Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

26 (Continued from page SO) accepted, and had boon proved to bo correct. The tlicory ^vas expressed that Paul Lavond had died in the swamps. As all the appaiatiis, Lachna. Radin and the animals had all perisiiod in the flames Lavond knew thej' would never get at the truth. It was well that thcv thought him dead—it would make tiie rest of his task all the simpler. Lavond thought of :\latin «nd Conlvot. As long as those two lived tliov woulil know that Paul Lavond had I'loi died out in the swamps. The Eiffel Tower IT was late afternoon of Ihe tame day when an elderly gcntlomaii hailed Toto's taxi. The young man drove into the kerb, jumped out and opened the door. Toto was feeling pleased. Not only ^vas busmess good, but the new.s that Lorraine's father was innocent would put a stop to all this nonsense about her not being able to marry him because she was the daughter of a criminal. Her father's name was cleared. '"Where to, mon.'ieur?" "Drive anywhere you like." "That's a very dangerous order to give a taxi-driver, monsieur." "Yee, but you're not an ordinarv taxi- driver, are you—Toto'?" Toto was staggered, and looked round at the smiling, kindly-looking, elderly gentleman. "We wore better .off once, monsieur, but I am only a taxi-driver MOW. But one day .soon I hope to have my own business. How did vou know my name was Toto?" "Because my name is Paul Lavond." came the startling reply. '"Be careful, Toto, don't drive into that lamp-.stand. Drive somewhere whore we can be alone." Tolo soon recovered his wits. "I've promised to meet Lorraine this evening." "How is she ? Have yoii seen her since the papeis " "No, monsieur, I didn't like to talk to her at the laundry in front of all the others. "Vou don't know what your innocence means to mo, INI'sieur Lavond." "Yes I do, Toto," Lavond gave a riuiet chucicle. "That's why I've got to talk to you, but alone." " When I want to be alone, monsieur, I always go to the Tower," replied the young man. "It's so far above every- thing and every bod v." "The EiflFel Tower, then, Tolo." directed Lavond. £5. 5. 0 Bonelll, Steldeni. Vissi- xnio, Pancotti, Hobner, jCruclanelli, Paolo, [Soprani, etc., etc. value for 47/6 iPLino Finislied Cabinet, by Stoldcnl. Metal bound ibcllow*. Triple Chord Aetioii. Complete with .Shoulder Strap, 21 Piano KeT« 8 Basses. Cash price 47/8, or 2/6 first in.italment, balance payable 4/- imonthly imtil 52/6 Is paid. Klal.nrale Tuior sent. Other cheaper Aecor- ;«lion« from 38/6. Write (or List of ino(l.l.< with 2S K'vs. 12 Bas.5; 25 Keys. 2a Bass; 34 Keys. 48 Bass; 41 Key,<. i;iO Bas^ on equally attractive ternin. J. A. DAVIS A CO. (Oept. A.P.SO). 94-tOt, Dtnmark Bill. London, S.E.9. October 24th, 1936. BOY'S CINEMA Some while later the father and future husband of Lorraine leaned on the rail and stared down at Paris. Lavond gave the young man a brief account of his escape from prison, his meeting with Marcel, and his return to Paris. "Now that I have my eo-called free- dom—my exile must commence over agaiiy You see that, don't you ?" " I m trying to." "Well, at least you can undei'stand why I can't rejoin my family." Toto nodded. "Yes, yes, I can see that, but it seems so unja.st and unfair—all you've done, you've done for thorn. I'm so sorry." "I wouldn't ho." Lavond laid his hand on the youngster's shoulder. "I'm rather happy about it. You can marry Lorraine -fTny fortune will be restored to her. And you can live contentedly together over after. Thot's a proper ending to a story, isn't it ?" Suddenly the young man clutched at Lavond's arm. "Lorraine! I forgot that this is where she is going to meet me at .sundown. I didn't moan to trick you, monsieur. I merely thought it would please hei—I still do—whatever may happen afterwards." "Toto, it was kind of you, but it can't be. Why, even when I was innocent her hatred of mo Imrt a good deal, and now' that I'm guilty, her belief in me would hurt even morf. And if the police should over " He moved away. " No, no, I must be going." "But w-here?" Toto was in despair. " At least you can tell me that. I could f-ond you your money, and " The elevator door opened jand out slopped Lorraine. Paul Lavond moved hurriedly aw-ay, but over his .shoulder he watched them. "Toto, have you .seen the p,'i.pors?" w^is the gill's first question. "Yes, dear." "Then you've hoard about father." "Yes." "Aren't you ashamed of mo?" "Of course not." "Well, I am terribly." The girl gave a choked sob. "I'll never forgive my- self—never." The girl sank on lo the rail seating and bowed her head on her hands. Toto looked across at Paul Lavond, who gave an understanding g6.