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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1944-03-09, Page 7THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 9, »~M X NEW SERIAL STORY .?...• ut A F1V r>T?rT'rT‘I7^ l_^xV.U X Jt)IL1 A JcL LETTER BQX j Cpl. Vernp L. Christie writes an interesting land: letter from Newfound- by JOHN CAPITOE C-A.P.Q. No, 4, r.C.A.F., Newfoundland, and Pad:—* THE STORY THUS FAR: The terms of Bette Varq’s aunt’s Will stipulated that Bette must live for two years as the ward of the Parker family.- At the end of that time both she and Mrs- Parker will receive $200,000. If she marries flefore that time is up/'both will reecive the money immediately, Mr, Parker’s business needs money, so Bob proposes but she refuses him. She has fallen in love with Michael Kane, Clare Parker’s fiance. Her in­ stinctive dislike of Clare is vindi­ cated when she discovers Clare kissing Verne Mallory, a young at­ torney, She says nothing, fearing to hurt Michael. Her friend, Stella Brooks, is in love with Mallory, CHAPTER VIII “You should know more about it than I,” she said. Her eyes clung to his for a moment, fascinated, drawn. And then she too was .look­ ing into the fire, trying to control her trembling lips. Her hands were clenched tightly together, to still their trembling. Had he read her secret in her eyes? “So you "think I should know more about it than you, Bette?” he said in that same toneless voice. She nodded, and Michael looked at her lovely profile, as if he had never seen it before. It seemed to him very necessary to know what was going on behind those deep, shining eyes. His face softened a little. “Tell me, Bette,” his voice was insistent, “I want to/know if you agree with Mrs. Parker.” She said softly. “Yes, I think she is right.” His hand touched hers, and was quickly withdrawn. Yet the brief contact thrilled her, left her breath­ less, filled with a sense of exalta­ tion. “Yes, Michael,” she whispered, staring blindly into the fire, “love is the greatest thing.” They heard Clare’s voice in the hallway, hard and plaintive. Mir chael’s voice sounded suddenly, and it was cold and harsh: “Love is a trap, a snare for fools!” ♦ Bette heard Michael get to his> feet and felt an icy numbness touch her heart. It seemed to her that his emotions beat at her like fists, and she bit her lip to hold back her cry of protest. How could he speak so harshly of something that was beautiful, of the white magic that made people more than human, of this thing that was like a song in her heart! “No, Michael!” The cry came from the depths of her heart. “You didn’t mean that. I know you didn’t mean it—!” He was scowling blankly at the floor; lines of bitterness showed in his face. “Sorry, Bette,” he said huskily. “I did mean it, but—well, I can’t explain. You wouldn’t understand.” She heard voices and raised her eyes to see Mr. Parker enter the room, .accompanied by Bo.b. Bob’s “Hi, Mike!” was as gay as usual. Mr. Parker’s greeting was less boisterous, but no less hearty. “Glad to see you, Michael.” His voice was harshly genial. “Clare will be here in a minute. She has to put on an extra coating of pow­ der when she learns you are here.” He laughed noisily at his own hu­ mor. He and Bob seated themselves before the fire, and Michael sank down beside’ Bette again. She stole a glance at him and saw that he Was calm again,/ though his face wad rather pale. He Was looking at Mr. Parker, “I’m opening my camp oh Lake Weiralottg next Monday,” he said arid his voice sounded strange to Bette. “I want all of you to come np there for the Week. It’s Warm enough now for swimming.” “Bounds swell to me!” Bob cried, and Mr. (Parker nodded approving­ ly. Michael spoke further, but Bette’s mind refused to interpret his words. She was conscious only of what he She was conscious only of What he had said before the other came— “Love is a trap, a snare for fools!” She saw Clare swing into the room, heard her “Helio, darling!” directed at Michael, and the phrase Was a fresh paiii in her hear. Mi­ chael waS defininfely troubled, yet he apd Glare, iBette realized, Would certainly marry, There was no escape for him-—for herself,, Bob Was repeateing Michael’s in­ vitation to Clare, and the girl look­ ed bored. '*1 really don't care much for the country,” Clare said rather crossly. She caught her father’s frowning1 glance and smiled langorousiy at