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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 1923)
f'- BED CLOUD. NEBRASKA. CHIEF The Joy of Living .. .... .ft. .o-t"" ,MHHn..n "PARTNER!" SYNOPSIR.-HlsllkInK tlie pros pcct of (i month's visit to nor niistcro mint, Lady Krythea I.nuihc, at Jervaulx abbey, and her cousin, Alcvniulcr Lnmbn, Almec, vivacious daughter of the Very Itovcroml Viscount Scroope, waif dcrs Into tho park, there cncouif torlng n iilraiiRo youth. Ho InUKh limly Introduces htniHcir hh "Hilly," American. Tho two rlilo on hln motorcycle, tho "Flying Sphinx," (ind part. With Oporglna Herners, her (utiHlti, Ahnco buIh out for Jer vaulx. Sho decides that Clcnrglna 'hall Impersonate her at Jurvnulx, while Mm goes on a hollduy. Geor gian's horrlllcd protest Is unavail ing. Almno nKaln meets "Hilly." Ilo tellH her his iinino Is SpcnCer, ami she gives hern as Amy Snooks, at present "out of a Job." Hilly Klvca hor a spin on tho Sphinx and oho finds It u (.Morions experience CHAPTER III Continued 2 "Sny! Lot inu llml you one! I've a brnln-wnvel" "Wlint ilo you moan?" "lo sliuroH with me I" "Shares?" echoed Almce. Sho .wns tonsclous of u curious little thrill. "Shuro whntV" "See here I" Raid Hilly, eyeing her keenly. "When wo were doing llfty- live on tin; Sphinx, you never wilted never turned u hnlrl" "Of course not. It wns gorgeous." Ilu enme nearer, Intensely earnest "Know anything ahout motor en gines?" lie said quickly. "I've often tuken down the old 'bus at lionie, on a wet day, und reas sembled It." "Where 'was that?" "At the place where I had n Job," euld Almce. "Great 1" lie cried. "You're tho (hlng ve been looking for all these months. Now, listen to the brnln-wavc. I'm over here to sell the Sphinx. There's u big deal on In London. lint what I want's a quiet spot where I can develop some of the gadgets with no crooks around to steal 'em. Get riio?" "Yes, go on," said Almec, catching his enthusiasm. "I'm heading now for n Httlo town called Staulioe, thirty miles south of here. Standee's quiet as tho tomb. I've struck It before. There's nn old intll I b'lleve I can get hold of, and lit up as a garage and workshop " "Yes, I seel" said Almee engerly. "Como on Into It with me come to Stanhoe!" said Hilly explosively. "You'll catch on to tho Flying Sphinx In a minute, an' then popularize her iih u lady's mount I Tho finest mount for n girl ever put on tho market. There Isn't one yet. You can do It I You'vo got the nerve an' tho grit! I'll teach you to tend an' drive her. Will you come?" "Will a duck swim!" cried Almee. 'Of course I'll cornel" "Ftne! partner I" cried Hilly, fling ing out a big brown baud. Almee took It, and received a Bhnkc that bruised her lingers. "Tuke your perch, old clinpl" said Hilly, straddling thu Sphinx. "Off for Btiinhoe!" They whirred down the long slope with tin westering sun broad on their right above the llr-trces. It was a roughlsh ride on tho carrier. There was no plilloii-scitt; Hilly was evi dently not accustomed to carry pas-M-tigers. "Say," said Hilly, over his shoulder, "1 didn't catch your name, did I?" "Almee Snooks," replied the pas longer on the spur of the moment, as well as she could for the wind whis tling In her teeth. "Snooks!" Almee laughed. It wns very like Scroope, and quiet as musical. "Near enough!" she gasped. "Hut i!U chap' will do, Is that American?" "American? Gee, no I It's the only English I know. Let It go at that Amy Is too feminine for a partnership. And now we'll let her out. This," said Hilly Joyously, as he opened the throttle wide, "Is what tho doctor ordered 1" The Flying Sphinx, freighted with flio partners, ronred down the hill mnd devoured the miles to Stonhoe. On the outskirts of tho little mar Jket town of Stanhoe was a cyclist's rest-house. Hero the twe travelers had tea under u laburnum trco on the lawn. Hilly locked the amazing motorcycle In a shod, by tho proprie tor's leave, and the pair walked Into the town on foot. Two mora utterly Insouciant and cure free young people never entered an Kngllsh village on an April day. No Jot of doubt, of fear, or hesitation