Tuesday, April 3, 1923
THE HEPPNER HERALD, HEPPNER, OREGON
PAGE FIVE
(Continued from page three)
.touched the peak of his cap. He
watched the automobile disappear at a
most unepiseopal pace down the back
drive.
When it was out of sight, Billy
walked very slowly to his quarters over
the garage.
CHAPTER XXVII
"We won't scold her any more to
day, Tony dear," said Lady Scroope,
with the daintiest note of pleading in
her voice, "will we?. This extremely
naughty child. She has had a rough
time."
"Yes," said Lord Scroope, heavily,
"that is what I feel, Delicia. We we
must temper justice with mercy."
Aimee sat between her two stern
parents on the lounge in the library at
Scroope Towers. A night's rest had not
restored the color to her cheeks. Her
eyelashes were slightly wet. She
smiled faintly.
"You dear people," said Aimee,
stealing a hand into her mother's.
while the other clasped the long white
fingers of her sire, "you haven't scold
ed me at all. What you ought to do is
to beat me. It's no use my trying to
tell you how sorry I am. There aren't
any words for it."
"Aimee dear," said Lady Scroope,
stroking her hair, "try and look a little
less tragic, This isn't like you. It's all
over now."
"Is it?" said Aimee wistfully. "I am
glad, mummle. I've told you both the
story, all over and over. I've tried to
make it clear. It's a fearful tangle, I
know. You have both been so sweet
about it."
"It is finished," said Lord Scroope
gently. "I am so devoutly thankful,
Aimee, to find you have come safely
through the dangers which beset you
at Jervaulx what might have hap
pened appals me to think of that It is
impossible to be harsh. And and it
distresses me to see you looking so un
happy. For the first time in your life.
I can never remember to have seen you
in such a mood."
Aimee stood up.
"The thing I want to know," she said,
piteously, "is, what about Billy? You
won't answer me. Mummle, you, I know,
will understand. If I lose Billy, Ijjon't
care whether I live or die. That is all."
Lord Scroope passed his fingers
through his snowy hair. Aimee's
mother put an arm round her and led
her out of the room.
"Go upstairs and rest for awhile,
Baby," . said Lady Scroope, gently.
-lou are very ureu, and there has
In a few minutes Lady Scroope re
turned. "This," said her husband, sadly, "Is
the most distressing aspect of the
whole affair."
"I had a long talk with Aimee this
morning," said Lady Scroope, "and it
isn't a thing we can dismiss lightly,
Tony. I know the child better than
you do." She reflected. "This Eil
this Mr. Spencer appears to be rather
remarkable."
"If we can trust Aimee's account,"
said Lord Scroope gloomily. "But a
young man picked up by the wayside,"
he added with a bewildered air. "My
dear Delicia !"
"He is not English, Is he?"
"American, I understand. It seems
curious," said Lord Scroope, pensively,
"but I believe he is the first American
I have met."
His wife laid a small white hand on
his shoulder.
"Tony, darling," she said laughing,
"you know very little of the world, but
one thing at least you know. You saw
this man. Is lie a gentleman?"
Lord Scroope paused.
"Whatever else he may not be, he
is that."
"I rather gathered it from what I
heard of him."
"Jint Delicia"
The butler entered with a card on a
tray. Lord Scroope Inspected the card.
It bore the name "Hiram B. Itivington,"
which conveyed nothing to Lord
Scroope ruder it, in pencil, were the
words, "About Mr. William Spencer."
"Is the bearer of this below?" asked
Lord Scroope.
"Yes, m' lord. He wishes ,to see
your lordship urgently."
Lady Scroope glanced at the card,
and suppressed her curiosity nobly.
"I shall leave you to receive this vis
itor, Tony," she said. "I do not think
Aimee ought to be left alone just now."
She retired. A very large, clean
shaven man with a rectangular jaw
and thin, humorous lips, was ushered
into the library. He was attired in
roomy gray tweeds, his eye twinkled
faintly, and there was something com
pelling about his presence.
"Lord Scroope?" he Inquired, bowing
courteously. "It's very good of you to
recelre a stranger. I thought that my
nephew William. Spencer, would, he
JJe. "HiTpromised me to arrive arm.,
now. I rne It's something big that's
delayed him."
"Is Mr. Spencer yonr nephew?" said
Lord Scroope guardedly.
