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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1942-12-17, Page 9THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE, THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 17th, 194a Secrets in Love by Phyllis Moore Gallagher The Characters as You Meet Them PEG PATTERSON —’ Orphaned ward of Otto Nelson, rich Washing ton broker, who is her godfather and in whose office she is employed. HEWITT GILL—Ambitious sales man in Nelson’s office, who is work ing to acquire a partnership and who professes to love Peg. ANTHONY COVINGTON — State Department attache just home from the Orient. MRS. DEMAREST POLK—Wife of a newly rich Senator. MAIZIE DARTON—Another typist in the brokerage office. East Week’s Action After her “drugstore” dinner and still greatly perturbed because of the garage shooting, Peg goes to the home of her Aunt Mehalie, with whom she lives, and finds Duncan and a visitor. Anthony, to whom she is formally presented. The three young folks decide to go to an Em bassy reception and ride away in Duncan’s little red jallopy. Now Read On CHAPTER IV for aprophecy time tonight,” She had found done a clumsy “I hope this is a rarin', tearin’ good Peg finally laughed, two pins, and had repair job and they had all piled back into the little red jallopy. As they drove on, Peg began to notice that it was she and Duncan who were doing the, talking now. Anthony was silent. 'She turned a little and looked at him from be“ n’eath her long, dark lashes. She saw that his eyes had been on her profile and, all at once, -she was con scious that his arm, so lightly around her shoulders, was trembling a little. But Anthony did not speak until the red jallopy drew up at the curb of Dupont Circle. Duncan got out of the car. He said: “Be right back, folks. Wait a sec, will you?” Nei ther Peg nor Anthony saw that he turned with quick, nervous steps to ward the drug store and into the open telephone booth in the window; that he stood for a long moment, scowling, before he began to dial. For Anthony‘was saying, gravely: ■> “It has just occurred to me that tonight happens to be the most im portant night of my life. That find ing you today and being with you now makes it important, Peg.” Peg lifted her eyelashes and re- - garded him with amused, .blue-black eyes. Then very slowly they lost their amusement and became gently astonished. ‘^Why, you mean that,” she said, softly. “You really mean . . .and somehow I had a feeling that you never quite meant anything you said.” “I mean every word I say,” An thony said, evenly. And then he added, almost furiously: “Oh—■■ damn—everything.” He took his arm away, dug for a silver case and lit a cigarette with a vicious move ment of his hands. Vicious, be cause suddenly he was remembering that he made a lousy salary, that three years ago when he had fin ished foreign service school he had stubbornly disinherited himself from Uncle Nathanial’s millions and had set out to make a diplomatic career for himself. Something Uncle Na thaniel had never thought he’d do, Firmly, on his own feet, without pull, without influence, he had fac ed his new life.' He’d done pretty well, too—until now. “Well,” said Peg, laughing at An thony quite openly. “You needn’t swear and look so horribly upset, After all, I didn’t ask you to make this night important. It was pletely your own idea.” Clouds on the Horizon don’t by any chance think I’m toy ing with the idea of pursuing you, do you? Well, I can assure you I shan’t ...” At that Tony Hung his cigarette out of the on the seat over Peg’s roughly, “Listen,” You’ve got just that • say it, Something happened when I went into that house this after noon and saw you sitting on that sofa with the sunlight slanting across your hair. After you left I tried to tell myself I was screwy . . . thai^. I had dodged too many Jap bombs, that I had lain too often in slimy rice paddies while planes droned above ime. That I had seen too many Chinese faces turn olive-green with fear and had labored over the debris of too many wrecked buildings and held to many lifeless Chinese babies in my arms. was touched in the head was no good, Peg. happened. And when you turned out to be Duncan’s sister I was cer tain. I didn’t want you to come along just yet. Five years from now, maybe six, or seven. Damn it, it's like that, see?” “No,” said peg coldly. “I don’t see. And you’re hurting my arms.” It was true. She didn’t see. What he had said .didn’t make sense. But something else was very clear. An thony Covington was no gay, irre sponsible young man. When he had spoken of China, for a second his eyes had been bayonets, his mouth had slashed downward and his jaw had been a grim knot. She knew that beneath his casual