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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1947-05-22, Page 7THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 22nd, 1S47 Page 7 CHAPTER XII I I Agatlia had spoken of hex’ roman­ tic life as over; and yet, unknown to herself, she nad been ready for an autumn romance, ripe for love once more. Perhaps with her too it would he always this way , , . drifting . . . Unless she were safely married to Hugh. It was this last thought that de­ cided Enid. She would go, ■It was nearly 8 o’clock when Enid found herself walking up Mountain street once more; quite 8 o’clock when she found herself ringing Agatha's bell. There was irony in that touch, for she had one of the house keys in her own purse. She must remember to give it back. The last link which -bound her to Montreal had been snapped. She had broken with her paper. They were letting her go—regretfully, to Ipe sure — but perhaps with some relief, because others could com­ bine to do her work during the summer months, and one salary vmuld be saved. That counted for a good deal in the summer of de­ pression years. Hetty, the parlormaid who opened the door to her, tried her best not •to look surprised. “Is Mrs. LeClaire in?” The words were idiotic, Enid knew. “Yes—but not very well, Miss Walters. She was in her room.” ‘ “Ask if I may see her, please. I won’t stay long." Hetty opened the drawing-room door for her. Enid went in, but re­ mained standing. She looked around -—at the familiar green velvet fur­ niture, the gold-framed mirror—and shivered. There was something ghostly in the air of this closed room. Was it the ghostliness of lovers that had met here, of friendships that had died. Agatha had had other friends before she and Hugh name. Had they all grown futile— died? Enid would not have it so. Un­ consciously she threw back her head, clenched her hands. She would fight against jealousy, and distrust with all that was in her. A friendship was something- she would not help to destroy. There were so few real ones. She had never had many. And Agatha had loved her. She had loved Agatha. Hetty tripped up the stairs and Enid heard her steps die down on dlie soft carpet outside Agatha’s door. The room was in front of the house, just above the green drawing room over Enid’s head. Hetty rapped, went into the room and closed the door. Enid wondered what could be seen there, if she had eyes to see? Agatha vanquished, laid low? Or Agatha vain, secretly triumphant over Hugh’s love for her? Enid could almost hear the mes­ sage given, could almost see Aga­ tha’s start of incredulity or tri­ umph—repressed as far as possible before the maid. It seemed a long time before Hetty opened the dooi* and came down the stairs again. By this time Enid was sitting down, looking into the fireplace. What jolly fires they had had there! What friendliness there had been in this room; what cheer! “You know the room, Miss Wal­ ters. Will you go up?" She went upstairs alone and now stood for a moment before the closed door. Perhaps to listen to the beating of her heart; perhaps to tell herself, like a child, that she was not afraid. Ah, but she was. she was! She was afraid of Agatha and she was afraid of herself. She rapped on the door and, not waiting for the whisper that could not come, went in. Agatha was sitting ui) in bed and at Enid’s entrance laid on her small table quickly the vanity case she had been using. Two red spots, hastily and badly applied, glowed on her cheeks. She had been afraid, too, or ashamed of her pallor. “Enid!’’ It was Agatha who could speak, .first. They had looked at each other for a moment as it hypnotized be­ fore Enid could move forward. Enid’s ear, eager for the first word, heard it in something of ■shame, but still something more; something she had hardly dared hope for. It was joy at seeing her. It was the test of Agatha’s sin­ cerity. Enid came forward and sat on the edge of the bed, as she would have done in the old days; tried to smile as if nothing had happened. (But there was this tide of anger rising in her again. She must crush it.) “I am sorry you have been ill, Agatha. You mustn’t worry, really, X know . , . you could hardly help . . things. They are often too strong for us. Believe me—*X have •tried to understand.” Agatha was searching her face critically, her eyes following the turn of 'Enid’s features, her ears drinking in every inflection of her voice. Finally she sank back on her pillow with a sigh. “Then you can forgive me?” There was silence. “It is WOndefttill of you. I didn’t think" —• Agatha's fingers twisted the bedclothes — “there were such girls.” Enid cleared her throat. “I can understand how you could love Hugh and”"™more firmly—“how Hugh could love you, Naturally, seeing so much of each’ other as you did--1! left you together so of­ ten.” Agatha’s eyes closed as if she were in pain. “And—I want you to marry him, Agatha. You will, won’t you? It will be far the best thing- . . . for us all.” “But what about you? Can’t you forgive him, too? I was to blame." “Not more than he was. I imag­ ine. No. It will be all right. I am going away,” “Away!” In spite of herself there was a note of hope in Agatha’s voice. “Do you really want to—go?” This hurt. This was touching her wound on the raw. Something ironical crept into Enid’s voice, or she would have .cried. “Perhaps But I will tell you about that in a minute. Now I want you—please—to tell me you will marry Hugh. It will make me really happier