“WILD GRAPES"

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20253, 23 July 1937, Page 3

“WILD GRAPES"

SERIAL STORY.

By THEODORA WILSON-WILSON.

A Charming Story with Delightful Appeal.

6YNOPBIS. Blr John Hammond, the famous nerve■pectallst. Is disturbed by the thoughtless extravagance or his wire, Marie. The twins, Paula and Robert, sense there Is something wrong, and an alarming heart attack which Sir John has In their presence, Increases their anxiety. . It Is generally rumoured that Paula Is engaged to Lloyd Manners, a young bar- j rlster. Oordon T.ate, Marie’s artist brother, Is going quickly on the downward path through drink, and makes constant de- j tnands on Marie for money. Stephen Smith calls on Sir John on be- ' half of his sister Doris, who has a smart little shop In Bond Street, trading as Madame Jasmine, to whom Lady Ham'uond owes a considerable sum of money. j CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued.) j “Fact Is, I only looked In because I promised my wife to come. She ; ■worries—women do 1" ‘‘One day I shall ask you to help me about my own affairs,” said Sir John lightly. ‘>l want to appoint a trustee for my estate.” ‘‘l should be delighted—and complimented 1” said, Mr Morris, as he took leave. It was a little later that Norris announced Miss Doris Smith. ‘‘That is good of you. Miss Smith,” said Sir John. “I wished to see you personally.” *1 wanted to explain,” she said, “that I was very thankful to have the Saturday cheque, Sir John, I had not meant my brother to go to you direct.” “He did quite right,” said Sir John, "and here is the balance. But let me say that I dislike this credit system. It binds men and women in chains.” “I know,” she said simply, as she folded the precious cheque which meant so much to her. “Your anxieties have run you down,” he said kindly. “If there is any way In which I can advise you, help you ” “Oh, no I” she said startled. “There Is nothing the matter with me, except that I have rather forgotten how to sleep." “Quite -so. Well, please allow me to put you through a few tests,” and j without waiting for a reply, he rang for a nurse, and Doris Smith felt that she was in for it, and could not rebel. “Well?” she asked, when all was over. “Your health is far from bankrupt, and you may face years of courageous work, If you will take care.” “But indeed ” “Most of my patients insist that they cannot take care,” he Interrupted. “But here are your marching orders I” and he handed her a card. “Show it to your brother. I understand he is going in for medicine.” And then the dressmaker, by some strange Impulse, laid a hand on the specialist’s sleeve. “Sir John, in return for what you have done for me, I must say something. Take marching orders for yourself." Sir John looked at her dumbfounded, and his face flamed as though caught out in some crime. “And why this diagnosis?” he asked, trying to speak easily. “My own father died of heart trouble, so I know.” Sir John hesitated an Instant, then spoke steadily. “You are evidently one of the wise women of the earth! But set your mind at ease about me. I have accepted marching orders.” “Which you will obey, sir?” “They are so authoritative, that I shall certainly obey.” It was as though some great thought transfigured Ills face, and Doris Smith, alarmed at what she had dared to say, took leave. For three more hours, i?ir John bent, his mind, his brain and his sympathy for the benefit of the patients depending upon his skill. •CHAPTER XIII. Two Pictures. “Oordon,” said Lady Hammond, as she sat posing for her brother, “before you start, let me tell you that it was madness of you to come to The Grange on Saturday. You were drunk—obviously.” “My dear Marie, I was obviously not drunk when 1 took to the river again. That handsome son of yours brought me some excellent coffee, and saved my life from tipping itself out of the boat!” “What’s that?” she exclaimed. “You met my son? What did you say to my son ?” “Why shouldn’t a fond uncle say anything he chooses to his one and only nephew?” “•Gordon!” and she sprang to her feet. “You don’t mean that you told him who you were?” “Don’t kill me with those eyes 1” he mocked her. “Of course, I told him. Why not?” Now Gordon Tain was clever enough when he was sober, and lie had not managed his sister all these years for nothing. He admitted to himself that he had been a fool to reveal Ills identity to Robert Hammond, but that was his drunken luck, and be must make the best of it. He calmed his sister down by urging that it was becoming absurd to keep the knowledge of his existence from tier children, and then assured her Hint if she would stand by him now, the picture he was painting of her as Lady Teazle would be fiis masterpiece, and raise him to the highest rank. Indeed, he had now determined to turn over a new leaf, so that she might have the honour of smiling at the British public from his canvas. Lady Hammond was sensitive to flattery, and greatly fancied herself is a Society Somebody, and she yielded weakly, as she always did, to her brother’s blandishments. But Gordon could never concentrate for long, and Marie wasn’t sorry, for posing was very hard work, as she discovered, and when Gordon was in full cry at his work, he became the artistic bully. "Well, 1 11 let you go now." he said at last. “But you’ll have to come regularly. I can do the cluthes without you, but I must have'your own face ami ffgure.” "I’ll have to come when I can.” she answered. “It may be more diflicult to fit In now. You were mad to betray yourself.” "Nonsense!” he said roughly. “You’ll do it all right. Where there’s a will there’s a way." Marie felt impotently irritated, and she changed the subject sharply. “And where is flic Oliver Cromwell picture? Mr French lias been an unconscionable time in cleaning it.” *Oh* yea, jL'd forgotten the olcL (

