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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1946-09-12, Page 7By WALLACE K* NORMAN The story thus far: After S.U years’ service in the French Foreign Legion, where he enlisted, after an unwarranted dishonorable dis* charge from West Point,. Bill Har- very, alias Lieut. Xerxes Benedict, is in Tlaba with a company under Capt, Berouge, waiting rising of Aben-el4Akr’s town to search for Xerxes sees a number unfriendly* tribesmen conversing to­ gether. He suspects the tribes are joining forces. While in a Tlaba cafe he is amazed by the appearance of a white girl, who proves to be an American; Constance Barteau. She is with her brother, Raoul, a curio ibuyer. icgxioes for an up* natives. In the Arab, pf hitherto CHAPTER IV Xerxes returned to camp from Tlaba to find Capt. Berouge fum­ ing and fretting in his tent like a grouchy porcupine. “Ah, lieutenant” The captain exclaimed as Xerxes brushed past the sentry and stepped through the tent flap. “Then those swine down there did not slit your throat? It • is well you came! I was about to send the whole detachment down after you!” Xerxes laughed easily. “Never worry on that score, captain,” he said, “I know my Way around these native nests.”. "Well and good,” Berouge snort­ ed. “But if the nestlings took a no­ tion to put a knife through your throat they’d do it as easily as if you were a green recruit fresh out of Sidi-bel-Abbes! ant, what did you is this old jackass Akr?” Xerxes’ bronzed Well, lieuten- learn? Where of an Aben-el- ___ ... face sobered. "So far I haven’t been able to find a trace of him," he said. “But there is other news, of probably greater “Yes, yes?” Berouge, weary and sand-logged from the five ‘days’ trek through the wilderness, leaned for­ ward expectantly, his piercing eyes sweeping the face of his lieutenant. ' “What is the news?” Benedict told him cryptically of what he had seen in the cafe: the I Tuouregs, the Ch'leuhs, and the eastern desert Arabs, all closeted :©E3o; THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 12th, 1946 SOKTOt S55B Page T ‘T The 1946 International Plowing Match To be Known as « Victory Match* ADVANCE NOTICE socto where he was to meet Constance, To his surprise, she was there waiting for him. They shook; handsr and as if anticipating their wants the proprietor of the place, a bulb­ ous, paunchy hillman, brought forth a beautifully woven rug for their seat, Coffee and sweetmeats followed in short order and Xerxes, expressed his wonder, “Well, it may seem a trifle for­ ward. pf me, lieutenant,” Constance said, “but after* all I am a bit better acquainted in Tlaba than you. and it seemed only right that I should take what steps I could to make your visit—well, as pleasant as pos­ sible. Am I to be censured for my boldness?” » Xerxes looked at her a moment, a thin, thimblelike cup of coffee poised half-way to his lips, If she had been attractive the day before, she was positively bewitching to­ day, Clad simply in a riding habit that revealed the lines of her su­ perb figure, her dark hair pulled ■back almost severely, she was a liv­ ing picture that made Lieut, Xerxes Benedict’s heart perform strange antics. “Censure you?” he laughed. “In­ deed not’, I might ‘counsel you, but censure you—never!” “And if you were to counsel me,” Constance asked, her warm eyes lifting to his, “what would you tell me?” “Well,” Xerxes said soberly, “wihile it’s hardly my place to say anything, one way or another, I might suggest that you be a shade more careful of the way you wander about Tlaba alone. Evidently you are familiar enough with the coun­ try, but nevertheless if I were you I wouldn’t take too much for granted.” Constance Barteau’s eyes masked for the fraction of a second. “Oh, please don’t spoil pur afternoon,” she said, and then smiled. “I'm quite safe I assure you. You see—” she hesitated an instant, her eyes •wandering across the sun-scorched •plaza. “You see my brother is quite well known,” n “Oh, I see.” Xerxes studies her . oval face a moment, then continued. * “Must be quite interesting .knock­ ing around out-of-the-way .places like this, Miss Barteau. “Tisn’ttogether. He was about "to .mention many girls-’—American or othewise •Constance Barteau when Jean ILa Rue, . the chubby young sub-lieu- tenant, entered the captain’s tent to catch the last ‘part of Xerxes’ speech. ".Mon dieu!” be sub-lieutenant exclaimed, his cheeks distending in surprise. “Tuouregs and all—.here in the Middle