Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-05-10

IF he is to marry J" interrupted Lady
Erythea warmly. "Of course he is to
marry. Though l confess l was very
much afraid he never would. Permit
me to tell you, Anthony, that In taking
up this attitude Is to the marriage Of
priests, you stand on a very shaky
foundation. You yourself are a Clerk
in Orders, and an extreme Ritualist.
Shall 1 remind you that if you had not
married Delicia-and an excellent thing
it was for you-this situation would
never have arisen"
81 am not conscious of having eX-
pressed any such argument" said Lord
Scroope very stiffly, but with a certain
pinkness about the ears. "As for Alex
ander, he is in every way an excellent
young man. But If he is to marry, the
last thing I should have desired is his
alliance with my daughter. Their en-
peraments are so opposed that I am
convinced nothing but unhappiness
could result-in fact, your news seemed
to me almost incredible. l do not know
what to do-the position is very diff
cult for me, If the child has really be-
come attached to him." concluded Lord
Scroope, with visible distress.
Good gracious, man, what did you
expect?" exclaimed his s~ister-in-law.
ut never entered my head" said
Lord Scroope, emphatically. II thought
that your influence, and that of Alex
ander, would have a steadying effect
ON Ain1nn urhn Unc In coY1n mood nf ~
But this"
: Lady Erythea showed increasing ex-
ASPIRATION.
"You are talking rubbish !" she ex-
claimed, sharply. "Of all the girls
known to me, no more suitable mate
could be found for Alexander. Indeed.
during her s~ojourn here Aimee has en-
deared herself to me scarcely less than
to him. Her piety, her quiet devotion
the complete absence in her of all
slanginess-all these speak eloquently
In her favor"
Lord Scroope gazed at her in bewil-
derment.
81 really do not follow you, Erythea.
And 1 am greatly disappointed" said
Lord Scroope heavily, greatly disap-
pointed. l did not foresee this"
81 am not responsible, my dear
Anthony, for your lack of foresight"
said his sister-in-law, acidly. A shadow
darkened the window, and she turned.
"But your daughter can answer for her.
self"
Georgina stepped in through the
open window, followed by Mr.. Lambe.
Suddenly observing Lord Scroope she
halted and became rigid. Every scrap
of color left her cheeks. Alexander
halted also, and slowly turned a deep
plum color.
"Since it is a fait accompli," said
Lady Erythea to her brother-in-law,
almost with a touch of pleading, "be
amiable, Anthony, and bestow your
blessing on the happy pair"
She raised her ear-trumpet as though
to share in the benediction. Lord
Scroope looked at Georgina dumbly and
then stared at Lady Erythea.
"ENhat did you say?" he asked dig
zily.
1.-THE happy pair!" said Lady Fry
thea, loudly and irritably.
"Tvhere is my daughterw exclaimed
I1or& Scroope with CONSERVATION. cry
thea, where is my daughter?'
Lady Erythea started. 0iA, glanced
at Georgina's horror-stricken face. nn!
then, with deep concern, moved to her
brother-in-law's side.
"My lear Anthony" she said in 3
low voice. "come upstairs and lie down.
It will soon mass off. Do not be
alarmed, Aimee. Lean on my arm:
Anthony"
Lord Scroope shook himself free.
Are you in your senses, Erythea?
This is my niece by marriage-Geor-
gina Berners. What is she doing here?"
"Y-yes," gulped Alexander's fiancee.
I'm Georgina. l couldn't help it."
She collapsed into an armchair and
burst into tears. Alexander stood over
her like a large and protective dog he
laid a hand on her shoulder and glared
at the others with defiance.
Lady Erythea turned pale. 1t vas
disconcerting to find two members of
the Scroope family simultaneously
smitten with insanity.
"Where is Aimee?' insisted Lord
Scroope, turning upon her. "Where is
my daughter?'
"Dadi"
The disheveled parlor maid darted In
through the door. Aimee's cap vas
awry, her face was pale, her eyes very
bright; the top of her apron heaved
unanimously. She stopped short, as
Lady Erythea glared speeches. at this
Eruption.
Don't cry, Georgia." said Aimee; at
wasn't your fault"
"Have l been transported into Bed
LAMP" asked Lord Scroope, dizzily. "Or
are you %rehearsing a charade? What
is she doing In this costume?"
Lady Erythea struggled for breath.
"This," she said grimly, sis my par
Tor maid, Shocks, whom l foolishly en-
gagged on your recommendation. She