SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 340, 16 March 1910, Page 6

SERIAL STORY

4 ROYAL WARD.

By PERCY BREBNER. (Published by Special Arrangement.) CHAPTER XV. THE ACCUSATION. • The only person who in any way resented the inclusion of Mary Rowartli in Lady Betty's household was Deborah Cowper. Deborah had suddenly blossomed, in her own estimation, at any rate, into a person of considerable importance, and was extremely annoyed tliat she had not been consulted in the .matter. It was exceedingly dangerous, she explained .to Betty, to take up in this way a young woman about whom she knew nothing at all at the request of a man of whom she could not possibly know very much. As a statement of fact, this was no doubt true, and ,perliaps Betty recognised the truth of it, the misgivings which lay at the back of her mind making lier the more angry at Deborah's -interference. The slightest suspicion that we have acted loolishly makes us angry with rhe people who show us our folly. , "I know all about her and am determined that slie shall be' treated with courtesy by everyone in the house. Please understand this, Deborah," and, to put an end to the conversation, Betty left the room with an air oi offended .dignity.

Deborah was not an ill-natured woman; just now, moreover, she pined f«r companionship and confidences, and, thrown back upon herself, she r.ad little else to do but nurse her grievances and consider her own position. It suddenly dawned upon her that she had betrayed a secret. Of course, there was no real harm done, and it was necessary that she should make matters clear to Walter Evertsen in some way; but, still, she ought not to have spoken cf Betty's visitor as she had done. Betty had never mentioned her secret to her; Deborah did not even know the name of the man; she had betrayed no confidence, therefore yet she had spoken of something which Betty evidently did not wish to be known. Deborah quieted her uncomfortable conscience by arguing .that Betty ought to have told her that she wanted her secret kept, and she was even less inclined to blame herself when it became evident that Betty had not only taken Mary Rowarth, into her service, but intended to make a confidential maid of her. Deborah was, in fact, jealous of the maid.

Had Lady Betty been asked to give reasons for the manner in which she treated Mary Rmvarth, and had she consented to do so, which was by no means certain, she would probably have said that she wished to be sure of Mary's worthiness and at the same time dictate to her household how the new maid was to be treated. Mary's position must be rather an anomalous one, unless her mistress took the trouble to define it .clearly. But there was anotnei reason ■which Betty would not admit, even to herself: she was able to speak of Victor Dubuisson to Mary.s She was not in love with this man —such an idea was absurd, but she was interested in him, and this seemed perfectly natural to Betty. Mary's story of the escape differed considerably from Dubuisfon's; he "had said little about himself, ami much of the woman's bravery; Mary reversed it, perhaps not altogether unconscious that her version was the one her mistress really wanted to hear.

"When I aroused him lie must have -been d ream in tr of you, my lady." "Of me! Why?" "When he saw me bending over him he said. 'Lady Betty.' He evidently took me for'« someone else. Perhaps there is another Lady Betty." "He would hardly be likely to dream of me," was the laughing answer; and then, after a pause, "I do not know of any other Lady Betty." This information did not decrease the interest Betty took in Victor Dubuisson. A woman cannot .altogether ignore the man who has the presumption to dream about her; besides, was not her friendship powerful, in a measure, to protect him from his enemies, and no woman can be indifferent to the man she is able and willing to protect. She "v:! • i-e;v| to wt'le&ne him when she met him; as she walked in. the Mall she was interested enough to look out for him, and was conscious of a little disappointment when he did not come. .Perhaps, after all, .he did not want to come. Extravagant compliments tripped easily from a man's tongue, especially when the man was a Frenchman, and certainly lli-crew as no man in the wo ■•ld whose absence or presence could make the •slightest difference to her. That she was at the trouble to think about the matter made her irritable. '"The man seems to have bewitched you," Bettv said, when Mary next mentioned Dubuisson's name.

"Indeed, no, mv lady; but he did me a great kindness." "Well, talk of someone else. I am weary of hearing about Mr. Dubuisson ami iiis virtues."

The next <lnv Walter Evertsen met her in the Mall. The Duke of Peterslwm was talking to her at the time, and she hoped that Evertsen woul l pass on. To her annoyance, it was the Duke who bowed and took his leave. "I have noticed that the Duke never will be one of a crowd," said Evertsen, airily. "He must have a person to himself or not at all." "Was it not a pity to disturb him, then?" •'I should not have done so, but I owe you an apology." "I assure you it is unnecessary," sail Ladv Bettv, remembering the Prince Regent's letter. Evertsen was going to protest his ignorance of its contents.