boy I" he said, as he flung off a wrapper. Lady (Hammond stiffened. “But, Gordon, there are two l” she grasped. “Quite, and which Is which?” “You mean ” “I mean that when Frenoh had done his Job, he offered me twenty pounds for a copy. He’ll probably sell for fifty—the rascal I" “But he had no kind of right ” “He knew you wouldn’t mind showing twenty pounds the way into my pocket. Now, which Is which?” Lady Hammond looked at the pictures keenly, and was frankly puzzled. “I should have said that that one is the original, only It isn’t signed.” “Right as usual, sweet sister. Isn’t It a smart piece of work?” “Oh, Gordon,” she replied Impulsively, “can’t you give up the drink, and be the man you ought to be? You’re simply marvellous.” The passionate and unexpected outburst staggered the artist, and he turned off towards the gable window, with its outlook on chimney pots. “Gordon,” she was beginning, but he turned sharply. “Don’t be fussy, Marie,” he said with unusual gentleness. “I’m not drunk nearly as often as I used to be. French keeps an eye on me.” “I’m glad,” she said, trying to believe him. “Oh, and by the way, I was telling French about those Corots —if I remember right you have a pair of them, minute paintings—six of them would make one Oliver Cromwell 1” “Corot?” she repeated. “Oh, yes, the Beech (Nymphs and the Tambourine Player. They’re In the library.” “Don’t they want cleaning?” “John would never agree to have them touched.” “Why ask him?" “You want to copy them?” “They would be excellent practice. I hate having to squat in publio galleries, painting with the nosy publio spying over my shoulder. If you could Just give your John a hint to get me an invitation ” “You know that’s Impossible.” “A pity. French would give me fifty for a really good copy.” “They came from John’s old home He counts on them as heirlooms.” “Well, it won’t hurt them to be copied. You send one of them along. Nobody will miss it. Shove It Into the Post Office and address it to Mr G. French. We’ll look after it like Its mother I” “If I can ” “My dear Marie, you can do anything you like, when you choose,” and he laughed. “And you may remember that you lent me some trifles of cash lately, well, I’ve had some luck — so here’s a tenner I” “Gordon I” she exclaimed. “Surprising what turning over a new leaf does. A change for you to he getting a tip from me. Of course, if you care to send along both the Corots, that would spare postage 1” Lady Hammond took the notes, for she was maddeningly short of cash, but she neither agreed nor disagreed as to the cleaning of the Corots. “But, Gordon,” she said as they parted, “do urge upon Mr French to send hack Oliver ‘Cromwell before the fifteenth?” “I’ll tell him. But why the fifteenth?” “The twins come of age that day.” “I had forgotten,” and he smiled. “Some big show of some sort in the. wind ?” “The usual thing she replied. But when Marie had gone, Gordon smiled again. He had once been as good as hoofed out of a christening ceremony. Why not get back his own on the fifteenth? CHAPTER XIV. A Tourney Queen. Although Paula had spoken lightly to Robert about her letter of proposal from Lloyd Manners, she was, in truth, desperately worried. There was a side of her that was genuinely attracted to this able young barrister, and they had found many pleasant points of contact, And yet Could she delude herself into thinking that she felt towards him as a woman ought to feel towards a man she is going to marry, and allow to become the companion of her life? The ghastly misfit between her own parents gave her a warning which she could not ignore. Allhough in her daughterly loyalty sho tried lo push aside all blame, she knew that her father and mother ought never to have married. On Sunday morning, when Paula had slipped out to •Church, she had prayed passionately that she might not make some dreadful mistake, which would follow her through life. Her Aunt Claudia had once told her I hat a happy marriage was the highest life on earth, and an unhappy marriage the lowest, and that if the first could not he had, it was infinitely better to remain a single woman, taking a share in adding to world-wel-fare. unsoured and unafraid. And yet Paula knew that she did not wish to remain single. She wished to marry, to have children, and take i her rightful place amongst the young and proud matrons who spoke of “my husband” and flaunted their wedding i rings. Yet Paula could, pot, reply To Lloyd I until she knew what to say, and she j let the posts pass neglected. | On the Tuesday. Paula had refused | to play golf with Robert, and told ! him to find himself a partner at the i Club, and her mother being out she ! sat down under the beech tree, earni estly wishing to concentrate on this | answer which would, not materialise. She was pretending to work at a dainty scarf She had seen one at Madame Jasmine’s priced a guinea, and had decided that she ought to he ! able to make one for herself for the ! cost of the odd: shilling. Money was beginning to worry as Paula had never let it worry before. She. was already absurdly “short.” and the handsome allowance she received from her father was not due. On other occasions she had cheerrully demanded an advance, but now she felt blocked. Yet she hoped a quiet afternoon alone would clear her mind, and she resolved to write definitely one way or file oilier hv the next post. F.vcn if she put an end to this ; period of excitement —ami. Lloyd’s I courting had certainly been exciting I—she must he careful to acknowledge that the man had offered her the highest honour in his power. And having counted stitches diligently. Paula looked up at the sound of a car crunching Ihc gravel, and in

a few moments, her lover came striding across the lawn. There was a strong possessive attitude in that stride which had an immediate effect on this doubting girl, and Paula dropper her knitting on the grass and rose. "Paula!" and he gripped her hand. “Why have you tortured me with Ibis dreadful delay?” “Do sit down 1” she said, flushing to her ear tips. “I was meaning to write to you to-night.” “So I am Just in time to save the postage,” and lie smiled into her eves. He sank down on a wide oaken bench, and drew her down beside him. “What's the trouble?” he asked gently. "No (rouble —only, you have asked “I did I I intended It to he. the biggest question a man can ask. Rut, Paula, I do want you to understand absolutely, before you commit yourself.” “Yes.” and she left her hand in his. (To Be Conilnucd).