University of South Carolina Libraries
! 1 art - < ■ She Painted Her Face A stouf. touc and Uituyuc ... 69 DORNFORD TATES O Domford Yatee WNU Serr&oe SYNOPSIS Richard Exon, a poor young Englishman, befriends elderly Matthew Gering, who at his death, gives him a statement claiming he, Gering. is Rudolph Elbert Virgil. Count of Brief, of ancient Austrian nobility who was betrayed 20 years before by his twin brother, Ferdinand, whose sentence for for gery he himself served. Ferdinand appro priated his title, property and daughter. Be fore he dies, Gering tells Exon there is a family secret, known only to the head of the house, to be found in the great tower at Brief, by a doorway none can ever find. Exon Inherits his uncle's fortune and sets out to right Gertng's wrongs. En route he encounters Percy Elbert Virgil, son of the villainous Ferdinand and sees him In con ference with Inskip, a diamond merchant. Be engages a valet. Winter, who hates Percy and meets by chance at a garage. John Herrick, who is a linguist and who as a youth served as a page at Gering's wedding, and had visited Brief. Herrick, due eventually to fall into an Inheritance, la at present unemployed and seeking pleas ant work to while away a few months. Exon and Herrick establish headquarters at Brenda Revoke's farm at Raven, a few miles from Brief and make their plans. They find the castle almost Inaccessible at first, but at the mouth of the entrance drive several days later, they see a closed car occupied by Percy Virgil, a chauffeur and a woman and hear talk of a wire and a change of clothes. Percy returns to the house. Hearing a dog scream, they see the chauffeur flogging it, lust as a horse with a girl astride bounds along the path and Is felled by the strung wire. The girl, unconscious, is picked up carelessly by the chauffeur and woman. CHAPTER H—Continued I looked over my shoulder, still 12 feet up, to see the man and the woman lay the girl down in the track which led to the car. They paid her no sort of attention, but aft er a hurried word, the man turned back to the ride and the woman ran down the track and out of my sight. I think it was then that I thought that they meant her ill, for both of them need not have left her in any case. Be that as it may, I hung where I was for an instant, to let the fellow go by. Had he looked, he must have seen me, for I was fully exposed, but his eyes were fixed on something I could not see. I leaped the last six feet, and be fore I turned to the girl, I looked after the man. In so doing I saw the chauffeur, walking across the ride—at the spot where the bay took his fall—hastily coiling the Wire which had brought him down. For a moment I stared, unable to credit my eyes. Then I whipped to the girl, who was yet lying still as death, and, picking her up in my arms, ran out of the track and into the thick of the bracken until I could run no more. CHAPTER HI I afterwards found I had run a quarter of a mile, which shows, I think, that fear can lend a man strength which he does not possess. Be that as it may, I laid the girl down as gently as I knew how—and then lay down beside her to get my breath. Of course I knew who she was and I knew I had seen an attempt to carry her off. And I knew that I had been sent to bring that at tempt to naught. I prayed that I had succeeded—with all my heart. From the way she had lain in my arms I was sure that she was not dead, but I felt that she ought to have water, to bring her to life. And then I heard the speech of a rill . . . Two minutes later, perhaps, a hand went up to her head. “It’s all right,” said I, “lie still. You took the deuce of a toss.” Lady Elizabeth Virgil opened two large, gray eyes. “The dog,” she said. “Who was it beating that dog in that merci- “It’s all right,” said I. “He stopped when he saw you come down.” “And Caesar?” she cried, sitting up. “Where’s Caesar—the horse I was riding?” “Unhurt,” said I. “He may be going spare, but he’s not going short. And now will you please lie down and let me look round?” After a steady stare, she did as I said. I got to my knees and peered through the tops of the bracken, but all was still. As I sat back on my heels— “Why did you want to look round?” “Because you are still in danger. You were brought down on pur- pose. A wire was across the ride.” Lady Elizabeth looked at me very hard. “How do you know?” “I saw it taken away. I saw the whole thing. The fellow was thrash ing the dog to draw you that way.” There was a little silence. Then— “Who arranged this . . . melo drama?” "Your cousin, Percy,” said I. “I saw him at work.” After a long silence she let out a little laugh. “That rings true,” she said short ly. And then, “Who are you?” “My name's Richard Exon," I said. “A—a friend of yours told me about you.” “I didn’t know I had any friends.” “You’ve Herrick and me,” I said quickly. “His mother was a friend of your mother’s, and I was a friend of—of the friend I mentioned just now.” The girl regarded me