The Mask: A Story of Love and Adventure

by H. B. Marriott Watson

  CHAPTER XI

  The house of mourning had suddenly become transformed into a house ofjoy.

  From the deepest abyss of hopeless despair Helen, during the next fewdays, was raised to the highest pinnacle of human felicity. Kennethwas safe, that was all she wanted to know. Whether he had succeeded ornot in saving the diamonds she did not know or care.

  Nothing more had been heard from him. Cable dispatches reported the_Zanzibar_ to be making good time on her way to Southampton, but, untilthe steamer arrived there, no further details were to be expected.Much, however, had been gleaned as to the fate of the _Abyssinia_, and,as the accounts of disaster began to come in, she could only thank Godthat he had succeeded in escaping such a fearful fate. The ship hadmysteriously caught fire the first day out from Cape Town, and, in theexcitement, the crew, as well as the passengers, lost their heads.Only one boat could be lowered, and in this Kenneth got away, togetherwith Francois, his valet, and some other passengers. A news item inconnection with the affair, which was of particular interest to Helen,ran as follows:

  "The loss of the _Abyssinia_ brought to a tragic ending a remarkableromance in which Mr. Kenneth Traynor, one of the rescued passengers anda prominent New York broker, is one of the principal figures. Mr.Traynor is one of two twins so identical in appearance that no one, noteven their own mother, knew them apart. One of the childrenmysteriously disappeared when a mere child and was believed to be dead.Mr. Kenneth Traynor went recently to South Africa on business, and onthe diamond fields found in starving condition an unlucky miner who wasa perfect counterpart of himself. It was his lost brother. Mutualexplanations followed and the identity was established. Overjoyed atthe reunion the two brothers sailed for home on the _Abyssinia_.Suddenly came the alarm of fire. While the panic on board was at itsworst, the broker lost sight of his brother, whom he never saw againand whom it is only too certain went down with the ship."

  "It's almost unbelievable, isn't it?" exclaimed Helen, as she read theparagraph for the hundredth time and handed it to Wilbur Steell, whohad dropped in to hear if there was any news.

  Ray, who loved a mystery better than anything else in the world,clapped her hands.

  "Isn't it perfectly stunning?"

  "Not for Kenneth's brother--poor fellow," said Helen reprovingly. "Hedid not live long to enjoy his bettered condition."

  "That's right. How thoughtless of me!" said Ray contritely.

  As he finished reading Mr. Steell looked puzzled. Looking toward Helenhe asked:

  "Did you know that your husband had a twin brother?"

  "I only knew it recently--just before he sailed. He did not know ithimself."

  "How did he find it out?"

  "His old nurse told him. I was present."

  "Did the nurse know the brother was in South Africa?"

  "No--she had no idea of it. I'm sure of that. It's one of thosewonderful coincidences one some-times hears of."

  The lawyer shook his head. Thoughtfully he said:

  "It's certainly strange--one of the strangest things I ever heard of."

  "Kenneth will be able to tell us more about it when he comes," said Ray.

  "Yes--no doubt," asserted her sister quickly.

  The lawyer remained thoughtful for a moment. Then, lightly he said:

  "We ought to give Kenneth a rousing welcome home. After suchexperiences as he has had he richly deserves it."

  Eagerly Helen caught at the suggestion.

  "By all means!" she cried. "Suppose we give a dinner, followed by adance."

  "Oh, lovely!" said Ray.

  "The night following his arrival," went on Helen enthusiastically."We'll make it quite an affair and invite everyone we know--theParkers, the Galloways, the Fentons, everybody----"

  "Don't forget me!" interrupted Steell.

  "Oh, you, of course!" Roguishly she added: "Aren't you one of thefamily?"

  He looked at her and smiled. In an undertone which Ray, too busylooking at the paper, did not hear, he added:

  "Not yet, but I hope to be."

  "The sooner the better, Wilbur," she said earnestly. With asignificant glance at her sister she added, "Don't let her keep youwaiting too long."

  Every hour brought nearer the happy day when they would see Kennethagain. A cablegram from England reported that the _Zanzibar_ hadreached Southampton. Closely following this came a brief message fromKenneth himself, stating that he was on the point of sailing for NewYork on the _Adriatic_. In five more days he would be in New York.

