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Show 'To J oir iimg Copyright IDtS by 8ldney flowing Sidney Gowing i Illustration ky 1 ELLSWORTH YOUNG I lillly nodded. He turned to Almee with o smile. "Don't .vou worry." he sold quietly, "the padre's white." Billy disappeared with extreme suddenness sud-denness through the window. Alexander Alexan-der fume slowly up to Almee. "That young man," ho suld, "has the henrt or a child. It Is a good thing to have. And rare, et his age. That does not alter the fuct that your situation situ-ation Is dangerous, and even terrible. My decision Is 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 1 repeat It's Impossible," returned re-turned Almee quickly. "Can't you see? You understand. And Georgle understands. under-stands. Hut there Is one who will ntwer understand. My father. lie doesn't belong to our time. He'll con- COUSIN ALICK STNOP8IS.-Dlshkln- the pros, pect of a month's visit to her austere aus-tere aunt. Ijuiy Erythea Lambs, at Jervaulx abbey, and her cousin, Alexander I .am be, Aimee, vivacious daughter of the Very Reverend Viscount 8crooie, meets a young man who laughingly Introduces hlmeeir aa "Billy." American. The two ride on his mourn ycle, the "Flying Sphinx." and part. With Georglna tterners, her cousin, Almee eta out for Jervaulx. She forces Ueorgina to Impersonate her at Jervaulx. and she goes on a holiday. holi-day. Almee again meets Ullly. He tells her his name Is Spencer, and she gives hers as Amy Snookea, at present "out of a Job." Ullly offers to lake her Into partnership In selling sell-ing the Sphinx. In a spirit or madcap mad-cap adventure, she accepts. The two proceed to the town of Stan hoe, flaking st.iari.te lodgings In Ivy collage. While Almee is secretly se-cretly visiting Georglna at Jervaulx. Jer-vaulx. the place Is burglarized, and the famous l-anibe emeralds are ' stolen. Aimee escapes. Police decide de-cide the thieves are "Jack the Climber" and "Calamity Kate," who travel on a motorcycle. Billy, who has shadowed Aimee to Jervaulx, Jer-vaulx, follows the thieves. He Is knocked out. hut emerges from the fight with the Lambe emeralds. He meets Almee, with the police In pursuit. In a secure hiding place, a rave among the ciag pits. Almee l tells him the whole story. He urges her that she make a frank confession confes-sion to her father, but on reflection reflec-tion both realise Almee'a good name has been compromised. Assuring As-suring Almee he has s plan to save her. Billy leaves her In the cave and. proceeding to Jervaulx. restores re-stores the emerald to the astounded astound-ed Ijtdy Erythea. Billy tells a story thai satisfies the police, refuses re-fuses a reward and accepts a chauffeur's Job from Lady Erythea. Almee gets the place of parlor maid at Jervaulx. You'll give the whole show awnyl" "Honk! Uouk! Houkl" said Georglna. Georg-lna. Almee bad once heard a physician declare thnt sympathy and kindness merely made hysterics worse. It was time to change the treatment. She grabbed her cousin by the shoulders. "Shut up that beastly row!" said Almee fiercely, shaking her till her teeth rattled. "Stop It ! Do you want to get me handcuffed and put In the cells? Idiot I" Georglna gnsped, choked, and sat up. She clung to her cousin desperately. desper-ately. "I will be quiet I will," she said faintly. "Wh-whn-what does It mean, Almee? Why?" "Try to behave like a reasonable being, 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 affectionately. af-fectionately. After a cautious glance at the windows she proceeded, as Billy would have phrased It, to put her cousin wise. Georglna, having heard her to the end, pressed both hands pathetically to the sides of her head. "And you're living In the servants' ball?" she said feebly. "It's no catch, I can tell you. Georgle. But one mustn't grumble. Billy's living at the garage In a green uniform with brass buttons." "That that extraordinarily good-looking good-looking young chauffeur?" said Georglna, Georg-lna, staring at her. "Then he Is " "Now don't get sentimental," said Almoe warnlngly. "Yes, he Is not bad-looking, bad-looking, Is he? Billy's great. If It hadn't been for hlra " she checked herself. "Don't you see