to know about it when I am away.” Agatha’s features had become suddenly convulsed. She had not been listening to the last words. Her hand came up t<T hide her eyes from Enid. “He has not said—" Enid leaned forward and took Agatha’s hands quickly in hers. “But he must! Oh, I know he will.” She tried to make (her voice sound convinced. “He is really only waiting for a word from you. You have so much more to give, Agatha. Can you wonder that a poor young man like Hugh hesi­ tates? Please get in touch with him. Write! Do anything. It must come from you. Don’t you see?” Agatha was looking at her again, watching each feature as if she had never seen Enid before. Her own face revealed amazement. Then something tender crept into it. And for the first time she smiled. She had forgotten Hugh. “You love me a little—dear?" The last word, uttered shyly, trembled on the air. There was a moment’s silence before Enid could speak. “Yes, I want you to be happy,” Agatha’s lips quivered. Sudden­ ly her hands were withdrawn. She fung her right arm out over the pillow, buried lher face in it and began to sob convulsively. Her dark hair streamed ovei’ the pil­ low. Enid saw as if for the first time Agatha’s beautiful ivory skin under the hastily applied rouge, the milk- white of her bosom. Ah . . . she understood now about Agatha . . . and Hugh. There were things in life -beyond realization. This ripe, tempestuous beauty was moving, wonderful—a gift Agatha scarcely appreciated. “Agatha—don’t, dear, I under­ stand. “Listen. I haven’t very much time, for I am going away tomor­ row. Won’t you listen to my plans? I haven’t told . . . anyone else. Just the people at the office.’’ Agatha groped for her handker­ chief under her pillow. “Yes. Tell me." “You don’t know in what ex­ citement I am living just now.” Enid laughed happily. She was beginning to be -an ac­ tress after all. This conversation proved it. “My play is really to be put on in New York at the end of this month, for the summer, anyway. •Isn’t that exciting? And something more. The producer, Mr. Harkness” —she heard herself speak of him with a strange pride; she found she loved his name, not like Hugh’s, which it had become misery to ut­ ter—-“has asked me to take a part in it. That is too funny, but I am thrilled, I am going tomorrow. I am actually to be something of an actress!” “That’s wonderful, lEnld. You were always so clever. You will probably be as good an actress as you are a press woman and every­ thing else.” Agatha spoke listlessly, but she was trying to be glad. Her 'breast was heaving with strange emotions. She could bear very little more. Enid stood up to go. “Good-by, Agatha. Promise me you won’t worry.” She came a little nearer, taking Agatha’s right hand now, as she stood beside the bed, in a warm clasp. “I shall always think of you, Agatha, as the kind and lovely hostess—and friend—you have been to me here.” In the silence that followed Aga­ tha could only press Enid’s hand against her cheek. She was crying silently now. Then the door closed behind Enid. She was going down the hill again, and although It Was a warm summer evening, still and beauti­ ful, it seemed almost as if there Were a rushing wind behind her. Or was it before her? And whs she breasting it unafraid, as the great Winged Victory of Samothrace must have breasted the gale so long ago? She was happier than she had ever been, happier even than on that night—years ago now-—when Hugh had asked her t,0 marry him. But she would not think of that* Life seemed all before her. Xt was new again, Different, She was (l)n. i It I CHICK ) Proven'* growing <he 7th week on. H builds sturdy, money making layers. y. 2 Ihrough on - the "farm mjesh, from R®E [ CR0W1H0 ma$h« .1 © is best to fill <**ck Just 2/9 *ul1 Whe?, birds will not spd oriaes Feeding 3 to 4 ; m.1, »»««•« jy,,, 1 —that it H hoppers H feeding so |a it over edges. HI times u- B keeps ,nei’r“^Jre times to M and gives V ,,ure and condi-B check temperature ana Ml tion ol chicks. iiiiiii'MMIIDMBI H-!. - /Clu, , : P,.; yi)., . X” BETTER EQUIPMENT FOR BETTER FARMING Now that agricultural equipment is becoming more available, many Canadian farmers are planning to purchase electrical aids such as cream separators, refrigeration pumps, motors, milking machines, or to instal lighting, heating and water systems. They know that improved equip­ ment makes farming more pleasant and more profitable, too. Don't let the lack of ready cash prevent you from getting your share of modern farm machinery. Discuss the necessary financing With Mr. Hendry, manager of the Bank of Montreal. You will find he has a first-hand knowledge of the far­ mer's problems, and is anxious to help you modernize your farm, and enjoy the comforts and profits that come from increased production. A timely farm improvement loan from tbe B of M has helped many a farmer make his farm a better farm. (advt.) glad of 9its changes. Yes; she was glad of ’the past too, that life she had just put behind her in saying good-by to Agatha. She would not have things different. And she was glad because she was going to another world, to meet a man who was honest and good. She had seen it in his eyes, She had felt it ih every word they had said or written to each other , . . And there was the laughter he brought with him. She was so full of excitement and happiness that she passed without a glance several people who went by her on the rather dimly lighted street One man stopped in surprise after he had seen Her face, He paused, irresolute, -and * looked swiftly up the hilh Then he went on, to a house farther lip.it was Hugh, (The Find) Stephen Council The regular monthly meeting of the Council of the Township of Ste­ phen was held in the Council Cham­ bers, Crediton, on Monday, May 5, IB47, at one o’clock with the fol­ lowing members present: Itoy Ratz, Reeve; A. J. Amy, Deputy-Reeve; and Councillors Harry Beaver, J. H, Dalton and Willis Gill. