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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1936-04-16, Page 6GOSsc WOMAN THIRD INSTALMENT REX BEACH WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES Thursday, April 16 th, 193$ “Don’t you feel rich and wicked?” “Not as rich as I did before I paid my garage bill. Tm afraid I’ll have to call this car my ‘blunderbus/ ” 'Nonsense! You’re going to make lots of money.” As Gerald helped the speaker into her seat he could not resist planting a hasty kiss upon her cheek. “Oh, careful!” Hazel cast an apprehensive look over her shoulder, but at the same time she clutched his arm in a way that thrilled him. After a while she said: “You didn’t write me, once! I’d like to know how you are going to explain that?" Gerald answered, seriously: “That’s what I had in mind back yonder, Our engagement doesn’t seem real. It’s like a dream. I wondered if you really meant it; if you actually care for me. Then, too, those wretched newspapers! I told myself you might change your mind—” He heard an incoherent but eloquent and thor oughly satisfying exclamation from the girl at his side. She drew closer and the sensation of her body actually against his rendered him dizzy. It was quite a task to drive; it required stern determination to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Even during these few moments Gerald had become aware of some subtle change in his fiancee. She had never welcomed him, even before old Jacob, with such unconcelaed affec tion as tonight. He had courted her at little parties, over restaurant tab les, on the street or in public places when other people were close by, and 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. W. A. McKibbon, B.A. PHYSICIAN And SURGEON Located at the Office of the Late Dr. H, W, Colborne. Office Phone ,54. Nights 107 HARRY FRY Licensed Embalmer and Fuateral 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 Fann Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. 1 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 All 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. oflical quotations. An unusual type doorman was Jacob. The stage crew, SYNOPSIS: Amos Ethridge is (mindful of the fact that he had been found murdered in a country lane with ’ a : ’ ------ -- a crude cross of twigs on his breast ' and a scented sheet of note paper in his pocket. He was the richest man in the state with power- and influence enough to make himself a candidate for Governor, With his death came hints of, an unsavory private life, of scandal that might come to light if the murder is investigated too closely. , . . Mary Holmes, a former opera singer whose career was wreck ed when she lost her voice at the birth of her son, lives in squalor nearest the scene of the crime. . . . on a small chicken, farm where she ekes out a poor living and tries to And. in drink the forgetfulness of past glories when she was Maria di Nardi, world-renowned opera singer .... . »£<?rald Holmes a talented young art ist, is hated and loved by Iiis mother who is embittered because his birth caused the loss of her voice and wrecked her operatic cafeef-. He has been befriended by the murdered Eth ridge, and is engaged to another of Amos Ethridge’s proteges . . . Hazel Woods, lovely and brilliant young actress, has been helped to success by Ethridge. She lives in a small cot tage owned by Ethridge . . . Jacob Riggs, eccentric old-time actor, now a doorman at the theater where Hazel Woods plays, has appointed, himself her guardian and lives in a room ov er her garage. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY Here, Gerald realized, was the Westland attitude of mind. He re sented it, but at this moment he was in no mood to argue the matter, so "he turned away. Argument, he knew, affected old Jacob disagreeably; it provoked him and excited more Strongly his fanatical religious ideas and prejudices. ’ This Jacob Figgs, by the way, was a character. If a man may be said to smell of the theatre, he did, for he had been born and reared back stage, and it was his boast that the only crib he had ever known was the top till of a Taylor trunk. The traditions of the profession were real to him, its stars were actual stars—fruitless, effulgent creatures that soared through an atmosphere reserved ex clusively for heavenly bodies. Their art and their persons were sacred; de fects they had none. His world re volved about the West Theatre and its center was the fetage door where he held sway—that is to say, his mat erial world. He dwelt also in a spir itual world, a world of distorted bib- i second-rate singing and dancing comedian in his prime, irreverently referred to him as “the song-and- dance saint.” There were times, however, when Jacob proved himself to be anything except saintly, for he had a frayed and ragged temper and he took enor mous, if sometimes ill-founded, dis likes to people. On the other hand, his likes were equally decided and he had odd ways of showing them. He had taken a tremendous fancy to Haz el Woods, for instance, and as he put it, he had adopted himself as her “guardeen”. The first she had known about it was when he moved his be longings into the vacant room over her garage and without consulting her in the least announced his intention of establishig himself as a permanent addition to her household. 