Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

By

Paul Trent

J < » Author af " Whan Gnat Maati Graak,' " Tha Vew,” «c., 4c

CHAPTER XV.—Continued. she had gone Cora looked reproachfully at Diana. "My dear, you mustn’t do that sort w thing. In this neighbourhood there tre hundreds in the same position as Amy Rodway. We may both be in the same position ourselves. God knows I’m not mean, but this life makes one think of one’s self.” ‘There’s the jewellery.” "But selling or pawning isn’t the same as buying, as you’ll find out tome a?ong. We’ll make another call *tu then for home. I’m tired out.” "And so am I. Yet we’ve done nothing.” There’s nothing like calling on agents to weary you body and soul, inen a slice of luck comes in the wav ot an engagement, and you feel like a two-year-old.” The money lasted nothing like three. J Seven days saw the end of it; na Diana again telephoned to Mr. Aitken’s office. ere s news for you. Come und and see me at once,” the solition 1 re^ * n answer to the auescome with me” Diana said to u Wjl ° c °nsented. wi 4 4tk ® n rec ei v ed them with a ®nue of welcome. u r° u won’t starve, Mrs. Fordyce,” v , f a i n * cheer fully. “I can promise 3 "tw ~e ast ten pounds a week.” immense wealth!” Diana Joyfully. I’ll JUS®. let you i iave ten pounds now. I trom the cashier at once. simii 6 your address with me, and a amount shall be sent each j n^ ur JJh! I’d reached my last shillvoii ** ow did you manage? Have Quickly 611 Ml * fordyce?” she asked solicitor hesitated just for a moc» and Diana was quick to notice Airi- ave n °t seen your husband,” Mr. Will 6n annou nced quietly. “His estate lnto bankruptcy, and I hope to the , more than sufficient to justify you ” ee * ly Payment I’m making to ‘j? 1 Said to hear it. I will leave ask E<l<lress wi th the cashier, but 1 must Cam/ 011 to Premise not to let Mr. Q *rvous? k now where I am,” Diana said be is very anxious to see you.” 'iho rather not meet him again.” wr id hasti iy* two *bey had left the office the p 0 ®h*lß walked along in silence, until fhggested that they should call *? a the agents. Work°V here is no pressing need for Dounrt We can ii ye comfortably on ten a week.” said Diana. Cora apaiaHc *° be hesitating, but at last er mind to speak, than , ear » I’ve seen much more of life mari,» yOU bave, and what I've seen has I’ v . me suspicious. I flatter inyself huma Decome a fairly good judge of tor 1 na ture. I didn’t like the solici- " Jianner; he isn’t frank with you.” QuicktyJ* d ° you mean? Tell me to sa y it—the money would if ir , n3O u «eful. Would you take it x. ca me from Mr. Cameron?” cam a* b ut w bat makes you think it 7} e f fom him?” fijht.’’ nCt ’ but 1 m Pretty sure I’m out ’ ,l r»? St s ° . bac h at once and find r «turrT !? na crie d breathlessly, and she as Quickly as possible to Mr. Tht n S - office * tahjJ? there was a delay of several Dhvatl 8 b? f °re she was admitted to the behind of ” ce * an d now Cora remained

