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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1926-4-7, Page 7THE BRUSSELS POST ve, The Tyrant t nimmor ono of theill—Cliite ORSily Have you any idea in what directio Di what part of London, Mr. Gor don is likely to have gone?" Esther raised her eyes. "I think ho may have gone to th docks in search of work—that is ji the Emit End, isn't it?—or lie may have gone abroad." "Just so!" assented Selby -Layton as he rose briskly. "I will have my things packed and start on my quest at once." "Is there any need f or such h ur. ry?" asked Miss Worcester. "It is never wise to delay in such easea," be responded; and lie nodded end emilod as he left the rooin, "I do think Mr. Layton is the best - natured man I ever met!" remarked Miss Worcester. "Think of his offer- ing to rush up to London on such a wild-goose chase—for of course hell never find them: how could. he !— just bemuse you feel an interest in the matter. Fancy him trapesing about all sorts: of disagreeable plaees in such hot weather! Really, my dear Esther, you ought to be very grateful to him for sacrificing him- self to what I really must call a mere whim of yours." "Perhaps I am grateful," said Es- ther, luietly, as she passed out of the roo01 on to the terrace. And, indeed, she felt that she ought to be grateful. From the be- ginning of their acquaintance he had been of service to her; and—and— he loved her. Half unconsciously she tried to draw a comparison be- tween him and Jack Gordon, tried to tall herself that Selby Layton was the better and worthier man; and she was stlil endeavoring to elevate him to the first place in her regard when Layton joined her. "It occurs to me that 1 had better go down ani interview the girl's father," he said. "I must take some notes, in proper detective fashion. How hot it is! May I get you a hat or a sunshade?" "Don't trouble, please," she said. want to thank you, Mr. Lay- ton, for your kindness in gratifying what my aunt calls a whitn. I know that this business will give you it great deal of trouble; and I am very grateful to you." Layton's heart beat quickly and a flush rose to his face, which had grown pale and somewhat haggard during the last two days. "There is no cause for your grat- itude,". he said, in hi s low, swed; voice. "I am more than repald by your expression of approval; it is the objet of my life to win it; anti simple 'Thank you' from you is more precious to me than any other guev- don could be. All! forgive me! But you know that I would go to the other end of the world., face death itself, even to win a smile from you,,, "That is a very small reward," said Esther, trying to speak lightly. "Perhaps soma day you will grant Inc a large one," he murmured. "Dare I hope? ---bat I -will not take advantage- of this trifling service. I promised that I would wait until you could .give me what I desired of your own =Coed, of your own free will. You Will not forget me while I am away—Esther." His admirably -trained voice was like a flute when he pronouced her name; .but musical as it was, it jar- red upon Esther, and she shivered slightly. It was as if she felt a hand gripping her softly but firmly, holding, imprisoning her; but she felt. that this repulsion was unjust to him and =grateful, and she fore-. es herself to murmur: "I will not forget you—and all your kindness." . He was sorely tempted to press his advantage; but he knew instinc- tively that the risk was too great, that he might lose all by pressing her too hard. But as he walked to wards the village he felt that he Was Mooring his prize. It was strange how well things had gone for him . since—sinee Denzil hatl been remov- n I ed from his path! Such men as SO by Layton, though they laugh at Isuspicion, have a sneakingbettor in luck; and be felt that his luck wae e in the ascendent. He would, have no 1 difficulty in treeing the man and th girl, one or either of them, and he : would come back to the Towers to 0000100 Esther's gratitude, She wonld have time to think of the Ir - V'(' -he was doing her, would no doubt miss 11110; for Layton wes quite aware of his manifold charmz, and that the two women would find the Towers dull without his preetetee and the long evenings rather drera without his playing and singing. He avoided the wood on his wa to the village and thrust its tragi associations from his mind, colleen trating K. on the thought, as he look ed round upou the smiling landscuP( that before long he would share it possession with its beautiful mistress. .As he went past the "Vancourt Arms," he