THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 7 December 1907, Page 3

THE STORYTELLER.

"ONE OF THE GAKG." The difficulty was not of Gibsons making, if a fellow's father chooaes to marry again suddenly, and, without . warning, reduce© his sou s allowance by half, wiio U to blame iur the trouble * Certainly nut the son! Tom, who was going up thai June for Sandhurst, told lxUnaelf this each morning »s he walked to hU erainiuer's. let it was certain that if something was not done to prevent it, hid friend (jibson would be obliged to leave the service on account oi a miserable debt of .£l5O incurred in more allluent days. Sow, a friend is for all time, and Tom heartily cursed his inability to assist as he thought of it. His pocket-money, ample lor his own needs, was di-liiKt-ly limited. Even had it been possible to approach the governor on such a subject, the thing was out of the question at present, since lie and Tom's mother had gone abroad for several months, Tom himself and the servants being for the nonce the bole occupants of the roomy house in town. Just as the troubled young man reached home, he saw a girl standing at the front door. "The young lady thought as how the home wa» to let, sir," explained Fowler, the footman, with intense disgust in his tone at the mere suggestion ot such an enormity. The girl turned to Tom, ami. without a moment's hesitation, he voied lur "•tuning.' lie felt himself blu?li as her glorious eyes met his. **l must have made some stupid mistake in the number, 1 guess,' she said,

by way of apology. "Oh, really—l—am sorry," was all Tom could stammer. "So am J,' she auswered. "l'opa prefers this part, to any other, and was quite ready to give tue £ldu." "One hundred and fifty pounds,'' Tom gasped, his mind so full of Gibson's pressing need that lor the moment he j forgot ererything else. "1 beg your pardon." "Oh, don't do that!" she said, reassuringly. "It's my fault for rushing •i things like 1 do. Fopa, you see, has come to Europe to recruit. We landed from New York two days ago, and I'm jost wild to get him settled down quietly for the next three months. 1 ame Straight olf here without geting the address properly written down, in case I lost the chance." As she spoke she gathered tip her dainty skirts and halt swung round as if to go. Suddenly an idea struck Tom —one of those luminous ideas that occasionaly flash into the brain at opportune momenta.

"Wait a moment; I think I can let it," he cried excitedly. The girl stared. "I thought—l was told " "Well, yes," Tom answered stoutly, "you were, but we shall be glad to let it for a that." Is it your house!" she asked, somewhat surprised. "Yee—for the time." "Goodness!" She had prepared herself for British eccentricities, however, and was less astonished than might have been expected. .With the glorious possibility of helplag Gibson and becoming better acquainted with this radiant" vision of feminine grace and charm, Tom grasped manfully at the opportunity. "Won't you look after the house now?" he asked eagerly. "It's not a bad bouse," be added, trying to assume a business-like attitude. She hesitated. "Well, she said at last, "if it is not inconvenient I should like to do so." Thereupon, much to the scandalised Fowler's horror, Tom led the way in•ide. A little later, when they were alone in the library, well lined with bookshelves, she waxed enthusiastic. -It's just the most perfect place I've ever seen," she exclaimed. "I'm downright in lore with it. My, though, I call it a real crime to let H, though I shonld be the last person to tell you that. I can just imagine Popa in this room. He dotes on books." "This is my father's own sanctum," ■aid Tom. She fancied she detected misgivings in his tone, and said encouragingly: "Yon can reckon on our taking good care of everything. Popa is the soul of carefnlness, and since he overworked and got heart trouble he can do little else but read. If you'd no objection. I reckon we'd make the little room next to this his bedroom. He's not allowed to go upstairs." Tom gravely gave his consent to this suggestion. "You have not mentioned the terms." she next said. "Would it be—about £l5O for three months? It was to be paid in advance—l mean, you know, the other house. Can I tell Poppa the price of this would be about the same?" Tom literally gasped with delight. He was too overcome to do more than nod his assent. "How wonld the day after to-morrow rait yon to come in V he asked breathlessly. She clapped her hand". "Why, I call this just lovely. We shonld have to wait for another fort night for the other house." I It was only after the departure of this Heaven-sent messenger that Tom began to feel qualms. Yet, he argued, what harm was he doing He himself could not possibly occupy a dozen rooms at once, even if he tried. A couple were all he needed, and these he would get near his craminert. If all went well, dear old Cibson's trouble was over.

