The Winslow mail., 1923-05-11


will stand at the altar. Don't tremble
like that. l and Billy will be close to
you. Dad will marry all four of us
with splendid composure and dignity.
There's nothing to be afraid of. Dad
is at his best in emergencies like that"
Il do love dignity" said Georgina
gratefully.
Don't say nasty things to me on
my wedding day. You'll get all the
dignity you want When you emerge
after the wedding breakfast, the car
riage with the two fat horses will be
waiting for you; it will convey you to
the train, and then away for-where
did you say you were goingT'
"Closeminster," said Georgina rap
turously Alexander is to be induct-
ed as assistant to the prebendary in
six weeks time. 1 was so glad when
he suggested we should go at once
to the place where later his duties will
lie. There, under the shadow of that
glorious old cathedral"
you'll spend an idyllic, sedate hon.
eymoon," said Aimee. How perfect,
dear. Aren't you grateful to me? If
1t hadn't been for my stunt, you might
have missed a whole life's happiness
But Billy and L"
you're going through to Harwich
on the car, aren't you, dear? Alex
ander told me"
There's Aunt Erythea!" said Al
NEE. I'm glad mummie induced the
old terror to come"
"Who Is that with herr"
"My new uncle-in-law, Mr.. Rlving-
ton. He's a peach! Aunt seems to be
getting on with him splendidly. Look
at her back! Who's the funny little
man that seems half asleep, over by
the cedar?"
"My Uncle Joseph" murmured
Georgina. "He didn't realize till after
we left Jervaulx, that ought to have
been at home with him all the time.
I don't think he really grasps the po-
sltion even now"
II don't wonder. These professors
never do grasp anything" chuckled
Aimee. "We've beaten Diana and
Bertrand. They're to be married in
London next week."
isn't all this delightful to think
Of" sighed Georgina, latter the hor-
rors we went through! Did you ever
hear what became of that woman you
told me about-the wife Of the bur-
glar?"
"Never heard a word more of her;
I think she got away"
ut all seems like some fearful night.
mare now" shuddered her cousin.
GAS the wife Of future bishop,
you'll wipe 1t off your memory, Geor-
gle, dear. But 1 never shalll The
greatest time I ever had in my life.
The JOY Of living. Georgie!" Lady
Scroope suddenly entered the room.
Children" she said gravely. Sin five
minutes we start for the chapel"
Aimee bolted into her room, fol-
lowed by her mother.
"Do you see 'em yetY whispered
an appIe-cheeked woman eagerly. The
red poppies in her bonnet quivered as
she raised herself on tiptoe. The staff
Of the Scroope Towers household was
grouped on either side Of the great
porch, behind the assembled guests.
The apple-cheeked woman was Mrs.
Summing Of Ivy cottage, Stanhoe; the
only envoy from the Jervaulx district.
Her eyes sparkled she clutched grim
ly to her breast a large bag of rice.
a barbarous custom still permitted at
Scroope.
Aimee and Billy suddenly emerged
from the porch at speed, followed
closely by Alexander and Georgina,
amid cheers, fower-petals and con-
fetti. Mrs. Summing with a shrill cry,
opened her batteries.
Alexander and Georgina, swervlng
to the right, climbed into the waiting
carriage. Billy, escaping through the
shower of rice, shot past to the car.
"Beat it % he cried to the chauffeur,
and caught Aimee by the hand. To-
gether they scudded on foot down the
drive.
The guests paused in establishment.
Lady Scroope, her eyelashes sparkling,
laughed gently. Aunt Erythea jutted
an inquiring nose round the pillars.
The bride and bridegroom, having
made good speed for two hundred
yards, turned into clump Of laurels
that efficiently hid the Flying Sphinx.
Billy snatched up a blue cloak that
lay athwart the saddle.
"On with it" cried Billy, glowing.
In a twinkling Aimee donned the
wrap; as Billy bestrode the saddle she
threw herself upon the pillion and her
arms about his waist
"Ready-partner !" Billy said
LET her rip!" painted Aimee JOY
ously.
The Sphinx hummed swiftly along
the park road and swung left onto the
highway.
Hold tight"
The Sphinx breasted the long rise
at sixty miles an hour. The wind