Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1932-03-25, Page 741, ii 1934 RUI''T.VRE I Pi r•AU4T. 11014sup re,"V ;R3coceler, V 6ric0e4 Veins, .4 bi ileal Weakness, Spial Deform% sty. • Consultation )thee, Call or write. J. G, SMITH, British A.ppli- knce. Specialists, 15 'Downie St., Strat- ford, flint: •, � 8202-25 Sil LEGAL Phone No, 91 J HN J. HITGGARD B4rrister, : Solicitor, Notary Public, Etc. Beattie Block - - Seaforth, Ont. • fi R. S. HAYS Barrister, •Solicitor, Conveyancer and Notary Public. Solicitor for the Dominion Bank'" Office in rear of the Dominion Bank, Seaforth. • Money to •loan. BEST "8i BEST Barristers, Solicitors, Conveyan- eers and Notaries Public, Etc. Office is the Edge Building, opposite The Expositor Office. VETERINARY• JOHN GRIEVE, V.S. Honor graduate of Ontario Veterin- ary College. All diseases of domestic animals treated. Calls promptly at- tended to and charges moderate. Vet- erinary Dentistry a specialty. Office and residence on Goderich Street, one door east,of Dr. Mackay's office, Sea- forth. A. R. CAMPBELL, V.S. Graduate of Ontario . Veterinary. College, University of Toronto. All diseases of domestic animals treated by the most modern principles Charges reasonable. Day or night calls promptly attended to. Office on Main Street, Hensall, opposite Town Hall. Phone 116. MEDICAL DR. E. J. R. sFORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto. Late assistant' New. York Opthal- mei and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye and Golden Square Throat Hos- pitals, . London, Eng. At ''Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Monday' in each onth, from 11 a.m. • to 3 p.m. 58. W terloo Street, South, Stratford. • ' w • DR. W. 'C:--SPROAT_ - . _-. Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, Lon- don. Member of College of Physic- ians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office in Aberhart's Drug Store, Main St., Seaforth. Phone 90. DR. A. NEWTON-BRADY Graduate Dublin University, Ire- land. Late Extern. Assistant Master Rotunda Hospital for Women and Children, Dublin. Office at residence lately occupied by Mrs. Parsons. Hours: '9 to 1'0 a.m., 6 to 7 p.m., Sundays, 1 to 2 p.ni. 2866-26 DR. F. J. BURROWS Office and residence. Goderich Street, east of the United Church, Sea - forth. Phone 46. Coroner for the Conaty. of Huron. DR. C. MACKAY C. Mackay, honor graduate of Trin- ity University, and gold medalist of Trinity Medical College; member of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. DR. H. HUGH. ROSS Graduate of University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, member of Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; pass graduate courses in Chicago Clinical School of Chicago ; Royal Ophthalmie Hospital, Lgndon, England; University Hospital; Lon- don, England. Office -Back of Do- minion Bank, Seaforth. Phone No. 5. Night calls answered from residence, Victoria Street, ,Seaforth. DR. S. R. COLLYER Graduate Faculty of Medicine, Uni- versity of Western Ontario. Member College of Physicians and Surgeons of (lrtario. Post graduate work at New York'City ;ltospltal�and .victoria 'Hos- pital, Lo1ii'dori. Phone i Herisali, 56 Office, King Street, Hensall. 1 : DR. J .A .MUNN Graduate of Northwestern Univers- ity Chicago, DL Licentiate Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Offiee over Sines' Hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Phone 151. DR. F. J. BECHELY Graduate Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smith's Grocery, Main Street, Sea - forth. Phones: Office, 185 W; resi- dence, 185 J. CONSULTING ENGINEER S. W. Archibald, B.A.Sc.,, (Toronto), O.L.S., Registered Professional ,En- gineer and Land Surveyor. Victor Building, 288% Dundas Street, Lon- , don, Ontario. - Telephone: Metcalf -:28011. AUCTIONEERS OSCAR IItLOPP • Honor Graduate Carey Jones'` Nrl- tional` Ochooi for Auctioneering, Chi- cago. Special course taken in Pure Bred Live