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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1944-10-26, Page 7Wmif flRTHURcunmnGHflm XL CHAPTER H The old lady scowled fiercely, then blew her nose and grabbed hastily for a cigarette. “You’re too smart, you, Roger—^always were— too darned smart." Roger grinned, shook his head. "I'll never be able to outsmart you, Duchess, Now what about the royal guests? Is the housekeeper’s nephew permitted to have a peep at them?” “They are at dinner now. I take it you dined before you came here? “Indeed, yes, I flew up, you know—got a lift with young Trem­ blay. He’s on his way to Quebec. I’ll go down on the bus tomorrow. Curiosity brought me here apd 11 won’t go away until it’s, satisfied." “The princess is not a poppy show,” muttered madame, "I’ll go down now and see that those chil­ dren are having sufficient to eat and to watch that Rudolph doesn’t start to walk around the table and wait on them. You stay here until I come back, my man.” Roger stayed there, smoking quietly in the slow summer dusk, watching the purple vista of the) hills above the chateau^ .loving the deep mellow green of "trees and lawn. God, but life was good! How good it was, he thought, he never would have realized had he not so , often been near to death, had he not seen so much of ruin and mis­ ery. These great hills, this vast green land, this blue sky— “Where is heaven half so vast? Where blows a lovelier air? What are thy sons doing here o’er the sea?" ■It was an old verse he had come upon in Michel’s scrapbook. Michel. He stared at the picture, the dash­ ing, laughting face of Michel, and in the twilight its expression seem­ ed to alter, to become somber, grim and terrible. A queer duck, Mike, full of strange theories, stranger dreams, a Lover of dawns and sun­ sets and beauty in any guise. Where was he now? What had he founa I in the maelstrom of hell? Had he gone out in a burst of flame, in a thundercloud'of glory? Had he turn­ ed his back on the whole thing and taken himself to a mountain top or a green isle in the sea? .CHAPTER III Perhaps one would never learn. Michel had always been an enigma, a man one could never know. Not even madame, who had the wis­ dom of all women, had really un­ derstood Michel; otherwise she would not have tried to force her will upon him; .to make a tame pigeon of one who would range like the hawk, * was such a place for us in which to seek refuge. For myself I diet not mind. I would have stayed at Gratzen—* Something in her voice made him 'I look at her sharply and he saw that I her eyes were gazing far off, not at the night-blooming hills of the ( crimson sky qr the mirror pool in which the moon bathed. * “You left someone there whom you—-whom you cannot easily for­ get.” “I do not know if It is that.” She did not seem to be thinking oi him. She was frowning. “I do not know what it is, but there was something—the beginning of some­thing.” \ “Perhaps ’ I Rodger. “I do not think SO.” She smiled then, a brief swift smile that light­ ed all the dusk like a firefly's lamp. “Ah, how could you? I do not I myself understand it.” L But she was thinking, as she walked back with Rodger to where they heard the children’s voices, of the winding streets of Gratzen, of the Inn of the Coq d’or, of an Aug- , ust day. so much like this had been, of a tall youth with a rucksack on- his back, who had come face to face with her as he walked out of the tavern. They had both stopped. She could still recall that moment, relive every second of it. His eyes were blue in his thin brown face and his teeth so white when he smiled. "Are you real?” he said. “Is this place real?” It was a fair day in Gratzen and —what madness had possessed her! She had gone to the fair with him and together they had laughed at the puppet show and ridden oh the carrousel and eaten buns and drunk milk and 'walked up the steep road to the castle in the moonlight. And • there in the courtyard he had taken • her hand in his and said, “I knew '• this would be the end of the story. It’s Cinderella in reverse, isn’t it? The clock strikes twelve and the little maid becomes the golden princess and- the peasant boy goes back down the dusty read. It is so, i is it not?” “It is so, hut—' “There- is no ‘__ the little brown fingers held in lii& bye.” ■She was now as she moon-shadowed ger Fabre land, mensity, far away from her own lit- F youth' with the it you understand,” said ::x' J IL A SEND chine out, now as fee with up the iff. i#1, $ ft. you asked. VETERANS’ WELFARE OFFICERS ARE STA­ TIONED IN KEY CENTRES THROUGHOUT CANADA. THEY ADVISE AND ASSIST EX- SERVICE PERSONNEL, AND SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON ALL PROBLEMS. X- *D THE TIMES-ADVQCATE, EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER ..U"J'.................... !i'-..',j“.....................................' ..... ....................................................................j...,............................... 