1950-12-16 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER

16, 1950.

She gave him a Christmas present, but he could not understand it...

SISTER BESSIE

"At Christmas time we gladiy

greet

"Each old familiar face.

"At Christmas time we hopa

to meet

"At th’old familiar place. “Five hundred loving

ings, dear,

"From you to me,

Vreet-

"To welcome in the glad New

Year

"I took to seef"

H

ILDA TRENT turn- ed the Christmas card over with her carefully manicured fingers as she read the idiotic lines aloud.

"Did you ever hear any- thing so completely palsied?" she asked her husband. "I wonder who on earth they can get to write the stuff. Timothy, do you know anybody ea11ed Leceh ?"

Leech?"

"Yes that's what it says: From your old Leech. Must be a friend of yours." She looked at the envelope. "Yes, it addressed to you. Who is

Was the

old leech?" She Alcked the cart

across the breakfast table.

By Cyril Hare

"At Christmas time we hope to meet...."

whole

He put down his paper un read, and stared, forlornly out of the corrlage window. It was at Christmas time, four years thing before that the started at bia stepmother's Christmas Eve party, just such a boring family function as the one he would have to attend in a few days' time,

There had been some silly games to amuse the children Blind Man's Buff and Musical Chairs-and in the course of them his wallet must supped from his pocket.

have He discovered the loss next moming, went round to house and retrieved it. when 11 came again

there missing from its contents.

OC.

the But into his hands

was one

Just

LETTER, quite short and

Timothy stared hard at the A explicit, signed in a name

rhyme and the scrawled

sage beneath it.

+

mes-

that had about then become haven't the least

he fairly Idea,"

notorious in connection sald glowly. As he spoke he with an unsavoury inquiry into was taking in, with a sense of certain large-scale dealings in cold misery, the fact that the Government securities. printed message on the card How he could have been fool had been neally

hand,

altered by

The word "five" was in inle. The original poct, 110 doubt, had been content

hundred loving greet with "

"Put it on the mantelpiece with the others," said his wife.

"Damn it, no." In a sudden rage, he tore the card in two and Guny the pieces Arc.

IT

break

out

1.n that

Juto the

way

ta

was silly of him, he reflect od as he travelled up to the City half an hour later.

front of Ililda; but would the nervous strain about which she was always pestering him to take medical advice.

put it down to

enough to keep it a momens jonger than was necessary!- but it was no good going back on that.

And then the messages from Leech had begun. Leceh had

his duty to send it to the prin- the letter. Leech considered it cipal of Trent's firm, who was aiso Trent's father-in-law. But, meanwhile, Leech was a trifle short of money, and for a small consideraton....so it had be gun, and so, year in and year out. It had gone on.

He hall been so sure that it was Jamest

unsuccessful

That seedy. she stackjobber, with his gambling debts and his inordinate thirst for whisky, had seemed the very stuff of which blackmailers are made.

in the

He

.

She

the left school. The same old battered desk stood in the corner, where from the earliest clays she had kept her treasures.

He Bung it open and a flood of bills, receipts, charitable ap- peals and yet more charitable appeals came cascading out. One after another, he went She had been, in ker revolt- And ho

through the drawers with ever- had Imagined that increasing urgency, ingly sentimental phrase, his his money had been going to failed to And what he sought.

but stili "own special sister."" As they support some of them. Why, grew up, the roles were re- they ali simply recked of Finally, he came upon a smal} versed, and she became his pro- honest poverty. He could see inner drawer which resisted his tegee, the admiring spectator of it now. Bessie explained every attempts to open it. He tugged

thing. his early struggles.

It was typical of her at it in vain, and then seized Then it had become pretty twisted mind to wring cash the poker from the fire-place, clear that the and everyone else from him by threats and give and burst the

Ally lock by expected him to marry her. He it all away in charities.

he dragged main force. Then had considered

the idea quite

the drawer from its place and seriously for some time,

settled himself to examine the was, pretty enough in those

contents. days, and, as the phrase went, worshipped the ground he trod "You have always been no o

to But he had the good sense to think of it, his stepmother was see in time that he must look worth the whole of the rest put clsewhere if he wanted to make together. She must be hard put

it. his way in the world.

keeping up father's old

up

Then there were snapshots, precious His engagement to Hilda had house, with

little Press-cutting an

ntcount of been a blow

Нег to Bessie.

