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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1933-02-09, Page 6THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1933 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE <1 BY MARGARET PEDLAR CHAPTER XXXVI I “ Well, it would now,” Jean her solemnly. "Not all the of darkness would prevail me, I verily believe." She frowning a little. gleefully. To her, return to 1 “her four them—had in all their Anne, who married life had been a first-class horsewoman and a magnificent swimmer, had consented con amore. Blaise pulled himself lazily up In­ to a sitting posture and glanced to­ wards the crimson glow of westering sun where it struck athwart the tall trunks of the trees, England. Instead, you’ll be lying dying of pneumonia and a few other complaints—if we don’t get a move on soon,” he observed, “It’s almost sunset, and after that it grows ah- ominally chilly adise of jean’s. going to blow long.” It was true, whisper of wind was shaking it had been almost like a the day of her youth, for children”—as she called I insisted on her sharing • active pursuits, and Lady in her girlhood and early Her BACKACHES have GONE! Quick, sure relief with Fruit-a-tives "Your splendid remedy acted like a tonic to my entire ...... , system. I can’t be­gin to tell what I suffered from backaches due to kidney derangement. When I would bend down it seemed that I couldn't straighten up again, I was continually awakened at night from th? same cause. Dizzy, sick headaches and a weak stomach made me feel perfectly wretched. Now thanks to your wonderful ‘bruit-a-tives*, I am enjoying life again," Exeter ®tniea-Ahuiicate Established 1373 and 1887 Published every Thursday morning at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION— $2.00 per year In advance. RATES—Farm or Real Estate tor sale 50c. each Insertion for first four insertions. 25c. each subse­ quent insertion. Miscellaneous ar­ ticles, To Rent, Wanted, Lost, or Found 10c. per line.,of six words. Reading notices 10c. per line. Card of Thanks 50c, Legal ad­ vertising 12 and 8c. per line, in Memoriam, with one verse 50c. extra verses 25c. each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Fruit-a-twes . . . all drug stores! can you be ready? morrow? “Quite mightn’t you- for a bit “We might,” relpied Nick solemn­ ly, quite omitting to mention that something of the sort had been pre­ cisely their intention when leaving England. Meanwhile Blaise had made his way to the door at the end of the corridor. Outside it he paused, over­ whelmed by the sudden realization that beyond that wooden barrier lay holy ground—Paradise! And the Angel with the Flaming Sword stood at the gate no longer . „ She was waiting for him over by the window, straight and slim and tall in her moon-grey, her hands hanging in front of her tight-clasp­ ed like those of a child. But her eyes were woman’s eyes. With a little iifarticulate cry she ! ran to him—to the place that was hers, now and for all time, against .......... t—and his arms, that had been so long empty, held her u^'But .... ... .. . .. ----------- go. | “Beloved of my heart!” he mur­ mured. "Oh, my sweet—my sweet!1 » They spoke but little. Only those'We shall find it yet, ere the .sun has 11 foolish, tender words that seem sc! “ | meaningless to those who are not If 1 are pearls strung | , '•'' on a thread of gold to those who! I iove—a rosary of memory which will j ‘ the beloved voice that uttered them shall sound no more. Pe-I his! Inn In a week? To- Next day?" soon. And meanwhile •you and Blaise—stay at the Green Dragon?” assured powers against paused, How beastly it is, though, to feel outrageously happy because someone is dead! It’s inde­ cent. Poor little Nesta! Oh, Claire! Is it hateful of me to feel like this? Do say it isn’t, because—because I can’t help it!” “Of course it Claire. “It’s only “I suppose it is. sorry for Nesta- isn’t,” protested natural.” And I really am ■though I’m so- happy myself that it sort of swamps it. Oh, Claire darling”—the shadow passing and sheer gladness of soul bubbling, up again into her voice—-“I’m bound to kiss someone—at once. It’ll have to be you! And look! Those two may be here any moment—Lady Anne said so. I’m going to make myself, beautiful—if I can. I wish I had­ n’t grown so thin! The most rav­ ishing frock in the world would look. "heart- a failure draped on a clothes-horse.| Still, I’ll do what I can to conceal .though he would never let her g from Blaise the ----- *.....