Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1923)
BED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF i to.M The Joy of Living Copyright 1023 by Sidney Oowlnf KOCH Sidney Gowing I Illustration by tt ELLSWORTH YOUNG I 11 V 1 f COUSIN ALICK HYNOPfllS.-DlnllUltiR tho proa poet of a month's vIhII to tier nun tore mint, Uidy Krythca Lambe, at .lorvuulx nbhoy, ami liur cousin, Alcxunilcr Lamhu, Alinuu, vivacious iliuiKlitcr of tlu Very Itcvorcnd Viscount Hcroopc, meots a youiiK man who lauglilnKly Introduce himself aa "Hilly," American. The two rldo on IiIh motorcycle, tho "I'lylng Hliln.," and part. With Oeorglna Humors, her cousin, Almeo hcIh out for Jervaiilx. Hho forces UoorKlnn to ImpurBonato licr at Jnrvuulx, and hIiu noes on a holi day. Almeo iiKaln meets Hilly. Ho tells liur his iiiiino 1h Hpeneer, ami sho kIvvs hern us Amy Hnooktn, at present "out of it Job." Hilly offcrH to Uiko her Into partnership In sell Iiik 1 1 10 .Sphinx. In n spirit of mad cap adventure, Bile accepts, Thu two proceed to the town of Stan hoc, taltliiK Bcparalo lndghi;s In Ivy cottage. Whllo Almeo Is se cretly vIhIIIiii; ClcorKlna at Jer vaiilx, tho place Ih hurKlarlzcd, and tho famous I-umbu emeralds aro nlolen, Almeo escapes. I'ollr do eldu tho thieves aro "Jack tho Climber" and "Calamity Kate," who travel on a motorcycle. Hilly, who has Hliadnwed Almeo to Jcr vaulx, follows the thlovea, IIo In knocked out. hut oincrfieu from tho llKbt with thu I.amhn emeralds. IIo mcclH Almee, with tho pollco In puiHiilt. In a Horn re hiding place, u mvo among tho crag pita, Ahnco tells him tho wholo Htory. He iiikoh her that sho mnko a frank confes fllim to her father, but on reflec tion both realize. Almee's good name ban been rouipromlscd. Ax nurliif; Ahnco he linn a plan to suvo her. Hilly leaves her In tho cavu and, proceeding to Jervaulx, re stores the emeralds to the astound ed Lady Erythen. Hilly tells a ntory that satlsllcs tho police, re fuseH a reward and accepts a chauffeur's Job from J.ady Krythca. Almeo Keta tho placo of parlor maid at Jervaulx. CHAPTER XV Continued. "Ladles," lie suld gravely, "Miss Amy Snooks. Lnte of Scroope Tow ers." A nil tool: Ills leave. Altni'o snid "good-evening" shyly, nnd seated herself. It occurred to lior tluit she line! never seen so many plain women gathered at one table.' With tho execution of the cook, thoy were nil nngulnr and scraggy. Pulling her self together with tin effort, Almee tool; a generous mouthful from n slice of thick lirontl and butter. The fewer words tho better, until she knew her wound. She seemed to detect an air of faint hostility In the others. "What's the feedln' like at Scroope?" asked an elderly housemaid opposite her. in n hollow voice. "They fare pretty good," said Almee, witli her mouth full or bread and but ter, "but the place Is dull. I been at home some time." "You won't lie 'ere long." said the pageboy regretfully, neglecting his tea to stare at her. "Why notV" said Almee with some port lies. "You're n sight too good-lookln'," re plied the page gloomily. "Albert !" said the cook with nil terlty, "pas tills cup o' tea an' don't talk rubbish !" Almee took refuge behind her stone ware teacup. She was aware of a crossllre of glances, so sour and side long, that the very milk seemed to curdle in sympathy. The morning sun, full of the prom ise of it fair day, shone through the windows of the long drawing room. Almee, in a snow-white cap and apron, was wielding a feather brush among priceless knlck-kmicks. Her manner of dusting was desultory. "I wonder how long I can stick It?" she murmured In despondent tones. A Wnttonu shepherdess escaped destruc tion by n miracle. "In all my life I never saw such a lot of frumps. And the taste It leaves lrt one's mouth It's awful. It's all very well sitting tight and saying nothing. I shall break out I know I shall, unless I can see Hilly soon." She observed a large photograph of the Kev. and lion. Alexander I.ambe, In an ornate sliver frame, standing on a table. Almee recognized the por trait, and (licked at it viciously with the feather brush. She miscalculated, the portrait crashed