saw Dick Reeve Alluding at the door with a glass in his hand; the man's dark face was flushed as if he had been drinking, and as Sol by Layton gave him a pleasant, con- descending nod, Dick Reeve took his glass from his lips and returned the nod with an air half insolent, half sullen. Selby Layton noticed the man's manner and resented it. "A loafing ruffian, that!" he said to himself, cynically. "PR give you a taste of quod, my friend, when. 1 become master here. I won't have any poachers and scamps hanging about my propertY." He went down the village street bestowing a nod and a pleasant greeting upon those he met, and walked up the garden path to the Transom's cottage. The door was open, and Transom was seated by by the hearth, with a pipe in his mouth, and his head resting on his hand. The food which Kate had put out for him, with a pathetic thought- fulness, lay untouched on the table; the fire had gone out, and the soli- tary man sat staring at its ashes. He looked at the carefully -dressed figure on the threshold, but did not take his pipe from his Mouth or rise. Selby Layton removed his hat, and stepped in, with a grave and sym- pathetic "Good -morning, Transom! Can I speak with you?" "Aye, sir," said Transom, gloom- ily. "What is it?" "I have come to speak to you a- bout your sad lops," said Layton, in the voice he had selected as proper to the occasion. "Miss Vancourt has just been -telling sine of it. Sheis deeply grieved by your daughter's disappearance, and is extremely an- xious to learn what has become of her; and at her desire, I ani going up to London to see if I can trace your d aughter. If you give Inc any information which would be likely to assist me---" Transom looked up at him mood- ily, • "I have told Miss Vancourt 1 know," he said, "and I suppose she has told you. I don't know where my girl has gone; but if you find Mr. Gordon you'll find her." "You feel convinced of that?" said Layton, sharply. Transom nodded sullenly but em- phatically. "There's not muchs. doubt, sk," he said. "There's none in my mind, al- ter what I've hear8„, He's been carry ing on with herever since 110 came. Yes! She has gone after him." - "Don't lose heart," said Selby Lay- ton, masking his complete indifferen- ce with an affectation of sympathy, and speaking In the tone of voice which some clergymen msa. when they are paying a Visit of condolence. "I will do my best to find them, and live no doubt that I shall succeed; if I do so, rest assured that 1 will do nu' best to restore your daughter to you." Transom looked at him sideways and with a curious expression, an ex - Pression in which, it struck Selby Layton, there was a trace of cun- ning. It rather puzzled him. • He had expected to find the man broken down by grief or flIrlous with rage 'and paternal resentment; but there was. not nateh of the Outraged fath- er in Transom's manner; he liad‘not broken out into a string; of upbraid- ing or cursed the man whom he cus- petted of betraying his daughter. Letterheads Envelopes Billheads And all kinds of Business Stationery printed at The Post Publishing Home. We will do a job that will do credit to your business. Look over your stock of Office Stationery and if it reqttires replenishing doll us by telephone Si. The Post Puhlishino gouge 4÷4,144..140+044-1.4.1'0.i.s.So+.4.4.1" oi• WANTED t Highest market prices paid, ▪ !7;ee me or' Phone No. 2x, /3/10. fq.1S,itil 1 Will pall owl get 3 ou • Hides. NIL Y Hick 11 ed herself in his hands, is entirely at his mercy." Transom was silent for a mom -- 1.15 if he were considering deep - Y ly, then he said: "Kate watt aways a good gel, sir, natil—until he came. I clon't be - O lieve as she'd do wrong. If she's - gone after him he must have prom- ised to marry her, and a word from you might do it. him—" he paused as if weighing his words; "tell him that he needn't be troubled theta her belongings. I shan't trou- ble him. I'll clear out of this so as not to be a etumbfing-block to 'em. I ain't of a grasping nature; a hun- dred a year paid reglar will satisfy me, tell him." Selby Layton's brows went up with surprise. "Did you mean that 1 am to ask this man Gordon to make you an al- lowance of a hundred a year?" he said. "Why, he is quite a poor man, a sort of tramp! How could he make you such an allowance?" Transom gnawed at his IM and scratched his head, as if he were confused. "Virell, you can't tell, sir," he said hesitatingly. "He's — he's a clever sort of gentleman; he might get work, might—might have a bit money left him. Anyway, if you'd i• be so kind as to give him my