Williams news., 1917-10-04
N V ] SLEEPS ! CLOTHING
 , By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE \ Author of
 N THE LONE WOLF" THE BRASS BOWL" Etc. @ Copyright by ~
 /A Louis Joseph Vance M
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
CHAPTER IV.-Continued.

knew him positively. Though his jaw dropped, his mouth gaped, and his eyes stared prominently from countenance that in a twinkling darkened portent- ously above the blank pallor of his shirt bosom, in every lineament he was Thaddeus Craven of the sempiternally youthful face, showed never a line to declare he wasn't thirty-one but a round decade older.
 For a moment whose tension lent 1t the length of many, father and daugh- ter remained transfiXed and staring. Then his emotion communicated itself to the woman in his arms. Startled and wondering, she unveiled her eyes, caught shadowed glimpse of the third figure, disengaged, and drew away. And Craven suffered this without sign to indicate that he had not forgotten her, maintaining his boise and stare with a fxity that, penetrating Lydia's confu- sion, stirred her curiosity.
 Taking one step toward him, she paused again, lifted one hand in ges- ture at once apologetic and appealing, and said falteringly, "Daddy-"
 With visible effort Craven pulled himself together and made an attempt to speak; but only a husky whisper rattled in his throat. Then his glance veered uncertainty to Mrs. Merrilees.
 Abruptly this last, overcoming her astonishment, precipitated the situa- ton. The blush that had shadowed her exquisite face ebbed again, leaving it incomparably fair. She threw back her shoulders and took full advantage of her inches.
 Really, Miss Carteret-'' she began :; and then her voice of crystal clearness broke in cool and tinkling laugh.
 "Oh, do forgive me, Mrs. Merrilees !! I never dreamed-I expected to find my father alone-'
 "Fatheri" With that iteration of superb insolence, Mrs. Merrilees be- came once more completely mistress of herself; and if her tone cried scorn upon a presumptuous girl, her look de- handed explanation of the man.
 But Craven Rad needed no more time to make good his recovery. It was his familiar gGif who stepped into this breach, a1niable, unrufded, perhaps a shade too devil-may-care; but to bal ance that there was a not unbeeoming ring of deference in his voice. "Pm | afraid" he seid, "my surprise knocked me silly for a moment. Lydia, I'd no idea you were on board; but you seem already tp know Mrs. Merrilees. Betty, permit me to present my daughter" "Your daughter, Tad?" There was | unpropitious raillery in the woman's tone.
 Craven replied only by bow. Do you realize this is my first inti- nation that you were asking me to be- come a stepmother"
 i've much to tell you, Betty" Ora ven answered with grave simplicity ; then, turning to his daughter, Lydia, Mrs. Merrilees has just done me the honor to promise to become my wife, and-the truth is"
 gro come out!' Mrs. Merrilees SUD- piled incisively.
 He laughed a little awkwardly. "Ex- actly! I mean to say, it was all quite unpremeditated. It isn't fifteen min- utes since we found we-ah-loved l CdSu OluSI otuCS WlCA 1-hdNS DCSu rather too preoccupied to advise Mrs Merrilees of au my affairs. In another hour, of course, she would have known As it is if the fact of my prior mar. riage-"
 "Tad" Mrs. Merrilees interjected with a spirit that commanded his def. erence. "We're neither of us fools Don't oTerdo things. Yours talking stupidly--Quite unlike yourself. don't care to hear more ustil you've foursa your bearings; and want time to sp1 mine, into the bargain. That's faIr, Isn't it?"
 "Nothing more so" he affirmed cheer fully.
 -Then I'll leg,e you to your-family re1nionI"
 Fugitiva5 Craven's eyes conveyed what WIRE at once a demand and ar appeal But before Lydia could re spone Mrs. Merrilees anticipated, witt quick movement crossing to drop hel hands lightly upon the girls shoulders
 My dear Miss Craven!" she sait with an odd little catch in her voice "Pm not sure yet I ought to call yol Lydia; but Pm awfully fond of you father, and-and if I can get over wha doesn't seem an unfair suspicion tha he's kept me too long in the darl about you, shall probably marry him.
 q can't wish him greater good for tune," said Lydia quietly.
 You are dear! And so beauti ful-Pm jealous. Do you think, Tad 1t is wise to have two blondes in on family? Don't answer, please. It's riddle I must solve to my own satis faction before I listen to you again But-Pm serious-think it over."
 With a transient tightening of he grasp on Lydia's shoulders, a pressur that conveyed hint of friendliness 1 Inc Wnman turned AWAY