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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1936-05-14, Page 6J"AGE SIX WOMAN 'REX BEACH ’’Copyright by Rex Beach” THIRD INSTALMENT SYNOPSIS: Amos Ethridge © WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES Thursday, May 14th, 1936 is found murdered in a country lane with a crude cross of twigs on his breast and a scented sheet of note paper in Iris 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 find in drink the forgetfulness of past glories when she was Maria di Nardi, world-renowned opera singer . . . . Gerald Holmes, a talented young art ist, is hated and loved by his mother who is embittered because his birth caused the loss of her voice and ■wrecked her operatic career. 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. » --------1 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY On Monday came the news that Mary Holmes was ill, completely pro strated by her son’s arrest and by the frightful realization of what she had done. This, too, was tasty. People enjoy sympathizing with the inno cent. Mrs. Holmes was indeed ill, not, however, by reason of what she had sworn to, but by reason.of what she had drunk. That bellboy’s choice of liquor had not been wise and Vogel .bad been summoned early Sunday morning to learn that his principal witness was suffering from “non-al coholic” poisoning. Realizing that the truth regarding her condition would surely become known and very likely prejudice her reliability as a witness if he sent her to a hospital, he insisted that she remain where she was, mean while receiving, of course, the best medical attention. He it was who gave out the story of her collapse. Gerald, very naturally, had no rea son to question the cause of his moth er’s illness. It seemed to him that his , plight was enough to prostrate her, but it destroyed his immediate hopes of disproving the charges against him. He was allowed to read the papers, but what he read appalled him. It was conceivable, of course, that mother had actually witnessed killing, as she maintained, and told him nothing about it—she eccentric; there was no telling what his the had was do or how she was likely under the influence of li- he strongly doubted this to the conviction that she would confess to a wild and imagina tive romance or that somebody would prove her story to be, in part, at least the fanciful creation of an alcoholic brain. But would she confess? How could she bring herself to do so? Granting that she now realized where the truth of her story ended and ima gination began, an assumption which by the way, was not likely, was her love for him sufficient to warrant humiliation? Moreover, could she un do the wrong she had done, even if she tried? These were questions Ger ald could not answer. As a matter of fact, he did not try very hard to an swer them, for something more im portant than his own welfare weigh ed him down and rendered him apa thetic—it was the misfortune that had befallen Hazel. From what he read in the newspapers it seemed to him that he was the only person in the world who believed in her. The poor girl must be suffering more keenly than he. Hers was the greater tra gedy. Gerald was surprised on Monday to receive a visit from two lawyers mem bers of the leading local firm, and to learn that they had been retained as his counsel. He assumed, of course, that his mother had sent them and he took cheer from that fact, but he gained little comfort out of talking with them aside from the realization that some one stood beside him. He had expected some word, some communication from Hazel; but none came and at last her silence convinc ed him that she, too, believed in his guilt. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but after all, why should she doubt his own mother’s word? Some people are possessed of such self-confidence, and such high regard for their own importance, that they assume others must share that faith. It is a form of conceit, and no doubt it is a blessing to the possessor, but Jerry was not conceited. He was a humble-minded, modest young man and he considered himself of very little consequence indeed. Upon con sideration it seemed quite natural that Hazel should wish to be assured of his innocence before yielding to her impulses. Had he not tried her sufficiently without putting her love to this test? He told himself that he had. For several days Mary Holmes re mained a very sick woman. Instead of enjoying her unparalleled publicity, she lay abed weak, nauseated, suffer ing wretchedly. When at last she was able to lift her head she eagerly de manded the daily papers and a com plete account of all that had happen ed since she was stricken, but not un til she -was strong enough to sit up did the doctor permit her curiosity to be gratified. Then he told her guard edly that the “man in the robe” had been arrested and that the Ethridge case had been solved. He did not tell she might to behave quor—but and clung her who that man was, but he pre pared her fur a shock. She listened incredulously in a daze. He gave her the papers finally and left her alone to read them. He returned to the sick room after a while to find his patient staring 'I thought you might feel the need of a stimulant/1 he said. Mrs. Holmes did not hear him. “Did—Jerry do it?” she inquired, stupidly. “You ought to know. You saw. him.” “But they can’t—they can’t do any* thing to him on evidence like mine, can they?” “Why not? It’s hard to get a con- blankly at the walk That's where the whole trouble had started—out of his deceit. He was not only cold and indifferent; he was deceitful, He had been her ruin, from the very first; now he had ruined both of them. But he had brought this upon' himself. The fool! She had never hated anybody as she hated him at this moment, for once again he had turned her triumph into dis aster , . . How could she help hating him when he despised her and disap proved of everything she did? Well, why should she worry? Ther e was no love lost between them and the mere fact of their relationship meant noth ing. It was an irksome tie , , . There had been a time when it meant some thing; he had seemed to care a great Business and Professional Directory with the Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Cd. 