Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-07-26


bilities goes on as briskly between
decks on fashionable Atlantic steam
ships rs below stairs in fashionable
homes on either side of the water.
But Craven's daughter, forgetful Of
the serving woman, sat with eyes se-
rene In face radiant with the glow
Of happiness In her heart. Never q
doubt troubled her ardent nntlcipa-
tons. That OminOus note which had
been sounded In the brief conversation
outside her window was now forgot
ten-nt worst could not have shaken
her faith In his loving kindness. That
was something always to be counted
upon, something that had never
failed her. And IL his attitude of late
might have seemed inconsistent with
truly sympathetic affection. Lydia
knew better: her father had not 80
much opposed her wishes as he had
underestimate the sincerity Of her
, mutiny against the rule Of Agnes Hicks
Lorrimer.
How could 1t be otherwise. with q
gap Of five long years In their associa-
, ton, five years of separation, change
and growth?
His thought aroused appreciation Of
the great changes time had wrought:
80 great that 1t wasn't difficult to fancy
Craven falling to recognize his daugh-
ter, whose memory with him must be
that Of hobbledeh0y of fifteen, long.
legged and awkward. with perpetually
freckled snub nose mouth too wide,
F, and eyes too large for her thin face,
md her hair In plaits-twO wrist-thick
cables Of 1t falling below her waist,
! cnrroty red, and bound with broad but
terfly bows Of stiif blue ribbon.
Mrs. Hicks.Lorriiher' idea, that Of
the butterfly bows-the final touch of
ignominy! Lydia dated her hatred Of
the woman from the hour when she
Ind been compelled to submit to those
unspeakable decorations.
But todny-Lydla smiled tenderly.
, No; Craven wouldn't know his girl
not until she told him-unless, to be
sure, she had grown somewhat to re-
, semble her mother, who had been 70.
! nous benuty-Or so Mrs. Grummle of
the Bloomsbury lodgings had asser.
vated-and so Craven himself, under
pressure Of persistent questioning, had
once admitted.
Winant, rising from her knees. dis
PEELED reverie. lis that all, Miss Ora
! ven?"
Lydia smiled brilliantly. 'That's
right" she affirmed with decision. LET
me be Miss Craven from now on. Do
you think you could find my father for
me, Winant?"
"Oh, surely, MISS" Winant preserved
a straight face. "Would you wish me
to send i'm to you 'ere?"
"Oh, no. merely want to know
where to look for him. But to send
him here to find me-why-don't you
see?-that would spoil 1t ALL"
"Quite so, miss. won't be a min.
ute"
To Lydia, waiting with eyes shin.
Ing and lips tremulous with anticlpa.
tlon, entered unexpectedly her Dowagel
Dragon; and entering, for the Rrst mad
only time in their association betrayed
no signs Of some slight embarrassment
and bewilderment.
"Heaven help our homer Mrs. Beg.
garstaff cried. thunderstruck. "Where
are you going. chlld?"
ION deck, probably" Lydia informed
her with twinkle of mischief.
"But-my blessed income"
Dear Mrs. Beggnrstaff," Lydia In
terposed impulsively, II must tell you
something has happcned-something SC
wonderful and delightful that verify
believe it would have got me out Of bee
had been ut the point Of death!"
"Poh!" exclaimed the Dowagel
Dragon impatientiy. Surprise faded II
her eyes, and was replaced by some
thing strangely like disappointment
With quick movement she closed the
door and sat down on her bed. "Non
sensew she added with unnccOuntuble
irritation, looking the excited young
woman up and down. "My dear, you're
not going to tell me you've found ou
; your father Is on board?"
allow in the name Of wonder did yo1
guess?"
Il didn't guess-1 knew" the Dragon
retOrted, sententiously. II know every
thing including my own mind: my mid
die name is Omniscience. Remember
that, next time you try to keep Amelit
Beggarstaff in the dark. You're Lydil
Craven, and your fathers Thaddeu!
Craven-Tad Craven to me and"
"You know him? You know my ia
, ther, Mrs. Beggarstafr? You dear!"
With grim smile, the Dowage
Dragon submitted to spontaneous EN-
brace, then gently Tended of the agi
tated girl. "There!" she growled witt
I'm attempt at acerbity not wholly sue
cessful. "Save your kisses for you
dad! I dare say you've played tn
deuce with my complexion. and as TO
my wig" (this while readjusting tina
! disarranged adornment) III you can
, keep your own hair on for Joy. 70,
might at least be good enough to lie
mine ro0st where 1t belongs!'