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted on motion ol’ Harry Beaver and J. H. Dal­ ton; carried, Correspondence was read from W. H. Brokenshire, Clerk of Hay Township re transfer of part of Crediton Rural Telephone System to Hay Municipal Telephone Sys­ tem. Moved by J. H. Dalton, sec­ onded by A. J, Amy that the Coun­ cil of the Township approve of the transfer of part of the Crediton Rural Telephone System, west of a dividing line agreed upon, to the Hay Municipal Telephone System and the Council give their approval allowing debentures to be placed on the Lots of the petitioners to cover the cost of the changeover; carried. Correspondence was read from Mr. Jas, A. McDonald, Inspector of Telephone Service, Parliament Buildings, Toronto, regarding the transfer of a part of the Crediton Rural Telephone System to the Bell Telephone System. Moved by Harry Beaver, seconded by Willis Gill, that the Council approve of the transfer of a part of the Crediton Rural Telephone System, east of a dividing line agreed upon, to the Bell Telephone Company of Can­ ada; carried. Mr. W. H. Hodgson of Exetei* waited on the Council re .the renew­ al of the Liability Insurance car- lied by the Township. Moved by, J. H. Dalton, seconded by A. J. Amy, that the insurance be renewed for the year 1947-48; carried. Correspondence from the head­ quarters of the British Flood Relief Campaign urging that canvass be made of the Township for food, clothing and money. The Council appointed canvassers for each Con­ cession and it lie Village Trustees to look after their respective vil­ lages. The Clerk to notify each can­ vasser appointed and to urge that the canvass be completed by May 17 th. A Good Answer! Two small boys were examining some mummies in the gyptian sec­ tion of the museum. “What does the card on this mean,” said one. "It says B.C. 3,300?” “Don’t be so stupid,” said, the other. “That’s the number of the cai* that hit him." A letter from the Secretary of Grand Bend asking for appoint­ ment of Police Constables for the year 1947. Moved by J. H. Dalton, seconded by Harry Beavers, that Lionel Kendrick be appointed as Chief Constable and Joseph Ra- velle as assistant constable for May 23rd to May 26 th and from June a th to Sept, Sth; carried. Moved by Harry Beavers, second­ ed by Willis -Gill that taxi licenses be granted to Clifford Watson or Centralia and C. J. Stewart of Ex­ eter to operate a taxi over the high­ ways of Stephen Township; ear­ ned, Moved by Willis Gill, seconded by Harry Beavers, that the Road Accounts be paid for the month of April as follows: Township of Ste­ phen $79 0.13; Grand Bend P.V. $11.00; total $801.13. Moved by A. J. Amy, seconded by J. H. Dalton, that the following general accounts be paid for the month of April: S. W. Archibald, engineer’s fees on Mellin Drain $40.00; L. B. Hodgson, Clerk’s fees on Mellin Drain 15.00; Muni­ cipal World, supplies 15.26; Toron­ to Stationery Supplies, assessor’s supplies 80.25; Hopper-Hockey Furniture, ambulance service 7.00; Clifford Watson, ambulance service 6.00; G. A. Love, relief for Mrs. Vansteenkist 12.00; County of Huron, hospitalization 89.45; Mrs. Frank Smythe, special care for Mrs. Agnes Davis 8.00; Bert Holt, rent for Mrs. Carruthers 7.00; F. W. Wickwire, printing auditors reports 71.28; Gordon Ratz, wood for Vic­ tor Tyler 12.00; Gordon Ratz, wood for Mrs. Vansteenkist 12.00; total $375.24. The Auditors Reports have been received from the printer and any­ one wishing a report may have one by applying at the Clerk’s office. Moved by Harry Beavers, second­ ed 'by J. H. Dalton, that the meet­ ing be adjourned until 2nd day of June 19 47. L. B. Hodgson, Clerk. In LESS than two years, voices will be able to travel over "stormproof” cable (most of it underground) all the way between Quebec City and Windsor, and to many other points. Completing this project is part of our huge programme to keep up with the increasing flow of Long Distance calls. And not only to make^sure that calls go through with the least possible delay, but also to ensure dependable service f.rier all weather conditions. We are rushing the whole programme—which includes more lines, more switchboards—so that Long Distance will continue to be the best communication service. THE BELL TELEPHONE TRY A CLASSIFIED! - - IT PAYS’ ‘’Why was Chevrolet my choice? Because, like most women, when I shop my one idea is to get the most value for my money—and Chevrolet is the car that gives you just that. As far as beauty, comfort, and all-round quality are concerned. Chevrolet is way up there with the big cars. Yet when it comes to price—well, the price is so much lower it’s hardly believable. And another thing I like—the upkeep cost won’t strain our family budget! Yes, my choice was Chevrolet, and my husband says I couldn’t have chosen better, Big-Car value in small details, too! Most Chevrolet models have retractive assist straps, ventilat­ ing rear-quarter windows, ash receiver set into the top of the instrument panel, and either one or two in the rear passenger compartment.