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Show '" ' J T"B; mVOHAM NTS mNr.HAM. ITTAH " ' " , ' Y-- iV;Y' y" j THE JOY OF LIVING By SIDNEY" GOWING Gipjttttiwbjsidneyc IUustrations by ELLSWORTH YOUNG "We must keep it from blm," ,suld Georglnn trembling, "ot any cost. We must Und a way, for his sake and yours. This muddle at Jervuulx cun-oo- l be hidden ; we miMt face It. But your father must never hear of the other thing. What ure we to do? He Is coming here tomorrow afternoon !" Tearfully she gave her cousin the news In l.oid Scronpc'g letter., Aimee sunn) In blank dismay. "Wo have till five o'clock tomor-row," faltered Georglnu. "I don't core what happens to me there's nothing I won't do to save you, AIniee." Her faro brightened sud-denly. "I've thought of a way" "And so have 1 1" said Aliuee ea-gerly. "There's Just a chance go on let's hear your plunl" "If we can keep the whole thins quiet till five tomorrow we shall pull through with luck. Should anything turn up before then, to show that you're not here where you ought to he we're done for," said (leorglna, tragically. "My plan is this: You must go at once " A loud dunging Interrupted her, as of a vibrating hammer striking a gong. It Jarred horribly on the silence of the dark abbey. Followed the crash and tinkle of breaking glass, and the sound of a fall. A second gong spoke with a hru.en tongue. ' Georgian went very white. "(ireut Scott! what's this awful row?" exclaimed Aimee. Georglnu pressed a hand to her bosom. "It's It's one of Lndy Krythea's burglar alarms," she said faintly. "The house Is full of them!" In half a minute the abbey was gal-vanised Into extraordinary activity. ment she had vanished into the night. Alexander rushed to the open doora and stared out Into the darkness. He heard the sound of the hunt some-where beyond the For a moment he thought of Joining It. Hut the starlit gloom gave f.ilnt encour-agement pursuit seemed very use-less. With a sudden Impulse Alexan-der ran back through the hall, turned on the light, and pulled open the door of the telephone call room. Ha snatched the receiver from the book. "Stanhoe police station put ma through quick 1" cried Alexander. Lady Krythea descended the stairs, a superb model for Boudieea among the wreck of the Human legions. Her eyes flashed fire, her lips were coin-press- ed In a thin, tight line, her hand gripped the brass shovel. She chared ut the disgruntled butler. "Tarbeaux l" she cried sharply. "Tarbeaux !' Mr. Tarbeaux came forward, limp-ing. One hand pressed a crimsoned handkerchief to his nose, which had Impacted rather violently upon the good knight's breastplate. Ills other hand grasped a yard of torn blue cloth, which he waved before him. "Did you stop that wumun?" cried Lady Krythea. Mr. Turbeuux' Inarticulate answer was In the negative. "Why not. Idiot I" said his mistress. "A houseful of useless Incumbrances unable to stop a single " The em-purpled handkerchief cuught her eye. "Why, what Is the mutter, man? Are you wounded?" "I'roud shed in' blood ladyship's service I" snuffled . Mr. Turbeuux. "Couldn't help skirt teuiln', m' lady." "W'hut!" "MY PEARLSl" SYNOPSIS.-DlEllki- ng the pros-pect of a month's visit to her austere aunt, Lady Erythea Lam be, at Jervuulx abbey, and her cousin, Alexander Lambe, Aimee, vivacious daughter of the Very Reverend Viscount 8.roope, wan-ders into the park, there encoun-tering a strange youth, tie laugh-ingly Introduces lilui&elf as 'Billy," American. The two ride on his motorcycle, the "Flying Sphinx." and part. With Georgma Uwrners, her cousin, Aimee Bets out for Jer-vaul- x. bhe decides that Qeorgina shall Impersonate her at Jervaulx, while she goes on a holiday. Geor-glna- 's horrified protest is unavail-ing. Aimee again meets "Billy." He tells her his name is Spencer, and she gives hers as Amy Snooks, at present "out of a Job." Billy offers to take her into partnership In selling the Ephlnx. In a spirit of madcap adventuro, she accepts. The two proceed to the town of Blanhoe, taking separate lodgings In Ivy cottage. That night Almeo visits Qeorgina and learns that the deception has not been dis overed. She compels Georgina to continue after this. All the same," he added, "that tank-ba- r Is a bit awkward for