Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-28

VANCE
Continued from Last week

my dear. His humOr naO SOILeHeu.
Drawing near, he pinched her cheek
affectionately. "NOt 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 thought of that ]"
Probably you don't, being yourself.
Still-yOu'll marry some day, and pearl
collars don't grow on every bough OF
orange blossoms"
"Pm not thinking of being married."
Lydia murmured, looking away.
"Oh, l presume nOt-nO more than
the next girl of your age! Nothing do
ing with Peter Trait, eh?''
''Oh, daddy! Don't be silly!''
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 a
good boy-well off too. And he's mighty
strong for you. Mustn't let yourself be
misled by Peters reputation. Just be-
cause he's got the name of 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
heri 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
ne found her a drag, she must cease to
be such at Once-instantly-tOn
Until she could find some way to be-
come self-supporting the hospitable
doors of Mrs. Beggarstaff'S home of
fered O haven where Lydia felt sure
Of finding q welcome, sympathy, affec-
ton.
With q brisk tread and a cheerful
cOuntenance Craven returned to the sit
ting room. Hello! What's troubling
my girl? Something on your mind, eh?"
She eyed him gravely. "Do you real
~ want me to marry Peter TraftT she
demanded.
"Why consult my desires? You'll do
rs 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 children! 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 /
might be 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 pretense.
mo-" 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!"
The girl made no answer She
couldn't; she was struggling to hush
her SObS.
"Ltddyp 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. But no matter. 1 realize that
you don't understand"
He touched her hair caressingly. She
suffered this without response. To
night her wits were keyed to a pitch of
divinatcn, Beneath the cloying ten
1erness in his accents she read tic
ruth 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, and
be fair to me-"
"Very WELL" Lydia said stiffly, with
out stirring.
With final approving pat Craven
rose. "Thank you, my DEAR" he said
gently. He sighed, moved toward the
door, but there paused. ''By the way"
he observed carelessly, "that thing l
gave you the other night-the puzzle
box-it is safe, presume?"
eyes," said Lydia, sitting up. do
you want it?"
eff convenient"
Without another answer she rose and
went to the bureau, found her hand
bag, produced the puzzle box, and
silently, with averted face, gave 1t to
her father.
His footsteps were audible crossing
the sitting room. Then she heard him
closing his bedchamber door.
With some effort Lydia pulled her.
self together, rose, bathed her face and