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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1926-3-31, Page 7THE BRUSSELS POST v e , The Tyr . He appeared to be le even be ter voice than ueual; and manor 0 the two women who listened to hi geessed that every now and then ti page of music grow dim before he and in ite place rose the horrib moonlit pool which hid his terrib secret; that hi hie NU'S there shrle ed the hoot of the night bird wide had flown across the slimy water a he did the deed. 11 t. t "I don't know, inis8. She've beim f :grange and queer lately, and un ha in py in her mind like; but I never ; thought ithe'd go 11101 leave me end - 0 den ---leave her home where ehe wae le born—" le ; Esther was silent .thr 0 element. k- "Do you know le here :tee Me, h gone; lute she lett you no Ine,eitge?" s Transom took a piece of peper from his pocket. Esther slept heavily through th - eight, but her eleme was haunted b dreams, 1001 she woke weary am listless. It was early and when sh went down she wandered into th garden. She looked round upon th magnific int grounds with a dissatis lied, unadmiring eye. She was be ginning to realize the stern truth that wealth and luxury do not al ways bring happiness. The brilliant flowers, the trim gravel walks, jarr- ed upon her; she felt as it she could not go into the breakfast room and play her part, talk and smile, as if nothing were the matter, with Selby Layton and Miss Worcester exchang- ing commonplaces, and Palmer hov- ering about with solemn and ponder- ous dignity. She timed away from the house and walked aeross the lawn in• the direction of the home farm, but without intending to go so far. As As she came in sight of the f lodge, she saw a group staoding at the gate, Martin, Transom, and Dick Reeve. They were 'standing outeide the gate,, talking loudly and gesticul- ating, and Mrs. Martin was leaning on the gate with her hands clasped in an anxious and agitated attitude. Esther saw that something was the matter, and could not resist the impulse to go on and ascertain what it was; for in the strained condition of her nerves she was atonce assail- ed by all sorts of apprehensioes, When she came within hearing she distinguished Transom's voice vehem- ently putting some question to Mak - tin. They did not see het until she was close upon them; then they all stop- ped talking and regarded her en an awkward and embarrassed fashion. Maetin and Transom touched their caps, but Dick Reeve glared at her as if he did not see her. His face was pale and working, and he stood with his sinewy hands closing and unclosingespasmodically at his sides. "Good -morning, Martin. Is there anything the matter?" Esther asked as calmly as she could; and. her fore - ed composure had a quieting effect upon the group. "Well, miss," replied Martin, "something has happened; but it ain't so dreadful aseto make a fuss about; and, as I tells 'em, it ain't no fault of ours, me and the mis- tress. Us have quite enough to do to look after ourselves without being answerable for other people's daugh- ters." He looked at Transom reproach- fully, and, then angrily at Dick Reeve. "What is it?" asked Esther. "Will one of you please tell me? If there is anything I can Transom touched his cap and look ed at her half -sullenly, half -apolo- getically. "I don't want to trouble you, miss," he said. "I came up to ask Martin about my daughter, my Kate---" Estherturned to him quickly With a sudden foreboding- which she con- cealed behind her forced calm/lees. "Your Idaughter —.Kate, What has hapepned to her?" "She's gone, miss," said Transom, "Gone 1" echoed Esther, "Yes, she's gone," repeated,,Tran- sone, drafing a long breath. "She's left her home. She went last night." Esther stood perfectly ti11, Lor faee set, her eyes meeting Transom's steadily. "Why has she gone?" she asked. Transom shook his head. o "Only this, miss," he said. Y found it on the kitchen table idle 1 I 1'01110 down this morning." held out the Paper to Esther O and she took it and read Ie. There e were only a few lines written in the - plain, stir hand which Kate had a- - glared at the Board School, and they ran thus: .1 in .1610M021••• Letterheads Envelopes Billheads And all kinds of Business Stationery printed at The Post Publishing House. We will do a job that will do credit to your btisinese. Look over your Stock of Office Stationery and if it requires replenishing, Cali us by telephone 31. The Post Publishing Oise "Dear Father,—. -1 cannot stay home -any longer, and so I'm going, I'm