Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-10-05
AUTHOR Of THE LONE
WOLF, THE BRASS
BOWL, TIC.
COPYRIGHT By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

I can't well call on Betty much later.
| How would you like to take taxi to
the Margrave, and give her this con-
| founded cOllar?"
He could have made no suggestion
more shrewdly calculated. In breath
| Lydia's countenance lightened and her
eyes grew animated.
"Oh, if I may!'
"Why not? You'll be perfectly safe.
It's no great distance, nobody knows
you have the collar, and Bettyll be
glad to see you. You might stop with
her till call for you-if you don't
mind being made an excuse Of"
EYES," she agreed, breathless. I'll
be glad"
'Then jump into your hat and coat
and Half a minute wonder would
you mind running another errand for
me?"
"Of course not"
'It's only a few blocks out of your
way, and won't delay you longer than
to deliver note and get an answer.
I'll write the note noW-twO lines will
do"
"T1l hurry" Lydia promised, dashing
off into her bedchamber.
When she returned, ready for the
street, Craven was folding down the
flap of an envelope blank save for the
figures in ink, "98." "rm suppressing
the address," he said, smiling mysteri-
Ously, because this Is official business.
That, however, Is the number of the
house; the street you'll have to carry
in your memory, East Seventy-siXth,
also the name, Mrs. Ellsworthy, one Of
our most valued agents. Hand this to
her personally, and ask for an answer.
I'll join you at Betty's about eleven
thirty; earlier if possible. Now the
Margrave-but every chauffeur in the
town knows where that is"
Anyway" Lydia returned, 1--WE the
address in my pocketbook. Mrs. Beg
garstaff is stopping there too, you
know, and I'm to lunch with her Mon.
dayw
'To be sure!" Craven opened his
arms and stepped toward her. "My
dear, dear girl, you don't know what
help you are to mel"
Lydia didn't move or speak; but her
direct and searching gaze proved dis.
concerning. With arms almost about
her, Craven hesitated, his look at once
abashed and aggrieved. my dear
Liddy!" he expOstulated.
The girl sighed and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, father. No, please don't
say anything more. I'm glad to be OF
service; and perhaps, in the course OF
time, I shall understand you better,
But tonight" She made q helpless
gesture, in unfeigned sadness. "There
are too many misunderstanding be.
tween us, and I don't seem able to
think clearly enough to reconcile them
tonight. i omorrow, I hope"
She was at the door before Craven
found reply. "At your pleasure, my
lady" he laughed, not pleasantly. II
confess it's q new thought to me, that
man in my position may have no Sc
crets from his child"
"PleaSe don't say any more tonight"
Lydia begged, with her hand on the
knob.
ooh, very well! !" he returned with
shrug and grimace of strained patience,
"But-half a minute"
Opening the door for her, he followed
out into the hall, where a stolid bellboy
was waiting for his answer to the
knave of clubs. To him Craven pre-.
scented piece of silver.
"See my daughter down to the ladies'
entrance" he said, "the Forty-sixth
street elevator, you Understandable
after that send up the gentleman who
brought that note, by the Broadway
elevator"
eyes, sir" the youth mumbled ador.
ingly to his tip.
Craven stood watching the figures of
Lydia and the bellboy diminish down
the perspective of the long corridor
until they turned corner