The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-02-07

all she could bear. This was no time
to tell her about Billy.
You needn't worry about me. I'm
staying at a little place nearby. I'm
quite all right, and I've got some
money. We simply must keep 1t up
for a few days-father Is leaving
Seroope Towers soon, and then I'll
show you how we can smooth 1t all
over"
But don't you see how impossible
1t is! Your father will come here to
see you before he goes. And he-he'll
expect you to write to him! !"
"How bright you are tonight,
George. You think Of everything
said Aimee briskly. She sat down at
the writing table by the wall, selected
a sheet of the Jervaulx note-paper
with the Eam5e drms-three feeces
argent on a field vert-and with an
immensely serious face began to write
rapidly, pausing occasionally for
thought. Georgina watched in fasci-
mated horror.
"Listen!" said Aimee, blotting the
sheet and reading it aloud with much
satisfaction.
My Dearest Daddy: 1 arrived here safe
ly. and already I'm quite one Of the fam
fly. Aunt Erythea likes me much better
than she thought she would; she is very
nice and kind. and I nave a lovely bed
room. l am enjoying myself very much
at J%ervaulx. (That's all perfectly true.)
Cousin Alexander is awfully interesting.
and l like hearing him talk about Man
churia. He is a gentleman, and one feels
he is really good, and that makes me
respect him..
I'm awfully sorry I mad such a fuss
about coming here, but I never thought I
should have such a lovely time as I'm
having. So you needn't worry about me,
becaus I'm going to be quite happy.
Your loving daughter.
AIMEE.
p. SIN case you thought of coming
over to see me soon, 1 ought to mention
that the whole place is simply devastated
with humps. OF course it's quite all
right for me. because I've had them.
Georgina emitted a moan.
"a very proper letter." said Aimee,
afixing a stamp to the envelope, with
a determined thump. zone should
always consider ones parents, and
spare them pain. And that postscript
is a touch of genius; the only thing
in the universe Dad is afraid of is
mumps. He hasn't had them, and he
says they are a formidable af1iction
to the aged, and very u~ndignified.
And it's quite true; l saw five children
at Stanhoe with mumps this after
noon. I should hate to tell a fb.
Unless" she added, wrinkling her
smooth brow, sit became absolutely
necessary"
She moved toward the window.
"Aimeel" cried Georgina, starting
I'D panic-stricken. You're not going.
Are you serious about this?'
mot a bit. And don't you be, ell
Their" said Aimee, as she clicked of
the switch of the electric. .See you
tomorrow l an. Good night, old
thing"
The room was plunged IN darkness,
and there was a scraping sound at the
window.
Aimee" gasped Georglna wildly,
fumbling round the wall for the
switch. It was some time before she
found 1t, and when she turned 1t on
the room was empty.
"Aimee!" cried Georgina, leaning GU,
of the window.
There came a sudden humping on
the bedroom door.
"Aimee!" said the stern voice of
Lady Erythea. why is your light on
at this hour? What are you moving
about for? Is anything wrongY'
"No-no - aunt !" said Georgina,
choking, sn-n-nothing much"
"Extinguish your light instantly,
and go to sleepi"
With shaking fingers Georgina
turned off the switch. and undressed
nathetically in the dark. She crept
into bed and thought of Alexander
the one touch Of untroubled calm on
he waters Of Jervaulx.