The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-02-07
Sidney GOwing
Illustrations by
Ellsworth Young
Copyright 1922 by Sidney Gowing
CHAPTER "


It's ike q dream" she Sald daZeu-
ly, Il can't believe in 1t at ALL"
To Georgina it came as an incred-
IDLE climax that she had, after five
hours at J%ervaulx, been dismissed to
bed with an august but approving kiss
from Lady Erythea, and a protective,
cousinly h~and-shake from the sedate
Alexander Lambe. She had not been
denounced as an impostor, flung out
with ignominy, or handed oyer to the
police. All these things had seemed
to Georgina not only possible but
likely.
what on earth will happen when
they find out ?" she said, shivering.
She commenced to disrobe, but had
not proceeded very far when a hustle
and a click were heard. Georgina
turned with a gasp of fright. Some
one was trying to force a way in at
her window. She caught sight of a
flushed face.
With a shrek of terror Georgina re-
treated to the bed, and prepared to
dive under 1t.
Don't make such a row, you fool"
Kissed a voice.
The easements swung inwards, and
Aimee, rather breathless, dropped onto
the floor.
Handy things, these verandas,"
painted Aimee. How are you, Geor-.
gina, old thing?'
Georgina stared at her in paralyzed
amazemenk
Aimee sat down beside Georgina on
the bed, and put an arm around her
waist.
"Well, what's happened here?" she
said cheerfully.
"Oh, l am so glad to see you! !" ex-
claimed Georgina with infinite thank
fulness. Nov we can clear every
thing up. It's been awful I"
"Why? Have you given me awayT'
said Aimee quickly.
81 haven't! You know I wouldn't 7"
cried Georgina holly. Though you
ought to be whipped. / never said a
word about you. and that's why I'm
in this awful messp"
Dear old Georginai You're a
brickl' said Aimee, hugging her. 81
was only pulling your Leg knew you
wouldn't sneak. But why is 1t awful?
Have they found out?'
"When 1 got here" said Georgina
feebly, T thought / could explain
somehow. But Lady Erythea met me
on the steps and took me for you, and
everything went right out of my
head"
"Goodi I see. You hesitated and
were saved"
"Saved?" calculated Georgina an.
grily.
'"Well, 1 was saved. That's more
important. You haven't done any
thing wrong, my snow-white lamb.
What then? ?"
"And then Mr.. Lambe came out, and
she introduced him as my cousin AL
exander. And-and I've been fright
ened to death all the afternoon, for 1
haven't had a chance to put things
right"
Aimee sat back and looked at her
in awestruck admiration.
You mean to say they've no sus-
picion at all?" she exclaimed. Dear
'old George. how deep you must have
been. l never thought you had it In
you!"
81 didn't wasn't" said Georgina
in almost fearful Indignation. 1--WE
hardly said a word all day, except
yes and no. And not even that
if I could help it."
Aimee gurgled.
"And a jolly safe line. tool I can
see we've always moderated you.
George. And you mean to say they
never even got an inkling, all through.
that there was anything unusual?
That does rather beat me-"
"There we're one or two little
things that puzzled them for a mo-
ment, I think said Georgina refiec-
lively, "but 1t all seemed to smooth
itself out. And oh I" she concluded.
with a great gasp of relief, 81 am so
glad it's over and we can stop It.. Now,
how are we going to clear things up
and make it all right for your"
"Stop it? I wouldn't stop it for a
kingdom. It's perfectly splendid"
Georgina stood up.
you are out of your senses" h
said dazedly; Il won't listen to an
other word Think how fearful II
would be If Alex-if Mr.. Lambe. knew.
He
"Aha-Alexander! Yes. Is he as
owlish as his photograph? What did
you say to him, Georgina ?"
"I-I-hardly anything. He told me
all about his missionary work in Man
churia. He"
where was thatY'
"In the rose garden" Georgia
broke off suddenly.
"Did he squeeze your hand?'
Georgina vas speechless with indig.
nation.
you were thinking about him when
you stood at the window 70 said All
NEE, with the air of a prosecuting
counsel. You were being sentimen-
tai. l saw your face. 1t had that
gooey look"
Aimee" said Georgina. fairly reused
at last. "how dare you'll l am going
straight to Lady Erythea, and you can
talk TO heri I have done"
mo, mol I'm sorry. Georgia." said
Aimee soothingly. II couldn't help
pulling your serene leg. l won't saw
a word against your cousin Alexan-
der"