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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1945-01-04, Page 7THE TIME3-AJPVQCATE, EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 194$IW & CHAPTER XIII The Princess Meridel and cousins arrive in Canada to visit Baron Rudi de Morpin, her uncle. Madame Fabre, who had employed him, turn^- ed the estate ovex* to the Baron as his own. Roger Fabre, nephew of Madame Fabre and C,AF on fur­ lough fell in love jvith the Princess. Her cousins found a photo of Roger’s brother, who they knew as a Nazi.- When the Princess learned that the Baron was not the owner of the castle, they all left. Roger soon found them and had them re­ turn to the castle. Michel, Roger’s brother, escaped from a prison camp, came to the castle and in a •fight with Roger, escaped in his car. Alarm was sounded, Michel re­ turned and informed Madame Fabre that lie was a captain in the British secret service and not a German spy. She had nevei’ lost faith in him and wanted him to stay—she > ■ knew the Princess and Michel were in love, even though his brother * * was to marry the Princess. She saw the red temper rising in' him and, knowing it of old, re- ' calling many such encounters and their .unhappy outcome, she fought to control her own not too gentle spirit. “Maybe I didn’t believe so much as I—I loved you in spite of any­ thing that seemed to be against you.’’ “That is what I mean. But it was not so with her.’’ “Can you expect a girl to go' on caring foi' a -man she met for a few* hours on a mountain or some­ thing, in some Ruritanian land, long ago, even when that man seems beyond doubt to be a traitor and worse?” “Yes,” said Michel softly. “Yes, I can expect "that. A -mountain, you say, madame—but you do not know what a magic mountain; a Ruritanian land, you say—but you cannot dream what a magic land it was; for a few hours, you sa^ but you-—you must know that such ,filings*’as '-tTirS-’aTO' ’n'O’f^heasured' in hours. We knew each other always; we were to love each other always.” “It was so said?” “It was so understood.” “But Meridel—I am being a trai­ tor to Roger now—I know Meridel has never ceased to care for you.” “I watched her tonight in the •lovely bridal gown. I saw my broth­ er bend and kiss her. I knew’ then it was time for me to go.” “Because your pride was hurt. Because you expected her to be­ lieve in you, no matter what hap­ pened.” “Not entirely that,” he said wearily. “Roger loves hex'. He’s a great lad, Roger—one of the best, the salt of the earth and also one of ’ the noblest of the noble breed with whom he' flies. Well, suppose she still does care for me, can I come back now and—” “You mean—you are stepping aside for Roger? You’d give up your—” “The only great dream I ever 'had, madame,” he said, and his voice was flat now, toneless. Like Oberlieutenant Fabre’s voice. “I’m, going away tonight—now. You are not to tell anyone that I .was here. That is understood. When—when they are married,’I shall return.” “Why, you headstrong—” —stubborn, thick-headed -mule. • Yes, I Ipi-ow it all and maybe I’m every bit of it. But that’s the way it Is, Tante Mimi—and that is the way it will be. I don’t flatter my­ self I can take her from Roger and steal his happiness, hut I shall not even -run the risk.” He stood up. He came to her and bent and kissed Iler. “It is goodby for only a little while, I have som'e time in Canada before I have to re­ port again; I may even get a post • here. I don’t know.” “Don’t go, Michel! Don’t go!” “What? You’re running out of ammunition. You’re turning Soft on me again. These are new tactics, and clever ones* but I have learned a trick or two myself and I will not fall for this. I Shall go as I came-—• quietly. And you will not speak. Promise!” The old eyes burned at him and there was no softness about hex mouth, but that was only for a mo­ ment for suddenly it smiled—a rare, sweet smile. “I promise, you mule—you lov­ able splendid donkey. But I tell’ you it is a very foolish thing you do.” “Neithei’ the first nor, I tlxinx., the last. Farewell, -ma tante.” He retrieved the hat, turned at the door to smile at her, to show her the wild imps in his eyes. “We al­ ways quarrel, don’t we?” he called. “And always make up.” .Meridel and Rogex* walked ovex' the big hill that lies between Phili­ bert and the village at St. Didier des Montagnes. It was a narrow path among the great spruces and cedars that grew, thickly on the mountain­ side. In winter the trail was usu­ ally closed by the drifted snow, but now one