charm; behind the careless brittle things he said, there was a man who had seen death, who had suffered and who would always bear the scar of what he had lived through .... a deadly serious young man. Anthony’s eyes still held hers. “Look here, Peg,” he said, huskily, “forget what I’ve said, will you? Let’s start all over again. We’ll go on to the reception like a couple of normal I’ll try cut out window, turned swiftly and gripped his fingers arm, He shook her he said. “I’m sorry, me all Wrong. It’s—it’s . . I don’t know how to I told myself that I But it Something had they were rigid; she and then the scene com- And when Anthony didn’t answer •but went On smoking, his brows drawn together thoughtfully, Peg said, mockingly: “Perhaps I’d better hot go with you and Duncan, after all. Perhaps when Duncan comes back I’d better ask him to take me straight home , , . ” “It would probably be the (best thing in the world for me,” Anthony told her deliberately. Peg’s dark eyes flashed fire. Sud denly she was not laughing at all. She was furious, Indignant. “You human beings. Afterward, to explain. And look, let’s the fighting. I . . ." Duncan Perturbed He didn’t finish. Duncan climbing back into the car. They both turned and looked at. him in sheer amazement. Anthony said, “You didn’t by any chance go to that drug store for a nice coat of whitewash, did you? You're white as a sheet. What’s up?” “Nothing,” said Duncan, “except the conviction that you need a pair of specs.” He^smiled then. But ‘there was something queer and forced about it. Peg looked at him and bit her lip. So there was something wrong, after all. She hadn’t imagined it. • When they turned into Sixteenth Street, Duncan said: “Shall I drive you two mugs right up to the mar quee or shall we park at a discreet distance and save our respective faces? ' There won’t be many, little red-hot numbers like Miss Suzy-Q at the party, you know.” Peg began to spite of herself, you to go up to And then she Anthony’s arm. 1 of course,” must be. about the most ambiguous bit - of nothing these poor cocker spaniel ears have had to beai’ up under. B>ut I’m a screwball,, too, because I do like you, Anthony.” “Like?” Anthony * said evenly. “That’S ma’am.” with her. “Look, old man, there isn’t any one your sister’s particularly keen about, is there? l'._” — r__ who gives her that mottse-trucking-up-the-spine ittg?” He was speaking In naculai* of their day but .the lightness of his words completely serious and Peg knew.it, Duncan said: up on was laugh. Softly. In She said: “I dare i the door, Duncan.” put her hand on “You’re a screwball, she whispered. “You What you said tonight is i a mighty futile word, His eyes were pleading Then he asked Duncan: No” one particular party her that hot-footed- f del* the ver* beneath he was the girl’s At, tim laughed, .merriment in it. not“Ask her. I’m love life!” . Reception but there wasn’t Keen, She Peg much thought. That Seemed a futile Word, too, for the thing she felt for Hewitt To Those ©ojivalescmg After Severe Illness After many* severe illnesses or serious operations the patient is .very often left in an extremely weak, nervous, run-down condition. „ To all those convalescents who' need some kind of a tonic to stimulate and build up the weakenedsystem. Wo would recommend Milburn s Health and Nerve Pills to assist them back io health—happiness again. Those pills help supply elements necessary to assist the convalescent in bringing back bodily strength and vigour, Price 50o & box, 65 pills, at all drug Counters.' Look for OUr registered trade mark a “Red Heart’ on the package, , Tins T Milbutn Co,, Limited, Toronto, Ont. her lib- Gill. Just being keen about some one couldn’t make his 'lips burn warm and quivering down through hex' whole body, couldn’t awaken hex' in the mornings with star dust in her eyes, couldn’t set her feet dancing to music no one else heard. Peg glanced at her watch. It was nearly 10.30. She sat there staring at the tiny illuminated hands on its face, visualizing Hewitt with that Granville crowd. There would be little wrinkles across his forehead as he talked. She could almost hear the familial' impelling magic of -his voice, “Now, gentlemen, if we’re going to get anywhere at all with these bonds . . ” They were very near the Embassy now. The traffic was dense, Police men shrieked their whistles at them, waved frantically, urging them out of the long line of limousines that blocked the street for several hund red yards. “And that,” said Peg, grinning, “isn’t exactly a subtle in sult, is it?” But the shabby red car sputtered in line to the amazement; of the police and the lookers-on, and rattled up finally under the scarlet canopy. Peg’s eyes opened wide on first diplomatic reception. On a rary where