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Time, The Avenger

(All Rights Reserved.)

By HEDLEY RICHARDS, Author of "The Haighs of Hillcrest," "From Mill to Mansion," "Diana's Inheritance," Etc., Etc.

THE UNRAVELLING OF A STRANGE WILL MYSTERY.

THIRTIETH INSTALMENT. The woman opened her eyes and stared at madame in amazement ; then she rubbed her eyes and finallj sat up, still gazing at her visitor. " Mrs. Hayes, I've come about £ very important matter. Gertie is at my house."

" Gertie at your house ! What dc you mean ? " exclaimed Mrs. Hayes. " Hush ! you must not make a noise. We must try and keep the matter quiet. Now, listen ; I have a very sad talc to tell;" and as concise ly as possible madame told all she knew.

" The villain ! He shall marry her," said Mrs. Hayes, clenching her fist.

" Don't you think it would be better to get a few of her clothes together and come to my house ? Bui you must remove that note that the poor child left on her pillow. We must keep the whole affair quiet, ,! said madame.

" Oh, madame, you are good ! I shall never be able to thank you for what you have done," said Mrs. Hayes, as she got out of bed and dressed herself ; then she took a few of Gertie's things, put them in a bag and took possession of the note. " Suppose I tahe the bag and slip out at the back door and round the corner ? Then you can wake your servant and tell her that Miss Gertie and you are going to see madame, but you will be back before noon." " Very well;" and Mrs. Hayes awoke the servant who expressed her surprise pretty strongly. Then Mrs. Hayes fastened the kitchen window, and joined madame, who was waiting on the road a little way from the 3elder Inn.

" I tumbled the bed about to make it look as though it had been slept in, but I expect I shall have to tell Sally the truth. She's sure to ferret it out—she's so keen ; but she won't talk — she's as true as steel," said Mrs. Hayes.

" Have you decided what you will do with Gertie ? I don't think she will come back home, and if she was willing, it wouldn't be wise. I adi'ise you to send her away at once. Do you know any nice people you could send her to ? " said madame. " Yes ; there's her father's cousin. He's a farm about forty miles away; it's a quiet little country place, and she would be all right there. Sam's wife is a real nice woman who'll hold her tongue, and Gertie can stay there till Hugh Hudspith makes her his wife." Madame looked surprised. In her own mind she thought that if Mrs. Hayes waited for that Gertie would probably spend the remainder of her life at the farm. Mrs. Hayes was sharp enough to ?uess her companion's thoughts as she said : " He'll marry her right enough." " You've more faith in young Hudspith than I have ; and even if he Wished his father would oppose it," said madame. " His father will make him marry her. Look here, madame, you've been good to that girl of mine, and I know r you wish her well ; so I tell you in confidence what I've never told a living soul. I've a hold over Mr. Hudspith, and he daren't go against me. He'll row at his son for going after Gertie ; but all the same, he'll make him marry her." Madame listened with interest, and her thoughts travelled quickly; but aloud she said : " You must have a very strong hold upon him, because, from what I have heard Mr. Hudspith is a very proud man, and his son very strongwilled ; so your influence would have to be something out of the common to bring what you want to pass." "It is. Madame, I'm not blind. I knew that Hugh Hudspith was courting Gertie, and I was glad of it because I knew I'd the whip-hand of Mr. Hudspith ; but I've been bothered about her looking so ill and seeming out of spirits lately. I'd come to the conclusion that things were not I going smoothly, afld only last night : I made up my mind to speak to her to-day, and have a talk with Mr.Hudspith. Mind you, madame, I never thought there was anything wrong with the girl ; I thought she was too good to go astray ; but he's a bad one like his father before him."

" And would you let her marry a man whom you knew to be bad who would probably treat her cruelly if he was forced to marry her ? " " I would. It would save her good name and she'd be mistress of Gelder Hall. It's a grand position for a woman ; and' she could endure a few hard words for the sake of it. Oh, yes, I'd like to see Gertie there, and they'd treat her decently because o' me. I know a bit too much for any one belonging to me to be roughly handled," said Mrs. Hayes. " Your secret must be worth a great deal," said madame, quietly. "It is. I don't mind telling yor that I know something about Mr Hudspith's past life, and he daren' defy me," she said, resolutely, jus J as they reached the little shop i: Market-street.

Madame took out the latch-kc-and opened the door ; but hearinsounds in the kitchen she whispcrc to Mrs. Hayes to go up stairs to th narlour. while =ne went herself tc

the kitchen, and explained to Mary

that she'd been for a walk, and that Mrs. and Miss Hayes had come tc breakfast with her, as they were going to catch an early train. Mary looked surprised, but made no remark, and madame went upstairs to the parlour ; then she led Mrs. Hayes to her chamber and unlocking the door they entered the room.