on to the lloor. When she picked It up the glass was shattered. "That's torn it. All breakages come off my wages. I wish It had been ills silly face!" At that moment Miss (leorglna Bcr ners entered by one of the French win dows. She was aware of a slimmer and more youthful llgure than any she hud yet seen In the household. Cieorglna made u point of always being civil to her hostess' semints. "Aro you the new parlor maid?" she said amiably. Almeo turned and faced her. "Hullo, Georgle!" she exclaimed. Georgian, during the last thrco days, bud suffered more than any placid soul should be called upon to endure. She stared wildly for a moment at tho slim form In tho cap nnd apron. Georgian had arrived nt the breaking-point. She collupsed backwards Into nn arm chair; a series of shrill whoops came from her; her hands bent tho air. "Georginn I" cried her cousin In n panic "For plty'i sako don't do that. You'll give the whole show nwnyl" "Honk I Honk I Honk I" said Gonrg Ina. Almee had once heard n physician (lecture that sympathy and kindness merely made hysterics worse. It was time to change the treatment. She grabbed her cousin by tho shoulders. "Shut up that beastly rowl" said Almee fiercely, slinking her till her teeth rattled. "Stop it I Do you want to get me handculTcd and put in the cells? Idiot I" Georgian gasped, choked, nnd sat up. She clung to her cousin desper ately, i "I will lie quiet. I will," she said faintly. "Wh-wha-what does It mean, Almee? Why?" "Try to behave like a reasonable be ing, and I'll tell you." "Yes, yes! I'm better now, dear." Almee Inspected her and, Judging the danger to be past, kissed her af fectionately. After a cautious glance ut the windows she proceeded, as Hilly would have phrased it, to put her cousin wise. Oeorglna, hnvlng heard her to the end, pressed both hands pathetically to the sides of her head. "And you're living In the servants' hull?" she said feebly. "It's no catch, I can tell you, Georgle. Hut one mustn't grumble. Hllly's living at the garage In a green uniform with brass buttons." "That that extraordinarily good looking young chnufTour?" said Georg ian, staring at her. "Then he Is " "Now don't get sentimental," said Almee warnlngly. "Yes, lie is not bad looking, Is he? Hllly's great. If It hadn't been for him " she checked herself. "Don't you see what nn ex cellent arrangement It Is, my being here In spite of the little draw backs?" Georginn gnve n sigh positively of relief. "It's better than having you wnn derlng about the country, getting Into all sorts of horrible scrapes. It will have to come out soon, and then Lady Erythen " "Yes, yes. Never mind Aunt. What I want you to do, Georgle, Is this oh, bother! Look out I" Almee seized her brush nnd, dnrtlng to the sideboard, began dusting busily. A step was heard on the gravel, and Mr. Alexander Lnniliu entered by the window. "Cousin Almee, you nro looking pale," he said In tones of concern. "It is delightful out of doors, the air Is so balmy. Shall we er take a little walk In the rose " Alexander slopped short, and his features froze. II" had caught sight Almee Flourished the Feather Brush in His Face. of Almee's face, with the light full upon It. rellccted In the inlrroibofore her. He stared for a moment with remarkable Intcntness. "Who Is this?" lie said shnrply, step ping towards her. There was menace In ills voice. "Who aro you?" Almee, preparing to meet her des tiny, turned composedly and faced him. She dropped him a small curtsey. "Please sir, tho parlor muld," she said. Mr. l.atnbe's eyes were nearly start ing out of his head, "Parlor maid? You?" he said stern ly. "i) ate the woman who drove that motorcycle. I could vouch for you nnywliere. You nro" he shot the words out with extrnordlnury ve hemence "you are that abandoned creature, Cuhunlty Katol You are the woinnn who knocked me down!" With unexpected agility he sprang forward and seized Almee by tho wrist. And with equal deftness she wrenched herself free. "Am I?" sho snid llercely. "Then keep your hnnds off me, or I'll do It again, Do you hear me?" Almeo, thoroughly roused, nourished tho feather brush in his