In from her childre copertinps

his own wedding among them- one day, when his and, for the rest, letters. Piles HHHHH† money was really his

own of letters, all in his hand- again, he might see his way to writing. do

something for her. But there was a lot to do before he could indulge in extravagant fancles Ike that,

ar.

Constr

"We also have this line in blue, sir-specially screened to remove the red element."

|||||||||||||~|~||~

to

trast

was

good in

12.

Come

not unusual for her at parties at this house. "Timothy," she

It was crammed as full as it could be with papers. At the very top was the programme of a May Week Ball for his last year at Cambridge.

MARK

CALDBECK MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.

them The Leading Wine And Spirit Merchants

Hilda was coming across the

HE wretched woman seemed THE room towards him.

lo Her cle-

have hoarded every gance made an agreeable con- serap he had ever written wo

to the get-up of the her. As he turned Grips woman. She looked over, some at the phrases tired and rather bored, which he had used in them floated into his mind, and he began to apprehend for the first time murmured, what the depth of her resent- "can't we get out of here?" ment must have been when ho My head feels like # ton of threw her over. bricks, and if I'm going to be for anything tomorrow morning-"

Timothy cut her short.

You go home straight away, darling" he said. "I can see it's high time you were in bed. Take the car. I can walk, it's a fine evening. Don't wait up for me."

(YOU'RE

not

coming?

"Y thought you said

But where the devil did sho keep the only letter that mat- tered?

As he straightened himself from the desk he heard closo behind him a hideous, choking sound. He spun round quickly.

Bessie was standing behind him. her face a mark of horror, Her mouth was wide open in dismay. She drew а long, shuddering breath. In another 【 moment she was going to scream

nt the top of her voice.

"No, I shall have to stay and ree the party through. There's a little matter of family busi- ness I'd better dispose of while I have the chance"

ly amused surprise.

Hilda looked at him in slight

Bessie went

In The Far

Est. 1864

East

15

2 CHATER ROAD

TELEPHONE 20075

Timothy's pant-up fury could contained no longer. With full into that all his force he drove his st foolish Not for all the gold

gaping, But he had got rid of James oldmoidisk look and her absorp-

though she had been shot, and face.

down Bank of England could he have last February, and stood the sight of that damnable Leech again hungrier than ever. then. But she had been sweet- here was tion in good works dated from

her head struck the leg of jungle on his dining-room mantei-

"Well, if you feel that way," table with the crack of a dry Trent shifted uneasily in his piece. The insolence of it! The seat. "Got rid

ly forgiving-to all appearances,

She said, "You seem to of him,"

be stick broken in two. She did not cool, calculated devilry! All the hardly the right way to put it.

was Now, as he stood there under all of a sudden. You'd better

very devotre to your family move again, way to London the train wheels One must be fair to oneself,

the mistletoe, with a ridiculous keep an eye on Bessie while beat

out tio maddening

Although it was quiet enough rhythm-

had increly assisted paper cap on his head, he mar-

you are about it. She's had in the room after that, he never "AL Christmas time we gladly less gelf. He had done no more so easily deceived. As though, carry."

James to get rid of his worth velled how he could have been about

as much as she can heard

his stepmother come in. greet

Perhaps it was because the could have And he had

than ask James to dinner at his after all, anyone the thought that

Hilda was right. that Christmas

sound of his own pulses drum-| Besele was ming in his cars had deafened card the last payment had seen the club, fill him up with

whisky written

but a womani

decidedly merry. And Timothy and of it. He had returned and leave him to drive home on

continued to keep an eye on him. a foggy night with from James's funeral triumphant

Bessie was the roads

smiling at him her. Thanks to his attentions, still smiling with the con- in the certain belief that he had treacherous with frost,

by the end of the evening, attended the burial of the blood- There had been an unfortunate Adential air of the mildly tipsy, when Christmas Day had been

who called himself accident on the Kingston By- her upturned shiny nose glow seen in and the guests were TTE did not even know how long "Leech."