All did go uncommonly veil. He saw the girl's father next day, and found him ill, as he had been told, bnt armed with the best credentials. Tom had foreseen a serious difficulty in arranging about the servants, but, to his intense relief, every one of them, headed by Fowler, attracted possibly by the offer of doable wages, agreed to serve the new tenants for the ensuing thrve mnytiit. A few days later Tom, from the rooms he had taken, had the supreme gratification of directing in a disguised handwriting a bundle of banknotes to Gibion's address. A jubilant letter next day from Gibson related the arrival of the money, and the utter inability of the recipient to even hazard a gue*t at its source. Tom's content was complete. Hb saw a good deal of his American tenants, for the sick man and his daughter both liked the youth, and. iu truth, the engaging Tom had never been in better form. Ho had resolved to make a clean breast of the affair to his father on (he latter'a return, and was determined that a snccesful result of his examination should back his suit and make for pardon. It wa3 a week or two later that Ma jor Yandeleur, Tom's unol»». rewivnl an I urgent communication from his Woti»< r in Italy:— I "I have just heard, indirectly.' tin*

letter ran, "disquieting rumours almut Tom. It appears he has lately struck up a friendship with some yonnji woman, who is de-HTiWd as most v rf " possessing in appearance. It seem- lie has been foolish enough to invite her to the house in our absence. Will you. like a good chap, run up to town at the verv earliest opportunity, and find out the'truth? Up to now I have not told Tom's mother anything." Having re; * the letter through, Major Vandeleur e-wulted his watch. There ■wis just time to catch the 5 o'clock express to town. His face was somewhat grave as he entered his quarters. He had always felt a sincere affection for Tom, his only nephew, and would hare been genuinely sorry had the lad got into any serious scrape. He put the latch key his broth er had forwarded to him. in ea-<- of emergency, into his pocket, hoping that he would be spared the necessity of having to resort to xtratagem in the investigation before him. It was close on 7 o'clock when he fame within sight of his brotherhouse. The evening, for Apul. ivjbright and warm, and there on the balconv, absolutely regardless of appear ■, ancis, he beheld his scapegrace m-jihew in immaculate attire, standing beside a young lady wondronsly arrayed, and beautiful enough to bewitch a much more tried heart than that of a mere vonth. To say that Major Vandeleur wa» seandalfceil is to but feebly do-i-rilic liifeelings. For a moment be completely lost his head, and almost pennM-d hihansom to stop in front of the audi cious couple. As he drove pas ■ m two voung voice**, careles-lv di-tmct ami mingled with gav hiughter. -trn-. fnll upon his outraged ears. The whole thing appeared to him like some hideous nightmare. lie

asked himself savagelv what the neigh tniiirs must lie thinking, what the servant* were saying. One thing wa= ycrtain. At all lie must see hi;

; graceless nephew that evening, even I though this entailed passing the night 1 in town. As for Tom, he had spent a royal time. "You must eorae right along and see father," the girl had sain, after their tete-a-tete dinner. "We had a hit of a fright last night—fancied we heard burglars—they have had them, a whole gang—gentlemen, too— they say. three doors off. I hope they will spare u», lor I wouldn't have l'oppa upset now for the wealth of the two hemispheres. A shock might kill him outright."

Tom assumed a parental attitude on the spot. "There is not the slightest need for nervousness.'' he replied, superbly. "The house in well protected, and Fowler is the mo>t trustworthy of servants, lie ! has been in our family for years." When Tom at last left it was after 11 o'clock. He had some work to finish, and looked round for a hansom. At that moment one came towards him. He ran into the road to hail it before he noticed that there was somebody in it. A moment later he uttered an exclamation of profound astonishment, for in its occupant he hail recognised the I distinguished profile of his uncle. I