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 Fumeral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service, Phones: Day 117. Night 199. DR. R. L. STEWART physician Telephone 29. 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. Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON / 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. DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66 J. ALVIN FOX Licensed Drugless Practitioner < CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS 1 THERAPY - RADIONIC ’ equipment Hours by Appointment. Phone 191. Wingham W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Phone 150' Wingham ft F. A. PARKER OSTEOPATH AU 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 1 Telephone 300, ; viction on purely circumstantial evi- ] deal for her when he was a little boy? dence, but yours is direct.” There He had been a pretty boy, by the way, was a moment of silence. “The re- j with cute, lovable ways. Mrs. Hol- .... ------ f~— stirre(j restlessly and rolled her head. But no longer! All he did now was preach and voice his contempt . . Contempt from her own son. Well, this would take him down a peg. He’d have to get opt of this scrape the best way he could: she did not propose to make a liar out of herself, to make herself ridiculous or—worse . . . She couldn’t go back on her sworn state men, even if she wanted to. That was perjury. And this Woods hussy who had played at love-making with him, what did she want? Help, of course, in clearing him, Humph! Some mothers might feel called upon to go to extreme lengths for their psons, but not she. No. She would not talk to her. The next day, however, when Hazel Woods came again, Mary Holmes suddenly changed her mind and had the girl sent upstairs. She was feeling strong enough to sit up in a chair by this time; she steeled herself to en dure some hysterical outburst, some extravagant appeal to her sympathies. It surprised her when none came. Miss Woods was haggard and listless, but she was in perfect control of her self. She had fine eyes, the elder wo man noted, but they were hopeless and they gave the impression of thor ough defeat. She made it plain with her first words that she accepted as true what had been given out through the papers — namely, that Mrs. Holme’s illness was the result of shock and maternal anxiety, and took it for granted that she was ready to join in any effort, however desperate to undo the mischief she had caused. This gave the mother a disagree able sensation. She inquired coldly, “Have you been to see him?” Hazel shook her head; her voice faltered. “How could I, after what came out? I was tried, convicted, and —publicity branded, all in one day. It would only cause him pain to see me and I can spare him that.” After a moment she went' on: “I’ve done what little I can. I’ve hired the best lawyers in the city, b-ut — that is so little.” Again she choked. “Oh, Mrs. Holmes, he didnt’ do it! I know it and so do you, but what can we do?” “I—Nothing, I’m afraid.” “We must do something. Don’t you understand the danger he’s in? If it hadn't been for your statement—” “Oh, of course, blame it on me!” irritably cried the elder woman. “I suppose everybody expects me to--to go back on my oath, just because he’s my son.” The girl pondered this gravely, then nodded. “Why, yes, I suppose they do expect that. It’s what any mother would do. I’d lie. I’d steal, I’d sin, I’d do—anything if I had one. B-ut—” “ He has never been a real son to me. He never cared a snap for me. He has caused me every bit of un happiness I ever had, I’ve had more than my share, by the way.” The speaker’s tone was one of utmost bit terness . “ And yet it makes no difference, does it? You love him just the same.” “Oh, now! Why try to deceive me? We women nurse our babies at our breasts and no matter how old or how big or bad they become they’re still our babies and we fight for them, tooth and nail. I’m a woman, I know.” “Humph! We fight for our lovers, too. Do you, honestly*—cate for Jerry?” “I love him. I want him so much that I’d—burn eternally to have him for one day, for one hour. You must know how I feel. I’m speaking to Maria di Mardi. , , , But that’s not all. I care for him so sincerely that I wouldn’t marry him, even if he ask ed me. It's too late. You understand that, don’t you? He can be cleared; he can make a name for himself; people will forget, so far as he is con cerned. But they’ll never forget the girl in the Ethridge case, You see, Mrs, Holmes, I’m not the great art ist that you were. You had a God given voice and a God-given genius. Maria di Mardi wasn’t an ordinary r woman; she, was more; she was one out of many millions. She loved and suffered more intensely than we com mon women; she topped greater heights and, sounded tower depths. Jerry told me .the story you told, him. It is the divine talent ,the heaven* sent gift of the artist that we must worship, not the weak, human artist herself. The one Is so insignificant porters are calling up every few hours. They want to interview yon as soon as you're able to talk to them. Everybody is curious to know what you’ll have to say. Yes, and the Woods girl has been here half a do zen times.” “I won’t see them, nor her, either. She flung the newspapers as far as she could. Why does she want to talk to me? Hasn't she done enough? I shouldn’t think she’d dare show her face on the street after causing all this and after everybody knows what she is.” Mrs. Holmes