Stoi:k,\ Real Estate; Mer- chandiee and 'Farm' Sales. Rates in keeping with prevailing markets. Sat. ief"aclion assured, • Write or Wire, Oka* ll long, . Zurich, Ont. Phdne .: IHS{ -6$. - " 8a-52 BY EDGAR WALLACE (Continued from last week) , "You'tre a fool," be said in dis- dain. "You've done your time, and what have you got for it? This!' He held up the trinket. "If I 'give you twenty pounds for it I'm robbing myself. .There's eight thousand pounds' worth of good stuff behind that tank -yours- for the taking. Af- ter all, Johnny,'' he said, adapting a tone of persuasion, "you've paid for it!" "By God, I have!" 'said the other between his teeth. "I've' paid for it all right!" 'Meister was thinking 'quickly, plan- ning; cross -planning, organizing, in that few seconds of time. "Knock it off to -night,"' he sug- gested and again 'Lenley hesitated. "I'll think', about it. If you're try- ing to shop me-" Again Meister laughed. "1Vfy dear fellow, I'm trying to do you a good turn and, through you, 'your sister." "What is the number of the house, I've forgotten." ' Meister .knew the number well en- ough i he forgot nothing. "Fifty-seven, I91 give the twenty pounds for this bracelet now." He opened his desk, took out his cash box and unlocked it. "That will do to go on with." Len - ley was still undecided; nobody knew that better than the ,,lawyer. "I want full value for the rest if I go after it -or I'll find another `fence.' " It was the one word that aroused the lawyer to fury. , "'Fence'? That's not the word to use •to me, Johnny," ""You!'re !too , .sensitive," said his ° dciur client' "Just •because I help you fellows when I oughtI to be shopping you-" The lawyer's voice trembled. "Get another "fenbey" 'will ,.you?' Here's your twenty." He threw the money on t e table, and Lenley, counting it, slipped it into his packet. "Go- ing into the country ell? Taking your little sister away? . Afraid of my peculiar fascinations?" "I'd hate to: hang for you," ", aid John Lenley, rising. ' "Rather have ' The Ringer hang, eh? You think he'll come back with allthat time ever his head, with the gallows waiting for him? Is he a lunatic?. IAnyway-•I'm not scared of anything on God's Alinighr"y earth." He looked round quickly. The door that led to hisroom was opening. It was Dr. Lomond: Hackitt had left him in the lumber room and had forgotten that he was in the house. The doctor was corning into the room but stopped at the sight of the yeung man. "Hallo -I'm awfu' sorry. Am I butting in on a consultation?" "Come in, doctor -come in. This -is ---a• friend of mine. 'Mr. Lenley." To •Meister's surprise the doctor nodded. "Aye. I've just been having a wee chat with your sister. You're just Come 'back from the -country, haven t you?" "I've just come out of pr:son if that's what you mean," said the other bluntly, as he turned to go. His hand was on the knob when the door wes flung open violently and a white-faced Hackitt appeared. "G•uv'nor!" die crossed fearfully to 'Meister and lowered his voice. "There's a party to see you." • , "Me? Who is it?' "They told me not " to give any name," gasped Sam. "This party said: 'Just say I'm from The Ring- er'." Meister shrank back. "The Ringer!" said Lomond ener- getically. "Show him up!" "Doctor!" But Lomond waved him to silence. "I know what I am doing," he said. "Doctor! Are you made? Suppose --suppose----" "It's all right," said Lomond,' his eyes on the door. .ORAPTER XXXIV Presently it opened, and there came into view of the white-faced Maurice - a slim; perfectly dressed girl, ma- licious laughter in her eyes. "Cora Ann!" croaked Meister. "You've said it! Gave you all one mean fright, eh?" She nodded con- temptuously. , "'Hullo, doc!" !'