Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-04-23

in q rage that any one should disturb
my gloomy reflections.
"Mr. Singleton? Oh! This is Alice
speaking"
clutched the shelf for support.
Not only was it Alice speaking but
in the kindest voice imaginable. My
anger passed, but my amaZement at
Alice and all her ways blinded me.
If she had suddenly stepped through
the wall, my surprise could not have
been greater.
"You told me the Thackeray was
your usual refuge in town, so
thought I'd try it. Are you very, very
cross? I'm sorry, really I am-Bob!"
The Bob" was added lingeringly,
propitiating. Huddled In the booth.
doubted my senSeS-WOndering in
deed whether Alice hadn't a double
even whether | hadn't dreamed every
thing that had occurred at Barton.
Il wanted to speak to you ever so
much at the theater, but | couldn't
very we'll without introducing you to
Sir Cecil, and | wasn't ready to do
that. 1t might have caused complica-
tiOnS,"
If anything could have multiplied
the existing complications. | was anX-
ious to know what they were; but
her voice was so gentle so wholly ami
able that | restrained an impulse to de
mand explanations.
Are you on earth or are you Skeak-
ing from paradise?' / asked.
"Oh, we're in very nice house,
Constance and I; and we're just about
having a little supper. | wish you
were here. but that can't be arranged.
No; really it can't! We shall be
motoring back to Barton Tomorrow
and hope you can join us. Let us
have luncheon and motor up to-
gether."
When suggested that l call for
them she laughed gayly.
THAT would be telling things!
Anu we mustn't spoil everything when
everything is going so beautifully"
Remembering the man had locked
UP in the Toulouse and the explana-
lions | should have to make sooner
or later to the unimaginative Tor
renee, I wasn't wholly convinced of
the general beauty of the prospect.
'Montani was in the theater," !
suggested
Herlaughter rippled merrily over
the wire. 'Oh, he tried to follow us
in taxi! We had great time
throwing him off in the park. I'm
not sure he isn't sitting on the curb
right now watching the house I'M
graciously."
"You have the fan with you; Mon
tani jumped right out Of his seat
when you opened it in the theater."
This she received with more laugh
ter; Montani amused her immensely
she said. She wasn't in the least
afraid of him. Returning to the mat
ter of the luncheon, she suggested
the birmingham.
"You know, l want very much to
see Mr.. Bashford's old home and the
place all our veteran retainers came
Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth reached
the birmingham on time to the minute.
AS | had spent the morning on
bench in the park, analyZing my prob
lens, | found their good humor
trifle Earring.
"You don't seem bit glad to see
u.s." Alice complained as she drew
off her gloves. "How can any one be
anything but happy after seeing that
delicious Cock Robin? 1t is so deli
ously drOll."
IL haven't" | remarked with an
attempt at severity, quite your knack
of ignoring dsagreeabe facts. There
was MOntani right in front of me,
jumping like a jack-in-the-box every
time you fiourished your fan. There's
that fellow we've got locked up at
Barton"
"Just hear the man, Constance" she
interrupted with her adorable laugh.
"We were thinking that he was only
beginning to see things our way, the
only true way, the jolly way, and
here he cometh like a melancholy
Jacques! Well have none of it,"
1--WE must confess" said Mrs.
Farnsworth conciliatingly, that Mr.
Singleton is passing through a severe
trial. We precipitated ourselves
upon him without warning, and i'm
mediately involved him in a mesh of