HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1947-04-17, Page 9Serial Story
by Mary W. Brooks
i
i
I
took her hat off,
could sink back
leather chair,
said as trustfully
•and although
slic finds both Agatha and
'out of town. Then, in New
next morning, she sees them
ing together on the street.
THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 17th, 1947
Autumn Romance
The story thus far: Agatha Le-
Claire, wealthy Montreal divorcee,
has fallen in love with Hugh Mere
dith, the fiancee of Enid Walters,
a young newspaper woman of whom
Agatha is very fond, in spite of his
disloyalty, Hugh returns Agatha’s
affections. On an assignment in
Winnipeg for her paper, Enid is in
formed by wire that one of her
plays has been accepted for produc
tion in New York. Back in Montreal
Hugh
York
walk-
(TIAPTER VII
“Not feeling well, miss?”
The taxi driver’s voice fought
her to herself, and she felt a sudden
flood of color dyeing her white
cheeks. She knew that she must
have beep fumbling crazily in her
purse as she stood on the sidewalk
near the theatre entrance.
“You wanta be watchful of
thieves,” he went on kindly, prob
ably pitying her forlornness. “Plen
ty of ’em ’round these hard times.”
His kind face reassured her. No
—she would not faint. She was
not that kind of girl.
But she found her hand trem-.
.bling violently as she took out a
paper from her purse and asked the
doorman at the theatre where she
could find Mr. Harkness' office.
When she ha’d reached his outer
office and had given her message
to a trim young secretary, what a
relief to let herself sink into a
chair at last, to let her head droop,
her eyes close and her breath come
in quick gasps. There was no one
else in the room. Perhaps Mr.
Harkness meant to have a long in
terview with her.
And then she remembered that
it was Saturday, not a good day
for transacting business, as Mr.
Fry, her city editor, had said. They
were perhaps thinking of her at
the paper this morning—calling it
enviously her great day, a milestone
in her life ...
Something vital in-'her, a kind
of courage'that would not be ash
amed, made her lift her head sud
denly to look out of the window
at her right. The blue of the sky
was still bright, dazzling, glorious.
The secretary reappeared and she
was shown into Mr. Harkness’ pri
vate office.
so easily
A tall man in a gray suit rose
from •his desk to greet her.
“Miss Walters!Glad to meet
you.”
He was cordial,kind;■far less
like a theatre executive
had dreamed. He might
have belonged to any other pro
fession. His nose was a little long,
his eyes blue, his fair hair reced
ing a trifle from his forehead. He
was perhaps 38 or 40 at most.
Hugh’s age.
She sank down a little breath
lessly in the chair facing his, try
ing to swallow a lump in her throat.
He must think her a silly, fright
ened child.
been able to get out a word.
“I
She had not so far
_ like your play very much,
Miss Walters,” he said with a kind
smile, pitying her embarrassment,
she supposed. “It will be a splen
did summer vehicle, in my opinion.
But—excuse me—I had expected to
find someone older, more sophisti
cated—”
“And you are disappointed. I am
afraid press work makes one hard-
boiled Ibefore one’s time,” was
Enid’s retort.
“Oh, come now, you know I
didn’t mean that. But I should like
to know, for curiosity’s sake, in
what school of wit and wisdom you
have been brough up in order to
write a play like that.”
“Pehaps my wit, as you call it,
is instinctive,” Enid said then, try
ing to smile.
• The effort made her heart throb
with a certain relief, as if a parox
ysm of sobs had been finally made
to retreat.
“I see you will always have the
better of me in argument, Miss Wal
ters. Well, to defend myself, let us
get. down to the contract. That is
more in my line, anyhow. You will
want to look this over.”
He handed her a printed form to
■for
and
his
out
with proper omissions
and dates, then got up
at one of the windows,
in his pockets, looking
bright .morning.
read,
names
stood
hands
JTt til G
Enid tried t0 read,"but the print
ed words swam before here eyes. A
Elimination Of Waste
First Rule For Health
Regular elimination .•from the body is one of the para
mount rules for good, health. Mi-
Laxa-Liver I’ills are of help
lion. The combma-
of" laxative and tonic, drugs
uinod in tlwso pills mnkc of the most useful and. best
edics for disordered, condition of
climinatory organs.
Milburn’s Laxa-Liver Fills help
to stimulate the liver, clean the
coated, tongue, sweeten the breath
and eliminate waste from the sys
tem. As an “ after-dinner pill
they relievo that bloated feeling and
help indigestion.
Sold at drug counters everywhere.