what an excellent ex-cellent arrangement It Is, my being here In spite of the little drawbacks?" placed his thumb on the bell-push. "Almee." he said shurply, "go outgo out-go out quickly I I will deal with her." "What are you going to do?" gasped Georglna. Instead of obeying him she came forward, trembling. "Go out I I am going to give this woman In charge I" "In pity's name, don't do that!" Georglna gulped, and struggled for breath. "She she Is your klk-klk-Cousln Almee!" Georglna dropped Into a chnlr and began to cry. Alexander, taking bis hand from the bell, wondered If she had suddenly become Insane. "Quite right," said Almee. With the calm of despair she planted hcrsslf In front of him. her eyes defiant. "I am your klk-klk-CousIn Almee. And that's my cousin, Georglna Berners, I made her take my place here, because I thought It would be dull, and Dad Insisted In-sisted on my coming. So now cull the police. Cousin Allek, and let's get It over." It seemed to Alexander that he had suddenly been transported Into Bedlam. Bed-lam. He stared from Almee to the gently sobbing Georglna. And then, as the door begnn to open, Mr. Lambe turned swiftly and caught the handle, preventing the Intruder from entering. "Did you ring, miss?" Inquired Mr. Turbeaux's voice. "A mistake," Raid Alexander, quickly. quick-ly. "I will ring If I want you." lie closed the door, and peered searching-ly searching-ly at Almee. "I do not understand what this means," ho said coldly, "but Tt does not seem an occasion for the Intrusion of servants. We are alone. Will you expluln?" u Almee felt a sudden relief; n twinge almost of gratitude. She had not expected ex-pected Alexander to do anything so sensible. For I can Bee," he suld, "that you have courage." "No," said Alraee decisively, "It Is Impossible." Alexander's eyes became keener. He looked a little contemptuous. "Are you afraid?" he said. "Do you not see thut you must face the consequences conse-quences of this foolish thing you have done? Once the truth Is told, you have nothing to fear from the police." 'The police!" said Almee scornfully. "I'm not nfrald of the police. I'm not much afruld of Aunt Krythen. It Isn't that at all. It's the other thing." "What other thing?" Almee looked at him with growing embarrassment. "Ohl" she eaid at last, desperately, "have I got to put It In so many words? My stnyln? at Ivy cottage! Didn't you understand what I told you? I was there two nights." Mr. I.ainbe, to her surprise, did not look forbidding or censorious. Instead, he looked a little puzzled. And In that moment Almee conceived a llklug for Alexander. "Now that I have seen you, and heard your story," he said, "I attach no Importance to that Incident, whatever." what-ever." "Ah," said Almee sadly, "but other people will, you see." Alexander suddenly flushed crimson, and he avoided Almee's eye. But his face grew peculiarly grim. "I have only this to sny. Thnt man thnt Spencer who dared to expose ex-pose you to such a 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 the beginning. begin-ning. He begged me to let him own up. But he has kept my secret, at his own risk, because I wunted It Thera she la oh bother! Alexauder again!" Almee retreated out of sight Into the arbor. Georglna came slowly along the. path, her countenance pule and down cust, like a recalcitrant novice who fears the Lady Superior. Mr. Alexander Alex-ander Lambe, looming through tho forest of standard roses, quickly overtook over-took her. ' "Miss Berners!" Georglna turned to him with frightened fright-ened eyes. "I wish to spoil k with you," said Alexander with suppressed agitation. "Shall we be sealed?" He led her to a rustic seat close against the arbor. "It distresses me," said Mr. Lambe earnestly, "to see, as I cannot help seeing, the effect this has had upon you. The shock to your sensibility. Let me set your mind at rest, us far aa I can. I hardly dare to think hour It will ull end. But your cousin Is as Innocent as on Infant of any real Intent In-tent to deceive. She has behaved as Inconsequently as a child that Is ntL, One one must try to make allowances allow-ances for her. She should be still at school. That Is what I think of her." "Yes," murmured