Evening star., 1927-10-30


Mr. Fortune.
do YOU know my aunt, Reginald?
NO, l do not. But tell me thu
worst"
"She's coming up to town to see
me"
"Lomas" Mr.. Fortune said severely
"Nhat have YOU been doing? Have
YOU been moving toward matrimony?'
Il wish had said Lomas bitterly
"As bad as that"
"rhere are times when Il wife would
be useful
zone could turn her on to ones
female relations.
What a murdcrous plan Tell me
all. Lomas."
"My aunts Lady Sancrced. She
has ward who ran a bit wild, Went
to Rome and studied paintinE-tha1
sort of thing This chit, Vera Day
mer, picked up with another mink
Isabel Villaret, in the same line. They
came back to England and set up Z
studio IN Chelsea. | went to look a'
their pictures, the usual stuff. latest
fashion-far work not worth dong
Now they chucked it all and retired
to the hackWoodS. | don't eNpeci
Vera to have q reason for anything
She's quite an advanced young
woman. But the simple life is not hcl
sort of craze.
"She told me they would never he
more than third class in painting, sc
they decided to do something real
And that isn't like her, either. It's
almost common sense. They went
right off the map. Place called Cele
in Staneshire. They bought a pre-
historic cottage, and started violet
farm"
"a what?" said Mr.. Fortune.
"Yes. it sounds crazy, doesn't it?
A violet farm, Reginald Growing
violets for the London market. 1t is
done. you know"
"Of course. it's done But YOU
wouldn't go to Staneshire to grow
violets"
Then it's just where Vera would
go. There they are. growing Niolets
where violets won't grow; living in an
ancient. solitary cottage"
Lately Nera's been writing that
the people are horrid-the village
They won't do anything for her; they
make things as difficult as they can,
and so on. She's put their backs up,
I suppose. She would. But that's
not the end of it. I've had an in
uuiry from the Staneshire chief con-
stable about Vera Daymer and Isabel
Villaret."
Mr.. Fortune put out his cigar with
care And did you refer him TO
aunt?"
Il told him who they were and
asked him what he meant by 1t. He
was very civil. Said it was satisfac-
tory, and regretted troubling me.
n
ladies were strangers. You know
what the country is
Yes. | think So said Mr.. For
tune. And what is aunt's idea?'
"Aunts idea is that something has
to be done about it. She wants me
to act"
Il think I'll go and have a look at
the violet farmers volunteered Mr..
Fortune.
Lomas stared at him. you're a
noble fellow. Reginald. My aunt
would love YOU.
81 wonder"
But you frighten me. Have you
got something in your head?'
NO. The open mind. That's what
the case wants. You're so preju-
diced
The case" Lomas gasped. 1T
isn't a case. It's clotted nonsense"
That's why it's interesting said
Mr.. Fortune.
THE next afternoon a car drew up
in Cele. The chauffeur opened
the hood and bent over his engine.
He emerged to say that it would be
a long job. sir. Some women and
children assembled TO have a look at
il. The owner came heavily to the
ground.
''What is this place." he asked,
The chauffeur passed the question on
u the women. "+What? Cele? Never
heard of it, Any inn?" the owner
asked. NO, there wouldn't be. Just
the sort of place YOU would break
down" He lounged away.
The chauffeur winked at the women
and began to talk.
Out of sight of the village of Cele,
Mr.. Fortune sat down with map.
Later he arrived at the mellow stone
building, Hill Barn. the property of
Miss Vera Daymer.
1t stands alone on a ridge in miles
of pasture. sheltered by an ancient
oak and some younger brethren. IT
Is in the shape of a barn. but has win
TO it. An old hedge about it was
patched with fiimsy fencing of wood
and wire. Mr. Fortune became aware
that somebody was contemplating
him. a brown face in a frame of
whskers.
Good day" said Mr.. Fortune. The
man in whiskers grunted and van
ished behind the hedge and was heard
digging. II say, could you tell me
where ] am?'' said Mr.. Fortune.
The whiskers again came into
sight: dull eyes stared. Where be
e going to-" said slow voice.
We'll, l don't know. What Is TINS
place."
What's brought e to here?'
william, Whoever are you talking
to-" a girl cried.
Dunno who e be-" said William
and again vanished
TO the gate came girl in a shirt
and plus fOurs. GOOD heaven Whd'
do you Want?'
Mr.. Fortune lifted his hat. I'm
xorrv to trouble you, but I'm lost.
You must be. What did you oe
Il for?"
Mr.. Fortune gazed at her. But
didn't do it." he protested. My cal
broke down and my man said it would
be two hours job, so / came for
walk and there doesn't seem to be
way TO anywhere"
There isn't"
He sighed heavily.
The girl was affected. well,
dare say it will run to cup Of tea,
she said.
"Oh, really" said Mr.. Fortune.
She opened the gate. Come OF
then
Jolly place to live in said Mr.
Fortune.
Jolly ruin. Rell.' she called. Bell
where are you?"
There was no answer.
Lovely garden" Mr.. Fortune mur
INJURED, thinking that it was the Wors
garden he had ever seen.
The girl looked at him with sus