Price ’ a package.
Tho T. Milburn Co,, Lid., Toronto, Ont.
liUTIl
to faulty elirn t- - -ion
n<or
re
th
of wastes
blinding stab of pain suddenly
struck her forehead. She lifted her
hand to it, and gave a quick gasp.
The next thing she remembered
he was standing over her, as con
cerned as a doctor would be, with
a flask of brandy in his hand, urg
ing her to drink something from a
tiny glass. She did so, trembling but
grateful. Then he
so that her head
against the deep
“You see,” she
as a child to a doctor-
this man was a stranger it seemed
easier—-“I had a shock—this morn
ing. But I shall be better—right
away.”
Her eyes closed. .She felt that
she would like to slip into oblivion,
to sleep and sleep and never wake
up.
He was rubbing one of her cold
hands in both his. Something of his
vitality seemed to kindle a tiny
flame in her heart again,
“You gave me quite a turn for
a moment, as they say in books,
You went white so quickly. Per
haps you didn’t have enough break
fast, arriving here in such a rush.
On top of 'the thrilling news,” he
smiled, “that your first play had
been accepted. Or have you written
a great many others?”
iShe saw that he was trying to
amuse her and returned his smile.
“No, oh, no, I nevei’ finished the
other two.”
“I can order a cup of
a sandwich in a minute
so.” He got up to ring
But she stopped him.
“I really had quite a big breakfast.” - ......
had
bacon and eggs-
“I am just a
excitement . . .
Winnipeg, you
Then at last
voice speaking
could lift her head
look at him.
“Please tell me
tract. It was trying-
made’ me so dizzy and silly.”
So he explained that the contract
gave him the American and Cana
dian rights to her play, “The Duke
of 'Padua.” There were, minor
points which they could settle later
—as, for instance, whether the lo
cale should be New York or Mont
real, as she had written it. The
advance royalties would be $1,000.
“If youwill sign the contract I
can make ’the check for a thousand
out for you now. That will help
you to recover, won’t it?”
She felt that he had lighted a
tiny spark of mischief in her again
“Nothing else could — quite so
quickly,” she agreed.
He had tactfully said nothing
about the shock she
but now she saw a
eyes.
“Will you be all
staying at a hotel or with friends?”
“At a hotel. I have time off
from my paper till Tuesday, but
that means I
on Monday
to go to the
and evening
Monday.”
He was looking at her with a
new idea in his eyes, his pen poised
above his checkbook.
“Why not rest in bed this after-
non and have them send up some
tea to you? My secretary, Miss
Marshall, will see that you get to
the hotel safely. Then let me call
for you about 7 o’clock, take you
to a quiet place for dinner and
later to the theatre.”
She thought quickly: If I go with
him I can talk and keep myself
from thinking . . . But the after
noon would be terrible, alone with
her thoughts.
“What play do you most want
to see?” he went on quickly, as if
alarmed by her silence, or by some
thing he saw in her face.
“There’s a new play opening at
the Batavia,” she said, “but I sup
pose it is hard to get tickets.”
“It is. Still, a person of my ex
perience ought to be able to manage
it. We shall say the Batavia, then.
And I admire your choice.”
“You are very kind to take me,”
said Enid, coming to and remember
ing her manners. “And now—may
I sign the contract?”
She did so; then she noticed that
his pen still remained poised above
his checkbook.
“How would it be if I made out
two checks—one for' $800 and one
for $’200? You may want to do
some frivolous shopping on Monday
Miss Marshall
with you when
identify you if
can get one of
ELIMVILLE
Miss Wanda Stephens attended
the “Busse Musieale” ,by the Rus
sian Culture Centre featuring Elsie
Kolhasti, violinist in H.B. Beal
Technical auditorium on
evening.
Miss Mildred
Branch of the
staff, London,
weeks holidays
Mr. and Mrs
sons, of Hensail, have moved into
their new home recently 'Owned by
Mrs. Ed, Johns. We welcome them
Saturday
Miller, of the City
Bank of
is spending three
at her home here.
Grant Ford and
Montreal
Mrs. Ed, Johns. We welcome
to this community.
Mr, and. Mrs. Win. Johns
ed on Sunday with Mr. and
Wm, Curtis, of Mt Brydges.
The Live Oak Mission
met at the
Stephen Thursday evening
members present, Mrs,
charge of the meeting
Garnet
visit-
Mrs.
CircleOak
home of Miss Wanda
with 8
Mair had
with Mrs.