your dress." "1 don't care I can manage." "No It's got to be fixed." His face cleared. "It's dead easy! I'll get you a pair of breeches In Syderford." Almee, dumfouuded, turned and stared at him. "What do you think you are!" she exclaimed. "The Universal Pro-vider?" Billy's chin stuck out sternly. "I'm your partner I Get me?" Aimee looked at him thoughtfully, and smiled. "All right,- Billy," she said softly. There was a pause. "Let's go back to Ivy cottuge. You can drive." Billy mounted the saddle Joyously, stuffing his cup Into his pocket. Aimee took her seat behind. The Sphinx meandered homewurd ut an eusy fifty miles an hour. CHAPTER VI "Thou Shalt Not Lie." were of naughtiness is not wholly un-attractive, in a young man." Georglnu stared ot her In amaze-ment, wondering If she had heard aright. And Georgina was guiltllj conscious that a Simitar thought had crept, unbidden, Into her own mind Lady Krythen's eyes, meeting her gaze, became stony. "I was referring, of course," she snld, with some sternness, "to tin dut good women owe themselves In re-forming young men of that type. In girl. Mightiness Is abhorrent to me absolutely abhorrent. Hussies ure my especial aversion." She smiled, and laid u hand on Georglnu's shoulder. "I don't know why I speak of ilium. Nor can I understand, my dear, bow such a mistaken Impression of you could have reached us, before we knew you. "For." she added, rising, "1 huve formed my opinion of you, Almee. and my Judgment Is never mistaken. The woman does not live who could de-ceive me, Almee, my dear, you are free to follow any occupation you what bony chest. As usual ut dinner she was In u good temper. There was a lute delivery at Jer-vaulx, and a letter was hroug'it Into the drawing room afterward, ad-dressed to Almee Scroope. "Surely, that Is your father's hand-writing, Almee," snld Lady Krytheu! "My letter will have crossed his. Let is bear what be says." Georgina would as soon have thought of picking a pocket as of opening another person's letter. But there was no help for It. The letter was dated Scrooj Towers, Thursday. At the word of command, Georglnu rend It aloud, somewhat fulterlngly. My Dearest Almee: I am writing to your aunt, to whom my love, but And myself Mth only time be-fore the po.Hi goes to tell you I am obliged to leaxe Scroope earlier than I expected. As I wish to see you before I go, I WUI come over for an hour on Saturday. I'm sorry It is Impossible for me to stay the night. 1 have news of Importance for you. Tour loving, FATHER "It will be the first time," suld Lady iur. xuiuvuu, wiwi u niicm uuv , splendid gesture, luld the piece of torn skirt upon the hull bench. "Clue, in' lady," he suld, with tha air of a bankrupt making the most of his assets. "With this It should not be difficult to truce the thief." "Trace her!" snorted Lady Erythea. "If you hud held on to her there would would have been no need to truce any-thing!" Mr. Lambe Joined them; his mild eye at once apprehended the signifi-cance of the piece of serge. "1 cunnot see that Tarbeaux Is to blnmc," he snld In his aunt's ear; "ha did his best, and after ull It Is Ui Im-portant." "Unimportant I The Infamous crea-ture bus got clear uwuy!" "My dear aunt! Thut stupid girl cunnot have been the thief. You do not really suppose this burglary wus committed by a woinur. !" "Most certainly I do!" cried Lndy Krythea. "I can believe anything of the modern woman anything! She hid when the ulurm sounded, and made a desperate dash for escape when I discovered her. It Is as clear as daylight to anybody but a fool I It Is certain she hud my emeralds Georgina Berners began the dny well ; though she came within un uce of beginning It very badly Indeed she was neurly late for prayers. After the service the servants dis-persed to their duties, and Lady Kry-thc- u led the way to the morning room. She kissed Georglnu with the nlr of one conferring a benefit, anil bestowed a word of upproval on Alexander, who was looking at Georgina with some concern In his large eyes. "You look a little tired, cousin," he said, "did you rest well?" "Oh, suld Georgina, "the the journey yesterduy was a little tiring." "Perfect health," said Lndy Erythea, "Is not only desirable, It la a duty, In the young." Breukfast