mes- sage in just them words I should be $ grateful, and I think it might be of some use." Layton shrugged his shoulders, and s speaking in his natural voice now, (.! slightly sarcastic and cynical, said: s "Oh, of course, Pli give him your message; though it sounds to Inc s rather ridiculous." "It's no use bringing her bae.k, sir," he said.. "If yoll're going to be so kind as to go in search of her, and you find them, persuade him, force him to marry her. Tell hlin that it's mere than his life's worth to deal unfairly by her, Make hite marry her," Layton eyed him.euribualY. "1 inay have seine difficulty in do, Ing, that, Transom,'" .h - said, ("You WEDNESDAY, APRIL 'Tth. 19211. CHApTER X X X. jack Gordon wondered what the parcel, which the young woman seem :id so anxious to coneent rrom eontained; but he 10110 not particular- ly curlew', and not very mueli Inter- ested. In London one grows accus- tomed to the mystery which sur- rounds oue's nearest eeighbour; it is qui' ow.sihi... to livo next door.to a 1111141 for years without knowing his mune and one feols no great surprise on discovering one morning that he is an eminent statesman or a notor- ious thief. Jack MIS too 111MOYbed in his own affairs, and in his hopeless love, to bestow much- attention on, or to give much thought to, his fellow -lodger. but he did mention to Mandy ,Tane when he came home to dinner next clay that the occupant of his former room had slipped on coming up the stairs the preceding night, and that he hoped that she hadn't sprained her ankle. "Oh, slipped, did she?" said Mortis -- Jane, with her preeocious sharpness; "that's the first time I .knowed her like that." "You're quite mistaken, 'Wordy Jain'," said Jack. "She was perfect- ly sober:" "I'm glad to hear it," said Mordy Jane. "I haven't seed her go out to- day; but sometimes she doesn't go out till quite late in the evenIng." "I would go up and see how she is," suggested Jack. "Well„ p's'aps I might," said Mor- dy Jane. "Not that I like to inter- fere with the lodgers, especially when they keeps theirselves to theirselves as Miss Woods does. It's never more than `Good -evening, Miss Jacobs,' or p's'aps, Wordy Jane,' and it's never more than 'Good -morning, Miss Woods, an' I hope you're well,' from me. We're always what you might call civil but distant." "Well," said Jack, "you run up- stairs, Mordy Jane, and ask how she s; that will be civil, and you 017 naintain the distance by keeping ou ide the door. I've an idea, I don't know why, thet she'd rather you did rot go. in; she looked so scared when he dropped her bundle, and she losed the door upon me pretty haply." "Her bundle?" said Mordy Jane, harply, "you didn't pay anything a. out a bundle and I never saw her vith one." "Well, she may not carry it every light," said Jack. "It was a small undle• and she must have carried it nder her cloak, for I didn't see it ntil it actually dropped." "There's what you might call a idden myst'ry about Miss Woods," aid Moody Jane, musingly, as she lelped Jack to potatoes. "Father hinks she's in the 'profession' be- ause of her 'air; but I tells him you an dye yer 'air without being a nusic-hall arteeste." "She lives quite alone?" said Jack. "Yes, and nobody ever comes to ee her, not even on Sundays; and he don't work in any of the factor - es here or else I should know of it, hat's why I call her a 'idden mystcry ke what you read of in the novelet- es—Father, drink yer beer be - O re it gets fiat.—Father moons was han ever, Mr. Gordon. That's the orst of the boot -making trade; it nems as If you can do it -while you're alf asleep, after you've been doin' for so many years. Now, you've st got thne for a pipe, young man, efore you go back to your work. ere's your tobacco and here's the atches." While Jack was obediently smok- g his pipe—for the child, she was ttle more, dominated Jack almost competely 101 she did her father— le went upstairs to interview Miss oods. She came down again presently, ith her ridiculous bonnet a little ore on One side than usual, her hildishly-shrewd face red, and her sin uptilted. _ "Oh, she says she's all right," she forthed jack; "that she didn't hurt rself last night, but that Pm to tell O she's very much obliged to you O coming down the stairs to help s—at least, that's what I think she id; but she didn't speak Very loud, d she kept the door closed as if she $ afraid if she opened it I should sh in and steal something. I don't d with such suspicious ways 01e- 1. But theref different pepole has fferent ways. It's about time you s goin', isn't it?