Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-04-23
SYNOPSIS.
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CHAPTER I-Richard searles, success
full American playwright, confides to his
friend, Bob Singleton, the fact that, in
spired by the genius of young actress
whom he had seen in London, he has
written a play, Lady Larkspur," solely
with the thought that she should interpret
the leading character. This girl, Violet
DeWing, has disappeared and Searles re-
fuses to allow the play to be produced
with anyone else in the part. Singleton
has just returned Gnvalided) from France,
where he had been serving in the aviation
corps. His uncle, Raymond Bashford,
a wealthy man, had contracted a mar
riage short time before his death, While
on a visit to Japan. He left Singleton a
comparatively small amount of money
and the privilege of residence in the
garage" of his summer home, Barton-on-
the-SOund, Connecticut. Mrs. Bashford Is
believed to be travelling in the Orient The
household at Barton is made up of elderly
employees of the birmingham, New York
hotel, where BaShford made his home BY
the terms of his will these people are to
have a home at Barton for the rest or
their lives Singleton goes to Barton, TAX
ing with him the manuscript or Lady
Larkspur" There he finds the household
strangely upset, some of its members be-
ing suspected by their comrades of pro-
Germanism. Antoine, head of the estab-
iiShment, informs him that he has been
perpleXed by the somewhat mysterious
visits of a stranger, apparently for
eigner, seeking Mrs. BashfOrd. Antoine
household into guard for the protection
of the premises. Terrence, high official or
the trust company handling Bashford'
estate informs Singleton that Mrs. Bash
ford is in America and may be expected
at Barton at any time.
CHAPTER II.-Singleton reads Searles'
play and thinks highly of it. In his tenn
porary absence Mrs. Bashford and
female companion arrive. Next day Sin
gleton meets his aunt and is astonished at
finding her young and decidedly attrac-
tive person about his own age. At lunch
con he meets Mrs. Bashford'S companion,
q Mrs. FarnSWOrth. They are somewhat
unconventional, but highly agreeable COM
panions. Mrs. Bashford and Singleton
agree to call each other "Alice" and
Bob" Informed of the visits of the for
eigner which had so disturbed Antoine,
the two ladies seem to be much amused.
Terrence, on a business visit to Barton,
informs Singleton that he has doubts OF
"Alice" being Mr.. Bashford's widow. Sim
gleton laughs at him, but Terrence re-
mains unconvinced, finally telling his
friend that an official of the state depart
ment, RaynOr, has been making inquiries
about the two women.
CHAPTER III.-Searles writes Singleton
that all efforts to find the young actress,
Violet DeWing, have been unavalIlng.
Alice admits to Bob that she and Mrs
Farnswo~th are slightly acquainted with
the mysterious stranger" who calls him.
self Court Giuseppe MONTANA having met
him in Japan, and that they have invited
him to call. Singleton is at first faVoraoly
IMPRESSED but Montani's somewhat Sus-
picious actions in connection with fan
belonging to Alice render him uneasy:
Later Singleton learns that Montani is not
a guest of the hotel where he claimed TO
be stopping. Antoine informs Singleton
that a conversation between stranger
and Elsie, wife of one of the employees on
the place, had been overheard, and tnat
the stranger had sought to bribe Elsie to
steal for him the fan in which Montani
had shown interest. Elsie seemingly &C
f. guessed. Alarmed, Singleton remains on
watch. During the night the stranger ar
rives and is vehemently berated by Elsie
for his attempt to bride her. The man is
captured.and confined in an old tool house
The two ladies seem highly diverted by
the occurrence.