"You wowkl hardly say that if you' : knew how much I blame myself. I vow : I will never -accept the word of any man again, more especially if lie Tiappens to : tie a relation," I "A relation! I do not think I under-1 stand." 1 "If you are hearing the news for the first time from me, I am g'ad," said Evertsen. ou can have had no time to indulge in hard thoughts concerning me. This Mr. Dubuisson " "Do you mean your friend? I remember your introducing him to me." "I shall regret it all my life, Lady Betty. Sir Rupert Ashton, deceived also, I must suppose, asked me to be a friend to him, and I was. Every proper person he is acquainted with he knows through me; and I have been duped. The man is an imposter, nothing more or less than a French spy." "Are you certain? How do you •know?" she -asked, anxious to learn everything. . i "He has been seen and recognised,'' Evertsen answered, "and the law is upon j liis heels/' "Then he is not taken? What a pity. I Is lie the same man .you were hunting for when you came to Abbots Chase ?"' j There "was a tone of anger in hen questions, as though the only idea which possessed her at the moment was to see this man taken and punished. Evert- j sen wondered how much she knew, won-; dered whether Deborah Cowper had de- j ceived him or been mistaken. | "I cannot believe he is the same man. | but the authorities seem to think he answered. "Whether he is or not, his . guilt is beyond question, for he cannot I be found. Of course, he will be, it is i only a question of time. His lodging t is watched night and day." _ _ ! "He is a very plausible deceiver," said Lady Betty. "I was impressed with him, I admit, and the value he placed upon upon your friendship appeared so genu.ine. A large portion of his conversation was about you.""If it raised me in your estimation, j Lady Betty, I should be inclined to! thank the man, and do my best to ge>. j him safely out 01 the country." It was a trap set intentionally for her, but Betty was too keenly alive to step: into it. "Then your patriotism is not so great | as mine, Mr. Evertsen," she returned.' "There is nothing I would not do to bring a spy to justice. You say you are deserving of my anger for presenting 1 such a man to me, and indeed you are right; but I will forgive you when you come to me, and. tell me that this spy' is taken." I Evertsen was perplexed. lie had no doubt whatever that the man who had : landed secretly on the Devonshire coast that night was a spy; Deborah Cowper had declared that Lady Betty's visitor the other afternoon was the same man she had seen leave Abbots Chase the morning after the soldiers had been withdrawn; Evertsen had waited to see this man come out of the house in Pall Mall, and saw that it was Victor Dubuisson. To-dav he had, watched for some sign of agitation in Lady Betty's face or manner, betraying her interest in this man, and there was no such sign: instead, she expressed her hatred of spies, and her hope that this man would he captured. She must know that Dubuisson was the man she had hidden .at Abbots Chase, although she may not have been aware, until to-dav, that he was a spy. Did she believe it now ? Like other men have done, Evertsen was attempting to arrive at a complete understanding of a woman, and, 'ike other men, he failed; but there were compensations—the interview had given him an idea, which he formulated into a scheme as he left her, and his pace quickened as lie Veep,me excited ovoi ; his jilnng, _ ( j l/idv Betty was absolute mish'6sS oi herself. She understood Evertsen far I Letter than he supposed, and she did not I hum' home lest by chance he could see y,er do so, or someone should whom he had set to watch her. She imagined that lie was quite capable of spying upon her. Once in the house, however, slit hurried to her room, and' called for Mary. "Before Mr. Dubuisson brought you here, Mary, he took you to the lodging of a friend, didn't he?" she asked. "Yes, my lady." "Could you find the place?" "Yes, easily." "I have learnt something that Mr. Dubuisson ought to know, Mary. You need not be afraid, it is nothing to do with your husband. You are willing to Help Mr. Dubuisson, are you not?" "Yes, my lady." "It must be after dark; shall you mind that? You can take a hackne;: coach, but not from the door. I will send one of the servants with you U put you into a coach. What is the name of this friend? Baxter, is it not?" "'Yes, my lady." ' "I will give you a note for him, and he will see that Mr. Dubuisson receives ' it. This is a secret, Mary, anil I trust | you." An hour later, Deborah was reminding Betty of a promise that they should drive out together that afternoon, an j arrangement Betty had entirely forgotj ten. "I have a headache, Deborah; I think . I shall stay in tliis afternoon. Do you mind ?" | "My dear Betty, why sbou'd I? or, ! indeed, what right have I to mind? A | headache is always an allowable excuse." | "Even if it doesn't really exist, von , mean," said Betty, with a smile; "but 1 l have one, Deborah, truly." "I am sorry; shall I bring you anything?" "A little good temper. I am atraid I have been a little ill-tempeved lately, haven't I, Deborah?" and Betty stretch.ed out her hand, pleading forgiveness. There were few people who could resist Betty when she was in this mood. "My dear, I don't mind. If you are in trouble, you should tell me." "Trouble! What trouble should I have ?" "Love is a very common disease. Most i women contract it sooner or later, and the best remedy is another woman's