Johns reading the Study
Book on India. Miss June Sinclair
gave a musical number on
piano. Miss Wanda Stephen
the scripture lesson,
served at the close.
Mr.
Grass, Sask.
the
read
Lunch was
Evening Service
coffee and
if you say
the bell.
One' garage will be open in
Exeter on Sundays and dur
ing the evenings throughout
the week.
Open this Sunday and During
the Evenings throughout the
Week.
Stanley Hanna.
Siiok., and his
of Clinton,
of Yellow
cousin,
Elliot, of Clinton, visited wit
former’s aunt and uncle,
recently.
and
South H yron Junior
Institute Gets Under Way
Here we find ourselves at the
second meeting of the Junior Far
mers and junior Institute. With
everyone anxious to know more
and more about this organization!
the meeting for the girls. got un
der way. The meeting was opened
by ,the girls singing the “Womens
Institute Ode”. With our very
capable president, Miss Jean Brock
in the chair, .the meeting became
very interesting. The Lord”s Pray
er was repeated after the singing
•of the Ode. Our secretary, Anna
Brock, read the minutes of the
first meeting. After they were
I corrected by electing a new pian- list, they were approved as read.
I Our new pianist being , Norma
Knight. In the absence of the
treasurer, the secretary read the
treasurer’s report.
Our roll call for this nfeeting’
was paying of fees. A very small
collection was taken up
emergency fund.
Jean Brock read some
teresting articles from a
reived from
She remembered that she
even been able to manage
—before she knew,
little unstrung. The
I rushed back from
know.”
she heard her
and felt that
once more
GIBSON’S
Service Station
Mrs. Thos. Bell
Don’t forget the play
This World” ‘
United Church on Monday,
21st under the
Mission Band.
Mr, ‘ ‘ ~
family,
at the
Johns.
Johns
for the week-end.
Mission Band Meeting
The Mission Band
Easter meeting in the
the church on Monday
tendance
and Anna Routly
and June Sinclair played a piano
solo ;
Flerdman and Fred Delbridge were
presented with Life Membership
certificates ^from their grandpar
ents, Mr. aricl Mrs. Henry Delbridge
of Exeter. A chapter from the stu
dy book was taken and then games
were
“Out of
Elimville
April
auspices of the
in the
Fred Long andand Mrs.
of Atwood, spent Saturday
home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm.
Misses Eilene and Ethelene
returned home with them
theirheld
basement of
with an at-
of ^sixteen. Betty Bailey
gave readings
and the boys sang. Helen
played and lunch served.
about the
to read it
own
she
and
cou
th at
had mentioned,
question in his
right? Are you
shall have to go back
evening. So I meant
theatre this afternoon
both, to make up for
before your return.
■can go to my bank
you leave here and
you wish. Then you
the checks cashed, Not the $800, I
hope,” he added teasingly.
not 11 o’clock yet if you feel
to go today.”
Eleven o’clock! She felt she
passed through a lifetime in
hour. And somewhere not far away
Hugh and Agatha were still prob
ably walking in the
shine along Broadway
“It is
able
had
that
■bright sun-
. . perhaps
buying tickets for a play tonight
this theatre
while she was still
farther in
. . . even perhaps in
building
far away in the west,
memory.
iShe shivered a little
up to go.
“Two hundred will be
enough,” she said, trying to smile,
“I think I shall need a new gown
worthy of the Batavia. Perhaps I
and stood
.more than
the way back to thecan get it on
hotel.”
Because he
her so kindly
enthusiasm than she felt. She was
thinking with a* pang of her old-
gold gown, which she had brought
from Montreal t0 do service at the
theatre. She would never wear it
again.
But he was saying something
amusing.
“I should recommend white tar
latan with a blue sash. With plenty
of ruches—or frills—or both. You
don’t know how that would please
—the actors.” He grinned broadly.
She found she was fumbling with
her hat, just as she <had fumbled
with her purse so long ago. (An
hour!) Only there was a differ
ence now. She could smile,
had helped her some way.
“You will find two or three mir
rors concealed in the outer office,”
he added, noticing the hat in her
■hands. “Miss Marshall has
as many as that.”
She smiled then bitterly,
bering Hugh. This man
of everything! No wonder
a big executive.
She watched him while lie in
structed Miss Marshall in the other
office. The girl, a pretty brunette,
wearing the latest and most deli
cate kind of makeup, agreed with
unaffected kindness to look after
her for a time.
And then Mr. Harkness turned
around to Enid and shook hands
warmly.
“Au revoir, until tonight.”