us.salled them. Hilly, Intensely mas culine though ho was, appeared to be possessed of a virgin mind. Such a thing, though uncommon, Is by no means nonexistent among tho sons of Adam, It may be that the air or the (Colorado fqothllls favors lta growth, ills possession of It called for no com ment from Almee. Her mind was of tlie samo color, It did not enter Into their heads for n moment thut anybody could put a dubious construction on Jhelr asso ciation wUh each other. Und such an Idea dawned, they might possibly have Vrned td parted company on the spot. Almee left Hilly suddenly and jul- Eresscd nn Inquiry to nn elderly man ho stood beside a farmer's cart. Iu moment she rejoin? him. ..-'- "-"4t-Q "Mrs. Sunning, 2 Ivy cottage, Ids lodgings," announced Alineo (rluni- phiiutiy. "ion (imrt mind longings, do you? Hotter than a hotel more freedom." "Freedom for mine I" said Hilly. "Let's try it I" Ivy cottage proved to be a pretty little Jacobean building fronting on u green lane Just outside Stanhoe. An apple-cheeked woman, who was pick ing weeds out of the pnlh, announced herself as Mrs. Sunning, and Hilly lit once stated his needs, offering to pay In advance. "Why, yes, sir," she said, smiling, with a civil bob to Almee. "I've u nice sitting room and a It'll bedroom; Mrs. Dale, next door, has another, If you can do with that?" Mrs. Dale appeared, and confirmed tho offer. Hoth of them looked at the pair with smiling Interest and wonder. "Great!" said Hilly, "ikm take tho room here, old chap, nud I'll take the other. We'll share the parlor." Almee accompanied Mrs. Sunning Indoors; the little parlor was clean and cozy, tho bedroom, upstairs at tho back, tiny but clean. Almee made her toilet, descended to the parlor and ordered u meal. Mrs. Sunning acquiesced In. every thing. "He's a wunnerful pleasant gentle man, Mr. Spencer," she remarked, and then, hesitating and reddening, she looked nt Almee. "I I suppose, miss," she said with much embarrassment, "It's all right?" Almee stared. "All right? How?" she said. "Ev erything's all right. Very much so!" The woman's eyes betokened belief and relief. "Hless your pretty fnce, who'd think anything else?" she suid. "You'll ex cuse my nskln', miss. You see, Lady Erythen Is my landlord, nnd she owns a)l Stanhoe." Almee felt a galvanic shock. "Whom did you say?" she naked dazedly. "Lady Erythen Lnmbe of Jervnulx abbey, the big place half a mile south tlie cross roads. She fare wunnerful strict, she do. It's as much as my tenancy's worth to have any goings-on bore. That's all." Tlie woman loft the room. Almce stared round her blankly, then col lapsed Into n chair. She Hung her arms across the table, burled her head In them, and broke Into paroxysms of Impish laughter. "Oh, my Christian aunt!" she sobbed. "My Georglel My Alexan der!" Her shoulders were still shaking wildly when Hilly cam. In. "Say, whut's .wrong?" he exclaimed In alarm, as Almee raised a tear stained face. "Crying eh? No, laughing 1 That's good! That's the euro for sentiment! Hut whut's the Joke?" "Just something I thought of, Hint's all," said Almee, wiping her eyes. "That's nil right," said Hilly linpor turbnbly. "Guess I ain't Inquisitive. Hut folks mostly tell mo their troubles sooner or later." "I suppose they do," said Almee, re garding him thoughtfully. Mrs. Sunning brought an abundant meal; chiefly eggs and tea. Almce found It the merriest feast sho hud ever sat down to. Finally, she nc- She Dropped. companled Hilly to Mrs. Dale's door, nud, returning, retired to her own room. She was ahout to let down lierJ hair, hut desisted, and Instead sat on the bed ''for some time, thinking. She heard Mrs. Sunning retire, und pres ently silence reigned throughout the licuse. A curious sense of loneliness crept over Almeo's spirit. She remnlned sitting for nearly half nn hour. Pros .ently sho blew out the candle, and leaned out of the open window. The window of Billy's room nt the other end of tho building wiih In darkness. It had not taken Hilly long to retire. Almee stayed awhile at the window, She returned to tho bed, and reflect ed again. In that