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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1932-05-19, Page 2THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATEThursday, may io, w InnmniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH B“The Silver Hawk”| B BY WIL-L-IAM BYRON MOWERY 3 CHAPTER XXXVI He wondered whether he might not someway cover up the whole af­ fair UP. It he could, it would be his wedding present to Jim and Aur-! ore—a present not to be held in the hand and admired but something far more precious, which no one in the world except himself could give them and which they would treasure ias a priceless gift. In those moments .•when he sat beside Dorn he reflect­ ed; “Aurore’s marriage was secret. That’ll help. I’ll take Harry Quil- lan Out this morning; I’ll tell him that if he ever opens his mouth— tone little peep out of him—I'll break his cowardly neck. I'll take Ace |McGregory and the gunner Out; they’re pretty good chaps; they’ll (probably agree to keep quiet.” So Kansas reasoned and decided. But he did not take into account the prominence of Henry Carter-iSnow- don and the hunt that would spring up for him and the inevitable dis­ covery of this feud with Dorn and the manner of his death. And Kan­ sas did not stop to think that by try­ ing to cover up this whole affair he would be heaping damnation upon |his partner’s head. Practical little soul, with tired iand hungry men to care for, Aurore had breakfast ready in five minutes. |01d Luke took his trout and bacon 'and bread on a piece of bichbark, iand stalked away to a corner of the icabin. Stern old misogynist, hide­ bound in the traditions of his van­ ished tribe—ihe was willing to save jthe young squaw-siche of his friend, 'and would suffer himself to carry her in Iris arms and even to rever- ience her in secret; but to sit at table and break bread with a squaw was too, too gross a violation of his ancestral code. So he croucihed in the corner, silent, his glittering eyes a-sparkle; and ate his food in self- respecting aloofness. Across the breakfast table Aurore and Kansas talked in loud tones, and she told him of Dorn’s coming out of the woods to her and cf that perilous canoe trip with him over to the island. Aurore said; “Kansas, his—his trouble isn’t anything physical. Don’t you think an air journey out to a city would be the 'worst thing in the world for him now? Don’t you think he ought to stay here?” She might have added “with me”, tor that was what she meant. She was pleading with Kansas to say *‘Yes,” and he did agree, knowing that Dorn needed utter rest and se­ clusion and someone with the under­ standing power to lead him grad­ ually out of his bewilderment. He arranged: “I’ll fly over this lake tomorrow, and if he isn’t bet­ ter or if you need me, spread some­ thing white on the boulder where you and I talked that night, and I’ll come down.” Aurore asked him quickly, breath­ lessly:,.. “Kansas—-what we talked about tihat night—my marriage—. you told him. What did he say?” “He didn’t believe it.” “But he was forced to. And my— any motives, Kansas—you must have told him of them. What did he say then?” Kansas saw that his answer was of terrible moment to Aurore, and (that all her happiness hung upon his words. . She was asking him: Did Jim lose faith in me? Dil he con­ demn me? Will he condemn me when he’s his rational self again?” Kansas was glad he could answer honestly. He said: “Jim defended you every step. He believed there was something left unsaid about your marriage.” He added: “I couldn’t force him to think One harsh thing of you, Aurore------” He stopped. Aurore had looked down and bent her head so that he could not see the tears that blinded her eyes. Kansas made pretense of going to the stove and poking it and' fetching fres/h coffee. When Aur­ ore looked up again after a little While, she told him: “There was something left unpaid, Kansas. I want Jim to tell you. .Your esteem is precious, too, Kan­ sas; and when Jim tells you the .whole truth, then you’ll Understand Why I’m!