Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-04-13
XIX
Arms and the Man.

Arms I'M the
The h~ousekeeper looked bewildered.
Diana's wrath agitated her. Aimee
was standing quietly in the middle OF
the room, her hands behind her.
81 dare not disturb her ladyship
now that she has retired for the night
and her room is locked" said the
housekeeper; my orders are strict
May I suggest that you see her your
self, my lady? If there is anything
else / can do"
Diana paused, and appeared to re-
fleet.
NO." she said CURLY. "You can
60" When the housekeeper- had left
the room, Diana turned to Aimee.
"You will come with me now-to
Aunt"
"Ill do nothing of the sort" retorted
Aimee defiantly. $50 and speak to
her yourself, if you want to. Rouse
her out of bed now, and tell her all
you know. l shall get it hot I'm used
to that-but there's one consolation,
she'll jolly well fiatten you out, too!'
Again Diana besitated. She saw
herself roaring accusations into the
ear-trumpet of an Infatuated aunt
newly aroused from slumber.
81 am tired, and 1 do not wish for
q scene at this time of night" she
said, fixing Aimee with a malignant
eve. ION consideration, 1 shall leave
this affair till the moTning. And now
you may CO."
She stood away from the door.
won't you be decent about it, DIP"
said Aimee ~imploringly. 81 don't care
for myself, but it's going to be awful
for Dad. lift you'd only let me
!ell you"
81 have no desire to listen to a dis.
~creditable story, OF which, no doubt.
: could give a very good guess. AS
eor your father, he must face the con.
sequences of having allowed yon to
behave as you do. I have no more
to say" replied Diana with cold dis
dain.
Aimee's eyes blazed at her.
you utter beast, Dill" she said.
and flung out Of the room.
For half an hour Aimee unused upon
nounced it hopeless. The dreary bed
roo became impossible to her. She
opened the door; the house was in
darkness; everyone, apparently, had
retired. Aimee made her way to
Georgina's bedroom door, and raped
stealthily for some time, for the door
was locked. 1t seemed impossible m
rouse Georgina, and after a lengthy
effort Aimee desisted. Lady Erythea's
was next door, and even the deaf
hear when they are not wanted to.
Finally, Aimee crept down into the
hall, where the suits of armor loomed
grimly in the half-light, a silent,
threatening host. 1t was impossible
to get out of the house. All conceip-
able outlets were secured, since the
burglary. Aimee passed through the
paneled dining hall. The darkness
got on her nerves. She switched on
q single electric light, and looked
round her hopelessly.
1.-TWO or three more days, and I
believe Billy would have pulled me
through" she said duly. 81 know he
would. Now, it's all up. I'm done.
And 1 can't get to Billy"
Aimee dropped into an armchair,
buried her face In her hands, and be-
gan to cry. She cried like a child thar
has hurt itself.
A large figure stole into the oom
with a remarkably noiseless step. 1t
was the Vicomte de Jussac. He start
ed as he caught sight of the forlorn
figure in the chair, and stared in sur
prise. The spectacle OF a damse1 in
distress at once reused generous SEN
timents in the beau sabreur.
He crossed the room and scared
himself on the arm of the chair.
"Away, dull care" murmured Ber-
trand. "Such eyes as those| cannot
see them but 1 am sure they are
adorable-were never made for weep
ing. Tell me your sorrow, ma Pc
tte," he said gently; sit shall be
swept awayi"
"rm in awful troubled" sobbed