Evening star., 1922-07-02
SECRET OF THE MISSING BRIDE

affair-of which l know that many
different versions have been told. all
of them wrong-came about in a
rather curious way.
1 happened to be staying with an
elderly aunt who lives just outside
the pleasant little town of Helmsley.
in Yorkshire. between Pilmoor and
Nation. and who. having lived there
for twenty years. had naturally many
friends in the neighborhood. One of
the most intimate was a widow named
Calvert. who lived with her daughter
Joan at Heddon Manor. about a mile
and a half away. When on visits to
my aunt i frequently called upon
Mrs. Calvert. but on only two occa-
sions I met her daughter young
and extremely attractive fair-haired
girl.
The young lady in question fell in
love with a man named Charles
Wharncliffe. who was we'll off. though
somewhat her senior. He was en-
gagged in cotton trade in Manchester.
but, for some unaccountable reason,
Joan's mother objected to the mar
riage, and it was quite six months
before she reluctantly gave her con-
sent.
X
THESE facts were told me by my
aunt on the night of my arrival.
] was the only guest. and we sat
together after dinner in the old-fash-
ioned drawing room. which smelt
sweetly of the potpourri in the blue
and white Chinese jars
Has Mrs. Calvert told you the
reason?" I asked.
No. She won't. She says that she
instinctively dislikes him. Why, she
can't say"
That's curious" remarked. But
a mother usually knows best. doesn't
she "
Joan does not look at 1t in that
to tell you the truth, she came here
q month ago and told me in conf
dence that if her mother continued
to object she intended to run away
and marry Charles"
"A wonder she didn't do So
We'll, l advised her not to be
foolish and pain her mother. Run
away matches seldom turn out well.
Nevertheless. it's all over now. They
were married al Nation the day be-
fore yesterday and are now on their
honeymoon. I had an invitation but
] dared not go to the church on ac-
count of my cold. I was at the
breakfast and Joan looked a most
delightful BRIDE
Where have they gone for their
Honeymoon
First to London and then on the
continent. Joan loves France. She
was at school there for some years"
And our conversation drifted on to
other topics.
A week later, on the day before
was due to conclude my visit. Mrs
Calvert drove up in her car and was
ushered in to where l was taking
tea with my aunt.
'Oh. my dear, she gasped, her
countenance pale and her hands
trembling in great excitement. I've
had such awful news. Joan is miss
ing. She can't be found anywhere"
Missing" We both echoed. l
"Read this" and she took a tele-
gram from her bag. which she handed
to me.
II was from IHdTleS W ndTnCllHe at
the Carlton Hotel, London. and read:
"Joan is missing. Is she with you?"
What will you do. my dear?" ask
ed my aunt.
DO? What can / do 1t is use
less for me to go to London. If they
have quarreled she will surely re-
turn home
No I said. Il don't think so. She
would be too proud to return home so
soon. She will more likely write to
YOU and go into retirement for a
while"
II have replied to Charles that Joan
Is not here and asked for further de-
tails" explained Mrs. Calvert
We'll. my dear. I shouldn't worry
II were you," my aunt urged. She's
safe enough somewhere. Joan is
quite able to take care of herself"
"Ah. but you hear of such awful
things nowadays. don't you?"
True. But I don't think there is
any cause for alarm. We must first
find out if there has been a quarrel"
] said.
You will be in London tomorrow
night, william" remarked my aunt
why not So u lie NdTlloH anu zee
Wharnclife on Mrs. Calvert's be-
half"
T HESITATED. l have often found
that in trying to do a favor for
friend i have made myself highly un-
popular.
Il see you do not feel inclined to
interfere" Joan's mother remarked
But 1 do beg of you to see Wharn-
cliffe tomorrow and try to discover
what has occurred"
We'll. Mrs. Calvert" I replied.
'Wharncliffe. may resent my intrusion
upon his private affairs. If I were
in his place I should probably object
to the inquisitiveness OF an outsider.
OF course, he has to answer to you. |
his wife's mother. and to nobody else"
Yes. And he shall answer to me-"
said the well preserved widow in a
tone of great determination. But |
you will do me this favor, won't you?
What time shall you be in London?"
II arrive at Kings Cross about |
dinner time"
Then let me wire to Charles say
ing that you will call on him on my
behalf-say. at 9 o'clock tomorrow
night. Do. beg Of YOU
II think you ought to do this for |
Mrs. Calvert, William" my aunt said |
So that decided me. and con-
sented
Next day left Helmsley, Mrs. CAL