straightly. “I can’t remember my mother.” “I know,” said I. "The Countess Rudolph was killed before you were two years old.” With that, I got again to my knees, to throw a look round. As I did so, I heard a car coming —gathering speed. Till then I had no idea that we were so close to the drive, and for one distracting moment it seemed as though the closed car were head ing directly for us. Then it switched to its right a short six paces away, and before ten seconds had passed we could hear it no more. “Was that them?” said Lady Eliz abeth. I nodded. “That’s right. Gone empty away.” “What do you mean—empty?” “They were to have taken you with them—I don’t know where.” My lady sat up. “Are you sure of this?” “Quite sure. I’ll tell you every thing later.” Cautiously I got to my feet. “D’you think you could could leap into a flame, but once you had seen it, you never could for get it, because forever after all other eyes seemed dull. Her hair was soft and shining and black as night, and the face which it framed was strong and proud and fearless, but something sad. I think it was the droop of her lips that gave her this wistful air, but you could not have wished it absent, because that might have altered the shape or her fault less mouth. I had to carry her over a stream before I saw through the trees'the flash of the Rolls. I never was so thankful, for though she made no complaint, I knew it was all she could do to stay up oit her feet, and I had a dreadful fear that to strive with the effects of concussion might do her some serious ilL Winter saw us coming and had a door open, for her to get into the car: this she did without speaking and at once lay back on the cushions and closed her eyes. Herrick was not to be seen, but since he was sure to return by the entrance-drive and the road, I bade Winter take the wheel and make for the spot at which he had set us down. If he was not in sight when we got there, I meant to go on to I Had to Carry Her Over a Stream. manage to walk? My car’s not very far off.” “There’s nothing the matter with me, but why should I walk to your car?” I hestitated. Then— “Because I beg you,” I said. “I’ll tell you everything later—indeed, I will. But now we’ve not a moment to lose. Directly Caesar gets in, the alarm will be raised: and I don’t want you to be found until after you’ve heard my tale. Please trust me till then. You really are in dan ger—what happened just now must show you that your cousin will stick at nothing to put you out of the way.” Finger to lip, Lady Elizabeth Vir gil appeared to reflect. At length she rose to her feet. “All right,” she said. “I’ll trust you. Where is this car?” When I told her, she glanced about her. Then she pointed across the drive. “That’s our quickest way. But how do we come to be here? I came off in the Golden Ride.” “I carried you here,” said I. “They left you halfway to the car, so I picked you up and cleared out before they came back.” A hand went up to her head. “So far as I can make out, I’ve a great deal to thank you for. But I can’t think as straight as I should. And when we get to your car, are you going to drive me to Brief?” “I’d like to drive you to Raven.” “To Raven? Do you know Ra ven?” “That’s where we’re staying,” said I. "All right. I don’t care. I’d like to see Brenda again. I’ll lie down there for a while. When you’ve been knocked out, you’re never quite right till you’ve slept.” Though she seemed to have taken no hurt, she was not fit to walk as far as the Rolls: yet I was afraid to offer to fetch the car, in case, be fore I got back, the hunt should be up. There was, therefore, nothing for it. Fortune had laid on my anvil a red-hot iron. If I did not strike it now . . . When she had stumbled twice, without a word I took her right arm and set it about my neck: then I put my left arm about her and held her up. I am given to understand that one had her mother’s looks, but I find it hard to believe that the Countess Rudolph had all of her daughter’s charm. I have said before that her eyes were large and gray, but I de spair of disclosing the exquisite light which made them so very rare. This waa a very soft brilliance, which Raven and then return, but, as luck would have it, we met him at the mouth of the track. He was plainly bursting with news, but I was down in the road before he could speak— “I’ve got her,” I breathed. “She’s coming with us to Raven. But don’t say a word in the car—she’s not too well.” Then we both got into the Rolls, and Winter let in his clutch. “It’s very seldom,” said Herrick, “that Fortune makes up her mind to do a thing really well. She almost always leaves you with two or three little knots, and you have to try to cut them . . . But here she’s ex celled herself, for I came upon the scene of the outrage as you went off, and so I can complete the astonish ing tale you’ve just told. “But before I do that, let’s go back. Between us, we saw the whole thing. We saw Percy meet his bul lies and lead them off to the