Part 17

"Miss Tonia, hold on one minute. Now"--with one hand he held her, with the other he crushed the fire out, then--but for Jim there would have been no then, Toney could not have held on--the next instant the shoot was moved and again placed in position for Toney, and Jim straining forward helped her to get in--alone she could not have done it.

"Miss Tonia, Miss Tonia--thank God, it's all right." Then Toney heard a great shout, a shout that permeated everywhere, and she felt herself sliding down, down, always down; but the truth was that for the first time in her life Toney had fainted, and when she came to herself she was in the big barn where the grand supper had been served, and which was situated on the side where the fire was not.

"Aunt Dove--and everybody?" she gasped. It was Maud who was beside her, and Dr. Latham was cutting off her sleeve and wrapping up her left arm in cotton wool after having soaked it in oil.

"Oh! Toney, Toney, all are saved; you did it; is the pain very bad?"

Toney shut her eyes a moment.

"Gracious stars!--I forgot--I thought I was going down and down, and the fire was running after me! Oh, all saved! Maud! I am glad. Where's Trick?" At this moment a poor, singed, bedraggled animal made a bound and was on Toney's couch, licking her face and half wild with joy.

"I was so afraid we should never get aunt out! Trick, Trick, you gave the first warning; you're just a hero! Let me get up, Dr. Latham; I'm quite fit--is my study burnt?

"No, all that wing is safe; the wind carried the fire the other way, and the engines are keeping it down. Lady Dove and Miss Grossman have been driven to Waycott Hall; she revived wonderfully, but you were not ready to go off with them."

"The maids were saved first," added Maud; "fortunately, they were on the roof, and very visible, but till Miss Grossman appeared we could not locate where you were. Mr. Russell has done wonders. Oh, it was dreadful!"

Toney's colour began to return; she insisted on getting up, and Maud fetched a great ulster for her to keep her warm.

"We must telephone to Uncle Evas at once," she said; "he's at Charing Cross Hotel." To herself Toney thought, "Lewis Waycott will know I did my best before he goes." Then she shook herself to make sure her legs were her own.

"Now I must go--where's Jim? Oh, Maud, I couldn't have held on a second longer without him!"

The two girls went out to the front of the house. It was four o'clock now, and a great glare and volumes of smoke made lurid light, but every now and then the water conquered the fire. All the villagers were working with a will, carrying pictures and valuables to safety, and, strange to say, most ably directed by Plantagenet Russell. He seemed to forget entirely his own personality, and thought only of saving all that was precious in the best possible way. Every now and then a cheer was heard, when something was brought out through the danger zone. It was on this scene that Toney appeared, and again there was a shout that drowned all other sounds. The old men and women gathered round her, the others were working for all they were worth.

"Miss Tonia! Miss Tonia! Thank God! thank God! You gave us such a fright, that you did! when you stood up there. Jim wouldn't wait; he did his duty, did Jim. There wasn't time to wait, though the fireman said there was---- Here, Jim, stop a bit, and come and see Miss Tonia!" Jim, looking like a sweep, touched his hat.

"It's all right now you're safe, Miss Tonia."

"It's all owing to you, Jim; I couldn't have kept hold another minute."

"You saved her ladyship, Miss Tonia; she was sheer dazed with fright; the fireman said he couldn't have managed it himself. Her ladyship was very upset, and directly she heard you were safe she went off with Miss Grossman. We can't think how you managed that drop, miss; none of us could have done it!"

"I had to, Jim, the heat was so awful!"

"I came just in time," said Maud. "Oh! Toney, to see you dropping down from that ledge made me feel sick! I shall never forget it. If only Lewis had been here!" Toney turned to see the men again.

"Thank you very much for helping to save uncle's things; but please don't go into danger for them. Mr. Russell, how good you've been; you'll take care of the men? Now I think I'll go to Waycott Hall to see after Aunt Dove. Come, Maud." Doctor Latham joined her.

"There's the carriage coming back. I'll come too. You will feel your arm pain you more later."

* * * * *

"If you please, Sir Evas Dove, you're wanted at the telephone immediately," said a sleepy waiter.

"Hulloa! what's up? Is it Lady Dove?--Impossible--I'll come immediately."