“Mr. Aitken, I must ask you one question. This money you are paying me—does it come from Mr. Cameron?” Diana asked quietly. Mr. Aitken had started to answer. He would not tell a deliberate lie, and yet he did not wish her to know the truth. “I have told you about your husband’s estate,” he said at last. “Please answer my question—this ten pounds in my purse, did it belong to Mr. Cameron? I will know the truth.” “As a matter of fact he had arranged with me to make advances, until something comes in from the estate. In bankruptcy it always takes time to realise property,” he answered reluctantly. “I can’t take the money,” Diana said, and placed the ten sovereigns on the table. “Mrs. Fordyce, pride is all very well, but you are carrying it too far. Mr. Cameron is very anxious about you and will be disappointed. After all. it is only a loan, and ” “Nothing would make me accept money from Mr. Cameron —even as a loan,” Diana cried vehemently. “Very well. I think I had better leave him to deal with you.” So saying the solictor retired through a door behind him. and a few minutes later Garth Cameron was facing her. “Diana, you haven’t treated me very well.” he began gravely. “You disappeared without a word, and I have been very anxious. “I thought it better,” she answered nervously. “I do not wish to force my company on you, but you accepted my friendship and I expected a better return. I do hope you will not disappear again. About this wretched money ” I can’t accept anything from you,” she broke in hastily. “So I understand from Aitken. May I ask how you intend to live? He told me you had reached your last shilling. Be quite frank with me.” “Cora and I expect work any day. I am going on the stage.” “You!—the stage” he said in amazement. “Yes. We have plenty of time to spare, and every day Cora coaches me in the business, so I shan’t be quite ignorant when I get my chance.” “I forbid you to attempt any such thing.” he said harshly. “What else can I do? Besides, you’ve no right to interfere in my actions.” “Only the right given by an enduring affection. Diana, you do owe me something. Pride ought not to exist between you and me. I have more money than I know what to do with. It isn’t as if I was making you a present; I shall get the money back some time. I appeal to you to let me help you ’ “I can’t —I simply can’t. I am always remembering the words I said to you that dreadful day. If I star\e I can’t allow you to help me. she said in a low voice. . “You’ve no idea what the life is. You will have to mix with all sorts of people whom you will hate. Then the pav is so bad.” _ , ; 'We wont’ talk of it. I have made up my mind. Have you seen my husband?” _ . , “Yes I met him in Pans, and he is quite unashamed. I fear you will get nothing from him.” "Im afraid Miss Lomax is waiting f °Cameron followed her and shook hands with Cora. , “At any rate, you will not refuse to lunch with me,” he remarked, and Cora looked questioningly at Diana, who

weakened and nodded her head in assent. Garth took them to the Savoy and ordered lavishly, for it occurred to him that the two girls had not had sufficient to eat. With a definite purpose he spoke mostly to Cora, and when the meal was over he addressed her. “Miss Lomax, you are a sensible sort of woman, and I am so glad you are Diana’s friend. Won’t you persuade her to a.ccept this money? It will make such a difference to her life.” “She will do as she thinks right. After all, it is charity you are offering her. We would like to be independent. I think she is doing right.” “Promise me you’ll ask if you are really in want,” he pleaded, turning to Diana. “Garth, don’t you understand me—don’t you know I can’t accept anything from you. I would rather accept help from anyone else in the world. I have made my bed and must lie in it—l behaved abominably to you, and I deserve to be punished. However, I have learned a lot during the last few weeks, and I shan’t grouse. Good-bye and thank you.” “Aitken has your address.” “Yes,” she answered, and held out her hand to him. CHAPTER XVI. As soon as they emerged into the street, Cora took Diana’s arm. and squeezed it in affectionate sympathy. “You are right, dear, he’s a splendid chap, and I’m sorry for him.” “I must never see him again, Cora, life isn’t worth living, I don’t know what I shall do. He will get our address from Mr. Aitken—and I haven’t the strength to meet him.” “We’ll change our rooms to-night. But I forgot we’ve got no money,” Cora broke off nervously. “We can soon remedy that. Where can I sell a ring?” “Don’t sell it. I know a pawnbroker near here. He’s got all my jewellery.” “Will you do it for me,” answered Diana, and she slipped from her finger a diamond ring. “You’d better come in with me. It is

