Fettered

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 213, 28 November 1927, Page 5

Fettered

tv!/// 1 r ITIIV "■'/Jr ’"'l V*fiSiQ*“s

author of ” When Orion Ml«t» Gr»» Thl Vow.” Ac.. Ae.

Tve somethng to sell you. Would you care to marry Cameron?" “You are mad.” “No—l’m sane, but I want a thousand pounds to open my mouth.” “How can it be possible for me to marry Mr. Cameron. I’m your wife.” “That’s the point,” he remarked, with a laugh. “You must deal with Mr. Warner, «he said after a pause. “No—l shall only deal with you. Have you the money?” “Yes —at the bank.” I will accept an open cheque. 1 can trust you.” “You. are very kind, but can 1 trust you?” “You would give your soul to be free from me, and I can free* you. I swear it. ’ I don’t understand how that can be excitement neither noticed that the door had been opened. I can tree you, and I’ll do it for a thousand pounds,” he said exc ~ ' And I can do it for nothing, Cora intervened quietly. , face “Tot!” Fordyce said, and his became* very white. . face Cora looked at Fordyce and her vas hard and contemptuous. ,;. os t or “So Guy Fordyce is George Foster -my husband,” she said, with too The shock of meeting tora hack much tor Fordyce, and he sank hacs into a chair, trembling violently • Diana had listened dazedly, last she understood. The was fallen from her, and her f a trinsfipired with joy. . . - tll «„ 'You are not the only victim oi uu. it was he who took me aw > from niy home, married me. hs had spent my money, desert left me to starve.” , rDm „. Let me go,” Fordyce said tr lo naly, and he quailed before tout anser. „

Not till I have finished with you. ®he answered, and left the room. Fordyce glanced apprehensively Diana, and turned away quickly. Con is a devil when she s r • Don't let her prosecute me, he ay Pealed to her. . Diana had not realised that h ‘ ««nmi:ted bigamy, and brought him within reach of the criminal law. ,f J he sends me to prison I “ e he whimpered. deserve to be punished. , Uial severely, for she was thinking of n . ora - “You took her from her borne she was a young girl, and >ou ■ nied her into an embittered woman, •'■a cannot expect her to show >0 J mercy.” her^rado anything you ask of r D'iuna. don’t let me go to prison. rhf» ari linking that if after our marYou had taken me away d*sL n?Ver intended to do it. I was I ancl it was only your money barely you won’t be vint'anier jn ••^" ou are ree can marry “rV u ar £ absolutely contemptible. ■'ndin Lfd lhe telephone bell ring, s "lia,, r the Police. Save me.” the * have nothing to say. Cora is on.i to decide.” sail} n .fDe’ll have no mercy,” Fordyce Maiclru.4 a sroan, and then moved •t?} 5 to the door. shan't ?»° while there’s time. She But o° p me *” andlL-i ora faced him threateningly, Them ®r rank b *ck with a cry of fear, terrified S nerves had gone, and he was kuied my child. It is now my * or myself I don’t care so much,

but there’s Diana. Luckily for you it was only a ceremony, or I would have killed you.”

“Let me go. Neither of you shall see me again, I swear it,” he cried. “I wouldn't trust your Bible oath. I know you. There are real things to be settled before you go. What's your real name,” she demanded.

“George Foster. I took the name of Fordyce when I made a little money and went on the Stock Exchange." “You did that so I shouldn’t trace you. But you needn’t have been afraid, t wouldn’t have touched a penny of your money. I hate you too much. “You can divorce me for desertion. I won’t defend the case. I’ll do all I can to help you. Give me the money to get out of the country, and I swear you shall never see me again.” “I will give him the money,” Diana said eagerly. “Not one penny piece will he have,” Cora answered sternly. “Let me go—l will go,” he said vehementlv hut he was weak and unstrung, and when he attempted to rise from the chair. Cora pushed him back, and stood over him. “You won’t leave this place until I the word.” she said threateningly. “The police ” "I’ve no doubt they’ll be glad to lay hands on you.” “Have you no mercy?” “Just as much as you showed to two innocent women. How did you Persuade this lady to marry you? I demand the truth. He was quite broken and did not hesitate to answer. “It was arranged with Valerie Stanton that Diana should discover her and Cameron together. It came off. Diana was mad with jealousy. I already had the' licence. Within an hour or two she had married me. That’s all.” he.said m a low voice. ”1 never cared for hei. It was only her money I wanted. You Cora are the only woman I ever loved. • That makes me the more ashamed.” “T still care for vou, and if you will start' again,” lie went on humbly, but stopped at the expression on her .ace. "Heavens! how you do hate me. will it he necessary to send , . ‘ 'n-ienn’” Diana asked tremulously, and d°d not understand the look Cora gave her. “Ask her to have mercy, said lor- . “Prison would kill me.” dy “The world would he well rid of such x- .11 ” Cora answered scathingly. aS The?o was a knock at the door, and

a has called to see you.” Sh “A S sk d h!m C to r 'come in here, the latter answered. h . fnr p it is too late.” tu •“eyes’wereY.xed on the door, and hazily 5, pear, hut it «as udi came in. want your advice. “Mr. Cameron. ® band _ lle comTlns man is m. ma rrving Diana, mitted bigam.i to do ? We don’t What is the best thin a s n^e a “voided.” W Ifordyce a ery of relief, hut Sll “But e the 0 wo C rldmust know that Diana is free.” the moment Garth Diana free- ' thin” else. He dared could think of l d as he not look at ine his thoughts, struggled to collec bigamy ,” he be”A prosecution ■perhaps that gan. ‘necessaryf unless you wish U” n he -id turning ei ;i ttSmwS** let him so -

