Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 195, 7 November 1927, Page 14

Fettered

By

Paul Trent

Author of *’ When Greek Meet# GrMV •* Tho Vow," &c., Ac.

•YNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS I. to lll.—Valerie Stanton, portrait painter, had now finished the portrait of the rich Diana Lytton. Diana writes out a cheque for Valerie, and asks her to dinner that night. Mr. Fordyce will be there, also Mr. Cameron. Valerie accepts. Garth Cameron proposes to Diana and is accepted. Guy Fordyce enters and offers his congratulations. Later Fordyce accompanies Valerie to her studio. There the two plot to separate Garth Cameron and Diana Lytton. Valerie loves Cameron, while Fordyce wants Diana. Valerie paints a portrait of Mr. Cameron, Diana being present at the sittings. Just before Diana’s wedding day Valerie alters the hour of Garth’s last sitting, and he arrives to find Diana absent. The whole thing has been arranged by Fordyce and Valerie, and, waiting for the right moment, Valerie throws her arms round Cameron and kisses him. In the doorway stands Diana, witnessing the love scene. She throws Garth away with contemptuous words. Diana had been brought to the studio by Fordyce, and he had prepared her mind for what she saw. Tljey arrive at her house. Before entering Fordyce proposes an immediate marriage. They taxi to a near-by registry office, and Diana marries him. Guy Fordyce drives his wife home. Diana finds Garth waiting for her, and realises what she has done.

CHAPTER lll.—Continued. She dreaded the moment when Garth should hear that she had married Fordyce, yet he must be told and at once. It was with great thankfulness she remembered the bargain she had made with her husband—he was to ask nothing of her and they were to be husband and wife only in name. How willingly would she have accepted Garth’s terms. Gladly would she have given away all she had. Poverty’ with him would have been as Paradise, compared with what lay ahead of her. Suddenly a thought came to her, and she rose to her feet with a cry of excitement. “If only he will consent!” And then she heard a car pull up at the door. A voice in the hall, and Fordyce came into the room.

CHAPTER IV. It was with a feeling of triumph Guy Fordyce left Diana to go to his rooms in St. James’s. ’His plot had succeeded beyond his expectations, and no\v he had no fear as to the future. He had made a close study of Diana, and had no doubt she would readily give him all the money he required. The only draw-back to his position was that he might be compelled to ask her for financial assistance at an indecently early time. Upon reaching his chambers, there was a telegram awaiting him, and the message was not a pleasant one. He rang up his office in the city and held a long conversation -with his chief clerk. Previous to this he had thought it possible to hold off his creditors for another month, and now he knew that it was hopeless to try to do so. A large sum of money, at least a couple of thousand pounds, must be found within the next 48 hours —the alternative was a bankruptcy petition. “It’s an infernal nuisance,” he muttered irritably. In the last few y’ears, Fordyce had hiade a very decent income on the Stock Exchange, and a man of ordinary tastes w’ould have managed to save a good sum. But for him the best of everything was only just good enough, and he had always spent considerably more than he had made. His marriage had only just come in time, and it had been a last desperate effort to save himself. But it was a great pity that he should have to talk finance to Diana so soon after their marriage. “However, it can’t be helped” he told himself cheerfully, w it was necessary that he should find

