.Tuesday, March 6, 1923
T THE HEPPNER HERALD, HEPPNER, OREGON
PAGE THREE 1
IT IS DIFFICULT
to imagine any
thing more fasci
nating than our
new serial story
Joy of I
: Living
By
Sidney Gowing
SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER I. Disliking the prospect of
ta month's visit to her austere aunt, Lady
Krythea Lambe, at Jervaulx abbey, and
iier cousin, Alexander Lambe, Almee, vi
vacious daughter of the Very Reverend
'discount Scroope, Is In a rebellious mood.
CHAPTER II. She wanders Into the
ipark, there encountering a strange youth
In trouble with a motorcycle. He laugh
ingly Introduces himself as "Billy," Amer
ican. The two cement the acquaintance
by a ride on the motorcycle, the, "Flying
Sphinx," and part. With Oeorglna Ber
tierg, her cousin, Almee sets out for Jer
vaulx. On the way she decides that Geor
gina shall impersonate her at Jervaulx,
while she goes on a holiday. Georgina's
Jiorriflsd protest Is unavailing.
CHAPTER IH, Happy In her new free-
dom, Almee again melts "Billy." He tells
iher his name Is Spencer, and Bhe gives
Ihers as Amy Snooks, at presest "QU ?f a
:dob." Billy offers to take her Into part
nership in selling the Sphinx. In a spirit
of madcap adventure, she accepts. The
two proceed to the town of Stanhoe, tak
ing separate lodgings In Ivy cottage.
' CHAPTER IV.-That night Aimee visits
Oeorglna and learns that the deception
has not been discovered. By her dominant
personality she compels Georgina to con
tinue the subterfuge,
CHAPTER V.-On a trial spin next day
on the Sphinx, with Billy, Aimee almost
collides with a carriage in which are her
aunt, Georgina and Alexander. The pair
.escape unrecognized.
CHAPTER VI. Georgina learns that
Xord Scroope Is coming to visit Lady Ery
thea and, realizing what will happen on
Ills arrival. Is in hopeless bewilderment
' CHAPTER VII.-While Aimee Is secretly
visiting Georgina at Jervaulx, the place is
burglarized. Almee escapes.
CHAPTER VIII. Georgina learns, with
much relief, that Almee has got away.
CHAPTER IX. Police Inspector Panke
decides that the robbery Is the work of
"'Jack the Climber" and "Calamity Kate,"
noted thieves, who travel on a motorcy
cle. CHAPTER X.-Bllly, aware of his
"partner's" nocturnal Jaunts, Is troubled.
He follows her, on the Sphinx, to Jer
vaulx. He hears the commotion, at once
suspects burglary, and follows two figures
on a motorcycle who are apparently in a
dosperate hurry. Cornering the pair, Billy
knocks out a man who attempts to shoot
tlim, picking up a package the fellow had
dropped. He discovers the other fugitive
to be a woman. Stopping to aid her, she
strikes him with a stone, rendering him
unconscious, and the pair escape.
CHAPTER Xl.-Recovering, Billy dis
covers the package he had picked up Is a
jewel case, containing emeralds. Realiz
ing they must be part of the loot from
Jervaulx, he starts for the abbey. On the
way he meets Aimee, with the police in
pursuit. In a secure hiding place, a cave
among the crag pits, Aimee tells him the
whole story. He urges that she make a
frank confession to her father, but on re
flection both realize Aimee's good name
has been compromised by her two nights'
atav mt Ivv entrap
CHAPTER XII. Assuring Aimee he
has a plan to save her, Billy leaves her In
the cave and, proceeding to Jervaulx, re
stores the emeralds to the astounded
Lady Erythea.
CHAPTER XIII. Rejecting any re
ward, after explaining how the emeralds
came Into his possession, Billy accepts he
position of chauffeur to Lady Erythea,
-seeing in the situation a promise of a way
out of the embroglio.
