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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1944-12-28, Page 7louis flRTUliRcunninGHflm CHAPTER XII TOE TIMES.ADVPCAT6, EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MQRNINU, RECEMBER M JW4 Pago 7 A few weeks later, toward eve­ ning, just as they were, finishing the evening meal, those at Philibert heard the raucous tocsin, the croak­ ing music -pf the horn pn the station wagon that had more lives than a whole family pf cats, “Roger,”’ cried Ppi Martin. "It is Roger returning.” And the excellent peach pudding that was the dessert that night and even streaming room and the crowd welcome, tp hold him in her arms, to weep a little as she saw the look on his face when Meridel came to him and put her arms about his neck and kissed him. "I always like to return at twi­ light," he said, mounting the steps with Pol Marfin and Rosine on his shoulders. "It has always seemed to me the best time fpr^a home- coming, I don’t know why, maybe the cheery lights and the warm fire and—ah, it is good to be back!” His gaze had scarcely once strayed from Meridel, His eyes had a hungry look in them. He laughed and talked and made the children laugh at his nonsense, but when they had all trooped off to bed, he stretched wearily in his chair and closed his eyes. "Just,” he explained, "so that I may open them and see you all about me. It has been so long.” His hand reached out and touched' Meridel’s where she sat close to him, "This is real,” he said as if to himself. "All of it—real. Anu you. are going to be with me always. I thought sometimes I that my held—it was at once forgotten, madame joined the exodus from the dining made her way through on the steps to bid him teeth that were misbehaving this night. "Perhaps he won't now, What in God’s name ‘does he mean by skulking out there in the dark- ' . . - - - - ‘ +£ i’n ago; I'll Shoulders, devil opt the right Meridel. should nevex* return to you, luck would run out. But it has held so far.” "You have done well, said madame. “We read exploits, saw your picture paper and that.” He waved his hand. "We do reason why, madame. When are doing the things they praise us; for, they do not seem of great im­ portance, and when the world finds them so—well, we are puzzled. Tell me, was there ever any more word '■ about Michel?” "Nothing,” said madame. “Re­ cently we read that his friend, Kehl, was arrested by the American po­ lice, along with some dozens of others and held on charges of espi­ onage. Perhaps he was among them. I do not know, Roger.” “Strange. Well, I shall give it up as one of the riddles of the age. To­ morrow, Meridel, I want to go shop­ ping with you. I want to buy you things—a ring—the loveliest ring, I want to see it on your finger, then I shall begin to think you really belong to me.” In the busy weeks that followed Roger seemed to get as much en­ joyment as Meridel or madame out of the -multifarious preparations for the wedding. He was on hand tlw evening in March when Meridel was to try on the wedding dress. “It is lovely,” said Roger, gazing at her as, like a young -princess soon to be a queen, she walked with stately step toward him. “So lovely—yet not half lovely enough foi' hei’ who wears it.” “You find me beautiful then, monsieur?” “So very beautiful, Meridel.” He came from the big window in the living room, where he had been sit­ ting, and bent to her and kissed lxer upraised lips. “Ml”' 1r'wc’ ” k*3 whispered. “So bride.” He saw only with Rudolph, Mademoiselle __ Mimi Fabre’s ageless eyes glimpsed the 'face that for a moment came close to the windowpane and then was gone. It was Roger who first noticed the pallor of her parchment skin, the whiteness of her lips, the way her hands trembled, "Tante Mimi!”'He hurried to her but she brushed “Are you ill? Is She tightened bony fingers on stick. “It is nothing,” “Nothing. Just a little weakness. I shall go to my, room and rest for a while. No, I do not Want any­ one to conie with me. I would be alone.” Madame went slowly tip the stairs to her room. Hei* step was firm, though her heart beat so hard that it pained her breast. She walked to the window ahd looked Oht for a few moments. She could tell that he was there; she could almost feel his eyes looking up at her out of jthe blackness. For only an instant *she hesitated, then she lifted her hand and beckoned to him, “He never before obeyed me,” she muttered, tinkering with her Roger,” of your in this not we ness, peering in at windows! PH- she