Part 31 (1/2)

”Are you quite sure you love him, Jane?” asked Eve.

Jane was not quite sure, and said so. Eve warned her she was about to try a dangerous experiment, run considerable risk.

”I am very fond of you, Jane, and I want to see you happy,” she said.

”Consider it well; there is time to draw back. You do not know much about Mr. Meason--n.o.body does; he is rather mysterious.”

After this interview with Eve Berkeley, Jane had doubts as to the wisdom of the course she was pursuing; they vanished when out of her presence.

There were several villagers in the church and Jane's appearance created a mild sensation. She seemed quite the lady, exceedingly pretty. They had hitherto considered her as one of themselves, now she looked superior.

Carl Meason was proud of his young bride, but he wanted her all to himself, and after a brief stay of a couple of hours they left the Sherwood Inn in his motor and started on their journey amidst the cheers of the villagers. Carl had taken care to leave a liberal amount of money with Abel Head for the villagers' benefit; he wished to create a good impression and succeeded--for a time.

Tom Thrush made the most of his hours at Sherwood Inn. He was a temperate man, but this was a special occasion. There was an ample supply of liquor, to which he did full justice. The thought of returning to his cottage and finding no Jane there made him feel lonely and he remained at the Inn until closing-time.

Abel Head walked some of the way with him, and as they were about to part, said:

”I hope Jane will be happy. She's a good girl, far too good for Meason I'm thinking.”

”Her'll be all right,” said Tom. ”The man's behaved well; he'll be proud of her, you see if he's not.”

CHAPTER XIX

HALF A HEAD

The matches were to take place at Newmarket on the first two days.

They had been arranged so that Alan Chesney might be present; leave was granted for five days, and he hurried home from the front. Since the desperate cavalry fighting with the Uhlans he had been promoted to the general staff in a special capacity kept a profound secret to all except those immediately concerned, and had already done excellent service.

He arrived at Trent Park late in the evening, and at once went to The Forest where Eve Berkeley anxiously awaited him. Bernard Hallam and Ella were there but discreetly kept out of the way until they met.

Alan was bronzed and looked fit; Eve was proud of him. They had much to talk over, and for an hour were left to themselves. No mention was made of their marriage; it was understood it was to take place as soon as possible.

When Bernard Hallam and Alan were alone the matches between their horses were the subject of conversation.

”You've not seen 'em,” said Bernard, alluding to Rainstorm and Southerly Buster. ”You'll be a bit surprised. I shall give you a good run; it will probably result in winning one each.”

Alan smiled; he had frequently heard from his trainer and was confident of success.

”Skane tells me your horses are better than he expected, but he thinks I shall win,” he said.

”And my man Wrench says I shall,” was the reply.

”There's a lot of interest in them, and the wagering will be close,”

said Alan.

”The odds will probably be on your horses; that's only natural. Would you care to have a wager as well as the stake?”

”I'm agreeable if you wish,” said Alan.

”Then suppose we say an even five hundred on each race?” said Hallam.