just as well you should learn how to do it. You never know your luck in our profession.” The transaction was soon over, and Diana came out of the shop with ten pounds, and a piece of paper in her pocket. “It wasn’t very dreadful—the pawnbroker was quite pleasant.” “They aren’t bad sorts, taking ’em all round, and I ought to know,” Cora answered grimly. That night they moved to Stockwell, and did not leave any address with their old landlady. The next morning they made a round of the agents, and at their last call met with some luck, being offered small parts in a melodrama which was about to start a tour of small towns. Cora was offered two pounds a week, and Diana twenty-five shillings, as she had had no experience. “It’s little enough,” complained Cora. “But it’s a start, don’t you think we had better take it?” “ItTl give you experience, but 1 did want to stay in town.” “Perhaps I’m selfish, but I’m anxious to get away.” “All right, dear,” Cora said, for she understood. “Here are your contracts. Rehearsals twelve o’clock to-morrow, at 16a Maiden Lane,” the agent said briskly. Inuring the evening Cora gave good advice to her friend. “You’ll want a basket. It won’t do to travel with your swagger luggage. If you are different from the others, they’ll be jealous, and call you an amateur. Then you’ll have a rough time.” “But I am an amateur,” Diana protested lightly. “May be, but we’ll do our best to disguise it,” Cora answered drily. It was a great shock to Diana when she first met the other members 6 of the company. To her they seemed disreputable and the manners of the men were admiringly familiar. The comedian at once addressed her as “my dear,” and she would have remonstrated had it not been for the warning glance from Cora. Parts were handed out and the rehearsal began. The manager, who was in need of a shave, did not spare any of them, and

upon occasions his language was violent. “See you know your parts to-mor-row. We’ve only five days for rehearsal,” he said, when he dismissed them. Cora and Diana walked along Maiden Lane to their bus. “Well, what do you think of it?” asked Cora, with a smile. “It was simply awful. Mr. Tyson called ”me ‘my dear.’ ” “He didn’t mean any offence. It’s one of the customs of the profession. He’s really a good sort. I’m so glad you didn’t say anything to him. If you had, he wouldn’t have understood.” “They are a pretty rough crowd.” “But they’re thoroughly goodhearted. Don’t judge by appearances.” After a cup of tea they sat down, and proceeded to learn their parts. Diana had not very much to say. In the first act she came on as a servant and afterwards made her entrance as a lady of title, whose duty was to appear ornamental. Cora was the “villainess,” who committed many crimes, and Diana laughed as she read some of the dialogue. “Some people can’t like this sort of thing,” she protested. “In working towns—where we will go chiefly, they simply love it.” “ ‘The Pride of the Mill’ has been touring for years and I imagine will go on for ever. Now we’ll go through your part. By the bye, you didn’t do so badly at rehearsal. I don’t think any of them suspected- you were an amateur.” “Why do they hate amateurs so much?” Diana asked curiously. “Isn’t it only natural? The profession is overcrowded, and still ladies —call them ladies—with money* ‘butt in’ and are content to play for next door to nothing. Many of these pay premiums. In 'each one of that sort, a real proper actress is done out of a ‘shop.* ” “Then I’m not an amateur, although I’m paid next door to nothing. And Heaven knows, I want the money as much as anyone.” “That is so, but you don’t look like a real actress. That’ll come soon enough.” “I hope not. Surely there’s no need to look dirty. You don’t.” “Most of the girls you saw this morning have been out of a shop for weeks and weeks. If it hadn’t been for your kindness I should have been worse than them. It requires money to look fresh and clean. Do you think you will be able to stand it?” Cora asked anxiously. “Don’t imagine I was grumbling. It’s all so strange and different.” “Of course it is. Hitherto you’ve seen nothing of real life. It won’t do you any harm to rub shoulders with poverty—the real thing.” “Cora, you’ve never told me very much about yourself. Have you always been poor?” “No, until I was eighteeen I never knew want. My mother died when I was quite a child and my father spoilt me. I was eighteen when I came home and lived with him. Then I met a man and fell in love. Father refused to let me marry him. Told me he was a bad lot. I thought I knew better and ran away to get married. Mother had left me a few thousands and 1 was absolutely happy until that had gone. It lasted six months, then my husband wushed me to ask father to help. I refused and he became brutal. When baby came, I did write. The letter was returned to me. My husband disappeared and I was half starved. Baby died and I went on the stage, last of all,” she wound up dismally. “Your husband, have you seen him since?” “No, when we were married we went to Paris and lived there. It was in Paris my baby was born and died.” “Poor girl, it must have been a miserable life. Have you written to your father since?” “No,” Cora said fiercely. “If he had helped me, baby might have lived. I would rather starve than accept his help. I’m glad I’ve told you, but now we’ll talk of something else. By the bye, don’t you think youki better choose a stage name. It may be dangerous to call yourself Diana Lytton, if you don’t want Mr. Cameron to find you.”

