The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-08-09

the price OF anotncr necklace.
Daddy AS II l thought of thatv
Probably you don't, being yourself.
.Still-you1l marry some day, and pearl
collars don't grow on every bough OF
orange blossoms"
I'm not thinking of being married"
Lydia murmured. looking away.
ooh. l presume not-no more than
the next girl Of your age! Nothing do
ing with Peter Trait, ehf"
"Oh, daddy Don't be silly"
Lydia met his gaze fairly and hon.
estly. laughter in her eyes, and Craven
accepted her disclaimer without ques-
ton.
"Well, I'm sorry for Peter. He's n
good boy-well off too. And he's mighty
strong for you. Mustn't let yourself be
misled by Peters reputation. Just be-
cause he's got the name of n gay young
butterfly Is no real reason why he
shouldn't be in dead earnest this time"
81 wish you wouldn't say such
things"
"Well-don't forget him, when you
do come to think Of marrying. Aud"
Craven dismissed the subject airlly, "of
course you would be happier as mis-
tress of your own establishment than
well--playing second fiddle In NINE"
Had he slapped her the girl could
hardly have suffered deeper pain and
humiliation. He wanted to be rid OF
herI That truth was out ut last. How
ever kindly Craven's primal impulse to
| l~-r,. Aka At,.. h.t ~. vtha. hn
could or would no longer dlssemble.
Her thoughts worked swiftly. Since
he found her a drag. she must cease to
be such at Observation-Disclosures.
Until she could find some way to be-
come self-supporting the hospitable
doors of Mrs. Beggarstaff's home Of
fered a haven where Lydia felt IRE
Of finding a welcome, sympathy. affec-
ton.
With n brisk tread and n cheerful
cOuntenance Craven returned to the sit.
ting room. Hello! What's troubling
my girl? Something on your mind, eh?"
She eyed him gravely. "Do you real
ly want me to marry Peter Traft?" she
demanded.
why Cvusuit NY uesiIcss IOu IL uo
as you please anyway-just as I did at
your age. It's a good match, and II you
find you care enough for the young
ster," he raised his hands in mock bene-
diction, 'bless you. my children! But
upon my word !-never can tell about
you ONE Only two minutes ago"
''That was when I still believed you
x,a,t.l mo xrtth vAv N,han 4 thn,nvhN 4
might be a help to you, not an obstacle
In the path Of your happiness. Better
to marry at once-the first bidder-and
repent toe late. IL that must be-than
to know I'm in your way"
"Llddy. my dear little grill" The
tone was fond, the smile indulgent but
with sharpened vision she saw through
the pretense.
mol" she cried passionately. "Nol
Don't-don't waste time trying to de
? ceive me, daddy!
Turning she stumbled blindly into
her bedroom, shut the door. and threw
herself across the bed. sobbing.
After some time the door latch
, clicked. "Liddy"
The girl made no answer She
couldn't; she was struggling to hush
her sobs.
, "Liddy!" Craven came to her side
and seated himself on the bed. Little
; girl" he said, with melancholy. "you'vs
hurt me terribly, mlsjudged me S.
cruelty. But no matter. l realize tina
; you don't understand"
. He touched her hair caressingly. She
suffered this without response. To
night her wits were keyed to a pitch ol
d%ivinatiOn. Beneath the cloying ten
derness In his accents she read tn,
, truth too clearly.
"Fve just telephoned for dinner. TT
. be up presently. and I want you to tr,
to eat something. Get up. please. ant
dry your eyes. compose yourself. ans
= be fair to me-"
"very WELL" Lydia said stifiy. with
out stirring.
With a final approving pat CraveI
rose. THANK you, my dear" he sale
! gently. He sighed, moved toward tn,
door. but there paused. "By the way.
he observed carelessly. "that thing
gave you the other night-the puzzl,
box--it is safe, I presumeT
"Yes." said Lydia, sitting up. I'D
you want 1T"
-, IF convenient"
Without another answer she rose an,
:, went to the bureau, found her hand
bag, produced the puzzle box. ant
silently, with averted face, gave it Il
!" her father.
His footsteps were audible crossing
% the sitting room. Then she heard hin
closing his bedchamber door.
With some effort Lydia pulled her
: self together, rose, bathed her face an,
eyes with cold water. then sought he
= mirror to survey and repair as best sh
could the ravages Of tears.