going to London to look for a situation. I will write and let you know when I get one. Don't be an- xious about me, for nothing would induce me to come back to Van- court—Your loving daughter, Kate." Esther read the note over twice before she raised her eyes; •then 183 she gave it back to Transom, she said: "1 am very sorry! She seems to have been very unhappy, judging by what she has written. Do you gnaw why?" Transom shook his head. "No, I don't, miss," he replied. "Until lately Kate was as gay and blithe as the best of 'ern. It's only recent-li•ke that she's been took with them queer ways. I didn't taxe mom notice, because girls takes fits on 'em sometimes. I never thought iny Kate 'ud leave me—desert me, in this way." "She may come back," said Esther gently. "She may when he's tired of her," said Dick Reeve. All eyes were turned upon hile. It was the first time he had spoken, and he uttered the words fiercely and bitterly, as if he were struggling to suppress his smouldering passion. Esther looked from him to Transom inquiringly, and Transom evaded her gaze and cast his eyes down. "Why don't we tell Miss Vancourt thetruth'?" said Dick Reeve, huskily. "Perhaps she can help us—perhaps the can tell us where the maa's gone." "What man?" asked Esther, as calmly as she could, though a vague fear was rising in her heart. "He means Mr. Gordon," said Transom, in a low voice. "Mr. Gordon!" The color rose in a burning flood to Esther's face, then left it very pale. "Yes, miss," said Transom. "He left the night before -e -left quite•sud- den-like, paying nothing to nobody that he meant to go, and leaving no word behind him." "But why should you. think that your daughter's disappearance is connected with Mr. Gordon's depar- ture from Vancourt?" asked Esther. Transom bit his lip, and Dick Reeve's curled sardonically. "Well, it's this way, miss," Said Transom. "When I found the let- ter on the table this morning I was so mazed-like that I let out my trou- ble to my neighbors; and then they told me that Kate and Mr. Gordon had bear seen together times Out of number, walking in the woods and elsewhere, and that she'd been to —to his cottage. She was seen near the cottage on the night he left." "Yes; what was she doing there?" muttered Dick Reeve, between his teeth. ."IVIr. Gilos, miss, has seen them together," said Transom, ratiaantly but with an air of conviction. "Ile and Marie, your ladyship's maid, met 'em coming out of the woods the other night, and Giles said they was sweethearting; and I remember that »ight Kate came in looking wild -like and confused." Esther stood, with outward calm, but with an aching Misery of her heart. "But grantieg all this," the said, "why should your daughter run away from you? She is a very pret- ty girl, and has been weld taught*" "She have, miss," murmured Transom, with an emphatic peke of his head, "That makes it all the worse," mean," said Esther, "that— that Mr, Godon had no reason to be athamed ot an engagement with your daughter, and that ,though he wes leaving Vaneourt for a short time,he might have come back and Married her," , Dick Reeve gave a short, laugh. "You • don't understand, relea," he •eaide his Meek eyes glowering at her, "Hi didn't thilik of rearidage-eehe never intended to marey her,12he did, why .didn't 110 eetirt her :Only ai ogifeeeteeoielleiee-etieeeeeeeseieti+oeisee + • t 1 r"), - 11 e. t WANTED • Highest market Prices paid. SPC4 5110 Or Phone 1,,To !tx, lit e, alot ( 811(1 get ou Hebei, I M. Yoliick .1,44,04.0-1-04.04,6144/4.04.04.0 +4+446 others have done?" He look- ed down for a moment, struggling with life passion, which almost pre- Vol110(1 his utterance. "No; it's Iiire enough that he's married already," Eether's face weut .whiter, and Mrs. IVIartin said, timidly and an- xiously: "Won't you come in, miss? The sun's hot." Esther shook her head. "No, thank you, Mrs. Martin," she seide. She was determined that sho would crush down all personal feel- ing and meet this case as if her own heart were not concerned in it. "I do not think that is probable," the said to Dick Reeve. "Who can tell!" he said. "No- body knew anything about him; he came from nobody knows where; and got the farm without any char- t octer, so I'm told. Pm told, too" -- he glanced sullenly and sideways at b Esther—"that because he'd got a t flash way with him that he' was made 2 much of, as if he was above us com- mon folk. Some people treated him t as if he was a gentleman. I say 0 them folks are to blame, whether e they're high or low; and they