"Are you Sir Evas?"

"Yes; who is it? Ah! Russell, is it you? What's the matter?"

"Aldersfield is on fire; can you come first train? Everybody saved; Lady Dove much upset; Miss Whitburn has burnt her arm--Miss Hamilton wants Mr. Waycott to know."

"What the Dickens are you all up to? I'll come first train; never mind if all are safe."

Sir Evas rushed to Lewis Waycott's room.

"Waycott, are you awake?"

"Yes; what's up?"

"I'm off immediately; Aldersfield is burning; Toney has been burnt."

"Toney burnt! Good heavens! I'll come with you."

"No need, only her arm; but Maud wanted you to know. Good-bye; good luck to your hungry lions."

But Lewis did not reply, he was hurrying into his clothes with greater rapidity than ever before, and when Sir Evas stepped into the carriage he did not see that Lewis Waycott jumped in too, just as the train was starting.

*CHAPTER XXXI.*

*HOME AGAIN.*

Hardly had Maud, Toney, and Dr. Latham reached Waycott Hall in the grey light of morning, than a rider galloped up. It was Edward Lang, who threw himself off his saddle to greet the girls.

"We heard such stories that I simply threw myself on Tempest and galloped here. You were reported dead, Miss Whitburn--are you hurt, Miss Hamilton? They sent me on here from Aldersfield."

"Toney's arm is burnt, I was only a spectator."

"The fire is being got under, but the left wing looks bad." He kept close to Maud and looked more at her than at Toney. Maud told the tale. Toney did not care to talk about it, so she left them to go and find her aunt, and met Miss Honoria, Mrs. Hamilton, and Miss Grossman looking for her.

"My dear child," cried Miss Honoria, kissing her, "is your arm bad? You must go to bed."

"We are all proud of you," said Mrs. Hamilton, conquered at last, for personal courage was her special admiration, "Miss Grossman told us all. Lady Dove has gone to bed and begged not to be disturbed, so you had better not see her yet, she is much shaken."

"How did you get through?" said Toney to the companion. "Aunt Dove couldn't move, I think fear paralyzed her, and, gracious stars! the shoot just finished her for a moment. We had to use force, I couldn't go down on her head, and by the time I could I had to move away from it along the sill, out of reach. But you know, Miss Honoria, Jim saved me. I was holding on for all I was worth, but--oh, I couldn't have done it half a minute longer."

Toney was simply bent on praising Jim, forgetting that these horrible moments had been endured for Aunt Dove's sake.

"I couldn't have got through but for that soaked towel, Miss Whitburn, you saved my life, I shall feel in your debt for the rest of my life," said Miss Grossman, who having washed and dressed looked quite normal. Toney laughed.

"Oh don't, please, a towel is a very old joke, isn't it?"

"I find, to my surprise, that the obvious escapes one at such moments. Lady Dove rang the bell in my room violently and, smelling smoke, I ran to her without thought. Once there I did the best I could for us both."

"Well, that was real lucky for her, but I guess you were nearly stifled in that wardrobe," said Toney smiling. "Tell me what Aunt Dove said afterwards?"

"If you wish to know, she said it was the first time you had been of real use."

"That's grand from her! Now, Miss Honoria, I think I'll go and curl up till Uncle Evas comes. I don't want to go to bed, thank you," she said smiling bravely.

"Then just come to Lewis' study. No one will go there to disturb you, dear," answered Miss Honoria.

"All right, I'll go, don't come with me. Maud's somewhere telling Mr. Lang."

Toney washed her face and brushed her hair in Maud's room, then she hurried towards the study. She would like to be there, quiet and alone; she wanted to get rid of that horrible feeling of holding on to an impossible position. She had fancied herself braver. Pups wouldn't have turned a hair over it--neither would she formerly. This life of luxury was unnerving her; how glad, how very glad she was that her will had been altered. She heaved a sigh of relief as she opened the door. Then she stood still thunderstruck! The room was not empty, Maud was talking eagerly to Edward Lang and they were close to each other and he was holding her hand. How horrid of Maud! What would Lewis think?

"Ehem!" said Toney in a loud voice, and the two flew apart, Maud turning round with a crimson face.

