“AN EVIL ANGEL”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20513, 1 June 1938, Page 12

“AN EVIL ANGEL”

An Exciting Mystery Story.

Oil AFTER. XXIII— Continued; I While Lawyer Ford was persistently striving to loosen the red tape ligaments in which lie was swathed, and at the same time jerking out an occasional kindly word to the still sobbing Marie, the door of the boudoir opened and Jacob Lord Vesey, came in looking grim and gaunt, very unlike the benevolent genial Jacob of a week ago—He looked about with evident dissatisfaction —displeased to Hnd Ford in Marie’s boudoir—sorely displeased to see Marie in tears. He patted her gently on the shoulder, the sternness of his countenance relaxing somewhat, as he looked at her tear-stained face, while lie was forced to mentally acknowledge that there was perhaps one loving woman in the world. “Cheer up, little girl,” lie said in a softer voice than he had permitted himself of late. "Cheer up—the silver lining is peeping through the cloud." But Marie only sobbed the louder. “Why does he not come—what is the use of proving his innocence to barbarous officials, who will not believe ?” For answer Jacob turned to Ford- “ What news have you brought? Has that woman been arrested in Paris ?” “I do not know, my lord. I came because Miss Cooper sent for me.” “You have no news from Paris?” “A few lines from Mr A’Court announcing the death of Mr Hamilton Browne, enclosing me some directions, and telling me to take steps to act for his widow, as soon as the official announcement of his death reaches me.” “His widow? I did not know he was married. But his affairs have nothing to do with me. I came to tell Miss Cooper that I have seen Philip Morley, not to talk about Browne.” While he spoke a grey ashen hue spread itself over his face, and his hand, which he laid on a table close by as though to support himself, shook visibly. The life and death of Hamilton Browne, whether married or single, was not such a matter of indifference 1n Jacob, as lie would have had them believe. “Seen Philip—Oh Jacob!” And a ray of sunlight shone through the tears, as when a summer day breaks through storm. "When is he coming?” she asked, since Jacob said no more. “When they let him out. He sends his love, and says you must be patient We all have to practice patience, little one. Look at Ford here, standing on one leg like a bird trying to fly away —he is patient—though what he is waiting for I cannot think.” It seemed as if Jacob was talking in this flippant forced style in order to cover the discomfiture, that it was very obvious Ford’s announcement had produced—hoping, too, he was that the man would take the hint that his presence was burdensome, and leave him alone with Marie', when he would feel more at his ease, than he did while that little sagacious keen eyed lawyer was watching him. Ford, however, showed no immediate intention to depart. On reflection he did not see that for the moment he could do anything to further Philip Morley's release. A few words with Lord Yesey would be very much to the purpose, and save the writing of a tiresome letter, when he returned to Lincoln's Inn Fields. He. however, shuffled after his hat, which he had put on a chair, and made as if he were about to depart. 'While he did so he said.

“Perhaps your lordship would give me a call in—as soon as convenient.” “A call in Ford—Why should I call? I thought all the business in connection witli my late cousin was finished—mortgages and all settled up. “Yes’—yes, my lord —the present 1 business has nothing whatever to do with his late lordship's affair.”

“What the deuce is it then? Can’t you speak out? I have no secrets to hide.” “It is a letter—my lord —a letter I have been asked to pass on to you.” “A • letter —from whom?"

“It came in the packet forwarded from Paris by Mr A'Court. I believe —in fact I know—it is from Mr Hamilton Browne.” Jacob’s features became even sterner in their expression than they were before, but, beyond this, he showed no sign of extreme feeling. He only said rather irritably. “And you expect me to go to your office to fetch this letter?” “Certainly not, my lord—but I was not aware—that is I did not know— I, however, believe I have the letter in my pocket book.”