«ture with his hand. Lorraine was .startled on fooling a touch on her shoulder to look up and see an elderly man smiling down at her. "Are you Lorraine Lavond ?—the daughter of Paul Lavond?"- "Yes. He's my father." "May I speak ifreoly ?" "Yes, of course, monsieur." Lorraine saw the boy move away. "Where are you going, Toto?" "I'll bo over liore," was his answer. "I have been waiting for you, mademoiselle." La- vond . pointed to Toto. "Because our friend here was good enough to tell me he was going to meet you." "Why?" She eyed him curiously. "Whilst searching for you to-day I was fortunate enough to be directed to him. You see, made- moiselle, I'm a friend of your father's." "Is he in Paris?" she demanded eagerly. I Ai vond avoided the question. " I Every Tuesday .served many years with him in prison." " Whore is he now ?" "Matter of fact, we escaped together." Lavond avoided those bright young eye.';; "Oh, please tell me where he is," Lorraine cried. "I'll search for Jiim— anywhere. You see, I've hated my father all my life, and now I've got to find him and beg his forgiveness. Ask him to come home with me." "I don't think he ever really thought you hated him." "Are you Sure?" "Yes, but he can never come home to you." Lavond paused, and his voicn became a W'hisper. " My dear child, your father is dead." Lorraine swayed back against the rail- ings, and closed her eyes. Paul Lavond longed to take his daughter in his arms and comfort her, but he knew ho must control suofc emotions. "Yes, iio's passed away." His voice was very gentle. " He died out thoio in the swamp during our escape from pii.^on. The last thing ho did was to wiito a letter to his mother which I will give to Toto. He sent mo with a message to you. He told me that if I over saw you to take your hand, and toll you that he loved you very dearly- ihat all those years in prison he had known you wore growing into a charming youncr woman. Ho sent you a ki-ss." Lorraine loaned foiwnrd and I-avond kissed his daughter. "Then he said—this is the most im- portant thing of all—ho told me to tell you"—Lavond paused—"to forgot hiui. To find happiness and to keep it. Ho hopes you will marry." "It's very kind of you to bring me this message." Lorraine found her voice at last. Lavond gave a funny little hiugh. "Yes, a little bit foolish, for the police are still after me. Good-bye." "And good luck !" cried Lorraine. Paul Lavond went neross to 'J'oto. "My boy," he whispered. "Take gi eat care 6f her and my mother." He huiuloit over a letter. "Give this to my molhor. I go contented in the knowledge lha( you will be a good husband for my girl." In a paternal gesture he laid both hands on the lad's shoulders. "!May every happiness be yours." The elevator doors opened and Paul Lavond without a backward glance entered, and the doors swung .shu(. "Toto, I have the strangest tooling I've seen him soniowhore boftno." Lorraine murmured wilh a bowiUlorod frown, after Toto liad ociuo to --ii bolide her. "You have." "Where?" "He was in the laundry looking for you." Toto prided himself "on his aii>uoi'. "There were so many pooiile aiouiid — he—ho got afraid—on actoimt of the police, I moan. That's how he Ciiuie to find me." "Perhaps that's it. T don't roniombor." "Remember mo?" mocked Tolo. and next moment the girl was in hi.<: arms. The elevator doscondod swiftly. The attendant noticed that his only pas.senger was smiling and chuckling riuiotly to himself. "It's a nice evening, mou^ioTir." Paul Lavond looked uj) and nodded. "Yes, probably the nicest evening of my life." (By permission of Melro-Goldwyn- Mayer Pictures, Ltd., starring Lionel Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan.)