CHAPTER XIV. Realizing what her
father's visit lo Jervaulx would mean,
Aimee goes secretly to her home, disables
the family auto, thus preventing his Jour
ney, and Induces a parlormaid to let her
take her place at Jervaulx,
CHAPTER XV. Alexander recognizes
Aimee as the woman on the motorcycle
which ran Into the Lambe carriage, de
ziounclng her as "Calamity Kate." Geor
gina divulges Aimee's identity. Hearing
her story, Alexander consents to keep the
secret.
CHAPTER XVI. Alexander finds him
self very much In love with Georgina.
CHAPTER XVII. The approaching vis
It of Alexander's sister. Lady Diana (who,
of course, knows Almee) brings conster
nation to the two girls.
CHAPTER XVni. Another visitor to
Jervaulx is the Vicomte de Jussac, Di
ana's suitor. Diana recognizes Almee and
threatens to denounce her.
CHAPTER XIX
Arms and the Man.
The housekeeper looked bewildered.
Diana's wrath agitated her. Almee
was standing quietly In the middle of
the room, her hands behind her.
MI dare not disturb her ladyship
now that she has retired for the night
nd her room Is locked," said the
housekeeper ; "my orders are strict.
Jlay I suggest that you see her your
self, my lady? If there Is anything
else I can do "
Diana paused, and appeared to re
flect. "No," she said curtly. "You can
go." When the housekeeper had left
the room, Diana turned to Almee.
"You will come with me now to
Aunt!"
"I'll do nothing of the sort," retorted
Aimee defiantly. "Go and speak to
her yourself, If you want to. Rouse
her out of bed now, and tell her all
you know. I shall get It hot ; I'm used
to that but there's one consolation,
she'll Jolly well flatten you out, too!"
Again Diana hesitated. She saw
herself roaring accusations Into the
ear-trumpet of an Infuriated " aunt
newly aroused from slumber.
"I am tired, and I do not wish for
a scene at this time of night," she
aid, fixing Aimee with a malignant
ye. "On consideration, I shall leave
this affair till the morning. And now
you may go."
She stood away from the door.
"Won't you be decent about It, DIT
said Almee Imploringly. "I don't care
for myself, but lt'a going to be awful
for Dad. I 11 you'd only let me
tell vouj-"
flte
"I have no desire to listen to a dis
creditable story, at which, no doubt,
I could give a very good guess. As
for your father, he must face the con
sequences of having allowed you to
behave as you do. I have no more
to say," replied Diana with cold dis
dain. Aimee's eyes blazed at her.
"You utter beast, Dl!" she said,
and flung out of the room.
For half an hour Aimee mused upon
the situation, and mentally pro
nounced it hopeless. The dreary bed
room became impossible to her. She
opened the door; the house was in
darkness; everyone, apparently, had
retired. Aimee made her way to
Georgina's bedroom door, and rapped
stealthily for some time, for the door
was locked. It seemed Impossible to
arouse Georgina, and after a lengthy
effort Almee desisted. Lady Erythea's
room was next door, and even the deaf
hear when they are not wanted to.
Finally, Aimee crept down Into the
hall, where the suits of armor loomed
grimly In the half-light, a silent,
threatening host. It was Impossible
to get out of the house. All conceiv
able outlets were secured, since the
burglary. Aimee passed through the
paneled dining hall. The darkness
got on her nerves. She switched on
a single electric light, and looked
round her hopelessly.
"Two or three more days, and I
believe Billy would have pulled me
through," she said dully. "I know he
would. Now, It's all up. I'm done.
And I can't get to Billy."
Almee dropped into an armchair,
buried her face in her hands, and be
gan to cry. She cried like a child that
has hurt Itself,
A large figure stole into the room
with a remarkably noiseless step. It
was the Vicomte de Jussac. He start
ed as he caught sight of the forlorn
figure In the chair, and stared In sur
prise. The spectacle of a damsel in
distress at once roused generous sen
timents in the beau sabreur.
He crossed the room and seated
himself on the arm of the chair.
"Away, dull care," murmured Ber
trand. "Such eyes as those I cannot
see them but I am sure they are
adorable were never made for weep
ing. Tell me your sorrow, ma pe
tite," he said gently; "It shall be
swept away I"
"I'm In awful trouble!" sobbed
Aimee.
