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6 - Otono Weekly Times, Wednesday, September 21, 1983 (story continued) He'd been there a couple of minutes looking for a friendly face when he saw Millicent and made towards her. When she saw him she quickly escorted him to one of the private rooms where it was a little quieter and where only a few people had con- • gregated - most of them hotel guests. "You stay there," she said, "and I'll go and get you some ale and sandwiches." He stood there obediently until her return, exchanging pleasantries with a couple of passing guests who remarked on how lovely the wedding was, and then that pretty face appeared again pushing through the crowd in the hallway, trying not to spill - the tankard ale she was carrying carrying in one hand, nor the generous plate of sandwiches in the other. "Whew," she gasped. "It's rather crowded." Crossley thought that was the understatement of the year. He was taking the refreshments from her, and was just about to say thank you when the bride and groom came fighting their way to his side. "Ethel," said Brooks'; swaying from side to side, "this is Mr. Crossley Bar- ranger. He's a writer from . America." 1 "A writer," she exclaimed pushing her hand forward to -5 shake his, neither of which he had free! "I'Ve never met a real writer before," she gush- ' ed. "What sort of things do you write dear?" He only admitted to. his newspaper articles, but suddenly suddenly the woman went quiet for a couple of seconds and then lunging forward making ; him spill some of the ale on his suit, she screamed, "Wait a minute! Crossley Bar- ranger! That wouldn't be the same man as Barrie Crossley would it?" and with that she punched his shoulder with such force he was ..shoved back against the v^all. Much to Millicent's embarrassment embarrassment she went on to tell him how she took a naughty love book from her little step daughter here and read it herself. "Oh that was real good . one/' she giggled, "buf I don't think you should have given it to a young girl like Millie." At this Millicent became very red in the face. "He didn't give it to me," she cried belligerently, "I took it without his permission," and she turned and fled. Leaving him with Brooks sniffling something about not allowing Millie to read those penny novels and Ethel asking him to autography the book before he left. , ROMANCES He now wished he'd have published his romantic offerings offerings under the name of Barrie .Cross, which was his first thought and might have been a little less distinguishable. "Too late now," he thought, "If that stupid woman can figure it out anybody can." The party went on until 3 in the afternoon although he left at 1:15. He returned to the hotel again at 4:30 and the place was completely back to normal although a couple of drunks who couldn't make it home sat snoozing on the step. Millicent and Simkins were, just .putting the finishing touches to the lobby. She looked very tired. "It's all over I see," he said, (trying to find something to say) and he started towards the stairs. "Yes sir, ' ' replied Simkins, "it's all over - the happy couple couple are <jn their way to Brighton. By the way sir," he called after him, "could I have a word with you?" "Certainly," said Crossley agreeably, and with that the cherub-like Simkins walked over to him, and in a low voice informed him that any time he wanted to take Miss Millicent out he could do so - he would covet for her he said. "Don't tell me there are more matchmakers at work," he thought, but then respecting respecting the old man's good intentions intentions he thanked him for his thoughtfulness and went upstairs. There he sat in his room trying to decide once again whether he should pack up and leave that very night. He didn't owe the girl anything, and he had brightened up her life a little by taking her out to supper he concluded, and he had listened to her troubles with a sympathetic ear - what more could he do? Sitting back with a deep sigh, he stretched out his legs and closed his eyes - and then his brain began to play tricks on him. He started to see her ' face leaning forward close to his like it was last night, and he felt terribly guilty about his attempt to kiss her. No matter how he tried he couldn't shake her'from his mind anil at last he bounded . to his feet half angry àt his weakness and shouted so that almost anyone passing could have heard "Okay I'll help her to overcome some of her problems, and then I'm going to get out of this place - maybe even out of this crazy city." JTe quickly changed into more formal attire and went downstairs. Just like the night before he found the three of them together going through the shift change procedures. procedures. "Could I have a word with you?" he said taking her aside in less than "a gentlemanly manner and when he had maneuvered her into a corner he put his hand on her shoulder and rather sharply