The Seaforth News, 1940-04-18, Page 6PAGE SIX
THE SEAFORTH NEWS
From The
Manor
House
My spirits continued high. I and out of his youth he could soften
sprang alertly to meet wit and gossip, my blunt nature, by comradeship
my mind ran nimbly here and there, making flexuous the bard and un
I filled the role of honoured guest. genial
But when came the table and wine, a I went an talking to the Intendant,
change befell me. From the first while some of the guests rose and
drop I drank, my spirits suffered a scattered about the rooms, at tables
decline. On one side the Intendant to play picquet, the jesting au our
rallied me, on the other Doltaire. I cause and the scorn of myself abating
ate on. drank on; but while ensiling not at all, I would not have it thought
by the force of will, I grew graver tit for gentlefolk to use abuse instead
little by little. Yet it was a gravity of open charge. There was insult in a
which had no apparent motive, for I smile, contempt in the turn of a
was not thinking of my troubles, not shoulder. challenge in the fliekhng of
even of the night's stake and the a handkerchief. With great pleasure
possible end of it all: simply a sort I ceuld have wrung their noses one
of gray colour of the mind. a still- by one. and afterwards have met
nese in the nerves. a general serious- them, tossing sword -points, in the
ness of the Tenses. I drank, and the same order. I wonder now that I diel
wine did not affect me. while voices not tell them so, for I was ever
got loud and louder. and glasses hasty; but my brain was clear that
rang, and spurs rattled on shuffling night, and I held myself in clue check,
heels, and a scabbard clanged on a letting each move come from my
chair. I seemed to feel and know it enemies. There was no reason why I
all in some far-off way, but I was not should have been at this wild feast at
touched by the spirit of it, was not a all, I, a prisoner charged with being
part of it. I watched the reddened a spy, save because of some plot
cheeks and loose scorching mouths through which fresh suffering should
around me with a sort of distant come to me and some one else be
curiosity, and the ribald jests flung benefited—though how that might be
right and left struck me not at all I could not guess at first.
acutely. It was as if I were reading But soon I understood everything.
a Book of Bacchus. I drank on even- Presently I heard a young gentleman
say to Duvarney over my shoulder:
"Eating comfits and holding yarn—
that was his doing at your manor
when Doltaire. came hunting him,"
"He bus dined at your table,
Laney," broke out Duvarney hotly.
"But never with our ladies," was
the biting answer.
"Should prisoners make condi-
tions?" was the sharp, insolent re-
tort.
The insult was conspicuous, and
trouble might have followed, hut that
Doltaire came between them, shift-
ing the attack.
"Prisoners, my dear Duvarney,"
said he, "are most delicate and exact-
ing; they must be fed on wine and
ly, not doggedly, and answered jest
for jest without a hot breath of
drunkenness. I looked several times
at Juste Daverney, who sat not far
away, on the other side of the table,
behind a grand piece of silver filled
with October roses. He was drink-
ing hard, and Doltaire, sitting beside
him, kept him at it. At last the sil-
ver piece was shifted and he and I
could see each other fairly, Now
and then Doltaire spoke across to me
but somehow no word passed be.
tween Duvarney and myself,
Suddenly, as if by magic -3 know
it was preeoncerted—the talk turned
on the events of the evening and of
the defeat of the. British. Then, too,
I began to be myself again. and a
sense of my position grew upon Inc.