cocktails, vodka and champagne flowed. On buffet*tables in the state dining room, covered with black velvet and heavy silver and strewn with gardenias. On the glass-polished brilliance of a ball room. On famous faces , . . the Sec retary of State, Ambassadors glit tering with decorations, ministers in gold lace and shakos, dowagers a bewildering flash and gleam of diamonds. Anthony whispered: “Not exactly the nursery-school trade, is it, darling.” And swept her out on the gleaming ballroom floor, Another Stranger For the next hour Peg was so busy seeing everything that she didn’t notice the tall, dark young man in a 'Scarlet uniform who seemed to be everywhere that she was. Oc casionally she noticed Duncan and worried about him, Duncan seemed gay. He talked in the same ridicu lous, bantering way. Yet every now and then his face changed utterly, his eyes seemed desperate, not dance with any one. watching, faces. It was ■attention uniform: lit up with the neon lights across his chest . . . one Count Paul Stran yan, professional boudioT eyer . . . seems to be shadowing you, Peg.” Peg noticed the man standing there then. Staring at her with ,.a burn ing and “intimate intensity. Giving her a sudden, strange feeling of. hav ing been touched with possessive fingers, of having been violated, somehow. She could not know then-,, of course, that Count Paul Stranyan would change the course of her whole life. CHAPTER V Peg was dancing with Anthony when she heard the click of heels, the rattle of a saber against boots. A gloved hand touched Anthony’s arm and Anthony,, smiling down into her eyes, turned quickly—and then wasn’t smiling at all. Men very seldom smiled at Count Paul Stran yan. Paul Stranyan had given many a Washington man sleepless nights since taking over his duties at the Embassy, what with their wives— sometimes in high place—and their sweethearts bending irresistably to his desire as grass sways under the wind. The young man bowed profoundly. “Count Paul Stranyan, First Secre tary . . . permit me, please.” His ■heels clicked again. Anthony nod ded his fair head slightly. He said: “Miss Patterson, Count Stranyan.” Then he strode away and Peg was in PauFHtranyan’s arms. Stranyan Was saying: “Forgive me, but I did so long to dance with you. ning. knew. —so I dared. Looked at her in silence that was more eloquent than words. fa sil* ence that told, her She was blondely lovely and shitting to him, that there was d stir in his heart that hadn’t been there for a very ldttg time. Then he said! “I’d like to tell you a superstition, if I may. One that all foreign diplomats in Washington know. You see, if a diplomat walks out the Highway Bridge till lie reaches the very middle and from that point drops a dime into the Po tomac, it is virtually certian that ho will come back to Washington some time lit the future. Four years ago I dropped my dime into the Potomac and now I know why I really want ed to come back, Not because Wash ington is one of the most beautiful, most glamorous, most exciting cities In the world, but because I must have known that you would be here when I got back. A very beautiful you.” Peg said, flushing a little, “I’m afraid your flattery embarrasses me, Count stranyan/’ It was true, She was hopeless ly embarrassed, She had never thought that she possessed any beauty; not even prettiness, really. And tonight, among all these gowns she felt very homespun Indeed. The torn skirt hadn’t helped, either. Another Guest ® Count Paul Stranyan was still talking in that curiously musical voice, But all at once Peg wasn’t hearing him. Suddenly she began to tremble violently and the classic ballroom spun around sickeningly. The crystal chandeliers swung out of focus and all the dancing couples seemed to recede until midgets around her. Her blonde head went closed her eyes, briefly, opened them wide. But had not changed. Hewitt was still standing on the threshhold of the ballroom. He was laughing as she had never seen Hewitt laugh. There was a slim, dark girl with him , , . a beautiful girl in petunia velvet with an infinitesimal ermine bow nestl ed in soot-black curls piled high on her head, never had little bit did. Peg that she was Thalia Polk. knew, with a sick, cold heart, where, tears were falling, that Hewitt* had not gone to Baltimore tonight. That he hadn’t even intended to, Afterward Peg would never re member exactly what Paul Stranyan said. She knew that she had given him her telephone number. That she had said she’d love to go to L’Escargot, “That’s where all the attaches and diplomatic secretaries meet at noon for snails, isn’t Paul Stranyan had said yes, and wondered how she could go breathing when every breath like inhaling .threads of wool. ' Over Stranyan’s shoulder watched Hewitt