Evening star., 1923-07-14
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

She had momentary relapse. A
look look Of terror t. suddenly s altered her
"Don't"' she cried. Don't talk
about such things"
He was a little bewildered. The
moment passed. She laughed almost
Forgive me-" she begged. "but 1
sort; Some day I'll explain"
fis his task and setang the
result before her. Now how's that
for first course? Drink little Of
your wine."
He leaned his glass against hers.
now, dear. and always. and you'll
find 1t quite strong enough" he went
on, ito keep you from all the ugly
things And now away with senti-
solitary breakfast this morning, and
it seems a long time ago"
"It seems amazing to think that
you spent last night at the Sanctu-
ary." she reflected.
"And that you and were in a
punt" he reminded her. "in the pool
of darkness where the trees met, and
the lilies leaned over to US"
"And you nearly upset the punt"
of fact. was very careful. But
he proceeded, with a sudden wave of
memory, II don't think my heart will
ever beat normally again. 1t seemed
as though 1t would tear its way out
of my side when i leand toward you.
and you knew, and you lay still"
She laughed.
going to get up? 1t was quite en-
couragement enough to remain pas.
sive. AS a matter of fact" she went
on. Il couldn't have moved
suppose I must have been like one of
those poor birds you read about.
when some devouring animal crouches
for it's last spring.
marRedi pfoS "You won't fofge. that my
name is Francis. will you? Try, and d
practise 1t while I carve the chicken.
You carve very badly. Francis
she told him demurely:
we shall be able to afford a butler.
By-the-bye, l told your father this
morning that I was going to marry
you, and he didn't seem to think 1t
possible. because he had two million
| pounds"
"Braggart" she murmured. When
did you see my father?"
HE came to my rooms TO the
morning. He seemed to think l
might know where you were. 1 dare
say he won't like me for a son-in-
law" Francis continued. with smile.
Il can't help that. H shouldn't have
| let me go out with you in a punt.
There was a discreet knock at the
door. Brooks made his apologetic
and somewhat troubled entrance
YOU. sir" he announced Il ventured
to say that you were not at
But 1 happened to know other
wise" a still voice remarked from
outside. May l come in' MT. LEU
Sir Timothy stepped past the serv-
ant who at sign from FranciS
disappeared. closing the door oehino
him.
CHAPTER XXI.
After his first glance at Sir
Timothy. Francis only thought was
for Margaret. To his intense RELIEF,
she showed no signs whatever or ter
ror. or of any relapse to her former
state. She was entirely mistress or
herself and the occasion. Sir Tim
othy's face was cold and terrible.
"I must apologize for this second
intrusion, Mr.. Ledsam." he said cut
tingly. II think you will admit that
the circumstances warrant II. Am L
to understand that you lied TO me THIS
morning."
You are to understand nothing OF
the Sort" Francis answered. II toid
you everything l knew at that time
of your daughters movements.
indeed" Sir Timothy murmured.
This little banquet. then, was un-
premeditated?"
ENTIRELY" Francis replied. Here
is the exact truth, so far as L am
concerned. 1 met your daughter III
tie more than an hour ago, coming
out of a steamship office, where she
! had booked a passage to Buenos
Ayres to get away from me- was
fortunate enough to induce her to
change her mind. She has consented
instead to remain in England as my
wife. We were. as you see, celebrat-
ing the occasion"
Sir Timothy laid his hat upon the
sideboard and slowly removed his
gloves.
II trust" he said. that this pint
hottie does not represent your cellar.
| will drink a glass of wine with you,
and with your permission make my
self a pate sandwich. l was just sit
ting down to luncheon when l
received the information Whlch
brought me here"
Francis produced another bottle of
wine from the sideboard and filled
his visitors glass.
"You will drink. hope, to our hap
piness" he said.
II shall do nothing of the sort"
Sir Timothy declared. helping himself
with care to the pate. II have no
superstitions about breaking bread
with an enemy. or l should not have
asked you to visit me at the Sanctu-
ary, Mr. Ledsam. 1 object to your
marriage with my daughter, and I
shall take what steps j can to pre-
vent it."
"Why?"
Sir Timothy did not at once reply.
He seemed 20 be enjoying his sand
wich; he also appreciated the flavor
| of his wine.
Your question" he said, strikes
me as being a little ingenious. You
are at the present moment suspecting
me of crimes beyond number. You
encourage Scotland Yard detectives
to make asses of themselves in my
| stream Your myrmidons scramble
! on to the top of my walls and try to
brfbe my servants to disclose the
mysteries of my household. You
1have accepted to the fullest extent my
volunteered statement that 4 am a
patron of crime. You are. in sort
forgive me IL 1 help myself to q little
strenuous attempt to bring me to JUS
tice."
None of these things affects your
daughter" Francis pointed out.
Pardon me-" Sir Timothy objected.
You are great and shining light
Of the English law. People speak of
you as a future chancellor. How can
you contemplate an alliance with the
widow of one criminal and the daugh-
,er of another ...
"As to Margaret being Oliver Hill
iitch's widow" Francis replied, you
were responsible for that, and no one
else. He was your protege; you gave
your consent to the marriage/ AS to
your being her father, that again is
not Margaret's fault. 1 should marry
IL oliver Hilditch had been three
times the villain he was, and if you
usre the devil himself"
II am getting quite to like you, Mr..
Ledsam," Sir Timothy declared, help
ing himself to another piece of toast
and commencing to butter 1t. Mar