I had been withdrawn from all real
feeling and living for hours, but I be-
lieve that same suspension was my
salvation. For with every ratan pres-
ent deeply gone in liquor round me—
every man save Doltaire—I was
sane and steady, settling into a state
of great alertness, determined on
escape. if that could be, and bent an
turning every chance to serve my
purposes,
Now and again I caught my own
name mentioned with a sneer, then
remarks of surprise. then with insol-
ent laughter. I saw it all. Before din-
ner some of the revellers had been
told of the new charge against me,
end by instruction. had kept it till
the inflammable moment. Then the
why and wherefore of my presence at
this supper being in the hazard, the
stake, as a wicked jest of Bigot's was
mentioned. I could see the flame
grow inch by inch, fed by the Intend-
ant and Doltaire, whose hateful final
move I was yet to see. For one in-
stant I had a sort of fear, for I was
now sure they meant I should not
leave the room alive; but anon I felt
a river of fiery anger flow through
tee, rousing me, making me loathe
the faces of them all, Yet not all, for
4n one pale face, with dark, brilliant
eyes, I saw the looks of my flower of
the world: the colour of her hair in
his, the clearness of the brow, the
poise of the head—how handsome he
wase.—the light, springing step, like a
deer on the sod of June. I call to
mind when I first saw him. He was
sitting in a window of the Manor,
just after he had come from Mont-
real, playing a violin which, had once
belonged to De Casson, whose athletic
power and sweet spirit endeared him
to New France. His fresh cheek was
bent to the brown, delicate wood, and
he was playing to his sister the air of
the undying chanson, "3e vais mourir
pour ma belie refine." I loved the look
of his face, like that of a young
Apollo, open, sweet, and bold, all his
body having the epic strength of life.
I wished that I might have him near
nee as a comrade, for out of my hard
experience I could teach him much,
milk, It is an easy life, and hear
grow soft for them. As thus—
Indeed, it is most sad: so young an
gallant; in speech, too, so confiding
And if we babble all our doings t
hint, think you he takes it seriously
No, no -so gay and thoughtless
there is a thoroughfare from ear t
ear, and all's lost on the other side
Poor simple gentleman, he is a claim
ant on our courtesy, a knight withou
a sword, a guest without the powe
to leave us—he shall make conditions
he shall have his caprice. La, la! m
dear Duvarney and my Laney!"
He spoke in a clear, provokin
tone, putting a band upon the shout
der of each young gentleman as h
talked, his eyes wandering over m
idly, and begond me. I saw that b
was now sharpening the sickle to lti
office. His next words made thi
more plain to me:
"And if a lady gives a farewell sig
to one she favours for the moment
shall not the prisoner take it a$ hi
own?" (I knew he was recallin
Alixe's farewell gesture to me at th
manor.) "Who shall gainsay ou
peacock? Shall the guinea cock? Th
golden crumb was thrown to th
guinea cock, but that's no matter
The peacock clatters of the crumb.
At that he spoke an instant in Du
varney's ear. I saw the lad's fat
flush, and he looked at me angrily.
Then I knew his object: to pro
yoke a quarrel between this young
gentlemen and myself, which migh
lead to evil ends; and the Intendant's
share in the conspiracy was to re-
venge himself upon the Seigneur for
his close friendship with the Govern-
or. if Juste Duvarney were killed in
the duel which they foresaw, so far as
Voltaire was concerned I was out of
the counting in the young lady's
sight. In any case my life was of Ira
aronuat, for 1 was sure my death was
already determined on. Yet it seemed
strange that Doltaire should wish
me dead, for he had reasons for keep-
ing me alive, as shall he seed.
Juste Duvarney liked me once, I
knew, bat still the had the - French-
man's temper, and had always to
argue down his bias against my race
and to cherish a good heart towards
Ere; for he was young, and sensitive
o the opinions of his comrades. I can
not express what misery possessed
to when 1 saw hint leave Doltaire,
nd, coming to me where I stood
lone, say—
"What secrets found you at our
eigneury, monster?"
1 understood the taunt --as though I
were the common interrogation
ark, the abominable Paul Pry. But
held my wits together,
"Monsieur," said I, "I found the
etre, of all good life: a noble kind -
PSS to the unfortunate."
There was a general laugh, led by
oltaire, a conceited influence on the
sung gentleman. I cursed myself
at I had been snared to this trap.
"The insolent," responded Duvarn-
, "not the unfortunate."
"Insolence is no crime, at least," I
n
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THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1940
DON'T GET
YOUR NAME
IN THE
PAPERS
Every week -end the
newspapers contain the
names of those injured in
motor . accidents ' due to
blowouts. You may never
have had a blowout ... but
this hazard rides with you
always. Lifeguards fit any
make of tire ... they can
make your car safe from
blowout accidents. Keep
your name out of the
papers .. , letus put Life -
Guards on your car today!
W. G. WRIGHT, Jr.
SEAFORTH, ONT.
rejoined quietly, "else this room were
a penitentiary."
