GRAND SERIAL STORY. JUDGMENT.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 24, 27 August 1920, Page 5

GRAND SERIAL STORY. JUDGMENT.

"MW ■ W The Most Amazingf Story Evor j| Penned. 8te rW — Mr

MWWWWWWW^ S FOR NEW READERS. SIR JOHN MILLBANK, a successful, but stern judge, quarrels with his only son, JACK, who leaves his father's house to fight his own way in the world ; and whilst serving with the Australian contingent, under the name of Dick 'KjJ Foster, he meets, and falls in love eoJ with - KITTY, the adopted daughter of Sir M J°^n- However, Sir John has arranged for her marriage with LORD HA^ERHAM. In a moment of despair, Kitty writes to Dick, asking him to meet her in the Blue Room at Rivercourt Mansions. At the appointed hour, Lord Haverham goes to the Blue Room to write some letters, and, onbeknown to the guests, Sir John t meets him there. An aJtercation arises between the two meh, resrulting in the aocidental death of Lord HavS erham. Later, Dick arrives in the Blue Room, is caught and accused of M murder, and found guilty. Whilst passing the sentence of death, Sir _ John recognises the prisoner as his own son Jack ! A few days later, jngj Sir John interviews the prisoner at r gE his private residence under escort- of "M the warders, and tells him he will ^ J have to serve at least three years' imprisonment. Just as they are leavPEM ing, Dick with the assistance of Kitty p J makes his escape, and that night they decide to drive into Winnerleigh ; but the car breaks down, and they are forced to accept the hospitality of BEAUMONT CHASE, a millionaire. J The following morning, Dick's host in- ■ forms him that Sir John had ealled ; during the night and taken his daughter away. Dick, believing this story, leaves that morning for Winnerleigh. Kitty goes down to breakfast, and is cross-examined by Mr Chase, but on his promise of assistance tells him the whole story. At a fabulous price Mr Chase engages the services of s MR PELHAM WEBB, a ciever but unscrupulous detective, to find Dick Foster, and extracts a promise from Kit- - ty not to attempt to see or write to her lover until a year has elapsed. Pelham Webb discovers Dick, and unbeknown to Beaumont Chase, takes him to the latter's residence where he . - is installed as gardener. Sir John and Kitty arrive at Beaumont Ilall, and Beaumont Chase loses no tirne in asking Sir John for the hand of his daughter. Sir John consents. That afternoon Kitty receives news that the gardener is seriously injured. ?;■: iustalment, reprinted to refresh readers' U memories, * The followin^ morning Kitty, commg out of Sir John Millbank's rooms in the house Kensington Pa»rk Gardens, encountered servant who had a letter for her. Her hand trembled as she took it. Then she opened it, and read : . My dear Wife, — Please stay with Sir John as long as you think he needs you. I will not call until you tell me I may. I realise now that I have been very cruel to you, It, was because I waiited you, deax. And now you bear my name, I see I have

lost you more than ever. Forgive me, if you can, for loving you so much. "Your blundering, but devoted husband, "Beaumont Chase." KITTY REPLIES. Kitty's first feling on reading her husband's surprising letter was one of >ntense relief. It seemed almost too good to be true ! That Beaumont Chase, the unscrupulous and self-indulgent man of the world, who had shown such relentless cruelty m the pursuit of his desir.es, should now exhibit such generosity and consi'deritiin, was indeed amazing. Kitty experienced the sensation of a condemned criminal suddenly reprieved. She would now be able to remain unmolested with Judge Millbank as long as he needed her. The sorely striken old man, who had been more than a father to her, and whom she tenderly ioved in spite of all the sadness and sufferiag he had lately brought into her life*, was very dependent on her. He could not bear to have her out of his sight, and it filled her with happiness to know that she would not be Iraggedaway from his side by one-who now had a greater legal claim on her. She read the letter again. Then stood for a moment thinking. It was very brief, containing but a couple of sentences. She hesitated a moment at the signdrire, and then wrote it firmly and deliberatety. Having sealed the letter, she sent it cut by a servant to be posted at once. Then she went back to the room vhere Judge Millbank, with- the unreasomng impatience of a child, was awaiting her. He was propped up with pillows in a chair. His face'lit up as she enterad, ard a faint gleam of intelligence — all that v. as left of a mighty intellect— flickered feebly in his sombre eyes. With a shaking hand he clutehed ,it her gown as she moved to his side. "You — you won't leave me?" He spoke slowly and haltingly, and every word seemed to require an effort. wf course not, daddy!" she answercd soothingly. "So long as you want me,' I will stay with you." He stared at her, still gripplng her skirt in his tightly clenched hand. There was a look of uncertainty and distress in his eyes that was pitiful to witness. It was clear that there was something on his mind — something that he was feverishly anxious to express, but for which he could not find the words. "Too late!" he contrived to mutter at length. "I was too late! But I've got you ; you must hide ! He mustn't -find you. Hide! He's coming!" His eyes wandered nervously about the room. The girl put her arms about the old man's neck, and drew his head to her breast. "You must not talk, dear, and you must riot worry. You know what the doctor says. You will get well and strong again if you keep quiet, and don't bother about anything. And there is really nothing to worry about. See, I have just received thLs letter ! I will read it to you. It is from Mr Chase." The old man roused himself, and for a moment his eyes blazed, but when he tried to speak his strength failed him, and he collapsed again in Kitty's arms. "Dear daddy, do be good! ' she said gently, as though chiding ji child. "Mr Cliase says I can stay with you as long as I like, and I am going to stay with you until you are quite well." "A trick! Don't trust! Hide, till I am better — till I can protect you! I will get

