Harum Scarum's Fortune

  *CHAPTER XXVI.*

  *ANOTHER OFFER.*

  Toney could not make it out at all. Lewis Waycott had not come near herfor two days, though he was still at home. The world seemed out oftune. He had returned the plans with one or two remarks, and with herusual precipitation Toney had given orders that the building was to bebegun at once. But he might have brought them himself! Maud wasnaturally his first thought; she was claiming all his spare time, but,oddly enough, Maud did not miss her daily visits to the Haven. Toneydecided that Maud was tremendously honourable.

  In the meanwhile she had the wedding to plan for, and Toney lovedplanning. She had given private orders to Mr. Wood, who had ascertainedMrs. Hamilton's ideas of colours, Lc. Miss Honoria was going to pay forthe wedding dress, and Lewis had ordered the wedding breakfast, but itwas all kept private. Mrs. Hamilton was silently aggrieved. Everythinghad been done without her, and she defended herself by saying she couldnot interfere any more, with the result that both her daughters lookedsupremely happy.

  On the third day Toney drove up to the Haven in her motor-car, for shehad to go on to the Vicarage afterwards to see that all was "real fixedup." The wedding was to be next Thursday, and to-day was Monday. Maudcame out to greet her. Toney wanted to say, "Why hasn't Mr. Waycott cometo see me?" but the words stuck in her throat. Toney wondered why sheshould be afraid of saying anything? This was another puzzle. Maud wassmiling and very cheerful; that was odd too.

  "I'm off to Mr. Hales to see it's all right! I'll be back as soon as Ican, Maud," said Toney.

  "I have the week's accounts to add up, so don't hurry! Dear Toney, it'sno good trying to say 'Thank you,' but Jeanie's face ought to repayyou."

  "You'll see, Maud, it will be perfect! It's my pet romance.

  "Jeanie says you are much more worthy of Frank than she is."

  "Ouf! the music would be a penance! But I expect Mr. Waycottappreciates your music."

  "Yes, he does--in his way. He's very busy; we hardly see him. He's somuch with his bailiff, draining and repairing cottages, and you don'tknow what heaps of kind things he does and lets nobody know."

  "I guess he does!"

  "He's quite changed, somehow; just now he's rather silent. He says hewill stay in London to buy all sorts of things for the wild places inSomaliland he means to go to."

  "He might stay for the wedding to please you," said Toney thoughtfully;"I never knew he liked lions before."

  "And mother and Aunt Honoria are both a little offended. Jeanie doesn'tmind, because she doesn't heed anything now. Frank writes every day.Last night the letter didn't come, and she was so miserable." Maudlaughed happily.

  "Mr. Waycott won't write every day, will he?"

  "Lewis! I should think not! He hates writing letters, so I told him weshouldn't worry if he promised to write when he is ill."

  "That's fine--you are not like Jeanie."

  "Not a bit!"

  Toney spun the wheel round and flew off. She wanted to go fast, veryfast, so as not to think too much. Evidently Lewis and Maud had perfecttrust in each other! Yes, that was fine!

  She found that Mr. Hales was visiting some cottages at the other end ofhis parish, so she sent Jim to Wynchley for some purchases and walked onalone, fast, very fast. She felt in a mighty hurry to-day. At the edgeof a fir wood she saw the Vicar coming out of a cottage.

  "So glad to see you," she exclaimed; "may I stop you a minute?"

  "Of course, Toney, as many minutes as you like." His voice was kind andsoft, and Toney felt comforted. Anyhow, Mr. Hales could not go huntinglions.

  "It's all right about Thursday, isn't it? Special licence is all right.Mr. Weston's seen to it. Vastly convenient if one is in a hurry."

  "You like things done quickly!" said Mr. Hales smiling.

  "They want no fuss and no one in church, but I begged for my poorfriends. They love a wedding, I'll send my motor to bring the pair atnine o'clock. You'll fix it up sharp, and they will go back to a realbreakfast and off by twelve. I've ordered flowers and music."

  "You think of everything, as usual," said the Vicar musingly. "Toney,have you ever thought of your own future?"

  "Of course! The Stone House will take all my time and mind!"

  "But have you ever thought of--wider work for the Church, or of helpinganother with your love and energy?"

  Toney opened her eyes. Mr. Hales looked so odd.

  "It's no use thinking, Mr. Hales; I've been walking like mad to stop mythinking to-day."

  "Why shouldn't you think?--Toney, I want to ask you a question. Willyou let me take care of you, and together we should do a great work forthe Master. Your money, I need not say, should be for the Master'scause. Will you be my wife, dear Toney?"

  Toney stood transfixed. This idea had never entered her head inconnection with Mr. Hales. He was her embodiment of all that was good,but far out of her sphere, poor Harum Scarum Toney.

  "Gracious stars! You don't mean it?"

  "Yes, I do."

  Toney shook her head.

  "I wish I could, I do wish I could say 'Yes.' You are so good and justa holy man, but--I'm going to be an old maid--I saw Jeanie's face whenMr. Weston was near her and--then I knew--I could say love, honour, andobey, but even that wouldn't be the real thing!"

  "Thank you, Toney--" he said, taking her hand; "you're honest, asalways; but we shall be friends still?"

  "I should think so!"

  "Forget the rest. I had had a vision of missionary work and the greatharvest waiting for workers, but I am content to wait here."