There was a moment's pause, and
presently, as I kept my eye on him,
he raised his handkerchief and flick.
ed me across the face with it, saying,
"Then this will be a virtue, and you
may have mare such virtues as often
as you will."
In spite of will, my blood pounded
in my veins, and a devilish anger
took ]sold of me. To be struck across
the face by a beardless Frenchman,
searce past his teensi---it shook me
more than now I care to own, I felt
my cheek burn, my teeth clinched,
and I know a kind of snarl carne from
me; but again, all in a. moment, I
caught a turn of his head, a motion
of the hand, which brought back
Atixe to rale. Anger died away, and I
saw only a youth flushed with wine,
stung by suggestions, with that fool-
ish pride the youngster feels — and
he was the youngest of then all—in
being as good a man as the best, and
as daring as the worst. I felt how
useless it would be to try the
straightening of matters there,
though had we two been alone a doz-
en words should have been enough.
But to try was my duty, and I tried
with all lily might; almost, for Alixe's
sake, with all my heart.
NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL
APPOINTED FOR CANAD
Earl of Athlone, Brother of Quee
Mary, Will Come in June
The Earl of Athlone's appolntmen
as Governor General of Canada i
considered its London to be a happ
choice which will do much to wen
the Dominion and the Mother Countr
still more firmly together in wartime
Though some may have thought tha
the precedent of appointing a corn
monei•, which was established whe
Lord Tweedsmuir—John Buchan, th
historian and novelist—assumed o
flee, might have been continued, Lor
Athlone's personal success in prev
ous appointments is held to be mor
than justification for the new pos
Lord Tweedsmuir himself is reporte
to have expressed the view that hi
successor should be a member of th
British aristocracy.
As Governor General of South Af
riea the Earl of Athlone's tenure o
office was extended beyond, the usua
five years to seven because of _ hi
popularity—and that was during th
period of 1923 to 1930, when digitin
political issues were in progress.
A brother of Queen Mary, Lor
Athlone was appointed to the presen
post in 1914, but was prevented by
the world war from assuming office
He now takes- over at a vitally Im
portant period and those qualities o
tact, approachability, and ability 1
public speaking with which he 1
credited by all who know him, will do
much to broaden this co-operation.
Lord Athlone will be. seconded in
his great task by his wife, Princess
Alice, who is daughter of 111e late
Duke of Albany, fourth sol of Queei
Victoria. Her reputation as an Inde
fatigable worker and conciliator, est
ablished in South Africa, precedes het
to Canada.
Canadian comment as expressed by
Vincent Massey, high commissioner
for Canada, was that "Canada will be
proud to welcome so distinguished a
public servant. The charm and wide
human interests of Princess Alice
will win hearts of all Canadians. )t
will mean much to us in Canada at
this time to have a new personal
link with our King and Queen."
The Earl of Athlone is the only
surviving ran ore the Duke of 'Peck.
During the first world war the name
of Teck was dropped and the earldom
of Athlone created at the same time
Bing George V chose the name of
Windsor for the ruling house.
The EarI, then Prince Alexander of
Teck, was educated at Eton and
Sandhurst, British military college,
He subsequently became a captain of
the ith Hussars. the Royal Horse
Guards and the 2nd Life Guards. no
served in the Matabele War in Africa
in 1890. Later he took past in the re-
lief of Mafeking, in the Boer War.
Iie and his Countess have only one
surviving child, Lady May Abel -
Smith.
At Ottawa. Prime. Minister W. L.
Mackenzie King disclosed that the
Once e month, members of the
'CB'C iprogramme and engineering
,divisions descend on Exhibition
Camp, Toronto, withmusic stands,
calblles, microphones, and .all the other
gear peculiar to !the ibmoadcastins
world. Object: to •mage the "Cl3C
House of Variety', a coast to coast
,how, with the haiys:at the Barracks
as ,guests of honour. The .last ;pro-
gramme provided several dsigihlig'hl+
and: gave 4tw'o ,Atniericans .car'haret 'and
stage stars the ;greatest round of ap-
plause in iiieir careers. The pro-
gramme headlined Cab Calloway,
famous ,colored !band leader and lnt-
pressario of New 'York's!Cotton Club
revue, and Sister Thorpe, the sweet -
!voiced negress who !has developed .a
stunt, all her -owns, .of singing ,spirit-
uals. :\d'akiit,g her National Network
debut was t1i3l year old !Betty Davis,
young Toronto singer who prnnikes
ta'be .one .of the finds .of the year. Top
eft is a :section of 'the atppreeiative
tnchence !being let] in ":Carry - O.n"
Ernest Dainty';• war !song, Ihy !the
Smarties, girls' trio, including Dorris
Ord, iVida Guthrie ,and Doris ,Sicott.