and Thalia. A girl of wealth, who had to work, who would, be a patronizing to girls who knew, without ibeing told, And she she Hewitt throwing back his dark head and laughing at something Thalia said; Hewitt bantering with a group of uniformed men who surged up to take Thalia away and Thalia shak ing her dark head in a definite little Hewitt sweeping Thalia out on him. than Too He did' He_kept the doors, searching the Anthony who called her to the man in the scarlet “That guy over ’there, all I have followed you all eve- You spoke with no one. I I .had no way to meet you ” He paused a moment. no. the floor' and holding her to Doing something a little more dancing. Holding her close, close. Peg was like two people in moment: one with an impulse to run; or to crawl off into some dark corner; another who went on danc ing with Paul. Stranyan, talking to him, even smiling. * “I’ve never eat en a snail, but I suppose I could.” (To be continued) NEW IDEAS FOSTER SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS At Christmas time ideas are more important than ever—amusing ideas to keep minds from too stern reali ties; clever ideas to make money- saving a pleasure; ideas to stress the old, old Christmas and reverence and gay erings. Get into the family old-fashioned Christmas with helping — “deck the hall boughs of holly,” log, let the yule log become a centre piece decoration for the table. Use evergreens, red berries, pine cones, acorns for that home-made Christmassy look. Grandmother’s festoon of green cedar boughs tied with a big red bow still holds more genuine Christmas spirit than ■the most expensive artificial decor ations. But if your family demands a change from the boo-familiar, sug gest they invent decorations. Maybe they want a red, white and blue Christmas. Red bam paint and blu ing are still cheap, F'oy packages, for mantelpieces— think how many everyday things are already white, red or iblue, or how easily things may be enameled -or dyed. Paint or dip pine cones, sticks and dark things in enamel or show card colors. Dye pipe-cleaners, lit tle fluffy feathers, dried grasses. A package with, red, white and blue feathers tied in with a bow, a Christmas tree decorated solely wjth. balls of cotton, bright red, white and blue—they can’t be beat. Strew white and blue stars around; decorate with candy canes crossed safoenvise and tied with a ibug blue bow. Make huge imitation candles of mailing tube or stove pipe or logs, covered as you please. They are fine for outside the door or by the fireplace. Whatever you do, hide your solem nity with old-fashioned simple gai ety . . . make it a seriously impor tant family Christmas! PREPARE YOUR PLUMBING FOR WINTER FROST As in meeting any other the best plan of defence frost bitten plumbing is to bulletin of the Canadian In enemyj against attack, •spirit of joy family gath- spirit of an all the hall with bring in the yule If you have no fireplace, then .says a stitute of Plumbing and Heating In jWhich make i against frost unawares. First, the rTurn them off but make sure they | drain dry. The best way to do this I is to turn off the valve that leads 'to these outlets while the water is running. Then, just to make sure there is no water left In the pipes, leave the .faucets or taps open. Qlose them in a day or two. Insulation now may save plumb ing bills later, says the Institute, Obviously, the spots most in need of insulation against frost are those against outside walls. Because most lavatory, tub and sink installations are placed to provide for maximum daylight, these facilities are most frequently beneath outside winM ■ dows. Another point fro watch is that radiatoi' that had been turned off because the fireplace keeps the room warm enough. That radiator is a menace. Either -have it removed or drained or keep it active. Other wise it’s liable to freeze one night and cause more trouble than can well be imagined by anyone who hasn’t been through that particular experience! All in all,‘says the Institute, you can’t go wrong by asking your plumber in to give advice and to do what’s necessary. Then you know you’re secure,. Get your local plumbing and heating contractor to help you plan for and estimate the cost of running water installation you will one day •have, advises the Institute. Then, through regular investment in War Savings stamps, bonds, true. householders are urged to all necessary precautions before it catches them garden water outlets. Here's fluids Belief front OlUlll DAIII dlHllv nUH S-Purpospe Medicine Helps Ouf CGiigested Sinus Areas one best way to get relief from torture Ing sinus pain is to clear congestion from nasal passages and give ihnuw a chance to drain. A few drops of Vicks Va-tro-nol in each nostril M usually enough to bring tills comfort ing relief. 