Georglna raiser-ably, raiser-ably, "but what must you think of met" "Of you!" said 'Mr. Lambe with strong feeling. "Your loyalty your unflinching attachment to that young madcap, stirs my admiration. It Is dreudful to think of what you must have suffered. , I'urely to protect Aliuee. You faced my aunt." Mr. Luinbe clasped his hand and drew his breath In sharply. "Yes, you risked tho displeasure of my aunt I . And of course, tho police. For days this sword of Damocles has been hanging over your blumcless bead. You you have not been guilty of deceit. No, not Georglna gave a sigh positively of relief. "It's better than having yon wandering wan-dering about the country, getting Into all sorts of horrible scrapes. It will have to come out soon, utid then Lady Krythea" "Yes. yes. Never mind Aunt. What I wnnt you to do, leorgle, Is this oh, bother! Look out I" Almee seized her brush and, darting to the sideboard, began dusting busily. A step was heard on the gravel, and Mr. Alexander Lambe entered by the window. "Cousin Almee, you are looking pale." be 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 stopped short, and his features froze. H had caught sight CHAPTER XV Continued. "Lndles." he said gravely, "Miss , Amy Snooks. Line of Scroope Tow-era." Tow-era." And look his leave, Almee wild "good-evening shyly, and seated herself. It occurred to her thnt she had never seen so many plain women gathered ut one table. With the exception of the cook, they were all angular and scraggy. Pulling herself her-self together with an effort, Almee took n generous mouthful from a slice of thick bread niiil butter. The fewer words the better, until she knew her ground. She seemed lo detect an air Of faint hostility In the others. , "What's the feedln like at Scroope?" asked an elderly housemaid opposite her. In a hollow voice. They fare pretty good." said Almee. with her mouth full of bread and butter, but-ter, "but the place Is dull. I been at home some lime." j "You won't be 'ere long." said the pageboy regretfully, neglecting his tea to stare at her. 'Why not?" said Almee with some pertness. "You're a sight too goodlookln'," replied re-plied the page gloomiiy. "Albert!" suld the cook with nns-terlty, nns-terlty, "pass this cup o' tea an' don't talk rubbish!" Almee look refuge behind her stoneware stone-ware teacup. She was aware of a crossfire of glances, so sour and side-long, side-long, that the very milk seemed to curdle In sympathy. The morning sun, full of the promise prom-ise of a fair diiy, shone through the Windows of the long drawing room. Aimee, in n stiow-wlilte cap niiil apron, was wielding a feather brush among priceless knick-knacks. Her manner of dusting was desultory. "1 wonder how long I can stick It?" she murmured In despondent tones. A Wntteau shepherdess escaped destruction destruc-tion by a miracle. "In nil my life I never saw such a lot of frumps. And the i:;ste it leaves In one's month It's awful. It's all very well sitting light and saying "I'll make It clear If I can," she snld. and, looking Alexander In the face with an angelically simple expression, expres-sion, she told lilm the tale from the beginning, briefly, yet comprehensively. comprehensive-ly. As she wns speaking, Almee watched Mr. Lnmbe's face. The waves of emotion that passed over his usually usu-ally serene features made them Interesting, Inter-esting, suggesting some tlellcnte Instrument In-strument subjected to shocks for which It had never been designed. At the end he was gasping faintly, like a stranded but still dignified fish, "And so," concluded Almee. "you see It's a piece of my skirt the police have got. And It wns I who tripped you up the stairs. I'm sorry Cousin." Mr. Lambe passed a somewhat unsteady un-steady band across his forehead. He looked at Almee, and then turned slowly to Georglna. "Miss Berners " he said. Georglna's unswer was a sob. Immediately Imme-diately Almee stepped across, raised her from her chair and, with an arm round her waist, faced Alexander. "Stop! Not a word from you to Georglna !" she snld defiantly. 