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Show I-- Q The Joy of Living A By retired. Aimee made her way to .. :. Qeorglna's bedroom door, and rapped stealthily for some time, for the door M as locked. It seemed Impossible- to arouse Georgina, and after a lengthy effort Almee desisted. Lady Erythea'a f room was next door, and even the deaf hear when they are not wanted to. Finally, Almee crept down Into the hall, where the suits of armor loomed grimly In the half-light, a silent, threatening host. It "was Impossible to get out of the house. All conceivable conceiv-able outlets were secured, since the burglary. Almee passed through the paneled dining ball. The darkness got on her uerves. She switched on a single electric light, and looked round her hopelessly. "Two or three more days, and 1 bvlleve Billy would have pulled me through," she said dully. "1 Know ha would. Now, It's all up. I'm done. And I can't get to Iillly." Almee dropped Into an . armchair, buried her face In her hunds, and began be-gan to cry. Sue cried Ilk a child that has hurt Itself. A large figure stole Into the room with a remarkably noiselesi step. It I LADY DIANA v STNOPSIS.-Disllking the pros- I pect of a month's visit to her aus- tero aunt. Lady Erythea Lambe, I at Jervaulx abbey, and her coualn, I Alexander Lambe, Almee, vivacious I daughter of the Very Reverend I Vis-ount Bcroope, meeU a young I man who laughingly Introduces -i himself aa "Billy," American. The J two ride on his motorcycle, the I "Flying Sphinx." and part With Georgina Berners, her cousin, Almee sets out for Jervaulx. She forces Georgina to Impersonate her at Jervaulx, and she goes on a holi- ! day. Almee again meets Billy. He . tells her his name is Spencer, and he gives hers as Amy Snookes, at present "out of a job." Billy offers ? to take her Into partnership In sell- - - - -y CHAPTER XVII Complications. "Either you are working too hard, Alexander," said Lady Erythea, inspecting in-specting her nephew through her lorgnette, as they rose from the luncheon table, "or the burglary has been a greater shock to your nerves than I should have suspected. I do not like to see you wearing that pallid pal-lid and constrained expression. Your sister will be quite concerned about you. She arrives, you remember, by the evening train." "Diana!" said Mr. Lambe. "I had quite forgotten that she was due here." Georgina started slightly, and looked perturbed. Sidney Go wing Illustrations by Ellsworth Yountf Copyright IK by Sidney Oowlnf sorry, Georgle. It'll be beastly dull for you in bed, dear." "I shall like a little dullness," satd Georgina pathetically, as she left the room, "It will be restful. Goodby, dear. You will have to keep out ot Diana's way as best you can." "I'll take Jolly good care I do," murmured mur-mured Aimee fervently, as she put her cap straight "Even Billy cau't help this time!" armor than I do. Why not show It I to Monsieur de Jussac. so that he may commence his studies. You will find j most of It In the hull." "I think Monsieur de Jussac hnd better pursue his own Investigations, for I shall be fully occupied with mine," said Diana, "and for the present pres-ent I will retire to my room, If you will excuse me, Aunt." She glided majestically through the 'doorway. The Vlcomte's eyes followed Diana's Dia-na's departure. "AfVmible blonde!" he mused. The "nvinelble phlegme brlttanlque. But It Is the Icy, Inaccessible peak that spurs the courage of the mountaineer mountain-eer r 1 1 a mnt Ai-w and mArla tllmaMf nflf- ln the mirror, opened hi a stare of amazement. "Who did they say you ,were?'' she said In a grating voice. "S-Snooks, m' lady," said Almee, dropping a curtsey. "Snooks! You are Almee Seroope! Don't deny It!" said Dluna fiercely. "Don't attempt to deceive me. I should know you la a thousand. What Is the meaning of this masquerade?" Aimee surrendered. "Yes, Dl it's me! For goodness' sake don't shout." Tor once Almee lost her head. "Aunt doesn't know I'm here, you see. Don't give me away. I'll try and explain" "I don't want your explanation. You will explain to Aunt!" rasped Diana. "I can see by your manner there Is something more In this than mere folly! I've had my suspicions, from what Aunt has said" "Dl," exclaimed Almee Imploringly, "there's no use trying to bide It now 9 ing the Sphinx. In a spirit of mad-f mad-f cup adventure, she