The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-08-02

marry. Though 1 confess I was very
much afraid he never would. Permit
me 70 tell you, Anthony, that In taking
up this attitude as to the marriage Of
priests' you stand on very shakv
ioundation. You yourself are n CLERK
IN orders, and an extreme Ritualist
snail remind you that II you had NOT
married Delicia-and an excellent thing
1t was for you-this situation would
never have arisen!"
am not conscious of having ex-
pressed any such argument" said Lord
scroope very stiffly, but with a certain
pinkness about the ears. "As for Alley.
ander' he is In every way an excellent
young man. But If he is to marry. the
last thing l should have desired is his
aiiiance with my daughter. Their TEN.
peraments are so opposed that I am
convinced nothing but unhappiness
couio result-in fact. your news seemed
10 me almost incredible. I do not know
~nat to do-the position is very diff
cult for me. If the child has really be-
come attached to him." concluded Lord
scroope, with visible distress.
GOOD gracious, man. what did you
expectT' exclaimed his sister-in-law.
1t never entered my head" said
Lord Scroope, emphatically. II thought
that your Influence. and that Of Alex
amer, would have steadying effect
on Aimee, who vas In some need of II.
But this"
Lady Erythea showed increasing ex.
asperation.
You are talking rubbish I" she ex-
claimed, sharply. "Of all the girls
known to me, no more suitable mate
could be found for Alexander. Indeed.
during her so1ourn 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 bewil-
derment.
Il really do not follow you. Erythea.
And ! am greatly disappointed" said
Lord Scroope heavily, greatly disap-
pointed. l did not foresee this"
Il 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"
Georgina 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 a deep
plum color.
"Since 1t 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 diz-
lilly.
''The happy pair!' said Lady Fry
thea, loudly and irritably.
where is my daughter7" exclaimed
Lord Scroope with CONSERVATION. "Ery-
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 q
low voice. "come upstairs and lie down.
It 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?"
yves" gulped Alexander's fiancee.
I'm Georgina. 1 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 daughterY
"Dad"
The disheveied parlor maid darted In
through the door. Aimee's cap was
awry, her face was pale, her eyes very
bright; the top of her apron heaved
tumultuously. She stopped short, as
Lady Erythea glared speechless at this
irruption.
Don't cry, Georgie," said Aimee; al
wasn't your fault"
"Have l been transported into Bed
lam?" asked Lord Scroope, dizzily. "Or
are you rehearsing charade? What
ls she doing in this costume?"
Lady Erythea struggled for breath.
"This," she said grimly, sis my par
lor maid, Snooks whom foolishly en-
gagged on your recommendation. She
has engaged herself again, however, to
my chauffeur"
Lord Scroope looked at his sister-in'
law with commlseration.