"That is so. Tou know him, I
think."
"It is hardly the word. I know less
than nothing of him. Mr. Rivington."
"Correct. He feels, and so do I, that
a proper explanation is due to you,
Lord Scroope. I don't know the whole
story, but circumstances have impelled
William, by no choice of his own, to
break into the society of East-shire
county in a way that would probably
be called unusual down here. He came
to London and consulted me last night
He was very much distressed which
isn't usual with him. It's only fair to
William that his credentials should be
presented, and I think I'm the man to
do it I should like, Lord Scroope, to
tell about Billy."
Ird Scroope stiffened. But there
wag an uncommon dignity In Mr. Ely-
Ington; there was also something re
markably likable about him. He ap
peared to have very strongly the Spen
cer gift of attraction.
"Will you be seated, Mr. Rivington.
I will give my attention to what you
have to say."
Mr. Rivington twinkled again, then
became grave.
"I should have thought," he said,
subsiding gently into an old bergere
chair, "that it was enough for anyone
to meet William to size him up. How
ever, he is the son of my only sister,
and of the late Liudon Spencer of Den
ver. Who was, on the whole, the finest
man I ever knew in the course of a life
that has been described as varied and
comprehensive. And Billy is as good
as his father. I wish you had met Lin
den." 'I appreciate what you say," replied
Lord Scrope. "I do not gather, how
ever, what Mr. Silencer's occupation
id."
"He has developed himself as a mo
tor engineer."
"I know so little of mechanics " be
gan Lord Scroope.
"Mechanics," said Mr. Rivington,
smiling, "are, of course, a matter of
taste. They have un Interest for me."
A light dawned suddely on Lord
Scroope.
"Is it possible," he said, "that you are
the the author as it were of the Itiv
ington motorcar?"
"That among other things," said the
visitor pleasantly.
Lord Scroope looked bewildered. It
was not possible, however ignorant one
might be of mechanics, not to have
heard of the Itivington automobile.
Nor, however casual a reader of the
secular press, could one avoid the
echoes of the fame of that solid manip
ulator of millions, that human comet
of progress, Hiram B. Rivington. The
name on tiie pasteboard had not till
now connected with Lord Scroope's
mind.
He contemplated Mr. Rivington with
wondering interest.
"Mr. Spencer," lie said, "is Indeed
fortunate in his uncle."
"I would rather say that I'm fortu
nate in my nephew," replied Rivington.
"Billy doesn't need an uncle. In my
country we haven't much use for a
young man whose only assets are his
relatives. Billy has made good by his
own efforts, sir. He is the Inventor
and proprietor of the Flying Sphinx
motorcycle."
"An experimental machine, I under
stand. I hope, for Mr. Spencer's sake,"
said Lord Scroope, politely, "that it
may prove ah successful."
Mr. Rivington smiled.
"The present model of the Sphinx,
though a big advance on the others, is
past the experimental stage. Of the
first and second models, a quarter of a
million have been sold in the States.
The plant for the latest, on mass pro
duction, is now being laid down. In
the company that's being floated I hold
a third control and I'm very thank
ful that I have. Billy stands to clean
up three hundred and fifty thousand
dollars on the deal hard earnings."
"I have not a very good head for fig
ures, Mr. Rivington. Could you trans
late that into terms of English cur
rency?" "About seventy thousand pounds."
Lord Scroope sat perfectly silent,
gazing at Mr. Rivington.
"But the youngster himself Is what
I'm concerned with not what he's got.
However," continued Rivington, look
ing out of the window as a faint whir
ring noise was heard below, "I see he's
arrived, so I needn't say any more.
But I'm very glad to have had this
chance to speak for hiin. Billy isn't
good at praising himself."
Billy's card came up, and Billy short
ly followed It. He iooked at Lord
Scroope diffidently.
"I shall be glad to have a few words
with you, Mr. Spencer," said Lord
Scroope with his most amiable air,
"there was a staccato quality about our
first meeting, that rendered a mutual
understanding difficult."
"The first duty of un uncle," said Mr.
Rivington, is to realize when he's In
the way. With your permission, Lord
Scroope, I'll go below."
He retired, leaving fhe two together,
and drifted into the sunny morning
room overlooking the lawn. In a few
moments Lady Scroope came in. Mr.