"Alas! But lot me help you. Here
am I, a big, gross fellow, but very
capable, sent by the gods to aid you.
It Is what I am for!"
Almee dropped her hands and
stared at him, startled.
"Are you Monsieur de Jussac?" she
stammered.
"Infinitely at your service, ma
demoiselle." Aimee's eyes searched his face. It
was rather closer to hers than ap
peared necessary, but It was undoubt
edly sympathetic.
"Tell me!" he murmured.
Aimee hesitated.
"Well, I will tell you. I've got to
tell somebody, or I shall go mad !"
said Almee with a rush. "Anyway
they'll know It tomorrow. I'm not the
parlor maid. I'm Aimee Scroope
Lady Erythea's niece."
"Hein!" exclaimed the Vicomte. He
rose to his feet, staring at her, and
twisted his mustache a habit in mo
ments of bewilderment.
Almee plunged Into her tale breath
lessly. She made It brief; It was also
very jumbled. But the thread man
aged to unravel Itself. Before she
finished, Bertrand turned away. His
shoulders quivered and shook, the
back of his neck was crimson.
"You're laughing!" cried Almee ac
cusingly. "But no!" gasped the Vicomte,
choking. "It is grief. Grief and sym
pathy for you mademoiselle."
"You are laughing!" said Almee
stepping In front of him. "Go on
then laugh ! If you can laugh at
that, you're you're all right! Billy
says " She checked herself, and
suddenly began to laugh, too; a very
rainbow of laughter and tears. "But
what's to be done? It's the finish!"
Bertrand turned and caught her by
the hands.
"We shall find a way!" he cried.
"Courage I Bah ! but that Is an lm-
"What Does This Mean?" He 8aid
Sternly.
beetle remark. If yon had not cour
age you would not be heee. Who
should betray your
"Diana." Almee told him of the en
counter In the bedroom,
"It cannot be! She has a heart.
Under that Icily exquisite exterior,
a warm heart beats. It must be
softened."
"A heart? Dl? She's a" Almee
stopped just in time. "I'm afraid It's
quite hopeless. I only told yon be
cause I was in despair."
"A De Jussac never despairs! Es
pecially when there Is a charming
little lady to be rescued from the
Philistines. The diiliculty must be
overcome at any cost. Ah!" he ex
claimed, coming near to her. "I be
lieve I have It ! Listen"
"Oh !" said Almee with a gasp. She
had become conscious that they were
not alone.
Alexander stood before them, In a
black dressing gown, a candle In his
hand. He only needed bell and book
to be the very Image of an abbot In
the act of pronouncing excommunica
tion. De Jussac started violently, and
frowned. Alexander took no notice of
him; his eyes were fixed on Aimee.
"What does this mean?" he said
sternly.
"Diana's found me out, and she's
going to tell Aunt, first thing In the
morning," said Almee, with the calm
of despair. "And I've told Monsieur
de Jussac. I simply had to tell some
body. And everybody will know to
morrow." "Rather a delicate position, Mon
sieur le Cure eh?" said Bertrand
dryly, and not without satisfaction.
Alexander flushed to the ears and
hung his head. He looked so ashamed
and wretched that Aimee felt a pnng
of remorse,
"For myself," he said unsteadily,
"I will face the exposure and the pen
alty for I have deserved It. It is
you, Aimee, that I should have wished
to save. I would sacrifice myself to
do It now, If there were any way, but
I see none. You and Georgina. That
Is all that matters."
"Tlens! The true ring!" cried de
Jussac enthusiastically. He seized Al
exander's hand and shook It with
heartfelt warmth. "Never reproach
yourself, mon ami. From first to last,
you have acted en gnlant homme!"
"You've been a brick, Alexander.
And you'd better go, and not hear any
more I'll keep you out of It If I can,"
said Almee quickly.
Alexander looked at his cousin.
"I will go, then," he said, "on con
dition that you return to your room
Immediately, Almee."
"All right, I will."