reverlo a vision flonted before her as of trees and sun; light, and her partner's yellow hair flickering In the breczo. "Billy l" she murmured thought fully. "Old chap!" By Sidney Gowing Illustrations by Ellsworth Yountf Copyright mt by Sidney Oowlnf She laughed, gently. "Ho Isn't n 'frump, anyhow I" The reverie took shnpe. Then, with a little sigh, she slipped off her shoes, and, carrying them with her, stole very softly down tho staircase to the front door. On trying the door cautiously, she found It bolted, and the latch linmovnblo. Also no key was visible. She realized sho was locked In tho house. A feeling of Intense nnnoynnce .seized Almee. Where was tho freedom she. had sought? Sho returned to hor bedroom, put on her shoes, leaned out of the window, and Inspected the wall critically. It was covered with Ivy and trellls-work. She swung herself cautiously out onto the sill, nnd began very quietly to descend the trellis. Almec, active and long-llmhed, could climb llko a cat. And as noiselessly ns any mem ber of thnt great fellno tribe, she dropped upon tho soft soil of the fir deu plot. CHAPTER IV In Deep. Georgian Herners paced the floor of her bedroom nt Jervnulx nbbey, and wondered why the universe had uot crashed In ruins about her head. "It's like a dream," she said dnzed ly, "I can't believe In it at all." To Georglna It came as an Incred ible climax that she had, after five hours ut Jervnulx, been dismissed to bed with an august but approving kiss from Lndy Erythen, and n protective, cousinly hnnd-shnke from the sedate Alexander Lambe. She had not been denounced as an Impostor, flung out with Ignominy, or handed over to the police. All these tilings hnd seemed to Georglna not only possible but likely. '' "What on enrth will happen when they Und olit?" she snld, shivering. She commenced to disrobe, but hnd not proceeded very fnr when a hustle nnd a click were heard. Georglnn turned with u gnsp of fright. Some one wns trying to force a way In nt her window. She cuught sight of a flushed face. With a shriek of terror Georglnn re treated to the bed, nnd prepared to dive under It. "Don't make such a row, you fooll" hissed a voice. The casements swung Inwnrds, and Almee, rather breathless, dropped onto the floor. "Handy things, these verandas," panted Almee. "How are you,' Geor glnn, old thing?" Georglnn stnred at her In paralyzed amazement. Almee sat down beside Georglnn on the bed, nnd put nn arm around her waist. "Well, whnt's hnppened here?" she snld cheerfully. "Oh, I am so glnd to see you I" ex clnlmcd Georglna with Infinite thank fulness. "Now wo can clenr. every thing up. It's been nwful I" "Why? Have- you given me away?" said Almce quickly. "I hnven't 1 You know I wouldn't 1" cried Georglna hotly. "Though you ought to be whipped. I never snld n word nbout you. and that's why I'm in this awful mess!" "Dear old Georglnn! You'ro n brick!" said Almce, hugging her. "I wns only pulling your leg I knew you wouldn't sneuk. Hut why Is It nwful? Hnve they found out?" "When I got here," snld Georglnn feebly, "I thought I could cxplnln somehow. Hut Lady Erythen met mo on tho steps and took mo for you, nnd everything went right out of my head" "Good I I see. You hesitated nnd were saved." "Saved?" ejaculated Georglna an grily. "Well, I wns snved. That's more Important. You haven't done any thing wrong, my snow-white Iamb. Wlint then?" "And then Mr. Lumbe came out, and she Introduced him ns my cousin Al exander. And nnd I've been fright ened to denth all the afternoon, for'I haven't had a chance to put things right." Almee snt bnclc nnd looked nt her In nwestruck admiration. "You mean to say they've no sus picion nt nll?"Hhe exclaimed. "Dear old Georgle, how deep you must hnve been. I never thought you hnd It In you!""" "I didn't I wasn't!" said Georglnn In almost tearful Indignation. "I've hnrdly said n word nil dny, except 'yes' nnd 'no.' And not even thnt If I could help it." Aimeo gurgled. "And a Jolly safe line, too! I enn see we've nlways underrated you, Georgle. And you mean to say they never even got nn "inkling, nil through, that there was anything