—I’m free to go to him . .” Kansas looked at her sharply. He believed he knew what she meant, but he was not sure. After what he had just told Aurore, he felt he had the privilege of asking a blunt ques­ tion; and asked it, He said: -“When I told Jim you were O'arter-Snow- don’s wife . , « you know and I know what hurt the worst with him then. t»o you mean that isn*t true? Aurore met his eyes and she ans­ wered him frankly; “It isn’t true,” During the test of that breakfast talk, Kansas kept beating down, as a thing unworthy, his antagonism toward Aurore* and in the face of her girlish comradeship he was able to conquer it. He said nothing to her about his* intentions of going to Ontario, or the ugly situation she and Dorn were in; and he left all breakfast talk; he had said things which showed her that he meant to go away. She knew what a blow it would be to Dorn; she realized the depth of this rugged friendship be­ tween two men who had been patt­ ers more years than she had known them weeks. Dorn, had told her about a hectic sky battle when he and Kansas shot the Fokker mono­ plane out of the air; and she saw in that an example, of how they had teamed together from boyhood un­ til now. Aurore did not think it right that sihe should come between them. AQd she was wise enough to know that love can never be the whole of Jim Dorn’s existence; he must go ahead with his ambitions and have other people in his life besides herelf; and no person could ever take the place of his partner, Kansas Eby. When the Silver Hawk wlpged over the mesa and glided down upon the lake, Aurore and Dorn hurried up to the cove. Paddling out to the plane, they stood on a pontoon and shook ’hands with Kansas and Aur­ ore begged him to eat supper and spend the night with them. , But Kansas would not stay for supper, He would not even come ashore. He guessed he’d mosey back to Titan Pass as soon as he talked a few things over. He said abruptly: “I wired to Red Lake about that job you were going to take, Dorn. They wired ‘Come ahead’ As soon as I can get out of service here, I’m going.” Aurore glanced quickly at Dorn. She saw him wince; saw the blood come and go in his face. His keen eyes narrowed and for a little while he looked hard at Kansas, She knew that he understood this was tihe end of things between Kansas and him. She thought surely he would argue would try to hold his partner. But he merely said, in his laconic way: "So you’re leaving here, I’m sorry.” Aurore thought, with despair: "He knows it’s no use to try to hold Kansas.” His terseness surprised her, and Kansas considered it proof that Dorn was glad to have him go. After an awkward and painful silence, Kansas remarked: "You and Aiurore are going oult pretty soon of course.’’And he glanced at the cabin -under the great pines. He meant it as an innocent ques­ tion, so that he would know when to come for them. But Aurore blush­ ed, and looked away, and her hand •fumbled with a button on hex’ jack­ et. Dorn answered for himself and her. We’re planning to stay here a while, Kansas. Neither of us see any reason why we should not. Be­ fore last week, when there was a reason why not, we respected it, we lived up to it, we held it inviolate. When we do go Out we’ll take a wedding trip east. But now we plan to live here as we are until deep in­ to the summer. Kansas .was rather puzzled by Dorn’s defiance of a convention. He never had been able to understand some of Jim Dorn’s own personal ideals; and he didn’t attempt to now He did think it rather strange that Dorn, who had held himself sternly to the social "Thou-Shalt-Not” when Aurore was Carter-Snowdon’s wife should now fly in the face of the strictest and most arbitrary conven­ tion of them all. But he knew those weeks would be enchanted weeks; and it seemed to him that any im­ putation against the honour of eith­ er Jim Dorn or Aurore MoNain would be absurdity. He merely nodded to what Dorn said; and went on: “Another thing”—Kansas’s voice now. “I arranged about—about Dad Bergelot. His sister down at Canoe was his only relative, and that was where he was born. I had Burton take him down there ih the D.H:” Dorn winced) at the words. He was remembering how he had prom­ ised to fly Bergelot down to the mountain hamlet the night when Aurore came. Now old Dad Berge­ lot was to be flown there to his aged sister, but his home-coming would be tragically different from the one he had awaited 'like an eager child He wanted to tell Kansas that he and Aurore had planned to take ov­ er the funeral expenses for old Dad Bergelot and had planned to put old Luke in comfort for the rest of :his days. But he could not men­ tion money in the same breath with death and he kept silent. •Kansas figeted ih his seat, won­ dering how to broach the chief pur- 1 pose of hiS visit, He had to stave it off until now, but now it had to be said, He broke out: “Jim, I tried to cover this whole thing up. I did my best, but