could walk easily enough ovex' the crust. They were on the way to the house of Gerard Cham­ berland, the government agent, to bring back Pol Martin and Rosine who-had beexx invited there to have suppei' with the little Chamber­ lands, The stars were dim, but the track lay clearly marked through the darkness of the wood. From the time they left Philibert they had talked little. Both of them felt con­ straint,. uneasiness. Roger, always ready with gay talk and laughter, was strangely silent. Meridel, -walk­ ing along beside him, looked up at his shadowy profile and longed to say soxnething that would break the tension. But she -could find no words to say. And she thought, Is -my heart empty of things to tell him— so sooix empty? This is not the way of love. He said at last, “You cried to­ night, Meridel. Your tears fell on the lovely gowix that is being made ready for your wedding. You did not think I saw you. It was when you left the room aftex- my aunt had gone upstairs. You first looked at yourself ixi the mirror and then' you cried. Why did- you cry?” “I—I do "not know, Roger, .! real­ ly do not know. Do not girls whp are’ about to -marry often cry?” “Not like that/ It was a different fixing.” He was silent fox- a mo- ment. Thexx he said what madame had said that night after his depar­ ture: “Un qui aime; une qui se laisse aimer” One who-loves, one who lets herself be. loved. Is it so with ..us, Meridel? I want to know.” “Oh, Roger, why did you ask me a thing like that? How can one know? How can -one be sure?” “The answer is in yoxxr heart, I think.” “I have looked there.” “And you have not found it.” She did not answer, but he knew from her silence that she had look­ ed in vain, “You told me once,’.’ said Roger, “that only one key would unlock your heart. You remember?” “Yes.” It was only a whisper. “I remember well.” “And I have-not that key? You must answer me.” “I cannot. I.tell you I cannot.” She was crying a little, but if lxti felt any pity for her, he showed none.” “But ixx a little while, in a few days, you intend to become my wife.” “You know that I accepted that long ago. Why do we have to talk about it now?” “Because it is so near the time, and I have Waited and waited and hoped constantly that I would find in you the answer to my love. The answex’ hasn’t come.” “But ixx time—oh, Roger, why inust we talk like this?” “We must,” he said doggedly, “before it is too late. We must have' this thing settled.” “I do xiot See how it evei’ can be settled. What would you have -me do?” “Michel is still in your heart, isn’t he? You haven’t given up your dream that you told me of long ago?” “I could never give it up. I tried, Roger, believe me. But. there was no use trying. It is part of me. It will be always there. Need it make Despite all the mother can do the kiddies will run Out of doors not properly wrapped up; have on too much clothing; get overheated and cool off too Sud­ denly; get their met wet; kick off the bed clothes, and do a dozen things the mother cannot help. Half the battle in treating children’s colds is to give them something they will like; something they will take without any fuss, and this the mother will find in Dr, Wood’s Norway Pino Syrup, a remedy used by Canadian . mothers, for the past 48 years. . Price 35c a botiloj the large family size, about 3 times as xmich, 60c, at All drug counters. . . The T. Milburtt Co., Lirnitcdl, Tcivnio, Ont. a difference—fox* us?” “Only a shadowy thing,” he said. “A fAw hours against all my love; a few words—r-and they echo for­ ever.” “He will not come back—not ever now.” “I-Ie does not need to, he never went away. I know what love is, Meridel, because I love. I saw you cry and the tears fell on'your wed­ ding dress—and I knew.” They had coxne to the Chamber­ land house. Pol Martin and Ro­ sine, with Gerard and the two Chamberland girls and tiny "Davia, came dowxx the yard to meet them. Roger called to them, “Hola! It is late for infant.fi to be abroad. You must ruxx all the way home.” On the way back, he tried to talk; so did Meridel, but every­ thing they said fell flat. It had no zest, no savor. There was a cold­ ness, a heaviness in their hearts. Something that hould have been splendid and shining had failed for them, and both felt that" in some way the blame lay betwen them. He thought, I should not have al­ ways been questioning hex’ love. I should not have beexx so exacting, so greedy. I should have taken the wondrous gift she offered me and thanked God for it. But I could not, I could not. And Meridel