face. Mr. .Lnmbe started back, a Uttlo pule. lie placed his thumb on the bell-push. "Almee," he said shurply, "go out go out quickly! I will deal with her." "What ure you going to do?" gasped Georginn. Instead of obeying him she came forward, (rumbling, "Go out! I am going to give tills woman In charge 1" "In pity's mime, don't do that!" Georginn gulped, and struggled for breath. "She she Is your klk-klk-Cousin Almee!" Georginn (Implied Into n chnlr nnd begnn to cry. Alexander, taking Ills hand from the bell, wondered if she had suddenly become Insane. "Quite right," said Almee. Willi the calm of despair she planted herself In front of him, her eyes dellant. "I am your klk-kik-Cousiu Almee. And that's my cousin, Georginn Herners. I made her tnke my place here, because I thought It would lie dull, und Dud In sisted on my coming. So now call the police, Cousin Alick, nnd let's get It over." It seemed to Alexander that he hud suddenly been transported Into Bed lnm. He stared from Almee to the gently sobbing Georginn. And then, as the door begun to open, Mr. Lnmbe turned swiftly and caught the bundle, preventing the intruder from entering. "Did you ring, miss?" Inquired Mr. Tarbeaux's voice. "A mistake," said Alexander, quick ly. "I will ring if I want you." He closed the door, and peered searching ly at Almee. "I do not understand whnt this means," ho said coldly, "but it does not seem an occasion for tho intrusion of servants. We are alone. Will you explain?" Almee felt a sudden relief; a twinge nlmost of gratitude. She had not ex pected Alexnnder to do anything so sensible. "I'll make It clear if I can," sho said, nnd, looking Alexnnder In the face with nn angelically simple expres sion, she told him the tale from the beginning, briefly, yet comprehensive ly. As she 'wus speaking, Almee wntcbed Mr. Lnmbe's face. The waves of emotion that passed over his usu ally serene features made them Inter esting, suggesting some delicate In strument subjected to shocks for which It had never been designed. At (lie end he wus gasping faintly, like n stranded but still dignified flsh. "And so," concluded Almee, "you see It's a piece of my skirt the police have got. And It was I who tripped you up the stairs. I'm sorry Cousin." Mr. Lnmbe passed a somewbnt un steady hand across his forehead. He looked at Almee, -and then turned slowly to Oeorglna. "Miss Herners " ho said. Georgina's answer was a sob. Imme diately Almeo stepped across, raised her from her chair and, with nn arm round her waist, faced Alexnnder. "Stop! Not ii word from you to Georginn !" she said defiantly. There's no one to blame but me. Everything she's done, I mudu her do. She want ed me to own up. All this, she's done to try and save me. Georgle's the best thing that ever happened." Alexander looked at Almee. "My dear child," lie said gently, "I have only one wish and that Is to help you." Almee's lips pnrted; sho stared nt him Incredulously. She saw the most human sympathy In the clean-shaven, priestly face; the kindliest light In his large eyes, "Miss Homers," said Alexander, still more gently, "will you leave mu with your cousin? I should like to speak to her alone. I will see you presently, If you will give me nn op portunity." Georginn nodded brokenly, nnd moved to the window. "Georgle," whispered Almee quickly, as she passed, "meet me by the little arbor down the gardens In half an hour it won't be safe here after this." Almee and Alexander were left to gether, facing each other. There was an embarrassed pause. "Tell me, Cousin," said Alexander, quietly, "why have you done this mad thing?" "Well," said Almee, for once nt a loss, "I you see 1 was afraid of you, Alexander." She glanced up nt him nlmost shyly. "I didn't want to come to .lervaulx. I thought It would stilt Georgle much better than me." Alexander's firm lips twitched very slightly. "I got fed up at home," continued Almee, desperately. "Everybody was so solemn. They drove me to ltl 1 Just did it on the Impulse. And then I things sort of happened I " She mnde an impatient, hopeless gesture with her hands. 