'There's no one to blame but me. ICverythl"g Rhe's doi.e. I made her do. She wanted want-ed tin? to own up. All this, she's done to try and save me. Georgle's the best thing thnt ever happened." Alexander looked at Almee, "My dear child," he said gently, "I have only one wish and that Is to help you." Almee's Hps parted; she stared nt him Incrodu'onsly. She saw the most human sympathy In the clean-shaven, priestly face; the kindliest light In his large eyes. "Miss Berners," snld Alexander, still more gently, '"will you leave me wltit your cousin? I should like to speak to her alone. I will see you presently. If you will give me an opportunity," op-portunity," Georglna nodded brokenly, and moved to the window, "1 corgi o," whispered Almee qiilcMy, ns she passed, "meet me by the little arbor down the gardens In half an hour It won't be sufu here after this." , kept. He Is a gentleman!" Alexnnder winced. At thnt moment, cut of the tall of her eye, Almee caught sight of a tall figure In overalls over-alls crossing the gravel wulk beyond the lawn. "Hero he Is!" exclaimed Almee. "Let him answer for himself. If you want to see hlin." She ran to the window and called recklessly: "Billy !" Mr. William Spencer looked towards her, glanced quickly left and right to see If the coast was clear, anil hurried ;r Join Almee. He stepped In through the window. "BK!y," said Almee. "this Is my Cousin Alexnnder. And he's he knows all about It. It seems this Is our finish, Billy." The two men turned and faced each other. CHAPTER XVI They Must De Told." Mr. Lnmbe's serious eyes had become be-come hard and penetrating us a pair of crystal lenses. They gave the Impression Im-pression of piercing the exterior of the man before him, and reading his mind. Alexander looked, at thut moment, rather like an Inquisitor of Torque-niuia's Torque-niuia's court. "You are Mr. William Spencer?" said Alexander, Icily. "That's so. You don't know me? I guessed you wouldn't. But I remember remem-ber you very well, though I never connected con-nected your name till now," said Billy calmly. "You were chaplain to the Tenth But lands, In 1918. Cuiue from China to Join Vm, I heard." Mr. Lambe was silent. "I was a sub in the Nlnety-scvrnth of the line, lying next the British Seventieth division at Anas," adiied Billy. "I remember you becuust; you brought In six wounded who got left, lifter the raid on the pillboxes. Two of them were ours. Yuu got the military mili-tary brass," Almee stared ut Alexander In blank iiniazeiiient. "That will do," Interrupted Mr. Only of silence. I think you have behaved, on the whole, admirably." "Oh!" gasped Georgia fulntly, hardly hard-ly daring to believe her ears, "you cannot can-not mean It I" "I do mean It!" exclaimed Mr. Lnmbe wnnuly. "Miss Berners, from-the from-the first hour I saw you. I wus convinced con-vinced of your your essentlul good- -ness! It betrays Itself In all that you do. Anything that Is underhand or questionable, glides away from you " proclaimed Mr. Lambe, with sweeping sweep-ing movement of his hand, "as tho turbid stream flows over the riverbed river-bed of white marble, leaving Its purity pur-ity unsullied. My admiration for you Is greater, If that Is possible, than ever." Georglna's heart fluttered delightfully. delight-fully. . "I think," continued Alexander, with growing enthusiasm, "that you exist to sacrifice yourself for others. Miss Berners. You have more Ihan piety you have charity. It Is one of tho sweetest qualities In a woman." Georglna turned to him with swimming swim-ming eyes. "Oh, Mr. Lnmbe I" she murmured with delicious confusion. ' Alexander answered her with a liol-low liol-low groan. She wns startled at tho sudden distress In his face. 4 "The question Is not what I think of you," he said bitterly, "but what you think of me I You know the principles prin-ciples I profess, and thnt I Impressed on you. Out of my own mouth I am condemned. How crn you feel anything any-thing but contempt for me! I havo consented to connive at this mad escapade esca-pade of Almee's and ull its consequences. conse-quences. To keep silent. To to bolster bol-ster It tip," he suld with a gulp. "I have passed my word." Georglna's eyes shone. "You have done that !" she cried eagerly. "Why, now that you art on her side, she may be saved from exposure ex-posure lifter all ! I think