accepts. The I two proceed to the town of Etan-I Etan-I hre, taking separate lodgings In 'i Ivy cottage. While Almee la sell se-ll cretly visiting Georgina at Jcr-.', Jcr-.', vaulx, the place Is burglarized, and I the famous Lambe emeralds are stolen. Almee escapes. Police de-. de-. clde tho thieves are "Jack the 4 Climber" and "Calamity. Kate," who travel on a motorcycte. Billy, who has shadowed Aimee to Jer- Y vaulx, follows the thieves. He is knocked out. but emerges from the t fight with the Lambe emeralds. He meets Aimee, with the police in pursuit In a secure hiding place, f a rave among te crag pits, Almee I tells him the whole story. He urges 1 her that she make a frank confes- ,. I slon to her father, but on reflec- I tlon both realize Almee's good I name has been compromised. Ab- spring Almee he has a plan to save . her, B.lly leaves her In the cava " and, proceeding to Jervaulx, re- I stores the emeralds to the astound- ed Lady Erythea. Billy tells a 1 story that satisfies the police, re- fuses a reward and accepts a l chauffeur's Job from Lady Erythea. Almee geta the place of parlor .1 maid at Jervaulx. Alexander thlnka he recognizes Almee as "Calamity Kate." Georgina divulges Atmee'a identity. Hearing her story, Alex- . ander consents to keep the secret Alexander finds himself very much I In love with Georgina. I - "sne is coming," saia Laay r.ryinea, "to Investigate the Jervaulx ghost. Certainly, she might have done It before. be-fore. But I believe she has only recently re-cently become a member of the Tsy-chlcal Tsy-chlcal Research society. She Is quite enthusiastic about It so far as Diana con be enthusiastic about anything. Indeed, her letter li so technical as to be unintelligible to me." "I did not know there was a ghost here," said Georgina. wide-eyed. "I should not like to say that there Is. But It Is a tradition In the family, and has been well vouched for. 1 have never seen It. Diana seems to Imply," added Lady Erythea a little acidly, "that only those who are advanced, ad-vanced, and In tune with the Infinite, see such things. If she thinks she Is more spiritual than I. she Is welcome to try. She will discover nothing whatever." Lndy Erythea turned to her nephew. "Bertrand de Jussac Is coming also." "De Jussac?" cried Alexander, staring star-ing at her. "Yes. You know him, I think." "I have met him, of course," said Mr. Lambe dryly. "I should have thought this was the last house thnt so frivolous a person would wish to visit. Why Is he coming? Surely he Is not Interested In the ghost?" "In the ghost no," said Lady Erythea, Ery-thea, with a faint yet serene smile, CHAPTER XVIII "Cold Lambe!" Lady Dlnna might have been the original of that tedious young woman who was described by the poet as "divinely tall and most divinely fair." She was without doubt strUlngly beautiful, a type of the large and very pale blonde. But an atmosphere of frigidity surrounded her, which many people found repellent. "My dear aunt," she said calmly, entering the drawing room and kissing kiss-ing Lndy Erythea, "so good of you to have me for this flying visit. Alexander, Alex-ander, how are you?" She touched her brother's cheek with her lips. "You will have a clear Held for your Investigations, my dear," said Lady Erythea, "and I hope the advances you have made In psychic science will ah bring you to terms with the ghost. But I doubt It. By the way. your cousin Aimee is here, as I told you. But she Is unwell and Is keeping keep-ing her room. I am rather anxious about her. Incidentally, we shall have another guest; I expect Monsieur de Jussac today." Alexander left the room. "Monsieur de Jussac!" exclaimed Diana. She paused. Lady Erythea watched her somewhat keenly. "What brings him here?" said Diana. "He Is very anxious," said Lady Ery- ItV BUI V ' U illltt iiiuuw - 1' - ticularly pleasant to Lady Erythea. see When the party of four assembled for dinner, Lady Erythea was amiable and resplendent In purple, Diana frigid and ethereal In pale yellow, while Alexander at first wore the air of the Jackdaw of Khelms molting under the abbot's curse. But Bertrand Ber-trand de Jussac, looking like a revived re-vived D'Artagnan In evening dress, contrived to chase heaviness away. Ills merry, Infectious laugh and quick sallies uplifted the spirits of the others. lie made a deeper Impression Im-pression than ever