"Oh, Toney, we--I didn't think you would come here---- I was telling Mr. Lang----"

"Oh I say, Miss Whitburn, I'll take a leaf out of your book---- I want Maud to marry me and she won't say 'yes!'"

Toney nearly said, "How dishonourable," then by a sudden inspiration her mind was illumined. She must have imagined, all--the other thing? A great weight seemed to be suddenly lifted from her heart, she felt light as air so that she actually burst out laughing.

"Oh! Stars and Stripes!--Maud--you never told me---- Is it really true--or----"

Edward Lang's eyes were so blue and so kind, he seized Maud's hand.

"She'll obey you, Miss Whitburn--tell her to say 'yes'--and you can't say I love her for her money--because she has none, and if she will just reform this extravagant personage we shall be as happy as----"

"Gracious stars! Maud--do you----"

"He's most unworthy," said Maud laughing, "but I have a slight regard for him only--it's all very well promising to reform but----"

"You can't tell unless you try me," he answered, looking really in earnest, "but be witness, Miss Whitburn, 'pon my honour I will, Maud says I must work, and really I mean in future to be less of a lazy dog, but if Maud throws me up----"

"A gentleman always keeps his word, Maud," said Toney, "and indeed, Mr. Lang, Maud won't always be penniless, I've just made my will, and when Aunt Dove dies, you'll have two thousand a year, Maud--it's my wedding gift to you."

The lovers stared hard, then Maud actually cried and ended by laughing.

"Oh, Toney! We can't--he won't reform if I'm not a beggar!"

"Aunt Dove's got an awfully good constitution, so there's no hurry," said Toney, "but I'm so very, very glad, Mr. Lang, though of course, Maud is too good for you, only----"

They all laughed, and Maud seeing Toney's tired look, suggested she should lie down and be left alone.

"Yes, I think I'll curl up," said Toney, "I'm still a bit dazed--but, oh, Maud--I never guessed!"

The lovers went out and Toney called Trick, then literally curled herself round on the big sofa, feeling that it would take a long time to re-adjust her ideas. Why had she believed Aunt Dove, and--oh, it was all a mistake--what about Lewis' strange coldness? But even the new sweet, strange puzzle, and the great lightness of heart, could not keep her weary eyes open, though she did not want to sleep but to see Sir Evas directly he appeared, so she took her little book out of her pocket and opened it at the place where the little boy saw St. Francis in a wood, surrounded with heavenly visitors, and she read how St. Francis, returning home, stumbled over the boy, and then lifted him in his arms, "as doth a good shepherd with his sheep," and Toney thought of the terrible moments on the sill, and thanked God that she had been upheld by the Good Shepherd till help had come, for she heard Jim tell someone that it was a miracle how Miss Tonia had held on---- Then "The Little Flowers of St. Francis" dropped from her hands and Toney fell asleep.

* * * * *

Sir Evas, getting out at Winchley Station, stumbled against Lewis Waycott.

"Bless my soul, you came too, Waycott! How can you spare the time? There's a fly waiting, come with me, I wanted to talk about your lions, but all this has driven everything out of my head."

"The lions will wait," said Lewis gravely. Then Sir Evas spoke a few words to the Station Master, after which both men hurried into the fly.

"It might have been worse, but Ingram says it was a near shave for Toney. However, now the fire is got under. She saved her aunt's life, Ingram says. What a fright I had, but Toney's safe; I'm as fond of that girl as if she was my own."

"Of course," said Lewis, "I'm sure she never thought of herself."

"Always was foolhardy--but coming down I was reading a letter from Staines, he's terribly upset. What do you think Toney did yesterday?"

"Yesterday! Was she in town?"

"Yes, I forgot to say so--Staines said she insisted on making an immediate deed of gift to that confoun--well, that Stone House of hers of L30,000, and to think of all the time I wasted on that girl's money affairs! It's preposterous! I don't wonder Staines is nearly off his head!"

"A deed of gift of L30,000!" repeated Lewis turning towards Sir Evas with a flash of joy in his eyes.

"Yes, I thought you'd be as surprised as I am. Worse--Staines said he would tell me--out of the remainder, she's given my wife L2,000 principal and interest, and at her death it's to go on to your Cousin Maud."

