The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-01-05
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.
Copyright b.
Lss;s Joseph Vance

Rrt before she could recollect ner
v,s and slip quietly away Craven alb
-t,v lifted his head and looked di,
...lv at his daughter: and now she
.,,r him positively. Though his jaw
,,,noed. his mouth gaped, and his eyes
s,red prominently from Il countenance
q, IN a twinkling darkened portent-
,,.r above the blank pallor Of his
.Nr bosom. In every ineament he was
rhaddeus Craven Of the sempiternally
,on.hful face. showed never line to
a..,are he wasn't thirty-one but q
wund decade older.
ror moment whose tension lent it
A. length of many, father and daugh-
W remained transtixed and staring.
men his emotion communicated itself
the woman in his arms. Startled and
sndering, she unveiled her eyes,
nueht shadowed glimpse of the third
IAure. disengaged, and drew away. And
dnyen suffered this without a sign to
Indicate that he had not forgotten her,
maintaining his poise and stare with a
6uty that, penetrating Lydia's confu-
don, stirred her curiosity.
Taking one step toward him, she
nused again, lifted one hand in a ges-
ue at once apologize and appealing,
md said falteringly, Daddy
,:,;I y,,y1fn1
HIMSELF together and made an attempt
b speak; but only a husky whisper
attled In his throat. Then his glance
reered uncertainty to Mrs. Merrilees.
Abruptly this last, overcoming her
Htonishment. precipitated the situa-
ton The blush that had Swallowed
he exquisite face ebbed again, leaving
L hcomparably fair. She threw back
Der shoulders and took full advantage
dher inches. -......
Really, Miss Carteret-" she began;
md then her voice of crystal clearness
koke in cool and tinkling laugh.
oh, do forgive me, Mrs. Merrilees!
never dreamed-I expected to find
" father alone"
Tatherw With that iteration Of
nperb insolence, Mrs. Merrilees be-
anne once more completely mistress of
herself; and If her tone cried scorn
pon presumptuous girl, her look de-
handed explanation of the man.
But Craven had needed no more time
smake good his recovery. 1t was his
anllar self who stepped into this
mach, amiable, unrutiled, perhaps
made too devil-may-care; but to bal
nee that there was u not unbecoming
ing OF Difference in his voice. I'm
uald," he said, my surprise knocked
silly for moment. Lydia, I'd no
na you were on board; but you seem
ueady to know Mrs. Merrilees. Betty,
'dnit me to present my daughter"
Your daughter, Tad?' There was
upopitious raillery in the woman's
sne
Caven replied only by bow.
10 You realize this is my first init
alton that you were asking me to be-
sme stepmother?" .-.=..
I've much to tell you, Betty" Cra-
= answered with grave simplicity;
an' turning to his daughter, Lydia,
~ Aerrilees has just done me the
.H 70 promise to become my wife,
o-the truth is
10 come OUT" Mrs. Merrilees sup
Jed incisively.
ne Mugned little awkwardly. "Ex-
W mean to say, it was all quite
pFemeditated. 1t isn't fifteen min
SINCE We found we-ah-loved
= otner; since when have been
-. 100 preoccupied to advise Mrs.
aI'lees Of all my affairs. In another
=. u course, she would have known.
)" Is Y the fact of my prior mar
iad!' Mrs. Merrilees interiected
~ spirit that commanded his def
We're neither Of us fools.
~. oserdo things. You're talking
s"us-quite unlike yourself. II
=. care to hear more until you've
~ your bearings; and I want time
isn't itY' ~
a0taing more So" he affirmed cheer
nioo!" 'oo ~ souf-lumliy
usely Craven's eyes conveyed |
"ss at once demand and an
But before Lydia could re-
ms =. afs' Nerrilees anticipated, with
~. 1 I'm movement crossing to drop her
=. uenuy upon the girls shoulders,
oear Miss Craven." she said
q odd little catch in her voice.
-. sure yet l ought to call YOU
- out I'm awfully fond Of your
~ &00-And ~ o,u