'Oh, whnt's the use of talking about it? It's dune, and here I am In this wretched mess, Pollco nf tor me, and everything t You've found me out you can give me away. What are you going to do?" "There Is only one thing to do," said Alcxunder, "Make u cleun breast of it." Almee's lips tightened. "Come with mo to Aunt Erythen," said Mr. Lnmbe soothingly. "I will ac company you. I'll do everything I can for you. There Is no other wax. For I can see," he suld, "that you have courage." "No," said Almee decisively, "It Is Impossible." Alexander's eyes became keener. lie looked a little contemptuous. "Are you afraid?" Uu said. "Do you not see that you must face tho conse quences of this foolish thing you have done? Once the truth Is told, you hnvp nothing to fenr from tho police." "The police 1" suld Almeo scornfully. "I'm not afraid of tho police. I'm not much afraid of Aunt Erythen. It Isn't that at all. It's the other thing." "What other thing?" Almee looked ut him with growing embarrassment. " "Oh I" she said at last, desperately, "have I got to put It In so many words? My staying nt Ivy cottuge! Didn't you understand what I told you? I was there two nights." Mr. Lumbo, to her surprise, did not look forblddiivt or censorious. Instead, lie looked u little puzzled. And In that moment Ali.ee concelwd u liking for Alexnnder. "Now Hint 1 have seen you, nnd henrd your stor.." be said, "I uttnch no Importance to that Incident, what ever." "All," snid A! -a a sadly, "but other people will, you see." Alexander suddenly flushed crimson, nnd he avoided Almee's eye. But his fuce grew peculiarly grim. "I hnve only this to say. Thnt mnn that Spencer who dared to ex pose you to such n situation, Is the culprit I wish to see. He deserves" Almee's heel smote the floor. "Not a word against Billy! It's he who saved me, right from tho begin ning. IIo begged me to let him own up. Hut he has kept my secret, nt his own risk, because I wanted It kept. Ho Is a gentleman!" Alexander winced. At that moment, out of the tail of her eye, Almee cnught sight of a tall llgure In over alls crossing the gravel-walk beyond the lawn. "Here he Is!" exclaimed Almee. "Let him answer for himself, If you want to see him." She run to the window nnd called recklessly : "Hilly!" Mr. William Spencer looked towards her, glanced quickly left and right to see If the coast was clear, and hurried to Join Almee. lie stepped In through the window. "Hilly," said Almee, "this Is my Cousin Alexander. And he's he knows all about It. Igfsccms this Is our finish, Hilly." 3? The two men turned and faced each other. CHAPTER XVI "They Must Bo Told." Mr. Lambe's serious eyes had be come hard and penetrating as u pair of crystal lenses. They gave the Im pression of piercing the exterior of the mnn before him, and rending ills mind. Alexander looked, at that moment, rather like an Inquisitor of Torque Hindu's court. "You are j -Mr. William Spencer?" said Alexander Icily. "That's so. You don't know mo? I guessed you wouldn't. Hut I remem ber you very well, though 1 never con nected your name will now," said Hilly calmly. "You were chaplain to the Tenth Iliithuids, In 1!)1S. Came from China to Join 'em, I henrd." Mr. Lumbo was silent. "I was a sub In the Ninety-seventh of the line, lying next the British Seventieth division at Arras," added Hilly. "I remember you because you brought In six wounded who got left, after the raid on the pillboxes. Two of them were ours. You got the mili tary brass." Almee Mined at Alexander In blank amazement. "That will do," Interrupted Mr. Lambe Impatiently. "We are not deal ing with tho war. Do you realize," he said in his grimmest tone, "the posi tion In which you have placed this lady?" Hilly looked straight at him. "You are Miss Seroope's cousin," he snid quietly, "and a parson. 