ride. There, of course, he told them ex actly what they were to do, watched them fix the wire and placed them in the positions which they were to occupy—the chauffeur at the end of the ride to watch for my lady’s ap proach, and the woman to show him his place as soon as he’d seen her go by. And when Percy had posted them, he went back to the house. That’s not guesswork. I saw him. Two minutes after you’d left me, he whipped through the fields below me, up to the house and in by the door at the foot of a stair case-turret. Back to bed, of course —and there’s his alibi. Nobody saw him go out, and nobody saw him come in . . . “My lady must have appeared just after I’d made up my mind to return to the Rolls. Anyway, I didn’t see her. But I saw the closed car, as you did: and, as you did, 1 crawled up to have a good look. Before I was through, I heard that unfortunate dog, and without think ing what I was doing, I started along the track. Then the dog stopped screaming, and I re-entered the bracken, just about ten paces in rear of the car. “I was wondering where you were and whether to follow the track or go back to the Rolls, when I saw the woman approaching between the trees. She was blowzed and out of breath and went by at a shambling run, and when she got to the car, she swung the door wide open and then stood biting her nails and star ing the way she had come. “Presently along comes the chauf feur, sweating great drops, with a coil of rebellious wire, and going as fast as he knew. “ ‘Where is she?’ he cries. ‘Have you got her?’ “The woman lets out a gasp. “ ‘Me?’ she bleats. ‘Max has got her. He sent me on.’ “ ‘Max hasn’t got her,’ cries the chauffeur, and the woman goes white as a sheet. “The next moment, up comes Max, with his eyes bulging out of his head. “When they told him she wasn’t there, he threw the best part of a fit before my eyes. Then they all ran back in a bunch, like so many fran tic beasts, to where she ought to have teen. Less than two minutes elapsed before they came stumbling back, all three disputing hoarsely and, naturally, blaming each other for what had occurred. Bang oppo site where I was lying the woman fell upon Max and scratched his face to glory before the chauffeur was able to pull her off. Then she fell down in a heap and burst into tears, and Max did his best to kick her till the chauffeur landed a good one and knocked him down. But for him, they’d have been there now, for he was the only one that wasn’t beside himself. “ ‘D’you want to be taken?’ he hissed. ‘That cursed horse is back in the stables by now, and in two minutes’ time the hue and cry will be raised. And if we’re to be found, we’re done. That Jew will show us no mercy—he’ll lead the pack: and he’ll hound us into prison for 20 years.’ “That brought the others up to their feet and into the car, and 30 seconds later the latter was out of my sight. “Well, there you are. We know the whole truth of the matter from first to last, and, thanks to your enterprise, we have in our hands the remarkably beautiful subject . of their activities. As I said two days ago, you’re one of Fortune’s pets: but you know how to use your luck— I’ll give you that. It would never have entered my head to carry the lady off.” “Of course it would,” said I. “No, it wouldn’t,” said Herrick. “I might have rescued her: but aft er that I should have taken her home.” (TO BE CONTINUED) Termites Have Been Present in This Country for Centuries; Not Imported Contrary to popular opinion ter mites are not “new” insects import ed from the tropics. They have been present in this country for centuries. But it is only lately that the general public has become aware of them as destructive in sects. As the forests are becoming depleted and they are deprived of their natural habitats, they seek other sources of wood—houses among them—for food and shelter, writes Dr. Michael Ference in the Chicago Tribune. Several types of destructive ter mites exist in this country. The subterranean or ground-burrowing type is most widespread and devas tating. Because these subterranean ter mites shun light and remain hidden from view, the damage which they accomplish often reaches an ad vanced stage, with the infested lum ber becoming structurally weak and unsafe, before the termites are so much as discovered. Even more destructive to wood— and homes—in this country are the low parasitic forms of plant life known as rot-producing fungi, caus ing damage that runs into millions of dollars a year. They thrive under a wide range of moisture, temperature, and food conditions. The particular variety with which we are concerned feed on the cellulose found in wood. The spores of these fungi lodge in the crevices of wood. If condi tions are favorable (moisture, tem perature, food) they germinate rapidly, emitting a labyrinth-like branchwork of destructive filaments which finally permeate the mem branes of the affected wood. This condition id known as dry rot or decay. Some types of wood