The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-06-21

becile remark. If you had not cour.
age you would not be here. Who
should betray your"
DIANA" Aimee told him of the en-
counter in the bedroom.
ut cannot be! She has n heart
Under that icily exquisite exterior
warm heart beats. 1t must h,
softened"
"A heart? Di? She's "a" Aimee
stopped just in time. 'Tm afraid H.,
quite hopeless. | only told you he
cause was in despair"
"A De Jussac never despairs! Es-
pecially when there is charmin.
little lady to be rescued from the
rhilistines. The difficulty must be
overcome at any cost. Ah!" he ex-
claimed, coming near to her. al be-
neve have itl Listen"
"Oh!' said Aimee with a gasp. She
mad become conscious that they were
not alone.
Alexander stood before them, in n
Oiack dressing gown, candle in his
nand. He only needed bell and book
10 De the very image of an abbot in
the act Of pronouncing excommunica
tlon. De Jussac started violently, and
1rowned. Alexander took no notice of
MIN; his eyes were fxed on Aimee
What does this meanY' he said
sternly.
"Diana's found me out, and she's
gong TO tell Aunt, first thing in the
morning." said Aimee, with the calm
OF despair. "And I've told Monsieur
de Jussac. simply had to tell some
body. And everybody will know to-
morrow"
Rather a delicate position, Mon.
sieur lie Cure-eh7" said Bertrand
dryly. and not without satisfaction.
Alexander flushed to the ears and
hung his head. He looked so ashamed
and wretched that Aimee felt a pang
Of remorse.
"For myself" he said unsteadily.
Il Will face the exposure and the pen
aity-for l have deserved it. 1t is
you, Aimee. that should have wished
to save. l would sacrifice myself to
do it now, if there were any way. but
see none. YOu-and Georgina. That
/ Is all that matters"
"Tiens! The true ringr cried de
Jussac enthusiastically He seized AL
exanders hand and shook it with
heartfelt warmth. "Never reproach
yourself, mon ami. From first to last.
you have acted en- gallant hOmme!"
you've been brick, Alexander.
And you'd better go, and not hear any
more-I'll keep you out Of 1t if / can,"
said Aimee quickly.
Alexander looked at his cousin.
II will go, then," he said, ION con-
dition that you return to your room
Immediately, Aimee"
"All right, 1 WILL"
"Assuredly-she shall go at once
TIL the morning then, Monsieur +
Able. and have no fear. The danger
shall dissipate ITSELF" said Bertrand,
and almost fQrcibly he shepherded the
bewildered Alexander out of the room.
Bertrand darted back, and caught
Aimee by the hands.
He is bon enfant, the parson he
cried, "all shall yet be we'll. But it
Is impossible to require deceit from
MIN. Leave that to mel Mademoi-
selle, am a magnificent liar" He
smote himself proudly ON the breast.
you shall see how my talent"
"But-w
"Not a word! shall consider II
an honor privilege. 1t is the one
situation In which prevarication, he
comes a virtuel Retire, then, made
noiselle, and sleep soundly. A way
shall be found out Of this impasse
pledge myself to it-foi de chevalier! |!
The morning shall bring. not disaster
but happiness!"
Aimee was whiried out of the ROOM
hardly less bewildered than Alexander
When she had gone upstairs, Monsieur
De Jussac returned to the. dining room.
He paced the room with long strides,
developing a series of plans that
flashed through his brain. Some
caused him to laugh aloud. others
evoked sigh.
"In this country of Puritans,
schemes that elsewhere would glow
like golden mist become impos-
SlDle!' ne museu reSTeuuHy.
Since the coldness of Lady Diana
was the main difficulty, Bertrand's
thoughts concentrated naturally upon
her, and IT is to be feared that Aimees
predicament faded into secondary
place. Allowances must be made for
those swayed by the grand passion.
Suddenly de Jussac halted among the
suits of mail.
"Tiens! the armor," he said, bright.
ening, 1.-THE same Of which Diana
should have told me the history, but
declined. She shall come to 1t yet !
She approves armor-she adOres the
days of chivalry long dead.
Lived we in those days." cried
Bertrand with rising fervor, II would
hack my way to her favor though a