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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1936-03-05, Page 6fylshbel WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES ■SYNOPSIS: , , . A luxurious five- .month cruise around the world aboard the “Marenia’’ brings together a group of passengers for adventures, romantic, entertaining . . and tragic „ * Like in “Grand Hotel" these pas­ sengers offer a study in human ac­ tions and reactions, which uncon­ sciously bare their souls, . , . These characters are aboard the ship: Mac­ duff, dour Scotchman, single, of mid­ dle age; Miss Mudge, school teacher, spending the savings of 20 years; Angela, faithful wife of Lovat, gigolo; Dick Charlton, first officer; Claire, a person of experience; Joan, a dissi­ pated flapper; Jenny, run-away wife, and Peter; Captain Baring, master of the ship . . , and his soul. . . NOW, CO ON WITH THE STORY. The girl had passed from frenzy to maudlin collapse. She was shiver­ ing as her protector dragged her firm- ly through the door. Down the com- qjanionway and along the corridors they staggered, the older woman mov­ ing with intent and decisive steps. At last they reached John’s cabin and the girl flopped on her bed. Miss Mudge bent down and drew off her ■slippers and stockings. She made her sit up while she pulled her flowered chiffon frock over her head. Blush­ ing vaguely when she saw how little she wore, she gingerly drew off the •scrap of lace that seemed. to be all of her underclothing. How lovely she was! Miss Mudge went into her wardrobe and found a nightdress—of Silk so soft that she could crush it in one hand. It was fragant and sweet as acacia blossom. “Comfy now?” she asked. Joan’s reply was an incoherent whisper. Miss Mudge kissed her and tucked ■her up, dimly touched by her helpless state. Then she found her way to her own bed in the darkness, for she could not bear' the light just then. Her numbness was slowly passing and she was coming out of a fog, aware at last that something terrible had happened to her in the captain’s ■quarters. In a full blaze of conscious­ ness, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Miss Foster, wild and drunk and beautiful, had told the truth and stripped her to shreds, right down to the awful foundation of her cotton night-gown and her crimped fringe. Miss Mudge was seeing things as they were, and she felt alone and afraid, in a vast hall that stretched to infinity, a hall lined with flashing mirrors that reflected over and over again the cheapness of all her be­ longings. A week ago she had felt so chic. And the kiss from Mr. Charl­ ton—an act of pity! That had been ■cheap, too. Her face was drained of life. For hours she lay on her bed without moving. The cocktail party went on, with the guests making feverish efforts to cover up the disappearance of Miss Mudge and Joan. Only Dick went ■out, after catching the eye of the cap­ tain. Angela shook herself clear of the horror she had gone through. Captain Baring took out his violin and settled it tenderly under his chin. He played for them, softly, Grieg and Bach. Angela sat entranced—not so much by the music as by the strange j man who spent lonely nights on the j bridge and could wring such feeling1 TORONTO GIRLS WIN CANADIAN SKATING TITLES Toronto Granite Club skaters won both the senior and junior ladies* Canadian figure-skating champion­ ships in the two-day meet which was from his violin. When he had finish ed, he was still remote, as if his play1 ing was a form of self-indulgence he did not care to share with others. He listened to their compliments absent­ mindedly and left them without a word, Miss Mudge left the Marenia at San Francisco. She was pale and wore, her glasses. Her fringe was straight and she had given her Span­ ish shawl to her stewardess. All of her vanities had been laid aside, for her mind worked clearly now, with everything out in the open. After her tips had been paid, she had eight dol­ lars left and her railway ticket to Ohonto. That was that! She had tra­ velled forty thousand miles but had failed to see the world. She had spent her life’s saving and would have to begin all over again, Another twenty years with Agatha before it was time for them to retire on their pensions, Her dull life lay over her like a shade. Bravely she stepped down the gang­ plank, knowing that glamour was on­ ly an empty word, last that there was in which she could she would keep her her surroundings, and her thoughts close to the ground. She had avoided Dick since the cocktail party. He had sent her a note, kind and detached, telling her that she must forget every word Miss Foster had said. It was now among her souvenirs—a red balloon, a swiz­ zle-stick, a cheap little Tanagra from Athens, a small carved god, her Jor­ dan water, some gala favours, her autographed menus, a snapshot of him at Kandy. That was all. It was good-bye. The people with whom she had chatted on She was sure at only