unusual? Thnt does rather bent me." "There were ono or two little things thnt puzzled them for a mo ment, I think," Bald Georglnn reflec tively, "hut It nil seemed to smooth Itself out. And ohl" she concluded, with' a great gasp of relief, "I am so glad It's over nnd we can stop It. Now, how nro wo going to elenr tilings up and make it nil right for your' "Stop it? I wouldn't stop it for n kingdom. It's perfectly splendid I" Georglnn .stood up. "You are' out of your senses," she said dazedly; "I won't listen to an other word! Think how fenrful It would bo If Alex if Mr. Lnnibe knew. He" "Aim Alexnndcrl Yes. Is ho ns owlish ns his photograph? What did you say to hm, Georglna?" "I I hardly anything. Ho told mo all about ills missionary work In Man churia. He" "Where wns thnt?" "In the rose garden" Georglna broke off suddenly. "Did he squeeze your hnnd?" Georglna was speechless with Indig nation. "You were thinking nbout htm when you stood nt tho window 1" said Al mee, with tlie air of a prosecuting counsel. "You were being sentimen tal. I snw your face. It had thnt gooey look." "Almee," snld Georglna, fnlrly roused at last, "how dare you I I am going straight toTLndy Erythen, and you can talk to her I I linve done " '"No, no! I'm sorry, Georglo," snld Almco sootbinrjiy. "I couldn't help "Almee 1" Cried Georglna. pulling your sereno leg, I won't say a word against your cousin Alexan der." "He Is a gentleman, at any rate," said Georglna, rather spitefully "lie is n person ono enn respect." "I nm s.uro he Is." "Well, what aro we going to do?" "Tho thing for you to do," said Al mee, "Is to go on respecting Alexan der. And for him to go on respecting you. Think how nwful It would be If It enme out now. Alcxnnder," euh1 Almec, with a pathetic little break hi her voice, "Is gbod. lie doesn't got Into scrnpes. He Isn't In horrible trouble like me nnd nobody to help me. I didn't think," she ndded with n gulp, "thnt you'd go back on mo, Georglo 1" "I Won't and I can't," said Georglna mournfully, "and you know It." Hut she softened visibly. "You hnven't told me where you've como from, nnd what you've been doing! I've been frightfully worried about you." Almee regarded her thoughtfully. It was clear that Georglna already had all she could bear. This was no time to tell her about Hilly. "You needn't worry nbout mo. I'm staying at a little place nearby. I'm quite all right, and I've got some money. We simply must keep It up for a few days father Is leaving Scroope Towers soon, nnd then I'll show you how we can smooth It nil over." "Hut don't you see how Impossible it Is I Your father will como here to see you before he goes. And he he'll expect yon to write to him!" "How bright you aro tonight, Georgle. You think of everything," snld Almee briskly. Sho snt down at the writing table by tho wall, selected n sheet of tho Jervaulx note-paper with the Lambe arms tlireo fleeces argent on u Held vert nnd with nn Immensely serious face began to write rapidly, puuslng occnslonnlly for thought. Georglna watched in fasci nated horror. "Listen!" snld Almee, blotting the sheet nnd rending If ulotul with much satisfaction. My Dearest Daddy: I arrived here safe ly, nnd already I'm quite ono of tho fam ily. Aunt Krythea likes mo much hotter than she thought Bite would; olie Is very nice nnd kind, and I have a lovely bed room. I nm enjoying myself very much at Jervaulx. (That's all perfectly truo.) Cousin Aloxnnder Is awfully Interesting, ana i iiko ncnring mm lane about Man churia. Ilo Is a gentleman, and one f",elH he Is really good, and that makes me respect hhn. I'm awfully sorry I mado such a fuss about coming here, but I never thought I should have such a lovely time as I'm having. So you needn't worry about mo, bocause I'm going to bo quite happy. Your loving daughter, AIMEE. P. 8. In case you thought of coming over to see mo soon, I ought to mention that the wholo place Is simply devastated with mumps. Of course It's quite all right for me, becauso I've had them. Georglna emitted a moan. ....... ...... ..........