The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-01-18
Ole
Time Limit
By J. A. T. LLOYD.
&C. o. ~

body in town, London was crowded
with painting human flesh. In a par
ticular West End terrace, however, lie
was ANYTHING but strenuous. a yawn-
ing policeman promenaded slowly past
the odd numbers, while a young girl
exQuisitely dressed, was walking brisk
ly past the even in the opposite diree-
ton. Except for these two human be-
ing the terrace was deserted. The girl
hesitated before the last house and
stared a little wistfully at the nall
door. Then she swung round the cor
ner and hesitated again. 1t was all
so quiet, so ridiculously like the coun-
try. A man had been painting the
gate: the brushes and paint pot were
still there Evidently he had gone for
refreshment The gate was open. The
girl thought hard for half a minute
or so, and took something that closely
resembled an Easter egg out OF her
pocket. She entered the garden and
deposited this beneath a rhododendron
bush CHANGING at the house she saw
that the French window leading into
what looked like a library was open.
Here again there was evidence OF
quite recently interrupted work. Some
body had been cleaning windows,
and as likely as not, the girl
reasoned, had joined the house painter
in the quest of mutual solace The
girl walked quietly into the house and
rang the bell Then she sat down in
the most comfortable chair in the
room. A minute or two later a puz-
2led butler stared protest and admir-
alton at her from the doorway
Tell Mr.. Samuels that ! shall see
him here, in this room; it will be
cooler. Yes. now Lady Laura Bridge
vale. and do be quick"
The butler bowed and withdrew.
In a few minutes a fat, STOPPING Is
raelite shufIled furtively into the Ii
brary. The girl smiled at him.
Its horribly hot, she said, gent
ly; Il thought II would be cooler in
the library, DO sit down.
"Bridgeyale Lady Laura Bridge
vale" he muttered
The brazen cover of "Debrett' con-
fronted them both from the near cor
ner of book case
Il don't seem to remember, he
continued, and he moved a pace tow
ard that corner,
mo, no; it's no use" the girl in
terrupted. I'm not Lady Laura
Bridgeyale; l just said the first name
that came into my head"
Puffy and startled, the man turned
en- her. You mean" he stammered,
false pretences-in the city never
heard"
The girl laughed out loud She had
nice laugh There isn't much time,
she said, looking straight into his
eyes
''What do you mean?" AT the mo-
ment he wished that his son, Mont
morency were at home, He hated
talking to these insolent women of
fashion, who Knocked him even while
they clutehed for his money What do
you mean?' he repeated, avoiding her
eyes
q want hundred pounds, said the
girl brightly.
For an instant the dull, heavy eye
brows were raised. Then they re-
Taxed into their old furtiyeness.
YES want it at once continued
the girl. They said you were prompt
and liberal
who said?" gasped Mr. Samuels
THE daily papers, of course. Why,
it's everywhere and they say you won't
take security"
Security! What? Why you must
be mad! In the City-you come to me
talking like that-ealling yourself
Lady Laura Bridgevale, and talking
about a hundred to my face Do you
think | find a hundred pounds in my
garden?" He broke of abruptly. His
angry pomposity fell Aaccid beneath
the scrutiny of her stare. Again the
desire for Montmorency came to him.
The oily. vanished tongue of his son
had always smoothed such predica-
ments as the present, She might be
laughing at him: she might be a
duchess for all he knew He dared
not express the insolence of his soul.
Il want a hundred pounds" contin-
ued the girl, and yes, ten shillings
fer a hansom.'
Il can't do it," said the man OF
business, his teeth closing in angry
hAality.