clutched at her stick do " lay I’ll of thing- She watched the doorknob turn slowly, the door as slowly open. But he entered quickly, without a sound, closed it behind him and turned the ■key. He flung his haf deftly at a chair in the corner and grinned as it landed safely. He wore a trench coat, a white scarf, fils hair was redder even that she remembered it. He smiled at her and said qui­ etly, “For once, ’ Tante Mimi, I obeyed you. I was about to go of? into the cold dark windswept night, as they say in tbP books, when 1 saw your light go on and youi’ still lovely figure standing in the win­ dow. Whexi you beckoned to hesitated only briefly; then I just to say hello—and then by.” The black eyes, hawk’s bright and gleaming, never left his face. Every inch, of it they studied —the long jaw, the stubby nose and wide mouth, the blue eyes in which the devil danced even as in h«* own. His shoulders bulked huge in­ side the blue coat. He was tallei* than Roger. He looked, she thought, like soiue Milesian king of old. Give him a winged helmet, a jerkin of chain mail, a battle-ax— “Oberlieutenant Faber,” she said. He clicked his heels and bowed stiffly, his face like something grav­ en in stone. Then all the disguise dropped from him in a moment and the eyes sparkled again. He gave her a neat “Your mistake, Michel Fabre, of ligence.” "Michel!” ghe what I used to long this across his thick knock some of the him. If i had done •all,* there 1" me I came good­ eyes, salute and said, madame—Captain the Birtish Intel- had not made a step before he had her in his arms, picking her up. as if she were a child, kissing her ajxd pressing his rough cheek against hers. After a moment he let her down and led hex* to the armchair. He stood above her, looking soberly at her. Then he sat in a chair facing her. “I fooled you, didn't I?” "Not—oh, not for long.” “You mean you were fooled but you wouldn’t admit it. No disgrace, you know. I’ve fooled even clever­ er and deadlier ones than you. A whole crew of them are behind bars now because they were fooled. You just wanted, to believe in me, didn’t you?” "Yes, Michel.” The old eyes were fond. “You wer» always a devil, but I always loved you.” "Gently, darling. Don’t go all soft on me now.” "I could have killed you when—• when you struck your brother.” “Do you think I loved it? I .had never hated my job so much as I did that night. But mark this, if I hadn’t poked old Roger one, Kehl would have shot him dead. I had to do it; “Something like that came to me afterward, when I tried to think it all out. But there were so many many. Martin "My love,” he soon to be my Meridel. So it was with the Ibirdlike Corbin; only old his arm away, there something the grip of her the knob of her she said. EftUW»OBr*Y* "The children looked ip. the hut and saw Bonhomme Fricot, as they thought, .planes caught j "And they wept for Bbnhqmme Fricpt. St. Co mo­ thers. I've beeji some queer things ,ln xny time, duchess—” "I can believe it,” The old lady’s eyes were admiring now, He was her boy, Michel, He was a great man, a brave man. He did work Of the greatest importance. A cap­ tain, no less. A British agent, Cap­ tain Michel Fabre, “What happened after you left St. Como, Michel? How did you land here?” "It was all planned. I got self captured by the British was shipped to England. My chiefs had been praying for such a chance as was given to us then:—my knowledge of German, Heidelberg, even the saber cut. Sa- pristi! It was as if made to order. They put me next to Manfred Kehl. I stayed next tp him all the way to Canada. Together* we engineered the escape. Philibert was the near­ est place we cpuld get a car. The only time I weakened was when I knew that I had to come here.- I hated that, Tante Mimi. You will never know how much I loathed it, To see you all aftei’ so long, and to see the look on your faces—well, it was my job. I had to do it. In the States Kehl took me to the people we were seeking. They are now in jail, So is he,” "You’re a fine boy, Michel, A splendid boy. Now—” the old la­ dy's voice was very soft and gentle —now why, after coming to Phili­ bert tonight, were you going away without a word to me or to any­ one?” "Well, I—” he fidgeted in his chair. His cheek* grew red. There was nothing now of Oberlieutenant Faber; he wag euly a boy whose cherished secret is found out. “All these explanations,” he mumbled, damned rot. I planned , lying dead. Then came over and the fire—” the hut I liad a job to do around •hence the