---"' "A very proper letter," snld Almec, affixing n stamp to the envelope, with a determined thump. "Ono should always consider one's parents, nnd spnro them pain. And that postscript Is n touch of genius; tho only thing In the universe Dnd Is afraid of Is mumps. Ho hasn't hnd them, nnd he snys they nro a formidable affliction to the nged, nnd very undlgnllled. And It's quite true; I saw live children at Stanhoe with mumps this nfter noon. I should hate to tell a lib. Unless," she added, wrinkling her smooth brow, "It becumo absolutely necessary." Sho moved toward the window. "Almec 1" cried Georglna, starting up panic-stricken. "You'ro not going! Are you serious about this?" "Not a bit. And don't you be, ei ther," said Almce, as she clicked oil' the switch of the electric. "See you tomorrow If I can. Good night, ohl thing." The room wns plunged In darkness, and there was a scraping sound at tho window. "Almee I" gasped Georglna wildly, fumbling round tho wall for the switch. It was sonic time before sho found It, and when she turned It on the room wns empty. "Almce 1" cried Georglna, lennlng out of the window. There, came a sudden thumping on tho bedroom door." "Almce!" snld tho stem voice of Lndy Erythen. "Why is your light on nt this hour? Wlint nre you moving nbout for? Is anything wrong?" "No-no auntl" snld Georglna, choking, "n-n-nothlng much." "Extinguish your light Instantly, und go to sleep I" With shakjng Angers Georglnn turned off the switch, nud undressed pathetically In tho dark. Sho crept Into bed nnd thought of Alexander the one touch of untroubled calm on tho waters of Jervnulx. CHAPTER V On the Job. Morning nnd the song of birds. The sunshine strenmed Into the room, bringing with it tlie God-given frngmnco of nn April morning; the scent of rnln-sprlnklod earth, wall flowers and greening thorn-hedge. Almec stood and drank It In thank fully, till she realized with a shock that It was past ten. The only bath available at Ivy cot tngo wns a tub of spring water. Almee made the, most of tills, and, dressing hurriedly, came downstairs glowing like a plcotec. Billy was In the parlor. .iiuriiiUK i iiu lj it'll. "Have you been down long?" ex claimed Almce. "'Bout threo hours!" he chuckled. "I've covered sixty miles since then. Just a little breather." "Why you haven't wnltcd break fast for me, have you?" she cried. "Oh, that's all right. Hang a bnker up nn' got a roll an' milk at Syder ford. Nothing done yet couldn't brenkfnst without my pnrtner." Mrs. Sunning, with bare, dimpled nrms nnd her face wreathed In smiles, brought In the breakfast. There were brown ducks' eggs, cream, water cresses and a brace of brook trout. Billy "glnnced nt ills compnnlon from time to time, with a quiet watch fulness. "Sleep nil tight, old chap?" he asked presently. "Kather. Didn't wake up till Just now," said AUuoe, taking a large spoonful of comb honey. "Did you?" Billy paused. "Middling," he said slowly. "Say, partner, what'd yon llko to do now? Best n bit?" "Best!" said Almee scornfully. "I wnnt to live, not rest!" "Bendy to get busy on tho Sphinx, nn' cleave tlie ether?" "Yes, right away." "Good I I'll get hor flxed." Twenty minutes later they met by tho shed wMiere the Sphinx was stored. As Billy wheeled the machine' out, ho looked keenly Into Almeo's eyes. "Partner," he asked, "you hnven't nny tiling on your mind, have you?" Almco laughed aloud. Her eyes sparkled. "Do I look as If I had?" "No, by tho Great Horn Spoon, you don't I" snld Billy, eyeing her with a (lash of admiration. "You look as If you'd face the world and laugh at everything It handed you from a bunch of roses to sudden death. You'ro IT! Come bri." They went out through the little gate. Billy did not offer to mount the Sphinx till they were clear of the lane. When ho stopped, Almee observed for the flrst time that the Sphinx had a brand-now spring pllllon-seut clamped to tho carrier. "What's this for?" exclaimed Almee. "Why, for you, old clinp. Easier riding." "I didn't need It, Billy. Tho currier was good enough." "Nope," snld Billy with dotermlnn Hon, "not nearly good enough. Car rier r You nln't baggage, nre you?" "Don't know. It's what a lot of people