"To Maud!"

"Yes, Toney's very fond of Maud, and--you know I expect she thought it would help you."

"Help me! Why?"

"Oh she told me not to let the cat out of the bag, but I never could keep a cat in anything. She heard you were engaged to Maud--keeping it quiet--much better--I wouldn't have mentioned it but for this money."

"Good heavens! What else--she won't have much left."

"Confound it all--the rest, I suppose, will build Stone House, only----" and Sir Evas chuckled,

"Staines has kept the coal mines as her share, and there's no knowing what they are worth, unless the seam fails--there'll be pickings, but only pickings. Such a fortune, a princely fortune. Stone couldn't have foreseen it."

"I believe he did, Sir Evas, I believe it was his fashion of dispensing charity."

"I don't know, he was a queer fish himself, gave lavishly in secret, but--it's really enough to turn Staines' hair white."

Here Lewis Waycott laughed aloud; Sir Evas looked at him a little reproachfully.

"I don't see the joke."

"Forgive me, Sir Evas--I do--but what made Toney say that about Maud? What an absurd idea! I'm awfully fond of Maud--I think I told Toney so--but I look upon these girls as my sisters. They're tremendously improved, and it's Toney's doing."

"Then you're not engaged to Maud! I always said it surprised me--Toney's too cute. Here we are--good heavens! It's not pleasant to see your ancestral home looking like this!"

The two men were surrounded immediately by responsible and irresponsible people. Sir Evas heard all that was known, and Lewis was shown where Toney had stood and told how she had saved the lives of Lady Dove and Miss Grossman. Lewis Waycott looked away. He was a strong man but at that moment he felt faint.

"They are all at Waycott, Sir Evas," said Lewis, "I think I'll go on."

"Yes, do, say I am coming. I must thank my people for saving so much of my property. There isn't a picture burnt, and much of the furniture is saved."

Sir Evas had become very popular since Toney had rubbed his shyness off, so now he went about among his tenants scattering kind words, and he was almost overcome by their heartfelt sympathy. Though his treasures had been at everybody's mercy, not the smallest thing had been injured.--"It will soon be built up again, sir--'Twas a mercy everyone was saved--Her ladyship wouldn't face the shoot at first, sir--If Miss Tonia hadn't been there the two ladies would have been roasted alive--The ways of Providence is wonderful! 'Tain't for such of us to understand them!"

On leaving Sir Evas, Lewis had stumbled on Jim.

"Jim, if you're not wanted, take me home in the motor--at least if it isn't burnt."

"No, sir, the stables never suffered. Miss Tonia asked after Colon and the others, sir, and the little dorg went near mad with joy. He tried to run into the fire to find Miss Tonia. Trick ain't like other dorgs."

"I hear, Jim, you saved Miss Toney--you know we shan't forget that."

Jim grinned broadly, he was going faster than any regulation speed, so he could not do more.

"That wasn't nothing, sir. I was so mad that they didn't move the shoot quicker, I thought her ladyship must have stuck half-way, so I ran up a ladder, and though it wasn't quite in the right place I managed, by stretching out, to hold Miss Tonia for a minute till the shoot came. If it hadn't been for that she couldn't have held on, how she did it at all, sir, is a miracle, but she's got such a cool head has Miss Tonia, 'tain't another like her anywhere, sir."

"You're right, Jim, there isn't another like her, anywhere."

"Thought you had started for foreign parts, sir."

"I haven't started yet--I may go next week--or I may not. Tell me how the fire began, Jim." And Jim's ideas on this point lasted till they reached Waycott Hall gates.

"All right, Jim, I'll walk from here--I don't want to disturb the ladies--they are not expecting me. Go back for Sir Evas." Lewis sneaked into his own house like a thief. His brain seemed spinning round with a multitude of ideas, as if it were on fire. He mentally saw Toney on that ledge and--he muttered some savage words about himself for not being there, adding, "Hang that Jim, he'll be unbearable for the rest of his life."