Which rather cryptic sentence
made Miss '.Marshall’s brown eyes
open wide.
Enid decided after she left Miss
Marshall that it was silly to con
sider herself an invalid and go to
bed for the afternoon. And yet it
was a comfort to know that Mr.
Harkness took an interest in her
and hoped that she would survive
for the evening’s performance! If
he had been at all curious about
the “shock” she had mentioned, he
• had not.shown it. She decided that
was because he was a gentleman.
She had not meant to go to bed
when she got back to her hotel after
her shopping tour; but by 2 o’clock
the headache which had threatened
to move all around her head had
settled between here eyes, and she
felt blinded with pain. She threw
herself on her bed, hoping for re
lief of tears. None came. She real
ized then that she was different
from the girl who had been so
stunned that morning. Its events,
her time with Mr. Harkness, had
left her bitter but subdued.
Yet there was still a tense fear
in the thought that she might run
into Hugh and Agatha here at the
hotel, on the street, or even at the
i theatre that night. It was likely, of
■course, that they would put Up at
some larger hotel, where they could
more easily escape notice. Even if
they ran across some friend from
Montreal, they would say that they
had come to New York to meet her,
Enid, on her return from the west,
to see her off to Europe on a round-
the-world tour, or somewhere else
equally impossible. It must have all
ben thought out by this time.
Oh yes, their imaginations would
have to be remarkably fertile from
now on!
But perhaps they didn’t care what
•people thought. Perhaps they didn’t
remember her even hi this way,
(Continued Next Week)
Next Week: What part wilt John
Harkness, Enid’s new friend, piny
in her eventful life? Can she forget
Hugh?
was
she
looking down at
spoke with more
He
to have
remem
thought
he was
HENSALL-
(continued from page 3)
violin solo, “Serenade,” was played
by Miss Greta Lammie, accompanied
by Miss Gladys Luker. The assembly
then enjoyed a rare treat. Miss
Lenore Norminton, Lions’ oratorical
contest winner (girl’s section)
which event was held in London
several weeks ago, presented her
interesting and challenging address,
“Is Canada a Nation?” The business
session was proceeded with. The
play, “Betty, the Girl of My Heart,”
will be presented by Exeter James
St. Y.P.U. in Hensail Town Hall on
Tuesday evening, April 15 th. The
following .copimittees were organ
ized: Ushers, Mrs. R. MacLaren,
Mrs. Goodwin, Mrs. E. L. Mickle and Mrs. S. ’ Bell; refreshments,
Mrs, Elgie, Miss Lammie, Mrs. Mac
Laren, Mrs. Broderick, Mrs^ Geiger,
Mrs. ’ .
Mrs. Horton, Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Chap
man.
Mrs.
very
book
the Department
Agriculture in Toronto. This being
helpful to new members. Delegates
were elected to go to the Guelph
Junior Farmers Conference on Ap
ril 20, 21, 22. Marion Rundle.
Junior District Representative and
Agnes Bray were elected. The ex
ecutive felt that one other girl
should be sent as the Junior
Farmers were planning on sending?
four delegates. A motion was car
ried that the
other
ence.
Our guest speaker for the eve
ning was Mrs. J. Kirkland, vice-i
president of the District and Hon-
ourary president of the Hurondale
Women’s Institute. She
very helpful hints and
to help us along to a
successful organization,
felt more like an Institute
ber when
ished.
Anna
humorous
many a laugh. Our president gave
us a brief outline of the meeting
she attended in Palmerston on
Saturday of last week. The meet
ing was adjourned
joined the boys for a
ing.
Miss Jean Brock
joint meeting with a
followed
ing of
meeting,
care of
adoption
Green and White,
pleasant hour with
lunch and closed the meeting with
the "...................
ing will be held on May 7, 19 47.
executive elect one
.girl to attend this confer-
Kerslake, Mrs. W. gangster,
Mrs. Mickle; entertainment,
Hedden. After a lengthy dis
cussion the members finally decid
ed to hold a banquet to mark the
50th anniversary of the founding
of Women's Institutes, this event
to take place on May 14th. The
following committee was appointed
to be in charge, of arrangements:
Mrs. Hess, Mrs.” Mickle, Mrs. Elgie,
Mrs. A. D. McEwen, Miss Lammie.
Members are urged to secure tick
ets not later than May 1st. These
may be secured from Mrs. Kers
lake at her home or at Kerslake’s
store. Mrs. Goodwin, nominating
committee convenor, presented the
slate of officers for 1947-48: Pres.,
Mrs.