It Is splendid splen-did of you absolutely splendid!" "How can you think of me, but as a hypocrite? You do not mean, Miss Berners. thut you feel any respect for me now?" ,.f. f t, ..In., f fl.K,, I- n ... ...... Almee Seized His Hands In Hers. shier only one thing that his daughter daugh-ter has been disgraced before all the county. Her name a by-word among the rubble. That's how he'll tuke It. It will simply be Dad's "finish." Almee snlrfed 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 had turned rather white, lie walked to the door and bnck, In some agitation. "It Is some years since I have seen your father. But I knew hlin 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 Dnd face It!" said Almee hotly, "I don't care, for myself. But I'm not going to hove him made miserable for all the parsons par-sons In the country!" "You hnve no choice. You do not suppose for a moment this thing can he concealed and overcome!" Almee turned to hlin with supreme confidence. "Of course I do. Billy will see It through!" she said triumphantly. Alexander gasped. "I cannot countenance deceit. The whole thing Is known to me my po-sit po-sit Ion Is Impossible," he said. "I should be nbetting a He." "There's no need for you to do anything any-thing nt all. Nobody wanted you to hint In. Alexander. The secret Is mine, not yours. Go to Aunt Hrythe.t If you must!" said Almee bitterly, i "Oh. I'm not complaining--! can sei that you must. Only you'll do it without with-out my sanction. Go to bar, and tell her all you know about me." Alexander groaned. For nwblie lie was silent. The perspiration stood out on his forehead. The anguish in III., fnf.a tt-na un ftlfitn llml itv-nn Aim..,. .11. I.C.iui'tT, . ill II iik-ii nitrn j .mi, I thought you my Ideal as a churchman. church-man. I think so more than ever. Whc-n I wns In trouble, ami consulted yon. I seemed to find you a little hard. Boor Almee bad enough to bear. But now," gapped Georglna, quite carried away, "I consider your conduct nobis really noble! I ud.ulro you more than ever." "Miss Berners," snld Alexander, husky with emotion, "If only you knew what a relief It Is, that I have not forfeited your regard I I have only known you a few days, but your kindness, kind-ness, your sympathy " Ids hand closed almost convulsively on hers "Miss Berners. may I call you Almet I t mean Gcorgluu !" "Boofr A sillied, explosive sound caused Mr. Lambe t start violently mid look round him. 'Snooks! You're Aimee Seroopel Don't deny it!" said Diana, fiercely. i - (TO BIS COKTlKl'KtJ.) nothing. I shall bre:ik out I know I shall, unless I can see Billy soon." She observed n lurge photograph of the Itev. and Hon. Alexander U-imhc. In an ornate silver frame, standing on n table. Ahnee recognized the portrait, por-trait, and flicked tit It viciously with ' the feather brush. She miscalculated, the portrait crashed on to the floor. When she picked It up the glass was Slllll ttTCll. "That's torn It. All breakages come off in.v wages. I wish It had been his Silly lace!" At that moment Miss Georglna Berners Ber-ners entered by one of the French windows. win-dows. She was awure of a slimmer und more youthful figure than any slip had yet seen In the household. Georglna niade a polni of always being civil to lier hostess' servants. "Are you the new parlor inalil?" she said amiably. Almee turned and fared her. "Hullo. Georgle:" she exclaimed. Georglna, dining the last three days, had suffered more than any placid soul Should be railed upon to endure. Si e Stared wildly for a im tnciil at the slim form in the cap ami nt""1 'n. G "'imi tad arrived at the breaking po'nt. She CollapM-d backwards Into mi arm-rbalr; arm-rbalr; n series of shrill w lumps came from her ; her hands ' t tin- air. "Grorg'nn !'' ri le1 her nm-.'ii !r, ". panic. "For pity's sake doii't du that. Aimee Flourlthed the Feather Brush . in His Face. of Almee's face, with the light full upon It, reflected In the m'rror before her. II? stared Tor a moment with remarkable liitcntncss. "Who is this'" he suld sharply, step-ph step-ph " ""wards her. There was menace Hi voice. "Who are yon?" A . e. preparing to meet her ties-liny, ties-liny, turned composedly and faced him. She