Gertie, who was evidently restless started up and looked around her in a bewildered manner.

" Gertie, I have told your grandmother all, and she is going to take you away from Wittonbury," said madame, and before Mrs. Hayes could say anything she left the room. Half an hour later she went to tell Mrs. Hayes that breakfast was

ready, intending to take Gertie's upstairs, and she found the latter just finishing dressing, though looking pale and weary, while she listened to her grandmother's assurance that Hugh Hudspith would have to marry her.

" You shouldn't have got up until you had breakfasted," said madame noticing how heavy-eyed and pale the girt looked. " I should like to get off by the early train. I promised Sally a day or two's holiday, so I must get back," said Mrs. Hayes as they followed madame to the parlour.

It was a sad meal, in spite of Mrs. Hayes attempts to cheer her granddaughter, and as soon as it was over they got ready for the journey. Gertie wearing a hat and jacket they had brought from the inn. "We shall catch the quarter-past eight express easily. It stops at Bexford, where we change and go up north to Atherton, where Sam lives," said Mrs. Hayes.

" Good-bye, dear, and take care of yourself," said madame, kissing Gertie. Since that brief struggle with her she had felt a deep sympathy for the poor girl who was evidently conscious of it, as she murmured :

" Thank you, madame, for all you have done. I shall not again try to take my life ; but when grandmother :omes back try and persuade her not to see Mr. Hudspith. I couldn't bear to think Hugh had been forced into marrying me. I could have borne to think he had done it out of pity but not to be dragged into it," she whispered. " I'm afraid I cannot influence your grandmother," madame whispered ; and at that moment Mrs. Hayes, who had gone down stairs, called to her to be quick or they'd miss their train. "And I want to catch the two o'clock train back, so that I can be in Wittonbury at half-past four. I promised to let Sally go by seven to-night, so I've no time to lose," she said.

A parting word to Gertie and they went, leaving madame feeling very sad.

When they arrived at the station Mrs. Hayes tool' the ticl cts, and Gertie, who stood listlessly on the platform, saw a dog-cart dash up to the station and Hugh Hudspith get down; then his luggage was carried into the station, and as Mrs. Hayes turned from the booking-office, she heard him ask for a first-class ticket for London. Another moment and he sauntered on to the platform, giving Gertie a sneering smile as he passed her, but otherwise ignoring her. Mrs. Hayes gave him a black look as she muttered, " He'll give you a different greeting next time he sees you, my girl ! "

A minute later and the train stopped in the station, Mrs. Hayes and Gertie getting a carriage to themselves ; and before they had gone many yards the poor girl fainted, and it took all her grandmother's efforts to revive her. CHAPTER XXXII. THE MAN WHO CAME IN THE NIGHT. At half-past four Mrs. Hayes was back in Wittonburj, and a farmer who lived on the Gelder road, whose wife had travelled by the same train, offered to give her a seat in his trap which she gladly accepted ; but when they reached the gates leading into Gelder Park, she asked them to put her down, saying that she was going to see her landlord. " Going to ask him to do a bit of painting ? " said the man. "I'm going to ash him to put a trific that's out of order right," she replied as she got out ; and wishing them good afternoon, she pushed the small iron gate at the side of the big ones open and entered the park. Mounting the steps she pulled the bell, and asked if she could sec Mr. Hudspitli.

" You should hare gone to the side entrance, Mrs. Hayes ; but as you are here, you may as well step this way."

" I came to the proper door, and just you tell your master that Mrs. Hayes, of Gclder Inn wishes to see trim on a matter of importance." The man was a little impressed by tier tone, and he went on without speaking; until they came to a room which Mr. Hudspith used as an office and to receive any people who called on business.

Mrs. Hayes remembered it well and j she looked round to see what altera- j tions had been made ; but she had | not waited many minutes when the j door opened and Mr. Hudspith enter- ; ed. The first glance showed Mrs. Hayes that he looked worn and older. " Good afternoon, Mrs. Hayes," he j said, after he had shut the door fast, i "You wanted to see me about some- : thing important," he added, as hf : took a chair opposite to her. J " Yes, Mr. Hudspith, it's the most important business I've ever discus sed with you." " Then it must, be important," hf said, in a low tone, and she thoughl she saw an expression of fear in his eyes. '"l've com. -*--a. tell you that vouj

■;nn has ruino! ;••■• : r :• : \-i;i ii.cr. Ho promised her :..a,Ti:i:.<\ and now he laughs at her," she said, indignantly. " I warned you to keep her out oi his way," replied Mr. Hudspith angrily. "And I told you to look after him if you didn't want trouble. T let you see I thought it would end in marriage. Of course, I knew he wag courting Gertie, and I didn't see winshe shouldn't be Mrs. Hudspith. I only made one mistake and that was that I thought the girl was able tc take care of herself. I forgot what an innocent little girl she was, and now the poor child is nearly brokenhearted." " Hearts mend. She'll got nvpi this, and marry some nice ymmg fellow. I'll give her a dowry." replied Mr.Hudspith. " You can dower her if yon like —1 believe in women having a hit of pinmoney —but your son will have tc marry her and save her good name."