masquerade my- and own just “A lot of to write to you or—or see“you lat­ er.” “Captain ned at him slyly, ----. , try to fool your old aunt, you?” Michel smiled resignedly. “I know it’s no use. If you must know —and you know it anyway—I did not want to horn in on Roger’s wed­ ding. You see, I—”"You happen to be in love with the girl he is about to marry." The blue eyes met her bright stare steadily, "Yes,” he said. “And she is in love with He shook his head. “Oh, not in love with rnd.” “But I tell you I know she—” "I am no fool, madame. If she in love with me, how things—there are still so Those little children, Po’ and Rosine, started it—” “Ah, the little Morpins. member those cute little monkeys in St. Como in France, during the blitz. I used to have rare fun with them.” "You used to—but they hated you! They found your picture on my dresser and the little girl knocked it down and stamped upon it one day.” "Eh! Oh, I see what you mean. They were stamping on Oberlieu­ tenant Fabre. It was Bonhomme Fricot they used to like so much. I taught them that old rondeau we used to sing when we were kids. You know—Boiisoir, Nigaud. Bon- soir, Fricot—-grand song.” "How could you be Oberlieuten- ant Faber and Bonhomme Fricot both, Michel? They saw you go into the old man’s cottage, heard shots, saw you come out—and you wert# laughing. That was what they hat­ ed.” "The devil! They were around the hut that day then! I have it now, You see it was like this: The parachutist they saw go into the hut was not the ohe they saw come out.” “You mean that you—-” “I mean that he was going to pop me off with liis Luger, so I popped him With mine. I had to get out of there anyway and that poor devil seemed to be sent right from heaven. I cut off a lot of hair and whiskers, changed outfits with him and left the hut, And yes, I guess I was smiling, I even had the Iron Gross.” I re- is Fabre.” Madame grin- "You wouldn't w'ould ff dark gravely. does she the altar is happen to be going up steps with Roger?”" "You were always a mule, Michel. You just fooled us all—■” "No you! I didn't fool . I? You went on believing fn me, you not?” (To Be Continued) James St. Afternoon Auxiliary The Christmas .meeting of the Aftprnooh Auxiliary was held ou Thursday, Pecembei' I4th in tha church basement which was xiicely deeprgted with the 0hristuiaa col­ ors of green and red. The opening hymn "It came upon the Midnight Clear” was sung followed by a siioj’t prayer by the president,* Mrs. Southcott who then called upon Mr. Irwin to install the officers for 1945. A short hymn, of consecration was sung and Mr. Irwin then in­ stalled the officers in a very im­ pressive service, followed with a very delightful solo entitled "Have You Ever Geen the 3tar.” The secretary read the min­ utes of the November meeting. The treasurei’’s report followed with a good account of increased givixigs. Roll call was answered by thirty members, The Christian Steward­ ship report read by Mrs, Armstrong stressed «..the need for increased giving. Satisfactory reports were given by other convenors. An exec­ utive Jrd. then then with theme for* the Christmas meeting was “We bring our gifts to Jesus” and beginning with hymn 57 and prayer by Mrs, Cook then hymn 47 and Mrs. Cook read from the Christmas leaflet entitled 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” Some extracts from it are as follows Christmas means the love of God to man, also the love of man to man. Heaven has been defined as "the place where it is always Christmas eve.” This means that if we could only feel as kindly and friendly tp other folk all the year round as we do on Christ­ mas Day we should be a good deal nearei* the Kingdom than we to-day. Mrs. Southcott interesting reading “The Seven Gifts” Mrs. V. Armstrong, Mrs. Mrs. Cook after Let us Adore Him.” then read a very interesting Christ­ mas story which ended with "Rut Christ first on your Christmas shopping list.” The meeting closed with the singing of hymn 362. The following are the officers: President, Mrs. J. M. Southcott; 1st vice-pres., Miss H. Monteith; 2nd vice-pres., Mrs, Wm. Cook; 3rd vice-pres., Mrs. A, B. Irwin. Rec. Sec’y, Mrs. C. E. Zurbrlgg; 'Corr. Sec’y, Mrs. S. McFalls; Treas., Mrs. E. Stone; Ass’t Treas., Mrs. Harvey Perkins; Lit. Sec’y, Mrs. Hy. Del- bridge; Christian Stewardship Sec’y Mrs. C. W. Christie; Missionary Monthly Sec’y, Mrs. M. Heywood; Community Friendship Sec’y, Mrs. M. Horney; Temperance -Sec’y, Mrs. A. B. Irwin; Press Reporter, Miss H. Monteith; Mite Box