  Expectation now reached fever heat, the excitement being communicatedto everyone in the house. Every time the front door bell rang therewas a rush downstairs in the hope that it might be another message.

  Ray, bubbling over with excitement, was almost as eager as her sister.

  "Won't it be jolly to go down to the dock and meet him?"

  Helen shook her head.

  "I won't go to meet him. I prefer to be here when he arrives."Anxiously she added: "I hope everything is all right."

  "Why shouldn't it be all right?"

  Her sister was silent. It seemed absurd, when everything seemed topoint to her happiness, that she should still feel depressed andnervous, but, somehow, she could not shake off the feeling thatsomething was wrong. It was certainly strange that no letter had beenreceived from Kenneth since the accident. Yet perhaps it was wicked ofher to expect more. She ought to be grateful that he had been spared.Almost unconsciously she remarked:

  "Isn't it strange that Ken hasn't written for so long? I haven't had aline from him since he left Cape Town."

  "Yes--you have," protested her sister. "You had a cablegram tellingyou of his safety."

  "A cablegram--yes, but no letter. I have had no letter since he leftCape Town."

  "That's true. But how could he write? He has been traveling fasterthan the mails."

  "I hope he's not hurt."

  "Of course not. You would have heard it before this. Bad news travelsfast."

  Every moment from now on was devoted to getting the house ready for thearrival of its lord and master. Ray had skilfully fashioned out of redletters on white paper, a big "Welcome" sign, which was to be suspendedin the hall on the complacent horns of two gigantic moose heads,souvenirs of a month's vacation in the Adirondacks. While this wasbeing done downstairs Helen busied herself in the library and bedroom,getting ready the things for his comfort--his dressing-gown, hisslippers, his pipe. She detested pipes, as do most women, but shecould not refrain from giving this pipe a furtive kiss, as she laid itlovingly on the table within easy reach of the arm-chair. The maids,changed since he went away, were laboriously instructed in what theyshould and should not do, what towels should be put in the luxuriousbathroom, what pajamas should be laid on the bed.

  Well Helen remembered the first time she had entered this bedroom.Just married, in the full flush of her new-found happiness, it had allseemed so beautiful, so ideal. The dull pink color scheme, so chasteand delicate, the gracefully carved furniture, so luxurious andelegant, the cupids flying above the massive beautifully carved bed, averitable bower of love--all this seemed only a realization of hergirlhood dreams of what married life should be. And now Kenneth wascoming back, after his long absence in South Africa, it would be likegetting married all over again.

  The next four days seemed longer than any Helen had ever spent in allher life. The delay was interminable. The minutes appeared to be likehours, the hours like days. Having to wait patiently for what onedesired so ardently was simply intolerable. She tried to divert hermind by busying herself about the library, dusting his favorite books,tidying his papers, but constantly came back the thoughts that filledher with uneasiness, a vague, undefinable alarm. Was he all right?

  At last the great day arrived. A Western Union telegram announced thatthe _Adriatic_ would dock at 2 o'clock. Long before that time, Ray,unable to restrain her impatience, was on her way down town,accompanied by Mr. Steell, while Helen, her
face a little paler thanusual, her heart beating a little faster, sat in the great recessedwindow of the library, and waited for the arrival of the loved one.

  Anxiously, impatiently, she watched the hands of the clock move round.How exasperatingly slow it was: how indifferent it seemed to herhappiness! If the ship docked at two they could hardly arrive at thehouse until four. It would take at least two hours to get through thecustoms. Oh, would the moment never come when she would see his dearface and clasp him in her arms?

  It was nearly half past two when suddenly the front door bell rang.Her heart leaping to her mouth, she rushed to the top of the stairs.It was only Mr. Parker, who had dropped in on the chance of finding hisassociate already arrived.

  To-day the president of the Americo-African Mining Company was in thehighest spirits. Everything had gone according to his expectations.Kenneth was home with the big diamonds safe in his possession. Thedirectors could not fail to give him (Parker) credit for his sagacityand enterprise. The stocks of the company would soar above par.Fortune was smiling on them in no uncertain way. Was it a wonder hewas feeling in the best of humors?

  "How do you know the diamonds are safe?" questioned Helen anxiously."In such a terrible panic as there must have been on that ship a manthinks only of saving himself."