1 presently the German We could see his face walked toward us.” "He passed so near to me that 1 could almost touch him," said Fol Martin, “He was young like you., Monsieur Roger. We hated him then and when w.e crept to the cot­ tage window after he had gone and looked in and saw opr poor Bou- homme Fricot lying dead on the, floor—" “We had to run—run quickly— more planes were doming over this time, a bomb set fire tp the cottage and men were parachuting down. All that night we ran when it was safe to do so-. Then we met an old peasant with his cart and he start­ ed us on the road to Raris and there Meridel found us. It was God who helped her to find us and bring us here,” “Yes,” said Roger softly and his eyes were steady on Rudolph.’s. “It was indeed God who helped.” “And He will take care of Bon­ homme Fricot up in heaven,” said" ; Rosine. "And "punish the one who killed him. Bonhomme Fricot was bent and his beard was long. He would harm no one." “It is murder to kill like that,” said Pol Martin, "Then to laugh., to smile as this one did after—” "It is ’done with now. Finished, eh, Rudolph?” said Roger. “Madame requests that you be ready within the hour—you too, M. Roger—you are all going to Mont­ real.” "The princess, too?” Roger sat up eagerly. But madame, during the pleasant ride to the city, made Roger sit up front with the chauffeur of the an­ cient car. Her bright black eyes glittered impishly. "Later the prin­ cess may wish to ride up the Mount in a barouche and perhaps you’d like to go with 1 ~ is lovely vista and one.” “Would Roger beautiful. “But yes. I should love that monsieur. I have not been on real montain since I left Gratzen. I shall look forward to it.” (To Be Continued) Over 1,000 at Grand Bend Supper ' The Red Cross hot goose supper at Grand Bend attracted a record crowd of fever l.ooo and realized gross receipts of $775.00 Wednes­day evening of last week, The sup­ per was held in the church shed and bountiful provisions were pro­ vided by the ladies. The weather was perfect tor such an occasion. The Henrich Memorial Band of Dashwood under the direction of T. H, Hoffman supplied the music for the evening. Following the supper a mixed program was held in the church, with J. W. Holt, president of the Grand Bead Red Cross act- j ing as chairman. Speakers for the evening were Owen Atkinson on be- helf of the Boy Scouts and the Vic­ tory Loan and Dr. R. H. Taylor, M. L,A. Readings were given by Mrs. Tomlinson and Miss Annie Sanders and musical selections by Mrs. Sturgis, and A. E. Wuerth, of Exe­ ter and Mr. Inch, Y.M.C.A. director at No. 9, S.F.T.S-. Centralia. her. They tell me ii there;—a marvelous stars very close to like that, Meridel?’ “It is really very should love that | i on | CANADA’S VETERANS Their T^t-^r^ppertu/fitiei The (bird in a series of advertisements to inform the people of- Canada of plans to re-establish men and ■women of fesft armed forces. To get full details, save and read every advertisement.For complete informa­ tion, write for the booklet, "'Back to 04 Life’1 TraMmf awi SOCIAL SECURITY MEASURES In planning Canada’s re-establishment program, its framers worked with one principal idea in mind. This was that the only answer to the problem of permanent re-establishment is a jpb» and that the surest way to get and hold that job is by the skill necessary for it. TEMPERANCE REPORT W.C.T.U. The 67th Annual Convention of ! the W.C.T.U. was held in Central United Church, Woodstock, with 200 delegates present. Mrs. McLean our president, of Ottawa, presided. Very appropriate piano, vocal and violin numbers were rendered throughout the convention, Mrs. Hutcheson, of Brantford conducted the opening worship period, basing h^r remarks on the “Riches of Christ.