'Va-rtrownoi Is iso. ^'■PIMroSJf successful be- O ItfOIONIB causeitdoestee impOTtentthings: (1) slirinlcs swollen membinnes of the nose; (2) helps clear out pain-causing congestion and (3) soothes irritation. yS Many .sinus suf* ferers say it’s best wiSsK.® relief they've vuiMUiMl found. Try it! WwliW Haskett—Deimage Centennial United church London was the scene of a pretty wedding when Mrs. Catherine W. Deimage, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ritchi®. Of that city, was united ip marriage to Calvin H. Haskett, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Haskett, of Lucan, The pas tor, Rev, R. T. Richards, officiated.. The bride, given in marriage by her father, chose a navy tailored suit with white accessories and navy blue hat. A pair of silver fpx furs and a corsage of Johanna Hill roses com pleted her ensemble. Mrs. Charles Morley attended as matron of honor and Clayton Haskett, of Goderich, was best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at Wong’s* Cafe and later the bride and groom left for Windsor and Detroit. They will reside in Fort Erie. THOMPSON—HARTRY Lovely in her all-white gown and veil, Helen Margaret Hartry on Sat urday afternoon became the bride of Lieutenant William Stevely Thomp son, in a charming ceremony at the Church of St.John the Evangelist, London. Rev. C. W. Foreman offic iated, assisted by Rev. Wi H. Robarts of Petrolia. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mrs. Russell B. Hartry of Petrolia and the late Dr. Hartry of Fort Frances. T.he bridgroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Thomp son, North London. Mrs. Thompson was formerly Mrs. Birdie Boyle of Exeter. The bride was given in mar riage by Rev. H, V. Workman, Sea forth. Her graceful floor-length gown was of lustrous white satin with in sets of rose point lace. Over it fell a full-length veil of frosty white illus ion from a tiara of the same rich lace. The bride’s flowers were a shower of white carnations, white roses and bouvardia. Miss Dorothy Hartry, R.N., Kitchener, was her sis ter’s maid of honor, wearing white taffeta. •She carried a big ’fluff’ of il lusion in the same glowing shade, centred with fern and. white cycla men flowers. The bridesmaids, Miss Nancy Tillson and Miss Shirley Thompson, wore similar frocks of taffeta in hibiscus shade with shir red halos trimmed with large illu sion bows. Their fluffs were of white illusion centred with cyclamen. Little Loma Paterson, Detroit, was flower girl in a white| taffeta Grenaway frock and White bonnet With hibiscus tips and streamers. The groomsman waS Cdptaln Morgan Meagher, Otta wa. Warrent Officer Neil Rose and Flight-Lieutenant Douglas Peacock were ushers. The couple left to spend a short honeymoon at the Seignory 0,lub at Quebec, before taking up, re sidence in Kingston, ANKLE BROKEN Chimney and Santa reported that Santa’s custom •Certificates and just see that dream come ■that telephone MSPEwW »»•: ► HOTELS W LOCATE?) ► EAST Tonks: I passed Mr. Nerwich in the street yesterday and he refused to recognize me. Thinks I’m not his equal, I expect.” Jinks: “Of course you are. Why, he’s nothing but a conceited idiot!”'ter in. It is of coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve stems from an old English notion—that sweeping down the chimney at New Year’s was nec essary so that good luck could en- RATES ♦I 50 #2-5.0 Reg Finlayson, li2-yeaf-old Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lome Finlayson, of Tuckersmith, while on his Way home from attending school at S.S. Nd. 3 Tttckersmith, met With a very sari’* ous and painful accident. With his skates on, he jumped on the back of a buggy to get a ride, and In some a skate became caught in the spokes of a wheel while In motion, with the result that his leg at the ankle was broken in two places. He was taken to Scott Memorial Hospital, Sea* forth, where the fracture was re duced. In waters where you least think I it there will be a fish. Long distance lines are carrying an all-time record load. War is on tlie wires! Can we add the usual load of Christmas calls and still assure prompt Completion of vital wartime messages? The answer is “Impossible!” — for war Won’t take a holiday! Please don’t make your usual Christmas Greeting calls this year! If you feel you must. let far-away friends hear your voice, then call them a few days before or a few days after Christmas* Even at Christmas war calls should come first. And our boys and girls calling home from camps all over the country will be delayed and disappointed unless you avoid your usual Christmas telephoning. War needs the wires you’d like to Use ■for Clirmtmas calls. ’•Buy War Savings Stamps and Certificates Regularly”J. F. ROLFE