— time. And I’m black—I won’t in sackcloth won’t! I’ve _____ upstairs—'a filmy grey thing like' iovers“b*uT"which moonlight. T’w ! - I know—I Glyn would And if he knew anything at about it—and one would like think he did—it is quite certain terson would have approved daughter’s decision. For to his curably romantic spirit, the idea of! a woman going to meet her lover of i whom a malign fate had so learly j robbed her altogether, clad in the! habiliments with which she had paid' filial tribute to her father’s death.1, would have appeared of all things the most incongruous and irreconci- able. So that when at last a prehistoric vehicle, chartered from the inn of the Green Dragon in the village be­ low, toiled slowly up the hill to Beirnfels and Blaise and Nick climbed down from its musty inter­ ior, a slender, moon-grey figure, which might have been observed standing within the shadow of a tall stone pillar and following with straining eyes the snail-like progress •of the old-fashioned carriage up the steep white road, flitted swiftly back into the shelter of the house. Claire dimpling and smiling at the great gateway ol the castle, alone received the travellers. “Go along that corridor,” she said to Blaise, when they had exchanged greetings. “To the end door of all. That’s the sun-parlour. You’ll find Jean there. iShe thought it appro­ priate”—-smiling at him. Then, as Blaise strode down the corridor indicated, she turned to Nick and asked him with an ador­ able coquetry why he, too, had come to Beirnfels? “I’ve heard it is the House of Dreams-Come-True,” replied Nick promptly. “It seemed a likely place gathered round the table in the grea dining-hall at Beirnfels on the night of Lady Anne’s aridval, and beneath all the surface laughter and gaiety lap the deep, quiet thanksgiving that only comes to those who have emerg­ ed out of the night of darkness and sorrow into glorious sunlight of hap­ piness and hope. After dinner, in the soft, candle­ lit dusk—for Peterson had never introduced the garish anomaly of electric light into tlie ancient castle —Jean sang to them in that quaintly hers the mur- gave in this eastern, par- Besides I fancy it’s great -guns before village below. The most likely story, and the Already a little chill one to which Blaise inclined to give the most credence, was that tfye child of tops of the trees, and before the party I a woman who worked daily at the was fairly’ well mounted and away; jcastle, escaping from its mother"s the whisper had changed to a shrill, car^ aU(^ launched on an indeoen- ■ale; dent voyage of discovery through over a at and got hideous ravages of not going to wear welcome him back ashes! I wont! I the darlingest frock appealing, husky voice of simple tender folk-songs of country-side, and finally, at a mured request from Blaise, she them “The House of Dreams. It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come- True, hills are steep and Its valleys deep, salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers—I and you. there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come- True. It’s And set, we fare straight on, come fine come wet, Wayfarers—1 and you. As the last words died away into silence, she looked up and met Blaise’s eyes. He was leaniny against the piano, looking down at lier with a tranquil happiness in his gaze. “Our House of Dreams-Come-True Jean, at last, he said softly. ■She met his glance with one of ur- ter trust. "And we needn’t ever fear, that it will tumble down. But oh! Blaise if we had built oil a rotten founda­ tion, we sould never have felt safe —not safe like this!” “No. You were right, beloved- sr —as you always have been, always will be.” Then, very low, none but she should hear: of attention,. it is true, and had a J God for you, my sweet!” strange, outlandish* predilection fori It was ultimately settled inunmerable baths, demanding a whole party should remain at Beirn- quite unheard-of quantity of water fels until the latter end of June for the same. And at all unlikely when they would all return to Eng- liours of the day, too—when return­ ing- from a ride or before going up to the castle to dine, mark you! Still, they made no difficulty about' paying—and paying handsomely— for all they wanted, and if a man chooses to spend his money ui>on the superfluous scrubbing of his epid­ ermis, it is, after all, his own affair! And now the two English milords •were taking their the Green Dragon lord understood, at the castle itself to England. It appeared that their lady­ mother—who, it was rumoured in' the village, was the the daughter of an English archduke, no less!—was i average nerve-strain, attendant upon coming to Beirnfels and there was the role of bridegroom will be quite much talk amongst the village girls. sufficient for me, thank you, with- of weddings and the like. Apparent- h..__ly the Green Dragon’s two eccentric in which to find you, most beatitL1 visitors, not withstanding their al- ful.” together abnormal liking for soap Claire beamed on him. ; and water, were much as most men “Oh, am I that—really Nick?” jin other respect and had lost their “Of course you are. The most hearts to the two pretty English beautiful in all the world. Claire”— tucking his arm into hers—“tell me . _ how is the ’soul-rebuilding’ process archduke, no less,’ getting on? That’s why I came, England poste haste to enquire into really, you know, to find out if you t the suitability of the brides-elect— had completely finished your inter-1 and also into the important point of ior?