For Honour's Sake.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7988, 17 March 1906, Page 2

For Honour's Sake.

By Bertha M. Clay. Author of " Wife in Name Only," " Wedded and Parted," "Dora Thome," "A Queen Antony Women," li A TriteMaydaloie," etc., etc.,

CHAPTER XLVJI'. Continued. Captain Stewart aiso saw this item of news, aud ho read the paragraph with a grim srnilo. So that was the story Davenant was telling; but would it stand tho test of inquiry, even when Tellemaohe was able to corroborate it? Julia said nothing to Faucourt yet; she would wait the chance of bis being sobir and that might not be till late in the afternoon. Meanwhile she lived in terror. Captain Stewart, for Claude's sake would, of course, bold his hand; but Fanouurc would probably put his threat iuto execution, Julia darod uot go to her, not being sure whether Captain Stewart . was in town 'or not, and he might hear of hor visit, and Pauline was the sort of woman who rarely looks at daily tapers, while in the deserted condition of the city, it Wd3 quite possible for her not to hear of the "murderous outrage" on Mr Tollemache. But Pauline did see that paragraph, and ground hor white toeth over it, for 9be could reed between the lines, so far, at least, aa to know that the scheme had, in some way failed. But how? Had her husband anything to do <vith tho affair? So she ordered the victoria, and about one o'clock her almost solitary carriage rolled through Apsley Gate into the broad, sunshine of the park. She looked right aud left, but saw none she know, till, just as she was aporoachiug the Albert Memorial, a young man, about to cross, liftud his hat with an air of delighted surprise. Pauline instantly stopped the carriagy, and held out her hand. "Mr Rnusome!" she exclaimed; < 'what are you doing in this wilderness?" "1 might retort," he answered, laughing; "I am amazed." "Oh!" she said; "truth to say, I am not very well aDd have had to cancel a visit in consequence. Pray tell me, is there any news?" "You saw that about Squire Tollemache, suppose?" "Yes; what a terrible thing, isn't it? But is anyone in town—passing through?" "Mr Westmoro name uji yesterday with MissVerner." "Indeed !" Pauline's face betrayed nothing. "Anything more?" "Let mo see; I saw Captain Stewart an hour ago in Pall Mall." He laughed. The woman's rosy lips still smiled. "Well, that is news, also," said she. "I haven't seen him yet. Did you speak to bim?" "Yes, aud ho told me he came up yesterday morning." They chatted a little more, and Pauline drove on. But her faoe changed when she was alone again; an ugly look came over it. "He suspects me," she thought; "it is the Srst time he has slighted * me like this, that a mere acquaintance should toll me be is in town. I dare say be was at Ciaude Vomer's feet yesterday. And Maida West- N more, does she aid and abet? It seems like it."

CHAPTER XLVHJ. DISTURBING RUMOURS. Pauline having finished luncheon, and eyjoyed it—nothing injured her appetite, any more than her capacity for sleep—had just seated herself in the drawing room, with a .French novel, when th« door opened, and Captain Stewart camd in. She looked at him under her lids, and lowered her book to her knee. "I was wondering," she said, leaning back iu her ohair, "when you meant to appear! I have just been told by a. chance aoquaintanoe that you arrived iu town yesterday morning." "Yes? Did he tell you any other news?" said Stewart dropping into a low chair opposite to her. "What is there to tell," she said, with a short laugh, "at this time? Town is quite dull." "Why do you remaia in it?" "I don't feel well enough to go anywhere." "1 never knew you to be anything but well, Pauline," said Stewart, quietly. "1 don't expect you believe a word I say," retoited she. "I might ask what brought you down, only that my informant of this morning told me Miss Verner had come up with Mrs Weatmoro." "That was unpleasant news for you, 1 am afraid," said her husband, no manifesting the least emotion, "since you had hoped to hear of Miss Verner from a different quarter." "What on earth do you mean?" "You know perfectly well what I mean," said Stewart, deliberately; be looked straight at her now, with a gaze that frightened her. "Dj you suppose 1 don't understand what sort of compact was made between you and Chiia Davenant, one day when he caine here? Oh, no denials. Aa you eay, I don't believe a word you utter. Ndthing definite; uothiug thah crml'l bo distinctly brought against you; but you understand each other, and had he succeeded, he would have been so much the richer for his-infamy and yours!" lie rose now, "I wished you to know,'' he added, dropping again into his almost careless tone and manner, "that, I, too, understand. Oood-morning." He turned away and left the room ■without another ,<frord, leaving Pauline white, quivering With rage and fear, the more poignant that it was indefinite. * * * * * Fancourc himself compelled Julia Davenant to tell him what She -know. "The upsKot la," said Fancourt, angrily, when she had finished, "that you've all made a mess of it, and cheated me. I dare say you're telling J lea now. How could Stewart

/ know where the girl was, unless you tolf] bim? 1 believe you did—don't believe Mra Westmore traced hor. JHoiv could she" "How Bhould Captain Stewart suppose 1 knew anything?" said Julia boldly; "and. if ho did, aud 1 donied all knowledge, he could not make me tell him." "Ob, he cvould •—•somehow!" said becoming rather coufusod. "Well, I'm bowiMoied, auybow; aud so are you. Wait a bit! It's Auguac uow—no ono in town—wftcn the society people eomo back, you'll have to go. see if you don't! I won't be fooled any longer! Mind that!" And with a savage look be stag gored to the door, and tumbled up stairs to bis room. Meanwhile, Davenant remained at Greenfield, keeping watoh and ward over Tollemache, until that gentle- i man should reach a comparatively convalescent stage. But uertain disquieting rumours were beginning to float through the air. Tollemache "turned the oor ner," and was pronounced on a fair way to recovery, though the doctors had not succeeded in extracting the bullet. Questioned by the police, the wounded man conflrmed Davenant's story, that astute person having contrived to prime him; but, then, he had let things fall in his delirium, which did not tally with this, The name of "Claude" was mentioned more than once, but was, naturally, supposed to refer to a man; aud there was a good deal about "that lover of hers." aud "the woott," though who was alluded to the nurse in attendance did not knbw; nor did Davenant, if he was to be believed. (To bo Continued).