He did not immediately realise all that the presence <»f lii>s relative at sticli a time meant. Then the dismal trutli fla>h:*d upon him. The visitor \v,i-. oi course, pninc to look up at his father'* : house. and. well—the fat was in the fire with a vengeance! liv the time that Tom had made up his mind that the only course was to tell hi>- uncle the whole story, the hansOm had almost disappeared. Ttitterly bewailing his luck'. Tom llew toward- the nearest cabstand. He must make a desperate attempt to catch up his uncle. It would never do to leave Fowler to give his version of the story. Why the dickens, he wondered, had his uncle not let him know he was

coming? It was not in the least in keeping with the manners of that most considerate and courteous of men to take anyone thus unawares. After all. perhaps it was possible that his uncle had other friends in the neighbourhood, and Tom tried to persuade himself that he was unnecessarily alarmed. By the time he had reached the cabstand he was as-ured he was. Yet he paused irresolute. He did not like going hackto his rooms without making certain

that things were all right. After a little consideration, he finally determined to walk back to the house and see Fowler on some pretext concerning the forwarding of letters and thus discover if all was safe. Fowler, of course, might by this time have retired; but even if this were so, there were several wellproved and ancient methods of arousing him. if necessary.

Meanwhile , in accordance with a preconceived plan, the Major had dismissed hU hansom at the entrance of the street, and. quietly walking up the steps of his brother's house, had let himself in with his latch-key. It went strongly apiinst the grain with him to resort to espionage, hut in this case he felt that any measures were justified, the honour of the family being clearly at stake. There was no one in the liall, and lwth dining-room and library were in darkness. On the first floor, however, the drawing-room door stood a little ajar, and some rays of light streamed through. The intruder went upstairs. From the fiilence he supposed that Tom must be alone, probably preparing a neglected task for the morrow. The Major was wearing an orereoai. with the collar turned up and a muffler about his throat, for he had but lately returned from India, and still feared the treacherous English climate. On his head was a cap. which he had omitted to remove in his excitement at the novelty of the situation. He could hear the fpratt-bing of a hasty pen—evidently a quill—as he pushed open the drawingroom door. "Unlloa!"' he cried; "I am afraid this is taking you a bit unawares, but " lie stopped short. The writer at the I table liad risen, pen in hand, and stood I facing him. It was not Tom, hut a girl, her head thrown back, her beautiful face white to the very lips. Major Vandeleur, who felt that this | was the most awkward moment of his life, was speechless. His embarrassment gave the girl her chance. She quickly flashed past him,

a shimmer of satin and jewels, closer! the door quietly and quickly, and then her hand on the knob, turned and confronted him, "Now." she said, speaking in .a low ten*c voice. "Yon and I have pot to -ettle affair between us here and now. 1 may as well tell you that T know who you arc. and why you have come. But you won't leave this room without mischief being done. Look well at me—f am a desperate woman. The being 1 love better than all the world beside i> in the room below, and I would sooner face death than that you two should meet."

"My dear young lady." "XTajor Vande-k-ur liegan. ''it is for tliat very pur|>.w J have come ' The girl started. "Ah!" >-hi' cried. '[ -ec—you imagined you would find it easy to deal with him—that the slightest threat would make him give everything up to you. Coward! Yon forgot me. You thought I was not worth taking into amount. I suppose; hilt yon will see. I have been told that yon arc a gentleman—possibly yon were once, before you sank so low as to creep into other people's houses at midnight. Tf you have a spark of gentlemanly feeling left you will do as I ask. for somehow or other you and I have got to arrange this, ami it may be worth your while to take what I can give vou and go aivav quiet ly." She came nearer and stood ltefore him, her lteautiful throat and neck radiant with jewels, her white, heavilv-be-ringed little hands outstetched towards him entreatingly. Major Yandcleur's amazement was only equalled by his admiration. What couM it all mean; What jws-iblc attraction did hie nephew , l omely stripling though he might be, possess for this superb creature, imploring his silence in so tragic a fashionHe waved aside the little entreating hands.

