The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-11-23

"No!" she insisted when Craven
promptly ranged himself at her side.
Let me 60 for tonight. Tad. I'd pre-
fer to be alone to think things out.
Tomorrow. perhaps"
Her smile flashed uncertainty toward
Lydia a. she disappeared round the
shoulder Of the deckhouse.
Craven delayed. however. barely long
enough for q word, "Wait here-I
sha'n't be long"
Lydia said nothing. but watched him
60 with eyes confused with pain, she
who had found herself suddenly rele-
gated from the status Of well-beloved
child to that Of a stumbling block in
the path Of her fathers ambition, who
could no longer doubt that he had
planned to keep her existence secret
until his marriage to this Mrs. Merri-
lees Of the fabulous fortune should be
a contaminated fact.
She stood desolate amid a debris Of
illusions. who had never known a moth
er. and now had lost a father. Her
eyes filled. He hadn't even kissed her
after Ave years. separation Resting
"a AAS uROsA SAS taAAA oA0 I0ih q
forlorn face to the night-clad sea, her
mood fraught with vast disconsolation.
A football sounded behind her, and
she wheeled sharply about to Join issue
with her father. But 1t was Peter
Trait who. briskly rounding the deck
house, pulled mp short at sight Of that
tense young person, Lydia. with her
shoulders back, her chin up. and def
ance a-glimmer In her eyes.
II beg your pardon" He peered
eagerly to make certain; for the moon
was just then thinly yelled In cloud.
"It's Miss Carteret. isn't it?'
Eyes. Mr.. TRAIT" said the girl quiz
city, relaxing. "Good evening""
He seemed puzzled by her manner.
started to say something. reconsidered
sharply. then ventured with engaging
Difference. Its good to see you up and
about again."
1T feels pretty good, thank you."
she said. with q smile that gave him
courage.
'Hope I didn't startle you, galumph-
ing into your solitude without warning.
Fact is, was looking for old Tad Cra-
ven. We're needing a fourth. don't
suppose you know Craven. thought"
"Oh, yes, I've known Mr.. Craven a
long time"
Really? He's a wonder. isn't he?"
Trait exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"Everybody's friend-not an enemy In
the world. don't believe there's a
better-liked man In New York-our
New York. that Isl
"Your New York? You see, I've al
ways lived In England, and have lots
to learn about-home."
"Sheer snobbery on my part" Peter
admitted cheerfully. Il meant the
very small part of New York that we
infest, whom my friend Mr.. Martin
likes to call the idle rich II he only
knew!"
But are your"
"rm afraid I'm idle enough; but as
for riches. I'm poverty's poor relation"
"But what do you do?"
"Oh, I play a good hand at bridge,
fair racket at tennis, and am always
on hand to fill In when somebody
doesn't show up for dinner" The least
trace of bitterness favored this gratu-
itous account of himself, and the per-
laugh. "In short, I'm what your Eng
fish friends call a waster. But please
don't think that I'm bidding for serious
consideration"
II understand" the girl said quietly.
Il didn't mean to bore you, either"
"You didn't; but you made me think
and wonder"
"Why I'm content to be-so use
less?"
She nodded. with her shadowy smile.
A wry grin answered that. you
certainly take the curse off Of It," Trait
averred. "Candor like yours is good
for the egotism. The register of my
self-esteem is now subnormal."
II didn't mean to be unpleasant, Mr..
Trait"
Don't. please. Thus far you've done
me good: but IL you say more, betray
the least real interest in me, I'll get
chesty and need taking down again.
And I'm forgetting Craven
ale was here only a few minutes
ago, and promised to come back before
long,"
'"Then may waltz You don't mindr'
"No." said the girl. Indeed, I've
to tell you. You've praised
him to my face, and that makes me
want to tell you. I'm not Lucy Car
teret, really, Mr.. Trait. Ny name is
Lydia Craven. Thaddeus Craven is
my father"
"Oh, sayw Peter stared incredu-
lously. "Not Tad Craven's daughter;
You're serious?"
"Quitc."
He nodded. II see you are. But
well-you have surprised me. don't
suppose a soul who knows him would
believe Tad Craven anything bM .
convinced ba 'helor!'