$Hallo, little 'bunch o.tf •trtoulble. You genre . me heart disease!" "Scared you, too, eh?" she scoffed. "I want to see you, (Meister:" His face;was still 'pallid, but he had mastered the panic that the )tame of The _Ringer had evoked. "All right, my dear. Johnny!" He looked haled at , Lenleyl. '"If you want anything,' 'my dear boy, you know where you can get it," he said, and Johnny understood, and went out of the room with one backward. glance of curiosity at the unexpected loveliness of the intruder. "Get out; you!" Maurice spoke to 'Hackitt as though he, were a dog, but the little Cockney was unabash- ei3. 'SD+on't you talk to me like that, Meister -Urn leaving you to -day," "You can go to hell," snarled 'Maurice. "And the next time' I'm' pir•iahe'd I'm 'going to _get another lawyer," said Sam loudly. "The next time you're pinched. you will get seven years," was the retort. "That's why I'm going to Change me lawyer." , Maurice turned on him, with a face of fury. "I know a na•aan like you who thought he was clever•, He's asked rrre to defend him at the Sessions." "I d01141 call that clever." "Defend him! I'd gee hien dead first." "And he'd be better off!" •snapAed Sam. Lomond and the girl ..made an in- terested 'audience. "That's what you get for helping the scum!" said 'Meister when his truculent servant had gone. Obviously he wanted to be alone with the girl, and Dr. Lomond, who had good reason for returning, said that he had left his bag upstairs in 'Meister's room, and 'made that the excuse f -or leaving them. Maurice waited until the door closed on the old man before he spoke. •• „ "Whys -my dear 'Cora Ann. You're prettier than ever. And where is your dear husband?" asked Meister blandly. "I suppose you, think that because you're alive, he's dead?" He laughed. , • "How clever of you! Did it take you long to think that out?" She was staring- round the room. "So this is the abode of love" Sh•! turned 'fiercely upon the lawyer. "I never knew Gwenda-I wish to God I had! If Arthur had :only trusted me as he trusted you! I heard about her suicide, poor kid, when I was on my way to Australia, and flew back from Naples by airplane." "Why didn't you wire me? If I had only known " "Meister -you're a paltry liar!" She went to the door through which the doctor had passed, opened it and listened. 'Then she came back to Where Meister sat lighting a cigar. "Now 'listen -that Scotch sleutiir will be coming back in a minute." She lowered her^voice to an intense Whisper. "Why don't you go away -rout of the country -go. somewhere You can't. be found -take another name? You're a rich man -you can afford •to giye up -this hole!" Maurice smiled again.. "Trying .to frighten me out of England, eh?" "Trying to frighten you!" The con- tempt in her voice would have hurt another man^ "Why, it's like, tryiries to make a nigger black! He'll get you, Meister! That's what I'm afraid of. That is what I lie in bed and think about -it's awful . . . aw- ful . !" "My dear little girl" -he tried tp cheek, but she' on her hoe • lay his hand, drew back -"don't worry about me." '"You! Say, if I ,could lift my fin- ger to save you from hell I wouldn't! Get out of the country -it's Arthur I want to save, not you!,Get away --give him a chance that he wants e' kill you." )Maurice beamed at her. "Ah! How ingenious! He dare not 'come back himself, and he has 'sent you to England to get me on the run!" Cora's fine eyes narrowed. "If you'Ire killed -you'll be kille.i here! Here in this room' where you broke the heart of his sister! You fool!" He shook his head. "Not such a fool, my dear, that I'd walk into a trap. Suppose this man is alive: in London I'm safe - in the'Argentine !he'd be waiting for me. And if I went to Australia he'd be waiting for me, and if ''l; stepped ashore at Gape Town . . No, no, little Cora Ann, you can't catch me." She -was about to say something when she heard the door open. It was the "Scotch sleuth";.. whatever warning she had to deliver, must re- main unspoken. "Had your little talk, Cora Ann?" asked Lomond, and in spite of her anxiety the girl laughed. "Now, listens doctor, • only my best friends call me Cora Ann," she pro - bested. "And Pin the best friend you ever had," said the doctor. 