HELD IN BONDAGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10501, 13 December 1911, Page 2

HELD IN BONDAGE.

OUR SERIAL.

: , 5Y J*, F. I>ACRE, Author of "Simbad'fi Valley," A Phantom of the Past," "The Shadow of Sham©," "Sir John's Bedmess," "A Daughter of Mystery," etc.

CHAPTER Vl—-Continued

Alf pushed away lids untasted breakfast and clasped his bowed head in 'both hands. "I wonder how Dick -Burns feels this morning? I think he must .be going crazy. If George Aston came now I should' collapse." He looked up miserably. "But I showed off all right last night, I daren't go to my chambers, and every knock on the door makes my heart go flop." He got up and went to the window. "Of course these letters mustn't go now. I'll write to Meg. No, I won'tr-I'll go to Bloomsbury Crescent; I have a good excuse. Most important news, and it isn't safe to write. He may have engaged somebody to watch me, hut they'll have to be very clever." Another ten minutes and ho was riding in the direction: of Blackfriars in, an electric car. From Blackfriars lie was driven in a taxicab to Bloomsbury Crescent tout dismissed the oab a hundred yards from Miss Janson's flat. There were few people moving about the Crescent, iand those were of. the'most innocent description, so he felt tolerably secure. To his unspeakable relief the frontdoor was standing wida open, and he slid unstairs', two steps at a. time, until he had reached.the top floor. He paused here to regain s;is breath.; then he gently knocked at the door ofEdich Janson's sitting room. It was opened immediately by Edith herself. "You!"' she exclaimed, surprised and vexed.

it all." She whispered the last words as she followed him to 'the door. "Lord! so should I. Good-bye, Meg. Good-bye, Miss Janson." He waved his hand and drifted down the stairs.

"Don't be angry, please; I have some news. I've just had to come, but I have been %ery oute. Is Meg ail right?" , ■ "Here she is. Come in. Meg, this foolish boy is here, after all. What shall we do with him?" "Oh, it was imperative." He darted past Edith and took Margaret's hand, sctutinising her white •faco and-heavy eyes. ; VYou' are not looking .well," was .■his-verdict. :! "What about yourself? : Where is vonr necktie?" - "Necktie? I forgot it. I feel like a boiled owl. Como here Miss .Tanson and listen, Things are not as bad as we feared. Mr Aston came to ivy quarters last night- —" Margaret gasped and Edith passed an nrnr round her waist. "And Uwre is .not a. word of scaur do] at howe yet. Everybody thuiks thai; he brought you away, and for some Fa 4 *)!* lie W H«Pp it fjas W , : " "' Margaret sat down, wide-eyed, and white and silent. "He only suspects that you came to London in my car, and for your sak«. Meg, I lied with a face of brass. I never thought it was in me, and never a qiiailm of conscience did I feel. 1 swore that I did not see you, and old Ananias holds second place now! Edith laughed.

"You are a very nice boy, and I believe that I am beginning to admire, you. What else?" "Ob, I left him threatening detect* ives and that sort of tbing, but that; only makes mo smite. Now we shall have ample time to make up our case against him," There was silence and lie looked from one to the other. In his heart of I hearts he had no belief at all that there was anything to go on about Aston. "But Emma Jones saw us," Margaret remarked. - "She says she did not. I'm afraid Ve wrorlgediier. She guessed would happen f ; nG -. a ou r g }fe thodfefc, Weilt away 'sS tnai she could truly say tMfc she. had not seen us bolt fee waited for one of tltem to (Spe&k, but getting no reply, he awhKh I have not posted the letVeriJ, s£eg. Perhaps "it is unnecessary •now.'" •He laid them on the" worktable. "On the whole," Edith said judie-' ially, "this news is good, but I don't like the Well, we must make the best of it, Meg. Trouble :'s like a hill ahead of us. It' looks twice as big till we tackle it. What else, Mi- Maxwell?" "Nothing—only you want to keep out of sight. I mean Meg must." "And I forbid your coming here. I don't want to appear unkind, but I simply cannot admit you again, Mr Maxwell. You know why." He flushed and stammered.

"Tho situation is rotten, isn't it? Well,-1 milk, he off, I have a lot of work to do at the chambers. Don't forget to write to me if anything turns up, Meg. r Phose .letters to your father and aunt may want a little revising." He picked up his hat and shook hands with Margaret. He would persist in shaking hands.

"Keep up your courage, you girls," lie said- dismally. "Now, I wonder what I sliall ho up to 'to-day?" "I thought you were tremendously busy at the chambers " Edith remirded him. "Young man, you've made a peck of troußte for yourself, I'm afraid, and I should like to have some idea, of the possible outcome of

CHAPTER VII

ENEMY OR FRIEND?

Margarefc nerved herself to face the weli-nigh appalling situation she had created. She had bi ought the trouble upon herself, and /had no intention of wasting time bewailing hex* lot. She was far from being a coward. The future was already showing mere pleasant possibilities. Edith Jan son had work for her, and was glad of the companionship, and then there was the vague hope that she might be freed from her marriage bonds. And there was another alternative; now that George Aston realised that she hated and feared him, he would, perhaps, consent to a mutual separation. No man would care to cliase a woman who detested him. After Ailf 's visit she felt heartened, and her hopes took a more tangible shape. She talked the matter over with Edith and Edith listened very gravely. "If I knew the man, I would be abb to form a better opinion," she said, "but I don't. If he is the tenacious monster you describe, he isn't likely to give in so easily. You must a,dnut that he has much to complain of. You have spoiled his life in a way. Ha nrjist still go on being a bachelor, and his notions of domesticity may be very' strojg," I •

"If he has done-without a wife till' til lie is fifty, it won't hurt Jiim to do without altogether." Edith demurred, then laughed. "Your finality of tone and manner won''t settle things in the same off-, hand way. I don't believe you realise 1 £ b !S-£-I 2 u I? 9 ui a man's eyes. Women are not so quick to see beauty in. other women but no one could pass you by. I am " : n love with you :nvse]f!" "Oh, now you are talking arrant nonsense," named Margaret. We have loved each other for years,'and the camaraderie between us two is the most beautiful thing in my life. I want to put the past behind me—all but thrtl. —and begin living anew. If I can. earn my own independence I shall he TOrfl. than satisfied."

"And what's going to' happen,. \ 0 young■'itaMsweU?'' wM. Edi^i, "wkt mm iiapgch to wm ?" u He is madly 'in love with you." "I ctUi ©nly say that lam sorry. I nfevfcr even gave a thought to him that way. I suppose he will soon get over it. Young men liavo these attacks twice a year on the average. I have watched the rustics at Castle Clayford."

All illifelM 66iiipaTis6h," said Emialj shaking her lioad. This young fellow has imperilled his good name *and Ms future for you, Meg. He lookeel sßhply wretched this morning, and will 'go to bad if he is not Looked, a f.. | W> . "I don't think we 'apprehend | any such catastrophe. : Alf Maxwell suggested the .scheme, N but I could, i have grit away sdmehoAv .without him. Th two trunks of clothes will.be useful, but they are purchased dearly with this obligation to Alf. Don't worry about his depth of feeling. It is «*is ephemeral as the hateful cigarettes lie smokesi. I have seen him cry his heart out over a lost pet, and replace it within twenty-four hours.'' Margaret thought she understood Maxwell, and was rather tired of the subject. "I am sorry for him, but sorrier for myself." There was a knock at the sitting- , room door, followed by the caretaker's pleasant voice. "A telegram, Miss Janson." j Edith jumped -up to. take the ine:j- . sage, and having read it made a grirn- ' ace.

(To be Continued.)