ought to he sorry now that he's] shown him self up aa a villain." Esther's lip Olivered, and she t winced inwardly. for something of c what Dick Reeve had said was tree. They did know nothing of Mr. Gor- •P don's antecedents; he had to some P extent been treated as a gentleman; t had been engaged without a char- 11; actor; and had been made much of, h But something within her rose 10 against the words Dick Reeye had ei used, rose in defence of the absent g man. Though the case seemed vr black against him, she could not lio• lieve him capable of the baseness with which these people were Main- 5 ed to charge him. And yet, had he fa not behaved badly to her, Esthar m herself? Her face flamed for a moment. "I think you are unjust -to Mr. pc Gordon," she said; "you have no m proof, on suspicion." "Why did lie go tiff like a thief in he the night?" asked Dick Reeve. "And where has he gone?" lo "We came up here to ask Martin ne if Mr. Gordon had left an address," fo said Transom. "But he says 'No.' a That seems strange -like." 11 "Strange!" sneered Dick Reeve. ho "He goes off, as I say, like a thief, re telling no one where he was going we and leaving his dog behind. Why th did he do that? He was supposed ing a to the pollee?" he co:1;M, anxiously. "I Antihin't like my gars shame to he 'made piddle; and 1 shouldn't like her to be hunted down like a erina, inal; it 1111On nuilw matters woriie. Perhair, if your ladyship intereeted youreel f and tried what you amid (10, YOU m1011t p(18m8(10 him to mako un honeA W01111111 of her? A greet lady like you would have a deej of influence with a num like Mr. 1.10f - don; a word from you might make all the digerence to my Kate." He looked up at her rather shift- ily as if ther•• was something behind his words. "I wilt (0info 10quiri0s to be made," said Eether. "and if I can do "anything to help you in your trouble I shall be very glad. But I still think you are doing Mr. Gor- don an injustice. From what I know or him, I do not think he is capable of—of what you charge him with. Pleae,e let me know if you hear rine-- thing of your datighter; let me know at once, Good -morning," She walked away, with outward composure but with her heart aele- ing and her Mind in a turmoil. She could not blind herself to the infer- ential evidence which had seemed so lonclueive to Die* Reeve if not to Transom; but still something evithle her rose instinctively to defend Jack G'ordon. As she had said, she could not believe him capable of such a cruel and cowardly act. Besides, she knew why he had gone, though ler lips WPM sealed and she could ell no one; he had had no intention of going until he -had offended her y that fatal kis. It was Unlikely hat he should have gone straight rom her and planned an elopement vith Kate Transom. Then, again, here was no reason why he should ot have married her; and this seem - d to Esther the strongest argument n favor of his innocence. . She had promised to make private nquiries; hut as she went towards he house she wondere(1 how elle ould set about it; she had not the east notion; unless she employed a rivate detective, and Transom ap- eared to entertain a strong aversion o anything that savored of public - y. Take it altogether, •Esther was aving a bad time of it that morn - g. jack Gordon's absence was bad lough to bear, but this charge a- ainst him made things infinitely orse for her. CHAPTER XXIX. She found Miss Worcester and elby Lay -ton seated at the break- st table; bit they had only made a ietence of beginning and Miss rorcester chided her for being late. -"I had the greatest difficulty in irsuriding Mr. Layton to c010 - once," she said; "but I knew you. ould not like us to wait. Where ve you been, my dear Esther?" Selby Layton said nothing but eked at her with lover -like intent - ss, as he rose anddrew a chair rward and hovered about her for • moment in a manner that irritated sther. She knew that they would th hear the news which she had ceived this Morning directly they nt to the village, and so she gave e real reason for her delay. rush - at the subject, as a horse takes particularly high fence which has be negotiated somehow or other. "I was walking towards the home rm when I saw Transom and Dick eve talking to the Martins at the to, They were in trouble. It ms that Kate Transom has sud- ly, disappeared, ran away, in fact, O left a note to say that she had ne to London to seek a situation." 'Foolish girl!" said Miss Worces- . 