The Romance of a Business Girl.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10715, 19 October 1912, Page 2

The Romance of a Business Girl.

im HEKK

CHAPTER IV. "Yes, 1 know that T urn a hca.st," Ph.il quavered bitterly. "A selfish, worldly, coarse creature, who cares fur no tiling but the good things of life. I married I/envis Mayhow, believing that he could give itie what I wanted—a splendid home, a:;d all tiio et cetera* of which he talked so glibly. And the result was a. miserable furnished attic, and constant pestering by duns. Tho furnished attic reeked with garlic and onions, and 1 hadn't a. shilling to my name. When J rebelled, lie became cniel — the cruelty of silence and absence. You can't ronli.se the meaning <f that until yon havo endured it. I should havo welcomed an oa.th or a blow, lnit Leu-is was too gentlemanly for anything like that," she sneered. "He spent his time with his beautfill cousin,. Lady Laura Maekindor, 1 and then I became insanely jealous. ! T saw them together one day, and I felt like slaying her. And thai was what I had bartered my freedom and j independence for! No woman of. spirit could stand it. and I am not | one of your meek, angelic nonentit- 1 ies. So I took to newspaper work, and left him one fino morning, and his wretched attic. I am already rdekoned a good interviewer —daring, adventurous, and I am earning five pounds a week. What do you think of that, Serena? I was tho lady to take the first twenty-mile flight in' an aeroplane.; I am the lady who, • dressed in men's clothes, went across J the channel in a submarine! If Lewis only knew!" She laughed harshly. , . Serena's flash of temper had gone, and Iter eyes were alight with wonder and sympathy. "Poor old Phil," , she murmured. "I didn't know that things were so bad —between.you and Captain Mayhew, T mean. He'seems terribly cut up." "I suppose his lordly self-conceit is ruffled a bit. What did lie say when he en me to the Corner Shop that day?" She spoko with ill-suppress-ed eagerness. • . "He is really fond of you, Phil." "What did he say—his exact words toyou," sho insisted. "He was determined to find you." "And to punish me if lie could. My only safety is his horror of scandal. Tf ho would give me a kind word but J can't give up this new career. I am earning money, and the possibilities are stupendous. Tliero is a scheme afoot to send me to Germany on a. special mission, and the fee will be two hundred pounds if I am successful." j There w«.s a pause, and then Phil.j became slightly hysterical. i "I don't want to lose your love J and lovalty, Serena." J "You novo! - will, If T don't onitel approve of a wife leaving her hus-J band —J —oh, Phil, f will stick to you ! to the last rag." j "T know it," Phil. "Oh, you are] good, Serena —and it was only my love, for you which frightened mo when T " "Sli!" ' The door opened, and the servant came in to set the table for supper. While the meal was in progress there was an ocean of talk—plans for the future —heart-to-heart confidences. At last it was time for Phil to go. and Serena went out of doors to sec that the way was clear. She walked to the garden gate, and looked cautiously up and down the street. A young moon was just peeping over the houses on the other side of 'the street, and the skies were bright with -stars. Then she gave a little gasp of terror. The tall figure of a man was advancing swiftly toward her, and she knew in a moment who he was. The slender, elegant swinging, cavalry stride —Captain Lewis Mayhew. "Good evening, Miss Fleming," said he freezingly cold and freezingly polite. He raised his hat. "T have come take my wife home with me." CHAPTER. Y. SERENA ENTRAPPED. When Jim Carling wanted a thing he generally got it. He .was not the man, either, to'he long* in doubt about what he did want, and when such a man meets with the woman •he desires, there is never any delay in his love-making. j While the taxicab was carrying i him from Dulwioh to his hotel, he re-J salved that Serena Fleming should j not bo a paid servant in the office of]

BY F, L. DACRE Author of "A Fleet of Dreams," "Silar Money," "The Shadow of Shame," "A Phantomof tko Past," Held in bouvl ,p> etc.

Oarling a:xl Son. There wore hundreds of capable young women s.-jidy to fill the vacancy when it occurred. Tho very idea of tho thing va.s revolting, but tho suggestion !nv.l : ;u*vod its purpose. He had created I heillusion honestly enough., a "id it should b'.\ his business to disp.'i it. When-' :ii.-i heart gave a:i extra leap. Within a few days, a work at mast. .Ho knew that Sow:a -\ns the one woman in all tho wide world for him. There was a letter at the ofliro next morning, from the agen!, of a Russian firm wliich paid Carling and j Son thousands cf pounds every year. Before tho agent left Lndon for home, he wished to see bim, and proposed a little dinner and the theater that very day. Jim chafed and fumed, but there was no help for it. His visit to Miss Fleming would have to wait another four-and-twenty hours. So ho wrote to her, and when hivS pen traced her name on the paper, he was conscious of a pleasing sensation. It was not exactly a business letter; it breathed too much warmth and eagerness "an the regrets that his visit should have to l>e delayed one day. Serena, received it in the afternoop. and the same mail brought one from Phil Mayhew. Phil's was tho first one to claim her attention, and it was thoroughly characteristic of the girl. It- ran thus : "My Dear Serena: As you havo already had my telegram, you know that I got awav all right, but what a close shave! If Lewis chases me) about in .-this manner I shall begin to hate him. Your bluff was perfect,, and 1 you are a trump. I scrambled over the back garden fence; and scooted along the neighbor's passage whjfo you were talking to mv precious 'husband. Be ■sure and send me a long letter, as T shall be afraid to come again. Tell me a.H that he said and did. Until he can find iv a comfortable and forget that ladv cousin rf hi«. T shall never return to him. Now von poi what. - T have don? for mvself. JVri't- lie fool enough to do likewise!" etc. etc. Serena sat for a lone; time in deep thought, the letter .lying in her lap. The oonwass needle of her .mind was disturbed. Time was when she had. approved of Phil's madcap escapades but she was beginning to think that there, wag madness in her friend's methods. Site had married Lewis Mayhfw, and it was her duty to stand by him in good and evil report,. Besides disappointment, there was a good deal of jealousy of her hn«band'sconsin, Lady Laura- Mackixuler. Then Phil was no ordinarv pp'rl: clever, high-snirited'.. inconsistent, capricious: quick to love and to hate, and inordinately fond of the tilings ,of life. And sho mor-> tK'i" J R-'swrfe/l +!>•><• Phil was se!fi.«K .Mi th>"> s'imo. Plvl irn,s «m<yl comrade and firm in her friendships. But how was the unfortunate trouble between her and her husband to end? Captain Mayhew w°s nnt the i>vni - L o submit, to female tyranny, and slip shivered when she remembered his bitter, almost, eyi-il smile, when he went away. He had implied* that she was untruthful, and her iface burned with resentful anger. (To bo Continued.) )