it can’t be done. There’s a dozen operatives at Titan pass right up to now trying to discover where you uro and what happened to Carter-Giwwdon, They- *re bbund to -get hold of some clue. I want to ask you what do you think we OUght to—-” Dorn said briefly: 'T’ve thought plans until he should come again ajnd D’orn, would be able to talk them over with him. He could not help wondering what project or ambition Dorn would turn to and throw himself info if he es­ caped any guilt of those two deaths. It would he tragedy, he thought, If Aurore McNain’s money and her in­ fluence should tame his adventuring spirit and turn a man pf his prom­ ise into a cainplacent, contented lo­ tus-eater, But studying Aurore across tihe lilies and crimson ane­ mones she had gathered on some perilous ledge at snowline, Kansas believed she would prove no shackle to a man’s ambition, but would work with Dorn and help him in whatso­ ever new adventure he began. For Dorn’s sake he was honestly glad. Dorn had led too lonely and austere and repressed an existence. He needed the gentle companionship and sunny influence of a girl like Aurore. She would warm him to happiness. In her nature she was better rounded-out than Dorn. She had in superlative degree just that cheerfulness and happy outlook which the so sadly lacked. She was strong too of personality—strong enough to sway even Jim Dorn; and all the powers of human nature would be working with her besides. CHAPTER XXXVII Tlie Sign of the Sky With confused emotions of happi­ ness and troubled fears, Aurpre was awaiting the visit ef Kansas Eby, this sunset, a week after the tragedy of the mesa. Yesterday Kansas had dropped a note to her and Dorn, stating he would come to-day and wanted to talk with them; and Aur- are guessed a part of what Kansas was going to say, and she dreaded his visit as a painful ordeal. She and Dorn were sitting to­ gether there on tihe moss at the low­ er end of the island where they had full view of the south pass. Aurore sat with chin cupped in her hand; bare-headed, ilier jacket open at the throat, her dreamy eyelashes half closed. Aurore was. very much aware that Dorn was steadfastly looking at her and had Ibeen for many long minutes of reverie; but with her "mind on this ordeal, she would not glance at him. Even when he bent nearer and re-tied her boot­ lace, which had snagged loose, she did not stir, but kept gazing up, her. face upturned,, at the southeastern sky where the Silver Hawk1 would lappear, and at the once-;blackend mesa which was putting out its green again. The breeze from the “snowfields was dying away for the evening; the tops of the great pines were still gently a-rustle, but only an occas­ ional puff of wind dulled the mir- rory surface of the Lake of the Dawn. Somewhere in the padded si­ lence of the island a cub fox was plaguing a porcupine with shrill kee-yee-yee’s and Aurore knew it was the little mischief which Dorn had seen that first morning when he approached the cabin. Just in front of her among the marshweeds a mother harlequin duck was teach­ ing her argosy of little snowballs how to tipple and feed. In all the nests of tihe mosisy Wildwood the eggs had split open; and pink gap­ ing mouths were all that Dorn and she could see when they made their, rounds each day. The mating moon had passed, with its courtship and battle for mates and feverish home­ building; the responsiblities of par­ enthood had sobered the songsters now; but still in the dewy morning and the brooding quiet of evening from thicket and hidden nook came the trilling of rare warblers and the lilting cadence of the viroes. A heavy thunderstorm or blinding rain and bellowing thunder had roll­ ed up from the south that afternoon and kept Dorn and Aurore to their cabin; and she reasoned it was the cause of Kansas’s being late. But he should have come now; the evening had faired off and a vivid rainbow was arched against the eastern sky, with its feet upon the mountain tops A part of Aurore’s happiness lay in Dorn’s swift and complete recov­ ery: after his tremendous sleep of nearly thirty hours, when he awoke and was himself again, she had spied upon him at chopping wood or swimming vigorously in the lake or Stretching himself ekultanly like a man who feels strength and vir­ ility running in his veins again. But Aurore’s chiefest happiness lay in this new intimacy which had come an intimacy so new and strange and so different from all her imaginings that she felt shy toward Jim Dorn and could