Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-11-02
LoU15DoSEpH
VANCE
Continued from Last week

atrocious and high-handed act. There
was but three:
She was the victim of a nightmare.
Mrs. EllswOrthy was insane.
Or else Craven had never meant her
to restore the necklace to Mrs. Merri-
lees!
Bending forward, an elbow digging
into her knee, her chin clipped between
knuckles and palm, her mouth muffin
Gus, her eyes smoldering, hot spot in
each cheek, mOtiOnless, Lydia brooded.
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.
whats this" he demanded abrupt
" in an ugly voice, whats this hear
ABOUT your DrIuSluS IeIcI 1IdII uCl z
In a taXi?"
"What does this raean," the girl re-
tOrted, that you send me here to be
locked up, as though I were thief to
be held for the pOliceT
He ignored, if he was sensible to, the
stressed prOnOun. 81 want an answer
to my question:" he said threateningS.
az 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
viOus effort relaxed; mustered flick
ering and uncertain smile, meant to be
ingratiating moderated his tone. ION,
come now!" he said in strained indul-
gence. eve can't go on forever quar-
reling, you and |, Liddy."
81 agree" she replied coolly. "Any
explanation you can make"
tits all mistake. Mrs. EllswOrthy,
q most Jealous woman in-ah-Our
service, misinterpreted my message.
believed it imperative you should be
detained, and when sou showed temper
committed an objectionable error. I'll
see she apologies; meantime 1, your
father, express my sincere regret"
Briefly Lydia analysed words and
tone, and found both hollow with insin-
certify. She shook her head YEARLY.
you're not telling me the truth. I've
learned too well to know when you're
-inventing. IF you mean what you
say, if you wish to prove you didn't
instruct that woIian to lock me up,
open that door and let me leave this
house at once"
Craven sighed, shrugged tolerantly.
every WE'LL" he urged. 1--WE no wish
to detain you. Just one thing-and
We'll go together. First be good
enough to give me that puzzle box"
''Nol" Lydia cried out in a round
full voice. "NOw
"What's that?" he said, incredulous.
'I said no." Lydia told him. ST will
not give you the puzzle box. 1t belongs
to Mrs. Merrilees."
In a breath his face was suffused
with blood. $50 that's your style, is
it," he stormed, advancing. swell,
We'll have this out here and now, my
lady I'm your father-I Order-I COM
mand you to hand over that box! I'm
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 a step.
'You can't" she said evenly.
"What the DEVILS to PREVENT"
Because Mrs. Merrilees has it now"
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 fooling me, Liddy?'
asked Craven in q stricken voice.
I'm telling you the truth, if 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 at
Fifty-fifth street. 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, Liddy?"
"I'm afraid know too WELL"
With an inarticulate groan Craven
sank into chair and buried his face in
his hands. you've ruined mel"
"I've saved you, you mean"
"You don't understand. What" He
looked up eagerly. "What did they say
when you-when you gave back the
necklaceY