"It is only with you that I can even discus,, the matter," he said, averting his eyes. -If, as you say, 1 have so far forgotten that I am a gentleman as to creep into other peoples houses, you may be assured that it is to attain some important object. I must see him, and 1 will not leave tho house till I have done so. If you would spare yourself pain, you will not he present at our interview." He moved towards the door, ■ i>.> you mean," she cried in desperation, "that you will use force? Oh, remember what he is to me! lie is weak, 1 know, and may be even persuaded—for my sake—to do as you ask; yet think for a moment; he is more to me than all the world!" He l.xiked at the girl, whose tearful rvv wore raised to hi-, and wa- touched .!.-pilc hini-c!:. II" felt, moreover, thai there was -onic c\cu-e tor his nephew: I devoti.,ll like this, and from such a woman. did not fall to the lot of every

man. , "You must admit." he continued, in ' a kindlier tone, ''that it was more than indiscreet to come hen—to thie house — in -will—in such circumstances." That may lie." the girl replied, ilis-p.i-sionately, "but you forget, there were the servants. \\'c had every right to tru-t them. Tliey have been in the family for years, and Fowler is known to lie the most trustworthy of men." Ife laughed. The whole thing seemed to him tn be outrageous. ".My dear young lady." lie -aid at. last, "granted you allow yourselves to imagine that you were safe, can the -Hence of the mi**t di-ereet servant. I a-k you, be relied upon?" She looked at liiin. deep reproach in In r beautiful eyes. 'T have heard/' slie admitted sadlv, "that it is usually iliroiigh that source that danger comes. 1 -nppii-p you bribed these people for information." Mijor Vandeleur winced. "No." he said coldly. "Sly coining wa~ nut even of iiiv own arranging." "Then- then." cried, bewildered, "vou are not doing this quite of your o'.wt free uiH: ion are yon must be. | .upjiose. only oin- of 1 lie gang." The Major, after a iiiomein s rellec•ion. concluded that the term must lie an Americanism. "Yes." he said. "I am. as you =ay. o:ie of the g.ing. and. being =o. you will perceive that our interests and our h inour are identical. T admit it dis nil' fleeplv to speak thus to von f could ui-li we had never met - Int. it is. I cannot leave the house mril I hive .lone what I con-idcr my ,|i,, •. ».-ll to the gang- as you put ii. 1 inu-t lug of you to let me I lie eiinclude,]. ill lOUrlcillls llllt l tiriii tone.. M she nut his ~ye-. which were relcnl-

ll.s I,) pill] ■oh!" s|ie moaned. "\ou call your>elf a gentleman! Do you see.' sin- in , treated, ''that oven il' I struggle he will

heal'—he will gue*s it is you, and all will he over? If, as you say, you work for a common interest, and this business to-night is distasteful to you, be 1 merciful —the gang need never know. Be merciful! See, take this—and this—and thib!" With hasty fingers, she divested hersclt of necklace, brooches, and rings, and Hung them at the astonished gentlemans lVet. 'lhe Major's bewildered, indignant gaz<* looked from the heap of glittering gems to the unhappy girl, who deemed that a family's honour might be thus bought, and his heart hardened against her, lovely and sorrowing though slitwas. (ilancing at the jewels contemptuously, he took a step forward. "I should lie sorry to be obliged to ;»mpel you to allow me to pass," he aid, significantly.

She dashed the tears from her eyes, tiul her fingers tightened on the doorhandle. The next moment *he started, ind her face grew rigid as marble. "It is too late/' she cried, in a voice rendered almost inaudible by emotion, "lie has overheard us—he is coining up the stairs! Oh! I implore you, for the love of Heaven, to keep, for one moment at least, out of sight! 1 ' Standing at her elbow, to the door, Major Vandeleur also heard the sound of approaching steps. They were none other, lie felt assured, than his | scapegrace nephew, and lie called out l the Ihjv's name in peremptory tones, j Hack. Mire enough, came the answer, "Hiilloa. Tntle Tom!'' in the cheery,! audacious voice which both listeners j

knew so well. With a little cry, the jtirl opened the door, and Tom, standing outside, beheld the stern, indignant face of his uncle, the beautiful girl, with tears rolling down her elieeks. at hi* side, and, lying on the tloor, between them, a little heap of glittering gems. lie stood dumb with surprise. The girl meanwhile was glancing from one to the other, with eyes that saw in the newcomer only addeil danger. She had heard enough to convince her that the two were Jamiliar, and her worst suspicions were confirmed when, gliding down the stairs in his stockinged feet, with backwanl. surreptitious glance, she caught sight of the obsequious Fowler, a willing and 'aim spectator of what

