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Show v .. o Oopyrlfkl ten th Jnc aa. month'! visit to her ait, Lly Erythea Lamb, aula abbey, and ber couata, iler Lambe. Almoe, vivacious r of the VerT Reverend it Scroop, mutt a young Introduce ho laughingly j at "BUly," America. Th motorcycle, the de on hi i Sphlna," and part. With u Bernera, her couain, Almee It for Jervaulx, 8b force sa to impersonate her at (a. and she goes on again meat Billy. He tr hla nam ta Spencer, and Amy Snookea, at !tt benof aa Job." Billy offer "out I her Into paruierehlp in aell-- I sphinx, la a plrtt of ah accept. Th weed to the town of Stan lodging in king at ?ara t la e-jttaga. While Aimee viaiimg uor-and the place I burglarl-e-d, imoui uamDe emeraias are Almee escapes. Police de-are "Jack the the thieve r" and "Calamity Kate," holl-Um- ee at ravel on a motorcycle. BUly, lias ehadowed Almee to Jer--j, follow the thieve. He ia ed out, but emerge from the emerald, with the Lamb jeeu Almee, with the police tsult In a secure hiding place, among the crag pita, Almee story. H urge a frank confe-t- r I n him the whole bat ehe make Georgie. But one mustn't grumble. Billy's living at the garage In a green uniform with brass buttons." o her father, but on reflee- realise Almee' good iboth been compromised. he ha a plan to aav Billy leave her In the cave i proceeding to Jervaulx, re- -I the emeralds to the astound-d- r Erythea. BUly tell a satisfies the police, (that reward and accept a ffeur's Job from Lady Erythea. je gets the place of parlor at Jervaulx. "That that extraordinarily good- - looking young chauffeur?" said Georg lna, staring at her. "Then he is " "Now don't get sentimental," said Almee warnlngly. "Yes, he Is not Is he? Billy's great If It hadn't been for him " ehe checked herself. "Don't you see what an ex cellent arrangement It Is, my Jelng here In spite of the little draw backs?" Georglna gave a sigh positively of jtAMfcH a v --wonunuea. relief. "Ita, better than having you wanles," be saia gravely, "Miss ooks. Late of Scroope Tow- dering about the country, getting Into all sorts of horrible scrapes. It will nd took his leave. come out soon, and then Lady said shyly, have to fted herself. It occurred to her Erythea" "Yes, yes. Never mind Aunt, What hnd never seen so many plain want I you to do, Georgie, Is this oh, one at table. With gathered Look out I" eptlon of the cook, they were bother Aimeeelzed her brush and, darting hilar and scraggy. Pulling her- jgether with an effort, Almee to the sideboard, began dusting busily, f generous mouthful from a slice A step was heard on the gravel, and ,k bread and butter. The fewer Mr. Alexander Lambe entered by the the better, until she knew her window. J. She seemed to detect an air "Cousin Almee, you are looking Jt hostility In the others. pale," he said In tones of concern. "It iat's the feedln like at Scroope T" Is delightful out of doors, the air la an elderly housemaid opposite so balmy. Shall we er take a little a hollow rolce. walk In the rose" Alexander stopped short, and his ty fare pretty good," said Almee, er mouth full of bread and but-lfeatures froze. B had caught sight the place Is dull I been at some time." ja won't be 'ere long," said the y regretruiiy, neglecting nis tea e at her. y notr saia Almee witn some g, "good-evenin- 1 ut AS. sleht ton 're ffrwwi-lonM- " n' r- - jthe page gloomily. said the cook pmr with aus-- l "pan this cup o' tea an' don't ubblsh I" took refuge behind her stone-teacu- p. She was aware of a .fire of glances, so sour and side- I that the very milk seemed to In sympathy. j Tarbeaux's voice. A mistake," said Alexander, quick ly. "I will ring If I want you." He closed the door, and peered searching-l- y at Aimee. "I do not understand what this means," he said coldly, "but it does not seem an occasion for the Intrusion of servants. We are alone. Will you explain?" Almee felt a sudden relief ; a twinge almost of gratitude. She had not ex pected Alexander to do anything so sensible. "I'll make it clear if I can," she said, and, looking Alexander in the face with an angelically simple expression, she told him the tale from the beginning, briefly, yet comprehensive As she was speaking, Almee ly. watched Mr. Lambe's face. The waves of emotion that passed over his usu ally serene features made them Inter esting, suggesting some delicate instrument subjected to shocks for which it had never been designed. At the end he was gasping faintly, like stranded but still dignified flab. "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. Lambe passed a somewhat un steady hand across his forehead. He looked at Almee, and then . turned slowly to Georglna, "Miss