'But it is thought that this is not reason of her flight, Transom - 1 Dick Reeve, who is a lover of 5, I suppose—strongly suspect t she has followed Mr. Gordon, t she has gone to join him in Lon- .". Suffering is a tonic and a train- , and Esther had by this time nt to mask her feelings; so that, iewhat to her own surprise, she de this announcement with .ap- ent calmness. What a -wicked gie:1 I" exclaimed s Worcester, "Really, I. am he- ed to think that it would be far er for them if girls of the lower ses wore all born plain." Even in her misery, Esther tould refuse the tribute of 51 smile to extraordinary pronouneement. "You may silille, My dear Esther; I do honestly think so., As to Gordon, he must be an extreme - ad man. I must say I did not k he would have acted so wick - only said that they suspected," Esther, coldly, "So far as I glean, there is no evidertee Ust him; it is mere suspicion on part based on the fact that the pea.! tionleft Vanconrt about the lby Layton had listened, intent ooking from one to the other. ad .been..,s0 ahaerhed of late, in teitible .0ffai1-eethet be had even much attention to outside ors, and hang ignorant 02 what ‘ossoisiiimaimismessms. to be fond of the animal. He leaves it behind because he knows if lie had the doge,with him it would be easier to track him: he's cunning enough." Esther's heart sank. Though she fought against the idea of Jack Gor- don's guilt, she felt these men had grounds for sus?ficion. "Perhaps you know where he's gone, miss?" asked Transom, re- spectfully enough. Esther shook her head. "I am s'orry to say I do not," she said. "Mr. Gordon left suddenly on his own business; and he—he did not tell me where he was going, though I understood it was to London." "Yes, to London I" said Die k Reeve, significantly. "And that's where Kate's gone!" "That is no reason why she 'should have gone to him," said Martin. "Most folks when they want to bet- ter themselves, go to London; and she gays she's gone to find a. posi- tion." "And that she will write to you when she obtains one," said Esther, enatching at the hope suggested by Martin's weeds. Dick Reeve shook his head incred- ulously. "Not she; she won't write," he said. "We shan't hear of her again until she comes back broken-hart- "Ther'e nobody slm knows in London, you see, miss," said Tran- som, gravely; "and she'd never dare to face that big place alone, "I'm afraid—" he paused significantly, Esther raised her head; it had sunk despondently during the last fow minutes. "I still think you are both e rong," she said. •"111.4 we shall soon find out" "How?" Raked Dick Reim, will eause ieurtediate inquiries to be made," repliell Ilsther cold! Transom looked up sharply. "You won't put ft in the hands of fa Re go see den Sh go ter the her tha tha don ing tear son ma par Mis clip bett clas not this but Mr, ly b thin ally said can aged their two SaMe Se 171 1 Jio h his o not matt had passed between jock Gerd and Esther, had regarded him as no Importance. He did not like t num, had thought him presumptuo and above hie ;dame aud- from sh, dislike he WO Lild liaVo .10111”d 11 WOYC(..iter in her prompt eondenn tion of Jack Gordon; but he - w quick to take his cue from 'Esthe \verde, "country .people are always eu PSchnis," eaii, eileothly. "1 ha no doubt Mr. (1,»-d•ei has had not Ing whatever to do with the ghd, 10 is quite innocent." Esther looked at him elm} gratefully, and he smiled at her av at olive followed up his success. "At any rate there ie no difficult in discovering the truth, Mr. Go don can be communicated with -1 has left his address, I presume?" Sesther bit her lip softly, but reti replied calmly enough: "No, he has not." Selby Layton raised his brow but only slightly, and 111 their went on: • "I think he was going to Londo but I imagine his movements wer rather uncertain, and that he Wit going in search of work." "He had a very good situatio here, had, he not? Why did he throw it up?" asked Selby Layton, not sus piciously, but pleasantly enough. Eos,thr fought, against her rising colt "He may have wanted a change,' she said, bonding over her letters. Miss Worcester came to her aid. "I should think he was the sort of man that would never rest content- ed anywhere," she said. "The first time we saw him he looked Lice a common tramp; and, though Esther was very favorably impressel, I thought at the time it was rather Un- wise to engage a man of whom we knew nothing—" "Except 'that he probably sa.vel Martin's life at -the risk of bis owe:. said Either, quickly, and with a flash of her dark grey eyes. "A man capable of such heroism is not likely to be guilty of persuad- ing a girl to leave her home," said Selby Layton. "I met him once or twice, and I must say he struck me as being a very decent sort of fel- low." "He was," said Esther, drily. "I WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31s1, ISM A on ,. am sure he is not guilty; but the dif- of ' ileulty Se to prove it. I havei prelim; ter know tow to set about it. If the he ed to have 8011151 inquiries Made quite us privately; but I am 8111,0 I do ilia 00 Nusideioim are unfounded, it would le- be doing hoth Mr. Gordon and the 18,,ilis t/, an injuetive 10 make them ymb- 'QIN, ..o,'ass,eteil Selby La,,,.. 