some excuse for postponing their journey to Paris, and what excuse could be better than the truth? And so when he entered the room, where Diana was awaiting him, his face was grave. “I’m awfully sorry. I am afraid we shan’t be able to go to Paris,” he announced. He did not look at her, and so did not see her expression of relief. _ “What has happened?” she asked mechanically. “If I had got this telegram a few hours ago I should not have dared to marry you,” he said, as he handed it to her. “Shall I read it?” she asked, and he nodded his head. “What does it mean? I don’t understand.” “As you know, I’m a member of the Stock Exchange. It’s a very tricky business. Stocks and shares have a knack of doing the unexpected. That’s what has happened to me! Shall Ibe quite frank?” “I should prefer it.” “I’m in a deuce of a hole—financially. I must stay and fight it out. The odds are I shall go to the wall. There’ll be a huge smash up.” “I’m sorry,” she said in a low voice. Her brain was working rapidly, and hope sprang to her heart. “You want money?” she asked at last. “Yes—a great deal. Of course, I shall fight it out—but ” He broke off with a shrug of his shoulders, and watched her anxiously. Diana rose, and walked over to the table, where she sat down with her face hidden from him. “Mr. Fordyce ” “Mr. Fordyce!” he repeated, reproachfully. “Guy, you have been frank with me, and I will return the compliment,” she began steadily. “You know I do not love you.” She paused for his answer. “Yes,” he said at last. “You know I care for Mr. Cameron. I have wronged you by marrying you. I have been thinking and have only just realised how greatly I have been to blame. Can’t we forget the last few hours? Let us act as though they had never been.” “What do you mean?” he demanded angrily. “We are husband and wife in name. I have told no one of our marriage.” “No,” he answered promptly. “Then there is no difficulty. We can keep it a secret—just between ourselves.” “But why should I—you are my wife, and I have hoped that in time you would grow to care for me.” “I never shall,” she said vehemently. But quickly she became calm, and took a cheque book from the drawer of the table. “You want money badly. I am willing to give it to you ” “Yes,” he said, when she hesitated. “Upon condition that ” “I shan’t bargain with you. You forget I am a gentleman. You wish me to keep our marriage a secret. I consent.” “I want more than that. I want it to be as though the marriage had never taken place.” “I am afraid that is impossible. But I can promise to make no claim on you.” “Are you willing to do that?” “You leave me no alternative. What I did to-day was to help you, and with no thought of any gain to myself.” “You have been very good,” she said quietly. “And on my part, I am willing to forget we visited the registry office this morning. Good-bye.” He took a few steps toward the door. “Wait,” she said, and he turned to her. “How much will get you out of your difficulties?” “It is a lot of money. Five thousand pounds*” ' .

She said no more until she had filled in a cheque for the amount he had asked. “We can still be friends?” he suggested, but his eyes were fixed on the slip of paper. “I hate to take the money from you.” “It is nothing. I am glad to be able to help you.” “I must hasten to the city. The sooner I am there the better. Goodbye, and thanks. It shall be a secret between ourselves.’ “Good-bye, Mr. Fordyce,” she said quietly, and this time he did not protest at the use of the surname. When the door was closed, Diana breathed a sigh of relief. She had acted on the impulse of the moment, and without thinking of the future, and now she must decide what she should say to Garth when he came. “I haven’t the eburage to tell him that I’m married,” she told herself. Diana felt that Garth would despise her utterly for what she had done, and would never speak to her again. Although his love was henceforth denied her, it might be possible to keep his friendship. Naturally, she hated deception of any kind, but the truth was impossible. A sad smile came to her face when she remembered that already she had begun to divest herself of the money, to which he had taken objection. But Valerie proved to be the first visitor. “I thought Miss Lytton had left town?” Diana heard the words spoken by Valerie to her maid in the hall, and was startled. Could Fordyce have told her of the marriage? No—it was impossible, for he. had said that no one knew of it except the officials and themselves. Valerie came into the room, and her manner was expressive of extreme nervousness. “Perhaps I ought not to have come— Diana, I am ashamed of myself. Let me explain ” “It is not necessary,” Diana answered coldly. “You must hear me—l am to blame, but I’ve some excuse. I met Garth before you did, and I learned to love him, even as you do. When you came and saw me kissing him, I was only only wishing him good-bye. I was so miserable I hardly knew what I was doing. Diana, has anything happened? You look at me so strangely.” “It seems that you expect something to have happened. I am waiting for Mr. Cameron. I expect him any moment. You will be embarrassed at meeting him —and ” “Where is Mr. Fordyce?” “Why do you ask me?” Diana parried with a well-assumed air- of innocence. “I don’t know, but you left my studio with him—and ” “I believe he’s gone to attend to some business troubles in the city.” Valerie could not conceal her disappointment, for she was now convinced that Fordyce had failed in his plot. Doubtless Cameron would come to Diana. There would be a few words of explanation, and the marriage would take place as arranged. How foolish she had been. If she had suspected that Fordyce had not met with success, she might have maintained that Garth Cameron had been making love to her, ahd now it was too late. “I suppose our friendship is at an end—Diana, I am sorry, but I could not help it.” Diana was moved, for she had no doubt as to Valerie’s friendship. “I don’t blame you altogether. I think I can understand,’ she said gently, “Then you don’t intend to turn me out of your life? I am so grateful to you, dear. Nearly everything I have I owe to your generosity. I wasn’t trying to take Garth away from you.” A flush came to Diana’s face. “I knew that would have been impossible,” Valerie went on hurriedly. “I can’t explain it to you. I was jealous of you. I felt you had everything and I nothing.” “You have said enough,” Diana broke in coldly. “We will wipe to-day out of our lives. When we meet again, we will forget that it has happened.” “You are generous, dear ” She paused and looked keenly at Diana. “Shall you be married on Friday, as though nothing had happened?” “What has happened to matter? —an hysterical girl kissed a reluctant man —that is all.” i “You take it very easily/’ yalerie_