Cora said, covering her face with her hands, and crying piteously. CHAPTER XXVI. Cameron took Fordyce from the house, it having been arranged that he should provide him a passage to Canada, and a sum of money to await him on his arrival there. As soon as they had left the room, Diana took Cora in her arms, and tried to comfort her. “God help me! —I love him still. lie was the father of my baby!” Cora said brokenly. “You still love him?” “Yes. I can’t help it. I know him to be all that is base, and yet I care for him.” “Poor little woman!” “I despise myself for such weakness. Women need God’s pity.” But very soon she became calm and dried her tears. “My dear, I believe I must have been hysterical. Of course, I don’t care for the man. I guess we had both better lie down and rest. Scenes like this take it out of one, and we’ve got to go to the theatre to-night.” Diana watched her friend walk slowly from the room, and. her eyes were brimming over with sympathy, but soon she forgot Cora’s troubles, and thought of the great joy that was now within her reach. That night she played as one inspired. As soon as she was on the stage she looked instinctively for Garth, but could not see him, and then she became confident that he would meet her when the performance was over. To her disappointment he was not at the theatre, and she wondered greatly. Perhaps he would be at her house, and when she found he was not there she came to the conclusion that he had judged it wiser to stay with Fordyce. For the first time since her quarrel with Garth on that fateful afternoon at the Studio, her mind was at rest. Now it was no sin to dream of his love —to recall the memory of his kisses that had given her such joy. When she awakened in the morning it was with a feeling of elation. She rang the bell for her tea, but when the maid brought it, there were no letters. “He might have written a line,” she told herself. Cora had passed a bad night, and the smile with which she welcomed Diana was sad. "I’ve been envying you your happiness, dear. No one deserves it more than you. In spite of temptation you have done what was right, and you will receive your reward. 1 have been thinking things over. It’s very strange that I should not have discovered that Guy Fordyce was my husband. He meted out tlie same sort of treatment to both of us, and I ought to have guessed. I behaved like a fool last night. I have decided to try to forget that such a man exists, so I want you never to mention his name again. After all, my position is none the worse.” “Why don’t you divorce him?” i “I don’t believe in divorce; besides, 1 shall never marry, and there’s nothing to be gained. If 1 were a rich woman it would be different; but, poor as 1 am, he is not likely to worry me. Now we will forget Guy Fordyce, alias George Foster, as they say in the police courts,” she wound up with a laugh, i Diana went to her room to dress, and it was witlr great care she chose her gown. For a long time she regarded herself in tSie mirror. No—her beauty had not diminished. Suffering had only given her additional charm. This was a womarf who knew the meaning of life, and i>pt a spoiled girl who was inclined to be domineering and selfish.

“Garth, I do love yoiftf’ she whispered, and a flush slowly mantled her cheeks. It was not from vanity she had been examining herseff. It was of Garth she had been thinking. A little later she went down to her own little sitting-room, and sat down, but only for a moment, for she Jose to replace an ornament. A feeling of restlessness held her in its grip, bnt at last the waiting was over. “Mr. Cameron/’ announced the

Garth came in—his face was grave, but he took her in his arms, and kissed her lips. There was no passion in the caress, and she wondered. “I have bad news. Fordyce is dead.” “Dead!” she repeated. “Yes. I thought it better to take him to my chambers. In a way, I was sorry for the poor devil. I thank God I wasn’t harsh with him. I told him I would do anything in my power to help him to lead a decent life—and he broke down and wept like a baby,” Garth paused and drew her closer to him.

“1 saw him in bed soon after midnight. It had been arranged that I should see him off to-day, and apparently he was content. About three o’clock I heard a shot, and hastened to his room. He was quite dead, with my revolver by his side.”

“Your revolver?” “Yes, he knew I kept one in the sitting-room, and he must have fetched it. There were two letters on the writing-table—one was addressed to the coroner—the other I have with me —it’s for Cora.” “I believe she still cared for him,” Diana said in a low voice. “Shall I break the news to her?” “No. I’ll go at once and give her the letter.”

It was half an hour before Diana returned, and she was crying quietly. “Poor Cora, she has said nothing, but she suffers. I think it is better to leave her alone,” she said with a sob.

But Garth gathered her in his arms, and kissed her passionately. “I can't speak of my love just now —tragedy is too near. But very soon you will give yourself to me. I have waited so long,” he whispered. “I will come to you when you want me.”

“In a month’s time, that will be long enough to wait?”

