The Winslow mail., 1923-04-06
The JOY of Living

armor than l do Why not show it
to Monsieur de Jussac, so that he may
commence his studies. You will find
most of it in the hail.
II think Monsieur de Jussac had
better pursue his own investigations,
for 1 shall be fully occupied with
mine," said Diana, "and for the pres
ent will retire to my room, If you
will excuse me, Aunt"
She glided majestically through the
doorway.
The Vicomte's eyes followed Dia-
mas departure
Adorable blonde!" he mused. "The
invincible phlegme brittanique. But
it is the icy, inaccessible peak that
spurs the courage of the mountain
eer %
He sat down and made himself par
ticularly pleasant to Lady Erythea.
When the party of four assembled
for dinner, Lady Erythea was amiable
and resplendent in purple, Diana
II
while Alexander at first wore the air
of the Jackdaw of Rheims molting
under the abbot's curse. But Ber-
trand de Jussac, looking like a re-
vived DArtagnan in evening dress,
contrived to chase heaviness away.
His merry, infectious laugh and
quick sallies uplifted the spirits of
the others. He made a deeper i'm
preston than ever on Diana Lambe,
and with the usual perversity that
seized her when in mixed company,
she felt it due to herself to become
the more openly hostile.
II do not understand how you can
defend the spirit of the age" she said
coldly, in answer to sally that made
even Alexander smile "The days of
chivalry are dead What romance can
one attach to the modern young man?
But in the days of heraldry, when
men were splendid in helm and gor-
get and camail-ah, then" she ex-
claimed, with rare touch of enthu-
siasm, romance flourished indeed"
Talking of mail" said Lady Ery-
thea blandly, "the ghost always ap-
pears in a complete suit of it, though
his coming is noiseless as a breath of
mist. l regret to tell you, Vicomte,
that he came to bad end through a
romantic passion"
"Why regret?" protested Bertrand.
81 will wager twas worth it,
Because he was reputed-or disre-
puted-tO be an ancestor Of yours
De Jussac taken as hostage by Sir
Piers Lambe-after most gallant re-
sistance," said Lady Erythea smiling.
"While here he engaged the affections
of daughter Of the house, and being
discovered, was permitted to don his
armOr and debate the matter with
Sir Piers His end was-tragic."
"No end can be wholly tragic, if
reached by the path Of a great pas
sion. To every rose it's thorn. l ap-
plaud him." Bertrand raised his
glass. "To you, nameless ancestor !"
He replaced the glass appreciatively,
AMI Mr.. Tarbeaux refilled it. "Touch-
ing this ancestor, Lady Diana"
But his hostess had given the sig
nal, the ladies rose, and the two men
were left alone-a custom that still
fingered at Jervaulx. De Jussac did
not find Mr. Lambe a very exhila-
rating companion, but Alexander
though drinking only water, kept him
at the table an uncOnscionable time
When eventually they reached the
drawing room Alexander departed at
once to his library, and Bertrand
found that Diana had retired.
81 must apologize for my niece, vi
comte, but she has gone to her room;
to achieve the proper psychic attitude,
or whatever she calls it, for her in
quiries as to this absurd ghost" said
Lady Erythea. "She can, of course,
do nothing tonight And as it is late,
and you will not wish to sit up talk
ing to an old woman"
"Most spirituelle of hostesses," pro-
tested the Vicomte, 81 should like to
sit and talk to you all night, if you
will allow me"
Diana put her head inside the door.
81 told you, Aunt" she said "that
my stupid maid lost herself at the
terminus, and l cannot retire unat-
tended. May have yours?
"My own incumbrance has been
away for two days." said her aunt,
"but we have parlor maid who really
attends to ones hair very soothingly;
she did mine last night" Lady Fry
thea pressed the bell.
The butler appeared, 'Tarbeaux,
you will tell Snooks to attend Lady
Diana in her room"
every good, M lady"
Mr.. Tarbeaux found Aimee on her
way upstairs to bed, and gave her
the order. Aimee was astonished,
and secretly panic-stricken.
"This has absolutely finished it!"
she reflected. II might as we'll bolt
at once" Suddenly she came to a