The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-05-12
AUTHOR Of THE ONE
WOLF" THE BRASS
BOWL,"ETC
COPYRIGHT By LOUIS JOSEPH WncE

out of her possession since, except
while in the purser's safe, and when l
brought it to her, up there in the
veranda cafe, day before yesterday.
Looks as if 1t was up to the purser-
unless you care to point the well-known
finger of suspicion at me-or Peter"
How absurd
Think sol Well, I'm glad you do,
my dear" His humor had softened.
Drawing near, he pinched her cheek
affectionately. mot that there's any
reason for you to worry. Only, If Betty
still wants to play Lady Bountiful at
your wedding, she'll have to disburse
the price of another necklace"
Daddy AS If I thought of that"
Probably you don't, being yourself.
Still-you1l marry some day, and pearl
collars don't grow on every bough of
orange blossoms"
"Tm not thinking of being married."
Lydia murmured, looking away.
"Oh, / presume not-no more than
the next girl of your agel Nothing do
Ing with Peter Trait, eh?"
"Oh, daddy Don't be sillyl"
Lydia met his gaze fairly and hon.
estly, laughter in her eyes, and Craven
accepted her disclaimer without ques-
ton.
well, I'm sorry for Peter. He's d
good boy-well off too. And he's mighty
strong for you. Mustn't let yourself be
n4fClnd hu DnTartC wanrtoftan Vtrct hn-
cause he's got the name of a gay young
butterfly is no real reason why he
shouldn't be in dead earnest this time"
81 wish you wouldn't say such
things"
"Well-don't forget him, when you
do come to think of marrying. And"
Craven dismissed the subject airily, "of
course you would be happier as mis-
tress of your own establishment than
well-playing second fiddle in mine"
Had he slapped her the girl could
hardly have suffered deeper pain and
humiliation. He wanted to be rid of
her! That truth was out at last. How
ever kindly Craven's primal impulse to
deceive, the time had come when he
could or would no longer dissemble.
Her thoughts worked swiftly. Since
he found her a drag, she must cease to
be such at once-instantly-tonight.
Until she could find some way to be-
come self-supporting the hospitable
doors of Mrs. Beggarstaff's home Of
fered a haven where Lydia felt SURE
of finding a welcome, sympathy, affec-
ton.
With a brisk tread and a cheerful
e~ountenance Craven returned to the sit
ting room. "Helloi What's troubling
my girl? Something on your mind, ehf'
She eyed him gravely. dc you real
ly want me to marry Peter Traft2" she
demanded.
"Why consult my desires? You'll do
as you please anyway-just as / did at
your age. It's a good match, and If you
find you care enough for the young
ster," he raised his hands In mock bene-
diction, "bless you, my childrenl But
upon my word never can tell about
you women Only two minutes ago
"That was when I still believed you
wanted me with you, when ! thought l
might be a help to you, not an obstacle
In the path of your happiness. Better
to marry at once-the first bidder-and
repent too late, If that must be-than
to know I'm in your way"
"Liddy, my dear little grill" The
tone was fond, the smile indulgent but
with sharpened vision she saw through
the p~retense.
Nor she cried passionately. mol
Don't-don't waste time trying to de-
ceive me, daddy!"
Turning she stumbled blindly into
her bedroom, shut the door, and threw
herself across the bed, sobbing.
After some time the door latch
clicked. "Liddy! |"
couldn't; she was struggling to hush
her sobs.
"Liddy !" Craven came to her side,
and seated himself on the bed. Little
girl" he said, with melancholy, you've
hurt me terribly, misjudged me so
cruelty. nut no uudltcI. 4 AcdAiAC IAaN
you don't understand"
He touched her hair caressingly. She
suffered this without response. To-
night her wits were keyed to a pitch of
diyination. Beneath the cloying ten
derness in his accents she read the
truth too clearly.
i've just telephoned for dinner. It'll
be up presently, and l want you to try
TO eat something. Get up, please, and
dry your eyes, compose yourself, n
be fair to me"
.syery WELL" Lydia said stiffiy, with
out stirring.
With a final approving pat raven
rose. "Thank you, my dear" he ale
gently. He sighed, moved toward the
door, but there paused. by the way
he observed carelessly, "that thing 1
gave you the other night-the puzzle
box-it is safe, 1 presumeY"
"Yes." said Lydia, sitting up. 10