Rivington made himself known to her.
In a very short time Lady Scroope had
skillfully elicited from Mr. Rivington
all the information he had given to her
husband, and a good deal more. She
bubbled with amusement and sympathy
as the enthusiastic Rivington expound
ed Billy's qualities.
"I had a few words with your neph
ew, Mr. Itivington, before he went up
stairs," she said laughing, "a mosl
magnetic and alluring young man. I
tremble to think what his Influence
may be on my simple-minded husband."
Mr. Rivington, coloring with pleas
ure, looked admiringly at the little
lady, wondering how she came to have
a daughter as old as Aimee who at
that moment entered the room. Lady
Scroope Introduced her guest.
"Well"' murmured Mr. Rivington,
holding Aimee's hand after shaking it
and regarding her vivid beauty with
the most intense appreciation, "I can
understand Billy's anxiety now."
"Do you mean to say," exclaimed
Aimee, "that Billy Is here?"
"He is at present with your father In
the library, dear," replied her mother.
Aimee departed hastily.
"Aimee," her mother called after her.
"you are on no accouut to Interrupt
them."
'I'm going to be there when they
come out I" said Aimee over her shoul
der as she disappeared.
The two elder people looked at each
other, and both of them laughed. Mr.
Rivington was charmed. Lady Scroop
was wholly unlike his preconceived no
tions of an English peeress. They re
sumed their conversation and drifted
out through the windows to the lawn
near the entrance, where stood the
Sphinx. The original Sphinx, with
pillion-seat de luxe attached.
Ten minutes later Lord Scroope,
with a countenance that was positively
animated, came toward them across the
grass.
"My dear Delicia !" he exclaimed. "1
have no objection to saying, even be
fore Mr. Rivington, that William Spen
cer is a most remarkable young man.
Not only has his conduct all through
the affair been admirable, but his char
acter appeals to me very greatly. There
Is more innate honesty, more of the
very essence of religion, in that young
fellow, than I have yet encountered in
anyone of his age."
Mr. Rivington, coloring still more
deeply, looked at his lordship with ap
preciative eyes. Lady Scroope smiled.
"Tony, dear, I have seldom heard you
express yourself so warmly ; and as a
judge of character you have taught me
to regard you as infallible. Certainly,
from the rather brief interview I had
with Mr. Spencer I formed a similar
opinion. But do I understand that you
have -J"
"Hem," said Lord Scroope, with
some slight confusion, "we appear to be
moving rather ah rapidly. I feel "
He broke off, apparently at a loss, as
Billy and Aimee came towards them
across the lawn, side by side. There
was something Olympian in Billy's as
pect and the splendor of his smile.
Aimee was radiant and glowing. Lord
Scroope scarcely recognized in her the
pallid and distressed young woman
who had returned from Jervaulx. It
was as though an errant descendant of
the gods had restored his duughter to
him.
"Dad !" said Aimee. "You've been
splendid, dear. And I want to sny all
the nice things to Billy's uncle, that I
haven't had a chance to, yet."
"I hope," said Lord Scroope, wrin
kling his brow ia perplexity as he and
his wife stood in the library some
hours later, after the departure of the
visitors, "that I have not been too
precipitate. Have I committed my
self too far, Delicia?"
Lady Scroope pushed her husband
gently 'nto an armchair and perched
herself on the ami of It.
"If you mean, dear," she said,
stroking his hair, "did you definitely
accept Billy Spencer as a prospective
son-in-law you certainly did. And a
very good thing, too."
"Did I really?" murmured her hus
band. "I hardly recognize myself to
day, Delicia. It seems very precipi
tate. There are so many things to
consider to verify "
"I haven't the slightest doubt that
will be all right. Two of the sound
est people I ever came across."
"But what"
"What I like about Americans," said
Lady Scroope, "when a proposition
that's what they call it, I think when
a proposition Is clear, they don't waste
time. I like people who don't waste
time It makes life so much less com
plicated." "I am certainly conscious of a great
access of happiness."
"Yes. Because Aimee Is So happy.
And Aimee's happiness Is a very infec
tious quality. Still, at the moment,
Tony dear, you are looking a little
worried and anxious. Why?"
