“WILD GRAPES”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 12

“WILD GRAPES”

SERIAL STORY.

By THEODORA WILSON-WILSON.

A Charming Story with Delightful Appeal. — - -

CHAPTER XLn. A Lover Comes North. “There's one thins about it, In good hands with Mrs Potter—a woman I’ve depended upon before now for hard nursing.” "Is she —she all right—for money?” asked Gordon, thinking of the publisher's cheque. “Oh, the money will dry straight.” he said lightly. "Well Jack, you’ve done your good deed to-day I If she had Inin there much longer, well, T won't answer for what might have happened. By llm way, did you get caught l*y the mist, and did you walk, round in a circle.?" ••Moth, sir," said Gordon. Again he smiled. •Stephen Smith was Joyous with hope, for he had discovered a legitimate reason for coming north, and as the express rushed onwards ho passed from side to side of Iho train, r?st-

landmarks. Yes, ho was actually going hack Into tlio dales, and Paula was there, making them more, splendid than he had eveV known them. The Sunday train shot him out at a small station which gave him seven miles to walk to Gowthwaite. But that did not matter, and the want of a bus was all to the good. He know every turn on the winding road, and welcomed tho straying sheep as they gazed at him indifferently. The village was quiet when he ari rived, for adults wern heavy with dlnI ner and afternoon sleeps, and tho ' youngsters were too smartly dressed | to play riotously. Only tho lovers had “walked out'' to favourite haunts. As he reached Beck Cottage, he looked over the' garden hedge, and noticed that Hobert and Paula were engaged In trimming up Miss Graham’s They were' taking the work lazily, 1 and Paula laughed nonsensically at i something Robert had said.

He paused at the rlcketty gate, and then spoke. “Pleasant Sunday afternoon, Hammond 1” "Smith P* and Robert turned with welcome In his eyes. “Explain yourself 1“ “My sister wants us to oome to Gowthwalte for August, and I've oome along to ask Nannie, Miss Graham, about rooms, as he'rs aro booked 1” “Oh. but I ought to clear out In August l" exclaimed Paula, as she shook hands. “I mustn't monopolize Beck Cottage, It’s Miss Smith's vested interest I” And then Nannie came' barging In, heated and red, and full of delight because she had a story to tell. And having greeted “Master Stephen,” she let fly. “Such doings l" she said. "We've had a real accident. A woman has been picked up under Nab Scaur. A gentleman who ought to have been In church was taking a walk and got lost In the mist, and heard her child cry and rescued her—carried her In his arm.' lo IRcd Farm. The Auld Doctor has been and seemingly she’s as well as can bo expected, and Mrs Potter all on end to show what a grand nurse she Isl” “And who was the gentleman who ought lo have, been In church, Nannie?” asked Stephen. Miss Graham looked round before she answered. “lie’s Mr .lack Brown, one of Dr. Benson's patients. He's tall and handpome and it’s a sin and a shame that he should have messed himself up. But the Auld Doctor will put him straight, if anyone can! Then hell crow like a cock on. a bam door — the doctor, 1 mean. But. Mr Hammond, you’ll he wanting tea if you’re to catch tlio London express." “My sister Is tramping with me to the station- -if you'd care to come along. Smith, you’ could see her hack." “I'd he delighted." he said, furious with himself that he flushed. “Bui, yon must have walked seven miles already!" said Paula. “Just getting into inv stride. I’m a dalesman -I expect I shall end up a dale doctor 1" And then they chatted and enjoyed Miss Graham’s sumptuous north country tea. and when I hey were thinking of"setting off for the railway. Dr. Benson arrived. Miss Graham pumped him as to the lady at the farm, and Introduced Stephen as the boy she had had on her very own lap. Dr. Benson accepted a second brew of tea, and said he would run Mr Hammond lo the station, as lie had a patient in that direction. Whether ho had nr had not. would not he known, and then lie suggested that he would he obliged if anyone cared to take a walk over lo the Bed Farm and find out how Mrs Tafo was doing, and whether Mi’s Hotter wished him to go “Mrs Tate?" asked Paula. “Yes, she's a Mrs Gordon Tate, so Mrs Potter tells me. sdic was once a dale sworn an---and lias grown homesick for the north. Brought, a little monkey of a child with her.” “A widow, doctor:” asked Miss she has dropped him somewhere. i d be delighted lo go oxer to the