one sphere move. Hereafter wings clipped to deck and at table, ex- Captain Baring took out his violin and settled it under his chin. changing addresses and promising lifelong friendship, had been too busy with their own affairs to notice her undistinguished departure. There were two exceptions. Mrs. Wynant had been cordial, inviting her to visit her home in England, and Miss Arun­ del had kissed her warmly, promising to send her some wedding cake. Miss Mudge fluttered along the pier. She had to get through the customs, but pain was fogging her vision, and the 1 held at Varsity Arena, Toronto. (1) Miss Eleanor O’Meara, new senior champion, and (2) Miss Dorothy Cal- ey, junior champion. The 25th annual ing weight deep in her inside, was getting worse each minute. For twenty years she had looked forward to her trip around the world. Now .it was over, and she bad nothing. She stumbled against a trunk and wiped the tears from her eyes. It was too late for her to see that Dick was watching her as she wan­ dered with uncertain steps among the packing-cases on the wharf. His glance was kind, but he was think­ ing that it was far, far better for Miss Mudge to be stepping back into her lustreless frame at Ohonto, Wis­ consin. He had avoided Miss Mudge since the cocktail party, but only be­ cause she seemed to be keeping de­ liberately out of his way, and he had taken his cue from her. There was nothing he could say to her, nothing at all. The orchestra was playing. Its languid notes came drifting up from the ballroom. Patty’s hand stole through Johnny’s arm. He squeezed it hard. “Good kid!” he whispered, and kiss­ ed the tip of her ear. Patty sighed. “I love the swi$h of the sea in my ears. Life will seem so quiet, Johnny, when we’re on -land again.” “Life is just opening up for Patty,” said Angela, watching her affection­ ately. “I hope there’s something in Johnny, for Patty is a fine girl,” Mac­ duff declared. “1 think there is, Macduff. You’re a little hard on the young.” “Intolerable puppies, all cheek and ignorance!” Angela laughed. “I’ve got rather fond of those two. I shall always wonder about them. When you’re thrown together on a trip like this, and share the sort of things that we have shared, you get more attached to people than you would in thirty years at home.” “I wonder what’s happened to the Langford woman,” said Macduff, ir- revelantly. “She’s probably not with Rumford by now, but she did all the damage she could while she was on the boat. She comes from New York, doesn’t she? You may run into her some time.” “Angela,” Macduff bent over, “would you ever want to live in New York?” “Never.” Dick Charlton took off his jacket and put on his dressing-gown, he lighted his pipe and sat down at his desk to read. A knock at the door. He opened it wide, and found Joan standing outside, the strap of her sat­ in frock slipping down over her arm, and, her wild green eyes ablaze with light. Dick grew half pale but con­ trolled himself. He couldn’t forget what this devilish girl had Miss Mudge. “What do you want?” he ed. “I want to speak to you, want to tell you I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt her—or you. I swear I didn’t.” “Joan, I hope never to see you again as long as I live,” said Dick, in a voice that stung like a lash. "Oh, oh, Dick, you can’t mean it! You can't have forgotten our night together.” “I’ve forgotten everything except done to demand- Dick. I I swear championship meeting was sponsored by the Granite Club, with skaters from Ottawa, Montreal and Winnipeg competing with the Toronto entries; your unkindness.” The door moved in her face. “No, no, Dick, don’t do that I” She was looking at the closed door. He had meant it, then. It was all over with Dick, who had seemed for a brief space' to find her desirable. She knocked at the door again. There was no response. She would go to the bar. An hour later Joan was on her way to the top deck again, with the vague .idea of having a plunge to cool her­ self off. That idiot Macduff was standing at the top, staring down at her. Now would be as good an occa^ sion as any to tell him what she thought of him, There were times when Joan burned to express her true opinion of some of her fellow pass­ engers and here was a good chance. “Looking for Mrs. Wynant?” she ■enquired, reeling up against him. He' pushed her off, “No,” he said. “That's funny.” She laughed on a piercing note, Macduff regarded her with disgust. “I don’t like your looks,’ ’said Joan, “and I don’t like the way you’re star­ The ship was heavily gently, rocking her white body. ■ ?= ing at me now. Who do you think you are, anyway? You’re scarcely hu­ man.’ ’ She prodded him in the ribs. Mac­ duff did not move. “But I like the way you can drink.” She grew confidential. “Let’s have a brandy together. Come to my room.” “No, thanks.” “All right, big boy. Joan’s going to have a swim.” She made a gamine gesture and followed a twisting course to the pool. Macduff watched her, wonder­ ing if she weren’t tipsy enough to drown. What an appalling girl! Even before she had reached the door she stooped down, caught her frock at the hem and began to pull it over her head. He could see her long, slim legs. The pool was dark, except for the green light in the far corner. Her dress came off and was flung to the floor; then she spread her arms for a dive. He caught a glimpse of her gleaming back in the second before she jumped. He waited for the splash —hoping that it would sober her up. It was his duty to see that she didn’t drown. But no splash came. Only a dull crash that sickened Macduff and hur­ ried his footsteps through the door that Joan had entered. God in Heav­ en, the tank was drained! For a mo­ ment he shut his eyes, then leaned over the edge to look. The green light spread its sickly suffusion, and there, on the tiles, lay Joan. She was naked except for her beads, garters, stockings and sandals. One of her stockings was halfway down. Her arms were spread like ‘wings. Her face he could not see. It was crush­ ed on the tiles. Slowly he realized the girl must be dead. Through a mist he saw her dress lying on the floor beside him, flame red, still warm from her body. There was no other trace of her, not a scrap of under­ wear. She had died as recklessly as she had lived. The ship was heaving gently, rock­ ing her white body. On every deck people were packing for landing. No one could know he was standing here alone, guarding a lifeless form. He must do something about it. He must start the horrible chain of machinery moving. Two girls dead across his path! Jenny, in the China Sea and the click of her heel on his wall, Joan with her brains dashed out before his eyes. He had sworn to avoid all hu­ man contact, y.et fate had caught him twice in the orbit of death. Was it punishment for vowing that he would travel alone and apart? Were people not intended to avoid one another and the burden of mutual car-e? Had he been ducking life and had. Angela touched his sensibilities at last? Was there something else that one must heed besides the inviolability of one's solitude and the vv'armth of a glass of whisky? Macduff’s strong High­ land sense of superstition was arous­ ed. Sweat stood on his brow. His thoughts flowed through his mind in molten masses. The numbness of for­ ty years was wearing off, and each nerve was a red-hot needle, coming to life and. pricking his flesh, the moments were flying. (Concluded Next Issue) But THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON JESUS TEACHES NEIGHBOR LINESS. Sunday, March 8—Luke 10. Golden Text: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. (Luke 1Q:27). It is a chapter shining with a se­ quence of seven sharp contrasts. A great harvest, and few laborers. Lambs sent out among wolves. , The choice of.God’s peace, or of God's judgment; blessing or cursing, What we do for God is never to be compared with what He does for us. The world's wisest people fail to understand what God has revealed to babes in wisdom. A shrewd lawyer, trying to trap Christ, is humbled and silenced. A busy, worrying housekeeper learns that there is something more important that persistent activity, and that her quiet, silent sister was doing : better than she.' | The harvest of spiritual possibili­ ties in the world is always greater than the number of harvesters. This is not God’s fault, but ours. The Lord after appointing His twelve apostles, “appointed other seventy also,” and sent them as His personal represen­ tatives to every city and place that He was to visit. They had a message of peace and good news, and they were to tell people '’everywhere “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Did the Lord say they would be welcomed and believed? This is what He said: “I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” This is the picture of Christians in this world. Christ Himself is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The world, which does not want its sin taken away, crucified Him, and turns against His true followers. But some believed Christ, and some believe Him today. Those who received. Christ’s mes­ sengers and His message received peace and salvation. Those who re­ jected these messengers rejected Christ, and could not escape God's judgment. Blessing or cursing was the choice offered them. Of the un­ believers to whom Christ and His re­ presentatives came, the Lord uttered these terrible words: “It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sod’- om, than for that city.” Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840. Risks taken on all classes of insur­ ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont. ABNER COSENS, Agent. Wingham. DR. R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. W. A. CRAWFORD, M.t>. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Henhedy. Phorwi 150 Winghatn The Seventy had a wonderful mis­ sionary journey and experience. They worked miracles in the name of Christ, and they returned to Him “with joy, saying, Lord, even the dev­ ils arc subject unto us through Thy name.” The Lord spoke assuringly to them then surprised them with this word: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoice, because your nam es are written in heaven.” Even Christian people have puzzled over that word of the Lord. But its meaning is plain, Salvation is great­ er than our service. What we do for God can never be as important as What God does for us. One of the prayers uttered by the Lord is given here. He rendered thanksgiving to His heavenly Father, “that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast re­ vealed them unto babes; even so, Fa­ ther; for it seemed good in Thy sight.. There are men who stand head and shoulders above their fel­ lowmen in the wisdom of this world, men of vast intellect, men of tower­ ing scientific knowledge, who never­ theless do not know as much of God, of Christ, of the things that matter eternally, as some humble and ignor­ ant ones who have, nevertheless, found the way of life. The apostle Paul makes this plain in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. A shrewd lawyer—that is, a relig­ ious leader well versed in the law of i Moses and the Old Testament Scrip- ’ tures—now asks the Lord a test ques­ tion.-‘It is the greatest question any man can ask. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the readest thou?” the Lord lawyer. The man answered well, less without realizing that left men confronting a hopeless im­ possibility, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neigh­ bor as thyself.” Came the Lord’s comment: “Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.” Was there a touch of lov­ ing satire in the Lord’s reply. For no human being since Adam fell could do what the lawyer, quoting Scripture had said so glibly. Only a perfect, sinless man could do it—and there are no such men. That is why we need a Saviour. Now the lawyer wanted to justify himself, and, going back to the word about loving thy neighbor as thyself, he asked the Lord, “And who is my neighbor?” One of Christ’s immortal parables came in answer to this question—that of the Good Samaritan. The Lord pictured the man who fell among thieves on the notorious highway from Jerusalem to Jericho, and who was left robbed, stripped of his clo­ thing, wounded and half dead. Two law? Hew asked the but doubt- his answer • ADVERTISE IN THE ADVANCE-TIMES HARRY FRY Licensed Embalmer and FiMteral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service. Phones: Day 117. Night 109. J. W. BUSHFIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham Successor to Dudley Holmes. THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER REAL ESTATE SOLD A Thorough knowledge of Farm Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. — J. H. CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham -:- Ontario It Will Pay You to Have An EXPERT AUCTIONEER to conduct your sale. See T. R. BENNETT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W* R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66 J. ALVIN FOX Licensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS THERAPY - RADIONIC EQUIPMENT Hours by Appointment. Phone 191. Wingham F. A* PARKER OSTEOPATH AH Diseases Treated. Office adjoining residence next to Anglican Church on Centre St. Sunday by appointment. Osteopathy Electricity Phone 272. Hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. A.R.&F. E. DUVAL CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY North Street Wingham Telephone 300. DUCHESS OF TEXAS Thursday, March 5th, 193$ Miss Gail McDavitt of Brownsville,. Texas, elected “Sweetheart of Texas”’ at the University of Texas where she- is a senior, is the university's “Duch­ ess” during the mardi gras celebration now in progress. very religious men passed that way and saw him, a priest, and a Levite. But they both “passed by on the oth­ er side.” Then one of the despised, race of the Samaritans, on whom the priest and the Levite looked down, came along. He had compassion on the wounded man, bound up his wounds, set him on his own beast of burden, brought him to an inn, took care of him, and. left money with the landlord to continue his care, even promising to pay the landlord any­ more that might be needed on his re­ turn. The lawyer had asked who his nei­ ghbor was. The Lord’s unexpected question at the close of the parable was this: Which of these three men. “was neighbor unto him that fell am­ ong the thieves”? There was only one answer poss­ ible, and the lawyer gave it: “He that showed mercy on him.” Then be that sort of neighbor your­ self, was the Lord’s final word: “Go,, and do thou likewise.” In other words, we are not to be concerned as to what sort of ‘neigh­ bors we have, or as to who are our neighbors; but we are to be very much concerned as to whether we ourselves are good neighbors. i i ( « *