"Assuredly she shall go at once I
Till the morning then, Monsieur 1
Abbe, and have no fear. The danger
shall dissipate Itself," said Bertrand,
and almost forcibly he shepherded the
bewildered Alexander out of the room.
Bertrand darted buck, and caught
Almee by the hands.
"He Is bon enfant, the parson I" he
cried, "all shall yet be well. But it
Is Impossible to require deceit from
him. Leave that to me! Mademoi
selle, I am a magnificent liar!" He
smote himself proudly on the breast.
"You shall see how my talent "
"But i"
"Not a word! I shall consider It
an honor a privilege. It is the one
situation In which prevarication be
comes a virtue! Retire, then, made
moiselle, and sleep soundly. A way
shall be found out of this Impasse,
I pledge myself to It f ol de chevalier I
The morning shall bring, not disaster,
but happiness!"
Almee was whirled out of the room,
hardly less bewildered than Alexander.
When she had gone upstairs, Monsieur
De Jussac returned to the dining room.
He paced the room with long strides,
developing a series of plans that
flashed through his brain. Some
caused him to laugh aloud, others
evoked a sigh.
"In this country of Puritans,
schemes that elsewhere would glow
like a golden mist, become impos
sible!" he mused regretfully.
Since the coldness of Lady Diana
was the' main difficulty, Bertrand's
thoughts concentrated naturally upon
her, and It Is to be feared that Aimee's
predicament faded Into a secondary
place. Allowances must be made for
those swayed by the grand passion.
Suddenly de Jussac halted among the
suits of mall.
"Tlens! the armor," he said, bright
ening, "the same of which Diana
should have told me the history, but
declined. She shall come to it yet!
She approves armor she adores the
days of chivalry long dead.
"Lived we in those days," cried
Bertrand with rising fervor, "I would
hack my way to her favor though a
hundred spears barred the path." He
struck the nearest breastplate with
his fist. "You Sir Knight! If you
did not pay swift homage to rny lady,"
said Bertrand, grinding his teeth, "my
lance should crash into your mldrlft!
Scrognon-non-nori-non-non !"
He turned to inspect the pectoral
of another suit, beautifully engraved
and chased with gold.
"Of French workmanship, surely
never of this country. The English
are a great nation, but severe
i severe." He passed his hands over
the breastplate. It detached quite
easily from the stand. With a sud
den Impulse Bertrand fitted it to his
broad chest, passing his arm through
the thongs that had held It to the
stand. He laughed as he caught sight
of his reflection In a mirror.
"It becomes me a mervellle! Name
of a name! Let me envisage myself
the conqueror of my Diana !"
He strapped on the greaves and
culsses over his dress trousers, donned
the gorget and, lifting down the big
helmet, placed It over his head, abrad
ing his nose in the process. The suit
It. was. the same which had fallen
during the" nlglif of the burglary
had certainly been made for a knight
of great stature It fitted de Jussac
very well.
"Magnlfique !" said Bertrand. "And,
who knows It may be the very suit
of my ancestor! The "
He turned slowly, aware of someone
approaching. A tall, spectral figure,
white and ethereal, stood In the door
way.
It was Lady Diana, in a long glrdlec
wrap trimmed with white fur. In hei
hand was a rolled up paper that might
have been a piece of music; it trem
bled visibly. Her face, as she gazec
at the armored figure, was as white as
her garments.
She controlled her nerves with a
mighty effort. If it was a spirit. It
was indeed a splendid one. To her
of all people, this manifestation of the
infinite v:is vouchsafed.
For some moments she gazed, In a
thrilled silence. Then she actually
advanced a few steps, faltering.
"Speak!" she said, in a voice thai
quavered slightly. "Are you hei
Speak to me. I urn of the elect. I am
n-n-n-not afraid."
De Jussac grasped the situation. He
searched his mind swifty for the mot
juste the speech of the Fourteenth
century.
"Moult puissnnte dame " he began,
dropping reverently on one knee.
Diana, the moment the unmistak
able voice smote upon her ear, gave
a piercing shriek, and clasped her
hands to her head. She swayed as
if about to fall.
