The Great Avnil

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 22

The Great Avnil

by

PDican Glen,

Pn *7*3 Um b'jed. fsooi ’ * he <sxel&:msd- Tta*.U b» live a*w» t'-z -he The;, tb* cp«rAdcAi :t = - Mr. e.-a* io £x afters km. Too heard ah' v 'rah iir* r« :--z sr-dded- -T*j --: - m* s.-Qoau—ead-TT-: be &a hi. “There s atK aach rood. -_* there. m *J Ed—; to hi* -wife raeartiaaeT” -I wmX sir. :f I *r’i jw,' Pratt “T? yo'i ctoli ret her to jo to -he hone he surac be alio-wec -o *;e.e* to her. At-itT, it eoefc rocr t:a to to i 1 * t> at * he’d caller. A eetrae free the the spoke to I ethih »ee that »he tis a bit idrat t to fa.:® the fosj. -It *v- a queer business it* Mr. Carrothers case iy this ac tid eat. tit ee:*-is. - *eeren that the b&rr ora -;» head did zooc rather than harrrt !t» to h*e =:• trying to ctrier*ta=i thoee rcrt of thiass. hit the doctor •aid ; . the-r ttr ah it a terre hirh? boom ifde-"-ed —a teree that haa sohtettitjz to do etita the eye-s.’--Hi* wa* Mr Carrttther* tee'.trz -•.-her 70. sa*r hint la=tT~ Peitco Asked. -As fit a* 7to t’ea*-t:- said Prart. 'Of .tirse he * rattled a bit at the aos.rht of the oterat:on. it iss't that -» feara the thing for if it .ones to -hat there * ao da.i?er; bat he Ato - * tat there * jast a thar.t-e that he may ret hi* ..rtt back. It's made him .napy—»ad he * »ot the Ja=P7 kind-” “I kaow that.’ the other arreed. Wfi ra tea 70a what m do. rn rail 02 Mr*. Carrttther* riri. a wav. and tell her exactly what’s happened, dor of coarse, she II bs ir the dark a boot that ’ Whea he went to the address which, title to her promise. Mary bad *«« to him. he found her scanning with wear,' eyes the -Situations Vartan:’ eolunn in a daHy paper. "Yes. Mr. Felt-on.” she agreed listlessly, "I'm looking for a Job. If I possible can, I mean to get one which will take me abroad.” "So you’re still -hitking of that?" he asked. "I'd been hoping that perhaps you’d decided to stay a: home.’ She shook her head. "Tee no heme.” she told him. "and * nee you and I me: last, I'te learned hat what Arthur Welland told me was trie —I mean about Harvey and hat nurse in Quarrenford. 1 went her*, you know, to find out exactly how things were. Well, first I saw ’hec: together laughing and talking and I could tell at once that the woman was crazy about Harvey. Afterward* I talked to her, and she confessed the thing. She said that

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- . are. Mrs, Csrratiers! I refuse to 5 talk Vs me aJbosi t; == h-r v »-= dene -t: then. witrLhi a nav.rr -- t= you oat of - - - tr lav:u.r : f scmeoce elee It r=rri conceivable! Miry made a lit tie gesture c: ntperesifness- ' Nurse wi= very much, in earnest, - she said- • Bat yon didn’t steal tn your dus--No. I meant to do that, bet =7 - v.--- -- gtmplv have i*eoo a :a=e -1 Harvey a separacioiu Us* lesi I lied aio-t mgs he cccldr. : ge: a divorce, ani 7 d m t oeoeve mac he d try. "rn sure de voided Felccn agreed. “And new. I've simemmg to tell 710 viic'a may make a differen:-a When yen ent drem the Cordage H:=rinal mat evening rtarvey, whe 1 heard ymr viice. called one yonr line ini tried m gee to yen by mmBeif. The rernlc ■s'es that he Cell so heavily cn the staircase that he was A little stricken cry came from her end a:me concern filed the wistful “I* he badly hurt? she whispered. me please*” “No Felton comforted he-. But he'= in a nursing home in London, and before coming here I had a talk worn his manservant, Pratt- * He explained exactly what had happened and watched her narrowly while she learned that there seemed to be a quire reasonable chance of Carruthere's sight being restored. “He may see again?" Mary repeated softly. ~Oh! Te sc* glad—so very glad!" “He's been warned not to set his hopes too high, ’ F el ton pointed, cnt. - Yon mustn’t do that either. Mrs. Carrathe rs. Well soon knew about things., for the operation's to tahe place no-day. But, one way or the other, youTl go to him, won’t you? “Whatever happens, he's bound to be laid ap for some time, and it may be that you wouldn't be showed to see him yet awhile. But I think that you should give him the chance to talk to yeti- After ah. it’s only he who can tell you exactly what s in his mind —just as you aione will be able to convince him of the truth as you know ? ith During the long - Hence that followed Mary's slim fingers gripped tightly at the newspaper which she had laid on •a little table at her side, and nervous

