Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 207, 21 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

Paul Trent

** Author of •• When Greek Meet* Groi*.* •• The Vow,” 4c.

CHAPTER XVIII. "What do you take me for? .. . . Really, Diana, it isn’t safe to let you out of my sight. Twenty pounds—that’s five weeks’ screw—five weeks of hard work simply thrown away.” She paused and kissed Diana very tenderly. “But you’re a dear, you know. I wouldn’t have you any different and 1 just love you,” Cora wound up tremulously. Garth Cameron obtained Diana’s address from Mr. Aitken and called at the rooms in Brixton, the day after they had left. He made inquiries of the landlady, but was unable to find out where they had gone. So he returned to his chambers, and sat down to decide what should be done. It was very evident she did not wish to meet him, and he could only admire her for ter firmness. He, too, recognised the danger that existed, and he was equally anxious to play the g.imc, but it was intolerable to know that she was practically penniless and at the taercy of the world of which she was 80 ignorant. However, there was some comfort in the knowledge that Cora vas with her. 'I like that girl. She’s straight and sensible,” he told himself. It did not seem fair to try to find ter, now that she had so plainly shown her wish, and so he determined w let her go her own way. At once he threw himself into work, tet all the time he was wondering *hat she was doing. Perhaps she was ? Wa nt, while he had everything, for te knew something of the hardships ? l . *“ e stage. If only she would allow to help he.r. Money meant influand he could easily have obtained tor her a comfortable engagement. Once he ran down to Ironhampton was formally adopted as candi- , te * Mrs. Warner was very pleased w and he stayed one night v them. Cyrus Warner, her hus- : . • Promised him his support, and insisted that he should stay with them nen he came down to fight the election.

. 1 must take a house of my IL- he protested. v r haril come in good time. By the 5?,* 1811 1 it time you married? A tactlim W ?.?i an is always useful at these hghtly' Christine Warner suggested

. u t hi s face became grave, and she Pot pursue the subject. .or three years Christine Warner had afa a h a PPy wife. Her husband was w*ww? OUs American iron master —a , whom she had , after much tribulation. So all i a< * a s °ft corner in her heart for tn ‘? Vers * and she quickly determined ki^ art h’s confidence with the ability helping him to the best of her Rurally she was not of a curious proposition, but when Diana had left askJi °i? after selling her ring, she tbe jeweller if he knew who she

jeweller- planced at the paper "T\ W hich Diana had written. hamf 3, Lei Shton—Theatre Royal, Ironl n P ton -” he read. “So I suppose she from the theatre.” toost *^ eet * a ce, and quite different to •• °\_ *he actresses we see down • answ ered. W u *}i£ht she insisted upon dragging to the theatre. a horrid melodrama,” pror i Cy ru« Warner. PlavS? W that dear * Doubtless the a JLw 11 he awful, but I’m interested in 1 saw in town this morning.” grumxVV PPose we must go,” he in L? Dled . but there was deep affection s eyes as they rested on the fair

face of his wife. “Come up and see the kid.” And for the next hour the millionaire played like a boy with his young son and heir. After dinner they drove to the theatre, and sat down in their box.

“Pretty rotten,” growled Cyrus a few minutes after the curtain had gone up. “Wait a bit she hasn't appeared yet,” Christine whispered. And soon Diana came on—sweetly pretty in her dress as a mill-lass. When the curtain descended on the first act Christine turned to her husband triumphantly. “Well —what do you think of her?” she demanded. “She’s ‘some’ actress. I like her face and her voice.” “She’s more than that, dear. She has temperament, and something like genius. It’s a pity the theatre is not full. Cyrus, we will buy a lot of tickets in the morning, and distribute them among the men at the works.” “Philanthropy—eh!” he said drily. “Not a bit of it. The men will get good value for the money. Although melodrama, it’s a good, wholesome play. I’m going to introduce myself to that girl. Probably I shall ask her to lunch.” “You’re not usually so impulsive. “I’ve taken a fancy to that girl.” And so the next morning, Christine visited the theatre, and bought a large number of seats. The manager happened to be in the hall of the theatre, and he smiled broadly as he listened, for it would mean a full house. “x believe I have the honour of speaking to Mrs. Warner.” he said, with hat in hand. You might safely trust him to know all the prominent people in the towns he visited. “That’s my name,” she answered pleasantly. “By the bye, I should like to meet Miss Leighton. Do you think she would mind if I called upon her?” “I’m sure she would be delighted. I will go to the stage door and ascertain her address. An uncommonly fine young actress —don’t you think so—one of my finds,” he added pompously. He returned very shortly with the address written on a piece of paper, and Christine at once drove there. Diana was in the sitting-room. Since she had found out that Garth was coming to Ironhampton she had only left her lodgings to go to the theatre. She rose in surprise when Christine came in, and a flush came to her face when she recognised her as the lady of the jewellery shop. "Good morning. Miss Leighton lam Mrs Warner. Your manager ga\ e me vour address I felt anxious to know . l eant tell you how much my husband and I admire your acting. “Thank you.” Liana answered, just a “pfelse o don't resent ms coming,” ago my hvinl few j ears & , a paiipd beas hard as you do. I have caiiea cause I want to know you. “You are very kind.” Diana answered, somewhat softening in mannei. “We live a mile or two from Ironhampton I will send the car for you at half-past twelve so much like you to lunch « And then Christine noticed Cora standing in the doorway. “Cora this is Mrs. Warner.” Diana .aid by way of introduction. “I remember you. let me see. you are the villainess' of the pla> • ch ” s ~ tine remarked pleasantly. “I’ve called to ask Miss Leighton lunch to""“I^shall^e 1 very leased to come.” CO “Goo a d nS The e car i wm ly i.c here at halfpas? twelve. Good-bye for the present.