proceeded In silence, till Lndy Krythea made her announce-ment. "The carriage will be ready for us nil ut ten," she said. "Beniember that one docs not keep horses wuitiug. We shall drive to Syderford." "In that case." said Mr. Lambe, "1 must be excused now. I buve many things to do before ten." Lndy Krythea watched his exit with some anxiety. "For u man of Alexander's phys-ical development." she said, "I feel sure he docs not eat enough. A mouthful of whiting and half a cup of tea! He would ruther die than In-dulge In meat on a Friday." Lady Krythea wus making excellent pruc-tlc- e with a grilled sole. "That, of course, Is quite right. But he carries some things to extremes. I am not wholl; sure that Alexander Is sound on the ihject of murriage." continued Ii fly Krytheu, with her custoniury di-rectness. "I am. of course, a High Chiirchwoman. Of that faith. I know very well, there are many who hold that a priest should be celibate. I do not agree with them for one moment Let those differ from me who will 1 me euuienuge. un a trial spin, with Billy. Aimee nearly kills them both by going too fast, but her nerve awakens Billy's admiration. CHAPTER 'V Continued. 3 There was an astonished shout and a cry of warning ahead. A large car-riage, with two fat horses and a fat coachman, seemed to be right on top of Almee's handlebars. She swerved and braked violently, while the horses were reined back on their haunches; the Sphinx toppled sideways, shouting Billy clean through the screen or brambles that covered the ditch. Almee performed a sort of and landed on her feet with un Intoxicated stagger. For one awful moment she found herself fac-ing the amazed' occupants of the car-riage. She wns conscious of the face of ' Georglnu, very white, staring ut her open-mouthe- with eyes as big as saucers. Beside Georgina sat a tre-mendous, elderly lady, gripping n lorgnette, and speechless with anger. A large young man In black, his eyes matching Georgian's for size, had started up and was grasping the side ...,. of the carriage. In a fraction of a second the truth telegraphed Itself to Almee's flustered brain. Aunt Krythea! Almee leaped the ditch like a cha-mois, right over the top of Billy; plunged through the tall hedge as a circus rider goes through a hoop, and vanished. "Is anybody hurt, there!" gasped Mr. Alexunder Lamhe. "Is " "Nope. Not here," sold Billy's voice feebly from the ditch. A pair of booted legs waved among the brambles. "I never saw anything so disgrace-ful In my life!" cried Mr. Lambe. Tour number! I wunt your num-ber. I- -!" Lady Krythea, whose face was crimson, leaned forward and smote the coachman twice violently In the back with the handle of her parasnl. "Drive on fool !" she suld explo-sively. The coachman started and whipped up the fat horses. Mr. i.aiube stag-gered as the cuninge went forward. "Aunt," he said, "thut that woman, who wus driving, ought to be appre-hended If I had my way" "If I bud my way," retorted Lady Erythea, "she'd be whipped! She and all her tribe. But the Idiot Gervuse, of course, wus on the wrong side; we've no case. 1 hope their wretched machine Is wrecked. Sit down, Alex-ander, do you If !" Mr, Lambe obeyed, protesting Georgina, with one bund pressed to her bosom, fill us though she were on the point of heart-failur- "Hunsles." said Lady Krythea, quiv-ering, "ar.d louts! Country's overrun with them. Poemcy Is dead!" The cuninge J'ngled roui.d the cor-ner and dlsuppeare'i. Billy Spencer collected himself from among the brumbies anil reg.iine.l Hie road, with Hie air of u s.illor cast away on un Inliospltale coast. Aimee thrust an insulting iice through the hedge, and emerged. "Billy !" she cried. "Are you dam-aged?" "Not a bit. Only scratched." "And the Sph'nx?" "Brake lever bent, that's nil. Noth-ing serious." Almee s i iih nly sat down on e of the ditch aud begun to laugh. She laughed till the very r I threw back the echo; scandalous laughter. -- That's rood!" said Billy, grinning. "That's the stulT! I was afraid It might have shaken you. Go on laugh !" "You'll never let mo drive her again!" gasped Almee, mopping her streaming eves. "Won't I! Why. you've learned the gume you'll never do that stunt twice. On'y thing I fenred. It might have shaken