“Dora Leighton—will that do?” Diana asked, after a few moments of thought.

‘ Not so bad. Well, ‘Dora Leighton/ I think we’d better go to bed. We’ve a heavy day before us.” But Liana could not sleep. Now she had definitely cast Garth out of her life and had determined not to see him again. A platonic friendship was impossible, when one loved with every fibre of one’s being. Even now her heart was beating wildly at the memory of the deep affection she had seen in his eyes. It was not Garth she distrusted, but herself. When they were alone in Mr. Aitken’s office she had longed to feel his arms around her, and his lips upon hers. Tears came to her eyes, and she cried quietly, as she thought of the future. A life of hard work amid sordid surroundings, and without hope of happiness. Her training had not been one to enable her to face troubles with fortitude. Surrounded with every luxury, she had always had her own way, and now she had to obey orders to earn a sum which was barely sufficient to keep body and soul together. But very soon Liana mastered her weakness, for there was nothing of the coward in her nature. She told herself that what had happened was her own fault and that she must not complain. The next day the rehearsal was not over till nearly six o’clock, and when they reached their rooms at night Liana was exhausted. But Cora’s assurance that she had done well raised her spirits. In fact, she had found herself taking an interest in the work

and the members of the company had j not appeared to be so objectionable. The dress rehearsal took place on; Saturday. They went through the! whole play for the first time and when they were dismissed they were given i a “call” for Euston Station at ten o’clock in the morning. Liana left her trunks with the landlady, taking with her only the theatrical dress basket and a handbag. When they left their lodging it was raining heavily and the scene at Euston was most depressing. All the members of the company seemed miserable and despondent and a big railway journey did not raise their spirits. Fortunately Cora had played before in the town where the tour opened and she had written to the landlady with whom she had stayed on the previous visit. The train was half an hour late. It still rained and Liana suggested a cab but Cora shook her head with decision. “No, dear, we must begin as we mean to go on. It won’t run to cabs.” A high tea awaited them, but the table cloth was soiled, and the food unappetising. “Oh! Cora,” Liana said in dismay. “It is rather aw'ful, but you’ll soon get used to it,” Cora answered with a smile. “I can’t eat: I simply can’t manage it,” Liana answered, and then she glanced through the window. “Hurrah, it’s stopped raining. We will go out and dine at a hotel.” “It’s no use, Liana. If you do it

once, you’ll always be wanting to do it,” protested Cora. “I simply can't eat here. The room smells. When we came in the windows wouldn’t have been opened for years Lo come, dear, just this once.” “I shall want all my strength tomorrow. A really good dinner is just w'hat I need.” “Very well, but it must be the last time/* Cora said with a sigh. As soon as they were in the street Liana drew in a deep breath. “Can’t w'e find some nicer rooms. 1 don’t mind them being small, but I hate dirt.” “We can’t afford to pay more.” “But clean linen does not cost anything,” protested Liana. However, she said no mo-e and a good dinner she apologised to Cora for being disagreeable. “You aren’t used to it yet,” the latter said with a smile. “But it’s wonderful what one can become accustomed to. I used to hate dirt just as much as you do. Early in the morning they went to the theatre, a small and dingy building, outside of which there were exposed posters announcing the thrillintr melodrama. “The Pride of the Mill.” Cora led Liana and pointed to a smaller bill upon which the cast was displayed. There she saw her new name, Lora Leighton, and curiously enough she was rather thrilled at the sight of it. To be continued.