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Zurich Herald, 1933-06-22, Page 2THE . Mystcrious Masqucr By jR. wILIV,or de SYICTOF'SIS, At a London dance club Molly Car- stairs, a pretty unemployed secretary, meets Roger 13arling who promises to get her_a job. The following morning Molly is stopped by a policeman who takes her to the police station, showing her a newspaper cutting announcing that a Molly Carstairs is missing from her home. At the police station luiolly meets Mr, and Mrs. Silver of l:Iamp- stead, who profess to be her uncle and aunt. They persuade Molly to accom- pany them home. Molly is treated with the greatest of kindness, but is never- theless a prisoner. CHAPTER VII.--(Cont'd.) Molly was thinking furiously. She had not wholly anticipated that she would be kept a prisoner, but she saw now that it would be utterly rim- less protesting about this unexpected curtailment of her individual liberty. These people were clever -yes, they were very clever indeed. They were playing that lost memory card for °°ail it was worth, and the worst of it war that she could do nothing—abso- lutely nothing. She had seen that from the moment the police superin- tendent accepted the Silver's word for it that she wa.a their missing niece. If she fought against this unjust de- cree and threatened to communicate with the police, they could always Lang someone in to testify to her loss of memory and stress the .danger of her going out alone. It was a situation that had, so far, not occurred to her and she began to a ander whether it was not better to be unemployed in Chelsea in posses- sion of her liberty, than living in the lap of Iuxury here without it. As they walked slowly .back to the house Molly threw cautious glance over her . shoulder to the open gate- way behind hex. There was now no sign of the man Rogers who had way- laid her, and it occurred to her that she might be able to twist herself free from Silver's light touch on her arm and make a dash for freedom. But Molly was determined not to do anything precipitate. She had al- ready decided to stay on with these people ,to discover just what their particular game was, and running away would not help her. ,In fact, if there was anything ultra -queer about the business, it might even mean a greater curtailment of her freedom, and that was what she particularly wanted to avoid. So Molly decided to accept the situation for what it was worth. Back at the house once more, they were met by FIora Silver whose blue eyes were even more widely incredu- lous than her husband's had been when Molly had seen him panting to- wards her across the lawn. "My dear," she exclaimed, in shock- ed accents, "surely you weren't going out—alone?" Molly nodded and smiled. "That's just what I had contemplated," she said. "And I can't see anything par- ticularly wrong in it. I only wanted to go down to Chelsea to explain things to Mrs. Dawlish." "Mrs. Dawlish! Who is she, •my dear?" "My late landlady," Molly explain- ed. "I can't see any objection in that,. After all when I went out yesterday morning I didn't say anything about net coming back, you know." "I explained everything, Molly," broke in'Paul Silver, quickly. "a ex- plained just how we had found you again and I paid her very well—yes, very well indeed for all that she had done for you. Mrs. Dawlish certainly won't expect any explanation from you." Molly bit her 'lip, perplexed. Paul Silver seemed to have thought of everything, she told herself, and what was more; he evidently had no inten- tion of her ever going back to Chel- sea again. "You see, my dear," placated Mrs. Silver, "there's absolutely nothing at all for you to worry over. If you particularly wish to go out anywhere —to do any shopping, perhaps—we'll get the car out, won't we, Paul" "Certainly. Molly, you can always take the car and go with your aunt." "Thank you," murmured Molly, as she ran lightly up the broad stair- case. "I'll try and remember that." :;. CHAPTER VIII. Later that same aftetneon waile Molly was reading in the lounge, Flora Silver came into the room. "I've just bought a .neve frock far you, Molly dear," she announced. "I'd Tike you to try it on now to see how aIOu like it:. . mokerS, Attention! Od s. Your` responsetoa your Ayds, Was very gratifying. We are still anxious to supply you with IVorfork Pianters (Favorite Blend). Smoke the Best --save money. Forward $1.00 to address below and a'o Will immediately send you 4 racltr:g;s 1.