THE CASE OF THE RAJAH'S SON by H. Gregory Hill

Author:H. Gregory Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Dora’s Sacrifice—Lord Westway’s Promise—A Puzzling Encounter—A Thug’s Cunning.

"RONALD, is it wise to have brought me here? Although your father withdrew that cruel charge, he will be further than ever from being reconciled to me. I wish, dear, you had driven me to my rooms."

"I have brought you home, Dora, because I think it best to have this matter out with the pater, once and for all. His prejudice has caused you humiliation and suffering enough, and now that he no longer believes you guilty, after what Sexton Blake has revealed, there is no reason why he should not regard you as my future wife."

The Hon. Ronald Westways and Dora Bathurst were seated in the library of Westways House. Ronald had just motored the girl from the police-court, at which she had that morning appeared, and had been discharged. A flood of resentment against his father surged within the young man as he recalled the morning’s events, and noted the ashen pallor of the girl’s face, and her wet lashes quivering on the verge of tears.

Inspector Grimson’s evidence had left little doubt in the minds of those present in the court, and, in those nightmare moments, Dora had suffered as only an innocent and sensitive person can suffer when wrongly accused.

Then, at the eleventh hour, had come a curtly worded intimation from Lord Westway, stating that, as "doubts" had arisen, he wished the charge he had made against the accused girl to be withdrawn.

"You will not quarrel with your father, Ron?" Dora said, reading the gathering tempest in her lover’s face. "Not—not about me, dear?"

Ronald tenderly kissed the trembling lips.

"My poor little sweetheart! It’s hard that you should be treated like this. I have no desire to quarrel with the pater, but he must see reason. Your reputation has suffered to such an extent that the Rex management will rescind your contract. You need my protection more than ever now."

Dora laid an appealing hand on the young aristocrat’s sleeve.

"Ron, dear, promise not to quarrel. The thought that our love might estrange you from your people is unbearable. And we must remember that your father believed that he was acting for your own welfare."

The sweet voice faltered, and Ronald knew that the endurance that had enabled the girl to face her shame proudly was almost at an end. Impulsively he took her in his arms again.

"Dear old girl," he said softly. "Always a thought to spare for others! The pater ought to feel jolly well proud your coming into the family. He’s a good sort, really, but as proud as Lucifer of the Westways’ prestige. It’s almost a mania with him. He’ll come down with a rush, though, when he learns what a thorough little brick you are."

But Dora smiled wanly. She felt that it would be long before she could gain a place in that pride-bound heart of Lord Westways.

"And now, darling," said Ronald, as he placed her on a chair, and seated himself near to her, "can you throw

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