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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1947-03-13, Page 8The story thus far: Twice mar- j with them. To her they were human tied and twice divorced, Agatha Le-; ’ “ x----x~ Claire, now 42, is still conscious of! the total lack of love in her life. ! Through a friend, Fanny Wetherall, she meets Enid Walters, young | Montreal newspapei’ woman, and her fiance, Hugh Meredith. Attract- j ed, to both, and conscious that Hugh i is attracted to her, Agatha invites Enid to room at her house. She, realizes that she is being kind to ; Enid because of her interest in' Hugh. CHAPTER HI In the weeks that followed Agatha found herself caught up in­ to a stream of pleasurable happen­ ings all revolving about Enid and Enid’s comings and goings. Par­ ticularly Enid coming in between 4 and 5 in a flurry of snowflakes on dusky afternoons, just in time to have tea with her. Before a crackling fire in the library, and sunk deep in their red leather chairs, they would talk, often to the accompaniment of cigarettes. Tea was always in the library un­ less some one more pretentious than Fanny Wetherall came in. On more formal occasions they had ft in the green drawing room. (Sometimes Agatha would talk, directly or indirectly, of her two liuSbands. "I have been fairly prosperous, thanks to my father, not at all to myself,” she admitted one day. "But what is that compared to the feeling that you have a man’s love, or, better still—constancy? I have been divorced twice. I know there is a stigma about that. Many of my old-time friends won’t look at me now!” Enid would murmur sympatheti­ cally, her eyes on the fire. "It is laughable when one knows •What goes on in their lives,” Aga- that said bitterly. "Many of these women who turn the cold shoulder cm me now are faithless themselves or suspect their husbands of infi­ delity. More than suspect—know! Only—the world must be saved by their jogging on together. Their marriages must look successful.” "Probably a good many of these women envy you your independ­ ence.” "Not they! They think of the creature comforts mainly. The Ilves of a great many married wom­ en seem to have degenerated into their keeping creature comforts about them. And as long as they can manage thiugs and order their husbands around — for even the most obstinate man in private will let himself be ordered about in public rather than make a scene— they’re happy.” "Don’t be so Enid. “Surely enough about a pate her wishes—and not wait to be ordered!” Agatha agreed. "Your Mr, Mere­ dith does,” she murmured. “But even he can be firm—let •ns not say obstinate—about trifles.” Agatha' looked at het. Enid’s gold­ en brown head, her slender figure in its dainty black and fawn gown against the red leather, made a pic­ ture. 'Could any normal man want anything more? It was at times (ike this that Agatha’s sympathy for Enid forced into the background her own in­ terest in Hugh. That she should contribute in any way to Enid’s unhappiness seemed unthinkable. Away from the strong attraction she felt for Hugh in his presence, she could even offer the girl matronly advice. "Enid, dowager ter. ‘My man who as himself, grab him quickly!’ It’s a pity but nearly every man, no matter how charming, needs to be managed sooner or later. In a way they're guileless—children. And be­ cause children have to be managed, that is the way to treat men. 'Stand off from them, if possible, and look at them and really see their foibles. If I had only known this fifteen years ago I should have saved my­ self a lot of misery!” "But you would have had such a tame existence —■ always doing the right thing," "Nonsense,” laughed Agatha, lighting another cigarette. "Trust me always to have done the wrong!” Agatha found that her servants .Also adored Enid. Howard, Mrs. price, the cook; Hetty, the parlor maid—all became Enid’s admirers. Agatha Wondeerd at Enid's way cynical,” laughted some men care woman to antici- THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 13th, 1947 I ! SAINT^^URY Owing to road conditions and no mall deliveries some of the follow- ing news items should have been in last week’s edition, The World’s Day pf Prayer serv­ ice was held in St, Patrick's church with a good attendance. Mrs. M. Elston was in charge of the music, Mrs. R. Dickens and Mrs. Heber Davis were leaders. Mrs. G. Isaac took as her topic "Prayer” and read the hymn “Prayer is the Sours Sin­ cere Desire.” Her discourse was greatly appreciated and very much in line with the rest of the serv­ ice. Mrs, Jack Dickins sang a solo in a very pleasing manner. Mr, and Mrs, H, Carroll enter­ tained Mr. and Mrs. M. McDonald, Mr. and Mrs* Fred Dobbs and