-5 Ib. each, Smoking Tobacco. State whether for Cigarette or Pipe. Join the ranks of our Satisfied smoking friends. Almoor Tobacco Company 33e Bay St., Torcnto., ISSUE No. 24, . The girl's eyes sparkled. Mention of a new dress had broken down a great many barriers that seemed to be builtaround her. "Where is it?" asked Molly, excited- ly, "and what is it for?" For answer Mrs. Silver took her by the arm and led the way to her bona doir. Hanging from a hook Molly saw as' wonderful an evenieg gown as she had ever seen. It was fashioned from a pale green material—a shade that she had always admired. "Is that really for me?" she ex- claimed. "How wonderful." A moment later Molly was survey- ing herself in the tall cheval glass. The gown fitted her perfectly and she was conscious, too, that it enhanced her beauty as it had every right to do. "But where are we going?" asked Molly. "Is it a party or a theatre?" Flora Silver was beaming in ob- vious satisfaction on the girl. It was remarkable what effect a new frock had on most women—a tonic effect that effaced all doubt for the time being. "A few friends are coming in to- night," she vouchsafed casually enough. "I am sure you will make yourself very nice • to them." "Why, of course," Molly agreed. "But do—do a really know them?" A sudden doubt had assailed her. This assumed Iost memory of hers might prove rather awkward, she was think- ing. "Moat of them will know about you, dear. They will have heard your uncle and 1 mentio% about you while you were in Paris." "Paris?" There was a sudden note of alarm. in Molly's voice. "But I've never been to Paris. What do you mean?" Flora Silver preserved her poise marvelously well. - "I know it's going to be difficult, my dear -4 mean your not remember- ing, but I think our friends will make due allowance for that. I do wish that old memory of yours would come back. It would make things so much easier." For the moment the subtle charm of the new evening gown was completely forgotten for Molly. She was faced once again with this recurring prob- lem. Did the Silvers really believe she was their missing niece, or was all this just a continuation of their pose? - Molly quickly foresaw a great many complications if the Silvers in- sisted on her meeting people as Mrs. Silver suggested. It was going to be hard to appear natural and at the s..sne time simulate a lack of knowl- edge of essential things that had hap- pened in the past. "Certainly I shall do nig best to be nice and friendly," said Molly, "but I do hope your friends won't be too inquisitive. That might be awkward, don't you think?" "You can rely on their discretion," countered Flora Silver, expansively. That night Molly was soon to learn something rather more vital about the Silver menage. The house looked artistically com- fortable with the curtains pulled close across the tall windows, and with the softly -shaded electric lamps glowing in the downstairs rooms. Fiore Silver, gowned expensively and looking the ,pictu_e of amiability fussed around for a few moments and then went in search of Molly. "Now, my dear," she began as they ,descended the stairs, "I want you to realize that you can do exactly what you want to do tonight. If you wish to play cards or roulette, all well and good. If you feel more like chatting to our guests.... well, my dear, you'll see what you feel like, won't you?" A hint of suspicion had crept into Molly Carstairs' mind, and she felt that she stood on the brink of an im- portant discovery. "Do you hold these parties often?" she asked, innocently enough. "Sometirnes once, sometimes twice a week," Mrs. Silver told her. The words were uttered so natively that, for the moment Flora Silver had been taken completely off. her guard and she stood staring at the girl in con- fused -bewilderment. Then the elder woman laughed, awkwardly, Molly thought. "My dear you've no idea how awkward it is to have to keep reminding myself that you can't remember. By the way, perhaps tonight your memory will come back. I do hope it will, dear." But Molly had achieved her point. This process of building up a com- plete picture of the Silvers was strangely slow. With their persist ing in the pretence that she had lost het' memory, her task was rendered all the more difficult, but she' was nevertheless, convinced. that it would tot be long before she had more than an inkling of the truth. "I am afraid it must make me ap- pear abysmally stupid, sighed Molly watching Flora Silver covertly. "I trust be a great trial to you, musn't I, Auntie Pio?" 