sympathy," and Deborah took her hand and pressed it warmly. "Is it? Wouldn't the right man's sympathy be nearly as useful?" "Betty, has it come to " "No, 110. Mine is a headache, not love. When I am in love, I shall not be able to hide it. You shall know all about it when the time comes." ■ Deborah pressed her hand again and went to the door. Then she turned. "Take my advice," she said, "don't put too much faith in that new maid of yours," and she was gone without waiting for any answer. "Deborah is growing spiteful; 1 wonder why," Betty said, crossing to her bureau. "Can she have caught, the disease which she thinks I have contracted?" The note was written and sealed when Walter Evertsen was announced, and, remembering what she had said to him this morning, Betty's heart beat faster, i "He is caught, then?" she said, as 1 Evertsen entered, doing her utmost to : show joy at the welcome news. | ,r Not yet," said Evertsen. "I venturI ed to come because the matter is serious." i "To me ?" ! "Yes. Whatever hopes I may entertain concerning, you and your future, I think I may claim that in the present you look upon me as a friend." ! "Certainly, Mr. Evertsen; I think I j said so," Betty returned. "And I take it that ill news comes better from a friend than from a mere ! acquaintance?" said Evertsen. I "Of course," answered Betty. | "That is my position to-day. You re- | member the letter I delivered from the . Prince Regent?" | "I'es. \ou were careful to explain that you did not know its contents." '"Exactly. Naturally, the Prince did not show the letter tc nie, nor did lie(. take me into his confidence. L want you to tall me frankiy what " "What the contents were?" Betty asked quickly. I "No, no; what presumption you must 1 credit me with! No; I want you. to tell J me what your opinion was; did you consider that the letter required an ans- , wer?" I "Not an immediate one 3 at Any rate," Betty said. "Had I answered it at once, | my temper might have run away with my discretion, and I should very likely have been rude to his Royal Highness." "And, upon my word, Lady Betty, it might have done him good," laughed * Evertsen. "But, to be serious. ] " I "I am quite serious upon this point," said Betty, "if you press me, I will ' show you the letter." ! "The letter itself is not of much importance, 1 imagine; the serious part is that which has indirectly grown ouc of it. I was going to say that the impression left upon my mind by the Prince was that he did not expect an ■ answer, or, at any rate, an immediate one. To-day he is pleased to be angry that you have not answered it" "And he has sent you to. demand an answer 1" ■ "No; lam not his messenger on this occasion. I am here on my own responsibility. I trust you will not accuse me of disloyalty when 1 admit that the Prince can be rather offensive when he is out of temper; he was to-day." "That hardly surprises me,'' ahe answered. "To tell you the truth, I am not very interested in the Prince himself, nor in what he says and does." I "I think i know aim well enough to ' say that he would be hurt by your poolopinion of him," Evertsen replied; "but you may trust nie to keep it .• secret.'' "That- is as you please." "There is no denying that lie is rough at times; even his best friends could not 1 sav otherwise/' KverUen went on, "To- . (lay lie W&S decidedly iincOVnplimehtary' to you, Lady Betty." | "It does not not hurt me in the least, and I forgive him," she laughed. "I am 1 afraid if i gave you my answer to the I letter now it would make him worse." ' "Possibly, for he was not oniy uncom--1 plimentary, Lady Betty; he accused you i .of something very like treason." "Treason! Me!" I "He declared that he had ample proof i that you had been in- communication i with French spies." "This Mr. Dubuisson, I suppose ?" said Betty angrily. "And that you had contrived at 'least I one man's escape by hiding him in your | house of Abbots Chase. I declared that j he had been misinformed, that no one .could know your innocency in this matter better than I did; and, to speak the truth, got swof'n at for my interference." "And what then, Mr. Evertsen?" "There the matter stands for the pre- • sent. Of course, should occasion require, you can prove your innocence, but 1 , think I should answer the Prince's letter." "I will do so at once, Mr. Evertsen," said Betty, going to her bureau, and takj ing the letter from a drawer. ; i "Let me beg of you to temporise." "I think not," said Betty, tearing tne r letter across and across, and tossing the [ pieces into the fire, where they were , immediately consumed. "That is my . answer. Will you do me th;> favor of delivering it to the Prince Regent?" ; "I wonder what he can have said to , make you hate him so," said Evertsen. "He accuses me of treason. Is not > that sufficient?" j L "I wish you could have seen your way > to mollify him a little. lam afraid , this fellow Dubuisson must have lied and I made some boast of being helped bv you, and that it has come to the Prince's . ears. He certainly believed in his accusation, 1 must do him the justice to j say so. I suppose, Lady Betty, you never have given shelter to anyone' at . Abbots Chase—anyone. I mean, whose . secret presence there might have given j. rise to his suspicion?" "I never nave, and I never shall, give a shelter to a spy there or anywhere else, Mr. Evertsen." I "You are angry with me for suggesting such a thing. The matter is serious, t and I am trying to act the part of a ■I friend. Like ail such friends, I have to g bear the brunt of your displeasure." "I assure you that my thanks are proportionate to your friendship." "Hardly that, Lady Betty, if you will deign to remember what I said to you the other day in this room. I professed ■far more than friendship; my service shall be on as high a level if you will be pleased to use it. In the meanwhile " "Please give the Prince my answer to Jus letter." "I dare not." "You refuse to do the first service I claim ?" "It is for your own sake," said Evertsen. "That need not trouble yon," said Betty. "I am the King's ward, not the Prince's, and I am not afraid of any accusation his Royal Highness can bring against me." When Evertsen had gone, Betty took the note she had written warning Victor Dubuisson. and slowly tore it into.fragments, and dropped them into the fire. She was careful to see that every piece 'was burnt. For a long time she sat in deep thought, undecided how to act, and weighing the probable consequences of