THREE MEN AND A MAID.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9046, 4 February 1908, Page 2

THREE MEN AND A MAID.

CHAPTER X. —Continued. • It might be that Hannah was shocked at hearing Jamts Cmivthopu speak thus flippantly of his dead cousin'; but she paltcj somewhat and her voice fell : "You know well eno-.igb that Robert is dead," she ur.uMiuretl. " Perhaps he died too soon to suit' some people's wishes." But, for all that, she followed obediently to the cosy smoking-room, where Marjorie was mixing a deeper tint of brick red to reproduce the complexion of a well-known local breeder of prize-cattle. The gallant James was quite at his ease. He admired Marjorie's work, complimented the bovine gentleman on recent successes in the show ring, and hoped that the fair artist would confer immortality on him by painting a picture of size. "That would mean working in oil and setting up a studio," said Marjorie lightly. "I am far too busy nowadays for such an undertaking. But I don't mind adding you to my gallery of other local celebrities if you are content with a water-colour wash." "Perhaps I may tempt you later," said Courthope. "Meanwhile, the water-colnur, by all mean 3." "Will you sit there?" she asked, indicating a chair. "I would rather take my punishment standing," laughed he. "Please yourself. I thought that if you were seated, and Hannah stood beside you, I could get two turtle doves into one picture." Hannah's eyes sparkled, and the stock-breeder stared fixedly, but James was unruffled. "A capital notion," he agreed. "And it means safety, too. However critically you may survey me, Miss Marjorie, you will be tender towards your sister." The man of pedigree shorthorns paid for-his sketch, and ordered another drink and a big cigar. "I wouldn't ha'missed it for a fiver," he caid afterwards to his cronies. "By gad, between one sister an' t'other, Clever Jimmie is fairly roped." Hannah, flushed with triumph, yet .amazed that Marjorie should play into her hands so openly, posed herself behind Courthope's chair, and the work began. "May I talk?" asked James. "Not to me," said Marjorie. "I want you to have a pleasant expression, so you may speak to Hannah if you like, but do not move until I have worked in tbe rough outlines." "Isn't it rather bard that the man who pays should" not be able to choose the style of his portrait?" "I'm sorry. I fancied I was earning your gratitude by my suggestion." "Oh, yes. Of course. But if I want to scowl 1 can do so, I suppose?" "That would not be flattering to Hannah." *, "If I must flatter you, Hannah, I shall smile broadly." "Do sit quiet, James, dear'. How can you expect Marjorie to do us justice if you interfere bv your chatter?" Hannah prided herself on her ability to be bold at the right moment. 'Courthope surveyed the fit of his gaiters; the deiighted stock-raiser finished a long drink at a gulp; but Marjorie's revealed nothing save interest in the task she had set herself. When the drawing was ended, it was admitted that she had been remarkably successful in catching the characteristics of both subjects. It was a really excellent little study of two people who lent themselves to striking portraiture, but it was noteworthj' that, whereas Hannah's right hand had rested on *.he back of Courthope's chair, in the drawing it was grasping his shoulder, and gave him an odd appearance of being held in the seat against his will. With that exception, the painting was charming, and Hannah praised it unstintingly. Indeed, she almost carried her sisterly appreciation to th*e point of kis.«ing Marjorie, but a sudden flash in Marjorie's, eyes warned her that any such assumption of gush would be a failure. „^;„, "And now," said James, after a critical glance at the sketch. "I have kept the sordid aspect of the affair to the last —the price?" "I have a sliding scale," smiled Marjorie. "I charge village folk five shillings, people from a distance ten, but squires and knights should rank at a sovereign, I suppose." "With me added the cost will be another sovereign, then?" broke in Hannah promptly. "Two pounds." said James. "I consider the allegory worth a third. Let me place three pounds in your hospital box, Miss Marjorie, and I am well content." He left the inn at once, carrying the sketch with him. Hannah, after taking thought, hunted for a dictionary to fincj the meaning of "allegory." Marjorie was sipping a cup of tea when Hannah came back to her. "Think yourself smart, eh, to show everybody that I had James under my thumb?" was the outburst. "Well, it's only fit and proper that he should know it, and you, too. I know what you would like, my fine lady, but you must not try any of your tricks with this squire, whatever you did with the last one." "Go away," said Marjorie. "I'll go or stop, just as I please, and let me tell you ——" "If you do not go away," said Marjorie, without the least sign of heat or annoyance in voice or manner, "I will throw this tea in your face. If that does not suffice, the cup will fol'ow." For once, Hannah was frightened. She retreated a pace. "You would not dare," she cried. Marjorie sipped another spoonful,