on Diana Lambe, and with the usual perversity thai seized her when In mixed company, she felt It due to herself to become the more openly hostile. "I do not understand how you can defend the spirit of the age," she said coldly, In answer to a sully that made even Alexander smile. "The days of chivalry are dead. What romance can one attach to the modern young man? But In the days of heraldry, when men were splendid in helm and gorget gor-get and camail ah, then." she ex-elu'med, ex-elu'med, with a rare touch of enthusiasm, enthu-siasm, "romance flourished Indeed " "Talking of mall," said Lady Erythea Ery-thea blandly, "the ghost always appears ap-pears In a complete suit of It, though his coming Is noiseless as a breath of mist. I regret to tell you, VIcomte, . i . i. . . . .v, .. was the VIcomte de Jussac. He started start-ed as he caught sight of the forlorn figure In the chair, and stared In surprise. sur-prise. The spectacle of a damsel la distress at once roused generous sea-titneuts sea-titneuts In the beau sabreur. He crossed the room and seated himself on the arm of the chair. "Away, dull care," murmured Ber-trund. Ber-trund. "Such eyes as those I cannot see them but I am sure they are adorable were never made for weep-1 Ing. Tell me jour sorrow, ma ps tite," he said gently; "It shall be swept away!" "I'm In awful trouble P sobbed Almee. "Alas! But let me help yon. Here am I. a big, gross fellow, but very , capnble, sent by the gods to aid you. It Is what I am for!" Almee dropped her hands and stared at him, startled. "Are you Monsieur de Jnssacr she stammered. "Infinitely at your service, mademoiselle." ma-demoiselle." Almee's eyes searched his face. It was rather closer to hers than appeared ap-peared necessary, but It was undoubtedly undoubt-edly sympathetic. "Tell me!" he murmured. Almee hesitated. "Well. I will tell you. I've got to tell somebody, or I shall go mad! said Almee with a rush. "Anyway they'll know It tomorrow. I'm not the 5 j CHAPTER XVI Continued. 1 "What was that? A dog?" he said ') confusedly. 5 Georgina, pink to the ears, had risen to her feet; her eyes shone somewhat i viciously. ; "It sounded to me more like a cat !" she said In acid tones, and walked away down the path. ' Mr. Lambe followed her. When they were out of sight, the parlor maid emerged from the little arbor, her face crimson, her shoulders Shaking, a handkerchief pressed to her streaming eyes. "Poor old Georgle!" she gasped. "1 couldn't help It. I should have burst In another minute." She squeezed the handkerchief and controlled her emotion. "They'll have a Jolly old tangle to unpick, too, when Aunt knows!" shi said thoughtfully. "No use stopping here. I suppose I'd better finish my dusting." Almee made circuitous Journey to the deserted drawing room, and dusted with the energy of a high-power machine. ma-chine. The room was not much the better for It She was only Just In time, for the housekeeper appeared, end after some sour comments, stood by her while she did a good deal of the work over again. Then Almee w as marshaled Into the library, to dust that t The library overlooked the path ; leading to the garage. It was some "but possibly his interest may arise. I approve him. A young man of excellent excel-lent standing and Irreproachable descent" de-scent" "Descent Is the word," said Mr. Lambe rather curtly, and left the room. "How long Is Dlnna going to stay here?" Georgina asked anxiously. "Two days but It Is possible she may be persuaded to prolong her visit," said her ladyship placidly. "What Is the VIcomte de Jussac like?" "D'Artagnan In the flesh. With a touch, perhaps, of Porthos. The type which It Is a good woman's mission to reform. But this Is outside your province, prov-ince, Almee," she said abruptly, and laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Go, my dear child, and get your cousin away from his books. Take him for a drive and some fresh air." Georgina left the room obediently. But Instead of seeking Alexander, she hunted, with an agitated face, for Almee. "Hullo! What's the trouble now?" exclaimed Almee. "I say. Georgle. dear, I'm beastly sorry about being In the arbor. I couldn't help" "Oh, never mind that now!" broke In Georgina distractedly. "A much worse thing's happened. I knew how It would be. Lady Diana Lambe Is coming; she'll be here In an hour or two." that ne came