Bertrand rushed forward, and
caught her Just In time.
"B-B-B-Bertrand !" she gasped faint
ly. The name, wrung from her by stress,
was such music in the Vicomte's ears
that he tore off his helmet and kissed
her rapturously.
"Angel!" he cried. "Adored Diana!
Say it again !" He made It somewhat
difficult for her to say anything. "Say
It whisper It 'Bertrand !' Ah, hap
piest of men 1"
Diana struggled.
"How dare you!" she said wildly.
"How dare you pretend to be a
ghost !"
"But I did not I I thought you were
pretending to be one ! Let me bear the
blame. I love you I was In despair
and put on this mall that for one mo
ment I might Imagine myself ap
proved. Dear lady of Romance, I am
no ghost I own It 1"
He proved It with a kiss Uiat was
by no means ghostly.
"Oh !" said Diana faintly.
The mailed arms encircled her
tightly.
"Sweetest of all earth's treasures I"
exclaimed Bertrand. "You love me?
You tremble your heart beats. Say
It ! You love me !"
Suddenly she hid her face against
his breastplate.
"I-I-I-I do," she whispered, hardly
audible, "and I should never have
dared to let you tell me so."
"Thrice blessed accident ! To my un
happy ancestor I owe my happiness!
Ah, day of days! Diana, you will
marry me, beloved?"
"I suppose so. I can't help it, now.
Oh Bertrand !"
"I said that armor was of no avail.
But It has conquered I"
She glanced up at him shyly.
"I shall wear it for evermore !" said
De Jussac rapturously, "It shall never
be doffed, save at your orders. Diana
n
"But my aunt!" exclaimed Diana
suddenly, her blushes changing to pal
lor. "If"
"She will give us her blessing. In
the morning "
'But If she found out how It hap
pened I" said Diana In a panic. "And
the time you do not know how terri
ble Aunt can be "
"She will not know ! I will put my
self In order I will propose to you
again in the morning. We will an
nounce It with all formalities." Ber
trand was alarmed to find her almost
collapsing; he led her to the table and
raised a goblet to her lips. "A little
wine, my angel! It will revive you!"
"No, no!"
"But yes! You are agitated. Just
one sip!"
It was Impossible to deny anything
to the conquering Bertrand. Lady Dl-
Wicked Laughter Convulsed Her.
ana permitted herself to Imbibe
little of the wine ; It restored the color
to her cheeks.
"And now," said the Vicomte ten
derly'Mlght of my. ioinj-
A piercing shriek from DIann Jarred
painfully on his nerves. Bertrand
started and spun around.
In the doorway stood the unspeak
able parlor maid, capless, her bronze
hair flow ing over her shoulders. Wick
ed laughter convulsed her, her eyes
shone with triumph.
"Bless you, my children!" said
Almee. "You've made enough row
about it !"
De Jussac started hastily towards
her. Almee sprang back and closec
the door In his face; the key turned
with a click.
Lady Diana had sunk Inert Into a
chair.
"Stop her make her be quiet I'
panted Diana trembling. "Bertrand
if my aunt "
"Open!" hissed Bertrand, rattling
the handle.
"Leave the door alone !" said Aimee's
voice, muffled through the panel. "You
can't get out either of you. Can you
hear me?"
"Yes, yes! Mademoiselle "
"Listen! Within three feet of me Is
a burglar alarm," said the voice, dia
bolically. "I'm going to start It. Be
fore you can turn yourselves round, the
whole household will be down on you
from Aunt Erythea to the pageboy.
Especially Aunt. I'm going to count
three. When "
"Mlserleorde !" gaRped Bertrand.
"Mademoiselle, I Implore you ! This
Is to return evil for good How have
we deserved "
"I have no quarrel with you, Vi
comte. You're all right. But I've got
you both. Youil accept my terms "
"Anything!" panted Bertrand dis
tractedly. "Anything"
"Stand away from .the door, then
Get right bag!:."
"Yes, yes!"
