Picture Show (Oct 1920 - Apr 1921)

Picture Show, January 1st, 1921. BEGIN TO-DAY! A POWERFUL STORY OF A GREAT TEMPTATION. By EMMIE ALLINGHAM The Secret Passage THERE was a breath of spring in the air on this particular February morning. Perhaps it was that which made the I'.cv. Mr. Ferguson's mind reflect that, although Arthur Weston, since that memorable Christmas day, had been an almost constant visitor, ho had not yet had an opportunity to speak to him on the subject of Harry Rae's interests. Three times during the last few weeks ho had, indeed, called at Greystone, but on each occasion the old man with the unkempt hair and the weird smoked glasses had informed hiin gruffly that Mr. Weston was not at home. The man was uncouth and almost hostilo in his manner, and the clergyman resented it. ]t was a long walk to Greystone Hall, and yet he was never asked in to take a rest, although ho had himself suggested it. The old man had merely gono in and closed the door in his face. If Mr. Ferguson had met Arthur Weston after this treatment as lie made his way home, ho would have complained to him ; but, as it was, he contented himself by telling his w ifo about it, and Mrs. Ferguson, the most kindly of women, was quick to make excuses. The man was a foreigner, she had heard, and did not know our customs. Her husband remarked that Arthur should inform him. Mrs. Ferguson said that no doubt he would in time. She was trying very hard to like Arthur Weston, as she was deeply sorry for him. The loss of his little girl, Jessica, was quite sufficient to account for his eccentricities, and she was hoping that her own and her daughter's influence would shortly bring him round to behave more normally. If the rector had confided everything to her, she might not have been so kindly disposed towards the owner of Greystone ; but the rector, deeming a deathbed conlidcnco as sacred, hud not told even his wife. Ho knew that Arthur had received the money to put Greystone into order, but though over eighteen months had elapsed, nothing had been said or done. It did crossthe rectors mind that Arthur might have lost the money at one of the Continental gaming tables when ho had gone for his holiday abroad, but the idea was dismissed. Arthur Weston was not that typo of man. But, nevertheless, the problem worried him ; for ho could not understand a man hoarding money without placing it to sonic use. Money, ho considered, was worthless if not used in some way or other. There were times, when Arthur sat at his table, that the rector wished that Miv. Rao had not confided in him, or. if she had, that 6he would have consulted him before acting. If Arthur Weston was not an honourable man, ho did not like him being on friendly terms with his womenfolk. " I must tako the bull by the horns, so to speak, and ask Weston in hero. Ho and I must come to some sort of an understanding. For the sake of the boy, I must seo that something is done, he said to himself, as he watched the two figures who had suddenly appeared on the lawn. It was Arthur and his daughter, Grace. The man had his hand resting on her arm, and he appeared to bo talking to her very seriously. The father saw his child throw back her head and laugh; she was evidently chaffing hiiri. And then, as they passed out of Sight, tic realisation suddenly swept over the rector that his daughter was no longer a child. She was seventeen. It had never occurred to him before that she was growing up. The rector got up hastily and put on his wide felt hat. A few minutes later and ho CHARACTERS IN THE STORY. ARTHUR WESTON is given by his aunt, . Amy Rae, a bag containing twenty thousand pounds, and she also leaves i Greystone Manor to him in trust for her , son Harry. She does this because her husband will spend every penny he can get hold of. 1 HARRY RAE has a quarrel with Arthur j Weston after. Mrs. Rae's death. He cannot" understand Iris mother making such a will, and he determines to go out to Australia. REV. FERGUSON tries to make peace between Weston and Harry before the latter goes away, but is unsuccessful. GRACE FERGUSON, the vicar's 'daughter, is 1 a great chum of Harry's. Alter he has left 1 she goes to Greystone Manor, and sees his i father enter the study with Weston. Later she hears a shot. CECIL RAK, Harry's father, is found dead' in the woods next morning, and it is pre i sumed that he has committed suicide. , Arthur Weston is in a very nerveracked condition, but after he has been ' to the woods and the village policeman has I told him that it is evidently a case of suicide, a weight seems to fall from him. When he returns home the Rev. Ferguson comes with the terrible news that Arthur's little daughter Jessica, who is the apple of her father's eye, has been thrown from her pony and killed while spending ' the day at the vicar's house. Arthur Weston goes abroad but returns after a few weeks. Grace goes to Greystone Manor. on Christmas Kve, and plays her violin in the old nursery. When Arthur On da her she makes hiin promise to dine at the vicarage the next day. rarac upon them as they were retracing their steps to the