Bercers " be said. Georgina's answer was a sob. Imme diately Almee stepped across, raised her from her chair and, with an arm round her waist faced, Alexander. "Stop I Not a word from you to Georglna 1" she said defiantly. There's no one to blame but me. Everything she's done, I made her do. She want ed me to own up. All this, she's done to try and save me. Georgia's the best thing that ever happened." Alexander looked at Aimee. My dear child," he said gently, "I have only one wish and that Is to help you." Almee's lips parted; she stared at him Incredulously. She saw the most human sympathy In the priestly face; the kindliest light In his Urge eye. Miss Bernera," said Alexander, still more gently, "will you leave me with your contain? I should like to speak to ber alone. I will see you presently, If you will give me an op sun, full of the prom- fair dav. ah on a throno-- thm of the long drawing room. pw in a snow-whican and apron, wielding a feather brush among Ps Her manner ' listing was desultory. (wonder how long I can stick Jnurmnred In despondent tones. A Nu shepherdess escaped destruc- by. miracle. my life I never saw such a frumps. And the tast It leaves mouth It's swfnL, It's all well sitting: tlsrht and savin lnt I shall break know I unlew I can see Billy soon." observed a laree nhotosraDh of Rnd Hon. Alexander Lambe, omute sliver frame, atandlnr on ''- Almee recmrnlttul th nor-and flicked at It vlclouslv with feather brush. She miscalculated. Portrait crashed on to the floor. D plrked It up the class was 1 k te knick-knacks- . . Itr outI ' Mr. William Spencer looked towards her, glanced quickly left and right to see If the coast was dear, and hurried to Join Almee, He stepped to througn the window. "Billy," said Almee, "this Is my And hes he Cousin Alexander, knows all about It It seems this la our finish, Billy." The two men turned and faced each other. -- upon It reflected n stared In the mlrrosfbefor for a moment with quietly, "why have you done this mad thing?" "Well," said Almee, for once at loss, "I jam see I was afraid of you. Alexander." 8he. glanced np at him didn't wast to come almost shyly. to Jervaulx, I thought It would suit Georgie much better than me," Alexander's firm lips twitched very " slightly. i "I got fed up at home," continued "Everybody was Almee, desperately. so solemn. They drove me to It I just did tt on the impulse. And" then things sort of happened I She made an Impatient, hopeless gesture with her hands. Oh, what's the use of talking about It? Ifs done, and here I am to this wretched mess. Police after me, and everything! You've found me out you can give me away. What are you going to doT There Is only one thing to do," said Alexander. "Make a dean breast of 1 . 1 f PJ r ir r pltys a lady?" straight at him. Miss 8croope's cousin," he said quietly, "and a parson. I guess Til take lying down, from you. anything you choose to say or do. Of course I realize It and Ifs why I'm m here. Fro been a foot I didn't to know. But I ought to have known." He sighed. are so different where I Things ' 'An they were different ta belong. France mighty different But that's no excuse, I wish I'd broken my neck before 1 did such a fool thing. And here we are to the soup. I dont matter. And you dont matter either, All that matters Is Miss parson, Scroope. Get me?" "Come here," said Alexander. He took BUly by the arm, led htm to the window, and turned him so that the sun shone full on his face. Mr, Lambe looked at BUly for some moments to silence, with a peculiar BlUy looked Ton are ' i "Mr. Spencer," said Alexander, rewill tee you presently. leasing him, I ahaU hare something te say to you. For the moment, leave me with my cooils. And go quickly T 1 Itttutratlotu hy ELLSWORTH YOUNG There ehe Is oh bother Alexander 1 again!" Almee retreated out of sight uu the arbor. Georglna came slowly along the) path, her countenance pale and downcast, Uke a recalcitrant novice whe fears the Lady Superior. Mr. Alex ander Lambe, looming through tnt forest of standard roaea, quickly over took her. "Miss Bernera 1" Georglna turned to him with fright ened eyes. "I wish to speak with you," saia Alexander with suppressed agitation. He led her ta "Shall we be seated a rustic seat close against the arbor. "It distresses me," said: Mr. Lamt earnestly, "to see, aa I cannot help seeing, the effect this has bad upon The shock to your sensioiuiy. you. Let me set your mind at rest, aa fat as I can. I hardly dare to think how tt wm aU end. But your couain Is ta innocent as an Infant cf any real in-tent to deceive. She has behaved aa In consequently as a cMld that la alL One one must try to make allow- ancea for her. She should be