The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-08-09

rou were Also in This Conspiracy
also in this conspiracy! You appear to
know the whole story!"
"oh, of course he knows It." said
Aimee, wildly, lust as Billy knew IT,
and Georgina, and Diana, too. They
all did their best for me-right from
the beginning. l wasn't worth it-but
they did"
ut seems" said Lady Erythea, grin
ping the back of a chair, that every.
one In my household knew all about
this-except myself and my nephew {!
who, through his position and his inno-
cence, now finds himself"
Il beg your pardon, Aunt" said AL
exander. pallid but calm, ~, also, knew
everything that was to be known-
from the moment Aimee entered this
house. knew that Georgina-was
Georglna. | am as culpable as any,"
Lady Erythea stared at her nephew
blankly. A curious expression came
into her eyes. AT last she seemed to
detect in Alexander the one thing she
had believed was lacking-the touch of
the original Adam. But Lord Scroopes S
face hardened.
"You" he said grimly. you also
knew the truth? The action of the
others, ! can understand. But-a
Churchman cannot lend himself to such
a conspiracy as this"
"Under correction, Lord Scroope,"
said de Jussac gently; "a gentleman
cannot betray woman's confidence
without her consent"
Lord Scroope WINGED perceptibly. He
turned to de Jussac and bowed.
"Am I receiving instruction from
layman?" he inquired.
ut is the last thing would dare"
replied Bertrand humbly. at is who
seek instruction. Does not the Church
respect the seal of the confessional"
II make no claim, and no excuses ~
said Alexander suddenly. "I have only
this to say. / loved Georgina Berners
from the day l saw her. When !
learned the real position l loved her
more. Her loyalty and devotion only
increased my esteem. She is the only
woman living that care for; require
you to remember that she is my prom
ised wife. And nobody in this room,"
said Alexander hotly, "shall address
one word of reproach to herl"
"Well done!'' cried Aimee. "Alexan-
der, you're a man. I'm proud of you,
cousinW
THANK you, Aimee" said Alexander.
at is for me-" said Lord Scroope
sternly, ito apportion the blame. Geor-
gina Berners is here under"
He was interrupted by the volcanic
arrival of Billy through the window,
painting and eager, the tuft of hair on
top of his head erect like the crest of
a cockatoo.
"Tve been looking for you every
where |" he cried. you"
go outr said Lady Erythea fierce
ly.
pardon me-" said Billy, advancing,
"but ! guess my place is here. What
ever blame is, take 1t. Lord Scroope,
l know that what I've done is past
apology, but"
"Shut up, Billy" exclaimed Aimee.
'Pve told them everything said
all there is to say. And" she added,
under her breath, "for once think i've
made better hand of it than you
could"
Before anyone could reply, Georgina
rose. sobbing, and made dive for the
door.
"Let me gol" she said brokenly. Il
want to go away. want to GO
Billy, glancing quickly from her to
Aimee and Lord Scroope, turned ana
fitted out again through the WINDOW
No one noticed him. All eyes were on
Georgina.
Alexander intervened-but 1t was
Lady Erythea who, with an extraoru,-
parily determined movement, overtook
Georgina. Passing q supporting arm
round the girls waist, she turned ana
faced the stupefied company.
"Let me remind you all" said Lazy
Erythea, in a voice that compeneu
silence, "of one thing that is In danger
of being overlooked. l am mistress
here at Jervaulxl have listened WIN
an unexampled patience. Hold your
tongue, Anthony have welcomed the
alliance of Georgina with this family'
and Alexander will have such wire
as myself would have chosen for MN
Georgina, your only fault is your oe,
yotion to the mad creature there anu
for that / give you absolution. re-
uuire direction from no one-your mar,
riage with my nephew shall take place
as soon as possible