For Honour's Sake.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7974, 27 February 1906, Page 2

For Honour's Sake.

OHAFTER XXXlf.—Continued. "Claude is visiting until tbe end of the first week in August, and I'm dead certain sbe wouldn't go abroad." "She must, if you go." "My dear Tollemaohe, there's on 'must' with Olaude. She's got will enough for a dozen men. Besidoe, your plan wouldn't remove the difficulty, I mentioned. I assure you Captain Stewart would put a bullet through you with very great pleasure." "What! If 1 were Claude's bua baud?" "I wouldn't reckon upon that. You never know what a Scotchman will do when bis blood's up; and then she'd have to be your wife, and that's easier talked about than made a condition. And, after nil, wbat'B to be my gain? 1 grant you, if 1 were bowled out, lost the position I hold, it might be worth my while to help you, for a sufficient consideration; but now such tactics would be suicidal, I'm not like a bravo, to whom money is everything, to say nothing of Julia. 1 like social position, 1 enjoy society; and she values these things even more than I do. All you possess wouldn't pay me for wilfully throwing up such advantages." Tollemaohe rose to his feet. "I am to wait, then," he said, grimly, "until you are 'bowled out.' You will be one day—maybe by Arthur Fanuourt, perhaps; and yon and may be able to strike a bargain. Good night." "That's a comfortable prophecy," said Chris?, easily. "Meanwhile, you are not going to quarrel with me." "No." Ho set his teeth "I shall come here "till. She'll have to put up witli my society,-however much, phe mny hute me," he Baid savagely; "and U»ptnin Stewart hates to i eo me here, J know." He held out his hand. "Good night," he said, once more. "Goodnight. What an odd passion love>. is!" said Chris, when left to himself. "Tolle is dead gono ou Olaude, and yet he delights in tormenting hor. It's good for me, though, his anger with her and jealousy of Stewart. It keeps,him dancing attendance, and he's such an infernal duffer at cards that my \ coffers are thereby enriched. Arthur Fancourt queer my game!" I He laughed uow. "No, no, my dear Basil; the blow won't come from him, If it comes at all! You and \ I will look out for that," taking up the bottle of oognac, "eh, my dear friend?" CHAPTER XXXIII. "FROM THIS MOMENT WE ARE STRANGERS." "I suppose I must go," said ' Claude, looking at the invitation to herself and Mis Davenaut to a ball j at Mrs Milliugton's for the twentyfifth of June. MrsMillingtnn bad added: "Even if Mrs Davenant is engaged, I hope you will still come. Come early, so that I can ohaperon you, and I oin send you home in safe conduct."

Julia was engaged for that night; but that need not prevent Olaude going.

"Why do you hesitate?" asked Mrs Davenant. v "T hardly know; but it is her last

ball this season, of course. And she is so kind I must acoert. Yet lam really tired of balls."

Yet she would not have shrunk from this one if Stewart were to be present. But she knew be was engaged; he had casually mentioned it a day or two before. DPhen Tollemaohe was so likely to be at Mrs Millington's. and Claude did not care to meet him at dances; she would not dance with him, and

wished to avoid beiDg compelled to

refuse. She. wrote, however, 10 ■accept .the invitation ; and that very evening—it was Wednesday—Captain Stewart was at The Perns, and she presently told him she was going to Mrs Millington's. He drew his straight brows together. "And I can't be there," he said. "1 have to go to a stupid affair with Pauline; and she never leaves until far into the small hours. But you won't let Tollemache see you home? He is very friendly with Mrs Millington; she and his mother were great friends, and she, doesn't know him for the wretch he is." "Certainly he shall not escort me, Esrio, if 1 had to refuse pointblank to allow ib. I dou't need any escort; they can put me into the cab —Mrs Daveuant will have the brougham—and let me come homo alone." "Not if I were there, sweetheart. Would to heaven 1 could be!" Of course, when Claude entered Mrs Millington's salon she was besieged with requests for dances; and among the flrat of the suppliants waa Basil Tollemaohe. She annwered him carelessly. "1 am not going to give any more dunces at present." "What does that mean?" he said, turning very white. "Whatever you please," returned the girl, looking at him straight in •the face. "You refuse to danoe with me?" "Since you seem to like plain speaking—yes." A shameful taunt rushed to the main's lips, but he bad just enough self-control to check it. He could not speak any other words, but turned abruptly from her and strode awav through the crowd. Claude did not enjoy herself that night, though no-one—save Esric Stewart had be seen ber- would have gqessed it. She wanted to go early,

but JMra MMillington would uot

bear of it. ' "NouSeuse, ray dear!" said she. *'you pustu't go yet JLSasil will /tesoorfc you borne. 1 have just told Jilrn.'! "Mfa Milliagto:! v

By Bertha M. Clay. Author of te Wife in Name Only," " Wedded and Parted," "Dora Thome," (i A Queen Among Women," <{ A True Magdalene," etc., etc.,

But the hostess had rushed away to greet some newcomer, and Claude's protest was nipped in the- bud. She set her teeth. "Does tbe man thiuk to trap me like that?" she said to herself, with flashing eyes. "He must be mad. I shall speak to him." She watcbed her opportunity, and it came. Her partner in n waltz had just led her to a seat when she saw Tollemache across tbe room. "Will you send Mr Tollemache to me?" she said, coolly. "1 want to speak to him." The young man obeyed, although not beat pleased at being dismissed to make way for some one else. Tollemaohe, ou his part, turned toward the girl with a vague hope that she was going to relent, aud allow him a dance. She glanced round as be came up; they were practically alone. 'jMr Tollemacho" she said quietly, "Mrs Millington has just tola me that she asked you to escort me home. I wish to say that I need no escort, and assuredly Bhould not accept yours." Tollemache flnshdri deeply. "You keep your word," he said, in a savage undertone, "and speak plainly. What are you afraid of? I oould hardly run away with you in your own carriage." (To be Continued).