'Mora Silver's face relaxed .sudden - la into a smile where a moment before' Molly had seen alarm. "Why no, dear, Of course not. I'm. sure that everything will come all right soon." So it was left at that, for the first guests had begun to arrive, Molly found herself being introduc- ed as Miss Molly, "our niece who has just come over from, Paris," where, Molly gathered, she had been staying with friends after - having been to school there. The guests were a somewhat mix- ed lot, At least that was Molly's im- pression, Neither did it appear to her that they were "local." They were a trifle too fashionable for Hamp- stead. They savored more of. that strata of town society which has, by reasons of birth rather than financial considerations, no entree into May- fair and Knightsbridge. Most of the women were florid, over -dressed and had obviously been raised in their sta- tion as a result of their husband's successful trading operations. Molly had heard of the type before, but this was the first opportunity she had had of encountering it at close range. (To be continued.) Solitude Solitude? I love thee well, Brushiug through the wilder'd dell, Picking from the ramping grass Nameless blossoms as I pass, Which the dews of eve bedeck, Fair as pearls on woman's neck; Marking shepherds rous'd from .sleep Blundering off to fold their sheep; And the swain, with toils distrest, Hides his tools to seek his rest: While the cows; .with hobbling strides; Twitching slow their fly -bit hides, Rub the pasture's creaking gate, Milking maids and boys to wait, Or as sunshine leaves the sky, As the daylight shuts her eye, Sweet it is to meet the breeze 'Neath the shade of hawthorn trees, By the pasture's wilder'd round, Where the pismire hills abound, Where the blushing fin -weed's flower Closes up at even's hour: Leaving then the green behind, ' Narrow hoof -plod lanes to wind, Oak and ash embower'd beneath, Leading to the lonely heath, Where the unmolested furze - And the burdock's clinging burs, And the briars, by freedom sown, Claim the wilder'd spots their own. There while we the scene survey, Deck'd in nature's wild array, Swell'd with ling -clad hillocks green Suiting the disorder'd scene, Haply we may rest us then - In the banish'd herdsman's den; Where the wattled hulk is fixt, Propt some double oak betwixt, Where the swain the branches lops, And o'er head with rushes tops; i Where, with woodbine's sweet per- fume, . And the rose's blushing bloom, Loveliest cieling of the bower, Arching in, peeps many a Sower; While a hill of thyme so sweet, Or a moss'd stone, forms a seat, —John Clare, Poems. Safe Sign Told Truth Kansas City, Mo.—For years the safe in the local office .of the Tim- ken Roller Bearing Company has been decorated with a sign saying "the safe is empty." Robbers who broke into the office thought the sign was placed there to fool them. They battered their way into the safe, in a job that must have taken then hours. Then they found that the sign told the truth. The pretty girl sat in the corner of the compartment next to her young man, her little niece on her knee. The train dashed into a tunnel, and sudden - y the other passengers heard the lit- tle girl exclaim: "Kiss me, too, Auntie Violet!" "Mavis," said Aunt Violet, 'you should say 'Kiss me twice" Kiss me, too, is not good grammar." Colorful Visitor's To Ontario Farms In the Old Days Gypsy May, the Red Skin and His Squaw, and the Travel- ling Photographer Among Them Peggy Wadson in the London Free Press tells of itinerant visitors to the farms in the old days: "Por instance, there was Gypsy May, who came along yearly, her dark skin brightened by gay handkerchief or dangling earrings, and carrying most fascinating treasures in her capacious sack of wares. 'Buy a bit of nice lace, lady?' she would ask in ingratiating tones. Or, 'Want a pretty ribbon for the little girl?' Visitors were none too frequent in those days and almost invariably the farmhouse door would be opened to Gypsy May and seldom did she depart without leaving behind her the bit of nice lace, or the pretty ribbon, or anyway, a spool of thread and paper of pins, while the farm wo- man's hard-earned pennies jingled in her purse. "Another day it would be a dusky Red Skin and his squaw who trod soft- ly along the road, he, his arms well filled with axe handles, walking a few steps in advance of the woman and her burden of handmade baskets. "The itinerant tinker was another visitor whose advent was generally welcomed by the dweller fn remote rural parts. This personage usually drove a horse and buckboard and paid for overnight accommodation by sol- dering household utensils, riveting harness and such like jobs. He also carried a supply of new tinware and the housewife was loath to see