Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-10-26
CHAPTER XVI.

II am Mrs. Ellsworthy--yes," said
the woman with the agreeable voice
who answered Lydia's ring. "Wcn't
you come INF"
And when Lydia had crossed the
threshold Mrs. Ellsworthy shut the
vestibule door and looked the girl over
with smiling interest.
Miss Craven, presume?"
"You were expecting me?'
"Your father telephoned sometime
ago. Would you mind stepping up
stairs?"
"But-I have merely message"
eyes, my dear, I know; but do let me
consider it in comfort-upstairs."
Under the soft glow of the electric
dome Mrs. Ellsworthy's smile and the
gracious inclination of her head that
invited Lydia anew to ascend the STAIR
way were alike quite Irresistible. Lydia
found no excuse for refusing; so sub
dued her Impotence, assented with a
murmur, and preceded her hostess up
the staircase.
"Pm really delighted to know you,
Miss Craven. Yes-straight ahead, II
you please. But do need more light
to see you by
Entering the designated room, Mrs.
Ellsworthy touched a wall switch, add
ing the illumination Of an electrolier to
the subdued glow Of the reading lamp
on a desk, and paused to review the
girl with her kindly and engaging
glance.
"I've known your father for many
years." she affirmed, nodding; 'and
you've much of his charm, my dear,
though you don't resemble him in the
least--rather, fancy, your mother"
"You knew my mother?" Lydia asked
eagerly.
"No. Won't you sit down? No; Tad
Craven has always been confirmed
bachelor in everybody's esteem since
I've known him. Is it true he means to
marry again?"
eyes," said Lydia; and opening her
wrist bag produced Craven's note.
"No-please don't rise," interrupted
Mrs. Ellsworthy, crossing to her. "Mr.
Craven mentioned this over the wire.
Pardon
Taking a chair beside the reading
lamp, she opened and scanned the mes
sage with careless interest. A nod con-
frmed evident foreknOwledge of it's
contents. Folding the note distracted
ly, Mrs. Ellsworthy seemed for some
moments preoccupied.
But Peter Trait had claims not long
to be disregarded, and presently Lydia
stirred restlessly, with an inquiring
look ready for the eyes that her hostess
then lifted from the carpet.
you've met this-ah-Mrs. Merri-
lees, no doubt?" Mrs. Ellsworthy
queried unexpectedly. "Is she then
such a beauty as they say?"
"She's very beautiful" Lydia re-
turned, land I'm very fond Of her. But,
If you don't mind, Mrs. Ellsworthy, /
have another appointment; in fact,
with Mrs. Merrilees and my father"
ooh, beg your pardon, my DEAR"
Mrs. Ellsworthy assumed convincing
look of contrition. $50 thoughtless Of
me. I quite forgot to tell you: Mr..
Craven wants you to wait for him here,
rather than keep the appointment at
the Margrave.'
The Margrave again!
'The Plaza" Lydia corrected absent
ly; then in breath remembered. 'I'm
sorry" she said, rising, "but / can't
wait. If daddy's. coming here, he'll
get the answer from you personally;
so there's no need" here Mrs. Ellswor-
thy rose in her turn. "And-I left
friend waiting in the taxi"
"a friend?"
Tt was none Of Mrs. EllswOrthy's at
fair, but quite automatically Lydia an
swered, "Mr. Trait"
"But really hadn't you better wait?
I'm sure Mr.. Craven won't be long
now"
Mrs. Ellsw0rthy was moving slowly
toward the door. as If she didn't really