The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-09-14

NTYes,Syes. but howiwill Pauline deal
with him?'
You don't understand the girl in
the least, cried Mrs. Cathoart
I'm afraid DON'T 'she admitted.
When once she is actually engaged
to Gilbert Mrs. Cathcert explained,
nothing viii induce her to break her
word. But if she heard of Mrs.
Waterhouse's death today-before the
last word is spoken--she would begin
to doubt and hesitate. Oh, l know
Pauline so we'll She yequires a great
deal OF tact
Mr. Cathcart still looked a little
dubious. II waterhouse had written
to him, he would not have dreamed
of keeping Pauline in ignorance Of his
wife's death. But whilst he deprecat-
ed what Mrs. Cathcart called her
.tactfulness, he would have regretted
any interference with the present de-
sirable state of affairs 1t was agree
able to look forward to time when
he might again be in a position to
buy a picture or add to his library,
and so he followed what was decidedly
the line OF least resistance.
Aud such misgivings as Mr.. Cath
cart still experienced were mitigated
by Pauline's demeanor that evening
He had not seen her SO merry for
many months; it became difficult to
believe that she was Jess than per-
fectly happy; and when Gilbert arriv-
ed at nine O'Clock, and she rose to go
to him downstairs, she left the draw
fng-room with radiant face.
She descended to her fathers den,
where Gilbert awaited her with con-
sumlng impatience. He met her with
his hands outstretched, but Pauline
with smile on her lips drew back.
Have you considered what it Is
wisest to dor she said. Have you
thought about it well?'
of nothing but the happiness you
promised me-
Did | promise?' she cried s.
why, yes
But we are both free as the air
at this moment, Gilbert
pine for captivity, he said.
You think / ami am justified In
marrying your
1T is your positive duty he insisted.
And you are not afraid
Afraid he cried.
You ere sure you will never regret
never torment yourself
Why should ~ he demanded little
quickly.
oh, did not say you would have
any reason. But we don't always re-
quire one!'
Pauline he said, holding forth his
hands again, there's only one thing {
want-your promise to be my wife
Then, at last she drew nearer 20
him. She placed her hands in hfs,
and he accepted the act as a CONS
plete self-surrender.
CHAPTER v.
1t was fortnight later that Wray
Waterhouse disembarked at South
-ampton
With one short, but fateful, inter-
val he had been a stranger to England
many years.
He had started on his first voyage
almost decade ago without any def
mite destination. But aimless wan
dering has quickly satiated him: he
pushed his way toward comparatively
untrodden fields He explored some
Of the by-ways of Tibet. only failing
to enter Lhassa.
Visiting Calcutta subsequently, he
required little persuasion to induce
him to give an account of his ad-
ventures His book proved a distinct
success; and when he was tempted
to London about seven years after
his departure. there was modest at
tempt to lionize him. He was invited
to lecture before the Geographical
Society, his name became known, he
was considerably in request by enter
prising hostesses- then he disappear
ed as abruptly as he had come
And now he was once more in Eng
land. There was nothing to urge him
to continue his journey to London
that evening. No expectant relatives
awaited his arrival, whereas it would
be too late for visit to Gloucester
Place
Having decided to travel by an
early train on Tuesday morning,
Wray engaged room at hotel; and
whilst his rather belated dinner waa
preparing, he waited in the vestibule.
A clerk approached with a request
that he would add his signature to the
Visitors Book; and on taking the
pen, Wray's attention was arrested
by a familiar name.
He had known Mrs Venables in her
childhood. She was in her eighteenth
year when he suddenly ended his
University career. Four years later
she became the wife OF Colonel Ven
ables, and on his previous visit to
London Wray heard simultaneously
of her marriage and her husbands
death.
At that time Joan had been only
six months widow. She had vel
coined him with the utmost cordial
ity; their earlier, intimacy was to
some degree renewed, and much Of
his time had been passed at her large.
Old-fashjoned hO11ca m, +he F,-;.s..- -