The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-21

u EAAlaDAE EABA1f II HILL LII IglDAg
l could give a very good guess. AS
for your father, he must face the con-
sequences Of having allowed you to
behave as .ou do. l have no more
to say" replied Diana with cold dis
dain.
Aimee's eyes blazed at her.
you utter beast, Di!" she said,
and flung out of the room.
For half an hour Aimee unused upon
the situation. and mentally pro-
nounced it hopeless. The dreary bed
room became impossible to her. She
opened the door; the house was in
darkness; everyone, apparently. had
retired. Aimee made her way to
Georgina's bedroom door, and raped
stealthily for some time, for the door
was locked. II seemed impossible to
arouse Georgina, and after a lengthy
effort Aimee desisted. Lady E~rythea's
room was next door. and even the deaf
hear when they are not wanted 10.
Finally. Aimee crept down into the
hall, where the suits Of armor doomed
grimly in the half-ligbt, a silent,
threatening host. Ii was impossible
to get ~ of the house. All coneeiy-
able outlets were secured, since the
burglary. Aimee passed through the
paneled dining hall. The darkness
got on her nerves. SHE switched on
a single electric light, and looked
round her hopelessly.
Two or three more days, and /
believe Billy would have pulled me
through" she said DULY. Il know he
would. Now, it's all up. I'm done.
And l can't get 20 Billy"
Aimee dropped into an armchair.
buried her face in her hands, and be-
gan 10 cry. She cried like a child that
has hurt itself.
A large figure stole into the room
with a remarkably noiseless step. 1t
was the Vicomte de Jussae. he start
ed as he caught sight of the forlorn
figure in the chair. and stared in sur
prise. The spectacle OF a damsel in
distress at once reused generous SEN
timents in the beau sabreur.
He crossed the room and seated
AAAAlNEAl O4 - urn u liz Ia
away. dull care" murmured Ber-
trand. such eyes as those--I cannot
see them but l am sure they are
adorable-were never made for weep
ing. Tell me your sorrow, ma pc
tite," he said ge.tly; sit shall be
swept awayI"
I'm In awful trouble !" sobbed
Aimee.
ALAS. But let me help you. Here
am l, a big, gross fellow, but very
capable, sent by the gods to aid you.
1t Is what / am for"
Aimee dropped her hands and
stared at him, startled.
Are you Monsieur de Jussae?" she
stammered.
Infinitely at your service. ma
demoiselle."
Aimee's eyes searched his face. It
was rather closer to hers than ap-
peared necessary, but it was undoubt-
edly sympathetic.
Tell mei' he murmured.
Aimee hesitated.
well, l viii tell you. I've got TO
tell somebody. or I shall go mad :"
said Aimee with a rush. Anyway
they'll know it tomorrow. I'm not the
parlor maid. I'm Aimee Scroope-
Lady E~rythea's niece"
Helm - exclaimed the Vicomte. He
rose to his feet, staring at her, and
twisted his mustache-a habit in mo-
menfs of beWilderment.
Aimee plunged into her tale breath
Iessly. She made il brief: it was also
very jumbled. But the thread man.
aged to unravel itself. Before she
finished, Bertrand turned away. His
shoulders quiyered and shook. the
back of his neck was crimson.
you're laughing.' cried Aimee ac-
cusingly.
But nor" gasped the yicomte.
choking. 1T is grief. Grief and sym
pathy-for you-mademoiselle."
"You are laughing ~. said Aimee
stepping in front of him. go on
then-laugh! If you can laugh at
that, you're-you're all right Billy
says She checked herself, and
suddenly began to laugh. too; a very
rainbow of laughter and tears. But
what's TO be done? It's the finish :"
Bertrand turned and caught her by
1.-the hands.
I'VE shall find a wayt" he cried.
COURAGE BAH but that is an i'm
beetle 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.
1T cannot bel She has a heart.
Under that icily exquisite exterior.
a warm heart beats. It must be
~softened."
"A heart? Di? She's a" Aimee
stopped Just in time, I'm afraid its
quite hopeless. l only told you be-
cause I was in despair"
"a De Jussac never despairs! Es
pecially when there is a charming
little lady TO be rescued from the
Philistines. The difficulty must be
overcome at any cost. All" he ex-
claimed. coming near to her. Il be-
lieve 1 have it! Listen"
"Oh!r said Aimee with a gasp. She
had become conscious that they were
NOT alone