Michael, “However, I guess I can Stand it for a week, darling.” Bette didn’t know when Michael left. She raised blank eyes pres­ ently to find that she and Bob were alone in the room. Bob was look­ ing at her anxiously. “You are awfully pale, Bette, Shall I get you a drink?” She shook her head. “It’s noth­ ing, Bob,” she whispered. But knew it was a lie. Thoughts shuttled feverishly across her mind. She seemed to see Mrs, Parker’s pale face, now always ridden with a look of anxious bewilderment. She thought numbly, “I could make her happy again, and yet I have re­ fused to do so, Am I selfish? Is love really the finest thing in the world, or is there something greater still—charity?” She smiled faintly up into Bob’s anxious face, “Sit down, Bob,” she invited, pat­ ting the sofa beside her, “I want to ask you a peculiar question.” He sank down beside her, his questioning eyes on her face. He said quietly, “I’m beginning to believe that I don’t know the answers to the simplest questions, Bette, but I’ll do my best.” “Are you opposed to divorce, Bob?” she asked. I-Iis astonished eyes probed her face, and then he shrugged. “Not on principle, Bette. Why do you ask?” “If I agree to marry you, Bob,” she asked steadily, “will you agree to give me a divoi’ce as soon as your mother has received her money?” Bob took her hand in his, patting it gently. He was silent for a long moment, and then he nodded. “That solves one problem, dear,” he said huskily. He smiled wryly. “But I’m afraid I'm not going to enjoy our divorce, Bette.” Sunday afternoon. They were all in the drawing-room, the Parker family and Bette. Bob had collected them singly, looking very mysterious and very pleased, for he had secret ideas about that divorce. Now he stood in the center of thfi room, his gentle glance roving >ver them. “Come, 'Bob!" Mr. Parker said impatiently. “You disturbed my nap, and I want to know the reason— instantly!” Bob grinned at him, then looked at Clare who maintained a sullen silence in a chair by a window. Mrs. Parker and Bette were seated on the sofa, and Bette knew that her face was burning. She hated this, but apparently it was necessary. “It gives me great pleasure," he grinned broadly—“to announce the engagement and impending mar­ riage, of Miss Bette Vare of Archer, South Carolina, and . . He paused for a moment, obviously delighted by their open-mouthed astonisn- ment . . .“and Robert Edward Par­ ker of Richville, Pennsylvania.” He bowed. “Am I a lucky guy, or am 1 a lucky guy?” Bette couldn't see very clearly because of her misted eyes. Mrs. Parker’s arm was about her. Bette blinked rapidly, looked at the older woman’s happy face, and was glad. “I’m delighted, dear!” Mrs. Par­ ker choked, and Bette felt a sudden sense of guilt. What would Vera Parker think, she wondered, if she were told that the wedding was to be followed within a year by a di­ vorce? She shook off the thought. Any­ way, they would be relieved of financial worries, and Ml’S. Parker would be content because her be­ loved family was safe and secure. Mr. Parker was leaning over her/ patting her shoulder, his delight showing plainly in his thin features. “My dear child,” he sputtered, and his voice for* once held no harsh­ ness, "this is the best news' Fye heard in ages!” Clare was standing at his shoul­ der. She regarded Bette with mail1 clous eyes. “Congratulations, darling!” she said coldly, “I had no idea you two were carrying on a love affair under oui\ blind eyes.’’ Her tone gave the words a vicious meaning. Bette’s eyes followed Glare as site left tile rom, and realized that- something fiiie ill her had died. The Kane place oft Lake Wief- aioiig was a camp in name only, The lodge Was a rambling- one- storied affair with wails of peeled spruce. The combination living aftd dining room was thirty feet lohg by hfllf as wide. There Were enough bedrooms to accommodate a dozen guests. A dense woods pressed in on tltjtoc c* iLw front of it, the lake was a turquoise mir-, ror, some two miles across: A dock built on pilings extended fifty feet cut; into the lake. Seated in«frpnt of a dressing table of brushed bronze and shining glass in her room overlooking the Jake, Bette was trying to listen to her chattering roommate, Stella Brooks, Both had been delighted when they found that they were to share a room during the week. She saw Stella's race reflected in the mirror above her ndrk eyes shining, dark