pink, in the candlelight. fumbling for their wraps, she she had But he was wrong, it pass, and that was the end of ing

Slic had assumed a slightly had reached a stage when James and, incidentally, of two

Cer- socmed,

been there. though could barely stand

she tainly it was long enough for "Five hundrod loving great perfect strangers who had hap- puzzled expression, as

her to take in everything that ings dear..."

pened to be on the read at the lying to recollect what she had

"Another said.

glass,"

thought was to be seen there for her Five hundred! Last year it came time.

Timothy from the depths of voice, when she spoke was per- had been three, and that bad

his experience, "and she'll feetly under control. been bad enough. It had meant

pass right out." selling out some holdings at an

awkward moment, And now TORGET _{1}

The point was

500, with the market in its pro- that the dinner -- and the sent state! How in the name of all that was horrible was he whisky-had been a

He could not

can manage

•

He nodded speechless

"But you have not found the Letter."

Timothy smiled back and raised his glass to her. He was stone-cold sober, and he could "I'll give you a lift home, "You have killed Bessie," she remind her of her words when Bessie," said Roger, looking at said. It was a calm statement the occasion arose:

her with a professional eye,

ve of fact, rather than an accusa- "My present for Jou,

"We

We can just squeeze you in," tion. dead loss Timothy, is in the post. You'll

rion sense, Roger?" going to raise the money?

make the same get it tomorrow,

Bessie giggled. I expect. I He would raise

mistake again. rif course.

Thought you'd like

a change perfectly well. As if I couldn't He would have to. The sicken- This Christmas he intended to from those horrid Christmas walk as far as the end of the ing, familiar routine would be muite sure who his persecutor cords!" And the words had driver"

He shook his hand, gone through ogain, The cash was. Once he knew, there been accompanied by

"I'

look after her," said In Treasury notes would be would be no half-measures. mistakable wink.

Timothy heartily. "I'm walk-

"Didn't you understand what packed in an unobtrusive parcel Revelation came to him mid-

the ing myself, and we can guide she told you this evening? He moved away from and left in the cloak room at way through Mrs John Trent's mistletoe and strolled round the

cach other's wandering foot. Jotter is in the post. It was her Waterloo.

party at the very moment, in room, exchanging pleasantrics sleps home. Where's

Christros present to you. Poor, fact, when the presents were with all the family. He could coat, Bessie?

Are you sure

simple loving Bessie," being distributed from the look them in the face now you've got all

your precious He stared at her aghast. without a qualm.

presents?"

NEXT

Christmas tree,

an un-

•

your

sven

The

"I was only just now that I It was so simple, and so un- Ho JEXT day, he would park his expected that he could

clinked glasses with

found that it was missing from car as usual in the railway laughed

have Roger,

on, the prematurely aged,

my jewel-case," she went aloud. Appropriately over-worked GP, No need to

still in the same Eat, quiet yard at his local station. Be- enough it was his own contribu- worry now whether his money E prolonged his leave-takings found out about it, but love- voice. I don't know how she neath the windscreen wiper

H "the old familiar place" would tion to the party that was re- was going in that direction!

until alt the rest harl even a crazy love like hero He slapped Peter on the back gone, then helped be tucked the cloak room tletet, sponsible.

Bessie into give people a strange insight When he came back again from For some time past it had and endured patiently five her worn fur coat, and stepped sometimes." work in the evening the ticket been his unwritten duly, as the minutes confidential chut on out of the house, supporting would be gone,

prosperous member of the the difficulties of the car busi And that would be that till family, to present his step- ness in these days. next time. It was the way that mother with some delicacy to Leech preferred It, and he had help out the straightened re- no option but to comply.

sources of her house in provid- The one certain thing that ing a feast worthy of the occa- Trent knew about the identity mon.

of his. blackmailer was that be--- This year, his gift had taken

TO Marjorie, James's widow. ever so brave in her made-over black

Tlooking wan and

arm. then you were Leech?" he|

her with an affectionate It was all going to be too de-

"Of course. Who else? How Iciously simple.