excitement set her lips ihfng. I think, fits said, that the c-nty hrpe I have left is the hope that Harvey may get hhs sight bath For ej~T -dtht agree vh 7: r there .~_Fe_boc. renamed. “B«t atjnow, yc hh go 10 the tmrshLg htme won't yoo, to ask She nodded. *~Yes IT. do thah WctLd yoa take me there this evett:n Mr Felton ? Y:r vy„ hr t be sole to see him sc seen he oojectel -t v^ : — -_hat_ r the ether agreed, -hut we might learn whether the iperatlon had been ent tesefth. “Yet Felttn said, ~we might do - that 7t s 2 bargain then Mrs. Car- _ mthersFH cah for yen nere. if I ■ : He did so. and within five minutes - of reaching the nt'-in#: hnme he and - Mary were tti-d that Mr. Sefbon ~as £ men: s 1 , . _ - f -Of . erseJ the doctor to whum = -hey -tree explained, “n’t*, even Mr. - ■ - . t t w.-h -.ertainty ab-tnt Tings fur seme .1 days. But I knew -hat everything ' wen- ever, better than he -i snnrnu.. z.z.d 1 ksev. too. that ne 5 ntt tne type " of man r : say me thing an 1 think an:ther. - Fed ■ . Carmthere be able to inn hie friends r in to see him w —>e doctor smiled ann shoos: _:s 1 head- . . . - 'There again 1 ve git to —-~; zj.t~r he returned- “dertain.y. ne ... , have it be kept very quiet at present: 7 but he's strong and healtr.*. and B2i- - ÜbtUlh of opeaadoa 50027 -Th£2> y->2. Dc -cr =sia reitoo- : 3c iiT yoor news ‘-s *oo*. ai: - ’ - tar *X be eriil :e“er we ~ ee: ; He saw Mary 10 ier lodsing*. ba: 5 -_hey sj>eke little to eaca c-..-er. -I expert tiat I ey bare to leave - towm to-morrti’*’ for a spell' Felton 1 Remarked a* be bade ner a goo-i-Dsgfat-“Bac yoall remember vtt: Tve •STO2 '. jaoT . . , . -v&s ’’ site old n:m stowi,-. oat 1 t can t proicU- anything Mr Felton ; -. y piy ccuraze seems to ca-e gone, i aad my nerves—we. I : ~ ’ ~ that me.* bare gone. :oo.’’ Ho loosed Btraight u-i - te: eyes. I . -For bis - sake.” he told her. -yon ' 33a—. get that conraze back. E>o that, 5 7jie nerve* -*hll take care c-1 themselves. i r CKAPTES XXTVThree time* Mary called at the ners--3 lag home daring the days mat lollotwed. and then there came an evtn- . - -s-hem -while busy packing a trave.t ling u--she -was interrupted by ter e landlady. Felton -wisne* to see yoti. t.a latter amomced. "He says that -»>--* may be his last chance of doing . that, and that he won’t heap yon long. 1 Perplexed as to what might lie foet hind that message, Mary joined her visitor in the tiny sitting-room. I - Mr*. Carmthere.” he began, and she : Tras struck instantly by the note of , half-sadness in hi* voice. "I’ve come r to say good-bye.” You’re going away Mr. Felton 7’ . -Yes —to California- How long TO t be there. I don’t know —perhaps for i year*. But when I do come back, the s first man 111 want to see in England

wHi be Harrey Carminers, and ihe nrsi woman be yourself. I earo =n deerly for the mmxess if yea both. that I hope the: when I do see yon next. 7 : may te together. Now tea me a: me thing: yt. haven't talked -nth year fesshand yetT “No. I called at the hospital, but —hen I learned that the c aeration '-ar t een stm teemtiL and that soon Har-~r-7 yonld fe atle to see as wed as I most be : intent Y;-_h than ~ a- mg sorted Mr. Felttn. and Fm going, too.” TVhatT* She nodded. "It s true." she saidhve got a post yith a family —ho are going, hrst to Frame and then to Italy I -tc packing when ym called sntd I'm tt leave z:r Paris the day after tom-orrtw. * i Witho i si havinn seen your ht=Now listen, please! Oliver Pratt called on me to-day end he told me that y-tm hnshand hat retnrnei tt Baxhng~.cn House. He'll mt-st te mainly find yc-s if yen don’t g. tt him. and FT help him in that search. 'Coes' Were been rood friends, yen and L and it's p frien-dshit wnose rnernor:- I*l3 always cherish. I don’t want t: have to go to Baxfngton. bat nnless y >c give me y:nr solemn, promfee that yen J go there to-morrow, them mba'ever it costs. FI! see Harvey. and the result vrE! be that he'll come to yon wherever ym may be/* Mary's eyes were weh T think that yon're wrong,” she . ia:i. “hot I know that ytn mean to be kind. I give ytn the promise, Mr. Felton. I .1 gc_ tt Bavin goon tomorrow. jj yen'll let me know where to write tc yon. i il send a note before ytn leave England. Then Mary reached the garden rate of Carm there’s home, she gripped at the top-most rail as though to steady herself. All the fears and anxieties of the past weeks had returned to her —a stupefying jumble of dread possibilities. As she watched the little house with the afternoon sunshine striking on its windows, she saw a man's figure come from the porch and hasten rapidly toward her. With a sigh of relief, she recognised the figure as that of Oliver Pratt, and, opening the gate notselessly, she went to meet him. “I saw you coming up the lane, m'mT Pratt said. “The boss is in the study, and he knows that I'm with you by -his time. You must go to him, and there's —there’s no cause to be upset. Yen knew, didn't yon. tin-c I he'd got his sight back?" Mary's head dropped in assent. “He's still wearing dark glasses,” Pratt went on “hut very soon— sc that genu, Mr. Sefton. says—hell be able to do without them. And now. will you come with me. please?” Llmb-s trembling, and a crazy tumult in her brain, .she walked slowly up the path and into the coolness of the house. "That room there.” Pratt whispered. pointing toward a closed door Jnst you go in m m. He turned away, and steeling herself for the effort. Mary moved forward and opened the do-or. Carrathers was standing near to an open -window, but he turned from it now and toward Mary. Perhaps four or five moments passed