And she hid her face on his breast. “I don’t think there will be any need to mention your name at the inquest. I don’t know what Fordyce wrote to the coroner. The inquest is to be held this afternoon. Of course, I shall have to attend.”

It proved that Fordyce had said very little, except that he was sick of life, and had decided to die. He further stated that Cameron had been a good friend, and was willing to do anything to help him. “But I was born a rotter, and no one will miss me. Of those I have wronged I ask forgiveness,” he wound up.

At that moment there was a big political question to the front, which occupied many columns of the newspapers, so little space could be spared for an account of the inquest upon such an obscure person. After the performance that night Garth took Diana and Cora to supper, and told them what had happened. “Perhaps it’s for the best,” Diana whispered to him, and they were silent.

“Garth, to-morrow I’m going to give Mr. Thornton a month’s notice,” Diana said suddenly. “You intend to leave the stage?” he cried, and his pleasure was evident. “Yes. I have thought over things very carefully. You are going to make a name in political life. 1 have no doubt of it, and a future Cabinet Minister would be handicapped by having an actress for a wife.” “I can’t let you make such a sacrifice. You have all London at your feet,” he protested. “Well, I only want to be at the feet of one man—the man I love,” she answered brightly. “I don’t think it right. It would be a loss to art,” Cora maintained stoutly, for she loved her profession.

“I have asked Trevor Thornton to lunch with me to-morrow. You can take Cora somewhere, and come back at three o’clock precisely. And see you obey orders.” The next morning she took great care over the preparation for lunch. ! The dishes Thornton liked were there; and also his favourite wine. The meal j was quite a success, and she succeeded in putting him into an excellent frame of mind for the purpose. “Trevor, I'm going to leave you in a j month. You must look out for someI one else.”

J “God bless my soul,’’ he spluttered. '■ It was his usual expression of sur-

prise. "I’m going to marry Garth Cameron. Of course, it will be only polite of you to try to persuade me to change my mind, but I tell you at once it’ll be quite useless.” “What am I going to do without you?” he wailed. “I’ve thought of that, and have a candidate for the vacancy at hand. You were good enough to follow my advice, and allow Cora Lomax to be my understudy.” “Yes—yes,” he said impatiently. “Well —she’s to be your new ‘star,’ and she’ll prove a better one than myself. Cora is an artist to her finger tips. She’s never had a chance. Now she’s going to get one.” “The girl can act, but ” “You’ve got to promise me you’ll try her. Give a ’call” for a rehearsal at once. She knows her part thoroughly.” Thornton thought for a few moments and then made up his mind. “I’ll give her the chance, although I make no promise. It all depends on the girl.” “You are a dear, Trevor. You’ll never regret your decision.” Soon afterwards Cora came in with. Garth, and she was told the news. She stood still and stared at Thornton in blank amazement. “You mean it?” she said excitedly. “Don’t expect too much. I make no promise. You have the chance, that’s all.” “That’s all 1 want,” she answered quietly, and then running to Diana, threw her arms round her, and kissed her. “Thank you, dear, I know I owe it to you.”

“Where do 1 come in?” grumbled Thornton, and there was a twinkle in his eyes. Three weeks later the Warners were seated in a box at the Regent, and with them were Garth and Diana. The latter showed the keenest anxiety when the curtain went up, and her face was pale. But very soon she breathed a long sigh of relief, and slipped her hand into Garth’s.

“It’s all right,” she whispered happily. And so it proved to be. For Cora had “got there” and had made an excellent impression, which was confirmed when the play came to an end. “I’m madly jealous,” said Diana, but her face belied her words. That night there was a merry supper party at which Thornton and Cora were present. The latter was very quiet, but her eyes shone brightly. The following afternoon was spent by Diana and Christine in the Ladies’ Gallery of the House of Commons. It was the first time Diana had heard Garth speak in public, and she breathlessly followed his words. Truly, he was a man of whom any woman might be proud—so clean and straight-look-ing—so capable, and yet with a kindliness withal. The next morning the Warners took her to Ironhampton, and a couple of days later, Garth stood beside her at the altar. There were very few guests present, but among them was Thornton who acted as best man, and Cora as the bridesmaid. It was a cheery group who stood beside the car that was to take away bride and bridegroom. Hearty grips of the hands—the women kissed one another. “May you be as happy as we are—that’s niy best wish,” said Christine, as she kissed Diana very tenderly. And then the car moved away. For a quarter of an hour neither of them spoke—their hearts were too full for words. “At last,” Garth said in a low voice, and she looked at him—her eyes eloquent with love. “Till death does us part,” she answered tremulously, and ‘then after a while. “Did you notice Trevor Thornton and Cora. If only ” “Let us pray for it. 1 am. so happy myself that I wish everyone the same joy. The last few months seem like a bad dream,” he answered quietly. “Dear, I believe I am a better woman for suffering. It has taught me to understand many things. I can make allowances. I can pity and sympathise with the unfortunate.” “God has been very good to us,” he answered, and they looked into one another’s eyes—saying those things that do not need words for expression. <The End.)