till al school. That Is what I think of her.4 Ttta" mnmnr.il flonrtrlna mlaM abiy, "but what touat you think of . ' r , ; ( - ' meP "Of youl" said Mr. Lambe with .. . strong feeling. "Your loyalty your, unflinching attachment to that younf madcap, stirs my admiration, It ; to, dreadful to think of what you must ; have suffered. Purely to protect Almee. You faced my aunt" Mr Lamb clasped hla hand and drew hla breath to sharply. "Yes, you risked! the displeasure of my aunt I And ( . Df course, the police. For daya this! sword of Damocles has been hanging " over your blameleaa head. You yoti have not been guilty of deceit No, no I . Almee Seised His Hands In Hers. slder only one thing that his daughter has been disgraced before aU the d among county. Her name a the rabble. That's how hell take It It will simply be Dad's finish." Almee sniffed miserably., "I never thought about It But Georgie told me what it would mean to my father. And she's right You dont know Dad." Alexander had turned rather white. He walked to the door and back, to some agitation, "It la some years since I have seen your father. But I knew him very well And I believe you are right This would be a heavy blow to him. ' But It has got to be faced." "And I will not let Dad face It!" said Almee hotly. "I dont care, for myself. But I'm not going to hare him made miserable for all the par sons to the country P "You have no choice. You do not suppose for a moment this thing can be concealed and overcome !" Almee turned to him with supreme confidence. "Of course I do. BUly will see It through V she said triumphantly. Alexander gasped. "I cannot countenance deceit The whole thing Is known to me my position Is Impossible," he said. "I should be abetting a lie."... . . ... There's no need for yon to do anything at alL Nobody wanted you to butt to. Alexander. The secret Is mine, not yours. Go to Aunt Erythea, If yon must!" said Almee bitterly. "Oh, Tm not complaining I can set that you must Only youtl do It with out my sanction. Go to her, andJteU Dcr iu yvu auww uvui uib. Alexander groaned. For awhile he was silent The perspiration ' stood out on his forehead. The anguish to his face was so plain that even Almee . ren compunction, Alexander sighed aloud; "I shall keep silence,", he said. "It Is Impossible for me to betray a woman's secret without ber consent or to utter one word that may affect her But what will come of reputation. . CHAPTCR XVI hour It wont be safe here after amazement this." That wUl do," Interrupted Mr. Almee and Alexander were left to-- Lambe Impatiently. "We are not dealAlmee Flourished the Feather Brush tether, facing each other. There was ing with the war. Do you realize," he In His Face. said to bis grimmest tone, "the posian embarrassed pause. said me. "Tell tion to which you have placed this Cousin," Alexander, of Almee's face, with the light full i, . by-wor- They Must Be Told." Mr. Lambe's serious eyes had be come hard and penetrating as a pair of crystal lenses. They gave the impression of piercing the exterior of the man before him, and reading his mind. Alexander looked, St that moment rather like an Inquisitor of Torque-mada'- s court. "You are Mr. William Spencer?" said Alexander Idly. That's so. You dont know me? I guessed you wouldn't But I remember you very well, though I never connected your name till now," said BUly calmly. Ton were chaplain to the Tenth. Rutlanda, to 1018. Came from China to Join 'em, I heard." Mr. Lambe was silent "I was a sub to the Ninety-sevent- h of the line, lying next the British Seventieth division at Arras," added portunity." BUly. "I remember you because you nodded brokenly, and brought to six wounded who got left Georglna moved to the window. after the raid on the pillboxes. Two "Georgie," whispered Almee quickly. of them were ours. You' got the mili as she passed, "meet me by the little tary brass." Almee stared at Alexander to blank arbor down the garden to half an remarkable Intentness. "Who Is this?" he said sharply, step- nh iwards ner. iner was menace In voice, "wno are your tered. d A p, preparing to meet her 'at's lorn It All breakages come faced and composedly mT wages. I wish It had been his tiny, face him. She dropped him a small curtsey, that moment Miss Georglna Ber- - i "Please air. the parlor maid," so 'nit-reaid. by one of the French win- Mr. Umbe'a eyes were nearly start f She uRs a war of a slimmer and out of his head. ing ufturw man bo BJiw iiau I'nrior maid? Your he said stern ,w,n In the household. Georglna "e P"lnt of always being civil to ly, "You are the woman who drove mntorCVCle. I COUld VOUCh for ""wesr servant. Ar You are" h shot the she! vou you the new narlor mnldr