The Winslow mail., 1923-05-04


could be found for Alexander. Indeed,
during her sojourn here Aimee has en-
deared herself to me scarcely less than
to him. Her piety, her quiet devotion
the complete absence in her of all
slanginess-all these speak eloquently
in her favor"
Lord Scroope gazed at her in Devil
derment.
Il really do not follow you. Erythea.
And I am greatly disappointed" said
Lord Scroope heavily, greatly disap-
pointed. 1 did not foresee this"
II am not responsible, my dear
Anthony, for your lack of foresight"
said his sister-in-law, acidly. A shadow
| darkened the window, and she turned.
But your daughter can answer for her
self"
Georglna stepped in through the
open window, followed by Mr.. Lambe.
| Suddenly observing Lord Scroope she
halted and became rigid. Every scrap
| Of color left her cheeks Alexander
halted also, and slowly turned deep
plum color.
"Since it Is a fait accompli." said
Lady Erythea to her brother-in-law,
almost with touch of pleading, ''be
amiable, Anthony, and bestow your
| blessing on the happy pair"
She raised her ear-trumpet as though
to share in the benediction Lord
| Scroope looked at Georgina dumbly and
then stared at Lady Erythea.
what did you say?" he asked dir
lilly.
1.-THE happy pair!" said Lady Fry
thea, loudly and irritably.
"Where is my daughter?" exclaimed
Lord Scroope with CONSERVATION. cry
thea, where Is my daughter"
Lady Erythea started. She glanced
at Georgina's horror-stricken face, and
then, with deep concern, moved to her
brother-in-law's side.
"My dear Anthony" she said in a
low voice, "come upstairs and lie down.
1t will soon pass off. Do not be
alarmed, Aimee. Lean on my arm,
Anthony"
Lord Scroope shook himself free.
"Are you in your senses, Erythea
This Is my niece by marriage-Geor-
gina Berners. What is she doing here|
"Y-yes," gulped Alexander's fiancee.
''I'm Georgina. I couldn't help it."
She collapsed into an armchair and
burst into tears. Alexander stood over
her like large and protective dog he
laid hand on her shoulder and glared
at the others with defiance.
Lady Erythea turned pale. 1t was
disconcerting to find two members of
the Scroope family simultaneously
smitten with insanity.
"Where is Aimee?" insisted Lord
Scroope, turning upon her. "Where is
my daughter?"
Dad"
The disheveled parlor maid darted in
through the door, Aimees cap was
awry, her face was pale, her eyes very
bright; the top Of her apron heaved
unanimously. She stopped short, as
Lady Erythea glared speechless at this
Eruption.
Don't cry, George" said Aimee; at
wasn't your fault"
"Have I been transported into Bed
lamp" asked Lord Scroope, dizzily. "Or
are you rehearsing charade? What
is she doing in this costume?"
Lady Erythea struggled for breath.
'"This," she said grimly, SIS my par
lor maid, Shocks, whom l foolishly en-
gagged on your recommendation. She
has engaged herself again, however, to
my chauffeur"
Lord Scroope looked at his sister-in-
law with cOmmiseration.
"This," he said, in the soothing tone
with which one would address q de-
lirious person, sis my daughter, Aimee.
am rather glad to find her-in any
costume. I began to wonder what you
had done with her."
Lady Erythea's frame slowly stiff
ened. Her fingers clenched the ear
trumpet as though it were the handle
of club. Her eyes were terrible Be
fore the storm could break, Aimee in
tervened.
at wasn't Aunt's fault, Dad" she
said breathlessly, "nor Georgie's-nOr
AIexanders. 1t was all NINE And If
you all want to beat somebody, it had
better be me! I'm here to explain u
"Some explanation" said Lord
Scroope quietly, ''seems to be called
for"
Aimee, avoiding her aunt's eyes, adj
dressed herself to the quivering ear
trumpet.
II didn't want to come here Dad
made me. I was-frightened of you.
Anyway, didn't think JervaulX would
suit me, and that you'd hate me. SO
skipped the car at Burn Ash" said
Aimee her speech pouring from her like
torrent, "and made the chauffeur
bring Georgina on here. And went
off on my own!
"Georgina arrived here, and you
took her for me. You insisted she was
me. And she didn't dare explain, for
fear of getting me into a row. That's