not meet his eyes square- and would feel her cheeks Hushing whenever she knew he was watching her, What Aurore dreaded was her in­ tuitive knowledge that Kansas was going to put ail end to the partner­ ship between himself and Dorn. She felt his antagonism during that that out already. There’s only one thing to do. That’s to tell the truth —from the beginning to end.” “But see hero: two men get kill­ ed if you were their enemy, suppose the guilt is fastened on you?” “it won’t be, can’t be. You and Aurora and Luke were witnesses tp how and Why that biplane crashed, That dears me there. I can swear the detective walked off a cliff. It’s the truth. If they doubt aibout him being blinded, they can easy enough verify it. I wish, anyway, that you’d bring Inspector Oldfather up here to take my affidavit and go over the ground himself,” “But, J|m, the publicity*—you and Aurore—” “We've talaeu that over too, We’­ ll face it.” Dorn’s voice rose a little and he spoke with heated emphasis “We want to. Do you know why? What effect do you suppose it’s go­ ing to have on this political battle when the whole story is known? Don’t you see that this publicity is going to go a long way toward com­ pleting the wreck of Carter-Snow­ don's party? Kansas, look here: this wilderness is my home, it’s Aurore’s too. I’ve told you I love it; .hated to see it despoiled.zNow when the test comes, now when we’ve got a colossal chance to get in a lick on the right side, we’re going to stand up to it. This publicity is our con­ tribution. We hope the story is ec­ hoed all over three provnees. That’s that!” Kansas presently asked, “Then you want me to give out the story when I go back?” “Yes, the sooner the better.” “Well, then . . .” and Kansas glanced) around at the gathering twilight and made as though to switch on ignition. But Dorn checked him with^a ges­ ture. Dorn lifted Aurore upon the edge of the cockpit and it was then with Aurore sitting there steadying herself with a hand on Kansas’s arm, that Dorn in his deliberate way thrust a few barbed javelins into his partner. He said, “While Aurore and I are over East, Kansas, I’m going around to the Vickers Company and order three big amphibians for that Alaska passenger service you and I planned. I thought one I’d never fly again, but it’s in my blood and I’m itching to have hold of a stick. I’ve been figuring on you throwing in with us. I thought yqu’d like to finish out the season here carto- graphng, and then next winter we could make all our preparations. But you—this talk aibout that On­ tario offer—you seem to consider yourself the odd person in a crowd. You seem to think that after all $hat you’ve done foi* us, that Aur­ ore and I would be glad to see you pitch off.” “I sort of felt, after that Sunday morning we spent in the air together that we were closer partners than ever. I don’t want to drag you into this Alaskan plan, but I wish you’d think it over. I haven't talked about it with Aurore, I wanted to iron out these other things first; but now you’ve forced my hand. It’s Aurore!s money that’s making the project possible. I think, she ought to invite you.” Dorn turned his eyes to her. “Aurore do you want Kansas with us?” Then, in a breathless moment, Aurore realized why Dorn had been It is an excellent base for Gyptex or Alabastine and may be papered or panelled. Gyproc way be easily identified by the name on the board and the Green stripe along the edge. GYPSUM, LIME AND ALABASTINE, Canada, Limited Paris * Ontario Fireproof Wallboard THEY have seen Gyproc Eire) Tests and they know it resists fire. Use Gyproc for the walls, ceilings and partitions of the home you are building. Or if you are “doing over” any rooms, adding new ones in the attic, partitioning the cellar, be sure to use this easy - to - handle, fire - safe wallboard. For Sale By Exeter Lumber Company Limited Exeter, Ont. Dashwood Planing Mills Dashwood, Ont. A. Spencer & Son Hensall, Ont. so laconic a tow minutes ago when Kansas had announced his going! The she resized, why he had pot ar­ gued or pleaded! Dorn had given his partner enough rope to hang himself with! There wa.s nothing half-hearted about Aurore’s invitation. To Kan­ sas’s stupefied -confusion she flung her arms arpund his neck and made him bend to her and hugged him and kissed his unshaven cheek. Kansas gulped; he glanced at Dorn as though trying to say it was not his fault. Unexpected,' stagger­ ing, Dorn’s offer—and the manner- of Aurore’s invitation—struck him squarely