havo called mo." "Who?" suid Billy indignantly. "Oh, frumps." "There's a lot of Indlscrlnilnntlng nconlo nbout," snld her pnrtner ab ruptly. Tho Sphinx cturted, and Billy threaded lanes at an easy pace. Tho soft wind of the morning caressed (hem as they rode. Not tha( it had nny pnclfylng effect on Alinec's spirit. The sense of adventure mounted to her head llko wine. "Here we nrcl" said Billy, (timing onto a long, deserted stretch of high rond, running delightfully level nnd straight. Ho let the Sphinx nut. For eighty seconds the hedges flushed by like long green -streamers. At thu end of a mile and a half Billy stopped nnd dismounted. "Now," ho snld, "we're not going to talk nbout how to sell the Sphinx yet n while; the first thing Is to put you wise to her. You've got to know her Inside out and backwards nnd she's the sweetest thing that ever burned gas. Now, look herol" Almce kneeled eagerly on tho grass, nnd Billy fluently explained, illsmnn tllng the parts ns he talked. For twenty minutes she followed him, testing- for herself. "Why," said Billy with delight, stopping nnd looking at her, "it's llko touching a duck to swim! You catch on quicker than I can show you you were born to It I" "I'm nn Infant to you," said Almee admiringly. "Wlint a head you'vo got. It's everything a motor t'nglno ought to lie but never Is. Let's take down (he cylinder." They busied themselves dismantling and rc-nssembllng the engine. "I'll show you how to drive her now," said Billy. "Statlonnry, till you "get tho hang of hor." Almec mounted tho saddle, while the machine remained on Its stand, nnd Billy showed. her how to control the enyliie running free with tho clutch out. She took longer to grusp this.. Tho controls, though simple, were of nn unusual type. In ten min utes, however, she mastered them pretty elllclcntly. " 7 "Fine I" said Billy cnthuslnstlcnlly. "Pnrtner, the Sphinx Is your big sis ter I Now we'll run her on the road I'll ride the pillion nn conch you. But for the land's sake go easy with tho throttle. She'll rush you clean off the British Isles If you give her any gns." Almee stnrted dend slow. Tho caca nnd resiliency of tho drive, once the Sphinx wns running, astonished her. Gradually Almco Increased speed to fifteen and twenty miles. Sho wns In toxicated br the sense, of power, nn swerlng to the lenst touch of her fingers. "Glorious!" she gnsped. "You'ro doing lino," said Billy, watching keenly. Ho made her prac tice stopping and starting, Including emergency halts. "Sny, isn't she the Inst word in lady's mounts?" "Bnthcr!" snld Almco, In spite, of a sense of difficulty with her dress nnd the Sphinx's tnnk, low though It was. "Except I feel ns If I were ull stock ings.", j "Shucks I wlint of It?" he nnswered Impatiently. "There's nobody here to sec. Try her on the high gear now." Aimeo changed gear deftly enough, and for awhile drove steadily. But the Intoxication of. speed confused her senses. She made tlie one mis take sho hnd been wanted against. The Sphinx dashed forward like a whippet, and, In trying to rectify the error she made It worse. "Throttle down I" said Billy sharply. 'intending to obey, Aimeo bluudered ngnln, nnd closed down tho oxtru air Inlet, The Sphinx ronred In protest, and shot ahead llko n bullet from a gun. The puce wns awful. How tho machine kept on the road wns n mlr nclo. Every moment promised a dcv h2 TO ' Billy Leaned Swiftly Forward. nstntiug crash. In front was a right angled bend, Inviting sudden denth Billy lenned swiftly forward. "Valve-lifter left !" ho said quietly In her ear. Almeo's left hnnd tight ened on the lever Just In time. Tho steady voice when n fool would havo yelled aloud-Jirpught nil her facul ties back; she throttled down ns the machine slowed, und swung round the bend safely it a bnro eight miles an hour but without sounding the horn. "Cad7 If there's only one gn. tleman on this earth, It's Billy," (TO HE CONTINUED,) ' At tho Art Gallery, "Why do they always depict 'Echo ns n womnn?" "Becnuse woman al wgys has the last word." HfHBMUiliBiP lijlfliBKMaHlBslBkL jCthh zsr zz sr , - I "V I t J t t J' J i 'r 3