asked her, "Will you go out to supper with me tonight?" To his ■ amazement she refused, claimed, she might be seen and word might get back to her stepfather. ' ' He was infuriated that she would «turn him .down but after calming himself he told her he had a plan to help her get away! That did the trick, she went for her shabby coat once more and he negotiated with the two desk clerks to cover. When they got outside he found a cab and they climbed in, which surprised her, as she thought they were just going round the corner again. "We're going to the Hotel Cecil," he told the driver. "I can't go there," she protested, "not dressed like this." "You won't be dressed like that," he retorted and asked her to be quiet and see what he had planned. She was hurt by his attitude and wasn't sure whether she wanted his help. He'd always been so kind and so tender before, now he was most un- ' civil. They arrived at the Cecil and were followed by stares as they walked through the lobby to a corridor where there were a number of shops. He took her by the hand and almost dragged her into a large elegant dress shop. The lady who obviously obviously ran the establishment recoiled in horror at the sight of the girl in the worn out grey coat, but looked warmly at her when Crossley said, "I want you to provide this young lady with a complete new outfit - dress, underwear, shoes - oh, and a coat." What appeared to be an obnoxious working class girl to the manageress at first, now became somewhat more of a challenge. Funnily enough, Millicent was not pleased about this at all. For one thing he was treating her like a piece of merchandise and for another, how could she explain this to her stepfather - he would suspect things immediately - "No man would spend that kind of money on you for nothing,",he'd say. However when the lady started to advise advise her on what would suit her, ànd showed her dresses and shoes, it suddenly seemed like a dream that she couldn't back out of. Twenty minutes later she stepped out of the dressing ■ 'room fully regaled. "What do you think?" she ", said shyly. "I think you're beautiful," he answered. "Oh, I also fixed my hair a little while I was in there." "I like that too," he smiled. smiled. ^After adding up the clothes, handbag and some costume jewelry, the bill came to a tidy penny, but he paid it without a murmur and after putting her own old clothes in a bag, he walked proudly into the restaurant with her on his arm. As they ate supper, and drank a little champagne he explained his plan to her. While Brooks was away he said he would help her to find a job and accommodation then he'd loan her a little money to get started and most importantly get her a lawyer to protect her interests. interests. "I can't leave until my stepfather gets back from Brighton," she said innocent- ty. , "And why not?" he asked, "It's the best time, if he comes back he might try to stop you."- "But I have an obligation to the guests," she said, "The place can't function short-staffed." 1 He hit his forehead with his hand in pure frustration. "1 don't understand you," he cried, "I'm trying to help you, don't you see?" "I do see," she said, "and I'm grateful, but I must do what I think is right. Maybe I could leave early the morning of their return. You know, before they actually get back." He shrugged, thinking this sounded reasonable and then they simply dropped the subject and they finished their meal. As they returned to the hotel lobby, Millicent went into the powder room and Crossley waited outside. Looking around, he couldn't believe his eyes when striding towards him, both wearing great big smiles were Martha and Angelica Holmes. "What have I done to deserve this," he wondered. "Hello Mr. Barrahger, what a surprise to see you here," said Mrs. Holmes. Angelica didn't say anything but continued to smile in a way that made him nervous. "We've just come to tqwn for a few days to do a little shopping," she paused. "You're staying close by I understand?" "Yes," he replied, "Just around the corner at a small. place called the Buxton." The Holmes were just discussing how they could get together with him being so dose, almost neighbours sO to speak, when Millicent appeared appeared on the scene. When he introduced her they gasped as if-back in Hampstead they hadn't believed him when he'd told them of her existence. They of course pretended to be pleased to' meet her but Mrs. Holmes added an "awkward phrase, "He talked about you all the time when , he stayed with us," she said. He saw Millicent look at him strangely for a moment. When the Holmes had moved on (presumably to find new prey), she asked him about it. "Why did you talk about me to them?" she asked. "I didn't," he replied, "Well, 1 only mentioned you . once." She seemed a little disappointed disappointed by this, but she took his arm and they began to walk part way back along the embankment. It was cool and she turned up the collar of her new coat and snuggled close to him. The lights of the city reflected in the Thames and it was relatively quiet ex- . cept for the occasional clipclop of a hansom passing by. She thought it was very romantic. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind as , they walked together, she wondered why he wanted to help her, if he liked her and if he did, did he like her in an affectionate way and had he really talked about her a lot to the Holmes.' Most of all she wondered about the kiss' that almost was - but he was not the only .male guest who tried that. , " He was quiet roost of the way. He -did ask her if she wanted him to get a cab 'and she s^id no,. and thay. continued continued td walk all the way to George Street and the Bux- • ton.' It was late when they walked through the door and he administered the tradi tional tip to the two desk clerks who stood there aghast ■ at the Cinderella who had walked in on them. "My word you're a beautiful girl, Miss!" exclaimed exclaimed Simkins and Hobbs . nodded wildly in agreement. "Isn't she lovely sir?" he asked Crossley. "Yes," said Crossley, "she's lovely." - Millicent stood there with a smile, "How lucky 1 am;" she thought, "to haye three friends like these.." But Crossley had quite different different thoughts; he was panicking because he, was beginning to realize that he was falling in love with this girl and it didn't make any sense. He was 9 years older, more educated, well travelled, travelled, had tremendously- good career prospects and to quote Henry Peerie 'he was an American!" We have absolutely absolutely nothing in common at all he decided. When she asked if he wanted coffee he said no he wanted to go to bed, he was feeling tired, He alwaÿs regretted that 'moment, he had never seem anyone so hurt in all of his life. Tears came to her eyes and she turned and ran into the private quarters. The two men stared at him as though he had committed some terrible terrible crime. "All I did was refuse a cup of coffee," he thought, "and now I'm an ogre." He stamped up the stairs muttering muttering to himself that the whole darn trip had been a mistake, and for about the third time, he started making plans to - leave. Agri-News (Continued from pageS) Club; Karen Arnold and, Raymond Raymond Massie from the Hope 4-H Calf Club and Elaine Barkey from the Durham East 4-H Dairy Club. Congratulations on a, fine effort by all of these 4-H members. Durham' East 4-H Dairy Club Achievement Day - Thirty 4-H members of the Dairy Club exhibited their calves at the 4-H Achievement Day held at Ôrono Fair. The calves were well presented with keen competition in the Showmanship classes. Winning Winning the Junior Showmanship Class and later being declared Champion Showman was Elaine Barkey , from Blackstock. Second in Junior Showmanship went to Jay Van Camp, also from Blackstock. The top Senior Showman was Sharyn Barkey from Blackstock who became Reserve Champion Showman in the Club. Second Senior Showman was Peter Tallman from Port Hope. In the Competition for type, Anne-Marie Hoogeveen (Continued page 7) The Corporation of the TOWN OF NEWCASTLE NOTICE OF HIGHWAY CLOSING * . - TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of thë Town of Newcastle, at a Council Meeting to be held at the Council Chambers, Police Building, Bpwmanville, Ontario, on Monday, the 26th day of September 1983, at the hour of 7:00 o'clock in the afternoon, propose to pass a by-law to stop-up and close and to authorize the sals of all that portion portion of the original road allowance between Lots 26 8. 27, Concession 9, in the former Township of Clarke, more particularly desfcrfbed as follows: . ALL AftD SINGULAR that certain parcel or tract of land, situate, ly- , • Ing -end being in the Town of Newcastle, Regional Municipality" Municipality" of Durham, Province of On- 1 tarlo, and being composed of all that portion of the original road • allowance between Lots? Twenty- Six (26) and Twenty-Seven (27). In the Ninth Concession of the Geographic Townihlp of Clarke, formerly In the County of , Durham, more * particularly ' designated as Parta One (1), Two - (2), Three (3), Four (4), and Five (5), according to a Plan*of Survey deposited In the Land" Registry Office for the Registry Division of Newcastle (No. 10), on the 14th day ,of March 1980, as Plan 10R-1097. AND FURTHER TAKE: NOTICE that before passing the said By-Law, Council-or a Committee of Council, Council, shall hear in person, or by his counsel, solicitor or agént, any person who claims that his land will be prejudicially affected by this By-Law and who applies to be heard. A DATED at the Town of Newcastle, this 31st day of Auquèt 1983. David W. Oakes, B.A., A.M.C.T., Town Clerk, Town of Newcastle 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanvitle, Ontario L1C 3A6. - ' • ; Fjle'No. 71.44.119. Dates of publication August 61, Sept / 14. ,21, 1983