Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 209, 23 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

Paul Trent

Author of " When Grook M««ti Crook.” •' Tho Vow.” Ac., &«.

CHAPTER XXl.—(Continued.) “I believe that. You know it was Trevor Thornton with us last night.” “1 wasn't quite sure. He was at the back of the box.” ‘Did anyone recognise him?” "No one at all. Who would expect to see him at the Ironhampton Theatre, a spectator of such a play as ours?” "I am going to trust you. We intend to deceive Diana for her own good.” •*I don’t believe in deception,” Cora said doggedly. "Neither do I as a rule, but in this case it is necessary. Diana must be saved from her pride.” And then Christine told her all about Thornton and all that he intended to do for Diana. Cora listened attentively, but gave no sign of her thoughts. “I want you to promise to help us,” Christine wound up appealingly. "I will gladly do so in return for a promise from you,” "What is it?” “To keep Diana and Mr. Cameron apart, not to encourage their meeting. I know my friend. She is struggling to do what is r ght, and is finding it very difficult. The poor girl is deeply in love, and until lately all her wishes have been gratified. I hope that she will find forgetfulness in work.” "If you will promise to help me I will help you. Is it a bargain?” The two women shook hands with increased respect for one another. "Perhaps I have been wrong,” admitted Christine. “But I was so sorry for Garth and for Diana. Yet I believe you are right; quite innocently I may have been placing temptation in their way.” "That’s just what you’ve been doing. Now we understand one another.” Christine returned home for lunch. Garth was awaiting the car near the Races, and she beckoned to him to join her. Quite frankly she told him what had passed between Cora and herself. "The girl is right and I've been wrong,” she finished off.

"Still, I’m glad you brought us together. Neither of us will be quite so miserable again. We have the knowledge that we love one another.” "You poor dear! I’m so sorry for you. I should like to shoot that man. Fordyce. It would be one solution.” “Yes, a hanging solution,” he answered, with a laugh. Beep down in his heart Garth admitted that it was a wise decision not to meet Diana again, but when evening came he told himself there would ne no harm in his visiting the theatre. Mrs. Warner only smiled when, he announced his intention of going. So whep the curtain went up he was sitting at the back of the box. Cora him almost at once and he imagined that she looked reproachfully at aim. Prom his seat he caught a Sumps© of Diana standing in the wings, fcne, too, recognised him and smiled. It was the third time he had sat out mis play, a nd the dialogue had become Quite familiar to him. He rejoiced that a te'v days she would have done with it, and before very long would be Th €n a chance worthy of her talent, then he began to wonder if success /Quid spoil her. All the tjme she would ? e . seeing fresh faces, and making new mends. It was curious, but he had no she would succeed. Then, too, loyal little Cora would be siven an opportunity of showing her capabilities, and she thoroughly deserved a reward for her devotion to her mend.

When the curtain went down on the nrst act the door of the box opened na the manager thrust his head in. ♦ i. Won der if you would care to parafce 0 f a kittle liquid refreshment. I ave t a special bottle of whisky in the °mce,” he said, in a hoarse whisper. J did not care to run the risk of ~\ en< ling the man who was at the presnionient the master of Diana’s desmes, and so he accepted the invita-

vr Wonderfully fine company—don’t in \ n k? I flatter myself I’ve a find h•J VIISS Beighton. Since Monday we’ve , en Playing to full houses. Your jj'jning friend, Mrs. Warner, gave us Y hft, and we haven’t looked, back. very good health, sir.” Thank you.” said Garth, and as soon 3 *? ossi ble got away. A *l the time Diana was on the stage,

his eyes were fixed on her, but she did not once iook in the direction of the box. The curtain rose on the last act, but she did not appear at once. The mill lass had become the lady of society, and was fashionably dressed. A few moments after her entrance, a loud cry came from the wings, followed by dense smoke, and flames that quickly leapt across the stage. Amidst wild excitement the iron curtain had begun to descend, but before it was half-way down, Garth had clambered from his box to the stage, and was seeking the woman he loyed. To his horror Garth saw that Diana’s dress was alight, and he hastened to envelope her in his arms crushing her against him. The scenery was burning fiercely, and he looked round for a means of escape. “Which is the way out,” he asked her; and she pointed to a wall of smoke and fire. “We must risk,” he said with clenched teeth and picking her up in his arms, ran forward. The smoke was suffocating, and flames were all around, but he dashed through, and succeeded in reaching the door, which gave access to the wings. In another moment they were safe, but he still clasped her closely. “You are all right,” he asked tenderly. * “Put me down, please, I think I’m all right.” He obeyed her at once, and noticing that her dress was still smouldering in places, crushed the silk in his hands. “Where is Cora?” she asked, and it was the manager who answered. “Everyone is safe. There are some bad burns, and that is all, thank God. But I’m ruined. The scenery is not insured, and I shall never be able to replace it.” “Diana, I think you had better return to your rooms, and go to bed.” suggested Garth. At that moment Cora joined them, and the two girls were in one another’s arms, crying quietly. Fortunately the Warner’s car had arrived for Garth, and he drove the two girls home. It was not until they had arrived that Diana spoke to him. “You saved my life. I should never have had the courage to face that terrible wall of fire.” Suddenly she noticed that his coat was burnt, in places, and that his hair and eyebrows were singed. “Are you hurt very much?” she asked gently. “Nothing to speak of,” he answered cheerfully. But when they had left him he groaned aloud, for the pain was intense. “Drive me to the nearest doctor,” he called through the tube to the chauffeur. And there followed a quarter of an hour of excrutiating pain while the wounds were being dressed: To the best of his ability he had tried to protect Diana from the flames and his hands and arms had suffered. “I should advise you to stay in bed to-morrow. You will suffer from the shock.” the doctor warned him. “Will you run round and look at Miss Leighton and Miss Lomax. They are members of the company. I don’t think they have suffered much, but I should like to be quite sure. And will you please include the fee in my account.”