hair a rrame ior her laughing face. She was touched by pity for this girl who loved Verne Mallory, who, in turn, loved Glare Parker. “I don’t belive you’ve heard a word I said,” Stella laughed, She placed her hands on Bette’s shoul­ ders and shook her gently. Her face sobered. “Sometimes I say things that are awfully important, so you should listen to me,” Bette smiled at her, trying to overcome her feeling of depression. She had dreaded this week at the Kane camp; had thought, indeed, of refusing to go. But Mrs. Parker and Bob had insisted, and, rather than hurt them, she had consented to fall in with their plans. She dreaded seeing Micliael again; it seemed to her at times that she could not bear seeing him every day for seven long days. She wondered if he knew that she and Bob were engaged. She glanced at a tiny clock on the dressing table, and got to her feet. At thafe moment a go.ny sounded in the front of the house. “That gong means food,” Stella anirounced happily; “and am I starved!” Seated between Bob and Mr. Parker at the dining table in the big-beamed living room, Bette felt her gloomy forebodings melting away. Everyone was so jolly it was impossible to feel depressed. (To Be Continued) Try Our Classifieds—They Pay’ OBTAIN THEM « AT YOUR HYP RO S HOP decorations and gifts. Also much credit is due the mess staff, who worked long hjard flours, to make this meal and all Others sp good. In less than half an hour approxi­ mately ten girls -served 700-80 0 men and women( the officers car­ ried it to the tables) the girls seiv ve<j the food. Everyone admits the chefs and their assistants do more work than anybody in the Air Force. Menu cards were prepared and roast turkey, cranberry sauce, plum pudding, etc., were all on, There is nothing more they could have done to make it more homey; in fact I don’t think any other station—yes. or restaurant—served any better meal and had a more homey atmos­ phere than ours had. Next to home this would be my choice, You should have received our magazine, “The Gander,” by now. 'Well, the wires are slowing down apd that means all the news for now. Lovingly, Verne. Corporal Christie, L. L., C.A.P.O. No. 4, R.G.A.F., Newfoundland. FAST ACTION HELPS PREVENT MANY COLDS From Developing Right at Start At the first sign.of a, .cold, put g few drops of Va-fro-nol up each nostril. Its stimulating action aids Nature's defenses against colds..And remember—when a head cold makes yog suffer, or transient conges­ tion "fills up’’ nose, spoils sleep, 3-PUr- pose Va-tro-nol gives valuable help as it (I) shrinks swollen membranes, (2) relieves irritation, ' (3) helps flush out jgk nasal passages, S-W clearing clogging VICKS^LA? mucus. Enjoy the relief it brings. VA'TRGrllUL Pear Mom As. I start my sixth month here J feel more at home in Newfoundland and In fact I like it here although I wouldn’t refuse a posting in Can­ ada. Last night I went to the show “I pood It" and I never laughed -so much in a show before; really Red Skelton is a riot and clean cut jokes too. I the Ed. quite well, Ed lives only a couple | way. I knew Eli had been drafted of miles from Mac’s home at Ripley'to H.M.C.S. Cornwallis, Deep Brook, and knew him when he was going ;N.S, to school, Ed. has gone home on leave today. In one of the articles in .my Science News Letter there is is a report on medicine research by Dr. T. H. Seldon of Mayo—obviously) Harry Seldon, 1-Ie is applying the blood powder from red salvaged from plasma to speed wound healing it in on the wound. These Sunday nights I have been taking in the Discussion Groups, sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. here, for they are very well conducted. F/L, Griffiths is speaking on “The Free Press." He is a former reporter for a Toronto newspaper. was surprised to find one of boys I know here quite well, Courtney, knew Rev. McTavish I ( blood cells production, by dusting Last week algo brought me nearer to home on two occasions. Saturday I met a youn, was also who A ficer class and I finally consented. There were 33 enrolled the first night. These are divided into two classes. The beginners and those more ad­ vanced. I mentioned Doug was being post­ ed, so now J am in charge of the of­ fice. There are four in our office who neither smoke nor drink. We have a jolly bunch and have more fun than any other section. g man who a former classmate at Shaw’s; met Cpl. Currie, of London, had married an Exeter girl, week ago the Educational Of- asked me to take a typing There are now 150 Yorkshire pigs being fed on the station here ■Fresh eggs and egg powder are im­ possible to get from Canada now. •Newfoundland is the thermometer for any shortage. I guess the de­ mand for eggs has multiplied since rationing was instituted. 