thought, What is wrong with xne that I -cannot love him? Respect, liking, loyalty, ad­ miration—all these things I have for him. But not love. Perhaps in time it will come, but God help us if it does not, And Roger is wise enough to- know that it is a grave risk we run. Why did I shed those foolish tears tonight? The dress is so lovely; it is made fox- one who gives herself to love—Roger. Even the children, after chatter­ ing fox' awhile about the games they had played and the good time of the afternoon, noticed the silence of their elder®, and gradually they ceased to talk and plodded along with Rogex- leading the way, Meri- del close behind him. All about them was the vast stillness of the forests. -Far o,ff an owl' hooted and from a farmyard over the hill a fox barked sharply, Those SQunds died and thexi in that great stillness they heard a deep voice singing, com­ ing toward thexn around a bend in the path. They froze in their tracks and the little ones clutched Meri- del’s hands. “Bonsoir, Nigaud! Bonsoir, Fri- cot!” “It is he!” whispered Pol Mar­ tin. “It is Bonlxomme Fricot!” “What folly!” said Meridel, ’but a -strange shiver, not of fear, moved ovei* her body. “How could it be?” “Listen!” said Rosine. “Yes. Yes. It is he! It is' he!” “Eh! Bonhomme Fricot!” called Pol Martin in his shrill soprano. “Bonlxomnxe Fricot, what are you doing here?” The sbng perished. They saw only a shadowy figure in the path be­ fore them, the glimnxex- of white at his throat. After a moment he spoke, reluctantly it seemed, yet with laughtex’ in his voice: “Are you sure, Pol Martixx and Rosine, that it is Bonlxomme Fricot yoxx have here?” “Yes, yes, we are sure indeed!” “It could not be the laughing sol­ dier then?” “The laughing soldiex- would not know our’ xxames,” pointed out Ro­ sine. “Why do yoxx play this farce, Bonlxomme Fricot? We kxxow you/' “I was the laughing soldier,” said he. “I gave the real soldier my old clothes and shaved off nxy beard and cut off xny hair and now you know why I laughed—because the soldier tried to kill Bonlxomme Fri­ cot and himself was killed instead. You see, I work fox' the king of England and I must sonxetimes do strange things.” “But it is brave!” Cried Pol Max tin. “It is grand. Did yoix come here to visit Us?” “It’s no use, Mike,” said Rogex* stepping forward, finding his broth­ er's hand in the starlight. “You were going the Wrong way. You don’t need to run, do you?” “I talked With Thixte Mimi. I*—” “You were not going tiecause of me?” Meridel came forward now and reached for the hand Rogtu held, so that three hands were clasped together, hers so small tween the two strong ones of those men who loved her. “We can talk when we get homo, * said Roger, and he thanked God for the larkness, for the dim stars that let no one see his face. “I’ll go on ahead with those two fellows.” ’ “A moment, Roger,” said Michel. “Please—-” said Meridel, He paid no attention to them. He sent Pol Martin and Roslixe scam- 1 poring down the trail and hurried after them, They heard his volce'| faintly, “You can pretend It’s the road on the magic mountain, if you need to.” But he knew, none better, that any road is a magic road if you have the right charm in your heart. And somewhere for him there would be such a road, one that nq Other foot had trod before and at the end of it someone who- waited—fox* only him. Behind him, under the stars, Mer­ idel and Michel Fabre had stopped to gaze at each other jn that strange light. “I was* wrong,” he said. “You did not forget oux* hour,” “You did. not meail it when you said, as you left me then, that you would not return?” “You knew I did not. It was writ’ ten, all this—-long ago. Nothing could ever change it,” (The End) - MOUNT CARMEL Mr. Clement Boland left last week to visit his brother Wilfred in Milwaukee, Wise, Mrs. Cyril Morrissev is spending the holidays in Toronto with her parents. Among the holiday visitors in town were: .■> Earl O’Brien, of Blenheixn, with Mr. and Mrs. Corrie O’Brien. Joe Voisin, of Toronto, and Miss Florence. ’ of London, with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Alex VoiSin. Henry Miller, of . London, and Miss ’ Lizzie, of Dashwood, with Mrs. H. R. Miller. Mrs. Marie McCormick. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sharpe, Misses Reta and Rosemary Reghn, all of Lon­ don, .with Mrs. M. Regan. Mr. Leo, McCarthy is undei’ the doctor’s, care, having suffered an attack of appendicitis. Mr. Gerald O’Brien is recovering from his recent illness. Mr. Jas. Dalton/ of London, is visiting with his son, Jas. -H. and family. ■ “ Mr. Jos. Mahoney Sr., and Miss Francis, of London, and Joseph Jr., of SandWich College were home over Christmas. Miss Elizabeth Ryan, of London, and Michael, of Sandwich, are visiting with -their -parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ryan- Miss Mary McCann, of London, is visiting at the home of hex’ par­ ents, Mr. and Mrs. A. McCann. King Street United Church, Lon­ don, was the scene”of a pretty wed­ ding when ■RutliriApixe,,..pnly daugh-* tex- of Mr. and Mrs, Wellington J. J-ohnston, Zurich, became the -bride of Pte. Ernest John Rayxnond Gem- ing, U.S.A.A.F., only soxi of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Genxming, Rochester, N.Y. Rev Gladstone E. Wood of­ ficiated at the double ring cere­ mony, in which the bride was given in xnarriage by hex' father. She was gowned in white slipper satin, em­ broidered with baby pearls, hex­ finger-tip veil held in place -by a feathex' headdress. -She carried an arm bouquet of pink roses. The wedding dinnex’ was served in the Blue Rooxn at Hotel London. For the wedding trip the bride ’wore a honey beige suit With browxx ac­ cessories and muskrat, coat. Staffa Couple Wed Fifty Years Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elliott celebrated their 50th wedding an­ niversary Wed., Dec. 27th at their home in Hibbert township. Mrs. Elliott was the former Miss Ellen Agar, daughtex- of Mr. and Mrs. Jolxxx Agar, of Fullarton. They were married in Stratford in Dec. 27, 1894.- They have eight children, Lloyd: of Staffa; DurWood, of Ham­ ilton; Notval of Dublin; Mrs. How­ ard Fletcher (Clara), London; Mrs. H. Schellenbergei' (Ada), of Clin­ ton; Mrs. Hoxner Jeffery (Ethel), of Detroit; Earl, of Seaforth; and Lome oxi the homestead. There are I, 3 grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. El­ liott received a purse of money from their family and ixiany gifts. Many friends called Ox* telephoned during the day to congratulate Mi*? and Mrs. Elliott. HENS ALL (Intended for last week) Mr. and Mrs. Ewen MeEwen, of Sarnia, spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs, A. D. McEwen. Mr. and Mrs. Jas, A, Patterson spent the week-end with relatives in Kitchener, Mr, Rax Patterson, of Toronto, spent Christmas with bis parents, Mr. and Mrs, R, J. -Patterson, Misses Kathleen Jones, of Toron to, and Mildred, of Kitchener, spent the week-end with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Jones, Mrs. Carter, of London, visited over the holiday with her parents, Mr, and Mrs. Wm, G. Bell, Mrs, Gladys Smith, of Montreal, enjoyed a pleasant visit with her mother, Mrs, Anxxie Saunderpock. Mr, and Mrs, A, W. Kerslake, Billie and 'Joan and Mrs, D, Walks spent the week-end with relatives at St, Marys. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cowen visited ■during the holidays with relatives at Brussels and Dungannon. Miss Mae McNaughton, of Toron­ to, spent Christmas at 'the home of her brother, Mr. Petei' McNaugh­ ton. Miss Mavis Spencer, of Toronto, visited over the holiday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Spen­ cer. Miss Mae McNaughton, of Toron­ to, is - spending the holidays with lxei’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lome McNaughton. PO. Gerald Passxnore, son of Mr. and Mrs, John Passmore, Hensali, while flying on his first dive-bomb­ ing mission, hit a railroad station and an ammunition dump simul­ taneously. Gerald is 21 years of age, enlisted in 1941, received his train­ ing at Patricia Bay, Vancouver Is­ land, received his wings at Uplands and was stationed, in Alaska when he left for overseas in June 1944. Tlxe, Late Mrs. Miller Edwards Mrs. Millei’ Edwards,' well-known resident of Hay township, died at her home on Saturday following several weeks of illness. Mrs. Ed­ wards was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Stanley, of Lucan. Aftex’ hex’ marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edwards took up residence on the second concession of Hay where Mrs. Edwards has resided ever since. Surviving is one son Basil EdWards, with whom she resided, and one brother, Harvey Stanley, of Lucan. ,Funeral service was held oix Tuesday conducted by Rev. Joseph Taylor, of Shakespeare, for­ merly of Hensail. The pallbearers were Messrs. Robt. Munn, Geo. Armstrong, William Dougall, David Shirray, William Parke and James Mustard. Interment in. Hensali Unioxx Cemetery. Ilensall Resident Has 95th Birthday Mr. J. W. Ortwein, a prominent resident of Hensail, celebrated his 95th birthday at