anywhere. I I jejftrit vw '' amiably. words out WIU extraorumary emence "you are that aoanaonea lne turned and faced her. ! You are the f Hullo, Oeorgler she exclaimed, creature, Calamity Kate me down T knocked who peorgina, during; the last three days, woman uffered more than any placid foul With unxpected'sslllty h sprang seised Almee by the b called upon to endure. She forward end deftness she wildly for a moment at the slim wriKt. And with equal lO free. herself died th F ran mA .nm -she said fiercely. Then mvd at the breaking-poin- t She ; Ani AUneVsJlpe tightened. ; ler-off me, or m do tt hands f'fPied backwards , inte an srnv I your "Come with, me te Aunt Erythea," iin. Do von hear tner ir, erne ox snnji wnoxjpa came Mr. Lambe soothingly. "I will ac said flourished roused, Almee, thoroughly Mr. you. HI do everything company b i"0orgl! n cried ber cousin to a I the fpaiher bruso Tbere is ne ether way, for can Be you. Mtle a pal. Tor sake donl do that Lambe started back, p. people will, you see." Alexander suddenly flushed crimson, and he avoided Almee's eye. But his face grew peculiarly grim. "I Tiave only this to say. That man that Spencer who dared to ex pose you to sucn a situation, is we culprit I wish to see. He deserves" Almee's heel smote the floor, "Not a word against Billy I Ifs he who saved me, right from the beginning. He begged me to let him own up. But he has kept my secret at his own risk, because I wanted It kept He Is a gentleman!" Alexander winced. At that moment out of the tall of her eye, Aimee caught sight of a tall figure to overalls crossing the gravel-wal- k beyond the lawn. "Here he Is!" exclaimed Alme, "Let him answer for himself, if yon want to see him." She ran to the window and called recklessly: "Blllyl" Sidney Gowing Billy nodded, lie turned te Aimee with a smile. ."Don't you worry," he said quietly, "the padre's white." BUly disappeared with extreme suddenness through the window. Alexander came slowly up to Almee, "That young man," he said, "has the heart of a child. It is a good thing to have. And rare, at his age. That does not alter the fact that your situ ation Is dangerous, .and even terrible. My decision la final," he said earnestly, There is but one thing to do. The plain, honest course. Aunt Erythea must be told Immediately. Then you will be safe.",. "And I repeat Jt's Impossible," re- led Almee quickly. "Cant you see? You understand. And Georgia under stands. But there is one. who will He never understand. My father. doesn't belong to our time. He'll eon- - clean-shave- morning , Sidney Oowiaa TouH give the whole show awayTj placed his thumb on the bellpusb, For I can see," he said, "that you have "Honk I Honkl Honk!" said GeorgAlmee," he said sharply, "go oufr; courage." lna. go out quickly I I will deal with her." "No," said Almee decisively, "It la Almee had once heard a physician "What are you going to do?" gasped Impossible." declare that sympathy and kindness Georglna. Instead of obeying htm she Alexander's eyes became keener. He merely made hysterics worse. It was came forward, trembling. looked a little contemptuous. time to change the treatment. She "Go out I I am going to give this "Are you. afraid?" he said, "Do you grabbed her cousin by the shoulders. woman in charge I" not see that you must face the conse"Shut up that beastly rowl" said In pity's name, don't do that!" quences of this foolish thing you have Almee fiercely, shaking her till her Georglna gulped, and struggled for done? Once the truth Is told, you teeth rattled. "Stop It I Do you want breath. "She-e- he have nothing to fear from the police." la your to get me handcuffed and put In the Almee !" The police I" said Almee scornfully. cells? Idiot 1" Georglna dropped Into a chair and Tm not afraid of the police, vm Georglna gasped, choked, and sat began to cry. Alexander, taking his not much afraid of Aunt Erythea, It It's the other up. She clung to her cousin desper- hand from the bell, wondered if she Isn't that at all had suddenly become Insane. ately. thing." "I will be quiet. I will," she said "What other thing?" "Quite right," said Almee. With the does It mean, calm of despair she planted herself in Almee looked at him with growing faintly. Almee! Why front of him, her eyes defiant "I am embarrassment rOh I" she said at last, desperately, Almee. And that's "Try to behave like a reasonable be- your ing, and ni tell you." my cousin, Georglna Bernera. I made "have I got to put It to so many "Yes, yes ! I'm better now, dear." her take my place here, because I words? My stsylng at Ivy cottage Almee Inspected her and, Judging thought it would be dull, and Dad In Didn't you understand what I told the danger to be