Mr. and Mrs. H. Davis to a fowl dinner and euchre recently. All reported a lino evening. Mrs. E. Atkinson has been in Main Street Auxiliary The Main Street Evening Auxil­ iary met on Tuesday evening, March 4th, at the home of 'Edythe Blowes with the president, Mabel Skinner, presiding. The meeting opened with hymn 394 followed by the Lord's Prayer. The minutes were read and. the roll called followed by the items of business. The worship service was conducted by Hilda Turnbull and her group. Hymn 86 was sung and the scripturb was read by Velma Carroll followed by hymn 356, prayer by Eva Penrose, and a duet by Merna ■'Walker and Dorothy Hatter. Maude Howell gave a very interesting talk on "A Trip to Trini­ dad” and alsp showed pictures and articles she had brought home from Trinidad. Hymn 256 was sung and the meeting closed with the Mizpah Benediction. A St. Patrick’s contest was enjoyed and iby the group in meeting with be Viola Sweitzer. j Exeter Couple Attend Sister’s Funeral Mrs. John T. Stewart and Mr. Arthur Campbell were in Hamilton Wednesday of last week attending the funeral of their sister, Mrs. Jurben Lannin, who died Sunday, February 33th. The following clip­ ping was taken from the Hamilton Spectator: Sincere regret and sym­ pathy will be felt by many residents of Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal, on learning of the death of Vera A. E. Lannin, Reg. Nn wife of one of Hamilton’s leading medical prac­ titioners, Dr. Jurben Lannin, 150 James Street South, which occurred at the evening. Exeter, * suffered . duration. Dodge and DeSoto Sales And Service Topi Coates Phone 200 Fred Dobb> Does Your Brake 1 Take Hold at a Touch? ‘ 1 beings, not automata, as any other * girl in hei' place might have re- i garded them. Was it Enid’s love or, cop? Her interest in humanity due > to her writing? Or something fuuda- ! mental only • looked j for her. Enid, feeling no claim on , Hamilton General Hospital in 1914 ; Marcello’s attention, overlooked j , this. the ' . able, the kind of woman who had ‘ i to be trodden on occasionally.Agatha endured her because at I heart she knew Marcelle was de-| voted to her interests. The three companions—Agatha and the fiances — began to have gay little parties together. Besides the small dinners she sometimes gave for them, when their own friends were invited with an elder- . ly man or woman thrown in to keep Agatha company (not so elderly, perhaps, after all; not so often women) there were small dances in the neglectced ballroom on the third story of her house. There were also teas at the hotels; tea­ dances on days when Enid’s en­ gagements permitted; and more dancing after 'Press club parties or other events. Enid always had plenty of part­ ners on these occasions. Young men naturally gravitated to her, Agatha noticed. She was always sc gay and understanding. Yet, often as Meredith danced with Enid, he always found time for two or three dances with Agatha. She had at first begged him not to take the trouble to be kind to her, "I am reapy a spectator of life now,” she told him once. "It is great fun looking on at things.” "It must be,” he had said and laughed teasingly, holding her a little closer. After than she had felt that pretenses were silly with him. She had resigned herself to enjoying things without any thought about the future. And she had no­ ticed. with sharp intuition, that it was his own attitude to life in gen­ eral. One Friday he had surprised her •by coining alone to tea with her. She had been writing letters—dull business letters—at her desk in the library when Howard ushered him in. "What a breath of cold air you bring in with you!” she as Howard took off 'his hung it in the hall. Their hands clasped all warmly because of the wintry cold he had pust shut out behind him. “Tea, Howard,” she said, for­ getting Enid for a moment. "Being English, I just had to come for that cup today,” he said, sitting down in a chair at the left of the fireplacec as if he belonged there. "I’m afraid you already know my worst habit. What a jolly fire!” Agatha sat on the sofa facing it. “Isn't it?” was all she found to say at first, as she waited for the tea­ wagon. But she looked at him. As he rubbed his hands happily over the fire she had a moment in which to take in once more his straight, distinguished features; the dark hair growing thinner on his fore­ head; his gray eyes, humorous or luminous tby turns. They were boy­ ishly gay today. She wondered for the last time why, with all his distinction, he had never been able to get on since his coming to Canada. Was it perhaps because he was too much of a gentleman, not enough of a go- getter? A man with less refinement would probably be able to sell