Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1917-07-25

So-it was true-Craven had never
mentioned his daughter to his friends
Staring seward, Lydia worked her
hands together gently; and, watching
her closely, the man saw her face fugi-
lively convulsed. And wisely he held
silence.
"Mrs. Beggarstaff knows" the girl
said presently, 'and Mrs. Merrilees,
and dare say by tomorrow all his
acquaintance on the ship will know.
So, you see, I'm not violating his con-
fidence. Only you spoke of him so
warmly that you made me want you
to understand" A quaver touched her
tone; but she persisted: "Im afraid
I've made a great mistake-embar-
raised him horribly, turning up this
way. But didn't know he was pas
senger. I supposed, of course, he was
at hOme-in New York
Much of Peters charm lay in his in
stinctive recognition Of those times
when it is wisest to say nothing. No
body could leave everything unsaid in
way more eloquent Of sympathetic
comprehension. So he stood very still,
covertly watching her face and Won
dering.
81 couldn't help it They forced me
to 1.-THE people lived with in Lon
don. knew it wasn't right, because
didn't love him. How can one marry
a person one doesn't love? But when
wrote to daddy he wouldn't even an
swer, and I couldn't help it had to
run away! And now, Of course, he's
furious with me-turning up here like
the bad penny"
'Why should he resent that? don't
see why he couldn't have told us he
had a daughter-especially one like
you'll It seems to me, the innocent by
stander, that Tad hadn't any right to
pose"
Don't! We mustn't misjudge him.
You're his friend: surely you ought
to make allowances for him, ii can.
I'm sure he must have had his rea-
sons-good enough reasons, if we only
knew. Why must he take the world
into his confidence"
Dumfounded, Peter stared; then re-
membered himself that woman nature
was a singular thing, it's mental proc
esses defying masculine analysis.
You're right" he asserted meekly,
after a pause. "Of course you're right
I've known Tad Craven a long time
and pretty well, if he is bit older,
and I know he wouldn't do anything
dishonorable or calculated to hurt any
body. He's not that kind"
Impulsively Lydia's hand went out
to Peters; but in the long instant that
they sat hand in hand and eye to eye,
each smiling trace consciously, sig
nails of distress showed in her waver-
ing glance, and within his grasp the
pressure of her firm young fingers les-
sened until reluctantly he released
them.
"What is it?" Peter asked gently.
"Only my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ing you with my troubles, demanding
your sympathy, as if I'd any right
whatever"
"Tm your fathers friend, at least,
Miss Craven, and-such as I am-f
you care to think of me as your friend
too, I'll be very glad-not to say vain
glorious"
She wouldn't have been human girl
had she lacked coquetry. A suspicion
Of mischief lightened the smile with
which she regarded him, head judg-
matically inclined a bit to one side.
"Mrs. Beggarstaff seems to think well
of you"
"She's kind-hearted - and easily
amused"
"How you do continually cry your
self down! What is one to think"
"When a man has the grace to speak
humb1y Of himself, Miss Craven, listen
with gratitude and amazement: truth
is rare music in this world!"
"Yet you urge your friendship upon
me-"
ut is all I have to Offer" he dropped
for q moment his bantering tone:
poor currency, perhaps, but not coun-
terfeit lightweight, but without alloy"
Then suddenly she was grave again.
"You are kind" she averred wistfully,
"and-I need friends"