house. Did you hear the tea-bell, father I ' cried his daughter, as she linked her hand in his arm. while Arthur walked beside her. " 1 wanted to have a talk with Weston," said the rector. " Perhaps, after tea, you will come and have a chat in my study If " ho went on, glancing at the yoiuig man. Arthur nodded carelessly. " I've got a lot to do, but I ciui wait half-anhour, " ho said ; and then he asked Grace a trivial question, as though to show that ho attached no importance to the coining interview. There was nothing to indicate to the ladies the thoughts in their guest's mind as he took tea in the pretty chintz -covered sitting-room. Arthur was wearing a somewhat worn, but exceedingly well-fitting shooting suit, and his linen, as well as his whole appearance, had an air of being properly eared for. There was nothing of the wildness of a few months back. At times there was an expression of furtiveness. which also appeared in his manner when he was off his guard ; but this was seldom, and was put down by his gcntlo friends as one of the results of living so much alone. Only the rector seemed preoccupied, as he balanced his cup and saucer on his kneo and looked at his daughter Grace with new eyes. She seemed to have grown up suddenly. He had always thought of her before as a child ; to-day ho realised she had become a woman. The reutbr looked at his wife, and* wondered if sho had noticed it ; but Mrs. Furguson appeared as serene and unruffled M usual as she pressed hot buttered scones on those around hi r and poured out tho tea, talking as sho did so about tho simple happenings of the village. When tea was over, the rector put down hh cup on the table and turned to the young man. 1 should like you to give me a few minutes, .Weston," he said. Arthur Weston lit a cigarette. Then ho leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out comfortably. " Why not stay and talk hero ! We have no secrets, have we ? " he went on, glancing with a smile at the ladies. " Why not talk here, sir ? It is very comfortable. Don't you think so ? " The rector hesitated. " I wanted to speak to you on a personal irfatter, Weston," he said coldly. Arthur Weston raised his eyebrows. " The deuce you do ! " he ejaculated, in apparent surprise, although inwardly he was fuming. Very well," he said, rising from his chair. • Then, with a bow to the ladies, he followed his host. Mrs. Furguson glanced round at Grace as the door closed behind the gentlemen. " Do you know what your father -wants' to speak to Mr. Weston about ? " she asked. The girl shook her head. For some moments thcro was silence in the room. Mrs. Furguson had taken up her knitting ; her fingers were seldom idle. Grace sat for some minutes storing thoughtfully in front of her : then she said : Do you like Mr. Weston, mother ? " " Yes " — Mrs. Ferguson spoke deliberately — " I do like him ! " she said. " I am very sorry for him. I think he must bo very sensitive." There was a silence again for a few moments, while Mrs. Ferguson counted her stitches. Then she spoke again. " I wish ho would visit others besides us. People are beginning to talk again. He offended Miss Griggs tho last time sho called here by walking out of the room when she was announced. I hove done' my best to excuse him to all the neighbours, but they will talk. Perhaps that is what your father wants to speak to him about." Mrs. Ferguson paused and glanced again at her daughter. Grace got up from her scat and stood by the window ; then suddenly she turned. " Mother, there is something about Mr Weston I don't like ! I don't think he is sincere," ■ she added, as she caught tho expression Qf surprise on her companion's face. My dear ! Ho is always so very nice to you. and you appear to enjoy his company ! " " Yes, mother, I know : but that does not niter the fact that sometimes I fee! he is different . He has moods. Just now, whon he went out of the room. I saw something evil in his face — something which I havo seen thcro before, when he tried to get me to talk about the secret passage, for instance, that lends into Greystone Hall. I did not tell him, and 1 never will. Ho must find it out for himself, if he wants to know it. 1 don't think I need tell him. do you T " Mrs. Ferguson shook her head. " I should think he would ask you straight out if he wanted to know." she said, smiling. She herself did not attach any importonee to this secret, which Groco and Horry Roe guarded so solemnly. Grace said no more, and a few minutes later she left the room. Sho had a letter to Harry nil written ready for tho post, and this was a good opportunity to take it to tho village. Meanwhile, Mr. Ferguson and his guest were seated npposito each other in the rector's old. but comfortable, easy chairs. The study was a pleasant room, tho furnituro mellow with .afro. A small fire burned cheerfully in the grate. Arthur had always considered it the best room in the house in tho old days ; now he wished he had never seen it. Mr. Ferguson had been talking, and Arthur now know definitely nil that had passed between his otuit and tho clergyman. « ntinuet enpate 8.)