to a oau cmi iiiruuu romantic passion." "Why regret?" protested Bertrand. "I will wager 'twas worth It." "Because he was reputed or dlsrc-puted dlsrc-puted to be an ancestor of yours; a De Jussac taken as hostage by Sir Piers Lambe after a most gallant resistance." re-sistance." said Lady Erythea smiling. "While here he engaged the affections of a daughter of the house, and being discovered, wag permllted to don his armor and debate the mutter with Sir Piers, Ills end wa3 tragic." "No end can be wholly tragic, If reached by the path of a great passion. pas-sion. To every rose Its thorn. I applaud ap-plaud him!" Bertrand raised his glass. "To you, nameless ancestor!" He replaced the glasa appreciatively, mil Mr. Tarbeaux refilled It. "Touching "Touch-ing this .ancestor, Lady Diana" ' But his hostess had given the signal, sig-nal, the ladles rose, and the two men were left alone a custom that still lingered at Jervaulx. De Jussac did not find Mr. Lambe a very exhilarating exhila-rating companion, but Alexander, though drinking only water, kept him at the table an unconscionable time. When eventually they reached the drawing room Alexander departed at once to his library, and Bertrand found that Dlnna had retired. "I must apologize for my niece, VIcomte. VI-comte. but she has gone to her room ; to achieve the proper psychic attitude. "Who Did They Say You Were?" I'm in trouble real trouble. If you give nie away now you'll get me Into a fearful row with Dad. You don't want to do that, do you? It It will simply finish him!" "Very likely! It Is high tine he knew the truth about you. I .(now a little more of your character than he does, Aimee. Ills absurd leniency to you up till now" She moved swiftly between Almee and the door, and pressed the hell. "Let me out!" suld Aimee, rather white and her eyes gleaming. "Get away from that door I" She strode toward Diana. "I shall, not !" , , There was a knock at the door. Diana opened It, and the housekeeper appeared. "Was that your ladyship's bell?" "Yes!" snld Diana. "Ask Lady Erythea Ery-thea to come here Immediately. Do you hear? Immediately I" CHAPTER XIX Arms and the Man. The housekeeper looked bewildered. Diana's wrath agitated her. Almee was standing quietly In the middle of the room, her hands behind her. "I dure not disturb her ladyship now that she has retired for the night parlor mnld. I'm Almeo Bcroope Lady Erythea's niece." "He!n!" exclaimed the VIcomte. ne rose to his feet, staring at her, 'and twisted his mustache a habit in moments mo-ments of bewilderment. v Almee plunged Into her tale breathlessly. breath-lessly. She made It brief; It was also very Jumbled. Bui the thread man-nged man-nged to unravel Itself. Before she finished, Bertrand turned away. Ill shoulders quivered and shook, the back of his neck was crimson. "You're laughing I" cried Almee accusingly. ac-cusingly. "But no!" gasped the VIcomte, choking. "It Is grief. Grief and sympathyfor sym-pathyfor you mademoiselle.'' "You are laughing 1". said Almee stepping In front of him. "Go on then luughl If you can laugh at that, you're you're all right I Billy says" She checked herself, and suddenly began to laugh, too; a very rainbow of laughter and tears. "Bui what's to be done? It's the finish I" Bertrand turned and caught ber by the hands. "We shall find a way!" re cried. "Courage! Bah! but that Is an Imbecile Im-becile remark. If you had not courage cour-age you would not be here. Who should betray your "Diana." Almee told him of the encounter en-counter In the bedroom. "It cannot be! ' She has a heart, . Under that Icily exquisite exterior, thea glibly, "to examine the Lamhe collection of armor. We have a suit of mall which Is believed to have been captured at Crecy; there Is a tradition that It belonged to one of the De Jussac Jus-sac family." Lady Diana looked Incredulous. "And I understand he Is Interested In pbychlc matters, and anxious to 1m- prove his knowledge." "That is something In his favor," said Diana with suspicion. "I expect thnt Is his car," said Lady Erythea. A rakish automobile of seml-rnclng type was observed sweeping along the park drive. The VIcomte de Jussac had motored direct from town. A minute later he presented himself. Bertrand de Jussac was tall, and Tor his age, rather full-bodied. His complexion com-plexion was healthily ruddy, he had a little black mustache