—I can vouch for the outer wo-[the amount of the dowry each might man myself”—with an adoring; be expected to bring her future hus- glance at the fluffy ash-blonde hair .band. and pure little Greuze profile. .1 There was no question that Lady Claire rubbed her cheek against Anne, was certainly coming poste- his sleeve. To a woman who lias haste—in reply to a series of joyful been for four months limited almost) and imperative telegrams demand- exclusively to the society .of one ing that she should pack up and other woman—even though that! come to Beirnfels immediately-— other woman be her chosen friend—j “for we are all enjoying ourselves the rough ‘feel’ of a man’s coat-! far too much to'return to England a* sleeve (more particularly if he’ present,” as Nick wired her with an should happen to be the man) and iniquitous disregard for the cost per the faint fragrance of tobarlo which word of pervades it form l_ combination, Claire hauled cipitately. “I’m ready to any time now, Nick,” “Are you? Darling! I’m going to wear that. •' ~ know"—softly— “that J0Vp' understand.” CHAPTER XXXVII “An House Not Made With Hands” ■The landlord of the inn of the Green Dragon watched his lish visitors ride away up road that led to Beirnfels questionable regret. They had been lodging . Green Dragon for the past fortnight and he had discovered that English mi.ords, whatever else they might be, were not niggardly with their money. They required a great deal two Eng- the steep with un- at rhe departure from and, so the land- proposed to stay until their return ladies living at the castle. So, lie doubt, the “daughter of an English ’ was coming from ' I foreign telegrams. And an almost delirious'Lady Anne, who always considered i money well-spent if it purchased down her flag pre- happiness, proceeded to fire back I with equal extravagance that she go back to England was delighted to hear it and that she she murmured,'and her maid would start at once. How soon1 It was a very happy party that Dr. Wood's Norway Pina Syrup Cold Left Little Girl With a Very Bad Cough Mrs. E. K. Devlin, 135 Smith St., Winnipeg, Man., writes:—“Three years ago my little girl, aged 5, hart a dreadful cold which left, her with a vfery bad cough that hung oh to her for months. I tried every kind of cough mixture I could think of until I was advised, by a friend, to try Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup, After two bottles the cough had completely gone, and now 1 always keep a bottle m the house?’ Price 35c. a bottle; large family size 65c.: at all drug and jgonaral stores; put up onlv bv ■ so that “Thank that the land together and the two weddings should take place as soon as possible afterwards. “But we won’t have a double wed­ ding," declared Jean “It’s always supposed to be unlucky.” “Do you believe in good and bad luck, then? asked Lady Anne, smil­ ing. “I don’t know,” Jean answered seriously. “But it’s always just as well to be on the safe side. Any­ way we won’t tempt fate by running unnecessary risks!” “Beides, madonna,” added Nick “in the excitement of the moment we might get mixed and the parson hitch us to the wrong people. The out the added uncertainty as tc whether I’m getting tied up. to the right woman or not.” So spring lengthened out into sum­ mer, and, as the heat .increased boating and swimming on the big lake that nestled in the basin of the hills were added to the long rides and excursions with which they whiled away the pleasant, sunshiny days. Ever afterwards, the memory of those tranquil months at Beirnfels would linger in the minds of those who sharcd them as .something rare and precious. It as as though Tor this little "span of time, passed sc far away from the noise and bustle of the big" world, they had pulled their barque out of the busy fairway of the river and moored it in some quite, shady backwater. Then, when they were rested and refreshed, they would be ready to face anew, with fresh strength and courage, the dif­ ficulties and dangers of mid-stream “I’m sorry it’s so nearly over— this long, long holiday of ours," said Jean regretfully. “The only thing that reconciles me to the fact is that •after we’re married Blaise ■ and I propose to spend at least six months out of every year at Beirnfels." iShe was lyiftg on her back in the shady wood whither they had ridden' out to lunch that day, staring up at the bits of blue sky overhead which showed between the interlacing branches of the trees. The remain­ der of the party were grouped around her, reclinging in various at­ titudes of a dolce far niente nature, while from a little distance away where the horses were picketed In charge of a groom, came the drowsy rhythmis sound of munching of corn, punctuated by an stamp “Yes, Anne, again Dower House!” munching occasional of an impatient hoof. it’s been good,” agreed Lady “I shall never settle down properly as a dowager at the And she laughed wliistling, heralding the big g which drove along behind the inno­ cent seeming breeze had barely rocked branches. It was a longish Beirnfels, and the sun had dipped below the horizon in a sullen splen­ dour of purple and red before the shoulder of the hill, upon the fur­ the rooms, had knocked burning lamp. Then, terrified, the immediate consequences—the sudden flaring of some ancient ta­ pestry, dry as tinder with the sum­ mer heat, near which the lamp had fallen—he had bolted away, out of the castle and sp home, too scared ....