him depart without lightening his load by at least one shiny new pail, or bread pan or dish of some sort. Perhaps no less looked forward to was the annual visit of the rag man, who also carried a quantity of tinware and other kit- chen utensils, which he exchanged for the year's gathering of clippings and rags, old iron or rubbers. "Kodaks and snapshots were un- heard -of -things in those days. If one wanted one's `likeness taken' it meant rising with the lark and making a trip to the city, often behind a team and wagon, over rough roads. Hence, when some enterprising man hit. on the scheme of going out into the rural sections with his camera and photo- graphing not only one, but every mem- ber of the household, with the old farm home for a background thrown in, the idea quickly became popular. The travelling photographer was add- ed to the list of transient callers and usually found business satisfactory. "Then, of course, there were various kinds of agents—peddlars they were called in those days, who, if they did not travel in automobiles, probably used much the same line of sales talk as the men of to -day. Spectacle ped- dlers were not uncommon. 'Why go to the eye doctor?' they would ask, 'and pay more when ou can fit yourself right at home for only $1.' Then there were men who sold lovely plush albums and dignified Bibles; others dealt in such novelties as steropticons with views, or kaleidoscopes—these being tubelike cases, through which one peeped at marvellous, changing. pictures of colored glass. - "One particular personality of the early days was an elderly man; who could draw wonderful designs for mak- ing hooked mats. No pattern was too intricate for him to draw, whether it was a basket of roses, a deer's head, or a more conventional design of dia- monds and squares. Quite likely there are still in use the London dis- trict hearth or bedside mats centred with designs of this man's making," Scientists discover unknown species of flies every year in the United States. Hen's Face Publicized! Employees of a Toronto wholesale poultry mar'ke't were startled when they iri'ltecl this hen out of .a crate and observed what they insisted was its almost human face, Wolf Held Cs., ptive By frve f She p Kept Under Close Observation By Rams—Old Fable Reversed An extraordinary case of reversing the table is told in La Nature (Paris) by J. Delmont. In Australia huge droves of sheep are harrassed by the "digo," a savage wolf -hound. It hunts in droves, causing ravages among the sheep. "I have seen," de- clares J. Delmont, as quoted in the periodical named, "one of the terrible dingoes imprisoned by a troop of sheep, the wolf a prisoner in the liter- al sense of the word—a captive, un- der restraint, •humiliated, reduced to obedience. The sheep had caught the wolf," All know that the plains of the Aus- tralian continent support innumerable droves of sheep, some reaching a hun- dred thousand head, They are somewhat casually guard- ed by. shepherds, who do not pay par- ticular attention to a group of a thous- and sheep more or less. To quote Mr. Delmont "It thus happens that a part of the flock will go off and get lost. A sheep in the lead gets into a de- file and hundreds follow it. "Sometimes these stragglers will get as far aa- a hilltop before the shep- herd will notice the missing ones. "The Australian wolf observed by Delmont was a captive of one of these strayed flocks of sheep. He was drag- ged along by the multitude of sheep- and not only was he so dragged, but he was under escort. Some rams sur- rounded him and held him under the closest observation. "When he tried to sneak off when the rams had divided in order to browse, they quickly reformed their circle. - "He was not helped at all by the fact that at a single bound he cleared the line of rams' backs when their heads were close to the ground; for other rams on guard were swift to overtake the fugitive, or, more ac- curately, to bar his way. "If the wolf contrived to isolate some innocent lamb, the rams pro- ceeded to butt the wily one. "The wretched wolf, wolfhound, or hound -wolf, whichever it be, was so famished at last that it seemed. a skeleton. Delmont saw it close at hand, its head lowered among its guards, getting humbly out of their way. "In an effort to liberate the beast, Delmont shot his gun off into the air, when the dingo hurled itself frantical- ly among the sheep, which fled in panic pell-mell, but they had recover- ed their self-control before their pris- oner could get away entirely. "The flock, including rams, amount- ed to perhaps a thousand. Pushed