1 guess I'll take lying down, from you, any thing you choose to say or do. Of course 1 realize it, and it's why I'm here. I've been u fool. I didn't seem to know. Hut I ought to have known." lie sighed. "Tilings aro so different, where I belong. An' they were different In France mighty different. Hut Hint's no excuse. I wish I'd broken my neck before I did such a fool tiling. And hero we are in the soup. I don't innt tcr. And you don't mutter either, parson. All that mntters is Miss Scroope. Get me?" "Come here," suld Alexnnder. Ho took Hilly by tho nrm, led him to the window, und turned him so that tho sun shone full on' his face. Mr. Lumbo looked at Billy for some mo ments In silence, with a peculiar In tentness. "Mr. Spencer," emld Alexander, re leasing him, "I will seo you presently. I shall have something to say to you. For tho moment, lenve mo with my , cousin. And co aulckb;!" Hilly nodded. He turned to Almee with a smile. c "Don't you worry," he said quietly. "the padre's white." Hilly disappeared with extreme sud denness through the window. Alexan der came slowly up to Almee. "That young man," he said, "has the heart of a child. It Is a good thing to hnve. And rnre, nt his nge. That does not niter the fnct thnt your situ ation Is dangerous, nr.d even terrible. My decision Is Until," he snid enrncstly. "There Is but one thing to do. The plain, honest course. Aunt Erythea must be told Immediately. Then you will be snfe." "And I repent it's Impossible," re turned Almee quickly. "Can't you see? You understand. And Georgle under; stunds. But there Is one who will never understand. My father, tie doesn't belong to our time. He'll con- D IT? WA V !&h r - r UH tAwNUmfilw ra Almee Seized Hie Hands In Hers. slder only one thing thnt his daugh ter hns been disgraced before all the county. Her name n by-word among the rabble. That's how he'll take It. It will simply be Dud's finish." Almee snitfed miserably. "I never thought about It. But Georgle told me what it would mean to my father. And she's right. You don't know Dnd." Alexnnder bad turned rather white. IIo walked to the door nnd hack, in some agitation. "It Is some years since I have seen your father. But I knew him very well. And I believe you are right. Tills would be a heavy blow to him. But it has got to be faced." "And I will not let Dad face It!" snid Almee hotly. "I don't en re, for myself. But I'm not going to hnve him mnde mlsetnle for all the par sons in the country!" "You have no choice. You do not suppose for n moment tills thing can lie concealed and overcome!" Almee turned to him with supreme confidence. "Of course I do. Hilly will see it through!" she said triumphantly. Alexander gasped. "I cannot countenance deceit. The whole thing is known to me my po sition Is Impossible," he said. "I should be abetting a He." "There's no need for you to do any thing at all. Nobody wanted you to btilt In, Alexander. The secret Is mine, not yoiiri. Go to Aunt Erythen if you must!" said Almee bitterly. "Oh, I'm not complaining I can see that you must. Only you'll do It with out my sanction. . Go to her, nnd tell her all you know about me." Alexander groaned. For awhile be was silent. The perspiration stood out on his forehead. The anguish In his face was so plain that even Almee felt compunction. Alexander sighed aloud. "I shull keep silence," ho snid. "It is Impossible for mo to betray a wom an's secret without her consent or to utter one word that may affect her reputation. But whnt will come or It" "Ah!" said Almee eagerly, "you need know nothing at all. Whatever happens, I'll keep you out of It." "On the contrary! 1 implore you, whatever dlfllculty arises, to come to me. 11 will do all I can." He gulped. "I want to help you, Almee." Almee seized his bunds In hers. "Alexnnder," she cried breathlessly, "I am sorry I knocked you down!" Tho next moment she hud fled through thu window. Half nn hour Inter Almee, n some wbnt furtlvo figure, wns dodging to and fro on the path near tho little arbor in tho rose garden, keeping un anxious eye on all the approaches from tho house. Sho was still feeling n Uttlo confused. "Who would over hnvo dreamed ho was such n good sort ns that I" sho said to herself. "It's n delirious sort of mess I've got them both Into. I hopo he won't Jump on poor Georgle. Why. on earth doesn't sho hurry un? i - iL Theie she is oh bother! Alexnnder agnln I" Almee retreated out of sight Into the arbor. Georginn came slowly along tho path, her countenance pnle and