Mrs.
Orr;
er; i
press reporter, Mrs. Hedden; branch
directors, Mrs. Drysdale, Mrs. Cross,
•Mrs. W. Sangster; pianist, Miss
Florence Welsh; ass’t pianist, Miss
Greta Lammie; card convenor, Mrs.
W. Smale: district representative,
Mrs. G. Hess. The treasurer, Miss
Gladys Luker, announced that the
proceeds received from the refresh
ment booth operated at Munn’s sale
amounted to $20.73. Reports of
standing committees were read: Ag
riculture and Canadian Industries,
Mrs. Kerslake; Citizenship, Mrs.
Orr; Historical Research, Mrs. C.
Forrest; Home Economics, Miss
Florence Welsh; Publicity, Mrs. A.
E. •Munn: Social Welfare, Mrs.
IF'aber.
report
Luker.
Scherk
A letter was read from J. A. Pater
son, village clerk, stating that in
the' future the Council will grant
the Institute ladies the use of the
Council Chambers for holding in
stitute meetings, free of charge.
The ladies greatly appreciate this
kindness and will take advantage
of this opportunity at such time or
times, when no home is available
for meetings. Mrs. Jas. McAllister
offered immensely interesting com
ments on
fault
never
Miss
Bank
. A. Kerslake; 1st vice-pres.,
. Munn; 2nd vice-pres., .Mrs.
; sec’y-treas., Miss Gladys Luk-
ass’t sec’y-treas., Mrs. R. Elgie;
Social Welfare,
The encouraging financial
was read by Miss Gladys
Letters of thanks from Mrs.
and Gertrude Bell were read.
Hl
Authorized Ontario Motor League Garage
““83
Exeter Motor Sales
Dodge and DeSoto Sales and Service
Tom Coates Phone 200 Fred. Dobbs
Page $
for
Steamer “Sagamo” on Lake Rosseau
with a
brought
WRECKER SERVICE DAY AND NIGHT
EXPERT
WELDING
Does any of your machinery need
repairing? Welding is a specialty
in our machine shop. You are sure
of an expert, speedy job.
gave some
suggestions
good and
Every one
mem-
had fin-Mrs. Kirkland
Brock favoured
i eading which
and the .girls
joint meet-
opened the
sing song
by the reading and pass-
the minutes of the last
The only business to take
for the evening was the
of our colours which are
and White. We spent a
hour with games and
National Anthem. Next meet-
Miss Margaret McDougall, who
spent many years in the Mitchell
community, died in London on Fri
day in her 6 3rd year. .She was a
native of Hibbert Township but had
resided in London for the past 12
years. The funeral took place from
the home of her nephew, Allen Mc
Dougall, lot 17, concession 17. Ful-
larton Township, on Tuesday. In
terment was in Roys Cemetery.
Its very name means “blue skies!”
And here’s a tested recipe for
holiday enjoyment... an overnight
boat trip, a round of golf, a refresh
ing plunge in any one of the myriad
lakes in this magical country.
Gravenhurst, at the southern tip of
this famous chain, chief, among
which are Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau
and Joseph, is only a three-and-a-
half hours’ drive, north on highway
No. 11 from Toronto. And this
popular playground is easily
reached by train or bus from any
point in or outside the Province.
For more details on Muskoka, write
Ontario Holiday, Room 1004,
Victory Building, Toronto.
TOURIST BUSINESS IS GOOD BUSINESS
... FOR EVERY CITIZEN
We all profit when the tourist industry pros-
pers. Even if you have no connection with
hotels or garages or amusements, their
prosperity still helps you. So it’s in your own
interest to plan to spend your holiday in
Ontario and do all you can to encourage
friends from other parts of Canada and the
U.S. to come and share our fun.
the motto, “If we see no
our own work, we shall
any better.” At this period
dys Luker presented a
nk and an accompanying
m
do
Gb
Bt
address to Mrs. Lome Chapman for
her infant son, Robert Craig Chap
man. Mrs Frank Wright,
unavoidably absent, will
ceive hers for her infant
Eleanor Christine Wright,
oils reading, “Reducing,”
by Miss Ellis. Mrs.
pressed a sincere “thanks” to all.
The National Anthem was sung. De
licious refreshments were served
under the management of Mrs.
Cook, Mrs. MacBeath and the social
committee. A social hour was en
joyed.
who was
later re
daughter
A humor
was given
;. Kerslake ex
thanks'
One of a series of advertisements about Ontario
Holidays published in the public interest
by John Labatt Limited