 'tis druv away." "But—hut the lady ! Is there not" He stepped out on to the platform, onlv to discover it practically empty and himself evidently the sole remaining passenger. "There wasn't no ladies travel lin' up by this train, sir—leastways, noiie that' I see. But I'll ask the guard if you" "No, no," broke in Vane, who was beginning- to grasp the situation, and who felt in no mood' to render himself the laughing-stock of the staff of the North-Western Railway, as the husband of the bride who had given him the slip on their wedding day. "I—l expected a lady to meet me. She has probably mistaken the hour of arrival. Remove these traps,' arud —and there is some luggage in the van, labelled Vane. Get a couple of cabs," "Well, I'm bio wed !" exclaimed Porter 105 D, as, pocketing a liberal tip, he watched the retreating vehicles. "That's a rum go ! There was a woman's dressin'-bag, a woman's hat, an' a woman's coat a ccauty, too, an' no mistake ! But I wonder where's the woman ?" A question at that moment exclusively occupying the mind of Felix Vane, as the cab in which he sat rumbled along the F.'uston-road on its way to the great hotel at which a suite of rooms had been engaged for "Mr. and Mrs. Felix Vane." So heavily had he slept, so potent the fumes of the whisky he had consumed, that for a few moments his bra'n failed to grapple successfully with the problem. Then lite a flash it occurred to him that his arrival alone —a bridegroom without a 9 ride —could not fail to arouse comment, if not derision. That con'punded feminize hat and jacket would give him away did he attempt to make such an excuse - as ihat the . marriage had been postDOned. And at All times he was keenly susceptible to ridicule. Checking the cabby with an oafh, ic bade him alte.r his route and drive to one of the less-important hotels Dff the Strand. - Then he savagely wumpled up Anna's hat and tlie. mostly fur coat and thrust them out Df sight amidst pile qf travelling rugs, which he strapped securely with a view to their■ concealment. As he did so the action .suggested" something hitherto undreamt of—, something which sent the 1)1 ood from his face and threw him back on the seat with starting eyes, find trembl? ing lips, At his mere approach —after learning his . treacherous intentions with 'egard to Abbotsvalo —Anna had toil} open the door of the compartment, even while the train was gathering its fullest speed, threatening to hurl herself upon the line. What if during his absence she dad done so ? What if her mangled body had been .'ound dead upon the track ? Even now the wires might/ be (it wqrk seeking clues tq her itknt it.y. A co'd, clammy sweat broke over nim- as the cabs arrived at the address he had indicated, and. seizing Lho bundle <jf j'Ugs, hp left the sleepy Hall porter to pay the drivers ; then entering the hotel, was soon settled in a private sitting-rpom,. with bedroom ad/oining'. Supper was served to him, and at his i equest a bottle of whisky left on the sideboard. The food he took . for the sake of appearances, though he ate sparingly, and drank the more as the question recurred to him wjiother, if Anna, in horror at his perfidy, had committed suicide, he was liable to be suspected of having thrown her out of the train ? Yet with what motive ? There" could be none fay any possibility, though he now realised that his conduct in yielding to his dread of ridicule and leaving F.uston station without having made a single, inquiry relative to the absence of the lady to whom he had been married that morning would tell hevily against him should the worst have happened. The idea might prqve the veriest absurdity, yet he felt in a fever to know the truth. A few hours would surely decide ; the. earlier editions of the next evening's papers might furiwsn the information. Over and over again the warning words of Paul Inglis rang in his cars, "Be careful how you deceive that girl," and now he tpld himself that, living or dead, he might anticipate troublo from the bride whom he had married under false pretences, and who, though a mere girl in years, had defied his author* ity and sworn never to l:e his wife. So far she had eluded him—how! and by what means he had yet to Icam. He tried to sleep that night with scant success, for with the uncertainty respecting Anna's fate ever present to his mind rest became impossible. Early next morning ho dressed and and went out, avoiding his club, seeking only to ki/t time until some intelligence should be forthcoming. And now he cursed the folly impelling him to ignore his friend's advice ; even a few words of conciliation would have put Anna off the scent. How much wiser also to have lied to her until the foreclosure had been lawfully effected and Abbotsvale became his own, to do with as ho pleased ! Three times he turned in the direction of his lawyer's in the Temple, yet checked himself almost Dn the threshold. At least he must