dowm cast, like n recalcitrant novice who fears the Lady Superior. Mr. Alex ander Lambe, looming through the forest of standard roses, quickly over took her. "Miss Borners!" Georginu turned to him with fright ened eyes. "I wish to speak with you," said Alexander with suppressed agitation. "Shall we be seated?" lie led her to a rustic scat close against the urbor. "It distresses me," suld Mr. Lnmbe earnestly, "to see, as 1 cunnot help seeing, the effect this hns hud upou you. The shock to your sensibility, Let me set your mind at rest, ns fill us I can. I hardly dare to think how it will all cntl. But your cousin Is us Innocent as nn infant of any real In tent to deceive. She hns hehnvod ns luconsequcntly us u child that Is nil. One one must try to make allow ances for her. She should be still at school. Thnt Is whnt I think of her." "Yes," murmured Georginu miser ably, "but what must you think of mo 1" "Of you!" suld Mr. Lnmbe with strong feeling. "Your loyalty your unflinching attachment to that young madcap, stirs my admiration. It is dreadful to think of what you must have suffered. Purely to protect Almee. You faced my mint." Mr. Lambe clasped his hand nnd drew his breath In sharply. "Yes, you risked the displeasure of my aunt! And of course, the police. For duys this sword of Damocles hns been hnnglng over your blameless head. You you have not been guilty of deceit. No, not Only of silence. I think you have behaved, on tho whole, admirably." "Oil!" gasped Georgia faintly, hard ly daring to believe her ears, "you can not mean it!" "I do mean It!" cxclnimcd Mr. Lumbo wnrmly. "Miss Berners, from the first hour I saw you, I wus con vinced of your your essential good ness! It betrays Itself In all that you do. Anything that Is underhand or questionable, glides awny from you " proclaimed Mr. Lambe, with a sweep ing movement of his hand, "ns the turbid stream flows over the river bed of white marble, leaving Its pur ity unsullied. My admiration for you Is greater, If that Is possible, than ever." Georgina's heart fluttered delight fully. "I think," continued Alexander, with growing enthusiasm, "that you exist to sacrifice yourself for others, Miss Herners. You have more than piety you hnve charity. It is one of thu sweetest qualities In a woman." Oeorglna turned to him with swim iiiiug eyes. "Oh, Mr. Lnmbe!" she murmured witli delicious confusion. Alexander answered her with n hol low groan. She was startled at tho sudden distress In his luce. "The question is not whut I think of you," he said bitterly, "but what you think of me! You know the prin ciples I profess, and that I Impressed on you. Out of my own mouth I Inn condemned. How can you feel any thing but contempt for me! I have consented to connive nt this mad esca pade of Almee's and all Its conse quences. To keep silent. To to bol ster it up," he snid witli u gulp. "I have passed my word." Georgina's eyes shone. "You have done thnt!" she cried eagerly. -"Why, now that you are on her side, she may he saved from ex posure after ail! 1 think it Is splen did of you absolutely splendid!" "How can you think of me, but as a hypocrite? You do not mean, Mis Herners, that you feel any respect fi me now?" ".Air. Lambe, when I first knew- you. I thought you my Ideal us a church man. I think so more than ever. When 1 wns In trouble, nnd consulted you, I seemed to llnd you a little hard. Poor Almee hud enough to hear. But now," gasped Oeorglna, quite carried away, "I consider your conduct noblo really noble! I admire you more than ever." ".Miss Herners," said Alexander, husky witli emotion, "If only you knew what u relief It Is, that I have not forfeited your regard! I have only known you a few days, but your kind ness, your sympathy" his band closed almost convulsively on hers "Mlsi Herners, may I call you Almee I I mean Georginu!" "Poof!" A stilled, explosive sound caused Mr. Lumbo to stnrt violently und look" round him. "Snooksl You're Almee Scroope! Don't deny It!" said Diana, fiercely. (TO HE CONTINUED.) Thought for the Day. One enn lie loyal to his own convic tions without being Intolerant of un otficr'g comietlona. TV i