answered with a mirthless laugh. “I was to have been your bridesmaid. Perhaps under the circumstances ” “I will excuse your presence at my wedding,” Diana said with an effort. “I have brought with me the portrait of Garth. It is in the hall. Would you like to see it now it’s finished?” “No, thank you. Good-bye.” “Good-bye, dear ” Valerie still hesitated, but seeing no encouragement oh Diana’s face, hastened away. She hailed a passing taxidriver, and drove to Fordyce’s chambers in St. James’s. The valet told her his master was at home, and a few minutes later, Fordyce joined her in the sitting-room. “Well,” she began quietly, “I expected to find you had started on your honeymoon. So you failed?” “It looks like it. Diana wasn’t the fool we took her to be.” “She was white with jealous rage. If you had handled her in the right way, you might have done anything with her. Now I believe she’s forgiven Cameron.” “You have seen her?” he asked quickly. “Yes, I have just come from her house.” “You have an infernal cheek to dare face her. I suppose she ordered you out of the house?” “No, after a little time I think we shall be friends again. When she comes back from her honeymoon, I shall ” “Her honeymoon,” he said with a smile. “Don’t you think she’ll marry Garth Cameron?” “I’ll bet you anything she doesn’t.” “Why not? She loves him,” she said, and he could see that she was growing suspicious. “Cameron is not the sort of man to forget in a hurry the things she said to him,” he answered with a sudden inspiration, and apparently she was satisfied. “I believe you’re right. He’s very proud, and might be unforgiving. I haven’t lost yet.” “Cameron will never care for you,” Fordyce said contemptuously. “You didn’t say that when we planned to ” “Then I wanted your help.” Valerie looked at him quickly. “You havfe given in very easily. It’s

not like you, Mr. Fordyce. I believe you are hiding something from me?” “Rot. I don’t wish to be rude. I have an appointment in a few minutes, and I’m afraid I must ask you to run along,” he said good humouredly. But when she had gone, he began to wonder if he had behaved toward her with the tact upon which he prided himself.

CHAPTER V. After leaving Diana, Cameron went for a good stroll to pass away the time, until the hour came when he might return to hear her decision. Deep in his heart there was a feeling of disappointment that she had not, at once, agreed to come to him and share his comparative poverty, but he had no doubt that, after a little thought, she would be prepared to make the sacrifice. “She does love me, and love will show her the way,” he told himself with quiet confidence. * As a matter of fact, Garth Cameron knew very little about women. He had neither the time nor any great inclination to make a study of them. His father, a country gentleman, had managed to scrape together enough money to send him to a public school, and afterwards to Oxford. “After that, you must look after yourself,” he had been told. The profession of barrister is the most difficult in which to succeed without a private income. However, Garth was possessed of grit, and while reading law and “eating his dinner,” he had kept body and soul together by means of free-lance journalism. At the outset he had barely had sufficient to eat. He occupied chambers on the top floor of a house in Middle Temple Lane. The rent was small, and the furniture scanty. By means of a gas-stove he copked his food and could not even afford to pay a charwoman. For fully six months he had washed the floor of his little room, made the bed—in fact he had done everything for himself. His rent amounted to about fifteen shillings a week, but which was payable quarterly. Until that was safely put away he ate as little as possible. After nine months of this grim struggle, luck came his way. A friend obtained for him the writing of a London letter for an Australian newspaper. True the pay was not very great, but it was