Almee applied her eye to the key
hole to Insure that her orders were
obeyed. She opened the door cau
tiously, and regarded the distressed
pair with intense satisfaction.
"Let me be the first to congratulate
you!" she said. "Vicomte, I don't
grudge my cousin to you. You are
welcome. Dl !" continued Aimee, fixing
Diana with a glittering eye, "I don't
want your explanation you can ex
plain the masquerade to Aunt. But I
shall hold my tongue about you and
you'll hold yours about me I I require
your word of honor. For you daren't
break It 1"
"Yes !" gasped Diana feebly. "Don't
don't speak so loud, Almee "
Almee looked at her, and exploded
with laughter.
"Every happiness, dear people I" she
said, and vanished.
"Bertrand 1" panted Diana, rising
unsteadily. "Did you know anything
of this? Do you understand ? She
Is not the parlor maid she is mj
cousin. I cannot explain ; you must
say nothing about It. Neither will she!
Oh let me go !"
He caught her In his arms before she
could escape.
"My angel ! In the morning, our love
scene all over again, I have your
promise I"
"Yes !" she said, wildly. "Oh, let me
go!"
Lady Diana fled from the room and
selitlled upstairs like an ngltated rab
bit. The Vicomte, following, blew her
an Impassioned kiss as she passed out
of sight. Returning to the hall, he
tore off his armor In a delirium of Joy,
and replaced it on the stand.
CHAPTER XX
Two Pair.
Lady Erythea beamed. It seems an
Impossible term to apply to that aus
tere countenance. But It was so.
When Georgina entered the drawing
room at noon after nearly twenty
four hours exile In her bedroom she
found her alleged aunt as near to
beaming as her features permitted.
"I am glad you have recovered from
your temporary Indisposition, my dear
Almee," she said amiably. "During
your absence an event has occurred,
both romantic and desirable. How sel
dom the two things go together!"
"Indeed! What Is It?"
"Your cousin Diana and Monsieur da
Jussac are about to contract an alli
ance. They became engaged this morn
ing." "How perfectly delightful !" breathed
Georgina, after a pause of dramatic as
tonishment. "I am sure you are
pleased Aunt?"
"Indeed I am. I have not concealed
from you my desire that this very
thing should come about. It is the
more satisfactory, because only last
night I quite despaired of It, and came
to regard It as hopeless. But Monsieur
de Jussac's suit has prosxred amaz
ingly; It appears that Diana, as I sus
pected, has for some time since been
far from Indifferent to him. I am de
lighted that I gave them the oppor
tunity. Only two hours after break
fast the Vicomte, with his customary
luipetuousness, brought Diana to me
and begged for my consent. I need
not say that I gave It gladly."
Georgina escaped Into the garden.
It Is possible that Almee was right
when she said that all women are
natural actresses In time of need.
Georgina's assumption of astonishment
at hearing Lady Erythea's news was
wholly assumed, and not assumed
badly. The announcement was. In fact,
no news at all to her.
Having an excellent seuse of direc
tion, Gergtna aoon discovered Mr. Al
exander Lambe walking on the shel
tered paths of the old yew garden be
yond the chapel-at-ease. He looked
quite as relieved as Georgina. And his
eyea lit up wonderfully when lie saw
her. He hurried forward to meet her.
"Mr. Lambe !" exclaimed Oeorglna.
Mr. I-ambe halted, and looked deeply
pained.
"Have f offendgj youTl he said al-
mosf wlstfulTyT "I thought you gav
me permission "
"Alexander," murmured Georgina,
flushing very attractively.
"That Is better," said Mr. Lambe,
regarding her with grateful eye
"Have you seen your cousin?"
"Yes," said Georgina pathetically,
"Aimee came into my room very early
this morning; she told me the dreadful
thing that had happened that your
sister had discovered her and was
going to tell Lady Erythea and then,
when I was nearly fruntlc with terror,
Almee explained that it was all right,
and Lady Diana wouldn't say a word
about It. Oh, what a relief It was!"