'Meister was in eager agreement. IShe doesn't know who her best friends are. I wish you'd persuade her." Neither gave him encouragement to continue. He ,had the uncomfortable feeling that he was an intruder in his own house, and the arrival of Mary Lenley gave him an excuse to wan- der, to the little office alcove where he was out of sight but not out ,of hearing. • "I like meeting you, Cora Ann,' said the doctor. She laughed. "You're. funny." "I've 'brought ,the smile to the widow's eye," said Lomond unsmii• ingly. She shot a swift sidelong glance at the man. "Say, Scottie! That widow stuff - forget it! There are times when 'I almost wish I was -no, not that, - but that Arthur and I had never met." - •He was instantly sympathetic. "Arthur was a bad lad, eh?" IShe sighed. "The best in the world -but not the kind of man who ought to have married." " "There isn't any other kind," said Lomond, and then, with a cautious look round at 'Meister: "Were ',Toe very truth in love with him'?" 'She shrugged. "Well=1 don't know." ' "Don't know? My dear young per- son, you're old enough to know where your heart is." ' "It's in my mouth most tunes," she said, and he shook his head. "Ye poor wee devil! Still, you followed him to Australia, my dear? "Sure 'I did. But that kind of honeymoon takes a whole lot of ro- mance out of marriage. You don't have to be a doctor to know that." He bent over her. "Why don't you dr p him, Cora Ann?. That heart of yours is going to wear ,away from 'being. in your mouth all the"tiine." '"Forget him?" Lomond nodded. "Do you think he wants me to for- get hire'?" •"I don't 'know," said Lomond. . `ale any .,lean worth what you are suffer- ing? Sooner or later he will be caught. :The long a'tr of the law Will • stretch out and;take him, and the long leg of the law will boot hint into prison!" `'You don't say!" She lookedround to where Meister was sitting by Mary Lenley, and her ton grew 'very earnest. "See here, Dr. Lomond, if you want to know -my ,ginger man is in danger, but I''m not scared of the police. Shalt I tell you something?" "`Is it fit for me to hear?" he ask- ed.. "That'll worry me!" she answered) sarcastically. "I'm going to be frank with you, doctor. I've a kind of h'µneh there is only one man in God's wide world that will ever .catch Arthur Milton -and that maze` is you!" CHAPTER XXXV Lomond met' her eyes. "You're just daft!" he said, . "And why?" "A • Pretty girl like you-heokine on to a shadow -the best part of your., life wasted." "You don't say!" • "Now, you know it's so, don't you? IVs a dog}'s life. How do you. sleep?" ' ".Sleep!" She threw out her arms in a gesture of despair. "Sleep!" "Exactly. You'll be a nervous. wreck in a year. •Is it worth it?" "What are you trying out?" she as'ke'd breathlessly. "What's your game?". "I'll tell you -shall I? I wonder if you'll be shocked?" IShe was looking at him intently. "Wouldn't it be a good idea for you to go away and forget all albout The 'Ringer? Cut him. out of your mind. Find another -interest." He laughed. "You'' think I'm 'being un- pleasant, don't you? But I'm only thinking of you. 'I'm- thinking of all the hours you're waiting for some- thing to happen -with your heart' ir_ your mouth." 'Sud'denly she sprang -Id her feet. "Listen! You've got some reason behind all this!" she breathed. '"I swear to you-" "You have -you have!" She was' in a fury. "You're a man -I know what men. are.. See here -I've put thyself in hell. and I'm ,sta•-ing put!" She picked up her .bag from the table. "I've givers you your chance," said Lomond, a little. sadly. "My chance, Dr. Lomond! When Arthur `.Milton says 'L'm.,tired of you -I'm sick of you -you're out,' then I'll go. My • way -not your way. You've'given me my chance-Gwenda Milton's chance! That's a hell of a chance, and I'm not taking it!" Before he could speak she had flung from the room. Meister- bad been