Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 203, 16 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

r,

Paul Trent

Author of “ When Greek Meete Greek.** •• The Vow.” Ac.. Ac

CHAPTER XIII. (Continued). “What are you going to do?” asked Diana. “Try to see if I can’t save some of your money. I will be back as soon as I can. You know where to find the tea things.” First he drove to the city, but could obtain no information there. Next be telephoned to the clubs of which Pordyce was a member, but with a like result. Next he visited the house in Park Lane, where he was received by a footman in livery. “Mr. Fordyce is out of town,” was the answer to his question. “Can you tell me when he will be back?” “No, sir.” tiarth produced a sovereign, which the servant took very readily. "Well, sir, I should imagine he will be away for some time. He took a * ot °* baggage with him, and we’ve all been paid up till the end of the month.” You’ve no idea where he has gone?” "No, sir, but I don’t think it’U be anywhere in England. He took a rare money with him.” “How do you know that?” "I couldn’t help seeing. I was passing his dining-room, and he was put- ; ln S a great bundle of bank notes into J ,s suitcase. While I’ve been here, ['©kept my eyes and ears open, and - shouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t lone a guy.’ ” And Garth groaned at this connrma°°n of his suspicions. Garth next called on Mr. Aitken. the *°Ucitor. As a barrister, it was impossible for him to take any legal steps # Sainst Fordyce. Having told the **£tß, they went on to the Temple, ••u 6 ameron introduced Aitken. Have you a list of your investthe latter asked Diana. '?,* 1 gave the list to Mr. For- *.?*» s b e answered. I doubt if we are justified in ap- ? yin *.for a warrant for his arrest,” .. Aitken remarked to Garth. Because Miss Lytton—l mean Mrs. gave him the power of atI agree with you—it doesn’t to a criminal offence.” n'hat are you talking about? Surely

you are not thinking of arresting my —my—my husband?” cried Diana in dismay. “That is what he deserves,” the solicitor remarked drily. "I should not think of consenting to such a thing. I willingly gavex him the power of attorney. At that moment I hated the money. I didn't care what became of it,” she cried, vehemently. Mr. Aitken shrugged his shoulders and rose to depart. “I will do all I can to recover portion of your fortune, but I am not very hopeful,” he said, as he took his leave. When he had gone. Garth assumed a very businesslike air. “From what you have told me, you have nothing at your bank,” he bega,n. "I can manage all right,” she answered hastily. * “How are you going to live, until your affairs are settled? You must let me be your banker. I will pay a cheque into your account in the morning.” „ “I forbid you to do so, she said with quiet determination. “It will probably take some time to straighten things out,” he persisted. "I shall manage all right. Under no circumstances shall I accept money from you. I still remember the terrible things I said to you. I accused you of being mercenary, and wanting me for my money. I am ashamed.” “Listen to me, Diana. The past is to be forgotten. Perhaps we both made mistakes, but the future is to be

ours. I offer you a sincere and loyal friendship. You can trust me, dear. No word of love shall ever pass my lips.” “Garth, you are too good to me. Why didn’t I trust you? Why was I such a jealous fool? My punishment is indeed bitter.” “I think we had better go,” Cora intervened quietly. “I may not be able to call and see you in the morning. In fact, I may be leaving town for a day or two, but as soon as I come back I'll look you up. Miss Lomax, just see that she doesn’t worry too much. The money part of it will come all right.” “I don’t care about the money part. That doesn’t trouble me,” Liana said contemptuously. She took his hand, they looked at one another steadily. There was no need for words to tell that their love still burnt brightly. But now there was a barrier between them, which neither would attempt to cross. Each of them had a keen sense of honour, but there was nothing wrong in the friendship that they proposed. But when they were on the way back to the hotel, Diana was crying quietly, and Cora very wisely made no attempt to comfort her friend. It was later in the evening, when they had dined, that they began to talk over the future. “I like your Mr. Cameron. He is a splendid man—so clean and straightlooking. One could trust him with anything,” Cora said quietly. “I think I had better not see him again,” Diana said brokenly. “That would be a wise decision. I’m no believer in plantonic friendship.” Cora answered bluntly. “I love him so very dearly.” i “About the future —now that you’ve lost your money, do you want to get > rid of me?” “Cora, dear. You won’t desert me.” Diana said appealingly. [ “I’ll stick to you just as long as you : want me. You see I’ve grown fond of you. Diana.” 5 “And I of you. Don’t leave me.” i “Well, that’s settled,” Cora said, i cheerfully. “And now about ways and

