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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1934-05-31, Page 2TKVRSBAY, MAY 31st, 1031 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE - SHINING PALACE - by Christine Whiting Parmenter SYNOPSIS Nora, adopted daughter of James Lambert, Indulgent old gentlemen has decided to marry Don Mason, who lacked stability. Nora's mother ran away with a singer who later deserted her and on a deathbed wrote a leter to her husband James Lambert. He came and took her daughter Nora to his home. Now he is anxious to protect Nora from such a mar­ riage when Nora insists, he agrees to give Don a year’s trial in busi­ ness under his son, Ned Lambert, who like his father has a poor opinion of Don. Goaded by Ned, Don is trying desperately to be­ come a business man. Ned ana Don had a final disagreement com­ ing to blows and Don left. He and Leonora were married immediate­ ly and left for a shack1 th. Maine belonging to an artist friend of Don’s. THE STORY “This,” she told him. “Let's buy that barn, Don, and by degrees (as we nave the money), make it into a home. To quote old Tom Little­ field, the carpenter at the Port, it was built at a time when ‘'folks built honest.’ It was built to stand. I’ll admit that it’s not beautiful. The cupola with its ridiculous colored windows is an eyesore, of course; it can be taken down—” “You mean that darling little house on top of the old barn, Mum-( my?” Young Donald spoke quickly, in alarm. “I love that cunning little house, Mummy. Daddy and me climbed up there, once didn’t we, Daddy? We saw the lighthouse way, way out to sea; and a big steamer! Everything looked so kind and cheerful. Daddy ’splained it was be­ cause the windows are such pretty colors. Daddy liked it too, Mummy. Don’t you let anybody take it down!’ Said Don, who had the wisdom never to laugh when his small son was serious-: “The cupola remains It can be our watch tower. What, my darling,” he asked of Leonora, “is a man’s castle without its watch tower?” ■For the first time in fifteen min­ utes Nora drew a breath of sheer relief. Don was won! His imagina­ tion had started working and once that got going there was no stopping him. For six years she had been an uncomplaining nbmad. Life, despite its ups and downs, its sometimes terrifying hardships, had been rich, and colorful, and adventurous; but there were times when, woman-like she had dreamed of possessing a real home, even though she knew (being Don Mason’s- wife) they would oc­ cupy it only periodically. And her dream was to come true! Nora laughed, a laugh so joyous and unguarded that Don realized for the first time, perhaps, how courageous­ ly his wife had relinguished her own dreams that his might be fulfilled. The knowledge brought him a sense of his own unworthiness1. He saiid, voice husky: “I’m a moron, Nora—a dumbbell —a complete washout, I hadn’t an idea that you were missing—every­ thing. With me, you kn'ow, home is ‘simply where the heart is’. I ought to have understood that a woman feels different—needs some place to call her own. Why 'didn’t you tell me? I’m only a blundering man, darling, but I love you and I haven’t meant to be self-centred. Of course, we’ll buy that barn if it’s what you want and there’s sufficient cash on hand to pay for it. Clome on kiddies, Let’s take a look at our future home Your mamma is more than a wonder Jimsy. .She’s something that’s ut­ terly impossible to describe, and we don’t deserve her. Watch out, Nora! Here’s the big wave you prophesied a while ago!” Don’s warning came, too late. There was a rush—-a scramble—a wail of anguish from James Lambert Mason. Safe on the dunes the ba’by pointed seaward to where his small, red shoe; a tiny, fearless craft amid the breakers, was setting sail across the broad Atlantic. It was early summer when they bought the stable with its. surround­ ing savin-covered pastures, it’s stretch of dunes and beach. Don, a smile of understanding in his eyes, presented the deed to Nora with such a flourish that the white-haired no­ tary who witnessed the signatures inquired if she were planning to “make a palace of that old barn?” “I’ve seen her do things! even incredible,” laughed Don; while Nora, her face lighting