The Winslow mail., 1923-03-30

81 ouI qulChly VIII uedl with neF.
'What are you going to do?' gasped
Georgina. Instead of obeying him she
came forward, trembling.
GO out! 1 am going to give this
woman in charger!
"In PHYS name, don't do that!"
Georgfna gulped, and struggled for
breath. "She-s is your kik-kik-
Cousin Aimee!'
Georgina dropped into a chair and
began to cry. Alexander, taking his
hand from the bell, wondered if she
had suddenly become insane
"Quite right" said Aimee. With the
calm of despair she planted herself in
front of him, her eyes defiant. II am
your kik-kik-Cousi Aimee. And that's
my cousin, GeOrgina Berners. l made
her take my place here, because l
thought it would be dull and Dad in
sisted on my coming. So now call the
police, Cousin Alick, and let's get it
over.'
1t seemed to Alexander that he had
suddenly been transported into Bed
lam. He stared from Aimee to the
gently sobbing Georgina. And then
as the door began to open, Mr.. Lambe
turned swiftly and caught the handle
preventing the intruder from entering
Did you ring, miss?" inquired Mr.
Tarbeaux's voice.
"a mistake" said Alexander. quick
ly. Il will ring if I want you" He
closed the door, and peered searching
ly at Aimee.
Il do not understand what this
MEANS" he said coldly, "but it does
not seem an occasion for the intrusion
Of servants. We are alone. Will you
explain?"
Aimee felt a sudden relief; a twinge
almost of gratitude She had not ex-
pected Alexander to do anything so
sensible
"Pll make it clear if I can," she
said, and, looking Alexander in the
face with an angelically simple express
sion, she told him the tale from the
beginning, briefly, yet comprehensive
ly. AS she was speaking, Aimee
watched Mr.. Lambe's face. The waves
of emotion that passed over his usu-
ally serene features made them inter-
esting, suggesting some delicate in
strument subjected to shocks for
which it had never been designed.
At the end he was gasping family like
a stranded but still dignifed fish.
"And So" concluded Aimee, you see
nil Of INV S1y irt hn
got. And it was I who tripped you
up the stairs. Pm sorry-Cousin."
Mr.. Lambe passed somewhat un-
steady hand across his forehead. He
looked at Aimee, and then turned
slowly to Georgina.
Miss BernerS-" he said.
Georginas answer was a sob. Imme-
diately Aimee stepped across, raised
her from her chair and, with an arm
round her waist, faced Alexander.
stop Not word from you to
Georginar' she said defiantly. There's
no one to blame but me. Everything
she's done. 1 made her do. She want
ed me to own up. All this, she's done
to try and save me. Georges the best
thing that ever happened"
Alexander looked at Aimee.
'My dear child" he said gently, "I
have only one wish and that is to help
you"
Aimee's lips parted; she stared at
him incredulously. She saw the most
human sympathy in the clean-shaven,
priestly face; the kindIiest light in his
large eyes.
Miss Berners," said Alexander,
still more gently, will you leave me
with your cousin? I should like to
speak to her alone I will see you
presently, if you will give me an op-
portunity."
Georgina nodded brokenly, and
moved to the window.
George" whispered Aimee quickly.
as she passed, meet me by the little
arbor down the gardens in half an
hour-it won't be safe hereafter
this"
Aimee and Alexander were left to-
gether, facing each other. There was
an embarrassed pause.
Tell me, Cousin" said Alexander,
quietly, "why have you done this mad
thing?"
We'll" said Aimee, for once at a
loss, "I-you see-I was afraid of you,
Alexander" She glanced up at him
almost shyly. Il didn't want to come
to Jervaulx. l thought it would suit
George much better than me-"
AleXander's firm lips twitched very
slightly.
Il got fed up at home" continued
Aimee, desperately. Everybody was
so solemn. They drove me to it,
just did it on the impulse And then l
things sort of happened-I-"
She made an impatient, hopeless
gesture with her hands.
oh, what's the use of talking about
it? It's done, and here | am in this
wretched mess. Police after me, and