and a Jolly, roving rov-ing dark eye. In spit of his very material appearance, he had undoubtedly undoubt-edly the bel air. He raised Lady Erythea's Ery-thea's skinny fingers to his lips. "Enchanted, dear lady, to pay homage hom-age to you sur vos terres. How very amiable of you to Invite me!" Lady Erythea bestowed on him the smile she reserved for elder sons. "Charmed to have you. You know my niece, surely?" Bertramrs little start of surprise was admirably done. He bent low over Diana's hand, but refrained from kissing It. "But this Is delightful!" exclaimed Bertrand. "You told me In town. Lady a warm heart beats. It must be softened." "A heart? Dl? She's a " Almee stopped Just In time. "I'm afraid Ifa quite hopeIens. I only told yon because be-cause I was In despair." "A De Jussac never despairs! E peclully when there Is a charming little lady to be rescued from the Philistines. The difficulty must be overcome at any cost. Ah I he exclaimed, ex-claimed, coming near to her. "I believe be-lieve I have It I Listen" "Oh!" said Almee with a gasp. She had become conscious that they were not alone. Alexander stood before them, In a black dressing gown, a candle In his hand. He only needed bell and book to be the very Image of an abbot hi the act of pronouncing excommunication. excommunica-tion. De Jussac started violently, and frowned. Alexander took no notice of I him j his eyes were fixed on Almee. forty minutes later thnt Almee caught sight of the chauffeur approaching. She flung down her duster and ran to the window, giving a cautious whistle, as a poacher who calls his dog. Billy made sure that the coast was elenr, and came to her window. He looked at her and laughed Joyously. "The clouds have rolled by, partner!" part-ner!" be said. "What has happened? Have you seen Alexander?" "Sure. Just had a pow-wow with him In the garage." "What did he say to you?" asked Almee quickly. Billy eyed her thoughtfully. "Never you mind. The game's gquare. The padre's all wool and a yard wide. You're alt right now. Unless" "But the police ! Suppose they trace as and come back here?" "They may not. I b'lleve I see a way through It. And I've all the time off, this evening. You sit tight," "But If they come here!" "Then they'll get me," said Billy, "but they won't get you; you're safe from the cops, anyhow. I promise you that" Aimee leaned out of the window, with flushed cheeks, and caught his hnnds In hers. illtpiuiy Hue rri"-aiji mc ic o v,.- ceniing the two expected guests. Almee received It with consternation. "Cold Lambe!" she exclaimed. "Coming here? As If I hadn't enough to bear without that! It's the worst news yet." "Wb-what did you call her?" "It's what everybody calls her In London Cold Lambe. It tits her like a glove. A beautiful, frigid beast 1" "Almcj! She knows you, doesn't she?" "Of course. She lives In town. She's the only one of the Lombes I do know. And Dlnna hates me, and well, I've never pretended to like her, either. She's perfectly pitiless; she'll give me away like a shot, and flatten me out. She'll be all over It!" "Let us hope," said Georgina breathlessly, breath-lessly, "that Monsieur de Jussac will er distract her attention ; keep her occupied. Lady Erythea says" Almee sat on the bed and exploded with laughter. "That aunt of mine Is Incorrigible!" she gasped. "I tell you It's perfect rot. You might as well try to melt an Iceberg fresh from the Pole. This French vlcomte won't stand the slightest slight-est chance." "Do you know him, too?" "I've heard of him. They say he's rather a a rip. I expect that means he's a good sort But Diana heaven or whatever she calls It, for her Inquiries In-quiries as to this absuM ghost," said Lady Erythea. "She can. of course, do nothing tonight. And as It Is late, and you will not wish to sit up talking talk-ing to an old woman" "Most spirltuelle of hostess;," protested pro-tested the VIcomte, "I should like to sit and talk to you all night, If you will allow me " , D!ann put her bend Inside the door. "I told you. Aunt," she said, "thnt my stupid maid lost herself at the terminus, and I cannot retire unattended. unat-tended. May I have yours?" "My own Incumbrance has been away for two days," said her aunt, "but we have a parlor muld who really attends to one's hair very soothingly; she did mine last night." Lady Erythea Ery-thea pressed the bell. The butler