means. We must get out of this hotel 1 at once. Shall we leave in the morn- 1 ing?” “I’ll do just what you think best.” “Then we’ll go to some rooms I know in Kennington. Though they’re cheap they’re clean, which is the great thing. Then I’m going to look for work. Thanks to you. I’ve decent clothes, and « I shall soon get an engagement.” “I’m just beginning to understand. I may be penniless, and shall have to earn a living.” “It’s curious we were talking about your doing something. I was serious in what I said—why not have a shot at the stage? But we won’t talk about it now. I’ll pack your trunks for you. Lie down and rest, dear. You look very white.” Diana obeyed, and soon her thoughts were far away. Garth had aged a little since they had parted. How truly Cora had spoken. He was a man who could be trusted implicitly. And she had given him up for a thief. Yes, Fordyce was nothing less than a common thief. “Isn’t he splendid?” Diana said suddenly. “Who?” Cora asked innocently. “Mr. Cameron, of course.” “I advise you not to think of him. Perhaps it’s a good thing you’ve lost your money and will have to work,” Cora said bluntly. After breakfast the bill was given to Diana, and when she had paid less than five pounds remained in her purse. As she was about to enter the cab she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to leave any message for Garth. “You can write to him from the new address. Come along,” broke in Cora. Diana was rather dismayed when she saw the dingy house before which they stopped. “This can’t be the place,” she protested. “It is. We must choose our quarters to fit our purse. May we never have worse ‘digs.’ Come in and I’ll introduce you to ‘Ma.’ She is a real good sort,” said Cora, with a laugh. CHAFTER XIV. Cameron had decided that he must find Fordyce. Upon leaving Diana he went to Victoria Station, and there made inquiries, ascertaining that a gentleman answering to the description of Fordyce had left by the afternoon boat train. Of course, he could not be certain that it was Fordyce, but he thought the chance great enough to warrant a journey to Paris. So he returned to the Temple for his bag, and crossed by the night boat. He had plenty of time for thought, and came to the conclusion that Fordyce would not think it necessary to conceal his identity, for he was no fool, and would guess that Diana would not consent to a prosecution, even if a prosecution were possible, and in this Cameron was right, for when he wrote his name in the visitors’ book of the Grand Hotel he saw the name of Guy Fordyce a few lines above. “XiUck is with me,” he said grimly. A few hours’ sleep, a bath, and he came down for a late breakfast. A keen glance around and he saw Fordyce at the other end of the room. Garth strode across and sat down at the same table. You!” Fordyce said in consternation. “Yes —I imagined you would come to the same hotel.” “You have a good memory. I always stay at the Grand. How did you know I was in Paris?” Guessed it,” Cameron replied laconically. “Of course I’m glad to see an old ! friend, but may I ask your business?” “Just a heart to heart talk. Shall we go to your bedroom?” “I prefer the smoking room.” “Just as you like. I’ll wait till you’ve j finished.” Fordyce did not hurry himself, but ; i at last rose, and slowly left the room. Cameron followed him closely, but j said nothing until they were seated.

“What do you want?” Fordyce asked curtly. “Your wife’s money, what there is left of it.” “You have nothing to do with my wife’s affairs.” “I saw her yesterday. You blackguard; you’ve even sold her furniture. Do you realise you’ve left her homeless and penniless.” “I’ve been unfortunate—unlucky in my speculations. Everything went wrong. I plunged to try and get back what I’d lost, but my luck was infernal. When she phoned me yesterday I was ashamed to meet her, so I landed over here until things had blown over a bit.” ‘•How did you imagine she was going to live.” “She had money at the ba^rk.” “Just a pound or two—how much j did you bring away with you?” “Just a pound or two,” Fordyce answered with deliberate insolence. “If you like I’ll write to Diana, and ofiier j her a home here in Paris.” "You’ve got to send her money.” •That’s quite impossible. You can’t get blood out of a stone.” “I hear you have a large sum of money with you.” “Listen to me, Cameron. I should like to save you both. The little I’ve got

I’m going to stick to. Naturally, I’m ; very sorry about Diana, but I can’t j help her. In a way, it’s her own fault. She deserted me as soon as we were \ married and I became reckless. If she ! had stayed with me I might have be- j come a decent, respectable member of ! society. Be sensible and accept the j position. You can’t force money out of me. Diana entrusted it to me, and I’ve • done nothing criminal. It’s possible for ; her to sue in the civil courts for the j I return of what I’ve borrowed, but that’s I | the most she can do.” i “You can’t be so base. Do you un- | derstand that she will have to earn her I living, she who has been used to every j j luxury.” “You’ve plenty of ’oof,” chuckled ! Fordyce. | “You don’t know your wife. She j I won’t accept help from me. I would gladly give her all I have.” "Then she must suffer for her pride. ! Frankly, I can’t do anything.” “I should like to thrash you soundly, j You are the sort who only feels j through his hide.” “Violence won’t get her a sou. Besides I carry a revolver nowadays, and I shan't hesitate to shoot.” “Have you any property left in Lon- j don ?” - “I've heaps of paper. Doubtless they

> will make me a bankrupt. If’oils’ rise | there may possibly be a surplus. If ! they fall, then my creditors will suffer, j About Diana, I would gladly consent ! to a divorce, if there’s any means of j obtaining one. Unfortunately it was she j who deserted me. I was quite prepared j to play the devoted husband. By the bye, you might have a shot at Valerie | and make her disgorge some of that £2,500. I really begrudged her that money.” “Fordyce, I’ll no longer threaten you. I realise I’m powerless to do anything.” , “I thought you would see that in i time,” Fordyce answered cheerfully. “Think of Diana. She’s very young, and she’s had no training of any sort. What can she do to earn money. Her life will be horrible.” “What a pity you can’t marry her.” “If you say that sort of thing, I ; shan’t be able to keep my hands off ; you.” “Pardon me. I must cut along now. Perhaps I shall see you to-night, but I ! shan’t be free till late.” Cameron did not attempt to detain him. “He’s quite right. I can do nothing,” i he muttered with a deep sigh. He strolled along the boulevard to | the Paillards, where he ordered a sole. Around him were pretty women with

beautiful toilettes, but his thoughts were far away. It was useless to see Fordyce again, the best thing he could do would be to return to London at once. So that night he crossed the j channel again. During the sea trip he tramped the deck and thought out -what he should do. (To be continued) |