farm,” said Paula, looking at Robert. “Do, and Smith can escort you. Instead of taking me to the station I" So the plan was made, and as Paula went with Robert, to help him to pack, the brotiier and sister consulted together, and decided that though It might not bo wise to make themselves i known at the' moment, they must make sure that Mrs Gordon Tate wanted nothing. I "To think that she Is actually our Aunt Madeline!" said Paula. “It 13 strange, very, as though God were working out something 1" "He probably Is," said Robert reverently. “Bui It is vital that we do our share.” So It came about that Robert went off In tho doctor's car to catch the London express, and Paula and Stephen set off on tho errand to the Red Farm. "But do you know the way, Mr Smith?" asked Paula, as her companion strode along confidently, lie laughed. • "I know every patch of gorse—every wind blown tree —every goose on that becksidc!" “There's a snag about that last I" and Paula laughed. "It Is so marvellous to see It all again. We can either go along the dale road, or cut over Nab Scaur, and view the prone of the accident." “I've not been to Nab Scaur yet,** she admitted. “I fancy it is a regular Sunday walk." “Yes, the Gowlhwallo Lovers’ Walk —l’m sorry," and he. Imped she had noticed his blunder, or perhaps he did So they took Iho lane to tho beck and the stepping-stone's, and made for tho eastern scaur. “Oh. do wail !” exclaimed Paula, as they came upon the Druid Circle. "What a shock! How—sort of weird!" "They are -when 1 was a kid I 1 ( useq to come and look at them, and ' j I lien suddenly get seared and run 1 away! But I never told anyone." i "1 suppose—lho big Past—looking ’ at us," she replied thoughtfully, “and ' we such little worms!" But when they were a fexv minutes away from the summit, Stephen sug- l gested that Paula should do the * proper thing and closo tier eyes. I "Then I lead you forward, and you open when you reach the' edge of the * scaur. See, a boy and girl doing it— ■* over there!" j "I must do the thing right," said * Paula easily. "Now, I’m shutting my * eyes and you mustn't let me down!" , Stephen laid a hand ou her arm, and 1 led her forward—this girl whom he I wanted to lead on to the end of all I things. ( i “Now—open!" he commanded. She stood still, then opened her It. was no sunset view, for the sun ( was behind them, but the sun had shot i delicate, flashes of colour up the. oast- } ern sky, and boloxv and in llm far distnnee, "there lay woods, pasture lands, > and the Yorkshire fells. “Do you like it—our view?” he. asked eagerly. , “l think —the half has not been t told!" arid she smiled round on him. j Stephen was satisfied, and he led ' c her down a rugged path, past where j j they thought the accident must have I Mrs Potter t-dd Paula that her in- a 1 valid was “quite OK., poor tiling." 1 J and (hat the doctor did nut uecd to I f

disturb himself to come’ over until'the morning. “Let him smoke Ills last Sunday pipe In peace, miss." she said. “But coma away in, and the gentleman, and taste our currant pasty!" •"I don't think we must stay, Mrs Potter,’’ said Paula. "We have' a good walk back to the doctor’s." “Why, it will never be Mr Stephen,” exclaimed she. But It was “Stephen,” and Paula listened as the' two talked like old friends. “He fell off the mare In that very field, yonder," and she pointed, "Why there’s the poor little' lass. We’ve not told her that anything Is wrong with her mother.” Dolly came chasing along, and looked at Paula rather puzzled, but not knowing her, for this country lady looked different from the city lady who had once Invaded the Westminster slum. “My mummy has gone to bed beforo me," she volunteered. “And Dolly Is going to sleep with my big lass, for a treat!" said Mrs Potter pointedly. But when Paula tric'd to hint that she must let her know If supplies were needed, Mrs Potter snubbed her off. “No, no, Miss Hammond!” slm exclaimed. "We’ll manage for her —eh. my lasses aro proper sol up at what you’re teaching lliem at tho class. They’re bothering Iheir father to buy them a haudloom of their own.”