HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3186, 11 May 1909, Page 2

HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

CHAPTER Vl.—Continued. Wilfred rose abruptly. Now that the charming Miss Braysby was on the verge of scandal, she must be checked. "Don't go yet, Stuart!" exclaimed Laurence eagerly, on seeing the movement. "We are just taking counsel as to the best way of giving Miss Neville some idea of the magnitude of London. Lady Marcia will 1 not hear of the Monument. Driving up and down the streets would only bewilder her; and visiting the public buildings would be much too fatigU' ing. I was just about to propose a drive to the people's pa'ace at Sydenham. Will you come and be our guide? You are better acquainted j with the coigns of vantage than I am." "l will not consent tu go unless Mr Haydon takes me under his especial care," said Lady Marcia. "The last time I went there I was nearly killed. With fatigue, I mean. Our party strolled into the maze, and forgot the directions by which to guide curselves; and it was all the more provoking because I was to have been present at a polo match. By the way, I think it was Hampton C-aurt instead of Sydenham,- but you, Mr ffsjdon, nuisk promise to preserve j me from misfortunea. 1 ' ,

Miss Brayiby ttmM»;; kpressed a doubt w^ lffl ifc wou j d be quite the thing for her and Ambra to go to a place of public resort without more efficient protectors, but withdrew her objection when Mr Stuart consented to make one of the party. With this understanding they separated, well aware [that General Haydon would not object to any scheme proposed by his son, and for Ambra's amusement. Though still suffering too much to be able to join them, he limped to a window to see them drive away— Ambra, and Lady Marcia in an open carriage with Laurence; while Wilfred Stuart followed in her ladyship's brougham with Miss Braysby. It was a lovely day, afad Ambra was delighted with her glimpse of the Norwood hills, but her companions I ooked , grave when ;tl e/ found the palace crowded with the members of one of our largest benefit societies.

By thousands they were thronging into the principal courts, or making their way to the lake; and as Lady Marcia, who had a horror of being crowded or jostled, hesitated whether to enter the building at all, half-a-dozen young fellows pushed by so roughly that a respectably dressed, elderly woman, who happened to be in their way, would have been thrown down if she had not saved herself by catching hidd of Ambra. Laurence Haydon saw the toilhardened hands clutch the young lady's arm, but not the cause of the action, and he sprang forward frowning angrily. "How dare you!" he said to the woman. "Stand back, or I will have you removed by the police!" Ambra ii terposed with a gentle explanation, and smiled reasiurinely at the woman. But she did not heed her. With hsr small, sharp eyes fixed on Laurence, she was watching the changes that swept over his face as little by little he began to recognize her. It was Betty Wakely, the woman at whose cottage he had left his unhappy young wife, and who haci taken charge or his deserted child. What stroke of ill luck could have brought them into contact at such a moment at this?

CHAPTER VII. "LET HIM DENY IT IF HE CANT Such a spasm of pain and dread contracted the features of Laurence Haydon that Miss Braysby cave a little s-hriek, and directed to him the attention of Mr Stuart, on whose arm she was leaning. But already it had vanished; nor had any one else pervceived it, for Lady Marcia was engrossed in alternately pitying and scolding her pet dog for having been kicked bj one of the rough fellows; and Ambra was speaking gently to the woman, whose feelings had been hurt by Laurence's too hasty accusation. "It was a mistake—quite a mistake—pray think r.o more of it!' the young lady was saying, when suddenly her hand was drawn through her companion's aim, and with a ijorced laugh he interepesed. Only by ex&rting his presence of mind could he hope to avert a scene —only by appearing indifferent to what Betty Wakely could say would be able to present her blurting out incidents connected with hi 3 earlier life, and overwhelming him with shame. "There's no great harm done, is there, my yood woman?" he cried, in an off-hand fashion. "If I have wronged you, I regret it, and am quite willing to make amends. Take that"—he tossed her a couple of half-crowns—"and go and buy yourself a smart cap." But the money fell or was thrown on the pavement, and would have lain there untouched if a little boy had not scrambled after it and brough it to the woman. "Keep it for your trouble!" she said to the child. "I buys my caps with my own earnings."

BY HENRIETTA B. KUTHVEN. Author of "His Second Love," " Corydon's Infatuation," " Daring Doia," " An Unlucky Legacy," Etc., Etc.

/Ej "Chut! she is an ill-tempered old hag. or else she has been drinking!" Laurence murmured in the ear of Ambra. "Come away, before she abuses us. Lady Marcia—Miss Brays ---by—oblige me by walking on in front. It wu do not beat a retreat we shall heave a crowd about us." But, as he drew the ladies onward, he contrived to cast an imploring glance at Mr Stuart, who answered it with a slight nod. It is true that Wilfred comprehended nothing more than that Laurence knew this person, and feared her; but his own purer code of morality made him feel not a little disgust at the thought of being drawn into some affair which could not reflect much credit on anyone concerned in it. However, there was Ambra to be considered. She must no be exposed to the vindictive insolence of an ignorant woman, and for her sake he was prepared to do his best to mollify Betty Wakely.

"You were foolish to refuse that money!" be said pleasantly, are too sensible to bear malice for half-a-dozen words spoken without thought!" Betty Wakely deliberately drew her shawl more tightly across her shoulders. ■" T"'!lsan't out of no malice 1 chucked bis money away. I have Eaid many things myself that I shouldn't iike to be called to account for; but, if ever I was a-reckoning with Mister Laurence yonder, 'tain't two paltry half crovviiS as 'll settle scores 'twixt him and me!" "If Mr Hyydon is in your debt " "Who's Mr Haydon?" she interrupted. . "Has he got one name for hi 3 friends, and another for them he wrongs? I thought as much.' ; "If Mr rlayduh is in your debt," repeated Wilfred, without appearing to notice her remarks, "tell me the amount, and whatever is justly your due shall be paid. But, on the other hand, you must promise to be content to receive it through me, and not to annoy him in any way." Mrs Wakely stared at the speaker with her small, shrewd eyes, surveying him long and closely. "Be you a parson? I thought as much. Well, then, I wonder at you, sir, for consortin' with such as he, and upholding him in his wickedness." "I call all men my friends, but would not uphold anyone on wrongdoing. If you consider yourself injured, tell me to what extent, and I promise to use my best endeavours to get you righted." This offfr only elicited a short, scornful iaugh. $ "I don't want nothing from hin;. Haven't I got hands of my own to work with? Cnould Ibe here taking my bit of pleasure abng with my nieghbours and (heir club, if I hadn't earned enough to pay my share?" [TO BK CONTINUED.]