The Winslow mail., 1923-04-06


arouse GeOrgina, and after a lengthy
effort Aimee desisted. Lady Erythea's
room was next door, and even the deaf
hear when they are not wanted to.
Finally, Aimee crept down into the
hall, where the suits of armor loomed
grimly in the half-light, a silent,
threatening host 1t was impossible
to get out of the house. All conceiv-
able outlets were secured, since the
burglary. Aimee passed through the
paneled dining hall. The darkness
got on her nerves. She switched on
single electric light and~9 looked
round her hopelesslv
1.-TWO or three MOI g days, and
believe Billy would have pulled me
through" she said duly. 81 know he
would. Now, it's all up. I'm done.
And 1 can't get to Billy"
Aimee dropped into an armchair,
buried her face in her hands, and be-
gan to cry. She cried like child that
has hurt itself.
A large figure stole into the room
with remarkably noiseless step. 1t
was the Vicomte de Jussac 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
himself on the arm of the chair.
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 gently; "it shall be
swept away!"
"Pm in awful troubler' sobbed
Aimee.
"Alas But let me help you. Here
am l, big, gross fellow, but very
capable, sent by the gods to aid you.
1t is what 1 am fort"
Aimee dropped her hands and
stared at him, startled.
"Are you Monsieur de Jussac?" she
stammered.
Infinitely at your service, ma
demoselle."
Aimee's eyes searched his face. 1t
was rather closer to hers than ap-
peared necessary, but it was undoubt-
edly sympathetic
Tell me!' he murmured.
Aimee hesitated.
"Well, l will tell you I've got to
tell somebody, or 1 shall go mad" !"
%
they'll know it tomorrow. I'm not the
parlor maid. I'm Aimee Scroope-
Lady Erythea's niece"
"Hein" exclaimed the Vicomte. He
rose to his feet, staring at her, and
twisted his mustache-a habit in mo-
ments of bewilderment.
Aimee plunged into her tale breath
leSsly. She made ii brief; it was also
very jumbled. But the thread man
aged to unravel itself Before she
finished, Bertrand turned away. His
shoulders quivered and shook, the
back Of his neck was crimson.
you're laughing" cried Aimee ac-
cusingly.
"But not" gasped the vicomte,
choking. "It is grief Grief and SYM
pathy-for u-mademoiselle."
"You are laughing!" said Aimee
stepping in front of him. "Go on
then-laugh! If you can laugh at
that, youre-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
the hands.
'We shall find a way!" he cried.
"COurage Bah but that is an i'm
becile 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.
''It cannot be! She has a heart.
Under that icily exquisite exterior,
a warm heart beats. 1t must be
softened."
ga heart? Di? She's "a" Aimee
stopped just in time. I'm afraid it's
quite hopeless. I 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. Ah! he ex-
claimed, coming near to her. Il be-
lieve l have it Listen"
"Oh!' said Aimee with gasp. She
had become conscious that they were
not alone.
Alexander stood before them, in a
black dressing gown, a candle in his
hand. He only needed bell and book
to be the very image of an abbot in
the act Of pronouncing excommunica-
tion. De Jussac started violently, and
frowned Alexander took no notice Of
him; his eyes were fixed on Aimee.