vour nerve But you've no nere to shake! You're the g- -o Is Thnt fool coachman was on the wrotr.' side, anyway. IM's get on the fiphlax. You'll rldu her like a bird choose until ten o'clock." Georglnu made her way upstairs and sank Into the most luxurious arm-chair In her bedroom. "How perfectly lovely It would be here." she sighed, "If only things were proper and regular. But they aren't!" Georgina, ga.ing before her, fell Into a day-drea- Presently, the sound of the currluge passing beneath her window roused her with u start, and hastily donn.ng a wrap she ran downstairs. "Sit next me, Almee," snld Lady Krytheu. settling herself comfortably in the carriage. "Alexander, you will take the other scut. I dislike having anyone Immediately opposite me." For two hours, ut I mint, all troubles were to be left behind. As the car-riage bowled through the sunlit park Georglnu. lying back agalrst the cush-ions, under the benign gi.zc of Alex-ander, felt Inexpressibly soothec. When the carriage returned to Jer-vaulx. Georglnu fell rather than de-scended from it. Almost In u state of collapse, she preserved some sort of outward composure and retreated to her bedroom us a hunted fox goes to earth. The collision with the motorcycle on the Syderford road opened new horizons of terror for Georglnu. It seemed to her like the climax of a nightmare. What In the world was Almee doing? Who was the man It wus evidently a man, though Georgina hud seen little "f him except his boots that was with her. What wus happening to the wretched girl? "It's too awful!" suld Georglnu "and I'm responsible. I think I shnll go ruif: !" Later In the afternoon. In the nat-ural course of things, she found her-self alone with Alexander In the gar-dens. She looked at him with timid, vet hopeful eyes. Here, at least, was righteousness. kindliness, wisdom. Georglnu felt she could keep things to herself no longpr. "I am afraid that narrow escape this morning has upset you, Almee." he said sympathetically. "Yes I was rather upset. But I a in better now. Iion't let us talk of It. Alexander, there Is some thing I want to ask you," she sa,d suddenly. "1 should like your yoin guidance. Imagine that somebody who was "dear to me somebody one loved very much had got Into and was In danger of expos-ure. Ami punishment. That It was in one's power to save them. Suppos-ing that It would 1 dp. would it be .cry wn ng to tell a a lib?" Alexander regarded her wonder-Ingly- . "a'I us give things their proper natiics," he said. "You mean u lie You know ti e answer. A lie Is In al' astw not only Inudmlshlhlc, but un thinkable." "N-no- i even a little one?" sail Georglnu fa'ntly. "I don't mean foi one's own benefit, of course, but to shield the other." "There is only one answer." he snld sternly. "That other must make u dean breast of It, and bear his owi punishment or hers. No mutter how bitter it may be. Whoever indiitgi n such shielding Is equally guilty." Georgina felt utterly chilled. "Is not lli.it a little hard?" ho said '"Hi hard way is the ay of tlie transgressor." said Alexander, win ome grhniiess; "there Is author tv fm hat. And yet the friend I think yon said n friend tun;: give all aid tin"! succor to ihe slnn?r. von to the ex treme sacrlllee of himself. But de elt, even Ihe shadow of It, must l no means enter Into the matter. You are asking nie what you know per 'ectly well. But why talk of unplea-- i int tf.ihgi," he cont'niied, "It'll mi of yourself, and jour life ut Scroope Vimee." There was smnll comfort for Genr rinn the red of th.it din. Siie drese 'or d'nner In a state of us her custom was. eve-i:o-en famllle. ram down sptei. Ildly lcje eled, and weariio: the Lambe omoniM - said to Mince's luOauUi uli her some- Krythea, u trllle acidly, "that unybody ever saw your futher In a hurry." The letter put the finishing touch to such u day us Georgina hud never dreamed of. She went to bed half an hour later. Before she fell asleep, her pillow wus wet. CHAPTER VII The Vay ef the Transgressor. Georglnu awoke with a start. The light from a tiny electric daz-zled her eyes; somebody wus shuk.ng her violently. "Wake up, old thlm," whispered Almee's voice; "It's like trying to rouse the dead. I'm anxious nl out you. What did they say about thut