■ then Camttnens moved, forward. “MaryT he arhcnlatec. "Mary—- , at lasT.” One pit eons glance she had given to t him., but new her eyes were lowered* and when she spoke, he could scarcely hear her words. “T—-I didn't want to comeT she told him. “T was afraid, and thought :t ! would mean only hnrt ft-r you and far me. 3nt yesterday Mr. Felton caked on me. ant made me premise that Fd Carmthers was palling forward a C “YesT he said, set lookinf at her. ■7 had a long letter iron mm tms miming. Basil Felton's one of the best fellows Fve ever known, £— t 3 hi-- tha- he doesn't: stay too ions in California. Sit down, Mary. Te’ve s. lot to say to each other, yon and ~ He watched her as she seated herself- and pity welled up in his heart. -Yen look -iH and frightened,** he said gently. There's nothing to fear, t dear I want yon to nsten to my part of cur mutual story. Then it's I— er, and you're quite sure that yc-u understand, then you're to answer one or two simple questions-” On:e*l7 t-.- discLncuy, afid -.iriitCTg , -f-vir, of —:c=efi- be recited had i:-;r Ain ne tad been -old that she •wzs dead. Meet of —tae be said Marr already but there were otter self c-ocld speak to her. “We're sunered, 7or and L” te said, -and it may be that- th-OTgh as. others tare sneered. I knot*- that Basil Feb ton and is. fonder of 70a ibac te d eve: tell you, and in afraid that Gladys Rohinson. tie *orat ’=’ho ntrrsed ne at Q-arrenford. fancied iereelf to care very deeply for me. ‘•Well: these things may be sad, bnt they can’t be helped. For me there has been only one vosst "Tes, Harvey T* Ton ran svay with Arthur Weiiand. Yon mas: have thought that you cared for him very deeply, and that yen ■didn't care for me at ailf At last she iocnd courage io raise her face, and to sbovr him her eves, briiiian: nov with a brilliancy bom of love and treti. “Too must hate me, she said, “but, Harvey. I’m going abroad, and it isn’t like’y that yeTi meet again. So do try to believe tin*—".hen I ’vent avay tvith Arthur Welland I thoeght I cared for him, and tried to persuade myself that I didn’t love yon.'' “Something happened to me within an honr or two of leaving AppieWarley. Seme veil that had been be—een me and the light vas tom avray. I was dazzled by a knowledge that Fd never had before. I knew that I loved yon, and I knew that, though in thought I had wronged yon, the love was going to grow stronger arc stronger every day of my life. “I ran from Arthur Welland then, and yon know that I came here meaning to plead with yoa to take me back?” "Yes ’he said cuietiy “I know. Go on. Mary.” “When your mother told me that you thought me dead. I hadn't the courage to deal the blow that I might have dealt.’ she said. * Then, as time went on. I got to thinking that I was

sunertne as :: xas intended : sn.n__ suYer. “•If, see? time away in the lieT&Tiite, yon could torsi re me. HsrvTd be content. I love yea -with ail et heart and soul. bat I know the: we mast say good-bye.” “Mary—ray Mary.’’ His arms were about her. and he vas hnMbig her close' to him. “He you thins.” he ashed unsteadily. “that Fa going to let you leave me eov" Never! Yon belong to me. as I belcng to you. The only days in the oast that well rente—:.her. yon and I. v;;; be those days when the blossoms were being blown about I n the garden at Apple-Wariey. But I have a garden here. Mary, and Tm going to take yen into It new There's sunshine there, and of late yotrve known too little of than You've suffered and ; vp sneered, bn* ~ban's God! the strSerings are overhook at me. dear!” She did so. and on her upturned face the tears were shining “ Cry inc” he whispered. ‘ tVbatsT=r for She could not speak, but her hanis went up and tuttet themselves about his neck. Nearer and nearer his face came to hers. aH their lips met in a kiss of love whose strength would never again be doubted, and whose beauty would never fade.” Quarter of an hour later they were in the garden, side by side. From an upper window Oliver Pra.u watching them approvingly, saw that straying fingers of sunshine touched their faces, and he heard, as they heard, the song of a thrush perched in the big chestnut tree near to the garden gate. < The End.