Sec’y, Mrs. E. J. Ghapton; Assoc. Helper’s Sec’y, Mrs. M. Snell; Baby Band Supt., Mrs. C. Frayne; Supply Com. Conv., Mrs. L. Kyle; Pianist, Mrs. Wm. Pybus; Ass’t Pianist, Mrs. M. Snell; Mission Circle Supt., Miss F. Group Horney Mrs. Murdock meeting is called for January Some items of business were disposed of. Mrs, Cook's group took charge of the meeting Mrs. Cook in the chair, The KIRKTQN Mr. and Mrs. Harry Greason and family, of London, were week-end guests with Mr. and Mrs. Milton Gregory* Miss Lois Roy spent part of the past week with Mr. and Mrs, W. Ballantyne, -of Gtratford. Miss Blanche Simpson, of Wej- land, was a Christmas guest with her sister, Mrs Fred Switzer. LAC, Bill. Switzer, of St. Thomas spent the holiday with his-parents, Mr, and Mrs. R- Switzer, Sgt. Gerald Paul, of Vernon, B.C., spent a ten-day special leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brock and Sons, Don and Bill, of Bprgessville, were holiday guests with friends in the village, Miss Mary Anderson, of St. Marys was a week-end guest with Mr. and Mrs, Wes, Hodge. Mr, Lorn*' Marshall and son Billie, of Thamesford, was a Christ­ mas guest with Mr. and Mrs, A. Robins. Word has been received by Mrs. Wm. Blackler from the boys over­ seas who have received their Christmas boxes from St, Paul’s Church. The boys all remarked in their letters how grateful they* were. The recent snowstorms kept the Provincial snowplow, Blanshard Countv plow and Usborne plow all busy keeping roads passible. Mrs.' spend Harold have the the the to son, stubborn said you you,did did FUNERAL SERVICE HELD FOR BENJAMIN BEVINGTON A. of in The funeral of Benjamin Revington, .a lifelong resident Biddulph township, who died Victoria Hospital following a brief illness, was held recently from his residence -at Lucan. Rev. J. A. Gar­ diner, assisted by Rev. J, J. Brown, conducted the service and inter­ ment was in St. James Cemetery. Nephews of the deceased; Wes, Revington, Sheridon Revington. Emerson Stanley, Jack Bryan, John Hobbs and Ddrwin Beatson, pallbearers. Mr. Revington lxis '80th year. Son of the and Mrs. W, W. Revington, rled Annie Beatson 37 years ago and resided on the second conces­ sion of Biddulph. since that time. He was a member of Lucan United Church. Surviving are one son, Newton, three daughters, Hobbs, of Benfield, Mrs. Reg. Wixl- ser and Mrs. George Ramsey, of London; two grandchildren, Ken­ neth and Billie Winser; two broth­ ers, Wilbert, of Lucan, and Dan, of Clive, Alberta; and one sister, Mrs. Wes, HObbs, of ThOrlidale. acted as was in late Mir. lie mar- ‘liis wife; Of Fort Erie; Mrs. Kenneth Blood Donors at Parkhill In are an by by gave followed enumerated Mrs, F. Coates, M. Heywood, Stone, Miners, Mrs, Sharp, Mrs. E. Stone, Mrs. with the refrain sung by all each gift recorded "Oil Come Mrs. Buswell S, Tufts left Monday some time with her in Toronto. Kirkton Reel Cross Kirkton Red Cross SocietyThe have shipped to headquarters the following articles:—45 girls’ com- boys’ shorts; 11 16 girls’ pinafore 34 pairs men's pyjamas; 4 large quilts; 3 small 9 men’s round neck sweat- 27 Tiro T. Mflburii Co., Towto, Cm Troublesome Night Coughs Are Hard on the System It’s tlie cough that sticks; the cough that is hard to get fid oh tho cough accompanied by a tickling lh the throat that causes thd nerve and throat Wracking trouble that ktetiS you awakc at night. Dr. Wood^s Norway Pine Syrup helps to relieve this coughing condition by sootmhg the irritated parts, isd-mo the troublcsnrie irritating cough ma.y be rehovoii. Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup has beau on the market for the past 4S yearn. The Trade Mark *‘3t Pine Trees . . f « Price 35c a bottle J large lanuly size) about G.tiWiOS as muem COc at an dftfg counters. wis coughing condition oy sopinmg ww linwuvuum vo, ±looming the phlegm and stimulating the bronchial organs, and when this At the Blood Donors clinic Parkhill last week the following were among the donors,: McGillivary Mt, Carmel' Clarke HOdgins, Binice HOdgins, Gerald P. Ddyle, Grant Amos, Mrs. Benjamin Thompson, James Trevithick, Jack Trevithick, ‘Norman Durr, Freeman HOdgills, LinwOod Graven Gertrude Amos, Alex 0. smith) George Dixon Thomas Morley, Elmer Shepherd, Greenway: Jack Hutchinson, Ed- lie Hartle, Garmen Woodburn, Nan Gardner, Wilmer McLincliey, Wm. Eaglcson, Graham Eagleson, Mrs. Milton pollock, Gladys Stewardson, Glen Hayter. A lifelong resident Of Hibbert •Township. Miles McMillan, died re­ cently following a brief illness, in