—Father you can t back to your bench again, as U're pining to, really do believe u're never happy without a boot in ur hand. There's that Tom Rogers ticking holes in the door -with his lee that rang through Jack's and ✓ father'soars and struck Tommy th sudden dismay—"you take that of yours and play on your own orstep. ten fly into the room pre - ley and 'it father on the 'mid, an' n, you an' your top'11 be tried for vier; and serve you right, ton— e re'S too Many kids in Chase et, Mr, Gordon; they makes..life InAent" the renuirked, as she dart - Past 3ack in .pursuit Of Tonnny) 0. 40. VOPOY1001.. btiftWOOtte..intt_ Transom looked up with a start. 'Hush!' he said, warningly. `Here's Dick Reeve. Don't tell him what said." Dick Reeve came up the path and leant in the doorway, eyeing the u other two sardonically. "I've just been telling Transom here that at Miss Vancourt's desire„s 1 eon going in search of his daughter,' said Selby Layton, sauvely. Dick 'Reeve nodded. His black eyes glowed fiercely, his lips twitch- ed. so you're going, are you!" he said insolently. "And what are you going to do when you find her?" s Layton drew himself up and re- 3 garded the man with a haughtiness which appeared to have no effect up- on him. "Bring her back, Dick; bring her back!" Transom said, quickly and ohuskily.h, all right!" said Dick Reeve, with fierce sarcasm; "but how do I know he's coming back himself? How do t know he isn't going to off it too?" and he laughed with it kind of drunken ferocity. "I don't in the least known what YOU mean, my good inan." said Lay- ton, haughtily. "I daresay not," retorted Dick Reeve. "Of course you don't! But YOU ain't going without leaving your address, at any rate. I want to know where I can find you if I want you, if you don't turn up." Layton reddened ,resentfially; but he told himself that it would be fool- ish to be angry with a drunken man. "You want my address? Certain- ly!" he said, smoothly. He took out his card -case, but it was empty. , "I haven't a card, I see!" he said, "I will write it for you. Can you give me a piece of paper, a pen or pencil? Ah, this will do." Ile took an envelope from his poc- ket, and Transom rose and looked vaguely :for a pen and ink. "Here's a pen," said Dick Reeve, with a sardonic laugh; and he thrust his hand in his.pocket, his eyes fixed on Selby Layton. • Then he paused, and drew his hand out empty. "No matter, thank you," said Lay- ton, "I have a pencil." He wrote the address on the em velope and laid it on the table. "There, my friend," he said; "that will find me. Good -day, Tram sons. 1 trust I shall be successful in my search for your daughter," "Good -day, sir," returned Tram sem "You—you won't forget my message?" he added, with a sidelong lance at Dick Reeve who sloe(' wayidg slightly, his 6yog fixed on he address Layton M&given him, "Certaltdy' 11455. I NOW IlOt tor., dr add Layto vend not forget that, if they Are to- t getheri Stotts' daughter followed hini of hot own mood, that ahe has plod. g 10 as sl .ni cI in he 70 fo he sa an wa ru 'ol sel di. NVR go yo yo yo kn vo he wi top do set th010e Th Stte tt ed vot out his tongue at her before taking flight, and had bolted down tho :aroot. Jack wont back to his work, and thought no moro of the "'laden mvs- Cry'Of MiSS WOOCIS. He tried to think as little of Esther Vancourt; but that was impossible. It was very hot at the [leeks that day, and the work was particularly hard; but he was not sorry for the last fact, jor Jacbe did not eius how hard the work was, so long as it was physical and not mental; but It certainly did occur to him: that it would be n;; well, per- haps, if he wont baek to Australia or one of the other colonies. But, though he had resolved not to return to Vancourt, it was hard for him to make up his mind to put the seas he- twoen himself and Esther. Still, the idea of Australia hung In his mind, so to speak; and that even- ing after supper he went out for a stroll to consider the pros and eons. Re was passing through one of the erowded thoroughfares when he saw a small crowd collected round some- thing or someone. He was passing by without any curiosity to ascertain the cause, for crowds are common in London streets, when he heard one of the bystanders exclahn: "Poor thing! and she a widow, too! The police ought to be more sharp!" Jack pulled up mechanically and asked what was the matter. A lady with a cabbage and a. pound of can- dles under her arm made haste to inform him. "A lidy has had her pocket pick- ed," she said, with indignant sym- pathy. "They've been an' took 'her purse with all 'er