know something of his missing wife before discussing legalities. I!ut that day passed, and the next, and though Felix Vane watched every idltion of morning and evtuing papers as they ' appeared, he read no I ai'agra; h or other intelligence re lating- to any discovery on the line: and his fury against tho missing Anna now became intense as he realist, d she had tricked him —that she had either left the train at some previous stoppage while he slept, or else had slipped away unnoticed by the porter at Euston. But where would she go, what could she do alone in London or elsewhere ? She would, or so he thought, have had little or no money. Could she have returned to Mrs. Stralhcarron ? Surely in such a case the sister-in-law, who had connived at her marriage, would have communicated with the deserted husband. Even now a telegram might be awaiting him at the Crichton Hotel. But now he would, he swore, delay no longer. He would exact his "pound 1 of flesh" to the full, the more mercilessly in revenge for the trick which the vixen had played him, and when Abbotsvale should have become levelled with the ground ami the woods beloved of the Strathcanons were razed to make way for disfiguring chimney-shafts, belching forth volumes of thick black smoke, destroying every green thing for miles around, he would drag her thither to look upon what he had done in revenge for her daring defiance of his authority. So vowed Felix Vane, who never doubted his ability to trace his run away wife, when he should find time and convenience to go into the matter. But his lawyer told him another story. "You cannot foreclose," reilieii that gentleman., on receiving vane's instructions for the commencement of proceedings. "Cannot ? For what reason ?'' "That the mortgagor, Mr. Alec Stralhcarron, has served me, on your Ik half, with a notice of his intention to redeem all claims on his M'State." "Hut— but" "You would be ill-advised to enter any protest," continued the man of law. "He lenders interest on the sums already overdue, together with full and complete indemnity for any de'auit. 1 have bet n writing and wirin ,' \ i)U to the Crichton, as I received the intimation several days ago, Mr. Stralhcarron is now on his way to England !" Tlvn —then if Anna had returned home —thinking to defy the man whom she had married ! But now the cruel mouth of Felix Vane set in a hard line. The young Scottish laird might redeem his estates, but money ':ould not undo a marriage. And while he listened to tho explanations of his man of business, Vane swore between clenched teeth that the lovely Anna should pay for his -frustrated schemes. A CHAPTER IV. STORMY WEATHER. Rain, rain, continuous, pelting rain only ' chr.n-g'ng now and then into a thick, vaporous "mist " that env'eloped the grey old- home of the Strath arrons and blotted out the Abk'otsvale woods, sending tv shiver through the frame of Alec's wife. as. casting a glance of disgust through the quaint , leaded windows, she tried to stir into a blaze tlie pile of damp logs spluttering and smouldering on the wide, open hearth. "Spring !" she muttered, with chattering teeth- ''One wonders whether the almanacs are lying." It was one of the days following the wedding of Anna Stralhcarron to Felix Vane. The weather was depressing—doubly so to a Londoner born and bred. And it seemed to have rained incessantly since Elise bade "good-bye" to the bride and bridegroom in Blairgowrie Churchyard. Elise felt, uneasy, even while she wondered why. She was prone to scolT at Celtic superstition—which for lack of comprehension sh : hadbeen apt to describe as "ignorance"—and yet s-he had to admit that the union ha 1 I egun inauspiciously, and to wonder whether the "tail li"'k already predicted by the High'and ;ervants might r.ot in some way reflect upon tlv only person rea'ly beloved of Mrs. Strathcarron—-herself. In a minor degree, too, ;.he was restless until some news should come from, the "happy pair." Mr. Vane had promised to telegraph intelligence >of their arrival, and to write at the earliest possible mo ment —his plan having been to spend a few days only in town before taking Anna to Paris, And she had made Anna promise to write to her, not from any. personal desire lor information, but that. Alec on his return should be led to believe his wife had left no duty undone by the little sister so dear to him. Yet not a word had reached her, not even an announcement of their sa r e arrival. It was annoying ; yet why need she trouble? \ ane was probably neglectful; and Anna might be sulking. If only the weather would e'ear, Mrs, Strathcarron told herself, she had better drive into Blairgowrie and wire to Vane at his hotel. Again she shivered, the more as she remembered that only for this uncertainty about Alec's*, return she also might have travelled south, away from this land of mists. But in face of his pronouncement. "Oood news."' Good gews 1 What could Alec mean ? Her reverie was so absorbing- that she failed to notice the sound of approaching wheo'.s rumbling over tho stony, neglected road, until presently she was aroused by an unusual commotion in the great hall, by delighted, if uncouth, sounds of welcome to some one equally happy in being the recipient of such familiar demonstration. And then' cries of "Maister Alee ! 'tis himseP !" turned (he colour from her cheeks, as, laughing and happy, his hair and short reddish beard dripping with the mists of his native heath, her husband burst into the room. He embraced her with a boisterous affection, boyish in its expression, meanwhile patting ahe numerous dogs leaping on him —the while harking madly for joy—and on releasing her looked around as if for some one else. "Where is Anna?" he asked, a little disappointedly, or so thought the jea'ous woman, now bracing herself for what she felt would be an unpleasant admission. "Away ou