“ There are no priorities on the “Fruits of the Spirit”; The supply is inexhaustible; His goods are not rationed; His supply is I never short nor scant. If there is any fruit we are short on, we have only to ask for it and we get it in abundance. These gifts to the ■Christian are as a legacy which should be properly invested to draw dividends. Mrs. Wickson, our National’ W.C., T.U. president, brought greetings, from our Canadian organization. She stated that the brewers were well organized and that we must rededicate ourselves for the work ahead of us. Mrs. John Wright, Brantford, Travellers’ Aid Superintendent, stressed that the department should render aid to any member of the community in need of help. The treasurer, Mrs. Peacock, Toronto, reported 5,39 8 paid up members. Money received $6,119.25 in 1942- 43, expenses $6,094.25 in 1943-44, balance $25.00; balance Sept. 1st last year $714,15; balance now on hand $739.15. Mrs. Aitkens, ’ Grimsby, superin­ tendent non-alcoholic fruit products stressed the fact that we should eat lots of vegetables and fruits with a. high water"content in them, and let the children cut their teeth on raw celery and carrots rather than rubber teething rings. Eat lots of fruits in mid morning and mid afternoon, she suggested—two apples, four peaches and six plums each time. * Quite a mixture, she said, but so is the messy marvelous mixture you get from dietitions. Let the stomach do its own mix­ ing by extracting what it needs and rejecting what, is of no value. Resolution sent to Premier Drew follows: Resolved that we, the members of Ontario W.C.T.U. rep­ resenting a membership of approxi­mately 6,000 voters in Ontario, now assembled in Woodstock, do hereby, by vote from the convention floor, strongly protest against the proposed increase of the amount of liquor procurable in this province » and further resolve we respectfully ~ request Premier Drew not to make this proposed change in the pres­ ent regulation. VOCATIONAL TRAININGEvery ..ex-service man or woman who will be assisted in re-establishment by training is eligible to have it. There is provision for paying fees for all courses and, in addition, the ex-service man or woman may receive maintenance grants up to: $60 monthly if single;$80 monthly for a man and his wife, together with children's allowances. This training is available for the period of service to a maximum of one year, but can be extended beyond that period, if necessary, and if service is more than one year. EDUCATIONAL TRAININGThis is available to all who are admitted to university within 15 months of discharge and, as in vocational training, fees are paid and there are main­ tenance allowances up to: $60 monthly for a single man;$80 monthly for a man and his wife, together with allowances for --------, - x dependent children.These allowances will be continued on a month for month basis of the time in the services, providing all examinations are passed. Outstanding students may have assistance continued to completion of the course. SOCIAL SECURITY MEASURES Under the re-establishment program Canada’s veterans who, within 18 i months of discharge from the services, become ill or unemployed may draw maintenance allowances up to $50 if single and $70 for a man and his wife, together with children’s allowances. The out-of-work benefits are for those fit and able to work, but for whom there is no work immediately available. In the case of serious illness there is free treatment and hospitalization for any condition in the year following discharge. As a further-security measure, every veteran who enters insurable employ­ ment is entitled, after 15 weeks in that employment, to unemployment insurance credit as though the whole period in the services since July 1, 1941, had been spent in the insurable employment. ‘but.’ ” He kissed that he “There is only good? remembering all that walked through the _J garden with Rod­ in this strange silent so vast, so awful in its im- tle country. She was seeing the tall > rucksack on his x in his hand go swinging down the hill road from the castle. Michel—it was the . only name he had given her—Mich­ el. “It is so long since I went shop­ ping," ' said madame, “that those who waited on me, if not support­ ing tombstones, are being support­ ed by pensions; so’I shall take Mer­ idel and the little ones to Montreal and see that they buy the things they need. Right now they are like scarecrows." “But, madame—’’ The old lady ignored Rudolph. It was understood that he was to come to her once each day for or­ ders and plans of operation. Ma­ dame did all the talking and Ru­ dolph, for all the attention paid feis few timid suggestions, might just as well have talked to the stone statues in the park, "When Meridel learns the truth I am afraid she' will despise me. 1 am only an impostor,- a fraud—’’ “You are nothing of the kind,” said madame indignantly. "And it you are, what then am I?' Is it not enough to see these young ones happy, secure at last? Now get out my man. I have to dress. And tell > I the little ones to make ready within, | the hour, that we are going to the I great city of Montreal.” “You are so kind, madame. 