Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-08-31
AUTHOR THE LONE
WOLF" THE BRASS
BOWL, "ETC.
COPYRIGHT By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

plans. HOW cOuIQ ne De interested,
with that fellow Quoin monopolizing
Lydia? Not that he didn't like Quoin.
In fact, Peter admired that man ire
mendously: so much the more reason
to fear his influence!
And Lydia, leaning on the rail,
vision more radiant even than the day,
was looking up into Quoin's dark face
and laughing.
"Well?" Craven demanded with par
donable Impotence.
Peter started and batted his eyes.
"Eh2" he inquired stupidity.
"What do you think?
"Ah-about what3"
"GOod heavens! !" Craven exploded
a full, deep note of evaporation.
"Here I sit yammering at you"
"Sorry," said Peter. "Fact Isl
know Mrs Merrilees won't mind being
let into my confidence on the ground
foor-fact is, I'm in love with your
daughter, Tad. And Quoin's talking
to her. So, naturally, I'm sick with
jealousy
'Its like your cheek" observed
Craven. "Have you mentioned the
matter to Lydia?'
Certainly not She's having too
good time. Women won't listen to
gratuitous lover unless bored or ac-
lively unhappy"
'rrhen why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
"Well, / wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut up. Besides, Mrs. Beggar-
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and is now busy-or about to
be-distributing handbills."
"Can't you shut her up?"
"The law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
I want her hushed. Pm not ashamed
Of the fact, and If let the Beggarstaff
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia, and
then-well, rouse a woman's curiosity,
and half your battles wOn."
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanksl"
"Than Quoin, / mean"
course itw said Peter, flushing.
'I'm in earnest. Tad"
II believe you are," Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien-
tif1e interest. II really believe you
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
SO intolerably stupid when in love
with me-"
Peter, by this time recovered, fixed
her with q reproving glance. Uttered
In the presence Of third party he
said severely, ISLANDER is actionable.
Merely because I didn't like to show
my distaste for your infatuated ad-
vances, you take up with an emergen-
cy ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because don't forbid the banns-
peevish child!"
"Just for that" said the woman,
"just for that, Peter, I'm going to
heap Goals Of fire upon your ungrate-
rul head-and heaven knows I hope
they'll scOrch and blister"
"Marble?" Craven suggested with
open incredulity.
"Be quiet, Tad, and run an errand
for me, like biddable child" Mrs.
Merrilees loosed the drawstrlng Of o
lacework wristbag, took out q tiny
pocketbook, and from this last extract
ed a slip of paper. "Take that to the
purser and bring me what 1t calls for.'
With assumed reluctance Craven
aeayed UP from his place and rolled
forward, while his fiancee Graded her
chin in her hand and regarded Peter
with o whimsical smile.
"Quit itp' he said Grossly. "You
haven't got anything on me, you
know"
"How about the others?
"Others? I never looked cross-eyed
at o girl before this"
sPeterl"
swell. hardly ever. And. anyway,
from now on I'm going to wear a sign
board here" He sketched the site
upon his waistcoat:
Private. No Thoroughfare. This means
tOus
at seems so funny-youp Laugh
Ing quietly, the woman looked up to
review Lydia with q long glance.
ashes dear GIRL" she observed.
promise never to call me mamma,
and I'll do my best for YOU"
"What chance have I got, with
Quoin making the pace? He's q regu-
lar fellow-I'm only drawing room
entertainer"
"He's strange man." Mrs. Merri-
lees unused. eff he hadn't taken up
such an Impossible profession"
"Do you suppose he has a case in
hand now; aboard this vessel. ]
meant"
"Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grace
Imaginable. "Quoin! I say, Addison.
cornc over here a minute. A beautiful
lady wants to ask you something"
In a lower tone he added, "You're the
best little diplomat ever. I'll be CRATE
full as long as live" And rising with
the sunn!est Of smiles, he drew ny
chairs for Lydia and Quoin.