back inch by inch to the centre of the flock, th' Wolf was again under guard. "Forty-eight hours later the beast, a prisoner at the end of its capacity and strength, could barely move. Pity- ing its state, Delmont put an end to its life with a rifle shot. "Put to flight by the discharge of the weapon, the rams soon returned. Sil- ent and stupid, they surrounded the cadaver. "The moving mass of sheep throng- ed in, "The rams held fast. "They remained for hours, faithful to their vigil, until an advanced hour of the night." London Museum Acquires Historical Carved Staff A bekwood staff, once part of a thirteenth century crozier, containing Old Testament history, has been ac- quired by the Victoria and Albert Museum of London. The staff is divided into twenty horizontal bands, each of which contains in carved high relief scenes from the Book of Genesis. At the bottom of the staff are some beautiful reliefs of the'orea_ tion of the world, and of councils in heaven. From the divisibn• of the firmament from the waters, the story is pursued to the creation of Adatn and Eve, and a delightful series of animals and birds, 'Tie stories of Cain and Abel; of. Noah and die;.Ark, and of the Tower of Babel follow. The series of reliefs end•,. with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. There Is a very elmilar handle, carv- ed ivith scenes from the New Testa- ment, known as the Pastoral Staff of St. Gautier, in the Museo de Cluny, Paris, -Both staves appear to date from the thirteenth century, and to be associated with the carvings of Northern France Two pythons at the London Zoo have been fitted with glass eyes, ace .r n Spa By Steamer in 1833 First All -Steam Crossing Started at Pictou, N.S. —25 Days in Passage Pictou, N.S.—This year marks the 100th anniversary of the spanning of the Atlantic by the Royal William, a Canadian . built vessel, the first td make a crossing from mainland to mainland entirely under her own steam. A previous crossing had been , made by a steamer using both sail and steam, and another using machinery only had made the voyage from Fur -i ope to the West Indies, but t;.0 the Royal William is conceded the honor, of the first complete .crossing by steam power only. - The Royal William was constructed by the Cunarcls at Quebec for opera-. tion in the coastwise trade betwee that city and Halifax. According to one record a trade depression and an epidemic of cholera made this trade unprofitable and her owners decided to sell. Thinking that a better price could be obtained in Europe than int Canada, they sent her across the At -i lantic in 1333, sailing from Pictou,! N.S., on August 18. She took 25 days for the passage and consumed 330' ' tons of coal. Later she was sold for, £10,000 and after a short period as ai commercial carrier, wet; used . as a' transport in the Portuguese Navy, end -1 ing her career as a wartship in the' Spanish fleet. She was condemned and scrapped in 1847. It was in 1818-15 years before the Royal William's feat—that steam was' first used on a trans-Atlantie voyage.t The sailing packet Savannah. equip-: ped with auxiliary engines, Crossed the ocean from New York to Cork in' May, and June, but the engines werel operated for only 80 hours of the trip;( consuming her entire store oi' coal int that period. In 1826 the steamer Cur=l aco, late renamed the Calpe, was built' in Dover for the cross channel service, and was purchased by the Dutch Gov -,I enment as a man-of-war. She was, however, employed on the mail services to the Dutch colonies in the West Ind dies and made her. initial transoceanic' voyage from Rotterdam in 1827, taking one month to do the trip, Thus it is claimed that the first com plate steam navigation of the Atlantic belongs to the Royal William of a cen tury ago. To • mark the anniversary; the Canadian Philatelic Society pets tioned the Federal Government to iso; sue a commemorative postage stamp; but was informed by the deputy pose master general that "owing to the ua,` gent need for economy, this expendi� ture cannot` be undertaken this year." Thousands of Mothers Are Grateful! TS your baby fretful, pale and underweight? Our new edition of "Baby's Welfare" will help you. It contains 84 pages of invaluable in- formation and many actual let• ters from grateful mothers testifying to the value of Eagle Brand. i) Write the lroi'tlen Co., Limited, Yardley Route, Teronto. Name -...... .............. ........ . ...:...... Address - 122 CONDENSEI} Mti1h._ SParIdel ht, eyes' a 1365 ons hale , ore `� eat comp,;yti(,ora ,.co ole n1iness•. ins, o every .�aket"°'a ta-s3 Ott ii.