at the old man’s words, responded: “It will a palace to me, anyway— my shining palace. That’s what we’ll call it, thanks t’o your inspira­ tion, Mr. Moore. If ever you’re tempted to head the modern poets, look up Millay and perhaps you’ll understand. To her surprise the notary quoted without hesitation: “Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand’? Well, this future home of yours is surely built upon the sand and I have n'o doubt you’ll make it shine surpassingly. Yes, I love the poets, Mrs. Mason, though as, a rule my taste in poetry is as old-tfashion- ed as I am myself. But I’ve heard Miss Millay read her own verses', and that makes a difference. Let me know when the latch string is out and I’ll pay my respects to the Royal Family!” “We’ll bid you to dine some ev­ ening in ‘the banquet hlall!” smiled Nora as they turned away. “And who,” said Don, when they stood in the sunlight outside the hideous frame building which hous­ ed the notary’s, small office, “who would suspect that aged patriarch of reading the moderns?” “I would.” retorted Leonora is no mossba'ck, Don. feet example of what call a scholar and a gentleman. But he’ll never know how superbly that quotation fits our case. me once that in the days when he was fighting the thought o,f our mar­ riage that to survive, a house must be built upon a rock.” “ ‘.Safe upon the solid rock' the ugly houses stand; Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!’ “Don’t you see what I mean?” “I see that you don’t regard me as possessing the comfortable stability of a rock, my dear!” “You possess, it dn the essentials.” replied Nora soberly, “which is all that matters; and you’ve got the lovely changing quality of the sand, as well. When I was. a sma]l girl Dad, took me to the sea, one summer I used to sit for hours on the beach, Don, and with a wee tin shovel lift off layer after layer of damp sand; and every layer was different from the one before—like beautiful fab­ rics woven in varying patterns. It used to fascinate me because I never knew what the next layer would be; and 'it’s the same with you, my dear. Just as I’m sure I know you inside out, up springs some quality I hadn’t dreamed of. Who wants an ugly house to live in year after year', Don, if one can have a palace for*—for en­ chanted intervals?” “I wish you wouldn’t say such things on a public street, Nora,” complained her husband. “It might shock these repressed undemonstra­ tive natives of the state o’ Maine to see a man embrase his wife under a telephone pole, 'Come on now, let’s beard the village carpenter in bis den. There’s no time to spare if we’re to see the beginnings of this home you’ve set your1 heart on be­ fore we sail for Naples on Nov. 10.” “Oh, let’s not think about Nov. 10!” Don felt a pang at the protest! in Nora’s voice. “I want to forget, such things as boats and railroads and suitcases for a little whije. We| have got four months before we have to leave Don. We can do a lot. And it won’t be so hard to go away if our home’s in order for even dis­ order!) waiting to welcome us again next spring." Don said, as they turned down a side street: “Would you rathei' not go to Italy this year, Nora?” “We must," she answered. “I prom­ ised Constance. Their villa seems so big and lonely without Ven. And it’s such a wonderful chance foi* you, Don. You can fare forth gathering material to write about and know that the boys and I are safe and com­ fortable. Of course we’l] go; but it will be so wonderful to know we are coming back! And when Father finds we’re really living somewhere—some­ where civilized, I mean (you know his feelings about Europe!) he may come to see us. I—I am sure he will. Tom Littlefiejd, a weather-beaten but vigorous man of sixty-odd, was 'in his shop: a neat white building at the rear of his comfortable dwelling. “He makes me think of a tree at the timber-line,” Don said later. “The sort I’ve seen in the Colorado Rock- des, gnarled by the wind you know, but strong and sturdy.” The man’s face brightener at the sight of Leonora. It brightened still more when she disclosed their plans.. Don, content to stand aside and watch them, saw at ia glance that they understood each other, this ■strangely assorted pair. “I see,” the i carpenter