The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-09-27

VANCE
CHAPTER xvi--Continued.

iDCk. Lyulu stuTteu, Dut pclore she
could move the door swung open far
enough to admit Craven. and was at
once slammed behind him.
A pace or two from the wall the man
pulled up and stared Mt his daughter,
his face dark with temper.
Slowly Lydia rose and confronted
him, hard eyes challenging his relent-
lessly.
"Whats this" he demanded abrupt
ly In an ugly voice. "what's this hear
about your bringing Peter Trait here
In n taxi?"
"What does this mean." the girl re-
torted. "that you send me here to be
locked up, as though l were thief to
be held for the police?"
He ignored, II he was sensible to, the
stressed proBOun. ~ want an answer
to my question" he said threateningly.
81 demand an answer to mine," she
returned, unyielding.
With an impatient gesture Craven
advanced as IL meaning to seize her
and enforce obedience. But halfway
he paused, let his hand fall. with OBJ
vious effort relaxed; mustered flick
erlng and uncertain SMILE meant to be
lngratiating; moderated his tone. "Oh,
come nowl" he said in strained indul-
gence. "We can't go on forever quar-
reling, you and I, Liddy."
II agree" she replied coolly. "Any
explanation you can make"
Its all mistake. Mrs. Ellsworthy,
most jealous woman in-ah-our
service, misinterpreted my message,
believed it imperative you should be
detained, and when you showed temper
committed an objectionable error. I'll
see she apologies; meantime !, your
father, express my sincere regret"
Briefly Lydia analysed words and
tone, and found both hollow with insin-
cerity. She shook her head wearily.
you're not telling me the truth. I've
-inventing. If you mean what you
say, IL you wish to prove you didn't
instruct that woman to lock me up,
open that door and let me leave this
house at once"
Craven sighed, shrugged tolerantly.
every WELL" he urged. I've no wish
to detain you. Just one thing-and
well go together. First be good
enough to give me that puzzle box"
mol" Lydia cried out in round
full voice. "Now
"What's thatT he said, incredulous.
Z 81 said no." Lydia told him. II will
not give you the puzzle box. 1t belongs
to Mrs. Merrilees."
In breath his face was suffused
J with blood. "So that's your style, is
: iti" he stormed, advancing. swell,
we'll have this out here and now, my
lady I'm your father-I order--I COM
7 mand you to hand over that box! Un-
less, Of course, you prefer me to take
1t by force"
, He had come within two feet, was
, menacing her with face and gestures
of uncomfortable wrath. But she
didn't yield step.
"You can't" she said evenly.
, "What the devils to prevent?'
. "Because Mrs. Merrllees has 1t now. y
l The man fell back as though she had
raised shape of horror between them
| stammering and aghast he jabbered
repetition, "Mrs. Merrilees has it
now"
Lydia affirmed with nod.
"You-you're not foollng me, Liddy? p
asked Craven In n stricken voice.
"Tm telling you the truth. IL you've
the wit to recognize It," she said with
the brutal intolerance OF youth for age
allied with depravity. "Sheer chance
7 fooled you. My cab broke down al
4 Fifty-fifth street. l walked two blocks
{ north to get another at the Margrave-
$ where Mrs. Merrilees wasn't stopping
: and where you didn't mean to meet me
Q after I'd called here-and by down.
Q right good luck found her with Mrs
7 Beggarstaff. SO l gave her the neck
{ lace, and came on here-Mr. Trait es
corting me, though not at my request.
"Good heavens p said Craven again
/. his accents quavering. "Do you know
! what you're saying, LiddyT
. "T'm afraid-I know too WELL"
/, With an inartlculate groan Craven
sank into chair and buried his face In
, his hands. "You've ruined mel"
? "Ive saved you, you mean"
) "You don't understand. What" He
) looked up eagerly. "What did they say
| when you--when you gave back the
necklaceT
"They were kind enough to say moth
ing, to pretend Mrs. Merrllees had in
stigated the smuggling swindle that
you invented-to blind me. Even Mrs
Merrilees pretended, in the goodness
of her heart. And was deceived un'
til--this Mrs. Ellsworthy locked me In
and so gave me chance TO think from
| a true point Of departure. TheD l un.
, derstood. thought It all out--realized
/ that you had stolen the necklace-that
, you were an associate Of criminals
that was the daughter Of q common
fhtaf -