„ .... ...... ............... to tell anyone of the accident.ther side of which the "castle stood I But, as Jean commented mourn- came into sight. | fully, what did it matter how it hgp- Now and again the moon peered pened? Except from the prosiac out between the racing, wind-driven viewpoint of the fire insurance clouds, clearly lining th© bold, black company, who would probably de­ curve of the hill against a ground of lowering sky. . Jean and Blaise were .abreast, a little in advance rest, engrossed by the difficulties of carrying on an animated conversa­ tion in a high wind. As they swung round the bend in the road which brought the hill’s great shoulder in-! to view, Jean-threw back her and stared at the sky above it a puzzled frown on her face. “Why . . . how queer!” she ulated. “The sun set nearly half an hour ago and yet there’s still quite a brilliant red glow in the sky. Look, Sentinel to the very end,' they rear- Biaise—just above where Beirnfels ed themselves unvanguished, guard­ stands." | ians still, though all that they had Blaise glanced up casually in the sheltered through the centuries of dirction indicated, then suddenly ! watch and ward lay consumed witli- reined in his horse and half-rose In j in their very heart, the stirrups, staring at the red glow deepening in the sy ahead. “That’s no* sunset!” sharply. “It’s—Great Beirnfels is on fire!” Even as he spoke flame, mocking the dull glow with, turah Stanley’s prophecies has come its .....o ------- ----- thin red knife into the sky and sank; again. ; A shout came from behind. ~' others had seen it, also, and recog­ nised its deadly import, moment the clatter of hoofs echoed along the road as the'was hopelessly inadequate to cope _ . But / ■' __„L__L_____Lj accom- I plish very much in the way of sal- from the vage. All. that remained possible bri.dJe-itath. whiich j was to quench that inferno of fire as woods, clothing soon as might be and so, perhaps, and broad which at first the topmost ride back tc Professional Cards GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS’, SOLICITORS, Money to Loan, Investments Made Insurance Safe-deposit Vault, for use of our Clients without charge EXETER LONDON HENSALL back- cide to know all kinds of details . that if was impossible to give! For her, nothing mattered except that Beirnfels, her home from child­ hood and the place where she and Blaise had proposed to spend a great part of their married life, was a fur­ nace of flames. It was a splendid but very terrible sight. The .great, firm walls of the castle stood four-square against the sky, charred and blackened but de­ fiantly impervious to the flames that were licking covetously against the solid stone which fashioned them. riding of the head with ijac- I (Jean, standing beside Blaise and | watching the upward-tossing flames he exclaimed and the crimson banner of the tower­ heaven’s Jean ing heavens, spoke suddenly: j -“‘And the sky as red as olood a tongue of, above it.’ Blaise, the last of Ke- i gleaming blaze, shot up like a true!” j An hour later help as forthcoming I from the distant town to which a The messenger had been despatched post-hasite as soon as it was realis- The next ed that the household staff, even galloping. with the assistance from the village whole party urged their horses on I with a fire of such magnitude, towards home as fast as they could! it was already too late to cover the ground, iSoon they struck off (road, taking a 1 slanted through the the base of the hill, emerged onto the where Beirnfels had stood sentinel night, human endeavour fought with through the wind and weather for so the flames—-subduing them again many years, the whole extent of the • and again only to find them kind­ catastrophe was revealed. iBy this time the angry glow in the ding of the wind, leaping redly from sky had turned dusk into day, while! the lambent heart of the conflagra- from the doors and windows tion, which of the castle fire vomited forth as from a furnace—upward in long, sinuous tongues of flame, licking the blackened walls, downward in spangled showers of sparks that drifted towards the earth like flights of golden butterflies. Little groups of men and women, helpless as ants to stay the fire rushed futilely hither and thither with oshe pine and engine, while on the smooth sward which fronted the castle jay piled enormous quantities •of household .stuff, a medley of fine old furniture, torn tapestry wrench­ ed from its place against the walls, pictures, .mirrors— anything everything that could out into the open by and willing arms. The major-dromo, grey-haired man who had been born and reared upon the estate and who had