was occurring, i ike lightning, she recalled the strange, unbusinesslike method of the house-! tting, which, ill as he was, her father had found highly irregular. Everything was now but too plain to her. Shi' wax in a den of thieves! The house was probably the headquarters of a gang of "gentlemanly burglars," and the youth who had let her, the servant who had served her. wore members of the same crew, between whose machinations and her feeble, suffering father there stood but herself alone. There, was to be no mercy —the older villain had told her as much. With a cry of despair, she flung herself down on the sofa, and buried her face in the cushions. Tom's first coherent idea was that his uncle had been bothering the girl by inquisitive questions. The next moment, however, he realised that such a supposition was out of the question, and lie looked up to meet his uncle's indignant gaze. "I must ask you to come with me into the library," the Major said, in

stern tones, looking frrm the weeping girl to his nephew in no pleasant, fashion. Tom put both his hands in his pockets and squared his shoulders. He recognised that the supreme moment had arrived, and in most inopportune fashion. '•[ am afraid, sir," lie said, meeting his uncle's eyes, "I cannot do that. Suf-

ficient trouble has already l>een caused by this intrusion. If you will hear my explanation you will understand." "What! you would explain matters here!" his enraged uncle vociferated. The girl meanwhile had sprung from the sofa, and caught Tom's hand imploringly. "Ah!" she cried, <l then I have not been mistaken in you—vou.at least, are kind. You will not let him force you to do this cowardly act. You are one of the gang, too, I know. Tell him — that you think they will be satisfied with these." She caught up the glittering "cenaws. and held them out for Tom's inspection. "They are worth thousands of pounds, ' she cried, persuasively. "Tell him the gang will be satisfied, and ask him to be merciful!" Tom put his hand to his eyes. He felt that he must be either mad or dreaming. "P,y .love!" he spluttered. "By .love!" He wondered if she were subject lo tlii< sort of thing, anil if it was his uncle, oil the contrary, who had been having a rough time. Her next words, however, undeceived him. "At least." she cried, turning to the Major, anil holding up the jewels to him with a final appeal, "at least yon cannot have done better ill the other houses!"

Tom sprang forward. ''Miss Meredith!" lie exclaimed, catching her hands, and noticing with a pang how they trembled. "I am afraid you have hail an awful fright—and--and—it is all my fault in a way. 'l'his is my uncle. Major Yandclcur. lfc did not know vou were here, you sec —and —well—l—T am afraid you have been mistaking him for—for—some one else!' : The jewels slid in a little shower to Tom's arm. "Your uncle!'' she gasped, "vour uncle!" It seemed to her that tiic room was spinning round. The only object she could distinguish clearly was Tom's pitying young face. Major Yandcleur's sorelv-tried patience had by now utterly llown. Ife turned to Tom in a towering rage. "How dare you. sir—how dare you play the ford with me in this on might at least give some evidence of respect for your own faimly—for your own home " Tom looked round. He was slill liolding Miss Meredith's hand protcctingly. "That's just it. uncle," be said: "it is mil my home--at Icasl. not at the present moment. I've let it!" "l/'t it!" tile boy'„ uuclc lluindered: -what the devil do you mean, sir? Answer me that! I beg your pardon,' he added quickly, for Tom had indicated the girl at liis side. Miss Meredith's quicker wits, however. had run a steeplechase to the truth. She sat down on the sofa and laughed hysterically. "How ridiculous!" she said, as she dried her eyes. "How truly ridiculous," Major Yandeleur, in bewilderment, looked from the pale, beautiful face of the to his nephew. "1 must confess," he said, icily, "that I still fail lo understand." Tout raised his bead. He war on his knees, collecting Miss Meredith's belongings. "You see." he said, doggedly, "Miss Meredith mistook you for a gentleman burglar—one has been doing business here lately—and Miss Meredith's father is ill with heart trouble " Major Yanficletir swallowed a very i.u-midnhl indeed. He under-t 1 all now. Miss Meredith's eyes met 1,', 3 . jind the co'nur tlew to her checks. "It was too silly." she faltered. Sic-

saw now how unlike this precise, elderly gentleman was to anything approaching the burglarious. Nevertheless, she still wondered what was the disagreeable lllltv he had been so determined to perform. Jtut though it was destined that she and the Major were to know one another very well indeed that was one thing he never told her.