Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-08-17

| shirt bosom, in every lineament he was
Thaddeus Craven Of the sempiternally
youthful face, showed never line to
declare he wasn't thirty-one but a
round decade older
For 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 a Swallowed 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 poise and stare with
fiXity 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 apologize and appealing,
md said falteringly, Daddy"
With visible effort Craven pulled
himself together and made an attempt
to speak; but only husky whisper
ratified in his throat. Then his glance
veered uncertainty to Mrs. Merrilees.
Abruptly tits last, overcoming her
establishment, precipitated the situa-
ton. The blush that had Swallowed
her exquisite face ebbed again, leaving
1t 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, dc forgive me, Mrs. Merrilees!
/ never dreamed-I expected to find
my father alone
"Father!' With that iteration of
superb insolence, Mrs. Merrilees be-
came once more completely mistress Of
herself; and II her tone cried scorn
upon Il presu1nptuous girl, her look de-
handed explanation of the man.
But Craven had needed no more time
to make good his recovery. 1t was his
familiar self who stepped into this
breach, amiable, unruffled, perhaps
shade too deyil-may-care but to bal
ance that there was not unbecOming
ring Of Difference in his voice. "I'm
afraid" he said, my surprise knocked
me silly FOR moment Lydia, Ia no
IDEA you were on board; but you seem
already to 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 init
nation that you were asking me to be-
come stepmother?"
"Ive much to tell you, Betty" Cra-
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"
''To come out!" Mrs. Merrilees sup
piled incisively.
He laughed little awkwardly. EEK
actly! / mean to say, it was all quite
unprecedented. 1t isn't fifteen min
utes since we found we-ah-loved
each other; since when I-haye been
rather too preoccupied to advise Mrs.
Merrilees of all my affairs. In another
hour, of course, she would have known.
AS it is If the fact Of my prior mar
rage"
'"Tadl" Mrs. Merrilees interjected
with spirit that commanded his def
erence. "We're neither Of us fools.
Don't overdo things. You're talking
stupidly-quite unlike yourself. l
don't care to hear more until you've
found your bearings; and want time
to find mine, into the bargain. That's
fair, isn't it?'
Nothing more sc" he affirmed cheer
fully.
"Then I'll leave you to your-family
reunion !"
Fugitively Craven's eyes conveyed
what was at once demand and an
appeal But before Lydia could re-
spond Mrs. Merrilees anticipated, with
a quick movement crossing to drop her
hands lightly upon the girls shoulders.
"My dear Miss Craven!" she said
with an odd little catch in her voice.
LII NV SuAC yCt OuSht w VIII yVO
Lydia; but I'm awfully fond Of your
father, and-and If / can get over what
doesn't seem an unfair suspicion that
he's kept me too long In the dark
about you, shall probably marry him."
81 can't wish him greater good for
tune" said Lydia quietly.
"You are a dear! And so beauti-
ful-Tm jealous. Do you think. Tad,
1t is wise to have two blondes in one
family? Don't answer, please. It's o
riddle must solve to my own salts
faction before I listen to you again.
But-I'm serious-think 1t Over.s
With transient tightening Of her
grasp ON Lydia's shoulders, pressure
that conveyed q hint Of friendliness,
the woman turned away.
"Nol' 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
ebo,,Idor 90 tho dooEbo11co