Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 210, 24 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

by

Paul Trent

author of writ" Crook Moot, Crook.” Tho Vow.” *«., At.

CHAPTER XXII (Continued) ••How much have you sot in hand?” Christine asked again. •Tv e been very extravagant. I be- . ame reckless, and ••How much,” repeated Christine. “Just what’s in my purse—less than jive pounds.’’ •It was a plucky and honest thing to Live up the two thousand. My husband has decided to take a hoixse in imvn. We shall want some pictures, dive me the address of your studio and i’ll bring him round to see you.” "Why are you doing this?” asked Valerie. .. .. . "I have a cousin who is an artist, ;tnd l know something of the artistic emperament. I disliked you intensely when I heard Diana’s story. 1 hought there would be no good *i you .ind 1 was wrong. Would you care to paint my portrait?” In spite of her distress, Valerie’s artistic eyes had been greedily drinking in Christine’s beauty. •I would gladly paint you for nothing,” she said in a low voice. “I guess my husband will fix the price. We will cull on you to-morrow jiftemoon.” Valerie did not offer her hand, but bowed and left the room. Garth preceded her to open the door and she paused for a moment. ‘‘Forgive me, Garth—forgive me for everything,” she whispered. “Gladly,” he answered, and he saw that there were tears in her eyes. "A good-looking young woman,” Christine remarked when he rejoined her. ‘ I’m glad we’ve met.” "Why did you do it?” "Just because I think I understand her. You know she is in love with you, ;.nd very miserable.” "Please don.’t,” he said appealingly. "Give me the notes. I shan’t stay for tea with you. I’m going out to Brixton. Good-bye.” Christine herself had suffered in the past, and the suffering was largely due to her pride. Without that experience she might not have been so sympathetic toward human weakness. Deeply in love herself, she longed to comfort all nose who suffered for love’s ravages. She recognised that Valerie possessed an undisciplined nature, and was ready to make allowance for her. “I’ll help her if she’ll allow me to,” was her determination. When the car stopped, she looked at the little lodging house with some disgust. "We’ll soon have them out of this,” she said triumphantly. Cora ajid Diana were having tea, and they jumped to their feet when Christine came in. "Here you are, my dear,” Christine began briskly. “Miss Stanton has given up two thousand pounds of your money. Pack up your bags. Y'ou’re both coming to stay with me until we can find you a suitable little flat.” Diana’s surnrise crave wav to sus-

picion. ' "Is this from Garth —or you? Is it a kindly way of ” “Mo, I swear it’s your own money. You can take it with a perfectly easy conscience.” And Diana believed, for she would not distrust this gracious woman. “Thank goodness! I’m sick of soiled table cloths. Cora, isn’t it ripping? We ■'ball be able to have a dear little flat." talk, but pack. Cyrus shall Uke us to a theatre to-night." The girls went to their bedroom, and LMana noticed that her friend was not quite content, hat’s the matter, dear. Aren’t you Phased”? she asked her quickly. Of course I am for your sake,. But J; 01 giving nothing, and accepting J&rything; Mrs. Warner doesn’t care me ‘ She ’ s doing this for you .. . r? 4 I have my pride,” Cora said in a tow voice. Diana rose and came across, and ,«ced her hands on her friend’s shoulrs, looking straight into her eyes. . 1 Bhou ld like to give you a good •uaking. You and I are real pals. Be- ' een Us monp y or giving does not v'oll * 1 would accept anything from co “* have already given me much and sympathy, when they were need ed. Please don’t be so fool- **• again.” friend?. 6 to s P° n S e on you and your should 1 be without you? If b« *° strike an account, I should vm!i eep yin >’our debt. Hurry up with }OUr packing.”