are less sub ject than others to fungus attack, but unfortunately the resistant woods are very expensive and are seldom used for construction pur. poses. The Mata-Mata Turtle The Mata-Mata turtle, a native of South American lakes and rivers, resembles a floating log, to which an enormous leaf has been attached as head. A fisherman for his liveli hood, the Mata-Mata seldom leaves the water in his native haunts. From his snout extends a small periscope, through which hs breathes on land.. mat to Eat and Why C. Houston Goudiss Offers Timely Advice On Avoiding the Menace of Tooth Decay By C. HOUSTON GOUDISS O NE of the most serious indictments against our present- day civilization is its failure to preserve the teeth of men, women and children. Countless examinations in all parts of the country reveal that practically” 100 per cent of the adult population is afflicted with some form of oral disease. And surveys of the physical condition ® of school pupils in different lo calities and under various cir cumstances disclose that tooth de cay affects between 90 and 97 per cent of our school children. Remarkable and widely herald ed advances have been made in our knowledge of how to control and prevent many dan gerous and debili tating diseases. Tet we appear to be complacent in the face of the fact that the majority of our population is handicapped by de cayed teeth! Nor does the mere statement of the case convey any idea of the seriousness of the situation. For it is unfortunate that diseased teeth and dental infections which may result from unchecked de cay, seldom incapacitate the suf ferer. Thus the victim does not become sufficiently alarmed to take the steps necessary to arrest the progress of the diseased con dition. Yet a single decayed tooth might be compared to a poison factory, distributing its noxious products to every part of the body, and tooth decay may be indirectly responsible for rheumatic ail ments, neuritis, dyspepsia or du odenal ulcers. It may even be a contributing cause of heart trou ble. Possibilities of Prevention Yet there is little or no excuse for the appalling amount of dental decay that afflicts the American people. For in recent years a vast amount of laboratory and clinical research has been undertaken in this field and there is impressive evidence that dental carles, or de cay, may be completely controlled by dietary means. Then, too, our understanding of correct dental hygiene has advanced tremen dously, and scientifically designed tooth brushes and skillfully com pounded dentifrices are available in every town and hamlet through out the country. Diet and Dental Disease Various investigators have ad vocated different dietary formulas for the control of dental decay. There is a lack of agreement among them as to which single element is the most important in constructing a diet to prevent caries. But outstanding authorities hold that each of the five following di etary factors has a controlling in fluence: vitamins A, C and D; an adequate supply, in the correct proportions, of the minerals, cal cium and phosphorus; an excess of alkaline or base-forming foods over acid-forming foods; and a generous allowance of raw foods, with emphasis on those that leave an alkaline-ash. Vitamin A and Tooth Structura Notable research has demon strated that vitamin A is a definite factor in controlling tooth develop ment. The development of the enamel is governed by a complex structure which begins to deterio rate as soon as vitamin A is with held. When experimental animals are placed on a diet lacking in this vitamin, their teeth become brittle, chalky and white. This is due to the loss of the enamel, with its orange colored pigment, and the exposure of the dentine. An English authority also claims that vitamin A is necessary to help prevent diseases of the gums. Inasmuch as vitamin A likewise has many other important func tions to perform in' the body, ev ery homemaker should see to it that her meals contain an abun dance of milk and other dairy products, and the green, leafy and yellow vegetables which are a good source of this vitamin. Vitamin C and Tooth Health Vitamin C is closely associated with the health of both teeth and gums. There is strong evidence that this vitamin is essential to the dentine, enamel, cementum and the bone of the jaw. And there are on record remarkable experiments which demonstrate that dental decay and gum dis orders are both prevented and ar rested when extra amounts of foods containing vitamin C are in cluded in a well-balanced diet. Vitamin C is best obtained from the citrus fruits, tomatoes and raw leafy vegetables such as cab bage. Vitamin D which we get from the son, from fish-liver oils and concentrates, and from irradiated foods and those fortified with vita min D concentrate, is necessary for the proper utilization of the calcium and phosphorns, which must be generously supplied if the teeth are to develop properly. Importance of Dental Hygiene Thus a carefully