By ROBERT ERASER.

[Publish kd By Special Arrangement.] [All Eights Reserved.]

CHAPTER XII

and answerer! not. "As you have to work for father and rnoth«r, I won't cause any further row," said Hannan loftily, and soon she was bns;y at the piano, preparing for the new life at the Court, when she would be Mrs Courthope, and perhaps "her ladyship," for James had ambitions, and now he was wealthy he would strive to give them effect. But that night a note was slipped into Marjorie's hand by a youth as she sped through the village on her waytoLancau.lt. It was from James Courthope, and it ran :—- "I must see you and talk to you, alone, in some place where we cannot be disturbed. I know you go to Lancault churchyard each evening, but you might misconstrue my motives if I waylaid you, so I write thus openly to ask for an interview. Your own future happiness, not to mention mine, is at stake. I pray you give me this meeting. I promise not to distress you in any way. My object is to make clear a good \ deal that is dark to you now. Without your help I im powerless; with it, I can move mountains. "I read your message in the picture to-day. But you are in the wrong if you think I can be forced to marry Hannah. That is not in her power nor in the power of any one now living. You see, I am not afraid to" trust you by writing my views. For the rest, I must -speak to you, without stint or reservation. Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, I shall be at Fennell's Tower at 5 p.m. Take care that you are not followed. If the coast is clear once you reach the moor, come there quickly. You will find me inside." Marjorie smiled, with the quiet elation of one who is gratified, at an occurrence which chimes with an opinion previously formed. She forthwith wrote on a sheet of the hotel note-paper: : — "I shall keep this appointment tomorrow. Kindly take care of James Courthope's letter. "M.N." She enclosed both in an envelope, which she addressed to Inspector Winter, and posted the missive herself. "Unless I am greaty mistaken, there will be three people present at that interview," she thought, with a grim satisfaction. And, indeed, she was more than right.

HOW ALL ROADS LED TO THE TOWER. By chance, Inspector Winter dropped into the Greyhound next morning. Like many others, he wished to have his portrait painted. Jonas was there, and, in response' to the innkeeper's question, the detective stated that there was no news yet concerning Philip Warren's whereabouts "I see that his uncle is advertising for him," he said, "but the police will find him long before he sees the advertisement, if he is really the careless sort of fellow you Hudston folk declare him to be. As for me, I am losing interest in the case. It is so simple. Find Warren, and the thing has ended. There was a duel; the charge is reduced to manslaughter; counsel pleads temperament, and judge says 'twelve months' if he is in a good humour." "So you have changed your opinions, Mr Winter?" put in Marjorie. . "That is the privilege of all really great men, Miss Neyland. It is a sign of the judicial mind." "You'll be leavin' us soon, 1 .reckon?" asked Jonas. "Well, to be accurate, I shall not be in Hudston at five o'clock to-day. But I am coming back, not on business—rather for a short holiday, not unconnected with rabbit-shooting. Then, Mr Neyland, if you can find room for me, I shall put up at the Greyhound." Marjoiie bent over her drawing. These impressionist sketches of hers ! were usually dashed off in a quarter | of an hour or twenty minutes, but she worked at Mr Winter's portrait so long that her father's curiosity was aroused, and he looked over her shoulder. "By gum!" said he admiringly, "that be real menseful." (To be continued.)