“All right. I’ll run out early in the morning to see you. Good-night.” Upon Garth’s return neither Warner nor his wife had gone to bed. They were not aware of the fire, and at sight of the bandages Christine hastened toward him. In a few words he told her what had happened. "You must go to bed at once,” she said peremptorily. lie was only too glad to obey, for he was feeling faint, and when morning ca.m© he had no wish to get up. The doctor came early to dress the burns, and told Garth that neither Diana nor Cora had suffered any damage. “You seem to have been the worst sufferer,” the doctor wound up sympathetically. A little later Christine came in, and announced her intention of going in to Ironhampton to see Diana. • Of course they won.’t be able to play to-night. Shall I invite them to come and stay here,” she asked. "No,” he answered. without any hesitation. “Last night showed me my weakliest. As I held her in my arms, I longed to cover her face with kisses. Although the dear girl was quiet, I was only thinking that her heart was beating against mine. There can be no ha If-measures. .1 must not see her again.” “Perhaps you are wise, she answered gently. Christine returned to him just before lunch time. "They both left by the early train this morning. I received a letter from each of them. I think I may read them to you without any breach of confidence.” Dear Mrs. Warner (wrote fora), — Diana wishes to go to London at

once. Ido not think it right to persuade her to stay. I thank you for your very great kindness. I have decided that I shall be doing no wrong in deceiving Diana and I am quite willing to help you with reference to Mr. Thornton. I will write to-night with our address. I do not think that Mr. Cameron should try to see Diana again.—Gratefully yours, Cora Lomax. “That’s a nice woman!” remarked Christine as she laid down the lette.r. Dear Mrs. Warner (began Diana), —Please do not think us ungrateful for going away without saying “good-bye.” I shall never forget your kindness. I believe you will guess the trouble. Garth will have told you about last night. I have realised my danger. As I lay ip his arms I did not think of the chances of being saved. I only longed to throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. I am ashamed to Write this, but it is the truth. I hope that you will not quite lose sight of me. Good-bye.—Yours affectionately, Diana. “Both of you seem to have come to the same conclusion,” Christine said quietly. “If ever lovers deserved happiness, it’s you and this sweet girl. I admire you both for your courage to play the game.” “I think I must get back to town.” “You shall not go till Monday. Cyrus and I will take you. We have decided to spend a month in town —to look after our theatrical interests,” she added, merrily. “You are very good to me, Christine.” “I do hope those poor girls have enough money.” And then she told him of having witnessed the sale of Diana's ring. *"lt is so difficult to help them. However, I believe that Miss Lomax will write if there is any real necessity. Not for her own sake, but she wouldn’t be able to see her friend suffer.” “Poor Diana!” Garth muttered under his breath. CHAPTER XXII. Valerie Stanton had returned to London from Italy very much sooner than she had intended. Hers was not a happy life, as she sat in her studio and smoked a cigarette. Her ill-gotten gains had brought her no happiness—in fact, she had never felt so miserable.

After a while she threw away the cigarette, which she had been smoking and crossed to the bureau, from which she took an envelope. “I’ll do it,” she said aloud. and went to her bedroom for her hat. It was four o’clock when she .reached the Temple, and began to climb the narrow stairs which led to Cameron’s chambers. A nervous knock at the door, and in answer Garth appeared. “May I come in? I must speak to you.” She began tremulously. He look-d at her keenly, and his hesitation vanished. “Come in,” he said curtly. And then she noticed the bandages. "You have been hurt?” “A few burns. What can I do for you?” he asked quietly. In answer she tore open the envelope and planed on the table a bundle of bank notes. “You’ll find there a.re two thousand pounds there. I want you to give this back to Diana.” “Why are you doing this?” “You won’t believe me when I say I’ve repented, but it is the solemn truth. Put the money away at once, or I may change my mind.” “I won’t run the risk of that. Diana

is in need of money,” he said, and placed the notes in his safe. “She is in London. She has gone on the stage.” • Diana —an actress!” Valerie said m astonishment. “Yes —and likely to make a good one.” “I behaved atrociously to her, and I’m ashamed of myself. It was only when I got away from England I realised I was fond of her. I should like to see her again—just to ask her

to forgive me,” she said, with apparent sincerity. Garth scrutinised her closely, for he was not inclined to trust her. There were so many things in the past to make him suspicious. “I can see you don’t trust me,” she said sadly. “I’ve had no encouragement to do “Only two thousand pounds worth,” she answered -with a mirthless laugh. “That is quite true,” he remarked, reflectively. A knock at the door, and he went to see who was there. Christine came in, a smile of amusement on her face. “Those terrible stairs. I suppose you live so high up to keep visitors away,” she said lightly. •‘l’ve one with me now—a lady—Valerie Stanton.” “That terrible girl. What does she want.” Garth told her the object of Valerie’s call. “I guess she’s got some good in her. Take me in, I should like to meet her. Don’t hesitate. I intend to hav* my own way. Valerie was surprised to see him come back, accompanied by a fashionably dressed, and exceedingly beautiful woman. “Mrs. Warner —this is Miss Valerie Stanton, the artist,” he said, bv way of introduction. “I am interested to meet you. I’m a friend of Diana Fordyce. Mr. Cameron tells me you have made restitution. You will have an easier rriind.” Valerie rose to her feet, and her face was deeply flushed. “I think I will go. . . . Please let me know if Diana will see me.” she said to Garth. “Please sit down again,” Christine said peremptorily. "How much money have you got out of the five hundred? Let me see, it was two thousand five hundred, wasn’t it?” she asked turning to Cameron. “Yes,” he answered. (To be continued.)