little stunt on the Syderford road?" Georgina sat up with a gasp, and clutched Almee with both hands as a drowning person clutches a life-buo- "It's you. Is It!" she said fiercely. "I've got you, Almee make up your mind to It ! This dreadful business Ir; finished. We're done for espe-cially you!" "Kb!" exclaimed Almee, a little startled. "What have you got the breeze up about now?" "You'll know very soon! Who." said Georgina sternly, still hold'ng her, "was that Man that wns with you? Who was he?" "Man?" said AIniee. "Oh. you mean Billy. One of the best that ever stepped! A clinking good sort." echo-e- l Georglnu In a shaking voice. "Tell me. Tell me ull !" she said, tightening her grip. "Well, why not?" sold Almee. and forthwith she related the Saga of Billy. The tale, as It proceeded, seemed to affect Georgina with creep-- " palsy. When It ended, she wns trembling violently. She made two unsuccessful efforts to speak. She reminded Almee of a ben with some-thing stuck In Its throat. "You are staying with this Man?" gasped Gemglnu. "This Spencer in Stanhoe? And he lot you do It? The man's a cud !" Almee sprang up. tenrlns herself loowe from her cousin's bands. "How dare you sny that! Cad? If there's onlv one gentleman on this earth. It's BUI.-!- She glared ut Georglnn. "There's no beastly sentiment In Billy, thank heaven. That's why we became pals; because we want to get away from It all. I see nothing wrong in It nor does he." "Then he's a fool !" said Georgina bitterly. "Oh, what enn one say?" she groaned. "I know there ' nothing wrong. That you ure Incapable of of " she cbo!;ed. "And this man. From what you tell me. lie Is Just such another as you. lie Is not a man he Is u child! Or he Is from some place where things ure very different from what they ire with us. But yon are living In Kasishlre not In ti e desert. You know what Knst-sblr- Is. If ever this comes out as come oi.t It must your reputation and your good nuiue ure gone "Thut, I suppose, you do not care for." she said bitterly, rising and racing AIniee, "but one thing I can tell ymi ami you may believe me. This thing will kill your father !" Almee stared ut her blanMy. "I know your father, better, ppr-hap-than you do, Almee. To Lord Scroope, black Is black and white white. No one Is more proud, more sensitive. That his daughter should he living In an obscure lodging, under an assumed name with a strange man she picked lip on the high road. I tell you, quite soberly aim cuia.nly, hut It will break his heart." There was a long silence. Suddenly Almee sat down on the iied and began to cry. She cried with 'lie iilinndim of a child of ten. but , ery plleolisly. "I never wanted to hurt Had!" she niiCIed. "I didn't think I didn't ee !" "lio you understnn 1 at hist?" said '.eorgira grimly. gulped Almep slowly. "1 ell.'ve I do. Iad! I " she caught eorg'na by the arm. " must keep I hat fiuin liiui I IUUU" upon her at t he time, and It Is lucky " none of you are killed though It would he very little loss. Ttirbeaux, did you recognize the creature whom you allowed so egreglnusly to escape?" i "No, my lady. It wus too durk. And the Incident was somewhat sud-den," said Mr. Tarbeaux apologeti-cally. "It wus a young person I am unable to say more. But I inn sure she wus not one of our household.' "I have telephoned the police at Stanhoe." said Mr. Liinibe; "the are coming Immedlutely by car." "A gleum of Intelligence at last I Thank you, Alexander und forgive me I am overwrought. My censure does not apply to you. The whole af-fair Is appalling!" said Lady Krythea, clenching her hands. "My pearls, the dhwiionil chuplet these comparatively' nre trllh a but the einerulds are cone. The Lamhe einerulds!" The uudleuce shrunk before her wruth. "It Is Incredible! Twelve yenrs ago the abbey was broken Into this Is the second case. I hud taken every pos-sible precaution, under skilled udvice. My sufe Is modern ; I considered I bad made the house Itself Impregnable at night. So It would buve been, had I been adequately served. What meas-ures did you take, Tarbeaux? I wus absurd enough to think I could rely upon you. Inun emergency like this!" "I retired ut the usual hour, my lady, o my room In the passage." said Mr. Tarbeaux unhappily, "as I lmvn done