kept saying, “I see,” And ■ when she had finished: “What I ad- | vise, Mis’ Mason, is to measure up . the place and make a. sketch of where 'you want partitions. I’jl run you down in the Ford right now and we will look it over. And I’ll, be on hand at 7 sharp to-morrow morn­ ing ready to begin. I’m not a Union man, though I’ve nothin’ at all against those that is. But I’ve been my own master too long now to be willin’ to take orders. If I want to quit at noon and go. fishin’ off the -polint, I quit. If I feel like working till seven at night to finish some­ thin’ I set out to do, I work. And I work honest. No one ever complain­ ed of a house built by Torn Little­ field., Let’s go.’ Then, and then only did Don speak He said, with discretion learned of marriage: “But we’ll have to know something about the cost, Mr. Little­ field. This wife of mine has a pre­ judice against running bills.” The carpenter raised a rugged,“He' protesting hand. He’s a per-1 “That’ll be all right. You’re hon- they used to est folks, and I’m not worryin’ about my pay. This little lady has got to , he made comfortable. When the job’s , done, pay what you can, and the bal- Father Itold | ance whenever it comes handy. I been doin’ business that w'ay for for- Eczema Broke Out On Her Face and Arms For the past 55 years MANUFACTURED ONLY BY THE T« MILBURN CO., Limited Toronto* Ont. Miss Mary Ens, Hague, Sask., writes:—“My blood was in a terrible condition and my face and arms broke out with eczema. I started using blood cleansers of various kinds, but it was of no avail. One day I read about Burdock Blood Bitters, but being so dis­ couraged, because all other methods had failed, I was rather skeptical about trying it, but after having taken six bottles I was perfectly satisfied as my skin was left clean and healthy looking.” i ty years (so long .s I knew the. folks 11 dealt wfith), and I never lost a copper. Now let’s iiot waste any more time.” Nor did they! It was astonishing how fast the work progressed. For as. whole-heartedly as he had ever embarked on an adventure, Don threw himself into the making of Nora’s home. Day by day, early and late, he worked beside the carpenter Nora worked too, at any task she could lay hands on. Even small Don­ ald carried out rubbish with solemn pride in the thought that he was “helping to build our house.” Sometimes the old carpenter would disagree with Nora. The size of the living room disturbed him. “It’s too big,” he protested. “It won’t be snug and cosy like a sittin’ room should be. It’s big as a ball (room!” “It is a bap room,” retorted Nora “and as for its being- cosy—you wait and see! A baby-gralid piano takes up space you know; and1—Oh. don’t fuss any more,” she pleaded. “I want it big. I’ve lived in banonoxes for six years.” “Well,” sighed the old builder with a dubious, shake of his. grey head, “it’s your house; but remem­ ber I warned you.” Don would pause in his hammer­ ing when these discussion raged. Sometimes he’d say over his shoul­ der: “Oh, let her alone, Mr. Little­ field. She’s, .on the war path!” and the grizzled product of the “wild New England shore” would wink solemnly and pick up his tools, and continue to do exactly as'Nora said. They concentrated on the living room at first; and when the parti­ tions were in place and the wide casement windows finished, it was Leonora who tackled builder’s paper to the walls of one end, while a mason from the Port constructed a ch'imney at the other; and Don and Tom Littlefield moved their work bench into one of the box stalls that was destined to-become a kitchen­ ette. “And what I don’t understand grumbled the old man good-natured­ ly, “is why any one in their senses should want a sitting room big enough to accommodate a trolly line and a kitchen so small you can’t eat breakfast there cold mornin’s. “Tain’t sensible, if you ask me,” “But I didn’t ask you.” retorted Nora while lie grinned at her (impu­ dence. “It’s not suitable for <a Royal Family to eat in the kitchen, Mr. Littlefield; and besides, those next two stalls are to be the banquet hall. “What do you think this old barn is?’ ho questioned sternly. “Wind­ sor Castle? The; Royar- Family! Whoever heard o’ such a thing?” But he kept right on obeying orders and one/day astonished Nora by in­ quiring where “the royal bed-cham­ ber” was to bo—upstairs, or down?”