his S 3 rd year, He is survived by his .wife whose maiden name was Mary Hastings,-and two sons, John, ot Detroit, and William J., of Hib­ bert; also a brother Hugh, ,of Tuckersmith* Reports from reliable sources, ping facilities undoubtedly staved south of the Border paint, a de- off a much worse sugar shortage Pressing picture of the future (than now exists. For had there fbeen no shipping problem, ration­ ing would not have been consider­ ed necessary in 1942 and increased civilian buying power would, have drained away the surplus stocks much sooner than has occurred un­ der rationing, Now that the stocks on hand at the beginning of rationing have all been consumed) the sugar sup­ ply problem, becomes acute. Gugar has become the great energy food of the armed forces and military needs have increased enormously. Lend-lease requirements have step­ ped up also so that, even without the great increase in civilian buyr ing power which has occurred, the demand for sugar would exceed the normal supply for this continent, * But current supplies for this continent are far below normal. The Philippines, which used to send nearly a million tons of sugar an­ nually to the U.S., are still in the clutches of the Japs and no sugar has come thence since 1941. To make matters worse, the U.S. has had twp short beet sugar crops—- in 19 43 and 194 4—thus depriving the nations sugar bowl of over a million tons in the two years. Serious efforts a.ve now being made to step up domestic beet and cane sugar production in the United States. Since the sugar supply of Canada is linked with that of the U.S. and the United Kingdom—-the latter continuing the produce beet sugar at full plant capacity—Can­ ada might well follow suit by plan­ ning for an all-out production of domestic beet sugar in 1945. pressing sugar supply, shortage of sugar numerous r States is described ns ......... vary situation,'' by the War* Foods Administration, the long-term pros­ pects are anything but reassuring to those with a sweet tooth who yearn for the early lifting of sugar rationing restrictions. On October 1st of this year U.S. stocks Of sugar-—of ’all kinds, in­ cluding raw sugars—-were reported the be the lowest in modern times. Mr. Ody H. Lamborn, a leading in­ world as foj- binations; 15 girls’ blouses; dresses; 1 layette; quilts; ers; 4 men’s V-neck sweaters; pairs men’s socks. White Gift Service At the afternoon service in Kirkton United Church Sunday, special White Gift Service was ob­ served. A miniature stall and small animals with real hay in a manger* was a very appropriate setting. The scholars and their teachers occupied the front seat. While singing "We Would see Jesus”, the children placed their gifts in baskets, which were filled. The gifts will be sent to the Sick Children’s Hospital. Rev. W. D. Goodger brought special message to the child-ren. Annual Meeting The Ladies’ Guild and W.A., St. Paul’s Church, held their annual meeting Thursday at the home of’. met at the home of Mrs. the a picture of theWhile the current) • reported from parts of the United a “tempo- teraatibnal authority on sugar supplies, is quoted lows oxi. November 24th; "Normally, stocks on 1st are not lower than tons and any amount below that is considered sub-normal. The stockpile on October 1st, a- mounting to only 465,000 tons, was dangerously sub-normal. On­ ly our domestic beet and cane production saved the day in the territories where those sugars are available. As a matter of fact, in our eastern seaboard and southwestern areas, not only are housewives going without sugax* but many industrial users either have closed down or have cur­ tailed their operations.” The shortage of ocean bottoms for transporting sugar which brought on sugar rationing early in the wax’ now appears to have been a blessing in disguise. By cutting down sugar consumption on this continent, the scarcity of ship- October g00,'0i0b KKSMK Ml Allen Berry; secretary-treasurer, Mrs, Millex" McCurdy; Dorcas com­ mittee, Mrs. Hugh Berry and Mrs, H. Copeland. The Ladies’ Guild officers for 1945 are; president, Mrs. Cecil Dobson; vice-president, Mrs. Roy Brock; secretary, Mrs. Wm. Blackler; treasurer, Mrs. E. Humphreys. Canon James the meeting and the hostess a dainty lunch. closed served “One, two, three, four; one, two, three, four——” yelled the drill-ser­ geant. “My goodness me,” said the sweet little thing, “do they, really have to teach those ignorant re­ cruits how to count?” a o£ will be home of Mrs. Arthur Fink- Turne'r, B.A. and