Ford of the two men had evidently lost the greater amount of self-con-trol. While he fumbled in his pocket book for the latter, Jacob stood rigid, and Marie Cooper, having dried up her tears and for the moment forgotten Morley, looked very much surprised and interested. With much apparent sang l'roid Jacob opened the missive, read it through— it was of some length—then folding it up with slow deliberation he put it in his breast coat pocket, and said in rather dignified tone to Ford, “Thanks, Ford. You have I understand, the settlement of Browne’s affairs. I will call on you in a day or two.” This time the little lawyer made no mistake in believing himself to be summarily dismissed. He made a stately bow to Marie, promising to do what he could to further Philip Morley's immediate release, and then he beat a hasty retreat. As he passed out of the door Mrs Cooper was coming into the room. It was to her rather than to Marie, that Jacob addressed a question, that was no little surprise to both. “Were you aware,” lie asked, “that (he so-called Miss Nina Fonblanque was Mrs Hamilton Browne?” Instead of giving a direct answer, Mrs Cooper sank down on a chair, and cried out. “If 1 didn't know some strange unexpected event would happen to-day window sill- I Ihought il was my child’s happiness that was dawning, but when they look to quai-rcHine l felt thore would be tribulation and--” Jacob interrupted. He was 100 much overset by what lie had heard to have much patience will) Mrs Cooper’s omens. “Never mind pic-eons!" be said. ' Did vmi. or did >ou not know of Ibis Never a word. I knew Nina had years .ago been trea-li tmnlv fn-ated h> some man. but. I md .< merry. I never cuPs=*d l tb d -nan was’ Mr Browne, and she actually married Lo

(By JOHN MIDDLEMASS.)

j him all tlie time—you are very quiet, l Marie —J suppose you knew.” Marie shook her head. "I cannot speak. I am too bewildered,” said Marie. “I knew nothing. Feo false, now Nina. It is too base —too heartless to have been so deceitful.” “Av, is it,” muttered Jacob. “There is no believing in any woman. Curse the luck that makes a man cling to *uch a living embodiment of perfidy.” "bhe told no lies—she was only silent” suggested Marie—at once on the defensive for her friend, as soon us he attacked her. “Yet it was a lie to call herself Nina Fonblanque, when she was married to Mr Browne” said Mrs Cooper, who was scarcely pleased that when Nina came to her for help she had not wholly confided in her. To this remark Jacob only vouchsafed a gruff “Humph!” Since the perusal of Hamilton Browne’s letter he knew more about the true state of the case than did either of the ladies, but what he did know’ gave him so very little satisfaction. that he did not care to reveal It. “ile had done with Miss Nina Fonblanque, alias Mrs Hamilton Browne that he had. He had not the slightest wish ever to see her, or hear of her again.” That is what he would have said had he spoken out, but, beIpg an Englishman, he was reticent, and only reserved himself the right to vent on Nina the wrath and just retribution, that the sudden and unforeseen termination of his life rendered it impossible he could wreak on the once esteemed, now much despised Browne.

The conversation between the trio in the boudoir was thus in a somewhat strained condition, when a wild cry of “Philip” uttered by Marie startled her two companions, as they both feared that the tension of the last few days, following the bad accident at the Grange had affected the poor girl's reason. Love's instinctive susceptibility is, however, far more keenly alive than that of rational mortals. Before either of them had time to question or soollie, Philip Morley himself stood on the threshold. Marie’s keen loving ears had heard his footfall on the stairs, hence her wild cry of joy. Another moment and she was in his arms, nor did the others attempt to greet him. Jacob led Mrs Cooper—whose face had never before been so irradiate with light—away into another room.

i In that supreme moment no eye but ' that of the all powerful Providence, who had brought about this happy issue, should dwell on the rapture ol these united hearts. CHAPTER XXIV. Plots and Counterplots Comtesse Feodore’s apartment In Paris, which was situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the Parc Monceau, was vast and luxurious. She had bought all the furniture and equipments, as they stood, from one of the Queens of the Demimonde, who had grown tired of the locality—or rather it was Emma Lane who had effected the purchase, and who was effectively far more in Comtesse Feodore’s confidence than any one knew. Even Nina had been kept in the dark, since for both these women it was scarcely safe to let the right hand know what the left was doing. Mistress and Maid, they were to the outside world* and each one played her part with aplomb, while in reality they were two of the most unscrupulous plotters and intriguers for evil, that a cruel Fate had ever thrown together, for the disturbance of the lives and peace of more honest straightforward folk. Jealousy was the main spring that actuated Comtesse Feodore, while avarice that amounted to money-wor-ship influenced the conduct of Emma Lane. The only kindly act she had seemingly perpetrated, since she and Comtesse Feodore had linked their fortunes, was when she hinted to Philip Morlev, that the Grange was no longer a fitting abode for Miss Cooper. But even in this seeming kindliness selfinterest had its pla'ce. Marie Cooper the heiress alive might be a source of profit to the rapacious Lane, . while with her death, and the consequences it would possibly bring about, she would be cast into such shadow and forgetfulness, that she might And it difficult to carry on a losing game, though she scarcely expected the Comtesse’s crimes would affect her seriously, since she had remained carefully in the background. (To be continued)