between the eyes. He groped for words—to apologise, to beg forgiveness. But Dorn would not r listen; he lifted Aurore down and stepped into the canoe wtih her and without another word he pad- died back ashore. They stood on the jutting boulder Dorn and Aurore—watching Kan-' sas as he taxied out upon the lake leaped into the air and began circl­ ing. In steepi spirals he climbed a'bove tree-line and the snowfields and the gaunt naked pinnacles of the horseshoe rang, till his motor was a faint whispering thum. and the Silver Hawk glistened in the high sldnt rays of the setting sun as the plane iclimbed on aloft. I Dorn kept looking up at it, won- . dering what Kansas meant by this J strange spiralling to so lofty a height. In the quickening chill of the evening Aurore ndjstled close and her body was warm against him, Dorn put his arms around her and kissed her lips. Behind them in the wildwood the golden-crowned sparrows were sing­ ing their exquisite evening song. The purple shadows of the great pines were • lengthening across the lake Where innumerable swallows were tilting over the water. The in­ effable peace and solemnity of twi­ light was swiftly shutting down. Dorn started, and pointed up­ ward at the Silver Hawk'.. “Look! Notice Kansas’s turns. He’s starting to spell something. Aurore, he’s answering our’ invita­ tion!” In gigantic, imaginary characters Kansas was penciling a message on the sky. Spelling the letters one by one, watching the airy manoeuvring back and forth across the fading rainbow, Dorn and Aurore made out the words: “COUNT ME IN” And then with a final salute—-a loop and a long roll and a graceful falling leaf—the plane sped south and vanished out of sight, leaving them to the twilight and hushed happiness of their beloved, wilder­ ness. The End FORMERLY- QF KWFEN The Enterprise, of Gilmore City, Iowa, refers to the death of Mrs. B. A. Smillie, wife of DU B; A. Smillie, of tliat' place and a former resident Of the Kippen district. Mrs. Smil- lie was the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Monteith, whose form­ er residence was one mile north of Kippen. She was born in 1869 and in 189 6 was married to Mr. Smillie, moving to Iowa. She leaves to mourn her passing one Son and one daugh­ ter. W Extfrr Simra-Aihiaritr Established 187/3 and 1887 Published every Thursday morning at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION— 82.00 per year M advance. RATES—Farm or Real Estate fog sale 50c. each insertion for fir*t four insertions. 25c, each subse­ quent insertion. Miscellaneous ar­ ticles, To Rent, Wanted, Lost, Qt Found 10c. per line of six word*, Reading notices 10c. per lins, Card pf Thanks 50c. Legal ad­ vertising 12 and 8o. per line, I< Memoriam, with one verse extra verses 25q, each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Professional Cards GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, Money to Loan, Investments Mad* Insurance Safe-deposit Vault for use of our Clients without charge EXETER LONDON * HENSALIi CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, Ac LOANS, INVESTMENTS INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, Main Street* EXETER, ONT. At Lucan Monday and Thursday Dr. G. S. Atkinson, L.D.S.,D.D4L DENTAL SURGEON Office opposite the New Post Offfc* Main St., Exeter Telephones Office 34w House 84J Closed Wednesday Afternoon Dr. G. F. Roulston, L.D.S.,D.D.SL DENTIST Office: Carling Block EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoon DR. E. S. STEINER VETERINARY SURGEON Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College DAY AND NIGHT CALLS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO Office in the old- MCDonell Barn Behind Junes play’s Store EXETER, ONT. JOHN W^RD 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. HIT BY CAR What might have been a more serious accident occurred in. Clinton recently when Newman Paterson was driving along in liis car. Mr. Pat­ erson was driving slowly and wan able to stop the car quickly when fad seen a little lad run Out in front of the car. The boy was knocked down but escaped serious injury. KILLED IN DETROIT MrS. Martin Price, formerly Miss Isaibelle Murch, of Goderich, was in­ stantly killed in ail automobile ac­ cident in Detroit recently. Mrs. Price was driving to a store to do some shopping and as it was raining the car skidded crashing against the curb and turned over. Mrs. Price Went through the top on to the pave­ ment. Besides her husband she leaves two young sons.