calculated diet, beginning before birth and con tinuing throughout life, is neces sary to build teeth that are struc turally sound. But even the most perfect teeth require constant care to maintain their soundness. Thorough brushing is necessary after every meal to remove all particles of food which remain be tween the crevices and cling near the necks of the teeth. If not re moved, this debris may ferment, giving rise to unpleasant odors and creating acids which may at tack the tooth enamel. It is important, however, that the brushing be done correctly, away from the gums and with a slight rolling stroke, so that the bristles can penetrate between the teeth. Never use a horizontal stroke nor brush toward the gums. Sense and Nonsense — A — Mr. Jones (dictating letter): “Sir, my typist being a lady, cannot take down what I think of you; I, being a gentleman, cannot even think it, but you, being neither, can easily guess my thoughts.” The figure a mannequin earns depends upon the figure. The Tramp—It ain’t that I’m afraid to work, lady, but there ain’t much doin’ in my line . . . I’m a window-box weeder. “There ain’t any harm in a loaf once in awhile,” said Un cle Eben. “If dar was. Nature wouldn’t waste so much time turnin’ out sunshiny days fishin’ worms.” This may irritate the tender tis sues and may also force food par ticles under the gums at the necks of the teeth. A Good Dentifrice Essential The selection of a dentifrice is most important because an agree able dentifrice encourages thor ough brushing—an efficient denti frice helps to float away minute bits of food not reached by the toothbrush. It is also advisable to use a paste or powder which helps to restore luster to teeth which have been surface-stained by foods and beverages. The use of an antiseptic mouth wash, at least once daily, espe cially before retiring, is com mendable as it leaves the mouth fresh and clean. It is also important to give the teeth regular systematic cleans ing, and to see your dentist peri odically for a careful checkup. Mrs. L. B. R.—Yes, lettuce and corn both contain copper, and so does beef liver. Copper is a min eral that is needed for the proper utilization of iron. Mrs. F. L. S.—Children require, about oAe and one-half times as much phosphorus as is necessary for a full grown man. ' That is why they must eat generously of whole grain cereals, eggs, dried legumes, leafy vegetables, milk and cheese. • WNU—C. Houston Goudiss—1»3S—SB. IT’S so easy to sew a few rows A of braid onto a house dress or a little girl’s panty-frock, and it’s such a smart way to brighten up simple fashions and make them more becoming. Here are two at tractive and unusual designs that you’ll enjoy making at home, in pretty fabrics of your own selec tion. Each includes a detailed sew chart to guide beginners. The House Dress. Here’s a style so becoming and attractive that you’ll probably want to make it of thin wool or sports silk for general wear, as well as of percale, calico, ging ham for the house. The very short kimono sleeves are just as easy to work in as no sleeves, and much more becoming. Straight panels front and back, gathers at the sides of the waistline only, give this design an unusually good figure line. The Panty-Frock. High waistline, puff sleeves, square necklines—they all look adorable on little girls. This flar ing frock buttons down the front so that ambitious tots nan easily dress themselves in it. This de sign will be pretty in so many dif ferent materials—gingham, chal- lis, percale and dimity. A. dress- up version in taffeta will b-> sweet, too; trim that with ribbon instead of the braid. The Patterns. 1570 is designed for sizes 34, 3fl, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48. Size 36 requires 4% yards of 35-inch ma terial without nap; 2% yards braid to trim. 1516 is designed for sizes 2, 4, 6 and *8 years. Size 4 requires 3 yards of 35-inch material; 4% yards braid or ribbon to trim; 1% yards ribbon for belt. Fall and Winter Fashion Book. The new 32-page Fall and Win ter Pattern Book which shows pho tographs of the dresses being worn is now out. (One pattern and tho Fall and Winter Pattern Book— 25 cents.) You can order the bode separately for 15 cents. Send your order to The Sewing Circle Pattern Dept., Room 1020, 211 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IlL Price of patterns, 15 cents (ia coins) each. C Bell Syndicate.—WNU Service. • ^ Pepsodent alone of all tooth powders contains remarkable Iriuml* itragal«rl7...twic«aday. Altar asheft time, aga/n examine yoor teeth ia ror. Expect a real improvemeotl... Pet Pepsodent is fester... more effective aad OAFS in its action on teeth 1 It eoatafas NO BLEACH, NO OKITI Bay It DOW I • Mirrors don’t lie I So for the true facts about the remarkable effectiveness of Pepsodent Powder containing Irinm, consult jrour mirror! Examine yonr teeth closely... tonight. Than switch to Pepsodent Powder. Use *P»pmodmnt'm trade mark for Purified Alkyl SaOktm