! ■Overhearing the question Don col­ lapsed with mirth, A royal bed- MODEL No. 242 Retail Price $7.95 Coleman Lanterns are always ready for any lighting job, any time, in any weather. Light instantly ... no preheating. The New No. 2U2 Coleman Sport- Lite is just the light for any camping, touring or fishing trip. Small in size but big in brilliance. Only 12 inches high, yet gives up to 150 candlepower of pure white light, Weight only 3 lbs. Single mantle type. Pyrex glass globe protects mantle. It’s a double-duty light for indoors or out. Model No.22OB Coleman Lantern is a sturdy, dependable general duty light. 14^ inches high. Two-mantle type. Produces Green enamel porcelain MODEL No. 220B Retail Price.$10.95 _ up to 300 candlepower of clear steady light, top, clear mica chimney, every modern feature. THE COLEMAN LAMP AND STOVE COMPANY, Lid. TORONTO, a, ONTARIO ASK YOUR DEALER man instant-gasc^oieman lanterns QJIje SiitirB-A^unratr Established 187-3 and 1887 Published every Thursday mornlnt at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION—$2.00 per year In advance. RATES—Farm or ReaR Estate fo> sale 50c. each insertion for firit 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 50o. extra verses 25c, each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association. (IX-5) chamber seemed so foreign to this sturdy old builder with the New England twang of his voice and the New England sense of humour (so often mistaken for something quite the opposite) lurking in the depths of his blue eyes. The weeks passed rapidly. Mid­ August W there before they knew it; but Tom Littlefield continued to arrive at seven o’clock, and not once had he been tempted to quit at noon Don rose early in those days, tip­ toed about the. shack getting a light breakfast and sometimes left before Nora was awake. Later she followed with the children and a picnic lunch the baby toolld a nap in an old packing box, oblivious to the sound of hammer an.d saw; while small Donald sat on a nail' keg and hand­ ed things to his father as requested forgetting in this absorbing interest that he’d intended tunneling to Italy ■that season. It was Leonora who suggested moving in. “It’ll save the long walk night and morning, Don. It’ll save time; and it can’t be much more in­ convenient than the shacfci is now. The living-room—” (“Ball room”) corrected the builder diryly) “is en­ tirely finished,. The fireplace ‘burns like a breeze; and there’s a sink in the kitchen even if there’s, no w'ater running into it.” “And speaking of water,” observ­ ed Don, “the report on this well water is O.K. Nora. It came this morning. Why shouldn’t we move?” Thus there came a day when with the air of two Portland movers (hailed by Jim Perkins as they pass­ ed through town), Nora’s beautiful piano stood on? the spot planned for it; and Don said: “Christen the ballroom, Nora. Play something ap- propiate. ‘On with the dance, let joy be unconfined.’ ” So, seated upon an upturned box, Nora played; and looking up as the haunting strains of “The Beautiful Blue Danube” died away, behold the entire working force, apparently hypnotized. Old Tom Littlefield stood in the dooray staring straight ahead thro’ a indow that facer the sea. One of the Portland movers (perched on a barrel) appeared to have gone into a sort of trance; while the other was wiping suspicious moisture from his eyes, and Jim Perkins stood before the fireplace, arms folded, head sunk forward, lost to the world. Don, as. the music ceased, didn’t Hook up at all. His wife suspected that he was in the same plight as the second Portland man. Even the children remained quiet; and at last the mover seated on the barrel said: “I remember that tune. Seems as1 if my wife must ha’ played it when we was goin’ together.” ‘“That’s queer,” the other man ob­ served, shamefacedly thrusting his handkerchief into a pocket, “but darned if I wasn’t thinkin’ that very thing! Kind o’—kind o’ brings things back, don’t it?” The carpenter’s blue eyes twinkl­ ed at this confession. “It sure does,” he admitted, “I donno as I ever heard that piece be­ fore, but it did .somethin’ to me. If you want to