appeared. "Tarbeaux, you will tell Snooks to attend Lady Dlnna In her room." "Very good, m' lady." Mr. Tarbeaux found Aimee on her way upstairs to bed, and gave her the order. Almee w-ns astonished, and secretly pnnlc-strlcken. "This has absolutely finished It!" she reflected. "I might as well bolt at once." Suddenly she came to a resolution. "But I'd better go. 1 shall run against her snoner or later. And anyhow she'll be alone. Dl's such a fool she may not know me." and her room is locked, said tne housekeeper; "my orders are strict. May I suggest thnt you see her yourself, your-self, my lady? If there Is anything else I can do" Dlnna paused, and appeared to reflect. re-flect. "No," she said curtly. "You can go." When the housekeeper had left the room, Diana turned to Almee. "You will come with me now to Aunt !" "I'll do nothing of the sort," retorted Almee defiantly. "Co and speak to her yourself, If you wnnt to. House her out of bed now, and tell her all you know. I shall get It hot ; I'm used to that but there's one conslulion, she'll Jolly well flatten you out. too!" Again Diana hesitated. She saw herself roarin accusations Into the ear-trumpet of an Infuriated aunt newly aroused from slumber. "I am tired, and I do not wish for a scene at this time of night," she suid, fixing Almee with a malignant eye, "On consideration, I ahull leave this affair till the morning. And now you may go." She stood away from the door. "Won't you be decent about It. Dl?" said Almee Imploringly. "I don't care for myself, but It's going to be awful for Dud. I I If you'd only let me tell you " "I have no desire to listen to a discreditable dis-creditable story, at which, no doubt. Exploded With Laughter. "Yes," fjaaped Diana. Don't speak so loud, Alms " (TO BE CONTINUED.) "Billy." she said breathlessly, "how good you've been to me. How good you've been ! I want " "I'd be tlayed alive for you!" said Billy suddenly. "There Isn't anything I wouldn't do and I've done nothing, jet. You've got the grit of twenty." He held her hunds tight In his. "Aimee" "Oh! Look out!" exclaimed Almee, darting back. There was a heavy step on the gravel and Mr. Tarhenux came round the corner. Billy walked briskly forward. .Mr. Tnrhcnux bent a suspicious and xvnsln;; eye uin him. preserve us! Well, she probably won t know me In this rig, but she'll know you're the wrong" horse. And then slxzl boom! up we all go In the air! You and Billy, and me and Alexander!" Georgina sat down and pressed her hand to her forehead. "Almee," she said faintly, "the burglary, bur-glary, and all the rest of it, hus upset me. 1 don't feel well. I I have head-aehe. head-aehe. and I cun t come down to dinner. I slm 11 go to bed." "What a trump you are!" said Almee, Al-mee, kissing her with Intense affection. affec-tion. "It's the very thing. I'u so Diana, that you were Interested in the ghost. Happy ghost! I, too, am developing de-veloping rapidly an Interest In the psychic. I hope " "I thought it was armor that attracted at-tracted you here," said Diana frigidly. frig-idly. "Hiias, mademoiselle," snld Bertrand, Ber-trand, allowing his dark eyes to meet her pule blue ones, "there are weapons weap-ons against which armor Is r no avail." "With your bent for ancient bis tory. Diana," Interrupted her aunt, "you should know more of the Lambe Almee reached the bedchamber, where Lady Dluna hnd Just arrived. She scarcely glanced at the parlor maid, and donning a light wrap, seated seat-ed herself before the mirror. "Take down my hair," she said curtly, "und If your tinkers are rob I. warm them first at the lire. I abhor lieing touched by cold lingers." Almee's lingers Itched to warm iheiusc!es by a tolnlly different method. Hut she held them to the lire, and then set about her task. She had hardly coiiimenecd when Diana's tale bluij eyes, catching Sikht of her I could give a very good guess. As for your father, he must fiice the consequents con-sequents of having allowed you to behave as jou do. I huve no more to stiy," replied Diana with cold disdain. dis-dain. Almee's eyes blazed at her. "You utter beast, Dl !" she said, and (lung "lit of the room. Tor half an hour Aimee mused upon the situation, and mentally pro-Bonnced pro-Bonnced It hopeless. The dreary bedroom bed-room became Impossible to her. She opened the door; the house was In darkness; everyone, appurei.tly, bad |
