Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-08-03

mol" she insisted when Craven
ranged himself at her side.
Let me 60 for tonight, Tad. I'd pre-
fer to be alone to think things out.
perhaps"
Her smile flashed uncertainty toward
Lydia as she disappeared round the
shoulder Of the deckhouse.
Craven delayed, however, barely long
enough for a word, "Wait here-l
sha'n't be long"
Lydia said nothing, but watched him
60 with eyes confused with pain, she
who had found herself suddenly rele-
gated from the status of q well-beloved
child to that of stumbling block In
the path Of her fathers ambition, who
could no longer doubt that he had
planned to keep her existence secret
until his marriage to this Mrs. Merri-
lees Of the fabulous fortune should be
a consummated fact.
She stood desolate amid debris of
illusions, who had never known moth
er, and now had lost a father. Her
eyes filled. He hadn't even kissed her
after five years. separation! Resting
arms upon the taffrail, she turned a
forlorn face to the night-clad sea, her
mood fraught with vast disconsolation.
A football sounded behind her, and
she wheeled sharply about to join issue
with her father. But it was Peter
Trait who, briskly rounding the deck
house, pulled up short at sight Of that
tense young person, Lydia, with her
shoulders back, her chin up, and def
ance a-glimmer in her eyes.
II beg your pardon" He peered
eagerly to make certain; for the moon
was just then thinly yelled in cloud.
"It's Miss Carteret, isn't it?"
"Yes, Mr.. TRAIT" said the girl quiz
city, relaxing. "Good evening""
He seemed puzzled by her manner,
started to say something, reconsidered
sharply, then ventured with engaging
Difference, TITS good to see you up and
about again."
sit feels pretty good, thank you, )"
she said, with smile that gave him
courage.
slope I didn't startle you, galumph-
ing into your solitude without warning,
Fact is, was looking for old Tad Cra-
ven. We're needing q fourth. l don't
suppose you know Craven, thought
"Oh, yes, I've known Mr.. Craven a
long time"
Really? He's wonder, isn't he?
Trait exclaimed with enthusiasm
"Everybody's friend-not an enemy in
the world. I don't believe there's a
better-liked man in New York-oul
New York, that Is"
"Your New York? You see, I've al
ways lived In England, and have lots
to learn about-home."
"Sheer snobbery on my part" Peter
admitted cheerfully. II meant the
very small part of New York that we
infest, whom my friend Mr.. Martin
likes to call the idle rich.' If he only
knew !"
But are your"
Pm afraid I'm idle enough; but as
for riches, Pm poverty's poor relation
"But what do you do?"
"Oh, I play good hand at bridge
a fair racket at tennis, and am always
on hand to fill In when somebody
doesn't show up for dinner" The least
trace Of bitterness favored this gratu
itous account of himself, and the per
Grafton was accompanied by an uneasy
laugh. I'm short, I'm what your Eng
fish friends call waster. But please
don't think that I'm bidding for serious
consideration"
IT understand" the girl said quietly
II didn't mean to bore you, either
"You didn't; but you made me thinl
and wonder"
"Why I'm content to be-so use
less?"
She nodded, with her shadowy smile
| A wry grin answered that. "Yo,
certainly take the curse off Of It," Traf
averred. "Candor like yours is goot
for the egotism. The register Of m.
self-esteem Is now subnormal."
II didn't mean to be unpleasant, Mr.
Trait"
Don't, please. Thus far you've dom
me good; but II you say more, betra.
the least real interest in me. I'll &c
chesty and need taking down again
And I'm forgetting Craven"
HE was here only few minute
ago, and promised to come back befor
long,"
.Then may wait? You don't mind
NO" said the girl. Indeed, Ty
something to tell you. You've praise
him to my face, and that makes m
want to tell you. I'm not Lucy Cal
teret. really, Mr.. Trait. My name
Lydia Craven. Thaddeus Craven
my father"
"Oh, I say!" Peter stared incredr
lousy. mot Tad Craven's daughter
You're seriousf"
"Quite."
He nodded. II see you are. But
well-you have surprised me. I don
suppose soul who knows him woul
believe Tad Craven anything but
convinced bachelor!"