sufficient to provide him with everything that was essential. When Garth first met Diana he had been practising at the bar for six years, and was taking five hundred a year. Solicitors had already begun to mention his name in terms of respect, and he had been engaged in a few prominent cases which had brought him into further notice. And the coming success was very dear to him. To succeed in his profession had been the sole aim in life, until love had come—love had softened a nature which might have grown hard. To him Diana was a revelation, and he gave to her all that was best in him. During the few weeks since she had told him that his love was returned, he had lived as in a dream, from which he had only been awakened a few hours ago. Again he told himself that she had not meant what she had said. “Of course she knows I don’t care a hang about her money,” he told himself. And then came the question, ‘Can she care too much about money? Without any hesitation he answered the question in the negative. At times her extreme generosity had amazed him. She gave to charities with open hands, and although she provided herself with all that went to make life luxurious she sent away no one that was worthy of assistance. He laughed at the idea that there could be anything mean or paltry in her nature. True she was passionate and impulsive, but he rather liked that trait of her character. It was with a feeling of impatience that he returned to her house. The maid showed him to the sitting room, and told him that she would inform her his presence. Cameron had expected that she would be awaiting him with eagerness, and as the minutes passed he began to grow afraid. At last the door opened, and she walkqd slowly toward him. Anxiously he examined her face, and saw that there were dark circles round her eyes. “You’ve been crying,” he said peremptorily. “Does that matter?” she answered wearily. “I am not very happy.” “You have decided?” “No, Garth. I’m going to ask a great favour of you. I’m not acting without careful thought. I am afraid you will despise me.” “What are you going to do?” he demanded roughly. “To ask you to release me from my engagement,” she answered with an effort, and her face had become very white. “You choose money to my love?” “Garth, try to understand. All my life I’ve been spoilt. I’ve only had to express a wish and it has been gratified. I love comfort and pretty gowns. I like a car to be always at hand. I like theatres, and to dine at restaurants. All those things I love.” “You don’t love me,” he said accusingly, but she regarded him steadily, and he was amazed at what he saw in her eyes. “I believe you love me—and yet— Diana, darling, won’t you explain? I can’t believe you prefer all these things you have mentioned to—to my love.” “I have tried to be frank with you,” she answered tremulously. You have spoken what is in your heart?” he demanded, and she bowed her head in answer. “Then may God help us, for we shall- need His help.” “I can t help it, Garth . But I pray you not to cast me out of your life. Let me keep your friendship.” “I don’t want your friendship.” “But I want yours . Without it I think I shall die.” Diana spoke with such sincerity that he could not doubt her. And yet he could not understand that she could not sacrifice the material comforts of life. Suddenly he grew bitter, and his voice had a harsh note. “You want to be sure that I shall make a success in my profession—to stand aside until I am making a large income. Then you will join your life with mine, and live in the luxury, to which you have been accustomed.’ Is that your idea?” “You must believe that it is,” she said, and struggled to speak calmly. Garth lost control of himself, and came nearer to her, looking down from his great height. “Diana, words could not express mv disappointment. I had thought better of you. Perhaps I have placed you on too high a pedestal. But whatever