1- ton. "Ilut I shoeld think them " would 110 no tii41walty in trachig both 11- him and the girl." el "I wish that could be done," vethi el:3ther, earnestly and with a eigh. se Much as lie -(10:5irill to bring 0(118.- (1 t(Ts to a conclueion with Eether and obtain her sanction to a definite en- gagement, Selby Layton was rather anxious to leave Vancourt, for a few .0 days, at any rate. Here was an op- portunity for getting away and lilac - O ing her under un obligation. "Let me try," he said, with a pleasant smile. s Esther looked at him elvishly, but 3- Miss Worcester'e seme of propriety WaA shocked by the proposal. n "Really, Mr. Layton, I don't think e it's the proper thing for you to do! s I don't think you ought to mix your- eelf up in such a dreadful affair; -and n the idea of your playing the part of private detective ie. ridieumus. 'Mere - are especially qualified persons whom Esther 'could employ, if she is bent upon finding what has become of the girl; though I should srtongly ' advise her to have nothing to do with the matter. It is not fitting that a lady of her position, to say nothing of a gentleman of yours, should con- cern herself with so vulgar and..er —improper an affair." "But I have given my promise, aunt," said Esther; "and the Tran- soms are my people. • Mr. Gordon was my—my servant, and the fact that I employed him without making inquiries adds to my responsibility." "Forgive me! But I cannot ad- mit that," said Selby Layton, sweet- ly. "But the mere fact that you feel interested in the matter is quite sufficient reason why I should tly to find them. I have some business 1 in town, and I will go to London to- day. I shall quite enjoy playing the i part of amateur detective --with all ' r- whenever1 disagree with her, elle in- variably proves herself to 4118.0 been right and myself wrong," He bestowed one of his charming little bow upon that lady, who Wtta at ,.tice "1 shall have an advantage over the ordinary detective," he said, "be.. raUPf• 1 know beth the pereons, veliereas he would he glade(' only by descriptions. 7 believe I shall find (To Be Continued). BUSINESS CARDS HE Industrial Mon:gage and Savings Company, of Sarnia. Ontarlo, am prepared to advance money on Mortgagee oil good lunch,. Parties defining inOney 011 fsru, mortgayes will pleame apply to ahnie.onvran. Seeforth, flat Who will fur. niall rates and ether part:milers. Tho Industrial ortgago and Savings company dzAam baauevr AGENT FOR fire, Automobile and Wind los. ICO M PAN I ES For Brussel a and vicinity Phone 647 JAMES WFADZEAN Agent back Mutual fire Insurance Company Mao Hartford Windstorm and Tornado Insurance Phone 48 Box 1 Tureberry Street, Brussels MO. SUTHERLAND & SONS LIMITED feArSefIZSM7CZ Grazes? eberaualso 0. M. SCOTT Ziewaveza garP0Z722lYNNg2 PRICES MODERATE orreomietany p erscliztiolsn leig;eggist. iio,os DR. WARDL.AW &NZ;gra.utclnfi 111:: rmaaletoelf tiZt e. g B2 P. Flour Mill, Ethel, T. T. WRAE m. B.. M. C. P.. ell Me O. M. 0. H., Village of Brussel:1 Phyitioian, Surgeon, Anootathenr Office at residence, opposite Maly Elle Church. William street. Tr. Jr. &MMUS deference to Miss Worcester, for BARRISTER, whose judgment I have the most CONVEYANCER, NOTAO PUBLIC 1 profound respect; indeed I find that LECKIE BLOCK - BRUSSELS t •e: Can You Visit the all? Have you, Mr. Business Man, the time to get out and call on all of your customers and prospective customers each week? If you could do so, it would be a fine thing for you andrifir your business. The next best thing to a personal call from you is to send out your business message each week in THE POST, which covers the local connmunity and will carry your message to old friends and new friends, alike. Advertising in THE POST is an economical, efficient way to reach the people in your trade territory and let them know of the buying opportun- ities offered in your businesslestab- lishment. X, 711W 0