watching, and now he came slowly to where the doctor was standing. • "You've upset Cora Ann." ' "Aye," nodded Lomond, as he took pp his hat and bag thoughtfplly. "Aye." "Women are very strange," anus • ed 'Meister. "I rather think he likes you, doctor." "You think so?" Lomond's man- ner and 'voice were absent. "I won- der if she'd come out and have a bit of dinner with me?" "How marvellous it would be if she liked you well 'enough to tell you a little more about The Ringer, suggested Maurice slyly. "That's just what I was thinking. Do you think she would?!" - Maurice was amused, videiitly there was no"age•^limit to men's van- ity. " "You never know what women will do when they're in love -eh, doctor?" Dr. Lomond did not reply4 he went out of the roomy. counting the silver ih his hand. Iij eister's head was clear_ now. J nay was a real menace ' . he had threatened, and a 'young;, fool like that would fulfil his threat, un- less . . . Would he be mad en- ough to go to Camden Crescent that night? From Johnny his mind went to Mary. His love for the girl had been a tropical growth. Now, when at -seemed that she was to be taken from him, she had become the most desirable of women., He sat down at the piano, • and at the first notes of the "Liebestraum," the girl en- tere'd. 'He was for the moment oblivious of her presence, and it was through a cloud of dreams that her voice brought him to realities. "Maurice. He 'looked .at her with unseeing eyes. "Maurice." The music stopped. "You realize that I can't stay here now that Johnny's bath?" she was saying. "Oh, nonsense, my dear!" His tone had that fatherly quality which he could assume with such effect. "He is terribly suspicions," 'she said, and he laughed. "Suspicious) I wish he had some- thing to be suspicious about!" She waited, a picture of indecision. "You. know I. can't stay," she said desperately. He got up from the piano and, coming across to her, laid his hands on her Shoulder. 'SD'on''t be" silly. ';Anyone would think 1 was a leper or something. What nonsense!" "Johnny would never forgive me." "Johnny, Johnny!" he snapped. "You cant have your life governed and diieeted by Johnny, who looks like being in prison half his life." She gasped. "Let us see things as they are," he went on. "There's ne 'sense in de- ee po. o *w, .Toa t wily 4fili,glit lbs., •-. YOU dpnit to'yr, n?,; dear, ,ov, ,0't kno'va, Rv'e .ti'1•ed 'keels t • ;in,gs.'fx'o'in you- and it 1}afs` aw.£ull: dillncult.nr ' "'K.eep things from me, --^^ what ghtngst" kler face had gone I?a1 "Well- -!?• his hesitation was well ergxle `'what. ,dt .you think y�.aun'g fool did �wst !before k e..W:410.: cafight? I've •been his best friend' as you know, and yet--4wei1, 'he put my names to a cheque for four bun- died. pounds.' She stared ..at him in horror. "Forgery!" • F: • • '`Wrhat is the use of calling it names?" He took. a pocket -book from, his elreesing gown and • extracted a cheque. "I've got the cheque. here. I don't knew •why I keep it, or what I'm going to do about 'Johnny" • 'She tried to see the n'am'e on the oblong slip, but' he was careful to keep it hidden. It was,' in fact, a cheque he had received by the morn-. jug. post, and the story of the forg- ery had .been invented on the spur of the 'minute. Inspirations such as this had been very profitable to Maurice. Meister. "Can't you destroy it?`" she asked tremulously. • .. "Yes ---I suppose I could." His hes- itation was .artistic. "But Johnny is so vindictive. In 'self-defence I''ve' got to keep this .thing." He put the cheque "back in his. packet. "I shall never use it, of course," he' said airily. And then, in that tender tone of his: "'I want to talk to you about Johnny and everything. I can't now, with people wa.king in and out •all the time • and these policemen hang- ing round. . C'ome up to supper the way I told you." ' She shook her head. ' • "You 'know I can't.. 