strong! I will! He— he shaJl not Once more his physical weakness conquered even. his iron will, and with a moan he sank back among the pillows.. Kitty bent down over him, and kissed his forehead, while the unbidden tears came into her eyes. "It is all right, daddy," she murmured, in her low voice — "it is all right" BEAUMONT CHASE TAKES ADVICE. Early the following morning, two men stood side by side on the terrace of Beaumont Hall. They exchanged no word, but stood there in silence, looking out across the gardens and the pastu redan d to the road which ran like a white ribbon over the hill arway on the right. One of the men was Beaumont Chase, the master of the hall, the other was Dick Foster, the pardoned convict. For two days these men had lived together, and although with every hour their hatred for one another had grown deeper and more intense, yet throughout those forty-eight hours each had maintained an attitude of frigid politeness. It was a queer bond which held them together. They both loved the same woman, and they were both waiting to hear from her now. Dick Foster stood perfectly motionless, his eyes fixed on the road. Beaumont Chase was more restless. He moved to and fro, and made impatient gestures from timo to time, and at length he spoke : "She will not reply." Foster made no response. "Why should she reply?" went on the other irritably. "I was a fool to take your advice ! She'll think I'm weak, and she'll laugh at me. Lbet she's laughing!" Still Dick said nothing, and at his eontinued silence a dark frown appeared on "the millionaire's face. "By Heaven, I helieve you are laughing too!" - i Beaumotit Chase uttered the words with sudden , vehemence. In an instant the flimsy veil of politeness which had existed between the two men for the last two days was rent asunder, and they faced one another with unconcealed hatred in tbeii^eyes. "I was never further from laughing than I am now, Mr Chase," said Dick Foster coldly. "I have given you good advice. I have done that not because I wish you well, or indeed have any feelmg towards you, save those of contempt and disgust. What I have done I have done for your wife's happiness, and for tnat alone. You don't think because by a cowardly trick you have given her your name that you liave any claim upon her. I tell you, you have no claim until you have won her love. At my suggestion you have consented to wait. At my. suggestion, you have written her a letter, which a gentleman in your position would have written without needing any suggestion from a stranger. I would sooner die than see her in your arms, and yet I am telling you how to make her yours" He uttered the words in a passionate outburst, and then turned quickly away, angry with himself for betraying the emotion he had tried so hard to conceal. The millionaire looked at him curiously. "I believe you are right," he said, after a pause. "You always persuade me in the end, although I know your object is to keep me away from Kitty as long as you can. My instinct i#1 to go and take what helongs to me ; but you are right! To win her love! Ah, but it won't be easy! She hate's me, and with good reason, and if she replies to my letter at all, it will oniy be to tell me so. I can imagine the pages of bitter reproaches she will £end me!" "At any rate, you will soon know!'* said Dick, pointing to the road. A cyclist had appeared over the brow of the hill, and was trundling leisurely towards them. It was the village postman. A few minutes later a servant appeared on the terrace with a bundle of letters. Beaumont Chase tossed them over with a kind of feverish haste, and then pounced on one. He tore it open, and read it at a glance. For a moment he stood staring at the half-sheet of notepaper. Then slowly he handed it to his companion. Dick Foster took it and read : ".Dear sir,— I have received your letter, for which I thank you. I am very grateful You will not, I am sure, expect me to say more than tha£. — Your wife, "Kitty Chase." (Continued 011 *page 6.)

JUDGfVIENT.

(Continued from page 5.) Dick Foster 'e hsund trembled a® he read ihe bi'ief not-e. To him tlie bitterest part of it was the signature, as it had been to the writer. "Your wife, Kitty Chase," V es, fihe was this man's wife. By her own deliberate action, if not by her own free will, she had boand herself for life to Beaumont Chase, and regrets, all repentance, were now of no avaii. He looked up and found the millianaire's dark eyes fixed upon him. They were glittering with excitement and satisf action. "Well?" said Dick quietiy. "Well eno-ugh!" replied the other excitedly, "Quite good for a foeginning! By Heaven, you were right ! If you knew what she said to me wlien 1 forced her to consent to our marriage, you wouid reaiise what prcgress I have made ! Foster, you have put nTB on the right road. I am eternally obliged to you." Dick Foster received the veiled taunt without betraying feeling of any kind. "And now?" he said quietiy. "And now I am off to London," replied Chtase briskly. "To London!" ejaculated Dick, startied. "What for?" "What for?" retorted the other boisterously. "Why, to continue the courtiship of Kitty, of eourse. You tell me Imust make love to my wife. I am going to foliow your excellent advice." And then, with a laugh, he turned ->n his hee] and strode iiito the house, leaving Dick Foster standing alonb on the terrace. (To be Continued.)