Helena

, the oaks were nearly in full leaf, and the hawthorns in the park and along the hedges

nce the old church was but a stone's throw. There was a circle of chairs on the lawn intermittently filled by talkers. Lord Buntingford was indoors and was reported to have had some ugly news that morning of a discharged soldiers' riot in a neighbouring town where he owned a good deal of property. The dis

ng chair, as Geoffrey French and Helena reappeared. "And if Philip is

body has been bungling a

st confident and

dy pays any attention to them-and

e of mind we're all in! We all want to burn something. I want to burn the doctors, because some of the medical boards have been beasts to some of my friends; the soldiers over

e she could reply, a telephone was heard rin

within the drawing-room, returning presently, with flushed cheeks,

he said to himself. "Of cour

men smoked or buried themselves in a sleepy study of the Sunday papers. The old house lay steeped in sunshine. Occasional bursts of talk arose and died away; a loud cuckoo in a neigh

send her a message through a servant, when she had telegraphed to him! For of course it was all a lie as to his having left town-one could tell that from the butler's voice. He had been somehow frightened by Cousin Philip, and was revenging himself by rudeness to her. She seemed to hear "Jim" and his intimates discussing the situation. Of course it would only amuse them!-everything amused them!-that Buntingford should have put his foot down. How s

much taste!" And then, Geoffrey's roguish look at her, expressing the "chaff" he restrained for fear of offending her. Lucy Friend, too, Captain Lodge, Peter-everybody-no one had any sympathy with her. And lastly, Donald himself-coward!-had refused to play up. Not that she cared one straw about him personally. She knew very well that he was a poor creature. It was the principle involved:-that a girl of nineteen is to be treated as a free and r

e was writing, sat Buntingford at work. She could see his feet under the bureau, and sometimes the top of his head. Oh, of course, he had a way with him-a certain magnetism-for the people who liked him, and whom he liked. Lady Maud, for instance-how well they had got on at breakfast? Naturally,

nd argue-his brain's all right!-with Lucy Friend to fall back upon between whiles-for just these few weeks, at any rate, before we go to town-and with the week-ends to help one out. But if we

ry black and white, with a purple sunshade. She cam

so cool! M

sly pushed forward a ch

e forms belonging to the male sex that were visible on a distant slope of the lawn. "B

bably exaggera

ere was bad rioting last night-and a factory burnt down. They say i

library and to the f

s, no doubt, in case

t," said

as conscious that neither was Philip's ward at all in a forthcoming mood, nor was her own effort spontaneous or congenial. They were both Buntingford's kinswomen, Helena on his father's side,

pecting that Lady Cynthia was in some way Buntingford's envoy, and had been sent to make friends, with an ulterior object; while Cynthia was repelled by the girl's ungracious manner,

e tone with regard to Buntingford, which was more than the facts warr

ood he is to us two. It is so like him. He never

ough the news astonished her, but

ers, doesn't he?"

ys so considerate for everybody! The day you were coming, for instance, he thought of

The tone was

aid Cynthia, smiling. "Oh, he's a great dear,

e his wife?" sai

instinctively towards the library window, where Buntingford wa

oice. "Nobody ever speaks to him about her.

ason why nobody

lushed in

know of. Why

gether," said Helena in her most det

aris before her marriage told me long ago-oh, years ago-

ul?" said He

I never saw a p

ything she w

Philip's ver

a med

had a good time?"

have been Philip's fault!" s

rea

on was curiously provoking, an

telephone call rang out. It came from the instrument on Buntingf

ul

nsworth," said Cynthia,

e sent

stood with the receiver to his ear. "All right-In an hour?-That's i

o risen. Bunti

eter!-Horne!

rench, Captain Lodge, Peter, and Julian Horne, were in a few insta

pressed. They want specials at once. Who'll come? I've just had a most annoying message from my chauffeur. His wife's been

ench quietly,-"

e into that later. There are two cars-a Vauxhall

said Dale. "I'll go and get it at

None of them knew enough about the business to drive a high-po

r here," said Buntingford, turning towards

l's half-sarcastic voice. "I've dr

rned, smiling

tten! But I don't like

unds like an

ench, eagerly. "We can stop the car out

ring. Helena, radiant, was looking at Buntingford, and at his reluctant word

o change. Lucky I've go

for th

ing up the car, without an unnecessary word. She was the professional, alert, cheer

ady, and she was about to climb into her seat. "Remember I am in command of the

ked up

agr

line the odd man, got in behind her. Mrs. Friend appeared with a food hamper that she and Mrs. Mawson ha

s always a woman comes to the rescue, isn't it? We'r

iled to her, and in another minute the splendid car was gl

s expression was hard to read; she seemed to be rushing on with the car, watching the face beside B

and Cynthia walked back to the lawn. "I'm afraid I don't at all ap

n, hanging on her mother's arm. She was flushed with innocent envy.

ll," said the mother, smiling. "P

went ob

r one or two brief compliments, which she had taken in silence. Presently they topped a ridge, and t

ery in the market-place. Hullo, you there!" He hailed a country cart, full of excited occ

ed out and went

ust mad-they don't know what they've done, nor why they've done it. But the soldiers will be there directly. There's far too few

dded, and retu

n the right?" he said to Helena as th

ied towards them by a westerly wind beginning to beat in

re of an active furniture-making industry, for which the material lay handy in the large beechwoods which covered th

me here?" said Helena

ingf

y! I'll send Geoffrey back to you as

d with whom Buntingford made arrangements. The car was to be

aye,

l get into the market-hall by a back way and find out what's going on. They've probably got the hose

r," said B

up and down the orchard slope behind the house, watching the conflagration which was beginning to die down, startled every now and then by what seemed to be the sound of shots, and once by the rush past of a squadron of mounted police coming evidently from the big country town some ten miles away. Hunger asserted itself, and she made a raid on the hamper in the car, sharing some of its contents with the black-eyed children of the farm. Every now and then news came from persons passing along the road,

y had let her go with them! Buntingford's last look as he raised his hat to her before departing, haunted her memory-the appeal

last! He came on a motor bicycle, and

ave arrived, and the rioters are scattering. The police have made some arrests, and

hurried towards the barn in which the car had bee

y staying here. The last

ou to take two wounded

He'll go with you. Th

s some vicious

aps you don't kn

ed her get

r boards," said Helena, surveying it t

l that. You'll find everything at the

eld by a cordon of soldiers, behind which a crowd still looked on. French, sitting beside her, watched the erect girl-driver, the excellence of her driving, the brain and skill she was bringing to bear upon her "job." Here was the "new woman" indeed, in her b

rsons were standing, including a nurse in uniform. Buntingford ca

There are several people he

flus

ke these men

iled

sha

out, and went to consult with the nurse. In a very short time, the car had been

aid the doctor to Helena.

to the other day." She pointed to her badge. The doctor nodded approval, and he an

the way. It w

ady indeed almost incredible, in the glow of the May afternoon, and amid the hawthorn white of the hedges, the chattering birds that fled befo

rd to her more than on

rising out of a group of trees in front of them. Helena brought the car gently to a standstill, and, jumping out, was ready to help as a V. A. D. in the moving of the men.

t you, Miss Pitstone! But you look awfully ti

once," said Buntingford. "We

re's the matron

answorth. "Situation well in hand.

turned smiling to Helena. "Now w

ained behind. Once more Buntingfor

-"not to be able to drive the car. But

a new sweetness in the

untingford

especially-for having waited so pati

all! I wanted despe

been there. A policeman was killed just beside us. There was a man wi

claimed i

ight have been a terrible business. But what I

lf repentant, his full of a kindn