'Maurice';•• you don't wish- people to talk about me as they .are talking about--+Gwenda Milton." The lawyer spun round at the words -his face distorted with fury. "God Almighty! Am I always to have that slimy ghost hanging round my .neck? Gwenda 1Vfilton, a half -'wit who' hadn't the brains to' live!All right -if you don't want 'to come, don't. Why the hell should I: worry my head about Johnny? • Wlhy •should I?" She was terrified by this sudden violence of his. - "Oh; Maurice, you're 'so unreason- able. If you really want me-" . "I don't care: ,whether your. do" or whether you don't," he growled, "If you think„. you can get along without Me, try. it. I'm not ,going on my knees to you Or to any ether woman. Go into the country* ;but Johnny will not go with you, believe me!" She caugiht his arm, frantic with the fear his half -threat had roused. •"Mauricet�I'll do anything you wish -you know I will." He looked at her• oddly. "Come at eleven," he said, and:, "If you want a chaperon, bring The Ringer!" .• The words were hardly spoken when there came three deliberate raps at the door, and Maurice Meister shrank back, his shaking hand at his mouth. • "Who's there?" he asked hoarsely. The deep tone of a man answered him. "I want to see you, Mei§ter."- • Meister went to the door and flue s n g it open. The sinister face of Inspec- tor Bliss stared into his. "What . . what are you do. in`g here?" croaked the lawyer. ; : - Bliss showed• his white teeth in a mirthless smile. "Protecting you from The Ringer -Watching. over you like a father," he. said harshly. His eyes strayed. to the pale girl. "Don't you think, Miss -Lenley-that you want a little watch- ing over, too?" She shook her head "I am not afraid of The Ringer," she said; "he would) not hurt me." Bliss smiled crookedly. "I'm not thinking of The Ringer!" he said, and his menacing eyes wan- dered to !Maurice Meister. A CHAPTEIR XXXVI The return of John Lenley was the most supremely embarrassing thing that•had ever happened within -;Maur- ice Meister's recollection. If he had resented the attitude of the young man before, he hated him now. The menace in his words, the covert threat behind his reference to -Gwen- da 'Milton, were maddening enough, but now there was another factor op- erating at a moment when it seemed that all his dreams were to be re• alized and Mary Lenley, like a ripe plum, was ready to fall into his hands; when even the fear of The Ringer had evaporated in same de- gree, there must enter upon the scene this young man whom he thought he would not see again for years. Prison had soured and aged him. He had gone -away a weakling, come (back a brooding, vicious man, i'ho would stop at nothing -if he knew. There was nothing to know yet. Meister showed his teeth in a smile. Not yet Maurice Meister was no coward in his dealings with ether men: he had all the qualities of his class. Known dangers he, could face, however dead- ly they might be. He could have met John Lenley and without wincing could have told hien of his evil plan - if he were sure of Mary. Yet the sight of a door opening slowly and +a'pparentlly thilough no vThible ag- ency brought him to the "verge of hysteria. The Ringer was alive: the worst of iIteister's fear died with the sure knowledge. He was something hu- man., tangible; something against which he could match his brains. That afternoon, when they were "alone, he came in to Mary and, standing behind her, dropped his hands upon her shoulders. 'Ile felt her ''.stiffen, and was amused. "You ha'ven't forgotten what you promised this morning?" he asked. She twisted from his clasp and came round to meet his eyes. ".Maurice, was it true about the cheques? You were not lying?" 