Atlas! What can be the meaning, captain?” Berouge scowled across the -dry waste at the mud town sprawling innoculously silent in its century- old squalor. “The meaning?” he snorted. “Who knows the meaning of any­ thing in this God-forgotten place! It means that these scoundrels are brewing a nasty mess of trouble for us,” he snapped. A tight, wor­ ried look filtered into the captain’s squinted eyes. Xerxes and Berouge slept little, if at all, that night. Guards were doubled and the men slept on their arms. A nervous, expectant atmos­ phere hovered over the Legion eh- „ campment—but nothing happened. Dawn come out of the east, mask­ ing the mountains in a misty veil, like huge formless specters; the - sun broke ovei* a distant peak and it was day. In mid-afternoon, after tedious hours of waiting—for what, no one in the little encampment knew— Xerxes changed to a clean uniform and sauntered into Tlaba. Picking his way through the littered mar­ ket place, avoiding baskets of fly- infested food and half-naked ven­ ders, he made his way* to the cafe f rw a wMBmiiT—nwrn iwr'nwwyimrriiwi,* WHEN IN TORONTO Make Your Hom* —who'd do* it even if they had tlie‘ chance. Tell me about yourself— because,” he laughed ‘boyishly, “it still just doesn’t seem real, meeting an {American girl out here!” “About me?” Constance returned, her eyes widening. “Heavens, there’s nothing to tell! All I do is follow my brother. He does all the work’ and T just tag along. But you could do me a great favor, lieuten­ ant, if you would—” Xerxes grinned. “Sure, I know,” he said. “You want to heai* some thrilling stories about the Foreign Legion. Well,” he laughed amus­ edly, “there ain’t no such animal!" Disappointment darkened Con­ stance’s face. “Oh, but there must be!” she protested. “You .go every­ where, do • everything. Surely there must be something that would thrill a poor, lonely girl alone in the mid­ dle of the desert mountains! For instance, why did the Legion sud­ denly swoop down here on Tlaba? Why, my 'brother and I were never so surprised in our lives as when your troops came marhing into view yesterday!” For just an instant semething warned Xerxes against answering, then he laughed and shrugged. “You know as much about it as either Capt. Berouge or I do," he replied. “Orders came to us in Mecknes - that we were to proceed td Tlaba, and here we are." “But for what?" the girl .persist­ ed, her face aglow with interest. “Surely the high command wouldn’t send a whole detachment 'of Le­ gionnaires' all the way from Meck­ nes just for the fuD of it. Do they expect trouble of some .kind here?” Xerxes frowned and rubber a knuckle thoughtfully across his Chin. “But <<# LOCATED on wide SPADINA AVE. At College Street • « « RATES • • • Single $1.50-$3.50 Double $2.50 -$7.00 Write for folder We Advise Early Reservation A WHOLE DAY’S SIGHT-SEEING WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE A. M. POWELL, Prosldon! across “Well, yes," he admitted, again I’m as much in the dark as you. Something unusual seems to be in the wind, but so far we haven’t been able to learn what it is.” Constance Barteau stiffened slightly. “Something unusual?” she echoed, here eyes straying away from Xerxes’. For a moment a guarded frown darkened her brow. “And you haven’t been able to dis­ cover what this unusual something is?"“No, we haven't?’ Xerxes admit­ ted frankly. “The town here is as quiet as a grave at midnight—the three little native villages down the valley scoured, learned there. Ing and it’s got us all pretty nerv­ ous, I don’t mind telling you." For an instant the girl sat rigid, have and ibeen thoroughly nothing has been It’s 'darned perplex- Had Another Bad Might? Couldn’t You Get Any Rest? To those who toss, night afterlight. oil sleepless beds. To those who sleep in a kina Or a why, but whose rest is broken by bad dreams and nightmare. To those whQ wake up in the morning as tirod as when they Went to bed, we offer in Milburn’s Health and Nerve Pills a tonio remedy to help soothe and strengthen the nerves. When this is done there should be no more restless nights due to bad dreams and nightmares. ' Price 50c a box, 65 pills, at all drug counters. ...... Look for Our registered trade mark a “Red Heart’* on tho packaga, Tho T. Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont■u... then she relaxed with a Imlf-stlfied sigh that might have been one- of relief. "I see/' she said, then asked easily: “But you still expect trouble of some sort?” “Yes,” he frowned* ”we dp. And from all indications, it’s going to be pretty bad when it comes/’ “Then,” Constance replied# suppose you’ll remain in Tlaba un­ til-—tor a little while longer.” He nodded,, and she. went “Well* I'm awfully glad to hear that* It's really grand having you here," she' said* and laughed her throaty laugh. She asked one more question, her eyes, half-masked, watching Xerxes' face with intense, guarded interest, “Do you expect any more iLeglonnaires, or does the high command believe the trouble will not be so great that your de­ tachment can’t handle it alone?” “Oh, that's hard to say,” Xerxes, replied, pouring more coffee, “You see there’s been qtuite a bit of un­ rest all over of late and the Legion is pretty busy elsewhere. If any­ thing breaks loose here I guess we’ll have to take care of it our­ selves?’ He paused to light a cigar­ ette, “Now answer1 a question or two for me, will you?” lie grinned. The again, Xerxes’ handsome features with a swift, unfathomable glance. “Why certainly, lieutenant,” she nodded. “What would you like to know?’” “Just this,” Xerxes asked. “What are you and your brother going to do when th© trouble does break?” “May I answer that for her?” a low voice said over Xerxes’ shoulder, “We shall leave Tlaba or seek safety in the Legion camp.” Xerxes turned to behold a dark, close-mouthed man, who bore a striking resemblance to Constance, standing behind her, “Oh!” Constance got to her-feet. Xerxes followed her. “Raoul,” the girl said, her eyes fastened on the dark man’s thin, uncommunicative face, “this is Lieutenant Benedict of whom I spoke.” A tight-lipped smile touched the man’s face as he put out his hand. “Delighted, lieutenant," he with rather more enthusiasm than his smile promised, “I am Con­ stance’s brother.” Xerxes surveyed the man a mo­ ment before he clasped his hand. That he was Constance Barteau’s brother was obvious enough, but there was also an obvious differ­ ence between the two. Just what the difference was Xerxes hadn’t time to ‘decide. Roughly, the broth­ er seemed furtive and unstable, while the sister was straightfor­ ward and wholesome. “Be sure I am delighted to meet you, too, Mr. Barteau," Xerxes said, shaking the other’s hand. “I've had the very great pleasure of your' sister's company these two afternoons, and I want you to know how deeply I am indebted to you for bringing her to Tlaba ...” . Raoul Barteau bowed stiffly. “Your arrival was indeed fortunate, lieutenant. I’ve been so busy she’s been left practically. alone, but for the moment I’m afraid I must de­ prive her of your companionship. She has become an expert on native weaving and I must take her to see some shawls I’m about to buy. I trust you’ll forgive me for thus ‘disrupting your tete-a-tete?” * Xerxes. grunted disappointedly, making no attempt to hide his feel­ ings. “No?’ he grinned. “I can’t •forgive you, but I'll do my best to overlook it. Provided,” he said, turning to Constance, “we can meet again tomorrow.” Her lips .drawn tight, Constance stared up at him a moment in silence. Xerxes saw something shadowy in the depths of her brown eyes, but could not fathom what he saw;. “Certainly,” her brother filled in the gap hastily. “There’ll, be no shawls to inspect tomorrow. You caii meet the lieutenant tomorrow, can’t you, Constance?” The girl started, then .caught her­ self. For an instant her shoulder, soft and warm, was pressed full against Xerxes’ arm. “Yes . . . oh, yes?’ she said jerkily. “Tomorrow , . . . yes, of course. Here at the same time, if you wish, lieutenant.” She turned and was gone before Xerxes could answer. He stood ‘pon­ dering the strangeness of her man­ ner a moment or two. It was as if she had suddenly become fright­ ened. •Perplexed, Xerxes Stepped from th© cafe, and halted in his tracks. Across the square, in full view, stood a Startlingly familiar figure. It • was 'Curt Sawyer,' the man who had been responsible for. Xerxes being dismissed from West Point. Xerxes stood rooted. But there was no mistaking what he saw. The man across the square was Curt Sawyer, in civilian clothes, seem­ ingly years older, paunchy and de- bauchel in appearance, Xerxes started forward, and as he did so Sawyer turned, disap­ peared in the crowd of robe-clad natives. Half running, the Legion lieutenant rounded a corner of the winding street, a fleeting second .too late. Just at the next curve he caught a glimpse of Curt Sawyer as the latter turned into' a doorway. Two people were with him. One was Constance Barteau, the