money—seven an' sixpence halfpenny and a return ticket to Chelmsford where she was gel& back to 'er son who's lying dan- gerously ill with an incurable cons - plaint. It's all the money she 'ave; an' she a widow, too, poor woman!" Jack looked over the heads of the erowd :Ind saw in the centre a wornaa decently dressed in deep mourmng, with the frill of muslin in her bon- net, which nowadays indicates the widow. She had her handkerchief up and was crying quietly, while two or three women round her were en- deavoring to console her in the fluent Cockney language, and begging her to "keep up." Jack, who possessed a heart that t was as readily touchod by the sight ot a woman in dsstress es that of an Adolphi hero, took out half-a-crown and handed it to the woman Who was nea,rest the plundered widow, and • with a nod, and a "Clive her thm" Ipassed on his way, When he got home he related the ineident, omit- ting any mention of the half-crown, to Mordy Jane; who was unsympeth- etic to remark, that the woman must have been a Juggles to let anyotg, piek hi•r pocket, and that she, Moe- dy Jane, would like to SN, anyiane trying it with her! Tho following evening while Jack, walking in quite an opposite direc- tion, saw a similar crowd, and on stopping to aseertein the cause, was somewhat nettled, though grimly amused, to find that a dieseitly-dress- ed widow had just had her pocsad Melted, and that In addition to the el°rsisvir:bdrhofe:r.i. 11.7tunCitisih:1ethtn(ol Yvh7nnehde;-- Ir, whero a husband with a broken leg .anxiously awaited her. Jack made a rapid calculation as to the quantity of tobacco he could have bought with that half-crown, and for a moment was tempted to give the woman into custody and charge her with the ingenious fraud; but, of course, thought better of it, and with a smile at his own simplicity and credulity, he. left the clever impos- tor to gather the reward of her in- genuity from the sympathizing spectators of her fictitious distress. He made rather a long round of it that night, and was entering the upper end of Chase Street, when he saw a woman dressed in black walk- ing down the street just in front of lum. There seemed- t� be something familiar to him about her figure and as she turned into a small court he caught a glimpse of her face. That, too, seemed familial' to him; and the fact that She wore a widoW's bonnet, helped him to recognize her as the woman he bad seen on the last two evenings playing the "pick -pocket dodge." The court was *a cul-de-sac,. and, though jaels1 did not know it, the re- sort of thieves and shnilar gentry. He p'aused at the mouth of the court and looked in absently, and as he paused the figure of a .woman emerg- ed from one of the deep doorways within, and passed him, holding her head down and walking quickly. As she passed from the darkness of the court into the light thrown by the grimy hunp, Jack caught the glimpse of canary -colored hair, at once thought of Miss Woods, his fellow - lodger, aad was somewhat surprised to find that she resembled her. He walked on behind her, and preeently saw that it was indeed the lady whom Monty Jane called a "idden 11170c (To Be Continued), BUSINESS CARDS. industrial IVilorcgage and I Savings Company, of Sarnia Ontario, are preparec1 to advance money on blorigages on imt.d lands. Parties desiring money on farm morLoges will please apply 10 Ames Cowan. .senfort.b, wha will fur- nish rates tom other particulars. "rho induatrial Mortgage and Sayings Company gizzaJV kaataxr AGENT FOR fire, Automobile and Wind Ins. ICOMPANIES For Brussels and vicinity Phone 647 JAMES NPFADZEAN Agent Hoick Mutual Fire Insurance Company Also Hartford Windstorm and Tornado Insurance Phone 813 Box 1 Turnherry Street, Brussels RIO. SUTHERLAND & SONS LIMITED iMATEMANCA7 GrIMP.iff 0, M. SCOTT AICHAWIED aVOTIONERE: PRICES MODERATE Por references consult any =mon whose sales I have officiated at. Phone 2526 T. T. NPRAE f B.. M. 0. P..,0S0. 81. 0. H., Village of Brussel.3 Physician, Surgeon, Reeoneheur Office at residence, opposite Melville Church, William street. OR. INARDLAW Honor graduate of the Chitario Veterinary College. Bay and night mils. Office opposite Flour 31011, Ethel. • Tr. Jr. SIMVAMIN BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, CONVEYANCER, NOTARY PUBLIC LECKIE BLOCK • BRUSSELS Cilaig a a" oleo 5Y CiNNTENAMalifoCifaitT Can You isitt ai ? 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 and for 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 com- munity 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. THE BRUSSELS POST