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
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