Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER This was the Beat of many meetings, Daisy and Lucille HammerBmifeh quickly beeanie friends. All was g well until Susan < lordon thought it wa d. Thearrival of Austin Claris puw.led her. It revived all the old suspicions, and, as 9he had never Been or heard of the Hammeramiths, it was e\ ident that there was underhand business afoot. What right had Daisy to renew her aequainteship with Austin 'i Had she not learned a u? If not, it was time she was taught Several days later Robert received a letter. "Dear Bob— I feel it to be my duty to let you know that Austin Clark came down the instant you left. I will keep you advised.— Susan.'7 " What does this mean ? " thought Bob. " My sister is not much better than those old cats who nearly ruined Daisy's life before, and yet she surely would not go out of her way to write me like this. It is curious that Clark should turn up so suddenly. We have not heard of him for years. Oh, there's nothing in it. Susan is still jealous of Daisy. Yet, I wonder The poison was beginning to work. His faith in his wife had received a bruise which hurt him a little. Keeping a close watch upon her sisterin-law, Susan could rind no fault with her until one morning she followed Daisy to the promenade. Babs was at home with the nurse, and the mother was enjoying a perfect summer morning. Susan could not rest. She had made up her mind that Daisy was " carrying on" with Austin, and having settled that point satisfactorily she now awaited continuation. As she crossed the sands -he heard one of Wright's old elubniates. down for a holiday, say to a chum, "There's Wright's old girl. I wonder whom she has got hold of now ;" That settled it so Ear as Susan was concerned. She gloried in the fact thai her suspicions were accurate. Daisy was not acting straight, and could she believe her eyes there was Austin Clark running to meet her. Austin and his sweetheart were reclining on the sands under the shade of a beach umbrella when the j spied Daisy. Austin." said Lucille, "there's Mrs. don. Bring her down for a chat." Straightway Austin nil to do his sweetheart's bidding, and. watched bj Susan. Daisy was assisted over tic pro menade railing to the beach. The rio'W wrathful Susan watched them recline under the umbrella, and. horror oj horrors, saw Austin kiss Daisy's hand! It did n. 'I Occur t" the spj that Lucille might be there, and that it was her hand that Austin caressed. "Positively scandalous! A married 108 WHAT SUSAN DID NOT SEE. woma.u, too!"' saicTSusan, muttering to herself as she hurried to the post-otii " To think that, after all. the stories were true. If Austin Clark kisses her hand on the public beach, matters have reached a pretty pass.'' Bob was at business when this telegram reached him : — " Daisy's behaviour scandalous! What shall I do ? " Susan would never have wired in that strain unless there were urgent reasons, concluded Bob as he made preparations to return at once. Unconscious of the brooding storm. Daisy returned home. She was happily married, and Austin was very much in love with Lucille. Suddenly she remembered the tetter which, arriving on her wedding-day, she had retained as a keepsake; the letter in which Austin had written, " I have never ceased to love you.' It was a letter which in the hands of a scandalmonger might wreck his future happiness. Daisy entered the house and. still watched by Susan, went to a trunk, and taking out the letter and Austin's photograph tore them up. As she did so the baby cried, and hurriedly setting a lighted match to the scraps she flung them into the fireplace and ran from the room. A.S she left. Susan rushed from her hiding-place and rescued from the flames the last scran of paper. It ; the words: "I have never yoa. Austin." " At last ! positiv e proof at last ! Daisj has been playing a double game! The deceitful wretch!" Susan should have Q0 meres now. The woman who robbed her of Bob should drink the cup to the dregs. Until Rob relumed, at any rate. Susan would spoil their little game. Poor Susan1. In the btttea of her soul she found d. -light in antici patin her brother's rage and the treatment he would mete out to his wife when he learned the truth. "I have never ceased to love you. Week ending t.vx. 29, 1916 indeed ! ' 'arfl shall suffr for thS Why. he; Austin had mereljj called with a Lucille: is ffl 1 with to Baden for di; Daisy, pleased wit to leave, wh en. '■ What be. that invited out to dii. . . • i-tin CI shout But Daisy left the woman shaking with \ * » * • j That night of accidents miles from] nowhere delayed the return of Austin's -111. impatiently awaiting B b'e arrival, I at the clock and saw that it was a quarter past three. Bob. travelling' West, was thinking of his wife's uufaith fuln •*>. and nearly mad with To crown all their misfortune-, the engine of the car ran hot, and the Hammersmiths had to seek water for the radiator. Austin called at the nearest house. It belonged to Wright who was having a very early breakfast. ther they to >k the water to the car e Daisy and her old employer recognised each other. When Bob. staggering like a drunken man. burst into his own house he blurted Daisy ? " "Out with Austin Clark." replied a. "Read this: I have never Austin.' " My God! she has been deceiving me all these year ted the demented husband. " Yes." said Susan. " and n iw you can 3ee that all the tales were true." " Shut up ! I believe you're glad. But her byheaven.ril kill her! At length the benighted car rt tlv inn. and. dropping the Hani' smiths. Austin drove Daisy horn the car to the garage up the road Tired out by the trying iourn ■>-. Daisy red the ' find her husband ber with a look 0:1 his face that she had never seen bef "Where have you been?" he demanded. M itoring with the Hammersmiths. and the car broke down." replied Daisy. re-making with Austin Clark!" -an. lr out ! " shoi Ion, to his Sister, who (lew out of the i.xun. "Won't you kiss me. Bob':" ished. ( K iss 3 m ? Curse you!" be groaned. " after being out all uii;ht with your old love, " 1 was with his sweetheart and her people Austin Clark is nothing to me," she replied simply.