his hoxne here on Christmas Day. He had been active and enjoying his usual health until his recent illness a few weeks ago. Mr. Ortwein has been a resident of Hensail fox’ over 50 years. He was formerly president of the Western Ontario Bible Society, directox* ' of tlxe Dominion Life Insurance Com­ pany, and was reeve of the village. He is a. valued nxexnbei' of Hensail United Church, having been super­ intendent of the Sunday School for 25 years. Members of tlxe family is all it costs you! For Quick Results Phone 31w Cents Y®§ six’! For only 1% cents per word you pan insert a want ad in the Times-Advocate Classified Directory. Aquaint yourself with the many services they render regularly Classified Ads such as For Sale, For Reixjt, Wanted etc. are cents per word for the first insertion and 1 cent per word for succeeding; insertions, If replies are to be delivered to the Times- Adypcate office an extra charge of IQ cents is added. Classifieds are accepted up until noon on Wednesday are two sons, Alonzo, Detroit, and Milton, of London; foux' daughters, Mrs. Lolxrin, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Brinkholt, Kitchener, Mrs. G. M. Drysdale and Mrs. Jas. A. Patterson, Hensali. Mr. and Mrs, Ortwein will observe theii’ wedding anniversary on New Year's Day. Public School Concert The annual Public School con­ cert was held on Thursday .after­ noon, Dec. 21st,. with’ a large at­ tendance. Mr. Geo. Cowen, princip­ al, acted as chairman ovex- the fol­ lowing program: Welcome .recita­ tions, Teddy Norminton and Pats> Steer; welcome song, girls of Grade II; dialogue, “The Train to Loon­ town,” by1 the Seniors; three recita­ tions by Wayne McBride, Carol Mc- Murtrie and Jinxmie Hyde; solo, Audrey. Walsh; windmille drill by Grade II; dialogue, ‘‘Little Pitchers’' by Intermediate grades; recitation, Endora Hyde; song, “Away in a Manger,” Grade II girls; recitation, Gerald Flynn; dialogue, “The Stow­ away,” by the Seniors; recitation, Billie Fink; recitation, Judy Shad- ■dick; an action song, “Dear Old Santa,” by the Juniors; Christmas wishes by the Juniors; recitation, Jimmie Orr; dialogue, “How the Grown Folk Minded,” by the .Inter-, mediates; recitations, Tommy and Billie Lavender; a group of five Christmas carols by the Seniors concluded the program. . L.CPL. WM. T. FAWCETT IS KILLED IN ITALY Word has been received by his mothei', Mrs. Mary E. Fawcett, Mit­ chell, of the death in action of hex’ son, L.Cpl”. William Thomas Faw­ cett, in Italy, Decembei’ 20. He en­ listed in June, 1940, with the First (Active.) Battalion, Perth Regiment, going overseas in 1941 and thence to Italy with Ills battalion. He Was slightly- wounded in March of this year and had been confined to hos­ pital again a short time ago. He was born in Hibbert Township on April 19, 1916. He has two broth­ ers, Edwax;d, of Mitchell, and Fred, Hibbert, and one sister, Mrs. John Harper, Fu'ilarton Township. THE PICK OF TOBACCO it DOES taste good in a pipe ’ We Have Lumber NOW ON HAND also good ‘ ANY SIZE IRON POSTS AND BARB WIRE Place your order for shingles right away—we can supply them. A. J. CLATWORTHY We Deliver Phone 12 Granton C.P.R/s 50th Marine Engine for Invasion Barge BURIED IN ST. MARYS The body of Mrs. Ella Marriott, Wife of George Marriott, of St. Marys, Who died Monday of last Week in the Stratford General Hos­ pital, was laid to rest in St. Marys Cexnetery Thursday, Decembei’ 28, following a service which was held at the S. Ross Marriott funeral home. Rev, W< E. Aid worth of­ ficiated. The pallbearers were Robert Marriott, Fred Jamieson, Charles Marriott, Milton Marriott, Nelson Bonis and Joseph Rae. A ILS A CRAIG AIRMAN IS INVALIDED HOME WO. Jack Bowman, son of Mr. and Mrs, Charles Bowman, of Ailsa Craig, has been Invalided home from India, where he Was attached to the R.A.F. He arrived in Lon­ don Saturday, He has two sisters, Mrs, A. L. Oatman, of London, and Mrs, George Fraleigh, of Arva. FOR LANDING GRAFT; The 50th marine engine from the Canadian Pacific Railway’s ■ Angus Shops, Montreal, had just been lowered to a special flat cat for delivery to a shipyard turning out powered landing craft when this picture was taken. It was completed-on a jOnO^a^week schedule for those 70*ton engines in the munitions department which also has produced tanks fur Russia and highly special* ized naval gunnery devices at Angus and nava’ guns at Ogden Shops, Calgary, under direction of FI. B. Bowen, Chief of motive power and rol* ling stock. Some of the earlier engines weni into corvettes and frigates.