"The one rift in the lute," said Lord
Scroope regretfully, "is this break
with the Jervaulx household. Family
quarrels are always petty and undig
nified. I fear the affair has alienated
Erythea. I hope I did not convey the
Impression that I disapproved of Alex
ander's marriage. Really It Is an ex
cellent thing for Georglna, and he will
have a most worthy wife."
"I," said Lady Scroope, kissing the
top of his head, "will make the pence
with Erythea. Although she disap
proves of my moral character, I am
(lie only person she really listens to.
I will go over tomorrow and pave
the way. I've already talked that over
with Mr. William Spencer," she tidied,
twinkling, "and he will accompany me.
I am persuaded he has great Influence
there. I suggest a double wedding
here at Scroope. It will suit Erythea
much better than at Jervaulx as
things are! Have no fear, Tony. It
shall be arranged."
CHAPTER XXVIII
"All's Well"
"What," said Aimee, with a little
touch of scorn, "are you looking so
frightened about, Georgle dear?"
"I'm n-not frightened," said Geor
glna faintly, smoothing her white silk
sleeve with a tremulous hand and
glancing at the spray of orange-blossoms
on the boudoir table. "I'm su
premely happy. But one ought to
feel a little frightened, surely? Are
not you?"
"Not a bit"
Georglna regarded her ceusln with
a faintly shocked expression, that
changed slowly into a gaze of admi
ration. '
"How perfectly lovely you look,
Aimee !"
"Yes, don't I," returned Aimee sim
ply, Inspecting herself In the long
mirror. "Isn't Billy lucky!" She
suddenly encircled Georgina's waist
with her arm. "I'm so glad you're
happy, Georgle dear. Everybody's got
to be happy today; even Aunt Erythea.
In half an hour you and Alexander
will stand at the altar. Don't tremble
like that. I and Billy will be dose to
you. Dad will marry all four of us
with splendid composure and dignity.
There's nothing to le afraid of. Dad
Is at his best In emergencies like that."
"I do love dignity," said Georgina
gratefully.
"Don't say nasty things to me on
my wedding day. Youil get all the
dignity you want When you emerge
after the wedding breakfast, the car
riage with the two fat horses will be
waiting for you ; it will convey you to
the train, and then away for where
did you say you were going?"
"Closeminster," said Georglna rap
turously. "Alexander is to be induct
ed as assistant to the prebendary in
six weeks time. I was so glad when
he suggested we should go at once
to the place where later his duties will
lie. There, under the shadow of that
glorious old cathedral "
"You'll spend an idyllic, sedate hon
eymoon," said Aimee. "How perfect,
dear. Aren't you grateful to me? Tf
( if jgi
i mm
'Isn't Billy Lucky?"
It hadn't been for my stunt, you might
have missed a whole life's happiness.
But Billy and I"
"You're going through to Harwich
on the car, aren't you, dear? Alex
ander told me "
"There's Aunt Erythea!" said Ai
mee. "I'm glad mummle Induced the
old terror to come."
"Who Is that with her?"
"My new uncle-in-law, Mr. Riving
ton. He's a peach 1 Aunt seems to be
getting on with him splendidly. Look
at her back! Who's the funny little
man that seems half asleep, over by
the cedar?"
"My Uncle Joseph," murmured
Georglna. "He didn't realize till after
we left Jervaulx, that I ought to have
been at home with him all the time.
I don't think he really grasps the po
sition, even now."
"I don't wonder. These professors
never do grasp nnything," chuckled
Aimee. "We've beaten Diana and
Bertrand. They're to be married In
London next week."
"Isn't all this delightful to think
of," sighed Georglna, "after the hor
rors we went through! Did you ever
hear whaUiecnn.i of that woman you
told me about the wife of the bur
glar?"
"Never heard a word more of her;
I think she got away."
"It all seems like some fearful night
mare now," shuddered her cousin.
"As the wife of a future bishop,
you'll wipe It off your memory, Geor
gle, dear. But I never shall 1 The
greatest time I ever had in my life
The joy of living, Georgie!" Lady
Scroope suddenly entered the room.
"Children," she said gravely, "in five
minutes we start for the chapel."
Aimee bolted into lier room, fol
lowed by her mother.
"Do you see 'em yet?" whispered
an apple-cheeked woman eagerly. Tin
red poppies in her bonnet quivered lis
she raised herself on tiptoe. The stuff
of the Scroope Towers household was
grouped on either side of the great
porch, behind the assembled guests.