'ILte nodded slowly. "We're alone now,." she said des- perately. • "Can't we talk . . . is it necessary that I should come to- night?" "Very necessary,. said Meister coolly.' "I supiPose you are aware • � 'S}ol;i !have * p ►t i 1�� ka nye•-ojli �}$ O an young *i- # i 1111 - ?X1} •)'raid of " 1}rl :14.1At:sta t ou�g'liIree�' l'is peour .q delc e xilosleasedro, tl;e ctln' 'to r. ow shllewn weevecerwo• p :I•do• 11rean d ati' c.il* forelivi• Creulityws o-fe• sofumnthathalrundtad.B, 'Mriee, nthn00• 0portuatty asceI dywillteruuhure hee orcenfourson • d!Tmbte anowceofeiwan•to• t srgh• • • • • epreaoutngtore of mock helplessness -• "What a child -yens are, Mary!. How can you imagine that I would be in the mood to talk of Johnny, or plan for you? Keep Your promise, my dear!" She faced` him squarely. • aurice, I'm going' to be awfully plain-spoken." What was coming? he wondered. There was a new resolution in her voice, a, new courage in her eyes. She was so unlike, the wilting, terrified being .. of the morning that he was for a moment staggered. "Do you' really' wish me 'to conic'. to -night . . just to talk about the cheque.that Johnny -leas forged?'' He was so taken aback 'by the di- rectness of the, question that he could not for •the moment -answer. "Why, of course," he said at length. "Not only about the forg- ery, but there are` so many other matters which we ought to talk over, Mary. If you're really going into the country, we.rmust devise ways and means. You can't go flying off ante Devonshire, or wherever it is you in- tend settling at a minute's notice. I am getting some. catalogues from one 'W of my -from a house agent I repre- sent. •e Can look over these'' te- gether-" "Maurice, is that true? ? want to know. P'm not' a child any long- er.-' You must tell me." She had never looked more lovely to him than in that moment of chal- lenge. "Mary," he began, "I am very fond of you-" "w.hat does that mean-thet- you love me?" The cold-bloodedness t!u i took his. breathe awathe quos y. "Does it mean, you love me so burl! that yowl want to marry me?' • she a5kacl. `Why, of course,)' he - s'tammered.. "1 aria awfully fond of you. But marriage, is one of the follies that I have so tar avoided. Does it mean anytt.mg, my • dear? A few words niu•m:Lled by a paid servant of the Church . . " "Then ,you don't want to 'marry'm+e, Maurice?" she said quietly. "I am eight there, aren't I?" "Of course, if you wish ire-" he began hastily. - She shook her head. •"I don't love you- and I don't wish to marry you, if .that is what you mean," she said. "What do you real- ly want of me?" • She was standing close to him when she asked the question, and in an- other instant she..•was struggling in his arms. "I. want you -you!" she breathed. "•Mary, there is no woman in the world . like • you . . . I adore you . . ." .Sumnionieg all Tier strength, she broke free from his grasp and held him breathlessly at arm's length." • "I see!" She could hardly articu- late the words. "I guessed that. Maurice, I shall not come to this house to -night." Meister did not speak. The wild rush of passion which had overcome him had left him curiously weak. He could only look at her; his eyes burnt. Once he put lip, his, trembling hand as though to control - his lips. "I want you here to -night." The voice was scarcely audible. "You. have been frank with me; I will be as frank with you. I want you: I want to make ;you happy. I want t6 take away all the dread and fear that clouds your life. I !want to move you from that squalid home of yours. You know what has happen- ed to your brother, don't you? He's been released on ticket -of -leave. He has two years and five months to serve. If I prefer a charge of 'forg- ery against him, he will get seven years and the extra time he has not served. Nine and a half years ' . you realize what that means? You'll be over, thirty before you see him again." He saw her reel. thinking slue was going " to faint, caught her by the arm, but she shook ori his' hand. "That puts the matter in a differ- ent light, doesn't it?'" iHe read agreement in a face which was as white as death. "Is there no other way, Maurice?" she asked in a low voice. "No ser- vice I can render you? I would work for you as a