The Dolores star., 1923-06-08

Iuent, wondering IL s-4s h+AH h'''
Alright. And Georgina was guilty
conscious that a similar thought had
crept, unbidden. into her own mind.
Lady Erythea's eyes meeting her
gsze, became stony.
81 was referring. of course she
said. with some Sternness- Ito the duty
GOOD women owe themselves In re
forming young men OF that type In
n girl. nightiness is abhorrent to me-
absolutely abhorrent. Hussies are my
esnecIal aversion" She smiled, and
laid a hand on Georgina's shoulder.
81 don't know why speak of them.
Nor can | understand. my dear, how
such a mistaken impression Of you
could have reached us before we
knew you.
For" she added, rising. Il have
formed my opinion Of you Aimee, nnd
NV Judgment is never mistaken. The
woman does not lire who could de
celve me. Aimee my dear, you are
free to follow any occupation you
choose-undl ten O'Clock"
Georglna made her way upstairs
and sank into the most luxurious arm
chair in her bedroom.
How perfectly lovely It would be
here" she sighed, If only things were
proper and regular. But they aren't"
Georgina, gazing before her, fell
into a day-deam. Presently, the
sound Of the carriage passing beneath
her window reused her with start.
and hastily dOun!ng q wrap she ran
downstairs.
"Sit next me, Aimee" said Lady
Erythea. settling herself comfortably
In the carriage. Alexander, you Will
take the other seat l dislike having
anyone Immediately opposite me"
For two hours, at least. all troubles
were to be left behind. AS the car
rage bowled through the sunlIt park
GeOrgina, lying back against the cush-
ions, under the benign gaze Of Alex
ander, felt inexpresSlbly soothed
When the carriage returned to Jer-
vaulX, Georgina fell rather than de-
scended from It Almost in state
of collapse, she preserved some sort
of outward compOsure and retreated
to her bedroom as hunted fox goes
to earth.
The collision with the motorcycle
on the Syderford road opened new
horizons Of terror for Ceorgina. 1t
seemed 10 her like the climax OF
nightmare What In the world was
Aimee doing? Who was the man-lt
was evidently man, though Georgina
had seen little OF him except his
boots-that was with her. What was
happening to the wretched glrl2
ITS too awful" said GeorgIna hys-
terically, "and I'm responsible
think l shall 20 madr'
Later IN the afternoon, in the nat
ural course OF things, she found her
self alone with Alexander In the gar-
deus. She looked at him with tImid.
yet hopeful eyes Here, at least, was
righteousness, kindness, wisdom.
Georgina felt she could keep things to
herself no longer.
~ am afraid that narrow escape
this morning has upset you, Aimee"
he said sympathetIcally.
"Yes-I was rather upset. But |
am better now. Don't let US talk of 1t.
C-COusin Alexander, there Is some
thing l want to ask you" she said
suddenly. 81 should like your-your
guidance. Imagine that somebody
who was dear to me-SOmebody one
loved very much-had got into diff
culties. and was In danger Of expos
ure- And punishment That It was
in ones power to save them. Suppos-
ing that 1t would help, would it be
very wrong to tell "a fibY
Alexander regarded her wonder
ingly.
Let US give things their proper
Names" he said. You mean a lie
You know the answer. A lie is In all
cases not only inadmissIble, but un-
thInkable"
"Nnot even little oneT said
Georgina family. y don't mean for
ones own benefit of course, but to
shield the other"
There is only one answer" he said
sternly. That other must make n
clean breast of 1t. and bear his own
punishment-or hers. No matter how
bitter 1t may be. Whoever indulpes
in such shielding Is equally guilty"
Georgina felt utterly chilled.
rs not that little hardr' she said
''The hard way Is the wav of rho
transgressor," said Alexander. with
some grimness; there Is authority for
that And yet the friend-I think Won
said frend-,nay give all aid and
succor to the sinner, even TO the ex.
treme sacrifice OF himself But de-
ceit. even the shadow of 1t, must bv
no means enter into the matter. you
are asking me what you know per-
fecty we'll. But why talk of unpleas-
mt things" he continued, tell mo
of yourself, and your life at Scroope
Aimee"
There was small comfort for Geor.
gina the rest Of that day. She dressed
for dinner in state Of despair. Iodv