more insurance. Was he at all interested in his work? Or did he, like so many others, merely want creature com­ forts? He was perhaps a misfit, a man needing the leisurely back­ ground of an English gentleman to bring out latent talents in himself. She thought bleakly of the rich estate of her father’s, now her own; of the two settlements from her ill- fated marriages—more wealth in all than she could possibly use; too much for any one person. She thought of everything she could give Hugh, a background for his re­ finement, creature comforts if he wanted them, herself. . . . Delib­ erately she shepherded her thoughts away from their dangerous specu­ lations. "Where is Enid?” she heard her­ self saying, breaking a silence which she felt he was trying to prolong. Did he want to make her feel he 'be­ longed there?” "She hasn’t come yet?” That seethed obvious. Agatha countered. "Surely be here soon.” "I’m afraid she won’t,” he re­ torted. "This is Friday, now I think of it. and it would be all up with our engagement if I should ring her up now and Inquire when she’d be along. Her work for the literary and dramatic editor these week­ ends IS staggering?’ "But surely she will come for dinner?” . This was silly, and Agatha knew it. Enid never came for Friday dinner. “I’m afraid there Is no chance Of it. I shall have to pull her away from that dusty office for a special kind of bun-feed some time about in her? $■ Marcelle, hex* own maid, ; at Enid askance, even wents her way not to do things; G eneral Hospital Sunday Mrs. Lannin was born at Ont., 56 years ago, had an. illness of three months' . She graduated from the ____ . and following graduation But Agatha knew this was! supervisor at the Hospital wrong way to manage Mar— Children, Toronto, during . she was cold and disagree-J months. The deceased was active ’ in community life and was an ar­ dent member of the Centenary United Church and held member­ ship in the Woman’s Association and the Red Cross group of the association. She was a former cor­ responding secretary of the W.A. Mrs. Lannin whs a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine and a mem­ ber of the Fifteen Club. She was a former member of the 1.0.D.E. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jurben Lannin, at home; a daughter, Aileen, at home; one sister, Mrs. John T. Stewart and one brother, Arthui’ Campbell, both of Exeter. The funeral was held Wednesday from the Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home to the Centenary United church for serv­ ice. Interment was in Woodland cemetery. Among those attending the funeral was Mr. A. L. Stewart, of Montreal. was a j London for a few days with her for Sick summer Running a Classified in The Times-Advocate is like writing to 8,200 potential customers. you know what the wise said to her granddaugh- child, if you ever find a loves you nearly as much Highland Cedar FENCE POSTS ON hand A* CLATWO We Deliver Phone 12 Grantas exclaimed coat and the more she’ll 9 or 10.” ■’Then you will have to stay to dinner by yourself. I can’t have any guests going storm.” They had gether, and beautiful evening, suaded him, or whether it grew naturally out of their talk of the continental theatre and opera, she did not know, but finally (Meredith played to her, bringing strong, fine chords out of her seldom-used con­ cert grand. He played charmingly from the Peer Gynt suite, which he found in her cabinet. Agatha could see that he loved music. She in turn loved ’his playing, and as she sat in one corner of the sofa in her green parlor, watching him eagerly, she was happy. He had apologized for his lack of evening dress when just before dinner she came down in a formal orchid gown, but even in his •business clothes he seemed distin­ guished, poetic, somehow’. Then he came to sit with her, and they smoked in silence for a time. But Agatha knew from their reflections in the gold-framed mir­ ror that he was w’atching 'her. "You are too lovely in that gown,” he said finally, softly, a half smile at himself twisting the corner of his mouth. "I’ll be falling in love all over again if I don’t start off now to rescue young Enid from the work she adores.” Young Enid! He spoke of her with almost the amused tolerance of an elder brother. What did his words mean? Was Hugh the type to make cavalier speeches merely for politeness’ sake? He had arisen now’, and she fol­ lowed him silently out to the hall to get his overcoat. And then, as he stood in front of her ready to say good-by, she bowed her head, staring down at her hands clasped at her waist. "It was good of you to come,” she said softly. "I am so lonesome here all alone, and you can’t imag­ ine what a romantic person I am about