know the truth, Mis’ Mason, I wa’n’t here at all. I was ‘seein’ Nelly home’ after a church supper forty years back. You bettei* lock up that piano and keep it lock­ ed if you want this downstairs to be finished by November first.” Nora laughed, and Jim Perkins, finding his voice at last, exploded; “Well, I’ll tell the world you can play, Mis’ Mason! I never heard nothing like. it, except over the radio and if you ask me, you’ve got that feller named Hoffmann beat to a frazzle.!” Leonora arbs-e from the packing box to acknowledge this honest tri­ bute with o curtesy; while Don sug­ gested: “Give them some more, Nora before they leave,” and for twenty minutes Nora played to as apprecia­ tive an audience as any artist cou'.a desire. Indeed, the Portland movers would accept only the minutest pay­ ment for their services. “It wa’n’t nothin',” declared the older man as they arose to go. “Nothin’ at all; and the music was pay enough anyhow. Wasn’t it, Joe?” “Joe,” still dazed, assented with a mute nod. They departed munching Nora’s, molasses cookies, and, Don told her (when Tom Littlefield liao returned to the box stajl which he was. converting into the north end of a “banquet hall”) with “their souls refreshed.” (Continued next week) Professional Cards GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, Ao. Money to Loan, Investments Made Insurance Safe-deposit Vault for use of our Clients without charge EXETER and HENSALL CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &c LOANS, INVESTMENTS INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, Main Street, EXETER, ONT. At Lucan Monday and Thursday We wash, polish, paint and repair all makes of cars at the Ford Garage. —SANDY ELLIOT Dr. G. S. Atkinson, L.D.S.,D.D.S DENTAL SURGEON Office opposite the New Post Office Main St., Exeter Telephones Office 34w House *4j Closed Wednesday Afternoons Dr. G. F. Roulston, L.D.S.,D.D.S, DENTIST Office: Carling Block EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoons K. C. BANTING, B. A., M. D. Physician and Surgeon, Lucan, Ont Office in Centralia Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. or by appointment Telephone the hotel in Centralia at any time. Phone Crediton 30r25 WESTERN FARMERS’ MUTUAL WEATHER INSURANCE CO. OF WOODSTOCK THE LARGEST RESERVE BAL­ ANCE OF ANY CANADIAN MUT­ UAL COMPANY DOING BUSINESS OF THIS KIND IN ONTARIO Amount of Insurance at Risk on December 31st, 1932, $17,880,729 Total Casli in Baltic and Bonds $213,720.62 Rates—$4.50 per $1,000 for 3 years JOHN WARD CHIROPRACTIC, OSTEOPATHY, ELECTRO-THERAPY & ULTRA­ VIOLET TREATMENTS PHONE 70 MAIN ST., EXETER E. F. KLOPP, ZURICH Agent, Also Dealer in Lightning Rods and all kinds of Fire Insurance 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 FOR a light, crisp lunch, easy to prepare and extra delicious—try Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. They’re rich in energy. And so easy to digest! They help you feel refreshed and fit for the rest of the day. Only Kellogg’s have that marvelous flavor and crisp­ ness. They’re kept oven-fresh by the heat-sealed inner WAXTITE bag. Made by Kellogg in London, Ontario. FOR FLAVOR C$5 CORN FLAKES $-OVEN-fRESH‘0 g FLAVOR-PERFECT C g ^4%$^ g & FRANK TAYLOR LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY Prices Reasonable and Satisfaction Guaranteed EXETER P. O. or RING 138 USBORNE & HIBBERT MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Head Offico, Farquhar, Ont. President ANGUS SINCLAIR Vice-Pres., SIMON DOW DIRECTORS SAM’L NORRIS J. T. ALLISON WM. H. COATES, FRANK mcconnell AGENTS JOHN ESSERY, Centralia, Agent for Usborne and Biddulph ALVIN L. HARRIS, Munro, Agent for Fullarton and Logan THOMAS SCOTT, Cromarty, Agent for Hibbert B. W. F. BEAVERS Secretary-Treasurer Exeter, Ontario GLADMAN & STANBURY Solicitors, Exeter WINNER OF HONORS AT UNIVERSITY IN WEST. Mrs. D. B. MicLean of Hensall, re­ ceived the word that her grandson* F?J. McLean, has won the Governor- General’s gold medal at the Univer­ sity of Satkatehowan at Saskatoon, awarded to the m'ost distinguished graduate. He also wins the Univer­ sity silver meal in medicine. A trip to Europe is- part of his reward. The student, who. is a son of James Md- Lean is but 19 years of age.