past,. Jclssed Jier af- sisted, on my coming. So now call the you? I was there two nights." Mr. Lambe, to her aurprtae, ua not fectionately. After a cautious glance police, Cousin Alick, ""and let's."get It at the windows she proceeded, as BUly over." look forbidding or censorious. Instead, would have phrased It, to put her It seemed to Alexander that he had he looked a little puzzled. And to cousin wise. suddenly been transported Into Bed- that moment Almee conceived a liking Georglna, having heard her to the lam. He stared from Almee to the for Alexander. end, pressed both hands pathetically gently sobbing Georglna. And then, "Now that I have seen you, and to the sides of her head. as the door began to open, Mr. Lambe heard your story," he said, "I attach "And you're living In the servants' turned swiftly and caught the handle, no Importance to that incident what hall?" she said feebly. preventing the Intruder from entering. ever." "Did you ring, miss?" Inquired Mr. "It's no catch, I can tell you, Ah," said Almee sadly, "but other ALICK I COUSIN pSlfl.-Dlslia- wag lm 11 I - . --- . Only of silence. I think yon bar . behaved, on the whole, admirably." "Oh!" gasped Georgia faintly, hard oars, "you ' canly daring to believe her "'' ;: "' ;:! not mean UP "l do mean It P exclaimed Mr. Lambe warmly. "Miss Bernera, from the first hour I aaw you. I was of your your essential good ness I It betrays Itself to all that yo do. Anything that Is underhand or questionable, glides away from you'' proclaimed Mr. Lambe, with a sweeping movement of his hand, "as the turbid stream flows over the river-bed of white marble, leaving lta pur lty unsullied. My admiration for yo la greater, If that Is possible, than eon-vinc- ed . , ever." Georgina's heart fluttered delight fully. - T think," continued Alexander, wi growing enthusiasm, that you exist to sacrifice yourself for others, Miss Bernera. Yon have more than piety-- yon have charity. ' It Is one of thsj sweetest qualities to a woman.'' Georglna turned to him witk swim ming eyes. "Oh, Mr. Lambe!" she murmured with delicious confusion, . Alexander answered her with a hol low groan, She was startled at the ' sudden distress in his face, The question to not what I think of yon," fie sua Dineny, dui wnax yones think of me I Yon know the prin-dplI profess, and that J impressed on you. Out of my own mouth X am condemned. How can yoq feel any-thing but contempt for met X hare consented to connive at this mad escapade of Almee's and all its eonse ' ,To keep silent To to bol with ho said a fulp. ster It up," have passed my word." Qeorgina'f eyes ahone. Too have done thatP she cried eagerly. "Why. now that yon art oa ber side, she may be saved from ex-- , posure after all I think It to splen did of you absolutely splendid P "How can you think of me, but ae a hypocrite? Yon do not mean. Miss Bernera, that yon feel any respect for me nowP 1 first when knew yon. "Mr. Lambe, I thought yon my Ideal as a churchman. I think so more than ever. Qoencea. . ' 1 .u 1 When I was In trouble, and consulted you, I seemed to find you a Uttle bard. Poor Almee had enough to bear. But now," gasped Georglna, quite carried away, "I consider your conduct noble really noble I I admire yon more "Ah T said Almee eagerly, "you than ever." need know nothing at ail. Whatever "ill as Bcrnrs," - said Alexander, of out HI It" you keep happens, husky with emotion, "If only yon knew "On the contrary I I Implore you, what a relief It Is, that I have not whatever difficulty arises, to come to forfeited your regard I I bare only me, I I will do all I can:; He gulped. known yon a few days, but your kind"I want to help you, Almee." ness, your sympathy" his hand closed Almee seized his bands to bars. almost convulsively on hers "Mlsa "Alexander," ehe cried breathlessly, Bernera, may I call you Almee 1 I "I am sorry X knocked you down P mean Georglna P The next moment she had fled "Poof P , A stilled, explosive sound caused Mr. through the window. Lambe to start violently and look Half an hour later Almee, a some- round him. what furtive figure, was. dodging to snd fro on the path near. the Uttle nooks! You're Almee arbor to the rose garden, keeping an Scroop I , Dont deny It!" said anxious eye on all the approaches Diana, flerciy. from the house, She was still feeling a little confused. ' "Who would ever have dreamed he (TO BS COXTINVXP.) was such a good sort as that!" she ' said to herself. "It's a delirious sort Thought for the 0y. of mess Tve got them both Into. 1 H One can be loyal to hla own convlc- hope he wont Jump on poor Georgia. tJoos slthout being totolerant of anWhy ea earth doeant she hurry, up? other's conviction It" - - |