taken service with Glyn Peter­ son, on the day when he had first brought Jacqueline, a bride, tc Beirndels, caught sight of the riding­ party returned and came hurrying tc Jean’s side. The tears were running down his wrinkled face as he recounted the discovery of the fire, which must have started either just before or during the servants’ dinner-hour when few people, of course, were about the castle, and which had ob­ tained a firm liold before it was de­ tected. The household staff, practised to a limited extent—a fire drill had been held once a month in Peter­ son’s time—had done their best to cope with the ffames, but vainly. The high wind which had arisen had thwarted their utmost efforts, and finally giving up all hope of saving the interior from being gutted they had confined themselves to reselling such valuables as could be easily re- mbyed. There as the usual mystery as tc how the fire had originated, and several stories circulated amongst the chattering throng Which hur­ ried hither and thither, momentar­ ily augmented by the 'peasants 'who! at sight of the castle in. flames, had come trooping up the hill from the mOwESiw,. hm*...» - • as they save some of the outbuildings, plateau, Hour after hour through the ling into fresh life at the gusty bid- and be dragged eager hands an elderly. glowed and pulsed and heaved like some living monster in­ tent upon destruction. It was not until dawn was breaking that with the dying down of the wind, the flicking crimson light fad­ ed finally .from the sky; and half an hour later, when the fire had been at last extinguished, the village folk gathered about the scene of the ca­ tastrophe, had dispersed to their homes. Lady Anne, accompanied by Nick and Claire, started for the inn of the Green Dragon, whither the land- lord had hurried on ahead to prepare temporary quarters for the homeless, little company from castle. But Jean -and Blaise lingered by the deserted ruins, to say ‘farewell to the place had meant so much to them. Beneath the misty azure of summer morning sky, -fanned by little vagrant zephrs—rearguard of the hurricane which had passed—stood all that remained of Beirnfels— blackened, naked walls, stark against that tender blue:, brooding above a mass of cooling wreckage. Jean’s m'outh quivlered a little as her glance took in the scene of utter desolation. .“My Houes of Dreams,” she whis­ pered brokenly. She was silent a few moments, her eyes embracing all that had once been Beirnfels in a gaze which held both farewell and retrospect. And something more—some vision of the future. In the dawn-light pearling .the sky above she recognised the et­ ernal promise of Him Who “com­ manded the light to shine out of darkness.” Her House of Dreams. The inner meaning of the song had grown, suddenly clear to her. When she turned again to Blaise her expression was serene and tran­ quil. Touched with regret perhaps but bravely confident. “I dbn’t think it matters, Blaise,’ she said simply. “BiOrnfels was only a symbol, after all. >My House of Dreams-COme-True isn’t built of stones and mortar. No one’s is. It’s just—where love is.” (The Efid) now the still loth that tlie CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &c LOANS, INVESTMENTS INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, Main Street, EXETER, ONT. At Lucan Monday and Thursday Dr. G. S. Atkinson, L.D.S.JD.D.S, DENTAL SURGEON Office opposite the New Post Office Main St., Exeter Telephones Office 34w House 84j Closed Wednesday Afternoons Dr. G. F, Roulston, L.D.S.,D.D.S. DENTIST Office: Carling Block EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoon JOHN WARD CHIROPRACTIC, OSTEOPATHY, ELECTRO-THERAPY & ULTRA­ VIOLET TREATMENTS PHONE 70 MAIN ST., EXETER ARTHUR WEBER LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY PRICES REASONABLE SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Phone 57-13-Dashwood R. R. NO. 1, DASHWOOD FRANK TAYLOR LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY Prices Reasonable and Satisfaction Guaranteed EXETER P. O. or RING 138 OSCAR KLOPP LICENSED AUCTIONEER Honor Graduate Carey Jones’ Auc­ tion School. Special Course taken in Registered Live Stock (all breeds) Merchandise, Real Estate, Farm Sales, Etc. Rates in keeping with prevailing prices. Satisfaction as­ sured, write Oscar Klopp, Zurich, or phone 18-93, Zurich, Ont. INSURANCE LIFE, ACCIDENT & HEALTH When Studying your future Life, Income or Pension program, consult ELMO RICHARDS Representing METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY EXETER, BOX 277 USBORNE & HIBBERT MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COxMPANY Head Office, Farquhar, Ont. President FRANK McCONNELL Vice-Pres. ANGUS- SINCLAIR DIREOTOllS J. T. ALLISON, SAM’L NORRIS SIMON DOW, WM. H* COATES. AGENTS JOHN ESSERY, Centralia, Agent for Usborne and Biddulph ALVIN L. HAtlRIS, Munro, Agent for Fullarton and Logan THOMAS SCOTT, Ctdmarty, Agent for ilibbert W. A. TURNBULL Secretary-Troasufei* Box 295, Exeter, Ontario GLADMAN & STANBURY SOilfeitofs. Exeter