'One of the current headaches with the pay office is the shortage of silyer in Newfoundland. Last pay parade they only gave paper money as the bank could not supply change. I don’t see why they couldn’t issue shin-plasters, like they used to do and put the silver to more vital uses. Our pay office hag requested everybody who has more than a “dollar” in silver, to turn it in to them in exchange for bills. A corporal, who was going to a nearby station, called on ine yester­ day and told me he had been travel­ ling companion with Eli from Mont­ real to Moncton, N-.B. I sure had a great surprise to hear from Eli that I enjoyed the “Times” very much and especially the column from No- 9; it must be one of the most ac­ tive stations in Canada. Also was much interested in Don Winer’s letter from India. Christinas This is Christmas night and quite a splash for the station. At noon to­ day we had our dinner served in typical air force style. The tables wore all set in banquet style with taplecloths, napkins, silverware, etc- As soon as everyone was seated the orchestra played the Doxology and the padre said the blessing (for which we stood). Then the Officers served the different courses. As we left they handed out oranges and as­ sorted nuts. The orchestra played all through the meal. Many of the boys worked all night decorating the mess hall and completely camouflaged the in­ terior with streamers, bells, wreaths and a Christmas tree with lights, KILLED OVERSEAS Mrs. William Davidson, of Varna, has received word that her nephew, Pilot Officer Marshal Jones, 26 years of age has been killed in ac­ tion overseas. He is the son of A, E. Jones and the late Mrs, Jones, of Moose Jaw, Sask. He was born in Moose Jaw and enlisted there in June, 1941. He trained at Trenton, going overseas September, 1942. His brother, Pilot Officer Maurice Jones, was killed in a plane crash in England in November, 1943, when his plane collided with an­ other plane. Their mother died in August, 1943. “So you have married the queen of your heart?” “Yes, and today she made the first speech from the throne." TUNE IN Old Fashioned Revival Houk CHARLES P.O. Box 123 Zone 53, 7-8 p.m., E.D.S.T. PILGRIMS' Hour S-3 p.m. E.D.S.T. Mutual Network SUNDAYS Local Station CKLW WINDSOR E. FULLER — Los Angeles California «Itching, Burning, . Eczema or Salt Rheum Eczema, or salt rheum as it is commonly called, is one of the most painful of all skin troubles. * The intense burning, itching and smarting, espe­ cially at night, or when the affected part is exposed to heat, .or the hands placed in hot water are most un­ bearable, and relief is gladly welcomed. . The relief offered by Burdock Blood Bitters is based on the knowledge that stlch. ailments as eczema, and other skin troubles, are caused by an impure blood condition. Bring about inner cleanliness by using B. B. B. to help cleanse the blood of its impurities. Ask at any drug counter for B. B. B. Price SI .00 a bottle. The T. Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont. This is your | fl vehicle stamp* ♦ 1944 motor GET YOUR 1944 MOTOR VEHICLE It renews Your 1944 motor vehicle permit is now ready. Good citizenship and good sense tell you to get it now. Take good care of your 1943 plate. "Wartime re­ strictions require that you use it for another year. Your motor vehicle permit fee remains the same. With your 1944 motor vehicle permit there will be issued a windshield stamp such as that illustrated. The display of this stamp will validate the use of your 1943 plate. 1944 drivers’ licenses are now available and should be secured at once. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Do you know that both your motor vehicle permit and driver’s license will be automatic cally suspended until you file proof of financial responsibility if you are convicted of a violation of the law following an accident? You may find an insurance policy difficult to secure then. It is better to drive safely and avoid accidents than to find yourself unable to drive at all, GEO. B DOUCETT, Minister of Highways •rm 1 v' /