otherwise do you think I could Bess'e ved In the lodge of have kept the house open and the old house She preferred any children out of debt on my to be Independent, and the income?" arrangement suited everyone, especially rince James, after one of his reveres on the brought his family

"No

or could it be she?-was a mem- the form of half a dozen bot- frock, he spoke just the right turf, had ber of his family,

ties of champagne-part of a Hla family! Thank heaven consignment which he suspect- words of blended sympathy and to live with his mother to save O, Timothy, don't come any

they were no true idindred of ed of being corked. That cham-

ho Lives alive.

had

Do

And

blood

cheer.

the expense.

now.

The

nearer. You are not going his. So for üs he knew, pagne, acting on a head unused He even found in his pockers

Tenderly than some half frowns for hipices It sulted Timothy admirably to commit two murder rela- to anything strongor

he escorted night. I don't think you would But "his" lemonade, was enough to loosen bulking slep-nephows. Then her to

end of the drive, have the nerve, In any case, but family they had been, ever Bessie's tongue for one fatal ho was standing by his step- tenderly he assisted her to in to be on the safe side I have

mother *Rear the alace, when he was a tiny, ailing instant

fireplace, sort her little latchkey in the brought the little pistol your boy, his father had married the Bessie! Of all people, faded, whence the presided quietly

tenderiy

father gave me when he came he supported door, gentle, ineffective Mary Grigson, spinsterish Bessie! Bessie with over the noisy cheerful scene, her into the little sitting-room out of the Army in 1918. Sit with her long trail of soft, use her woolwork and her charities beaming gentle good nature that gave out of the hall.

down." from with her large, stupid,

her faded blue eyes. less children.

He found himself crouching: Bess yes.

There

Besale considerately when the Influenza

"A delightful evening." ho saved him an enormous amount on the sofa, looking helplessly epidemic of 1910 carried, off.

of trouble and a possibly un- up into her pitiless face, And yet, when you came to said, and meant it. John-Trent, he had been left think of it, it was natural "Thanks to you, Timothy in ploosant see. As he put her body that had been Bessie lay

be brought up as one of that enough, Probably, of all the great part," she replied. "You down upon the sofa she finally between them

Beagle's heart was very weak," clinging, grasping clan. He had Grigson tribe, he disliked her have always been so good to muccumbed to the champagne.

Hor on in the world, made the most.

her mouth ahe old reflectively. "Roger eyes cloood, her Wonderful money, married money, but he

what fitte opened, and she lay like a Rog had been worried about it for

where he hnd placed her.

some time. If I have a word doubtful champagne would dol had never got away from the

Timothy was

The with him I

dare Grignons.

see her face if he were to say:

to go his way to I BRY ho will soo a death certi- HE felt for her all the loathing "I suppose you are not aware to any lengths to rid himorif fleate. It wit, of course, be a

one must naturally feel for that your youngest daughter, if he could lay his hands on thousand

of the menace of blackmail, but little

expensive, Shail we say a a person one has treated badly; who is lust now pulling, the

pounds this усот, NAVE for his stepmother, to and he had been simple enough cracker

damning letter without instead of

ave hundred? SAV

You with that ugly little physion violence he would be would prefer that, Timothy, I whom he grudgingly ac- to believe that she did not re- boy of Peter's, is blackmailing well satisfied.. knowledged that he owed his sont it.

me and that I shortly intend to

may to the alternativo?" start in life, how he loathed She was just his own agt, stop her mouth for good?"

It would be open to him to Once more, Timothy nodded them all! But "his" family they and from the moment that ho

take it out of Beaslo in other in silence. Cremained,

Ho turned away. What a bo. had been introduced into the gast they all were! What quickly round the room Ho Koge to the mom'ng affor expecting to

WAYN Juter on He Jooked

"Very wol. I shall speak to

200

10."

a

He would have given a lot w Neved. He was prepay

1950

all

our

patrons...

wherever they

may be.

•

A Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year.

-'

San Miguel

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