"She told you that!" cried Alexan
der, amazed. "How could she have
known? It was not till an hour or two
ago Diana Informed me that De Jussac
had Just proposed to her, and she was
so happy she felt Bhe could not get
Almee into trouble!"
Georgina stammered In confusion.
She had nearly made a serious blun
der Almee had told no one but her
self about the encounter with the
ghost.
"She must have felt confident, I sup
pose, of Diana's g-g-goodness of
heart!" faltered Georgina. "Are yott
pleased about the engagement? I do
hope you are. I was afraid "
Alexander paused.
"I am not displeased," he said. "Da
Jussac Is a good fellow. I did not al
ways think so. But I have come to
see that he Is a very good fellow In
deed. The love of a good woman la
just what he needs."
"I hope they will be very happy,"
suld Georgina softly,
Alexander was looking at her with
an expression that made her heart
beat, r
"Isn't It splendid," she said quickly,
"that Aimee won't he suddenly be
trayed ! She'll have a chance now.
She"
"Aimee!" Mr. Lambo almost explod
ed. "It Is nothing but Almee I It la
you I am concerned about, Georgina
not Almee I It wrings my heart, the
position you are placed in through no
fault whatever of your own. It cannot
go on It Is bound to be known very
soon now. And when that happens "
"Yes," said Georgina, forlornly. "It
will be dreadful. I shall have to faca
It. They won't defend me."
Alexander took her hands quickly la
his.
"Give me the right I" he said.
Georgina caught her breath. She
looked up at him. There was a won
derful tenderness In his eyes; his faca
was the face of a man Inspired.
"Georgina, you have known me only
a little while. But I love you. You are
the only woman In the world for me.
I love you ! Do you think you could
cure for me Just a little?"
Georgina tried to free herself. "It
Is Impossible 1" she said, turning her
lace awuy.
"Why? Do you not earn for me?"
"Oh It Is cruel!" gasped Georgina,
brokenly. "I am not Almee. I am here
under false pretenses. How can youl
I am "
"You nre the woman I love!"
"Oh, let me go I" she suld wildly.
"You are not yourself you have no
right to say tills to me," sobbed Geor
gina, "you believe that a priest In or
ders may not marry !"
"I never held any such belief! Of
my order, there are some who hold the
view. I am not with them. I am cell
bate, only because I have never loved
till now. Look at me, Oeorglna !" he
said almost sternly. "Do you believe
that any human passion would cause
me to do what was against my faith?"
Oeorglna looked at him through het
tears.
"No," she whispered, "I know that
you would not."
"Come to me, then, Oeorglna," he
said, gently. "What good there Is foi
us to do In the world, let us do It hand
In hand. I will make the years won
derful for you. Just tell me that you
care."
He took her masterfully In his arms.
"I do love you I" sobbed Georgina.
"I love you."
Alexander raised her face and
kissed her.
"I never hoped to hear you say It,"
he said. She felt his heart beating
strongly. "You love me!"
"I have loved you," said Georgina,
her voice stifled In his coat, "from the
first day I saw you."
There was a long pause.
"It Is greater happiness than I
dreamed of," said Alexander, humbly,
"I have not deserved It."
Suddenly he released her and held
her at arm's length.
"One thing neither of us shall en
dure. No subterfuge no secrecy about
this. It is too sacred. We Rhull make
It known at once. It Is you I om think
ing of. Our betrothal must be an
nounced," suld Alexander decisively,
"and (hen "
Before there was any time for re
flection. Fate was upon him In the
shape of Lady Erythea, walking ma
jestically along the path with her lit
tle Highland terrier at her heels. Al
exander halted.
"Aunt I" he exclaimed. "Georgina
I we "
He stopped short.
"What on earth Is the matter wltll
you?" said Lady Erythea, raising her
eattrutnpet.
(Continued next week)
Alex Wilson was in town from
Boardman for a few days last week
visiting friends. Mr. Wilson is an
extensive hay grower at Boardman
and ho says I hut business Is doing
well. The crop la pretty wfjl cleaned
up on the project and buyers are
now offering $18 for baled hay f. o.
b., while growers are generally hold
ing for $21.