dropped him a Rtnall curtsey. "Finise sir, the parlor maid," she sab). Mr. 1 1 mhe's eyes were nearly starting start-ing oat of Ins liead. Bailor nial-I? You?" he nttd sternly. stern-ly. "Ymi are the woman who drove llmf motorcycle. I could vouch for you anywhere. You nre" lie shot the words out with extraordinary ve-heiiu ve-heiiu lo-e "you are that abandoned en r.i'.iro. Calamity Kale! You are the v ,,i it:: ti who knocked me down!" With unexpected nullity he sprang for" aril and seized Almee by the wii-l. Al!d with equal deftlios is lift wr n 'lied herself free. "A:!i 1?" she f-rlil fiercely. "Then t.,., ,, ym:r hands off m". (if I'll do It il;;s.!'i. I'o you hear me?" .V; " -, thoroughly rea-e.!. flourished I ,1.,. c, I'l'i'r brush In his face. Vr. J .;iilv staited back, a little pale. He Aimee aim nicximiier were leu together, to-gether, facing each other. There was an lulinrriisf'i'd pause. "Tell ine. Cousin." said Alexander, quietly, "why buve you done this mad thing?" "Well," said Almee, for once at n loss, "I you see I was afraid of jou, Alexander." She glanced up at him almost shyly. 'I didn't want to coaie to Jervaulx. I thorght It would suit Georgle much belter than inc." Alexander's firm Hps twitched very slightly. "I got fed up nt home." continued Almee, desperately. "Everybody was so solemn. They drove me to It! I just did it on the Impulse. And then I things sort of happened I" She made an Impatient, hopeless gesture with her hands. 'Oh. what's the use of talking about it? It's done, anil here I am In this wretched mess. I'olice afler me, and everything! You've found me out ymi can give me away. What are you going to do?" "Theie Is only one thing to do." said Alexander. "Make a clean breast of It." Almee's Hps tightened. "Come wlta me o Aunt Krythea," said Mr. Lnmbe soiith'iigly. "I will nc- npany ymi. I'll 'lo everything ! can for you. There Is uo other svuy. Minnie iinpaiicniiy. "te are noi iteming item-ing wirh the war. Do you realize." lie said in bis grimmest lo;ie. "the position posi-tion In which you have placed this lady?" Billy looked straight at Mm. "You are Miss Scronpe's cousin." be said quietly, "and a parson. I guess I'll lake lying down, from you, anything any-thing you choose to say or do. Of course I realize It, und It's why I'm here. I've been n fool. I didn't seem to know. But I ought to luvu knjwn." lie Klglied. "Things are so different, where I helong. An' they were dllTeicnt In Fiance mighty different. But that's no excuse. I wish I'd broken my neck before I did such n fool ih'n;. And here we nre In the soup. I don't matter. mat-ter. And you don't matter either, parson. AH that matters Is Miss Scroope. Get me?" "Gome here," said Alexander. I'o took Billy by the arm, led him to the window, and turned Idni po thai toe sun shone full on hU face. Mi Lambe looked at Billy for some nio incuts In silence, with a peculiar In-tentncM. In-tentncM. "Mr, Spencer," f-nld Alexnnder. releasing re-leasing lilm. "I will, see you presently I si all have soaietlilrr! to say to you Kor ihe moment. biiM" me with my cousin. Aiid-go quickly J" felt compunction. Alexander sl-jhed r.toud. "I shall keep silence," he frdd. "It Is Impossible for me to betray a wnnt-i.n's wnnt-i.n's secret without her consent or to utter one word that may affect her reputation. But what will come of It" "Ah!" said Almee eagerly, "you need know nothing at nil. Whatever happens, I'll keep yuu out of It "On the contrary! I Implore you, wl.ulever dllllcult.v ii rises, to come to me. I I will do all I can." lie gulped. "I want to help you, Almee." Almee seized his hands In hers. ''Alexander,' she cried breathlessly, "I am sorry I knocked you down!" Tiic next moment she bud fled through the window. Half an hour later Almee, a somewhat some-what furtive ilguic, was dodgln-j to ami fro on the path near (ho liitle arbor In the rose garden, keeping an anxious eye on till the approaches from the bouse. ,Slm wus slill feeling a llith; confused. "Who would ever have dreamed be was such a good sort as that!" she ;ald to herself. "It's a ilel'rloiis oi t of mess I've got them both Into, I hope he won't Jump on poor (o-ov.iie. Wiiy on earth doiaii't the l.Uiiy uyl |