  "Pshaw!" replied the president confidently. "I'm as sure of it as thatI'm here. It was understood that he was never to part with the stonesunder any circumstances. They are in a belt he wears round his waistnext to his skin. If the diamonds were not here, Kenneth would not behere. Knowing he is safe I am convinced that they are safe."

  "Will you wait here until he comes?"

  "No, I can't. There's a meeting of the directors this afternoon. Imust attend. I'll call him up on the telephone----"

  "But you are coming to dinner this evening----"

  "Yes, yes, of course." With a smile he added: "Now, don't get toospoony when he comes, or else Ken will have no head for business."

  "No fear," laughed Helen. "We are too long married for that."

  "Well, good-bye. I'll see you later."

  The president took his hat and turned to go. As he reached the door heturned round.

  "By the bye, have you seen Signor Keralio lately?"

  Helen's face grew more serious.

  "No--Signor Keralio does not call here any more-at my request."

  The president gave a low, expressive whistle. Holding out his hand hesaid:

  "Got his walking papers, eh? Well, I guess if you don't like him heisn't much good. I never did care for the look of him."

  "Why did you ask?" she inquired.

  "I was just curious--that's all. He's a persistent, uncomfortable kindof man. I don't like his face. It's a face I wouldn't trust----"

  "That's why he's not coming here any more," she replied calmly. "Heforgot himself and that was the end----"

  The president turned to go.

  "Well, good-bye. Ken will be here soon."

  "Good-bye."

  He went away, and once more Helen resumed her lonely vigil at thelibrary window, straining her ears to catch the direction of everypassing car, catching her breath with suspense as each pedestrian cameinto view. They could not be much longer. She wondered if he hadmissed her as much as she had him. No, men do not feel these things inthe way women do. They are too busy--their minds too much preoccupiedwith their work. The turmoil of affairs absorbed their attention.

  The clock struck the three-quarters, and the reverberations of thechimes had not entirely died away, when through the partly openedwindow came the sound of a taxicab suddenly stopping in front of thedoor.

  At last he had come! It was surely Kenneth. Her bosom heaving withsuppressed excitement she ran to the stairs and was already in thelower hall before the maid had answered the bell. Quickly she threwopen the door, eager to throw herself in the traveler's arms. A tallshadow darkened the doorway. It was Francois, the French valet.

  Helen fell back in dismay.

  "Oh, it's you!" she exclaimed, looking over his shoulder to see ifKenneth were following. "Where is your master?"

  A curious expression, half-defiant, half-cunning, came over theservant's face, as he replied:

  "Monsieur coming. He sent me ahead with light baggage. He detained atcustoms."

  "Oh!" she exclaimed, disappointed. "When will he be here?"

  "He come presently--perhaps quarter of an hour."

  "How is your master?"

  "He very well, except his eyes--they bother him a leetle."

  Helen stared at him in alarm.

  "His eyes," she exclaimed. "What is the matter with his eyes?"

  The valet avoided her direct gaze, and, shifting uneasily on his feet,began to fuss with the leather bags he was carrying. Awkwardly he said:

  "Didn't madame hear?"

  "Hear what?" she gasped, now thoroughly alarmed.

  The man put out his hand deprecatingly.

  "Oh, it's nothing to make madame afraid. It will soon be all right. Iassure madame----"

  "But tell me what it is, will you?" she interrupted impatiently."Don't have so much to say--tell me what it is----"

  "It was when the ship caught fire, madame. We were running to zelife-boat, monsieur and me, when suddenly----"

  "Well--what?" she almost shouted, in agony of suspense.

  "Monsieur tripped over a coil of rope and fell----"

  Almost unconscious in her excitement of what she was doing Helen laidher hand on the man's arm. Terror-stricken she cried:

  "He didn't hurt himself seriously, did he?"

  The valet shook his head.

  "No, madame--not seriously. He struck his head against a chair andjust graze ze eye. It is nothing serious, I assure madame. The doctorsays that if he wears blue spectacles for few months he will be allright."

  "Oh, he wears blue spectacles, does he?"

  "Yes, madame, he must. Ze eye is inflamed and cannot stand ze stronglight."

  "Poor Kenneth!" she murmured, half-aloud. "I shall hardly know him inblue spectacles."