1 shall go now.” He found Pol Martin and Rosine engaged in deep conversation With Rodger. "•—and Bonhomme Fricot would ~~v <No bullet ever made coula a man’s soul aiid no weapons i* forged can match God’s Weap- ;. God’s the one to settle dicta,- .; just the same, if you should stumble on one, better hit him on the head while you are asking the . 1 divine aid.” • “Very sensible,” approved Rod­ en “A great philosopher, this Bon­ homme Fricot.” “His cottage was outside the VL lage,” said Rosine. “It was in a lit tie wood and this day Pol Martin i and I went there and just before we came to tlie cottage a plane went over-—” “And we hid.” Pol Martin's blue eyes were ‘ seeing it ail again. “We hid iit a coppice aiid we saw a Ger­ man come down in a parachute ) right in the fleict back of Bon homme Fricot’s cottage and we sail him draw his revolver and go ti. to the doer and kick it open an walk in,” “And there was a shot, then a ether — voice knew mah, In the evening stillness, Roger ; , c“e rucksitbre heard children singing, Hei c aPci ^he stout stick ....... I P’A Qurincrinn-Fabre heard children ___ smiled, pleased, got up from his chair and crossed to the window. He saw a tall girl whose hair was a glory in the sunset and two little blond children frisking about her as they walked with the lawn Roger junction, and went quickly down the back garden. After all, it wasn’t every day that one could see a real live princess, even when they were a dime a dozen and no takers at that. He strolled along the bank of tne little stream that wound through the park and flowed into a minia­ ture lake at the foot of the hill, The young moon was bathing in i the lake when Roger came there. Tall, slender birches stood about its rim, white and straight and vir­ ginal, and in their leaves was a soft and steady rustle and the air was rich with the smell of clover and -wile thyme and damp earth and in the sedgy shallows a frog ■ - ■ he the toward the disobeyed Rudolph across beech trees, niadame's in- stairs and out into the croaked in a deep basso and heard the winuoWing wings of wild ducks high overhead, For a white he did not see standing there, leaning against trunk of a birch. She wore her the birch. She wore a white dress and it was not until she moved that he marked her pre­ sence, Her face was pale, the eyes large and dark in that crepuscular light, but there was no hiding the beauty of her hair, the slender grace of her as she walked along the path toward him. “Good evening.’’ he said. 'I hope I do not intrude.” She smiled at him. “Intruders in that dress, monsieur, are wel­ come among most people in this world today. Who are you, please? I am Meridel de Morpin.” “Rodger Fabre. I—am Madame -—the housekeeper’s nephew,” “Oh, Madame Laurin, R,ut she Is a lovely old one! I am so glad to meet you, Monsieur Fabre,” “It is the first tiihe I have ever talked to a real princess.” Meridel laughed and the night, wind seemed to nick up the lovely sound and carry it away among the' frees, “t am just Meridel now. I must forget the princess, It was a little place, Gfafy.eit, but It was lovely, Lovely in an old way, with , red-roofed houses and crooked lanes and old windmills ahd the castle of Grofkeit high on its rock, its turrets seeming to be made of gold In tlie subset.” “You will miss it, Your Hfgh- tidsS,”' “I shall miss ft, Rnt this—-this is So beautltni, this land of yours. Ihose mountains of Laurontia. it is God’s great kindness that there say, hurt ever ous. tors; —» crack — crack!” Hosim was shrill, "A cry—and we Bonhomme Fricot, tfeat good was dead. Wo waited and You must have had a terrible ac­ cident last night. What did you hit? I was driving along a country road when I hit a cow. A jersey cow? . I didn’t see the license-plate. | HEY! SARGE WHERE’S YOUR MINARD’S soldiers:__ RUB OUT TIRED ACHES Issued under the authority of Hon. Ian A. Mackenzie, Minister of VETERAN’S AFFAIRS THIS ADVERTISEMENT TO SOME MAN OR WOMAN OVERSEAS- Invest in Victory & WSW&O 'xVfc -sSKSs MSSS wS * *S* A Me 's X v? J I Buy Victory Bonds Return to Dieppe * ' s -- •WWW WWW . I' The Canadians came back. Back to the beaches where so many died. Back to the quiet cemetery where they now lie buried. Through two long years of working and planning, their determination to avenge Dieppe never faltered. Now, with Victory in Europe in sight, Canada’s Seventh Victory Loan is our opportunity to prove that we, like them, know how to sec a job through, BUY VICTORY BONDS i: Canaouh a«my fhoto