family relatives in Forum Gaiser. Verna Baumgarten has ve­ to Montreal after two weeks Mrs. R. Humphreys. Canon James took the chair for the election of officers. The W.A. officers were re­ elected for 1945: President, Mrs. R. Humphreys; vice-president, Mrs. SHIPKA Dec. 11 Shipka Farm 4 haghlaig couple^ dodging showers Zx of rice . . . fireside . . . garden * . . Chubby babies , . . These arc scenes wc know and like, be­ cause they're part of our lives . . . because they spell happiness . , . Contentment, But We know that these things don't ‘' just happen." They have to be worked for, lived for. Protected, too, because of ever-present dangers which inay spoil them. Venereal Disease is a spoiler. In a cold, relentless wiy it can kill infants, rob the home of its btcadwinner, cripple, destroy. These ate not mere possibilities., THEY HAPPEN .. . RIGHT HERB IN CANADA? But, these things should never happen. They can bo prevented. Youngmen and women can safeguard their future happiness together by making jure before marriage tliAt V.D. Will not blight their plans. A medical examination, including a blood test for syphilis, is a protection no couple can afford to pass up. Nor must the breadwinner neglect his part. The security of the home depends upon his ability to work regularly and efficiently. Unsuspected syphilis, striking in middle life, may. make the head of the home unable to provide for his family. It is wise to KNOW FOR SURE in time. Industrial medical exam­ inations should include a routine confioleiitiul blood test, A blood test should not bo looked upon as something uhusnal. It should be regarded for what it is . , , a normal safeguard of health, security and happiness. SVW Ou met at the home of Albert "Rural Communities Can Be At­ tractive,” was the subject. It was agreed that a Community Hall with good recreational facilities was a much needed addition to our com­ munity. On Dec 18 Farm Forum . Lome Finkbeiner. This was a review and completed the series of "People, The Builders of a Community.” Next meeting will be on January Sth at the hotne. of Cliff Russell. Down, Mrs. A. B; Irwin; Leaders, Mrs. Buswell, Mrs. and Mrs. Armstrong. SHIPKA The Ladies’ Aid meeting held Thursday afternoon Jam_ 4th at the beiner. Miss turned vacation with her parents Mr. and Mrs. C. Baumgarten. Mr. John Lamport from Toronto Miss Mildred Lamport from Strat­ ford spent the holiday with their parents Mr. and Mrs, Ed. Lamport. Mr. Lome Devine; Mr. and Mrs. Ervixie Devine and daughter Aileen visited over the week-end with rel­ atives and friends in Kitchener. Miss Lila Finkbeiner from Lon­ don spent the holidays at hex* home here. Mr, and Mrs. Roland .Neil and babe visited Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs, Major Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Deitrich and family spent Christmas with the latter's parents Mr, and Mrs Shanks at Parkhill. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsdale and Miss Gertrude Dinsdale from. London spent Christmas Day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ratz, Mrs. L. Finkbeinei’ spent Christmas with Sarnia. Rev. and Mrs. L, H. and Grace Marie, of Goderich, were guests with Miss Pearl Keys on Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Russell spent the week-end in St. Catherines with relatives, Mh, and Mrs. George Love atid Mrs. Scott spent the holiday in Sea­ forth. Mrs. Humphreys and son Paul Spent the week-eiid In London. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McNair and family, Of ilderton, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sheppard and David, of Ailsa Craig, spent Suiiday last at the home bf Mik and Mrs. Ed Lam­ port. ' Mrs Atthur Fiakbeihey is at pre­ sent at the heme of her parents at Grand Bend waiting cn her mothet Mrs. Stephen Webb who is ill. Major John Andrew Elliott, aged 30, of Phrkhin, has been reported missing In action, He was employed with the Parkhill Farmer's Co- Operative before the war. He hold a Commission as lieutenant in the Middlesex and Huron regiment be­ fore enlisting in 190, His wife, residing in London, was the former Betty Racey, of Parkhilt The expectant mother, too, may know for sure that her baby will be all she dreamed of. Syphilis in the expectant mother rarely shows outward signs, and it is no respecter of persons. An early check-up by her doctor, including a blood test, is a most essential, yet simple, first step in protecting her baby's health. Invest a few minutes of your time in ASSURANCE,