'Argument, protest, had failed to budge him. There he stayed. He dismissed the caretaker employed by the actual owner of the premises, and himself cut the grass, attended the flowers, iand generally took charge of things for Hazel. Gerald had not waited long when he heard the rustle of a figure ap proaching and Hazel came running towards him with her hands out stretched. “Jerry!!” she cried. “I’m so glad! You’ve been gone for ages! Let me look at you.” She faced him towards the light. “Why you look—dreadful! What is it?” “Nothing! I—It has been a trying week.” He tried'to smile but his face felt stiff. “I wasn’t sure whether you would want to see me—” He answer ed her startled, inquiring glance by saying: "It’s all so new! I’m not used to it yet. And then, too, those news paper stories about my mother—” “Silly!” Miss Woods slipped a gloved hand into the crook of his arm and snuggled her shoulder intimately against his. "Is that all? Well, I’m , glad you’re back. I’ve a thousand things to talk about. Come along. ' We’re going home and we’ll have a- bite to eat there. blue oil stove?” “It’s cutside at “Want to ride • cob?” • man. - ry four.” The old fellow grinned and shook . his head. “I gotta lock up. I’ll be t along later.” “Think of you driving an actress ■ home in your car!” the girl ran on ■ as she and Gerald left the theatre. tSS “You poor boy,” she said, taking him tenderly in her arms. Where’s the little the curb.” home with us, Ja- Hazel inquired of the door- ‘Jerry’s fireless cooker will car- the lights in her hall, light wrap, and turned shining eyes. Her lips her face was eager; she DR. R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29, Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON fallen You never DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. wIm your Telephone, the best little runner of errands you ever saw. “When raining or mowing, or the chil dren heed attention, or anything else keeps you indoors, I’ll save yon time and discom fort I’ll do your shopping and. your messages quickly, without any fuss or bother. HAVE YOU A TELEPHONE IN YOUR HOME ? Otar local business office trill gladly supply information. R O “And what’s^ more, my fee for continuous 24-hour service is surprisingly small; only a few cents a day*** “What ails you, dear?" she asked him finally, “You’re in trouble of some sort," He hesitated, then he broke out: “Yes, I am—frightful trouble!’!’ In stantly Hazel’s hand closed over his, concern leaped into her eyes; her tone changed as she urged him to tell her what it was, “I suppose I must tell you, but— it’s like cutting my awn throat." “Why, Jerry!” "I swore I wouldn’t, couldn’t—and all the time I knew I’d have to. To night, of all nights!” He shook his head and groahed. The girl eyed him in growing al arm. She had become quite pale when she inquired: “Is it something about —us? You don’t want to—marry me? “Oh, nothing like that, I haven’t done anything, either.” "Then it can’t matter—" "Wait! I drove out to see my mo ther this evening about the Ethridge case.” “Oh, please don’t!” Hazel cried, sharply, “Please don’t let’s talk about that. I can’t bear to—to hear it men tioned.” "I’ve got to talk about it. You see, I knew how she must feel about the way those reporters had treated her, and I was afraid it would set her to drinking again—afraid she might say something or do something to make matters worse. You’ve been awfully sweet about her, Hazel. Not one girl in a million would have been so char itable.” "She isn’t the. only woman in the theatrical profession who has on hard times and—gone back, shouldn’t feel so ashamed—” “You don’t know her. I knew her until tonight . . I’ve had a pretty bitter, pretty unhappy exper ience for a young fellow. I was con vinced that she had talked or would talk so much that they’d call her for a witness, put her on the stand—-Well —that would mean the whole wretch ed story, understand? Publicity! Gos sip! Scandal! Lord knows it’s going to be hard enough for me to face what has already come out. If it weren’t for you I think I’d run away from Westland ... I found that she had been drinking. We always quar rel when she’s like that. She miscon strues everything T say, resents ev erything I do; something devilish and cruel comes out in her. I suppose she must have some maternal affection for me, somewhere, but she succeeds in concealing it mighty well. It was the same as usual tonight. We had a ter rible row. She broke out finally and told me how she hated me and why: told me why she has always stood in my way and tried to strangle what ever talent I had. Oh, it was—hide ous. . . . You’re the only person to whom I shall ever reveal what she told me: I’ve got to' tell you, no mat ter what the consequences.” Gerald repeated in a few short sen tences the story he had heard from his mother’s lips. It was not a pretty story; he made no effort to soften it. "Imagine hearing a thing like that from—your mother! I try to tell my self it’s a nightmare; that she didn’t say anything of the sort or that she was lying. But she wasn't lying. Worst c-f all, she confessed casually, without the slightest feeling, that she had been—bad! That’s the hardest to bear. She was a bad, a guilty woman! I—don’t feel as if I could ever look anybody in the eyes again. He drop ped his head into his hands. Hazel rose and crossed the room to a window. She stood there staring out into the blackness for some time. Jerry raised his eyes, bleak with suf fering, dark with apprehension; after. I can ’make you become great. No W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Phone 150 Wingham poor t end wave com- i he had never actaully had her to him self for more than a moment or two; but tonight he was taking her home. For supper! He knew that the one maid she kept “slept out” and hence for once he could anticipate a real lovers’ tete-a-tete, free from interrup tion. The prospect was enough to rendered him careless of traffic rules. It seemed to him that Hazel had never appeared so lovely