housekeeper, as a serv- ant• --,I would be your best friend, whatever happened toyou, your loy- alist helper," 'Meister s'niled. "You're" getting melodramatic, my dear, and that is stupid'. ' What a fuss over a little supper party, a litt'•e flirtation," Her steady eyes were on his. "If I told Johnny'--" she began slowly. "If you told Johnny, he'd come here, and be,.eveu more melodramatic. I should (telephone for the police and that would be the end of John- ny. You understand?" She nodded dumbly. made tp the visit of the ..evening, • gird" she hiirried from the house into•t'he,,':' dark street. A,thin fog lay on.1)eilxt-; ford as she threaded a way alar;;'. the crowded -sideessalk-of High Street, Suppose she went to Alan'. The thought only occurred to be reject-, ed. 'She must work out her own salmi vation. Had' Johnny been at . home. when she 'arrived;. she mighthave told hint even if he had .not -,,gueseecf from her ...•evidernt distress that some.' thing unusual had occurred. - But he was out; had left a note on the table saying that he had gone • to town to see a .man he knew: . She remembered the -name after a -while'; it was a gentleman farmer who had_ been a neighbor of theirs in theold days at Lenley. It was a dihmal thought that all these preparations of Johnny's would come to naught, if She shuddered. Either Pregamt she did not dare think about. She went to her room and pres- ently came her little maid -of -all -work with the announcement - that a gene tleman had called to see her. "I can't see anybody. Who is it?"' "I don't know, miss. ' He's a fel- low with a beard." She walked quickly past the girl across the dining -room into the tiny - hall. "You don't know me, I th'in'k,"esaid' the reran at the door. "My name is: Bliss." 'Her heart sank. 'Why had this mane came frons Scotland Yard? Had Maurice, in one of those paroxysms: of unreasonable temper, sent him? "Come in, please." (Continued°'next week.) Thinning Apples Best. Experimental work carriecl oiiit at-, the federal 'Experimental Station at Kentville, N. S., affords !conclusiveevidence as to the value of the prae tice of "thinning" apples. As applied' to the variety Wealthy an increase - in value am'dunting to $34.75 per acre Was secured. Some 'of the advant- ages from thinning arethe elimina- tion of extra cost for picking, for - hauling, for packing, and for barrels. The cost of thinning was: placed at. 14.6 cents per tree, or $7.88 .per•acre, resulting in a direct saving in labor and supplies alone of $21.13. The other $13.63 'increased value comes • from the -higher 'price received for the better quality fruit, produced as. the result of thinning. Debt conferences have been put off until June in the hope that somebody may have some money by that time.. -St. Louis Times. LONDON AND •WINGHAM South. pan, Wingham 2.05• Belgrave 2.22 Blyth .,• -• 2.33' Londesboro 2^46= Clinton 3.08 Brucefield 3.26 Kippen 3.38 frensall 3.39' Exeter 3.53 North. Exeter 10.59' Hensel' 11.12` Kippen 11.18, Brucefield - 11.27 Clinton 11.58 Londesboro 12.16, Blyth .... , .... 12.23'• Belgrave 12.33- Wingham 2.33Wingham 12.4'11 C. N. R. East. A.M. p.m_ Goderich 6.35 2.40' , Holmesville 6.50 2.56 Clinton 6.58. 3.05• Seaforth 7.12 3.21 St. Colutnban 7.18 3.27 Dublin ... ... . 7.23 3.32 West Dublin 11.24 9.12 St. Columban 1149 Seaforth 11.49 9.25. Clinton 11.55 9.39' Holmesville 12.05 9.53' Goderich 12.20 10.65' C. P. R. TIME TABLE: East. Goderich ., . . Menset McGaw Auburn Blyth Walton McNaught Toronto West 5.50' - 5:liE 6.6'4+ 6:11 6.25, .. . 6.40 6.52' 10.251. 'OHAP'lTE1A XXXVII a mz , At five o'clock Meister told her she ? ¢ mild- go home for the evening. Icer t20 head as aching; she 'had' dote prat-- ti'cally no work that afternoon, for Aub urn , - the letters were blurred and illegible , .... 2;$i specks of black that swam before her,'+. eyes. No further reference was 1'2,,j : Toronto McNaught Walton myth ,.. ......... McGaw Menset Goderich li