  The valet, who had been watching her like a hawk out of hishalf-closed, sleepy-looking eyes, overheard the remark. Quickly hesaid:

  "Of course, madame must expect to find monsieur a little changed. Whatwe went through was _epouvantable_, something awful. We just escapedwith our lives. For days monsieur was so nervous he was hardly able tospeak a word. Even now he stops at times----"

  Helen looked at him in wonder.

  "'He stops!' What do you mean?"

  The valet turned away, and for a moment was silent. Then, as if makinga great effort, he turned and said:

  "Madame will pardon me, but she must be brave and not show monsieur shenotices any change. Ze doctor said it was a terrible shock to hisnervous system--that fire. Monsieur has not been ze same since, _pasdu tout_ ze same. Ze doctor he says that these symptoms will alldisappear once he gets home and has a good rest. It is only ze shock,I assure madame."

  Helen listened appalled, her face growing whiter each moment, her lipstrembling. He had met with an accident, then, after all! Her instincthad spoken truly. Her darling was ill. That explained his longsilence. He had been too ill to write. He had gone through a terribleshock and he had come home ill, very ill, quite changed. Her voicefaltering she said:

  "What are the symptoms?"

  "Monsieur's memory is so bad, madame. He forgets. Only to-day, as zeship came up ze harbor, I ask monsieur if he expect madame to meet usat ze dock. _C'est vraiment incroyable_! He turned to me, with a lookof ze greatest surprise, and asked: 'Who ze devil is madame?'"

  "What! Didn't he seem to remember me, even?" A look of distress cameover her face.

  The valet shook his head.

  "Non, madame." Quickly he added: "But it is nothing. It is onlytemporary."

  "Didn't he know my sister and Mr. Steell? Didn't they greet him at thedock?"

  "Yes, madame. They spoke to him and
he spoke to them. But he was nothimself. They seemed surprised. They will tell madame."

  Helen fell back, sick and faint. Why had she not known this before?She would have gone down to meet him, thrown herself weeping into hisarms. He would have known her then--who better than he would recognizethat perfume he loved so well? He would have taken her in his strongarms and kissed her passionately. If he was not himself it was becausehe was ill. The shock had affected his memory! Poor darling husband,he must be well nursed. A few days of her devoted care and he would beall right again. Of course, it was nothing serious. Kenneth had ledtoo clean and wholesome a life for anything grave to be the matter. Ifonly he would come! God grant that he return to her as he went away!

  As the unspoken prayer died away on her lips, there was the chugging ofan automobile stopping suddenly at the curb.

  "_Les voici_!" cried Francois, dropping into his native tongue in hisexcitement.

  He threw open the wide doors and the next instant Ray ran up the steps.Helen, weak and dizzy from nervous tension, feeling as if she wereabout to faint, met her on the threshold.

  "Kenneth!" she gasped. "Is he all right?"

  "Certainly--he's fine. He's a little tired and nervous after the longjourney, and the blue spectacles he wears make him look different, buthe's all right."

  The wife looked searchingly, eagerly at the young girl's face, as ifseeking to read there what she dreaded to ask, and it seemed to herthat the customary ring of sincerity was lacking in her sister's voice.

  "Where is he--why isn't he with you?'

  "Here he is now--don't you see him?"

  Helen looked out. There came the tall, familiar figure she knew sowell, the square shoulders, the thick bushy hair, with its single whitelock so strangely isolated among the brown. Her heart fell as she sawthe blue glasses. They veiled from her view those dear blue eyes, sokind and true. They made him look different. But what did she care aslong as he had come home to her? Even with the horrid glasses, thatdear form she would know in a thousand!

  Slowly he came up the long flight of stone steps, weighted down bytraveling rugs and handbag, both of which he refused to surrender tothe obsequious Francois. Eagerly she rushed down the steps to meethim, her eyes half-closed, ready to swoon from excitement and joy.Nothing was said. He opened his arms. She put up her mouth, tenderly,submissively. For a moment he seemed to hesitate. He held her tightin his embrace, and just looked down at her. Then, as he felt thewarmth of her soft, yielding body next to his, and saw the partlyopened mouth, ready to receive his kiss, he bent down and fastened hislips on hers.