found the doctor star ing curiously at her; an irritation she flared out: “Why are you looking at me like that? What’s the matter with you?” “You’re a queer creature. I was wondering how it feels for a mother— But you can’t be much of a mother.” The speaker shrugged. “How dare you?” Mrs. Holmes cried shrilly, “The idea of your talk ing to me like that! I’m sick. I’m in no condition to—Why, even the newspapers blackguard me! But how did I know? What could I do? I never dreamed I’d—that it was—Jerry I saw.” Without comment the doctor turned and left the room. The sick woman raised herself lab oriously, gathered the newspapers to gether and flung them as far as she could, A terribly bitter but impotent feeling of resentment came over her; tears wet her cheeks. Again she had been foiled. The world was always against her. Why did everything she touched go wrong? Why was she frustrated in everything she tried to do? So Jerry had bought an automo bile without telling her about it! a grate at these “profes- so unimportant as compared other.” Mary Holmes experienced ful warmth about her -heart words., Here was a fellow sional,” a woman with soul and under standing. Hazel was still speaking! “Jerry feels the same way. Even what you told him that last night made no real difference in his regard for you. When you say he is no son, that he never loved you, you are so mistaken. The world suffered a loss when, you lost your voice, but you have passed on, through him, a talent perhaps as precious as your own. It must be saved—not for us only, but for the world. Your career was ruin ed: you can’t permit his to be troyed.” Continued Next Week.. permitted in a sick room, and the fac es of sleeping babies, or babies lying unattended in their cots or carriages, should be screened with muslin. An effective poison bait, but one which cannot be used where children are exploring or romping about ,is made, by exposing in saucers a mix ture of one teaspoonful of formalin in a cupful of sweetened milk or wat er. Fly sprays of course, operate best in closed places, and the dead or par alyzed fiies should be swept up and burned, or thrown into very hot wat er to prevent any from recovering. of the present limit of thirty days. There will be a reduction in costs of standard parlor and sleeping car ac commodation. YOU FIGURE THIS OUT A newsboy is worried over the re sult of a check-up on his week’s sales of magazines. He received 100 copies, and here’s how it worked out: des- HOUSE FLY IS PUBLIC ENEMY LOWER RAIL FARES EFFECTIVE JUNE 1st Wednesday Thursday ... Friday ......... Saturday .... Sold Had Left , 40 60 . 30 30 . 16 14 14 0 ——. 100 104 THREE DIED IN THIS TRAIN COLLISION if Wreckage of the Delaware, La^cka* Wanua and Western Railroad freight train after a locomotive exploded, six miles south of Batavia, NY., killing three trainmen instantly, Is ABOVE. The cars contained shown cattle, With the advent of Spring comes the menace of the house fly—which may correctly be termed Public En emy No. 1. It is world-wide in distri bution and is notorious for the part it plays in spreading such serious dis eases as typhoid fever, tuberculosis, cholera, dystentery, infantile diarrho ea, and other dangerous epidemics. The fly breeds in filth jinfects itself with filth; carries germs of filth and disease on its legs and body and in its intestines; and with these germs pollutes food, especially milk, one of the principal nutritional items in the establishment of the human race. It is known that a single fly can carry as many as five hundred million 'germs on and inside its body, but un til there is activ'e co-operation on the part of entire communities, including the municipal a-uthorijies and every single individual in. the community, to remove filth, the main source of fly-production, the menace of the fly to human life will remain. The most effective and desirable method of controlling the house fly undoubtedly consists in eliminating or reducing its breeding places to a min* . imum by properly treating or dispos* ing of such materials as manure and garbage. The house fly breeds in such decaying and fermenting matter as kitchen refuse and garbage. Gar bage receptacles should be’kept tight ly covered and where possible all re fuse should be burned or buried at once or without undue detay. If it cannot be dispensed with, refuse should never be left exposed but sprinkled with powdered borax or chloride of lime. Windows and doors of houses, particularly those of the dining room and kitchen, should, be screened and all flies that gain ent rance destroyed. This may be done by the use of fly swatters, By tangle foot strips, or by using a fly spray. Milk, and other food should be screen* cd In the summer by covering it with muslin and fruit should also cred. On no account should Substantial reduction in railway passenger fares in Canada will be come effective on June 1, it was an nounced by C. F. Riddell, Chairman of the Canadian Passenger Associa tion. Basic fares for first-class coach travel are being reduced approxi mately 13 per cent., bringing them ap proximately to pre-war level. Day coach tickets at the new rates will also be good for passage in “tourist” sleeping cars on payment of regular berth fares for that class of accommodation. Round-trip tickets will be good for six months, instead The next week he received another 10Q and here is how this out, Wednesday Thursday ... Friday ...... Saturday ... f h 'I... J lot worked LeftSoldHad : ... 40 60 30 30 .. 20 10 .... 10 0 —— 100 100 small de-Cajnvasser: “You pay a posit, then you make no more pay ments for six months.” Lady of the House: “Who told yoti\ about.us?” HYDRO LAMPS " The Lon$ Life Lamp* •wd guaranteed be cov- fifes be fa, At A, /aJU/ 40 of which were killed outfight atid an undertermined number so seriously maimed they bad to be shot Crawford Block Wingham Utilities Commission Phone 1