for years, by your Instructions, in view of er er un emergency Ilka this. One of the ulaiias roused me; I rose Immediately, only waiting Ion enough to don a garment ' "Go on, man, go on '." "While putting them while putting It on, my lady, I s'liindcd my bell, which connecis with the other s' rooms, and ran Into the hall. At that moment I thought I beard feet on the gravel outside, and unbolting the front door I rushed out " "Leaving an exit for unv thief In the bouse to escape by!" niorted Lady . Krythea. "Continue your brilliant narrative." i was in a house and it was burgled. They thought It was me and I scooted they'rs chasing me." (TO BE CONTINUED.) if W II ' "Great Ssott! What's This Awful Row?" Exclaimed Almee. Swift running feet padded along the corridors. The squeak of a maid-servant broke shrilly through the chorus. Almee and Georgina stared at each other open-mouthe- There was a violent pounding on the door. "Are you awake, miss?" said an excited voice. "There's thieves in the house her ladyship's Jewels sto-len! Keep your door locked tilt Bhe comes to you !" The speaker was heard retreating swiftly down the passage. "Tliut's torn It I" gasped Almee, run-ning to the door, "If aunt finds me here !" She unlocked the door swiftly and opened It. "Almee!" breathed the trembling Georgina. "don't " "I've got to get out, I tell you I I can't stay here!" Almee looked rapidly tip and down the passage. It was all clear. She fled nt an nmnzlng pace, and, reaching the landing, was aware of a figure of wruth. very like Brltnnnln, but holding a l, striding toward her. It wns Lndy Krythea. Almee doubled like n bare. "Stop that woman!" cried Lady Krythea. "Stop her!'! Almee reached the bend of the stairs Just as Mr. Alexander Lamhe, with a Jacket over bis pajamas, flew to Intercept her. "Stop!" he shouted coinmundlngly. Almee, In full career, pave h!m a desperate d push. Mr Liimbe's heels flew from tinder him. and he came down on the slippery onk flimr'ng with o hearty thump. Pown the broad stairs, three at o time, sped the fugitive; In the lower hall the butler, his bald head slilnlng like n comet In the gloom, rushed across the line of communications. AIniee dodged too late; the pursuer made nn active plunge, and caught her by the skirt. "I've got her!" shouted the bu'Jer triumphantly. Ills voice ruse to a yelp as Almee k.cked his shins, but he held im Inexorably. "I've got her!" CHAPTER VIII The Plot Thickens. By sheer force of arrested Impetus, Almee und the butler spun round each other at arm's length like skaters on u rink; something ripped loudly, the butler, shooting olT ut it tangent, col-lided with a s. It of iiniid- - pedestaled near the wall. The ensiilni, crash sug-gested an Insurrection In n hardware shop. Almee skidded against the wall and recovering, leaped wildly over the two prostrate relics of feudalism the but-ler and llie coat of mail and dashed for the double doors that stood open before her. There was a curious Hash-ing effect lis jd.e run a gleum, as It wire, of whiteness. Tha next lao-- "My Judgment Is Never Mistaken." say that even n clergyman Is esen tlully imperfect until l.e bus a wife.' Georglnu Hushed slowly scarlet. Lady Krythea tinned the to her Inexorably, and waited. "I a in quite sure of one thing' roared Georglnu Into the with almost a touch of rebellion "thut will do what he be-lieves is right mid nothing else." "He must be guided," said Lad? Krythea (irmly. "On no otiior polm should I presume to direct a Clerk In Orders. But, In this u.uttcr, men-e- ven such men as Alexander are u children. The Judgment of un experl cmed woman Is alone of value here Alexander Is m heir. .Icrvnulx will be Ids. lie owes u duty to bis rail and name; duty must guide us all At times Alexander seems to me id most f.liiiost too devout. I sometime wish" with n slight sigh "that Alox under were a llitle more human. A tuucb of Adam o mere Soupcoa, a It The Busy Ss.ison. "What nre your oHce hours?" "Brief and Irregular dur'ng the cam-paign season," replied Senator Sor-ghum. "My working hours occupy most of the day and some of te night I only go to my olllce when 1 wunt to rest." Adicctlvrs. Bill I undeiNiand oca had vory ex-pansive dealings In Wall Street? Will So. Very eipomiv. |