as when she snapped on dropped her to him with were parted, held out-her bare arms. It was a joy ous, impulsive gesture of surrender; her look, her attitude, was one of complete abandon. She melted into his embrace, warm, fragrant, throb bing; her lips clung to his and he could feel her tremble in response to his ardor. After a while the girl withdrew herself, then, flushed and smiling mistily, she disappeared into the -din ing room. Gerald slowly filled his lungs. He came out of his ecstacy when he heard her in the pantry, and he followed, volunteering to lend her a helping hand. But she laughingly refused his aid. "No. You must sit down and tell me all about your trip, and how the editors liked your drawings, and what they said, and what you thought about me, and that I’m an adorable actress and the most beautiful creat ure in the world and that you love me wildly, insanely.” This was an order easily filled to the very letter. While the girl came and went, Gerald talked, answered her breathless interruptions, inter rupted her. He watched her with ad oring eyes. When she passed his chair he detained her long enough for a carets, and when she finally suc ceeded, despite his interference, in setting the table, he drew two chairs up side by ride. Probably they ate something, but neither of them could have told what it was. Hazel was indeed a dicerent girl from what she had ever been before. During his absence her love, it ap peared, had suddenly burst from the bud into full bloom. The miracle would have made Jerry completely happy except for that hideous thing in the back of his mind. Pte tried his best not to think of it, but it would not be ignored; the more openly in word and deed this girl confessed her love, the more his secret distressed hijn* a while he got heavily to his feet., "I can’t blame you,” he said, hus kily. “She said no nice girl would marry me. I dare say no -nice girl could marry me. I feel like a crim inal to hurt you, but—was was des perate, I snatched at an hour of hap piness. I—” He choked, then he made blindly for the hall. ‘ Hazel turned, ran after him, drew him back to the couch upon which they had been sitting. "You boy !” she exclaimed. When she erly put her arms about him a of relief swept over him; he pletely lost control of himself and gave way to his grief. He hid his face upon her shoulder. Like a mother she comforted him. “Nothing is going to make any difference with nie, so lbng as you love me. She told you that no nice girl would have you and you believed her, did you? You foolish, sensitive Jerry! As if you were res ponsible for her sins! For that mat ter, I’m not a ‘nice’ girl; I’m a wick ed actress.” The speaker actually laughed, as if in relief. “It’s—it’s more than a disgrace. I haven’t any name to offer you,” Jer ry’s words were tremulous. "Sh-h! Is it your fault that you’re a ‘love chile?'? Why, my dear, that’s where your genius comes from and I adore your genius as much as I ad ore you. Nothing can shame that. You’re going to be a great artist— oh, I know it!—and I can help you; CENT A MILE Round Trip Bargain FARES Minimum Fares Adults 75c Child 40c FROM WINGHAM AND ALL ADJACENT C.N.R. STATIONS E*D| ADD OJL tn Napanee,Kingston, Gananoque,Brookville, ■ MJ Prescott, Morrisburg, Cornwall, Uxbridge, Lindsay, Peterboro, Campbellford, Newmarket, Allandale, Penetang, Collingwood, Meaford, Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, North Bay, Parry Sound, Sudbury. All towns in New Ontario on line of Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Ely.; Nipissing Central Rly.; Kapuskasing, Longlac, Geraldton, Jellicoe, Beardmore. CAT ADP TO TfiRfiNTfi Also to Brantford, Buffalo, N.Y., PAI.ArK.43TO |UKUN IU Chatham, Chesley, Clinton, Durham, Exeter, Fergus, Goderich, Guelph, Hamilton,Hanover, Harriston, Ingersoll, Kincardine, Kitchener, London, Listowel, Mitchell, Niagara Falls, Owen Sound, Paisley, Palmerston, Paris, Port Elgin, St. Catharines, St. Marys, Sarnia, Southampton, Stratford, Strathroy, Walkerton, Wiarton, Wingham, Woodstock. CAT APP OR Locally between Important Stations at which allU vH I ■ nrlli A*J Excursion Tickets are sold—Ask Ticket Agent. For Fares, Return Limits, Train Information, Tickets, consult nearest Agent. See Handbills for complete list of destinations. T7SIN CANADIAN NATIONAL • ............—- — -----------------------------------------------— man ever succeeded or failed very greatly, ever became very good or very bad, without a woman to help.” Jerry clutched the girl fiercely and she took embrace. delight in the pain of his (Continued Next Week) was in the he tried to war. At every get to the rear afraid, Rastus explosion line. "You. shouldn’t be said the Colonel. "What if Heaven is your home.” "Yes sub, Ah knows, but Rastus,” you die? A]i ain’t homesick.” MONUMENTS at first cost Having our factory equipped with the most modern machinery for the exe cution of high-olass work, we ask you to see the largest display, of monu ments of any retail factory in Ontario. All finished by sand blast machines. We import all our granites from the Old Country quarries direct, in the rough. You can save all local deal ers’, agents’ and middleman profits by seeing us. E. J. Skelton & Son at West End Bridge—WALKERTON FOUR KILLED IN HEAD-ON CRASH A general view of the scene of the,which four persons were killed and crashed at the top of Winery Hill. The dead are? Mr. and Mrs. Lamont head-on automobile collision on No, one injured seriously, on Good Fri- One car was from Ohio, the other pf London; Lyle Pardee, SchenetS 2 highway near London, Ont., nr day. The two light automobiles from London on the way to Detroit. I tady. N.Y., Mrs. John McCue, Detroit