other whs her brother. Curt Sawyer's fat, puffy arm draped itself familiarly over Constance’s shoulder, and she made no effort to shake it off as they disappeared through the door­ way, (Continued Next Week) Next Week: The mail who Bill HhiVcy wished to forget now ap­ pears, to Contribute to the danger of Lieut. Xerxes Benedict in the doomed village Of Tlaba. on» girl stiffened pi’eceptibly her dark eyes combing For well over a century ifow, plowing matches have been held in Ontario, from the days when plow­ ing was done, by a yolk of wen and a wooden plow behind which the plowman walked, to today, when gang-plows behind a tractor on which the plowman sits, from the days when a farmer plowed un­ til darkness forced him off the lan<i until today# when with aux­ iliary lights mounted on his trac­ tor, the farmer can plow from sun­ down to sun-up if he should so de­ Eire, There is a lot of history to be1 packed into a century, history that has seen the lot of the farmer ( steadily improve# but a history that has found no better way of break­ ing and tilling the soil than the plow, whether it be a single plow or a four-furrow plow. The soil is still the very life-blood of the farming industry, but unless it is well cultivated satisfactory produc­ tion is impossible. Competition exists in the farming industry as it does in any other, and the far­ mer, to be successful, must have the most modern, practical equip­ ment know hpw to use it efficiently. To enjoy farming a young man must take ‘pride in straight furrows, straight seed drills, tidy fences and buildings. These are the funda­ mental facts which justify plowing matches, large or small. ‘Perhaps the most remarkable fact about this agricultural event is the fact that, although such enormous available, and he should said TOtoAiSC© He: wh y I She: He j “There's a certain reason love you." “My goodness!" “Don’t be ridiculous?* crowds attend annually* there are none of the usual attractions, such as freaks, vaudeville shows and midway gambling* On the other hand there ar© numerous educa- tionai demonstrations and whole­ some competition. This year the International lias adopted the very fitting slogan “The Victory Match”, in view of the fact that this will be the first plowing match since the cessation1 of hostilities, The site of this year’s match will be the port Albert Air Port, where, daring the war years the Royal Air /Force trained pilots, for the naval air arm of the !A'ir Force, The choice is a very happy one’ from every angle; in the first place, and most important, is the expanse of land that can and WIH be accommodating possibly one of the greatest turnouts in the history of the International; the buildings that are still on the property will be used to house many of the ex­ hibits and will be used for the com­ fort of the thousands who will be attending the “Victory Match”; i and finally, located as it is right on the Blue Water Highway, it is easily accessible to everyone. Educational demonstrations will cover almost every phase of pro­ gressive agriculture, from produc­ tion to marketing. AU kinds of modern machinery will he demon­ strated daily. The grading of farm ‘products will be illustrated. New methods of curing hay and harvest­ ing will be taught. Plow setting, seed cleaning and soil ’ testin'g will be explained, so every farmer, no matter how well-versed he may be on the farming industry, can afford not to attend this year’s match. You may be sure, no matter whether you are a farmer or not, a most cordial welcome awaits you, together with a very interest­ ing .program, at Port Albert, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 15, 16, .17 and 18. If you would like to obtain the prize lists or any other additional information, you may write to J. A. Carroll, Manager, Parliament Buildings, Toronto, Canada. Ready eash is yours in a Use the Want-Ads. flash. asaa Ontario Royal Commission on Forestry 2- 3 28-29 Oct, 1- 2 Nov, 5- 6 n 8- 9 12-18 ti 18-19 1! 25-26 It 28-29 Bee, •n WHEREAS pursuant to the Public Inquiries !Act, Chapter IS of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1937, Major General Howard Kennedy was appointed a Commissioner to investigate, inquire into and report upon the forest resources of Ontario and their conservation, management and beneficial utilization for all pur- poses, including their relation to Other basic industries, particu­larly farming, and their relation to recreation, spii conservation, and waterways and water powers*— NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, after haying completed field investigations with his staff, the Commissioner proposes to hold public hearings in accordance with the following tentative schedule*— Sault Ste. Marie Port Arthur Kenova Fort Frances Geraldton London Cochrane ............. North Bay ........... Pembroke Ottawa ............,................................... 