the moor, watching the mists roll like a curtain over Tor-na-Sheen, I suppose, though J had hoped this lownpour have kept her in lho house to greet me. But you. Elise ilear, you are not looking well." A "braw laddie," Alec Strathcarron, fully six feet in- height, and broad in proportion. While not exactly "good-looking," his face was good to look upon, honest integrity and simplicity of outlook being itronjly marked in every feature. Yet even his unsuspecting nature could hardly fail to remark his wife's obvious uneasiness. "I ? Who could be well in this wretched country ?" she ejaculated. '"And—it's rather—rather unnerving, Alec, to have you drop down from the clouds, as it were, I his way. then, neither you nor Anna know -ip.xixouu uoao '.oimuon siq in ooio.'o,: Pino.w 'soa.iou ou .uuiAtui 'oqw .10: -sis amsi joj pou.i«o\ i-tuon sp; su odi3.ispuu( r 43A\ auj .ioao -pio po.iop -U\?A\ SO AO SIQ 'l-lIUI pOViOOI 00 (y ~i ojdood' Ajpnrj 'soa.iou jo £>uii(t ui>j edly. "But—surely you k-nc'-'" ? . i'M you not receive my cable '?" he ;'.•■■■ cd. "I got a message a day or two ago from Montreal, saying. ' Home by next liner,' if that is what you mean," replied Elise, coldly. " I was unaware liners crossed' the Atlantic in a day and half, so naturally did not expect you until a week or ten days later." "I am sorry," returned Alec. "I left instructions with a friend on jmbarkation asking him to cable to you that I had sailed. He must have forgotten, or misunderstood me—probably both. But surely you are glad to see me, Elise ?" "Of course, T am," she answered, "only you startled me. Y"ou might have wired from Liverpool, even." "Of course, I might ; but I was all anxiety to get back home to the dear old place I have hungered for the sight of —to lose no time in returning to you and to Anna. 1 wish she would come," he went on, walking to the windows. "This weather is not good for -her to be out in." "Tell me the good news, Alec. You referred to ' good news' in your cablegram," urged Mrs. Strathcarron. "Not till Anna is here," he said, turning to her with a smile. Anna ? Why, surely as your wife I have tho biggest right" " 'Sh ! Be patient, Elise, dear. The good news means perhaps much more to Anna and to me than Are vou sure Miss Anna has not returned. Donald '?" Donald, whose entrance with hot dishes and refreshment for the ti'a/eller had evo'-'od Alec's mild reDiike, now looked at his > aung master with an expression, of frank bewilderment. "Miss Ai\na —returned !" he almost gasped. "See. if she may not be in her room," continued Alec. "I cannot conceive her wandering over the moQi'S in this pelting rain." Donald, within an ace of dropping what he carried, looked helplessly at his mistress, who realising the situation had to be faced, assisted him to arrange the table, and then signalled him to quit the room, which lie did only too gladly. For a moment or two silence prevailed. Alec seemed both hungry und thirsty, though at every - ound from without his eyes wandered expectantly towards the door, the action lashing his wife into a jea'ous fury- that rendered her not only well pleased with tho result she had achieved, but also justified in her actions. "I'm sorry the fact of your sister's absence appears to spoil the pleasure of your home-coming, Alec," she said, satirically, " especially as it's a deprivation you'll have to grow accustomed to, I'm afraid." " 'Deprivation !' " Alec Sti'athcarron's bronzed face paled a little as he laid down his knife and fork and faced his wife. " 'Deprivation ?' Anna is not—not ill —not" "Oh, dear, no !" sneered the jealous wife, who at that moment could have cheerfully consigned the lifeless remains of her sister-in-law deep down beneath the sodden earth. ■'Nothing so doleful. Don't look so tragic, Alec. It p.leased you to >narry. Did it never occur to you thfit your sister might wish to do likewise ?'' "Anna —wish to marry ? In Heaven's name, whom ?" The expression on her husband's face sent the guilty colour into Mrs. Strathcarron's faded cheeks, but she answered him as though stubbornly. "Mr. Felix Vane." "Vane—the mortgagee ! The fellow. is a blase, unscrupulous schemer, no fitting husband for my innocent little sister. ' Anna cannot wish to marry him, nor would I consent to such a union even if she did." "You are a day after the fait", my dear Alec," responded his wife. "Anna' was married on Wednesday to Sir. Vane, and is now in London enjoying her honeymoon." A bitter exclamation rose to Alec's lips as he started to his feet and dashed the big oak chair in which he had been sitting across the bare floor with great violence. Elise had never seen him so thoroughly roused —had believed him incapable of so strong a display of emotion, at the sight of which her courage faded and her face turned an ashen grey. "Are you telling me the truth?" he asked, almost under his breath. "Where was she married ?" "At Blairgowrie. .Don't look like that, Alec ; I could not prevent it Air. Vane lias been sta3'i«g in the neighbourhood for some time. He —ho fell in love with Anna. He—he is so rich ; it is an excellent match for a girl with no fortune." "So excellent that you forced her to marry him ?" muttered Alec between clenched teeth. "How absurd, Alec ! How' could 1 'orco her ? I suppose he persuaded her. At any rate, she said ' Yes,' and—and " "Married on Wednesday," lie said, again. "Then, by Heaven, Elise, you must have had my cable. Why did you not postpone the ceremony?" "1 —it came after —after" "You a re lying to me !" he broke in. with fierce, passionate utterance. "Elise, if you have forced my poor little sister into an iniquitous marriage with that- man, Heaven forgive you, for I never can."(To be Continued.)