The Jasper news., 1917-07-26

about you, shall probably marry him."
81 can't wish him greater good for
tune" said Lydia quietly.
"You are dear! And so beauti-
ful-I'm jealous. Do you think, Tad,
it is wise TO have two blondes in one
family? Don't answer, please. It's
riddle 1 must solve to my own salts
faction before l listen to you again.
But-Im serious-think it over.'
With a transient tightening of her
grasp on Lydia's shoulders, pressure
that conveyed Il hint of friendliness
the woman turned away.
mo" she insisted when Craven
promptly ranged himself at her side
Let me go for tonight, Tad. I'd pre-
fer to be alone to think things out
Tomorrow, perhaps"
Her smile flashed uncertainty toward
Lydia as she disappeared round the
shoulder of the deckhouse.
Craven delayed, however, barely long
enough for Il word, "Wait here-I
shan't be long"
Lydia said nothing, but watched him
20 with eyes confused with pain, she
who had found herself suddenly rele-
gated from the status of n well-beloved
child to that of a 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
Il consummated fact.
She stood desolate amid debris of
illusions, who had never known Il moth
er, and now had lost n father. Her
eyes filled. lie hadn't even kissed her
after five years separation Resting
arms upon the taifruil, she turned Il
forlorn face to the nightclad 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
nnce n-glimmer in her eyes.
81 beg your pardon" He peered
eagerly to make certain; for the moon
was just then thinly veiled in cloud.
"It's Miss Curteret isn't it?"
"Yes, Mr. Trait" said the girl qui-
city, relaxing. Good evening"
He seemed puzzled by her manner,
started to say something, reconsldered
sharply, then ventured with engaging
Difference, ITS good to see you up and
about again"
at feels pretty good, thank you"
she said, with a smile that gave him
courage.
Hope didn't startle you, galumph-
: Ing into your solitude without warning.
Fact is, was looking for old Tad Cra-
: ven. We're needing fourth. l don't
suppose you know Craven, though?'
, "Oh, yes, I've known Mr.. Craven n
long time"
, Really? He's wonder, isn't hep
Trait exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"Everybody's friend-not an enemy in
the world. l don't believe there's a
better-liked man in New YOrk-our
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
r admitted cheerfully. Il 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
i knew"
: "But are you?"
!. "I'm afraid I'm idle enough; but as
8 for riches, I'm poverty's poor relation
! But what do you do?"
G "Oh, l play good hand at bridge
e q fair racket at tennis, and am always
S 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. SIN short, I'm what your Eng
d lish friends call waster. But please
n don't think that Pm bidding for serious
i consideration"
h 81 understand" the girl said quietly
r ~ didn't mean to bore you, either
5. "You didn't; but you made me thinl
d and wonder"
3. "Why I'm content to be-so use
u less?"
# She nodded, with her shadowy smile
It A wry grin answered that. "Yol
It certainly take the curse off of It," Traf
K averred. "Candor like yours is gooC