" Nonsense, woman. It's out of the question," said Mr. Hudspith.

" Listen to what I've got to. say before you make up your mind. Last night Gertie tried to drown herscl! in the river near Wittonbury old church, and but for madame she would have done it ; but she saved her and I've taken her to her father's cousin—lie's a farmer at Atherton—and there she'll stay until your son takes her away as his wife." " Who is this madame ? " asked Mr. Hudspith, ignoring her last words. He was thinking that madame was his evil genius. She had been at hand to nurse Mr. Ualrymple and had nursed him so cleverly that his quick recovery was partly due to her care, and now she had prevented this girl doing what would have saved him infinite trouble and difficulty. " Who is madame ? " he repeated. " She's a good woman, and she's a milliner," said Mrs. Hayes, promptly. " But never mind her. I want to know when your son will marry Gertie. And there's to be no putting off ; the day is to be fixed and kept."

" You talk like a fool. Do you think I can make my son marry any girl I choose ? " asked Mr. Hudspith in a rage.

" Yes, I do. You've got the money and you can stop supplies." " He's got thirty thousand from his mother, and he might rather manage on that than marry a girl he didn't care for, and quite unfitted for the position of mistress of this house." "He wouldn't. I know enough of Mr. Hugh for that. And my Gertie's real teachable—she'd drop into the ways very soon. It's astonishing how soon folks fit into their positions. You were not born to be master here. Years ago you were just a poor nephew, without a penny of your own ; yet you've made a very decent master of Gelder Hall—a bit stingy, and not so well liked as Mr. Lionel would have been, but "

" Hold your tongue ! " interrupted Mr. Hudspith, whose face looked the picture of baffled rage. " I'll hold my tongue when you fix the wedding-day," she said. "It cannot be. Hugh must marry some one who belongs to his own class. I'll give you a big sum of money or anything," said Mr. Hudspith.

" Look here, I may as well tell you I've had a wish for Gertie to be mistress here. Don't you see after the help I gave it only seemed fair. Now, after what's happened, your son either weds her within a week or I tell all I know. Now, what do you

say ? " Marcus Hudspith did not speak, hut he looked as if he would have liked to kill her as she sat there,but he lontrolled himself, and walked to the window, where he stood with his back towards her, evidently in deep thought. About five minutes elapsed, then he turned round.

"It shall be as you wish," he said, quietly. "You mean that your son shall marry Gertie ? " " Yes. Of course, I shall have to tell him all, and I expect he will :hoose the lesser of two evils. He went to London this morning. I shall have to go up to him, or persuade him to come home. There may be a little delay, but I swear it shall be settled as soon as possible; so if it is a day or two beyond the week you won't do anything rash ? he said, in a conciliatory tone. " Not so long as you act. fair ; out I'm not going to have the marriage delayed. Two weeks is the longest I'll wait, and 1 think the wedding had better be at Athcrton then he can take her to the south a bit and we'll see bow matters turn Dllt."

| " Very well, then, the matter is i settled. I suppose you have not told J your granddaughter anything about I the past ? " he said. j "No ; I've held my tongue always and when Gertie's your daugh-ter-in-law you'll he safer than ever." " Then the matter is settled ; you [shall hear from me before Ion::. I j shall very likely eall at the inn." j "I hope it won't be lone: before you come to tell me you've arramred i the day. T expect Mr. Much will get a special licence? " she said. ! " T suppose he will." be replied. j " Very well, then, I'd belief be going. I've promised to lei. Sally, my servant, go To her sister's ved- ! ding and she leaves at seven." ! " And you're not going 10 get any j other help ? " | "No; I'm hale and hearty en >ug'ito do a hit. of work yet. (lend afternoon, Mr. Hudspith." "Good afternoon. Mrs. Hayes :" and they parted, Mrs. Hayes walking quickly down the avenue, yet taking time to glance around with pride as she reflected that very soon Gertie v.'ould be the wife of the heir to all. To !->.> Cnnl inner!.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KCC19111206.2.3

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 420, 6 December 1911, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,854

Time, The Avenger King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 420, 6 December 1911, Page 2

Time, The Avenger King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 420, 6 December 1911, Page 2

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