Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-10-26

VANCE
CHAPTER xvI-Continued.

CHAPTER xvI-continued.
H.
A key grated almost inaudibly in the
lock. Lydia started; but before 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 at his daughter,
his face dark with temper.
Slowly Lydia rose and confronted
him, hard eyes challenging his relent-
lessly.
"What's this" he demanded abrupt
~ in an ugly voice. 'what's this hear
about your bringing Peter Trait here
In q tad?"
"What does this mean," the girl re-
torted. shat you send me here to be
locked up. as though were q thief to
be held for the policer
He ignored, II he was sensible to. the
stressed pronoun. II want an answer
to my question" he said threateningly.
II demand an answer to mine," she
returned. unyielding.
With an impatient gesture Craven
advanced as If meaning to seize her
and enforce obedience. But halfway
he paused, let his hand fall, with OBJ
vi0us effort relaxed; mustered flick
ering and uncertain smile, meant to be
ingratiating; moderated his tone. "Oh,
come nowI" he said In strained indul-
gence. 1--WE can't 60 on forever quar-
relfng, you and I, Liddy."
II agree" she replied coolly. "Any
explanation you can make"
TITS all q mistake. Mrs. Ellsworthy,
q 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 I. your
father. express my sincere regret"
Briefly Lydia analysed words and
tone, and found both hollow with insin-
cerity. She shook her head YEARLY.
you're not telling me the truth. I've
learned too well to know when you're
-inventing. II you mean what you
Ray. II 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.
"very WE'LL" he urged. tive no wish
to detain you. Just one thing-and
we'll go together. First be good
enough to give me that puzzle box"
"Now Lydia cried out in a round
full voice. "Nol"
"What's THAR" he said. incredulous.
II said no." Lydia told him. Il will
not give you the puzzle box. It belongs
to Mrs.. Merrilees."
In q breath his face was suffused
with blood. $50 that's your style, is
itr' he stormed, advancing. swell.
wen have this out here and now, my
lady I'm your father-I order-I COM
mand you to hand over that boxl Un-
less, Of course. you prefer me to take
It 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 preventT
because Mrs. Merrilees has 1t now -
The man fell back as though she had
raised q shape Of horror between them
stammering and aghast he jabbered
repetition, "Mrs. Merrilees has it
noww
Lydia affirmed with q nod.
"You-you're not fooling me. Liddy ?
asked Craven in q stricken voice.
I'm telling you the truth, II you've
the wit to recognize it." she said with
the brutal intolerance Of youth for age
allied with depravity. "Sheer chance
fooled you. My cab broke down al
Fifty-fifth street. I 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
after I'd called here-and by down
right good luck found her with Mrs
Beggarstaff. So gave her the neck
lace, and came on here-Mr. Trait es
corting me, though not at my request.
"Good heavens!" said Craven again
his accents quavering. do you know
what you're saying. LiddyT"
'Tm afraid-I know too WELL"
With an inarticulate groan Craver
sank into chair and buried his face IL
his hands. you've ruined mel"
"Tve saved you, you mean"
"You don't understand. What" HI
looked up eagerly. what did they sa!
when you-when you gave back thu
necklace?"
'"They were kind enough to say moth
ing, to pretend Mrs. Merrilees had in
stigated the smuggling swindle tina
you invented-to blind me. Even Mrs
Merrilees pretended, in the goodness
Of her heart. And l was deceived un
til-this Mrs. Ellsworthy locked me In
and so gave me chance to think from
a true point Of departure. Then l un
derstood. thought 1t all out-realize'
that you had stolen the necklace-tha
you were an associate Of criminals
that I was the daughter Of common
thiefp
Groaning, Craven covered his fac
again.
0Nou Sa,d tho GIRL olpt me 90