The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-02-22

VANCE
CHAPTER xvi-csntinved.

CHAPTER xvI-centinved.
IT.
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
pnce slammed behind him.
A pace or two from the wall the man
pulled up and stared at his daughter.
Ills face dark with temper.
Slowly Lydia rose and confronted
him. hard eyes challenging his relent-
iessly.
"What's this" he demanded abrupt
y in an ugly voice. what's this hear
about your bringing Peter Trait here
n tadr
"What does this mean." the girl re-
torted. "that you send me here to be
locked up. as though l were . 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.
Il demand an answer to mine," she
returned, unyielding.
advanced a. II meaning to seize her
and enforce obedience. But halfway
he paused, let his hand fall, with OBJ
vious effort relaxed: mustered Q dick
ering and uncertain smile, meant to be
ingratiating moderated his tone. "Oh.
come now |" he said in strained indul-
gence. I'VE can't 60 on forever quar-
rellng, you and !. Liddy."
Il agree" she replied coolly. ANY
explanation you can make"
Its all q mistake. Mrs. Ellsworthy.
. most sealous 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 ], your
father, express my sincere regret"
Briefly Lydia analysed words and
tone, and found both hollow with insin-
cerity. She shook her head wearily.
you're not telling me the truth. I've
learned too well to know when you're
-inventing. II you mean what you
say, Il 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.
every WELL" he urged. I've no wish
to detain you. Just one thfng-and
well 60 together. First be good
enough to give me that puzzle box"
"No" Lydia cried out in q round
full voice. "Nov
"What's that?" he said, incredulous.
Fl said no." Lydia told him. Il will
not give you the puzzle box. It belongs
to Mrs. Nerrilees."
In q breath his face was suffused
With blood. $50 that's your style, is
ttr 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 boxl IN
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 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 a shape of horror between them {;
stammering and aghast he jabbered
repetition, "Mrs. Merrilees has it
aow!"
Lydia affirmed with a nod.
"You-you're not fooling me, L.ddy?'
asked Craven in stricken vote.
Tin 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. I walked two blocks
north to get another at the Margrave-
where Mrs. Merrllees 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-
eorting me, though not at my request"
Good heavens!" said Craven again,
his accents quavering. do you know
what you're saying. Lddyr
I'm afraid-I know too we'll"
With an inarticulate groan Craven
sank into q chair and buried his face in
his hands. you've ruined mel"
"rve saved You, you mean"
"You don't understand. What" He
looked up eagerly. "What did they say
when you-when you gave back the
2ecklace7"
They were kind enough to say moth.
Ing, to pretend Mrs. Merrilees had in
stigated the smuggling swindle that
YOU invented-to blind me. Even Mrs.
Merrilees pretended, in the goodness
of her heart. And I was deceived un-
til-this Mrs. Ellsworthy locked me in,
and SO gave me q chance to think from
. true point Of departure. Then I'M
derstood. I thought 1t all out-realized
eAst von ho6 sfo1on the neck1aCe-t1at