yours and Enid’s engage­ ment. It's almost as though it were myself, I feel so—” "Agatha!” Hugh’s hands were gripping her arms. She tried to keep her mind clear, to remember Enid, Enid’s friendship. Then Hugh's arm came round her waist and he drew her close. She raised her eyes, saw him look swiftly up the stairway at her back. "You are lovely,” he whispered. And then she gave herself up to his kiss . . . She stood there for moments af­ ter he had left her, her heart beat­ ing high, the happy color flooding iher face, her lips still burning from his caress. The ground she stood on seemed enchanted. Tt was difficult even to move to the parlor, but when she did she found it filled with his presence. She lifted her arms high as if to embrace something beautiful that stood there, then moved to the fire­ place and stood looking into the fire,, happy because lie had praised it, /Finally she turned' and looked at the sofa where they had sat. Crossing to it swiftly, she sat and stayed there a long time, her face pressed into the Cushion, where his head had rested. What was this feeling-—old and yet tormentingly new—rushing in upon her? (Continued Next Week) Next Week: Like a wraith from an evil dream, a inart appears Out of Agatha’s past. And liis appear­ ance propels to a climax Hugh’s interest in her. out tea later into this snow- and dinner to- Agat’ha had a How she per- daughter, Migs Mayrene Atkinson, who has been ill. We hope she is feeling much better. The community wishes to extend sympathy to the family of the late Mrs. Elston. A number of men shoveled ahead of the snow plough on Sat­ urday in. order t0 have the Sauble line opened, They certainly made some snow banks. The boys and girls from this community have 'been boarding in Exeter on account of bad roads and hoping the school bus will soon be able to make its rounds again. Mrs. Fred Davis is spending a few days with her sister, Mrs. G. Godbolt, who recently returned home from the hospital, Mrs. C, Davis and family and Mrs'. M. MacDonald and Mrs. J. Turner spent 'Saturday at the heme of Mrs. W. J. Davis. Mr. and -Mrs. J. Dickins spent last Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. Squires. Mr. and Mrs. E. Atkinson__ girls, Mr.. and Mrs, H. Davis and family surprised their father, Mr. R. Dickins, with a fowl dinner re­ cently, it being Mr. Diclcins’ 75th birthday. All extend best wishes to Mr. Dickins. Mr. Tom Dobbs, Don Woodward, Bob Tripps a,nfl Keri Fischer spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Dobbs. c Mr. and Mrs. M. McDonald and family motored to St. Thomas on ■Sunday to visit Mr. and Mrs, A. Coldnell, a sister of Mrs. McDon­ ald. Mrs. W, J. 'Davis visited on 'Sun­ day, with Mr. and. Mrs. Heber Davis. ■Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dobbs attend- lunch was served charge. The next at the home of Former Elglnfield Meivliant Dies Charles McCormick, of London, who for 40 years operated a general store at Elginfield died Saturday in his 70th year. The store Mr. McCor­ mick operated disappeared a short time ago. Mr. McC/orm’ick was a member of St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Blddulph made in the Tuesday with being sung in and interment was, adjoining cemetery requiem high mass the church. Trouble Piles Up Trouble comes in Goddard, of Ilderton, Mr. Chas. Monteith, and Ilderton Man batches, Ted son-in-law of of town, is finding out. Thursday, Feb. 20th, Ted’s home was burned in the fire that destroyed Ilderton Hall. He moved to his father’s home on the 13th concession, London Township. Then the storms came, and ,Ted had to walk through drifts to reach Denfield road, and carry on hia work. Ted is foreman of London Township road crew. Monday night he had been on the job 26 hours without sleep. ed the Thresherman’s Convention in London recently. •Mr. and Mrs. Harry Carroll were glad to see the snow plough come through on Saturday in time for them to attend the oyster supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Mlc- Falls of Lucan. Or do you have to push it to the floor? If you do it is high time to get your car to an expert service man and have him reline your brakes with long-wearing lining. Authorized Ontario Motor League Garage The Red Cross Carries On — Will You Continue to Lend Them Your Support. for Best Results Bring your films to the Avalon Sandwich Shoppe for best results. © Developing © Enlarging © Printing ® Colouring ® Copying FAST SERVICE The Avalon Sandwich Shoppe Exeter Ontario 1 Mother s Favourite For Goughs And Golds For nearly 50 years Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup has been a favourite remedy for coughs and colds. 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