No one was expecting him, the hall was deserted, he walked through it and from habit made for his own study. He wanted to calm himself before seeing them all; of course Toney was upstairs--perhaps in bed. Oh! he could wait now. If he told anyone he was here, Aunt Honoria would claim him, and he should have to hear that horrid story again. He opened the door and stepped in. He walked to the fireplace--then---- Good heavens! there was Toney on his sofa, fast asleep, and there too was Trick, who pricked up his ears and barked!

Toney woke up with a start, and with her right hand rubbed her eyes.

"Gracious stars! Uncle--oh, it's----" She sank down again because her legs refused to carry her.

"It's only Lewis," he said sitting down beside her. "Toney--Toney, I've come back to tell you what a fool I've been."

"You haven't yet killed all the lions in Somaliland, have you?" said Toney trying to laugh in her old manner; but the laugh died away before the look in Lewis' eyes.

"Let me tell you quick, Toney." He took her hand, and Toney felt she was dreaming, for never had he looked like that before, never had he held her hand in this manner. "I went away because I loved you--yes, I have always loved you, and you only, but that beastly money came in the way! Lady Dove said I wanted your money, and my horrid pride couldn't swallow the gold! I sacrificed everything to it; then came the day when I couldn't stand any more, I couldn't live and see you every day and say nothing when I wasn't sure--of your feelings. I wasn't worthy of you, Toney; I might have trusted you, I might have known that the money would never stay with you, and now I've heard; but, oh, my Toney, will you believe that I was coming before I knew; I was coming to swallow the whole fortune, and the _on dits_ of the whole county, only your uncle told me, and, anyhow, I ask you now, will you be my wife, not for the money, but for yourself? If you say I don't deserve you, if you say you don't care enough for me, I'll go off again and wait--and then, another thing, Toney, you thought about Maud--how could you? I expect it was Lady Dove again, and now you have just saved her life, and nearly--Toney--Toney." He put his strong arm round her and she did not resist. "Speak to me and tell me--and then I'll face all those Society lions."

Then Toney just laid her weary head on his shoulder, and there was a lump in her throat and a great, great gladness in her heart.

"Don't go away, ever again--I've been very, very miserable, and I hated myself because I thought you belonged to Maud---- Is it true, quite, quite true?"

"It's awfully true--Toney, you won't go on believing about Maud?"

"Oh, gracious stars! no!" cried Toney lifting up her face that was so pink, and her eyes that were so bright; "because she's just been engaging herself to the Honourable Edward Lang!"

"Maud?" shouted Lewis, and they both laughed together. "So you knew--when?"

"Oh, here, just before I went to sleep. Then all the horrid feelings went away--and dear, dear Lewis, I sort of felt you would come back, and I was so happy--and you won't mind my being rather poor, though Aunt Dove says you ought to marry money; but even for you I could not keep it, because it was all dedicated long ago to the poor and needy."

"My darling, I've proved I don't care, though in a stupid way---- Toney, say you forgive me for hurting you, and now--I claim the gift you promised me long ago from the cottage window."

"Oh, Lewis, was it that? and I never guessed!" Then a great content fell on them both. "I said I would give you what you asked, and I think that I always have loved you, though I never knew it till--you went away! Oh! there's uncle--let me go--and tell him; he sort of guessed it before I did!"

"He's more sense than I have," said Lewis laughing.

Then they stood up with shining eyes waiting for Sir Evas, and Toney whispered,

"I was so lonely, so lonely, and the work seemed so hard, and now you'll never leave me and we'll work together; I see now I can't do it alone, and I do hope 'That is the way God would have us to go,' as dear St. Francis said whenever he was starting on a journey!"

"We'll go, God helping us, all the way together, my Toney," said Lewis as they stood together "and as for the lions, they may eat each other up. Come and tell Aunt Honoria, and Maud and the others, they will all be so glad!"

"They've been so awfully good to me, but--I am not _quite_ sure about Aunt Dove's joy!"

"Hang her," muttered Lewis.

As they went out hand-in-hand together, they laughed the old happy laugh, and met Sir Evas face to face at the hall door.

"What the Dickens!" he began. "By Jove! is _that_ it?"

"Yes, you dear, ducky uncle," said Toney, throwing her arms round his neck and giving him a bear's hug, "yes, _that's_ it!"

THE END.

Printed in Great Britain at _The Mayflower Press, Plymouth_. William Brendon & Son, Ltd