Diana insisted upon fetching all her i trunks that had been stored, and tak- 1 mg them with her. The dressing has- ' kets were left with the landlady until ( the flat had been taken. The Warners were staying at the Carlton Hotel, and when Diana joined them at dinner, 1 dressed in one of her smartest gowns, she felt that the past few weeks of wretchedness were only a dream. Cora had insisted on choosing-a simple gown of black lace, and acted as an admirable foil to her friend. A box at the theatre, and then supper in the restaurant. A night that was to be remembered. “Good-night, dear,” said Christine, kissing Diana affectionately. “We have enjoyed ourselves," said Diana, and then her voice sank to a whisper. “How is Garth?” “Going along splendidly,” Christine answered cheerfully. And that was all that was said. The next morning commenced their hunt for a flat, and they Anally chose one in South Kensington. A couple of days for furnishing, and by the end of the week they had settled down. On Monday morning, Cora spoke up at breakfast. “I've heard that Trevor Thornton is producing a new play at the Regent. So we will put on our smartest gowns, and call there.” “The Regent, isn’t that a trifle too ‘swagger for us?” protested Diana. “Not a bit of it. Anyhow we'll chance our luck.” It was with intention that Trevor Thornton kept them waiting for half an hour. He was determined to play his part properly, so as not to make Diana suspicious. The Warners had behaved very decently indeed; for he had already received the cheques and one from Cameron. At last a messenger came to say that Mr. Thornton would see them. “It’s the gowns that have done the trick," Cora whispered to Diana, and was immediately ashamed of the deceptioh. Trevor Thornton received them very graciously, and first asked Cora a few questions. “I have not yet filled up my cast. There are several vacancies, and I’m looking for new blood,” he announced, and then handed Cora a book. “Let me hear your voice,” he said pleasantly. He listened for a few moments, and then told her to stop. “And now Miss Leighton, I will try you with Shakespeare; needless to say you have read Romeo-and Juliet.” “Yes. I know the play by heart. And I had to reoite a good deal of it.” “Then let me hear you recite now,” Thornton said pleasantly. Soon he quite forgot the part he himself was playing. This girl possessed dramatic Are, and as he watched her glowing face and listened to her clear, ringing voice, with its telling note of sympathy. his enthusiasm became strong. At last he raised his hand. “Cnnd Now have a shot at X^ady

“Good. Now have a snot at x,auy When that had been done to his satisfaction, he regarded Diana gravely. “I shall engage you both. The question of the parts we shall leave until the rehearsals start. Miss Lomax, you have had more experience than Miss Leighton. Take this script with you, and study it well. Just for curiosity, I want to see what Miss Leighton can make of the part of the Princess. During the next few days, you might watch her. The rehearsals will begin next Monday. Good morning, ladies. Oh, by the boye, you. Miss Lomax, will be cast for the part of Marie.” “How splendid!” Diana said excitedly, when they were in the street. "How lucky we are!” “Yes. our luck is stupendous. Let us go home and look through our parts.” Their flat reached, they glanced quickly through the play, which was called "The Avenger.” and was a modern drawing-room drama of great power. "The Princess —why—she Diana .paused breathlessly, and stared at her friend. ••Yes—the Princess has all the fat. It looks like the leading part,” Cora answered quickly. At the end of the first act of "The Avenger” there was no doubt about Diana’s success. Trevor Thornton had decided to do no preliminary booming, and the critics were taken by surprise. Warner, his wife, and Cameron, occupied a box, and Christine drew a quick breath of relief when the curta’Tsnfmshe°sp”4ndldV” she whispered to "Waif l till the whole show is over,” commented Cyrus Warner. The irirl's made a good start, anj how. Diana had worked hard during the i a c* three weeks. Thornton had spaied no pSand she was only too anxious t °Ynd rn now this first act was over. Her dresser was helping her to change into her clothes for the next act. Cora had refused to share her dress-ing-room, with the plea that such an arrangement might cause jealousy among the other members of the comPa The call boy knocked at the door, with a warning shout, and she made her way to the wings. Trevor Thornton passed her, and patted her arm "I am quite pleased with jou. Miss ! Leighton. You've only got to keep it j up,” he said pleasantly. (To be Continued.)