  "You saw a vision?" repeated Toney, "and I'm just ordinary flesh andblood, and not at all like a vision--Good-bye! I'm going to 'TheHaven'--you won't tell anyone, will you, not Silvia or Mrs. Hales? Theywouldn't understand how much I love my dear old master."

  Without waiting for an answer, Toney jumped over a low stile, and took ashort cut back towards the Haven.

  "It was only a vision, just like St. Francis had visions; I don't thinkthe real Toney was in it!" she thought, laughing happily. Somehow shefelt happier. Someone had made her an offer who did not care formoney--then she stopped--after all, the money had formed part of thevision. That was it, it would _always_ come in the way! That was partof the price she had to pay for having the means of helping otherpeople! The hard part was that her Path of Perfection was paved withgold. She loved Mr. Hales, but she could never, never love him likethat.

  Toney was just emerging from the wood when she was conscious of hearingvoices, and looking down a path at right angles she saw Maud talkingto--yes, how strange, talking to Edward Lang; but Toney, feeling it wasnot honourable to spy, turned the other way and got back to the Haven bya longer detour. Maud appeared soon after.

  "Did you see Mr. Hales? and is it all right?" Toney nodded.

  "Yes; it will be just as they like it, with some music."

  "Music! That never entered my head!"

  "It wouldn't do for two musicians to be married without music, so Itelegraphed to the great Dr. Mayo, who is a friend of Mr. Weston, and Isaid he should be motored down here in a jiffy if he would come, but itwas strictly private, and he says 'yes.' Mr. Russell has been sohelpful over all this. He's getting quite understanding and no longerargues!"

  "Toney, I want to ask you a question, may I?"

  "Of course, why not?"

  "If--Mr. Lang asked you again, could you----"

  "Oh!" thought Toney to herself, "she was hatching that! It was for me!"Then she laughed.

  "Never, Maud, so don't conspire! I'm going to be a real old maid. Thejolliest old maid that ever was. Remember the Stone House."

  "You are quite, quite sure?"

  "Just about sure! Golly! I wouldn't be the Honourable Mrs. Edward Langat any price."

  As she walked home Toney was in a very meditative mood. She blamedherself for this sadness, for her romance had succeeded beyond hergreatest hopes. What
was the matter with her? She looked up and in thenear distance she saw Lewis walking with his bailiff. Her heart beatfaster. Would he see her? She wanted to talk to him very badly, buthis back was turned to her. She might have called to him, but shewouldn't or couldn't. Well, she was a silly, a downright silly!

  But fate interfered. The bailiff saw Miss Whitburn and touched his hat,and Lewis turned. He half hesitated, but as Toney stood still, he wasobliged to come forward.

  "Are you going home?" was all he said.

  "Yes," answered Toney. How stupid they both were, she thought.

  "I've had a hard morning with Selby. He's not been here long, so I havea great deal to explain before going away."

  "Do stay till after Thursday!" said Toney. "It's quite a quiet wedding,only just flowers and music, and Jeanie would be so pleased, andespecially Maud."

  "Sorry, Toney, but I really can't! All my plans are made. I goWednesday evening, and I shall be at Charing Cross Hotel for a weekmore, and that is a very short time for all my preparations."

  "To prepare for the lions?" asked Toney seriously.

  Lewis laughed.

  "Yes, if you put it like that."

  "It's a pity there are not lions in England."

  "There are lions in my path----"

  "Guess you, mean a pussy cat--sort of relation to tigers anyway. Youknow I will help you--if I can."

  "You can't, Toney, thank you."

  "Anyhow, I'll take care of Maud."

  "You've done wonders for her as it is. I don't know how you manage it."

  "I've done nothing except--of course I cared--because of--because Idid."

  Why couldn't she say straight out because you are going to marry her,but she couldn't.

  "That is the secret, I suppose that caring doesn't alwaysanswer--anyhow, Toney, I hope by the time I come back the Stone Housewill be built."

  "Oh! it will take a year, a long year," sighed Toney. Everything lookedgrey and dull.

  "Yes, I shall be away as long as that, and when I return there will bechanges I expect. Most likely you will be----"

  "Oh, I shan't go and kill anything," interrupted Toney laughing, anddetermined she would be natural. "Of course Maud and your aunt and Mrs.Hamilton will be very dull without you--and there are your poor people."

  "Honour bright, Toney, I have thought of them. Selby has _carte blanche_to do anything he can. But there are some farms unlet, and the estateis not improving."

  "When you have shot enough lions you will come back?"

  "I must--of course---- Now, good-bye, I mustn't stay here talking."

  "Only two days and three-quarters more. How strange! I wish we livedin the Middle Ages, and you were going to the Holy Land to shoot theTurks," said Toney thoughtfully.

  "Lions are more troublesome. I shall have time to think anyhow."

  "Will you write sometimes?" said Toney slowly.

  "I'm afraid I shan't have time--and there might be----"

  "Oh, I see, jealousies at Waycott Hall. Of course. Maud says you don'tlike writing letters, but of course you'll write to her."

  "She'll write to me! and I shall hear all the news. Good-bye, Toney."

  "Oh, we shall meet again." Toney's heart went thump, thump!

  "Perhaps, but I have so little time that perhaps--we shan't."

  They shook hands quite solemnly, and parted without another word.