The Dolores star., 1923-07-06

Aimee" he said sharply, go out
20 out quickly / will deal with her.
what are you going to dor Gasped
Georglna. Instead of obeyIng him she
came forward. trembling.
Go out l am going to give this
woman In charge"
I'm PHYS name, don't do that
Georglna gulped, and struggled ior
breath. "She-she Is your kik-kik-
Cousin Aimee"
Georgina dropped into a chair ana
began to cry. Alexander, taking MS
hand from the bell, wondered II she
had suddenly become insane.
Quite right" said Aimee. With the
calm OF despair she planted herself IN
front of him. her eyes defiant. 81 am
your kIk-kIk-Cousin Aimee. And that's
my cousin, GeorgIna Berners. made
her take my place here. because
thought It would be dull. and Dad "
sisted on my coming SO now call the
police, Cousin Allck, and let's get 1t
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.. Lamhe
turned swiftly and caught the handle,
preventing the intruder from entering.
Did you ring, mIss?" inquired Mr..
TarbeauXs voice.
"A mistake" said Alexander, quick
Iy. Il will ring II I want you." He
closed the door, and peered searching
ly at Aimee
81 do not understand what this
means" he said coldly, but 1t does
not seem an occasion for the Intrusion
Of servants. We are alone. VIII you
expIainI"
Aimee felt sudden relief; twlnge
almost Of gratitude. She had not eX-
pected Alexander to do anything so
sensible.
III make It clear II can" she
said, and, looking Alexander In the
face with an angellcalIy simple expires
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 dIgnified fish.
And So" concluded Aimee, you see
It's piece of my skirt the police have
got. And It was l who tripped you
up the stairs. I'm sorry-Cousin."
Mr.. Lambe passed a somewhat un-
steady hand across his forehead. He
looked at Aimee, and then turned
slowly to Georgina.
Miss Berners-" he said.
Georgina's answer was sob. Imme-
diately Aimee stepped across, raised
her from her chair and. with an arm
round her waist, faced Alexander.
stop Not n word from you to
Georgina!" she said defantly. There's
no one to blame but me. Everything
she's done. I 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 kIndliest 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. | will see you
presently, If you will give me an op-
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
thingf"
WELL said Aimee, for once MT n
loss, "1-you see-I was afraid of Won
Alexander" She glanced up at him
almost shyly. Il didn't want to come
to Jervaulx. l thought 1t would suit
Georgie much better than me-"
Alexander's firm lips twltched yerv
slightly.
Il got fed up at home" continued
Aimee, desperately. Everybody was
SO solemn. They drove me to it, I
just did 1t on the impulse. And then I
things sort of happened-I-
She made an impatient, hopeless
gesture with her hands.
oh, what's the use Of talking about
1t! It's done, and here I am I'm tb,,
wretched mess. Police after me, and
everything! You've found me out
you can give me away. What are Won
going to dor