Tarp right is a characteristic pose of
.Cxb 9CailUoway. 'Bedew! is Sister 't'hcnpe
accomipanying 'herself on the ;guitar
and lower (left is little Bletty Davis re-
hearsinlg for her deib'uit, with Producer
Stanley ataxtecl .standing Iby,
PROFESSIONAL CARDS
MEDICAL
SEAFORTH CLINIC
Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Graduate
of University of Toronto,
J. D. Colquhoun, M,D., C.M., Grad-
uate of Dalhousie University, Halifax.
The Clinic is fully equipped with
complete and modern x-ray and other
up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptio
equipment.'
Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D.,
L.A.B.P., Specialist in Diseases in
Infants and Children, will be at the
Clinic last Thursday in every month
from 3 to 6 p.m.
Dr. F. J. 11, Forster, Specialist in.
Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and
Throat, will be at the Clinic the first
Tuesday in every month from 4 to
6 p.m.
Free well -baby clinic will be held
on the second and last Thursday in
every month from 1 to 2 p.m,
JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D.
Physician and Surgeon
In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 5J
W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F,A,C,S.
Surgery
Phone 90-W. Office John SL, Seaforth
DR. F. J. R. FORSTER
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Graduate in Medicine, University
of Toronto. Late Assistant New York
Ophthalmic and Aural Institute,
Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square
throat hospitals, Loudon, Eng. .At
Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third
Wednesday in each month from 2 to
4 p.ns. Also at Seaforth Clinic first
Tuesday in each month, -63 Waterloo
St., Stratford. Telephone 267.
MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M,D.
London, Ontario
Graduate Toronto University
Licentiate of American Board of Pedi-
atrics, Diseases of Children
At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af-
ternoon, each month,
AUCTIONEER
GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed
Auctioneer for the County of Huron,
Arrangements can be made for Sala
Date at The Seaforth News. Charges
moderate and satisfaction guaranteed
F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction•
eer for Perth and Huron Counties,
Sales Solicited. Terms on Application.
Farm Stock, chattels and real estate
property. R. R. No, 4, Mitchell.
Phone 684 r 6. Apply at this office.
HAROLD JACKSON
Licensed in Huron and Perth Coun-
ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction
guaranteed. For information, write or
phone Harold Jackson, 658r12, Sea -
forth central; Brumfield R.R.1.
Watson & Reid
REAL ESTATE
AND INSURANCE AGENCY
(Successors to James Watson)
MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT.
All kinds of Insurance risks effect-
ed at lowest rates in First -Class
Companies.
The McKillop Mutual
Fire Insurance Co.
HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont.
OFFICERS
President, Win. Knox, Londesboro;
Vice President, W. R. Archibald,
Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A.
Reid, Seaforth,
AGENTS
F. McHercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John
E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefleld; E. R. G.
Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt,
Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine;
Wm. Yeo, Holmesville:
DIRECTORS
Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William
Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt,
Dublin; James Connolly, Goderioh;
Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. 11.
Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing,
Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton;
Hugh Alexander, Walton.
Parties desirous to effect insurance
or transact other business, will be.
promptly attended to by applications
to any of the above named officers
addressed to their respective post -
offices.
Earl of Athlone was the Dominion
Government's choice, and that his
selection had been discussed with
King George as far bads as the royal
tour last year. Because of wartime
secrecy surrounding trans-Atlantic
travel, the date of sailing for the
new Governor General. was not an-
nounced. He is not expected, however,
until some time in June—too late to
open the session of Parliament
scheduled for the latter part. of May,