5- 6- 7 Toronto ...............................9-10-11 NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT all persons, associations, oi* groups desiring to make representations or -present evidence to the Commission will have an opportunity of doing so at any one of th© above hearings. While the presentation of oral evidence under oath is permissable, it is strongly urged that submissions take the form of written briefs, as to the form of which the Com­ mission’s counsel will give any assistance that may be required. All briefs or oral evidence presented at the public hearings will be given proper consideration by the -Commission in the -prep­ aration of its report and recommendations, In order to facilitate the work of the Commission, it is re­ quested that briefs be forwarded to The Secretary, Ontario Royal Commission on Forestry, Administration Building, Long Branch Small Arms Plant, Toronto 14, to reach the office of the Com­ mission at least one month before the hearing at which their con­ sideration is desired. W, H. HEWSON, Secretary, WILLIAM J. ALLISON hied in McGillivray Funeral services for William Jas. Allison, who died suddenly at his home in McGillivray Township, were conducted by Rev. A. True­ blood, of Brinsley United Church. A lifelong resident of the district he was in his 74th year and leaves two sons and three daughters, Gordon, Malcolm, Mrs. R. Schenk, Mrs. H. Yearly, all of the commun­ ity; Mrs. E. Lochner, of Inwood; one sister, Mrs. H. Pearson, of Sarnia; a brother, Robert, of Mc­ Gillivray. Pallbearers were James Wright, Stanley Steeper, James Mc­ Carthy, Guthrie Reid, Arnold Was- nidge, Kenneth Tweddle. Interment was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. ■iz !W ni.i .nm.i.MK, THANK YOU for waiting for delivery of your <* j* NEW GENERAL MOTORS CAR We are doing our best to see that you get your new car as quickly as possible We want To thank every one of our customers — and every prospective customer as well — for the friendly patience with which you are awaiting your new General Motors car, whether it be a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick or Cadillac. That patience will be more than rewarded when we hand you the keys to one of these great new General Motors cars, for here, in our judgment are automobiles ahead of their time — far and away the best in each of their respective classes. We know how difficult it is to wait even a day for a car of General Motors exceptionally fine quality; but* we believe you will understand that we and General Motors are as eager to deliver cars as purchasers are to obtain them. Unfortunately, the cars produced so far this year are far fewer than we and the factory had counted on. General Motors headquarters at Oshawa sums up the situation thus: “Even though our rate of production normally exceeds that of any other manufacturer, we have been able to build, up to August 1, only a small percentage of the number of cars we' : built up to that date in 194L Our own produc- ; tiort, like that of the industry in general, is still far below normal, because of frequent shortages of essential materials and parts. Strike after strike at the plants of our suppliers has seriously impeded our progress toward • full production, and the cumulative effect severely hampers both manufacturing and assembly.” While production is restricted, so —in proportion — are shipments of cars to us. As production increases* we are assured of getting our proportionate share of the total number of cars from the factory. But we want yout to know that as quickly as these Cars are received, we will speed deliveries to our customers. We thank you, again, for your understanding and patience — confident that when your turn comes to enjoy the brilliant new standards achieved by the new General Motors cars, you will be thankful you Waited. Remember —• Our CAR SERVICE is your best CAR-SAVER, Keep your present car in good condition until you get delivery of your new General Motors car, by bringihg it id us for skilled service now arid at regular Intervals, Chevrolet Pontiac Oldsmobile Buick Cadillac