The Winslow mail., 1923-03-30

Aimee retreated out of sight into
the arbOr.
GeOrgina came slowly along the
path, her countenance pale and down
cast, like a recalcitrant novice who
fears the Lady Superior. Mr.. Alex
ander Lambe looming through the
forest of standard roses, quickly over
took her.
Miss Berners V'
Georgina turned to him with fright
ened eyes.
Il wish to speak with you," said
Alexander with suppressed agitation.
Shall we be seated?' He led her to
a rustic seat close against the arbor.
1T diStreSseS me-" said Mr.. Lambe
earnestly, ito see, as / cannot help
seeing, the effect this has had upon
you. The shock to your sensibility.
Let me set your mind at rest, as far
as | can. l hardly dare to think how
it will all end. But your cousin is as
innocent as an infant of any real in
tent to deceive. She has behaved as
| inconSequently as q child-that is all.
One-one must try to make allow
ances for her. She should be still at
school. That is what l think Of her."
Eyes," murmured Georgina miser-
ably, but what must you think Of
me!''
"Of you!" said Mr. Lambe with
strong feeling Your loyalty-your
unf1inching attachment to that young
madcap, stirs my admiration. 1t is
dreadful to think of what you must
have suffered. Purely to protect
Aimee. You faced my aunt" Mr..
Lambe clasped his hand and drew his
breath in sharply. Yes, you risked
the displeasure of my aunt And
of course, the police. For days this
sword of Damocles has been hanging
over your blameless head. You-you
have not been guilty of deceit No, no!
Only of silence. 1 think you have
behaved, on the whole, admirably"
"Oh" gasped Georgia family, hard
y daring to believe her ears 'you can
not mean it,"
81 do mean it," exclaimed Mr.
Lambe warmly Miss Berners, from
the first hour l saw you, l was con-
vinced of your-yOur essential good
ness 1t betrays itself in all that you
do. Anything that is underhand or
questionable, glides away from you--"
proclaimed Mr.. Lambe, with a sweep
ing movement of his hand, 'as the
turbid stream flows over the river
bed of white marble, leaving it's pur.
ity unsullied. My admiration for you
is greater, if that is possible, than
ever"
Georgina's heart fIuttered delight
fully.
81 think" continued Alexander. with
growing enthusiasm that you exist
to sacrifice yourself for others, Miss
Berners. You have more than piety-
you have charity. 1t is one of the
sweetest qualities in a woman"
Georgina turned to him with swim
ming eyes.
"Oh Mr.. Lambe!" she murmured
with delicious confusion.
Alexander answered her with a hol-
low groan She was startled at the
sudden distress in his face.
"The question is not what think Of
you," he said bitterly, "but what you
think of mel You know the prin-
ciples I profess, and that I impressed
on you. Out Of my own mouth | am
condemned. How can you feel any
thing but. contempt for me! | haze
consented to connive at this mad esca-
pade of Aimee's and all it's cOnse-
quences. To keep silent. Toto boil
ster it up" he said with a gulp. Il
have passed my word"
Georgina's eyes shone.
You have done that" she cried
eagerly ''Why, now that You are on
her side, she may be saved from ex-
posure after all think it is splen-
did of absolutely splendid"
"How can you think of me, but as
a hypocrite? You do not mean Miss
Berners, that you feel any respect for
me noW|
"NIr. Lambe when | first knew you,
l thought you my ideal as a church
man. / think so more than ever.
When was in trouble, and consulted
you, l seemed to find you a little hard.
Poor Aimee had enough to bear. But
now" gasped Georgina, quite carried
away, Il consider your conduct noble
really noble! l admire you more
than ever"
"Miss Berners," said Alexander,
husky with emotion, "if only you knew
what a relief it is, that l have not
forfeited vour regard | have only
known you a few days, but your kind
ness, your sympathy" his hand closed
almost cOnvulsively on hers-"Miss
Beners, may 1 call you Aimee-I-I
mean GeOrgina-w
"Poofr
A stifled, explosive sound caused Mr..
Lambe to start violently and look
round him.
II.