you are I love you, and shall love you always. You mean more to me than anything else. Suppose I were to say that I have changed my ideas—and am now ready to marry you with all your wealth, what would you say?” Diana uttered a cry and he saw that there was fear in her eyes. “You would marry me, even with my money?” Diana asked in a whisper. Although she knew that marriage was impossible, she was conscious of a feeling of triumph that Garth should have given way. Knowing him as she did, it was a proof of the greatness of his love. But now she anxiously awaited his answer. “I was only trying you. I should never be happy—l should always remember what you said. But it’s no use talking,” he went on wearily. “I ask you to marry me—to join your life with mine—to be content with the simple life I can give you. It may not be necessary to wait long for the luxuries you value so greatly,” he added grimly. Diana realised that it was necessary he should continue to believe that she loved the comforts of life more than his love. Only by doing so could she continue to enjoy his friendship, and yet she hated to deceive him. “I can’t marry you,” she answered at last, but her eyes dared not meet him. “And that is your final decision?” t “Yes,” she said faintly, and he walked quietly to the door. “Garth,” she called to him, and he stopped at once. “Don’t be unreasonable. Let us continue to be friends. There is not one woman in a hundred who would give up what you are asking me to give up.” “I thought you were that one. I was mistaken. Good-bye.” “You will come to see me again,” she said appealingly. “I don’t know. You are not the woman I imagined you to be. 1 must have time to get used to the new Diana.” “Garth, I can’t let you go,” she said passionately. “I have told you the condition upon which I will stay.” Diana turned away with a deep sigh, and Cameron left the room without saying another word. She made no further effort to detain him, for she had reached the limit of her strength, and longed to be alone. And when he had gone, she broke down and sobbed piteously. How gladly would she have abandoned all she possessed in exchange for his love, and he had gone away believing her to be mercenary. But that was better than his knowing the horrid truth—that she was the wife of another man. Now that she looked back she realised her madness in having acted so hastily. She should have trusted Garth, in spite of appearances having been against him. Soon she went to her room. All around her were the wedding presents in which she had taken such a delight. They must all be returned * with an intimation that the marriage would not take place, and naturally there

would be a great deal of gossip. Why had she not told Garth of he: marriage to Fordyce—that was the only straightforward course. Dee;, in her heart she knew the reason. fie would never have spoken to her agiiL, and she could not live without seeag him, although to love him had become a sin. It was now her sole aim to persuade him to accept her friendship but would he be content with that" After a while she grew calmer, and before going to bed she sat and wrote to him a long letter. Garth, dear (she began),—Do bear with me patiently, I am a very uuhappy woman, for I feel that I have lost your respect. Please remember that I am very young, and I implore you not to* withdraw your friendship. Let us go back to the da:? before we were engaged. Come and see me as my friend. Without yot life will be very dreary. It may be that I was mistaken it my love for you. If I had real!; cared as I thought, I should no: | hesitated to make the sacrifice you asked. That so, dear, I am not to be blamed so very much. \ We cannot command our feelings Tears came to her eyes as she wrote this denial of the love that was burning so fiercely within her. Do not be angry with me. Give me your friendship. I can aonestly say that I care more for you than ! for anyone else in the world. Ho* anxiously I shall await your answer! Write at once and tell me that you do not deem me unworthy of your friendship. Her hand trembled as she signed her name. She knew no rest until hif letter was in the post; This was her wedding day—the day she had longed for with such passionate joy. And she was now the wile of a man to whom she was absolutely indifferent—one whom she never wished to see again. How greatly had been punished for a few hours o£ distrust, and the punishment was likely to be lifelong. Very carefully she went over toe events of the day and she remember* 1 many things. Fordyce s call had beet so opportune. Was there somethir strange in his manner when he taken her to the studio?' Was it po»* sible that Valerie had deliberates planned that love scene with the of being discovered. For the ‘ time it occurred to her that Forays had very readily accepted the cneqwhich she had offered to him. A of fine feeling would have refused do so, even if .ruin had been suit. But, after all. he was her husband and had a certain right to n help. r “I would give him possess to be a free woman,” she vehemently. . Just as she was about to go to there was a loud knock at the and the maid brought her a J Her first thought was that it mu . from Garth, and she took it trembling hands, but to her gr®* . s appointment she recognised to . writing on the envelope. ..—hat » “Dear Diana,” she read, , rosl Ax l dear good girl you are- A 1 th a : have made such arrangemen I am saved, and I -owe my Ba Lj- cTe to your sweet generosity- caD me, lam very grateful, an ® * jjje. command me in any w-ay . oD e Let us always be frank Te zre: another. I realise that yo the little ceremony that w LJnven this afternoon, and I wish * ve r. I could set you free. n 0 that is impossible, but you cOB . need to worry. As far as i yoC r cerned you are free, but permission we will keep with one another. For eve Jj I think it will be better gjjbut I shan’t make a nuisan self. I repeat that you p own mistress, and I siwj fofyour grateful servant.— Guy dyee.” , Diana sighed as she .aid letter. After all things j been worse. Mr. Fordyce mi* , cared for her. t “At any rate, I have n n( j ti* him,” she told herself. Re* j thought gave her some com * £0 \ it was a long time befor | asleep. (Tc be Continued.)