The iipple-clieeked woman was Mrs.
Sunning of Ivy cottage, Stnnlioe; the
only envoy from the Jervaulx district.
Her eyes sparkled, she clutched grim
ly to her breast a large bag of rice,
a barbarous custom still permitted at
Scroope.
Aimee and Billy suddenly emerged
from the porch at speed, followed
closely by Alexander and Georglna,
amid cheers, flower-petals and con
fetti. Mrs. Sunning, with a shrill cry,
opened her batteries.
Alexnnder and Hoorglnn, swerving
to the right, climbed Into the waiting
carriage. Billy, escaping through the
shower of rice, shot past to the car.
"Bent it !" he cried to the chauffeur",
and caught Aimee by the hand. To
gether they scudded on foot down the
drive.
The guests paused In astonishment.
Lady Scroope, her eyelashes sparkling,
laughed gently. Aunt Erythea jutted
an Inquiring nose round the pillars.
The bride and bridegroom, having
made good speed for two hundred
yards, turned Into a clump of laurels
that efficiently hid the Flying Sphinx.
Billy snatched up a blue cloak that
lay athwart the saddle.
"On with It!" cried Billy, glowing.
In a twinkling Aimee donned the
wrap ; as Billy bestrode the saddle she
threw herself upon the pillion and her
arms about his waist.
"Heady partner!" Billy said.
"Let her rip!" panted Aimee joy.
ously.
The Sphinx hummed swiftly along
the park road and swung left onto the
highway.
"Hold tight!"
The Sphinx breasted the long rise
at sixty miles an hour. The wind
screamed past them.
Aimee laughed aloud. Leaning for
ward from (he pillion, she pressed the
smallest, soft round kiss on the hack
of Billy's neck, as they disappeared In
a cloud of sunlit dust.
THE END
The End of
Perfccl
t Meal
Never overlook the prime requisite to per
fect peace of mind and calmness of thought
hy omitting the after-dinner coffee.
"The Cup That Calms
and Pacifies"
Don't unnecessarily take the joy from a per
fect meal for most red-blooded Americans.
We keep the Lest
Folgcrs - Golden West
Schillings - Wason
helps Grocery
Company
v
v
BOARDMAN
4 . . . ......ijiijiJ , i
Mrs. Beck is visiting this week in
Tho Dalles with her daughter anil
new grandson.
Ray, Glen and Ernest Brown ami
Mrs. Cahoon motored to Walla
Walla Saturday to visit, their father
who is suffering from injuries caus
ed by a horse kicking him.
F. G. McMurray, of Yakima,
Wash., was aguest at the Highway
Inn Friday and Saturday of last
week. Mr. McMurray is au old friend
of tho Warner family.
Mrs. Spring, accompanied bv her
daughter-in-law and grand-daughter
motored up from Portland on Mon
day of last week. Mrs. Spring re
mained for an indefinite visit, with
her daughter, Mrs. Nick Faler.
Business visitors in town last
week were Jacob Marty and son of
Portland. Mr Morty was here in tho
interest of establishing a cheese fac
tory, and will return later to mako
more definite arrangements.
Tho Oscar Beck family moved into
tho M. B. Signs residence last Wed
nesday, Mrs. Ray Brown and daughter,
Katharine, visited in Walla Walla
a few days last week.
Christian Endeavor on Saturday eve
ning was greatly enjoyed by tho
large crowd pYesent. Visits -were
mado to Holland, Japan, Africa,
menta typical of each country were
served. After each ono had found
his or her way back to tho auditor
ium a fino program was rendered,
Tho Oriental dance by the sheik's
harem was most effective and tho
participants deserve praise for their
interpretation. No less pleasing wa
iho Rose drill and tho several vocal
and instrumental numbers. We havo
cause to bo proud of tho leaders of
such an entertainment for they havo
discovered hitherto unknown talent
in our community.
In honor of their fifth wedding
anniversary was tho dinner given by
Mr. and Mrs. A. T Hereim Sunday.
The following guests were present.
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Faler, Mrs.
Spring and Mr and Mrs. Jack Gor
hain. Tho danco given as a benefit to
tho Heppner ball team Saturday
night was well attended, well con
ducted and a big success, netting
tho team about $45.
a
I